text
stringlengths 2.57k
160k
| hyperpartisan
bool 2
classes | bias
int64 0
4
| cleaned_text
stringlengths 1.79k
91.8k
| word_count
int64 512
12.5k
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p />
<p>Apparently they found it.</p>
<p>And today, many are returning to the ocean – along with others – as travelers board cruise ships in record numbers.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>More than 16 million people around the world – nearly three quarters of them from North America – took a cruise in 2011, according to the trade organization Cruise Lines International Association.</p>
<p>“Cruises are the best value in travel today,” says Linda Babin, director of the cruise department at Sun Tours and Cruises in Albuquerque.</p>
<p>That’s because the cost of a cruise package usually covers all major expenses, such as accommodations and food, though most packages do not include airfare to the port of departure.</p>
<p>The average cruise is from one to two weeks and costs from $1,500 to $4,000, says Babin, whose agency specializes in group tours and cruises. The two most popular destinations for Americans are the Caribbean and Alaska, she says.</p>
<p>Most cruise lines have a wide range or itineraries and activities to attract people from different ages and backgrounds. “Tell your travel agent what type of cruise vacation you’re looking for so they can match you with the best fit,” Babin says.</p>
<p>Someone more comfortable with an older and more reserved crowd aboard a Holland America cruise would be out of their element on a more raucous Disney cruise, she notes.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Modern cruise ships are floating cities, with their own water purification and waste systems, medical centers staffed by doctors and nurses, restaurants, shops, fitness centers, spas, swimming pools, casinos, theaters and more.</p>
<p>The largest of cruise ships currently plying the oceans are the Royal Caribbean sister ships, the Allure of the Seas and the Oasis of the Seas. Each is 1,187 feet long, 208 feet wide and 213 feet high measured from the water line. They have 16 passenger decks serviced by 24 elevators, 2,706 staterooms and can accommodate more than 6,200 passengers and 2,300 crew.</p>
<p>Before you book</p>
<p>For people who have never been on a cruise or are just now planning one, travel agent Linda Babin offers helpful tips to navigate the waters.</p>
<p>♦ Check the weather.</p>
<p>Ask your travel agent about the preferred time of year. Be aware that those may also correspond with the most expensive times to travel there.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>♦ Get to the departure port early.</p>
<p>Cruise lines operate on a set itinerary, and they stick to it. If you have to travel far to the embarkation city, it’s worth it arrive a day early and spring for a hotel room the night before to give yourself enough time.</p>
<p>♦ Check your passport.</p>
<p>Make sure you have a passport or passport card that doesn’t expire for at least six months after your return date. You will not be allowed on the ship without this documentation, even if you’ve already paid for your cruise.</p>
<p>♦ Know what’s included.</p>
<p>Ask about airfare to the city of departure, government taxes and transfers, shore excursions, gratuities and insurance. Entertainment and meals aboard a ship are nearly always included, though alcoholic beverages are not. Some ships have specialty restaurants that charge a service fee, like a cover charge, so ask about these, too.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>♦ Update vaccinations.</p>
<p>Schedule these in the weeks prior to departure, leaving plenty of time.</p>
<p>♦ Know what kind of stateroom you want.</p>
<p>The three main types ranging from least to most expensive are inside staterooms with no windows, staterooms with ocean views, and staterooms that have balconies.</p>
<p>♦ Charge it to your room.</p>
<p>Most cruise lines run their ships like a hotel. It is largely a cashless system and any expenses incurred aboard the ship are charged to your stateroom account, which is tied to a credit card.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>♦ Bring tipping money.</p>
<p>Gratuities for shipboard staff are charged to your stateroom account and are not generally part of the cost of the cruise package. Gratuities commonly range from $12 to $15 per day per passenger.</p>
<p>♦ Enjoy room service.</p>
<p>Room service on ships is free and usually available 24 hours a day. If you don’t want to eat in your stateroom but like to eat late, most cruise ships will have one or more 24-hour snack bars or dining spots.</p>
<p>♦ Pack light.</p>
<p>Many cruise ships have a self-service laundromat as well dry cleaning services, so bring as little as possible to avoid airline luggage fees. You can always wash clothing aboard the ship if necessary.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>♦ Dress for the occasion.</p>
<p>Casual attire is acceptable most of the time and on most cruise ships, though cruise ships usually offer formal night opportunities for those people who want to dress up. Bring formal wear if you want to participate.</p>
<p>♦ Book early.</p>
<p>Where possible, book shore excursions in advance. This gives the cruise line an idea of how many vendors to contract with to accommodate passengers.</p>
<p>♦ Know the penalties.</p>
<p>Cruise lines have what’s called an ascending rate of penalty for cancellation. The closer you get to your trip when you cancel the more money you will lose.</p>
<p>Consider buying travel insurance, which can be as much as 10 percent of the cost of your trip but includes coverage for trip cancellation due to illness or death in the family. It also covers lost luggage, missing a connection to your cruise, or having a medical emergency outside the country.</p>
| false | 2 |
apparently found today many returning ocean along others travelers board cruise ships record numbers advertisement 16 million people around world nearly three quarters north america took cruise 2011 according trade organization cruise lines international association cruises best value travel today says linda babin director cruise department sun tours cruises albuquerque thats cost cruise package usually covers major expenses accommodations food though packages include airfare port departure average cruise one two weeks costs 1500 4000 says babin whose agency specializes group tours cruises two popular destinations americans caribbean alaska says cruise lines wide range itineraries activities attract people different ages backgrounds tell travel agent type cruise vacation youre looking match best fit babin says someone comfortable older reserved crowd aboard holland america cruise would element raucous disney cruise notes advertisement modern cruise ships floating cities water purification waste systems medical centers staffed doctors nurses restaurants shops fitness centers spas swimming pools casinos theaters largest cruise ships currently plying oceans royal caribbean sister ships allure seas oasis seas 1187 feet long 208 feet wide 213 feet high measured water line 16 passenger decks serviced 24 elevators 2706 staterooms accommodate 6200 passengers 2300 crew book people never cruise planning one travel agent linda babin offers helpful tips navigate waters check weather ask travel agent preferred time year aware may also correspond expensive times travel advertisement get departure port early cruise lines operate set itinerary stick travel far embarkation city worth arrive day early spring hotel room night give enough time check passport make sure passport passport card doesnt expire least six months return date allowed ship without documentation even youve already paid cruise know whats included ask airfare city departure government taxes transfers shore excursions gratuities insurance entertainment meals aboard ship nearly always included though alcoholic beverages ships specialty restaurants charge service fee like cover charge ask advertisement update vaccinations schedule weeks prior departure leaving plenty time know kind stateroom want three main types ranging least expensive inside staterooms windows staterooms ocean views staterooms balconies charge room cruise lines run ships like hotel largely cashless system expenses incurred aboard ship charged stateroom account tied credit card advertisement bring tipping money gratuities shipboard staff charged stateroom account generally part cost cruise package gratuities commonly range 12 15 per day per passenger enjoy room service room service ships free usually available 24 hours day dont want eat stateroom like eat late cruise ships one 24hour snack bars dining spots pack light many cruise ships selfservice laundromat well dry cleaning services bring little possible avoid airline luggage fees always wash clothing aboard ship necessary advertisement dress occasion casual attire acceptable time cruise ships though cruise ships usually offer formal night opportunities people want dress bring formal wear want participate book early possible book shore excursions advance gives cruise line idea many vendors contract accommodate passengers know penalties cruise lines whats called ascending rate penalty cancellation closer get trip cancel money lose consider buying travel insurance much 10 percent cost trip includes coverage trip cancellation due illness death family also covers lost luggage missing connection cruise medical emergency outside country
| 513 |
<p>NEW YORK (AP) — This year showed how sheltered the U.S. economy is from geopolitical and health crises around the world. The global economy sputtered, but the U.S. powered ahead. Employers are finally hiring enough to lower unemployment. A plunge in gas prices and a rising stock market has Americans feeling richer and spending a bit more.</p>
<p>Those are some of the top business stories of 2014, as chosen by business editors at The Associated Press. Others include massive product disasters: A string of auto recalls after faulty ignition switches from General Motors Corp. and air bags in many car models caused injuries and deaths. Hackers stole personal information from millions of people in a wave of breaches at stores, banks, a movie studio and other organizations.</p>
<p>We’re also becoming increasingly dependent on our phones and tablets, using them to communicate, play and pay.</p>
<p>Janet Yellen became the first woman to head the Federal Reserve and U.S. workers won higher pay as cities and states across the country raise the minimum hourly wage.</p>
<p>Corporate deal-making was also in the spotlight. Companies acquired each other at a level not seen since 2007, the year the Great Recession began, while a burst of businesses went public.</p>
<p>The top 10 business stories of 2014:</p>
<p>1. U.S. GROWS AS WORLD SLOWS: After a freezing winter put a chill on buying and selling, the U.S. economy has posted its best six months since 2003. But the rest of the world hasn’t been as lucky. Japan has fallen back into recession. The 18 countries that make up the eurozone are barely growing and fear a dangerous drop in prices. Major developing nations aren’t faring much better. China’s growth has dropped to a five-year low of 7.3 percent. Western sanctions and dropping oil prices have decimated Russia’s currency. Brazil just edged out of recession. What’s helped the U.S. is its relative insulation. American consumers, not exports, are the main drivers of the world’s largest economy.</p>
<p>2. JOBS ARE BACK: Millions of Americans still struggle with low pay and fewer hours of work than they want, and millions have given up looking for a job entirely. But five years after the recession ended, the U.S. job market is looking healthy. The unemployment rate is below 6 percent. Employers added nearly 3 million jobs, the most since 1999, as shoppers and businesses spend more. As a result, the Federal Reserve ended its recession-era stimulus program in October and is edging closer to lifting interest rates. The Fed has kept rates near zero since 2008 to spur lending and investment.</p>
<p>3. SECURITY BREACHES: The theft of 40 million credit and debit cards and 70 million personal records from Target last fall turned out to be just the beginning. Home Depot Inc. hackers nabbed 56 million cards and 53 million email addresses. There were breaches at Kmart, Dairy Queen, and Albertsons. JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. said hackers stole information covering 76 million households and 7 million small businesses. Sony employees’ private information and emails were posted online. The consequences? Sony Pictures Entertainment canceled the release of “The Interview,” a comedy about assassinating the North Korean leader, after hackers threatened to attack movie theaters. Target Corp. replaced top executives. Shops, card companies and banks sped up card security improvements.</p>
<p>4. OIL PLUNGE: Global crude prices have fallen to around $57 per barrel from this year’s high of $115 because of more production, especially in the U.S., while slowing economies in Europe and Asia crimp demand. A rapid decline in the second half of the year pushed gasoline to below $2.50 a gallon in the U.S., the lowest price in nearly five years. Americans are pocketing $14.6 billion more a month than when gas was at its 2014 high of $3.70. Cheaper crude is also pumping up auto sales and saving airlines money on jet fuel. But drilling could slow in North Dakota’s new boomtowns and other regions, hurting businesses that have cropped up. And governments in energy producers Russia, Venezuela and Iran are being squeezed, increasing the likelihood of political upheaval.</p>
<p>5. AUTO RECALLS: In the U.S. alone, automakers recalled more than 60 million cars and trucks. That far surpasses the previous record of 30.8 million in 2004. The bulk of those come from two problems that have led to nearly 50 deaths and dozens of injuries. Japanese air bag supplier Takata, whose air bags can inflate too fast and spew shrapnel, has fought regulators’ demands to expand recalls. And GM was fined the maximum $35 million by U.S. safety regulators for dragging its feet — for a decade — over replacing faulty switches that can shut down car engines. The U.S. Justice Department is investigating both companies.</p>
<p>6. MOBILE MOMENTUM: PC sales are slumping, but mobile phone subscriptions are expected to reach 7 billion this year — the same as the world’s population. Phone makers are launching cheaper smartphones aimed at developing countries, which could get billions more people online. Already, more than a billion people check Facebook on their phones and tablets. The social media giant spent $22 billion on a phone messaging app, WhatsApp. Uber, a hail-a-cab app, is valued at $40 billion. Apple Inc., the iPhone and iPad maker, launched a payment system that sidesteps cash and plastic.</p>
<p>7. STOCK MARKETS SOAR: Another year, another record. The end of the Federal Reserve’s bond-buying stimulus program stressed investors this fall, but U.S. stocks kept rising, extending the bull market run to nearly six years. More companies acquired each other and big companies bought up more than $400 billion of their own stock, helping to put the Standard &amp; Poor’s 500 index on pace for a 12 percent gain in 2014. And despite the end of the Fed’s bond purchases, which was expected to weigh on markets, bond prices rallied and rates dropped.</p>
<p>8. MINIMUM WAGE GROWTH: Inequality has been rising, and median household incomes have fallen since the recession began in late 2007. But the federal minimum hourly wage has remained at $7.25 since 2009. Labor organizers, fast-food workers and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. employees have campaigned for higher pay across the country. Congress hasn’t acted, but cities and states — and President Barack Obama — have. Obama raised pay by executive order for government contractors, to $10.10 an hour. By Jan. 1, 29 states and Washington, D.C. will have a higher minimum wage than $7.25. Seattle approved an increase to $15 an hour, the highest rate in the country.</p>
<p>9. JANET YELLEN: The Federal Reserve had been led exclusively by men for a century. Then Janet Yellen, a 68-year-old former economics professor and the No. 2 at the Fed, became the first woman to lead the central bank. Plainspoken, with a trace of her native Brooklyn in her speech, Yellen criticizes inequality, focuses on jobs growth and has tried to demystify the moves of the notoriously opaque Fed. She has also tied the failure of most economists to predict the damages wrought by the financial crisis to a lack of diversity in the field. She says that increasing diversity is a priority at the central bank.</p>
<p>10. LET’S MAKE A DEAL: Higher stocks and confidence lifted global mergers and acquisitions volume to highest level since 2007. With a few days to go, global deal volume has risen 20 percent to $3.41 trillion, including debt. Climbing markets make it easier to do stock deals, and borrowing is cheap. Meanwhile, initial public offerings had their biggest year since 2000. Health care companies made up 37 percent of all IPOs in the U.S., nearly double the level in 2013. And the biggest IPO ever, that of China’s e-commerce behemoth Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., raised $25 billion in September.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Autos Writers Tom Krisher and Dee-Ann Durbin, Economics Writer Chris Rugaber, Energy Writer Jon Fahey and Technology Writer Barbara Ortutay contributed to this report.</p>
<p>NEW YORK (AP) — This year showed how sheltered the U.S. economy is from geopolitical and health crises around the world. The global economy sputtered, but the U.S. powered ahead. Employers are finally hiring enough to lower unemployment. A plunge in gas prices and a rising stock market has Americans feeling richer and spending a bit more.</p>
<p>Those are some of the top business stories of 2014, as chosen by business editors at The Associated Press. Others include massive product disasters: A string of auto recalls after faulty ignition switches from General Motors Corp. and air bags in many car models caused injuries and deaths. Hackers stole personal information from millions of people in a wave of breaches at stores, banks, a movie studio and other organizations.</p>
<p>We’re also becoming increasingly dependent on our phones and tablets, using them to communicate, play and pay.</p>
<p>Janet Yellen became the first woman to head the Federal Reserve and U.S. workers won higher pay as cities and states across the country raise the minimum hourly wage.</p>
<p>Corporate deal-making was also in the spotlight. Companies acquired each other at a level not seen since 2007, the year the Great Recession began, while a burst of businesses went public.</p>
<p>The top 10 business stories of 2014:</p>
<p>1. U.S. GROWS AS WORLD SLOWS: After a freezing winter put a chill on buying and selling, the U.S. economy has posted its best six months since 2003. But the rest of the world hasn’t been as lucky. Japan has fallen back into recession. The 18 countries that make up the eurozone are barely growing and fear a dangerous drop in prices. Major developing nations aren’t faring much better. China’s growth has dropped to a five-year low of 7.3 percent. Western sanctions and dropping oil prices have decimated Russia’s currency. Brazil just edged out of recession. What’s helped the U.S. is its relative insulation. American consumers, not exports, are the main drivers of the world’s largest economy.</p>
<p>2. JOBS ARE BACK: Millions of Americans still struggle with low pay and fewer hours of work than they want, and millions have given up looking for a job entirely. But five years after the recession ended, the U.S. job market is looking healthy. The unemployment rate is below 6 percent. Employers added nearly 3 million jobs, the most since 1999, as shoppers and businesses spend more. As a result, the Federal Reserve ended its recession-era stimulus program in October and is edging closer to lifting interest rates. The Fed has kept rates near zero since 2008 to spur lending and investment.</p>
<p>3. SECURITY BREACHES: The theft of 40 million credit and debit cards and 70 million personal records from Target last fall turned out to be just the beginning. Home Depot Inc. hackers nabbed 56 million cards and 53 million email addresses. There were breaches at Kmart, Dairy Queen, and Albertsons. JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. said hackers stole information covering 76 million households and 7 million small businesses. Sony employees’ private information and emails were posted online. The consequences? Sony Pictures Entertainment canceled the release of “The Interview,” a comedy about assassinating the North Korean leader, after hackers threatened to attack movie theaters. Target Corp. replaced top executives. Shops, card companies and banks sped up card security improvements.</p>
<p>4. OIL PLUNGE: Global crude prices have fallen to around $57 per barrel from this year’s high of $115 because of more production, especially in the U.S., while slowing economies in Europe and Asia crimp demand. A rapid decline in the second half of the year pushed gasoline to below $2.50 a gallon in the U.S., the lowest price in nearly five years. Americans are pocketing $14.6 billion more a month than when gas was at its 2014 high of $3.70. Cheaper crude is also pumping up auto sales and saving airlines money on jet fuel. But drilling could slow in North Dakota’s new boomtowns and other regions, hurting businesses that have cropped up. And governments in energy producers Russia, Venezuela and Iran are being squeezed, increasing the likelihood of political upheaval.</p>
<p>5. AUTO RECALLS: In the U.S. alone, automakers recalled more than 60 million cars and trucks. That far surpasses the previous record of 30.8 million in 2004. The bulk of those come from two problems that have led to nearly 50 deaths and dozens of injuries. Japanese air bag supplier Takata, whose air bags can inflate too fast and spew shrapnel, has fought regulators’ demands to expand recalls. And GM was fined the maximum $35 million by U.S. safety regulators for dragging its feet — for a decade — over replacing faulty switches that can shut down car engines. The U.S. Justice Department is investigating both companies.</p>
<p>6. MOBILE MOMENTUM: PC sales are slumping, but mobile phone subscriptions are expected to reach 7 billion this year — the same as the world’s population. Phone makers are launching cheaper smartphones aimed at developing countries, which could get billions more people online. Already, more than a billion people check Facebook on their phones and tablets. The social media giant spent $22 billion on a phone messaging app, WhatsApp. Uber, a hail-a-cab app, is valued at $40 billion. Apple Inc., the iPhone and iPad maker, launched a payment system that sidesteps cash and plastic.</p>
<p>7. STOCK MARKETS SOAR: Another year, another record. The end of the Federal Reserve’s bond-buying stimulus program stressed investors this fall, but U.S. stocks kept rising, extending the bull market run to nearly six years. More companies acquired each other and big companies bought up more than $400 billion of their own stock, helping to put the Standard &amp; Poor’s 500 index on pace for a 12 percent gain in 2014. And despite the end of the Fed’s bond purchases, which was expected to weigh on markets, bond prices rallied and rates dropped.</p>
<p>8. MINIMUM WAGE GROWTH: Inequality has been rising, and median household incomes have fallen since the recession began in late 2007. But the federal minimum hourly wage has remained at $7.25 since 2009. Labor organizers, fast-food workers and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. employees have campaigned for higher pay across the country. Congress hasn’t acted, but cities and states — and President Barack Obama — have. Obama raised pay by executive order for government contractors, to $10.10 an hour. By Jan. 1, 29 states and Washington, D.C. will have a higher minimum wage than $7.25. Seattle approved an increase to $15 an hour, the highest rate in the country.</p>
<p>9. JANET YELLEN: The Federal Reserve had been led exclusively by men for a century. Then Janet Yellen, a 68-year-old former economics professor and the No. 2 at the Fed, became the first woman to lead the central bank. Plainspoken, with a trace of her native Brooklyn in her speech, Yellen criticizes inequality, focuses on jobs growth and has tried to demystify the moves of the notoriously opaque Fed. She has also tied the failure of most economists to predict the damages wrought by the financial crisis to a lack of diversity in the field. She says that increasing diversity is a priority at the central bank.</p>
<p>10. LET’S MAKE A DEAL: Higher stocks and confidence lifted global mergers and acquisitions volume to highest level since 2007. With a few days to go, global deal volume has risen 20 percent to $3.41 trillion, including debt. Climbing markets make it easier to do stock deals, and borrowing is cheap. Meanwhile, initial public offerings had their biggest year since 2000. Health care companies made up 37 percent of all IPOs in the U.S., nearly double the level in 2013. And the biggest IPO ever, that of China’s e-commerce behemoth Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., raised $25 billion in September.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Autos Writers Tom Krisher and Dee-Ann Durbin, Economics Writer Chris Rugaber, Energy Writer Jon Fahey and Technology Writer Barbara Ortutay contributed to this report.</p>
| false | 2 |
new york ap year showed sheltered us economy geopolitical health crises around world global economy sputtered us powered ahead employers finally hiring enough lower unemployment plunge gas prices rising stock market americans feeling richer spending bit top business stories 2014 chosen business editors associated press others include massive product disasters string auto recalls faulty ignition switches general motors corp air bags many car models caused injuries deaths hackers stole personal information millions people wave breaches stores banks movie studio organizations also becoming increasingly dependent phones tablets using communicate play pay janet yellen became first woman head federal reserve us workers higher pay cities states across country raise minimum hourly wage corporate dealmaking also spotlight companies acquired level seen since 2007 year great recession began burst businesses went public top 10 business stories 2014 1 us grows world slows freezing winter put chill buying selling us economy posted best six months since 2003 rest world hasnt lucky japan fallen back recession 18 countries make eurozone barely growing fear dangerous drop prices major developing nations arent faring much better chinas growth dropped fiveyear low 73 percent western sanctions dropping oil prices decimated russias currency brazil edged recession whats helped us relative insulation american consumers exports main drivers worlds largest economy 2 jobs back millions americans still struggle low pay fewer hours work want millions given looking job entirely five years recession ended us job market looking healthy unemployment rate 6 percent employers added nearly 3 million jobs since 1999 shoppers businesses spend result federal reserve ended recessionera stimulus program october edging closer lifting interest rates fed kept rates near zero since 2008 spur lending investment 3 security breaches theft 40 million credit debit cards 70 million personal records target last fall turned beginning home depot inc hackers nabbed 56 million cards 53 million email addresses breaches kmart dairy queen albertsons jpmorgan chase amp co said hackers stole information covering 76 million households 7 million small businesses sony employees private information emails posted online consequences sony pictures entertainment canceled release interview comedy assassinating north korean leader hackers threatened attack movie theaters target corp replaced top executives shops card companies banks sped card security improvements 4 oil plunge global crude prices fallen around 57 per barrel years high 115 production especially us slowing economies europe asia crimp demand rapid decline second half year pushed gasoline 250 gallon us lowest price nearly five years americans pocketing 146 billion month gas 2014 high 370 cheaper crude also pumping auto sales saving airlines money jet fuel drilling could slow north dakotas new boomtowns regions hurting businesses cropped governments energy producers russia venezuela iran squeezed increasing likelihood political upheaval 5 auto recalls us alone automakers recalled 60 million cars trucks far surpasses previous record 308 million 2004 bulk come two problems led nearly 50 deaths dozens injuries japanese air bag supplier takata whose air bags inflate fast spew shrapnel fought regulators demands expand recalls gm fined maximum 35 million us safety regulators dragging feet decade replacing faulty switches shut car engines us justice department investigating companies 6 mobile momentum pc sales slumping mobile phone subscriptions expected reach 7 billion year worlds population phone makers launching cheaper smartphones aimed developing countries could get billions people online already billion people check facebook phones tablets social media giant spent 22 billion phone messaging app whatsapp uber hailacab app valued 40 billion apple inc iphone ipad maker launched payment system sidesteps cash plastic 7 stock markets soar another year another record end federal reserves bondbuying stimulus program stressed investors fall us stocks kept rising extending bull market run nearly six years companies acquired big companies bought 400 billion stock helping put standard amp poors 500 index pace 12 percent gain 2014 despite end feds bond purchases expected weigh markets bond prices rallied rates dropped 8 minimum wage growth inequality rising median household incomes fallen since recession began late 2007 federal minimum hourly wage remained 725 since 2009 labor organizers fastfood workers walmart stores inc employees campaigned higher pay across country congress hasnt acted cities states president barack obama obama raised pay executive order government contractors 1010 hour jan 1 29 states washington dc higher minimum wage 725 seattle approved increase 15 hour highest rate country 9 janet yellen federal reserve led exclusively men century janet yellen 68yearold former economics professor 2 fed became first woman lead central bank plainspoken trace native brooklyn speech yellen criticizes inequality focuses jobs growth tried demystify moves notoriously opaque fed also tied failure economists predict damages wrought financial crisis lack diversity field says increasing diversity priority central bank 10 lets make deal higher stocks confidence lifted global mergers acquisitions volume highest level since 2007 days go global deal volume risen 20 percent 341 trillion including debt climbing markets make easier stock deals borrowing cheap meanwhile initial public offerings biggest year since 2000 health care companies made 37 percent ipos us nearly double level 2013 biggest ipo ever chinas ecommerce behemoth alibaba group holding ltd raised 25 billion september ___ autos writers tom krisher deeann durbin economics writer chris rugaber energy writer jon fahey technology writer barbara ortutay contributed report new york ap year showed sheltered us economy geopolitical health crises around world global economy sputtered us powered ahead employers finally hiring enough lower unemployment plunge gas prices rising stock market americans feeling richer spending bit top business stories 2014 chosen business editors associated press others include massive product disasters string auto recalls faulty ignition switches general motors corp air bags many car models caused injuries deaths hackers stole personal information millions people wave breaches stores banks movie studio organizations also becoming increasingly dependent phones tablets using communicate play pay janet yellen became first woman head federal reserve us workers higher pay cities states across country raise minimum hourly wage corporate dealmaking also spotlight companies acquired level seen since 2007 year great recession began burst businesses went public top 10 business stories 2014 1 us grows world slows freezing winter put chill buying selling us economy posted best six months since 2003 rest world hasnt lucky japan fallen back recession 18 countries make eurozone barely growing fear dangerous drop prices major developing nations arent faring much better chinas growth dropped fiveyear low 73 percent western sanctions dropping oil prices decimated russias currency brazil edged recession whats helped us relative insulation american consumers exports main drivers worlds largest economy 2 jobs back millions americans still struggle low pay fewer hours work want millions given looking job entirely five years recession ended us job market looking healthy unemployment rate 6 percent employers added nearly 3 million jobs since 1999 shoppers businesses spend result federal reserve ended recessionera stimulus program october edging closer lifting interest rates fed kept rates near zero since 2008 spur lending investment 3 security breaches theft 40 million credit debit cards 70 million personal records target last fall turned beginning home depot inc hackers nabbed 56 million cards 53 million email addresses breaches kmart dairy queen albertsons jpmorgan chase amp co said hackers stole information covering 76 million households 7 million small businesses sony employees private information emails posted online consequences sony pictures entertainment canceled release interview comedy assassinating north korean leader hackers threatened attack movie theaters target corp replaced top executives shops card companies banks sped card security improvements 4 oil plunge global crude prices fallen around 57 per barrel years high 115 production especially us slowing economies europe asia crimp demand rapid decline second half year pushed gasoline 250 gallon us lowest price nearly five years americans pocketing 146 billion month gas 2014 high 370 cheaper crude also pumping auto sales saving airlines money jet fuel drilling could slow north dakotas new boomtowns regions hurting businesses cropped governments energy producers russia venezuela iran squeezed increasing likelihood political upheaval 5 auto recalls us alone automakers recalled 60 million cars trucks far surpasses previous record 308 million 2004 bulk come two problems led nearly 50 deaths dozens injuries japanese air bag supplier takata whose air bags inflate fast spew shrapnel fought regulators demands expand recalls gm fined maximum 35 million us safety regulators dragging feet decade replacing faulty switches shut car engines us justice department investigating companies 6 mobile momentum pc sales slumping mobile phone subscriptions expected reach 7 billion year worlds population phone makers launching cheaper smartphones aimed developing countries could get billions people online already billion people check facebook phones tablets social media giant spent 22 billion phone messaging app whatsapp uber hailacab app valued 40 billion apple inc iphone ipad maker launched payment system sidesteps cash plastic 7 stock markets soar another year another record end federal reserves bondbuying stimulus program stressed investors fall us stocks kept rising extending bull market run nearly six years companies acquired big companies bought 400 billion stock helping put standard amp poors 500 index pace 12 percent gain 2014 despite end feds bond purchases expected weigh markets bond prices rallied rates dropped 8 minimum wage growth inequality rising median household incomes fallen since recession began late 2007 federal minimum hourly wage remained 725 since 2009 labor organizers fastfood workers walmart stores inc employees campaigned higher pay across country congress hasnt acted cities states president barack obama obama raised pay executive order government contractors 1010 hour jan 1 29 states washington dc higher minimum wage 725 seattle approved increase 15 hour highest rate country 9 janet yellen federal reserve led exclusively men century janet yellen 68yearold former economics professor 2 fed became first woman lead central bank plainspoken trace native brooklyn speech yellen criticizes inequality focuses jobs growth tried demystify moves notoriously opaque fed also tied failure economists predict damages wrought financial crisis lack diversity field says increasing diversity priority central bank 10 lets make deal higher stocks confidence lifted global mergers acquisitions volume highest level since 2007 days go global deal volume risen 20 percent 341 trillion including debt climbing markets make easier stock deals borrowing cheap meanwhile initial public offerings biggest year since 2000 health care companies made 37 percent ipos us nearly double level 2013 biggest ipo ever chinas ecommerce behemoth alibaba group holding ltd raised 25 billion september ___ autos writers tom krisher deeann durbin economics writer chris rugaber energy writer jon fahey technology writer barbara ortutay contributed report
| 1,704 |
<p>WASHINGTON (AP) — In a victory for the business establishment over tea party conservatives, President Barack Obama signed legislation Friday reviving the federal Export-Import Bank five months after Congress allowed it to expire.</p>
<p>The bank is a small federal agency that makes and guarantees loans to help foreign customers buy U.S. goods. A measure extending it through 2019 was included in a massive transportation bill that cleared the House and Senate late Thursday and was signed Friday by Obama.</p>
<p>The development was cheered by business groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which say the Ex-Im Bank is necessary for U.S. competitiveness since most overseas competitors rely on similar government help. But conservatives pushed by the billionaire GOP Koch Brothers decried the development, arguing that the bank amounts to government interference in the free market and many of its beneficiaries are large corporations that don’t really need the help.</p>
<p>“The Export-Import Bank’s revival in this bill is especially offensive to taxpayers who want to end corporate welfare handouts and let the free market finance overseas investments by American companies,” said Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.</p>
<p>Rubio is among the GOP presidential candidates and other leading Republicans who’ve lined up against the bank, a once-obscure entity that’s become a cause celebre for conservatives led by the Koch Brothers in recent years. For decades it was renewed by bipartisan agreement, with little or no debate and often not even a roll-call vote. But after the Koch Brothers and other conservative groups began to seize on the opportunity to kill off a federal agency, leading Republicans such as House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy who once supported the bank, turned against it.</p>
<p>Amid that pressure and with tea party lawmakers on the ascent on Capitol Hill, Congress failed to act when the bank’s charter was up for renewal June 30, allowing it to expire for the first time in its 81-year history.</p>
<p>All along, though, a majority of lawmakers in the House and Senate, including Republicans and Democrats with major manufacturers such as General Electric, Caterpillar or Boeing in their districts, supported the bank. An unusual series of maneuvers and alliances followed, including a rarely used procedure in the House to force a floor vote on the bank over the objections of top GOP leaders.</p>
<p>The end result was that the measure ended up on the highway bill and five months after expiring, the Ex-Im Bank is getting back in business.</p>
<p>“We brought the Export-Import Bank back to life, so American manufacturers and workers can compete against our foreign competitors on a level playing field,” said GOP Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois, who is facing a tough re-election fight and took the opportunity to issue a joint statement with leading CEOs. The bank says that last year it authorized $20 billion worth of transactions which supported $27.5 billion of U.S. exports and 164,000 U.S. jobs.</p>
<p>However, conservatives and the Koch Brothers said they’re not done yet.</p>
<p>In an interview, Marc Short, president of the Koch-backed Freedom Partners, said that in four years’ time when the bank is up for renewal again, opponents will prevail, thanks to efforts over the past several years to raise the issue’s profile.</p>
<p>“Ironically ... we believe we’re putting the final nails in the coffin of Ex-Im,” Short said. “We’ve been able to elevate Ex-Im as an issue that resonates with a broader cross-section of the American people.”</p>
<p>WASHINGTON (AP) — In a victory for the business establishment over tea party conservatives, President Barack Obama signed legislation Friday reviving the federal Export-Import Bank five months after Congress allowed it to expire.</p>
<p>The bank is a small federal agency that makes and guarantees loans to help foreign customers buy U.S. goods. A measure extending it through 2019 was included in a massive transportation bill that cleared the House and Senate late Thursday and was signed Friday by Obama.</p>
<p>The development was cheered by business groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which say the Ex-Im Bank is necessary for U.S. competitiveness since most overseas competitors rely on similar government help. But conservatives pushed by the billionaire GOP Koch Brothers decried the development, arguing that the bank amounts to government interference in the free market and many of its beneficiaries are large corporations that don’t really need the help.</p>
<p>“The Export-Import Bank’s revival in this bill is especially offensive to taxpayers who want to end corporate welfare handouts and let the free market finance overseas investments by American companies,” said Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.</p>
<p>Rubio is among the GOP presidential candidates and other leading Republicans who’ve lined up against the bank, a once-obscure entity that’s become a cause celebre for conservatives led by the Koch Brothers in recent years. For decades it was renewed by bipartisan agreement, with little or no debate and often not even a roll-call vote. But after the Koch Brothers and other conservative groups began to seize on the opportunity to kill off a federal agency, leading Republicans such as House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy who once supported the bank, turned against it.</p>
<p>Amid that pressure and with tea party lawmakers on the ascent on Capitol Hill, Congress failed to act when the bank’s charter was up for renewal June 30, allowing it to expire for the first time in its 81-year history.</p>
<p>All along, though, a majority of lawmakers in the House and Senate, including Republicans and Democrats with major manufacturers such as General Electric, Caterpillar or Boeing in their districts, supported the bank. An unusual series of maneuvers and alliances followed, including a rarely used procedure in the House to force a floor vote on the bank over the objections of top GOP leaders.</p>
<p>The end result was that the measure ended up on the highway bill and five months after expiring, the Ex-Im Bank is getting back in business.</p>
<p>“We brought the Export-Import Bank back to life, so American manufacturers and workers can compete against our foreign competitors on a level playing field,” said GOP Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois, who is facing a tough re-election fight and took the opportunity to issue a joint statement with leading CEOs. The bank says that last year it authorized $20 billion worth of transactions which supported $27.5 billion of U.S. exports and 164,000 U.S. jobs.</p>
<p>However, conservatives and the Koch Brothers said they’re not done yet.</p>
<p>In an interview, Marc Short, president of the Koch-backed Freedom Partners, said that in four years’ time when the bank is up for renewal again, opponents will prevail, thanks to efforts over the past several years to raise the issue’s profile.</p>
<p>“Ironically ... we believe we’re putting the final nails in the coffin of Ex-Im,” Short said. “We’ve been able to elevate Ex-Im as an issue that resonates with a broader cross-section of the American people.”</p>
| false | 2 |
washington ap victory business establishment tea party conservatives president barack obama signed legislation friday reviving federal exportimport bank five months congress allowed expire bank small federal agency makes guarantees loans help foreign customers buy us goods measure extending 2019 included massive transportation bill cleared house senate late thursday signed friday obama development cheered business groups like us chamber commerce say exim bank necessary us competitiveness since overseas competitors rely similar government help conservatives pushed billionaire gop koch brothers decried development arguing bank amounts government interference free market many beneficiaries large corporations dont really need help exportimport banks revival bill especially offensive taxpayers want end corporate welfare handouts let free market finance overseas investments american companies said sen marco rubio rfla rubio among gop presidential candidates leading republicans whove lined bank onceobscure entity thats become cause celebre conservatives led koch brothers recent years decades renewed bipartisan agreement little debate often even rollcall vote koch brothers conservative groups began seize opportunity kill federal agency leading republicans house majority leader kevin mccarthy supported bank turned amid pressure tea party lawmakers ascent capitol hill congress failed act banks charter renewal june 30 allowing expire first time 81year history along though majority lawmakers house senate including republicans democrats major manufacturers general electric caterpillar boeing districts supported bank unusual series maneuvers alliances followed including rarely used procedure house force floor vote bank objections top gop leaders end result measure ended highway bill five months expiring exim bank getting back business brought exportimport bank back life american manufacturers workers compete foreign competitors level playing field said gop sen mark kirk illinois facing tough reelection fight took opportunity issue joint statement leading ceos bank says last year authorized 20 billion worth transactions supported 275 billion us exports 164000 us jobs however conservatives koch brothers said theyre done yet interview marc short president kochbacked freedom partners said four years time bank renewal opponents prevail thanks efforts past several years raise issues profile ironically believe putting final nails coffin exim short said weve able elevate exim issue resonates broader crosssection american people washington ap victory business establishment tea party conservatives president barack obama signed legislation friday reviving federal exportimport bank five months congress allowed expire bank small federal agency makes guarantees loans help foreign customers buy us goods measure extending 2019 included massive transportation bill cleared house senate late thursday signed friday obama development cheered business groups like us chamber commerce say exim bank necessary us competitiveness since overseas competitors rely similar government help conservatives pushed billionaire gop koch brothers decried development arguing bank amounts government interference free market many beneficiaries large corporations dont really need help exportimport banks revival bill especially offensive taxpayers want end corporate welfare handouts let free market finance overseas investments american companies said sen marco rubio rfla rubio among gop presidential candidates leading republicans whove lined bank onceobscure entity thats become cause celebre conservatives led koch brothers recent years decades renewed bipartisan agreement little debate often even rollcall vote koch brothers conservative groups began seize opportunity kill federal agency leading republicans house majority leader kevin mccarthy supported bank turned amid pressure tea party lawmakers ascent capitol hill congress failed act banks charter renewal june 30 allowing expire first time 81year history along though majority lawmakers house senate including republicans democrats major manufacturers general electric caterpillar boeing districts supported bank unusual series maneuvers alliances followed including rarely used procedure house force floor vote bank objections top gop leaders end result measure ended highway bill five months expiring exim bank getting back business brought exportimport bank back life american manufacturers workers compete foreign competitors level playing field said gop sen mark kirk illinois facing tough reelection fight took opportunity issue joint statement leading ceos bank says last year authorized 20 billion worth transactions supported 275 billion us exports 164000 us jobs however conservatives koch brothers said theyre done yet interview marc short president kochbacked freedom partners said four years time bank renewal opponents prevail thanks efforts past several years raise issues profile ironically believe putting final nails coffin exim short said weve able elevate exim issue resonates broader crosssection american people
| 684 |
<p>BANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar is set to put two reporters from the Reuters news agency on trial this week after they were charged under a colonial-era state secrets act, in a case that highlights growing concerns about press freedom in the country.</p>
<p>Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were arrested Dec. 12 for allegedly acquiring “important secret papers” from two police officers. The officers had worked in Rakhine state, where abuses widely blamed on Myanmar’s military have driven hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims to flee into neighboring Bangladesh.</p>
<p>The charges against the two are punishable by up to 14 years in prison.</p>
<p>Rights and media groups have criticized Myanmar’s new civilian government led by Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi for continuing to use colonial-era laws to threaten and imprison journalists. Such laws were widely used by the military junta that previously ruled the country to muzzle critics and the media.</p>
<p>Under the current government, at least 32 journalists have been charged, mostly under colonial-era laws, according to the local group We Support Journalists.</p>
<p>“Such arrests and laws were widely used by the military junta to shut us down,” the group’s founder, Maung Saungkha, said by phone. “But it’s sad to see media freedom is even worse under the so-called democratically elected government.”</p>
<p>The arrest of the two Myanmar journalists, whose trial begins Wednesday, caused an international outcry. After they were detained, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the arrests showed how press freedom was deteriorating in Myanmar, while U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called for their immediate release.</p>
<p>“A free press is critical to a free society_the detention of journalists anywhere is unacceptable,” former President Bill Clinton tweeted Monday. “The Reuters journalists being held in Myanmar should be released immediately.”</p>
<p>Reuters President and Editor-in-Chief Stephen J. Adler also has called on Myanmar to free the journalists.</p>
<p>“Their arrest and continued incarceration represent an egregious attack on press freedom — preventing them, and deterring other journalists, from reporting independently in Myanmar,” Adler said in a statement Monday.</p>
<p>Critics and rights groups say that in some respects, press freedom in Myanmar is more restrictive now than it was during the previous quasi-civilian administration, which bridged the former military government to the current civilian one. Suu Kyi’s government, which has been in power for two years, has done nothing to change laws that create barriers to a free press.</p>
<p>“Nearly two years later, we have been gravely disappointed by the lack of progress on legal reform and the new clampdown on journalists under Suu Kyi’s rule,” said Shawn Crispin, senior Southeast Asia representative for the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists.</p>
<p>In November, Myanmar authorities sentenced two foreign journalists working for Turkish state broadcaster TRT, along with their local interpreter and driver, to two months in prison for flying a drone over the parliament building. All four were released in late December.</p>
<p>A few days after the Reuters journalists were arrested, Myanmar President Htin Kyaw, a close ally and confidant of Suu Kyi, the country’s de facto leader, authorized police to proceed with the charges against them.</p>
<p>Despite facing heavy criticism for the move, the government said it was simply implementing the rule of law.</p>
<p>“It’s up to the court to decide whether the journalists are guilty or not because as a government, we don’t interfere in the country’s judicial system,” said government spokesman Zaw Htay.</p>
<p>Wa Lone, who joined Reuters in June 2016, has covered a range of stories related to the Rohingya crisis, while Kyaw Soe Oo began working for the news agency in September. Since their arrest, they’ve been held in the country’s notorious Insein prison.</p>
<p>More than 650,000 Rohingya have fled from Myanmar into Bangladesh since Aug. 25, when Myanmar’s army began what it called “clearance operations” following an attack on police posts by Rohingya insurgents. The aid group Doctors Without Borders estimates at least 6,700 Rohingya civilians were killed in the first month of the crackdown.</p>
<p>Since the crisis in northern Rakhine state began, new restrictions on press access have made it nearly impossible for journalists to cover independently in the region.</p>
<p>“Suu Kyi’s government clearly feels foreign media coverage of the Rohingya crisis has damaged its international image and now it’s fighting back through bogus legal threats and jailing of journalists,” Crispin said.</p>
<p>BANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar is set to put two reporters from the Reuters news agency on trial this week after they were charged under a colonial-era state secrets act, in a case that highlights growing concerns about press freedom in the country.</p>
<p>Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were arrested Dec. 12 for allegedly acquiring “important secret papers” from two police officers. The officers had worked in Rakhine state, where abuses widely blamed on Myanmar’s military have driven hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims to flee into neighboring Bangladesh.</p>
<p>The charges against the two are punishable by up to 14 years in prison.</p>
<p>Rights and media groups have criticized Myanmar’s new civilian government led by Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi for continuing to use colonial-era laws to threaten and imprison journalists. Such laws were widely used by the military junta that previously ruled the country to muzzle critics and the media.</p>
<p>Under the current government, at least 32 journalists have been charged, mostly under colonial-era laws, according to the local group We Support Journalists.</p>
<p>“Such arrests and laws were widely used by the military junta to shut us down,” the group’s founder, Maung Saungkha, said by phone. “But it’s sad to see media freedom is even worse under the so-called democratically elected government.”</p>
<p>The arrest of the two Myanmar journalists, whose trial begins Wednesday, caused an international outcry. After they were detained, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the arrests showed how press freedom was deteriorating in Myanmar, while U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called for their immediate release.</p>
<p>“A free press is critical to a free society_the detention of journalists anywhere is unacceptable,” former President Bill Clinton tweeted Monday. “The Reuters journalists being held in Myanmar should be released immediately.”</p>
<p>Reuters President and Editor-in-Chief Stephen J. Adler also has called on Myanmar to free the journalists.</p>
<p>“Their arrest and continued incarceration represent an egregious attack on press freedom — preventing them, and deterring other journalists, from reporting independently in Myanmar,” Adler said in a statement Monday.</p>
<p>Critics and rights groups say that in some respects, press freedom in Myanmar is more restrictive now than it was during the previous quasi-civilian administration, which bridged the former military government to the current civilian one. Suu Kyi’s government, which has been in power for two years, has done nothing to change laws that create barriers to a free press.</p>
<p>“Nearly two years later, we have been gravely disappointed by the lack of progress on legal reform and the new clampdown on journalists under Suu Kyi’s rule,” said Shawn Crispin, senior Southeast Asia representative for the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists.</p>
<p>In November, Myanmar authorities sentenced two foreign journalists working for Turkish state broadcaster TRT, along with their local interpreter and driver, to two months in prison for flying a drone over the parliament building. All four were released in late December.</p>
<p>A few days after the Reuters journalists were arrested, Myanmar President Htin Kyaw, a close ally and confidant of Suu Kyi, the country’s de facto leader, authorized police to proceed with the charges against them.</p>
<p>Despite facing heavy criticism for the move, the government said it was simply implementing the rule of law.</p>
<p>“It’s up to the court to decide whether the journalists are guilty or not because as a government, we don’t interfere in the country’s judicial system,” said government spokesman Zaw Htay.</p>
<p>Wa Lone, who joined Reuters in June 2016, has covered a range of stories related to the Rohingya crisis, while Kyaw Soe Oo began working for the news agency in September. Since their arrest, they’ve been held in the country’s notorious Insein prison.</p>
<p>More than 650,000 Rohingya have fled from Myanmar into Bangladesh since Aug. 25, when Myanmar’s army began what it called “clearance operations” following an attack on police posts by Rohingya insurgents. The aid group Doctors Without Borders estimates at least 6,700 Rohingya civilians were killed in the first month of the crackdown.</p>
<p>Since the crisis in northern Rakhine state began, new restrictions on press access have made it nearly impossible for journalists to cover independently in the region.</p>
<p>“Suu Kyi’s government clearly feels foreign media coverage of the Rohingya crisis has damaged its international image and now it’s fighting back through bogus legal threats and jailing of journalists,” Crispin said.</p>
| false | 2 |
bangkok ap myanmar set put two reporters reuters news agency trial week charged colonialera state secrets act case highlights growing concerns press freedom country wa lone kyaw soe oo arrested dec 12 allegedly acquiring important secret papers two police officers officers worked rakhine state abuses widely blamed myanmars military driven hundreds thousands rohingya muslims flee neighboring bangladesh charges two punishable 14 years prison rights media groups criticized myanmars new civilian government led nobel peace laureate aung san suu kyi continuing use colonialera laws threaten imprison journalists laws widely used military junta previously ruled country muzzle critics media current government least 32 journalists charged mostly colonialera laws according local group support journalists arrests laws widely used military junta shut us groups founder maung saungkha said phone sad see media freedom even worse socalled democratically elected government arrest two myanmar journalists whose trial begins wednesday caused international outcry detained un secretarygeneral antonio guterres said arrests showed press freedom deteriorating myanmar us secretary state rex tillerson called immediate release free press critical free society_the detention journalists anywhere unacceptable former president bill clinton tweeted monday reuters journalists held myanmar released immediately reuters president editorinchief stephen j adler also called myanmar free journalists arrest continued incarceration represent egregious attack press freedom preventing deterring journalists reporting independently myanmar adler said statement monday critics rights groups say respects press freedom myanmar restrictive previous quasicivilian administration bridged former military government current civilian one suu kyis government power two years done nothing change laws create barriers free press nearly two years later gravely disappointed lack progress legal reform new clampdown journalists suu kyis rule said shawn crispin senior southeast asia representative new yorkbased committee protect journalists november myanmar authorities sentenced two foreign journalists working turkish state broadcaster trt along local interpreter driver two months prison flying drone parliament building four released late december days reuters journalists arrested myanmar president htin kyaw close ally confidant suu kyi countrys de facto leader authorized police proceed charges despite facing heavy criticism move government said simply implementing rule law court decide whether journalists guilty government dont interfere countrys judicial system said government spokesman zaw htay wa lone joined reuters june 2016 covered range stories related rohingya crisis kyaw soe oo began working news agency september since arrest theyve held countrys notorious insein prison 650000 rohingya fled myanmar bangladesh since aug 25 myanmars army began called clearance operations following attack police posts rohingya insurgents aid group doctors without borders estimates least 6700 rohingya civilians killed first month crackdown since crisis northern rakhine state began new restrictions press access made nearly impossible journalists cover independently region suu kyis government clearly feels foreign media coverage rohingya crisis damaged international image fighting back bogus legal threats jailing journalists crispin said bangkok ap myanmar set put two reporters reuters news agency trial week charged colonialera state secrets act case highlights growing concerns press freedom country wa lone kyaw soe oo arrested dec 12 allegedly acquiring important secret papers two police officers officers worked rakhine state abuses widely blamed myanmars military driven hundreds thousands rohingya muslims flee neighboring bangladesh charges two punishable 14 years prison rights media groups criticized myanmars new civilian government led nobel peace laureate aung san suu kyi continuing use colonialera laws threaten imprison journalists laws widely used military junta previously ruled country muzzle critics media current government least 32 journalists charged mostly colonialera laws according local group support journalists arrests laws widely used military junta shut us groups founder maung saungkha said phone sad see media freedom even worse socalled democratically elected government arrest two myanmar journalists whose trial begins wednesday caused international outcry detained un secretarygeneral antonio guterres said arrests showed press freedom deteriorating myanmar us secretary state rex tillerson called immediate release free press critical free society_the detention journalists anywhere unacceptable former president bill clinton tweeted monday reuters journalists held myanmar released immediately reuters president editorinchief stephen j adler also called myanmar free journalists arrest continued incarceration represent egregious attack press freedom preventing deterring journalists reporting independently myanmar adler said statement monday critics rights groups say respects press freedom myanmar restrictive previous quasicivilian administration bridged former military government current civilian one suu kyis government power two years done nothing change laws create barriers free press nearly two years later gravely disappointed lack progress legal reform new clampdown journalists suu kyis rule said shawn crispin senior southeast asia representative new yorkbased committee protect journalists november myanmar authorities sentenced two foreign journalists working turkish state broadcaster trt along local interpreter driver two months prison flying drone parliament building four released late december days reuters journalists arrested myanmar president htin kyaw close ally confidant suu kyi countrys de facto leader authorized police proceed charges despite facing heavy criticism move government said simply implementing rule law court decide whether journalists guilty government dont interfere countrys judicial system said government spokesman zaw htay wa lone joined reuters june 2016 covered range stories related rohingya crisis kyaw soe oo began working news agency september since arrest theyve held countrys notorious insein prison 650000 rohingya fled myanmar bangladesh since aug 25 myanmars army began called clearance operations following attack police posts rohingya insurgents aid group doctors without borders estimates least 6700 rohingya civilians killed first month crackdown since crisis northern rakhine state began new restrictions press access made nearly impossible journalists cover independently region suu kyis government clearly feels foreign media coverage rohingya crisis damaged international image fighting back bogus legal threats jailing journalists crispin said
| 906 |
<p>Jan 24 (Reuters) - PLDT INC:</p>
<p>* PLDT, SMART COMMUNICATIONS INK SEVEN-YEAR US$300 MILLION DEAL WITH AMDOCS‍​ Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage:</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday temporarily excluded six countries and the European Union from higher import duties on steel and aluminum due to come into effect on Friday.</p> FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump waves to the crowd before delivering remarks at the National Republican Congressional Committee's annual March dinner at the National Building Museum in Washington, U.S., March 20, 2018. REUTERS/Leah Millis
<p>In a presidential proclamation issued late Thursday, Trump said he would suspended steel tariffs for Argentina, Australia, Brazil, South Korea, Canada, Mexico and the European Union until May 1, 2018 amid ongoing discussions.</p>
<p>The United States was set to begin imposing import duties of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum from Friday.</p>
<p>“I have determined that the necessary and appropriate means to address the threat to the national security posed by imports from steel articles from these countries is to continue these discussions and to exempt steel articles imports from these countries from the tariff, at least at this time,” according to the proclamation published by the White House on Thursday.&#160;</p>
<p>Reporting by Lesley Wroughton; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>BEIJING/SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China urged the United States on Friday to “pull back from the brink” as President Donald Trump’s plans for tariffs on up to $60 billion in Chinese goods brought the world’s two largest economies closer to a trade war.</p>
<p>The escalating tensions between Beijing and Washington sent shivers through financial markets, as investors foresaw dire consequences for the global economy if trade barriers start going up.</p>
<p>Trump is planning to impose the tariffs over what his administration says is misappropriation of U.S. intellectual property. A probe was launched last year under Section 301 of the 1974 U.S. Trade Act.</p>
<p>Responding the U.S. import tariffs on steel and aluminum that went into effect on Friday, though announced by Trump earlier this month, China unveiled plans to levy additional duties on up to $3 billion of U.S. imports including fresh fruit, wine and nuts.</p>
<p>“China doesn’t hope to be in a trade war, but is not afraid of engaging in one,” the Chinese commerce ministry said in a statement on Friday.</p>
<p>“China hopes the United States will pull back from the brink, make prudent decisions, and avoid dragging bilateral trade relations to a dangerous place.”</p>
<p>In a presidential memorandum signed by Trump on Thursday, there will be a 30-day consultation period that only starts once a list of Chinese goods is published.</p>
<p>That effectively creates room for potential talks to address Trump’s allegations on intellectual property theft and forced technology transfers.</p>
<p>Trump said he views the Chinese as “a friend”, and both sides are in the midst of negotiations.</p>
<p>The inevitable fall in demand from a full-blown trade war would spell trouble for all the economies supplying the United States and China.</p>
<p>Feeling the chill, MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan dropped 2.4 percent, tracking a large overnight fall in Wall Street shares, but perceived safe havens such as government bonds gained.</p>
<p>“The upshot is that today’s (U.S.) tariffs amount to no more than a slap on the wrist for China,” Mark Williams, Chief Asia Economist at Capital Economics, wrote in a note. “China won’t change its ways. Worries about escalation therefore won’t go away.”</p>
<p>Williams estimated that the $506 billion that China exported to the United States drove around 2.5 percent of its total gross domestic product, and the $50-60 billion targeted by the U.S. tariffs contributed just around 0.25 percent.</p>
<p>Trump, however, appears intent on fulfilling election campaign promises to reduce China’s huge trade surplus with the United States.</p> FILE PHOTO - A worker checks steel wires at a warehouse in Dalian, Liaoning province, China May 15, 2017. REUTERS/Stringer
<p>“The American and Chinese governments should resolve existing trade frictions in a way that averts a trade war and promotes open markets and fair economic exchange,” said AmCham Shanghai President Kenneth Jarrett.”</p>
<p>“As our members increasingly tell us, however, the current trading relationship is neither open nor fair. It is time for China to take remedial action and show that it is a true partner in global trade.”</p> ‘DRAWING ITS BOW’
<p>Alarm over Trump’s protectionist leanings mounted earlier this month after he imposed hefty import tariffs on steel and aluminum under Section 232 of the 1962 U.S. Trade Expansion Act, which allows safeguards based on “national security”.</p>
<p>That measure had not targeted Chinese imports alone.</p>
<p>On Friday, the Chinese commerce ministry said China will levy duties on up to $3 billion of U.S. imports in response to the steel and aluminum tariffs, which appeared modest by comparison to the U.S. penalties.</p>
<p>“With the restrained response, China hopes Trump can realize his errors and mend his ways,” said Xu Hongcai, deputy chief economist at the China Centre for International Economic Exchanges, a Beijing think tank.</p>
<p>“If we really want to counter, the strongest response would be to target soybean and automobiles. This would hurt the U.S.,” said Xu. “China is ‘drawing its bow but not firing. We still have some cards to play.”</p>
<p>In retaliation for the U.S. tariffs in steel and aluminum, China is considering levying an additional 15 percent tariff on U.S. products including dried fruit, wine and steel pipes and an extra 25 percent duty on pork products and recycled aluminum.</p>
<p>China has assembled a list of 128 U.S. products in total that could be targeted if the two countries are unable to reach an agreement on trade issues, the ministry said.</p> Related Coverage
<a href="/article/us-usa-trade-china-relations/china-urges-u-s-against-taking-trade-relations-to-dangerous-place-idUSKBN1GZ05X" type="external">China urges U.S. against taking trade relations to 'dangerous place'</a>
<a href="/article/us-usa-trade-japan/japans-aso-says-closely-watching-u-s-tariff-moves-against-china-idUSKBN1GZ004" type="external">Japan's Aso says closely watching U.S. tariff moves against China</a>
<a href="/article/us-usa-trade-eu/eu-leaders-receive-positive-news-on-trump-tariffs-idUSKBN1GY02V" type="external">EU leaders receive positive news on Trump tariffs</a>
<p>The commerce ministry said China would implement the measures in two stages: first the 15 percent tariff on 120 products including steel pipes and wine worth $977 million, and later, the higher 25 percent tariff on $1.99 billion of pork and aluminum.</p>
<p>U.S. wine exports to China last year were $79 million, according to data from the U.S. Wine Institute, which represents Californian wine makers.</p>
<p>The Chinese list also included close to 80 fruit and nut products. U.S. exports of fruits, frozen juices and nuts to China amounted to $669 million last year, and it was the top supplier of apples, cherries, walnuts and almonds.</p>
<p>(GRAPHIC: U.S. imports from China - <a href="http://tmsnrt.rs/2FMsz1Q" type="external">tmsnrt.rs/2FMsz1Q</a>)</p>
<p>(GRAPHIC: U.S. trade in goods with China - <a href="http://tmsnrt.rs/2GcOZIH" type="external">tmsnrt.rs/2GcOZIH</a>)</p>
<p>Reporting by Ryan Woo and Adam Jourdan; Additional reporting by Wang Jing, Lusha Zhang, John Ruwitch, Elias Glenn and Dominique Patton; Editing By Simon Cameron-Moore</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>TOKYO (Reuters) - The rumblings of a global trade war sent shivers through stock and currency markets on Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump announced long-promised tariffs on Chinese goods and China retaliated with a pledge to fight to the end any such war.</p> A man is seen against an electronic board showing stock information at a brokerage house in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China March 23, 2018. REUTERS/Stringer
<p>Trump signed a presidential memorandum on Thursday that could impose tariffs on up to $60 billion of imports from China, although the measures have a 30-day consultation period.</p>
<p>Investors fear that the U.S. measures could escalate into a trade war, with potentially dire consequences for the global economy.</p>
<p>Beijing urged the United States on Friday to “pull back from the brink”.</p>
<p>“China doesn’t hope to be in a trade war, but is not afraid of engaging in one,” the Chinese commerce ministry said in a statement.</p>
<p>On Friday, China unveiled plans to impose tariffs on up to $3 billion of U.S. imports in retaliation against U.S. tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum products.</p>
<p>MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS fell 2.1 percent as stocks across the region dropped.</p>
<p>Shanghai shares <a href="/finance/markets/index?symbol=.SSEC" type="external">.SSEC</a> were down 3.2 percent.</p>
<p>“The economic impact on both China and the U.S. will be determined by what form the tariffs end up taking. The effects are likely to be felt more strongly in the U.S. and will increase both consumer and producer prices,” wrote Hannah Anderson, global market strategist at J.P. Morgan Asset Management.</p>
<p>“The equity market will bear the brunt of the market reaction. Most impacted will be the U.S., Korea, and Taiwan as companies domiciled in these markets make up a significant portion of the global production chain of Chinese exports.”</p>
<p>Australian stocks lost 2.0 percent and Japan's Nikkei <a href="/finance/markets/index?symbol=.N225" type="external">.N225</a> dropped 3.5 percent. Hong Kong's Hang Seng <a href="/finance/markets/index?symbol=.HSI" type="external">.HSI</a> was down nearly 3.0 percent, Taiwan shares <a href="/finance/markets/index?symbol=.TWII" type="external">.TWII</a> slid 1.7 percent and South Korea's KOSPI <a href="/finance/markets/index?symbol=.KS11" type="external">.KS11</a> retreated 2.2 percent.</p>
<p>“A possible trade war between the United States and China is especially serious for the South Korean economy as it could directly or indirectly affect the country’s trade with them as well,” said Seo Sang-young, an analyst at Kiwoom Securities.</p>
<p>Setting the downbeat tone in Asia, the Dow <a href="/finance/markets/index?symbol=.DJI" type="external">.DJI</a> on Thursday shed 2.9 percent, the S&amp;P 500 <a href="/finance/markets/index?symbol=.SPX" type="external">.SPX</a> dropped 2.5 percent and the Nasdaq <a href="/finance/markets/index?symbol=.IXIC" type="external">.IXIC</a> fell 2.4 percent.</p> A man is seen against an electronic board showing stock information at a brokerage house in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China March 23, 2018. REUTERS/Stringer
<p>As equities took a beating, the yen, often sought in times of market turmoil, rallied against the dollar.</p>
<p>The greenback fell roughly 0.5 percent to as low as 104.635 yen <a href="/finance/currencies/quote?srcCurr=JPY&amp;destCurr=USD" type="external">JPY=</a>, its weakest since November 2016. The dollar was down more than 1 percent on the week.</p>
<p>“In the longer run, protectionist policies touted by the United States could be watered down, in turn limiting the negative effect on trade and the global economy,” said Masafumi Yamamoto, chief forex strategist at Mizuho Securities in Tokyo, referring to the U.S. decision to exempt some countries from steel and aluminum tariffs.</p>
<p>“But until the United States makes such concessions, global stocks will be under pressure and the yen will appreciate, especially if China decides to confront the U.S. measures.”</p>
<a href="/finance/markets/index?symbol=.SSEC" type="external">Shanghai Stock Exchange</a> 3156.8877 .SSEC Shanghai Stock Exchange -106.59 (-3.27%) .SSEC .N225 .HSI .TWII .KS11
<p>The euro was 0.3 percent higher at $1.2336 <a href="/finance/currencies/quote?srcCurr=EUR&amp;destCurr=USD" type="external">EUR=</a>.</p>
<p>The dollar index against a basket of six major currencies slipped 0.3 percent to 89.605 .DXY. It has lost roughly 0.7 percent this week, weighed down by a steady decline in U.S. Treasury yields.</p>
<p>Yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury US10YT=RR fell 7.5 basis points overnight as bond prices rose on jitters gripping the broader financial markets.</p>
<p>The yield fell further on Friday to 2.792 percent, its lowest in six weeks.</p>
<p>The 10-year Japanese government bond (JGB) yield dipped to a four-month trough of 0.025 percent JP10YTN=JBTC.</p>
<p>In commodities, oil prices recouped overnight losses after Saudi Arabia said that OPEC and Russian-led production curbs introduced in 2017 will need to be extended into 2019. [O/R]</p>
<p>U.S. crude futures CLc1 were up 1 percent at $64.92 per barrel after losing 1.3 percent on Thursday and Brent gained 0.85 percent to $69.50 per barrel LCOc1.</p>
<p>Other commodities did not fare as well amid the trade war fears, with copper on the London Metal Exchange CMCU3 extending a big overnight drop and falling to a three-month low of $6,640.00 per ton.</p>
<p>Iron ore futures on China’s Dalian Commodity Exchange DCIOcv1 fell 0.5 percent.</p>
<p>Reporting by Shinichi Saoshiro; Additional reporting by Dahee Kim in Seoul; Editing by Eric Meijer and Richard Borsuk</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>(Reuters) - The Kentucky Senate overwhelmingly approved legislation on Thursday to ban a common abortion procedure once the patient reaches her 11th week of pregnancy, in what would amount to one of the strictest abortion limits yet in the United States.</p>
<p>The Senate voted 31-5 in favor of the measure, which now goes back to the state’s House of Representatives for final approval of changes to a version of the bill it passed 71-11 vote on March 12. Both bodies are controlled by Republicans.</p>
<p>The procedure in question, called dilation and evacuation, accounts for 16 percent of all abortions performed in Kentucky. It is primarily for pregnancies in the second trimester.</p>
<p>The House and Senate are in recess until March 27.</p>
<p>On Monday, Mississippi’s governor signed into law the most restrictive abortion measure enacted in the United States, which bans any type of procedure once pregnancies reach 15 weeks.</p>
<p>But on Tuesday, a U.S. federal judge blocked the law from taking effect for 10 days, pending legal arguments over whether the injunction should remain in effect while the overall case remains under judicial review.</p>
<p>The Kentucky and Mississippi measures both allow medical emergency procedures that otherwise would be prohibited.</p>
<p>Representatives for Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin, a Republican who has described himself as “100 percent pro-life,” could not be reached immediately for comment.</p>
<p>Since last year, when Republicans won control of the Kentucky House for the first time since 1921, the state’s legislature has passed several measures to restrict access to abortion, including banning any type of abortion after the 20th week of pregnancy.</p>
<p>Representative Addia Wuchner, a Republican, tweeted after a state Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, that her bill protects “unborn children in Kentucky from intentional bodily dismemberment”.</p>
<p>But critics say that the bill will almost certainly face a legal challenge. Last year, a similar measure passed by Texas lawmakers was struck down by a federal judge.</p>
<p>Similar bans in other states including Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma have also been struck down by courts.</p>
<p>“Kentucky can’t afford doomed legislation created out of willful ignorance,” Marcie Crim, executive director of the Kentucky Health Justice Network, said on Twitter. “We need every dime of our money to go towards real improvements, not grandstanding.”</p>
<p>While dilation and evacuation is used in most second-trimester abortions, nearly 90 percent of all abortions are performed in the first trimester, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights.</p>
<p>Reporting by Steve Bittenbender in Louisville, Kentucky; Editing by Bernie Woodall and Richard Borsuk</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
| false | 2 |
jan 24 reuters pldt inc pldt smart communications ink sevenyear us300 million deal amdocs source text eikon company coverage standards thomson reuters trust principles washington reuters us president donald trump thursday temporarily excluded six countries european union higher import duties steel aluminum due come effect friday file photo us president donald trump waves crowd delivering remarks national republican congressional committees annual march dinner national building museum washington us march 20 2018 reutersleah millis presidential proclamation issued late thursday trump said would suspended steel tariffs argentina australia brazil south korea canada mexico european union may 1 2018 amid ongoing discussions united states set begin imposing import duties 25 percent steel 10 percent aluminum friday determined necessary appropriate means address threat national security posed imports steel articles countries continue discussions exempt steel articles imports countries tariff least time according proclamation published white house thursday160 reporting lesley wroughton editing simon cameronmoore standards thomson reuters trust principles beijingshanghai reuters china urged united states friday pull back brink president donald trumps plans tariffs 60 billion chinese goods brought worlds two largest economies closer trade war escalating tensions beijing washington sent shivers financial markets investors foresaw dire consequences global economy trade barriers start going trump planning impose tariffs administration says misappropriation us intellectual property probe launched last year section 301 1974 us trade act responding us import tariffs steel aluminum went effect friday though announced trump earlier month china unveiled plans levy additional duties 3 billion us imports including fresh fruit wine nuts china doesnt hope trade war afraid engaging one chinese commerce ministry said statement friday china hopes united states pull back brink make prudent decisions avoid dragging bilateral trade relations dangerous place presidential memorandum signed trump thursday 30day consultation period starts list chinese goods published effectively creates room potential talks address trumps allegations intellectual property theft forced technology transfers trump said views chinese friend sides midst negotiations inevitable fall demand fullblown trade war would spell trouble economies supplying united states china feeling chill mscis broadest index asiapacific shares outside japan dropped 24 percent tracking large overnight fall wall street shares perceived safe havens government bonds gained upshot todays us tariffs amount slap wrist china mark williams chief asia economist capital economics wrote note china wont change ways worries escalation therefore wont go away williams estimated 506 billion china exported united states drove around 25 percent total gross domestic product 5060 billion targeted us tariffs contributed around 025 percent trump however appears intent fulfilling election campaign promises reduce chinas huge trade surplus united states file photo worker checks steel wires warehouse dalian liaoning province china may 15 2017 reutersstringer american chinese governments resolve existing trade frictions way averts trade war promotes open markets fair economic exchange said amcham shanghai president kenneth jarrett members increasingly tell us however current trading relationship neither open fair time china take remedial action show true partner global trade drawing bow alarm trumps protectionist leanings mounted earlier month imposed hefty import tariffs steel aluminum section 232 1962 us trade expansion act allows safeguards based national security measure targeted chinese imports alone friday chinese commerce ministry said china levy duties 3 billion us imports response steel aluminum tariffs appeared modest comparison us penalties restrained response china hopes trump realize errors mend ways said xu hongcai deputy chief economist china centre international economic exchanges beijing think tank really want counter strongest response would target soybean automobiles would hurt us said xu china drawing bow firing still cards play retaliation us tariffs steel aluminum china considering levying additional 15 percent tariff us products including dried fruit wine steel pipes extra 25 percent duty pork products recycled aluminum china assembled list 128 us products total could targeted two countries unable reach agreement trade issues ministry said related coverage china urges us taking trade relations dangerous place japans aso says closely watching us tariff moves china eu leaders receive positive news trump tariffs commerce ministry said china would implement measures two stages first 15 percent tariff 120 products including steel pipes wine worth 977 million later higher 25 percent tariff 199 billion pork aluminum us wine exports china last year 79 million according data us wine institute represents californian wine makers chinese list also included close 80 fruit nut products us exports fruits frozen juices nuts china amounted 669 million last year top supplier apples cherries walnuts almonds graphic us imports china tmsnrtrs2fmsz1q graphic us trade goods china tmsnrtrs2gcozih reporting ryan woo adam jourdan additional reporting wang jing lusha zhang john ruwitch elias glenn dominique patton editing simon cameronmoore standards thomson reuters trust principles tokyo reuters rumblings global trade war sent shivers stock currency markets friday us president donald trump announced longpromised tariffs chinese goods china retaliated pledge fight end war man seen electronic board showing stock information brokerage house hangzhou zhejiang province china march 23 2018 reutersstringer trump signed presidential memorandum thursday could impose tariffs 60 billion imports china although measures 30day consultation period investors fear us measures could escalate trade war potentially dire consequences global economy beijing urged united states friday pull back brink china doesnt hope trade war afraid engaging one chinese commerce ministry said statement friday china unveiled plans impose tariffs 3 billion us imports retaliation us tariffs chinese steel aluminum products mscis broadest index asiapacific shares outside japan miapj0000pus fell 21 percent stocks across region dropped shanghai shares ssec 32 percent economic impact china us determined form tariffs end taking effects likely felt strongly us increase consumer producer prices wrote hannah anderson global market strategist jp morgan asset management equity market bear brunt market reaction impacted us korea taiwan companies domiciled markets make significant portion global production chain chinese exports australian stocks lost 20 percent japans nikkei n225 dropped 35 percent hong kongs hang seng hsi nearly 30 percent taiwan shares twii slid 17 percent south koreas kospi ks11 retreated 22 percent possible trade war united states china especially serious south korean economy could directly indirectly affect countrys trade well said seo sangyoung analyst kiwoom securities setting downbeat tone asia dow dji thursday shed 29 percent sampp 500 spx dropped 25 percent nasdaq ixic fell 24 percent man seen electronic board showing stock information brokerage house hangzhou zhejiang province china march 23 2018 reutersstringer equities took beating yen often sought times market turmoil rallied dollar greenback fell roughly 05 percent low 104635 yen jpy weakest since november 2016 dollar 1 percent week longer run protectionist policies touted united states could watered turn limiting negative effect trade global economy said masafumi yamamoto chief forex strategist mizuho securities tokyo referring us decision exempt countries steel aluminum tariffs united states makes concessions global stocks pressure yen appreciate especially china decides confront us measures shanghai stock exchange 31568877 ssec shanghai stock exchange 10659 327 ssec n225 hsi twii ks11 euro 03 percent higher 12336 eur dollar index basket six major currencies slipped 03 percent 89605 dxy lost roughly 07 percent week weighed steady decline us treasury yields yield benchmark 10year treasury us10ytrr fell 75 basis points overnight bond prices rose jitters gripping broader financial markets yield fell friday 2792 percent lowest six weeks 10year japanese government bond jgb yield dipped fourmonth trough 0025 percent jp10ytnjbtc commodities oil prices recouped overnight losses saudi arabia said opec russianled production curbs introduced 2017 need extended 2019 us crude futures clc1 1 percent 6492 per barrel losing 13 percent thursday brent gained 085 percent 6950 per barrel lcoc1 commodities fare well amid trade war fears copper london metal exchange cmcu3 extending big overnight drop falling threemonth low 664000 per ton iron ore futures chinas dalian commodity exchange dciocv1 fell 05 percent reporting shinichi saoshiro additional reporting dahee kim seoul editing eric meijer richard borsuk standards thomson reuters trust principles reuters kentucky senate overwhelmingly approved legislation thursday ban common abortion procedure patient reaches 11th week pregnancy would amount one strictest abortion limits yet united states senate voted 315 favor measure goes back states house representatives final approval changes version bill passed 7111 vote march 12 bodies controlled republicans procedure question called dilation evacuation accounts 16 percent abortions performed kentucky primarily pregnancies second trimester house senate recess march 27 monday mississippis governor signed law restrictive abortion measure enacted united states bans type procedure pregnancies reach 15 weeks tuesday us federal judge blocked law taking effect 10 days pending legal arguments whether injunction remain effect overall case remains judicial review kentucky mississippi measures allow medical emergency procedures otherwise would prohibited representatives kentucky governor matt bevin republican described 100 percent prolife could reached immediately comment since last year republicans control kentucky house first time since 1921 states legislature passed several measures restrict access abortion including banning type abortion 20th week pregnancy representative addia wuchner republican tweeted state senate judiciary committee hearing bill protects unborn children kentucky intentional bodily dismemberment critics say bill almost certainly face legal challenge last year similar measure passed texas lawmakers struck federal judge similar bans states including alabama arkansas kansas oklahoma also struck courts kentucky cant afford doomed legislation created willful ignorance marcie crim executive director kentucky health justice network said twitter need every dime money go towards real improvements grandstanding dilation evacuation used secondtrimester abortions nearly 90 percent abortions performed first trimester according guttmacher institute research group supports abortion rights reporting steve bittenbender louisville kentucky editing bernie woodall richard borsuk standards thomson reuters trust principles
| 1,547 |
<p>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The starting pitchers for Game 2 of the World Series are a study in contrasts.</p>
<p>The Royals will send out rookie Yordano Ventura, the hard-throwing right-hander from the Dominican Republic who grew up idolizing Pedro Martinez and now talks to him just about every day. San Francisco will counter with veteran Jake Peavy, the hired gun from Mobile, Alabama, who helped Boston win the World Series last year.</p>
<p>"A lot of energy, I think, on both sides," said Peavy, pointing out perhaps the one thing they have in common. "We'll have our work cut out for us, for sure."</p>
<p>Ventura burst onto the scene last year with his 100 mph fastball, aggressive attitude and cool confidence. He's only 23, but already has earned rave reviews from the likes of Cleveland manager Terry Francona, Yankees skipper Joe Girardi and everybody on his own team.</p>
<p>"Yordano came in obviously last year guns a-blazing," said the Royals' Jeremy Guthrie, who will start Game 3 on Friday night in San Francisco. "His talent was evident from the very first start."</p>
<p>Ventura's electric arm is a big reason why Royals manager Ned Yost brought him in as a reliever in the wild-card win over Oakland. Yet the starter, perhaps too amped up, promptly gave up a three-run homer to Brandon Moss and another hit to Josh Reddick before he was yanked.</p>
<p>The Royals rallied to win in 12 innings, though, and Ventura fared far better when he started in the AL Division Series against the Angels, allowing one run over seven innings.</p>
<p>Ventura got a no decision in his ALCS start against Baltimore, a game the Royals also won.</p>
<p>"For me, another thing I focus on is to live day by day," Ventura said with Guthrie serving as his translator. "Really, what happened in Oakland, I had moved past that."</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Peavy will be trying to move on from a rather pedestrian start in the NLCS. After pitching two-hit ball into the sixth inning against Washington in the divisional round, he allowed two runs on four hits in just four innings against St. Louis.</p>
<p>Yet the simple fact that he's pitching in the postseason is a testament to his ability.</p>
<p>The former Cy Young winner helped the Red Sox beat the Cardinals in last year's World Series, allowing two runs over four innings in his lone start — a game Boston won. With Peavy's playoff experience in mind, the Giants traded for him in late July, even though he was scuffling along with a 1-9 record and didn't look anything like the three-time All-Star of old.</p>
<p>Peavy said the change of scenery helped get him back on track, as did a minor mechanical change. The results were striking: He went 6-4 with a 2.17 ERA after landing in San Francisco.</p>
<p>"I've said all along, when you have guys that believe in you — Bruce Bochy doesn't know anything else but to believe in me," Peavy said. "It's a different feel of belief he has in not just me but all of his players. And I think that's why he gets out of us what he gets out of us."</p>
<p>Peavy has struggled against the Royals — with a 4.97 ERA that's the worst of any team he's faced more than six times. He also has had problems at spacious Kauffman Stadium, where he is just 1-5 with a 6.42 ERA.</p>
<p>"It just comes down to executing pitches," he said. "I'm going to do all I can do to execute my pitches, and I feel really confident about my ability to do that."</p>
<p>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The starting pitchers for Game 2 of the World Series are a study in contrasts.</p>
<p>The Royals will send out rookie Yordano Ventura, the hard-throwing right-hander from the Dominican Republic who grew up idolizing Pedro Martinez and now talks to him just about every day. San Francisco will counter with veteran Jake Peavy, the hired gun from Mobile, Alabama, who helped Boston win the World Series last year.</p>
<p>"A lot of energy, I think, on both sides," said Peavy, pointing out perhaps the one thing they have in common. "We'll have our work cut out for us, for sure."</p>
<p>Ventura burst onto the scene last year with his 100 mph fastball, aggressive attitude and cool confidence. He's only 23, but already has earned rave reviews from the likes of Cleveland manager Terry Francona, Yankees skipper Joe Girardi and everybody on his own team.</p>
<p>"Yordano came in obviously last year guns a-blazing," said the Royals' Jeremy Guthrie, who will start Game 3 on Friday night in San Francisco. "His talent was evident from the very first start."</p>
<p>Ventura's electric arm is a big reason why Royals manager Ned Yost brought him in as a reliever in the wild-card win over Oakland. Yet the starter, perhaps too amped up, promptly gave up a three-run homer to Brandon Moss and another hit to Josh Reddick before he was yanked.</p>
<p>The Royals rallied to win in 12 innings, though, and Ventura fared far better when he started in the AL Division Series against the Angels, allowing one run over seven innings.</p>
<p>Ventura got a no decision in his ALCS start against Baltimore, a game the Royals also won.</p>
<p>"For me, another thing I focus on is to live day by day," Ventura said with Guthrie serving as his translator. "Really, what happened in Oakland, I had moved past that."</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Peavy will be trying to move on from a rather pedestrian start in the NLCS. After pitching two-hit ball into the sixth inning against Washington in the divisional round, he allowed two runs on four hits in just four innings against St. Louis.</p>
<p>Yet the simple fact that he's pitching in the postseason is a testament to his ability.</p>
<p>The former Cy Young winner helped the Red Sox beat the Cardinals in last year's World Series, allowing two runs over four innings in his lone start — a game Boston won. With Peavy's playoff experience in mind, the Giants traded for him in late July, even though he was scuffling along with a 1-9 record and didn't look anything like the three-time All-Star of old.</p>
<p>Peavy said the change of scenery helped get him back on track, as did a minor mechanical change. The results were striking: He went 6-4 with a 2.17 ERA after landing in San Francisco.</p>
<p>"I've said all along, when you have guys that believe in you — Bruce Bochy doesn't know anything else but to believe in me," Peavy said. "It's a different feel of belief he has in not just me but all of his players. And I think that's why he gets out of us what he gets out of us."</p>
<p>Peavy has struggled against the Royals — with a 4.97 ERA that's the worst of any team he's faced more than six times. He also has had problems at spacious Kauffman Stadium, where he is just 1-5 with a 6.42 ERA.</p>
<p>"It just comes down to executing pitches," he said. "I'm going to do all I can do to execute my pitches, and I feel really confident about my ability to do that."</p>
| false | 2 |
kansas city mo ap starting pitchers game 2 world series study contrasts royals send rookie yordano ventura hardthrowing righthander dominican republic grew idolizing pedro martinez talks every day san francisco counter veteran jake peavy hired gun mobile alabama helped boston win world series last year lot energy think sides said peavy pointing perhaps one thing common well work cut us sure ventura burst onto scene last year 100 mph fastball aggressive attitude cool confidence hes 23 already earned rave reviews likes cleveland manager terry francona yankees skipper joe girardi everybody team yordano came obviously last year guns ablazing said royals jeremy guthrie start game 3 friday night san francisco talent evident first start venturas electric arm big reason royals manager ned yost brought reliever wildcard win oakland yet starter perhaps amped promptly gave threerun homer brandon moss another hit josh reddick yanked royals rallied win 12 innings though ventura fared far better started al division series angels allowing one run seven innings ventura got decision alcs start baltimore game royals also another thing focus live day day ventura said guthrie serving translator really happened oakland moved past meanwhile peavy trying move rather pedestrian start nlcs pitching twohit ball sixth inning washington divisional round allowed two runs four hits four innings st louis yet simple fact hes pitching postseason testament ability former cy young winner helped red sox beat cardinals last years world series allowing two runs four innings lone start game boston peavys playoff experience mind giants traded late july even though scuffling along 19 record didnt look anything like threetime allstar old peavy said change scenery helped get back track minor mechanical change results striking went 64 217 era landing san francisco ive said along guys believe bruce bochy doesnt know anything else believe peavy said different feel belief players think thats gets us gets us peavy struggled royals 497 era thats worst team hes faced six times also problems spacious kauffman stadium 15 642 era comes executing pitches said im going execute pitches feel really confident ability kansas city mo ap starting pitchers game 2 world series study contrasts royals send rookie yordano ventura hardthrowing righthander dominican republic grew idolizing pedro martinez talks every day san francisco counter veteran jake peavy hired gun mobile alabama helped boston win world series last year lot energy think sides said peavy pointing perhaps one thing common well work cut us sure ventura burst onto scene last year 100 mph fastball aggressive attitude cool confidence hes 23 already earned rave reviews likes cleveland manager terry francona yankees skipper joe girardi everybody team yordano came obviously last year guns ablazing said royals jeremy guthrie start game 3 friday night san francisco talent evident first start venturas electric arm big reason royals manager ned yost brought reliever wildcard win oakland yet starter perhaps amped promptly gave threerun homer brandon moss another hit josh reddick yanked royals rallied win 12 innings though ventura fared far better started al division series angels allowing one run seven innings ventura got decision alcs start baltimore game royals also another thing focus live day day ventura said guthrie serving translator really happened oakland moved past meanwhile peavy trying move rather pedestrian start nlcs pitching twohit ball sixth inning washington divisional round allowed two runs four hits four innings st louis yet simple fact hes pitching postseason testament ability former cy young winner helped red sox beat cardinals last years world series allowing two runs four innings lone start game boston peavys playoff experience mind giants traded late july even though scuffling along 19 record didnt look anything like threetime allstar old peavy said change scenery helped get back track minor mechanical change results striking went 64 217 era landing san francisco ive said along guys believe bruce bochy doesnt know anything else believe peavy said different feel belief players think thats gets us gets us peavy struggled royals 497 era thats worst team hes faced six times also problems spacious kauffman stadium 15 642 era comes executing pitches said im going execute pitches feel really confident ability
| 678 |
<p>On March 29, 2010, the George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs in association with the Pew Research Center’s Project for Excellence in Journalism hosted an event in which panelists discussed PEJ’s recently released “ <a href="http://www.stateofthemedia.org/2010/" type="external">State of the News Media 2010</a>” report.</p>
<p>Moderator: Frank Sesno, Director, GWU School of Media and Public Affairs: Opening Presentation: Tom Rosenstiel, Director, Project for Excellence in Journalism, Pew Research Center Panelists: Jim Brady, President, Digital Strategies, Allbritton Communications Tina Brown, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, The Daily Beast Susan Page, Washington Bureau Chief, USA Today Charlie Sennott, Executive Editor, GlobalPost Antoine Sanfuentes, Deputy Washington D.C. Bureau Chief, NBC News</p>
<p>In the following edited transcript, ellipses have been omitted to facilitate reading. Find the full transcript and a video of the event at the <a href="http://smpa.gwu.edu/news/articles/featured/." type="external">SMPA website</a>.</p>
<p>Frank Sesno: I’d like to welcome you to the School of Media and Public Affairs. [W]e are proud to offer an interdisciplinary program where we specialize in both political communication and in journalism mass communication. We like to say that we are at the intersection of media journalism and politics. It’s a busy sometimes dangerous intersection but we enjoy it.</p>
<p>It’s a special pleasure to be hosting this event in association with the Pew Research Center’s Project for Excellence in Journalism and the Newseum. It is a timely conversation, one that will not [be], I promise you, yet another hand wringing, cry in your soup, my newspaper is history, where are the jobs, bring back the money, bring back the classifieds yak fest. Not that we intend to gloss over the problems of course but today we are very, very fortunate to have an incredible group of innovators, decision makers and new research as sort of the wind at our back and inspiration. Still as we know this is a time of breathtaking challenge and breathtaking opportunity. Alex Jones warns that the iron core of journalism is melting. Robert McChesney talks about the death and life of American journalism. And Clay Sharkey looks around at the empowering democratizing world of media and concludes here comes everybody. And they are all right.</p>
<p>But I think we should keep one single razor sharp, defining reality at the front of our minds. Never before in human history has so much information been available to so many people, so quickly. People crave information, our democracy requires it, it is human nature. But it’s fair to ask what kind of information. What role will media play in its dissemination? Can legacy media adapt [so that] legacy doesn’t come to mean extinct?</p>
<p>Tom Rosenstiel: In the next few minutes what I’m going to try and do is summarize the 700 plus pages that are in the <a href="http://www.stateofthemedia.org/2010/" type="external">State of the News Media</a> report but hopefully advance it a little bit and tee up the conversation that’s going to follow. So I’m going to start with what’s happening but hopefully pivot into where things are going.</p>
<p>The first thing to recognize is that the problem in old media for the most part is more of a revenue problem than an audience problem. Look at these numbers: 26% down in revenue in 2009 for newspapers, 24% for local TV, 19% in ad revenue from magazines. Now look at the audience numbers: there are drops but they are not nearly as severe. And in some of them I mean online revenue was down but online audiences are up. So the notion that people are abandoning traditional media outlets and that audience fragmentation is at the heart of this is not really it. What it is, more simply, is that the audience is migrating online, often to traditional outlets, but advertisers are not following them. We could spend a lot of time telling about why online advertising isn’t working but we’ll gloss over that now.</p>
<p>The scale of the losses in old media are enormous — we estimate $1.6 billion lost [to] newspapers in annual capacity. Now there is enormous excitement in new media and new media experiments in community media, in the efforts that are being funded by on community media but in scale they don’t come anywhere close to what we’re seeing in the market collapse on the revenue side in traditionally media.</p>
<p>Now the other [incorrect] notion [is] that all of these revenue drops amount to a collapse in our media. They don’t. They amount to a transition in our media at the moment. The media aren’t shrinking. The commentary and discussion aspect of our media culture is becoming more robust. I think of this often as the sort of after-action element of our media culture — after people have consumed the news and find out what happens they want to talk about it. Now this is an obviously a critical dimension of what media is supposed to do. In the original, news began in coffee houses and public houses, public house is a fancy name for a bar, where people would come — often these coffee houses were near shipping docks — and talk about what was going on in the town or they would talk to people who came off the ships and find out what was going on far away in Europe or elsewhere. In the United States or in the colonies they would have a little log at the end of the bar and people would get off stages, carriages and write down things they’d seen in other towns. [Y]ou could go read the log and it was a kind of early newspaper.</p>
<p>So the idea that discussion is not an essential fundamental part of journalism is wrong, it is. But as that discussion element of our media is growing, the reportorial dimension of media is shrinking. In a sense we have a narrowing of focus because you have fewer reporters congregated around fewer stories. In some cases you actually have more reporters [around a single story] — a paradox in which you actually have more outlets covering news, [but] each of them is smaller and they all cover the big story of the day. So we have more people congregated at the White House and fewer people at the Agricultural Department. We still have somebody at the big city metro mayor’s office but there are fewer reporters congregated at the zoning commissions of the suburban communities.</p>
<p>At the same time we have new news competitors coming in to fill the space, the void that they see created by the decline in traditional reportorial media. Just in the last year we’ve seen a host of partisan groups — watchdog.org is a group that’s in a number of states that’s funded by a libertarian anti-government group. It’s very hard to find that out when you go to their websites. They are quite clear that they don’t think that they need to be clear about where the financing comes from; they’ve hired trained journalists to do the work but it’s very hard to know what’s behind that work.</p>
<p>You are going to see more and more of this occurring in the next couple of years because these are groups that have a political interest in covering the news and controlling the discussion about the news in the areas they are interested in. And making money at it isn’t their goal. Shaping the discussion is. So those are not only going to grow but their goal is to get [their] content into the mainstream press that has a larger audience. We’re already seeing that. The old media don’t really know how to react to that. Frequently they way that this is going to work is they are going to hire journalists that the old media folks know and say well this is Al, you know Al, he’s a trustworthy guy — nothing to worry about.</p>
<p>The other thing that we are seeing clearly is that the power is shifting to news makers and one of the things that’s making this happen is the tendency towards immediately. Things are posted very quickly. Old media are making rapid use of new media technology and while the new technology could offer us a potential for infinite depth it also offers the potential for instant speed. And what we’ve seen in some of our studies is that the press release that’s authored by the news-making agency, the government agency or whoever, is often adapted very briefly, or very hastily and reposted by a news organization as a kind of quick story. And that moves and sort of establishes a baseline of what people understand about that event. But it’s much closer to a press release than what was published in the newspaper a few years ago.</p>
<p>And that along with the ability of news makers to sort of play off an expanding group of outlets against each other, speed and proliferation are ceding more power to those who would make the news. We’re also seeing more partisanship in certain elements because if you have a small organization and you want to create an affinity with an audience — certainly we see this in prime time cable — building your audience around your perspective in the news [is] a tried and true way of establishing a loyal audience. All of these things combined I think are creating the sense for people that the news is more of an argument and less of an authoritative finished product.</p>
<p>And certainly, after some years of stability in trust levels relating to the media, just in the last couple years we’ve seen a rise in distrust again. Much of it actually is from liberals who think that the [media have] become more biased than they were. Earlier levels of distrust rising a decade ago tended to be more among conservatives. Now both sides are angry at us.</p>
<p>Another critical issue is what you might call the unbundling of news. The old economic equation that created the news was that you take money from car ads and real estate ads and you’d use that money to go cover zoning commissions or whatever editors thought was important. There was no connection between a given piece of content and revenue. You didn’t sell specific stories or specific topics. [P]opular stories helped build the audience that subsidized the unpopular stories, the stories that were significant. Now increasingly people are seeking out the news story by story. And the news organization as a brand is somewhat less important [while] the brand of an individual story, even an individual reporter, is more important. So as news people, what’s the incentive for us to go out and cover news that is simply important but is never going to generate much of an audience? This is an increasingly significant issue that news people are going to have to grapple with.</p>
<p>One of the other conclusions we come to in the report is that. after all is said and done, we think that the fortunes of this [new] media and the old media are going to be much more tied together than they ever anticipated. And the reason is that unless they can find a revenue model online to monetize news in a digital space, they are both going to have very limited reportorial capacity. So ultimately they are going to become business partners in the search for new revenue models and there are more stuck together than they ever thought they were going to be.</p>
<p>We are already beginning to see pro-am collaborations. How can news organizations use non-news people to help them gather the news, how can they have formal collaborations, how can they help each other. Are there economies of scale? [W]hat are the revenue prospects at this point? Well in the surveys that we’ve done they look difficult. 79% of people tell us that they hardly ever or never clicked on an online ad from a news organization. We asked people about pay walls and first we asked how many people have a site that they would call a favorite website: Only 35% did.</p>
<p>Then we asked that group — the group we would think most likely to be loyal — whether they would pay for their favorite site; only 15% said they would. If you add in the ones who already do pay, which is a very small number who go the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg, that number goes up to 19% but it’s still not a very big number and it’s certainly well below the 10% that many news organizations estimate would pay. Now I don’t know that this means that it can’t happen. It just means that right at the moment people are not accustomed to paying and they are going to be initially resistant to it.</p>
<p>So what are the models then for news? Well this is hardly a definitive list but one would be different kinds of display advertising than news organizations use now. If you talk to people at Google they scoff at the kind of display advertising that is in news organizations on news sites because they say it’s too crude. It’s not targeted enough. [O]ne Google executive told us: we’re in our 10th generation of online ads — you are still on your first.</p>
<p>Another is non-news revenue. Newspaper executives [are] in the home delivery business and [they are] making new revenue from delivering things to people’s houses. If the post office stops Saturday delivery that’s good for [newspapers]. Pay walls are clearly another. Transaction fees — you create a retail mall on your website and people buy things and you are in the retail business. Knowledge, services, premium websites, micro sites within news organizations. Mixed audience products where you are basically selling information about your audience; targeted ads are part of that. Amortizing across platforms. There is a host of other things even if you believe as some do that the news business missed scores of opportunities in the last decade.</p>
<p>The key to all of this is going to be understanding the new news consumer. How do people get news? What is brand? What’s the difference between commodity news and franchise news — commodity news being news you can find in a lot of places, franchise news being news you can only find at that one news organization?</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>One big question is whether people now are going to just the subjects and the things they are interested in, sort of migrating to fragmented specialized areas and places that they agree with. The answer appears to be — both in traffic data and in survey data — that that’s not what’s happening. That the idea of accidentally coming across things that you didn’t know you were interested in still lives. It’s a smaller part of our media consumption, but 34% of people say that describes them best and actually the traffic data would suggest those numbers may be even higher.</p>
<p>Partisan news is clearly not where everybody wants to get their news: 31% say they prefer news sources that share their point of view and in the Pew Research Center [People &amp; the Press survey] data the those numbers have not changed in decades. About two-thirds of people say they prefer to get news that have multiple points of view or that have no point of view. And online the top sites dominate, the old media presentation still has market appeal. [Among] the 4,600 sites that Nielson tracks that do news and information, the top 7% get 80% of the traffic. Of the top 200 news sites, 67% are from legacy media, another 13% are aggregators who aggregate old media. Only 14% are online-only content creators. So there is still a market for what these people produce, for that kind of reportorial journalism, if there is a way to monetize it.</p>
<p>Chris Sterling: Now it’s time to turn to the panel that will be moderated by Frank Sesno who is SMPA’s director.</p>
<p>Tina Brown: I think [in] today’s world, whatever you are editing, you have to be much more of an impresario. You have to regard yourself as putting on a show and firing on all cylinders at all times, to recognize that the major enemy that we all have is “time famine”. [I]t’s all about making them pay attention and I’ve always taken that view as an editor. When I was at the New Yorker I used to feel deeply insulted when people said I have a wonderful pile of magazines by the bed and I’d say oh no you know I failed. Because we have to make them read them in the taxi or on the way to the bathroom, and if they didn’t I knew that we’d failed. So it’s the same thing very much today — but on steroids, because there is so much competition.</p>
<p>We launched the Daily Beast a year and a bit ago and created the site very, very quickly but we actually were pretty counterintuitive about it. We decided to have absolutely no hype ahead of time because, in some ways, I think today hype is even more suspicion-building than it ever was. It really is almost a kind of anti-hype cultural while actually requir[ing] a lot of exposure — so that’s a tricky thing to navigate. We kept very low and very quiet at the beginning and then we kind of crashed over the top with a site that was created in eight weeks to come out before the election fever was over. [O]ur whole sort of policy was that we had to constantly provoke to have a point of view, to always go against the grain.</p>
<p>So the whole philosophy of The Daily Beast really is first of all we give you 10 stories at any one time that we feel you ought to read. [W]e don’t give you, say, 20 links about the Taliban, we’ll give you one piece on the Taliban, a piece that we’ve decided is the only piece worth reading. The rest of it, 70%, is now original content and that original content is generated really about running against the news all the time. It’s like taking the counterpoint of view. Finding writers who don’t just want to say something but want to say something different from what other people have out there. And we don’t just post anything. [W]e’re old fashioned that way. We feel that we can only get quality by saying no to quite a lot of stuff that gets offered so that we’re always looking for that piece, that writer, that point of view that’s going to go against the grain.</p>
<p>We also felt strongly that in today’s world design matters hugely. That visually we’re at another iteration of the internet where it’s not enough now to simply have links and a basic tech-ridden sort of site that is created by geeks who haven’t really got an editorial point of view. We spent a lot of time on the design of the data base. I’ve always been an editor who sat with our directors and wrestled with them for hours about the tension between form and content and visuals and I did that with The Daily Beast. I went down to the design studio and sort of totally freaked out these tech guys because they weren’t used to having the client show up and sit there and at first they were like, whoa, doesn’t she understand that we don’t want her in our studio. But after time they understood that actually we could give a lot to each other. We became very, very good collaborators because I was totally fascinated to what the design is and they were very fascinated to sort of discover that content actually was important.</p>
<p />
<p>We just did a major conference called Women in the World where we tried to shine a light on our foreign coverage. [I]t is tough to get traffic for subjects that are foreign news, that are stories about Africa, Al Qaeda etc., which we do a lot on The Daily Beast. And one way is to make that content come alive with discussions and panels and occasions, such as this, where you can really dramatize and make a noise about what you are doing. Because we can’t simply give up on that kind of subject matter because it’s not instantly sort of traffic candy.</p>
<p />
<p>Sesno: Charlie let me turn to you. [T]alk a minute about building a site and global reporting on the back essentially of a team of freelancers. One of the great things about GlobalPost is you are all over the world. You’ve got lots of young people and accomplished journalists both. One of the raps at least if you read some of the popular press is that there is not enough money for a journalist to live on here. How do you build this on the back of a freelance model?</p>
<p>Charlie Sennott: Well we launched GlobalPost about 15 months ago and when we launched I really share a lot of the same stories that Tina just told about what it was like to build this thing from the ground. [W]e wanted to make it have a bold design, really highlight our writers, highlight photography, make it feel different, make it feel exciting and build a team.</p>
<p>Now in building a team of foreign correspondents these days we no longer have those traditional models of correspondent’s having full positions where they can come into a newsroom and know that when you get assigned overseas everything is taken care of. That you will be a foreign correspondent for the Boston Globe, which will pay for your son’s schools in my case, they will take good care of you. I feel very fortunate to have experienced that kind of foreign reporting. But it’s largely over. So what we’re left with are fantastic foreign correspondents who are out in the world looking for work and we’ve tried to become is a network of outstanding freelancers.</p>
<p>So we’ve tried to build a team of some of the best foreign correspondents who are out there in the world. Jean McKinsey, who is our Kolbe correspondent, is a great example of the kind of correspondent we have. Jean is also with the Institute for War and Peace Reporting and she has a full time contract with them. So she spends a lot of her time in Afghanistan teaching young Afghans how to be reporters. She gets paid for that and then she writes for us on a regular basis as well.</p>
<p>We have correspondents like Michael Goldfarb, longtime National Public Radio correspondent in London who is also writing books. We’ve tried to become an outlet that recognizes that the future of being a foreign reporter is going to be you are an entrepreneur. You are going to have to recognize that you need to think entrepreneurially and consider GlobalPost the base of what you do — a grounding, a steady gig where we give people a retainer to write four stories a month. And then we have a budget for special projects and for enterprise reporting where we can really step it up if you have a great idea and you need more resources. So right now we have 70 correspondents in 50 countries.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Sesno: Jim Brady. Politico… How can one cover a major metropolitan area of 4 million people with 35 or 40 people? What are you building? What will you cover?</p>
<p>Jim Brady: I think we are starting with the concept that you can’t be all things to all people anymore. Landscape is so fragmented now that you have to assume that the days of winner-take-all competition in cities is pretty much over. And so, going out and hiring hundreds of reporters and suggesting we’re going to compete with the Post or with other local television stations, [is] just unrealistic financially. [I]f you look at the news organizations that cover Washington DC as a city where people live, pretty much everyone of them is attached to another property that really gets the lion share of the attention at the company whether it’s local newspapers, local TV, local radio. [S]o if you could start anew from scratch basically on the website and build from there, what could you build that would be extremely different from what you could build if you were trying to do it at one of those organizations?</p>
<p />
<p>We are going to pick our spots but we are also going to not act as if we are sort of alone in this eco system. There are hundreds of really good local websites and local news sites in this region, bloggers like you said, other news sites that we are going to work closely with and in fact partner with because most of you who live here in neighborhoods have local sites that you go to get really useful very targeted information about your communities. We’re not going to be able to provide really targeted information about Great Falls, Virginia and Oxenhill, Maryland and Woodbridge, Virginia. [W]e’re going to have to depend on sites that are already [doing] really good work there. So we’re going to partner with local bloggers. We’re going to aggregate very aggressively, to do what was once considered sort of outrageous in the news space which is actually point to competitors.</p>
<p />
<p>One of the questions that comes up a lot is, is this extendable to other markets? And I think it clearly is. Allbritton has a significant advantage locally because it owns Channel 7 and Channel 8 and thus comes with a lot of three really important things: journalistic resources, good long relationships with local advertisers and an amazing promotional platform to help people get to this new site. That’s not the case in every but I suspect — in fact I am sure — in five years most major markets in the country will have a site just like this. Because, in the end, having been front and center in the struggle to really converge at the Post the last five years, [I know] it’s really hard to do both things the web and print require. They require different mindsets but also significant amounts of mind share and trying to put those two together is really a difficult task. So we can sort of say we’re starting anew and I think that alone is the biggest advantage we have.</p>
<p>Sesno: And the purpose is to make money.</p>
<p>Brady: I think the idea was to be for profit. I think what’s happened to journalism from the creative standpoint in the last 10 years has been the most exciting time in the history of the craft in terms of the tools we have — the way we can reach audiences 24/7 in any corner of the world. We haven’t figured out the business side yet and I wanted to be part of that.</p>
<p>Sesno: Susan Page. Newspapers as the study points out saw revenue fall 26% in 2009. 43% over three years. What can of traditional newspapers do to reverse the decline? Are there different ways to report the news and get more news more efficiently?</p>
<p>Susan Page: I don’t think anyone thinks of themselves as a traditional newspaper anymore and that would be the case with USA Today. If wanted to read USA Today this morning you could have bought it on a newsstand, you could have gone to USAToday.com. You could have subscribed to our e-edition, which takes the paper copy and sends it to you in digital form. I am not entirely sure who that is for but we’re selling that.</p>
<p>You could follow us on Facebook or Twitter. You can get into some building and see teases to our stories on a video screen in an elevator. And if you thought USA Today stories were short when we started out, you should read some of the copy on the elevator screens. But the old divisions that we’ve talked about for the last couple years between what my fellow panelists are doing and what we are doing are really getting blurred. Because we think of ourselves not as a traditional newspaper, we think of ourselves as maybe a traditional news operation where our agenda, our mission is to hold powerful people to account, to offer information not opinion. We offer some opinion in parts of the paper as well, but basically we want people to feel like this [is] a major news source covering the big stories of the day and that whether you are liberal or conservative you can read it and feel confident that information you are getting does not have a partisan slant and it’s about things that are significant.</p>
<p>Now it’s true that this is expensive and the decline in revenue sources has been a huge challenge. We’ve seen our newsroom shrink some although not as much as regional and local newspapers have seen. We have a smaller staff that works harder and works in more diverse ways. We’ve forged new partnerships with the 90 or so Gannet owned newspapers across the country. So now you’ll see we’ll sometimes run stories that ran in the Arizona Republic or the Des Moines Register, or we’ll use those reporters to pursue stories that we want, especially breaking stories that happened in their part of the country. [S]o those are ways in which we have tried to adapt. But I think one thing we’ve learned from Tom’s study and others is that it is still legacy media that is driving the conversation in this country. And it is still legacy media that is driving traffic on the web. Tom’s study, which I was reading last night, says that 80% of the links in social media sites and on blogs are to legacy media. Or to newspapers who break stories.</p>
<p>So how do we know that Gov. Sanford was not walking along the Appalachian Trail? We know that because the newspaper the South Carolina State told us that. Or why do we know that Gov. Patterson in New York was intervening inappropriately in a domestic violence case involving a close aide? We know that because the New York Times figured it out and told us. So the idea that traditional newspapers or the traditional mission of newspapers is becoming archaic I think is incorrect.</p>
<p>You know we are trying to figure out how to finance the journalism that we want to do. And I think none of us think that there is going to be some silver bullet — some revolution in classified advertising will suddenly come back and be the financial backbone of newspapers across the country. I think almost all of us think that it’s going to be a mix of things. It’s going to be advertising on the web. It’s going to be getting some revenue from the web from readers. And while the few studies show that people are not now willing to pay on the web for news, you know there was a time when people were not willing to pay money for TV reception but now it’s customary. There was a time when my mother would have slapped me if I’d said I was going to pay a dollar for a bottle of water. Who here has not yet done that?</p>
<p />
<p>It’s incumbent on all of us to show the kind of energy and entrepreneurial spirit that start-up sites have shown. We have just one more thing we’ve started to do: communities on our website. [I]f you are a fantasy football fan or if you like American Idol or if you are trying to build a green home there are now communities on the USA Today website. That’s really a response to some the news organizations we’ve seen come up and be powerful and we want that to be part of our agenda too.</p>
<p>I would just say one last thing, which goes to something that Jim said. {T]he last couple of years have been really tough to work for newspapers because there have been such serious layoffs and a shrinking news hole, but in some ways good things have happened. You know we are much more transparent now with readers than we ever were. When we were when I started in this business. There is much more accountability. The entire world is your fact checker if you make an error in a story and it gets posted on the web. There is a stronger connection with readers, which goes to some of these communities that we’ve started up on our website. I think the story telling is more powerful because you are not just using words and photos but you are able to use audio and video. And you have, I think, sharper writing for people and less thumb sucking and that’s all to the good too.</p>
<p>Sesno: Antoine, to television for a moment. You straddle an interesting world because NBC is a traditional network. We still have nightly news. You have a variety of cable channels, which is seen as a strength and one of the reasons that the cable news business is one of the few bright spots in terms of revenue as you look across an otherwise bleak landscape certainly in the last year. But I’m curious if you would address this issue of argument versus news and where you think television is going. And this issue of is there news left in cable news, because it appears to have gone, at least in most cases, to the mat.</p>
<p>Antoine Sanfuentes: Let’s look at the hours and hours of news programming that we provide starting [on] the NBC platform. [T]hrough the bulk of the day we deal with news and it’s NBC News. You have Andrea Mitchell, you have Pete Williams, you have Jim Miklaszewski, you have all our talented NBC correspondents making a contribution all day long. [I]t starts in the morning on The Today Show [and continues] throughout the day on MSNBC. You can also go to the internet. [Y]ou have the internet, you have cable, you have broadcast and they all work very closely together. After [the] nightly news wrap, after Today Show, if there is a piece that you missed, you can go to the internet and you can watch it instantly.</p>
<p />
<p>Sesno: Let’s open this up then for some discussion now. [L]et’s go to the issue of what people are willing to pay for. Tina why don’t you get us started with this.</p>
<p>Brown: Well I think that ultimately it will be like the network television cable model. People never thought that anybody would ever pay for television but in fact cable began and they are paying cable. So the question of bundling like-minded things together and making them into a package and buying them I think it will happen for certain premium sites. But I do think we are going to remain in this multiplatform world without question where you are going to have to have five or six things going on to make the revenues [sufficient].</p>
<p>Sesno: How about paying for Daily Beast?</p>
<p>Brown: [I]t could become a paid site with paid elements in it. But we’re not proceeding along that basis as a revenue model. [We] are getting advertising now more and more, but at the same time getting sponsorships, we’re producing Beast books now, which we’ve gone into and published two books already in the last year. We’re looking at TV. [W]e are lucky because we have IAC [Chairman and CEO] Barry Diller, a partner who [has] always taken the long view, that this is going to be a three or four year wait to get to profitability — which we are lucky to be able to have because obviously there are some sites which can’t, which kept getting refinanced.</p>
<p>Sesno: We didn’t make money at CNN for five years.</p>
<p>Brown: And nor have any magazines of any size but today’s world is about who is going to wait. And you need a partner that can. Or you have to keep refinancing, which is very stressful.</p>
<p>Sesno: Charlie, you are charging something now. What do you get if you pay and how many people are actually paying?</p>
<p>Sennott: Our site is free. GlobalPost.com still embraces this idea that information wants to be free on the web. But it also recognizes the fact that journalism has great value and it costs money. So we do have a paid membership where we invite people to pay an annual fee of $50.00 a year to become a member of GlobalPost and what you get when you become a member of passport as we call it in GlobalPost is an opportunity to talk to foreign correspondents in the field in a conference call. We invite crowd sourcing but we invite it through membership.</p>
<p>Sesno: How many people are doing this?</p>
<p>Sennott: So we have less than 2,000 right now. I don’t know the exact number. It’s probably closer to 1,000. It’s very much in beta. This is not been done, from what we know, anywhere else — to say what if you did a sort of almost NPR style membership and you said look we think this is an organization that’s out there in the world trying to do old fashioned journalism with some really basic ideas like you have to live in the country about which you report. You need to speak the language or at least be trying to learn it. And I think that sort of old school, that old shoe leather journalism that has great value, as Susan pointed out. If we’re going to do that we need to invite you to support it. That’s our model. Sesno: And then people pay? Think they’d do it? Brady: No. I don’t. I’m sort of the mind that the best thing news organizations could do is sort of surrender [to] the fact that they are never going to make a ton of non-ad revenue on the web and go straight to mobile. Because to me I think we’re, there is a lot of money to be made on mobile and I think mobile may be the web’s version of satellite radio and cable television.</p>
<p>Sesno: How do you make money on mobile?</p>
<p>Brady: I think [people will] pay for different things on mobile than they would pay for on a browser. They’ll pay for timeliness; they’ll pay for geographic relevance. They’ll pay to be the guy in the audience who finds out that their boss just had something written about [him] before the guy [in] the next seat [does].</p>
<p>Sesno: Is this like an ITunes world? [I]s this micro payments, 29 cents and you get the story about your boss?</p>
<p>Brady: I think you may sign up for alerts to get that. But again if you are looking at like traffic alerts and weather alerts, if the phone will tell you that you about to approach a huge traffic jam maybe you ought to make a left. I mean if I got saved twice a year by those alerts, I’d pay a pretty good chunk of change for it. So I think [in] the portable world [there] is much more of an opportunity to eventually charge. I just think it’s a supply and demand on the web unless you are producing something that is really unique someone can go find it somewhere else. And even [if] you claim it’s of slightly higher quality at a site that charges, most people just aren’t going to take that leap. I think one of the things that everybody up here recognizes and I am sure everyone in the audience recognizes is right now we are in the middle ages. We are in this time of ferment change, revolution, it’s really exciting.</p>
<p>Sesno: Unless you’ve lost your job.</p>
<p>Sennott: Well I think it’s really hard when people are losing those great jobs from traditional legacy media — those are great jobs. I had one. I took the buyout at the Boston Globe and really went forward with this. [But], especially for the students out there, this is the most exciting time to be getting into journalism in my life time because the models are going to be created by you. There is going to be a lot of thinking that’s going to go into this. You don’t need huge amounts of capital anymore to go out and try to start something. You know at GlobalPost we were lucky to have very grounded solid investors. And I really understand this is a long slow build.</p>
<p>Brown: I do agree with Charlie on that. [I]t is true that we all mourn the bureaus, etc. but actually you can get vibrant foreign reporting without bureaus. You really can. I’ve collected so many amazing Indian writers and I was so happy I did when the Mumbai massacre happened because we had fabulous really current brilliant reporting. From the likes of Aravind Adiga, who wrote “White Tiger,” and tremendously good journalists over there who were finding such original fantastic stuff and I think more eclectic and more interesting than anything that I could have got from a one guy on the spot who was ours.</p>
<p>Sennott: You know I think that’s true. I think the new model is about building a community that’s going to go out and try and cover a certain segment of what used to be in your newspaper. And that could be sports and that could be in our case international news.</p>
<p>Sesno: Let me place a skunk in the garden party here for just a minute. Because we are all patting ourselves on the back about how wonderful all this is going to be, but [what happens when] there is real serious long term digging. [T]ake an investigative piece — you talked about accountability journalism, you want to get into the mayor or the governor or whatever. {A] team of reporters who at least traditionally would spend weeks, maybe months digging, maybe come back with nothing. They’ve actually got freedom of information requests they are filing, they know how to do it, they know what to make of sensitive documents, and sensitive material; you are going to have that at what is your new adventure called?</p>
<p>Brady: Doesn’t have a name yet.</p>
<p>Page: [Y]ou know people who worked in these traditional foreign correspondent jobs didn’t just get a lot of perks, they came with an agenda that was very clear and with accountability to a news organization. And they weren’t working for multiple bosses. I understand why we’ve gone that direction, but there is a value to the more traditional model as well. Just to pick up on something else that Charlie said since we are at a university here — we’ve seen like a generation of senior journalists kind of get washed away including some really talented people who didn’t deserve to be laid off. But it has really cleared the decks for the people who are coming out of school now who have different expectations about what the job is going to be like. You know I have a son who wants to be a reporter and he has every expectation that he’ll shoot video and record and audio and not that the expectations are just different although the values are the same.</p>
<p>Sennott: I think this is another thing that at GlobalPost we’re really grappling with all the time. And that is we actually are looking for something pretty basic in that you find in the best reporters in the world, which is story telling. What we really in the core want to be about is just telling a great story. And we don’t want to try to create these reporters who think they have to do that through video and photography and audio and writing because then they are going to lose the essence of what it is to tell a story. So when we are dealing with younger reporters and mid career and veteran reporters we always tell them to go to your strength. I mean if you are a writer, write. Tell us the story that way. If you can pick up a digital camera and you feel comfortable with it and you can help document an angle, that’s added value. But what we don’t want to do is sort of blur the lines because I think you end up with great mediocrity that way.</p>
<p>Look when you have a network of 50 people, and you have a story like the global economic crisis and all of them are talented, we can actually take that team and with one email copy to all of them say, we want a snapshot right now from the field of the most devastating antidote you can find of the impact in your country of the global economic crisis. And you can begin to work together and creates this sort of quantum effect. So that our reporting, I’m very proud, won a Saber award and beat out some much larger news sites because we were able to look at it in an integrated way that was very interactive.</p>
<p>Brown: I also think we have to look at new ways of telling stories or getting at subjects. At the Beast, when a story first breaks and we’re still assembling that material, we’ve created something called the “big fat story”. And the big fat story is four or five different pieces from different places or whatever the place which we put in different boxes and then summarize. [I]f it’s a murder, here’s what the crime was, here is what the suspicion is, here is what people are saying about it. And then it gives you a way of telling a story in a completely different way. I’m actually kind of fascinated to figure out new ways to do narrative journalism because, having come from magazines where narrative journalism was what I did all day, I do miss narrative journalism online. I think it’s still not the place to do the long, accreted detail story. You are not going to get the same attention span for a piece that’s over really about 1,200-1,300 words.</p>
<p>Sesno: I remember hearing you on NPR citing Michael Kinsley’s long piece about how we have to have fewer long pieces.</p>
<p>Brown: [W]hen people talk about not having good writing online I totally disagree. I mean I think we blow out bad writers so fast on the Beast because you know anybody who spends five paragraphs clearing their throat and blowharding around, you just want to cut to the chase.</p>
<p>Sesno: And that’s different than it used to be?</p>
<p>Brown: Well I think it makes you much more ruthless as an editor, which is what you need to be.</p>
<p>Sesno: Antoine once upon a time NBC had documentary unit, the other networks had documentary units, CNN had documentary those documentary units have gone away. The only institutional documentary unit anymore really is Frontline on PPS.</p>
<p>Sanfuentes: I think given that we saturate the airwaves with news, we look for the right opportunity to do it. I’d point you to “Inside the Obama White House”, which is something that is unique to NBC. [I]f you look at the various platforms we used on that particular day from lights on to lights off, we were tweeting, I was taking still pictures, we created a slide show that was viewed by millions of people on MSNBC.com. We had a network primetime special. We had pieces on nightly news, the Today Show, MSNBC; we had live shots to talk about the experience. So there are ways for us to do this, maybe not as often as we used to but it’s a different model.</p>
<p>Brown: And let’s face it unless Brad Pitt’s involved no one is going to go to Africa. Right?</p>
<p>Sanfuentes: Well I’ll point to my very good friend Ann Curry. We took several trips to Darfur together and Congo and it was really great to see that our leadership at NBC supported us. We went in with great technologies, small; we were able to transmit from there both at the border in Chad and from Congo. Something that would have been unheard of I think.</p>
<p>Sesno: Tom Rosenstiel, from what you’ve heard so far what most encourages you and what most concerns you given the conversation and the research?</p>
<p>Rosenstiel: The first thing that I think is encouraging is that what we think of as journalism is breaking up into many different elements that serve the way that consumers get information. [I]t’s good that they are doing different things — that GlobalPost is focused on the narrative, that NBC has got these multi platforms. Because that’s the way, as citizens, we consume news. We don’t need the same thing for every kind of story.</p>
<p>Sesno: We don’t need the one big homerun place.</p>
<p>Rosenstiel: No. There is essentially a more complex news ecosystem that is now forming. I’ll never look to the Daily Beast to be the New York Times nor should I want to. There already is a New York Times. And the other thing that I think is encouraging is that when you recognize that you begin to start to say wait a second — news is not just the long narrative or the inverted pyramid. I am intrigued too by the idea of new ways of writing stories. The idea of a Wikipedia page for a long running story or a Wikipedia like page where I could go in and find out what happened today and then sort of get all the other background there. The idea of the story that you start over every day is really an artifact of the 19th century. So I think that’s very encouraging.</p>
<p>Sesno: What worries you?</p>
<p>Rosenstiel: What worries me is that thinking doesn’t go far enough. Ultimately my guess is that if the news institutions are going to monetize the web it’s going to be by moving away from narrative. That they are going to have to recognize that they’re in the knowledge and information business. And that there are many businesses embedded in that. And that simply trying to put ads against narrative is a very narrow slice of the knowledge business.</p>
<p>I also suspect that a lot of the innovation is going to occur outside of these old institutions. And that for all that groups are trying to innovate you’ve got to have the DNA of engineers. I agree with you wholeheartedly, Jim, that the idea of platform agnosticism is a foolish term. That the people who are going to win online are going to be platform orthodox. They are going to exploit the technology. And it’s only when you do that that I think you are going to end up with revenue models. To me all of this is great. [T]he news side has opened up the possibilities, but without monetization it’s just good intentions.</p>
<p>Find the full transcript and a video of the event at the <a href="http://smpa.gwu.edu/news/articles/featured/." type="external">SMPA website</a>.</p>
| false | 2 |
march 29 2010 george washington universitys school media public affairs association pew research centers project excellence journalism hosted event panelists discussed pejs recently released state news media 2010 report moderator frank sesno director gwu school media public affairs opening presentation tom rosenstiel director project excellence journalism pew research center panelists jim brady president digital strategies allbritton communications tina brown founder editorinchief daily beast susan page washington bureau chief usa today charlie sennott executive editor globalpost antoine sanfuentes deputy washington dc bureau chief nbc news following edited transcript ellipses omitted facilitate reading find full transcript video event smpa website frank sesno id like welcome school media public affairs proud offer interdisciplinary program specialize political communication journalism mass communication like say intersection media journalism politics busy sometimes dangerous intersection enjoy special pleasure hosting event association pew research centers project excellence journalism newseum timely conversation one promise yet another hand wringing cry soup newspaper history jobs bring back money bring back classifieds yak fest intend gloss problems course today fortunate incredible group innovators decision makers new research sort wind back inspiration still know time breathtaking challenge breathtaking opportunity alex jones warns iron core journalism melting robert mcchesney talks death life american journalism clay sharkey looks around empowering democratizing world media concludes comes everybody right think keep one single razor sharp defining reality front minds never human history much information available many people quickly people crave information democracy requires human nature fair ask kind information role media play dissemination legacy media adapt legacy doesnt come mean extinct tom rosenstiel next minutes im going try summarize 700 plus pages state news media report hopefully advance little bit tee conversation thats going follow im going start whats happening hopefully pivot things going first thing recognize problem old media part revenue problem audience problem look numbers 26 revenue 2009 newspapers 24 local tv 19 ad revenue magazines look audience numbers drops nearly severe mean online revenue online audiences notion people abandoning traditional media outlets audience fragmentation heart really simply audience migrating online often traditional outlets advertisers following could spend lot time telling online advertising isnt working well gloss scale losses old media enormous estimate 16 billion lost newspapers annual capacity enormous excitement new media new media experiments community media efforts funded community media scale dont come anywhere close seeing market collapse revenue side traditionally media incorrect notion revenue drops amount collapse media dont amount transition media moment media arent shrinking commentary discussion aspect media culture becoming robust think often sort afteraction element media culture people consumed news find happens want talk obviously critical dimension media supposed original news began coffee houses public houses public house fancy name bar people would come often coffee houses near shipping docks talk going town would talk people came ships find going far away europe elsewhere united states colonies would little log end bar people would get stages carriages write things theyd seen towns could go read log kind early newspaper idea discussion essential fundamental part journalism wrong discussion element media growing reportorial dimension media shrinking sense narrowing focus fewer reporters congregated around fewer stories cases actually reporters around single story paradox actually outlets covering news smaller cover big story day people congregated white house fewer people agricultural department still somebody big city metro mayors office fewer reporters congregated zoning commissions suburban communities time new news competitors coming fill space void see created decline traditional reportorial media last year weve seen host partisan groups watchdogorg group thats number states thats funded libertarian antigovernment group hard find go websites quite clear dont think need clear financing comes theyve hired trained journalists work hard know whats behind work going see occurring next couple years groups political interest covering news controlling discussion news areas interested making money isnt goal shaping discussion going grow goal get content mainstream press larger audience already seeing old media dont really know react frequently way going work going hire journalists old media folks know say well al know al hes trustworthy guy nothing worry thing seeing clearly power shifting news makers one things thats making happen tendency towards immediately things posted quickly old media making rapid use new media technology new technology could offer us potential infinite depth also offers potential instant speed weve seen studies press release thats authored newsmaking agency government agency whoever often adapted briefly hastily reposted news organization kind quick story moves sort establishes baseline people understand event much closer press release published newspaper years ago along ability news makers sort play expanding group outlets speed proliferation ceding power would make news also seeing partisanship certain elements small organization want create affinity audience certainly see prime time cable building audience around perspective news tried true way establishing loyal audience things combined think creating sense people news argument less authoritative finished product certainly years stability trust levels relating media last couple years weve seen rise distrust much actually liberals think media become biased earlier levels distrust rising decade ago tended among conservatives sides angry us another critical issue might call unbundling news old economic equation created news take money car ads real estate ads youd use money go cover zoning commissions whatever editors thought important connection given piece content revenue didnt sell specific stories specific topics popular stories helped build audience subsidized unpopular stories stories significant increasingly people seeking news story story news organization brand somewhat less important brand individual story even individual reporter important news people whats incentive us go cover news simply important never going generate much audience increasingly significant issue news people going grapple one conclusions come report said done think fortunes new media old media going much tied together ever anticipated reason unless find revenue model online monetize news digital space going limited reportorial capacity ultimately going become business partners search new revenue models stuck together ever thought going already beginning see proam collaborations news organizations use nonnews people help gather news formal collaborations help economies scale revenue prospects point well surveys weve done look difficult 79 people tell us hardly ever never clicked online ad news organization asked people pay walls first asked many people site would call favorite website 35 asked group group would think likely loyal whether would pay favorite site 15 said would add ones already pay small number go wall street journal bloomberg number goes 19 still big number certainly well 10 many news organizations estimate would pay dont know means cant happen means right moment people accustomed paying going initially resistant models news well hardly definitive list one would different kinds display advertising news organizations use talk people google scoff kind display advertising news organizations news sites say crude targeted enough one google executive told us 10th generation online ads still first another nonnews revenue newspaper executives home delivery business making new revenue delivering things peoples houses post office stops saturday delivery thats good newspapers pay walls clearly another transaction fees create retail mall website people buy things retail business knowledge services premium websites micro sites within news organizations mixed audience products basically selling information audience targeted ads part amortizing across platforms host things even believe news business missed scores opportunities last decade key going understanding new news consumer people get news brand whats difference commodity news franchise news commodity news news find lot places franchise news news find one news organization one big question whether people going subjects things interested sort migrating fragmented specialized areas places agree answer appears traffic data survey data thats whats happening idea accidentally coming across things didnt know interested still lives smaller part media consumption 34 people say describes best actually traffic data would suggest numbers may even higher partisan news clearly everybody wants get news 31 say prefer news sources share point view pew research center people amp press survey data numbers changed decades twothirds people say prefer get news multiple points view point view online top sites dominate old media presentation still market appeal among 4600 sites nielson tracks news information top 7 get 80 traffic top 200 news sites 67 legacy media another 13 aggregators aggregate old media 14 onlineonly content creators still market people produce kind reportorial journalism way monetize chris sterling time turn panel moderated frank sesno smpas director tina brown think todays world whatever editing much impresario regard putting show firing cylinders times recognize major enemy time famine making pay attention ive always taken view editor new yorker used feel deeply insulted people said wonderful pile magazines bed id say oh know failed make read taxi way bathroom didnt knew wed failed thing much today steroids much competition launched daily beast year bit ago created site quickly actually pretty counterintuitive decided absolutely hype ahead time ways think today hype even suspicionbuilding ever really almost kind antihype cultural actually requiring lot exposure thats tricky thing navigate kept low quiet beginning kind crashed top site created eight weeks come election fever whole sort policy constantly provoke point view always go grain whole philosophy daily beast really first give 10 stories one time feel ought read dont give say 20 links taliban well give one piece taliban piece weve decided piece worth reading rest 70 original content original content generated really running news time like taking counterpoint view finding writers dont want say something want say something different people dont post anything old fashioned way feel get quality saying quite lot stuff gets offered always looking piece writer point view thats going go grain also felt strongly todays world design matters hugely visually another iteration internet enough simply links basic techridden sort site created geeks havent really got editorial point view spent lot time design data base ive always editor sat directors wrestled hours tension form content visuals daily beast went design studio sort totally freaked tech guys werent used client show sit first like whoa doesnt understand dont want studio time understood actually could give lot became good collaborators totally fascinated design fascinated sort discover content actually important major conference called women world tried shine light foreign coverage tough get traffic subjects foreign news stories africa al qaeda etc lot daily beast one way make content come alive discussions panels occasions really dramatize make noise cant simply give kind subject matter instantly sort traffic candy sesno charlie let turn talk minute building site global reporting back essentially team freelancers one great things globalpost world youve got lots young people accomplished journalists one raps least read popular press enough money journalist live build back freelance model charlie sennott well launched globalpost 15 months ago launched really share lot stories tina told like build thing ground wanted make bold design really highlight writers highlight photography make feel different make feel exciting build team building team foreign correspondents days longer traditional models correspondents full positions come newsroom know get assigned overseas everything taken care foreign correspondent boston globe pay sons schools case take good care feel fortunate experienced kind foreign reporting largely left fantastic foreign correspondents world looking work weve tried become network outstanding freelancers weve tried build team best foreign correspondents world jean mckinsey kolbe correspondent great example kind correspondent jean also institute war peace reporting full time contract spends lot time afghanistan teaching young afghans reporters gets paid writes us regular basis well correspondents like michael goldfarb longtime national public radio correspondent london also writing books weve tried become outlet recognizes future foreign reporter going entrepreneur going recognize need think entrepreneurially consider globalpost base grounding steady gig give people retainer write four stories month budget special projects enterprise reporting really step great idea need resources right 70 correspondents 50 countries sesno jim brady politico one cover major metropolitan area 4 million people 35 40 people building cover jim brady think starting concept cant things people anymore landscape fragmented assume days winnertakeall competition cities pretty much going hiring hundreds reporters suggesting going compete post local television stations unrealistic financially look news organizations cover washington dc city people live pretty much everyone attached another property really gets lion share attention company whether local newspapers local tv local radio could start anew scratch basically website build could build would extremely different could build trying one organizations going pick spots also going act sort alone eco system hundreds really good local websites local news sites region bloggers like said news sites going work closely fact partner live neighborhoods local sites go get really useful targeted information communities going able provide really targeted information great falls virginia oxenhill maryland woodbridge virginia going depend sites already really good work going partner local bloggers going aggregate aggressively considered sort outrageous news space actually point competitors one questions comes lot extendable markets think clearly allbritton significant advantage locally owns channel 7 channel 8 thus comes lot three really important things journalistic resources good long relationships local advertisers amazing promotional platform help people get new site thats case every suspect fact sure five years major markets country site like end front center struggle really converge post last five years know really hard things web print require require different mindsets also significant amounts mind share trying put two together really difficult task sort say starting anew think alone biggest advantage sesno purpose make money brady think idea profit think whats happened journalism creative standpoint last 10 years exciting time history craft terms tools way reach audiences 247 corner world havent figured business side yet wanted part sesno susan page newspapers study points saw revenue fall 26 2009 43 three years traditional newspapers reverse decline different ways report news get news efficiently susan page dont think anyone thinks traditional newspaper anymore would case usa today wanted read usa today morning could bought newsstand could gone usatodaycom could subscribed eedition takes paper copy sends digital form entirely sure selling could follow us facebook twitter get building see teases stories video screen elevator thought usa today stories short started read copy elevator screens old divisions weve talked last couple years fellow panelists really getting blurred think traditional newspaper think maybe traditional news operation agenda mission hold powerful people account offer information opinion offer opinion parts paper well basically want people feel like major news source covering big stories day whether liberal conservative read feel confident information getting partisan slant things significant true expensive decline revenue sources huge challenge weve seen newsroom shrink although much regional local newspapers seen smaller staff works harder works diverse ways weve forged new partnerships 90 gannet owned newspapers across country youll see well sometimes run stories ran arizona republic des moines register well use reporters pursue stories want especially breaking stories happened part country ways tried adapt think one thing weve learned toms study others still legacy media driving conversation country still legacy media driving traffic web toms study reading last night says 80 links social media sites blogs legacy media newspapers break stories know gov sanford walking along appalachian trail know newspaper south carolina state told us know gov patterson new york intervening inappropriately domestic violence case involving close aide know new york times figured told us idea traditional newspapers traditional mission newspapers becoming archaic think incorrect know trying figure finance journalism want think none us think going silver bullet revolution classified advertising suddenly come back financial backbone newspapers across country think almost us think going mix things going advertising web going getting revenue web readers studies show people willing pay web news know time people willing pay money tv reception customary time mother would slapped id said going pay dollar bottle water yet done incumbent us show kind energy entrepreneurial spirit startup sites shown one thing weve started communities website fantasy football fan like american idol trying build green home communities usa today website thats really response news organizations weve seen come powerful want part agenda would say one last thing goes something jim said last couple years really tough work newspapers serious layoffs shrinking news hole ways good things happened know much transparent readers ever started business much accountability entire world fact checker make error story gets posted web stronger connection readers goes communities weve started website think story telling powerful using words photos able use audio video think sharper writing people less thumb sucking thats good sesno antoine television moment straddle interesting world nbc traditional network still nightly news variety cable channels seen strength one reasons cable news business one bright spots terms revenue look across otherwise bleak landscape certainly last year im curious would address issue argument versus news think television going issue news left cable news appears gone least cases mat antoine sanfuentes lets look hours hours news programming provide starting nbc platform bulk day deal news nbc news andrea mitchell pete williams jim miklaszewski talented nbc correspondents making contribution day long starts morning today show continues throughout day msnbc also go internet internet cable broadcast work closely together nightly news wrap today show piece missed go internet watch instantly sesno lets open discussion lets go issue people willing pay tina dont get us started brown well think ultimately like network television cable model people never thought anybody would ever pay television fact cable began paying cable question bundling likeminded things together making package buying think happen certain premium sites think going remain multiplatform world without question going five six things going make revenues sufficient sesno paying daily beast brown could become paid site paid elements proceeding along basis revenue model getting advertising time getting sponsorships producing beast books weve gone published two books already last year looking tv lucky iac chairman ceo barry diller partner always taken long view going three four year wait get profitability lucky able obviously sites cant kept getting refinanced sesno didnt make money cnn five years brown magazines size todays world going wait need partner keep refinancing stressful sesno charlie charging something get pay many people actually paying sennott site free globalpostcom still embraces idea information wants free web also recognizes fact journalism great value costs money paid membership invite people pay annual fee 5000 year become member globalpost get become member passport call globalpost opportunity talk foreign correspondents field conference call invite crowd sourcing invite membership sesno many people sennott less 2000 right dont know exact number probably closer 1000 much beta done know anywhere else say sort almost npr style membership said look think organization thats world trying old fashioned journalism really basic ideas like live country report need speak language least trying learn think sort old school old shoe leather journalism great value susan pointed going need invite support thats model sesno people pay think theyd brady dont im sort mind best thing news organizations could sort surrender fact never going make ton nonad revenue web go straight mobile think lot money made mobile think mobile may webs version satellite radio cable television sesno make money mobile brady think people pay different things mobile would pay browser theyll pay timeliness theyll pay geographic relevance theyll pay guy audience finds boss something written guy next seat sesno like itunes world micro payments 29 cents get story boss brady think may sign alerts get looking like traffic alerts weather alerts phone tell approach huge traffic jam maybe ought make left mean got saved twice year alerts id pay pretty good chunk change think portable world much opportunity eventually charge think supply demand web unless producing something really unique someone go find somewhere else even claim slightly higher quality site charges people arent going take leap think one things everybody recognizes sure everyone audience recognizes right middle ages time ferment change revolution really exciting sesno unless youve lost job sennott well think really hard people losing great jobs traditional legacy media great jobs one took buyout boston globe really went forward especially students exciting time getting journalism life time models going created going lot thinking thats going go dont need huge amounts capital anymore go try start something know globalpost lucky grounded solid investors really understand long slow build brown agree charlie true mourn bureaus etc actually get vibrant foreign reporting without bureaus really ive collected many amazing indian writers happy mumbai massacre happened fabulous really current brilliant reporting likes aravind adiga wrote white tiger tremendously good journalists finding original fantastic stuff think eclectic interesting anything could got one guy spot sennott know think thats true think new model building community thats going go try cover certain segment used newspaper could sports could case international news sesno let place skunk garden party minute patting back wonderful going happens real serious long term digging take investigative piece talked accountability journalism want get mayor governor whatever team reporters least traditionally would spend weeks maybe months digging maybe come back nothing theyve actually got freedom information requests filing know know make sensitive documents sensitive material going new adventure called brady doesnt name yet page know people worked traditional foreign correspondent jobs didnt get lot perks came agenda clear accountability news organization werent working multiple bosses understand weve gone direction value traditional model well pick something else charlie said since university weve seen like generation senior journalists kind get washed away including really talented people didnt deserve laid really cleared decks people coming school different expectations job going like know son wants reporter every expectation hell shoot video record audio expectations different although values sennott think another thing globalpost really grappling time actually looking something pretty basic find best reporters world story telling really core want telling great story dont want try create reporters think video photography audio writing going lose essence tell story dealing younger reporters mid career veteran reporters always tell go strength mean writer write tell us story way pick digital camera feel comfortable help document angle thats added value dont want sort blur lines think end great mediocrity way look network 50 people story like global economic crisis talented actually take team one email copy say want snapshot right field devastating antidote find impact country global economic crisis begin work together creates sort quantum effect reporting im proud saber award beat much larger news sites able look integrated way interactive brown also think look new ways telling stories getting subjects beast story first breaks still assembling material weve created something called big fat story big fat story four five different pieces different places whatever place put different boxes summarize murder heres crime suspicion people saying gives way telling story completely different way im actually kind fascinated figure new ways narrative journalism come magazines narrative journalism day miss narrative journalism online think still place long accreted detail story going get attention span piece thats really 12001300 words sesno remember hearing npr citing michael kinsleys long piece fewer long pieces brown people talk good writing online totally disagree mean think blow bad writers fast beast know anybody spends five paragraphs clearing throat blowharding around want cut chase sesno thats different used brown well think makes much ruthless editor need sesno antoine upon time nbc documentary unit networks documentary units cnn documentary documentary units gone away institutional documentary unit anymore really frontline pps sanfuentes think given saturate airwaves news look right opportunity id point inside obama white house something unique nbc look various platforms used particular day lights lights tweeting taking still pictures created slide show viewed millions people msnbccom network primetime special pieces nightly news today show msnbc live shots talk experience ways us maybe often used different model brown lets face unless brad pitts involved one going go africa right sanfuentes well ill point good friend ann curry took several trips darfur together congo really great see leadership nbc supported us went great technologies small able transmit border chad congo something would unheard think sesno tom rosenstiel youve heard far encourages concerns given conversation research rosenstiel first thing think encouraging think journalism breaking many different elements serve way consumers get information good different things globalpost focused narrative nbc got multi platforms thats way citizens consume news dont need thing every kind story sesno dont need one big homerun place rosenstiel essentially complex news ecosystem forming ill never look daily beast new york times want already new york times thing think encouraging recognize begin start say wait second news long narrative inverted pyramid intrigued idea new ways writing stories idea wikipedia page long running story wikipedia like page could go find happened today sort get background idea story start every day really artifact 19th century think thats encouraging sesno worries rosenstiel worries thinking doesnt go far enough ultimately guess news institutions going monetize web going moving away narrative going recognize theyre knowledge information business many businesses embedded simply trying put ads narrative narrow slice knowledge business also suspect lot innovation going occur outside old institutions groups trying innovate youve got dna engineers agree wholeheartedly jim idea platform agnosticism foolish term people going win online going platform orthodox going exploit technology think going end revenue models great news side opened possibilities without monetization good intentions find full transcript video event smpa website
| 4,135 |
<p>In the middle of celebrating passage of a $1.5 trillion tax cut, President Donald Trump pivoted to what the bill did for another one of his major goals.</p>
<p>"We essentially repealed Obamacare because we got rid of the individual mandate, which was terrible," Trump said. "And that was a primary source of funding of Obamacare."</p>
<p>During the campaign, Trump promised to get rid of the Affordable Care Act. While full-blown repeal eluded him and Republicans in 2017, a relatively late addition to the tax bill did hand him a partial victory.</p>
<p>The individual mandate fines people who might be able to afford health insurance but choose not to buy it. The maximum penalty is the higher of 2.5 percent of income or a fine based on the number of adults and kids in the household. The new tax measure reduces the fine to zero.</p>
<p>The question is, how far does ending the penalty go toward repealing the Affordable Care Act? And did revenues from the fines represent a primary source of money for the program?</p>
<p>The money part is simple. In 2016, about 6.5 million households <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/newsroom/commissionerletteracafilingseason.pdf" type="external">paid $3 billion in penalties</a>. The Congressional Budget Office, the nonpartisan number crunchers for Congress, reported that in 2017, government costs for the Affordable Care Act <a href="https://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/recurringdata/51298-2017-01-healthinsurance.pdf" type="external">totalled nearly $120 billion</a>.</p>
<p>The penalties would cover less than 3 percent of that.</p>
<p>Other revenue sources are more significant, including taxes on wealthy households -- about $16 billion, and health insurance companies -- about $12 billion.</p>
<p>So Trump was wrong when he called the penalty money a primary source of funding.</p>
<p>The experts we reached generally agreed that repealing the mandate would undermine the health care law, but key elements would remain intact.</p>
<p>In broad strokes, without the penalty, fewer healthy people will buy insurance, which will make it more expensive to cover the people who do. (Reminder: This mainly affects the individual insurance market, which amounts to about 7 percent of all the people covered in the country.)</p>
<p>The Congressional Budget Office <a href="https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/115th-congress-2017-2018/reports/53300-individualmandate.pdf" type="external">estimated that repealing the mandate would drive up premiums by 10 percent</a>. This would price some people out of the market, and turn away others who might have been ready to buy a plan if it were cheaper. After 10 years, 13 million fewer people would be insured.</p>
<p>But even the CBO stressed how mushy any prediction is, noting that the actual impacts "would probably be smaller than the numbers reported in this document."</p>
<p>The single-greatest coverage gains under the Affordable Care Act came through expanding Medicaid to all low-income adults. Overall, about 20 million people became insured. Of that, <a href="https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/115th-congress-2017-2018/reports/53091-fshic.pdf" type="external">the CBO says Medicaid expansion</a> reached 13 million people at a cost of about <a href="https://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/recurringdata/51298-2017-01-healthinsurance.pdf" type="external">$70 billion in 2017</a>.</p>
<p>Even though Medicaid coverage is either free or very low-cost, eliminating the mandate would have some effect on the growth of that group. The CBO said that in 2027, about 5 million fewer people would be enrolled in Medicaid than the government analysts would otherwise expect.</p>
<p>The logic is that fear of the mandate leads people to apply for insurance, at which point they discover they are eligible for Medicaid coverage. Without the stick of the mandate, they wouldn’t have applied.</p>
<p>Whatever the scale of that effect, Medicaid expansion remains intact.</p>
<p>Studies point in both directions on the impact that the mandate alone has on the individual market.</p>
<p>When an earlier and similar law took effect in Massachusetts, <a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1013067#t=article" type="external">enrollment jumped</a> among healthy people. On the other hand, <a href="https://ac.els-cdn.com/S0167629616302272/1-s2.0-S0167629616302272-main.pdf?_tid=a2ea90ac-e5ac-11e7-8c73-00000aab0f27&amp;acdnat=1513791709_6bc72a4bc1a74b74070401429f71cc6a" type="external">research based</a> on the first few years of the national law through 2015 concluded that "the individual mandate’s exemptions and penalties had little impact on coverage rates." The big drivers were the hefty premium subsidies for private insurance and the expansion of Medicaid to low-income adults.</p>
<p>Larry Levitt at the Kaiser Family Foundation, a neutral source of health care data, said his sense is that at the end of the day, the change "will hobble the ACA, but not kill it."</p>
<p>"The heart of the ACA – the premium subsidies, the Medicaid expansion, and protections for pre-existing conditions – remain in place," he said. "The premium subsidies should provide enough of an incentive for many healthy people to get coverage to keep the individual market reasonably stable."</p>
<p>The law provides substantial assistance to keep premiums affordable for people with low incomes (specifically, those making less than 400 percent of federal poverty). Those households represent most of the plans sold through the government’s health insurance exchanges. In 2017, about <a href="https://www.axios.com/the-aca-stability-crisis-in-perspective-2470990374.html?utm_medium=linkshare&amp;utm_campaign=organic" type="external">8.7 million people benefited</a>.</p>
<p>When premiums rise, the subsidies insulate households from most of the impact.</p>
<p>Assuming the end of the penalty pushes premiums up, Levitt said the people who will take the hit are those who make over <a href="http://familiesusa.org/product/federal-poverty-guidelines" type="external">400 percent of federal poverty</a> (about $98,000 per year for a family of four) and aren’t insulated from increases by the subsidies.</p>
<p>That puts about <a href="https://www.axios.com/the-aca-stability-crisis-in-perspective-2470990374.html?utm_medium=linkshare&amp;utm_campaign=organic" type="external">6.7 million people at risk</a>. That’s a lot of people, even if it’s only about 2 percent of the total population.</p>
<p>We reached out to other health care policy experts. Christine Eibner at the RAND Corporation emphasized that the effect of repeal is "highly uncertain."</p>
<p>Still, she told us that "on balance, I think the evidence suggests that the mandate is having some impact on enrollment, but it may be small relative to other factors such as the tax credits and subsidies."</p>
<p>"We don’t really know what the impact will be," said Martin Gaynor, economist at Carnegie Mellon University.</p>
<p>But he went on to warn that "if the mandate is important, then eliminating it will create big problems in the exchange marketplaces, which would likely prove difficult to reverse."</p>
<p>Trump said that repealing the individual mandate essentially repealed Obamacare and eliminated a primary source of funding for the program.</p>
<p>Eliminating the mandate does undercut the Affordable Care Act, but it hardly repeals it. In reality, the major pieces of the Affordable Care Act remain in place.</p>
<p>On the money side, the penalties represent less than 3 percent of the cost of the program, and other taxes directly tied to paying for Obamacare are four and five times larger.</p>
<p>Overall, this change will be disruptive, but not terminal. It certainly does not "essentially repeal" Obamacare. We rate Trump’s claim False.</p>
| false | 2 |
middle celebrating passage 15 trillion tax cut president donald trump pivoted bill another one major goals essentially repealed obamacare got rid individual mandate terrible trump said primary source funding obamacare campaign trump promised get rid affordable care act fullblown repeal eluded republicans 2017 relatively late addition tax bill hand partial victory individual mandate fines people might able afford health insurance choose buy maximum penalty higher 25 percent income fine based number adults kids household new tax measure reduces fine zero question far ending penalty go toward repealing affordable care act revenues fines represent primary source money program money part simple 2016 65 million households paid 3 billion penalties congressional budget office nonpartisan number crunchers congress reported 2017 government costs affordable care act totalled nearly 120 billion penalties would cover less 3 percent revenue sources significant including taxes wealthy households 16 billion health insurance companies 12 billion trump wrong called penalty money primary source funding experts reached generally agreed repealing mandate would undermine health care law key elements would remain intact broad strokes without penalty fewer healthy people buy insurance make expensive cover people reminder mainly affects individual insurance market amounts 7 percent people covered country congressional budget office estimated repealing mandate would drive premiums 10 percent would price people market turn away others might ready buy plan cheaper 10 years 13 million fewer people would insured even cbo stressed mushy prediction noting actual impacts would probably smaller numbers reported document singlegreatest coverage gains affordable care act came expanding medicaid lowincome adults overall 20 million people became insured cbo says medicaid expansion reached 13 million people cost 70 billion 2017 even though medicaid coverage either free lowcost eliminating mandate would effect growth group cbo said 2027 5 million fewer people would enrolled medicaid government analysts would otherwise expect logic fear mandate leads people apply insurance point discover eligible medicaid coverage without stick mandate wouldnt applied whatever scale effect medicaid expansion remains intact studies point directions impact mandate alone individual market earlier similar law took effect massachusetts enrollment jumped among healthy people hand research based first years national law 2015 concluded individual mandates exemptions penalties little impact coverage rates big drivers hefty premium subsidies private insurance expansion medicaid lowincome adults larry levitt kaiser family foundation neutral source health care data said sense end day change hobble aca kill heart aca premium subsidies medicaid expansion protections preexisting conditions remain place said premium subsidies provide enough incentive many healthy people get coverage keep individual market reasonably stable law provides substantial assistance keep premiums affordable people low incomes specifically making less 400 percent federal poverty households represent plans sold governments health insurance exchanges 2017 87 million people benefited premiums rise subsidies insulate households impact assuming end penalty pushes premiums levitt said people take hit make 400 percent federal poverty 98000 per year family four arent insulated increases subsidies puts 67 million people risk thats lot people even 2 percent total population reached health care policy experts christine eibner rand corporation emphasized effect repeal highly uncertain still told us balance think evidence suggests mandate impact enrollment may small relative factors tax credits subsidies dont really know impact said martin gaynor economist carnegie mellon university went warn mandate important eliminating create big problems exchange marketplaces would likely prove difficult reverse trump said repealing individual mandate essentially repealed obamacare eliminated primary source funding program eliminating mandate undercut affordable care act hardly repeals reality major pieces affordable care act remain place money side penalties represent less 3 percent cost program taxes directly tied paying obamacare four five times larger overall change disruptive terminal certainly essentially repeal obamacare rate trumps claim false
| 602 |
<p>MADRID (AP) — Catalonia’s former president, a fugitive sought by Spain over a foiled secession bid, will travel to Denmark next week for a university debate despite the possible risk of arrest, officials said Friday.</p>
<p>Carles Puigdemont plans to make the trip to Copenhagen as he tries to get his old job back and step up the pressure on Spanish authorities, which have said a fugitive abroad can’t be the Catalan regional president.</p>
<p>The University of Copenhagen announced a debate for Monday in the Danish capital on “Catalonia and Europe at a Crossroads for Democracy.” Janni Brixen, a media official with the university’s Faculty of Social Science, said Puigdemont would attend it “in person.”</p>
<p>A spokeswoman for Puigdemont’s party also confirmed that he was planning to travel to Copenhagen and attend the debate “representing the legitimate government of Catalonia.”</p>
<p>Puigdemont is being investigated by Spain for possible rebellion, sedition and embezzlement linked to a unilateral declaration of independence last fall in the northeastern Spanish region of Catalonia.</p>
<p>A Spanish Supreme Court judge dropped an extradition request to Belgium in December after it became clear that authorities in Brussels would probably agree to send him back but would restricted the crimes that he could be judged for in Spain.</p>
<p>The separatist politician still faces detention if he returns to Spain, but is free to travel elsewhere unless the judge re-activates the European and international arrest warrants against him. There was no sign of that being in the works on Friday.</p>
<p>Lawyer Paul Bekaert, who has represented Puigdemont in earlier extradition hearings in Belgium, declined to discuss his assessment of the risk that the trip posed. The Danish Ministry of Justice also refused to comment.</p>
<p>Puigdemont is seeking to be back in charge of affairs in Catalonia even if it is from self-imposed exile in Belgium.</p>
<p>“If I have to choose between being an inmate or a president, I’d rather be a president, even from afar,” he told Catalonia’s public radio Friday.</p>
<p>“At least now I can do things that I wouldn’t be able to do in prison,” he said, referring to the help that “new technologies” could provide.</p>
<p>The October secession attempt led Spanish central authorities to take direct control of Catalonia, disband its regional cabinet and call an early regional election.</p>
<p>The Catalan vote in December failed to break the political deadlock, granting separatists a slim parliamentary majority that in theory would allow them to form a government.</p>
<p>But with ousted Catalan Cabinet members under investigation, jailed or in Belgium and facing arrest if they return home, the regional parliament must decide by the end of January whether to permit Puigdemont’s re-election.</p>
<p>The chamber’s regulations are imprecise about what to do under such unprecedented situation.</p>
<p>On Friday, Puigdemont said separatist parties were studying whether parliamentary immunity could be invoked to allow his return without being arrested.</p>
<p>Spain’s central government has vowed to impede Puigdemont’s reinstatement by challenging it in courts if necessary and to keep direct control over the region until a new government takes over.</p>
<p>The host of the forum, Political Science Professor Mikkel Vedby Rasmussen, said the controversy around the former Catalan president was part of the reason why the University of Copenhagen had decided that a “healthy debate” was needed in an “open and mature environment.”</p>
<p>“Danish society is very much driven by consensus and for that effect we engage in endless deliberations,” Vedby Rasmussen told The Associated Press. “From that political perspective, both sides have been extremely confrontational, and that comes as something alien for Danish people who want to understand better what’s going on in Catalonia.”</p>
<p>__</p>
<p>David Keyton in Stockholm and Lorne Cook in Brussels contributed to this report.</p>
<p>MADRID (AP) — Catalonia’s former president, a fugitive sought by Spain over a foiled secession bid, will travel to Denmark next week for a university debate despite the possible risk of arrest, officials said Friday.</p>
<p>Carles Puigdemont plans to make the trip to Copenhagen as he tries to get his old job back and step up the pressure on Spanish authorities, which have said a fugitive abroad can’t be the Catalan regional president.</p>
<p>The University of Copenhagen announced a debate for Monday in the Danish capital on “Catalonia and Europe at a Crossroads for Democracy.” Janni Brixen, a media official with the university’s Faculty of Social Science, said Puigdemont would attend it “in person.”</p>
<p>A spokeswoman for Puigdemont’s party also confirmed that he was planning to travel to Copenhagen and attend the debate “representing the legitimate government of Catalonia.”</p>
<p>Puigdemont is being investigated by Spain for possible rebellion, sedition and embezzlement linked to a unilateral declaration of independence last fall in the northeastern Spanish region of Catalonia.</p>
<p>A Spanish Supreme Court judge dropped an extradition request to Belgium in December after it became clear that authorities in Brussels would probably agree to send him back but would restricted the crimes that he could be judged for in Spain.</p>
<p>The separatist politician still faces detention if he returns to Spain, but is free to travel elsewhere unless the judge re-activates the European and international arrest warrants against him. There was no sign of that being in the works on Friday.</p>
<p>Lawyer Paul Bekaert, who has represented Puigdemont in earlier extradition hearings in Belgium, declined to discuss his assessment of the risk that the trip posed. The Danish Ministry of Justice also refused to comment.</p>
<p>Puigdemont is seeking to be back in charge of affairs in Catalonia even if it is from self-imposed exile in Belgium.</p>
<p>“If I have to choose between being an inmate or a president, I’d rather be a president, even from afar,” he told Catalonia’s public radio Friday.</p>
<p>“At least now I can do things that I wouldn’t be able to do in prison,” he said, referring to the help that “new technologies” could provide.</p>
<p>The October secession attempt led Spanish central authorities to take direct control of Catalonia, disband its regional cabinet and call an early regional election.</p>
<p>The Catalan vote in December failed to break the political deadlock, granting separatists a slim parliamentary majority that in theory would allow them to form a government.</p>
<p>But with ousted Catalan Cabinet members under investigation, jailed or in Belgium and facing arrest if they return home, the regional parliament must decide by the end of January whether to permit Puigdemont’s re-election.</p>
<p>The chamber’s regulations are imprecise about what to do under such unprecedented situation.</p>
<p>On Friday, Puigdemont said separatist parties were studying whether parliamentary immunity could be invoked to allow his return without being arrested.</p>
<p>Spain’s central government has vowed to impede Puigdemont’s reinstatement by challenging it in courts if necessary and to keep direct control over the region until a new government takes over.</p>
<p>The host of the forum, Political Science Professor Mikkel Vedby Rasmussen, said the controversy around the former Catalan president was part of the reason why the University of Copenhagen had decided that a “healthy debate” was needed in an “open and mature environment.”</p>
<p>“Danish society is very much driven by consensus and for that effect we engage in endless deliberations,” Vedby Rasmussen told The Associated Press. “From that political perspective, both sides have been extremely confrontational, and that comes as something alien for Danish people who want to understand better what’s going on in Catalonia.”</p>
<p>__</p>
<p>David Keyton in Stockholm and Lorne Cook in Brussels contributed to this report.</p>
| false | 2 |
madrid ap catalonias former president fugitive sought spain foiled secession bid travel denmark next week university debate despite possible risk arrest officials said friday carles puigdemont plans make trip copenhagen tries get old job back step pressure spanish authorities said fugitive abroad cant catalan regional president university copenhagen announced debate monday danish capital catalonia europe crossroads democracy janni brixen media official universitys faculty social science said puigdemont would attend person spokeswoman puigdemonts party also confirmed planning travel copenhagen attend debate representing legitimate government catalonia puigdemont investigated spain possible rebellion sedition embezzlement linked unilateral declaration independence last fall northeastern spanish region catalonia spanish supreme court judge dropped extradition request belgium december became clear authorities brussels would probably agree send back would restricted crimes could judged spain separatist politician still faces detention returns spain free travel elsewhere unless judge reactivates european international arrest warrants sign works friday lawyer paul bekaert represented puigdemont earlier extradition hearings belgium declined discuss assessment risk trip posed danish ministry justice also refused comment puigdemont seeking back charge affairs catalonia even selfimposed exile belgium choose inmate president id rather president even afar told catalonias public radio friday least things wouldnt able prison said referring help new technologies could provide october secession attempt led spanish central authorities take direct control catalonia disband regional cabinet call early regional election catalan vote december failed break political deadlock granting separatists slim parliamentary majority theory would allow form government ousted catalan cabinet members investigation jailed belgium facing arrest return home regional parliament must decide end january whether permit puigdemonts reelection chambers regulations imprecise unprecedented situation friday puigdemont said separatist parties studying whether parliamentary immunity could invoked allow return without arrested spains central government vowed impede puigdemonts reinstatement challenging courts necessary keep direct control region new government takes host forum political science professor mikkel vedby rasmussen said controversy around former catalan president part reason university copenhagen decided healthy debate needed open mature environment danish society much driven consensus effect engage endless deliberations vedby rasmussen told associated press political perspective sides extremely confrontational comes something alien danish people want understand better whats going catalonia __ david keyton stockholm lorne cook brussels contributed report madrid ap catalonias former president fugitive sought spain foiled secession bid travel denmark next week university debate despite possible risk arrest officials said friday carles puigdemont plans make trip copenhagen tries get old job back step pressure spanish authorities said fugitive abroad cant catalan regional president university copenhagen announced debate monday danish capital catalonia europe crossroads democracy janni brixen media official universitys faculty social science said puigdemont would attend person spokeswoman puigdemonts party also confirmed planning travel copenhagen attend debate representing legitimate government catalonia puigdemont investigated spain possible rebellion sedition embezzlement linked unilateral declaration independence last fall northeastern spanish region catalonia spanish supreme court judge dropped extradition request belgium december became clear authorities brussels would probably agree send back would restricted crimes could judged spain separatist politician still faces detention returns spain free travel elsewhere unless judge reactivates european international arrest warrants sign works friday lawyer paul bekaert represented puigdemont earlier extradition hearings belgium declined discuss assessment risk trip posed danish ministry justice also refused comment puigdemont seeking back charge affairs catalonia even selfimposed exile belgium choose inmate president id rather president even afar told catalonias public radio friday least things wouldnt able prison said referring help new technologies could provide october secession attempt led spanish central authorities take direct control catalonia disband regional cabinet call early regional election catalan vote december failed break political deadlock granting separatists slim parliamentary majority theory would allow form government ousted catalan cabinet members investigation jailed belgium facing arrest return home regional parliament must decide end january whether permit puigdemonts reelection chambers regulations imprecise unprecedented situation friday puigdemont said separatist parties studying whether parliamentary immunity could invoked allow return without arrested spains central government vowed impede puigdemonts reinstatement challenging courts necessary keep direct control region new government takes host forum political science professor mikkel vedby rasmussen said controversy around former catalan president part reason university copenhagen decided healthy debate needed open mature environment danish society much driven consensus effect engage endless deliberations vedby rasmussen told associated press political perspective sides extremely confrontational comes something alien danish people want understand better whats going catalonia __ david keyton stockholm lorne cook brussels contributed report
| 716 |
<p>LOS ALTOS, Calif. (AP) — Two freelance journalists have won the first American Mosaic Journalism Prize for stories about the struggles of U.S. immigrants and others who the prize founders say have been underrepresented or misrepresented.</p>
<p>Jaeah Lee of San Francisco and Valeria Fernandez of Arizona each will receive $100,000, making it one of the richest prizes for journalism. By comparison, Pulitzer Prize winners generally receive $15,000.</p>
<p>The prize was created by the <a href="https://www.hsfoundation.org/" type="external">Heising-Simons Foundation</a> , a family-run charity in Silicon Valley.</p>
<p>The award was for a selection of work by independent reporters that appeared in print, digital, audio or TV mass media between July 2016 and August 2017.</p>
<p>“In today’s journalism, freelancers are both vulnerable and valuable,” the foundation said in a Tuesday statement announcing the awards. “With trimming of newsroom staff, many journalists are working without the support of an institution and with limited resources. And yet, some of the most important works of journalism come from these freelance journalists who commit long periods of time to their stories.”</p>
<p>Lee, for example, spent 17 months with a <a href="https://story.californiasunday.com/mario-woods-after-shooting" type="external">mother whose son was killed</a> in a police shooting, the announcement said.</p>
<p>“Her writing “gives readers a keen sense of the voices and concerns of those easily forgotten or neglected in the news,” the prize judges said.</p>
<p>Lee said being a freelancer is a “rocky road of financial burden, tests on patience and endurance and focus” without support from an institution.</p>
<p>The new prize is a “game-changer in offering writers like myself a chance at financial security, and in allowing us to focus on the stories that matter most,” she said in a statement.</p>
<p>Fernandez has covered immigration issues in Arizona for more than 15 years. Her recent work included a story about the <a href="http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/saras-demons-crossed-the-border-with-her-where-could-she-find-help-for-her-mental-health-problems-9040688" type="external">mental health struggles</a> of a new immigrant. She also produced the 2012 documentary “Two Americans,” about a 9-year-old girl whose parents were arrested in a workplace immigration raid.</p>
<p>“Bearing witness to lives that are often absent from public view, Valeria Fernández’s work stands as testament to the trust people have in her to tell their stories with accuracy and compassion,” the judges wrote.</p>
<p>“As a Latina immigrant journalist, who speaks Spanish as a first language, I’m humbled to receive this recognition,” Fernandez said in a statement. “I hope it will bring attention to the voices of the women and the communities that I have focused my reporting on.”</p>
<p>The 10 judges include journalism professors and working journalists.</p>
<p>The prize was awarded for excellence in long-form, narrative, or deep reporting on stories about “underrepresented and/or misrepresented groups in the present American landscape,” according to the press statement.</p>
<p>The Heising-Simons Foundation was founded by Mark Heising, a computer chip designer who holds several U.S. patents, and Liz Simons, a Spanish-bilingual teacher who founded an early childhood education program, according to the foundation website.</p>
<p>Both have signed the Giving Pledge, a commitment to contribute more than half of their wealth to philanthropy or charitable causes either during their lifetime or in their will, according to a pledge website. Other signatories include Warren Buffet, Bill and Melinda Gates and Mark Zuckerberg.</p>
<p>LOS ALTOS, Calif. (AP) — Two freelance journalists have won the first American Mosaic Journalism Prize for stories about the struggles of U.S. immigrants and others who the prize founders say have been underrepresented or misrepresented.</p>
<p>Jaeah Lee of San Francisco and Valeria Fernandez of Arizona each will receive $100,000, making it one of the richest prizes for journalism. By comparison, Pulitzer Prize winners generally receive $15,000.</p>
<p>The prize was created by the <a href="https://www.hsfoundation.org/" type="external">Heising-Simons Foundation</a> , a family-run charity in Silicon Valley.</p>
<p>The award was for a selection of work by independent reporters that appeared in print, digital, audio or TV mass media between July 2016 and August 2017.</p>
<p>“In today’s journalism, freelancers are both vulnerable and valuable,” the foundation said in a Tuesday statement announcing the awards. “With trimming of newsroom staff, many journalists are working without the support of an institution and with limited resources. And yet, some of the most important works of journalism come from these freelance journalists who commit long periods of time to their stories.”</p>
<p>Lee, for example, spent 17 months with a <a href="https://story.californiasunday.com/mario-woods-after-shooting" type="external">mother whose son was killed</a> in a police shooting, the announcement said.</p>
<p>“Her writing “gives readers a keen sense of the voices and concerns of those easily forgotten or neglected in the news,” the prize judges said.</p>
<p>Lee said being a freelancer is a “rocky road of financial burden, tests on patience and endurance and focus” without support from an institution.</p>
<p>The new prize is a “game-changer in offering writers like myself a chance at financial security, and in allowing us to focus on the stories that matter most,” she said in a statement.</p>
<p>Fernandez has covered immigration issues in Arizona for more than 15 years. Her recent work included a story about the <a href="http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/saras-demons-crossed-the-border-with-her-where-could-she-find-help-for-her-mental-health-problems-9040688" type="external">mental health struggles</a> of a new immigrant. She also produced the 2012 documentary “Two Americans,” about a 9-year-old girl whose parents were arrested in a workplace immigration raid.</p>
<p>“Bearing witness to lives that are often absent from public view, Valeria Fernández’s work stands as testament to the trust people have in her to tell their stories with accuracy and compassion,” the judges wrote.</p>
<p>“As a Latina immigrant journalist, who speaks Spanish as a first language, I’m humbled to receive this recognition,” Fernandez said in a statement. “I hope it will bring attention to the voices of the women and the communities that I have focused my reporting on.”</p>
<p>The 10 judges include journalism professors and working journalists.</p>
<p>The prize was awarded for excellence in long-form, narrative, or deep reporting on stories about “underrepresented and/or misrepresented groups in the present American landscape,” according to the press statement.</p>
<p>The Heising-Simons Foundation was founded by Mark Heising, a computer chip designer who holds several U.S. patents, and Liz Simons, a Spanish-bilingual teacher who founded an early childhood education program, according to the foundation website.</p>
<p>Both have signed the Giving Pledge, a commitment to contribute more than half of their wealth to philanthropy or charitable causes either during their lifetime or in their will, according to a pledge website. Other signatories include Warren Buffet, Bill and Melinda Gates and Mark Zuckerberg.</p>
| false | 2 |
los altos calif ap two freelance journalists first american mosaic journalism prize stories struggles us immigrants others prize founders say underrepresented misrepresented jaeah lee san francisco valeria fernandez arizona receive 100000 making one richest prizes journalism comparison pulitzer prize winners generally receive 15000 prize created heisingsimons foundation familyrun charity silicon valley award selection work independent reporters appeared print digital audio tv mass media july 2016 august 2017 todays journalism freelancers vulnerable valuable foundation said tuesday statement announcing awards trimming newsroom staff many journalists working without support institution limited resources yet important works journalism come freelance journalists commit long periods time stories lee example spent 17 months mother whose son killed police shooting announcement said writing gives readers keen sense voices concerns easily forgotten neglected news prize judges said lee said freelancer rocky road financial burden tests patience endurance focus without support institution new prize gamechanger offering writers like chance financial security allowing us focus stories matter said statement fernandez covered immigration issues arizona 15 years recent work included story mental health struggles new immigrant also produced 2012 documentary two americans 9yearold girl whose parents arrested workplace immigration raid bearing witness lives often absent public view valeria fernándezs work stands testament trust people tell stories accuracy compassion judges wrote latina immigrant journalist speaks spanish first language im humbled receive recognition fernandez said statement hope bring attention voices women communities focused reporting 10 judges include journalism professors working journalists prize awarded excellence longform narrative deep reporting stories underrepresented andor misrepresented groups present american landscape according press statement heisingsimons foundation founded mark heising computer chip designer holds several us patents liz simons spanishbilingual teacher founded early childhood education program according foundation website signed giving pledge commitment contribute half wealth philanthropy charitable causes either lifetime according pledge website signatories include warren buffet bill melinda gates mark zuckerberg los altos calif ap two freelance journalists first american mosaic journalism prize stories struggles us immigrants others prize founders say underrepresented misrepresented jaeah lee san francisco valeria fernandez arizona receive 100000 making one richest prizes journalism comparison pulitzer prize winners generally receive 15000 prize created heisingsimons foundation familyrun charity silicon valley award selection work independent reporters appeared print digital audio tv mass media july 2016 august 2017 todays journalism freelancers vulnerable valuable foundation said tuesday statement announcing awards trimming newsroom staff many journalists working without support institution limited resources yet important works journalism come freelance journalists commit long periods time stories lee example spent 17 months mother whose son killed police shooting announcement said writing gives readers keen sense voices concerns easily forgotten neglected news prize judges said lee said freelancer rocky road financial burden tests patience endurance focus without support institution new prize gamechanger offering writers like chance financial security allowing us focus stories matter said statement fernandez covered immigration issues arizona 15 years recent work included story mental health struggles new immigrant also produced 2012 documentary two americans 9yearold girl whose parents arrested workplace immigration raid bearing witness lives often absent public view valeria fernándezs work stands testament trust people tell stories accuracy compassion judges wrote latina immigrant journalist speaks spanish first language im humbled receive recognition fernandez said statement hope bring attention voices women communities focused reporting 10 judges include journalism professors working journalists prize awarded excellence longform narrative deep reporting stories underrepresented andor misrepresented groups present american landscape according press statement heisingsimons foundation founded mark heising computer chip designer holds several us patents liz simons spanishbilingual teacher founded early childhood education program according foundation website signed giving pledge commitment contribute half wealth philanthropy charitable causes either lifetime according pledge website signatories include warren buffet bill melinda gates mark zuckerberg
| 606 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p />
<p>• Watching Game 2 of the NBA playoffs with ESPN broadcaster and Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan and former Duke University basketball coach Bucky Walters;</p>
<p>• Hanging out for a party at the Toyota Racing Development HQ;</p>
<p>• Meeting and chatting with NFL hall of Famer John Elway; and</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>• Being presented the New Mexico Broadcaster of the Year Award by famous play-by-play guy Marv Albert.</p>
<p>But, wait — there’s more, says Bob Brown of Rio Rancho, who lived that adventure earlier this month: “I ate too much and I drank too much.”</p>
<p>Five-and-a-half years ago, Brown quit his sports anchor job at KOAT-TV after 18 years with the station, telling the Observer then “It was fun; I had a great time” during his lengthy stint at channel 7, but he didn’t know what was next in his life.</p>
<p>“I’m looking forward to what’s out there,” he said. He was hoping to find something not far from his home in Rio Rancho and, as it turned out, he didn’t have long to find out what was out there — and he took full advantage of it. He got a job as a talk show host on Rio Rancho’s all-sports station (ESPN Radio; KQTM-FM) and has been the host of the Locker Room since March of 2009.</p>
<p>Less than two years later, his show was named the Best Sports Talk Show by the New Mexico Broadcasters; he had been named the NMBA Sportscaster of the Year in 2004 while still at KOAT; these latest accolades came after he was named the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association’s “Sportscaster of the Year” for New Mexico in 2013.</p>
<p>That included being seated with 104 other winning state sportscasters and sportswriters (Mark Smith of the Albuquerque Journal was the state’s winning sportswriter but didn’t attend) at the 55th annual NSSA awards banquet at Catawba College in North Carolina, highlighted by the induction of Sports Illustrated writer Rick Reilly, an 11-time NSSA sportswriter of the year, into the NSSA Hall of Fame.</p>
<p>Being the Sportscaster of the Year means a lot, he said, “because you’ve been chosen by your contemporaries.”</p>
<p>ESPN Radio here in Rio Rancho, known as “The Team,” won accolades from the New Mexico Broadcasters Association in June as the Station of the Year in the biggest division; Brown also won an award at the convention for the best sports show or interview and a station promotional announcement he’d voiced for Special Olympics of New Mexico, with those awards determined after judging by radio and TV personnel in Alabama.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>In North Carolina for the NSSA convention, Brown said, “I was seeing young kids and middle-aged men, older guys — and I reminisced on my career, about 30 years, from college. It makes you feel good about the business, where you’ve come from and what you’ve accomplished.</p>
<p>“I’ve never thought of doing anything else,” he said.</p>
<p>Doing a three-hour daily sports talk show is a fun job, he said, but he doesn’t just slip on the headset, get close to the microphone and start talking. He does a lot of preparation, arriving at the station on Barbara Loop several hours before its 4 p.m. start, planning for the topics to be discussed and going over the plan with Ray Montaño, his latest producer.</p>
<p>“He knows where I’m going,” Brown said. When it comes to sound effects and different “drops,” Brown says, “Too much and it gets cheesy. He does the right amount and it’s good — he adds to the show. He’s a broadcaster as well.”</p>
<p>It’s a good relationship, says Montaño, who got to host the show for a few days during a recent Brown vacation.</p>
<p>“It’s been great,” Montaño said of being behind the scenes, “running the board,” for The Locker Room, 4-7 p.m.</p>
<p>“He’s one of the most fun people you can work with,” Montaño said. “He will ask my thoughts on a certain topic of the day and if his thoughts are different, he won’t talk mine down. (So that’s) nice; I know I have a voice on the show.”</p>
<p>The listeners also have voices on the show, and Brown has to have a feel for what they want to talk about, whether it’s Lobo basketball, the NBA, PEDs or the World Cup.</p>
<p>“The show takes care of itself,” Brown explained, once he has an outline of topics to be discussed. “Everyone wants to weigh-in, give you their two cents worth. (But) when there’s nothing going on, it’s tough — you have to understand (then that) there’s still somebody out there listening.”</p>
<p>Fortunately, the world of sports has plenty to talk about, from accomplishments on the field to what’s going on in the locker rooms or front offices.</p>
<p>“I also understand it’s a show, it’s sports — it’s not life and death,” Brown said. “I try to show up and do the best job I can every day.”</p>
<p>He’s reminded of that every day, too, by a small sign above the door that leads into the studio: “Broadcast like championships today.” Montaño placed it there.</p>
<p>Brown was asked to provide some advice for would-be broadcasters, and not necessarily those who would be as successful as him.</p>
<p>“Get in; get your foot in the door,” he advised. “Do what they ask; show up on time; dress like a professional. When they see what you can do, they’ll give you more responsibility. (Understand) it’s not a 9-to-5 gig.</p>
<p>“Everybody has to work their way up,” he explained. “You don’t just show up and get a three-hour talk show.”</p>
<p>Having a successful, award-winning show literally takes teamwork and, Brown added of the surrounding cast at The Team, “Everybody pulls in the same direction — the focus is on sports. I get a ton of support from everybody here.”</p>
<p>And, after a half-decade off the TV airwaves, he says, “I don’t miss TV at all.”</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
| false | 2 |
watching game 2 nba playoffs espn broadcaster boston globe columnist bob ryan former duke university basketball coach bucky walters hanging party toyota racing development hq meeting chatting nfl hall famer john elway advertisement presented new mexico broadcaster year award famous playbyplay guy marv albert wait theres says bob brown rio rancho lived adventure earlier month ate much drank much fiveandahalf years ago brown quit sports anchor job koattv 18 years station telling observer fun great time lengthy stint channel 7 didnt know next life im looking forward whats said hoping find something far home rio rancho turned didnt long find took full advantage got job talk show host rio ranchos allsports station espn radio kqtmfm host locker room since march 2009 less two years later show named best sports talk show new mexico broadcasters named nmba sportscaster year 2004 still koat latest accolades came named national sportscasters sportswriters associations sportscaster year new mexico 2013 included seated 104 winning state sportscasters sportswriters mark smith albuquerque journal states winning sportswriter didnt attend 55th annual nssa awards banquet catawba college north carolina highlighted induction sports illustrated writer rick reilly 11time nssa sportswriter year nssa hall fame sportscaster year means lot said youve chosen contemporaries espn radio rio rancho known team accolades new mexico broadcasters association june station year biggest division brown also award convention best sports show interview station promotional announcement hed voiced special olympics new mexico awards determined judging radio tv personnel alabama advertisement north carolina nssa convention brown said seeing young kids middleaged men older guys reminisced career 30 years college makes feel good business youve come youve accomplished ive never thought anything else said threehour daily sports talk show fun job said doesnt slip headset get close microphone start talking lot preparation arriving station barbara loop several hours 4 pm start planning topics discussed going plan ray montaño latest producer knows im going brown said comes sound effects different drops brown says much gets cheesy right amount good adds show hes broadcaster well good relationship says montaño got host show days recent brown vacation great montaño said behind scenes running board locker room 47 pm hes one fun people work montaño said ask thoughts certain topic day thoughts different wont talk mine thats nice know voice show listeners also voices show brown feel want talk whether lobo basketball nba peds world cup show takes care brown explained outline topics discussed everyone wants weighin give two cents worth theres nothing going tough understand theres still somebody listening fortunately world sports plenty talk accomplishments field whats going locker rooms front offices also understand show sports life death brown said try show best job every day hes reminded every day small sign door leads studio broadcast like championships today montaño placed brown asked provide advice wouldbe broadcasters necessarily would successful get get foot door advised ask show time dress like professional see theyll give responsibility understand 9to5 gig everybody work way explained dont show get threehour talk show successful awardwinning show literally takes teamwork brown added surrounding cast team everybody pulls direction focus sports get ton support everybody halfdecade tv airwaves says dont miss tv 160 160
| 524 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p>VARNER, Ark. — Arkansas executed its fourth inmate in eight days Thursday night, wrapping up an accelerated schedule with a lethal injection that left the prisoner lurching and convulsing 20 times before he died.</p>
<p>Kenneth Williams, 38, was pronounced dead at 11:05 p.m., 13 minutes after the execution began at the Cummins Unit prison at Varner.</p>
<p>An Associated Press reporter who witnessed the lethal injection said Williams’ body jerked 15 times in quick succession, then the rate slowed for a final five movements. J.R. Davis, a spokesman for Gov. Asa Hutchinson who did not witness the execution, called it “an involuntary muscular reaction” that he said was a widely known effect of the sedative midazolam, the first of three drugs administered.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Williams’ attorneys are calling for an investigation into the execution.</p>
<p>Arkansas had scheduled eight executions over an 11-day period before one of its lethal injection drugs expires on Sunday. That would have been the most in such a compressed period since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976, but courts issued stays for four of the inmates.</p>
<p>The four lethal injections that were carried out included Monday’s first double execution in the United States since 2000.</p>
<p>“I extend my sincerest of apologies to the families I have senselessly wronged and deprived of their loved ones,” Williams said in a final statement he read from the death chamber. “… I was more than wrong. The crimes I perpetrated against you all was senseless, extremely hurtful and inexcusable.”</p>
<p>Williams also spoke in tongues, the unintelligible but language-like speech used in some religions. But his prayer faded off as the sedative midazolam took effect. His final words were, “The words that I speak will forever be, will forever …” before he fell silent.</p>
<p>The inmate breathed heavily through his nose until just after three minutes into his execution, when his chest leaped forward in a series of what seemed like involuntary movements. His right hand never clenched and his face remained what one media witness called “serene.”</p>
<p>After the jerking, Williams breathed through his mouth and moaned or groaned once — during a consciousness check — until falling still seven minutes into the lethal injection.</p>
<p>Williams was sentenced to death for killing a former deputy warden, Cecil Boren, after he escaped from prison in 1999. At the time of his escape in a 500-gallon barrel of hog slop, Williams was less than three weeks into a life term for the death of a college cheerleader.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>“Any amount of movement he might have had was far less than any of his victims,” said Jodie Efird, one of Boren’s daughters, who witnessed the execution.</p>
<p>State officials have declared the string of executions a success, using terms like “closure” for the victims’ families. The inmates have died within 20 minutes of their executions beginning, a contrast from midazolam-related executions in other states that took anywhere from 43 minutes to two hours. The inmates’ lawyers have said there are still flaws and that there is no certainty that the inmates aren’t suffering while they die.</p>
<p>“The long path of justice ended tonight and Arkansans can reflect on the last two weeks with confidence that our system of laws in this state has worked,” Hutchinson said in a statement issued after the execution. “Carrying out the penalty of the jury in the Kenneth Williams case was necessary. There has never been a question of guilt.”</p>
<p>Arkansas scheduled the executions for the final two weeks of April because its supply of midazolam, normally a surgical sedative, expires on Sunday. The Arkansas Department of Correction has said it has no new source for the drug — though it has made similar remarks previously yet still found a new stash.</p>
<p>Williams’ lawyers said he had sickle cell trait, lupus and brain damage, and argued the combined maladies could subject him to an exceptionally painful execution in violation of the U.S. Constitution. Arkansas’ “one size fits all” execution protocol could leave him in pain after a paralytic agent renders him unable to move, they’d argued to state and federal courts, which all rejected his claims.</p>
<p>One of Williams’ attorneys, Shawn Nolan, described the accounts of Williams’ execution as “horrifying.”</p>
<p>“We tried over and over again to get the state to comport with their own protocol to avoid torturing our client to death, and yet reports from the execution witnesses indicate that Mr. Williams suffered during this execution,” Nolan said.</p>
<p>Williams was sentenced to death for killing Boren after escaping from the Cummins Unit prison in a barrel holding a mishmash of kitchen scraps. He left the prison — where the execution chamber is located in another part of the facility — less than three weeks into a life prison term for killing University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff cheerleader Dominique Hurd in 1998. At the conclusion of that trial, he had taunted the young woman’s family by turning to them after the sentence was announced and saying “You thought I was going to die, didn’t you?”</p>
<p>After jumping from the barrel, he sneaked along a tree line until reaching Boren’s house. He killed Boren, stole guns and Boren’s truck and then drove away to Missouri. There, he crashed into a water-delivery truck, killing the driver. While in prison, he confessed to killing another person in 1998.</p>
<p>At the time of Boren’s death, investigators said it did not appear Boren was targeted because of his former employment by the Arkansas Department of Correction.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow Andrew DeMillo on Twitter at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/ademillo" type="external">www.twitter.com/ademillo</a> and Kelly P. Kissel at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/kisselAP" type="external">www.twitter.com/kisselAP</a></p>
| false | 2 |
varner ark arkansas executed fourth inmate eight days thursday night wrapping accelerated schedule lethal injection left prisoner lurching convulsing 20 times died kenneth williams 38 pronounced dead 1105 pm 13 minutes execution began cummins unit prison varner associated press reporter witnessed lethal injection said williams body jerked 15 times quick succession rate slowed final five movements jr davis spokesman gov asa hutchinson witness execution called involuntary muscular reaction said widely known effect sedative midazolam first three drugs administered advertisement williams attorneys calling investigation execution arkansas scheduled eight executions 11day period one lethal injection drugs expires sunday would compressed period since us supreme court reinstated death penalty 1976 courts issued stays four inmates four lethal injections carried included mondays first double execution united states since 2000 extend sincerest apologies families senselessly wronged deprived loved ones williams said final statement read death chamber wrong crimes perpetrated senseless extremely hurtful inexcusable williams also spoke tongues unintelligible languagelike speech used religions prayer faded sedative midazolam took effect final words words speak forever forever fell silent inmate breathed heavily nose three minutes execution chest leaped forward series seemed like involuntary movements right hand never clenched face remained one media witness called serene jerking williams breathed mouth moaned groaned consciousness check falling still seven minutes lethal injection williams sentenced death killing former deputy warden cecil boren escaped prison 1999 time escape 500gallon barrel hog slop williams less three weeks life term death college cheerleader advertisement amount movement might far less victims said jodie efird one borens daughters witnessed execution state officials declared string executions success using terms like closure victims families inmates died within 20 minutes executions beginning contrast midazolamrelated executions states took anywhere 43 minutes two hours inmates lawyers said still flaws certainty inmates arent suffering die long path justice ended tonight arkansans reflect last two weeks confidence system laws state worked hutchinson said statement issued execution carrying penalty jury kenneth williams case necessary never question guilt arkansas scheduled executions final two weeks april supply midazolam normally surgical sedative expires sunday arkansas department correction said new source drug though made similar remarks previously yet still found new stash williams lawyers said sickle cell trait lupus brain damage argued combined maladies could subject exceptionally painful execution violation us constitution arkansas one size fits execution protocol could leave pain paralytic agent renders unable move theyd argued state federal courts rejected claims one williams attorneys shawn nolan described accounts williams execution horrifying tried get state comport protocol avoid torturing client death yet reports execution witnesses indicate mr williams suffered execution nolan said williams sentenced death killing boren escaping cummins unit prison barrel holding mishmash kitchen scraps left prison execution chamber located another part facility less three weeks life prison term killing university arkansas pine bluff cheerleader dominique hurd 1998 conclusion trial taunted young womans family turning sentence announced saying thought going die didnt jumping barrel sneaked along tree line reaching borens house killed boren stole guns borens truck drove away missouri crashed waterdelivery truck killing driver prison confessed killing another person 1998 time borens death investigators said appear boren targeted former employment arkansas department correction ___ follow andrew demillo twitter wwwtwittercomademillo kelly p kissel wwwtwittercomkisselap
| 527 |
<p>PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Fly Eagles Fly.</p>
<p>With the wind and against it.</p>
<p>With Nick Foles engineering several long drives, Jake Elliott converting three field goals, and the defense getting stingy in the tightest spot, Philadelphia moved into the NFC championship game with a 15-10 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday.</p>
<p>Foles directed brilliant marches of 74 and 80 yards in the second half — one into the whipping wind, the other with it — and Elliott atoned for missing an extra point by converting from 53 yards at the end of the second quarter, 37 and 21 in the second half. Then the Eagles (14-3) held when Atlanta (11-7) got to the 9-yard line with a first down, and to the 2 on fourth down.</p>
<p>When <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/952343241814310913" type="external">Matt Ryan’s final pass sailed over Julio Jones’ head in the end zone</a> , Philly could celebrate its first playoff victory since the 2008 season.</p>
<p>Next Sunday, the Eagles will host either Minnesota or New Orleans for the conference crown. The Eagles last made the Super Bowl in the 2004 season, losing to New England.</p>
<p>“I mean, we just kept believing in each other,” said Foles, who became the starter when Carson Wentz, a leading MVP contender, injured his knee in December. “That was it. Our team never wavered, defense did an amazing job, special teams — that’s just been the story this year is that we just all stuck together...”</p>
<p>The Falcons, of course, memorably blew a 28-3 second-half lead to the Patriots in last year’s Super Bowl. They will not get the opportunity to atone for it, though Ryan got them close at the end.</p>
<p>Despite being underdogs as the No. 1 seed, the Eagles showed plenty of moxie.</p>
<p>“Just keep on disrespecting and we’re going to keep proving people wrong,” receiver Alshon Jeffery said.</p>
<p>A masterful 74-yard, 12-play drive on which Foles threw for 70 yards led to Elliott’s 37-yard kick into the wind that made it 12-10. The Eagles then put together their best drive, an 80-yarder covering 14 plays, yet again faltered close to the end zone. Elliott added a 21-yarder with 6:02 remaining after coach Doug Pederson briefly considered going for it on fourth-and-1 at the Atlanta 3.</p>
<p>“It was tricky out there, really gusty,” Elliott said.</p>
<p>Then, as the fans in the Linc held their breath, the Eagles held deep in their territory.</p>
<p>“Man, just stay calm,” said defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, who was a force all day. “We always talk about that. We’ve been in those situations during the regular season, so we kind of know how to handle those situations, not try to make a play but let the play come to us.”</p>
<p>And the road to the Super Bowl remains through Philly.</p>
<p>WINDY DECISIONS</p>
<p>Falcons coach Dan Quinn could have opted to take the wind in the fourth quarter after deferring on the opening coin toss. Instead, he took the ball to start the second half, but it was the Eagles who got the only points of the third period.</p>
<p>And in the end, Atlanta had to deal with the currents on that final drive, which did include a 20-yard completion to Jones on fourth-and-6.</p>
<p>“It was a tough game for us tonight,” Quinn said, “and as we go through, we will go back and assess everything we have done.”</p>
<p>ERROR-FILLED HALF</p>
<p>Mistakes hurt the Eagles in the opening half. Jay Ajayi’s fumble and a misplayed punt that bounced off Bryan Braman led to all 10 Atlanta points.</p>
<p>Things began nicely for Philadelphia when safety Brian Poole was tagged with pass interference on a deep pass by Foles that was held up by the wind. But Ajayi fumbled on the next play with Keanu Neal recovering.</p>
<p>Atlanta efficiently mixed runs and passes to drive to Matt Bryant’s 33-yard field goal for an early lead.</p>
<p>Philadelphia got the run game going with Ajayi in the opening period. Then, with the wind in the next quarter, the Eagles kept the Falcons so off-balance Atlanta took two timeouts in three plays.</p>
<p>Receiver Nelson Agholor’s 21-yard run got the ball to the 3, and Foles botched a handoff to Corey Clement. But the quarterback quickly dived on the loose ball and was ruled to have scored. Replay showed otherwise.</p>
<p>Pederson showed no hesitation going for it, and <a href="http://www.nfl.com/m/share?p=%2Fvideos%2Fnfl-game-highlights%2F0ap3000000905846%2FEagles-score-first-TD-of-game-on-clutch-fourth-down-run-by-Blount" type="external">Blount surged in from the 1.</a> Elliott’s missed extra point left it 6-3.</p>
<p>Soon after came Matt Bosher’s punt that took a wicked bounce and hit Braman while he was blocking. From the Philly 18, the Falcons benefited from two penalties before Ryan scrambled from pressure and found Devonta Freeman for a 6-yard TD and a 10-3 lead.</p>
<p>With 46 seconds left in the half, the hosts got lucky. Foles’ errant pass ricocheted off Neal’s hands to Torrey Smith for 20 yards. Jeffery made a long stretch to haul in another throw with 1 second remaining, and <a href="http://www.nfl.com/m/share?p=%2Fvideos%2Fnfl-game-highlights%2F0ap3000000905890%2FJake-Elliott-BOOMS-53-yard-FG-to-end-half" type="external">Elliott’s 53-yard field goal just made it over the crossbar.</a></p>
<p>“It was great for momentum,” Foles said. “Jake did an awesome job of kicking that for us.”</p>
<p>QB NUMBERS</p>
<p>Foles finished a very efficient outing by going 23 of 30 for 246 yards.</p>
<p>Ryan was 22 of 36 for 210 yards on a difficult day to throw. Jones had nine receptions for 101 yards.</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Philadelphia will host either Minnesota or New Orleans next Sunday night for the NFC title.</p>
<p>Atlanta’s season ends after a wild-card berth and a win at Los Angeles before Saturday’s defeat.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>For more NFL coverage: <a href="http://www.pro32.ap.org" type="external" /> <a href="http://www.pro32.ap.org" type="external">http://www.pro32.ap.org</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL" type="external" /> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL" type="external">http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL</a></p>
<p>PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Fly Eagles Fly.</p>
<p>With the wind and against it.</p>
<p>With Nick Foles engineering several long drives, Jake Elliott converting three field goals, and the defense getting stingy in the tightest spot, Philadelphia moved into the NFC championship game with a 15-10 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday.</p>
<p>Foles directed brilliant marches of 74 and 80 yards in the second half — one into the whipping wind, the other with it — and Elliott atoned for missing an extra point by converting from 53 yards at the end of the second quarter, 37 and 21 in the second half. Then the Eagles (14-3) held when Atlanta (11-7) got to the 9-yard line with a first down, and to the 2 on fourth down.</p>
<p>When <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/952343241814310913" type="external">Matt Ryan’s final pass sailed over Julio Jones’ head in the end zone</a> , Philly could celebrate its first playoff victory since the 2008 season.</p>
<p>Next Sunday, the Eagles will host either Minnesota or New Orleans for the conference crown. The Eagles last made the Super Bowl in the 2004 season, losing to New England.</p>
<p>“I mean, we just kept believing in each other,” said Foles, who became the starter when Carson Wentz, a leading MVP contender, injured his knee in December. “That was it. Our team never wavered, defense did an amazing job, special teams — that’s just been the story this year is that we just all stuck together...”</p>
<p>The Falcons, of course, memorably blew a 28-3 second-half lead to the Patriots in last year’s Super Bowl. They will not get the opportunity to atone for it, though Ryan got them close at the end.</p>
<p>Despite being underdogs as the No. 1 seed, the Eagles showed plenty of moxie.</p>
<p>“Just keep on disrespecting and we’re going to keep proving people wrong,” receiver Alshon Jeffery said.</p>
<p>A masterful 74-yard, 12-play drive on which Foles threw for 70 yards led to Elliott’s 37-yard kick into the wind that made it 12-10. The Eagles then put together their best drive, an 80-yarder covering 14 plays, yet again faltered close to the end zone. Elliott added a 21-yarder with 6:02 remaining after coach Doug Pederson briefly considered going for it on fourth-and-1 at the Atlanta 3.</p>
<p>“It was tricky out there, really gusty,” Elliott said.</p>
<p>Then, as the fans in the Linc held their breath, the Eagles held deep in their territory.</p>
<p>“Man, just stay calm,” said defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, who was a force all day. “We always talk about that. We’ve been in those situations during the regular season, so we kind of know how to handle those situations, not try to make a play but let the play come to us.”</p>
<p>And the road to the Super Bowl remains through Philly.</p>
<p>WINDY DECISIONS</p>
<p>Falcons coach Dan Quinn could have opted to take the wind in the fourth quarter after deferring on the opening coin toss. Instead, he took the ball to start the second half, but it was the Eagles who got the only points of the third period.</p>
<p>And in the end, Atlanta had to deal with the currents on that final drive, which did include a 20-yard completion to Jones on fourth-and-6.</p>
<p>“It was a tough game for us tonight,” Quinn said, “and as we go through, we will go back and assess everything we have done.”</p>
<p>ERROR-FILLED HALF</p>
<p>Mistakes hurt the Eagles in the opening half. Jay Ajayi’s fumble and a misplayed punt that bounced off Bryan Braman led to all 10 Atlanta points.</p>
<p>Things began nicely for Philadelphia when safety Brian Poole was tagged with pass interference on a deep pass by Foles that was held up by the wind. But Ajayi fumbled on the next play with Keanu Neal recovering.</p>
<p>Atlanta efficiently mixed runs and passes to drive to Matt Bryant’s 33-yard field goal for an early lead.</p>
<p>Philadelphia got the run game going with Ajayi in the opening period. Then, with the wind in the next quarter, the Eagles kept the Falcons so off-balance Atlanta took two timeouts in three plays.</p>
<p>Receiver Nelson Agholor’s 21-yard run got the ball to the 3, and Foles botched a handoff to Corey Clement. But the quarterback quickly dived on the loose ball and was ruled to have scored. Replay showed otherwise.</p>
<p>Pederson showed no hesitation going for it, and <a href="http://www.nfl.com/m/share?p=%2Fvideos%2Fnfl-game-highlights%2F0ap3000000905846%2FEagles-score-first-TD-of-game-on-clutch-fourth-down-run-by-Blount" type="external">Blount surged in from the 1.</a> Elliott’s missed extra point left it 6-3.</p>
<p>Soon after came Matt Bosher’s punt that took a wicked bounce and hit Braman while he was blocking. From the Philly 18, the Falcons benefited from two penalties before Ryan scrambled from pressure and found Devonta Freeman for a 6-yard TD and a 10-3 lead.</p>
<p>With 46 seconds left in the half, the hosts got lucky. Foles’ errant pass ricocheted off Neal’s hands to Torrey Smith for 20 yards. Jeffery made a long stretch to haul in another throw with 1 second remaining, and <a href="http://www.nfl.com/m/share?p=%2Fvideos%2Fnfl-game-highlights%2F0ap3000000905890%2FJake-Elliott-BOOMS-53-yard-FG-to-end-half" type="external">Elliott’s 53-yard field goal just made it over the crossbar.</a></p>
<p>“It was great for momentum,” Foles said. “Jake did an awesome job of kicking that for us.”</p>
<p>QB NUMBERS</p>
<p>Foles finished a very efficient outing by going 23 of 30 for 246 yards.</p>
<p>Ryan was 22 of 36 for 210 yards on a difficult day to throw. Jones had nine receptions for 101 yards.</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Philadelphia will host either Minnesota or New Orleans next Sunday night for the NFC title.</p>
<p>Atlanta’s season ends after a wild-card berth and a win at Los Angeles before Saturday’s defeat.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>For more NFL coverage: <a href="http://www.pro32.ap.org" type="external" /> <a href="http://www.pro32.ap.org" type="external">http://www.pro32.ap.org</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL" type="external" /> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL" type="external">http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL</a></p>
| false | 2 |
philadelphia ap fly eagles fly wind nick foles engineering several long drives jake elliott converting three field goals defense getting stingy tightest spot philadelphia moved nfc championship game 1510 victory atlanta falcons saturday foles directed brilliant marches 74 80 yards second half one whipping wind elliott atoned missing extra point converting 53 yards end second quarter 37 21 second half eagles 143 held atlanta 117 got 9yard line first 2 fourth matt ryans final pass sailed julio jones head end zone philly could celebrate first playoff victory since 2008 season next sunday eagles host either minnesota new orleans conference crown eagles last made super bowl 2004 season losing new england mean kept believing said foles became starter carson wentz leading mvp contender injured knee december team never wavered defense amazing job special teams thats story year stuck together falcons course memorably blew 283 secondhalf lead patriots last years super bowl get opportunity atone though ryan got close end despite underdogs 1 seed eagles showed plenty moxie keep disrespecting going keep proving people wrong receiver alshon jeffery said masterful 74yard 12play drive foles threw 70 yards led elliotts 37yard kick wind made 1210 eagles put together best drive 80yarder covering 14 plays yet faltered close end zone elliott added 21yarder 602 remaining coach doug pederson briefly considered going fourthand1 atlanta 3 tricky really gusty elliott said fans linc held breath eagles held deep territory man stay calm said defensive tackle fletcher cox force day always talk weve situations regular season kind know handle situations try make play let play come us road super bowl remains philly windy decisions falcons coach dan quinn could opted take wind fourth quarter deferring opening coin toss instead took ball start second half eagles got points third period end atlanta deal currents final drive include 20yard completion jones fourthand6 tough game us tonight quinn said go go back assess everything done errorfilled half mistakes hurt eagles opening half jay ajayis fumble misplayed punt bounced bryan braman led 10 atlanta points things began nicely philadelphia safety brian poole tagged pass interference deep pass foles held wind ajayi fumbled next play keanu neal recovering atlanta efficiently mixed runs passes drive matt bryants 33yard field goal early lead philadelphia got run game going ajayi opening period wind next quarter eagles kept falcons offbalance atlanta took two timeouts three plays receiver nelson agholors 21yard run got ball 3 foles botched handoff corey clement quarterback quickly dived loose ball ruled scored replay showed otherwise pederson showed hesitation going blount surged 1 elliotts missed extra point left 63 soon came matt boshers punt took wicked bounce hit braman blocking philly 18 falcons benefited two penalties ryan scrambled pressure found devonta freeman 6yard td 103 lead 46 seconds left half hosts got lucky foles errant pass ricocheted neals hands torrey smith 20 yards jeffery made long stretch haul another throw 1 second remaining elliotts 53yard field goal made crossbar great momentum foles said jake awesome job kicking us qb numbers foles finished efficient outing going 23 30 246 yards ryan 22 36 210 yards difficult day throw jones nine receptions 101 yards next philadelphia host either minnesota new orleans next sunday night nfc title atlantas season ends wildcard berth win los angeles saturdays defeat ___ nfl coverage httpwwwpro32aporg httpwwwtwittercomap_nfl philadelphia ap fly eagles fly wind nick foles engineering several long drives jake elliott converting three field goals defense getting stingy tightest spot philadelphia moved nfc championship game 1510 victory atlanta falcons saturday foles directed brilliant marches 74 80 yards second half one whipping wind elliott atoned missing extra point converting 53 yards end second quarter 37 21 second half eagles 143 held atlanta 117 got 9yard line first 2 fourth matt ryans final pass sailed julio jones head end zone philly could celebrate first playoff victory since 2008 season next sunday eagles host either minnesota new orleans conference crown eagles last made super bowl 2004 season losing new england mean kept believing said foles became starter carson wentz leading mvp contender injured knee december team never wavered defense amazing job special teams thats story year stuck together falcons course memorably blew 283 secondhalf lead patriots last years super bowl get opportunity atone though ryan got close end despite underdogs 1 seed eagles showed plenty moxie keep disrespecting going keep proving people wrong receiver alshon jeffery said masterful 74yard 12play drive foles threw 70 yards led elliotts 37yard kick wind made 1210 eagles put together best drive 80yarder covering 14 plays yet faltered close end zone elliott added 21yarder 602 remaining coach doug pederson briefly considered going fourthand1 atlanta 3 tricky really gusty elliott said fans linc held breath eagles held deep territory man stay calm said defensive tackle fletcher cox force day always talk weve situations regular season kind know handle situations try make play let play come us road super bowl remains philly windy decisions falcons coach dan quinn could opted take wind fourth quarter deferring opening coin toss instead took ball start second half eagles got points third period end atlanta deal currents final drive include 20yard completion jones fourthand6 tough game us tonight quinn said go go back assess everything done errorfilled half mistakes hurt eagles opening half jay ajayis fumble misplayed punt bounced bryan braman led 10 atlanta points things began nicely philadelphia safety brian poole tagged pass interference deep pass foles held wind ajayi fumbled next play keanu neal recovering atlanta efficiently mixed runs passes drive matt bryants 33yard field goal early lead philadelphia got run game going ajayi opening period wind next quarter eagles kept falcons offbalance atlanta took two timeouts three plays receiver nelson agholors 21yard run got ball 3 foles botched handoff corey clement quarterback quickly dived loose ball ruled scored replay showed otherwise pederson showed hesitation going blount surged 1 elliotts missed extra point left 63 soon came matt boshers punt took wicked bounce hit braman blocking philly 18 falcons benefited two penalties ryan scrambled pressure found devonta freeman 6yard td 103 lead 46 seconds left half hosts got lucky foles errant pass ricocheted neals hands torrey smith 20 yards jeffery made long stretch haul another throw 1 second remaining elliotts 53yard field goal made crossbar great momentum foles said jake awesome job kicking us qb numbers foles finished efficient outing going 23 30 246 yards ryan 22 36 210 yards difficult day throw jones nine receptions 101 yards next philadelphia host either minnesota new orleans next sunday night nfc title atlantas season ends wildcard berth win los angeles saturdays defeat ___ nfl coverage httpwwwpro32aporg httpwwwtwittercomap_nfl
| 1,092 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p />
<p>My mother was a high school graduate working as a clerk selling socks, ties and underwear. We didn’t have many books in the house; we couldn’t afford them. In segregated Charlotte, N.C., one of the few (and very limited) insights I had into the lives of African Americans came through the radio. WGIV was one of the “colored stations” then common in the South. I found it, or it found me, with its music. WGIV was playing Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry when the mainstream “white stations” were spinning Pat Boone. Radio, like the Internet today, could transcend boundaries.</p>
<p>When I was 14, WGIV offered a prize to the first caller who could name the next gospel song. A devoted listener, I was the first to identify “Ride On, King Jesus” by the Soul Stirrers. My prize was a year’s subscription to Ebony magazine in 1955, the year Baldwin published “Notes of a Native Son.” I would have learned about Baldwin for the first time in the magazine, but I didn’t get to read him until five years later.</p>
<p>In the summer of 1960, I worked on a construction crew at a segregated work site in Charlotte. White men were the carpenters; black men were the laborers. (As a summer kid heading for college, I was the exception – a white laborer.) The laborers were paid $1 an hour, working 10 hours a day, six days a week.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>By far the best carpenter on the site was a black man named David. Under company rules, he could be classified only as a laborer. But when the project – an eight-story law building, which was very tall for the time – offered a difficult carpentry challenge, the on-site boss would ask David to take over. While David worked his magic, someone had to be on the lookout, watching to see if anyone from the construction firm was driving up. If we sounded the alarm, David would quickly put down the carpentry tools and pick up a broom or shovel before being seen breaking the racial code.</p>
<p>We had an unpaid 30-minute lunchtime each day. We’d sit on boxes of construction material and eat sandwiches, the black and white workers across from one another but having a single conversation. On a few occasions there was a spirited contest to see who could lift the most cement bags, with a white champion facing off against a black champion. I sat apart from all this; I enjoyed listening to the banter, but I was always reading a book, under the guidance of a librarian and the local public library. Here, finally, I encountered Baldwin’s “Notes of a Native Son” and the essays that would become part of “Nobody Knows My Name.”</p>
<p>Before reading his essays and novels, I saw race as a series of discrete issues – schools, employment and so forth. I knew, for example, how wrong it was to force the black men into laboring roles. But Baldwin expressed the systemic aspect of racial subjugation in a way I had not yet seen. He observed that much of our nation’s energy had been spent avoiding race, but an honest examination would show us how far we had fallen from the standard of human freedom we professed. “The recovery of this standard demands of everyone who loves this country a hard look at himself, for the greatest achievements must begin somewhere, and they always begin with the person.” If we are incapable of such an examination, he concluded more than half a century ago, “we may yet become one of the most distinguished and monumental failures in the history of nations.”</p>
<p>I’d thought that the interactions on my job site had an easygoing quality, but Baldwin made me see the casual camaraderie in a different light. That jovial weightlifting competition between white and black workers felt like something more sinister when I read Baldwin’s penetrating observation of what he saw in the eyes of an older black man in the South: “that he had never in his life owned anything, not his wife, not his house, not his child, which could not, at any instant, be taken from him by the power of white people.”</p>
<p>In some ways, reading Baldwin confirmed for me what I was seeing at work every day: the extraordinary capacity of the black workers to endure. These were men who lived in South Carolina and rode five or six to a car in the predawn hours to an exhausting 10-hour workday, returned home late at night and did the same thing again six days a week. They suffered the indignity of seeing the best carpenter paid as a laborer and forced to hide his skill from management. Baldwin wrote: “The really striking thing, for me, in the South was this dreadful paradox, that the black men were stronger than the white. I do not know how they did it, but it certainly has something to do with the as yet unwritten history of the Negro woman.” I didn’t have much of a window into my co-workers’ home lives, but everything else Baldwin wrote confirmed what I’d seen on the construction site.</p>
<p>Baldwin altered even my view of my beloved home town. During my high school years, he made his first trip to the South, being drawn to Charlotte by photos of a few young black children walking through mobs to enter previously all-white schools. His essay “Nobody Knows My Name: A Letter From the South” was a searing read. “This is a bourgeois town, Presbyterian, pretty – if you like towns – and socially so hermetic,” he wrote of Charlotte.</p>
<p>The gentility I’d thought praiseworthy suddenly looked like something else. “I was also told, several times, by white people, that ‘race relations’ [in Charlotte] were excellent. I failed to find a single Negro who agreed with this.” He saw the South with a sharp outsider’s eye that made him an Alexis de Tocqueville for our time. (Of course, he was also the most brilliant, subtle, witty essayist I’d ever read at that age. The effect on a young white boy of that era is hard to overstate.)</p>
<p>Baldwin reached a snap judgment that resonated with me. “The Southern landscape – the trees, the silence, the liquid heat,” he wrote, “seems destined for violence.” After all, “what passions cannot be unleashed on a dark road in a Southern night!” A nation that averts its eyes from the hell of subjugation – and what subjugation does both to the oppressor and to the oppressed – is one that will never truly understand race.</p>
<p>Reading Baldwin made me see white men, including myself, differently as well. What price were we paying for the inhumanity of the system of which we were a part? Baldwin led me to understand how much of the “race problem” was a white problem. As Chris Rock would later put it, our national problem is not about “race relations.” It is about the fact that “white people were crazy. Now they’re not as crazy.”</p>
<p>What I read of Baldwin on the Jim Crow work site helped me make a decision. After I finished law school in the North, I would return to the South to teach political and civil rights to predominantly white students at the University of Mississippi. Maybe I could help us be a little less crazy.</p>
<p>—</p>
<p>Walter Dellinger, a professor emeritus of law at Duke University and a former assistant attorney general, is a lawyer in Washington.</p>
| false | 2 |
mother high school graduate working clerk selling socks ties underwear didnt many books house couldnt afford segregated charlotte nc one limited insights lives african americans came radio wgiv one colored stations common south found found music wgiv playing bo diddley chuck berry mainstream white stations spinning pat boone radio like internet today could transcend boundaries 14 wgiv offered prize first caller could name next gospel song devoted listener first identify ride king jesus soul stirrers prize years subscription ebony magazine 1955 year baldwin published notes native son would learned baldwin first time magazine didnt get read five years later summer 1960 worked construction crew segregated work site charlotte white men carpenters black men laborers summer kid heading college exception white laborer laborers paid 1 hour working 10 hours day six days week advertisement far best carpenter site black man named david company rules could classified laborer project eightstory law building tall time offered difficult carpentry challenge onsite boss would ask david take david worked magic someone lookout watching see anyone construction firm driving sounded alarm david would quickly put carpentry tools pick broom shovel seen breaking racial code unpaid 30minute lunchtime day wed sit boxes construction material eat sandwiches black white workers across one another single conversation occasions spirited contest see could lift cement bags white champion facing black champion sat apart enjoyed listening banter always reading book guidance librarian local public library finally encountered baldwins notes native son essays would become part nobody knows name reading essays novels saw race series discrete issues schools employment forth knew example wrong force black men laboring roles baldwin expressed systemic aspect racial subjugation way yet seen observed much nations energy spent avoiding race honest examination would show us far fallen standard human freedom professed recovery standard demands everyone loves country hard look greatest achievements must begin somewhere always begin person incapable examination concluded half century ago may yet become one distinguished monumental failures history nations id thought interactions job site easygoing quality baldwin made see casual camaraderie different light jovial weightlifting competition white black workers felt like something sinister read baldwins penetrating observation saw eyes older black man south never life owned anything wife house child could instant taken power white people ways reading baldwin confirmed seeing work every day extraordinary capacity black workers endure men lived south carolina rode five six car predawn hours exhausting 10hour workday returned home late night thing six days week suffered indignity seeing best carpenter paid laborer forced hide skill management baldwin wrote really striking thing south dreadful paradox black men stronger white know certainly something yet unwritten history negro woman didnt much window coworkers home lives everything else baldwin wrote confirmed id seen construction site baldwin altered even view beloved home town high school years made first trip south drawn charlotte photos young black children walking mobs enter previously allwhite schools essay nobody knows name letter south searing read bourgeois town presbyterian pretty like towns socially hermetic wrote charlotte gentility id thought praiseworthy suddenly looked like something else also told several times white people race relations charlotte excellent failed find single negro agreed saw south sharp outsiders eye made alexis de tocqueville time course also brilliant subtle witty essayist id ever read age effect young white boy era hard overstate baldwin reached snap judgment resonated southern landscape trees silence liquid heat wrote seems destined violence passions unleashed dark road southern night nation averts eyes hell subjugation subjugation oppressor oppressed one never truly understand race reading baldwin made see white men including differently well price paying inhumanity system part baldwin led understand much race problem white problem chris rock would later put national problem race relations fact white people crazy theyre crazy read baldwin jim crow work site helped make decision finished law school north would return south teach political civil rights predominantly white students university mississippi maybe could help us little less crazy walter dellinger professor emeritus law duke university former assistant attorney general lawyer washington
| 661 |
<p>LUTHER, Okla. (AP) — Luther sold its youth football field to Walmart about three years ago so that the company could build one of its Express stores, using the money from the sale and the new tax revenue to pay off the roughly $200,000 in debt that resulted from an embezzlement scandal involving the former town treasurer.</p>
<p>The store opened in May 2015 and closed only eight months later when Walmart pulled the plug on its Express experiment, shuttering all 102 of the smaller stores it had opened in mostly Southern and Midwestern towns to compete with dollar stores. Although many locations were taken over by Dollar General, the tax collections just don’t measure up even though the Dollar General stores offer many of the same products, but not a pharmacy.</p>
<p>Tax collections in Luther, a town of about 1,600 on the outskirts of Oklahoma City, rose by $12,000 to $16,000 per month while the Express store was open, said City Manager Scherrie Pidcock. Since Dollar General opened in the larger building, the town’s monthly revenue has recovered about two-thirds of the amount it was collecting with the Walmart Express, Pidcock said.</p>
<p>Luther has tried to pinch pennies any way it can. When its lone paid firefighter — the chief — quit the otherwise all-volunteer department in July, he was replaced by a volunteer, saving the town his roughly $2,800 a month salary. Mayor Jenni White, who took office a few months after the Walmart Express closed, said Luther had to put off buying two new police cars.</p>
<p>“We’re just trying to go slowly, moving forward and not overspend the budget,” White said. “It’s what do we need, not what do we want.”</p>
<p>Walmart closed its Express locations because of the demand of customers, who wanted more than the 12,000-square-foot stores could offer, according to Anne Hatfield, a spokeswoman for the Bentonville, Arkansas-based company.</p>
<p>“What we learned from the Express stores was that our customers still wanted to shop at the supercenters,” Hatfield said. “The customers ... were travelling to the other (supercenter) stores,” which, at an average of 187,000-square-feet, sell a full range of groceries, clothing, household and sporting goods, and basic automotive services.</p>
<p>In most of the towns where Dollar General took over the Express locations, it closed an existing smaller Dollar General store and employs about half the 30 workers the Walmart Expresses did.</p>
<p>Dollar General also simply doesn’t generate the level of business of Walmart, said Craig Johnson, president of Customer Growth Partners, a retail consulting and research firm.</p>
<p>“Reason number one, Walmart was selling fresh,” Johnson said, referring to produce and meats. “Dollar General ... I just don’t think they do a good job on it” by displaying items that do not always “appear” fresh, Johnson said.</p>
<p>The disappearance of the Walmart Express pharmacy, which in many towns were the only pharmacies, has also played a role by reducing the number of customers entering the Dollar General stores.</p>
<p>“The pharmacy ... made customers come to the stores to fill purchases,” Johnson said. “There’s less people visiting store, and mathematically if there’s less people in the store, there are less purchases being made,” of various other items.</p>
<p>In Nettleton, Mississippi, a town of roughly 2,000 people about 100 miles southeast of Memphis, Tennessee, Mayor Mem Riley said the closing of the Walmart Express about 13 months after it opened cost the town about $24,000 a year in sales tax revenue, forcing the town to shelve its plan to improve its water and sewer services and parks.</p>
<p>“We had plans of doing infrastructure repair. We had those hopes, and then ‘bam’ it all disappears,” Riley said.</p>
<p>In Luther, the youth football league now plays on the high school field, but instead of paying $1 per year rent to the city, the cost is $100 per game day, or about $500 per year, and the youth program no longer receives revenue from concession sales, a loss of about $1,200 each game day, according to Brian Wilson, president of the Little League Youth Football Association.</p>
<p>Birlene Langley, who was Luther’s mayor when Walmart came knocking, said Walmart saved the town financially after it was discovered the town treasurer had failed to pay payroll taxes and was embezzling funds, a charge to which the former treasurer eventually pleaded guilty.</p>
<p>“The Walmart is what kept this town from going under,” Langley said. “With Walmart, that was the best thing that ever happened to Luther. ... And then they just up and left.”</p>
<p>Stung by company’s departure, Langley said she vowed to never enter a Walmart again. But she now shops at a supercenter on Interstate 35 in Edmond, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) from Luther.</p>
<p>“Of course I said I’d never walk in one,” after the store closed. “But there it is, right there on I-35, it’s convenient,” Langley said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow Ken Miller on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/KenMiller7" type="external" /> <a href="https://twitter.com/KenMiller7" type="external">https://twitter.com/KenMiller7</a></p>
<p>LUTHER, Okla. (AP) — Luther sold its youth football field to Walmart about three years ago so that the company could build one of its Express stores, using the money from the sale and the new tax revenue to pay off the roughly $200,000 in debt that resulted from an embezzlement scandal involving the former town treasurer.</p>
<p>The store opened in May 2015 and closed only eight months later when Walmart pulled the plug on its Express experiment, shuttering all 102 of the smaller stores it had opened in mostly Southern and Midwestern towns to compete with dollar stores. Although many locations were taken over by Dollar General, the tax collections just don’t measure up even though the Dollar General stores offer many of the same products, but not a pharmacy.</p>
<p>Tax collections in Luther, a town of about 1,600 on the outskirts of Oklahoma City, rose by $12,000 to $16,000 per month while the Express store was open, said City Manager Scherrie Pidcock. Since Dollar General opened in the larger building, the town’s monthly revenue has recovered about two-thirds of the amount it was collecting with the Walmart Express, Pidcock said.</p>
<p>Luther has tried to pinch pennies any way it can. When its lone paid firefighter — the chief — quit the otherwise all-volunteer department in July, he was replaced by a volunteer, saving the town his roughly $2,800 a month salary. Mayor Jenni White, who took office a few months after the Walmart Express closed, said Luther had to put off buying two new police cars.</p>
<p>“We’re just trying to go slowly, moving forward and not overspend the budget,” White said. “It’s what do we need, not what do we want.”</p>
<p>Walmart closed its Express locations because of the demand of customers, who wanted more than the 12,000-square-foot stores could offer, according to Anne Hatfield, a spokeswoman for the Bentonville, Arkansas-based company.</p>
<p>“What we learned from the Express stores was that our customers still wanted to shop at the supercenters,” Hatfield said. “The customers ... were travelling to the other (supercenter) stores,” which, at an average of 187,000-square-feet, sell a full range of groceries, clothing, household and sporting goods, and basic automotive services.</p>
<p>In most of the towns where Dollar General took over the Express locations, it closed an existing smaller Dollar General store and employs about half the 30 workers the Walmart Expresses did.</p>
<p>Dollar General also simply doesn’t generate the level of business of Walmart, said Craig Johnson, president of Customer Growth Partners, a retail consulting and research firm.</p>
<p>“Reason number one, Walmart was selling fresh,” Johnson said, referring to produce and meats. “Dollar General ... I just don’t think they do a good job on it” by displaying items that do not always “appear” fresh, Johnson said.</p>
<p>The disappearance of the Walmart Express pharmacy, which in many towns were the only pharmacies, has also played a role by reducing the number of customers entering the Dollar General stores.</p>
<p>“The pharmacy ... made customers come to the stores to fill purchases,” Johnson said. “There’s less people visiting store, and mathematically if there’s less people in the store, there are less purchases being made,” of various other items.</p>
<p>In Nettleton, Mississippi, a town of roughly 2,000 people about 100 miles southeast of Memphis, Tennessee, Mayor Mem Riley said the closing of the Walmart Express about 13 months after it opened cost the town about $24,000 a year in sales tax revenue, forcing the town to shelve its plan to improve its water and sewer services and parks.</p>
<p>“We had plans of doing infrastructure repair. We had those hopes, and then ‘bam’ it all disappears,” Riley said.</p>
<p>In Luther, the youth football league now plays on the high school field, but instead of paying $1 per year rent to the city, the cost is $100 per game day, or about $500 per year, and the youth program no longer receives revenue from concession sales, a loss of about $1,200 each game day, according to Brian Wilson, president of the Little League Youth Football Association.</p>
<p>Birlene Langley, who was Luther’s mayor when Walmart came knocking, said Walmart saved the town financially after it was discovered the town treasurer had failed to pay payroll taxes and was embezzling funds, a charge to which the former treasurer eventually pleaded guilty.</p>
<p>“The Walmart is what kept this town from going under,” Langley said. “With Walmart, that was the best thing that ever happened to Luther. ... And then they just up and left.”</p>
<p>Stung by company’s departure, Langley said she vowed to never enter a Walmart again. But she now shops at a supercenter on Interstate 35 in Edmond, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) from Luther.</p>
<p>“Of course I said I’d never walk in one,” after the store closed. “But there it is, right there on I-35, it’s convenient,” Langley said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow Ken Miller on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/KenMiller7" type="external" /> <a href="https://twitter.com/KenMiller7" type="external">https://twitter.com/KenMiller7</a></p>
| false | 2 |
luther okla ap luther sold youth football field walmart three years ago company could build one express stores using money sale new tax revenue pay roughly 200000 debt resulted embezzlement scandal involving former town treasurer store opened may 2015 closed eight months later walmart pulled plug express experiment shuttering 102 smaller stores opened mostly southern midwestern towns compete dollar stores although many locations taken dollar general tax collections dont measure even though dollar general stores offer many products pharmacy tax collections luther town 1600 outskirts oklahoma city rose 12000 16000 per month express store open said city manager scherrie pidcock since dollar general opened larger building towns monthly revenue recovered twothirds amount collecting walmart express pidcock said luther tried pinch pennies way lone paid firefighter chief quit otherwise allvolunteer department july replaced volunteer saving town roughly 2800 month salary mayor jenni white took office months walmart express closed said luther put buying two new police cars trying go slowly moving forward overspend budget white said need want walmart closed express locations demand customers wanted 12000squarefoot stores could offer according anne hatfield spokeswoman bentonville arkansasbased company learned express stores customers still wanted shop supercenters hatfield said customers travelling supercenter stores average 187000squarefeet sell full range groceries clothing household sporting goods basic automotive services towns dollar general took express locations closed existing smaller dollar general store employs half 30 workers walmart expresses dollar general also simply doesnt generate level business walmart said craig johnson president customer growth partners retail consulting research firm reason number one walmart selling fresh johnson said referring produce meats dollar general dont think good job displaying items always appear fresh johnson said disappearance walmart express pharmacy many towns pharmacies also played role reducing number customers entering dollar general stores pharmacy made customers come stores fill purchases johnson said theres less people visiting store mathematically theres less people store less purchases made various items nettleton mississippi town roughly 2000 people 100 miles southeast memphis tennessee mayor mem riley said closing walmart express 13 months opened cost town 24000 year sales tax revenue forcing town shelve plan improve water sewer services parks plans infrastructure repair hopes bam disappears riley said luther youth football league plays high school field instead paying 1 per year rent city cost 100 per game day 500 per year youth program longer receives revenue concession sales loss 1200 game day according brian wilson president little league youth football association birlene langley luthers mayor walmart came knocking said walmart saved town financially discovered town treasurer failed pay payroll taxes embezzling funds charge former treasurer eventually pleaded guilty walmart kept town going langley said walmart best thing ever happened luther left stung companys departure langley said vowed never enter walmart shops supercenter interstate 35 edmond 15 miles 24 kilometers luther course said id never walk one store closed right i35 convenient langley said ___ follow ken miller twitter httpstwittercomkenmiller7 luther okla ap luther sold youth football field walmart three years ago company could build one express stores using money sale new tax revenue pay roughly 200000 debt resulted embezzlement scandal involving former town treasurer store opened may 2015 closed eight months later walmart pulled plug express experiment shuttering 102 smaller stores opened mostly southern midwestern towns compete dollar stores although many locations taken dollar general tax collections dont measure even though dollar general stores offer many products pharmacy tax collections luther town 1600 outskirts oklahoma city rose 12000 16000 per month express store open said city manager scherrie pidcock since dollar general opened larger building towns monthly revenue recovered twothirds amount collecting walmart express pidcock said luther tried pinch pennies way lone paid firefighter chief quit otherwise allvolunteer department july replaced volunteer saving town roughly 2800 month salary mayor jenni white took office months walmart express closed said luther put buying two new police cars trying go slowly moving forward overspend budget white said need want walmart closed express locations demand customers wanted 12000squarefoot stores could offer according anne hatfield spokeswoman bentonville arkansasbased company learned express stores customers still wanted shop supercenters hatfield said customers travelling supercenter stores average 187000squarefeet sell full range groceries clothing household sporting goods basic automotive services towns dollar general took express locations closed existing smaller dollar general store employs half 30 workers walmart expresses dollar general also simply doesnt generate level business walmart said craig johnson president customer growth partners retail consulting research firm reason number one walmart selling fresh johnson said referring produce meats dollar general dont think good job displaying items always appear fresh johnson said disappearance walmart express pharmacy many towns pharmacies also played role reducing number customers entering dollar general stores pharmacy made customers come stores fill purchases johnson said theres less people visiting store mathematically theres less people store less purchases made various items nettleton mississippi town roughly 2000 people 100 miles southeast memphis tennessee mayor mem riley said closing walmart express 13 months opened cost town 24000 year sales tax revenue forcing town shelve plan improve water sewer services parks plans infrastructure repair hopes bam disappears riley said luther youth football league plays high school field instead paying 1 per year rent city cost 100 per game day 500 per year youth program longer receives revenue concession sales loss 1200 game day according brian wilson president little league youth football association birlene langley luthers mayor walmart came knocking said walmart saved town financially discovered town treasurer failed pay payroll taxes embezzling funds charge former treasurer eventually pleaded guilty walmart kept town going langley said walmart best thing ever happened luther left stung companys departure langley said vowed never enter walmart shops supercenter interstate 35 edmond 15 miles 24 kilometers luther course said id never walk one store closed right i35 convenient langley said ___ follow ken miller twitter httpstwittercomkenmiller7
| 962 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p>DENVER (AP) — After the annual late-summer harvest on his farm in the eastern reaches of Colorado, Greg Brophy has a few friends over, breaks out the handguns and semi-automatic rifles and mows down some rotten watermelons.</p>
<p>The Republican state senator’s melon shoot is a fixture on the political calendar in his rural district near the Nebraska border and a window into the culture of gun ownership in a state that cherishes its frontier heritage.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>One of the worst and most high-profile school massacres in American history — the 1999 Columbine shooting that killed 12 students and a teacher — did little to alter that culture. In fact, it is now easier to carry a concealed handgun in the state than it was before Columbine.</p>
<p>Now, six months since a deadly movie theater rampage in suburban Denver, there’s a new drive to restrict guns, fueled by the Connecticut school shooting. And Brophy and other gun rights backers worry the push may bear fruit because of state’s demographic changes.</p>
<p>In recent decades, Democrats have done increasingly well as young coastal transplants flocked to Denver and its suburbs. The traditionally red state helped elect Barack Obama president in 2008 and chose him again in November, when the party won back the legislature.</p>
<p>Those suburban voters are “further removed from their rural roots,” Brophy said. “I think they (Democrats) will overplay their hands and it will cost them, but over the past few election cycles, they’ve been right and I’ve been wrong.”</p>
<p>Meanwhile, gun control activists worry that the momentum they believe they have after the Newtown, Conn., massacre will fade just as it did after the Columbine killings — without enough of the kind of laws they believe have any chance to reduce gun violence.</p>
<p>On Wednesday, Democrats opened the latest legislative session as about 100 worried gun rights activists quietly marched outside to protest the still-unwritten gun control measures.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Republican lawmakers introduced a bill to allow school employees with concealed weapons permits to carry firearms at work, while a three-day hearing on the theater shooting wrapped up in a suburban courthouse with survivors talking about the need for more gun control.</p>
<p>As the state and the nation debates gun violence, the worries and hopes expressed on both sides are not that different today than they were after Columbine.</p>
<p>At the time, the government was controlled by the GOP, and the Republican legislature was putting its finishing touches on a bill to make it easier to obtain a permit to carry a concealed handgun. The bill was dropped after the attack.</p>
<p>The state’s then-governor, a Republican, beefed up background checks of gun purchases. The Legislature barred “straw purchases” of guns by a legal buyer on behalf of minors. An 18-year-old had purchased the guns used by the Columbine killers at a gun show.</p>
<p>Voters overwhelmingly passed a ballot measure closing a loophole that allowed some gun show buyers to evade background checks.</p>
<p>That marked the end of Colorado’s foray into gun restrictions.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>By 2003, however, the Republican legislature began expanding gun access. It prevented towns and counties from passing certain types of gun restrictions and resurrected and finally passed its liberalization of concealed carry.</p>
<p>The gun control advocates were horrified. To them, it was a cautionary tale about the gun lobby’s power. “Mostly what we’ve done on the gun issue is, we’ve been playing defense,” said Tom Mauser, whose son Daniel was killed at Columbine.</p>
<p>To their opponents, the state was a model of how not to over-react to the tragedies. “We want fewer guns in the hands of people who shouldn’t have them and we want more guns in the hands of people who should,” said Dave Kopel at the libertarian Independence Institute.</p>
<p>Kopel said he considered the expansion of concealed carry one of the state’s greatest post-Columbine achievements. “It’s the one that made all the difference in the world,” he said, “because Jeanne Assam was lawfully carrying.”</p>
<p>Assam, a former police officer, was working as a volunteer security guard at a Sunday evening service at a Colorado Springs mega-church in 2007 when a 24-year-old man began firing at churchgoers in the parking lot, killing two people and wounding three.</p>
<p>Assam shot him with her 9 mm Beretta. An autopsy found he shot himself.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>By then, Democrats had won back control of the statehouse and governor’s mansion. They did not pursue new gun control initiatives. A lot of Coloradans thought, “well, we’ve taken care of that,” gun control activist Ted Pascoe said.</p>
<p>And then, early on July 20, state Rep. Rhonda Fields was called by a constituent who worked near the Century Aurora 16 movie theater. The caller said there was a new massacre in her district — 12 people dead at a midnight screening of “The Dark Knight Returns.”</p>
<p>Fields had joined the Legislature after her son, Javad Marshall-Fields, and his fiance were shot to death in 2005 to stop him from testifying at a murder trial.</p>
<p>Long a lonely voice for gun restrictions at the capitol, Fields was shocked that, even after the Aurora shooting, few joined her. Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper said he didn’t know if restrictions on guns would have stopped the massacre.</p>
<p>“It does surprise me, and it saddens me as well,” Fields said. “I’m sick and tired of this. I think enough is enough.”</p>
<p>Four months later, Obama won Colorado by more than five points and Democrats recaptured the lower house of the Legislature. On Dec. 12, Hickenlooper said enough time had passed since Aurora that he’d now be open to discussing gun control measures.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Two days later, 24-year-old Adam Lanza went on his rampage, killing his mother and then killing 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School.</p>
<p>On Dec. 22, Fields and Aurora’s state senator held an emotional news conference at the state capitol, flanked by tearful survivors of the theater shooting.</p>
<p>Theresa Hoover, whose 18-year-old son AJ Boik was among those killed, urged lawmakers to limit guns. She said it was a conversation Colorado “should’ve started years ago, and it’s shame on us for letting it get this far.”</p>
<p>If the state had done something earlier, Hoover said, sobbing, “You guys wouldn’t even know who I was. And I would rather have it be that way.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Associated Press writer Dan Elliott also contributed to this report.</p>
| false | 2 |
denver ap annual latesummer harvest farm eastern reaches colorado greg brophy friends breaks handguns semiautomatic rifles mows rotten watermelons republican state senators melon shoot fixture political calendar rural district near nebraska border window culture gun ownership state cherishes frontier heritage advertisement one worst highprofile school massacres american history 1999 columbine shooting killed 12 students teacher little alter culture fact easier carry concealed handgun state columbine six months since deadly movie theater rampage suburban denver theres new drive restrict guns fueled connecticut school shooting brophy gun rights backers worry push may bear fruit states demographic changes recent decades democrats done increasingly well young coastal transplants flocked denver suburbs traditionally red state helped elect barack obama president 2008 chose november party back legislature suburban voters removed rural roots brophy said think democrats overplay hands cost past election cycles theyve right ive wrong meanwhile gun control activists worry momentum believe newtown conn massacre fade columbine killings without enough kind laws believe chance reduce gun violence wednesday democrats opened latest legislative session 100 worried gun rights activists quietly marched outside protest stillunwritten gun control measures advertisement republican lawmakers introduced bill allow school employees concealed weapons permits carry firearms work threeday hearing theater shooting wrapped suburban courthouse survivors talking need gun control state nation debates gun violence worries hopes expressed sides different today columbine time government controlled gop republican legislature putting finishing touches bill make easier obtain permit carry concealed handgun bill dropped attack states thengovernor republican beefed background checks gun purchases legislature barred straw purchases guns legal buyer behalf minors 18yearold purchased guns used columbine killers gun show voters overwhelmingly passed ballot measure closing loophole allowed gun show buyers evade background checks marked end colorados foray gun restrictions advertisement 2003 however republican legislature began expanding gun access prevented towns counties passing certain types gun restrictions resurrected finally passed liberalization concealed carry gun control advocates horrified cautionary tale gun lobbys power mostly weve done gun issue weve playing defense said tom mauser whose son daniel killed columbine opponents state model overreact tragedies want fewer guns hands people shouldnt want guns hands people said dave kopel libertarian independence institute kopel said considered expansion concealed carry one states greatest postcolumbine achievements one made difference world said jeanne assam lawfully carrying assam former police officer working volunteer security guard sunday evening service colorado springs megachurch 2007 24yearold man began firing churchgoers parking lot killing two people wounding three assam shot 9 mm beretta autopsy found shot advertisement democrats back control statehouse governors mansion pursue new gun control initiatives lot coloradans thought well weve taken care gun control activist ted pascoe said early july 20 state rep rhonda fields called constituent worked near century aurora 16 movie theater caller said new massacre district 12 people dead midnight screening dark knight returns fields joined legislature son javad marshallfields fiance shot death 2005 stop testifying murder trial long lonely voice gun restrictions capitol fields shocked even aurora shooting joined democratic gov john hickenlooper said didnt know restrictions guns would stopped massacre surprise saddens well fields said im sick tired think enough enough four months later obama colorado five points democrats recaptured lower house legislature dec 12 hickenlooper said enough time passed since aurora hed open discussing gun control measures advertisement two days later 24yearold adam lanza went rampage killing mother killing 20 children six adults sandy hook elementary school dec 22 fields auroras state senator held emotional news conference state capitol flanked tearful survivors theater shooting theresa hoover whose 18yearold son aj boik among killed urged lawmakers limit guns said conversation colorado shouldve started years ago shame us letting get far state done something earlier hoover said sobbing guys wouldnt even know would rather way ___ associated press writer dan elliott also contributed report
| 623 |
<p>CHICAGO (AP) — Scott Judd trained his camera lens on the white dot in the distance. As he moved up the Lake Michigan shoreline, the speck on a breakwater came into view and took his breath away: it was a snowy owl, thousands of miles from its Arctic home.</p>
<p>“It was an amazing sight,” said Judd, a Chicago IT consultant. “It’s almost like they’re from another world. They captivate people in a way that other birds don’t.”</p>
<p>The large white raptors have descended on the Great Lakes region and northeastern U.S. in huge numbers in recent weeks, hanging out at airports, in farm fields, on light poles and along beaches, to the delight of bird lovers.</p>
<p>But for researchers, this winter’s mass migration of the owls from their breeding grounds above the Arctic Circle is serious business.</p>
<p>It’s a chance to trap and fit some of the visitors with tiny transmitters to help track them around the globe and study a long-misunderstood species whose numbers likely are far fewer than previously thought, researchers say.</p>
<p>“There is still a lot that we don’t know about them ... but we aim to answer the questions in the next few years,” said Canadian biologist Jean-Francois Therrien, a senior researcher at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Pennsylvania.</p>
<p>The solar-powered transmitters can last for years, collecting information such as latitude, longitude, flight speed and air temperature that is downloaded to a server when the birds fly into range of a cell tower.</p>
<p>The use of transmitters, which intensified during the last North American mass migration in winter 2013-14, already has yielded big surprises.</p>
<p>Instead of 300,000 snowy owls worldwide, as long believed, researchers say the population likely is closer to 30,000 or fewer. The previous estimate was based on how many might be able to breed in a given area.</p>
<p>That calculation was made assuming snowy owls acted like other birds, favoring fixed nesting and wintering sites. But researchers discovered the owls are nomads, often nesting or wintering thousands of miles from previous locations.</p>
<p>The miscalculation doesn’t necessarily mean snowy owls, which can grow to about 2 feet long (60 centimeters long) with 5-foot (1.5-meter) wingspans, are in decline. Scientists simply don’t know because they never had an accurate starting point.</p>
<p>This month, snowy owls were listed as vulnerable — one step away from endangered — by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. They’re protected in the U.S. under the Migratory Bird Act.</p>
<p>This year’s mass migration is a bit of good news. Researchers once thought these so-called “irruptions” signaled a lack of prey in the Arctic, but now believe the opposite: Breeding owls feed on lemmings, a rodent that lives under Arctic snowpack and whose population surges about every three or four years. More lemmings means the owl population explodes— and that more birds than usual will winter in places people can see them.</p>
<p>But researchers worry that climate change will affect the owl population because lemmings are exceptionally sensitive to even small temperature changes.</p>
<p>Lemmings “depend on deep, fluffy, thick layers of insulating snow” to breed successfully, said Scott Weidensaul, director at Project SNOWstorm, an owl-tracking group whose volunteers have put transmitters on more than 50 snowy owls in the past four years .</p>
<p>The snowy owl population collapsed in Norway and Sweden in the mid-1990s, all but vanishing there for almost two decades before reappearing at lower numbers, experts said. In Greenland, where the population collapsed in the late 1990s, researchers found a few nests in 2011 and 2012 after six years with no recorded nests, but owls didn’t come back in 2016 or 2017, when lemmings should have been peaking.</p>
<p>The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported this month that the far northern Arctic is warming twice as fast as the rest of the globe.</p>
<p>But it’s tough to assess lemming population trends in remote areas. Although researchers hope to enlist native villagers to help, it’s mostly up to owls with transmitters for now.</p>
<p>Snowy owls somehow seem to find lemmings even if they are thousands of miles from where their population last peaked, Therrien said.</p>
<p>“They look around the Arctic,” he said. “The movement is amazing to watch on a map: There are no straight lines. They’re zigzagging.”</p>
<p>Norman Smith, a snowy owl expert with Mass Audubon in Massachusetts, said he’s heartened that many independent researchers worldwide joined forces to share information on snowy owls.</p>
<p>“It’s amazing what we’ve learned, but we need a bigger database of birds,” said Smith, who has been trapping owls at Boston’s Logan International Airport for more than 35 years and fits them with a leg band or transmitter before letting them go. He put a satellite tracker on an owl for the first time in 2000, proving that they could make it back to the Arctic.</p>
<p>Last week, Smith released a young female on a barrier beach along the Atlantic Ocean. It flew south, then circled back and flew overhead. As he drove over a bridge to the mainland, the owl was sitting on a post, surveying its new winter home.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Associated Press photographer Charles Krupa in Boston contributed to this story.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Sign up for the AP’s weekly newsletter showcasing our best reporting from the Midwest and Texas at <a href="http://apne.ws/2u1RMfv" type="external" /> <a href="http://apne.ws/2u1RMfv" type="external">http://apne.ws/2u1RMfv</a></p>
<p>CHICAGO (AP) — Scott Judd trained his camera lens on the white dot in the distance. As he moved up the Lake Michigan shoreline, the speck on a breakwater came into view and took his breath away: it was a snowy owl, thousands of miles from its Arctic home.</p>
<p>“It was an amazing sight,” said Judd, a Chicago IT consultant. “It’s almost like they’re from another world. They captivate people in a way that other birds don’t.”</p>
<p>The large white raptors have descended on the Great Lakes region and northeastern U.S. in huge numbers in recent weeks, hanging out at airports, in farm fields, on light poles and along beaches, to the delight of bird lovers.</p>
<p>But for researchers, this winter’s mass migration of the owls from their breeding grounds above the Arctic Circle is serious business.</p>
<p>It’s a chance to trap and fit some of the visitors with tiny transmitters to help track them around the globe and study a long-misunderstood species whose numbers likely are far fewer than previously thought, researchers say.</p>
<p>“There is still a lot that we don’t know about them ... but we aim to answer the questions in the next few years,” said Canadian biologist Jean-Francois Therrien, a senior researcher at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Pennsylvania.</p>
<p>The solar-powered transmitters can last for years, collecting information such as latitude, longitude, flight speed and air temperature that is downloaded to a server when the birds fly into range of a cell tower.</p>
<p>The use of transmitters, which intensified during the last North American mass migration in winter 2013-14, already has yielded big surprises.</p>
<p>Instead of 300,000 snowy owls worldwide, as long believed, researchers say the population likely is closer to 30,000 or fewer. The previous estimate was based on how many might be able to breed in a given area.</p>
<p>That calculation was made assuming snowy owls acted like other birds, favoring fixed nesting and wintering sites. But researchers discovered the owls are nomads, often nesting or wintering thousands of miles from previous locations.</p>
<p>The miscalculation doesn’t necessarily mean snowy owls, which can grow to about 2 feet long (60 centimeters long) with 5-foot (1.5-meter) wingspans, are in decline. Scientists simply don’t know because they never had an accurate starting point.</p>
<p>This month, snowy owls were listed as vulnerable — one step away from endangered — by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. They’re protected in the U.S. under the Migratory Bird Act.</p>
<p>This year’s mass migration is a bit of good news. Researchers once thought these so-called “irruptions” signaled a lack of prey in the Arctic, but now believe the opposite: Breeding owls feed on lemmings, a rodent that lives under Arctic snowpack and whose population surges about every three or four years. More lemmings means the owl population explodes— and that more birds than usual will winter in places people can see them.</p>
<p>But researchers worry that climate change will affect the owl population because lemmings are exceptionally sensitive to even small temperature changes.</p>
<p>Lemmings “depend on deep, fluffy, thick layers of insulating snow” to breed successfully, said Scott Weidensaul, director at Project SNOWstorm, an owl-tracking group whose volunteers have put transmitters on more than 50 snowy owls in the past four years .</p>
<p>The snowy owl population collapsed in Norway and Sweden in the mid-1990s, all but vanishing there for almost two decades before reappearing at lower numbers, experts said. In Greenland, where the population collapsed in the late 1990s, researchers found a few nests in 2011 and 2012 after six years with no recorded nests, but owls didn’t come back in 2016 or 2017, when lemmings should have been peaking.</p>
<p>The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported this month that the far northern Arctic is warming twice as fast as the rest of the globe.</p>
<p>But it’s tough to assess lemming population trends in remote areas. Although researchers hope to enlist native villagers to help, it’s mostly up to owls with transmitters for now.</p>
<p>Snowy owls somehow seem to find lemmings even if they are thousands of miles from where their population last peaked, Therrien said.</p>
<p>“They look around the Arctic,” he said. “The movement is amazing to watch on a map: There are no straight lines. They’re zigzagging.”</p>
<p>Norman Smith, a snowy owl expert with Mass Audubon in Massachusetts, said he’s heartened that many independent researchers worldwide joined forces to share information on snowy owls.</p>
<p>“It’s amazing what we’ve learned, but we need a bigger database of birds,” said Smith, who has been trapping owls at Boston’s Logan International Airport for more than 35 years and fits them with a leg band or transmitter before letting them go. He put a satellite tracker on an owl for the first time in 2000, proving that they could make it back to the Arctic.</p>
<p>Last week, Smith released a young female on a barrier beach along the Atlantic Ocean. It flew south, then circled back and flew overhead. As he drove over a bridge to the mainland, the owl was sitting on a post, surveying its new winter home.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Associated Press photographer Charles Krupa in Boston contributed to this story.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Sign up for the AP’s weekly newsletter showcasing our best reporting from the Midwest and Texas at <a href="http://apne.ws/2u1RMfv" type="external" /> <a href="http://apne.ws/2u1RMfv" type="external">http://apne.ws/2u1RMfv</a></p>
| false | 2 |
chicago ap scott judd trained camera lens white dot distance moved lake michigan shoreline speck breakwater came view took breath away snowy owl thousands miles arctic home amazing sight said judd chicago consultant almost like theyre another world captivate people way birds dont large white raptors descended great lakes region northeastern us huge numbers recent weeks hanging airports farm fields light poles along beaches delight bird lovers researchers winters mass migration owls breeding grounds arctic circle serious business chance trap fit visitors tiny transmitters help track around globe study longmisunderstood species whose numbers likely far fewer previously thought researchers say still lot dont know aim answer questions next years said canadian biologist jeanfrancois therrien senior researcher hawk mountain sanctuary pennsylvania solarpowered transmitters last years collecting information latitude longitude flight speed air temperature downloaded server birds fly range cell tower use transmitters intensified last north american mass migration winter 201314 already yielded big surprises instead 300000 snowy owls worldwide long believed researchers say population likely closer 30000 fewer previous estimate based many might able breed given area calculation made assuming snowy owls acted like birds favoring fixed nesting wintering sites researchers discovered owls nomads often nesting wintering thousands miles previous locations miscalculation doesnt necessarily mean snowy owls grow 2 feet long 60 centimeters long 5foot 15meter wingspans decline scientists simply dont know never accurate starting point month snowy owls listed vulnerable one step away endangered international union conservation nature theyre protected us migratory bird act years mass migration bit good news researchers thought socalled irruptions signaled lack prey arctic believe opposite breeding owls feed lemmings rodent lives arctic snowpack whose population surges every three four years lemmings means owl population explodes birds usual winter places people see researchers worry climate change affect owl population lemmings exceptionally sensitive even small temperature changes lemmings depend deep fluffy thick layers insulating snow breed successfully said scott weidensaul director project snowstorm owltracking group whose volunteers put transmitters 50 snowy owls past four years snowy owl population collapsed norway sweden mid1990s vanishing almost two decades reappearing lower numbers experts said greenland population collapsed late 1990s researchers found nests 2011 2012 six years recorded nests owls didnt come back 2016 2017 lemmings peaking national oceanic atmospheric administration reported month far northern arctic warming twice fast rest globe tough assess lemming population trends remote areas although researchers hope enlist native villagers help mostly owls transmitters snowy owls somehow seem find lemmings even thousands miles population last peaked therrien said look around arctic said movement amazing watch map straight lines theyre zigzagging norman smith snowy owl expert mass audubon massachusetts said hes heartened many independent researchers worldwide joined forces share information snowy owls amazing weve learned need bigger database birds said smith trapping owls bostons logan international airport 35 years fits leg band transmitter letting go put satellite tracker owl first time 2000 proving could make back arctic last week smith released young female barrier beach along atlantic ocean flew south circled back flew overhead drove bridge mainland owl sitting post surveying new winter home ___ associated press photographer charles krupa boston contributed story ___ sign aps weekly newsletter showcasing best reporting midwest texas httpapnews2u1rmfv chicago ap scott judd trained camera lens white dot distance moved lake michigan shoreline speck breakwater came view took breath away snowy owl thousands miles arctic home amazing sight said judd chicago consultant almost like theyre another world captivate people way birds dont large white raptors descended great lakes region northeastern us huge numbers recent weeks hanging airports farm fields light poles along beaches delight bird lovers researchers winters mass migration owls breeding grounds arctic circle serious business chance trap fit visitors tiny transmitters help track around globe study longmisunderstood species whose numbers likely far fewer previously thought researchers say still lot dont know aim answer questions next years said canadian biologist jeanfrancois therrien senior researcher hawk mountain sanctuary pennsylvania solarpowered transmitters last years collecting information latitude longitude flight speed air temperature downloaded server birds fly range cell tower use transmitters intensified last north american mass migration winter 201314 already yielded big surprises instead 300000 snowy owls worldwide long believed researchers say population likely closer 30000 fewer previous estimate based many might able breed given area calculation made assuming snowy owls acted like birds favoring fixed nesting wintering sites researchers discovered owls nomads often nesting wintering thousands miles previous locations miscalculation doesnt necessarily mean snowy owls grow 2 feet long 60 centimeters long 5foot 15meter wingspans decline scientists simply dont know never accurate starting point month snowy owls listed vulnerable one step away endangered international union conservation nature theyre protected us migratory bird act years mass migration bit good news researchers thought socalled irruptions signaled lack prey arctic believe opposite breeding owls feed lemmings rodent lives arctic snowpack whose population surges every three four years lemmings means owl population explodes birds usual winter places people see researchers worry climate change affect owl population lemmings exceptionally sensitive even small temperature changes lemmings depend deep fluffy thick layers insulating snow breed successfully said scott weidensaul director project snowstorm owltracking group whose volunteers put transmitters 50 snowy owls past four years snowy owl population collapsed norway sweden mid1990s vanishing almost two decades reappearing lower numbers experts said greenland population collapsed late 1990s researchers found nests 2011 2012 six years recorded nests owls didnt come back 2016 2017 lemmings peaking national oceanic atmospheric administration reported month far northern arctic warming twice fast rest globe tough assess lemming population trends remote areas although researchers hope enlist native villagers help mostly owls transmitters snowy owls somehow seem find lemmings even thousands miles population last peaked therrien said look around arctic said movement amazing watch map straight lines theyre zigzagging norman smith snowy owl expert mass audubon massachusetts said hes heartened many independent researchers worldwide joined forces share information snowy owls amazing weve learned need bigger database birds said smith trapping owls bostons logan international airport 35 years fits leg band transmitter letting go put satellite tracker owl first time 2000 proving could make back arctic last week smith released young female barrier beach along atlantic ocean flew south circled back flew overhead drove bridge mainland owl sitting post surveying new winter home ___ associated press photographer charles krupa boston contributed story ___ sign aps weekly newsletter showcasing best reporting midwest texas httpapnews2u1rmfv
| 1,052 |
<p>DETROIT (AP) - The Detroit Tigers are optimistic Victor Martinez will be ready for the start of the season after the slugging designated hitter had surgery on his left knee.</p>
<p>Dr. James Andrews performed the operation Tuesday in Pensacola, Florida. The Tigers announced last week that Martinez had torn his medial meniscus during offseason workouts, but they now say he should resume full activity in four to six weeks.</p>
<p>"This is the best-case scenario that we could have hoped for," trainer Kevin Rand said.</p>
<p>Martinez hit .335 with 32 home runs and 103 RBIs in 2014, helping the Tigers hold off Kansas City for their fourth consecutive AL Central title. He and Miguel Cabrera form a powerful tandem in the middle of the lineup, but with Cabrera's health also in question following offseason ankle surgery, Detroit was facing a potential quandary when Martinez got hurt.</p>
<p>The short-term prognosis, however, sounds favorable.</p>
<p>"We are very happy the surgery went well and that Victor will be ready to compete for the start of the 2015 season," team president Dave Dombrowski said in a statement.</p>
<p>Martinez, a five-time All-Star, missed the 2012 season after injuring the same knee. This problem wasn't nearly as severe, although Rand said part of the meniscus was removed during Tuesday's operation, since it was not repairable. There had been some question as to whether the meniscus might be repaired or removed.</p>
<p>"The decision was basically made for us," Rand said.</p>
<p>Although Martinez's fairly short recovery time is good news for the Tigers' immediate future, the 36-year-old is just starting a $68 million, four-year contract. Removing part of the meniscus could leave Martinez facing some challenges down the road.</p>
<p>But Rand said it's not clear if or when more problems with the knee could surface.</p>
<p>"There's no guarantee of that," he said. "You don't know at what point that could be."</p>
<p>Rand said Martinez will begin rehab in Orlando, which isn't far from Detroit's spring training facility in Lakeland, Florida. The Tigers' first workout for pitchers and catchers is Feb. 20, and the first for the full squad is Feb. 24.</p>
<p>Although he missed the whole 2012 season with previous knee issues, Martinez was able to re-establish himself as one of the game's top hitters after coming back. He hit .301 in 2013, and last year he placed second to Mike Trout in the American League MVP race, the fifth straight season a Detroit player finished in the top two.</p>
<p>"He was in great shape prior to getting hurt," Rand said. "He's been through the rehab for a knee injury before."</p>
<p>Martinez has been Detroit's primary DH, and he's also been able to fill in for Cabrera at first base on occasion. The Tigers expect to find out more soon on Cabrera's timetable.</p>
<p>DETROIT (AP) - The Detroit Tigers are optimistic Victor Martinez will be ready for the start of the season after the slugging designated hitter had surgery on his left knee.</p>
<p>Dr. James Andrews performed the operation Tuesday in Pensacola, Florida. The Tigers announced last week that Martinez had torn his medial meniscus during offseason workouts, but they now say he should resume full activity in four to six weeks.</p>
<p>"This is the best-case scenario that we could have hoped for," trainer Kevin Rand said.</p>
<p>Martinez hit .335 with 32 home runs and 103 RBIs in 2014, helping the Tigers hold off Kansas City for their fourth consecutive AL Central title. He and Miguel Cabrera form a powerful tandem in the middle of the lineup, but with Cabrera's health also in question following offseason ankle surgery, Detroit was facing a potential quandary when Martinez got hurt.</p>
<p>The short-term prognosis, however, sounds favorable.</p>
<p>"We are very happy the surgery went well and that Victor will be ready to compete for the start of the 2015 season," team president Dave Dombrowski said in a statement.</p>
<p>Martinez, a five-time All-Star, missed the 2012 season after injuring the same knee. This problem wasn't nearly as severe, although Rand said part of the meniscus was removed during Tuesday's operation, since it was not repairable. There had been some question as to whether the meniscus might be repaired or removed.</p>
<p>"The decision was basically made for us," Rand said.</p>
<p>Although Martinez's fairly short recovery time is good news for the Tigers' immediate future, the 36-year-old is just starting a $68 million, four-year contract. Removing part of the meniscus could leave Martinez facing some challenges down the road.</p>
<p>But Rand said it's not clear if or when more problems with the knee could surface.</p>
<p>"There's no guarantee of that," he said. "You don't know at what point that could be."</p>
<p>Rand said Martinez will begin rehab in Orlando, which isn't far from Detroit's spring training facility in Lakeland, Florida. The Tigers' first workout for pitchers and catchers is Feb. 20, and the first for the full squad is Feb. 24.</p>
<p>Although he missed the whole 2012 season with previous knee issues, Martinez was able to re-establish himself as one of the game's top hitters after coming back. He hit .301 in 2013, and last year he placed second to Mike Trout in the American League MVP race, the fifth straight season a Detroit player finished in the top two.</p>
<p>"He was in great shape prior to getting hurt," Rand said. "He's been through the rehab for a knee injury before."</p>
<p>Martinez has been Detroit's primary DH, and he's also been able to fill in for Cabrera at first base on occasion. The Tigers expect to find out more soon on Cabrera's timetable.</p>
| false | 2 |
detroit ap detroit tigers optimistic victor martinez ready start season slugging designated hitter surgery left knee dr james andrews performed operation tuesday pensacola florida tigers announced last week martinez torn medial meniscus offseason workouts say resume full activity four six weeks bestcase scenario could hoped trainer kevin rand said martinez hit 335 32 home runs 103 rbis 2014 helping tigers hold kansas city fourth consecutive al central title miguel cabrera form powerful tandem middle lineup cabreras health also question following offseason ankle surgery detroit facing potential quandary martinez got hurt shortterm prognosis however sounds favorable happy surgery went well victor ready compete start 2015 season team president dave dombrowski said statement martinez fivetime allstar missed 2012 season injuring knee problem wasnt nearly severe although rand said part meniscus removed tuesdays operation since repairable question whether meniscus might repaired removed decision basically made us rand said although martinezs fairly short recovery time good news tigers immediate future 36yearold starting 68 million fouryear contract removing part meniscus could leave martinez facing challenges road rand said clear problems knee could surface theres guarantee said dont know point could rand said martinez begin rehab orlando isnt far detroits spring training facility lakeland florida tigers first workout pitchers catchers feb 20 first full squad feb 24 although missed whole 2012 season previous knee issues martinez able reestablish one games top hitters coming back hit 301 2013 last year placed second mike trout american league mvp race fifth straight season detroit player finished top two great shape prior getting hurt rand said hes rehab knee injury martinez detroits primary dh hes also able fill cabrera first base occasion tigers expect find soon cabreras timetable detroit ap detroit tigers optimistic victor martinez ready start season slugging designated hitter surgery left knee dr james andrews performed operation tuesday pensacola florida tigers announced last week martinez torn medial meniscus offseason workouts say resume full activity four six weeks bestcase scenario could hoped trainer kevin rand said martinez hit 335 32 home runs 103 rbis 2014 helping tigers hold kansas city fourth consecutive al central title miguel cabrera form powerful tandem middle lineup cabreras health also question following offseason ankle surgery detroit facing potential quandary martinez got hurt shortterm prognosis however sounds favorable happy surgery went well victor ready compete start 2015 season team president dave dombrowski said statement martinez fivetime allstar missed 2012 season injuring knee problem wasnt nearly severe although rand said part meniscus removed tuesdays operation since repairable question whether meniscus might repaired removed decision basically made us rand said although martinezs fairly short recovery time good news tigers immediate future 36yearold starting 68 million fouryear contract removing part meniscus could leave martinez facing challenges road rand said clear problems knee could surface theres guarantee said dont know point could rand said martinez begin rehab orlando isnt far detroits spring training facility lakeland florida tigers first workout pitchers catchers feb 20 first full squad feb 24 although missed whole 2012 season previous knee issues martinez able reestablish one games top hitters coming back hit 301 2013 last year placed second mike trout american league mvp race fifth straight season detroit player finished top two great shape prior getting hurt rand said hes rehab knee injury martinez detroits primary dh hes also able fill cabrera first base occasion tigers expect find soon cabreras timetable
| 556 |
<p>Jan 22 (Reuters) - Three USA Gymnastics board members resigned on Monday in the wake of a sex abuse scandal involving its former team physician, the organization said in a statement. (Reporting by Keith Coffman; Editing by Richard Chang)</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>MADRID (Reuters) - Organizers of sailing’s Barcelona World Race said on Thursday they were suspending the 2018-19 event due to political unrest in the Spanish region of Catalonia which had hit sponsorship.</p>
<p>An illegal referendum and declaration of independence by Catalan politicians in October prompted Spanish courts to jail or seek the arrest of participants and regular mass protests across the industrialized region.</p>
<p>“Political instability has made it difficult to guarantee delivering the event to the standards a round-the-world race deserves,” the Barcelona Ocean Sailing Foundation said.</p>
<p>The 10-year-old regatta, which is held every four years, is a two-crew round the world yacht race of some 26,000 nautical miles (48,152 kilometers) starting and finishing in the Catalan capital of Barcelona, with a stop-over in Sydney.</p>
<p>The clash between the northeast region, which produces around a fifth of Spain’s economic output, and the government in Madrid has led thousands of companies based in Catalonia to relocate their legal headquarters to other parts of Spain.</p>
<p>“A sporting event of this scale requires significant private sponsorship, which is its only source of funding,” they said, adding that they had found the political climate had prevented them from ensuring a reliable sponsorship process.</p>
<p>Sponsors of the last Barcelona World Race in 2014-15, which was won by Bernard Stamm of Switzerland and Jean Le Cam of France, included Estrella Damn, Renault and Johnson &amp; Johnson.</p>
<p>The board of trustees for the Barcelona World Race includes the Barcelona City Council, the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, Port of Barcelona and the Barcelona Trade Fair.</p>
<p>The organizers said they were beginning talks with the IMOCA class association “with the aim to secure a future edition of the Barcelona World Race in 2022-2023”.</p>
<p>Reporting by Paul Day; Editing by Alexander Smith</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>NEW YORK (Reuters) - Rusty Staub, a beloved slugger dubbed “Le Grand Orange” by fans of the Montreal Expos and later embraced as a team leader of the New York Mets, died on Thursday at age 73 after a 23-year Major League Baseball career and a retirement devoted to charity.</p> FILE PHOTO: Former New York Mets and Montreal Expos star Rusty Staub waves as he touches home plate for the last time during ceremonies after the final regular season MLB National Leugue baseball game at Shea Stadium in New York, September 28, 2008. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine
<p>His death at a Florida hospital, which came on baseball’s opening day for the 2018 season, was confirmed by the Mets, with whom the left-handed-hitting outfielder did two tours of duty in the 1970s and 1980s.</p> New York Mets stars (L to R) Darryl Strawberry, Yogi Berra, Gary Carter and Rusty Staub line up on the field during ceremonies after the final regular season MLB National League baseball game at Shea Stadium in New York, September 28, 2008. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine
<p>Staub, who had been in failing health in recent years, was awarded spots on six All-Star teams over a career with five teams in which he compiled a solid .279 batting average, with 2,716 base hits, 292 home runs and 1,466 runs batted in.</p>
<p>But it is the quirky distinctions that devoted baseball fans remember most.</p>
<p>At 6 foot 2 inches (188 cm) and 200 pounds (91 kilograms) during his playing days, Staub had some of his best years as a member of the Montreal Expos, who later became the Washington Nationals. In homage to his size, big bat and ginger hair, French-speaking Montreal fans affectionately called him “Le Grand Orange.”</p>
<p>He was one of only three players to hit home runs in the big leagues before turning 20 and after turning 40 (Ty Cobb and Gary Sheffield were the others). He also tied a record set by Dave Philley in 1958 by getting eight consecutive base hits as a pinch hitter while playing with the Mets in 1983.</p> Slideshow (2 Images)
<p>After baseball, Staub became restaurant owner and an active philanthropist and fundraiser.</p>
<p>“There wasn’t a cause he didn’t champion,” the Mets said in a statement. “Rusty helped children, the poor, the elderly and then there was his pride and joy, The New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund.”</p>
<p>Daniel Joseph Staub was born on April 1, 1944 in New Orleans and got his lifelong nickname even before he left the hospital, when a nurse called him Rusty for the red fuzz on his head, according to the Baseball Almanac.</p>
<p>As a 19-year-old, he came up with the Houston Colt .45s in 1963, the National League expansion team’s second season before changing its name to the Astros in 1965. He played in Houston for six seasons.</p>
<p>Besides the Expos, Astros and Mets, Staub also spent four seasons with the Detroit Tigers and one with the Texas Rangers.</p>
<p>Reporting by Peter Szekely; Editing by Dan Grebler</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>SEOUL (Reuters) - International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach travelled to Pyongyang on Thursday, the Olympic body said, in a visit that comes after North Korea’s participation in the Pyeongchang Winter Games helped ease inter-Korean relations.</p> International Olympic Committee delegation headed by Thomas Bach arrives in Pyongyang, in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang March 29, 2018. KCNA/via Reuters
<p>Bach will remain in North Korea until Saturday and will have meetings with the nation’s Olympic officials in a trip agreed last year as part of talks between the IOC, and North and South Korea ahead of the Games.</p>
<p>“The discussions will focus on the further development of sport in the DPRK after the successful participation of athletes at the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, and the preparation of athletes from the National Olympic Committee of the DPRK with the objective of qualifying for and participating in the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022,” the IOC said in a statement.</p>
<p>“This visit is part of the close cooperation and consultations the IOC enjoys with all of the 206 National Olympic Committees.”</p>
<p>The IOC supported North Korean athletes financially and in kind in their effort to qualify for Pyeongchang.</p>
<p>Bach told Reuters during the Feb. 9-25 Winter Olympics that he would make the visit on the North’s invitation as part of an agreement between the IOC and both North and South Korea.</p>
<p>Athletes from North and South Korea marched under a unified peninsula flag at the opening ceremony in Pyeongchang and the two Koreas have experienced a significant thaw in tensions since the Winter Olympics.</p>
<p>Bach’s exact itinerary in Pyongyang remains unclear but his visit comes amid a flurry of international outreach by North Korea.</p>
<p>After North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made a surprise visit to Beijing this week — his first known trip outside North Korea since taking power in 2011 — his engagement with the international community has sparked speculation that he may try to meet other leaders ahead of the summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and United States President Donald Trump.</p>
<p>Japan’s Asahi newspaper said on Thursday Japan had sounded out North Korea about a bilateral summit.</p>
<p>South Korea’s Unification Ministry announced Thursday that the two Korea had set a date to hold their first summit in more than a decade on April 27.</p>
<p>The two Koreas are technically still at war after the 1950-1953 conflict ended with a ceasefire, not a peace agreement.</p>
<p>Reporting by Heekyong Yang; Additional reporting by Karolos Grohmann, Editing by Peter Rutherford and Pritha Sarkar</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>(Reuters) - Qualifier Danielle Collins overpowered her childhood idol Venus Williams 6-2 6-3 in a stunning quarter-final upset at the Miami Open on Wednesday.</p> Mar 28, 2018; Key Biscayne, FL, USA; Danielle Collins of the United States celebrates after match point against Venus Williams of the United States (not pictured) on day nine at the Miami Open at Tennis Center at Crandon Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
<p>Collins, belying her 93rd ranking, pounded winner after winner to beat fellow American Williams at her own game and set up a semi-final against French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko.</p>
<p>Latvian Ostapenko overpowered Ukrainian fourth seed Elina Svitolina in two tiebreaks to win 7-6(3) 7-6(5) in an afternoon match to reach the Miami semis for the first time.</p>
<p>Thursday’s other semi will pit American 13th seed Sloane Stephens against unseeded Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.</p> Mar 28, 2018; Key Biscayne, FL, USA; Danielle Collins of the United States waves to the crowd after her match against Venus Williams of the United States (not pictured) on day nine at the Miami Open at Tennis Center at Crandon Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
<p>Collins played with manic intensity against eighth seed Williams, repeatedly going for broke with groundstrokes that painted the lines and ran her opponent ragged around the Crandon Park center court.</p>
<p>“The first time I saw Venus in the locker room I nearly cried,” Collins said in an on-court interview.</p>
<p>“I’ve idolized her my whole life. She’s been my favorite player for forever and this is just a special moment I’m trying to wrap my head around it.”</p>
<p>The 24-year-old is finally finding her feet at the highest level, as she showed by keeping the pressure on Williams with victory in sight.</p>
<p>“She’s been in a lot of situations where she’s been down and come back. I knew I was going to really have to work for it and she wasn’t going to give it to me,” Collins said of the 37-year-old seven-times grand slam champion.</p>
<p>“I’m just starting to finally put all of the pieces together.”</p> Slideshow (17 Images)
<p>Earlier, sixth seed Ostapenko was far from her best in her quarter-final, spraying the court with 44 unforced errors and having her serve broken six times on a windy day.</p>
<p>Yet the 20-year-old’s aggressive approach, stepping into the court to take Svitolina’s second serves early and targeting the lines with her powerful backhand, paid off in the match’s biggest moments.</p>
<p>After Svitolina saved three consecutive match points in the second set tiebreak, Ostapenko hammered her 41st winner, a crosscourt backhand, on match point to end the nearly two hour contest.</p>
<p>Ostapenko said she followed coach David Taylor’s advice to stay on the attack against the defensive-minded Svitolina even when she was having trouble with her accuracy.</p>
<p>“When David came on the court he was telling me to keep playing aggressive, to go for the shots,” Ostapenko said on court.</p>
<p>“Even if you are missing you have to play aggressive,” she said.</p>
<p>“I’m just trying to fight for every point and be more consistent and I think I’m getting there in my form.”</p>
<p>Ostapenko has now won both of her meetings against Svitolina, included a victory over the 23-year-old at Wimbledon last year.</p>
<p>Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary North Carolina and Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Editing by Toby Davis/Nick Mulvenney</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
| false | 2 |
jan 22 reuters three usa gymnastics board members resigned monday wake sex abuse scandal involving former team physician organization said statement reporting keith coffman editing richard chang standards thomson reuters trust principles madrid reuters organizers sailings barcelona world race said thursday suspending 201819 event due political unrest spanish region catalonia hit sponsorship illegal referendum declaration independence catalan politicians october prompted spanish courts jail seek arrest participants regular mass protests across industrialized region political instability made difficult guarantee delivering event standards roundtheworld race deserves barcelona ocean sailing foundation said 10yearold regatta held every four years twocrew round world yacht race 26000 nautical miles 48152 kilometers starting finishing catalan capital barcelona stopover sydney clash northeast region produces around fifth spains economic output government madrid led thousands companies based catalonia relocate legal headquarters parts spain sporting event scale requires significant private sponsorship source funding said adding found political climate prevented ensuring reliable sponsorship process sponsors last barcelona world race 201415 bernard stamm switzerland jean le cam france included estrella damn renault johnson amp johnson board trustees barcelona world race includes barcelona city council barcelona chamber commerce port barcelona barcelona trade fair organizers said beginning talks imoca class association aim secure future edition barcelona world race 20222023 reporting paul day editing alexander smith standards thomson reuters trust principles new york reuters rusty staub beloved slugger dubbed le grand orange fans montreal expos later embraced team leader new york mets died thursday age 73 23year major league baseball career retirement devoted charity file photo former new york mets montreal expos star rusty staub waves touches home plate last time ceremonies final regular season mlb national leugue baseball game shea stadium new york september 28 2008 reutersray stubblebine death florida hospital came baseballs opening day 2018 season confirmed mets lefthandedhitting outfielder two tours duty 1970s 1980s new york mets stars l r darryl strawberry yogi berra gary carter rusty staub line field ceremonies final regular season mlb national league baseball game shea stadium new york september 28 2008 reutersray stubblebine staub failing health recent years awarded spots six allstar teams career five teams compiled solid 279 batting average 2716 base hits 292 home runs 1466 runs batted quirky distinctions devoted baseball fans remember 6 foot 2 inches 188 cm 200 pounds 91 kilograms playing days staub best years member montreal expos later became washington nationals homage size big bat ginger hair frenchspeaking montreal fans affectionately called le grand orange one three players hit home runs big leagues turning 20 turning 40 ty cobb gary sheffield others also tied record set dave philley 1958 getting eight consecutive base hits pinch hitter playing mets 1983 slideshow 2 images baseball staub became restaurant owner active philanthropist fundraiser wasnt cause didnt champion mets said statement rusty helped children poor elderly pride joy new york police fire widows childrens benefit fund daniel joseph staub born april 1 1944 new orleans got lifelong nickname even left hospital nurse called rusty red fuzz head according baseball almanac 19yearold came houston colt 45s 1963 national league expansion teams second season changing name astros 1965 played houston six seasons besides expos astros mets staub also spent four seasons detroit tigers one texas rangers reporting peter szekely editing dan grebler standards thomson reuters trust principles seoul reuters international olympic committee ioc president thomas bach travelled pyongyang thursday olympic body said visit comes north koreas participation pyeongchang winter games helped ease interkorean relations international olympic committee delegation headed thomas bach arrives pyongyang undated photo released north koreas korean central news agency kcna pyongyang march 29 2018 kcnavia reuters bach remain north korea saturday meetings nations olympic officials trip agreed last year part talks ioc north south korea ahead games discussions focus development sport dprk successful participation athletes olympic winter games pyeongchang 2018 preparation athletes national olympic committee dprk objective qualifying participating olympic games tokyo 2020 olympic winter games beijing 2022 ioc said statement visit part close cooperation consultations ioc enjoys 206 national olympic committees ioc supported north korean athletes financially kind effort qualify pyeongchang bach told reuters feb 925 winter olympics would make visit norths invitation part agreement ioc north south korea athletes north south korea marched unified peninsula flag opening ceremony pyeongchang two koreas experienced significant thaw tensions since winter olympics bachs exact itinerary pyongyang remains unclear visit comes amid flurry international outreach north korea north korean leader kim jong un made surprise visit beijing week first known trip outside north korea since taking power 2011 engagement international community sparked speculation may try meet leaders ahead summit south korean president moon jaein united states president donald trump japans asahi newspaper said thursday japan sounded north korea bilateral summit south koreas unification ministry announced thursday two korea set date hold first summit decade april 27 two koreas technically still war 19501953 conflict ended ceasefire peace agreement reporting heekyong yang additional reporting karolos grohmann editing peter rutherford pritha sarkar standards thomson reuters trust principles reuters qualifier danielle collins overpowered childhood idol venus williams 62 63 stunning quarterfinal upset miami open wednesday mar 28 2018 key biscayne fl usa danielle collins united states celebrates match point venus williams united states pictured day nine miami open tennis center crandon park mandatory credit geoff burkeusa today sports collins belying 93rd ranking pounded winner winner beat fellow american williams game set semifinal french open champion jelena ostapenko latvian ostapenko overpowered ukrainian fourth seed elina svitolina two tiebreaks win 763 765 afternoon match reach miami semis first time thursdays semi pit american 13th seed sloane stephens unseeded victoria azarenka belarus mar 28 2018 key biscayne fl usa danielle collins united states waves crowd match venus williams united states pictured day nine miami open tennis center crandon park mandatory credit geoff burkeusa today sports collins played manic intensity eighth seed williams repeatedly going broke groundstrokes painted lines ran opponent ragged around crandon park center court first time saw venus locker room nearly cried collins said oncourt interview ive idolized whole life shes favorite player forever special moment im trying wrap head around 24yearold finally finding feet highest level showed keeping pressure williams victory sight shes lot situations shes come back knew going really work wasnt going give collins said 37yearold seventimes grand slam champion im starting finally put pieces together slideshow 17 images earlier sixth seed ostapenko far best quarterfinal spraying court 44 unforced errors serve broken six times windy day yet 20yearolds aggressive approach stepping court take svitolinas second serves early targeting lines powerful backhand paid matchs biggest moments svitolina saved three consecutive match points second set tiebreak ostapenko hammered 41st winner crosscourt backhand match point end nearly two hour contest ostapenko said followed coach david taylors advice stay attack defensiveminded svitolina even trouble accuracy david came court telling keep playing aggressive go shots ostapenko said court even missing play aggressive said im trying fight every point consistent think im getting form ostapenko meetings svitolina included victory 23yearold wimbledon last year reporting andrew cary north carolina rory carroll los angeles editing toby davisnick mulvenney standards thomson reuters trust principles
| 1,166 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p />
<p>Fears that the change would hurt Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport's business have not come to pass. In fact, more people are flying out of both airports.</p>
<p>The Dallas Morning News ( <a href="http://bit.ly/1LNV6Rx" type="external">http://bit.ly/1LNV6Rx</a> ) reports most people agree the repeal of the Wright Amendment on Oct. 13, 2014, increased competition, spurred more travel and lowered costs for consumers in North Texas and beyond.</p>
<p>Love Field has a shiny new terminal with more food and shopping options, more destinations and more flight options for travelers.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Gary Kelly, chief executive of Southwest Airlines, the largest carrier at Love, called the repeal a "home run."</p>
<p>"We're giddy," he said about the boom in business. "You just never know with offering something new how customers will respond or how competitors will respond."</p>
<p>The future of Love is less likely to include sweeping changes because the airport has pretty much reached its limit on how many flights can operate there. Smaller changes are possible, such as the mix of carriers and destinations.</p>
<p>The Wright Amendment was enacted in 1980 to restrict flights out of Love to protect DFW airport . Southwest could sell tickets to only a handful of states until 2006, when a compromise let the airline fly anywhere in the United States as long as the flight made at least one stop inside Texas or eight other states. The amendment's repeal meant Southwest and other carriers operating at Love could fly nonstop from Dallas to any U.S. airport.</p>
<p>"While we expected the growth of Love Field to happen, no one . knew that it would blow up like it did," Mark Duebner, aviation director for the city of Dallas, said late last month. He expects the number of passengers boarding a plane at Love to jump from 4.5 million to over 7 million this year.</p>
<p>The roster of airlines flying those passengers has changed somewhat in the last year:</p>
<p>Southwest, the largest carrier at Love, expanded from 118 departures to 16 cities before Oct. 13, 2014, to 180 flights to 50 cities today.</p>
<p>Virgin America moved its operations from DFW airport with 19 daily flights after it received two gates from American Airlines in an antitrust agreement.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Delta Air Lines flies five daily flights to Atlanta.</p>
<p>United Airlines no longer flies there and subleases two gates to Southwest. United flies out of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.</p>
<p>SeaPort Airlines, Love's smallest operator, transferred its two daily departures last month to Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport.</p>
<p>North Texas has seen a major economic impact from the Wright repeal, said Brian Campbell, an aviation consultant in Alexandria, Va. He estimates the change brought 58,000 new visitors who spent over $91 million.</p>
<p>Passenger traffic at Love jumped nearly 88 percent - or 607,249 more people - from September 2014 through August. Southwest accounted for 90 percent of that increase, with its traffic up 79 percent.</p>
<p>Virgin America had 79,456 passengers at Love in August, accounting for 6 percent of the market. The airline did not respond to requests for comment.</p>
<p>DFW airport saw 592,617 more passengers, up 11 percent from September 2014 to August. American controls 84 percent of the market at DFW.</p>
<p>DFW still accounts for the bulk of air travel in North Texas, with more than 5.8 million passengers in August vs. 1.3 million at Love Field.</p>
<p>"The impact is almost nothing," aviation consultant Michael Boyd said about Love. "No matter what happens, Love Field will be a secondary airport."</p>
<p>Indeed, Fort Worth-based American is carrying more local passengers because of higher demand and lower fares, president Scott Kirby said in July.</p>
<p>American carried 337,400 more people at DFW airport for the 12 months through August than a year earlier. However, passenger unit revenue at the airport fell 5 percent in the second quarter, partly due to matching rivals' lower prices in competitive markets, Kirby said.</p>
<p>North Texans have seen new flights to places like Atlanta, Denver, Chicago, Las Vegas, Phoenix and San Francisco. They've also seen lower fares.</p>
<p>The average North Texas fare fell 13 percent - down 35 percent in new cities entered by Southwest - in late 2014 compared with late 2013, consultant Campbell said. Southwest research shows that airfare declined an average of nearly $35 from Love to 16 cities. Overall, its average fare this year was $162 vs. $187 for the industry, said chief financial officer Tammy Romo.</p>
<p>Love has maxed out its gates, and airlines there can fly only from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and cannot fly internationally. That means future growth must come from the mix of airlines, the frequency of flights or flying larger planes.</p>
<p>Southwest, which controls 18 of Love's 20 gates, does not plan to challenge the remaining restrictions at Love, Kelly said. "We struck a deal, and I thought the deal was reasonable," he said about the Wright repeal, which was agreed to by five parties.</p>
<p>Love also has other issues, such as a neighborhood noise ordinance that could constrain growth and insufficient parking for the number of additional travelers. Last month, the city of Dallas opened a new remote parking lot with 1,300 spaces on Harry Hines Boulevard, and a new 5,000-space parking garage is scheduled to open in late 2017.</p>
<p>Industry consultant Boyd projects Love's growth will plateau around 10 million people boarding planes a year by 2019, up from 4.7 million in 2014.</p>
<p>Kelly acknowledges that most of Southwest's growth will not be at Love. However, he said it could expand if it didn't share a gate with Delta.</p>
<p>Southwest and Delta have been fighting over the use of gates at Love since late last year. They're awaiting a federal judge's ruling on the matter.</p>
<p>Southwest has said it's maxed out at 180 flights a day at Love, but it could fly more 175-seat Boeing 737-800 planes there. It flies a mix of 737 models at Love, but most of the planes have 32 to 53 fewer seats than the 800s.</p>
<p>Travelers are more likely to see Southwest expand in other U.S. cities and internationally. For example, the airline will start flying internationally from Houston Hobby Airport on Thursday, starting with seven daily flights to six Latin American cities.</p>
<p>Industry experts expect Southwest to expand in cities like Houston, Florida and New York - places with busy domestic traffic that also act as gateways to foreign destinations.</p>
<p>In the long term, Kelly thinks the airline can add roughly 50 more U.S. routes to its current network of 97 routes.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Information from: The Dallas Morning News, <a href="http://www.dallasnews.com" type="external">http://www.dallasnews.com</a></p>
<p>This is an AP Member Exchange shared by The Dallas Morning News</p>
| false | 2 |
fears change would hurt dallasfort worth international airports business come pass fact people flying airports dallas morning news httpbitly1lnv6rx reports people agree repeal wright amendment oct 13 2014 increased competition spurred travel lowered costs consumers north texas beyond love field shiny new terminal food shopping options destinations flight options travelers advertisement gary kelly chief executive southwest airlines largest carrier love called repeal home run giddy said boom business never know offering something new customers respond competitors respond future love less likely include sweeping changes airport pretty much reached limit many flights operate smaller changes possible mix carriers destinations wright amendment enacted 1980 restrict flights love protect dfw airport southwest could sell tickets handful states 2006 compromise let airline fly anywhere united states long flight made least one stop inside texas eight states amendments repeal meant southwest carriers operating love could fly nonstop dallas us airport expected growth love field happen one knew would blow like mark duebner aviation director city dallas said late last month expects number passengers boarding plane love jump 45 million 7 million year roster airlines flying passengers changed somewhat last year southwest largest carrier love expanded 118 departures 16 cities oct 13 2014 180 flights 50 cities today virgin america moved operations dfw airport 19 daily flights received two gates american airlines antitrust agreement advertisement delta air lines flies five daily flights atlanta united airlines longer flies subleases two gates southwest united flies dallasfort worth international airport seaport airlines loves smallest operator transferred two daily departures last month houstons george bush intercontinental airport north texas seen major economic impact wright repeal said brian campbell aviation consultant alexandria va estimates change brought 58000 new visitors spent 91 million passenger traffic love jumped nearly 88 percent 607249 people september 2014 august southwest accounted 90 percent increase traffic 79 percent virgin america 79456 passengers love august accounting 6 percent market airline respond requests comment dfw airport saw 592617 passengers 11 percent september 2014 august american controls 84 percent market dfw dfw still accounts bulk air travel north texas 58 million passengers august vs 13 million love field impact almost nothing aviation consultant michael boyd said love matter happens love field secondary airport indeed fort worthbased american carrying local passengers higher demand lower fares president scott kirby said july american carried 337400 people dfw airport 12 months august year earlier however passenger unit revenue airport fell 5 percent second quarter partly due matching rivals lower prices competitive markets kirby said north texans seen new flights places like atlanta denver chicago las vegas phoenix san francisco theyve also seen lower fares average north texas fare fell 13 percent 35 percent new cities entered southwest late 2014 compared late 2013 consultant campbell said southwest research shows airfare declined average nearly 35 love 16 cities overall average fare year 162 vs 187 industry said chief financial officer tammy romo love maxed gates airlines fly 6 11 pm fly internationally means future growth must come mix airlines frequency flights flying larger planes southwest controls 18 loves 20 gates plan challenge remaining restrictions love kelly said struck deal thought deal reasonable said wright repeal agreed five parties love also issues neighborhood noise ordinance could constrain growth insufficient parking number additional travelers last month city dallas opened new remote parking lot 1300 spaces harry hines boulevard new 5000space parking garage scheduled open late 2017 industry consultant boyd projects loves growth plateau around 10 million people boarding planes year 2019 47 million 2014 kelly acknowledges southwests growth love however said could expand didnt share gate delta southwest delta fighting use gates love since late last year theyre awaiting federal judges ruling matter southwest said maxed 180 flights day love could fly 175seat boeing 737800 planes flies mix 737 models love planes 32 53 fewer seats 800s travelers likely see southwest expand us cities internationally example airline start flying internationally houston hobby airport thursday starting seven daily flights six latin american cities industry experts expect southwest expand cities like houston florida new york places busy domestic traffic also act gateways foreign destinations long term kelly thinks airline add roughly 50 us routes current network 97 routes ___ information dallas morning news httpwwwdallasnewscom ap member exchange shared dallas morning news
| 701 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p />
<p>The U.S. departure from the Trans-Pacific Partnership could help President Xi Jinping’s effort to cast Beijing as a champion of free trade and might increase official interest in a Chinese-led alternative trade deal. The TPP, which excluded China, has been seen as a gambit by Trump’s predecessor, Barack Obama, to counter Beijing’s influence.</p>
<p>It could also strengthen ties with China’s neighbors as Beijing prepares for potential challenges from Washington on thorny issues including claims over the South China Sea and the status of Taiwan, the self-ruled island Chinese leaders claim as part of their territory.</p>
<p>Here is a look at these issues and what they mean for China.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>TPP AND THE RISE OF CHINA:</p>
<p>The U.S. withdrawal from TPP gives China an opening to step up as a leader in forging Asian trade agreements.</p>
<p>In an implicit rejection of Trump’s promises to restrict imports, Xi defended free trade in a speech last week at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, calling on other governments to reject protectionism.</p>
<p>“China is likely to play a much stronger lead role in the future Asia Pacific trade architecture,” Rajiv Biswas, chief Asia economist for IHS Markit, said in a report.</p>
<p>Beijing has launched its own initiatives to develop Asian trade centered on China including a bank to finance roads, ports and railways and the “One Belt, One Road” project to develop links with European markets.</p>
<p>The cost of Trump’s decision will fall most heavily on Chinese neighbors such as Vietnam and Malaysia that stood to gain from easier access to the U.S. market.</p>
<p>That could increase interest in another Chinese-led initiative, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. It is less sweeping than the TPP and would allow more protection for state-owned industry.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>At the same time, Trump also has promised to pursue trade deals with individual TPP countries.</p>
<p>“This bilateral approach may also provide opportunities for further trade liberalization,” Biswas said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>TRUMP AND TRADE</p>
<p>Trump’s rejection of TPP is the first step in an ambitious agenda aimed at rearranging trade with Asia — with sweeping potential repercussions for regional economies.</p>
<p>Trump has promised to raise tariffs on Chinese goods to 45 percent and to induce American manufacturers to shift production to the United States. He says he will negotiate bilateral trade deals with individual Asian countries, which could redirect trade flows.</p>
<p>Those moves could erode China’s influence, which stems in part from being its neighbors’ biggest export market on the strength of demand by Chinese factories for raw materials and components that go into U.S.-bound goods.</p>
<p>The American Chamber of Commerce in China said last week that Beijing is preparing to retaliate in the event Trump goes ahead with measures to restrict imports. The chamber said Chinese authorities already have toughened their stance by imposing unusually high duties in an anti-dumping case in January aimed at a U.S. chemical used in livestock feed.</p>
<p>Disruption in U.S.-China trade “could have negative impact effects on supply chains throughout Asia,” said Biswas. Trump’s plan to shift manufacturing to the United States “could also have some negative investment diversion effects on manufacturing investment away from China.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>SOUTH CHINA SEA and TAIWAN</p>
<p>Trump’s choice for secretary of state has rattled Beijing by saying Washington might try to block access to artificial Chinese islands in the South China Sea, prompting warnings the United States might face a military clash if it does.</p>
<p>White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Monday the Trump administration would “defend international territories” including in the South China Sea, a region of conflicting claims by China and its neighbors. Trump’s nominee for top U.S. diplomat, Rex Tillerson, said earlier the United States should stop Beijing from constructing artificial islands and deny it access to them.</p>
<p>Beijing has protested the sailing of U.S. warships in the waters as provocative.</p>
<p>“If the U.S. takes actions against China’s moves to protect their own sea territories, it may result in serous military confrontation,” said Sun Hao, an international relations expert at the China Foreign Affairs University in Beijing.</p>
<p>Teng Jianqun, a scholar at the China Institute of International Studies, said he didn’t believe the U.S. would follow through on the threat of a blockade, saying: “it’s like announcing war. That would be ridiculous.”</p>
<p>China’s island building has irritated neighbors including the Philippines that have competing claims. They worry the islands will be used to expand China’s military reach or perhaps block shipping.</p>
<p>“Both Tillerson and Spicer seem to be trying to show China that the Trump administration will adopt a tougher approach on the South China Sea, but it’s evident that they haven’t yet developed a policy,” said Bonnie Glaser, senior adviser for Asia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Glaser said the Trump administration needed to send “clear, consistent” signals to China.</p>
<p>Before his inauguration, Trump raised concern in Beijing over how Washington will treat Taiwan.</p>
<p>Trump questioned a policy under which Washington since 1979 has recognized Beijing as China’s government. He said the United States should not be bound by it without getting trade or other benefits from China. Chinese officials responded that the issue is non-negotiable and warned U.S. challenges would disrupt peace in the region.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Associated Press writer Nomaan Merchant and researcher Yu Bing contributed to this report.</p>
| false | 2 |
us departure transpacific partnership could help president xi jinpings effort cast beijing champion free trade might increase official interest chineseled alternative trade deal tpp excluded china seen gambit trumps predecessor barack obama counter beijings influence could also strengthen ties chinas neighbors beijing prepares potential challenges washington thorny issues including claims south china sea status taiwan selfruled island chinese leaders claim part territory look issues mean china advertisement ___ tpp rise china us withdrawal tpp gives china opening step leader forging asian trade agreements implicit rejection trumps promises restrict imports xi defended free trade speech last week world economic forum switzerland calling governments reject protectionism china likely play much stronger lead role future asia pacific trade architecture rajiv biswas chief asia economist ihs markit said report beijing launched initiatives develop asian trade centered china including bank finance roads ports railways one belt one road project develop links european markets cost trumps decision fall heavily chinese neighbors vietnam malaysia stood gain easier access us market could increase interest another chineseled initiative regional comprehensive economic partnership less sweeping tpp would allow protection stateowned industry advertisement time trump also promised pursue trade deals individual tpp countries bilateral approach may also provide opportunities trade liberalization biswas said ___ trump trade trumps rejection tpp first step ambitious agenda aimed rearranging trade asia sweeping potential repercussions regional economies trump promised raise tariffs chinese goods 45 percent induce american manufacturers shift production united states says negotiate bilateral trade deals individual asian countries could redirect trade flows moves could erode chinas influence stems part neighbors biggest export market strength demand chinese factories raw materials components go usbound goods american chamber commerce china said last week beijing preparing retaliate event trump goes ahead measures restrict imports chamber said chinese authorities already toughened stance imposing unusually high duties antidumping case january aimed us chemical used livestock feed disruption uschina trade could negative impact effects supply chains throughout asia said biswas trumps plan shift manufacturing united states could also negative investment diversion effects manufacturing investment away china ___ south china sea taiwan trumps choice secretary state rattled beijing saying washington might try block access artificial chinese islands south china sea prompting warnings united states might face military clash white house press secretary sean spicer said monday trump administration would defend international territories including south china sea region conflicting claims china neighbors trumps nominee top us diplomat rex tillerson said earlier united states stop beijing constructing artificial islands deny access beijing protested sailing us warships waters provocative us takes actions chinas moves protect sea territories may result serous military confrontation said sun hao international relations expert china foreign affairs university beijing teng jianqun scholar china institute international studies said didnt believe us would follow threat blockade saying like announcing war would ridiculous chinas island building irritated neighbors including philippines competing claims worry islands used expand chinas military reach perhaps block shipping tillerson spicer seem trying show china trump administration adopt tougher approach south china sea evident havent yet developed policy said bonnie glaser senior adviser asia center strategic international studies glaser said trump administration needed send clear consistent signals china inauguration trump raised concern beijing washington treat taiwan trump questioned policy washington since 1979 recognized beijing chinas government said united states bound without getting trade benefits china chinese officials responded issue nonnegotiable warned us challenges would disrupt peace region ___ associated press writer nomaan merchant researcher yu bing contributed report
| 567 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p />
<p>Born in Scotland, he commanded a war ship for the newly formed Continental Navy, then hoisted the first U.S. flag over a naval vessel. He fought the British during the American Revolution. And he died in 1792.</p>
<p>But he still plows deep furrows in the oceans.</p>
<p>The USS Destroyer John Paul Jones is a marvel of technology, and sitting at the helm is Cmdr. Andrew “Drew” J. Thomson, a native of land-locked New Mexico.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>It is ironic to think that at the time Jones was sailing the seas in his 24-gun frigate, New Mexico was part of New Spain.</p>
<p>Now the ship’s commander sails out of San Diego, but Thomson, 40, says there are many days he misses New Mexico – specifically the scent of green chile.</p>
<p>“New Mexico cuisine is very different and hard to export, though a few weeks ago a local grocery store brought in Hatch chiles and they were roasting them out in front of the store. That brought me right back home,” he says. “There’s only one thing in the world that smells like that.”</p>
<p>And there’s only one other fragrance he prefers more than that – the smell of the salty air when he’s out at sea.</p>
<p>From flying to sailing</p>
<p>The guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones is a marvel of technology, and the man at the helm is Cmdr. Andrew “Drew” J. Thomson, a New Mexico native. The ship is currently deployed with the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, part of U.S. 7th Fleet in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean. (Courtesy Of U.s. Navy)</p>
<p>Thomson graduated from Albuquerque Academy in 1992 and attended the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., “where I thought I might like to fly.”</p>
<p>His less-than-perfect eyesight put the kibosh to that.</p>
<p>But he quickly changed his focus when, as a midshipman during the summer between his freshman and sophomore years, he went to sea for the first time.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>“We took a small ship, a yard patrol craft, out to sea and up the Eastern seaboard to Halifax, Nova Scotia,” he recalls. “We were out there for four days when we were socked in by the most amazing fog bank. It was completely still, and the ship was navigating by radar only. What I remember most vividly is how quiet it was. The sea was dead flat and the only noise was from the engine of the ship and the bow cutting through the water. It was tons of fun.”</p>
<p>The next time he went to sea as a midshipman, the experience was not so calm and reflective. “I spent three weeks on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier Constellation, which has to be one of the loudest, busiest and most dangerous places on earth.” Nevertheless, he says, that too was “tons of fun.”</p>
<p>Cmdr. Andrew “Drew” Thomson talks with one of his junior sailors on the ship’s bridge wing. (Courtesy Of U.s. Navy/Lt. Rick Chernitzer)</p>
<p>A nautical heritage</p>
<p>Thomson says he knew from the time he was in junior high school that he would attend the Naval Academy, though he can’t point to any particular reason why.</p>
<p>“It was just something I wanted to do, it just struck me as where I wanted to be.” Of course, there is a little bit of nautical heritage in the family. Thomson’s great-grandfather, Orville G. Bradbury, and his great-uncle, Robert Stamm, founders of Bradbury Stamm Construction company, both served in the Navy – Bradbury in World War I and Stamm in World War II.</p>
<p>Thomson’s first assignment after graduating from the Naval Academy in 1996 was as a division officer aboard the USS Gary, a Navy frigate designed as a smaller surface combatant ship to hunt for submarines and defend carriers, he says. “My job there was to work with eight or so diesel mechanics and engine men to provide the ship’s electricity, air, water, refrigerant and that sort of thing.”</p>
<p>Over the subsequent years, Thomson attended and graduated from the Naval War College, obtained a master’s degree in national security studies, and was given ever more responsibility as he was assigned to different state-of-the-art fighting ships. Among them was the cruiser USS Bunker Hill, the guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney, the carrier USS Nimitz and then the guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones, where he was an executive officer and now captain.</p>
<p>The USS John Paul Jones steams into position during an exercise with the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group in the Pacific Ocean. “The ship could conceivably stay at sea for months at a time without entering ports as long as it can get restocked at sea,” says its commander, Cmdr. Andrew “Drew” J. Thomson. (Courtesy Of U.s. Navy)</p>
<p>The ship</p>
<p>John Paul Jones would hardly recognize the ship carrying his name today. His first Continental Navy command was aboard the USS Alfred, a man-of-war wooden hull sailing vessel. The ship displaced 440 tons, was 140 feet long, 32 feet wide and had a complement of 220 officers and men to rig and trim the sails and operate its smoothbore cannons that could fling a 6- or 9-pound shell a few hundred yards.</p>
<p>The USS John Paul Jones is a steel hull guided-missile destroyer that displaces 9,000 tons, is 500 feet long, 66 feet wide and has a complement of about 275 officers and enlisted personnel. It is powered by four gas turbines that produce 100,000 total horsepower to two shafts. It is outfitted with the AEGIS Weapons System, the most advanced air defense network in the world, and can launch Tomahawk and Harpoon cruise missiles, standard missiles, rocket-launched torpedoes, and cannons that can accurately shoot a 70 pound shell 18 miles.</p>
<p>“The ship could conceivably stay at sea for months at a time without entering ports as long as it can get restocked at sea,” said Thomson, adding that he has already taken the vessel to Dubai, Bahrain, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Hawaii.</p>
<p>Family life</p>
<p>The extended periods at sea have “been a challenge” to Thomson and his wife, Amie, a San Diego native, and their two children, daughter Mia, 13, and son Henry, 5. “We’ve had a pretty extensive support network with family and friends who get us through the times when we are apart,” he says.</p>
<p>Other than the extended separation from family, there isn’t much downside to his career, he says.</p>
<p>“There’s nothing really hard about a job you enjoy and this is clearly the best job I’ve ever had in the Navy. I’m pretty happy.”</p>
<p />
| false | 2 |
born scotland commanded war ship newly formed continental navy hoisted first us flag naval vessel fought british american revolution died 1792 still plows deep furrows oceans uss destroyer john paul jones marvel technology sitting helm cmdr andrew drew j thomson native landlocked new mexico advertisement ironic think time jones sailing seas 24gun frigate new mexico part new spain ships commander sails san diego thomson 40 says many days misses new mexico specifically scent green chile new mexico cuisine different hard export though weeks ago local grocery store brought hatch chiles roasting front store brought right back home says theres one thing world smells like theres one fragrance prefers smell salty air hes sea flying sailing guidedmissile destroyer uss john paul jones marvel technology man helm cmdr andrew drew j thomson new mexico native ship currently deployed nimitz carrier strike group part us 7th fleet western pacific indian ocean courtesy us navy thomson graduated albuquerque academy 1992 attended us naval academy annapolis md thought might like fly lessthanperfect eyesight put kibosh quickly changed focus midshipman summer freshman sophomore years went sea first time advertisement took small ship yard patrol craft sea eastern seaboard halifax nova scotia recalls four days socked amazing fog bank completely still ship navigating radar remember vividly quiet sea dead flat noise engine ship bow cutting water tons fun next time went sea midshipman experience calm reflective spent three weeks flight deck aircraft carrier constellation one loudest busiest dangerous places earth nevertheless says tons fun cmdr andrew drew thomson talks one junior sailors ships bridge wing courtesy us navylt rick chernitzer nautical heritage thomson says knew time junior high school would attend naval academy though cant point particular reason something wanted struck wanted course little bit nautical heritage family thomsons greatgrandfather orville g bradbury greatuncle robert stamm founders bradbury stamm construction company served navy bradbury world war stamm world war ii thomsons first assignment graduating naval academy 1996 division officer aboard uss gary navy frigate designed smaller surface combatant ship hunt submarines defend carriers says job work eight diesel mechanics engine men provide ships electricity air water refrigerant sort thing subsequent years thomson attended graduated naval war college obtained masters degree national security studies given ever responsibility assigned different stateoftheart fighting ships among cruiser uss bunker hill guidedmissile destroyer uss pinckney carrier uss nimitz guidedmissile destroyer uss john paul jones executive officer captain uss john paul jones steams position exercise nimitz carrier strike group pacific ocean ship could conceivably stay sea months time without entering ports long get restocked sea says commander cmdr andrew drew j thomson courtesy us navy ship john paul jones would hardly recognize ship carrying name today first continental navy command aboard uss alfred manofwar wooden hull sailing vessel ship displaced 440 tons 140 feet long 32 feet wide complement 220 officers men rig trim sails operate smoothbore cannons could fling 6 9pound shell hundred yards uss john paul jones steel hull guidedmissile destroyer displaces 9000 tons 500 feet long 66 feet wide complement 275 officers enlisted personnel powered four gas turbines produce 100000 total horsepower two shafts outfitted aegis weapons system advanced air defense network world launch tomahawk harpoon cruise missiles standard missiles rocketlaunched torpedoes cannons accurately shoot 70 pound shell 18 miles ship could conceivably stay sea months time without entering ports long get restocked sea said thomson adding already taken vessel dubai bahrain kuala lumpur hong kong hawaii family life extended periods sea challenge thomson wife amie san diego native two children daughter mia 13 son henry 5 weve pretty extensive support network family friends get us times apart says extended separation family isnt much downside career says theres nothing really hard job enjoy clearly best job ive ever navy im pretty happy
| 622 |
<p>Within four days of being fired by Sheffield Wednesday, Carlos Carvalhal has achieved what eluded him at the second-tier club: Promotion to the English Premier League.</p>
<p>Keeping the job at Swansea beyond the end of this season is likely to depend on whether the south Wales club wins the battle against relegation for a second successive year.</p>
<p>The 52-year-old Carvalhal is Swansea’s fifth manager in around two years — a reflection of the struggles on the pitch and disjointed thinking in the boardroom at the 2013 League Cup winner which was previously lauded as a model club.</p>
<p>The journeyman Portuguese coach inherits a team from Paul Clement that is bottom of the standings and five points from safety with 18 games remaining.</p>
<p>“In this moment, maybe if you ask 100 people who follow football,” Carvalhal said on Thursday, “they will say Swansea are going to get relegated.”</p>
<p>The form points to that: One win in 12 games, with the latest loss a 5-0 collapse at Liverpool on Tuesday, and a league-low 11 goals in 20 games.</p>
<p>“A lot of people would say we need a miracle to stay in the Premier League,” Carvalhal said. “But I don’t agree, because miracles are not something from our world. Our job is to win.”</p>
<p>The appointment is another gamble by restless American owners Stephen Kaplan and Jason Levien. Last season’s paid off, in the short term. Clement, who was hired in January after Bob Bradley’s ill-fated 85-day tenure, kept Swansea in world football’s richest league but the drop in form led to his dismissal before reaching his first anniversary.</p>
<p>Carvalhal has no previous experience coaching in the English top-flight, or any of the continent’s major leagues. Although Carvalhal led Sheffield Wednesday into the playoffs for promotion to the Premier League in each of his full seasons in charge, he fell short on both occasions. And after a seven-game winless run led to Wednesday fans calling for his dismissal at the weekend, the mid-table northern English club did just that on Sunday.</p>
<p>Far from arriving in Swansea with a diminished status, Carvalhal insisted he was a manager in demand.</p>
<p>“In a very short time I received a lot of offers from different parts of world,” he said.</p>
<p>Carvalhal has been given a contract for only the second half of the season at Swansea, but there is an option to extend it.</p>
<p>“We felt we needed to get the managerial situation resolved as soon as possible and while the timing is not always perfect, we can look forward to the second half of the campaign with renewed optimism,” Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins said.</p>
<p>One of the symbols of Swansea’s struggles this season has been Renato Sanches. The winger left Bayern Munich on loan in an unexpected move in the summer transfer window, but he has failed to demonstrate in the Premier League why he was once being talked about as Portugal’s natural heir to Cristiano Ronaldo barely a year ago.</p>
<p>One of Carvalhal’s missions is to revive the fortunes of his 20-year-old compatriot.</p>
<p>“He needs confidence,” Carvalhal said. “It is easy to forget because he has played for Benfica and the Portuguese national team that he is still only a kid. He needs a role in the team. With time he and the other players will understand the different roles they have in the team.</p>
<p>“He will be involved in the dynamic and when he understands what we want, he will be a completely different player.”</p>
<p>That could depend on Carvalhal’s ability to bring the free-flowing football back to Swansea, but for now gritty results are required to amass points.</p>
<p>“He has built up a lot of experience over the years which will ensure the team is structured and organized,” Jenkins said. “He is driven and ambitious and while he has a big challenge ahead of him, I know he will tackle it without fear.”</p>
<p>It is not the first time hiring Carvalhal has seemed a gamble. He had been out of work for three years when he was handed his first job in England in 2015 by Sheffield Wednesday.</p>
<p>Before then, he had mostly drifted around jobs in Portuguese leagues but there were also stints in Greece and Turkey.</p>
<p>Among the career highlights was leading third-tier Portuguese club Leixoes into the now-defunct UEFA Cup in 2002 after reaching the final of the Portuguese Cup. He later steered Vitoria Setubal into the Portuguese top-flight, returned to the UEFA Cup via a sixth-place finish and won the Portuguese League Cup.</p>
<p>His highest profile jobs came between 2009 and 2012 when he coached Sporting Lisbon and Besiktas in Turkey.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Rob Harris is at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/RobHarris" type="external">www.twitter.com/RobHarris</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/RobHarrisReports" type="external">www.facebook.com/RobHarrisReports</a></p>
<p>AP Premier League coverage: <a href="" type="internal">www.apnews.com/tag/PremierLeague</a></p>
<p>Within four days of being fired by Sheffield Wednesday, Carlos Carvalhal has achieved what eluded him at the second-tier club: Promotion to the English Premier League.</p>
<p>Keeping the job at Swansea beyond the end of this season is likely to depend on whether the south Wales club wins the battle against relegation for a second successive year.</p>
<p>The 52-year-old Carvalhal is Swansea’s fifth manager in around two years — a reflection of the struggles on the pitch and disjointed thinking in the boardroom at the 2013 League Cup winner which was previously lauded as a model club.</p>
<p>The journeyman Portuguese coach inherits a team from Paul Clement that is bottom of the standings and five points from safety with 18 games remaining.</p>
<p>“In this moment, maybe if you ask 100 people who follow football,” Carvalhal said on Thursday, “they will say Swansea are going to get relegated.”</p>
<p>The form points to that: One win in 12 games, with the latest loss a 5-0 collapse at Liverpool on Tuesday, and a league-low 11 goals in 20 games.</p>
<p>“A lot of people would say we need a miracle to stay in the Premier League,” Carvalhal said. “But I don’t agree, because miracles are not something from our world. Our job is to win.”</p>
<p>The appointment is another gamble by restless American owners Stephen Kaplan and Jason Levien. Last season’s paid off, in the short term. Clement, who was hired in January after Bob Bradley’s ill-fated 85-day tenure, kept Swansea in world football’s richest league but the drop in form led to his dismissal before reaching his first anniversary.</p>
<p>Carvalhal has no previous experience coaching in the English top-flight, or any of the continent’s major leagues. Although Carvalhal led Sheffield Wednesday into the playoffs for promotion to the Premier League in each of his full seasons in charge, he fell short on both occasions. And after a seven-game winless run led to Wednesday fans calling for his dismissal at the weekend, the mid-table northern English club did just that on Sunday.</p>
<p>Far from arriving in Swansea with a diminished status, Carvalhal insisted he was a manager in demand.</p>
<p>“In a very short time I received a lot of offers from different parts of world,” he said.</p>
<p>Carvalhal has been given a contract for only the second half of the season at Swansea, but there is an option to extend it.</p>
<p>“We felt we needed to get the managerial situation resolved as soon as possible and while the timing is not always perfect, we can look forward to the second half of the campaign with renewed optimism,” Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins said.</p>
<p>One of the symbols of Swansea’s struggles this season has been Renato Sanches. The winger left Bayern Munich on loan in an unexpected move in the summer transfer window, but he has failed to demonstrate in the Premier League why he was once being talked about as Portugal’s natural heir to Cristiano Ronaldo barely a year ago.</p>
<p>One of Carvalhal’s missions is to revive the fortunes of his 20-year-old compatriot.</p>
<p>“He needs confidence,” Carvalhal said. “It is easy to forget because he has played for Benfica and the Portuguese national team that he is still only a kid. He needs a role in the team. With time he and the other players will understand the different roles they have in the team.</p>
<p>“He will be involved in the dynamic and when he understands what we want, he will be a completely different player.”</p>
<p>That could depend on Carvalhal’s ability to bring the free-flowing football back to Swansea, but for now gritty results are required to amass points.</p>
<p>“He has built up a lot of experience over the years which will ensure the team is structured and organized,” Jenkins said. “He is driven and ambitious and while he has a big challenge ahead of him, I know he will tackle it without fear.”</p>
<p>It is not the first time hiring Carvalhal has seemed a gamble. He had been out of work for three years when he was handed his first job in England in 2015 by Sheffield Wednesday.</p>
<p>Before then, he had mostly drifted around jobs in Portuguese leagues but there were also stints in Greece and Turkey.</p>
<p>Among the career highlights was leading third-tier Portuguese club Leixoes into the now-defunct UEFA Cup in 2002 after reaching the final of the Portuguese Cup. He later steered Vitoria Setubal into the Portuguese top-flight, returned to the UEFA Cup via a sixth-place finish and won the Portuguese League Cup.</p>
<p>His highest profile jobs came between 2009 and 2012 when he coached Sporting Lisbon and Besiktas in Turkey.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Rob Harris is at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/RobHarris" type="external">www.twitter.com/RobHarris</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/RobHarrisReports" type="external">www.facebook.com/RobHarrisReports</a></p>
<p>AP Premier League coverage: <a href="" type="internal">www.apnews.com/tag/PremierLeague</a></p>
| false | 2 |
within four days fired sheffield wednesday carlos carvalhal achieved eluded secondtier club promotion english premier league keeping job swansea beyond end season likely depend whether south wales club wins battle relegation second successive year 52yearold carvalhal swanseas fifth manager around two years reflection struggles pitch disjointed thinking boardroom 2013 league cup winner previously lauded model club journeyman portuguese coach inherits team paul clement bottom standings five points safety 18 games remaining moment maybe ask 100 people follow football carvalhal said thursday say swansea going get relegated form points one win 12 games latest loss 50 collapse liverpool tuesday leaguelow 11 goals 20 games lot people would say need miracle stay premier league carvalhal said dont agree miracles something world job win appointment another gamble restless american owners stephen kaplan jason levien last seasons paid short term clement hired january bob bradleys illfated 85day tenure kept swansea world footballs richest league drop form led dismissal reaching first anniversary carvalhal previous experience coaching english topflight continents major leagues although carvalhal led sheffield wednesday playoffs promotion premier league full seasons charge fell short occasions sevengame winless run led wednesday fans calling dismissal weekend midtable northern english club sunday far arriving swansea diminished status carvalhal insisted manager demand short time received lot offers different parts world said carvalhal given contract second half season swansea option extend felt needed get managerial situation resolved soon possible timing always perfect look forward second half campaign renewed optimism swansea chairman huw jenkins said one symbols swanseas struggles season renato sanches winger left bayern munich loan unexpected move summer transfer window failed demonstrate premier league talked portugals natural heir cristiano ronaldo barely year ago one carvalhals missions revive fortunes 20yearold compatriot needs confidence carvalhal said easy forget played benfica portuguese national team still kid needs role team time players understand different roles team involved dynamic understands want completely different player could depend carvalhals ability bring freeflowing football back swansea gritty results required amass points built lot experience years ensure team structured organized jenkins said driven ambitious big challenge ahead know tackle without fear first time hiring carvalhal seemed gamble work three years handed first job england 2015 sheffield wednesday mostly drifted around jobs portuguese leagues also stints greece turkey among career highlights leading thirdtier portuguese club leixoes nowdefunct uefa cup 2002 reaching final portuguese cup later steered vitoria setubal portuguese topflight returned uefa cup via sixthplace finish portuguese league cup highest profile jobs came 2009 2012 coached sporting lisbon besiktas turkey ___ rob harris wwwtwittercomrobharris wwwfacebookcomrobharrisreports ap premier league coverage wwwapnewscomtagpremierleague within four days fired sheffield wednesday carlos carvalhal achieved eluded secondtier club promotion english premier league keeping job swansea beyond end season likely depend whether south wales club wins battle relegation second successive year 52yearold carvalhal swanseas fifth manager around two years reflection struggles pitch disjointed thinking boardroom 2013 league cup winner previously lauded model club journeyman portuguese coach inherits team paul clement bottom standings five points safety 18 games remaining moment maybe ask 100 people follow football carvalhal said thursday say swansea going get relegated form points one win 12 games latest loss 50 collapse liverpool tuesday leaguelow 11 goals 20 games lot people would say need miracle stay premier league carvalhal said dont agree miracles something world job win appointment another gamble restless american owners stephen kaplan jason levien last seasons paid short term clement hired january bob bradleys illfated 85day tenure kept swansea world footballs richest league drop form led dismissal reaching first anniversary carvalhal previous experience coaching english topflight continents major leagues although carvalhal led sheffield wednesday playoffs promotion premier league full seasons charge fell short occasions sevengame winless run led wednesday fans calling dismissal weekend midtable northern english club sunday far arriving swansea diminished status carvalhal insisted manager demand short time received lot offers different parts world said carvalhal given contract second half season swansea option extend felt needed get managerial situation resolved soon possible timing always perfect look forward second half campaign renewed optimism swansea chairman huw jenkins said one symbols swanseas struggles season renato sanches winger left bayern munich loan unexpected move summer transfer window failed demonstrate premier league talked portugals natural heir cristiano ronaldo barely year ago one carvalhals missions revive fortunes 20yearold compatriot needs confidence carvalhal said easy forget played benfica portuguese national team still kid needs role team time players understand different roles team involved dynamic understands want completely different player could depend carvalhals ability bring freeflowing football back swansea gritty results required amass points built lot experience years ensure team structured organized jenkins said driven ambitious big challenge ahead know tackle without fear first time hiring carvalhal seemed gamble work three years handed first job england 2015 sheffield wednesday mostly drifted around jobs portuguese leagues also stints greece turkey among career highlights leading thirdtier portuguese club leixoes nowdefunct uefa cup 2002 reaching final portuguese cup later steered vitoria setubal portuguese topflight returned uefa cup via sixthplace finish portuguese league cup highest profile jobs came 2009 2012 coached sporting lisbon besiktas turkey ___ rob harris wwwtwittercomrobharris wwwfacebookcomrobharrisreports ap premier league coverage wwwapnewscomtagpremierleague
| 844 |
<p>(Adds detail)</p>
<p>By Bart Meijer</p>
<p>AMSTERDAM, Jan 18 (Reuters) - The Dutch gas regulator will miss a Jan. 25 deadline to issue a recommendation for limits on production at the Groningen gas field following the latest in a series of earthquakes.</p>
<p>Regulator SodM was asked to provide advice on a new production cut after the northern Dutch region was hit by the strongest earthquake in years on Jan 8.</p>
<p>Both the regulator and gas production company NAM, a joint venture between Royal Dutch Shell and Exxon Mobil , have said that production needs to be cut substantially from the current level of 21.6 billion cubic metres (bcm) per year to limit seismic risks in the region.</p>
<p>“The advice will not be finished next week. We hope to have clarity on the timing by Monday (Jan. 22)”, SodM spokeswoman Cynthia Heijne said on Thursday.</p>
<p>Responding to the latest earthquake, NAM did not recommend a precise level for future production, saying that decision should be taken by the government.</p>
<p>But SodM criticised NAM for being too vague.</p>
<p>Calculations released by NAM on Thursday showed production theoretically needs to be halved from its present level, to limit risks to a level that the regulator has previously deemed acceptable.</p>
<p>SodM did not want to react to the NAM calculations, but said they would be taken into account in its decision.</p>
<p>Economy Minister Eric Wiebes this week said production will be lowered by “as much as reasonably possible” in the next three years. A detailed proposal will be presented before the end of March, he said.</p>
<p>The Dutch government has lowered gas production several times in recent years, as decades of gas extraction have been linked to dozens of earthquakes every year in the Groningen region, causing damage to thousands of buildings and homes. (Reporting by Bart Meijer; editing by Jason Neely/Keith Weir)</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>SCHROBENHAUSEN, Germany (Reuters) - Bauer, a big producer of construction equipment, is better placed than many German companies that invested heavily in China over the past few decades.</p> Thomas Bauer, CEO of Bavaria-based construction equipment maker Bauer AG, talks during an interview with Reuters in Schrobenhausen, Germany April 3, 2018. REUTERS/Michael Dalder
<p>The Bavaria-based firm, which traces its roots back to 1790, does not have to worry about keeping a Chinese joint venture partner happy because it is the sole owner of its two plants in Shanghai and Tianjin.</p>
<p>And the specialist engineering machines Bauer produces there are sold in countries across Asia, shielding the group from swings in the volatile Chinese building market.</p>
<p>Even so, CEO Thomas Bauer, the seventh generation in his family to run the firm, is worried about his company’s place in China and a broader economic relationship that until recently was seen by German corporations and politicians as a lucrative one-way bet.</p>
<p>“Germany has put too many eggs into one basket, and that basket is China,” Bauer, a jovial 62-year-old with a thick Bavarian accent, told Reuters at the company’s headquarters in Schrobenhausen, an hour’s drive north of Munich.</p>
<p>Bauer’s BSAG.DE concern points to a growing fear in Germany. For more than a decade, the country has been the growth locomotive of Europe, its economy weathering global financial turmoil, the euro zone debt crisis and a record influx of refugees.</p>
<p>That resilience was based on two key drivers: Germany had innovative firms that produced high-end manufactured goods that fast-growing economies needed; and the country was better than others at profiting from an open, rules-based global trading system that rewarded competitiveness.</p>
<p>China has been crucial on both fronts. Over the past decade it bought up German cars and machinery at an astonishing pace, as it gradually opened up to foreign firms. Last year alone, German manufacturers sold nearly 5 million cars in China, more than three times as many as in the United States.</p>
<p>But even as the good times roll on, a radical shift is taking place in how Deutschland AG views the vast Chinese market.</p>
<p>Not only has the opening of China shifted into reverse under President Xi Jinping, but Chinese firms have moved up the value chain far faster than many in Germany expected.</p>
<p>Germany’s China conundrum is part of a broader challenge facing Europe: Years of inward-focused crisis fighting have left the bloc politically divided and ill-prepared to respond to looming geopolitical and economic challenges. Now the continent risks being squeezed between a more assertive Beijing and the “America First” policies of Donald Trump.</p>
<p>In private, some executives liken the situation of German industry in China to the proverbial frog in a pot of slowly heating water which ends up boiling to death because it won’t or can’t jump out.</p>
<p>Germany’s ambassador to China, Michael Clauss, warned at a meeting with industry chiefs in Berlin last month of “tectonic changes” in the relationship, according to participants.</p>
<p>“We need to prepare people here for a new era in our partnership with China,” an official at Germany’s powerful BDI industry federation said. “These are still golden times. But there is a huge amount of concern about what lies ahead.”</p>
<p>(GRAPHIC: Germany's China problem - <a href="https://tmsnrt.rs/2GUN6BK" type="external">tmsnrt.rs/2GUN6BK</a>)</p> ROLE OF THE STATE
<p>German companies were among the first in the West to set up shop in China, giving Germany an advantage as the Chinese economy took off.</p>
<p>Bilateral trade between the two countries hit a record 187 billion euros last year, dwarfing China’s trade with France and the UK, both around 70 billion. In 2017, Germany ran a trade deficit with China of 14 billion euros, tiny compared to the U.S. deficit of $375 billion, or about 346 billion euros.</p>
<p>Bauer AG, which employs 11,000 workers in 70 countries, built its first production facilities in China in the mid-1990s. At the time, not a single Chinese firm could make the sophisticated drilling machines it produces – towering yellow structures used to build the foundations for skyscrapers, power stations and airports.</p>
<p>By 2013 Bauer counted 36 Chinese competitors able to make such machines, a shift the CEO says was accelerated by European suppliers selling co-designed parts to the Chinese.</p>
<p>A decade ago, the company’s Chinese plants generated revenues of 109 million euros. Sales slumped to less than half that amount in five of the nine years that followed.</p>
<p>Today, what Bauer and other German firms say they are most worried about is the role of the Chinese state in the economy.</p> Slideshow (7 Images)
<p>Last year, China introduced a cyber security law which tightened state control over internet services, including secure VPN connections that are used by foreign firms to communicate confidentially with headquarters. More recently, some German companies have complained of pressure to accept Communist party officials on the boards of their joint ventures.</p>
<p>The Bauer boss fears that Xi’s “Made in China 2025” strategy, which identifies 10 key sectors – including robotics, aerospace and clean-energy cars – where China wants to be a leader, represents a direct challenge to German manufacturing dominance.</p>
<p>To keep its edge Bauer says his firm is focusing intensively on digitalization.</p>
<p>“It will not be a contest against copiers. It will be one against innovative engineers who are intent on overtaking us,” he said. “If we don’t start finding answers soon, this can end very badly.”</p> TRUMP TARIFFS
<p>The German angst over China mirrors that which has prompted Trump to threaten Beijing with tens of billions of dollars in trade tariffs.</p>
<p>But because Germany’s top firms have become so dependent on the Chinese market, the government in Berlin has avoided confronting China head-on.</p>
<p>Back in February, carmaker Daimler ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=DAIGn.DE" type="external">DAIGn.DE</a>) showed just how skittish some companies are about upsetting Beijing.</p>
<a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=DAIGn.DE" type="external">Daimler AG</a> 65.65 DAIGn.DE Xetra +0.18 (+0.27%) DAIGn.DE 000333.SZ KU2G.DE
<p>After a backlash in China over a Mercedez-Benz ad on Instagram that quoted the Dalai Lama – the Tibetan spiritual leader seen by Beijing as a separatist – Daimler deleted the post and its CEO Dieter Zetsche wrote a letter expressing deep regret for the “hurt and grief” his company’s “negligent and insensitive mistake” had caused the Chinese people.</p>
<p>“There is a huge gap between what people in Germany are saying about China and what they are really thinking,” said Bernhard Bartsch of the Bertelsmann Foundation, a German research group.</p>
<p>Later this month, Bertelsmann and Berlin-based China think tank MERICS will host an Oxford Union-style debate on the motion: “In ten years’ time, China will have substantially undermined Europe’s political and economic system”</p>
<p>The mood among German firms operating in China is also souring.</p>
<p>A survey late last year from the German Chamber of Commerce in China showed that for the first time in many years, more than half of its members were not planning investments in new locations in China. Nearly 13 percent of German firms operating in China said they could leave within the next two years.</p>
<p>For decades, Germany’s approach to China could be summed up with the motto “Wandel durch Handel” (change through trade).</p>
<p>Now that strategy is in tatters and government officials joke darkly that the “win-win” relationship has a new meaning: China wins twice.</p>
<p>“The hope was that closer economic ties would lead to an opening. Today it is clear this was a false hope,” said a German government official. “They tell us what we want to hear and then do the opposite.”</p>
<p>Berlin is starting to push back. Last year, after Chinese firm Midea’s ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=000333.SZ" type="external">000333.SZ</a>) takeover of robotics maker Kuka ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=KU2G.DE" type="external">KU2G.DE</a>) sparked an uproar, it tightened restrictions on foreign investments and launched a push for new Europe-wide rules for screening takeovers.</p>
<p>In December, Germany’s domestic intelligence agency infuriated Beijing when it accused Chinese counterparts of using fake social media accounts to gather information on German politicians - a rare public rebuke that Berlin says was intended to send the Chinese a message.</p>
<p>A summit between the German and Chinese governments later this year is likely to reveal a tougher line from Berlin, officials say.</p>
<p>But they also concede that divisions within the EU and a wide gap between Europe and the go-it-alone Trump administration will make it more difficult to force change in Beijing.</p>
<p>“What the Chinese are really worried about is Europe and the United States working together against them,” said the German official. “In that sense, Trump really is a gift to China.”</p>
<p>Reporting by Noah Barkin; Editing by Simon Robinson</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>WASHINGTON/BEIRUT (Reuters) - Western powers said on Saturday their missile attacks struck at the heart of Syria’s chemical weapons program, but the restrained assault appeared unlikely to halt Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s progress in the 7-year-old civil war.</p>
<p>The United States, France and Britain launched 105 missiles overnight in retaliation for a suspected poison gas attack in Syria a week ago, targeting what the Pentagon said were three chemical weapons facilities, including a research and development center in Damascus’ Barzeh district and two installations near Homs.</p>
<p>The bombing was the biggest intervention by Western countries against Assad and his superpower ally Russia, but the three countries said the strikes were limited to Syria’s chemical weapons capabilities and not aimed at toppling Assad or intervening in the civil war.</p>
<p>The air attack, denounced by Damascus and its allies as an illegal act of aggression, was unlikely to alter the course of a multisided war that has killed at least half a million people.</p>
<p>U.S. President Donald Trump called the operation a success.</p>
<p>He proclaimed on Twitter: “Mission accomplished,” echoing former President George W. Bush, whose use of the same phrase in 2003 to describe the U.S. invasion of Iraq was widely ridiculed as violence there dragged on for years.</p>
<p>“We believe that by hitting Barzeh in particular we’ve attacked the heart of the Syrian chemicals weapon program,” U.S. Lieutenant General Kenneth McKenzie said at the Pentagon.</p>
<p>However, McKenzie acknowledged elements of the program remain and he could not guarantee that Syria would be unable to conduct a chemical attack in the future.</p> Related Coverage
<a href="/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-sarin/u-s-official-says-information-points-to-sarin-chlorine-use-in-syria-attack-idUSKBN1HL172" type="external">U.S. official says 'information' points to sarin, chlorine use in Syria attack</a>
<a href="/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-idlib/france-warns-of-humanitarian-disaster-in-syrian-city-idlib-idUSKBN1HL1C2" type="external">France warns of humanitarian disaster in Syrian city Idlib</a>
<a href="/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-un/russia-fails-in-u-n-bid-to-condemn-u-s-led-strikes-on-syria-idUSKBN1HL0S9" type="external">Russia fails in U.N. bid to condemn U.S.-led strikes on Syria</a>
<p>The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said at an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council that Trump told her that if Syria uses poisonous gas again, “The United States is locked and loaded.”</p>
<p>The Western countries said the strikes were aimed at preventing more Syrian chemical weapons attacks after a suspected poison gas attack in Douma on April 7 killed up to 75 people. They blame Assad’s government for the attack.</p>
<p>In Washington, a senior administration official said on Saturday that “while the available information is much greater on the chlorine use, we do have significant information that also points to sarin use” in the attack.</p>
<p>Speaking at a summit in Peru, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence seemed less sure of the use of sarin, saying that Washington may well determine that it was used along with chlorine.</p> ASSAD ‘RESILIENCE’
<p>Ten hours after the missiles hit, smoke was still rising from the remains of five destroyed buildings of the Syrian Scientific Research Center in Barzeh, where a Syrian employee said medical components were developed.</p>
<p>There were no immediate reports of casualties.</p>
<p>Syria released video of the wreckage of a bombed-out research lab, but also of Assad arriving at work as usual, with the caption “Morning of resilience”.</p>
<p>Late on Saturday Syria time, a large explosion was heard in a Syrian government-controlled area in a rural region south of Aleppo, according to the Britain-based war monitor The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Observatory said the cause of the explosion was unknown, as well as its target.</p>
<p>Russian and Iranian military help over the past three years has allowed Assad to crush the rebel threat to topple him.</p>
<p>The United States, Britain and France have all participated in the Syrian conflict for years, arming rebels, bombing Islamic State fighters and deploying troops on the ground to fight that group. But they have refrained from targeting Assad’s government, apart from a volley of U.S. missiles last year.</p>
<p>Although the Western countries have all said for seven years that Assad must leave power, they held back in the past from striking his government, lacking a wider strategy to defeat him.</p>
<p>Syria and its allies also made clear that they considered the attack a one-off, unlikely to do meaningful harm to Assad.</p>
<p>A senior official in a regional alliance that backs Damascus told Reuters the sites that were targeted had been evacuated days ago thanks to a warning from Russia.</p>
<p>Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the strikes were “unacceptable and lawless.”</p>
<p>Syrian state media called them a “flagrant violation of international law,” while Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called it a crime and the Western leaders criminals.</p>
<p>Russia had promised to respond to any attack on its ally, but the Pentagon said no Russian air defense systems were used. Syria fired 40 unguided surface-to-air missiles - but only after the Western strikes had ended, the Pentagon said.</p>
<p>“We are confident that all of our missiles reached their targets,” McKenzie said.</p>
<p>British Prime Minister Theresa May described the strike as “limited and targeted,” with no intention of toppling Assad or intervening more widely in the war.</p>
<p>Washington described the strike targets as a center near Damascus for the research, development, production and testing of chemical and biological weapons; a chemical weapons storage site near the city of Homs; and another site near Homs that stored chemical weapons equipment and housed a command post.</p>
<p>The Pentagon said there had been chemical weapons agents at one of the targets, and that the strikes had significantly crippled Syria’s ability to produce such weapons.</p>
<p>Trump spoke to May and French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss results of the strikes, the leaders’ offices said.</p> A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer, deployed to Al Udeid Air Base, launches a strike as part of the multinational response to Syria's use of chemical weapons is seen in this image from Al Udeid Air Base, Doha, Qatar released on April 14, 2018. U.S. Air Force/Handout via REUTERS
<p>U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all Security Council members to exercise restraint and avoid escalation in Syria, but said allegations of chemical weapons use demand an investigation.</p> WEAPONS INSPECTIONS
<p>Inspectors from the global chemical weapons watchdog OPCW were due to try to visit Douma on Saturday to inspect the site of the suspected gas attack. Moscow condemned the Western states for refusing to wait for their findings.</p>
<p>Russia, whose relations with the West have deteriorated to levels of Cold War-era hostility, has denied any gas attack took place in Douma and even accused Britain of staging it to whip up anti-Russian hysteria.</p>
<p>The Western countries took precautions to avoid unexpected conflict with Russia. French Defence Minister Florence Parly said Russians was warned beforehand to avert conflict.</p>
<p>Dmitry Belik, a Russian member of parliament who was in Damascus and witnessed the strikes, told Reuters: “The attack was more of a psychological nature rather than practical. Luckily there are no substantial losses or damages.”</p>
<p>In Douma, site of the suspected gas attack, the last buses were due on Saturday to transport out rebels and their families who agreed to surrender the town, state TV reported. That effectively ends all resistance in the suburbs of Damascus known as eastern Ghouta, marking one of the biggest victories for Assad’s government of the war.</p>
<p>The Western assault involved more missiles than a U.S. attack last year but struck targets limited to Syria’s chemical weapons facilities. The U.S. intervention last year had effectively no impact on the war.</p> Slideshow (18 Images)
<p>Syria agreed in 2013 to give up its chemical weapons after a nerve gas attack killed hundreds of people in Douma. Damascus is still permitted to have chlorine for civilian use, although its use as a weapon is banned. Allegations of Assad’s chlorine use have been frequent during the war although, unlike nerve agents, chlorine did not produce mass casualties as seen last week.</p>
<p>Reporting by Phil Stewart and Tom Perry; additional reporting by Jeff Mason, Steve Holland, Idrees Ali, Yara Bayoumy, Matt Spetalnick and Joel Schectman in Washington; Michelle Nichols in New York; Samia Nakhoul, Tom Perry, Laila Bassam, Ellen Francis and Angus McDowall in Beirut; Kinda Makieh in Barzeh; Michael Holden and Guy Faulconbridge in London; and Jean-Baptiste Vey, Geert de Clerq and Matthias Blamont in Paris; Polina Ivanova in Moscow; writing by Doina Chiacu; editing by Yara Bayoumy, Alistair Bell and Jonathan Oatis</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>LIMA/MEXICO (Reuters) - The United States, Mexico and Canada will expedite NAFTA talks in a push to reach a deal in coming weeks, Mexico’s president said on Saturday after a meeting with the U.S. vice president and Canadian prime minister.</p> The flags of Canada, Mexico and the U.S. are seen on a lectern before a joint news conference on the closing of the seventh round of NAFTA talks in Mexico City, Mexico March 5, 2018. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido
<p>On the sidelines of the Summit of the Americas in Lima, Peru, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said they thought an agreement could be reached before Mexican elections on July 1, although they also said no deadlines had been set.</p>
<p>“We agreed to keep up work towards reaching a deal and to summon our special negotiating teams to accelerate their efforts,” Pena Nieto told reporters after meeting Pence.</p>
<p>“It was the same thing I agreed to with Prime Minister Trudeau,” Pena Nieto added. “We hope in coming weeks we can reach an agreement.”</p>
<p>The three countries, which created the world’s largest free trade region by forming the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in the 1990s, are under pressure to renegotiate the deal before Mexicans elect a new president in July.</p>
<p>There are concerns U.S.-Mexico relations could get rockier with Pena Nieto, a centrist, unable to seek a second six-year term due to Mexico’s term limits.</p>
<p>U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to kill NAFTA if it is not changed to secure better terms for U.S. workers and companies. In Mexico, leftist presidential frontrunner Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has vowed to cut the country’s economic dependence on foreign powers and to put Trump “in his place.”</p> Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence talks during a meeting at the VIII Summit of the Americas in Lima, Peru in this handout photograph released to Reuters by the Mexico Presidency, April 14, 2018. Mexico Presidency/Handout via REUTERS
<p>With U.S. mid-term congressional elections also pending in November, Trudeau said Canada would defer to Mexico and the United States on a timeline.</p>
<p>“Of course, we’d like to see a re-negotiated deal land sooner than later,” Trudeau said in a press conference, citing Mexican and U.S. elections as a factor in timing. “We have a certain amount of pressure to try to move forward successfully in the coming weeks.”</p>
<p>On Friday, U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said provincial elections in Canada in June were also a factor, and that a deal in May was possible.</p>
<p>Trudeau told reporters there has been “potential progress” regarding car manufacturing and “a broad range of things”, however, no new details have emerged from the Lima conference on any specific agreements.</p>
<p>On Friday, auto industry executives said U.S. trade negotiators significantly softened their demands to increase regional automotive content under a reworked NAFTA trade pact in an effort to seal a deal in the next few weeks.</p>
<p>After meeting Pena Nieto and Trudeau separately, Pence said he was leaving the summit “very hopeful that we are very close to a renegotiated NAFTA.”</p>
<p>“There is a real possibility that we could arrive at an agreement within the next several weeks,” Pence said.</p>
<p>Reporting By Roberta Rampton in Lima and Daina Beth Solomon in Mexico City, Additional Reporting and Writing By Mitra Taj; Editing by Sam Holmes</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
| false | 2 |
adds detail bart meijer amsterdam jan 18 reuters dutch gas regulator miss jan 25 deadline issue recommendation limits production groningen gas field following latest series earthquakes regulator sodm asked provide advice new production cut northern dutch region hit strongest earthquake years jan 8 regulator gas production company nam joint venture royal dutch shell exxon mobil said production needs cut substantially current level 216 billion cubic metres bcm per year limit seismic risks region advice finished next week hope clarity timing monday jan 22 sodm spokeswoman cynthia heijne said thursday responding latest earthquake nam recommend precise level future production saying decision taken government sodm criticised nam vague calculations released nam thursday showed production theoretically needs halved present level limit risks level regulator previously deemed acceptable sodm want react nam calculations said would taken account decision economy minister eric wiebes week said production lowered much reasonably possible next three years detailed proposal presented end march said dutch government lowered gas production several times recent years decades gas extraction linked dozens earthquakes every year groningen region causing damage thousands buildings homes reporting bart meijer editing jason neelykeith weir standards thomson reuters trust principles schrobenhausen germany reuters bauer big producer construction equipment better placed many german companies invested heavily china past decades thomas bauer ceo bavariabased construction equipment maker bauer ag talks interview reuters schrobenhausen germany april 3 2018 reutersmichael dalder bavariabased firm traces roots back 1790 worry keeping chinese joint venture partner happy sole owner two plants shanghai tianjin specialist engineering machines bauer produces sold countries across asia shielding group swings volatile chinese building market even ceo thomas bauer seventh generation family run firm worried companys place china broader economic relationship recently seen german corporations politicians lucrative oneway bet germany put many eggs one basket basket china bauer jovial 62yearold thick bavarian accent told reuters companys headquarters schrobenhausen hours drive north munich bauers bsagde concern points growing fear germany decade country growth locomotive europe economy weathering global financial turmoil euro zone debt crisis record influx refugees resilience based two key drivers germany innovative firms produced highend manufactured goods fastgrowing economies needed country better others profiting open rulesbased global trading system rewarded competitiveness china crucial fronts past decade bought german cars machinery astonishing pace gradually opened foreign firms last year alone german manufacturers sold nearly 5 million cars china three times many united states even good times roll radical shift taking place deutschland ag views vast chinese market opening china shifted reverse president xi jinping chinese firms moved value chain far faster many germany expected germanys china conundrum part broader challenge facing europe years inwardfocused crisis fighting left bloc politically divided illprepared respond looming geopolitical economic challenges continent risks squeezed assertive beijing america first policies donald trump private executives liken situation german industry china proverbial frog pot slowly heating water ends boiling death wont cant jump germanys ambassador china michael clauss warned meeting industry chiefs berlin last month tectonic changes relationship according participants need prepare people new era partnership china official germanys powerful bdi industry federation said still golden times huge amount concern lies ahead graphic germanys china problem tmsnrtrs2gun6bk role state german companies among first west set shop china giving germany advantage chinese economy took bilateral trade two countries hit record 187 billion euros last year dwarfing chinas trade france uk around 70 billion 2017 germany ran trade deficit china 14 billion euros tiny compared us deficit 375 billion 346 billion euros bauer ag employs 11000 workers 70 countries built first production facilities china mid1990s time single chinese firm could make sophisticated drilling machines produces towering yellow structures used build foundations skyscrapers power stations airports 2013 bauer counted 36 chinese competitors able make machines shift ceo says accelerated european suppliers selling codesigned parts chinese decade ago companys chinese plants generated revenues 109 million euros sales slumped less half amount five nine years followed today bauer german firms say worried role chinese state economy slideshow 7 images last year china introduced cyber security law tightened state control internet services including secure vpn connections used foreign firms communicate confidentially headquarters recently german companies complained pressure accept communist party officials boards joint ventures bauer boss fears xis made china 2025 strategy identifies 10 key sectors including robotics aerospace cleanenergy cars china wants leader represents direct challenge german manufacturing dominance keep edge bauer says firm focusing intensively digitalization contest copiers one innovative engineers intent overtaking us said dont start finding answers soon end badly trump tariffs german angst china mirrors prompted trump threaten beijing tens billions dollars trade tariffs germanys top firms become dependent chinese market government berlin avoided confronting china headon back february carmaker daimler daignde showed skittish companies upsetting beijing daimler ag 6565 daignde xetra 018 027 daignde 000333sz ku2gde backlash china mercedezbenz ad instagram quoted dalai lama tibetan spiritual leader seen beijing separatist daimler deleted post ceo dieter zetsche wrote letter expressing deep regret hurt grief companys negligent insensitive mistake caused chinese people huge gap people germany saying china really thinking said bernhard bartsch bertelsmann foundation german research group later month bertelsmann berlinbased china think tank merics host oxford unionstyle debate motion ten years time china substantially undermined europes political economic system mood among german firms operating china also souring survey late last year german chamber commerce china showed first time many years half members planning investments new locations china nearly 13 percent german firms operating china said could leave within next two years decades germanys approach china could summed motto wandel durch handel change trade strategy tatters government officials joke darkly winwin relationship new meaning china wins twice hope closer economic ties would lead opening today clear false hope said german government official tell us want hear opposite berlin starting push back last year chinese firm mideas 000333sz takeover robotics maker kuka ku2gde sparked uproar tightened restrictions foreign investments launched push new europewide rules screening takeovers december germanys domestic intelligence agency infuriated beijing accused chinese counterparts using fake social media accounts gather information german politicians rare public rebuke berlin says intended send chinese message summit german chinese governments later year likely reveal tougher line berlin officials say also concede divisions within eu wide gap europe goitalone trump administration make difficult force change beijing chinese really worried europe united states working together said german official sense trump really gift china reporting noah barkin editing simon robinson standards thomson reuters trust principles washingtonbeirut reuters western powers said saturday missile attacks struck heart syrias chemical weapons program restrained assault appeared unlikely halt syrian president bashar alassads progress 7yearold civil war united states france britain launched 105 missiles overnight retaliation suspected poison gas attack syria week ago targeting pentagon said three chemical weapons facilities including research development center damascus barzeh district two installations near homs bombing biggest intervention western countries assad superpower ally russia three countries said strikes limited syrias chemical weapons capabilities aimed toppling assad intervening civil war air attack denounced damascus allies illegal act aggression unlikely alter course multisided war killed least half million people us president donald trump called operation success proclaimed twitter mission accomplished echoing former president george w bush whose use phrase 2003 describe us invasion iraq widely ridiculed violence dragged years believe hitting barzeh particular weve attacked heart syrian chemicals weapon program us lieutenant general kenneth mckenzie said pentagon however mckenzie acknowledged elements program remain could guarantee syria would unable conduct chemical attack future related coverage us official says information points sarin chlorine use syria attack france warns humanitarian disaster syrian city idlib russia fails un bid condemn usled strikes syria us ambassador united nations nikki haley said emergency meeting un security council trump told syria uses poisonous gas united states locked loaded western countries said strikes aimed preventing syrian chemical weapons attacks suspected poison gas attack douma april 7 killed 75 people blame assads government attack washington senior administration official said saturday available information much greater chlorine use significant information also points sarin use attack speaking summit peru us vice president mike pence seemed less sure use sarin saying washington may well determine used along chlorine assad resilience ten hours missiles hit smoke still rising remains five destroyed buildings syrian scientific research center barzeh syrian employee said medical components developed immediate reports casualties syria released video wreckage bombedout research lab also assad arriving work usual caption morning resilience late saturday syria time large explosion heard syrian governmentcontrolled area rural region south aleppo according britainbased war monitor syrian observatory human rights observatory said cause explosion unknown well target russian iranian military help past three years allowed assad crush rebel threat topple united states britain france participated syrian conflict years arming rebels bombing islamic state fighters deploying troops ground fight group refrained targeting assads government apart volley us missiles last year although western countries said seven years assad must leave power held back past striking government lacking wider strategy defeat syria allies also made clear considered attack oneoff unlikely meaningful harm assad senior official regional alliance backs damascus told reuters sites targeted evacuated days ago thanks warning russia russian foreign minister sergei lavrov said strikes unacceptable lawless syrian state media called flagrant violation international law iranian supreme leader ayatollah ali khamenei called crime western leaders criminals russia promised respond attack ally pentagon said russian air defense systems used syria fired 40 unguided surfacetoair missiles western strikes ended pentagon said confident missiles reached targets mckenzie said british prime minister theresa may described strike limited targeted intention toppling assad intervening widely war washington described strike targets center near damascus research development production testing chemical biological weapons chemical weapons storage site near city homs another site near homs stored chemical weapons equipment housed command post pentagon said chemical weapons agents one targets strikes significantly crippled syrias ability produce weapons trump spoke may french president emmanuel macron discuss results strikes leaders offices said us air force b1b lancer deployed al udeid air base launches strike part multinational response syrias use chemical weapons seen image al udeid air base doha qatar released april 14 2018 us air forcehandout via reuters un secretarygeneral antonio guterres urged security council members exercise restraint avoid escalation syria said allegations chemical weapons use demand investigation weapons inspections inspectors global chemical weapons watchdog opcw due try visit douma saturday inspect site suspected gas attack moscow condemned western states refusing wait findings russia whose relations west deteriorated levels cold warera hostility denied gas attack took place douma even accused britain staging whip antirussian hysteria western countries took precautions avoid unexpected conflict russia french defence minister florence parly said russians warned beforehand avert conflict dmitry belik russian member parliament damascus witnessed strikes told reuters attack psychological nature rather practical luckily substantial losses damages douma site suspected gas attack last buses due saturday transport rebels families agreed surrender town state tv reported effectively ends resistance suburbs damascus known eastern ghouta marking one biggest victories assads government war western assault involved missiles us attack last year struck targets limited syrias chemical weapons facilities us intervention last year effectively impact war slideshow 18 images syria agreed 2013 give chemical weapons nerve gas attack killed hundreds people douma damascus still permitted chlorine civilian use although use weapon banned allegations assads chlorine use frequent war although unlike nerve agents chlorine produce mass casualties seen last week reporting phil stewart tom perry additional reporting jeff mason steve holland idrees ali yara bayoumy matt spetalnick joel schectman washington michelle nichols new york samia nakhoul tom perry laila bassam ellen francis angus mcdowall beirut kinda makieh barzeh michael holden guy faulconbridge london jeanbaptiste vey geert de clerq matthias blamont paris polina ivanova moscow writing doina chiacu editing yara bayoumy alistair bell jonathan oatis standards thomson reuters trust principles limamexico reuters united states mexico canada expedite nafta talks push reach deal coming weeks mexicos president said saturday meeting us vice president canadian prime minister flags canada mexico us seen lectern joint news conference closing seventh round nafta talks mexico city mexico march 5 2018 reutersedgard garrido sidelines summit americas lima peru mexican president enrique pena nieto us vice president mike pence canadian prime minister justin trudeau said thought agreement could reached mexican elections july 1 although also said deadlines set agreed keep work towards reaching deal summon special negotiating teams accelerate efforts pena nieto told reporters meeting pence thing agreed prime minister trudeau pena nieto added hope coming weeks reach agreement three countries created worlds largest free trade region forming north american free trade agreement nafta 1990s pressure renegotiate deal mexicans elect new president july concerns usmexico relations could get rockier pena nieto centrist unable seek second sixyear term due mexicos term limits us president donald trump threatened kill nafta changed secure better terms us workers companies mexico leftist presidential frontrunner andres manuel lopez obrador vowed cut countrys economic dependence foreign powers put trump place mexicos president enrique pena nieto us vice president mike pence talks meeting viii summit americas lima peru handout photograph released reuters mexico presidency april 14 2018 mexico presidencyhandout via reuters us midterm congressional elections also pending november trudeau said canada would defer mexico united states timeline course wed like see renegotiated deal land sooner later trudeau said press conference citing mexican us elections factor timing certain amount pressure try move forward successfully coming weeks friday us commerce secretary wilbur ross said provincial elections canada june also factor deal may possible trudeau told reporters potential progress regarding car manufacturing broad range things however new details emerged lima conference specific agreements friday auto industry executives said us trade negotiators significantly softened demands increase regional automotive content reworked nafta trade pact effort seal deal next weeks meeting pena nieto trudeau separately pence said leaving summit hopeful close renegotiated nafta real possibility could arrive agreement within next several weeks pence said reporting roberta rampton lima daina beth solomon mexico city additional reporting writing mitra taj editing sam holmes standards thomson reuters trust principles
| 2,300 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p />
<p>We’re about to find out. Higher-end models of Apple’s MacBook Pro now come with a narrow touch screen above the regular keyboard for quick access to common settings and tasks, while Lenovo’s Yoga Book laptop loses the physical keyboard entirely.</p>
<p>The traditional keyboard has never struck me as needing much improvement, although people who’ve grown up on touch screens might well feel differently. These touch innovations, in fact, may mostly be aimed at luring such users to laptops.</p>
<p>So how do the new touch features improve typing and computing?</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>TOUCH SCREENS, NOT KEYBOARDS</p>
<p>Many Windows laptops and tablets with physical keyboard accessories have long had touch screens. You still type primarily on a traditional keyboard, but you can poke screen icons and menus directly with your finger instead of navigating with a mouse or trackpad.</p>
<p>This can be useful for basic tasks such as opening apps, moving the cursor to the search bar and rebooting the machine. But when fixing typos in documents, selecting email to delete and even editing photos, my trackpad is generally more precise than my fat fingers on the screen. A stylus helps, but I’m prone to misplacing it. It’s also generally faster to just keep your fingers on the keys.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>TOUCH KEYS</p>
<p>Largely for these reasons, Apple has shunned touch screens on its notebooks. But its high-end MacBooks are getting a separate, narrow strip that replaces the top row of function keys you’ll find on most keyboards. This Touch Bar offers the same functions, but instead of hitting F11 or F12 to change volume, for instance, you tap the speaker icon to bring up a volume slider.</p>
<p>You can fix up to four icons in place; the initial defaults are brightness, volume, mute and the Siri voice assistant. The rest of the strip changes based on context.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>When you’re using the Safari browser, for instance, you typically get thumbnails of individual tabs for easy switching between websites. But that changes to play and pause if you’re watching Netflix, while your name and address pop up as choices when filling out online forms. Apple’s Maps app offers one-touch access to nearby businesses or directions. Mail and Messages offer auto-complete suggestions as you type, plus a button for emojis, similar to what you’d find on iPhones and iPads.</p>
<p>You get touch access to system controls, such as “cancel” and “save,” so you don’t have to move your cursor. Third-party apps can add their own functionality, too, though the ones I use regularly have yet to do so.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>HABITS AND DISCOVERIES</p>
<p>The new volume and brightness sliders are much easier to use than tapping the appropriate function key multiple times to get the level I want. In Photos, I can scroll through my library more quickly than using arrow keys. And the Touch Bar does make it easy to include emojis in messages.</p>
<p>Because I use it frequently, I made the screenshot function a default icon. No more opening Grab, navigating a menu and returning to the window I’m trying to preserve. I’ve also discovered functions I never knew existed, such as the ability to highlight text in Preview with different colors.</p>
<p>This may matter less if, like me, you’re a pretty good typist with a command of keyboard shortcuts. The Touch Bar will be more useful for those who look down at the keys when typing.</p>
<p>One suggestion: The mute icon stays the same regardless of whether the Mac is already on mute. How about a distinct icon to unmute, now that the options are dynamic?</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>FINGERPRINTS</p>
<p>The Mac now turns on automatically when you open the lid. In place of a power button is a fingerprint scanner, similar to what’s found on mobile devices. You still have to type in my password occasionally as a security measure, but you can avoid doing so most of the time when resuming a session or installing new software.</p>
<p>People sharing a computer can instantly switch profiles with their own fingerprints.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>WHAT ELSE</p>
<p>The MacBook Pro has a larger trackpad and is lighter and thinner than previous models, thanks in part to shorter keys that don’t feel awkward.</p>
<p>You no longer get regular USB ports or an SD memory card slot for photos. That means buying adapters to connect older printers, scanners and your iPhone to the new USB-C ports. On the plus side, you can now connect the power charger on either side, depending on where the outlet is. And the MacBook retains a headphone jack, something the latest iPhones dropped.</p>
<p>If you don’t need the Touch Bar or the fingerprint scanner, you can save $300 with an entry-level MacBook Pro, but it is slower and has ports only on one side. The Touch Bar models start at about $1,800 for a 13-inch screen and $2,400 for 15 inches.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>DISAPPEARING KEYBOARD</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the 10-inch Yoga Book (about $500 for Android, $600 for Windows) retains the clamshell design of a laptop but has a second touch screen where the keyboard normally goes. Unlike pop-up touch keyboard in tablets, this one doesn’t block the main display as you type. Without physical keys, the device is just 0.38 inch thick, or about two-thirds the thickness of the new MacBooks. The touch keyboard also doubles as a handwriting pad for notes and doodling with the included stylus.</p>
<p>The Yoga provides both tactile and audio feedback when you hit the keys, although it’s still easy to miss the ones you’re aiming for. It takes longer to type because of all the typos, which gets annoying very quickly.</p>
<p>You would think that with a touch keyboard, the Yoga could reconfigure the keys to toggle between upper and lower cases and switch languages, much the way a touch keyboard on a phone or tablet does on the screen. But the keys themselves always appear in standard English and in upper case, even when you’re typing in Thai. Call it a missed opportunity.</p>
<p>An Australian startup called Sonder is already planning to ship such a keyboard for $199 this year, but who wants to carry around an extra accessory? If it makes it onto a future laptop, it could mark a true revolution that goes well beyond the minor changes the Touch Bar and the second touch screen offer.</p>
| false | 2 |
find higherend models apples macbook pro come narrow touch screen regular keyboard quick access common settings tasks lenovos yoga book laptop loses physical keyboard entirely traditional keyboard never struck needing much improvement although people whove grown touch screens might well feel differently touch innovations fact may mostly aimed luring users laptops new touch features improve typing computing advertisement ___ touch screens keyboards many windows laptops tablets physical keyboard accessories long touch screens still type primarily traditional keyboard poke screen icons menus directly finger instead navigating mouse trackpad useful basic tasks opening apps moving cursor search bar rebooting machine fixing typos documents selecting email delete even editing photos trackpad generally precise fat fingers screen stylus helps im prone misplacing also generally faster keep fingers keys ___ touch keys largely reasons apple shunned touch screens notebooks highend macbooks getting separate narrow strip replaces top row function keys youll find keyboards touch bar offers functions instead hitting f11 f12 change volume instance tap speaker icon bring volume slider fix four icons place initial defaults brightness volume mute siri voice assistant rest strip changes based context advertisement youre using safari browser instance typically get thumbnails individual tabs easy switching websites changes play pause youre watching netflix name address pop choices filling online forms apples maps app offers onetouch access nearby businesses directions mail messages offer autocomplete suggestions type plus button emojis similar youd find iphones ipads get touch access system controls cancel save dont move cursor thirdparty apps add functionality though ones use regularly yet ___ habits discoveries new volume brightness sliders much easier use tapping appropriate function key multiple times get level want photos scroll library quickly using arrow keys touch bar make easy include emojis messages use frequently made screenshot function default icon opening grab navigating menu returning window im trying preserve ive also discovered functions never knew existed ability highlight text preview different colors may matter less like youre pretty good typist command keyboard shortcuts touch bar useful look keys typing one suggestion mute icon stays regardless whether mac already mute distinct icon unmute options dynamic ___ fingerprints mac turns automatically open lid place power button fingerprint scanner similar whats found mobile devices still type password occasionally security measure avoid time resuming session installing new software people sharing computer instantly switch profiles fingerprints ___ else macbook pro larger trackpad lighter thinner previous models thanks part shorter keys dont feel awkward longer get regular usb ports sd memory card slot photos means buying adapters connect older printers scanners iphone new usbc ports plus side connect power charger either side depending outlet macbook retains headphone jack something latest iphones dropped dont need touch bar fingerprint scanner save 300 entrylevel macbook pro slower ports one side touch bar models start 1800 13inch screen 2400 15 inches ___ disappearing keyboard meanwhile 10inch yoga book 500 android 600 windows retains clamshell design laptop second touch screen keyboard normally goes unlike popup touch keyboard tablets one doesnt block main display type without physical keys device 038 inch thick twothirds thickness new macbooks touch keyboard also doubles handwriting pad notes doodling included stylus yoga provides tactile audio feedback hit keys although still easy miss ones youre aiming takes longer type typos gets annoying quickly would think touch keyboard yoga could reconfigure keys toggle upper lower cases switch languages much way touch keyboard phone tablet screen keys always appear standard english upper case even youre typing thai call missed opportunity australian startup called sonder already planning ship keyboard 199 year wants carry around extra accessory makes onto future laptop could mark true revolution goes well beyond minor changes touch bar second touch screen offer
| 605 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p />
<p>The game marked only the second time in Big East history that two unbeaten teams met in a conference game, and it lived up to the hype until the Wildcats (14-0, 2-0) pulled away in the final minutes.</p>
<p>Kris Jenkins added 21 points and Josh Hart had 18 points and 10 rebounds for the defending national champions.</p>
<p>Marcus Foster led the Bluejays (13-1, 1-1) with 22 points. Justin Patton had 18 points and eight rebounds.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>After Isaiah Zierden’s 3-pointer with 4:47 left tied it at 66, the Bluejays missed four straight shots before Maurice Watson Jr. snaked his way for a layup to cut the deficit to five with a minute left. The Wildcats made all six of their free throws in the last 36 seconds to finish off the win.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>VIRGINIA TECH 89, No. 5 DUKE 75</p>
<p>BLACKSBURG, Va. — Justin Bibbs scored 18 points to lead Virginia Tech to the upset in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both teams.</p>
<p>Bibbs broke out of a season-long slump, hitting 6 of 9 from the field, including a season-high four 3-pointers for the Hokies (12-1, 1-0), who won their eighth straight game.</p>
<p>Virginia Tech snapped a nine-game losing streak to Duke (12-2, 0-1), which played without preseason All-America Grayson Allen, who was suspended indefinitely by Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski after tripping an Elon player on Dec. 21 — the third such incident in Allen’s career.</p>
<p>The Hokies led from start to finish, jumping out to a 47-31 halftime lead. The Blue Devils got as close to 52-41 in the second half after a 3-pointer by Luke Kennard with 15:29 remaining, but got no closer.</p>
<p>Ahmed Hill had 17 points for Virginia Tech, which shot 55.2 percent (32 of 58).</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Kennard paced the Blue Devils with 34 points.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>No. 6 LOUISVILLE 77, No. 16 INDIANA 62</p>
<p>INDIANAPOLIS — Donovan Mitchell scored a career-high 25 points and Deng Adel had 17 for Louisville.</p>
<p>The Cardinals (12-2) closed out their non-conference schedule with three wins over Top 20 teams.</p>
<p>OG Anunoby finished with 14 points and James Blackmon Jr. added 10 as the Hoosiers (10-4) lost for the second time in four days.</p>
<p>Louisville broke open a close game with a 15-4 run late in the first half and led 39-27 at halftime.</p>
<p>Indiana used a 13-4 spurt to cut the Cardinals’ 14-point lead to 50-44 with 12:20 left, but Mitchell scored eight straight points for Louisville to make it 58-46 and the Hoosiers never got closer than seven the rest of the way.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>No. 7 GONZAGA 81, PACIFIC 61</p>
<p>STOCKTON, Calif. — Jordan Mathews scored 16 points and Gonzaga went on a big run in the second half to beat Pacific.</p>
<p>Gonzaga (14-0, 2-0 West Coast Conference) trailed by eight with 17:13 remaining before going on a 25-4 run in a 10-minute span. Mathews and Josh Perkins had two 3-pointers apiece during the spurt to help the Bulldogs continue their best start in school history.</p>
<p>Perkins finished with nine points and Przemek Karnowski added 19 points, five rebounds and seven assists to offset a slow night from leading scorer Nigel Williams-Goss. Williams-Goss had nine points on 4-of-10 shooting.</p>
<p>Jacob Lampkin had a career-high 18 points for Pacific. The Tigers (6-9, 0-2) were seeking their first win against a Top 25 team since the 2005 NCAA Tournament.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>GEORGIA TECH 75, No. 9 NORTH CAROLINA 63</p>
<p>ATLANTA — Josh Okogie scored 26 points and Ben Lammers had 11 points and 11 rebounds as Georgia Tech pulled off a major upset in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both teams.</p>
<p>Justin Jackson finished with 16 points and Nate Britt scored 13 for the Tar Heels, who committed a season-high 20 turnovers. North Carolina (12-3, 0-1) never led after Okogie hit two free throws with 11:59 remaining.</p>
<p>Josh Heath scored 15 points and Quinton Stephens had 11 for Georgia Tech (9-4, 1-0), the ACC’s youngest and least experienced teams.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>No. 20 FLORIDA ST. 60, No. 12 VIRGINIA 58</p>
<p>CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Dwayne Bacon scored 26 of his 29 points after halftime and hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 4 seconds left for Florida State.</p>
<p>Bacon scored the last seven points during a 9-0 run for the Seminoles (14-1, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) that turned a 51-49 deficit into a 56-51 lead, and then answered quickly after Kyle Guy’s 3-pointer had given Virginia a 58-57 lead with 8.8 seconds to play.</p>
<p>Guy scored 14 points and three others had 10 for Virginia (11-2, 1-1), which lost for just the second time in its last 37 ACC home games.</p>
<p>The Seminoles won their 10th straight as they began a stretch of six consecutive games against teams in the Top 25, or likely to be there.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>No. 17 XAVIER 81, GEORGETOWN 76</p>
<p>WASHINGTON — Edmond Sumner scored a career-high 28 points on his birthday and J. P. Macura added 23 for Xavier.</p>
<p>The Musketeers (12-2, 2-0 Big East) trailed by six points early in the second half, but slowly chipped away at the deficit. Macura’s 3-pointer put Xavier up for good at 62-59 with 8:23 remaining and his two free throws capped a 13-5 run to give the Musketeers their largest lead, 72-64 with 3:58 remaining.</p>
<p>L.J. Peak scored 21 points for the Hoyas (8-6, 0-2). Rodney Pryor had 20 including 10 straight for Georgetown after Macura’s free throws. Trailing 77-74, Pryor missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer with 24 seconds remaining.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>No. 20 SAINT MARY’S 72, SAN DIEGO 60</p>
<p>MORAGA, Calif. — Jock Landale scored 14 points and Tanner Krebs added 12 to help Saint Mary’s beat San Diego.</p>
<p>Krebs, a redshirt freshman from the Australian island of Tasmania, made all four of his 3-point shots for the Gaels (12-1, 2-0 WCC), who won their sixth straight game. Freshman Jordan Ford equaled his career-best with 12 points.</p>
<p>Brett Bailey scored 19 points to lead the Toreros (7-7, 0-2).</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>No. 24 NOTRE DAME 78, PITTSBURGH 77, OT</p>
<p>PITTSBURGH — Steve Vasturia knocked down a 3-pointer from the wing with 2.5 seconds left in overtime for Notre Dame.</p>
<p>The Panthers took a 77-75 lead on a runner by Jamel Artis with 41 seconds to play. Vasturia missed a shot but grabbed his own rebound with 21 seconds left. The Irish reset their offense and Vasturia ended up with the ball in the corner. He faked a shot, took a step to his right and made the 3-pointer right in front of the Notre Dame bench to quiet a raucous Petersen Events Center.</p>
<p>Bonzie Colson led the Fighting Irish (12-2, 1-0) with 21 points and 14 rebounds. Vasturia shook off foul trouble to finish with 15 while Matt Farrell added 15 for Notre Dame in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both teams.</p>
<p>Artis and Michael Young finished with 25 points each for Pitt (11-3, 0-1).</p>
| false | 2 |
game marked second time big east history two unbeaten teams met conference game lived hype wildcats 140 20 pulled away final minutes kris jenkins added 21 points josh hart 18 points 10 rebounds defending national champions marcus foster led bluejays 131 11 22 points justin patton 18 points eight rebounds advertisement isaiah zierdens 3pointer 447 left tied 66 bluejays missed four straight shots maurice watson jr snaked way layup cut deficit five minute left wildcats made six free throws last 36 seconds finish win ___ virginia tech 89 5 duke 75 blacksburg va justin bibbs scored 18 points lead virginia tech upset atlantic coast conference opener teams bibbs broke seasonlong slump hitting 6 9 field including seasonhigh four 3pointers hokies 121 10 eighth straight game virginia tech snapped ninegame losing streak duke 122 01 played without preseason allamerica grayson allen suspended indefinitely duke coach mike krzyzewski tripping elon player dec 21 third incident allens career hokies led start finish jumping 4731 halftime lead blue devils got close 5241 second half 3pointer luke kennard 1529 remaining got closer ahmed hill 17 points virginia tech shot 552 percent 32 58 advertisement kennard paced blue devils 34 points ___ 6 louisville 77 16 indiana 62 indianapolis donovan mitchell scored careerhigh 25 points deng adel 17 louisville cardinals 122 closed nonconference schedule three wins top 20 teams og anunoby finished 14 points james blackmon jr added 10 hoosiers 104 lost second time four days louisville broke open close game 154 run late first half led 3927 halftime indiana used 134 spurt cut cardinals 14point lead 5044 1220 left mitchell scored eight straight points louisville make 5846 hoosiers never got closer seven rest way ___ 7 gonzaga 81 pacific 61 stockton calif jordan mathews scored 16 points gonzaga went big run second half beat pacific gonzaga 140 20 west coast conference trailed eight 1713 remaining going 254 run 10minute span mathews josh perkins two 3pointers apiece spurt help bulldogs continue best start school history perkins finished nine points przemek karnowski added 19 points five rebounds seven assists offset slow night leading scorer nigel williamsgoss williamsgoss nine points 4of10 shooting jacob lampkin careerhigh 18 points pacific tigers 69 02 seeking first win top 25 team since 2005 ncaa tournament ___ georgia tech 75 9 north carolina 63 atlanta josh okogie scored 26 points ben lammers 11 points 11 rebounds georgia tech pulled major upset atlantic coast conference opener teams justin jackson finished 16 points nate britt scored 13 tar heels committed seasonhigh 20 turnovers north carolina 123 01 never led okogie hit two free throws 1159 remaining josh heath scored 15 points quinton stephens 11 georgia tech 94 10 accs youngest least experienced teams ___ 20 florida st 60 12 virginia 58 charlottesville va dwayne bacon scored 26 29 points halftime hit goahead 3pointer 4 seconds left florida state bacon scored last seven points 90 run seminoles 141 20 atlantic coast conference turned 5149 deficit 5651 lead answered quickly kyle guys 3pointer given virginia 5857 lead 88 seconds play guy scored 14 points three others 10 virginia 112 11 lost second time last 37 acc home games seminoles 10th straight began stretch six consecutive games teams top 25 likely ___ 17 xavier 81 georgetown 76 washington edmond sumner scored careerhigh 28 points birthday j p macura added 23 xavier musketeers 122 20 big east trailed six points early second half slowly chipped away deficit macuras 3pointer put xavier good 6259 823 remaining two free throws capped 135 run give musketeers largest lead 7264 358 remaining lj peak scored 21 points hoyas 86 02 rodney pryor 20 including 10 straight georgetown macuras free throws trailing 7774 pryor missed potential gametying 3pointer 24 seconds remaining ___ 20 saint marys 72 san diego 60 moraga calif jock landale scored 14 points tanner krebs added 12 help saint marys beat san diego krebs redshirt freshman australian island tasmania made four 3point shots gaels 121 20 wcc sixth straight game freshman jordan ford equaled careerbest 12 points brett bailey scored 19 points lead toreros 77 02 ___ 24 notre dame 78 pittsburgh 77 ot pittsburgh steve vasturia knocked 3pointer wing 25 seconds left overtime notre dame panthers took 7775 lead runner jamel artis 41 seconds play vasturia missed shot grabbed rebound 21 seconds left irish reset offense vasturia ended ball corner faked shot took step right made 3pointer right front notre dame bench quiet raucous petersen events center bonzie colson led fighting irish 122 10 21 points 14 rebounds vasturia shook foul trouble finish 15 matt farrell added 15 notre dame atlantic coast conference opener teams artis michael young finished 25 points pitt 113 01
| 774 |
<p>Q: Is the Obama administration attempting to eliminate private 401(k)s and IRAs and create a “national retirement system”?</p>
<p>A: No. Obama endorses a proposal that would require businesses without retirement plans to establish private IRAs for their employees and deposit a percentage of wages into the accounts. Employees could opt out.</p>
<p />
<p>FULL QUESTION</p>
<p>I have started seeing postings on Facebook and other web sites referring to&#160;“recent hearings” sponsored by the Labor Department and Treasury Department. The hearings are being referred to as “the beginning of the Obama&#160;administration’s effort to nationalize the nation’s pension system and to eliminate private retirement accounts…” The whole thing sounds bogus, and I have been unable to find anything to support the claim other than those sites making the claim.</p>
<p>One site claiming this, National Seniors Council, appears to be basing&#160;the entire claim on the testimony of some of the groups and individuals, which seems weak at best.</p>
<p>What are the real facts?</p>
<p>FULL ANSWER</p>
<p>Our inbox was recently flooded by emails referring to this 2010 article from the National Seniors Council, titled “ <a href="http://www.nationalseniorscouncil.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=89:obama-begins-push-for-new-national-retirement-system&amp;catid=34:social-security&amp;Itemid=62" type="external">Obama Begins Push for New National Retirement System</a>.” The NSC <a href="http://www.nationalseniorscouncil.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=61&amp;Itemid=71" type="external">calls itself</a> a “national conservative senior citizens organization.” It advocates for limited government and against President Obama, <a href="http://www.nationalseniorscouncil.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=107:board-says-next-year-critical-for-council-and-seniors&amp;catid=34:social-security&amp;Itemid=62" type="external">claiming</a> <a href="http://www.nationalseniorscouncil.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=87:national-director-outlines-vision-plan-for-council-growth&amp;catid=37:taxes-and-government-spending&amp;Itemid=65" type="external">that</a> the administration has a “big-government anti-seniors agenda” and that “Social Security and Medicare are both on the chopping block in order to pay for the liberals’ welfare programs and bailouts.” It’s also a <a href="http://www.nationalseniorscouncil.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=45&amp;Itemid=60" type="external">committee of the National Grassroots Advocacy</a>, a 501(c)4 founded in 2009 that advocates for the repeal of the president’s health care law.</p>
<p>The group drew attention to its two-year-old article in a “ <a href="http://www.nationalseniorscouncil.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=111:national-directors-report-november-2012&amp;catid=1:latest-news" type="external">Director’s report</a>” posted in November after the election. It stated: “In the coming months and years there will be huge battles over ObamaCare, Social Security, and even Obama’s dream of establishing a new ‘national retirement system.’ ” However, the group’s 2010 article is an opinion piece full of misleading information and misguided speculation. The administration hasn’t proposed any “national retirement system.”</p>
<p>The article focuses on a September 2010 joint hearing of the Department of Labor and the Treasury. NSC National Director Robert Crone acknowledges in the article that the hearing “was set up to explore why Americans are not saving as much for their retirement as they could,” but he goes on to claim, without any evidence, that “it is clear that this is the first step towards a government takeover.” The article also mentions the Automatic IRA Act. Crone claims that if the bill passed, “the government will be just one step away from being able to confiscate all these retirement accounts.” He goes on to say that the government would ultimately “redistribute the wealth of America’s older citizens.” But the Automatic IRA legislation doesn’t call for any sort of “government takeover” of retirement accounts, nor is there evidence of a sinister plan to redistribute seniors’ retirement dollars.</p>
<p>Instead, the legislation is a long-standing proposal that was originally developed in <a href="http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2006/02/pursuing-universal-retirement-security-through-automatic-iras?query=Pursuing+Universal+Retirement+Security+Through+Automatic+IRAs" type="external">2006</a> by <a href="http://www.heritage.org/about/staff/j/david-john" type="external">David C. John</a>, senior research fellow in retirement security and financial institutions at the conservative Heritage Foundation, and <a href="http://www.pensionrights.org/what-we-do/events/re-imagining-pensions/mark-iwry" type="external">J. Mark Iwry</a>, then of the Brookings Institution and now with the Treasury Department. The bill aims to expand retirement savings among Americans. It would require businesses that don’t have retirement plans to establish private, employer-sponsored IRA plans and automatically deposit contributions from employees, unless employees opt out.</p>
<p>John told us that it “would not make it any easier for a government to confiscate retirement savings.” He said that currently only about half of the U.S. workforce is able to contribute to retirement funds with payroll deductions. The bill would increase that to about 90 percent.</p>
<p>As for the 2010 hearing on retirement options, the NSC focused on one speaker, Rebecca Davis, of a consumer advocacy group, who called for additional government assistance in retirement funding for lower-income workers. But Iwry, now senior advisor to the Secretary of the Treasury, opened the hearing by stating that the meeting was “in the context of the department’s support for the private pension system.”</p>
<p>Readers also have sent us a World Net Daily article by Jerome Corsi titled “ <a href="http://www.wnd.com/2012/11/now-obama-wants-your-401k/" type="external">Now Obama Wants your 401(k).</a>” Corsi was the author of a 2008 book, “The Obama Nation,” which was critical of then-presidential candidate Obama and, <a href="" type="internal">we found in fact-checking it</a>, “a mishmash of unsupported conjecture, half-truths, logical fallacies and outright falsehoods.” Corsi’s article for the WND claims that Obama, with help from the Departments of Treasury and Labor, is “eyeing the opportunity to redistribute private retirement savings to less affluent Americans and to force the retirement savings out of the private market and into government-controlled programs investing in government-issued debt.” Corsi cites the same things the NSC does — the 2010 joint hearing and the Automatic IRA bill.</p>
<p>Automatic IRA</p>
<p>In the <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/budget/fy2013/assets/budget.pdf" type="external">President’s Budget</a> for Fiscal Year 2013 (page 147), the administration endorses an Automatic IRA proposal that would require businesses without retirement plans to establish employer-sponsored IRA plans. In the House, Democratic Rep. Richard Neal of Massachusetts introduced the most recent version of the bill on <a href="http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112hr4049ih/pdf/BILLS-112hr4049ih.pdf" type="external">Feb. 16, 2012.</a> No action has been taken on the bill since March, when it was referred to the House Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions. The bill would require employers to automatically enroll employees in an IRA by directly depositing 3 percent of wages into the fund. Employees may opt out of the IRA at any time, and the program would be strictly voluntary. Businesses with 10 or fewer workers would be exempt.</p>
<p>Corresponding legislation in the Senate, the <a href="http://www.bingaman.senate.gov/policy/autoira_09142011.pdf" type="external">Automatic IRA Act of 2011</a>, was introduced in September 2011 by Democratic Sens. John Kerry and Jeff Bingaman. It was promptly referred to committee, and no action has been taken since. Neal and Bingaman had previously introduced the same <a href="http://www.retirementmadesimpler.org/Library/AutoIRA-S-3760-Summary.pdf" type="external">legislation</a> in <a href="http://neal.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=27:rep-neal-introduces-automatic-ira-bill&amp;catid=1:press-releases&amp;Itemid=8" type="external">2010</a>. The legislation was also introduced back in <a href="http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/109/hr6210" type="external">2006</a> and <a href="http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/110/hr2167" type="external">2007</a>. None of those bills has come to a vote — they all have died in committee.</p>
<p>The Labor Department’s Phyllis C. Borzi, an assistant secretary for the Employee Benefits Security Administration, <a href="http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/newsroom/ty030712.html#.UMIgHqz4IjB" type="external">testified</a> on the latest legislation before the Senate Special Committee on Aging on March 7, 2012.</p>
<p>Phyllis C. Borzi, March 7, 2012: Under the budget proposal, the Administration projects that the new system of automatic workplace pensions will expand access to tens of millions of workers who currently lack pensions. Coverage will be expanded by requiring employers who do not currently offer a retirement plan to enroll their employees in a direct-deposit IRA account compatible with existing direct-deposit payroll systems. Employees would be permitted to opt-out if they choose. Employers with ten or fewer employees and employers in existence for less than two years would be exempt. Employers with fewer than 100 employees who set up these arrangements would be eligible for temporary business tax credits.</p>
<p>The Heritage Foundation’s John, who developed the original Automatic IRA proposal, told us that the Automatic IRAs “would be invested using private sector providers chosen by the employer.” As for government’s role, John said it would be “limited to requiring businesses with more than 10 employees (below that would be exempt) that don’t offer their employees any other type of pension or retirement savings account to offer their employees [the] opportunity to save for retirement with an Automatic IRA. It would also provide guidance about the types of investments allowed and help employers to connect with a private sector investment manager.”</p>
<p>There’s also the possibility that Treasury bonds could be used initially for “first-time savers.”</p>
<p>John, Dec. 4, 2012: There could be an R-Bond account at Treasury for first-time savers, but that money would be rolled into private sector accounts once the individual accounts reached a certain size. The R-Bond is designed to enable small savers to build up a balance up to $5,000 without any administrative fees.&#160; It has the support of many private financials, and private sector managers could substitute a private sector alternative if they wished.</p>
<p>On April 17, 2012, John <a href="http://www.heritage.org/research/testimony/2012/04/pursuing-universal-retirement-security-through-automatic-iras-and-account-simplification" type="external">testified</a> on the same topic before the House Ways and Means Committee. He approved of the legislation, saying that it was “not a partisan or ideological proposal.”</p>
<p>John, April 17, 2012: This is not a partisan or ideological proposal. In 2008, the Automatic IRA won the endorsement of both the Obama and McCain campaigns, and it has continued to enjoy support from all sides of the ideological spectrum. Earlier this year, Rep. Richard Neal of the committee introduced HR 4049, the Automatic IRA Act of 2012. While the Heritage Foundation as a 501(C)3 nonprofit does not and cannot endorse any legislation, let me say that the policy contained in his bill would significantly improve our retirement savings system.</p>
<p>John went on to say that the proposal wouldn’t result in large costs to businesses. “For employers, offering an Automatic IRA would involve little or no cost or regulatory burden. The employer would not be maintaining a retirement plan, and employer contributions would be neither required nor permitted.”</p>
<p>According to John’s testimony, tax credits would cover any costs to employers. The <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/budget/fy2013/assets/budget.pdf" type="external">White House Budget for 2013</a> says employers could receive tax credits of up to $250 per year for six years to cover costs, and that the administration’s budget would double the current tax credit for small employers offering retirement plans for the next four years (from $500 to $1,000 per year).</p>
<p>Labor Department Hearings</p>
<p>The 2010 National Seniors Council article also focuses on a joint hearing of the Departments of Treasury and Labor that, <a href="http://nationalseniorscouncil.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=89%3Aobama-begins-push-for-new-national-retirement-system&amp;catid=34%3Asocial-security&amp;Itemid=62" type="external">according to the group</a>, “marked the beginning of the Obama Administration’s effort to nationalize the nation’s pension system and to eliminate private retirement accounts including IRA’s and 401k plans.”</p>
<p>But the <a href="http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/regs/cmt-1210-AB33.html#.UMImkKz4IjC" type="external">hearing</a>, which took place September 14 and 15, 2010, didn’t focus on eliminating private retirement accounts. In fact, Iwry, <a href="http://www.pewtrusts.org/news_room_detail.aspx?id=53740" type="external">senior advisor to the secretary of the Treasury</a> and deputy assistant Treasury secretary for retirement and health policy, said at the hearing that it was “in the context of the department’s support for the private pension system and especially for employer sponsored retirement plans, both defined benefit and defined contribution.” Its purpose was to discuss lifetime retirement payment options for seniors.</p>
<p>The various speakers included many from private companies and investment firms. But the NSC focuses on the testimony of one person — Rebecca Davis of the <a href="http://www.pensionrights.org/what-we-do" type="external">Pension Rights Center</a>, a consumer advocacy group. Davis called for a “government sponsored program” to help low-income individuals buy annuities.</p>
<p>Rebecca Davis, Sept. 14, 2010: Private annuities are problematic, primarily because of their high cost and the negligible monthly benefits that small account balances can purchase. For these reasons, an annuity option within a 401k for participants with low balances would not be a realistic choice for most low and moderate income participants. Yet these are the individuals most in need of lifetime income in retirement. Therefore, we suggest that serious consideration be given to the concept of establishing a government sponsored program, ideally administered by the [Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation] where participants with low account balances could purchase low cost annuities.</p>
<p>But that’s simply Davis’ opinion, offered among many in two days of hearings. Iwry made clear that the hearing “does not reflect any intention to require a purchase of annuities or any other particular investment.” He said the discussion was about choices. “We’re here to consider whether and how we might increase people’s choices, not limit them.”</p>
<p>John, of the Heritage Foundation, confirmed that the hearing “focused totally on products offered through the private sector.” We asked if he had seen any other effort by the Obama administration to create a “national retirement system” that could lead to the government confiscating accounts, as the National Seniors Council claims. John responded: “I have seen no indication that this is an Obama administration goal.”</p>
<p>— Jesse DuBois</p>
<p />
<p>“ <a href="http://www.nationalseniorscouncil.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=89:obama-begins-push-for-new-national-retirement-system&amp;catid=34:social-security&amp;Itemid=62" type="external">Obama Begins Push for New National Retirement System</a>.” National Seniors Council. 13 Oct 2010.</p>
<p>“ <a href="http://www.nationalseniorscouncil.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=111:national-directors-report-november-2012&amp;catid=1:latest-news" type="external">National Director’s Report November 2012</a>.” National Seniors Council. Nov 2012.</p>
<p>Iwry, J. Mark, and John, David C. “ <a href="http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2006/02/pursuing-universal-retirement-security-through-automatic-iras?query=Pursuing+Universal+Retirement+Security+Through+Automatic+IRAs" type="external">Pursuing Universal Retirement Security Through Automatic IRAs</a>.” The Heritage Foundation. 12 Feb 2006.</p>
<p>Corsi, Jerome. “ <a href="http://www.wnd.com/2012/11/now-obama-wants-your-401k/" type="external">Now Obama Wants your 401(k).</a>” World Net Daily. 25 Nov 2012.</p>
<p>“ <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/budget/fy2013/assets/budget.pdf" type="external">Budget of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2013</a>.” Office of Management and Budget. 13 Feb 2013.</p>
<p>“ <a href="http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/newsroom/ty030712.html#.UMdYlmfYFwC" type="external">Testimony of Phyllis C. Borzi, Assistant Secretary of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Before the Special Committee on Aging, United States Senate</a>.” Department of Labor. 7 Mar 2012.</p>
<p>John, David C. “ <a href="http://www.heritage.org/research/testimony/2012/04/pursuing-universal-retirement-security-through-automatic-iras-and-account-simplification" type="external">Pursuing Universal Retirement Security Through Automatic IRAs and Account Simplification</a>.” The Heritage Foundation. 17 Apr 2012.</p>
<p>“ <a href="http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/pdf/1210-AB33-09142010.pdf" type="external">Department of Labor/Department of the Treasury Joint Hearing on Lifetime Income Options</a>.” Department of Labor. 14 Sep 2010.</p>
| false | 2 |
q obama administration attempting eliminate private 401ks iras create national retirement system obama endorses proposal would require businesses without retirement plans establish private iras employees deposit percentage wages accounts employees could opt full question started seeing postings facebook web sites referring to160recent hearings sponsored labor department treasury department hearings referred beginning obama160administrations effort nationalize nations pension system eliminate private retirement accounts whole thing sounds bogus unable find anything support claim sites making claim one site claiming national seniors council appears basing160the entire claim testimony groups individuals seems weak best real facts full answer inbox recently flooded emails referring 2010 article national seniors council titled obama begins push new national retirement system nsc calls national conservative senior citizens organization advocates limited government president obama claiming administration biggovernment antiseniors agenda social security medicare chopping block order pay liberals welfare programs bailouts also committee national grassroots advocacy 501c4 founded 2009 advocates repeal presidents health care law group drew attention twoyearold article directors report posted november election stated coming months years huge battles obamacare social security even obamas dream establishing new national retirement system however groups 2010 article opinion piece full misleading information misguided speculation administration hasnt proposed national retirement system article focuses september 2010 joint hearing department labor treasury nsc national director robert crone acknowledges article hearing set explore americans saving much retirement could goes claim without evidence clear first step towards government takeover article also mentions automatic ira act crone claims bill passed government one step away able confiscate retirement accounts goes say government would ultimately redistribute wealth americas older citizens automatic ira legislation doesnt call sort government takeover retirement accounts evidence sinister plan redistribute seniors retirement dollars instead legislation longstanding proposal originally developed 2006 david c john senior research fellow retirement security financial institutions conservative heritage foundation j mark iwry brookings institution treasury department bill aims expand retirement savings among americans would require businesses dont retirement plans establish private employersponsored ira plans automatically deposit contributions employees unless employees opt john told us would make easier government confiscate retirement savings said currently half us workforce able contribute retirement funds payroll deductions bill would increase 90 percent 2010 hearing retirement options nsc focused one speaker rebecca davis consumer advocacy group called additional government assistance retirement funding lowerincome workers iwry senior advisor secretary treasury opened hearing stating meeting context departments support private pension system readers also sent us world net daily article jerome corsi titled obama wants 401k corsi author 2008 book obama nation critical thenpresidential candidate obama found factchecking mishmash unsupported conjecture halftruths logical fallacies outright falsehoods corsis article wnd claims obama help departments treasury labor eyeing opportunity redistribute private retirement savings less affluent americans force retirement savings private market governmentcontrolled programs investing governmentissued debt corsi cites things nsc 2010 joint hearing automatic ira bill automatic ira presidents budget fiscal year 2013 page 147 administration endorses automatic ira proposal would require businesses without retirement plans establish employersponsored ira plans house democratic rep richard neal massachusetts introduced recent version bill feb 16 2012 action taken bill since march referred house subcommittee health employment labor pensions bill would require employers automatically enroll employees ira directly depositing 3 percent wages fund employees may opt ira time program would strictly voluntary businesses 10 fewer workers would exempt corresponding legislation senate automatic ira act 2011 introduced september 2011 democratic sens john kerry jeff bingaman promptly referred committee action taken since neal bingaman previously introduced legislation 2010 legislation also introduced back 2006 2007 none bills come vote died committee labor departments phyllis c borzi assistant secretary employee benefits security administration testified latest legislation senate special committee aging march 7 2012 phyllis c borzi march 7 2012 budget proposal administration projects new system automatic workplace pensions expand access tens millions workers currently lack pensions coverage expanded requiring employers currently offer retirement plan enroll employees directdeposit ira account compatible existing directdeposit payroll systems employees would permitted optout choose employers ten fewer employees employers existence less two years would exempt employers fewer 100 employees set arrangements would eligible temporary business tax credits heritage foundations john developed original automatic ira proposal told us automatic iras would invested using private sector providers chosen employer governments role john said would limited requiring businesses 10 employees would exempt dont offer employees type pension retirement savings account offer employees opportunity save retirement automatic ira would also provide guidance types investments allowed help employers connect private sector investment manager theres also possibility treasury bonds could used initially firsttime savers john dec 4 2012 could rbond account treasury firsttime savers money would rolled private sector accounts individual accounts reached certain size rbond designed enable small savers build balance 5000 without administrative fees160 support many private financials private sector managers could substitute private sector alternative wished april 17 2012 john testified topic house ways means committee approved legislation saying partisan ideological proposal john april 17 2012 partisan ideological proposal 2008 automatic ira endorsement obama mccain campaigns continued enjoy support sides ideological spectrum earlier year rep richard neal committee introduced hr 4049 automatic ira act 2012 heritage foundation 501c3 nonprofit endorse legislation let say policy contained bill would significantly improve retirement savings system john went say proposal wouldnt result large costs businesses employers offering automatic ira would involve little cost regulatory burden employer would maintaining retirement plan employer contributions would neither required permitted according johns testimony tax credits would cover costs employers white house budget 2013 says employers could receive tax credits 250 per year six years cover costs administrations budget would double current tax credit small employers offering retirement plans next four years 500 1000 per year labor department hearings 2010 national seniors council article also focuses joint hearing departments treasury labor according group marked beginning obama administrations effort nationalize nations pension system eliminate private retirement accounts including iras 401k plans hearing took place september 14 15 2010 didnt focus eliminating private retirement accounts fact iwry senior advisor secretary treasury deputy assistant treasury secretary retirement health policy said hearing context departments support private pension system especially employer sponsored retirement plans defined benefit defined contribution purpose discuss lifetime retirement payment options seniors various speakers included many private companies investment firms nsc focuses testimony one person rebecca davis pension rights center consumer advocacy group davis called government sponsored program help lowincome individuals buy annuities rebecca davis sept 14 2010 private annuities problematic primarily high cost negligible monthly benefits small account balances purchase reasons annuity option within 401k participants low balances would realistic choice low moderate income participants yet individuals need lifetime income retirement therefore suggest serious consideration given concept establishing government sponsored program ideally administered pension benefit guarantee corporation participants low account balances could purchase low cost annuities thats simply davis opinion offered among many two days hearings iwry made clear hearing reflect intention require purchase annuities particular investment said discussion choices consider whether might increase peoples choices limit john heritage foundation confirmed hearing focused totally products offered private sector asked seen effort obama administration create national retirement system could lead government confiscating accounts national seniors council claims john responded seen indication obama administration goal jesse dubois obama begins push new national retirement system national seniors council 13 oct 2010 national directors report november 2012 national seniors council nov 2012 iwry j mark john david c pursuing universal retirement security automatic iras heritage foundation 12 feb 2006 corsi jerome obama wants 401k world net daily 25 nov 2012 budget united states government fiscal year 2013 office management budget 13 feb 2013 testimony phyllis c borzi assistant secretary labor employee benefits security administration special committee aging united states senate department labor 7 mar 2012 john david c pursuing universal retirement security automatic iras account simplification heritage foundation 17 apr 2012 department labordepartment treasury joint hearing lifetime income options department labor 14 sep 2010
| 1,290 |
<p>Jan 17 (Reuters) - Toronto-Dominion Bank:</p> * TD CANADA TRUST ANNOUNCES CHANGE TO PRIME LENDING RATE
<p>* TORONTO-DOMINION BANK - "TD CANADA TRUST INCREASED PRIME LENDING RATE BY 25 BASIS POINTS TO 3.45 PER CENT, EFFECTIVE JAN 18, 2018" Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage:</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel released details on Tuesday about what it described as an Iranian "air force" deployed in neighboring Syria, including civilian planes suspected of transferring arms, a signal that these could be attacked should tensions with Tehran escalate.</p> FILE PHOTO - An Israeli soldier walks near a military post close to the Druze village of Majdal Shams in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Israel February 10, 2018. REUTERS/Ammar Awad/File Photo
<p>Iran, along with Damascus and its big-power backer Russia, blamed Israel for an April 9 air strike on a Syrian air base, T-4, that killed seven Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) members. Iranian officials have promised unspecified reprisals.</p>
<p>Israeli media ran satellite images and a map of five Syrian air bases allegedly used to field Iranian drones or cargo aircraft, as well as the names of three senior IRGC officers suspected of commanding related projects, such as missile units.</p>
<p>The information came from the Israeli military, according to a wide range of television and radio stations and news websites. Israel's military spokesman declined to comment.</p>
<p>However, an Israeli security official seemed to acknowledge the leak was sanctioned, telling Reuters that it provided details about "the IRGC air force (which) the Israeli defense establishment sees as the entity that will try to attack Israel, based on Iranian threats to respond to the strike on T-4."</p>
<p>The official, who requested anonymity, would not elaborate.</p>
<p>Israel's Army Radio reported that, given tensions with Iran over Syria, the Israeli air force canceled plans to send F-15 fighter jets to take part in the U.S.-hosted exercise Red Flag, which begins on April 30.</p> ?EXPOSED?
<p>Roni Daniel, military editor for Israeli TV station Mako, said the disclosure was a signal to Iran that its deployments in Syria "are totally exposed to us, and if you take action against us to avenge (the T-4 strike) these targets will be very severely harmed".</p>
<p>According to Daniel, Israel was bracing for a possible Iranian missile salvo or armed drone assault from Syria.</p>
<p>There was no immediate response from the IRGC or Syria.</p>
<p>The Iranian death toll in T-4 was unusually high. "It was the first time we attacked live Iranian targets - both facilities and people," the New York Times on Sunday quoted an Israeli military source as saying.</p>
<p>Iran, Israel's arch-foe, has cast its military personnel in Syria as reinforcements helping President Bashar al-Assad battle a seven-year-old insurgency. The Iranians have also described their cargo flights to Syria as carrying humanitarian aid only.</p>
<p>An Israeli-Iranian showdown over Syria has loomed since Feb. 10, when Israel said an armed drone launched from T-4 penetrated its air space. Israel blew up the drone and carried out a raid on Syrian air defenses in which one of its F-16 jets was downed.</p>
<p>"Israel is headed for escalation," Yaacov Amidror, former national security adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, told Tel Aviv radio station 103 FM. "There could be a very big belligerent incident with Iran and Hezbollah."</p>
<p>While not claiming responsibility for the T-4 strike, Israel has restated a policy of preventing Iran setting up a Syrian garrison. Scores of previous such raids went unanswered but Israel worries that changing conditions may now embolden Iran.</p>
<p>&#160;&#160;&#160; Russia, which long turned a blind eye to Israeli actions in Syria while serving as a brake on retaliation by Iran or its Lebanese Hezbollah guerrilla allies, is now at loggerheads with Western powers over accusations, denied by Syria's government, that it has used chemical weaponry in fighting.</p>
<p>Additional reporting by Bozorgmehr Sharafedin in London; writing by Dan Williams; editing by Mark Heinrich</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>BEIRUT (Reuters) - Global chemical weapons inspectors finally reached the Syrian town on Tuesday where a suspected poison gas attack took place, days after the United States, Britain and France launched missile strikes to punish Damascus for it.</p> Members of Syrian police sit at a damaged building at the city of Douma, Damascus, Syria April 16, 2018. REUTERS/Ali Hashisho
<p>Syrian state television reported that the experts from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons had entered Douma, where Western countries say scores of civilians sheltering from bombs were gassed to death on April 7.</p>
<p>France said it was very likely that evidence of the poison gas attack was disappearing before the inspectors could reach the site. Syria and its ally Russia deny that any chemical attack took place.</p>
<p>Douma is now in the hands of government forces after the last rebels withdrew just hours after U.S., French and British forces fired more than 100 missiles to hit three suspected chemical weapons development or storage sites.</p>
<p>Saturday's air strikes were the first coordinated Western strikes against Assad's government in a seven-year war that has killed more than 500,000 people and drawn in global powers and neighbouring states.</p>
<p>The intervention threatened to escalate confrontation between the West and Russia but has had no significant impact on the ground, where President Bashar al-Assad is now in his strongest position since the war's early days and shows no sign of slowing down his campaign to crush the rebellion.</p> Related Coverage
<a href="/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-congress/speaker-ryan-trump-did-right-thing-on-syria-strikes-idUSKBN1HO27M" type="external">Speaker Ryan: Trump did 'right thing' on Syria strikes</a>
<a href="/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-germany/merkel-putin-agree-must-focus-on-political-process-for-syria-germany-idUSKBN1HO1KQ" type="external">Merkel, Putin agree must focus on political process for Syria: Germany</a>
<a href="/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-turkey/erdogan-rouhani-agree-to-maintain-turkey-iran-russia-cooperation-in-syria-idUSKBN1HO1VG" type="external">Erdogan, Rouhani agree to maintain Turkey, Iran, Russia cooperation in Syria</a>
<p>Graphic: Air strikes on suspected Syrian chemical weapons sites, click <a href="https://tmsnrt.rs/2JRHHJz" type="external">tmsnrt.rs/2JRHHJz</a></p> YARMOUK
<p>The Syrian army began preparatory shelling on Tuesday for an assault on the last area outside its control near Damascus, a commander in the pro-government alliance said.</p>
<p>Recovering the Yarmouk camp and neighbouring areas south of the city would give Assad complete control over Syria's capital. Yarmouk, Syria's biggest camp for Palestinian refugees, has been under the control of Islamic State fighters for years. Although most residents have fled, the United Nations says several thousand remain.</p>
<p>Assad has benefited from Russian air power since 2015 to regain large swathes of Syria. The suspected poison gas attack creates a conundrum for Western powers, who are determined to punish Assad for using chemical weapons but have no strategy for the sort of sustained intervention that might damage him.</p>
<p>Damascus and Moscow have broadcast statements from hospital workers in Douma - which medical aid groups operating in rebel areas have dismissed as propaganda - saying that no chemical attack took place.</p>
<p>Syrian state media reported that missiles had again targeted an airbase overnight, but the commander in the regional military alliance backing the government, speaking on condition of anonymity, later told Reuters it was a false alarm.</p>
<p>The commander said the new offensive would target Islamic State and Nusra Front militants in Yarmouk camp and al-Hajar al-Aswad district. Rebels in the adjoining Beit Sahm area had agreed to withdraw on buses, he said.</p> EASTERN GHOUTA
<p>A government media tour on Monday of Douma, the biggest town in the former rebel enclave of eastern Ghouta just outside Damascus, revealed severe destruction and the plight of residents who had survived years of siege.</p>
<p>The assault on eastern Ghouta began in February and ended in government victory on Saturday when rebels withdrew from the town. All the rebel groups controlling areas of eastern Ghouta eventually agreed surrender deals that involved withdrawal to opposition-held areas of northwestern Syria.</p>
<p>After the recapture of eastern Ghouta, Assad still has several smaller pockets of ground to recover from rebels, as well as two major areas they hold in the northwest and southwest.</p>
<p>Besides the pocket south of Damascus, rebels still hold besieged enclaves in the town of Dumayr northeast of Damascus, in the Eastern Qalamoun mountains nearby, and around Rastan north of Homs.</p>
<p>The pro-government commander said the army had prepared for military action in the Eastern Qalamoun, but that Russia was working on securing the rebels' withdrawal without a battle. State television said on Tuesday that rebels in Dumayr had also agreed to withdraw.</p>
<p>In Idlib in northwest Syria, the largest area still held by rebels, a government assault could bring Damascus into confrontation with Turkey, which has set up a string of military observation posts in the area.</p>
<p>Ali Akbar Velayati, a top Iranian official, said during a visit to Damascus last week that he hoped the army would soon regain Idlib and areas of eastern Syria now held by an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias backed by Washington.</p>
<p>Chemical attacks interactive graphic, click <a href="http://tmsnrt.rs/2pKDWOY" type="external">tmsnrt.rs/2pKDWOY</a></p>
<p>Reporting by Laila Bassam, additional reporting by Dahlia Nehme; Editing by Kevin Liffey; Writing by Angus McDowall and Peter Graff; Editing by Kevin Liffey</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, Speaker Paul Ryan, on Tuesday applauded the missile strikes against Syria that were ordered by President Donald Trump last Friday, making plain the commander-in-chief and his fellow Republicans in Congress are on the same page about the military action.</p> House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) gestures during a weekly news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., April 12, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas
<p>"I think the president's strike was called for. I think it was the right thing to do," Ryan said at a press briefing. "I was also impressed he made a multilateral effort."</p>
<p>Reporting by Lisa Lambert; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia would send troops to Syria under the U.S.-led coalition if a decision was taken to widen it, Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said on Tuesday.</p>
<p>"We are in discussion with the U.S. and have been since the beginning of the Syrian crisis about sending forces into Syria," Jubeir told a news conference in Riyadh with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. He added that Riyadh had previously proposed this idea to former U.S. President Barack Obama.</p>
<p>Reporting by Sarah Dadouch in Riyadh and Aziz el Yaakoubi in Dubai; editing by Ghaida Ghantous/Mark Heinrich</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
| false | 2 |
jan 17 reuters torontodominion bank td canada trust announces change prime lending rate torontodominion bank td canada trust increased prime lending rate 25 basis points 345 per cent effective jan 18 2018 source text eikon company coverage standards thomson reuters trust principles jerusalem reuters israel released details tuesday described iranian air force deployed neighboring syria including civilian planes suspected transferring arms signal could attacked tensions tehran escalate file photo israeli soldier walks near military post close druze village majdal shams israelioccupied golan heights israel february 10 2018 reutersammar awadfile photo iran along damascus bigpower backer russia blamed israel april 9 air strike syrian air base t4 killed seven iranian revolutionary guards corps irgc members iranian officials promised unspecified reprisals israeli media ran satellite images map five syrian air bases allegedly used field iranian drones cargo aircraft well names three senior irgc officers suspected commanding related projects missile units information came israeli military according wide range television radio stations news websites israels military spokesman declined comment however israeli security official seemed acknowledge leak sanctioned telling reuters provided details irgc air force israeli defense establishment sees entity try attack israel based iranian threats respond strike t4 official requested anonymity would elaborate israels army radio reported given tensions iran syria israeli air force canceled plans send f15 fighter jets take part ushosted exercise red flag begins april 30 exposed roni daniel military editor israeli tv station mako said disclosure signal iran deployments syria totally exposed us take action us avenge t4 strike targets severely harmed according daniel israel bracing possible iranian missile salvo armed drone assault syria immediate response irgc syria iranian death toll t4 unusually high first time attacked live iranian targets facilities people new york times sunday quoted israeli military source saying iran israels archfoe cast military personnel syria reinforcements helping president bashar alassad battle sevenyearold insurgency iranians also described cargo flights syria carrying humanitarian aid israeliiranian showdown syria loomed since feb 10 israel said armed drone launched t4 penetrated air space israel blew drone carried raid syrian air defenses one f16 jets downed israel headed escalation yaacov amidror former national security adviser israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu told tel aviv radio station 103 fm could big belligerent incident iran hezbollah claiming responsibility t4 strike israel restated policy preventing iran setting syrian garrison scores previous raids went unanswered israel worries changing conditions may embolden iran 160160160 russia long turned blind eye israeli actions syria serving brake retaliation iran lebanese hezbollah guerrilla allies loggerheads western powers accusations denied syrias government used chemical weaponry fighting additional reporting bozorgmehr sharafedin london writing dan williams editing mark heinrich standards thomson reuters trust principles beirut reuters global chemical weapons inspectors finally reached syrian town tuesday suspected poison gas attack took place days united states britain france launched missile strikes punish damascus members syrian police sit damaged building city douma damascus syria april 16 2018 reutersali hashisho syrian state television reported experts organisation prohibition chemical weapons entered douma western countries say scores civilians sheltering bombs gassed death april 7 france said likely evidence poison gas attack disappearing inspectors could reach site syria ally russia deny chemical attack took place douma hands government forces last rebels withdrew hours us french british forces fired 100 missiles hit three suspected chemical weapons development storage sites saturdays air strikes first coordinated western strikes assads government sevenyear war killed 500000 people drawn global powers neighbouring states intervention threatened escalate confrontation west russia significant impact ground president bashar alassad strongest position since wars early days shows sign slowing campaign crush rebellion related coverage speaker ryan trump right thing syria strikes merkel putin agree must focus political process syria germany erdogan rouhani agree maintain turkey iran russia cooperation syria graphic air strikes suspected syrian chemical weapons sites click tmsnrtrs2jrhhjz yarmouk syrian army began preparatory shelling tuesday assault last area outside control near damascus commander progovernment alliance said recovering yarmouk camp neighbouring areas south city would give assad complete control syrias capital yarmouk syrias biggest camp palestinian refugees control islamic state fighters years although residents fled united nations says several thousand remain assad benefited russian air power since 2015 regain large swathes syria suspected poison gas attack creates conundrum western powers determined punish assad using chemical weapons strategy sort sustained intervention might damage damascus moscow broadcast statements hospital workers douma medical aid groups operating rebel areas dismissed propaganda saying chemical attack took place syrian state media reported missiles targeted airbase overnight commander regional military alliance backing government speaking condition anonymity later told reuters false alarm commander said new offensive would target islamic state nusra front militants yarmouk camp alhajar alaswad district rebels adjoining beit sahm area agreed withdraw buses said eastern ghouta government media tour monday douma biggest town former rebel enclave eastern ghouta outside damascus revealed severe destruction plight residents survived years siege assault eastern ghouta began february ended government victory saturday rebels withdrew town rebel groups controlling areas eastern ghouta eventually agreed surrender deals involved withdrawal oppositionheld areas northwestern syria recapture eastern ghouta assad still several smaller pockets ground recover rebels well two major areas hold northwest southwest besides pocket south damascus rebels still hold besieged enclaves town dumayr northeast damascus eastern qalamoun mountains nearby around rastan north homs progovernment commander said army prepared military action eastern qalamoun russia working securing rebels withdrawal without battle state television said tuesday rebels dumayr also agreed withdraw idlib northwest syria largest area still held rebels government assault could bring damascus confrontation turkey set string military observation posts area ali akbar velayati top iranian official said visit damascus last week hoped army would soon regain idlib areas eastern syria held alliance kurdish arab militias backed washington chemical attacks interactive graphic click tmsnrtrs2pkdwoy reporting laila bassam additional reporting dahlia nehme editing kevin liffey writing angus mcdowall peter graff editing kevin liffey standards thomson reuters trust principles washington reuters leader us house representatives speaker paul ryan tuesday applauded missile strikes syria ordered president donald trump last friday making plain commanderinchief fellow republicans congress page military action house speaker paul ryan rwi gestures weekly news conference capitol hill washington us april 12 2018 reutersyuri gripas think presidents strike called think right thing ryan said press briefing also impressed made multilateral effort reporting lisa lambert editing chizu nomiyama standards thomson reuters trust principles riyadh reuters saudi arabia would send troops syria usled coalition decision taken widen foreign minister adel aljubeir said tuesday discussion us since beginning syrian crisis sending forces syria jubeir told news conference riyadh un secretarygeneral antonio guterres added riyadh previously proposed idea former us president barack obama reporting sarah dadouch riyadh aziz el yaakoubi dubai editing ghaida ghantousmark heinrich standards thomson reuters trust principles
| 1,106 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p>Party-Trolley owner Paul Aitken, center, talks with customers Kyle McCallister, left, and another man prior to their ride on the bus. (pat vasquez-cunningham/journal)</p>
<p>ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The tiger-striped bus pulled up to the quiet neighborhood around 10:30 p.m., its internal sound system already piping a techno-beat clamor.</p>
<p>A dozen costumed adults — some already knee-deep in the night’s birthday-party revelry — ambled on-board for a ride to another shindig.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>A safe ride.</p>
<p>For $7.50 each, the Party-Trolley delivered the group to its next destination without incident and without interrupting the festive flow. While en route, the tunes blasted, cameras flashed and a passenger wearing a Batman costume performed a superhero-worthy strut down the aisle.</p>
<p>Kyle McCallister — a 29-year-old dressed for the occasion as a human Breathalyzer — had arranged the trolley ride for the group, noting that his friends don’t drink and drive.</p>
<p>“It’s a great way — cheap and easy — to get wherever we want to go,” he said.</p>
<p>Party-Trolley founder Paul Aitken, hanging from the roof of his bus, wants to get a Party-Trolley in college communities around the U.S. The “shared ride service” offers one-way trips as low as $5 per person.</p>
<p>In this season of spiked eggnog and champagne toasts, here’s a sobering statistic: Under New Mexico law, a first-time DWI conviction can cost up to $1,900 in fines, fees and expenses like an ignition interlock device.</p>
<p>And that’s before paying a defense attorney, which DWI Resource Center Executive Director Linda Atkinson said can run around $3,000 to $5,000.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>“It will take a chunk of change” to deal with a DWI, Atkinson said.</p>
<p>It is something a lot of people have learned the hard way: Authorities made 4,842 DWI arrests in Bernalillo County last year, according to the state’s Traffic Safety Division.</p>
<p>But a few local entrepreneurs are hoping to help turn that tide.</p>
<p>University of New Mexico student Paul Aitken founded Party-Trolley in 2011 using money he earned as the third-place finisher in the Entrepreneurial Challenge organized by UNM’s Anderson School of Management. Certified by the Public Regulation Commission as a “shared ride carrier,” Party-Trolley runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights with one-way fares as low as $5 per person.</p>
<p>Phil Baca’s service, Designated Drivers on Demand, offers a different variation on the safe ride. His customers get a sober driver to take them home in their own vehicle, thus avoiding the next-day scramble to get their car.</p>
<p>Baca’s members pay $30 a month for service any time of day, plus mandatory tips per ride.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>In comparison, a five-mile taxi ride in Albuquerque for two people averages about $14.50, according to data from the Public Regulation Commission. Rental of a basic, sedan-style limo in Albuquerque averages $50 per hour.</p>
<p>Party-Trolley passengers board the bus for a recent ride. The bus is the brainchild of UNM student Paul Aitken who wanted to combat the city’s DWI problem by creating a fun, affordable transportation alternative. (pat vasquez-cunningham/journal)</p>
<p>Aitken, 24, said his mission was to prevent DWI by offering a transportation option that was both fun and cheap.</p>
<p>He started by purchasing a used bus from a church in Roswell.</p>
<p>“The guy said, ‘Now, son, I know you believe Jesus Christ is your savior and I hope you’re doing something good with this bus,'” Aitken recalled. “I said, ‘Yes, sir, I’m going to be saving hundreds of lives.'”</p>
<p>Aitken had the bus wrapped in black with a jungle-print motif and completely redid the inside. In lieu of bench seats, 12 comfy office-like chairs face center. Aitken covered the interior with black chalkboard paint that riders have since blanketed with doodles, signatures and declarations of love.</p>
<p>Perhaps the most important upgrade was the installation of flat-screen TVs on the bus’ exterior that flicker with a series of digital advertisements. Ad sales represent about 60 percent of the business’ revenue, letting Aitken keep fares low.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>“The most you’ll pay is $10 per ride,” said Aitken, who now averages about 75 riders on a typical Saturday night.</p>
<p>The overwhelming majority use it round trip, and the trolley runs throughout Bernalillo County.</p>
<p>One recent rider recognized Party-Trolley as a deal right away, saying it beats the $6,000 she once spent to deal with a DWI arrest.</p>
<p>Another summed it up like this: “It’s cheaper to go safer.”</p>
<p>Tipping aside, the only extra fees are a 50-cent charge to use a credit card and $25 for vomit clean-up. The latter gets assessed roughly once every six months, Aitken said.</p>
<p>Currently, the age range for typical Party-Trolley riders is 30 to 40, but Aitken is pushing to get more college students. He notes that he’s had five friends convicted of DWI in the last 1 1/2 years.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>“Our plan is to say ‘Hey, students: we know you’re drinking. Let’s be smart about this and have an alternative (to driving),'” he said, adding that he now offers a $40 monthly membership for students.</p>
<p>Aitken works about 65 hours per week — sometimes even driving the trolley himself — on top of his UNM course work. But the payoff has been a venture so successful that he’s added a second bus and has designs on moving into college communities around the U.S.</p>
<p>“I will not give up until this is the McDonald’s of transportation,” he said.</p>
<p>Baca, a retired Albuquerque police sergeant, said his experience in the field prompted him to start Designated Drivers on Demand in 2010.</p>
<p>When making DWI arrests, Baca said officers ask drivers why they didn’t use a taxi or another safe-ride option.</p>
<p>Bernalillo County, for example, offers its “Tavern Taxi” program year-round, offering free cab rides home to anyone who’s been drinking on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights when the bartender calls, plus round-trip service on some holidays. It’s been averaging about 663 passengers per month this year.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>But Baca said DWI suspects tended to offer the same excuse for driving while intoxicated: They didn’t want to leave their car behind.</p>
<p>“I actually had one guy say, ‘Show me a taxi that can take my car home, and I’ll use that taxi,'” Baca said.</p>
<p>Baca said DDD has “several hundred” members. When they call, they are sent a team of two people: one who will drive them home in their vehicle and another who follows in a separate car.</p>
<p>Like Aitken, Baca has been somewhat surprised by his customer base. The overwhelming majority are professionals or business owners who range in age from 30 to 70. Most utilize the service just once per month and tend to err on the side of caution.</p>
<p>“They’re just being responsible,” Baca said. “Most of them, after they’ve had two drinks, they just won’t drive. They call us.”</p>
<p>There’s even a DWI attorney in the mix who Baca said once commented about the price for an annual membership (about $240) being cheaper than an hour of his time.</p>
<p>“I tell my drivers when I do hire them that they have to be able to accept a hug, because our members will hug you,” Baca said. “They’re so grateful.”</p>
| false | 2 |
partytrolley owner paul aitken center talks customers kyle mccallister left another man prior ride bus pat vasquezcunninghamjournal albuquerque nm tigerstriped bus pulled quiet neighborhood around 1030 pm internal sound system already piping technobeat clamor dozen costumed adults already kneedeep nights birthdayparty revelry ambled onboard ride another shindig advertisement safe ride 750 partytrolley delivered group next destination without incident without interrupting festive flow en route tunes blasted cameras flashed passenger wearing batman costume performed superheroworthy strut aisle kyle mccallister 29yearold dressed occasion human breathalyzer arranged trolley ride group noting friends dont drink drive great way cheap easy get wherever want go said partytrolley founder paul aitken hanging roof bus wants get partytrolley college communities around us shared ride service offers oneway trips low 5 per person season spiked eggnog champagne toasts heres sobering statistic new mexico law firsttime dwi conviction cost 1900 fines fees expenses like ignition interlock device thats paying defense attorney dwi resource center executive director linda atkinson said run around 3000 5000 advertisement take chunk change deal dwi atkinson said something lot people learned hard way authorities made 4842 dwi arrests bernalillo county last year according states traffic safety division local entrepreneurs hoping help turn tide university new mexico student paul aitken founded partytrolley 2011 using money earned thirdplace finisher entrepreneurial challenge organized unms anderson school management certified public regulation commission shared ride carrier partytrolley runs thursday friday saturday nights oneway fares low 5 per person phil bacas service designated drivers demand offers different variation safe ride customers get sober driver take home vehicle thus avoiding nextday scramble get car bacas members pay 30 month service time day plus mandatory tips per ride advertisement comparison fivemile taxi ride albuquerque two people averages 1450 according data public regulation commission rental basic sedanstyle limo albuquerque averages 50 per hour partytrolley passengers board bus recent ride bus brainchild unm student paul aitken wanted combat citys dwi problem creating fun affordable transportation alternative pat vasquezcunninghamjournal aitken 24 said mission prevent dwi offering transportation option fun cheap started purchasing used bus church roswell guy said son know believe jesus christ savior hope youre something good bus aitken recalled said yes sir im going saving hundreds lives aitken bus wrapped black jungleprint motif completely redid inside lieu bench seats 12 comfy officelike chairs face center aitken covered interior black chalkboard paint riders since blanketed doodles signatures declarations love perhaps important upgrade installation flatscreen tvs bus exterior flicker series digital advertisements ad sales represent 60 percent business revenue letting aitken keep fares low advertisement youll pay 10 per ride said aitken averages 75 riders typical saturday night overwhelming majority use round trip trolley runs throughout bernalillo county one recent rider recognized partytrolley deal right away saying beats 6000 spent deal dwi arrest another summed like cheaper go safer tipping aside extra fees 50cent charge use credit card 25 vomit cleanup latter gets assessed roughly every six months aitken said currently age range typical partytrolley riders 30 40 aitken pushing get college students notes hes five friends convicted dwi last 1 12 years advertisement plan say hey students know youre drinking lets smart alternative driving said adding offers 40 monthly membership students aitken works 65 hours per week sometimes even driving trolley top unm course work payoff venture successful hes added second bus designs moving college communities around us give mcdonalds transportation said baca retired albuquerque police sergeant said experience field prompted start designated drivers demand 2010 making dwi arrests baca said officers ask drivers didnt use taxi another saferide option bernalillo county example offers tavern taxi program yearround offering free cab rides home anyone whos drinking friday saturday sunday nights bartender calls plus roundtrip service holidays averaging 663 passengers per month year advertisement baca said dwi suspects tended offer excuse driving intoxicated didnt want leave car behind actually one guy say show taxi take car home ill use taxi baca said baca said ddd several hundred members call sent team two people one drive home vehicle another follows separate car like aitken baca somewhat surprised customer base overwhelming majority professionals business owners range age 30 70 utilize service per month tend err side caution theyre responsible baca said theyve two drinks wont drive call us theres even dwi attorney mix baca said commented price annual membership 240 cheaper hour time tell drivers hire able accept hug members hug baca said theyre grateful
| 727 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p />
<p>"I remember gunshot after gunshot after gunshot," said Jacob Grant, an undercover narcotics detective for two of his 12 years with the Albuquerque Police Department who on Jan. 9, 2015, was shot repeatedly by his own boss, Lt. Greg Brachle, in a drug sting gone horribly awry. "I remember looking at my right hand and seeing that it was blown apart, how my left arm felt like it was hanging off, like it was obliterated."</p>
<p>He knew he had been shot many times in his abdomen and under his armpit, and he knew most people didn't survive wounds like that.</p>
<p>"I knew there was a very good chance that I was about to die," said Grant, 37.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>He remembers trying to reach for his cellphone to call his wife, Laura, to tell her one last time that he loved her. But his hands no longer worked.</p>
<p>Nine separate wounds from eight .45-caliber, copper-jacketed, hollow-point, lead-core bullets had been emptied into him at close range in 10 seconds, shearing off two slabs of liver and eviscerating his spleen, pancreas, lungs, much of his colon, nerves, artery, bone. Such ammo is used to inflict maximum damage, and it had.</p>
<p>"I could feel myself starting to fade, feeling exhaustion just trying to breathe, feeling so much pain," he said. "I remember thinking how awful the pain was but how that was OK because I was going to be dead in just a minute."</p>
<p>Albuquerque police detective Jacob Grant and his wife, Laura, have been married since 2004. After he was shot by his lieutenant during an undercover drug sting, Laura Grant had to take time off from her job as a physical therapist to care for him and their two children. (Courtesy of Jacob Grant)</p>
<p>In his failing consciousness, he could still make out an image in the blur and the blood, a photo pulled from memory of his two children - his 4-year-old boy, his 7-year-old girl - and they were smiling.</p>
<p>"That's when it occurred to me that the idea of dying, of giving up, was just ridiculous," he said. "So I was going to do everything I could not to die."</p>
<p>Much to the surprise of those who saw the damage to Grant's ravaged body - from his fellow detectives at the scene to the paramedics who tried to stanch the bleeding from the galaxy of holes torn in his body to the team of surgeons who worked for hours patching together what remained of him - he lived.</p>
<p>He's not sure that photo of his kids exists, but in those hazy moments it had.</p>
<p>Someday, he will tell his children the story about the photo, but when they are older, when they are ready - and how he lived because of their smiles.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>He told me this story - a rarity because he has not spoken publicly since the shooting - on the night before major surgery to reconstruct his torso, which for now is covered with mesh and a thin, taut patch of flesh sliced from his thigh. Every major organ except his brain and heart must be repaired, muscle reinforced, blood vessels and nerves rewired, inches of intestine re-coiled. Although he has already undergone at least 12 surgeries and countless other procedures in the year since he was shot, the surgery Wednesday was one of the riskiest and most complicated.</p>
<p>So he tells the story just in case he doesn't get to tell it someday in the future.</p>
<p>Mostly, he also wanted to say how thankful he is to those who offered support, words of encouragement and donations; to the "rock star" surgeons and the medical staff; to his family and friends.</p>
<p>"So many people have stepped up and done stuff, all the individuals who donated online, the businesses that held fundraisers, the Wells Fargo account people donated to. Our preschool made it possible to keep sending our son there," he said. "It was all just honestly unexpected, the amount of support we got. You get the impression that there is only negative sentiment toward law enforcement, but it hasn't felt that way."</p>
<p>Grant is one of those happy, mellow souls who stay calm and gracious even while trudging through hell. That cool-headed composure, he said, has served him well in his law enforcement career and his 11 years as an Army infantryman, his last deployment being in 2005 to Iraq.</p>
<p>"I don't have the energy to be angry all the time right now," he said. "I've never really been a particularly angry person. It's helpful not to let things get under your skin, to deal with your situation in a more successful and healthy fashion."</p>
<p>Many of his friends, including those within the ranks of APD, are not as easygoing. They are outraged at what they say is the shameless lack of recognition for Grant's sacrifice in the line of duty, outraged at the lack of compensation other than workers' comp for his injuries, outraged that the police lieutenant who shot him remains on the force.</p>
<p>A federal lawsuit filed on Grant's behalf against the city, APD and Brachle describes the horror, confusion and inexplicable missteps of that day.</p>
<p>According to the lawsuit, Brachle should not have been involved in the undercover drug buy - $60 for meth - because he missed the required briefing beforehand. Brachle, the lawsuit contends, failed to follow APD protocol and training by rushing the car and opening the door on the driver's side where undercover detectives always sit rather than slowly approaching the passenger's side. He failed to distinguish the two undercover detectives, both of whom are white, from the suspects, both of whom are black.</p>
<p>He failed to recognize Grant, sitting in the back seat behind the driver, despite knowing Grant would be sitting there, despite having worked with Grant for two years, despite Grant not wearing a facial disguise, despite Grant wearing the same recognizable clothing he always wore on operations, despite it being broad daylight and clear weather.</p>
<p>In a response by the city to Grant's lawsuit, Brachle admits that he shot Grant but denied all allegations of wrongdoing, including missing the briefing.</p>
<p>Grant's "injuries were caused by an independent, intervening cause or intervention for which the City cannot be held liable," the city's response says. His "injuries were caused by the sole or comparative fault of persons other than the City."</p>
<p>Grant prefers not to say what he thinks of that or Brachle. He is concerned that the controversy surrounding his case will reflect poorly on his fellow police officers.</p>
<p>"My fellow officers at my level are good, hardworking people who are good at heart and have good intentions," he said. "They are the guys and girls going out there to protect people and do their job."</p>
<p>Grant said he is concerned he may never be able to do his job again, given the extent of his injuries. Besides the damage to his internal organs, his hand and arms have suffered such severe nerve and bone damage that he cannot pick up a cup of coffee, a child, a gun.</p>
<p>"I went to work with a smile on my face every morning," he said. "I was doing what I loved. I was good at it. The potential never to be able to do police work again hurts me more than anything else."</p>
<p>Despite even that, Grant calls himself lucky, his life in a holding pattern, his broken body still functioning, at least enough to keep him breathing and moving and being there for his children and his wife.</p>
<p>"I was a dead man, everybody said," he said. "But I am still alive. I am lucky."</p>
<p>Word came late Wednesday: Grant survived nine hours of surgery and is doing well.</p>
<p>UpFront is a daily front-page news and opinion column. Comment directly to Joline at 823-3603, <a href="" type="internal">[email protected]</a> or follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/jolinegkg" type="external">@jolinegkg</a>. Go to <a href="" type="internal">www.abqjournal.com/letters/new</a> to submit a letter to the editor.</p>
<p />
| false | 2 |
remember gunshot gunshot gunshot said jacob grant undercover narcotics detective two 12 years albuquerque police department jan 9 2015 shot repeatedly boss lt greg brachle drug sting gone horribly awry remember looking right hand seeing blown apart left arm felt like hanging like obliterated knew shot many times abdomen armpit knew people didnt survive wounds like knew good chance die said grant 37 advertisement remembers trying reach cellphone call wife laura tell one last time loved hands longer worked nine separate wounds eight 45caliber copperjacketed hollowpoint leadcore bullets emptied close range 10 seconds shearing two slabs liver eviscerating spleen pancreas lungs much colon nerves artery bone ammo used inflict maximum damage could feel starting fade feeling exhaustion trying breathe feeling much pain said remember thinking awful pain ok going dead minute albuquerque police detective jacob grant wife laura married since 2004 shot lieutenant undercover drug sting laura grant take time job physical therapist care two children courtesy jacob grant failing consciousness could still make image blur blood photo pulled memory two children 4yearold boy 7yearold girl smiling thats occurred idea dying giving ridiculous said going everything could die much surprise saw damage grants ravaged body fellow detectives scene paramedics tried stanch bleeding galaxy holes torn body team surgeons worked hours patching together remained lived hes sure photo kids exists hazy moments someday tell children story photo older ready lived smiles advertisement told story rarity spoken publicly since shooting night major surgery reconstruct torso covered mesh thin taut patch flesh sliced thigh every major organ except brain heart must repaired muscle reinforced blood vessels nerves rewired inches intestine recoiled although already undergone least 12 surgeries countless procedures year since shot surgery wednesday one riskiest complicated tells story case doesnt get tell someday future mostly also wanted say thankful offered support words encouragement donations rock star surgeons medical staff family friends many people stepped done stuff individuals donated online businesses held fundraisers wells fargo account people donated preschool made possible keep sending son said honestly unexpected amount support got get impression negative sentiment toward law enforcement hasnt felt way grant one happy mellow souls stay calm gracious even trudging hell coolheaded composure said served well law enforcement career 11 years army infantryman last deployment 2005 iraq dont energy angry time right said ive never really particularly angry person helpful let things get skin deal situation successful healthy fashion many friends including within ranks apd easygoing outraged say shameless lack recognition grants sacrifice line duty outraged lack compensation workers comp injuries outraged police lieutenant shot remains force federal lawsuit filed grants behalf city apd brachle describes horror confusion inexplicable missteps day according lawsuit brachle involved undercover drug buy 60 meth missed required briefing beforehand brachle lawsuit contends failed follow apd protocol training rushing car opening door drivers side undercover detectives always sit rather slowly approaching passengers side failed distinguish two undercover detectives white suspects black failed recognize grant sitting back seat behind driver despite knowing grant would sitting despite worked grant two years despite grant wearing facial disguise despite grant wearing recognizable clothing always wore operations despite broad daylight clear weather response city grants lawsuit brachle admits shot grant denied allegations wrongdoing including missing briefing grants injuries caused independent intervening cause intervention city held liable citys response says injuries caused sole comparative fault persons city grant prefers say thinks brachle concerned controversy surrounding case reflect poorly fellow police officers fellow officers level good hardworking people good heart good intentions said guys girls going protect people job grant said concerned may never able job given extent injuries besides damage internal organs hand arms suffered severe nerve bone damage pick cup coffee child gun went work smile face every morning said loved good potential never able police work hurts anything else despite even grant calls lucky life holding pattern broken body still functioning least enough keep breathing moving children wife dead man everybody said said still alive lucky word came late wednesday grant survived nine hours surgery well upfront daily frontpage news opinion column comment directly joline 8233603 jkruegerabqjournalcom follow twitter jolinegkg go wwwabqjournalcomlettersnew submit letter editor
| 682 |
<p>BERLIN (AP) — It’s that time of the year to fulfill those ambitious New Year’s resolutions again: More vegetables, less alcohol, sign up for the gym.</p>
<p>But not for Torben Bertram. Fed up with colleagues who kept pressuring him to join workout sessions during his lunch break, the 39-year-old Berliner founded Germany’s first couch potato club.</p>
<p>Bertram says his Sofa Sports Association is proudly geared toward the non-vegan, non-overachieving, non-career-obsessed masses.</p>
<p>“I just didn’t like this constant pressure to improve myself,” Bertram said, adding that he is the antithesis of many young people in Berlin: Skinny, well-groomed but stressed.</p>
<p>Club activities include swaying back and forth, like in a beer hall; the “Tarzan yell” — beating your chest with your fists and yelling; and the potato chip competition, consisting of eating a plastic cup full of chips without using one’s hands — a favorite among the club’s child members.</p>
<p>The club has been meeting for about a year at bars and pubs in the German capital and now boasts 25 members from 8 to 64 years old. Men, women and children are all welcome. Bertram’s wife initially thought sofa sports was “nonsense” — but she joined anyway, Bertram said with a smug smile.</p>
<p>The father of two, who works in political communications, sports a goatee and has a penchant for cycling shirts that are too tight around the belly. He speaks with eyes full of mischief, suggesting one shouldn’t take everything he says at face value.</p>
<p>Lounging on a worn-out couch at one of his favorite bars in Berlin, Bertram said the club only meets in bars with sofas, where everyone is encouraged to participate in the club’s unique fitness program.</p>
<p>The association’s “sofa exercises” aren’t just bar games, Bertram said with a deadpan expression. Some strengthen back and arm muscles, or burn calories. The beer-hall sway, for example, is said to combine popular German traditions with eastern-Asian forms of body awareness including elements from the Chinese Qigong system of body coordination.</p>
<p>“We are no regular couch potatoes because we’re not idling away our time in front of the TV,” he said. “We’ve put some serious thought into this.”</p>
<p>It was the traditional beer-mug hoisting that convinced Patricia Bernreuther to join the club.</p>
<p>“It’s really just a variety of what we’ve been doing in Bavaria for generations,” the 28-year-old parliamentary aide said while holding a heavy glass of beer in her outstretched hand with ease. “It makes me feel like I’m back home.”</p>
<p>Unlike southern Germans, who competitively carry more than 20 mugs at the same time, the Berliners are satisfied to exercise with one glass at a time, at a sloth-like speed. Most importantly, sessions are fun.</p>
<p>Norbert Buddendick, a 50-year-old lobbyist, said the couch potato meetings are much more fulfilling than his previous gym workouts.</p>
<p>“I like the whole-body approach,” he said, tongue-in-cheek, as he ordered another glass of wheat beer. “And it’s really great to mingle with like-minded people.”</p>
<p>It’s not just fun and games — the club wouldn’t be German without some serious rules and order. Bertram has taken out accident insurance for the group, registered it with fiscal authorities and applied for membership in the regional sports association.</p>
<p>And the couch potatoes have their own ambitions, too.</p>
<p>“We are convinced that we will grow and expand across country borders,” Bertram said. “For 2019, we envision a European championship in sofa sport exercises.”</p>
<p>BERLIN (AP) — It’s that time of the year to fulfill those ambitious New Year’s resolutions again: More vegetables, less alcohol, sign up for the gym.</p>
<p>But not for Torben Bertram. Fed up with colleagues who kept pressuring him to join workout sessions during his lunch break, the 39-year-old Berliner founded Germany’s first couch potato club.</p>
<p>Bertram says his Sofa Sports Association is proudly geared toward the non-vegan, non-overachieving, non-career-obsessed masses.</p>
<p>“I just didn’t like this constant pressure to improve myself,” Bertram said, adding that he is the antithesis of many young people in Berlin: Skinny, well-groomed but stressed.</p>
<p>Club activities include swaying back and forth, like in a beer hall; the “Tarzan yell” — beating your chest with your fists and yelling; and the potato chip competition, consisting of eating a plastic cup full of chips without using one’s hands — a favorite among the club’s child members.</p>
<p>The club has been meeting for about a year at bars and pubs in the German capital and now boasts 25 members from 8 to 64 years old. Men, women and children are all welcome. Bertram’s wife initially thought sofa sports was “nonsense” — but she joined anyway, Bertram said with a smug smile.</p>
<p>The father of two, who works in political communications, sports a goatee and has a penchant for cycling shirts that are too tight around the belly. He speaks with eyes full of mischief, suggesting one shouldn’t take everything he says at face value.</p>
<p>Lounging on a worn-out couch at one of his favorite bars in Berlin, Bertram said the club only meets in bars with sofas, where everyone is encouraged to participate in the club’s unique fitness program.</p>
<p>The association’s “sofa exercises” aren’t just bar games, Bertram said with a deadpan expression. Some strengthen back and arm muscles, or burn calories. The beer-hall sway, for example, is said to combine popular German traditions with eastern-Asian forms of body awareness including elements from the Chinese Qigong system of body coordination.</p>
<p>“We are no regular couch potatoes because we’re not idling away our time in front of the TV,” he said. “We’ve put some serious thought into this.”</p>
<p>It was the traditional beer-mug hoisting that convinced Patricia Bernreuther to join the club.</p>
<p>“It’s really just a variety of what we’ve been doing in Bavaria for generations,” the 28-year-old parliamentary aide said while holding a heavy glass of beer in her outstretched hand with ease. “It makes me feel like I’m back home.”</p>
<p>Unlike southern Germans, who competitively carry more than 20 mugs at the same time, the Berliners are satisfied to exercise with one glass at a time, at a sloth-like speed. Most importantly, sessions are fun.</p>
<p>Norbert Buddendick, a 50-year-old lobbyist, said the couch potato meetings are much more fulfilling than his previous gym workouts.</p>
<p>“I like the whole-body approach,” he said, tongue-in-cheek, as he ordered another glass of wheat beer. “And it’s really great to mingle with like-minded people.”</p>
<p>It’s not just fun and games — the club wouldn’t be German without some serious rules and order. Bertram has taken out accident insurance for the group, registered it with fiscal authorities and applied for membership in the regional sports association.</p>
<p>And the couch potatoes have their own ambitions, too.</p>
<p>“We are convinced that we will grow and expand across country borders,” Bertram said. “For 2019, we envision a European championship in sofa sport exercises.”</p>
| false | 2 |
berlin ap time year fulfill ambitious new years resolutions vegetables less alcohol sign gym torben bertram fed colleagues kept pressuring join workout sessions lunch break 39yearold berliner founded germanys first couch potato club bertram says sofa sports association proudly geared toward nonvegan nonoverachieving noncareerobsessed masses didnt like constant pressure improve bertram said adding antithesis many young people berlin skinny wellgroomed stressed club activities include swaying back forth like beer hall tarzan yell beating chest fists yelling potato chip competition consisting eating plastic cup full chips without using ones hands favorite among clubs child members club meeting year bars pubs german capital boasts 25 members 8 64 years old men women children welcome bertrams wife initially thought sofa sports nonsense joined anyway bertram said smug smile father two works political communications sports goatee penchant cycling shirts tight around belly speaks eyes full mischief suggesting one shouldnt take everything says face value lounging wornout couch one favorite bars berlin bertram said club meets bars sofas everyone encouraged participate clubs unique fitness program associations sofa exercises arent bar games bertram said deadpan expression strengthen back arm muscles burn calories beerhall sway example said combine popular german traditions easternasian forms body awareness including elements chinese qigong system body coordination regular couch potatoes idling away time front tv said weve put serious thought traditional beermug hoisting convinced patricia bernreuther join club really variety weve bavaria generations 28yearold parliamentary aide said holding heavy glass beer outstretched hand ease makes feel like im back home unlike southern germans competitively carry 20 mugs time berliners satisfied exercise one glass time slothlike speed importantly sessions fun norbert buddendick 50yearold lobbyist said couch potato meetings much fulfilling previous gym workouts like wholebody approach said tongueincheek ordered another glass wheat beer really great mingle likeminded people fun games club wouldnt german without serious rules order bertram taken accident insurance group registered fiscal authorities applied membership regional sports association couch potatoes ambitions convinced grow expand across country borders bertram said 2019 envision european championship sofa sport exercises berlin ap time year fulfill ambitious new years resolutions vegetables less alcohol sign gym torben bertram fed colleagues kept pressuring join workout sessions lunch break 39yearold berliner founded germanys first couch potato club bertram says sofa sports association proudly geared toward nonvegan nonoverachieving noncareerobsessed masses didnt like constant pressure improve bertram said adding antithesis many young people berlin skinny wellgroomed stressed club activities include swaying back forth like beer hall tarzan yell beating chest fists yelling potato chip competition consisting eating plastic cup full chips without using ones hands favorite among clubs child members club meeting year bars pubs german capital boasts 25 members 8 64 years old men women children welcome bertrams wife initially thought sofa sports nonsense joined anyway bertram said smug smile father two works political communications sports goatee penchant cycling shirts tight around belly speaks eyes full mischief suggesting one shouldnt take everything says face value lounging wornout couch one favorite bars berlin bertram said club meets bars sofas everyone encouraged participate clubs unique fitness program associations sofa exercises arent bar games bertram said deadpan expression strengthen back arm muscles burn calories beerhall sway example said combine popular german traditions easternasian forms body awareness including elements chinese qigong system body coordination regular couch potatoes idling away time front tv said weve put serious thought traditional beermug hoisting convinced patricia bernreuther join club really variety weve bavaria generations 28yearold parliamentary aide said holding heavy glass beer outstretched hand ease makes feel like im back home unlike southern germans competitively carry 20 mugs time berliners satisfied exercise one glass time slothlike speed importantly sessions fun norbert buddendick 50yearold lobbyist said couch potato meetings much fulfilling previous gym workouts like wholebody approach said tongueincheek ordered another glass wheat beer really great mingle likeminded people fun games club wouldnt german without serious rules order bertram taken accident insurance group registered fiscal authorities applied membership regional sports association couch potatoes ambitions convinced grow expand across country borders bertram said 2019 envision european championship sofa sport exercises
| 670 |
<p>SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Chip Kelly is the offensive-minded, experienced head coach the San Francisco 49ers have long sought, and now he needs to win — right away.</p>
<p>The 49ers hired the former Eagles coach on Thursday, finding the leader CEO Jed York is counting on to turn things around for his once-proud franchise.</p>
<p>Kelly faces the daunting challenge of transforming the Niners into an immediate contender again.</p>
<p>"We are thrilled to announce Chip Kelly as the new head coach of the San Francisco 49ers," York said in a statement.</p>
<p>"Chip has a proven track record at both the college and NFL levels that speaks for itself. We believe strongly that he is the right man to get this team back to competing for championships. I look forward to watching Trent (Baalke) and Chip work closely to build a team that will make us all proud."</p>
<p>Kelly, who had personnel control with the Eagles and frustrated some of his players, won't be introduced in a news conference until next week at Levi's Stadium based on scheduling conflicts and Kelly working to immediately build his staff.</p>
<p>"As one of the most historic franchises in the National Football League, I realize the high standards and expectations that this position demands and I embrace the challenges ahead," Kelly said in a statement.</p>
<p>"My immediate focus is to build the best coaching staff possible, one that will maximize the abilities of each of our players and put us in the best position to win football games."</p>
<p>Kelly replaces fired coach Jim Tomsula, promoted from his defensive line duties last January to succeed Jim Harbaugh before going 5-11 — a move Baalke has said earlier this month wound up to be the wrong one, in hindsight.</p>
<p>With his 26 years of coaching experience, Kelly emerged as the favorite among several candidates, including former Raiders, Broncos and Redskins coach Mike Shanahan, ex-Giants coach Tom Coughlin and former Raiders coach Hue Jackson, who was hired Wednesday to coach the Cleveland Browns.</p>
<p>The 52-year-old Kelly was fired by Philadelphia after Week 16 with one game left in his third season as coach. The former University of Oregon coach was 6-9 in 2015 following two 10-6 seasons, prompting Eagles CEO Jeffrey Lurie to make a change.</p>
<p>The 49ers jumped right into the mix last week to talk to him.</p>
<p>"Chip possesses all the qualities we were looking for in our next head coach," Baalke said. "He has demonstrated the ability to be innovative everywhere he has coached and has had great success throughout his career.</p>
<p>"Chip's passion for the game and vision for the future of this team clearly stood out to us during the search process. He is an extremely driven individual that I look forward to working with."</p>
<p>Kelly becomes just the second coach the franchise has ever hired with previous regular NFL head coaching experience along with Dennis Erickson ahead of the 2003 season — excluding Tomsula's single game as interim coach to end the 2010 season after Mike Singletary was fired.</p>
<p>Hiring the offensive-minded Kelly could give the 49ers a reason to keep quarterback Colin Kaepernick to work his way back into the dominant, dynamic quarterback he was a few years back with his legs and strong arm.</p>
<p>There has been thought that Kaepernick could be the kind of mobile quarterback Kelly likes running his fast-paced offense and a good fit.</p>
<p>"Guess I might have to start running right now to get in shape," wide receiver Torrey Smith posted on Twitter shortly after the announcement.</p>
<p>San Francisco has missed the playoffs the past two seasons, going 8-8 in 2014 in now-Michigan coach Harbaugh's final season before what the team called a "mutual decision" to part ways with one year remaining on his contract.</p>
<p>The 49ers reached three straight NFC championship games and a Super Bowl under Harbaugh, losing by three points to his older brother, John, and the Baltimore Ravens in the championship after the 2012 season to miss the franchise's sixth Lombardi Trophy.</p>
<p>On Jan. 4, a day after firing Tomsula shortly after the season-finale overtime win against St. Louis, York vowed to bring the 49ers back to prominence.</p>
<p>"Even looking over the last few seasons, I think it's important to learn and to grow from your mistakes. I think I understand what the fans want," he said.</p>
<p>"They want a team that they can be proud of on Sundays. They want a championship team. I want that too and I'm fighting for that. You can trust me that we are going to do everything that we can to get this team back where it belongs."</p>
<p>Deciding on the quarterback will be a major decision for Kelly in the coming months.</p>
<p>Former first-round pick Blaine Gabbert took over in November for the benched Kaepernick, who has since undergone shoulder and thumb surgeries.</p>
<p>Kaepernick's $11.9 million salary for 2016 becomes fully guaranteed for injury come April 1, and there had been belief the team might try to trade him or release him.</p>
<p>After Kelly was fired by Philadelphia, former Eagles linebacker Emmanuel Acho tweeted, "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."</p>
<p>Baalke interviewed Coughlin on Monday on the East Coast and Jackson on Sunday in Cincinnati. Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter also interviewed, last Thursday in Tampa, Florida.</p>
<p>The coaching staff under Tomsula hadn't been dismissed, though York said the new coach would make those decisions upon his hiring.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Online: <a href="http://pro32.ap.org/poll" type="external">http://pro32.ap.org/poll</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/AP_NFL" type="external">http://twitter.com/AP_NFL</a></p>
<p>SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Chip Kelly is the offensive-minded, experienced head coach the San Francisco 49ers have long sought, and now he needs to win — right away.</p>
<p>The 49ers hired the former Eagles coach on Thursday, finding the leader CEO Jed York is counting on to turn things around for his once-proud franchise.</p>
<p>Kelly faces the daunting challenge of transforming the Niners into an immediate contender again.</p>
<p>"We are thrilled to announce Chip Kelly as the new head coach of the San Francisco 49ers," York said in a statement.</p>
<p>"Chip has a proven track record at both the college and NFL levels that speaks for itself. We believe strongly that he is the right man to get this team back to competing for championships. I look forward to watching Trent (Baalke) and Chip work closely to build a team that will make us all proud."</p>
<p>Kelly, who had personnel control with the Eagles and frustrated some of his players, won't be introduced in a news conference until next week at Levi's Stadium based on scheduling conflicts and Kelly working to immediately build his staff.</p>
<p>"As one of the most historic franchises in the National Football League, I realize the high standards and expectations that this position demands and I embrace the challenges ahead," Kelly said in a statement.</p>
<p>"My immediate focus is to build the best coaching staff possible, one that will maximize the abilities of each of our players and put us in the best position to win football games."</p>
<p>Kelly replaces fired coach Jim Tomsula, promoted from his defensive line duties last January to succeed Jim Harbaugh before going 5-11 — a move Baalke has said earlier this month wound up to be the wrong one, in hindsight.</p>
<p>With his 26 years of coaching experience, Kelly emerged as the favorite among several candidates, including former Raiders, Broncos and Redskins coach Mike Shanahan, ex-Giants coach Tom Coughlin and former Raiders coach Hue Jackson, who was hired Wednesday to coach the Cleveland Browns.</p>
<p>The 52-year-old Kelly was fired by Philadelphia after Week 16 with one game left in his third season as coach. The former University of Oregon coach was 6-9 in 2015 following two 10-6 seasons, prompting Eagles CEO Jeffrey Lurie to make a change.</p>
<p>The 49ers jumped right into the mix last week to talk to him.</p>
<p>"Chip possesses all the qualities we were looking for in our next head coach," Baalke said. "He has demonstrated the ability to be innovative everywhere he has coached and has had great success throughout his career.</p>
<p>"Chip's passion for the game and vision for the future of this team clearly stood out to us during the search process. He is an extremely driven individual that I look forward to working with."</p>
<p>Kelly becomes just the second coach the franchise has ever hired with previous regular NFL head coaching experience along with Dennis Erickson ahead of the 2003 season — excluding Tomsula's single game as interim coach to end the 2010 season after Mike Singletary was fired.</p>
<p>Hiring the offensive-minded Kelly could give the 49ers a reason to keep quarterback Colin Kaepernick to work his way back into the dominant, dynamic quarterback he was a few years back with his legs and strong arm.</p>
<p>There has been thought that Kaepernick could be the kind of mobile quarterback Kelly likes running his fast-paced offense and a good fit.</p>
<p>"Guess I might have to start running right now to get in shape," wide receiver Torrey Smith posted on Twitter shortly after the announcement.</p>
<p>San Francisco has missed the playoffs the past two seasons, going 8-8 in 2014 in now-Michigan coach Harbaugh's final season before what the team called a "mutual decision" to part ways with one year remaining on his contract.</p>
<p>The 49ers reached three straight NFC championship games and a Super Bowl under Harbaugh, losing by three points to his older brother, John, and the Baltimore Ravens in the championship after the 2012 season to miss the franchise's sixth Lombardi Trophy.</p>
<p>On Jan. 4, a day after firing Tomsula shortly after the season-finale overtime win against St. Louis, York vowed to bring the 49ers back to prominence.</p>
<p>"Even looking over the last few seasons, I think it's important to learn and to grow from your mistakes. I think I understand what the fans want," he said.</p>
<p>"They want a team that they can be proud of on Sundays. They want a championship team. I want that too and I'm fighting for that. You can trust me that we are going to do everything that we can to get this team back where it belongs."</p>
<p>Deciding on the quarterback will be a major decision for Kelly in the coming months.</p>
<p>Former first-round pick Blaine Gabbert took over in November for the benched Kaepernick, who has since undergone shoulder and thumb surgeries.</p>
<p>Kaepernick's $11.9 million salary for 2016 becomes fully guaranteed for injury come April 1, and there had been belief the team might try to trade him or release him.</p>
<p>After Kelly was fired by Philadelphia, former Eagles linebacker Emmanuel Acho tweeted, "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."</p>
<p>Baalke interviewed Coughlin on Monday on the East Coast and Jackson on Sunday in Cincinnati. Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter also interviewed, last Thursday in Tampa, Florida.</p>
<p>The coaching staff under Tomsula hadn't been dismissed, though York said the new coach would make those decisions upon his hiring.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Online: <a href="http://pro32.ap.org/poll" type="external">http://pro32.ap.org/poll</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/AP_NFL" type="external">http://twitter.com/AP_NFL</a></p>
| false | 2 |
santa clara calif ap chip kelly offensiveminded experienced head coach san francisco 49ers long sought needs win right away 49ers hired former eagles coach thursday finding leader ceo jed york counting turn things around onceproud franchise kelly faces daunting challenge transforming niners immediate contender thrilled announce chip kelly new head coach san francisco 49ers york said statement chip proven track record college nfl levels speaks believe strongly right man get team back competing championships look forward watching trent baalke chip work closely build team make us proud kelly personnel control eagles frustrated players wont introduced news conference next week levis stadium based scheduling conflicts kelly working immediately build staff one historic franchises national football league realize high standards expectations position demands embrace challenges ahead kelly said statement immediate focus build best coaching staff possible one maximize abilities players put us best position win football games kelly replaces fired coach jim tomsula promoted defensive line duties last january succeed jim harbaugh going 511 move baalke said earlier month wound wrong one hindsight 26 years coaching experience kelly emerged favorite among several candidates including former raiders broncos redskins coach mike shanahan exgiants coach tom coughlin former raiders coach hue jackson hired wednesday coach cleveland browns 52yearold kelly fired philadelphia week 16 one game left third season coach former university oregon coach 69 2015 following two 106 seasons prompting eagles ceo jeffrey lurie make change 49ers jumped right mix last week talk chip possesses qualities looking next head coach baalke said demonstrated ability innovative everywhere coached great success throughout career chips passion game vision future team clearly stood us search process extremely driven individual look forward working kelly becomes second coach franchise ever hired previous regular nfl head coaching experience along dennis erickson ahead 2003 season excluding tomsulas single game interim coach end 2010 season mike singletary fired hiring offensiveminded kelly could give 49ers reason keep quarterback colin kaepernick work way back dominant dynamic quarterback years back legs strong arm thought kaepernick could kind mobile quarterback kelly likes running fastpaced offense good fit guess might start running right get shape wide receiver torrey smith posted twitter shortly announcement san francisco missed playoffs past two seasons going 88 2014 nowmichigan coach harbaughs final season team called mutual decision part ways one year remaining contract 49ers reached three straight nfc championship games super bowl harbaugh losing three points older brother john baltimore ravens championship 2012 season miss franchises sixth lombardi trophy jan 4 day firing tomsula shortly seasonfinale overtime win st louis york vowed bring 49ers back prominence even looking last seasons think important learn grow mistakes think understand fans want said want team proud sundays want championship team want im fighting trust going everything get team back belongs deciding quarterback major decision kelly coming months former firstround pick blaine gabbert took november benched kaepernick since undergone shoulder thumb surgeries kaepernicks 119 million salary 2016 becomes fully guaranteed injury come april 1 belief team might try trade release kelly fired philadelphia former eagles linebacker emmanuel acho tweeted power tends corrupt absolute power corrupts absolutely baalke interviewed coughlin monday east coast jackson sunday cincinnati buccaneers offensive coordinator dirk koetter also interviewed last thursday tampa florida coaching staff tomsula hadnt dismissed though york said new coach would make decisions upon hiring ___ online httppro32aporgpoll httptwittercomap_nfl santa clara calif ap chip kelly offensiveminded experienced head coach san francisco 49ers long sought needs win right away 49ers hired former eagles coach thursday finding leader ceo jed york counting turn things around onceproud franchise kelly faces daunting challenge transforming niners immediate contender thrilled announce chip kelly new head coach san francisco 49ers york said statement chip proven track record college nfl levels speaks believe strongly right man get team back competing championships look forward watching trent baalke chip work closely build team make us proud kelly personnel control eagles frustrated players wont introduced news conference next week levis stadium based scheduling conflicts kelly working immediately build staff one historic franchises national football league realize high standards expectations position demands embrace challenges ahead kelly said statement immediate focus build best coaching staff possible one maximize abilities players put us best position win football games kelly replaces fired coach jim tomsula promoted defensive line duties last january succeed jim harbaugh going 511 move baalke said earlier month wound wrong one hindsight 26 years coaching experience kelly emerged favorite among several candidates including former raiders broncos redskins coach mike shanahan exgiants coach tom coughlin former raiders coach hue jackson hired wednesday coach cleveland browns 52yearold kelly fired philadelphia week 16 one game left third season coach former university oregon coach 69 2015 following two 106 seasons prompting eagles ceo jeffrey lurie make change 49ers jumped right mix last week talk chip possesses qualities looking next head coach baalke said demonstrated ability innovative everywhere coached great success throughout career chips passion game vision future team clearly stood us search process extremely driven individual look forward working kelly becomes second coach franchise ever hired previous regular nfl head coaching experience along dennis erickson ahead 2003 season excluding tomsulas single game interim coach end 2010 season mike singletary fired hiring offensiveminded kelly could give 49ers reason keep quarterback colin kaepernick work way back dominant dynamic quarterback years back legs strong arm thought kaepernick could kind mobile quarterback kelly likes running fastpaced offense good fit guess might start running right get shape wide receiver torrey smith posted twitter shortly announcement san francisco missed playoffs past two seasons going 88 2014 nowmichigan coach harbaughs final season team called mutual decision part ways one year remaining contract 49ers reached three straight nfc championship games super bowl harbaugh losing three points older brother john baltimore ravens championship 2012 season miss franchises sixth lombardi trophy jan 4 day firing tomsula shortly seasonfinale overtime win st louis york vowed bring 49ers back prominence even looking last seasons think important learn grow mistakes think understand fans want said want team proud sundays want championship team want im fighting trust going everything get team back belongs deciding quarterback major decision kelly coming months former firstround pick blaine gabbert took november benched kaepernick since undergone shoulder thumb surgeries kaepernicks 119 million salary 2016 becomes fully guaranteed injury come april 1 belief team might try trade release kelly fired philadelphia former eagles linebacker emmanuel acho tweeted power tends corrupt absolute power corrupts absolutely baalke interviewed coughlin monday east coast jackson sunday cincinnati buccaneers offensive coordinator dirk koetter also interviewed last thursday tampa florida coaching staff tomsula hadnt dismissed though york said new coach would make decisions upon hiring ___ online httppro32aporgpoll httptwittercomap_nfl
| 1,096 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p>LOS ANGELES — In a story March 27 about the government’s plans to build a wall between the U.S. and Mexico, The Associated Press misspelled the name of Fluor Enterprises. It is Fluor, not Flour.</p>
<p>A corrected version of the story is below:</p>
<p>Q&amp;A: Who’d gain from a Trump border wall? Hint: Not Mexico</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>As a billionaire developer, Donald Trump built casinos, luxe condo towers and lush golf courses</p>
<p>By ALEX VEIGA</p>
<p>AP Business Writer</p>
<p>LOS ANGELES — As a billionaire developer, Donald Trump built casinos, luxe condo towers and lush golf courses. Now, as president, Trump aims to develop perhaps his most ambitious and surely his most contentious project yet: A wall along the nearly 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border.</p>
<p>How? At what cost? And who would benefit?</p>
<p>Much remains unknown. Ultimately, though, experts say the project, if built, could deliver a windfall for some large construction companies and their suppliers. Engineering and infrastructure companies that have worked on previous government projects could capture a chunk of the multibillion-dollar work. Among them are Kiewit and Fluor Enterprises. Subsidiaries of both have signed up as interested vendors.</p>
<p>But the project would likely also be stymied by the struggles that have beset the industry in recent years, notably a shortage of skilled labor and rising materials costs.</p>
<p>Here’s what’s known and not known about the potential effects on U.S. construction companies and workers:</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Q: Which companies would likely work on the wall?</p>
<p>A: The government has laid out plans to hire contractors for design and construction. Some smaller businesses would serve as subcontractors. One factor the government is to consider in choosing contractors is their track record in hiring small businesses as subcontractors and making significant use of them. The Customs and Border Protection agency has set a goal of having 38 percent of subcontracts go to small businesses.</p>
<p>Roughly 850 companies have expressed interest online in being vendors. Among them are self-described small, disadvantaged firms, like Nationwide Construction Services of Jacksonville, Florida, and Northwest Geotechnical Consultants of Wilsonville, Oregon. Some of the big companies include a subsidiary of the construction and engineering firm Parsons Corp. and Vulcan Materials Co., a producer of asphalt and ready-mixed concrete.</p>
<p>“It probably will take a really big general contractor that is used to managing multiple projects under one large umbrella and that will need many suppliers,” said Ty Gable of the National Precast Concrete Association. “It’s going to help a lot of individual suppliers along the way.”</p>
<p>The Trump administration has said it wants the wall to provide not only a physical barrier but also access roads, motorized vehicle gates, lighting, communication towers, ground sensors and remote video surveillance. That would mean job opportunities for companies beyond construction firms. Some that have expressed interest include Border Technology Inc. of Hereford, Arizona, whose website says it’s worked with the Border Patrol using drones and other equipment to monitor the border.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Q: What kinds of jobs are we talking about?</p>
<p>A: Along with engineering and design work, the project would require numerous construction and heavy machinery operators. Among the jobs: Truck drivers to ferry materials, crane operators, concrete workers, digging-equipment operators, site supervisors and general laborers. Any employees who work on-site would have to pass an immigration and criminal-history check.</p>
<p>Finding enough skilled laborers could be tough, though, because thousands of skilled construction workers left the industry after the housing meltdown and Great Recession a decade ago.</p>
<p>“It ultimately comes down to how much they’re willing to pay,” Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America, said of the contractors. “Firms would price in the difficulty of recruiting workers in their bids for doing the work.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Q: How long might it take to build?</p>
<p>A: Unclear. For now, the government’s contract solicitations are intended only to assess prototype designs for the wall and to build some segments of the structure. In addition, acquiring land from private owners that would be needed to build the wall would likely add delays.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Q: What might the wall look like?</p>
<p>A: The government has been inviting companies to submit designs for a wall made of either reinforced concrete or other materials. The idea is to evaluate several prototypes before deciding on a design and material.</p>
<p>The wall is envisioned being as high as 30 feet, with automated gates for pedestrians and vehicles. The wall would also extend at least 6 feet underground to deter tunneling across the border; be resistant to climbing tools; and be strong enough to withstand attempts to make a 12-inch diameter breach in the wall using a sledgehammer, drill or other power tools.</p>
<p>And, among other things, the Trump administration wants the side of the wall facing the United States to be “aesthetically pleasing in color.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Q: What benefits might the wall deliver for the U.S. construction industry?</p>
<p>A: Given the estimated cost — somewhere between $8 billion and roughly $20 billion — the project would represent just a thin slice of overall U.S. construction spending. Spending last year on public construction totaled $286 billion. And that was just a quarter of overall construction spending, which includes residential and commercial developments.</p>
<p>Still, “as a single project, it would dwarf everything else,” Simonson said. “Even if it came in at the low end, a single $8 billion construction project would top anything else that’s out there now.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Q: How soon will a design be chosen?</p>
<p>A: Companies have until Wednesday to submit prototype designs. Up to 20 finalists will be selected to make more detailed design renderings and an oral presentation in Washington. The government would then award a contract based on sample walls that are to be built in San Diego and be visible to the public. It’s unclear how soon construction on prototype designs would begin or when the designs would eventually be available to see. Initial documents laying out the timeline for how companies should submit wall designs indicated that the government wants to finalize a design and begin awarding contracts as early as May.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Q: How much would the project cost?</p>
<p>A: Unclear. Trump has suggested that the project would cost $12 billion. Congressional Republicans have estimated it could go as high as $15 billion.</p>
<p>An internal report prepared for Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly projected the cost of building a wall along the entire U.S.-Mexico border at about $21 billion, according to a U.S. official who is involved in border issues. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the report has not been made public. An estimate by engineers at the National Precast Concrete Association puts the cost of the wall at $8 billion. This would be for a design made up of reinforced concrete panels, with some portion of the panels extending underground. Not included is the potential cost of acquiring land.</p>
<p>“That’s the variable that probably gets these numbers much higher than $8 billion,” Gable said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Q: Where would the money come from?</p>
<p>A: The White House’s budget proposal to Congress included a $2.6 billion to forge ahead with the border wall.</p>
<p>Critics — Democrats and some Republicans — have argued that a border-long wall is unnecessary and have chafed at the notion that Trump wants to draw upon U.S. taxpayer money, even though he promised repeatedly during the campaign that Mexico would be forced to pay for the wall.</p>
<p>It’s unclear how soon Congress might act on Trump’s request or how much money might be approved or appropriated. The government has cautioned would-be contractors that the project is subject to “availability of appropriated funds.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Q: Any other potential hurdles?</p>
<p>A: The Trump administration appears to be bracing for a fight with private landowners over the government’s likely use of eminent domain. Under eminent domain, the government can, under some circumstances, order landowners to accept buyouts for their property to make way for the fence. The administration’s recently proposed budget includes money to hire 20 lawyers to work on land acquisition.</p>
| false | 2 |
los angeles story march 27 governments plans build wall us mexico associated press misspelled name fluor enterprises fluor flour corrected version story qampa whod gain trump border wall hint mexico advertisement billionaire developer donald trump built casinos luxe condo towers lush golf courses alex veiga ap business writer los angeles billionaire developer donald trump built casinos luxe condo towers lush golf courses president trump aims develop perhaps ambitious surely contentious project yet wall along nearly 2000mile usmexico border cost would benefit much remains unknown ultimately though experts say project built could deliver windfall large construction companies suppliers engineering infrastructure companies worked previous government projects could capture chunk multibilliondollar work among kiewit fluor enterprises subsidiaries signed interested vendors project would likely also stymied struggles beset industry recent years notably shortage skilled labor rising materials costs heres whats known known potential effects us construction companies workers advertisement ___ q companies would likely work wall government laid plans hire contractors design construction smaller businesses would serve subcontractors one factor government consider choosing contractors track record hiring small businesses subcontractors making significant use customs border protection agency set goal 38 percent subcontracts go small businesses roughly 850 companies expressed interest online vendors among selfdescribed small disadvantaged firms like nationwide construction services jacksonville florida northwest geotechnical consultants wilsonville oregon big companies include subsidiary construction engineering firm parsons corp vulcan materials co producer asphalt readymixed concrete probably take really big general contractor used managing multiple projects one large umbrella need many suppliers said ty gable national precast concrete association going help lot individual suppliers along way trump administration said wants wall provide physical barrier also access roads motorized vehicle gates lighting communication towers ground sensors remote video surveillance would mean job opportunities companies beyond construction firms expressed interest include border technology inc hereford arizona whose website says worked border patrol using drones equipment monitor border ___ q kinds jobs talking along engineering design work project would require numerous construction heavy machinery operators among jobs truck drivers ferry materials crane operators concrete workers diggingequipment operators site supervisors general laborers employees work onsite would pass immigration criminalhistory check finding enough skilled laborers could tough though thousands skilled construction workers left industry housing meltdown great recession decade ago ultimately comes much theyre willing pay ken simonson chief economist associated general contractors america said contractors firms would price difficulty recruiting workers bids work ___ q long might take build unclear governments contract solicitations intended assess prototype designs wall build segments structure addition acquiring land private owners would needed build wall would likely add delays ___ q might wall look like government inviting companies submit designs wall made either reinforced concrete materials idea evaluate several prototypes deciding design material wall envisioned high 30 feet automated gates pedestrians vehicles wall would also extend least 6 feet underground deter tunneling across border resistant climbing tools strong enough withstand attempts make 12inch diameter breach wall using sledgehammer drill power tools among things trump administration wants side wall facing united states aesthetically pleasing color ___ q benefits might wall deliver us construction industry given estimated cost somewhere 8 billion roughly 20 billion project would represent thin slice overall us construction spending spending last year public construction totaled 286 billion quarter overall construction spending includes residential commercial developments still single project would dwarf everything else simonson said even came low end single 8 billion construction project would top anything else thats ___ q soon design chosen companies wednesday submit prototype designs 20 finalists selected make detailed design renderings oral presentation washington government would award contract based sample walls built san diego visible public unclear soon construction prototype designs would begin designs would eventually available see initial documents laying timeline companies submit wall designs indicated government wants finalize design begin awarding contracts early may ___ q much would project cost unclear trump suggested project would cost 12 billion congressional republicans estimated could go high 15 billion internal report prepared homeland security secretary john kelly projected cost building wall along entire usmexico border 21 billion according us official involved border issues official spoke condition anonymity report made public estimate engineers national precast concrete association puts cost wall 8 billion would design made reinforced concrete panels portion panels extending underground included potential cost acquiring land thats variable probably gets numbers much higher 8 billion gable said ___ q would money come white houses budget proposal congress included 26 billion forge ahead border wall critics democrats republicans argued borderlong wall unnecessary chafed notion trump wants draw upon us taxpayer money even though promised repeatedly campaign mexico would forced pay wall unclear soon congress might act trumps request much money might approved appropriated government cautioned wouldbe contractors project subject availability appropriated funds ___ q potential hurdles trump administration appears bracing fight private landowners governments likely use eminent domain eminent domain government circumstances order landowners accept buyouts property make way fence administrations recently proposed budget includes money hire 20 lawyers work land acquisition
| 821 |
<p>WASHINGTON (AP) — Drawing a clock. Counting backward by sevens. Rattling off words that begin with “F″ before a minute’s up.</p>
<p>They may not sound like difficult tasks, but they’re part of a cognitive exam that’s getting a lot of attention because President Donald Trump aced it.</p>
<p>For all their apparent simplicity, 10-minute quizzes like the Montreal Cognitive Assessment offer doctors a snapshot of someone’s memory and certain other neurologic functions, one piece of information to help determine if trouble’s brewing.</p>
<p>They’re not a routine part of check-ups, either for a president or a not-so-famous senior.</p>
<p>Trump’s doctor says he didn’t see any symptoms that would prompt the test but that the president, who has faced questions about his mental acuity, requested it.</p>
<p>So who really needs a cognitive assessment? They’re usually offered only if there are concerns about memory or other cognitive functions — concerns noticed either by the patient, a relative or the doctor.</p>
<p>“The value of screening without a complaint has not been established,” cautioned Dr. David Knopman, a Mayo Clinic neurologist who chairs the Alzheimer’s Association’s medical and scientific advisory council.</p>
<p>And people should understand that “it’s not considered definitive,” he said, adding, “It’s ultimately only a first pass at cognition.”</p>
<p>The Montreal Cognitive Assessment — MoCa for short — is one of a list of similar tests that all aim to tap into specific functions. Medicare covers them as part of seniors’ annual wellness visits.</p>
<p>“It’s not a diagnostic test, but it’s pretty sensitive in picking up subtle changes in cognition,” things involving memory, attention and language but not mental health issues, said Dr. Ranit Mishori, professor of family medicine at Georgetown University.</p>
<p>Drawing a clock, and putting the right time on it, is a classic evaluation of how the brain comprehends spatial relationships. Someone with even very mild cognitive impairment will draw a much wobblier clock, or aim the hands wrong, than someone who’s healthy.</p>
<p>Subtracting backward assesses things like attention and concentration.</p>
<p>Recalling a list of five words after five minutes of doing other tasks — or coming up with at least 11 words in a minute that begin with “F″ — can assess short-term memory and language functions.</p>
<p>Failing doesn’t mean someone has dementia. There might be a fixable problem, like depression or medication side effects. Maybe the person isn’t a good test-taker, or, for that counting task, never was very good at math.</p>
<p>And while passing is reassuring, someone who passes despite forgetting appointments or losing their way home probably still needs a closer look.</p>
<p>That’s why doctors put together other information — including questions about day-to-day functioning — in determining who may need a next step, a three- to four-hour battery of neuropsychological testing.</p>
<p>“Cognitive concerns in middle-aged and elderly people need to be taken seriously. They can’t be evaluated with a snap of a finger,” Knopman said.</p>
<p>Getting that message out is an upside to all the publicity about Trump’s test.</p>
<p>The downside: By reading these examples, you might have cheated. “If people practice it, guess what? It’s invalid,” Knopman noted.</p>
<p>WASHINGTON (AP) — Drawing a clock. Counting backward by sevens. Rattling off words that begin with “F″ before a minute’s up.</p>
<p>They may not sound like difficult tasks, but they’re part of a cognitive exam that’s getting a lot of attention because President Donald Trump aced it.</p>
<p>For all their apparent simplicity, 10-minute quizzes like the Montreal Cognitive Assessment offer doctors a snapshot of someone’s memory and certain other neurologic functions, one piece of information to help determine if trouble’s brewing.</p>
<p>They’re not a routine part of check-ups, either for a president or a not-so-famous senior.</p>
<p>Trump’s doctor says he didn’t see any symptoms that would prompt the test but that the president, who has faced questions about his mental acuity, requested it.</p>
<p>So who really needs a cognitive assessment? They’re usually offered only if there are concerns about memory or other cognitive functions — concerns noticed either by the patient, a relative or the doctor.</p>
<p>“The value of screening without a complaint has not been established,” cautioned Dr. David Knopman, a Mayo Clinic neurologist who chairs the Alzheimer’s Association’s medical and scientific advisory council.</p>
<p>And people should understand that “it’s not considered definitive,” he said, adding, “It’s ultimately only a first pass at cognition.”</p>
<p>The Montreal Cognitive Assessment — MoCa for short — is one of a list of similar tests that all aim to tap into specific functions. Medicare covers them as part of seniors’ annual wellness visits.</p>
<p>“It’s not a diagnostic test, but it’s pretty sensitive in picking up subtle changes in cognition,” things involving memory, attention and language but not mental health issues, said Dr. Ranit Mishori, professor of family medicine at Georgetown University.</p>
<p>Drawing a clock, and putting the right time on it, is a classic evaluation of how the brain comprehends spatial relationships. Someone with even very mild cognitive impairment will draw a much wobblier clock, or aim the hands wrong, than someone who’s healthy.</p>
<p>Subtracting backward assesses things like attention and concentration.</p>
<p>Recalling a list of five words after five minutes of doing other tasks — or coming up with at least 11 words in a minute that begin with “F″ — can assess short-term memory and language functions.</p>
<p>Failing doesn’t mean someone has dementia. There might be a fixable problem, like depression or medication side effects. Maybe the person isn’t a good test-taker, or, for that counting task, never was very good at math.</p>
<p>And while passing is reassuring, someone who passes despite forgetting appointments or losing their way home probably still needs a closer look.</p>
<p>That’s why doctors put together other information — including questions about day-to-day functioning — in determining who may need a next step, a three- to four-hour battery of neuropsychological testing.</p>
<p>“Cognitive concerns in middle-aged and elderly people need to be taken seriously. They can’t be evaluated with a snap of a finger,” Knopman said.</p>
<p>Getting that message out is an upside to all the publicity about Trump’s test.</p>
<p>The downside: By reading these examples, you might have cheated. “If people practice it, guess what? It’s invalid,” Knopman noted.</p>
| false | 2 |
washington ap drawing clock counting backward sevens rattling words begin f minutes may sound like difficult tasks theyre part cognitive exam thats getting lot attention president donald trump aced apparent simplicity 10minute quizzes like montreal cognitive assessment offer doctors snapshot someones memory certain neurologic functions one piece information help determine troubles brewing theyre routine part checkups either president notsofamous senior trumps doctor says didnt see symptoms would prompt test president faced questions mental acuity requested really needs cognitive assessment theyre usually offered concerns memory cognitive functions concerns noticed either patient relative doctor value screening without complaint established cautioned dr david knopman mayo clinic neurologist chairs alzheimers associations medical scientific advisory council people understand considered definitive said adding ultimately first pass cognition montreal cognitive assessment moca short one list similar tests aim tap specific functions medicare covers part seniors annual wellness visits diagnostic test pretty sensitive picking subtle changes cognition things involving memory attention language mental health issues said dr ranit mishori professor family medicine georgetown university drawing clock putting right time classic evaluation brain comprehends spatial relationships someone even mild cognitive impairment draw much wobblier clock aim hands wrong someone whos healthy subtracting backward assesses things like attention concentration recalling list five words five minutes tasks coming least 11 words minute begin f assess shortterm memory language functions failing doesnt mean someone dementia might fixable problem like depression medication side effects maybe person isnt good testtaker counting task never good math passing reassuring someone passes despite forgetting appointments losing way home probably still needs closer look thats doctors put together information including questions daytoday functioning determining may need next step three fourhour battery neuropsychological testing cognitive concerns middleaged elderly people need taken seriously cant evaluated snap finger knopman said getting message upside publicity trumps test downside reading examples might cheated people practice guess invalid knopman noted washington ap drawing clock counting backward sevens rattling words begin f minutes may sound like difficult tasks theyre part cognitive exam thats getting lot attention president donald trump aced apparent simplicity 10minute quizzes like montreal cognitive assessment offer doctors snapshot someones memory certain neurologic functions one piece information help determine troubles brewing theyre routine part checkups either president notsofamous senior trumps doctor says didnt see symptoms would prompt test president faced questions mental acuity requested really needs cognitive assessment theyre usually offered concerns memory cognitive functions concerns noticed either patient relative doctor value screening without complaint established cautioned dr david knopman mayo clinic neurologist chairs alzheimers associations medical scientific advisory council people understand considered definitive said adding ultimately first pass cognition montreal cognitive assessment moca short one list similar tests aim tap specific functions medicare covers part seniors annual wellness visits diagnostic test pretty sensitive picking subtle changes cognition things involving memory attention language mental health issues said dr ranit mishori professor family medicine georgetown university drawing clock putting right time classic evaluation brain comprehends spatial relationships someone even mild cognitive impairment draw much wobblier clock aim hands wrong someone whos healthy subtracting backward assesses things like attention concentration recalling list five words five minutes tasks coming least 11 words minute begin f assess shortterm memory language functions failing doesnt mean someone dementia might fixable problem like depression medication side effects maybe person isnt good testtaker counting task never good math passing reassuring someone passes despite forgetting appointments losing way home probably still needs closer look thats doctors put together information including questions daytoday functioning determining may need next step three fourhour battery neuropsychological testing cognitive concerns middleaged elderly people need taken seriously cant evaluated snap finger knopman said getting message upside publicity trumps test downside reading examples might cheated people practice guess invalid knopman noted
| 612 |
<p>GENEVA (AP) — Unusually heavy snowfall and a high risk of Alpine avalanches stranded some 13,000 tourists Tuesday in the Swiss resort of Zermatt at the base of the famed Matterhorn mountain.</p>
<p>With nearby roads, trains, cable cars, ski slopes and hiking trails into the town closed, Swiss authorities deployed helicopters to ferry some tourists to a nearby village to escape the snow-bound Alpine valley.</p>
<p>A police official in Zermatt, a tourist magnet for backpackers and millionaires alike, said the helicopter journey to the village of Taesch takes around three minutes.</p>
<p>The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the matter, said the so-called air bridge can transport about 100 people an hour, conditions permitting.</p>
<p>Only tourists who requested the air bridge were being ferried out, the official said, insisting that it was not an official evacuation.</p>
<p>Swiss state-backed broadcaster SRF showed images of several people wheeling their luggage out to three helicopters, with their blades whirring atop an icy plateau.</p>
<p>Bulldozers were plowing through the snowdrifts in Zermatt so that streets could be salted. One local hotelier said authorities were setting off controlled explosions to help clear away the piled-up snow that had coated roads and rails.</p>
<p>Janine Imesch of the Zermatt tourism office said power has been restored after a temporary outage. She said no people were at risk because authorities had shut down access to the nearby ski slopes and hiking trails a day earlier.</p>
<p>“There is nothing to panic about, everything is fine,” she said Tuesday by phone. “Only the ski areas are closed. In the village, the atmosphere is relaxed.”</p>
<p>Romy Biner, the head of the Zermatt town council, told SRF the airlift was for guests who urgently needed to leave and to bring in supplies. She said the town hadn’t seen so much snow for several years.</p>
<p>“It surprised us a bit this year and we’re trying to make the best of it,” Biner said.</p>
<p>Switzerland’s WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research said Tuesday afternoon that at least 80 centimeters (31.5 inches) of snow had dropped on the Zermatt area over the last 24 hours, raising the avalanche risk to a maximum level of five on an avalanche-warning scale.</p>
<p>The intense snowfall in the Zermatt and Saas valleys was part of a broader weather pattern that was causing mudslides and intensifying the avalanche risk across a broad swath of southwestern Switzerland.</p>
<p>In some more remote areas, the snowfall topped 1 meter (39 inches) over 24 hours, the institute said.</p>
<p>The WSL Institute pointed to “mid-range and large spontaneous avalanches” in the area with the risk of more avalanches increasing. It said the snowpack below 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) of altitude was weakened by heavy rains.</p>
<p>Authorities said conditions were expected to improve Wednesday.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>This story corrected the date of WSL comment to Tuesday.</p>
<p>GENEVA (AP) — Unusually heavy snowfall and a high risk of Alpine avalanches stranded some 13,000 tourists Tuesday in the Swiss resort of Zermatt at the base of the famed Matterhorn mountain.</p>
<p>With nearby roads, trains, cable cars, ski slopes and hiking trails into the town closed, Swiss authorities deployed helicopters to ferry some tourists to a nearby village to escape the snow-bound Alpine valley.</p>
<p>A police official in Zermatt, a tourist magnet for backpackers and millionaires alike, said the helicopter journey to the village of Taesch takes around three minutes.</p>
<p>The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the matter, said the so-called air bridge can transport about 100 people an hour, conditions permitting.</p>
<p>Only tourists who requested the air bridge were being ferried out, the official said, insisting that it was not an official evacuation.</p>
<p>Swiss state-backed broadcaster SRF showed images of several people wheeling their luggage out to three helicopters, with their blades whirring atop an icy plateau.</p>
<p>Bulldozers were plowing through the snowdrifts in Zermatt so that streets could be salted. One local hotelier said authorities were setting off controlled explosions to help clear away the piled-up snow that had coated roads and rails.</p>
<p>Janine Imesch of the Zermatt tourism office said power has been restored after a temporary outage. She said no people were at risk because authorities had shut down access to the nearby ski slopes and hiking trails a day earlier.</p>
<p>“There is nothing to panic about, everything is fine,” she said Tuesday by phone. “Only the ski areas are closed. In the village, the atmosphere is relaxed.”</p>
<p>Romy Biner, the head of the Zermatt town council, told SRF the airlift was for guests who urgently needed to leave and to bring in supplies. She said the town hadn’t seen so much snow for several years.</p>
<p>“It surprised us a bit this year and we’re trying to make the best of it,” Biner said.</p>
<p>Switzerland’s WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research said Tuesday afternoon that at least 80 centimeters (31.5 inches) of snow had dropped on the Zermatt area over the last 24 hours, raising the avalanche risk to a maximum level of five on an avalanche-warning scale.</p>
<p>The intense snowfall in the Zermatt and Saas valleys was part of a broader weather pattern that was causing mudslides and intensifying the avalanche risk across a broad swath of southwestern Switzerland.</p>
<p>In some more remote areas, the snowfall topped 1 meter (39 inches) over 24 hours, the institute said.</p>
<p>The WSL Institute pointed to “mid-range and large spontaneous avalanches” in the area with the risk of more avalanches increasing. It said the snowpack below 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) of altitude was weakened by heavy rains.</p>
<p>Authorities said conditions were expected to improve Wednesday.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>This story corrected the date of WSL comment to Tuesday.</p>
| false | 2 |
geneva ap unusually heavy snowfall high risk alpine avalanches stranded 13000 tourists tuesday swiss resort zermatt base famed matterhorn mountain nearby roads trains cable cars ski slopes hiking trails town closed swiss authorities deployed helicopters ferry tourists nearby village escape snowbound alpine valley police official zermatt tourist magnet backpackers millionaires alike said helicopter journey village taesch takes around three minutes official spoke condition anonymity authorized speak publicly matter said socalled air bridge transport 100 people hour conditions permitting tourists requested air bridge ferried official said insisting official evacuation swiss statebacked broadcaster srf showed images several people wheeling luggage three helicopters blades whirring atop icy plateau bulldozers plowing snowdrifts zermatt streets could salted one local hotelier said authorities setting controlled explosions help clear away piledup snow coated roads rails janine imesch zermatt tourism office said power restored temporary outage said people risk authorities shut access nearby ski slopes hiking trails day earlier nothing panic everything fine said tuesday phone ski areas closed village atmosphere relaxed romy biner head zermatt town council told srf airlift guests urgently needed leave bring supplies said town hadnt seen much snow several years surprised us bit year trying make best biner said switzerlands wsl institute snow avalanche research said tuesday afternoon least 80 centimeters 315 inches snow dropped zermatt area last 24 hours raising avalanche risk maximum level five avalanchewarning scale intense snowfall zermatt saas valleys part broader weather pattern causing mudslides intensifying avalanche risk across broad swath southwestern switzerland remote areas snowfall topped 1 meter 39 inches 24 hours institute said wsl institute pointed midrange large spontaneous avalanches area risk avalanches increasing said snowpack 2000 meters 6500 feet altitude weakened heavy rains authorities said conditions expected improve wednesday ___ story corrected date wsl comment tuesday geneva ap unusually heavy snowfall high risk alpine avalanches stranded 13000 tourists tuesday swiss resort zermatt base famed matterhorn mountain nearby roads trains cable cars ski slopes hiking trails town closed swiss authorities deployed helicopters ferry tourists nearby village escape snowbound alpine valley police official zermatt tourist magnet backpackers millionaires alike said helicopter journey village taesch takes around three minutes official spoke condition anonymity authorized speak publicly matter said socalled air bridge transport 100 people hour conditions permitting tourists requested air bridge ferried official said insisting official evacuation swiss statebacked broadcaster srf showed images several people wheeling luggage three helicopters blades whirring atop icy plateau bulldozers plowing snowdrifts zermatt streets could salted one local hotelier said authorities setting controlled explosions help clear away piledup snow coated roads rails janine imesch zermatt tourism office said power restored temporary outage said people risk authorities shut access nearby ski slopes hiking trails day earlier nothing panic everything fine said tuesday phone ski areas closed village atmosphere relaxed romy biner head zermatt town council told srf airlift guests urgently needed leave bring supplies said town hadnt seen much snow several years surprised us bit year trying make best biner said switzerlands wsl institute snow avalanche research said tuesday afternoon least 80 centimeters 315 inches snow dropped zermatt area last 24 hours raising avalanche risk maximum level five avalanchewarning scale intense snowfall zermatt saas valleys part broader weather pattern causing mudslides intensifying avalanche risk across broad swath southwestern switzerland remote areas snowfall topped 1 meter 39 inches 24 hours institute said wsl institute pointed midrange large spontaneous avalanches area risk avalanches increasing said snowpack 2000 meters 6500 feet altitude weakened heavy rains authorities said conditions expected improve wednesday ___ story corrected date wsl comment tuesday
| 580 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p />
<p>By paying ransoms, governments in the Mideast and Europe have become some of the biggest financiers of terror groups. By refusing to do likewise, the U.S. and Great Britain are in the thankless position of putting their own citizens at a disadvantage.</p>
<p>Foley’s captors, the Islamic State militants, had for months demanded $132.5 million (100 million Euros) from his parents and political concessions from Washington. They got neither, and the 40-year-old freelance journalist from New Hampshire was savagely killed within the last week inside Syria, where he had been held since his disappearance in November 2012.</p>
<p>Extremists called his death a revenge killing for the 90 U.S. airstrikes, as of Thursday, that have been launched against Islamic State militants in northern Iraq since Aug. 8. But the ransom demands began late last year, even before the Islamic State – one of the world’s most financially thriving extremist groups – had begun its brutal march across much of western and northern Iraq.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>“They don’t need to do this for money,” said Matthew Levitt, a counter-terror expert at the Washington Institute think-tank. “When you ask for $132 million, for the release of one person, that suggests that you’re either trying to make a point … or you don’t really need the money.”</p>
<p>A senior Obama administration official said Thursday the Islamic State had made a “range of requests” from the U.S. for Foley’s release, including changes in American policy and posture in the Mideast.</p>
<p>At the State Department, deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf said the militancy – which controls a swath of land across northern Syria and Iraq – has collected millions of dollars in ransoms so far this year alone.</p>
<p>“We do not make concessions to terrorists,” Harf told reporters. “We do not pay ransoms.”</p>
<p>“The United States government believes very strongly that paying ransom to terrorists gives them a tool in the form of financing that helps them propagate what they’re doing,” she said. “And so we believe very strongly that we don’t do that, for that reason.”</p>
<p>The issue of payments by American families or U.S. corporations is now under debate within the Obama administration, according to a U.S. official familiar with the conversations who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss them by name.</p>
<p>The USA Patriot Act prohibits any payment or assistance to terror groups that could boost their support. The families of three Americans held by a rebel group in Colombia for five years, for example, were repeatedly advised against sending even medication and sneakers to the hostages to avoid potentially breaking the law.</p>
<p>But prosecution in those types of cases is rare and enforced haphazardly. “I never saw, in my time as an FBI agent, where the U.S. government threatened to prosecute a family for paying a ransom,” said Clinton Van Zandt, the FBI’s former chief hostage negotiator.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>He said government-paid ransoms help create “a growing cottage industry in kidnap ransoms.”</p>
<p>“You may get that person back that time, but what you’ve done is put a price tag on the head of every American overseas,” he said. “And you’ve advertised that we pay to get Americans back.”</p>
<p>Diplomats say ransoms paid or arranged by western European governments and the Gulf state of Qatar have provided the bulk of financial support for violent groups. That has spurred the U.S. and Britain – as well as some north African states – to push a campaign discouraging ransom payments.</p>
<p>In January, the U.S. and Britain secured a U.N. Security Council resolution appealing to governments not to pay ransom to terror groups. The Group of Eight, a bloc of some of the world’s most developed economies, made the same pledge a year ago, also under U.S. and British pressure.</p>
<p>U.S. and British officials say it’s not clear to what extent allied governments are abiding by those pledges.</p>
<p>The Treasury Department has estimated at least $140 million worth of ransoms have been paid to al-Qaida and other terror groups in Africa and the Mideast since 2004.</p>
<p>France and Qatar are most often identified as governments that frequently pay or arrange ransoms – usually to free European nationals. But France has denied doing so, as have Germany, Italy and the Nordic counties of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. All are accused by security experts, diplomats and others of having paid ransoms in some cases.</p>
<p>Qatar typically refuses to comment on the issue of ransoms, and Spain has neither confirmed nor denied that it pays terrorists for hostages’ release.</p>
<p>Despite its insistence that it does not make concessions to terrorists, the U.S. did just that earlier this year in securing the release of American Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl from the Taliban. In exchange for Bergdahl, the Obama administration released Taliban prisoners from the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay – including some whom critics called among the most hardened fighters of the war against terror.</p>
<p>Rather than pay ransoms, the United States often tries to rescue its hostages with covert military teams trained to raid extremist camps. That was how the three hostages in Colombia were freed in 2008, for example.</p>
<p>And a secret operation was launched in early July to rescue Foley and other U.S. hostages being held by the Islamic State in Syria. U.S. special forces engaged in a firefight with the Islamic State, and killed several militants, but did not find any American hostages at the unspecified location.</p>
<p>At least three Americans are still being held in Syria. Two of them are believed to have been kidnapped by the Islamic State. The third, freelance journalist Austin Tice, disappeared in Syria in August 2012 and is believed to be in the custody of government forces in Syria.</p>
<p>Money alone may not have been the main reason that the Islamic State killed Foley. The militancy is already rich off donations from supporters in the Persian Gulf and a broad criminal network of extortion and robbery. It is also believed to have stolen what several U.S. officials have estimated as millions of dollars from a bank in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul when the Islamic State overran the area in June.</p>
<p>The Islamic State “is at a point of evolution in its goal toward brutal total war” against the West, said Fernando Carvajal, an expert on al Qaeda in the Middle East and north Africa at Britain’s University of Exeter. “It doesn’t need to kidnap for ransom.”</p>
<p>Knickmeyer reported from San Francisco. Associated Press writers Josh Lederman and Deb Riechmann in Washington, Michael Melia in Boston, Greg Keller in Paris and AP staff from around Europe contributed to this article.</p>
<p><a href="#d66593de-5c78-4ded-9c63-6a0c5a1d6743" type="external">© 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</a> Learn more about our <a href="http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/privacy" type="external">Privacy Policy</a> and <a href="http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/terms" type="external">Terms of Use</a>.</p>
| false | 2 |
paying ransoms governments mideast europe become biggest financiers terror groups refusing likewise us great britain thankless position putting citizens disadvantage foleys captors islamic state militants months demanded 1325 million 100 million euros parents political concessions washington got neither 40yearold freelance journalist new hampshire savagely killed within last week inside syria held since disappearance november 2012 extremists called death revenge killing 90 us airstrikes thursday launched islamic state militants northern iraq since aug 8 ransom demands began late last year even islamic state one worlds financially thriving extremist groups begun brutal march across much western northern iraq advertisement dont need money said matthew levitt counterterror expert washington institute thinktank ask 132 million release one person suggests youre either trying make point dont really need money senior obama administration official said thursday islamic state made range requests us foleys release including changes american policy posture mideast state department deputy spokeswoman marie harf said militancy controls swath land across northern syria iraq collected millions dollars ransoms far year alone make concessions terrorists harf told reporters pay ransoms united states government believes strongly paying ransom terrorists gives tool form financing helps propagate theyre said believe strongly dont reason issue payments american families us corporations debate within obama administration according us official familiar conversations spoke condition anonymity authorized discuss name usa patriot act prohibits payment assistance terror groups could boost support families three americans held rebel group colombia five years example repeatedly advised sending even medication sneakers hostages avoid potentially breaking law prosecution types cases rare enforced haphazardly never saw time fbi agent us government threatened prosecute family paying ransom said clinton van zandt fbis former chief hostage negotiator advertisement said governmentpaid ransoms help create growing cottage industry kidnap ransoms may get person back time youve done put price tag head every american overseas said youve advertised pay get americans back diplomats say ransoms paid arranged western european governments gulf state qatar provided bulk financial support violent groups spurred us britain well north african states push campaign discouraging ransom payments january us britain secured un security council resolution appealing governments pay ransom terror groups group eight bloc worlds developed economies made pledge year ago also us british pressure us british officials say clear extent allied governments abiding pledges treasury department estimated least 140 million worth ransoms paid alqaida terror groups africa mideast since 2004 france qatar often identified governments frequently pay arrange ransoms usually free european nationals france denied germany italy nordic counties denmark norway sweden accused security experts diplomats others paid ransoms cases qatar typically refuses comment issue ransoms spain neither confirmed denied pays terrorists hostages release despite insistence make concessions terrorists us earlier year securing release american sgt bowe bergdahl taliban exchange bergdahl obama administration released taliban prisoners us detention center guantanamo bay including critics called among hardened fighters war terror rather pay ransoms united states often tries rescue hostages covert military teams trained raid extremist camps three hostages colombia freed 2008 example secret operation launched early july rescue foley us hostages held islamic state syria us special forces engaged firefight islamic state killed several militants find american hostages unspecified location least three americans still held syria two believed kidnapped islamic state third freelance journalist austin tice disappeared syria august 2012 believed custody government forces syria money alone may main reason islamic state killed foley militancy already rich donations supporters persian gulf broad criminal network extortion robbery also believed stolen several us officials estimated millions dollars bank northern iraqi city mosul islamic state overran area june islamic state point evolution goal toward brutal total war west said fernando carvajal expert al qaeda middle east north africa britains university exeter doesnt need kidnap ransom knickmeyer reported san francisco associated press writers josh lederman deb riechmann washington michael melia boston greg keller paris ap staff around europe contributed article 2014 associated press rights reserved material may published broadcast rewritten redistributed learn privacy policy terms use
| 650 |
<p>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach has violated multiple court orders by repeatedly refusing to ensure all voters who registered at motor vehicle offices receive a certificate that provides information such as their polling site, the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas said in a court filing.</p>
<p>The group asked U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson late Monday to hold Kobach in contempt of court or to amend a court order to explicitly require him to send certificates to those people who registered to vote at driver licensing offices without providing proof of citizenship. Such certificates include information on the voting precinct, party affiliation, polling location and the voter’s districts for various offices.</p>
<p>The ACLU also wants Kobach to correct erroneous and misleading information in the state’s official election manual to make clear that, at this time, those voters are exempt from the state’s proof-of-citizenship requirements.</p>
<p>Kobach’s office did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.</p>
<p>The latest legal skirmish stems from Robinson’s May 2016 preliminary injunction finding that Kansas can’t require voters to produce proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a birth certificate or U.S. passport, when they register at driver licensing offices. She found that the state’s proof-of-citizenship requirements likely violate a provision in the National Voter Registration Act that requires only “minimal information” to determine a voter’s eligibility.</p>
<p>Kobach argues tough laws are needed to protect elections against voter fraud, but critics contend such restrictions are unnecessary and suppress voter turnout — particularly among the young and minority voters.</p>
<p>The case goes to trial on March 6, and final judgment is not expected for some time thereafter.</p>
<p>The ACLU said that Kobach’s actions risked disenfranchising some voters in a federal election year.</p>
<p>Kobach, a conservative Republican who is running for Kansas governor, was held in contempt of court last year for misleading the court about the contents of documents he was photographed taking into a November meeting with then President-elect Donald Trump.</p>
<p>The court fined Kobach $1,000 and ordered him to testify about the documents.</p>
<p>Earlier in the case, contempt proceedings against him that had been scheduled before the 2016 election were halted after Kobach agreed to allow thousands of voters to cast traditional ballots, rather than force them to use provisional ones.</p>
<p>Kobach was vice chairman of Trump’s recently disbanded commission on election fraud.</p>
<p>A spokesman for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has said Kobach is not advising the agency on election fraud issues. But Kobach told The Kansas City Star on Monday that the White House has informed him that it wants him to work closely with Trump and his team.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>This version of the story corrects the title of the organization to American Civil Liberties Union.</p>
<p>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach has violated multiple court orders by repeatedly refusing to ensure all voters who registered at motor vehicle offices receive a certificate that provides information such as their polling site, the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas said in a court filing.</p>
<p>The group asked U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson late Monday to hold Kobach in contempt of court or to amend a court order to explicitly require him to send certificates to those people who registered to vote at driver licensing offices without providing proof of citizenship. Such certificates include information on the voting precinct, party affiliation, polling location and the voter’s districts for various offices.</p>
<p>The ACLU also wants Kobach to correct erroneous and misleading information in the state’s official election manual to make clear that, at this time, those voters are exempt from the state’s proof-of-citizenship requirements.</p>
<p>Kobach’s office did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.</p>
<p>The latest legal skirmish stems from Robinson’s May 2016 preliminary injunction finding that Kansas can’t require voters to produce proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a birth certificate or U.S. passport, when they register at driver licensing offices. She found that the state’s proof-of-citizenship requirements likely violate a provision in the National Voter Registration Act that requires only “minimal information” to determine a voter’s eligibility.</p>
<p>Kobach argues tough laws are needed to protect elections against voter fraud, but critics contend such restrictions are unnecessary and suppress voter turnout — particularly among the young and minority voters.</p>
<p>The case goes to trial on March 6, and final judgment is not expected for some time thereafter.</p>
<p>The ACLU said that Kobach’s actions risked disenfranchising some voters in a federal election year.</p>
<p>Kobach, a conservative Republican who is running for Kansas governor, was held in contempt of court last year for misleading the court about the contents of documents he was photographed taking into a November meeting with then President-elect Donald Trump.</p>
<p>The court fined Kobach $1,000 and ordered him to testify about the documents.</p>
<p>Earlier in the case, contempt proceedings against him that had been scheduled before the 2016 election were halted after Kobach agreed to allow thousands of voters to cast traditional ballots, rather than force them to use provisional ones.</p>
<p>Kobach was vice chairman of Trump’s recently disbanded commission on election fraud.</p>
<p>A spokesman for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has said Kobach is not advising the agency on election fraud issues. But Kobach told The Kansas City Star on Monday that the White House has informed him that it wants him to work closely with Trump and his team.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>This version of the story corrects the title of the organization to American Civil Liberties Union.</p>
| false | 2 |
wichita kan ap kansas secretary state kris kobach violated multiple court orders repeatedly refusing ensure voters registered motor vehicle offices receive certificate provides information polling site american civil liberties union kansas said court filing group asked us district judge julie robinson late monday hold kobach contempt court amend court order explicitly require send certificates people registered vote driver licensing offices without providing proof citizenship certificates include information voting precinct party affiliation polling location voters districts various offices aclu also wants kobach correct erroneous misleading information states official election manual make clear time voters exempt states proofofcitizenship requirements kobachs office immediately respond email seeking comment latest legal skirmish stems robinsons may 2016 preliminary injunction finding kansas cant require voters produce proof us citizenship birth certificate us passport register driver licensing offices found states proofofcitizenship requirements likely violate provision national voter registration act requires minimal information determine voters eligibility kobach argues tough laws needed protect elections voter fraud critics contend restrictions unnecessary suppress voter turnout particularly among young minority voters case goes trial march 6 final judgment expected time thereafter aclu said kobachs actions risked disenfranchising voters federal election year kobach conservative republican running kansas governor held contempt court last year misleading court contents documents photographed taking november meeting presidentelect donald trump court fined kobach 1000 ordered testify documents earlier case contempt proceedings scheduled 2016 election halted kobach agreed allow thousands voters cast traditional ballots rather force use provisional ones kobach vice chairman trumps recently disbanded commission election fraud spokesman us department homeland security said kobach advising agency election fraud issues kobach told kansas city star monday white house informed wants work closely trump team ___ version story corrects title organization american civil liberties union wichita kan ap kansas secretary state kris kobach violated multiple court orders repeatedly refusing ensure voters registered motor vehicle offices receive certificate provides information polling site american civil liberties union kansas said court filing group asked us district judge julie robinson late monday hold kobach contempt court amend court order explicitly require send certificates people registered vote driver licensing offices without providing proof citizenship certificates include information voting precinct party affiliation polling location voters districts various offices aclu also wants kobach correct erroneous misleading information states official election manual make clear time voters exempt states proofofcitizenship requirements kobachs office immediately respond email seeking comment latest legal skirmish stems robinsons may 2016 preliminary injunction finding kansas cant require voters produce proof us citizenship birth certificate us passport register driver licensing offices found states proofofcitizenship requirements likely violate provision national voter registration act requires minimal information determine voters eligibility kobach argues tough laws needed protect elections voter fraud critics contend restrictions unnecessary suppress voter turnout particularly among young minority voters case goes trial march 6 final judgment expected time thereafter aclu said kobachs actions risked disenfranchising voters federal election year kobach conservative republican running kansas governor held contempt court last year misleading court contents documents photographed taking november meeting presidentelect donald trump court fined kobach 1000 ordered testify documents earlier case contempt proceedings scheduled 2016 election halted kobach agreed allow thousands voters cast traditional ballots rather force use provisional ones kobach vice chairman trumps recently disbanded commission election fraud spokesman us department homeland security said kobach advising agency election fraud issues kobach told kansas city star monday white house informed wants work closely trump team ___ version story corrects title organization american civil liberties union
| 566 |
<p>SAN DIEGO (AP) - The Trump administration has proposed spending $18 billion over 10 years to significantly extend the border wall with Mexico, providing one of its most detailed blueprints of how the president hopes to carry out a signature campaign pledge.</p>
<p>The proposal by Customs and Border Protection calls for 316 miles (505 kilometers) of additional barrier by September 2027, bringing total coverage to 970 miles (1,552 kilometers), or nearly half the border, according to a U.S. official with direct knowledge of the matter.</p>
<p>It also calls for 407 miles (651 kilometers) of replacement or secondary fencing, said the official, who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the plan has not been made public.</p>
<p>Trump has promised "a big, beautiful wall" with Mexico as a centerpiece of his presidency but offered few details of where it would be built, when and at what cost. His administration asked for $1.6 billion this year to build or replace 74 miles (118 kilometers) of fencing in Texas and California, and officials have said they also will seek $1.6 billion next year.</p>
<p>The 10-year plan, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, resulted from discussions with senators who asked the agency what it would take to secure the border, the official said.</p>
<p>It comes as the administration intensifies negotiations in Congress on a package that may include granting legal status to about 800,000 people who were temporarily shielded from deportation under an Obama-era program, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.</p>
<p>Trump said last year that he was ending DACA but gave Congress until March to deliver a legislative fix.</p>
<p>The plan on border security came in response to a request by U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake, said Jason Samuels, a spokesman for the Arizona Republican.</p>
<p>An administration official confirmed the document was prepared at the request of congressional negotiators and said funding for the wall and other security measures must be part of any legislative package on immigration. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the plan has not been made public.</p>
<p>Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the wall would be "first and foremost" in any package that includes new protections for DACA recipients. She also said the administration wanted to close "loopholes" on issues that include handling asylum claims and local police working with immigration authorities.</p>
<p>Nielsen called the $3.2 billion requests for fencing during the administration's first two years a down payment.</p>
<p>"This is not going to get us the whole wall we need, but it's a start," she said.</p>
<p>Mexico has steadfastly rejected Trump's demand that it pay for the wall and few doubt that U.S. taxpayers will foot the bill if the wall is built.</p>
<p>The Customs and Border Protection document calls for a total of $33 billion in new border spending, including $18 billion for the wall, $5.7 billion for technology gear, $1 billion for road construction and maintenance and $8.5 billion for 5,000 new Border Patrol agents, 2,500 border inspectors and other personnel, the U.S. official said.</p>
<p>The document doesn't specify where the extended wall should be built.</p>
<p>SAN DIEGO (AP) - The Trump administration has proposed spending $18 billion over 10 years to significantly extend the border wall with Mexico, providing one of its most detailed blueprints of how the president hopes to carry out a signature campaign pledge.</p>
<p>The proposal by Customs and Border Protection calls for 316 miles (505 kilometers) of additional barrier by September 2027, bringing total coverage to 970 miles (1,552 kilometers), or nearly half the border, according to a U.S. official with direct knowledge of the matter.</p>
<p>It also calls for 407 miles (651 kilometers) of replacement or secondary fencing, said the official, who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the plan has not been made public.</p>
<p>Trump has promised "a big, beautiful wall" with Mexico as a centerpiece of his presidency but offered few details of where it would be built, when and at what cost. His administration asked for $1.6 billion this year to build or replace 74 miles (118 kilometers) of fencing in Texas and California, and officials have said they also will seek $1.6 billion next year.</p>
<p>The 10-year plan, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, resulted from discussions with senators who asked the agency what it would take to secure the border, the official said.</p>
<p>It comes as the administration intensifies negotiations in Congress on a package that may include granting legal status to about 800,000 people who were temporarily shielded from deportation under an Obama-era program, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.</p>
<p>Trump said last year that he was ending DACA but gave Congress until March to deliver a legislative fix.</p>
<p>The plan on border security came in response to a request by U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake, said Jason Samuels, a spokesman for the Arizona Republican.</p>
<p>An administration official confirmed the document was prepared at the request of congressional negotiators and said funding for the wall and other security measures must be part of any legislative package on immigration. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the plan has not been made public.</p>
<p>Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the wall would be "first and foremost" in any package that includes new protections for DACA recipients. She also said the administration wanted to close "loopholes" on issues that include handling asylum claims and local police working with immigration authorities.</p>
<p>Nielsen called the $3.2 billion requests for fencing during the administration's first two years a down payment.</p>
<p>"This is not going to get us the whole wall we need, but it's a start," she said.</p>
<p>Mexico has steadfastly rejected Trump's demand that it pay for the wall and few doubt that U.S. taxpayers will foot the bill if the wall is built.</p>
<p>The Customs and Border Protection document calls for a total of $33 billion in new border spending, including $18 billion for the wall, $5.7 billion for technology gear, $1 billion for road construction and maintenance and $8.5 billion for 5,000 new Border Patrol agents, 2,500 border inspectors and other personnel, the U.S. official said.</p>
<p>The document doesn't specify where the extended wall should be built.</p>
| false | 2 |
san diego ap trump administration proposed spending 18 billion 10 years significantly extend border wall mexico providing one detailed blueprints president hopes carry signature campaign pledge proposal customs border protection calls 316 miles 505 kilometers additional barrier september 2027 bringing total coverage 970 miles 1552 kilometers nearly half border according us official direct knowledge matter also calls 407 miles 651 kilometers replacement secondary fencing said official spoke associated press condition anonymity plan made public trump promised big beautiful wall mexico centerpiece presidency offered details would built cost administration asked 16 billion year build replace 74 miles 118 kilometers fencing texas california officials said also seek 16 billion next year 10year plan first reported wall street journal resulted discussions senators asked agency would take secure border official said comes administration intensifies negotiations congress package may include granting legal status 800000 people temporarily shielded deportation obamaera program deferred action childhood arrivals trump said last year ending daca gave congress march deliver legislative fix plan border security came response request us sen jeff flake said jason samuels spokesman arizona republican administration official confirmed document prepared request congressional negotiators said funding wall security measures must part legislative package immigration official spoke condition anonymity plan made public homeland security secretary kirstjen nielsen told associated press tuesday wall would first foremost package includes new protections daca recipients also said administration wanted close loopholes issues include handling asylum claims local police working immigration authorities nielsen called 32 billion requests fencing administrations first two years payment going get us whole wall need start said mexico steadfastly rejected trumps demand pay wall doubt us taxpayers foot bill wall built customs border protection document calls total 33 billion new border spending including 18 billion wall 57 billion technology gear 1 billion road construction maintenance 85 billion 5000 new border patrol agents 2500 border inspectors personnel us official said document doesnt specify extended wall built san diego ap trump administration proposed spending 18 billion 10 years significantly extend border wall mexico providing one detailed blueprints president hopes carry signature campaign pledge proposal customs border protection calls 316 miles 505 kilometers additional barrier september 2027 bringing total coverage 970 miles 1552 kilometers nearly half border according us official direct knowledge matter also calls 407 miles 651 kilometers replacement secondary fencing said official spoke associated press condition anonymity plan made public trump promised big beautiful wall mexico centerpiece presidency offered details would built cost administration asked 16 billion year build replace 74 miles 118 kilometers fencing texas california officials said also seek 16 billion next year 10year plan first reported wall street journal resulted discussions senators asked agency would take secure border official said comes administration intensifies negotiations congress package may include granting legal status 800000 people temporarily shielded deportation obamaera program deferred action childhood arrivals trump said last year ending daca gave congress march deliver legislative fix plan border security came response request us sen jeff flake said jason samuels spokesman arizona republican administration official confirmed document prepared request congressional negotiators said funding wall security measures must part legislative package immigration official spoke condition anonymity plan made public homeland security secretary kirstjen nielsen told associated press tuesday wall would first foremost package includes new protections daca recipients also said administration wanted close loopholes issues include handling asylum claims local police working immigration authorities nielsen called 32 billion requests fencing administrations first two years payment going get us whole wall need start said mexico steadfastly rejected trumps demand pay wall doubt us taxpayers foot bill wall built customs border protection document calls total 33 billion new border spending including 18 billion wall 57 billion technology gear 1 billion road construction maintenance 85 billion 5000 new border patrol agents 2500 border inspectors personnel us official said document doesnt specify extended wall built
| 628 |
<p>WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress has again failed to approve long-term funds for a popular program that provides health insurance for nearly 9 million low-income children, leaving each party blaming the other for Christmas-season gridlock and states scrambling to decide how to parcel out dwindling money.</p>
<p>Lawmakers scurrying to leave the Capitol for the holidays approved a short-term patch Thursday designed to keep state programs operating through March, though some Republicans said federal officials think the money would run out by early February. The money was part of a bill averting a weekend federal shutdown. Congress had approved a previous stopgap solution for the children’s health program that was about to expire.</p>
<p>Democrats and Republicans agree that finances for the Children’s Health Insurance Program should be renewed for five years, but they’ve clashed over how to pay for it. And while few think Congress would blunder into letting the money completely lapse — which no lawmaker would care to defend with elections approaching — an effort to provide long-term money collapsed as leaders punted a bunch of unresolved issues until early next year.</p>
<p>“What GOP is obsessed with: Ramming through tax cuts for the rich and powerful,” tweeted Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., referring to the $1.5 trillion tax bill Congress approved this week. “What GOP completely ignores: Extending #CHIP - health care for our children.”</p>
<p>“We would love to pass it. They won’t let us,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said in an interview, asserting that Democrats had blocked a multiyear extension.</p>
<p>As the issue slipped into next year, the two top senators on the issue — Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and top committee Democrat Ron Wyden of Oregon — issued a statement promising to seek a five-year extension soon.</p>
<p>“We will be vigilant to ensure this program isn’t subject to repeated short-term fixes and constantly looming deadlines — families across the nation deserve better,” they said.</p>
<p>With no long-term funding agreement imminent, growing numbers of states have begun edging toward depleting their federal funds and commencing steps to cope with that. According to a survey the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation conducted in November and released this month, 14 states were planning to end or phase out coverage for children, including five by the end of January.</p>
<p>A separate study by Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families estimated that without the money from Thursday’s short-term extension, 25 states would run out of money by the end of January, with 1.9 million children potentially losing coverage.</p>
<p>It remained uncertain how those states and others would react to the latest infusion of federal money.</p>
<p>But Alabama recently warned it would stop registering new beneficiaries on Jan. 1 and halt the entire program a month later. Connecticut cautioned it would stop supporting families after Jan. 31, and Colorado has sent letters to recipients warning that their coverage may be canceled.</p>
<p>“We’re just hoping Congress does the right thing and doesn’t put politics in front of people’s health, in front of children’s health, in front of pregnant women’s health,” said Colorado Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne, a Democrat.</p>
<p>Although Congress has stepped in and provided eleventh-hour money twice in recent months, the will-they-or-won’t-they drama has put pressure on state officials about how to respond. They say they need lead time to keep recipients abreast about the status of their assistance and to adjust their programs if there’s a chance state allotments might change.</p>
<p>Kelly Haight, spokeswoman for North Carolina’s health department, said the state’s 220,000 children receiving assistance under the program “will not experience any interruption in benefits at this time” because the state had enough money for the beginning of 2018. She said officials were “considering all our options” for possibly losing federal funds.</p>
<p>Federal taxpayers paid about $16 billion for the program last year, with states adding a smaller share, according to government figures. The program is aimed at children from families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid, the health insurance program.</p>
<p>The House approved GOP legislation in November extending the health insurance program’s federal money for five years. Most Democrats voted no, saying they opposed plans to finance the extension in part by cutting a public health program created under President Barack Obama’s 2010 health care law.</p>
<p>The Senate Finance Committee easily approved its own five-year measure in October, but that bill lacked offsetting savings to pay for the extra money. One Democratic aide said top lawmakers of both parties had subsequently quietly agreed to a package of savings.</p>
<p>But as Congress rushed Thursday to pass short-term pending legislation preventing a weekend federal shutdown and leave town for the holidays, unsettled disputes over health care, immigration and other issues fell by the wayside for lawmakers to address next year.</p>
<p>Instead, the short-term bill includes $2.9 billion for states to use for children’s health plus authority for federal officials to continue distributing unspent program money to states running short.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Associated Press writers Kevin Freking in Washington; Gillian Flaccus in Portland, Oregon; Kyle Potter in St. Paul, Minnesota; Jonathan Drew in Durham, North Carolina; and Susan Haigh in Hartford, Connecticut, contributed to this report.</p>
<p>WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress has again failed to approve long-term funds for a popular program that provides health insurance for nearly 9 million low-income children, leaving each party blaming the other for Christmas-season gridlock and states scrambling to decide how to parcel out dwindling money.</p>
<p>Lawmakers scurrying to leave the Capitol for the holidays approved a short-term patch Thursday designed to keep state programs operating through March, though some Republicans said federal officials think the money would run out by early February. The money was part of a bill averting a weekend federal shutdown. Congress had approved a previous stopgap solution for the children’s health program that was about to expire.</p>
<p>Democrats and Republicans agree that finances for the Children’s Health Insurance Program should be renewed for five years, but they’ve clashed over how to pay for it. And while few think Congress would blunder into letting the money completely lapse — which no lawmaker would care to defend with elections approaching — an effort to provide long-term money collapsed as leaders punted a bunch of unresolved issues until early next year.</p>
<p>“What GOP is obsessed with: Ramming through tax cuts for the rich and powerful,” tweeted Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., referring to the $1.5 trillion tax bill Congress approved this week. “What GOP completely ignores: Extending #CHIP - health care for our children.”</p>
<p>“We would love to pass it. They won’t let us,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said in an interview, asserting that Democrats had blocked a multiyear extension.</p>
<p>As the issue slipped into next year, the two top senators on the issue — Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and top committee Democrat Ron Wyden of Oregon — issued a statement promising to seek a five-year extension soon.</p>
<p>“We will be vigilant to ensure this program isn’t subject to repeated short-term fixes and constantly looming deadlines — families across the nation deserve better,” they said.</p>
<p>With no long-term funding agreement imminent, growing numbers of states have begun edging toward depleting their federal funds and commencing steps to cope with that. According to a survey the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation conducted in November and released this month, 14 states were planning to end or phase out coverage for children, including five by the end of January.</p>
<p>A separate study by Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families estimated that without the money from Thursday’s short-term extension, 25 states would run out of money by the end of January, with 1.9 million children potentially losing coverage.</p>
<p>It remained uncertain how those states and others would react to the latest infusion of federal money.</p>
<p>But Alabama recently warned it would stop registering new beneficiaries on Jan. 1 and halt the entire program a month later. Connecticut cautioned it would stop supporting families after Jan. 31, and Colorado has sent letters to recipients warning that their coverage may be canceled.</p>
<p>“We’re just hoping Congress does the right thing and doesn’t put politics in front of people’s health, in front of children’s health, in front of pregnant women’s health,” said Colorado Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne, a Democrat.</p>
<p>Although Congress has stepped in and provided eleventh-hour money twice in recent months, the will-they-or-won’t-they drama has put pressure on state officials about how to respond. They say they need lead time to keep recipients abreast about the status of their assistance and to adjust their programs if there’s a chance state allotments might change.</p>
<p>Kelly Haight, spokeswoman for North Carolina’s health department, said the state’s 220,000 children receiving assistance under the program “will not experience any interruption in benefits at this time” because the state had enough money for the beginning of 2018. She said officials were “considering all our options” for possibly losing federal funds.</p>
<p>Federal taxpayers paid about $16 billion for the program last year, with states adding a smaller share, according to government figures. The program is aimed at children from families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid, the health insurance program.</p>
<p>The House approved GOP legislation in November extending the health insurance program’s federal money for five years. Most Democrats voted no, saying they opposed plans to finance the extension in part by cutting a public health program created under President Barack Obama’s 2010 health care law.</p>
<p>The Senate Finance Committee easily approved its own five-year measure in October, but that bill lacked offsetting savings to pay for the extra money. One Democratic aide said top lawmakers of both parties had subsequently quietly agreed to a package of savings.</p>
<p>But as Congress rushed Thursday to pass short-term pending legislation preventing a weekend federal shutdown and leave town for the holidays, unsettled disputes over health care, immigration and other issues fell by the wayside for lawmakers to address next year.</p>
<p>Instead, the short-term bill includes $2.9 billion for states to use for children’s health plus authority for federal officials to continue distributing unspent program money to states running short.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Associated Press writers Kevin Freking in Washington; Gillian Flaccus in Portland, Oregon; Kyle Potter in St. Paul, Minnesota; Jonathan Drew in Durham, North Carolina; and Susan Haigh in Hartford, Connecticut, contributed to this report.</p>
| false | 2 |
washington ap congress failed approve longterm funds popular program provides health insurance nearly 9 million lowincome children leaving party blaming christmasseason gridlock states scrambling decide parcel dwindling money lawmakers scurrying leave capitol holidays approved shortterm patch thursday designed keep state programs operating march though republicans said federal officials think money would run early february money part bill averting weekend federal shutdown congress approved previous stopgap solution childrens health program expire democrats republicans agree finances childrens health insurance program renewed five years theyve clashed pay think congress would blunder letting money completely lapse lawmaker would care defend elections approaching effort provide longterm money collapsed leaders punted bunch unresolved issues early next year gop obsessed ramming tax cuts rich powerful tweeted sen jeff merkley dore referring 15 trillion tax bill congress approved week gop completely ignores extending chip health care children would love pass wont let us senate majority leader mitch mcconnell rky said interview asserting democrats blocked multiyear extension issue slipped next year two top senators issue senate finance committee chairman orrin hatch rutah top committee democrat ron wyden oregon issued statement promising seek fiveyear extension soon vigilant ensure program isnt subject repeated shortterm fixes constantly looming deadlines families across nation deserve better said longterm funding agreement imminent growing numbers states begun edging toward depleting federal funds commencing steps cope according survey nonpartisan kaiser family foundation conducted november released month 14 states planning end phase coverage children including five end january separate study georgetown universitys center children families estimated without money thursdays shortterm extension 25 states would run money end january 19 million children potentially losing coverage remained uncertain states others would react latest infusion federal money alabama recently warned would stop registering new beneficiaries jan 1 halt entire program month later connecticut cautioned would stop supporting families jan 31 colorado sent letters recipients warning coverage may canceled hoping congress right thing doesnt put politics front peoples health front childrens health front pregnant womens health said colorado lt gov donna lynne democrat although congress stepped provided eleventhhour money twice recent months willtheyorwontthey drama put pressure state officials respond say need lead time keep recipients abreast status assistance adjust programs theres chance state allotments might change kelly haight spokeswoman north carolinas health department said states 220000 children receiving assistance program experience interruption benefits time state enough money beginning 2018 said officials considering options possibly losing federal funds federal taxpayers paid 16 billion program last year states adding smaller share according government figures program aimed children families incomes high qualify medicaid health insurance program house approved gop legislation november extending health insurance programs federal money five years democrats voted saying opposed plans finance extension part cutting public health program created president barack obamas 2010 health care law senate finance committee easily approved fiveyear measure october bill lacked offsetting savings pay extra money one democratic aide said top lawmakers parties subsequently quietly agreed package savings congress rushed thursday pass shortterm pending legislation preventing weekend federal shutdown leave town holidays unsettled disputes health care immigration issues fell wayside lawmakers address next year instead shortterm bill includes 29 billion states use childrens health plus authority federal officials continue distributing unspent program money states running short ___ associated press writers kevin freking washington gillian flaccus portland oregon kyle potter st paul minnesota jonathan drew durham north carolina susan haigh hartford connecticut contributed report washington ap congress failed approve longterm funds popular program provides health insurance nearly 9 million lowincome children leaving party blaming christmasseason gridlock states scrambling decide parcel dwindling money lawmakers scurrying leave capitol holidays approved shortterm patch thursday designed keep state programs operating march though republicans said federal officials think money would run early february money part bill averting weekend federal shutdown congress approved previous stopgap solution childrens health program expire democrats republicans agree finances childrens health insurance program renewed five years theyve clashed pay think congress would blunder letting money completely lapse lawmaker would care defend elections approaching effort provide longterm money collapsed leaders punted bunch unresolved issues early next year gop obsessed ramming tax cuts rich powerful tweeted sen jeff merkley dore referring 15 trillion tax bill congress approved week gop completely ignores extending chip health care children would love pass wont let us senate majority leader mitch mcconnell rky said interview asserting democrats blocked multiyear extension issue slipped next year two top senators issue senate finance committee chairman orrin hatch rutah top committee democrat ron wyden oregon issued statement promising seek fiveyear extension soon vigilant ensure program isnt subject repeated shortterm fixes constantly looming deadlines families across nation deserve better said longterm funding agreement imminent growing numbers states begun edging toward depleting federal funds commencing steps cope according survey nonpartisan kaiser family foundation conducted november released month 14 states planning end phase coverage children including five end january separate study georgetown universitys center children families estimated without money thursdays shortterm extension 25 states would run money end january 19 million children potentially losing coverage remained uncertain states others would react latest infusion federal money alabama recently warned would stop registering new beneficiaries jan 1 halt entire program month later connecticut cautioned would stop supporting families jan 31 colorado sent letters recipients warning coverage may canceled hoping congress right thing doesnt put politics front peoples health front childrens health front pregnant womens health said colorado lt gov donna lynne democrat although congress stepped provided eleventhhour money twice recent months willtheyorwontthey drama put pressure state officials respond say need lead time keep recipients abreast status assistance adjust programs theres chance state allotments might change kelly haight spokeswoman north carolinas health department said states 220000 children receiving assistance program experience interruption benefits time state enough money beginning 2018 said officials considering options possibly losing federal funds federal taxpayers paid 16 billion program last year states adding smaller share according government figures program aimed children families incomes high qualify medicaid health insurance program house approved gop legislation november extending health insurance programs federal money five years democrats voted saying opposed plans finance extension part cutting public health program created president barack obamas 2010 health care law senate finance committee easily approved fiveyear measure october bill lacked offsetting savings pay extra money one democratic aide said top lawmakers parties subsequently quietly agreed package savings congress rushed thursday pass shortterm pending legislation preventing weekend federal shutdown leave town holidays unsettled disputes health care immigration issues fell wayside lawmakers address next year instead shortterm bill includes 29 billion states use childrens health plus authority federal officials continue distributing unspent program money states running short ___ associated press writers kevin freking washington gillian flaccus portland oregon kyle potter st paul minnesota jonathan drew durham north carolina susan haigh hartford connecticut contributed report
| 1,112 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p />
<p>Sound too unrealistic for a region that struggles with upgrading its crumbling bridges, paying for new roads and finding the money to rebuild its struggling the District’s subway system (known as Metro)? Possibly. But transit planners, advocates and government officials say the proposals aren’t just wishful thinking.</p>
<p>“Some people say given Metro’s needs why should we do that? Well, we’ve got to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time,” said Rep. Gerald Connolly, D-Va. “We can maintain the infrastructure we’ve got while also looking at the future in terms of what our needs are and how they might be best met.”</p>
<p>The Washington region consistently ranks near the top for having some of the worst traffic in the country. In 2014, residents spent an estimated 82 hours stuck in traffic – up from 74 hours in 2010, according to the Texas A&amp;M Transportation Institute.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>The region also is projected to add more than 1.5 million people and 1 million jobs by 2045, according to a report by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, worsening congestion.</p>
<p>Separate studies are underway to determine the feasibility or next steps for projects such as the commuter ferry and the gondola to provide relief.</p>
<p>“We need to look at making every transportation option available,” said Kanti Srikanth, director of transportation planning at COG. “If it works out, great. We can provide one more option.”</p>
<p>The first six months of the subway’s SafeTrack rebuilding program have shown the importance of having options.</p>
<p>Telecommuting and the integration of bike- and ride-sharing and buses have helped riders navigate disruptions on the subway. So why not explore commuter ferries, cable cars and bullet trains for the future, proponents ask?</p>
<p>Studying the proposals doesn’t mean they will materialize or that they will happen overnight, Srikanth said. It was about half a century between the time Metro’s Silver Line was proposed in a federal document and the 2014 opening of the line’s first five new stations.</p>
<p>Prince William [Virginia] County Supervisor Frank Principi has been pushing to bring commuter ferries to Washington’s waterways for over a decade.</p>
<p>The project was recently awarded a $174,000 federal grant for an environmental impact study.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Principi said a market exists for fast ferry service between Alexandria and the District. Eventually, as areas along the Potomac River continue to develop, Principi envisions a wider system, accessed by bus, bike or rail, where commuters would pay fares with their Metro SmarTrip card, and with routes as far as the Occoquan in Woodbridge to the Washington Navy Yard.</p>
<p>“I see no reason why we can’t have fast ferry service here in our own region. It’s just a matter of time,” Principi said. He said the project could come to fruition within five years.</p>
<p>Ferries are heavily used in harbor cities such as New York, San Francisco and Seattle. New York City, for example, recently announced plans to expand its ferry system to connect communities not served by the subway in Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx to work centers in Lower Manhattan.</p>
<p>But in Washington, aside from some river taxi service mostly used by tourists, the concept of a commuter ferry has been largely unexplored.</p>
<p>“It’s too bad because the water is a great way to get around,” National Harbor developer Jon Peterson said in an interview earlier this year. “It is a great alternative. Every major city uses their waters.”</p>
<p>The water taxi that connects National Harbor to Alexandria has been successful, carrying more than 30,000 people a year, Peterson said. But the 20-minute, $7 ride isn’t appealing to commuters. Washington’s speed and noise restrictions on the Potomac also present a challenge in running a successful commuter ferry, he said.</p>
<p>Principi said speed waivers would be granted once a plan is approved.</p>
<p>The proposed transit system, under study by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, still faces questions and hurdles. As with other major transportation endeavors, funding remains the key challenge.</p>
<p>Operating a ferry route from Alexandria to the District could cost nearly $6 million. According to a market feasibility report last year, with as many as 2,000 trips per day, the route is commercially viable.</p>
<p>Although there is no estimate of how much it would cost to build docks and access points, a major hurdle, according to one study, would be addressing stakeholders’ concerns “about adding another mode to the mix of decisions on existing highway and transit infrastructure maintenance needs as well as already planned and underway transportation infrastructure expansions [that] may cause even more ‘fog’ in the funding equation.”</p>
<p>Still, some supporters say a ferry system would be cheaper and easier than investing in underground tunnels to expand Metro. The Silver Line extension, the first phase of which opened two years ago, cost $5.8 billion. Adding an infill station in Alexandria’s Potomac Yard community is expected to cost $268 million.</p>
<p>By comparison, building a gondola over the Potomac connecting Rosslyn and Georgetown would cost $80 million to $90 million, according to a feasibility study released last week. The annual operating cost would be about $3.25 million.</p>
<p>The cable-propelled transit system has potential to allow people to travel more quickly between Washington and Virginia, and serve at least 6,500 passengers a day, the report says.</p>
<p>“This is something that could be done,” said D.C. Council member Mary Cheh.</p>
<p>Cheh, who chairs the council’s transportation committee, helped secure $35,000 in the city’s budget to fund a gondola feasibility study.</p>
<p>“Given that it has great advantages for easing some transportation snags and revitalizing the Georgetown area, which doesn’t have a subway, I am kind of keen to seeing what the steps are to implement it,” Cheh said.</p>
<p>Other ideas appear more out of reach. Building a 40-mile high-speed magnetic-levitation, or maglev, train system that could carry passengers between Washington and Baltimore in 15 minutes would cost at least $10 billion, according to estimates.</p>
<p>Still, a critical step was taken last year when the U.S. Transportation Department awarded nearly $28 million to conduct studies on building the high-speed rail line. The funds support private-sector efforts to bring maglev trains to the region as part of a larger vision for building such a system along the Northeast Corridor.</p>
<p>In the plan to speed up rail service along the 123-mile stretch between Washington and Richmond by 2025, some investments, include adding a third track, are already underway. Cutting down travel time between the two capital cities from the current 2 hours and 45 minutes to 90 minutes would make train travel more attractive to travelers in the corridor</p>
<p>In the mix of ideas, some officials say, should be plans to continue broadening the bicycle infrastructure and extending Metro to unreached areas, such as Prince William.</p>
<p>Connolly says he is interested in investments that will have big payoffs.</p>
<p>“I say let a thousand flowers bloom and see what works,” Connolly said. “I don’t want to discourage imagination or alternatives. But once we go through it in a methodical way, the feasibility and the initial engineering processes, we will have a better idea of what’s practical and what’s not. But let’s not rule out a lot of things in advance.”</p>
<p>dc-transit</p>
| false | 2 |
sound unrealistic region struggles upgrading crumbling bridges paying new roads finding money rebuild struggling districts subway system known metro possibly transit planners advocates government officials say proposals arent wishful thinking people say given metros needs well weve got able walk chew gum time said rep gerald connolly dva maintain infrastructure weve got also looking future terms needs might best met washington region consistently ranks near top worst traffic country 2014 residents spent estimated 82 hours stuck traffic 74 hours 2010 according texas aampm transportation institute advertisement region also projected add 15 million people 1 million jobs 2045 according report metropolitan washington council governments worsening congestion separate studies underway determine feasibility next steps projects commuter ferry gondola provide relief need look making every transportation option available said kanti srikanth director transportation planning cog works great provide one option first six months subways safetrack rebuilding program shown importance options telecommuting integration bike ridesharing buses helped riders navigate disruptions subway explore commuter ferries cable cars bullet trains future proponents ask studying proposals doesnt mean materialize happen overnight srikanth said half century time metros silver line proposed federal document 2014 opening lines first five new stations prince william virginia county supervisor frank principi pushing bring commuter ferries washingtons waterways decade project recently awarded 174000 federal grant environmental impact study advertisement principi said market exists fast ferry service alexandria district eventually areas along potomac river continue develop principi envisions wider system accessed bus bike rail commuters would pay fares metro smartrip card routes far occoquan woodbridge washington navy yard see reason cant fast ferry service region matter time principi said said project could come fruition within five years ferries heavily used harbor cities new york san francisco seattle new york city example recently announced plans expand ferry system connect communities served subway queens brooklyn bronx work centers lower manhattan washington aside river taxi service mostly used tourists concept commuter ferry largely unexplored bad water great way get around national harbor developer jon peterson said interview earlier year great alternative every major city uses waters water taxi connects national harbor alexandria successful carrying 30000 people year peterson said 20minute 7 ride isnt appealing commuters washingtons speed noise restrictions potomac also present challenge running successful commuter ferry said principi said speed waivers would granted plan approved proposed transit system study northern virginia regional commission still faces questions hurdles major transportation endeavors funding remains key challenge operating ferry route alexandria district could cost nearly 6 million according market feasibility report last year many 2000 trips per day route commercially viable although estimate much would cost build docks access points major hurdle according one study would addressing stakeholders concerns adding another mode mix decisions existing highway transit infrastructure maintenance needs well already planned underway transportation infrastructure expansions may cause even fog funding equation still supporters say ferry system would cheaper easier investing underground tunnels expand metro silver line extension first phase opened two years ago cost 58 billion adding infill station alexandrias potomac yard community expected cost 268 million comparison building gondola potomac connecting rosslyn georgetown would cost 80 million 90 million according feasibility study released last week annual operating cost would 325 million cablepropelled transit system potential allow people travel quickly washington virginia serve least 6500 passengers day report says something could done said dc council member mary cheh cheh chairs councils transportation committee helped secure 35000 citys budget fund gondola feasibility study given great advantages easing transportation snags revitalizing georgetown area doesnt subway kind keen seeing steps implement cheh said ideas appear reach building 40mile highspeed magneticlevitation maglev train system could carry passengers washington baltimore 15 minutes would cost least 10 billion according estimates still critical step taken last year us transportation department awarded nearly 28 million conduct studies building highspeed rail line funds support privatesector efforts bring maglev trains region part larger vision building system along northeast corridor plan speed rail service along 123mile stretch washington richmond 2025 investments include adding third track already underway cutting travel time two capital cities current 2 hours 45 minutes 90 minutes would make train travel attractive travelers corridor mix ideas officials say plans continue broadening bicycle infrastructure extending metro unreached areas prince william connolly says interested investments big payoffs say let thousand flowers bloom see works connolly said dont want discourage imagination alternatives go methodical way feasibility initial engineering processes better idea whats practical whats lets rule lot things advance dctransit
| 732 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p>Members of an Iraqi Shiite militant group called Soldiers of Imam Ali Brigades launch rockets against Islamic State extremist positions in Tikrit, 80 miles (130 kilometers) north of Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, March 13, 2015. Iraqi forces entered Tikrit for the first time on Wednesday from the north and south. On Friday, they fought fierce battles to secure the northern Tikrit neighborhood of Qadisiyya and lobbed mortars and rockets into the city center, still in the hands of IS. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)</p>
<p>TIKRIT, Iraq — The U.S. has failed to live up to its promises to help Iraq fight Islamic State extremists, unlike the “unconditional” assistance being given by Iran, the commander of Iraq’s powerful Shiite militias alleged Friday.</p>
<p>In a battlefield interview near Tikrit, where Iraqi forces are fighting to retake Saddam Hussein’s hometown from the militants of the so-called Islamic State, commander Hadi al-Amiri criticized those who “kiss the hands of the Americans and get nothing in return.”</p>
<p>Iraqi forces entered Tikrit for the first time Wednesday from the north and south. On Friday, they waged fierce battles to secure the northern neighborhood of Qadisiyya and lobbed mortar shells and rockets into the city center, still in the hands of IS militants. Iraqi military officials have said they expect to reach central Tikrit in two to three days.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>The Iranian-backed Shiite militias have played a crucial role in regaining territory from the Sunni extremists of the Islamic State group, supporting Iraq’s embattled military and police forces.</p>
<p>An Iraqi government official told The Associated Press that Iran has sold Baghdad nearly $10 billion in arms and hardware, mostly weapons for urban warfare like assault rifles, heavy machine-guns and rocket launchers. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the media.</p>
<p>In November, President Barack Obama authorized the deployment of up to 1,500 more U.S. troops to bolster Iraqi forces, which could more than double the total of American forces in Iraq to 3,100. The Pentagon has made a spending request to Congress of $1.6 billion, focusing on training and arming Kurdish and Iraqi forces. According to a Pentagon document prepared in November, the U.S. is looking to provide an estimated $89.3 million in weapons and equipment to each of the nine Iraqi brigades.</p>
<p>The U.S.-led coalition of eight countries has launched more than 2,000 airstrikes in Iraq alone since August 2014, and the U.S. is also hitting the militant group from the air in Syria. Iraqi and U.S. officials have acknowledged the role airstrikes have played in rolling back the militants, saying the air campaign was an essential component in victories at the Mosul Dam, in Amirli, and more recently, in the crucial oil refining town of Beiji.</p>
<p>But the U.S. is not taking part in the operation in Tikrit, with U.S. officials saying they were not asked by Iraq to participate.</p>
<p>Al-Amiri, the Shiite militia commander who also is head of the Badr Organization political party, said that “help from Iran is unconditional.”</p>
<p>He warned that Iraq should not sacrifice its sovereignty for the sake of receiving weapons and assistance from the U.S., suggesting the Iraqi government is taking instructions from Washington.</p>
<p>“Our sovereignty is more important than U.S. weapons,” he said. “We can bring weapons from any country in the world.”</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Separately, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraq’s top Shiite cleric, urged the government to step up its support for the Shiite militias and to take care of the families of militiamen killed in battle. His remarks were relayed by his spokesman Ahmed al-Safi in the Shiite holy city of Karbala.</p>
<p>As many as 30,000 men are fighting the extremists in Tikrit — most of them volunteers with various Shiite militias, Iraqi officials say. U.S. Gen. Martin Dempsey said Wednesday that up to 20,000 militiamen may be involved.</p>
<p>Karim al-Nouri, a spokesman for the Popular Mobilization Forces, the official name of the Shiite militias, said as many as 40 Iranian advisers are also taking part.</p>
<p>In its march across Syria and northern and western Iraq, the Islamic State group — also known as ISIS or ISIL — has seized cities, towns and vast tracts of land. Its predominantly Sunni fighters view Shiites as apostates and have carried out a number of massacres.</p>
<p>On Friday, a prominent Iraqi Sunni preacher urged authorities to prevent Shiite militias from carrying out revenge attacks on Sunnis in Tikrit. In his appeal, Sheik Abdel Sattar Abdul Jabbar cited reports of Shiite militiamen burning Sunni homes in the battle.</p>
<p>“We ask that actions follow words to punish those who are attacking houses in Tikrit,” Abdul Jabbar said during his Friday sermon in Baghdad. “We are sorry about those acting in revenge that might ignite tribal anger and add to our sectarian problems.”</p>
<p>Abdul Jabbar said that if the government failed to stop revenge attacks by Shiite militias, Iraq would face reignited sectarian tensions, similar to those it witnessed at the height of Iraq’s sectarian wars in 2006 and 2007.</p>
<p>Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi last week called on his forces to protect civilians and their property in recaptured areas, vowing zero tolerance for any violations. He also urged Sunnis who may have welcomed the initial onslaught or fought beside the militants to give up their support for IS.</p>
<p>“I call upon those who have been misled or committed a mistake to lay down arms and join their people and security forces in order to liberate their cities,” al-Abadi said.</p>
<p>Human Rights Watch said Friday the Shiite militias have engaged in “deliberate destruction of civilian property” after security forces recaptured the town of Amirli and other areas where Sunni militants were driven out. In a report titled, “After Liberation Came Destruction: Iraqi Militias and the Aftermath of Amerli,” the rights group cited evidence that militias looted the property of Sunni civilians who had fled fighting, burned their homes and businesses, and destroyed at least two villages.</p>
<p>“Iraq clearly faces serious threats in its conflict with ISIS, but the abuses committed by forces fighting ISIS are so rampant and egregious that they are threatening Iraq long-term,” said Joe Stork, the deputy Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “Iraqis are caught between the horrors ISIS commits and abusive behavior by militias, and ordinary Iraqis are paying the price.”</p>
<p>——</p>
<p>Yacoub reported from Baghdad. Associated Press writer Vivian Salama in Baghdad contributed to this report.</p>
| false | 2 |
members iraqi shiite militant group called soldiers imam ali brigades launch rockets islamic state extremist positions tikrit 80 miles 130 kilometers north baghdad iraq friday march 13 2015 iraqi forces entered tikrit first time wednesday north south friday fought fierce battles secure northern tikrit neighborhood qadisiyya lobbed mortars rockets city center still hands ap photokhalid mohammed tikrit iraq us failed live promises help iraq fight islamic state extremists unlike unconditional assistance given iran commander iraqs powerful shiite militias alleged friday battlefield interview near tikrit iraqi forces fighting retake saddam husseins hometown militants socalled islamic state commander hadi alamiri criticized kiss hands americans get nothing return iraqi forces entered tikrit first time wednesday north south friday waged fierce battles secure northern neighborhood qadisiyya lobbed mortar shells rockets city center still hands militants iraqi military officials said expect reach central tikrit two three days advertisement iranianbacked shiite militias played crucial role regaining territory sunni extremists islamic state group supporting iraqs embattled military police forces iraqi government official told associated press iran sold baghdad nearly 10 billion arms hardware mostly weapons urban warfare like assault rifles heavy machineguns rocket launchers official spoke condition anonymity authorized brief media november president barack obama authorized deployment 1500 us troops bolster iraqi forces could double total american forces iraq 3100 pentagon made spending request congress 16 billion focusing training arming kurdish iraqi forces according pentagon document prepared november us looking provide estimated 893 million weapons equipment nine iraqi brigades usled coalition eight countries launched 2000 airstrikes iraq alone since august 2014 us also hitting militant group air syria iraqi us officials acknowledged role airstrikes played rolling back militants saying air campaign essential component victories mosul dam amirli recently crucial oil refining town beiji us taking part operation tikrit us officials saying asked iraq participate alamiri shiite militia commander also head badr organization political party said help iran unconditional warned iraq sacrifice sovereignty sake receiving weapons assistance us suggesting iraqi government taking instructions washington sovereignty important us weapons said bring weapons country world advertisement separately grand ayatollah ali alsistani iraqs top shiite cleric urged government step support shiite militias take care families militiamen killed battle remarks relayed spokesman ahmed alsafi shiite holy city karbala many 30000 men fighting extremists tikrit volunteers various shiite militias iraqi officials say us gen martin dempsey said wednesday 20000 militiamen may involved karim alnouri spokesman popular mobilization forces official name shiite militias said many 40 iranian advisers also taking part march across syria northern western iraq islamic state group also known isis isil seized cities towns vast tracts land predominantly sunni fighters view shiites apostates carried number massacres friday prominent iraqi sunni preacher urged authorities prevent shiite militias carrying revenge attacks sunnis tikrit appeal sheik abdel sattar abdul jabbar cited reports shiite militiamen burning sunni homes battle ask actions follow words punish attacking houses tikrit abdul jabbar said friday sermon baghdad sorry acting revenge might ignite tribal anger add sectarian problems abdul jabbar said government failed stop revenge attacks shiite militias iraq would face reignited sectarian tensions similar witnessed height iraqs sectarian wars 2006 2007 prime minister haider alabadi last week called forces protect civilians property recaptured areas vowing zero tolerance violations also urged sunnis may welcomed initial onslaught fought beside militants give support call upon misled committed mistake lay arms join people security forces order liberate cities alabadi said human rights watch said friday shiite militias engaged deliberate destruction civilian property security forces recaptured town amirli areas sunni militants driven report titled liberation came destruction iraqi militias aftermath amerli rights group cited evidence militias looted property sunni civilians fled fighting burned homes businesses destroyed least two villages iraq clearly faces serious threats conflict isis abuses committed forces fighting isis rampant egregious threatening iraq longterm said joe stork deputy middle east north africa director human rights watch iraqis caught horrors isis commits abusive behavior militias ordinary iraqis paying price yacoub reported baghdad associated press writer vivian salama baghdad contributed report
| 657 |
<p>MILWAUKEE (AP) - Erin Jackson surprised herself and almost everyone else at the U.S. speedskating trials, becoming a first-time Olympian after just four months on ice.</p>
<p>Coming from the world of inline skating, Jackson qualified in the 500 meters by finishing third behind veterans Brittany Bowe and Heather Bergsma.</p>
<p>Bowe had the fastest time over two heats Friday night. She was quicker in her first run around the big oval, clocking 37.95 seconds. Her second run was 38.18.</p>
<p>Bergsma also was quicker in her first heat at 38.24. Her second trip was 38.42.</p>
<p>Jackson was just the opposite.</p>
<p>The 25-year-old skater from Ocala, Florida, went 39.22 in her first heat. She was even better in her second run, going 39.04.</p>
<p>"I really wasn't expecting any of this, just coming in as a newbie, just trying to do the best I can," she said, smiling. "I still don't even know."</p>
<p>Jackson becomes the third African-American to make the U.S. speedskating team for the Olympics next month. She joins fellow long-tracker Shani Davis and short-tracker Maame Biney, who is originally from Ghana.</p>
<p>Bowe and Bergsma had already earned spots in Pyeongchang by finishing 1-2 in the 1,000, so doubling up in another event cleared the way for Jackson to join them.</p>
<p>Her previous personal best was 39.51 set Dec. 23 in the high-altitude of Salt Lake City.</p>
<p>"A couple weeks ago, I was still in the 40s," Jackson said. "I think I hadn't even broken 40 (seconds) yet, so it's all happened really fast."</p>
<p>Bowe is a former inline skater from Ocala and has been a teammate of Jackson's for several years.</p>
<p>"She's improving dramatically every time she steps on that ice," Bowe said. "She's at a point now where she can make those huge gains, so to see that two races in a row out here when the pressure is the highest is really promising for her and the sprint program for Team USA."</p>
<p>On the men's side, Mitch Whitmore added the 500 to his schedule after making his third Olympic team in the 1,000.</p>
<p>He skated fastest in his first heat at 35.06. But Whitmore had slow reactions in both heats.</p>
<p>"I've got a lot of room for improvement still," he said. "It's more stressful here than at World Cups or other big competitions just because you have to make the team and there's expectations of being a favorite going into this competition."</p>
<p>Jonathan Garcia made the team by finishing second at 35.22 after missing out in the 1,000 earlier in the week.</p>
<p>Kimani Griffin, a former inliner, was third at 35.26 and is expected to make the team depending on other skaters doubling up in events.</p>
<p>Blair Cruikshank, the teenage daughter of five-time Olympic champion Bonnie Blair, finished 15th among 18 skaters in the 500. She had identical times of 42.21 in both heats, which was a personal best.</p>
<p>"I'm pretty excited and I'm sure she's over there having a ton of fun also," Blair said, referring to her mom, who shook a blue cowbell and yelled for her daughter to "stay down!" as Blair sprinted around the big oval. Blair is coached by her father, four-time Olympian Dave Cruikshank.</p>
<p>Blair's goal is to make the 2022 Olympic team.</p>
<p>"This was just experience," she said. "Hopefully, with the next one I can come out here and make the team, but I still have a long ways to go to get there."</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>More AP Olympic coverage: <a href="https://wintergames.ap.org" type="external" /> <a href="https://wintergames.ap.org" type="external">https://wintergames.ap.org</a></p>
<p>MILWAUKEE (AP) - Erin Jackson surprised herself and almost everyone else at the U.S. speedskating trials, becoming a first-time Olympian after just four months on ice.</p>
<p>Coming from the world of inline skating, Jackson qualified in the 500 meters by finishing third behind veterans Brittany Bowe and Heather Bergsma.</p>
<p>Bowe had the fastest time over two heats Friday night. She was quicker in her first run around the big oval, clocking 37.95 seconds. Her second run was 38.18.</p>
<p>Bergsma also was quicker in her first heat at 38.24. Her second trip was 38.42.</p>
<p>Jackson was just the opposite.</p>
<p>The 25-year-old skater from Ocala, Florida, went 39.22 in her first heat. She was even better in her second run, going 39.04.</p>
<p>"I really wasn't expecting any of this, just coming in as a newbie, just trying to do the best I can," she said, smiling. "I still don't even know."</p>
<p>Jackson becomes the third African-American to make the U.S. speedskating team for the Olympics next month. She joins fellow long-tracker Shani Davis and short-tracker Maame Biney, who is originally from Ghana.</p>
<p>Bowe and Bergsma had already earned spots in Pyeongchang by finishing 1-2 in the 1,000, so doubling up in another event cleared the way for Jackson to join them.</p>
<p>Her previous personal best was 39.51 set Dec. 23 in the high-altitude of Salt Lake City.</p>
<p>"A couple weeks ago, I was still in the 40s," Jackson said. "I think I hadn't even broken 40 (seconds) yet, so it's all happened really fast."</p>
<p>Bowe is a former inline skater from Ocala and has been a teammate of Jackson's for several years.</p>
<p>"She's improving dramatically every time she steps on that ice," Bowe said. "She's at a point now where she can make those huge gains, so to see that two races in a row out here when the pressure is the highest is really promising for her and the sprint program for Team USA."</p>
<p>On the men's side, Mitch Whitmore added the 500 to his schedule after making his third Olympic team in the 1,000.</p>
<p>He skated fastest in his first heat at 35.06. But Whitmore had slow reactions in both heats.</p>
<p>"I've got a lot of room for improvement still," he said. "It's more stressful here than at World Cups or other big competitions just because you have to make the team and there's expectations of being a favorite going into this competition."</p>
<p>Jonathan Garcia made the team by finishing second at 35.22 after missing out in the 1,000 earlier in the week.</p>
<p>Kimani Griffin, a former inliner, was third at 35.26 and is expected to make the team depending on other skaters doubling up in events.</p>
<p>Blair Cruikshank, the teenage daughter of five-time Olympic champion Bonnie Blair, finished 15th among 18 skaters in the 500. She had identical times of 42.21 in both heats, which was a personal best.</p>
<p>"I'm pretty excited and I'm sure she's over there having a ton of fun also," Blair said, referring to her mom, who shook a blue cowbell and yelled for her daughter to "stay down!" as Blair sprinted around the big oval. Blair is coached by her father, four-time Olympian Dave Cruikshank.</p>
<p>Blair's goal is to make the 2022 Olympic team.</p>
<p>"This was just experience," she said. "Hopefully, with the next one I can come out here and make the team, but I still have a long ways to go to get there."</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>More AP Olympic coverage: <a href="https://wintergames.ap.org" type="external" /> <a href="https://wintergames.ap.org" type="external">https://wintergames.ap.org</a></p>
| false | 2 |
milwaukee ap erin jackson surprised almost everyone else us speedskating trials becoming firsttime olympian four months ice coming world inline skating jackson qualified 500 meters finishing third behind veterans brittany bowe heather bergsma bowe fastest time two heats friday night quicker first run around big oval clocking 3795 seconds second run 3818 bergsma also quicker first heat 3824 second trip 3842 jackson opposite 25yearold skater ocala florida went 3922 first heat even better second run going 3904 really wasnt expecting coming newbie trying best said smiling still dont even know jackson becomes third africanamerican make us speedskating team olympics next month joins fellow longtracker shani davis shorttracker maame biney originally ghana bowe bergsma already earned spots pyeongchang finishing 12 1000 doubling another event cleared way jackson join previous personal best 3951 set dec 23 highaltitude salt lake city couple weeks ago still 40s jackson said think hadnt even broken 40 seconds yet happened really fast bowe former inline skater ocala teammate jacksons several years shes improving dramatically every time steps ice bowe said shes point make huge gains see two races row pressure highest really promising sprint program team usa mens side mitch whitmore added 500 schedule making third olympic team 1000 skated fastest first heat 3506 whitmore slow reactions heats ive got lot room improvement still said stressful world cups big competitions make team theres expectations favorite going competition jonathan garcia made team finishing second 3522 missing 1000 earlier week kimani griffin former inliner third 3526 expected make team depending skaters doubling events blair cruikshank teenage daughter fivetime olympic champion bonnie blair finished 15th among 18 skaters 500 identical times 4221 heats personal best im pretty excited im sure shes ton fun also blair said referring mom shook blue cowbell yelled daughter stay blair sprinted around big oval blair coached father fourtime olympian dave cruikshank blairs goal make 2022 olympic team experience said hopefully next one come make team still long ways go get ___ ap olympic coverage httpswintergamesaporg milwaukee ap erin jackson surprised almost everyone else us speedskating trials becoming firsttime olympian four months ice coming world inline skating jackson qualified 500 meters finishing third behind veterans brittany bowe heather bergsma bowe fastest time two heats friday night quicker first run around big oval clocking 3795 seconds second run 3818 bergsma also quicker first heat 3824 second trip 3842 jackson opposite 25yearold skater ocala florida went 3922 first heat even better second run going 3904 really wasnt expecting coming newbie trying best said smiling still dont even know jackson becomes third africanamerican make us speedskating team olympics next month joins fellow longtracker shani davis shorttracker maame biney originally ghana bowe bergsma already earned spots pyeongchang finishing 12 1000 doubling another event cleared way jackson join previous personal best 3951 set dec 23 highaltitude salt lake city couple weeks ago still 40s jackson said think hadnt even broken 40 seconds yet happened really fast bowe former inline skater ocala teammate jacksons several years shes improving dramatically every time steps ice bowe said shes point make huge gains see two races row pressure highest really promising sprint program team usa mens side mitch whitmore added 500 schedule making third olympic team 1000 skated fastest first heat 3506 whitmore slow reactions heats ive got lot room improvement still said stressful world cups big competitions make team theres expectations favorite going competition jonathan garcia made team finishing second 3522 missing 1000 earlier week kimani griffin former inliner third 3526 expected make team depending skaters doubling events blair cruikshank teenage daughter fivetime olympic champion bonnie blair finished 15th among 18 skaters 500 identical times 4221 heats personal best im pretty excited im sure shes ton fun also blair said referring mom shook blue cowbell yelled daughter stay blair sprinted around big oval blair coached father fourtime olympian dave cruikshank blairs goal make 2022 olympic team experience said hopefully next one come make team still long ways go get ___ ap olympic coverage httpswintergamesaporg
| 660 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p />
<p>When the bill finally got through the House, President Donald Trump and House Republicans staged a victory party in the Rose Garden at the White House. Everyone knew it was premature, but House leaders and a president who lacked a singular legislative victory were looking for any excuse to celebrate.</p>
<p>The victory party was a giant sigh of relief rather than an expression of confidence in the substance of the bill. What Republicans were celebrating was the simple fact that after one spectacular failure – having to pull the bill to avoid a loss on the House floor – and then weeks of tortuous intraparty negotiations, the votes finally came together to send the measure to the Senate. House Republicans got the monkey off their backs.</p>
<p>Many Republicans believed that another failure in the House would have been more damaging to their cause that plunging ahead into the unknown. Perhaps. The reaction from Republicans in the Senate spoke to the lack of confidence in the substance of the American Health Care Act as it emerged from the House – and likely to the feared political fallout if left untouched.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>The bill will undergo surgery when senators start to work on it, and therefore the future of the legislation remains uncertain. Should the Senate produce something significantly different, the president and congressional leaders will face the choice of trying to reconcile the House and Senate versions, or trying to jam the Senate bill through the House. The political calculus could argue for brute force. There’s still no guarantee of final passage of a health-care bill to revise the Affordable Care Act.</p>
<p>All that is left to play out. No matter the ultimate outcome, however, House members have taken a fateful vote. There’s no current public polling about the bill that was approved on Thursday. What was known about the first version of the bill, the one that couldn’t muster the votes to pass, was not encouraging for any Republican looking at a reelection campaign. Fewer than 1 in 5 Americans said they liked the earlier version. The more people knew, they more intensely they disliked it.</p>
<p>Few people outside the House fully understand the fine print of the new bill, and it’s likely many in the House aren’t totally fluent on the contents either. The Congressional Budget Office analysis of the earlier version highlighted the fact that, a decade from now, it would result in 24 million fewer people with health care coverage than under the current Affordable Care Act. The House voted before the CBO issued its analysis of the revised bill, but some House Republicans are already attempting to debunk those unknown findings, as they did with the earlier CBO analysis.</p>
<p>The president was an energetic cheerleader in the effort to round up House votes and promote the bill, but he was hardly attuned to the details. He made statements on Thursday that he might regret. He said Obamacare is now dead. He said the House bill would reduce the cost of premiums and lower deductibles. Some people would see their premiums reduced under the House bill, according to CBO; mostly younger people. Older Americans face higher premiums. They are part of the president’s constituency. That’s the impact a decade from now. Over the shorter term, CBO has said the changes envisioned in the House bill would increase premiums more than under Obamacare.</p>
<p>Long before the final act has played out in Congress, the political fight over health care is in full force. The 2018 midterms will mark one more election in which health care plays a central role, as it did in 2010, 2014 and 2016. Those elections proved successful for Republicans, who made attacks on the Affordable Care Act a centerpiece of their campaigns. (President Obama always argued that the loss of the House in 2010 had more to do with high unemployment than with the health-care bill.)</p>
<p>The House vote had an instant impact on political forecasts. On Friday morning, the Cook Political Report shifted ratings on 20 House races – all to the detriment of the Republicans. The changes now put two dozen Republican seats in the competitive category, including one marked as leaning to the Democrats.</p>
<p>The ratings shifts should be read with several caveats:</p>
<p>– First, these elections are 18 months away and so predicting the future is risky.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>– Second, Democrats haven’t exactly gotten their own house in order: The antics of House Democrats mocking their Republican counterparts during Thursday’s vote was as premature a declaration of victory as what took place in the Rose Garden later that day.</p>
<p>– Third, the state of the economy will influence voters’ decisions.</p>
<p>Still, take the changing forecasts as an early warning signal for the Republicans. They are an immediate indicator that what House Republicans did on Thursday adds to the burdens of being the party that holds the White House during a midterm election. It is also a view of the politics of the House vote that is shared by any number of Republicans.</p>
<p>The House vote likely will contribute to an already existing enthusiasm gap between Democrats and Republicans, one that’s been on display since Inauguration Day. Trump’s base remains supportive of the president, but there’s little dispute that the Democratic base is more energized than the Republican base.</p>
<p>Passage of Obamacare in 2010 energized Republican opponents far more than it energized Democratic supporters, but Democrats believe Republicans will carry an added disadvantage this time. Though Obamacare sharply divided the public, specific provisions, such as allowing children to stay on their parents’ plan until age 26 and the prohibition on denying coverage for people with preexisting conditions, were relatively popular. Key provisions of the Republican bill have been judged negatively, including the new change that would let states apply for waivers to loosen the requirements for covering people with preexisting conditions.</p>
<p>For Republicans in swing districts, the House vote represents a potentially big problem if energy is on the side of the Democrats. Of the 23 Republicans who sit in districts won by Hillary Clinton last November, nine voted against the House bill and 14 voted in favor of it. Of those nine, one Republican – Florida’s Ileana Ros-Lehtinen – already has announced her retirement, and Democrats see her seat as a prime pickup opportunity. Whether those negative votes will provide some protection for the remaining eight House members who run for reelection is another question.</p>
<p>That there are problems with the Affordable Care Act no longer is in dispute; the law needs fixing. Insurance companies continue to withdraw from the exchanges, or are threatening to do so, in counties and in some states, in part because of financial losses and in part because of growing uncertainty about future rules and regulations.</p>
<p>The House has now spoken, controversially, putting members at risk. It will be up to the Senate to find a safer path.</p>
| false | 2 |
bill finally got house president donald trump house republicans staged victory party rose garden white house everyone knew premature house leaders president lacked singular legislative victory looking excuse celebrate victory party giant sigh relief rather expression confidence substance bill republicans celebrating simple fact one spectacular failure pull bill avoid loss house floor weeks tortuous intraparty negotiations votes finally came together send measure senate house republicans got monkey backs many republicans believed another failure house would damaging cause plunging ahead unknown perhaps reaction republicans senate spoke lack confidence substance american health care act emerged house likely feared political fallout left untouched advertisement bill undergo surgery senators start work therefore future legislation remains uncertain senate produce something significantly different president congressional leaders face choice trying reconcile house senate versions trying jam senate bill house political calculus could argue brute force theres still guarantee final passage healthcare bill revise affordable care act left play matter ultimate outcome however house members taken fateful vote theres current public polling bill approved thursday known first version bill one couldnt muster votes pass encouraging republican looking reelection campaign fewer 1 5 americans said liked earlier version people knew intensely disliked people outside house fully understand fine print new bill likely many house arent totally fluent contents either congressional budget office analysis earlier version highlighted fact decade would result 24 million fewer people health care coverage current affordable care act house voted cbo issued analysis revised bill house republicans already attempting debunk unknown findings earlier cbo analysis president energetic cheerleader effort round house votes promote bill hardly attuned details made statements thursday might regret said obamacare dead said house bill would reduce cost premiums lower deductibles people would see premiums reduced house bill according cbo mostly younger people older americans face higher premiums part presidents constituency thats impact decade shorter term cbo said changes envisioned house bill would increase premiums obamacare long final act played congress political fight health care full force 2018 midterms mark one election health care plays central role 2010 2014 2016 elections proved successful republicans made attacks affordable care act centerpiece campaigns president obama always argued loss house 2010 high unemployment healthcare bill house vote instant impact political forecasts friday morning cook political report shifted ratings 20 house races detriment republicans changes put two dozen republican seats competitive category including one marked leaning democrats ratings shifts read several caveats first elections 18 months away predicting future risky advertisement second democrats havent exactly gotten house order antics house democrats mocking republican counterparts thursdays vote premature declaration victory took place rose garden later day third state economy influence voters decisions still take changing forecasts early warning signal republicans immediate indicator house republicans thursday adds burdens party holds white house midterm election also view politics house vote shared number republicans house vote likely contribute already existing enthusiasm gap democrats republicans one thats display since inauguration day trumps base remains supportive president theres little dispute democratic base energized republican base passage obamacare 2010 energized republican opponents far energized democratic supporters democrats believe republicans carry added disadvantage time though obamacare sharply divided public specific provisions allowing children stay parents plan age 26 prohibition denying coverage people preexisting conditions relatively popular key provisions republican bill judged negatively including new change would let states apply waivers loosen requirements covering people preexisting conditions republicans swing districts house vote represents potentially big problem energy side democrats 23 republicans sit districts hillary clinton last november nine voted house bill 14 voted favor nine one republican floridas ileana roslehtinen already announced retirement democrats see seat prime pickup opportunity whether negative votes provide protection remaining eight house members run reelection another question problems affordable care act longer dispute law needs fixing insurance companies continue withdraw exchanges threatening counties states part financial losses part growing uncertainty future rules regulations house spoken controversially putting members risk senate find safer path
| 642 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p />
<p>“Back in the Saddle,” opening today at the New Mexico Museum of Art, presents a multifaceted view of what was once the area’s sole transportation mode and symbol, from the romance of Gerald Cassidy to Bill Schenck’s planed, paint-by-numbers parodies.</p>
<p>Curated by the museum’s Joseph Traugott and John Torres-Nez of the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, the exhibit of 25 works offers commentary from both European-American and Native American viewpoints. Visitors will notice dual labels reflecting those perspectives sprinkled throughout the Clarke Gallery. The show marks the two organizations’ first joint effort.</p>
<p>The artists include W. Herbert “Buck” Dunton, Betty Hahn, Luis A. Jiménez, Barbara Latham, Eliot Porter, Olive Rush, Joseph Henry Sharp, Theodore Van Soelen and Walter Ufer. Their imagery reveals some of the fusions that have crossed cultural crevasses.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>“It’s a theme we can pull together that raises questions about iconic images for the Native Americans,” 20th century art curator Traugott said.</p>
<p>The show opens with George Wharton James’ 1897 photograph of two white men demonstrating a box camera to a pair of Navajos, a saddled horse waiting behind them.</p>
<p>Well into the 20th century, many Native Americans believed the camera was a form of witchcraft intent upon stealing their souls.</p>
<p>“You get the sense that the Native Americans are being talked into altering their perspectives — that the camera won’t take away their spirit,” Traugott said</p>
<p>Joseph Henry Sharp’s “The Stoic” (1914) depicts a grieving Plains man dragging a horse’s head from buffalo tongs sliced into his back muscles. The oil on canvas explores the 19th century stereotype of the Noble Savage, Traugott writes.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Torres-Nez’s comments explain that mutilation rituals are common in nearly all societies. For North American Indians, the most famous is the Sun Dance ritual of the Great Plains tribes. The federal government outlawed the practice in 1904. Because the Plains people came to represent all Natives, people assumed Sharp set the scene in New Mexico.</p>
<p>“It creeps you out,” Traugott said. “It’s disturbing.”</p>
<p>But to Torres-Nez, the image is more embellishment of a Plains legend than reality, popularized by the 1970 Richard Harris movie “A Man Called Horse.”</p>
<p>“It comes from a legend they clearly set in the Southwest and graphically depicted,” he explained.</p>
<p>The original myth never mentioned the slicing of skin, never mind horse decapitation, he said.</p>
<p>“It makes it much more shocking.”</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>When George Bellows, famed for his gritty depictions of boxing and urban scenes, followed Robert Henri to New Mexico in 1917, he struggled to depict its expansiveness. Bellows’ “Chimayo” (1917) shows an adobe house, its entrance dangling chile ristras. A white horse stands in the foreground, its hindquarters deliberately facing the viewer.</p>
<p>“He was used to these enclosed settings,” Traugott said. “His work was about these urban masses and the tensions of the city. This is so idyllic compared to 14th Street. The light is too different from New York and its dark urban spaces.”</p>
<p>Paul Burlin was one of the first artists to introduce Modernist imagery to New Mexico. His 1917 pencil and watercolor wash on paper (“Untitled”) uses fragments of bodies and horses picnicking in a landscape, its shapes echoing Cezanne’s fractured forms. You can almost see the French master’s bathers.</p>
<p>“What’s interesting is how abstract it is,” Traugott said.</p>
<p>Martin Henning’s “Winter Snow Scene with Horse and Wagon” inspired Torres-Nez to faux-Frost poetry:</p>
<p>“Whose piñon/juniper woods these are I think I know.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>His house is in the Pueblo though;</p>
<p>He will not hear me stopping here</p>
<p>To watch my piñon baskets fill up with snow.”</p>
<p>He wrote the Frost-meets-Indian Country piece as a joke, but Traugott liked it, Torres-Nez said.</p>
<p>“I thought, ‘Well, this is Frost in the Southwest,’ ” he said with a laugh. “We were seeing each other’s work and trying to catch each other.” Hennings shows a pair of horses straining to pull a wagon in deep snowfall. The haze of the purple-blue mountain background contrasts strongly with the snowy fields. The wagon becomes a boat skimming across a frozen lake.</p>
<p>Oscar Berninghaus’ “Spring Plowing” (1937) is a classic mountain scene of European Americans working the soil where nothing will grow, Nez-Torres writes.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>“I grew up in the Four Corners area,” he said. “No one’s ever done that and never put a field so far away from water. I thought it was really silly.” Berninghaus was the founder of the Taos Society of Painters. The oil on canvas could be a metaphor for the proverbial planting of Taos painters in northern New Mexico, Traugott writes.</p>
<p>Eliot Porter’s “Horse Skull, O’Keeffe’s Abiquiu, New Mexico” (1952) is a high-contrast black and white portrait.</p>
<p>“It’s so iconic,” Traugott said, “so simple, so rich. He spent a lot of time in New Mexico. That’s one of O’Keeffe’s skulls.”</p>
<p>Later artists took a more jaundiced pop culture eye.</p>
<p>Betty Hahn’s multi-media print “White Hot, White Horse, White Guy” (1998) blacks out Tonto in favor of the Lone Ranger. The artist grew up watching the TV show, often wondering why Tonto often solved the crisis while the Lone Ranger got the credit. No one asked, “Who was that Native American man?”</p>
<p>“Tonto” is Spanish for fool.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Scholder’s lithograph “Indian on Galloping Horse — After Remington” (1976) shows the Native artist adopting a Pop Art style, with its twisted forms and complementary color palette.</p>
<p>“It’s a playoff of the classic Frederic Remington image,” Traugott said. “He’s talking about the emotion/motion of this horse and rider as opposed to the Remington scenes that now seem a little restrictive.”</p>
<p>Earlier, Laura Gilpin lived on the Navajo reservation photographing commonplace scenes infused with sensitivity and romance.</p>
<p>“Navaho Covered Wagon” (1934) is a portrait of a man and woman with a young boy and girl framed by the arched sail of a covered wagon, its horse’s withers rounding to their right. Mother and daughter both wear Native turquoise jewelry, while father dons a dark-brimmed hat with a bandana around his neck. In the following decades, their style of dress became the standard depiction of Native American families heading off to the Gallup market.</p>
<p>A selection of works by Georgia O’Keeffe from the museum’s collection shares the Clarke Gallery. The works reveal a mashup of images and styles, with landscapes ranging from the New York skyline to New Mexico’s mesas.</p>
| false | 2 |
back saddle opening today new mexico museum art presents multifaceted view areas sole transportation mode symbol romance gerald cassidy bill schencks planed paintbynumbers parodies curated museums joseph traugott john torresnez southwestern association indian arts exhibit 25 works offers commentary europeanamerican native american viewpoints visitors notice dual labels reflecting perspectives sprinkled throughout clarke gallery show marks two organizations first joint effort artists include w herbert buck dunton betty hahn luis jiménez barbara latham eliot porter olive rush joseph henry sharp theodore van soelen walter ufer imagery reveals fusions crossed cultural crevasses advertisement theme pull together raises questions iconic images native americans 20th century art curator traugott said show opens george wharton james 1897 photograph two white men demonstrating box camera pair navajos saddled horse waiting behind well 20th century many native americans believed camera form witchcraft intent upon stealing souls get sense native americans talked altering perspectives camera wont take away spirit traugott said joseph henry sharps stoic 1914 depicts grieving plains man dragging horses head buffalo tongs sliced back muscles oil canvas explores 19th century stereotype noble savage traugott writes advertisement torresnezs comments explain mutilation rituals common nearly societies north american indians famous sun dance ritual great plains tribes federal government outlawed practice 1904 plains people came represent natives people assumed sharp set scene new mexico creeps traugott said disturbing torresnez image embellishment plains legend reality popularized 1970 richard harris movie man called horse comes legend clearly set southwest graphically depicted explained original myth never mentioned slicing skin never mind horse decapitation said makes much shocking advertisement george bellows famed gritty depictions boxing urban scenes followed robert henri new mexico 1917 struggled depict expansiveness bellows chimayo 1917 shows adobe house entrance dangling chile ristras white horse stands foreground hindquarters deliberately facing viewer used enclosed settings traugott said work urban masses tensions city idyllic compared 14th street light different new york dark urban spaces paul burlin one first artists introduce modernist imagery new mexico 1917 pencil watercolor wash paper untitled uses fragments bodies horses picnicking landscape shapes echoing cezannes fractured forms almost see french masters bathers whats interesting abstract traugott said martin hennings winter snow scene horse wagon inspired torresnez fauxfrost poetry whose piñonjuniper woods think know advertisement house pueblo though hear stopping watch piñon baskets fill snow wrote frostmeetsindian country piece joke traugott liked torresnez said thought well frost southwest said laugh seeing others work trying catch hennings shows pair horses straining pull wagon deep snowfall haze purpleblue mountain background contrasts strongly snowy fields wagon becomes boat skimming across frozen lake oscar berninghaus spring plowing 1937 classic mountain scene european americans working soil nothing grow neztorres writes advertisement grew four corners area said ones ever done never put field far away water thought really silly berninghaus founder taos society painters oil canvas could metaphor proverbial planting taos painters northern new mexico traugott writes eliot porters horse skull okeeffes abiquiu new mexico 1952 highcontrast black white portrait iconic traugott said simple rich spent lot time new mexico thats one okeeffes skulls later artists took jaundiced pop culture eye betty hahns multimedia print white hot white horse white guy 1998 blacks tonto favor lone ranger artist grew watching tv show often wondering tonto often solved crisis lone ranger got credit one asked native american man tonto spanish fool advertisement scholders lithograph indian galloping horse remington 1976 shows native artist adopting pop art style twisted forms complementary color palette playoff classic frederic remington image traugott said hes talking emotionmotion horse rider opposed remington scenes seem little restrictive earlier laura gilpin lived navajo reservation photographing commonplace scenes infused sensitivity romance navaho covered wagon 1934 portrait man woman young boy girl framed arched sail covered wagon horses withers rounding right mother daughter wear native turquoise jewelry father dons darkbrimmed hat bandana around neck following decades style dress became standard depiction native american families heading gallup market selection works georgia okeeffe museums collection shares clarke gallery works reveal mashup images styles landscapes ranging new york skyline new mexicos mesas
| 663 |
<p>(Reuters) - San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank President John Williams is under consideration by the White House for the post of vice chair of the Fed Board in Washington, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter.</p> FILE PHOTO - San Francisco Federal Reserve President John Williams speaks to Reuters in San Francisco, California, U.S. on September 27, 2016. REUTERS/Stephen Lam/File Photo
<p>A San Francisco Fed spokesman declined to comment to Reuters. The Wall Street Journal said it was unclear whether Williams is a front runner.</p>
<p>Williams said he would welcome such an opportunity to be the vice chair, the Financial Times reported. <a href="http://on.ft.com/2DnIhzb" type="external">on.ft.com/2DnIhzb</a></p>
<p>“Of course I welcome opportunities to contribute at the highest level I can if that would help us do our work,” he told FT in a statement.</p>
<p>Williams would serve under Jerome Powell, a Fed governor who is to become the Fed chair early next month, succeeding Janet Yellen.</p>
<p>Williams, who holds a doctorate in economics and whose research on monetary policy and interest rates has been influential both inside and outside the U.S. central bank, would be part of the trio of policymakers at the centre of U.S. rate-setting that traditionally includes the Fed chair, the vice chair and the chief of the New York Fed.</p>
<p>The Fed Board’s former No. 2, Stanley Fischer, who was also a highly regarded economist and central banker, retired late last year.</p>
<p>William Dudley, the current president of the New York Fed and who is also an economist, plans to step down in mid-2018, and the bank is in the midst of a search for his replacement. The heads of the Federal Reserve regional banks are appointed by each bank’s board. The members of the Fed Board in Washington are named by the U.S. president, subject to Senate confirmation.</p>
<p>Powell has deep experience in financial markets and has been a Fed governor for five years, but he has no academic background in economics.</p>
<p>Williams took the top job at the San Francisco Fed in 2011, succeeding Yellen after President Barack Obama named her as the Fed’s vice chair under Ben Bernanke, a post she held until she succeeded Bernanke as chair in 2014.</p>
<p>Williams had been her director of research at the San Francisco Fed.</p>
<p>Reporting by Ann Saphir; Additional reporting by Kanishka Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by James Dalgleish and Leslie Adler</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Deutsche Bank’s ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=DBKGn.DE" type="external">DBKGn.DE</a>) supervisory board intends to “take a decision” on Sunday after discussing John Cryan’s job at the helm of the bank, the German lender said late on Saturday.</p> Deutsche Bank building before the bank's annual news conference in Frankfurt, Germany, February 2, 2018. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski
<p>In a brief statement, the bank confirmed earlier reports that Chairman Paul Achleitner had invited the supervisory board to an “update call”. Two people familiar with the matter told Reuters that a replacement for Cryan could be discussed at the meeting.</p>
<p>“Deutsche Bank’s Supervisory Board will have a discussion on the bank’s CEO position on Sunday evening,” the bank said. “It is planned to take a decision in this context on the same day.”</p>
<p>A representative for the bank was not immediately available to elaborate, but the two sources said earlier on Saturday that they could not rule out the possibility of a major announcement.</p>
<p>An external candidate to succeed Cryan was more likely than an internal candidate, one of the sources said.</p>
<p>Achleitner will act quickly to resolve the situation, said a third person who is a major investor in the bank, also speaking on condition of anonymity.</p>
<p>The Sunday discussion by the board follows two weeks of turmoil over the bank’s leadership.</p>
<p>Achleitner had initiated a search to replace Cryan, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters on March 27, following a flurry of negative headlines after the bank reported a third consecutive annual loss.</p>
<p>Cryan, who has been in office less than three years, responded by writing a memo to staff in which he said he remained “absolutely committed” to the bank. But Achleitner stayed silent, to the chagrin of major investors seeking clarity.</p>
<p>In recent days, Achleitner has broken his silence and reached out to some major investors, according to two other people with knowledge of the matter.</p>
<p>Achleitner was criticized by two major investors this week over the bank’s performance and his handling of the search for a new chief executive.</p>
<p>The leadership debate underscores the continued fragility of the 148-year-old bank after speculation of a possible government bailout just over a year ago.</p> Deutsche Bank CEO John Cryan during the bank's annual news conference in Frankfurt, Germany, February 2, 2018. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski INVESTMENT BANK WOES
<p>The debate also parallels concern about the path forward for Deutsche’s investment bank, whose swift expansion in the years leading up to the financial crisis is blamed for many of the bank’s current woes.</p>
<p>Revenue at the investment bank in 2017 was down 25 percent compared with 2015, a steeper fall than those suffered by its competitors. The division employed more than 41,000 staff at the end of 2017, up 4 percent from 2015, but key staff have left.</p>
<p>Cryan is conducting a global review of the investment bank, known internally as Project Colombo, a person with direct knowledge of the matter has said.</p>
<p>Cryan, the son of a jazz musician, is married into the wealthy Du Pont family of the United States. He was appointed to the helm of Deutsche in 2015 to overhaul the bank after years of rapid growth under investment bankers.</p>
<p>But his tumultuous tenure as CEO highlights many of the bank’s underlying issues.</p>
<a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=DBKGn.DE" type="external">Deutsche Bank AG</a> 11.352 DBKGn.DE Xetra -0.31 (-2.64%) DBKGn.DE
<p>Early on, Cryan quickly announced thousands of job cuts to trim costs but reversed the bank’s plans to sell its Postbank retail unit after tepid interest from buyers.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the bank announced earlier this year that it would post its third consecutive annual loss for 2017.</p>
<p>The German government and some of the nation’s most senior politicians criticized Cryan for paying 2.3 billion euros ($2.82 billion) in staff bonuses despite those losses, four times higher than the previous year.</p>
<p>One board member, Kim Hammonds, told leadership at a recent meeting that the bank was “the most dysfunctional company” she had ever worked for, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter.</p>
<p>Over the past weeks, a number of names have surfaced in the media as possible replacements for Cryan. But some analysts wonder whether anyone would be able to do a better job on turning the bank around.</p>
<p>“There has been actually a disciplined execution in a tough environment by this team,” said Peter Nerby, who analyses the bank for Moody’s. “I wonder if anyone really has a better way to get there. It’s not obvious to me what that way would be.”</p>
<p>($1 = 0.8143 euros)</p>
<p>Reporting by Tom Sims and Hans Seidenstuecker; additional reporting by Christoph Steitz and Oliver Hirt; editing by Jason Neely and Daniel Wallis</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia’s stock exchange expects an influx of foreign funds to smooth the listing of national oil firm Saudi Aramco, despite concern among some analysts about whether the market can absorb the huge offer, the exchange’s chief executive said on Sunday.</p> FILE PHOTO - Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) Khalid al-Hussan attends a signing ceremony with Japan Exchange Group (JPX) Chief Executive Officer Akira Kiyota (not in picture) at Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), Japan March 14, 2017. REUTERS/Issei Kato
<p>“Foreign investors are putting in more money — every day we have improved liquidity capacity,” Khalid al-Hussan said in an interview.</p>
<p>The government has said it plans to sell about 5 percent of Aramco, hoping to raise some $100 billion or more in what is likely to be the world’s biggest initial public offer. Officials have said that in addition to Riyadh, Aramco may list on one or more foreign markets such as New York, London and Hong Kong.</p>
<p>Many private analysts think the $100 billion target is too ambitious, but even a $50 billion IPO could strain the Saudi market, which has a capitalization of about $500 billion — especially if the burden is not shared with a foreign exchange.</p>
<p>Saudi Arabia’s biggest IPO so far, the sale of a stake in National Commercial Bank 1180.SE in 2014, raised just $6 billion. In January this year, an advisory council to the government asked the securities regulator to study whether the Aramco sale might destabilize the market.</p>
<p>Hussan insisted, however, that from technical and regulatory perspectives, the Saudi exchange was fully prepared to handle the Aramco IPO, alone if necessary.</p>
<p>He noted that foreign investors were not permitted to buy shares directly in the National Commercial Bank offer. Now, rules have been changed to permit foreigners to take part in local IPOs.</p>
<p>Hussan also said last month’s decision by equity index compiler FTSE Russell to upgrade Saudi Arabia to emerging market status, and a similar decision which fund managers expect MSCI to make in June, would attract billions of dollars of fresh foreign money to the local market.</p>
<p>Regional investment bank EFG Hermes estimates Saudi Arabia could see fund inflows totaling $30 billion to $45 billion in the next two years if it reaches the foreign ownership levels of markets in neighboring United Arab Emirates and Qatar.</p>
<p>Some foreign money has started to enter the Saudi market in anticipation of a positive impact from the FTSE and MSCI decisions. Foreign investors, including qualified foreign institutions (QFIs), have been buyers of stocks every week this year, purchasing a net $2.17 billion, exchange data shows.</p> FILE PHOTO: Logo of Saudi Aramco is seen at the 20th Middle East Oil &amp; Gas Show and Conference (MOES 2017) in Manama, Bahrain, March 7, 2017. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo
<p>“What we have seen at the beginning of this year from foreign investor participation and the cash inflows and the number of registered QFIs in the market, gives us a very comfortable state,” Hussan said.</p>
<p>He did not comment on the timing of the Aramco IPO. Officials originally said it would take place by the end of 2018, but Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Reuters last month that it could occur at the end of 2018 or in early 2019, depending on market conditions.</p>
<p>If Saudi officials are relying on foreign fund inflows to facilitate the Aramco IPO, they may be tempted to wait until early 2019.</p>
<p>“Passive” funds benchmarked to FTSE indexes will only enter Saudi Arabia when its upgrade takes effect, in stages between March 2019 and December that year. Similarly, if MSCI decides to upgrade Riyadh, the decision would probably only take effect in mid-2019.</p>
<p>Passive funds may account for roughly a third to a half of foreign mutual funds entering Saudi Arabia in the next couple of years, fund managers estimate.</p>
<p>Writing by Andrew Torchia, editing by Larry King</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Adidas expects to close down stores in the coming years as part of a shift towards selling more goods online, its chief executive told a newspaper.</p> Adidas sport shoes are seen before the company's annual news conference in Herzogenaurach, Germany March 14, 2018. REUTERS/Michael Dalder
<p>In an interview with the Financial Times, Kasper Rorsted said “over time, we will have fewer stores but they will be better”, adding that over the coming year the number of Adidas stores was expected to contract slightly.</p>
<p>“Our website is the most important store we have in the world.”</p>
<p>Adidas, which wants to more than double its ecommerce sales to 4 billion euros ($4.91 billion) by 2020 from 1.6 billion last year, has 2,500 stores globally and 13,000 additional mono-branded franchise stores, the Financial Times said.</p>
<p>($1 = 0.8143 euros)</p>
<p>Reporting by Christoph Steitz; Editing by Andrew Roche</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Deutsche Bank ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=DBKGn.DE" type="external">DBKGn.DE</a>) plans to continue with its co-deputy structure under a new chief executive, a person with knowledge of the matter said on Sunday.</p>
<p>Deutsche Bank’s supervisory board is currently meeting to discuss promoting Christian Sewing to CEO, taking over from John Cryan, the source said.</p>
<a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=DBKGn.DE" type="external">Deutsche Bank AG</a> 11.352 DBKGn.DE Xetra -0.31 (-2.64%) DBKGn.DE
<p>Garth Ritchie, the bank’s co-head of corporate and investment banking, is likely to be one of two co-deputy CEO’s under Sewing, the source said.</p>
<p>Reporting by Andreas Framke; Writing by Tom Sims; Editing by Edward Taylor</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
| false | 2 |
reuters san francisco federal reserve bank president john williams consideration white house post vice chair fed board washington wall street journal reported thursday citing unnamed people familiar matter file photo san francisco federal reserve president john williams speaks reuters san francisco california us september 27 2016 reutersstephen lamfile photo san francisco fed spokesman declined comment reuters wall street journal said unclear whether williams front runner williams said would welcome opportunity vice chair financial times reported onftcom2dnihzb course welcome opportunities contribute highest level would help us work told ft statement williams would serve jerome powell fed governor become fed chair early next month succeeding janet yellen williams holds doctorate economics whose research monetary policy interest rates influential inside outside us central bank would part trio policymakers centre us ratesetting traditionally includes fed chair vice chair chief new york fed fed boards former 2 stanley fischer also highly regarded economist central banker retired late last year william dudley current president new york fed also economist plans step mid2018 bank midst search replacement heads federal reserve regional banks appointed banks board members fed board washington named us president subject senate confirmation powell deep experience financial markets fed governor five years academic background economics williams took top job san francisco fed 2011 succeeding yellen president barack obama named feds vice chair ben bernanke post held succeeded bernanke chair 2014 williams director research san francisco fed reporting ann saphir additional reporting kanishka singh bengaluru editing james dalgleish leslie adler standards thomson reuters trust principles frankfurt reuters deutsche banks dbkgnde supervisory board intends take decision sunday discussing john cryans job helm bank german lender said late saturday deutsche bank building banks annual news conference frankfurt germany february 2 2018 reutersralph orlowski brief statement bank confirmed earlier reports chairman paul achleitner invited supervisory board update call two people familiar matter told reuters replacement cryan could discussed meeting deutsche banks supervisory board discussion banks ceo position sunday evening bank said planned take decision context day representative bank immediately available elaborate two sources said earlier saturday could rule possibility major announcement external candidate succeed cryan likely internal candidate one sources said achleitner act quickly resolve situation said third person major investor bank also speaking condition anonymity sunday discussion board follows two weeks turmoil banks leadership achleitner initiated search replace cryan two people familiar matter told reuters march 27 following flurry negative headlines bank reported third consecutive annual loss cryan office less three years responded writing memo staff said remained absolutely committed bank achleitner stayed silent chagrin major investors seeking clarity recent days achleitner broken silence reached major investors according two people knowledge matter achleitner criticized two major investors week banks performance handling search new chief executive leadership debate underscores continued fragility 148yearold bank speculation possible government bailout year ago deutsche bank ceo john cryan banks annual news conference frankfurt germany february 2 2018 reutersralph orlowski investment bank woes debate also parallels concern path forward deutsches investment bank whose swift expansion years leading financial crisis blamed many banks current woes revenue investment bank 2017 25 percent compared 2015 steeper fall suffered competitors division employed 41000 staff end 2017 4 percent 2015 key staff left cryan conducting global review investment bank known internally project colombo person direct knowledge matter said cryan son jazz musician married wealthy du pont family united states appointed helm deutsche 2015 overhaul bank years rapid growth investment bankers tumultuous tenure ceo highlights many banks underlying issues deutsche bank ag 11352 dbkgnde xetra 031 264 dbkgnde early cryan quickly announced thousands job cuts trim costs reversed banks plans sell postbank retail unit tepid interest buyers meanwhile bank announced earlier year would post third consecutive annual loss 2017 german government nations senior politicians criticized cryan paying 23 billion euros 282 billion staff bonuses despite losses four times higher previous year one board member kim hammonds told leadership recent meeting bank dysfunctional company ever worked according person direct knowledge matter past weeks number names surfaced media possible replacements cryan analysts wonder whether anyone would able better job turning bank around actually disciplined execution tough environment team said peter nerby analyses bank moodys wonder anyone really better way get obvious way would 1 08143 euros reporting tom sims hans seidenstuecker additional reporting christoph steitz oliver hirt editing jason neely daniel wallis standards thomson reuters trust principles riyadh reuters saudi arabias stock exchange expects influx foreign funds smooth listing national oil firm saudi aramco despite concern among analysts whether market absorb huge offer exchanges chief executive said sunday file photo chief executive officer saudi stock exchange tadawul khalid alhussan attends signing ceremony japan exchange group jpx chief executive officer akira kiyota picture tokyo stock exchange tse japan march 14 2017 reutersissei kato foreign investors putting money every day improved liquidity capacity khalid alhussan said interview government said plans sell 5 percent aramco hoping raise 100 billion likely worlds biggest initial public offer officials said addition riyadh aramco may list one foreign markets new york london hong kong many private analysts think 100 billion target ambitious even 50 billion ipo could strain saudi market capitalization 500 billion especially burden shared foreign exchange saudi arabias biggest ipo far sale stake national commercial bank 1180se 2014 raised 6 billion january year advisory council government asked securities regulator study whether aramco sale might destabilize market hussan insisted however technical regulatory perspectives saudi exchange fully prepared handle aramco ipo alone necessary noted foreign investors permitted buy shares directly national commercial bank offer rules changed permit foreigners take part local ipos hussan also said last months decision equity index compiler ftse russell upgrade saudi arabia emerging market status similar decision fund managers expect msci make june would attract billions dollars fresh foreign money local market regional investment bank efg hermes estimates saudi arabia could see fund inflows totaling 30 billion 45 billion next two years reaches foreign ownership levels markets neighboring united arab emirates qatar foreign money started enter saudi market anticipation positive impact ftse msci decisions foreign investors including qualified foreign institutions qfis buyers stocks every week year purchasing net 217 billion exchange data shows file photo logo saudi aramco seen 20th middle east oil amp gas show conference moes 2017 manama bahrain march 7 2017 reutershamad mohammedfile photo seen beginning year foreign investor participation cash inflows number registered qfis market gives us comfortable state hussan said comment timing aramco ipo officials originally said would take place end 2018 saudi crown prince mohammed bin salman told reuters last month could occur end 2018 early 2019 depending market conditions saudi officials relying foreign fund inflows facilitate aramco ipo may tempted wait early 2019 passive funds benchmarked ftse indexes enter saudi arabia upgrade takes effect stages march 2019 december year similarly msci decides upgrade riyadh decision would probably take effect mid2019 passive funds may account roughly third half foreign mutual funds entering saudi arabia next couple years fund managers estimate writing andrew torchia editing larry king standards thomson reuters trust principles frankfurt reuters adidas expects close stores coming years part shift towards selling goods online chief executive told newspaper adidas sport shoes seen companys annual news conference herzogenaurach germany march 14 2018 reutersmichael dalder interview financial times kasper rorsted said time fewer stores better adding coming year number adidas stores expected contract slightly website important store world adidas wants double ecommerce sales 4 billion euros 491 billion 2020 16 billion last year 2500 stores globally 13000 additional monobranded franchise stores financial times said 1 08143 euros reporting christoph steitz editing andrew roche standards thomson reuters trust principles frankfurt reuters deutsche bank dbkgnde plans continue codeputy structure new chief executive person knowledge matter said sunday deutsche banks supervisory board currently meeting discuss promoting christian sewing ceo taking john cryan source said deutsche bank ag 11352 dbkgnde xetra 031 264 dbkgnde garth ritchie banks cohead corporate investment banking likely one two codeputy ceos sewing source said reporting andreas framke writing tom sims editing edward taylor standards thomson reuters trust principles
| 1,319 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p />
<p>A new study, just out in the journal Science Advances, may shed some light on the mystery. The study finds that plastic in the ocean gives off a specific chemical compound with a distinctive smell, signaling to some seabirds that it’s dinnertime.</p>
<p>“What we think is going on is that the plastic is emitting a cue that is getting [the birds] into moods to eat,” said Gabrielle Nevitt of the University of California Davis, the study’s senior author.</p>
<p>Scientists already knew that some types of seabirds rely heavily on their sense of smell, rather than just their vision, when foraging for food. Nevitt’s previous research has focused largely on a group known as the procellariiform seabirds, which include albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters. Previous research has found these birds are especially responsive to a chemical compound called dimethyl sulfide, or DMS.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>In nature, DMS is produced by algae — especially when it’s being broken down and eaten by krill. There’s an evolutionary purpose to this system that benefits both seabirds and algae.</p>
<p>When the the algae emit the chemical, they’re “engaging in sort of a mutualistic interaction,” said Matthew Savoca, a Ph.D student at UC Davis and the study’s lead author. “The algae says, ‘Birds, come over here and find food,’ and the birds say to the algae, ‘Thank you very much, we’re now going to eat your predators and reduce your grazing pressure from the krill.’ “</p>
<p>The problem is that plastic in the ocean tends to accumulate algae and other organic matter on its surface in a process known as “biofouling” — and this material emits DMS, the new study found.</p>
<p>The researchers filled mesh bags with three of the most common types of plastic debris — high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene and polypropylene — and attached them to buoys in the ocean. After three weeks, the researchers collected the bags for analysis.</p>
<p>Back at UC Davis, they turned to food and wine chemist Susan Ebeler’s lab for help. The lab supplied equipment usually used to detect sulfur in wine, which the researchers then used to analyze their plastic samples. They found a DMS signature on all the plastic that had been in the ocean. On the contrary, they did not detect any DMS when they tested plastic that hadn’t been soaked in the sea.</p>
<p>Next, the researchers pooled data from previous research on plastic ingestion in seabirds. They found that birds known to be responsive to DMS consumed plastic five times as frequently as non-DMS-responsive species.</p>
<p>The researchers decided to expand their study even further. Previous research has suggested that DMS-responsive species often tend to build their nests underground, while many other species nest on the surface. So the researchers decided to see what would happen if they analyzed previously collected data on plastic ingestion in burrowing versus non-burrowing seabirds. They found that burrow-nesting birds were also significantly more likely to ingest plastic than surface-nesting birds.</p>
<p>These results have several important implications, according to the researchers. First, the study provides new insight into the mechanisms causing certain marine animals to eat plastic waste — and it likely applies to more than just seabirds. Some research has indicated that other animals, including fish and sea turtles, also use DMS or other chemicals as feeding cues, Nevitt said.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>The research also suggests that some of the species most vulnerable to plastic pollution may have been overlooked until now. Burrowing seabirds have not been the most heavily monitored up until this point, Savoca pointed out — largely because they spend so much time hidden underground — but the new study suggests they might be disproportionately affected by plastic waste.</p>
<p>The paper “provides a convincing argument for the Procellariiform seabirds as to why they might pick up plastic from the ocean,” said Chris Wilcox , a senior research scientist at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation in Australia, who was not involved with the new study, in an emailed comment to The Washington Post.</p>
<p>However, he added, other species that don’t use DMS for foraging have also shown high rates of plastic ingestion. The reason for this remains an open question. For many species, eating plastic may indeed be a simple visual mistake — it might just look like food. Even in the DMS-responsive seabirds, visual cues may still be playing a part, Savoca noted.</p>
<p>“I think it’s quite possible that these hypotheses are complementary, they really build on each other,” he said. “If something looks like food and smells like food, it would be much harder not to eat it.”</p>
<p>Wilcox also cautioned that a lot of research on the actual effects of plastic consumption, particularly on whole populations of seabirds, remains inconclusive. While many scientists are indeed concerned that plastic might be harming the marine ecosystem, Wilcox pointed out that the new study can’t be used to speculate on the consequences of plastic consumption — only the reasons it’s happening.</p>
<p>That said, the researchers are hopeful that their findings can be used to help stop marine animals from eating so much plastic waste. Recent research has suggested that the problem is only continuing to grow for now. A 2015 study , which was led by Wilcox, predicted that 99 percent of all seabird species — up from about 59 percent now — will be eating plastic by the year 2050.</p>
<p>“[The study] provides a salient mechanism for how this group of birds might be detecting plastic and consuming it,” Nevitt said. “And once you have a better idea of how a mechanism might work, you’re in a better position to potentially mediate that.”</p>
<p>There may be some opportunities for materials scientists and manufacturers to make a difference in the future, Savoca suggested — perhaps by designing plastics that are less conducive to algae growth. But he says the biggest priority should be keeping plastic out of our waterways in the first place.</p>
<p>“Really, [the paper] just adds another layer to how how insidious and bad this plastic problem is,” he said.</p>
<p>seabirds-repeat</p>
| false | 2 |
new study journal science advances may shed light mystery study finds plastic ocean gives specific chemical compound distinctive smell signaling seabirds dinnertime think going plastic emitting cue getting birds moods eat said gabrielle nevitt university california davis studys senior author scientists already knew types seabirds rely heavily sense smell rather vision foraging food nevitts previous research focused largely group known procellariiform seabirds include albatrosses petrels shearwaters previous research found birds especially responsive chemical compound called dimethyl sulfide dms advertisement nature dms produced algae especially broken eaten krill theres evolutionary purpose system benefits seabirds algae algae emit chemical theyre engaging sort mutualistic interaction said matthew savoca phd student uc davis studys lead author algae says birds come find food birds say algae thank much going eat predators reduce grazing pressure krill problem plastic ocean tends accumulate algae organic matter surface process known biofouling material emits dms new study found researchers filled mesh bags three common types plastic debris highdensity polyethylene lowdensity polyethylene polypropylene attached buoys ocean three weeks researchers collected bags analysis back uc davis turned food wine chemist susan ebelers lab help lab supplied equipment usually used detect sulfur wine researchers used analyze plastic samples found dms signature plastic ocean contrary detect dms tested plastic hadnt soaked sea next researchers pooled data previous research plastic ingestion seabirds found birds known responsive dms consumed plastic five times frequently nondmsresponsive species researchers decided expand study even previous research suggested dmsresponsive species often tend build nests underground many species nest surface researchers decided see would happen analyzed previously collected data plastic ingestion burrowing versus nonburrowing seabirds found burrownesting birds also significantly likely ingest plastic surfacenesting birds results several important implications according researchers first study provides new insight mechanisms causing certain marine animals eat plastic waste likely applies seabirds research indicated animals including fish sea turtles also use dms chemicals feeding cues nevitt said advertisement research also suggests species vulnerable plastic pollution may overlooked burrowing seabirds heavily monitored point savoca pointed largely spend much time hidden underground new study suggests might disproportionately affected plastic waste paper provides convincing argument procellariiform seabirds might pick plastic ocean said chris wilcox senior research scientist commonwealth scientific industrial research organisation australia involved new study emailed comment washington post however added species dont use dms foraging also shown high rates plastic ingestion reason remains open question many species eating plastic may indeed simple visual mistake might look like food even dmsresponsive seabirds visual cues may still playing part savoca noted think quite possible hypotheses complementary really build said something looks like food smells like food would much harder eat wilcox also cautioned lot research actual effects plastic consumption particularly whole populations seabirds remains inconclusive many scientists indeed concerned plastic might harming marine ecosystem wilcox pointed new study cant used speculate consequences plastic consumption reasons happening said researchers hopeful findings used help stop marine animals eating much plastic waste recent research suggested problem continuing grow 2015 study led wilcox predicted 99 percent seabird species 59 percent eating plastic year 2050 study provides salient mechanism group birds might detecting plastic consuming nevitt said better idea mechanism might work youre better position potentially mediate may opportunities materials scientists manufacturers make difference future savoca suggested perhaps designing plastics less conducive algae growth says biggest priority keeping plastic waterways first place really paper adds another layer insidious bad plastic problem said seabirdsrepeat
| 558 |
<p>DETROIT (AP) — Spencer Dinwiddie hit the big shot against a familiar foe.</p>
<p>Dinwiddie’s jumper with 0.9 seconds left lifted the Brooklyn Nets over Detroit 101-100 Sunday, the Pistons’ fifth straight loss.</p>
<p>After a basket by Andre Drummond put the Pistons ahead with 4.7 seconds left, Dinwiddie took the inbounds pass, drove to 14 feet and drained a jumper against his former teammates.</p>
<p>The Pistons picked Dinwiddie in the second round of the 2014 draft, despite a knee injury, and he played 46 games for them over two seasons.</p>
<p>“That was a heck of a shot,” Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said. “I’m happy for Spencer, because he was here, obviously, but I’m happier for the team. I wasn’t sure we had the poise and understanding to get a win like this.”</p>
<p>Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy blamed himself for the final basket, where Ish Smith, generously listed as six feet tall, was covering the 6-foot-6 Dinwiddie.</p>
<p>“Ish did a great job of guarding him, but I probably should have had more size out there against him,” Van Gundy said. “Ish gave him a tough look, but Spencer was able to get above him and make a great shot.”</p>
<p>Dinwiddie finished with 22 points. Tobias Harris led the Pistons with 20.</p>
<p>Caris LeVert split a pair of free throws with 13.7 seconds left, giving the Nets a 99-98 edge. It was the second time he missed a free throw in the final 42 seconds.</p>
<p>Langston Galloway misplayed the ensuing inbounds pass, but was able to knock the ball to Drummond. Detroit’s center nearly traveled in a rare drive from outside the 3-point arc, and flipped in a go-ahead shot.</p>
<p>“I felt like we were focused and locked in tonight,” said Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who finished with 21 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Nets. “We were playing a really good team on their floor, but we trusted Spencer to make that last play.”</p>
<p>On Jan. 10, the Pistons routed Brooklyn 114-80 behind 22 points and 20 rebounds from Drummond. That was Detroit’s last victory, with three of the five defeats coming at Little Caesars Arena.</p>
<p>“We don’t play again until Wednesday, so I have some time to think about how to fix this,” Van Gundy said. “We just don’t play hard on a consistent basis. We’ve fallen behind early, but even when we had a great start on Friday (against Washington), we didn’t keep it going.”</p>
<p>The Nets led 53-48 at halftime. The Pistons had one offensive rebound in the half, slowed by Drummond’s three fouls.</p>
<p>“I think the key was the way we started,” Hollis-Jefferson said. “That was big, and it is what you need to do to win games like this.”</p>
<p>Drummond picked up his fourth foul early in the third quarter, sending him back to the bench. Brooklyn quickly moved the lead to 11 as Detroit struggled to get open shots.</p>
<p>Detroit trailed by nine going into the fourth quarter. Smith’s 3-pointer with 2:58 left tied it at 92.</p>
<p>“This was huge,” said Joe Harris, who had 12 points for Brooklyn. “We’re getting into these games and we’re finally starting to finish them.”</p>
<p>TIP-INS</p>
<p>Nets: D’Angelo Russell played 14 minutes in his second game back from a knee injury, finishing with three points and one assist. ... The win ended Brooklyn’s four-game losing streak in Detroit.</p>
<p>Pistons: Johnson played his second game after missing three with a recurring hip problem, finishing with a season-high 18 points in 26 minutes. “I though Stanley was really good defensively, and he played well on the offensive end, too,” Van Gundy said.</p>
<p>NEW ARENA, BETTER RESULTS</p>
<p>The Nets are now 1-0 at Little Caesars Arena after going 8-44 in Detroit during the 29 seasons that the Pistons played at the Palace of Auburn Hills.</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Nets: At Oklahoma City on Tuesday in the third game of a five-game road trip.</p>
<p>Pistons: Host Utah on Wednesday.</p>
<p>DETROIT (AP) — Spencer Dinwiddie hit the big shot against a familiar foe.</p>
<p>Dinwiddie’s jumper with 0.9 seconds left lifted the Brooklyn Nets over Detroit 101-100 Sunday, the Pistons’ fifth straight loss.</p>
<p>After a basket by Andre Drummond put the Pistons ahead with 4.7 seconds left, Dinwiddie took the inbounds pass, drove to 14 feet and drained a jumper against his former teammates.</p>
<p>The Pistons picked Dinwiddie in the second round of the 2014 draft, despite a knee injury, and he played 46 games for them over two seasons.</p>
<p>“That was a heck of a shot,” Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said. “I’m happy for Spencer, because he was here, obviously, but I’m happier for the team. I wasn’t sure we had the poise and understanding to get a win like this.”</p>
<p>Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy blamed himself for the final basket, where Ish Smith, generously listed as six feet tall, was covering the 6-foot-6 Dinwiddie.</p>
<p>“Ish did a great job of guarding him, but I probably should have had more size out there against him,” Van Gundy said. “Ish gave him a tough look, but Spencer was able to get above him and make a great shot.”</p>
<p>Dinwiddie finished with 22 points. Tobias Harris led the Pistons with 20.</p>
<p>Caris LeVert split a pair of free throws with 13.7 seconds left, giving the Nets a 99-98 edge. It was the second time he missed a free throw in the final 42 seconds.</p>
<p>Langston Galloway misplayed the ensuing inbounds pass, but was able to knock the ball to Drummond. Detroit’s center nearly traveled in a rare drive from outside the 3-point arc, and flipped in a go-ahead shot.</p>
<p>“I felt like we were focused and locked in tonight,” said Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who finished with 21 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Nets. “We were playing a really good team on their floor, but we trusted Spencer to make that last play.”</p>
<p>On Jan. 10, the Pistons routed Brooklyn 114-80 behind 22 points and 20 rebounds from Drummond. That was Detroit’s last victory, with three of the five defeats coming at Little Caesars Arena.</p>
<p>“We don’t play again until Wednesday, so I have some time to think about how to fix this,” Van Gundy said. “We just don’t play hard on a consistent basis. We’ve fallen behind early, but even when we had a great start on Friday (against Washington), we didn’t keep it going.”</p>
<p>The Nets led 53-48 at halftime. The Pistons had one offensive rebound in the half, slowed by Drummond’s three fouls.</p>
<p>“I think the key was the way we started,” Hollis-Jefferson said. “That was big, and it is what you need to do to win games like this.”</p>
<p>Drummond picked up his fourth foul early in the third quarter, sending him back to the bench. Brooklyn quickly moved the lead to 11 as Detroit struggled to get open shots.</p>
<p>Detroit trailed by nine going into the fourth quarter. Smith’s 3-pointer with 2:58 left tied it at 92.</p>
<p>“This was huge,” said Joe Harris, who had 12 points for Brooklyn. “We’re getting into these games and we’re finally starting to finish them.”</p>
<p>TIP-INS</p>
<p>Nets: D’Angelo Russell played 14 minutes in his second game back from a knee injury, finishing with three points and one assist. ... The win ended Brooklyn’s four-game losing streak in Detroit.</p>
<p>Pistons: Johnson played his second game after missing three with a recurring hip problem, finishing with a season-high 18 points in 26 minutes. “I though Stanley was really good defensively, and he played well on the offensive end, too,” Van Gundy said.</p>
<p>NEW ARENA, BETTER RESULTS</p>
<p>The Nets are now 1-0 at Little Caesars Arena after going 8-44 in Detroit during the 29 seasons that the Pistons played at the Palace of Auburn Hills.</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Nets: At Oklahoma City on Tuesday in the third game of a five-game road trip.</p>
<p>Pistons: Host Utah on Wednesday.</p>
| false | 2 |
detroit ap spencer dinwiddie hit big shot familiar foe dinwiddies jumper 09 seconds left lifted brooklyn nets detroit 101100 sunday pistons fifth straight loss basket andre drummond put pistons ahead 47 seconds left dinwiddie took inbounds pass drove 14 feet drained jumper former teammates pistons picked dinwiddie second round 2014 draft despite knee injury played 46 games two seasons heck shot nets coach kenny atkinson said im happy spencer obviously im happier team wasnt sure poise understanding get win like pistons coach stan van gundy blamed final basket ish smith generously listed six feet tall covering 6foot6 dinwiddie ish great job guarding probably size van gundy said ish gave tough look spencer able get make great shot dinwiddie finished 22 points tobias harris led pistons 20 caris levert split pair free throws 137 seconds left giving nets 9998 edge second time missed free throw final 42 seconds langston galloway misplayed ensuing inbounds pass able knock ball drummond detroits center nearly traveled rare drive outside 3point arc flipped goahead shot felt like focused locked tonight said rondae hollisjefferson finished 21 points eight rebounds seven assists nets playing really good team floor trusted spencer make last play jan 10 pistons routed brooklyn 11480 behind 22 points 20 rebounds drummond detroits last victory three five defeats coming little caesars arena dont play wednesday time think fix van gundy said dont play hard consistent basis weve fallen behind early even great start friday washington didnt keep going nets led 5348 halftime pistons one offensive rebound half slowed drummonds three fouls think key way started hollisjefferson said big need win games like drummond picked fourth foul early third quarter sending back bench brooklyn quickly moved lead 11 detroit struggled get open shots detroit trailed nine going fourth quarter smiths 3pointer 258 left tied 92 huge said joe harris 12 points brooklyn getting games finally starting finish tipins nets dangelo russell played 14 minutes second game back knee injury finishing three points one assist win ended brooklyns fourgame losing streak detroit pistons johnson played second game missing three recurring hip problem finishing seasonhigh 18 points 26 minutes though stanley really good defensively played well offensive end van gundy said new arena better results nets 10 little caesars arena going 844 detroit 29 seasons pistons played palace auburn hills next nets oklahoma city tuesday third game fivegame road trip pistons host utah wednesday detroit ap spencer dinwiddie hit big shot familiar foe dinwiddies jumper 09 seconds left lifted brooklyn nets detroit 101100 sunday pistons fifth straight loss basket andre drummond put pistons ahead 47 seconds left dinwiddie took inbounds pass drove 14 feet drained jumper former teammates pistons picked dinwiddie second round 2014 draft despite knee injury played 46 games two seasons heck shot nets coach kenny atkinson said im happy spencer obviously im happier team wasnt sure poise understanding get win like pistons coach stan van gundy blamed final basket ish smith generously listed six feet tall covering 6foot6 dinwiddie ish great job guarding probably size van gundy said ish gave tough look spencer able get make great shot dinwiddie finished 22 points tobias harris led pistons 20 caris levert split pair free throws 137 seconds left giving nets 9998 edge second time missed free throw final 42 seconds langston galloway misplayed ensuing inbounds pass able knock ball drummond detroits center nearly traveled rare drive outside 3point arc flipped goahead shot felt like focused locked tonight said rondae hollisjefferson finished 21 points eight rebounds seven assists nets playing really good team floor trusted spencer make last play jan 10 pistons routed brooklyn 11480 behind 22 points 20 rebounds drummond detroits last victory three five defeats coming little caesars arena dont play wednesday time think fix van gundy said dont play hard consistent basis weve fallen behind early even great start friday washington didnt keep going nets led 5348 halftime pistons one offensive rebound half slowed drummonds three fouls think key way started hollisjefferson said big need win games like drummond picked fourth foul early third quarter sending back bench brooklyn quickly moved lead 11 detroit struggled get open shots detroit trailed nine going fourth quarter smiths 3pointer 258 left tied 92 huge said joe harris 12 points brooklyn getting games finally starting finish tipins nets dangelo russell played 14 minutes second game back knee injury finishing three points one assist win ended brooklyns fourgame losing streak detroit pistons johnson played second game missing three recurring hip problem finishing seasonhigh 18 points 26 minutes though stanley really good defensively played well offensive end van gundy said new arena better results nets 10 little caesars arena going 844 detroit 29 seasons pistons played palace auburn hills next nets oklahoma city tuesday third game fivegame road trip pistons host utah wednesday
| 792 |
<p>SAN DIEGO (AP) - A lawyer who represented actress Paz de la Huerta has filed a lawsuit against Harvey Weinstein and a former New York prosecutor, alleging they coordinated in a scheme to get the actress to drop her sexual misconduct complaint against the movie mogul.</p>
<p>Aaron Filler's firm, Tensor Law, filed the lawsuit Friday in Los Angeles against Weinstein, his company and attorney Michael Rubin, a former New York City assistant district attorney for Bronx County.</p>
<p>In the lawsuit, Filler said Rubin misrepresented himself to de la Huerta as a victims' rights advocate, but actually was acting for the benefit of Weinstein "to interfere by a series of harmful subterfuges, threats, and extortion demands, entirely outside the legitimate strictures of the legal system."</p>
<p>The lawsuit accuses Rubin of persuading de la Huerta to drop Filler as her attorney, and encouraging her to withdraw her complaint alleging Weinstein raped her. She changed lawyers but did not drop the complaint.</p>
<p>Rubin denied the allegations and said that Filler is upset he lost a client.</p>
<p>"I never met Harvey Weinstein in my life," he said.</p>
<p>Weinstein spokeswoman Holly Baird said in an email to The Associated Press on Saturday that it's "insanity" to suggest that Weinstein "had any involvement in this."</p>
<p>The suit contends Rubin attempted to obtain de la Huerta's psychiatric records to reveal them publicly. Rubin also contacted New York prosecutors assigned to the de la Huerta case and gave "false and discouraging advice, leading to the abrupt halt of progress toward indictment of Weinstein," according to the court documents.</p>
<p>Rubin said his intentions in reaching out to the actress were to help de la Huerta get Weinstein arrested.</p>
<p>"I did nothing to try to derail that investigation," he said, adding that he plans to take legal action against Filler for defaming him.</p>
<p>Weinstein has denied any claim of non-consensual sex.</p>
<p>De la Huerta's current lawyer, Carrie Goldberg, said the actress has nothing to do with the lawsuit.</p>
<p>"My client had no knowledge of this lawsuit filed by Mr. Filler and makes no claims as to the veracity of any of the information presented as facts in the complaint," Goldberg said in a statement Saturday.</p>
<p>The "Boardwalk Empire" actress publicly accused the movie producer of raping her twice in 2010. She began speaking with police in New York about the accusation in late October.</p>
<p>Goldberg has expressed concern about the pace of the probe.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Associated Press writer Colleen Long in New York City contributed to this report.</p>
<p>SAN DIEGO (AP) - A lawyer who represented actress Paz de la Huerta has filed a lawsuit against Harvey Weinstein and a former New York prosecutor, alleging they coordinated in a scheme to get the actress to drop her sexual misconduct complaint against the movie mogul.</p>
<p>Aaron Filler's firm, Tensor Law, filed the lawsuit Friday in Los Angeles against Weinstein, his company and attorney Michael Rubin, a former New York City assistant district attorney for Bronx County.</p>
<p>In the lawsuit, Filler said Rubin misrepresented himself to de la Huerta as a victims' rights advocate, but actually was acting for the benefit of Weinstein "to interfere by a series of harmful subterfuges, threats, and extortion demands, entirely outside the legitimate strictures of the legal system."</p>
<p>The lawsuit accuses Rubin of persuading de la Huerta to drop Filler as her attorney, and encouraging her to withdraw her complaint alleging Weinstein raped her. She changed lawyers but did not drop the complaint.</p>
<p>Rubin denied the allegations and said that Filler is upset he lost a client.</p>
<p>"I never met Harvey Weinstein in my life," he said.</p>
<p>Weinstein spokeswoman Holly Baird said in an email to The Associated Press on Saturday that it's "insanity" to suggest that Weinstein "had any involvement in this."</p>
<p>The suit contends Rubin attempted to obtain de la Huerta's psychiatric records to reveal them publicly. Rubin also contacted New York prosecutors assigned to the de la Huerta case and gave "false and discouraging advice, leading to the abrupt halt of progress toward indictment of Weinstein," according to the court documents.</p>
<p>Rubin said his intentions in reaching out to the actress were to help de la Huerta get Weinstein arrested.</p>
<p>"I did nothing to try to derail that investigation," he said, adding that he plans to take legal action against Filler for defaming him.</p>
<p>Weinstein has denied any claim of non-consensual sex.</p>
<p>De la Huerta's current lawyer, Carrie Goldberg, said the actress has nothing to do with the lawsuit.</p>
<p>"My client had no knowledge of this lawsuit filed by Mr. Filler and makes no claims as to the veracity of any of the information presented as facts in the complaint," Goldberg said in a statement Saturday.</p>
<p>The "Boardwalk Empire" actress publicly accused the movie producer of raping her twice in 2010. She began speaking with police in New York about the accusation in late October.</p>
<p>Goldberg has expressed concern about the pace of the probe.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Associated Press writer Colleen Long in New York City contributed to this report.</p>
| false | 2 |
san diego ap lawyer represented actress paz de la huerta filed lawsuit harvey weinstein former new york prosecutor alleging coordinated scheme get actress drop sexual misconduct complaint movie mogul aaron fillers firm tensor law filed lawsuit friday los angeles weinstein company attorney michael rubin former new york city assistant district attorney bronx county lawsuit filler said rubin misrepresented de la huerta victims rights advocate actually acting benefit weinstein interfere series harmful subterfuges threats extortion demands entirely outside legitimate strictures legal system lawsuit accuses rubin persuading de la huerta drop filler attorney encouraging withdraw complaint alleging weinstein raped changed lawyers drop complaint rubin denied allegations said filler upset lost client never met harvey weinstein life said weinstein spokeswoman holly baird said email associated press saturday insanity suggest weinstein involvement suit contends rubin attempted obtain de la huertas psychiatric records reveal publicly rubin also contacted new york prosecutors assigned de la huerta case gave false discouraging advice leading abrupt halt progress toward indictment weinstein according court documents rubin said intentions reaching actress help de la huerta get weinstein arrested nothing try derail investigation said adding plans take legal action filler defaming weinstein denied claim nonconsensual sex de la huertas current lawyer carrie goldberg said actress nothing lawsuit client knowledge lawsuit filed mr filler makes claims veracity information presented facts complaint goldberg said statement saturday boardwalk empire actress publicly accused movie producer raping twice 2010 began speaking police new york accusation late october goldberg expressed concern pace probe ___ associated press writer colleen long new york city contributed report san diego ap lawyer represented actress paz de la huerta filed lawsuit harvey weinstein former new york prosecutor alleging coordinated scheme get actress drop sexual misconduct complaint movie mogul aaron fillers firm tensor law filed lawsuit friday los angeles weinstein company attorney michael rubin former new york city assistant district attorney bronx county lawsuit filler said rubin misrepresented de la huerta victims rights advocate actually acting benefit weinstein interfere series harmful subterfuges threats extortion demands entirely outside legitimate strictures legal system lawsuit accuses rubin persuading de la huerta drop filler attorney encouraging withdraw complaint alleging weinstein raped changed lawyers drop complaint rubin denied allegations said filler upset lost client never met harvey weinstein life said weinstein spokeswoman holly baird said email associated press saturday insanity suggest weinstein involvement suit contends rubin attempted obtain de la huertas psychiatric records reveal publicly rubin also contacted new york prosecutors assigned de la huerta case gave false discouraging advice leading abrupt halt progress toward indictment weinstein according court documents rubin said intentions reaching actress help de la huerta get weinstein arrested nothing try derail investigation said adding plans take legal action filler defaming weinstein denied claim nonconsensual sex de la huertas current lawyer carrie goldberg said actress nothing lawsuit client knowledge lawsuit filed mr filler makes claims veracity information presented facts complaint goldberg said statement saturday boardwalk empire actress publicly accused movie producer raping twice 2010 began speaking police new york accusation late october goldberg expressed concern pace probe ___ associated press writer colleen long new york city contributed report
| 512 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p>Michael McDermott’s new facility will officially open Feb. 1, but there’ll be action inside this coming Saturday. (Rio Rancho Observer—GARY HERRON photo)</p>
<p>Michael McDermott remembers thinking not long ago, that in light of all the baseball prosperity in Rio Rancho – three state diamond championships won by Rio Rancho High School and first-round draft money for Blake Swihart — why isn’t there something here?</p>
<p>Given that, he began thinking, “Why not me?”</p>
<p>So the McDermott Baseball Instruction opens its doors officially on Saturday, Feb. 1.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>“There’s no reason something like this can’t thrive here,” McDermott says.</p>
<p>Last week, the indoor facility — located on Veranda Road, just west of Unser Blvd., south of Southern Blvd. and a short popup behind Storehouse West — was barren, with the new sign freshly attached and McDermott, a 2006 graduate of Rio Rancho High School, anxiously awaiting turf, netting and the other pieces necessary to assemble a couple of hitting tunnels.</p>
<p>Being a coach/instructor/teacher is natural for McDermott, whose father, Terry, played professionally (including stints with the Albuquerque Dodgers and Albuquerque Dukes, plus nine games with the L.A. Dodgers in 1972). Older brother Terry played baseball at St. Pius X High School, and his sister, Katie, played softball for the Sartans and the Rams, and then at Eastern New Mexico University.</p>
<p>More evidence of that foreshadowing? Here’s what appeared in an Observer during McDermott’s days with the Rams: “Take the Rams’ game with Roswell on March 11 (2005), with McDermott playing first base. He had more to say than a play-by-play announcer, if there’d been one: passing along advice to pitcher Marcus Riggs, reminding everyone on their field when there were two outs, keeping the infielders ready for a double play, telling catcher Justin Esquibel either to ‘Be a wall back there’ or ‘You’re a wall back there.’ And much more.</p>
<p>“One day earlier, again at first base, McDermott could be seen with an arm around sophomore starter Kyle Hammond, telling him what a great job he was doing in his varsity debut on the mound. (Great job? Try four innings of no-hit ball.)</p>
<p>“You didn’t really have to push Michael; he just took off and fell in love with (baseball) from day one,” his father added. “He’s a fan of the game, he’s a student of the game, he’s a player and he understands the psychological piece of it, too. You don’t get down on a kid if he’s kicking a ground ball or something like that, you go out and pick him up.”</p>
<p>Improve skills with tips from pro</p>
<p>Brian Cavazos-Galvez will be holding an indoor hitting camp Saturday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at McDermott Baseball Instruction in Rio Rancho.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Cavazos-Galvez is from Albuquerque and is a former Albuquerque Isotope and UNM Lobo who’s currently playing in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.</p>
<p>Players ages 10 and older will have an opportunity to learn about the mental and physical approaches to hitting from a true professional, who will break down key tools for hitting and how to apply them.</p>
<p>The cost is $60 for the three hours of instruction and includes a T-shirt, plus an autograph from Cavazos-Galvez.</p>
<p>Visit <a href="http://mcdermottbaseball.com" type="external">mcdermottbaseball.com</a> for more information.</p>
<p>So, it seems things haven’t changed much.</p>
<p>Michael McDermott once dreamed of playing professionally, but had that dream shot down by injuries, although he pitched for New Mexico Highlands University while battling an injured rotator cuff. Oddly, McDermott says of his four surgeries — one knee, three shoulder — only one was baseball-related, but they’ve been enough to short-circuit his pro dreams.</p>
<p>So this is a good way for him to stay in the game and share that knowledge with youngsters who might also have that big-league dream.</p>
<p>“I have a lot of ties with Rio Rancho High School,” he said, “but this is for the entire community — Rio Rancho High School, Cleveland High School (he planned to meet with CHS baseball coach Shane Shallenberger to get insight into his hitting philosophy this weekend), Sunset Little League and Cibola Little League … the community as a whole.”</p>
<p>McDermott has the support of his parents, some former teammates (Justin Esquibel and Joey Garcia, to name two), RRHS baseball coach Ron Murphy and a cousin, here from the East Coast, who “brings different ideas to the table; he’s already been a help and been here a week.”</p>
<p>McDermott knows, because his name’s above the front door, he’ll be held accountable for the facility’s success. It’s going to be a part-time venture, as he nears completion of attaining a state teaching degree, and he’ll take on students by appointment. Soon, he said, there’ll be times for baseball teams to arrange for some batting practice and instruction there.</p>
<p>Probably more important than helping players become better hitters — he can still teach pitching, of course, which was his forte for several seasons at RRHS — is making the instructions enjoyable.</p>
<p>“It’s baseball, so it still has to be fun,” he said, remembering the advice he got from his dad. “And you have a chance to stay in baseball.”</p>
<p>Speaking of that advice from his dad, McDermott recalled with a chuckle, “I didn’t go to a lot of baseball camps because of my dad. Later, everything I heard from coaches, I’d heard from my dad — but I didn’t listen (to him).”</p>
<p>Planning to have his degree in elementary education in the spring of 2015, and get a local teaching position after that, McDermott said, “I’ll be helping kids in one way or another and it’s fulfilling.” McDermott said he’ll make sure his baseball students have a notebook to scribble notes as they go along, deciding what works best for them and what didn’t work.</p>
<p>“We’re not here just to teach them how to swing, but to understand the game,” he said. “Everything will have a purpose, like when and why to apply it to a game.</p>
<p>“I guarantee kids will have a better understanding of hitting,” McDermott vowed. “And kids will have a good time. This is sort of an ACT prep course for your swing.”</p>
<p>McDermott said students with straight-A report cards will receive 50 percent discounts on hitting sessions. Normally, per the website, instruction costs $40 an hour and $25 for a half hour.</p>
<p>For more information on McDermott’s new facility, visit <a href="http://mcdermottbaseball.com" type="external">mcdermottbaseball.com</a>.</p>
| false | 2 |
michael mcdermotts new facility officially open feb 1 therell action inside coming saturday rio rancho observergary herron photo michael mcdermott remembers thinking long ago light baseball prosperity rio rancho three state diamond championships rio rancho high school firstround draft money blake swihart isnt something given began thinking mcdermott baseball instruction opens doors officially saturday feb 1 advertisement theres reason something like cant thrive mcdermott says last week indoor facility located veranda road west unser blvd south southern blvd short popup behind storehouse west barren new sign freshly attached mcdermott 2006 graduate rio rancho high school anxiously awaiting turf netting pieces necessary assemble couple hitting tunnels coachinstructorteacher natural mcdermott whose father terry played professionally including stints albuquerque dodgers albuquerque dukes plus nine games la dodgers 1972 older brother terry played baseball st pius x high school sister katie played softball sartans rams eastern new mexico university evidence foreshadowing heres appeared observer mcdermotts days rams take rams game roswell march 11 2005 mcdermott playing first base say playbyplay announcer thered one passing along advice pitcher marcus riggs reminding everyone field two outs keeping infielders ready double play telling catcher justin esquibel either wall back youre wall back much one day earlier first base mcdermott could seen arm around sophomore starter kyle hammond telling great job varsity debut mound great job try four innings nohit ball didnt really push michael took fell love baseball day one father added hes fan game hes student game hes player understands psychological piece dont get kid hes kicking ground ball something like go pick improve skills tips pro brian cavazosgalvez holding indoor hitting camp saturday 11 am2 pm mcdermott baseball instruction rio rancho advertisement cavazosgalvez albuquerque former albuquerque isotope unm lobo whos currently playing los angeles dodgers organization players ages 10 older opportunity learn mental physical approaches hitting true professional break key tools hitting apply cost 60 three hours instruction includes tshirt plus autograph cavazosgalvez visit mcdermottbaseballcom information seems things havent changed much michael mcdermott dreamed playing professionally dream shot injuries although pitched new mexico highlands university battling injured rotator cuff oddly mcdermott says four surgeries one knee three shoulder one baseballrelated theyve enough shortcircuit pro dreams good way stay game share knowledge youngsters might also bigleague dream lot ties rio rancho high school said entire community rio rancho high school cleveland high school planned meet chs baseball coach shane shallenberger get insight hitting philosophy weekend sunset little league cibola little league community whole mcdermott support parents former teammates justin esquibel joey garcia name two rrhs baseball coach ron murphy cousin east coast brings different ideas table hes already help week mcdermott knows names front door hell held accountable facilitys success going parttime venture nears completion attaining state teaching degree hell take students appointment soon said therell times baseball teams arrange batting practice instruction probably important helping players become better hitters still teach pitching course forte several seasons rrhs making instructions enjoyable baseball still fun said remembering advice got dad chance stay baseball speaking advice dad mcdermott recalled chuckle didnt go lot baseball camps dad later everything heard coaches id heard dad didnt listen planning degree elementary education spring 2015 get local teaching position mcdermott said ill helping kids one way another fulfilling mcdermott said hell make sure baseball students notebook scribble notes go along deciding works best didnt work teach swing understand game said everything purpose like apply game guarantee kids better understanding hitting mcdermott vowed kids good time sort act prep course swing mcdermott said students straighta report cards receive 50 percent discounts hitting sessions normally per website instruction costs 40 hour 25 half hour information mcdermotts new facility visit mcdermottbaseballcom
| 606 |
<p>(Adds dropped word “industry” in paragraph 2)</p>
<p>* Finland imported 23.9 pct of power use in 2017</p>
<p>* Finnish electricity consumption continues to rise</p>
<p>* Finland in dispute with neighbours on power balancing</p>
<p>By Lefteris Karagiannopoulos</p>
<p>OSLO, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Finnish firms risk having to cut their power usage as the country’s growing energy demands outstrip supply, industry lobby group Finnish Energy (ET) told Reuters on Wednesday.</p>
<p>The Nordic country, which is dependent on Swedish and Russian power imports, saw its industry’s energy needs grow by 1.7 percent last year, while net power imports hit a record high.</p>
<p>Reliability of power supply is crucial to Finnish industry, which includes large power consumers such as pulp and paper makers UPM and Stora Enso.</p>
<p>And Finland is now home to a growing, power-hungry data centre industry, and hopes to convince more Silicon Valley giants to build facilities in the country.</p>
<p>“It’s a concern for us... The balance is so tight that practically any major technical issue can cause a lack of power. There is a higher risk that we might need to reduce consumption for some consumers,” ET director Jukka Leskela said.</p>
<p>Finland’s net power imports rose by 7.4 percent to 20.4 terawatt hours (TWh) from 19 TWh in 2016, the previous record year, corresponding to almost a quarter of consumption and threatening security of supply, ET’s preliminary data showed.</p>
<p>Net imports corresponded to 23.9 percent of consumption, up from 22.2 percent in 2016, the data showed, with top suppliers Sweden and Russia exporting 15 TWh and 6 TWh respectively.</p>
<p>ET attributed the shortfall to its neighbours’ increasingly competitive prices, closure of some peak load power units, known as condensing plants, and to TVO’s much-delayed Olkiluoto 3 nuclear reactor, which has yet to begin production.</p>
<p>“There has been a lot of cheap electricity available... Part of the Finnish production has not been competitive enough in the market,” Leskela said.</p>
<p>ET’s data showed that in 2017, Finland’s generation of condensing power plummeted to just below 3 TWh, its lowest level in 10 years, as production capacity fell.</p>
<p>Finland may see a further decline in its power generation, as around one third of the country’s electricity comes from combined heat and power plants, with several due to reach their end-of-life date in the coming years.</p>
<p>A dispute with its Nordic neighbours over a new system to balance the region’s electricity supply and demand, is causing additional uncertainty for Finland.</p>
<p>The Danish, Norwegian and Swedish grid operators decided to push ahead with plans for a new power balancing system without Finland in December after talks broke down. (Reporting by Lefteris Karagiannopoulos; Editing by Terje Solsvik and Alexander Smith)</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>CHICAGO (Reuters) - Monsanto Co will fund a new U.S. company that aims to develop crops using technology known as gene editing, rather than the genetic modification that helped it become the world’s biggest seed seller.</p> Monsanto logo is displayed on a screen where the stock is traded on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S. on May 9, 2016. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo
<p>Monsanto’s vice president of global biotechnology, Tom Adams, will leave the seed giant to become chief executive of the new firm, called Pairwise Plants, the companies told Reuters. He steps into the new role on April 1.</p>
<p>The collaboration accelerates a race among agricultural scientists and companies worldwide to develop new seeds for crops using gene editing, a process they say can produce non-GMO farm products that do not contain foreign DNA from a different species.</p>
<p>Unlike traditional GMOs, in which a gene is added from another organism, gene-editing works like the find-and-replace function on a word processor. It finds a gene and then makes changes by amending or deleting it.</p>
<p>Using “molecular scissors” to cut DNA means scientists can edit genomes more precisely and rapidly than ever before, and altered agricultural products could get to market more quickly and cheaply.</p>
<p>Monsanto, famous for engineering soybeans to resist the weed killer Roundup, will pay Pairwise $100 million over the next five years to finance research on gene editing tools, Adams said in an interview.</p>
<p>Pairwise will also research how to use the tools to alter commodity crops, including corn, soy, wheat, cotton and canola, exclusively for Monsanto, according to the companies. The deal allows Monsanto, which is being acquired by Bayer AG, to commercialize products from the partnership.</p>
<p>“The collaboration really will help accelerate the development of the technology,” said Robb Fraley, Monsanto’s chief technology officer.</p>
<p>Separately, Monsanto’s venture capital arm, along with investment firm Deerfield Management, each committed $12.5 million to form Pairwise as part of a Series A financing round, according to Pairwise.</p>
<p>Among Pairwise’s founders is David Liu, a Harvard University professor who pioneered a new form of gene editing that the company said allows scientists to make more precise changes to plant genomes.</p>
<p>Pairwise aims to hire up to 100 people in its first two years, said Haven Baker, who will be chief business officer. Baker formerly worked for McDonald’s Corp potato supplier J.R. Simplot Company on the development of a biotech potato.</p>
<p>Beyond commodity crops, Pairwise intends to use gene editing for research on other plants, possibly including fruit.</p>
<p>“We want to make food crops more convenient, affordable and sustainable,” Baker said.</p>
<p>Reporting by Tom Polansek; Editing by Cynthia Osterman</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>(Reuters) - McDonald’s Corp on Tuesday announced an approved, science based target to cut greenhouse gas emissions and battle climate change, saying it is the first restaurant company to do so.</p> FILE PHOTO: A sign for the U.S. fast food restaurant chain McDonald's is seen outside one of their restaurants in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, near Brussels, Belgium February 14, 2018. REUTERS/Yves Herman
<p>Under a plan several years in the making, the fast-food company - along with its franchisees and suppliers - aims to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by roughly one third, preventing 150 million tonnes of them from being released into the atmosphere by 2030.</p>
<p>“To meet this goal, we will source our food responsibly, promote renewable energy and use it efficiently, and reduce waste and increase recycling,” McDonald’s Chief Executive Steve Easterbrook said.</p>
<p>The commitment comes as President Donald Trump works to weaken Obama-era efforts to combat climate change. Trump decided last year to pull the United States out of the Paris climate pact.</p>
<p>Meat processor Tyson Foods Inc, one of McDonald’s suppliers, is among the hundreds of companies that already have committed to fight climate change by cutting greenhouse gas emissions.</p>
<p>McDonald’s said it would put the greatest emphasis on the largest contributors to its carbon footprint: beef production, restaurant energy usage and sourcing, packaging and waste. Those segments combined account for approximately 64 percent of McDonald’s global emissions, the company said.</p>
<p>Among other things, it will support sustainable agricultural practices and packaging. It also plans to install energy-efficient lighting and kitchen equipment, and to encourage recycling in its restaurants.</p>
<p>Between 2015 and 2030, McDonald’s and its partners intend to reduce greenhouse gas emissions related to its restaurants and offices by 36 percent. The company also aims to reduce emissions intensity per tonne of food and packaging by 31 percent during that time frame.</p>
<p>McDonald’s program was approved by the Science Based Targets initiative, a collaboration between the World Resources Institute, the World Wildlife Fund, CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project) and the United Nations Global Compact, which help companies address climate change.</p>
<p>“We are about halfway there already on (total) packaging and waste,” Francesca DeBiase, McDonald’s chief supply chain and sustainability officer.</p>
<p>The planned reductions are the equivalent of taking 32 million passenger cars off the road for an entire year or planting 3.8 billion trees and growing them for 10 years.</p>
<p>CEO Easterbrook, who also has committed to reducing antibiotic use in chicken and cutting artificial ingredients, said the costs would not be disruptive.</p>
<p>“We’re not expecting any substantial shift in business financials either at the corporate or restaurant level,” Easterbrook said.</p>
<p>Reporting by Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles; Editing by Jonathan Oatis</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>LAUSANNE, Switzerland (Reuters) - Planned U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum pose a big risk for the agricultural industry because of the threat of a tit-for-tat escalation, the supply chain president at food commodities merchant Cargill [CARG.UL] said on Tuesday.</p> FILE PHOTO - A Cargill logo is pictured on the Provimi Kliba and Protector animal nutrition factory in Lucens, Switzerland, September 22, 2016. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
<p>Gert-Jan van den Akker told the FT Commodities Global Summit in Lausanne that agricultural markets were tightening and volatility coming back, adding that this was good for traders.</p>
<p>Akker said Argentina’s soybean crop was likely to be between 40 million tonnes and 45 million tonnes this year, down from an initially expected 57 million tonnes.</p>
<p>Drought has dented crop prospects in Argentina. The U.S. Department of Agriculture this month forecast a 2017/18 crop of 47 million tonnes, down from an original forecast of 57 million tonnes issued in May last year.</p>
<p>Reporting by Julia Payne; Writing by Nigel Hunt; Editing by David Goodman</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>PARIS (Reuters) - The mayor of Paris wants to make all public transport free in an effort to reduce air pollution, but faces staunch opposition from the head of the regional transport authority who said the move would hit taxpayers.</p> FILE PHOTO - An elevated Paris Metro passes over a bridge next to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France June 15, 2017. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo
<p>Socialist Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced plans late on Monday for a study into the feasibility of free city-wide transport, and told French daily Les Echos she wanted to debate the issue ahead of municipal elections in 2020.</p>
<p>Hidalgo said all the world’s big cities were trying to develop clean mobility and boost air quality by reducing the number of cars on the roads, a goal that requires making public transport more attractive.</p>
<p>“To improve public transport we should not only make it more extensive, more regular and more comfortable, we must also rethink the fares system,” she said in a statement.</p>
<p>But conservative politician Valerie Pecresse, head of the Ile-de-France region around Paris and president of the area’s transport authority IDFM, rejected Hidalgo’s proposal, saying if travelers did not pay, taxpayers would have to do so.</p>
<p>“Today, our priority is to modernize transport. Ticket sales bring in three billion euros ($3.7 billion) a year ... we need that money,” Pecresse told Radio Classique.</p>
<p>Pecresse, who might challenge Hidalgo in the 2020 mayoral vote, said it would be unfair to make transport free for Parisians but not for people living in the suburbs.</p>
<p>Hidalgo did not spell out whether her proposal would cover just the 2.2 million residents of Paris or all 12 million living in the city and Ile-de-France region.</p> FILE PHOTO - Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo attends the opening of a regular line for self-driving electric minibuses in the city's Bois de Vincennes district, November 17, 2017. REUTERS/Charles Platiau/File Photo
<p>A 2015 study by Eurostat, the EU’s statistics agency, showed Paris already has one of the highest levels of public transport use in Europe, with more than 60 percent of people using the metro, buses and train system. At the same time, a little over 25 percent of people said they use their car to commute.</p>
<p>IDFM has a 10 billion euro ($12.3 billion) annual operating budget, of which a little less than a third comes from passenger fares and the rest mainly from taxes including 42 percent from a transport levy paid by all firms employing more than nine staff.</p>
<p>Several smaller French cities already provide free buses.</p>
<p>Hidalgo referred to German plans for free public transport and said some European cities already have it, notably Estonia’s capital Tallinn.</p>
<p>The German government is considering plans to make public transport free in cities suffering from air quality problems. It wants to test the measure in five cities including Bonn and Essen.</p>
<p>Hidalgo has pushed through a series of measures to cut urban pollution, including turning highways along the Seine river into public parks and building more bike lanes. By 2020, Paris plans to ban all petrol and diesel-fueled cars from the city center.</p>
<p>In recent years, Paris has imposed license plate-based driving restrictions to take up to half of the cars off the roads when pollution is at peak levels.</p>
<p>Early last year it also launched a vignette system requiring all cars to have a color-coded sticker indicating their age and pollution level so it can impose more selective driving bans.</p>
<p>($1 = 0.8121 euros)</p>
<p>Reporting by Geert De Clercq; Editing by Mark Heinrich</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
| false | 2 |
adds dropped word industry paragraph 2 finland imported 239 pct power use 2017 finnish electricity consumption continues rise finland dispute neighbours power balancing lefteris karagiannopoulos oslo jan 24 reuters finnish firms risk cut power usage countrys growing energy demands outstrip supply industry lobby group finnish energy et told reuters wednesday nordic country dependent swedish russian power imports saw industrys energy needs grow 17 percent last year net power imports hit record high reliability power supply crucial finnish industry includes large power consumers pulp paper makers upm stora enso finland home growing powerhungry data centre industry hopes convince silicon valley giants build facilities country concern us balance tight practically major technical issue cause lack power higher risk might need reduce consumption consumers et director jukka leskela said finlands net power imports rose 74 percent 204 terawatt hours twh 19 twh 2016 previous record year corresponding almost quarter consumption threatening security supply ets preliminary data showed net imports corresponded 239 percent consumption 222 percent 2016 data showed top suppliers sweden russia exporting 15 twh 6 twh respectively et attributed shortfall neighbours increasingly competitive prices closure peak load power units known condensing plants tvos muchdelayed olkiluoto 3 nuclear reactor yet begin production lot cheap electricity available part finnish production competitive enough market leskela said ets data showed 2017 finlands generation condensing power plummeted 3 twh lowest level 10 years production capacity fell finland may see decline power generation around one third countrys electricity comes combined heat power plants several due reach endoflife date coming years dispute nordic neighbours new system balance regions electricity supply demand causing additional uncertainty finland danish norwegian swedish grid operators decided push ahead plans new power balancing system without finland december talks broke reporting lefteris karagiannopoulos editing terje solsvik alexander smith standards thomson reuters trust principles chicago reuters monsanto co fund new us company aims develop crops using technology known gene editing rather genetic modification helped become worlds biggest seed seller monsanto logo displayed screen stock traded floor new york stock exchange nyse new york city us may 9 2016 reutersbrendan mcdermidfile photo monsantos vice president global biotechnology tom adams leave seed giant become chief executive new firm called pairwise plants companies told reuters steps new role april 1 collaboration accelerates race among agricultural scientists companies worldwide develop new seeds crops using gene editing process say produce nongmo farm products contain foreign dna different species unlike traditional gmos gene added another organism geneediting works like findandreplace function word processor finds gene makes changes amending deleting using molecular scissors cut dna means scientists edit genomes precisely rapidly ever altered agricultural products could get market quickly cheaply monsanto famous engineering soybeans resist weed killer roundup pay pairwise 100 million next five years finance research gene editing tools adams said interview pairwise also research use tools alter commodity crops including corn soy wheat cotton canola exclusively monsanto according companies deal allows monsanto acquired bayer ag commercialize products partnership collaboration really help accelerate development technology said robb fraley monsantos chief technology officer separately monsantos venture capital arm along investment firm deerfield management committed 125 million form pairwise part series financing round according pairwise among pairwises founders david liu harvard university professor pioneered new form gene editing company said allows scientists make precise changes plant genomes pairwise aims hire 100 people first two years said baker chief business officer baker formerly worked mcdonalds corp potato supplier jr simplot company development biotech potato beyond commodity crops pairwise intends use gene editing research plants possibly including fruit want make food crops convenient affordable sustainable baker said reporting tom polansek editing cynthia osterman standards thomson reuters trust principles reuters mcdonalds corp tuesday announced approved science based target cut greenhouse gas emissions battle climate change saying first restaurant company file photo sign us fast food restaurant chain mcdonalds seen outside one restaurants sintpietersleeuw near brussels belgium february 14 2018 reutersyves herman plan several years making fastfood company along franchisees suppliers aims cut greenhouse gas emissions roughly one third preventing 150 million tonnes released atmosphere 2030 meet goal source food responsibly promote renewable energy use efficiently reduce waste increase recycling mcdonalds chief executive steve easterbrook said commitment comes president donald trump works weaken obamaera efforts combat climate change trump decided last year pull united states paris climate pact meat processor tyson foods inc one mcdonalds suppliers among hundreds companies already committed fight climate change cutting greenhouse gas emissions mcdonalds said would put greatest emphasis largest contributors carbon footprint beef production restaurant energy usage sourcing packaging waste segments combined account approximately 64 percent mcdonalds global emissions company said among things support sustainable agricultural practices packaging also plans install energyefficient lighting kitchen equipment encourage recycling restaurants 2015 2030 mcdonalds partners intend reduce greenhouse gas emissions related restaurants offices 36 percent company also aims reduce emissions intensity per tonne food packaging 31 percent time frame mcdonalds program approved science based targets initiative collaboration world resources institute world wildlife fund cdp formerly carbon disclosure project united nations global compact help companies address climate change halfway already total packaging waste francesca debiase mcdonalds chief supply chain sustainability officer planned reductions equivalent taking 32 million passenger cars road entire year planting 38 billion trees growing 10 years ceo easterbrook also committed reducing antibiotic use chicken cutting artificial ingredients said costs would disruptive expecting substantial shift business financials either corporate restaurant level easterbrook said reporting lisa baertlein los angeles editing jonathan oatis standards thomson reuters trust principles lausanne switzerland reuters planned us tariffs steel aluminum pose big risk agricultural industry threat titfortat escalation supply chain president food commodities merchant cargill cargul said tuesday file photo cargill logo pictured provimi kliba protector animal nutrition factory lucens switzerland september 22 2016 reutersdenis balibouse gertjan van den akker told ft commodities global summit lausanne agricultural markets tightening volatility coming back adding good traders akker said argentinas soybean crop likely 40 million tonnes 45 million tonnes year initially expected 57 million tonnes drought dented crop prospects argentina us department agriculture month forecast 201718 crop 47 million tonnes original forecast 57 million tonnes issued may last year reporting julia payne writing nigel hunt editing david goodman standards thomson reuters trust principles paris reuters mayor paris wants make public transport free effort reduce air pollution faces staunch opposition head regional transport authority said move would hit taxpayers file photo elevated paris metro passes bridge next eiffel tower paris france june 15 2017 reutersgonzalo fuentesfile photo socialist mayor anne hidalgo announced plans late monday study feasibility free citywide transport told french daily les echos wanted debate issue ahead municipal elections 2020 hidalgo said worlds big cities trying develop clean mobility boost air quality reducing number cars roads goal requires making public transport attractive improve public transport make extensive regular comfortable must also rethink fares system said statement conservative politician valerie pecresse head iledefrance region around paris president areas transport authority idfm rejected hidalgos proposal saying travelers pay taxpayers would today priority modernize transport ticket sales bring three billion euros 37 billion year need money pecresse told radio classique pecresse might challenge hidalgo 2020 mayoral vote said would unfair make transport free parisians people living suburbs hidalgo spell whether proposal would cover 22 million residents paris 12 million living city iledefrance region file photo paris mayor anne hidalgo attends opening regular line selfdriving electric minibuses citys bois de vincennes district november 17 2017 reuterscharles platiaufile photo 2015 study eurostat eus statistics agency showed paris already one highest levels public transport use europe 60 percent people using metro buses train system time little 25 percent people said use car commute idfm 10 billion euro 123 billion annual operating budget little less third comes passenger fares rest mainly taxes including 42 percent transport levy paid firms employing nine staff several smaller french cities already provide free buses hidalgo referred german plans free public transport said european cities already notably estonias capital tallinn german government considering plans make public transport free cities suffering air quality problems wants test measure five cities including bonn essen hidalgo pushed series measures cut urban pollution including turning highways along seine river public parks building bike lanes 2020 paris plans ban petrol dieselfueled cars city center recent years paris imposed license platebased driving restrictions take half cars roads pollution peak levels early last year also launched vignette system requiring cars colorcoded sticker indicating age pollution level impose selective driving bans 1 08121 euros reporting geert de clercq editing mark heinrich standards thomson reuters trust principles
| 1,403 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p>Robert Doughty III</p>
<p>Matt Chandler</p>
<p>Jamie Koch</p>
<p>ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Gov. Susana Martinez announced her choices Monday to fill three of the soon-to-be-vacant positions on the University of New Mexico Board of Regents, in one case using an unusual maneuver to keep an experienced regent on the board for another four years.</p>
<p>Longtime regent Jamie Koch, whose term was due to expire at the end of the year, is resigning his position immediately but will be reappointed to fill out the final four years of the seat held until recently by Conrad James. James was elected to the state House of Representatives in November and resigned from the regents last week.</p>
<p>The other two appointees — all three are subject to confirmation by the state Senate — will be newcomers to the seven-member board. Both appointees are Republicans.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Former District Attorney Matt Chandler of Clovis was named to fill the position vacated by Koch, and Robert Doughty III, an attorney and chairman of the New Mexico Racing Commission, will replace Gene Gallegos of Santa Fe. As chairman of the Racing Commission, Doughty also serves as an ex-officio member of the New Mexico Gaming Control Board.</p>
<p>No replacement has been named yet for Heidi Overton, a medical student serving a two-year term as student regent. She is expected to stay seated until May when she graduates from the UNM School of Medicine.</p>
<p>The governor also made appointments to other universities’ boards of regents.</p>
<p>Koch has served on the UNM board for 12 years. He is president of Daniels Insurance in Santa Fe. A former legislator, he sponsored the state Open Meetings Act and was the original author of the Inspection of Records Act, which spells out the public’s&#160; right to access government records.</p>
<p>In 2002, Koch served as chairman of the state Democratic Party. He received his bachelor’s degree in education from UNM in 1959 and was first appointed to the regents in January 2003.</p>
<p>On Monday, Koch thanked Martinez for the appointment, and her support for higher education and the university. Serving as a regent is a “tremendous honor,” he said.</p>
<p>Koch said he was surprised late last week when the governor contacted him and asked for a meeting. They got together over the weekend and she presented her plan for his appointment, something he had not sought.</p>
<p>“She reaffirmed to me her commitment to work across party lines for the good of higher education,” he said, adding that his “tenure as regent has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.”</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>UNM President Bob Frank, noting the “massive change” the board had been expecting, said it will be “great for someone with Regent Koch’s vast experience to stay on. The continuity will be good for the university and the leadership of the institution. Jamie has always been an interesting regent to have around, someone with new ideas.”</p>
<p>Frank noted that all three members of the important regents Finance and Facilities Committee chaired by Koch would have been leaving office.</p>
<p>“Finance and Facilities has always been his baby,” Frank said of Koch. “I would guess he wants to stay there, but that will be up to the regents.”</p>
<p>Regents President Jack Fortner said he is glad Koch agreed to stick around.</p>
<p>“He, obviously, was not seeking a reappointment, but the fact that Conrad James resigned, the thought was to keep some continuation on Finance and Facilities,” Fortner said. “With three members leaving, it would have been a real challenge. It doesn’t surprise me he was asked to stay on.”</p>
<p>Fortner, too, noted Koch’s experience as a regent, and his broad support from the faculty and staff.</p>
<p>“Jamie works in a very nonpartisan way,” he said.</p>
<p>Frank said he doesn’t know Chandler or Doughty, but he has heard “glowing things about both of them.” He said he is sure they will serve the university well and that he is looking forward to getting to know the new appointees.</p>
<p>Fortner said he doesn’t know Doughty well but is looking forward to having him on the board because “a lot of people speak very highly of him. He has experience in governmental affairs and will keep moving the university forward.”</p>
<p>Chandler, he said, is a friend, a man with experience with government and budgets, as well as a legal background.</p>
<p>“He will be able to step right in and will demonstrate a fast learning curve,” he said. “He’s a great appointment.”</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Here is a list of other appointments to boards of regents announced Monday by Gov. Susana Martinez:</p>
<p>Eastern New Mexico University</p>
<p>• Terry Othick of Albuquerque, an alumnus of the university and a former official with the Los Lunas School District.</p>
<p>• Susan Tatum of Clovis, an alumna of the university and a small-business owner and former educator.</p>
<p>New Mexico Highlands University</p>
<p>• LouElla Marr-Montoya of Las Vegas, an alumna of the university with more than 30 years of experience in education and education administration.</p>
<p>• Sandra Turner of Clovis, an alumna and an independent social worker with experience as a small-business owner.</p>
<p>New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology</p>
<p>• Jerry Armijo of Socorro, a private attorney whose practice focuses on banking, real estate, municipal, probate and commercial law.</p>
<p>• David Gonzales of Farmington, an alumnus of the institute and a small-business owner with more than a decade of experience in petroleum engineering.</p>
<p>• Donald Monette of Socorro, a city councilor since 1998 who brings experience in government, education and private business.</p>
<p>N.M. Military Institute</p>
<p>• Phillip Ingram of Albuquerque, an alumnus who is a chartered life underwriter and financial consultant.</p>
<p>• Col. Timothy Paul of Rio Rancho, an alumnus with a 30-year career of service with the Army and New Mexico National Guard, including two tours in Iraq.</p>
<p>• Stirling Spencer of Carrizozo, an alumnus with experience in government, chemical engineering and agriculture.</p>
<p>New Mexico State University</p>
<p>• Debra Hicks of Hobbs, a business owner with more than 30 years of experience in engineering and public service. She is president and chief executive officer of Pettigrew and Associates, a civil engineering, surveying and testing firm.</p>
<p>Northern New Mexico College</p>
<p>• Damian Martinez of Las Cruces, an attorney and veteran of the Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps, as well as managing director of Holt, Mynatt, Martinez P.C.</p>
<p>Western New Mexico University</p>
<p>• Daniel Patterson of Sandia Park, who brings more than 40 years of experience in education and education administration. He served as superintendent and deputy superintendent of school districts throughout New Mexico and Colorado, including Moriarty Municipal Schools, Las Cruces Public Schools and Carlsbad Municipal Schools.</p>
<p>• Jerry Walz of Tijeras, a practicing attorney with experience in the public and private sectors. He has represented more than 100 city, county and state governmental entities, including the N.M. Supreme Court and the Office of the New Mexico Attorney General.</p>
| false | 2 |
robert doughty iii matt chandler jamie koch albuquerque nm gov susana martinez announced choices monday fill three soontobevacant positions university new mexico board regents one case using unusual maneuver keep experienced regent board another four years longtime regent jamie koch whose term due expire end year resigning position immediately reappointed fill final four years seat held recently conrad james james elected state house representatives november resigned regents last week two appointees three subject confirmation state senate newcomers sevenmember board appointees republicans advertisement former district attorney matt chandler clovis named fill position vacated koch robert doughty iii attorney chairman new mexico racing commission replace gene gallegos santa fe chairman racing commission doughty also serves exofficio member new mexico gaming control board replacement named yet heidi overton medical student serving twoyear term student regent expected stay seated may graduates unm school medicine governor also made appointments universities boards regents koch served unm board 12 years president daniels insurance santa fe former legislator sponsored state open meetings act original author inspection records act spells publics160 right access government records 2002 koch served chairman state democratic party received bachelors degree education unm 1959 first appointed regents january 2003 monday koch thanked martinez appointment support higher education university serving regent tremendous honor said koch said surprised late last week governor contacted asked meeting got together weekend presented plan appointment something sought reaffirmed commitment work across party lines good higher education said adding tenure regent one rewarding experiences life advertisement unm president bob frank noting massive change board expecting said great someone regent kochs vast experience stay continuity good university leadership institution jamie always interesting regent around someone new ideas frank noted three members important regents finance facilities committee chaired koch would leaving office finance facilities always baby frank said koch would guess wants stay regents regents president jack fortner said glad koch agreed stick around obviously seeking reappointment fact conrad james resigned thought keep continuation finance facilities fortner said three members leaving would real challenge doesnt surprise asked stay fortner noted kochs experience regent broad support faculty staff jamie works nonpartisan way said frank said doesnt know chandler doughty heard glowing things said sure serve university well looking forward getting know new appointees fortner said doesnt know doughty well looking forward board lot people speak highly experience governmental affairs keep moving university forward chandler said friend man experience government budgets well legal background able step right demonstrate fast learning curve said hes great appointment 160 list appointments boards regents announced monday gov susana martinez eastern new mexico university terry othick albuquerque alumnus university former official los lunas school district susan tatum clovis alumna university smallbusiness owner former educator new mexico highlands university louella marrmontoya las vegas alumna university 30 years experience education education administration sandra turner clovis alumna independent social worker experience smallbusiness owner new mexico institute mining technology jerry armijo socorro private attorney whose practice focuses banking real estate municipal probate commercial law david gonzales farmington alumnus institute smallbusiness owner decade experience petroleum engineering donald monette socorro city councilor since 1998 brings experience government education private business nm military institute phillip ingram albuquerque alumnus chartered life underwriter financial consultant col timothy paul rio rancho alumnus 30year career service army new mexico national guard including two tours iraq stirling spencer carrizozo alumnus experience government chemical engineering agriculture new mexico state university debra hicks hobbs business owner 30 years experience engineering public service president chief executive officer pettigrew associates civil engineering surveying testing firm northern new mexico college damian martinez las cruces attorney veteran air force judge advocate general corps well managing director holt mynatt martinez pc western new mexico university daniel patterson sandia park brings 40 years experience education education administration served superintendent deputy superintendent school districts throughout new mexico colorado including moriarty municipal schools las cruces public schools carlsbad municipal schools jerry walz tijeras practicing attorney experience public private sectors represented 100 city county state governmental entities including nm supreme court office new mexico attorney general
| 662 |
<p>OSLO (Reuters) -</p>
<p>** Low-cost airline Norwegian Air has set a new record time for its fastest ever transatlantic flight by a subsonic passenger aircraft this week using the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, it says in a press release</p>
<p>** Norwegian flight DY7014 from New York JFK to London Gatwick on Monday 15 January completed the full duration of the flight in 5 hours and 13 minutes</p>
<p>** The flight carrying 284 passengers departed New York at 11:44am and arrived at London at 9:57pm – 53 minutes early</p>
<p>** Scheduled fly time New York to London on Norwegian Airs home page is 6 hours and 30 minutes</p>
<p>Source text:</p>
<p><a href="http://media.norwegian.com/uk/" type="external">media.norwegian.com/uk/</a>#/pressreleases/norwegian-sets-new-record-transatlantic-flight-time-from-new-york-to-london-by-a-subsonic-aircraft-2382387</p>
<p>Reporting By Ole Petter Skonnord, editing by Camilla Knudsen</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Christian Sewing, currently co-deputy chief executive officer of Deutsche Bank ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=DBKGn.DE" type="external">DBKGn.DE</a>), is to become the new CEO of Germany’s biggest lender, replacing John Cryan, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters on Sunday.</p> Christian Sewing, member of the board of Germany's Deutsche Bank is pictured in Frankfurt, Germany, February 2, 2018. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski
<p>Sewing, a German national, would replace Cryan, a Briton, at a time when the bank is trying to strengthen its brand in its home market. Cryan has been in office less than three years but investors have lost faith that he can return the bank to profitability after three consecutive years of losses.</p>
<p>The promotion of Sewing, 47, with a background in retail banking, auditing and risk, comes as Deutsche Bank and its major shareholders debate the path forward for the investment banking unit where revenues have slowed and key staff defected.</p>
<p>His appointment could signal a shift in emphasis away from Deutsche Bank’s strategy of seeking profit growth through the investment bank and giving investment bankers greater influence.</p>
<p>Marcus Schenck, currently Sewing’s fellow co-deputy CEO who also helps oversee the investment bank, is close to leaving the bank, the people familiar with the matter said.</p>
<p>Sewing tops a list of candidates as the preferred option to be presented by Chairman Paul Achleitner at a hastily arranged board call for Sunday evening, the people familiar with the matter said. A second external candidate is also being proposed though that person’s chances for the top spot are slim, the second person said.</p>
<p>Sewing would assume the helm at the company’s annual general meeting in May, German magazine Der Spiegel said on its website. Der Spiegel was first to report on Sunday that Sewing would likely become the bank’s next CEO.</p>
<p>Deutsche Bank said late on Saturday that the board would discuss the CEO position and make a decision.</p>
<p>A spokeswoman for Deutsche Bank declined to comment on Sunday.</p> BLOW TO SCHENCK
<p>In picking up the baton, Sewing would also face challenges including further cost cutting, intense competition at home and abroad, and increased regulation.</p>
<p>Sewing, a member of the management board since 2015, currently oversees the bank’s private and commercial bank division, which includes the Postbank retail banking unit.</p>
<p>He joined Deutsche Bank in 1989 and has worked in Frankfurt, London, Singapore, Tokyo and Toronto, according to the bank’s website.</p>
<p>“Our view is that Sewing seems to be an OK candidate,” said a major investor who spoke on condition of anonymity.</p>
<p>Sewing’s appointment would be a blow to Schenck, a former Goldman Sachs ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=GS.N" type="external">GS.N</a>) investment banker long considered a future CEO at Deutsche.</p>
<p>Schenck had signaled he was looking for opportunities outside the bank. Garth Ritchie would stay on as sole head of the investment bank, said the first person familiar with the matter. There is still internal debate on the outcome, said the second person.</p> John Cryan, CEO of Germany's Deutsche Bank is pictured in Frankfurt, Germany, February 2, 2018. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski
<p>Achleitner had begun a search last month to replace Cryan following a flurry of negative headlines after the bank reported a third consecutive annual loss.</p>
<p>Cryan has said he is “absolutely committed” to the bank. But Achleitner has remained silent, to the disappointment of major investors seeking clarity. Sunday’s board call is intended to provide that clarity.</p> “DYSFUNCTIONAL COMPANY”
<p>The leadership debate also parallels concern about the direction of Deutsche’s investment bank, whose swift expansion in the years leading up to the financial crisis is blamed for many of the bank’s current woes.</p>
<p>The investment bank’s revenue in 2017 was down 25 percent compared with 2015, a steeper fall than those suffered by its rivals. The division employed more than 41,000 staff at the end of 2017, up 4 percent from 2015, but key staff have left.</p>
<p>The bank is conducting a global review of the investment bank, known internally as Project Colombo, a person with direct knowledge of the matter has said.</p>
<a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=DBKGn.DE" type="external">Deutsche Bank AG</a> 11.352 DBKGn.DE Xetra -0.31 (-2.64%) DBKGn.DE GS.N
<p>Octavio Marenzi, CEO of consultancy Opimas said Sewing’s appointment would mean more focus on commercial and retail banking and wealth management.</p>
<p>“It looks like the board of directors is capitulating on the investment banking front,” Marenzi said.</p>
<p>Cryan, the son of a jazz musician, married into the wealthy Du Pont family of the United States. He took charge at Deutsche in 2015 to overhaul the bank after years of rapid growth under investment bankers.</p>
<p>But his tumultuous tenure as CEO highlights many of the bank’s underlying issues.</p>
<p>Early on, Cryan quickly announced thousands of job cuts to trim costs but reversed the bank’s plans to sell its Postbank retail business after tepid interest from buyers.</p>
<p>Some of Germany’s most senior politicians criticized Cryan for paying 2.3 billion euros ($2.8 billion) in staff bonuses, four times higher than the previous year, after the bank had made losses in 2017.</p>
<p>The bank’s chief operating officer Kim Hammonds, told a colleagues recently that the bank was “the most dysfunctional company” she had ever worked for, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter.</p>
<p>Over the past weeks, a number of names have surfaced as possible replacements for Cryan. But some analysts wonder whether anyone will be able to do a better job on turning the bank around.</p>
<p>“There has been actually a disciplined execution in a tough environment by this team,” said Peter Nerby, who analyses the bank for Moody’s. “I wonder if anyone really has a better way to get there. It’s not obvious to me what that way would be.”</p>
<p>Reporting by Andreas Framke, Tom Sims, Edward Taylor, and Hans Seidenstuecker; Editing by Christoph Steitz, Susan Fenton and Jane Merriman</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>BEIRUT/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday there would be a “big price to pay” after medical aid groups reported dozens of people were killed by poison gas in a besieged rebel-held town in Syria.</p>
<p>As international officials worked to try to confirm the chemical attack which happened late on Saturday in the town of Douma, Trump took the rare step of directly criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin in connection with the incident.</p>
<p>The Syrian state denied government forces had launched any chemical attack and Russia, President Bashar al-Assad’s most powerful ally, called the reports bogus.</p>
<p>“Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria. Area of atrocity is in lockdown and encircled by Syrian Army, making it completely inaccessible to outside world. President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad. Big price to pay,” Trump wrote on Twitter.</p>
<p>The White House declined to clarify what consequences Trump had in mind. Last year, the United States launched a cruise missile strike on a Syrian air base days after a sarin gas attack in northwestern Syria blamed on Assad.</p>
<p>The Russian Foreign Ministry warned against any military action on the basis of “invented and fabricated excuses”, saying this could lead to severe consequences.</p>
<p>A joint statement by the medical relief organization Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) and the civil defense service, which operates in rebel-held areas, said 49 people had died in the attack. Others put the toll even higher.</p> Related Coverage
<a href="/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-un/u-n-security-council-expected-to-meet-monday-on-syria-attack-diplomats-idUSKBN1HF0TU" type="external">U.N. Security Council expected to meet Monday on Syria attack: diplomats</a>
<a href="/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-ghouta-iran/iran-says-syria-gas-attack-reports-excuse-for-military-action-idUSKBN1HF0R2" type="external">Iran says Syria gas attack reports 'excuse' for military action</a>
<a href="/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-gouta-eu/eu-calls-for-response-to-yet-another-chemical-attack-in-syria-idUSKBN1HF0PQ" type="external">EU calls for response to 'yet another chemical attack' in Syria</a>
<p>The United Nations Security Council is likely to meet Monday afternoon on the chemical attack at the request of the United States and eight other members, diplomats said.</p> ‘HORRIBLE’ IMAGES
<p>Last week Trump said he wanted to pull U.S. troops out of Syria, though his advisers have urged him to wait to ensure Islamic State militants are defeated and to prevent Assad’s ally Iran from gaining a foothold there.</p>
<p>There are about 2,000 U.S. troops on the ground in the country working to help fight Islamic State militants.</p>
<p>A top Trump security aide said on Sunday the United States would not rule out launching another missile attack. “I wouldn’t take anything off the table,” said Tom Bossert, the White House Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Adviser, in an interview on ABC’s “This Week.”</p>
<p>“We are looking into the attack at this point,” he said, adding that the photos of the incident are “horrible.”</p>
<p>In one video shared by activists, the bodies of around a dozen children, women and men, some with foam at the mouth, were seen. “Douma city, April 7 ... there is a strong smell here,” a voice can be heard saying.</p>
<p>Reuters could not independently verify the reports.</p>
<p>One factor in Trump’s decision to bomb Syria last year was the television images of dead children.</p>
<p>Trump will be joined at the White House on Monday by John Bolton, who takes over as White House national security adviser.</p>
<p>Trump has shaken up his core national security team in the past two weeks, replacing national security adviser H.R. McMaster and firing Rex Tillerson as secretary of state.</p>
<p>Bolton, a hard-charging former UN ambassador, praised Trump’s missile response last year, though he has generally focused more on Iran as a bigger national security threat.</p>
<p>Trump was set on Monday to talk with senior military leadership at a previously scheduled meeting at the White House.</p>
<p>U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis had warned in March during a trip to Oman that chlorine attacks would be “very unwise,” saying Trump had “full political maneuver room” to respond, though he stopped short of threatening retaliation.</p> SHELTERING IN BASEMENTS
<p>The Syrian Observatory monitoring group said it could not confirm whether chemical weapons had been used in the attack on Saturday. Observatory Director Rami Abdulrahman said 11 people had died in Douma as a result of suffocation caused by heavy bombardment.</p>
<p>Medical relief organization SAMS said a chlorine bomb hit Douma hospital, killing six people, and a second attack with “mixed agents”, including nerve agents, had hit a nearby building.</p>
<p>Basel Termanini, the U.S.-based vice president of SAMS, which operates medical facilities and supports medics in Syria, told Reuters another 35 people had been killed at a nearby apartment building, most of them women and children.</p>
<p>The joint statement from SAMS and the civil defense said medical centers had taken in more than 500 people suffering breathing difficulties, frothing from the mouth and smelling of chlorine.</p>
<p>Tawfik Chamaa, a Geneva-based Syrian doctor with the Syria-focused Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations (UOSSM), a network of Syrian doctors, said 150 people were confirmed dead and the number was growing. “The majority were civilians, women and children trapped in underground shelters,” he told Reuters.</p>
<p>Douma is in the eastern Ghouta region near Damascus. Assad has won back control of nearly all of eastern Ghouta from rebel groups in a Russian-backed military campaign that began in February, leaving just Douma in rebel hands.</p>
<p>The Ghouta offensive has been one of the deadliest in Syria’s seven-year-long war, killing more than 1,600 civilians, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.</p>
<p>Taking Douma would seal Assad’s biggest victory since 2016, and underline his unassailable position in the war that has killed hundreds of thousands of people since it mushroomed from protests against his rule in 2011.</p>
<p>Reporting by Dahlia Nehme and Tom Perry in Beirut, Mustafa Hashem in Cairo, Roberta Rampton, John Walcott, Mark Hosenball, Michelle Price and Sarah Lynch in Washington, Michelle Nichols in New York, Suleiman al-Khalidi in Amman, Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva, Anthony Deutsch in Amstersdam, John Irish in Paris, and Polina Ivanova in Moscow; Writing by Tom Perry and Roberta Rampton; Editing by Adrian Croft and James Dalgleish</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>BUDAPEST, Hungary (Reuters) - Most polling stations closed and the vote count began in Hungary’s election on Sunday, after a very high turnout that could threaten Viktor Orban’s parliamentary majority.</p> Hungarian women, wearing traditional costumes, fill their ballot papers at a polling station during Hungarian parliamentary elections in Veresegyhaz, Hungary April 8, 2018. REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo
<p>Following an acrimonious campaign in which the rightwing nationalist prime minister projected himself as a savior of Hungary’s Christian culture against Muslim migration into Europe, all opinion polls had put his Fidesz party well ahead.</p>
<p>A strong victory could embolden him to put more muscle into a Central European alliance against the European Union’s migration policies. Orban, Hungary’s longest-serving post-communist premier, opposes deeper integration of the bloc.</p>
<p>Interim data at 1630 GMT showed voter turnout at 68.13 percent, exceeding final turnout in the past three elections.</p>
<p>A high turnout in a 2002 vote consigned Orban to eight years of opposition. In contrast, the turnout was only 61.7 percent in the last election, in 2014, which gave him a massive victory.</p>
<p>Orban’s opponents were cheered by the enthusiasm of Hungarians to vote.</p> Related Coverage
<a href="/article/us-hungary-election-majority/hungarys-fidesz-unlikely-to-win-two-thirds-majority-lawmaker-idUSKBN1HF0UZ" type="external">Hungary's Fidesz unlikely to win two-thirds majority: lawmaker</a>
<a href="/article/us-hungary-election-turnout/interim-turnout-in-hungarys-election-hits-68-13-percent-idUSKBN1HF0FA" type="external">Interim turnout in Hungary's election hits 68.13 percent</a>
<p>“We are convinced that high turnout definitely reflects ... that people want a change in government,” Socialist spokeswoman Bernadett Budai was quoted as saying by national news agency MTI.</p>
<p>Fidesz lawmaker Gergely Gulyas told private broadcaster ATV his party was unlikely to retain its two-thirds parliamentary majority.</p>
<p>“A two-thirds victory is possible if neither side loses more than 10 districts and there is a difference of at least 20 percent between the winner and the runner-up,” Gulyas said.</p>
<p>“I consider this unlikely. I think this is outside the category of reality.”</p>
<p>Voters were no longer allowed to join queues at polling stations from 1700 GMT, but those already in line were being allowed to cast their ballots, meaning voting could continue for hours more at the busiest stations.</p>
<p>In central London, emigre Hungarians queued for hundreds of meters in the rain to vote, some waiting for more than two hours.</p>
<p>Some pollsters said voter turnout above 70 percent could signal that the opposition was mobilizing supporters efficiently, and might even deprive Fidesz of its parliamentary majority.</p>
<p>“High turnout means, most probably, less mandates for Fidesz than in the previous term,” said Peter Kreko, director of think tank Political Capital.</p>
<p>But he added that since all parties, including Fidesz, had mobilized intensively, it did not necessarily mean Orban was threatened with defeat.</p>
<p>Orban has far-right admirers across Europe who like his tough line on migrants and a landslide win would show that his single-issue campaign, arguing that migration poses a security threat, had paid off.</p> A woman casts her ballot during Hungarian parliamentary election in Gyongyos, Hungary, April 8, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger MIGRATION “LIKE RUST”
<p>Critics say Orban has put Hungary on an increasingly authoritarian path and his stance on immigration has fueled xenophobia.</p>
<p>After casting his vote in a wealthy district of Budapest, he said: “From here I will go and take part in mobilizing voters ... I am asking everyone to take part in the election.”</p>
<p>Asked by journalists if he was fighting the European Union, Orban said: “The EU is not in Brussels. The EU is in Berlin, in Budapest, in Prague and in Bucharest.”</p>
<p>He reiterated he would stand up for Hungary’s interests and said Hungary was a loyal member of international organizations.</p>
<p>“We love our country and we are fighting for our country,” he said.</p>
<p>A strong win for Orban would boost other right-wing nationalists in Central Europe, in Poland and in neighboring Austria, and expose cracks in the 28-nation EU.</p>
<p>While Fidesz led all opinion polls before the vote, there is a small chance that the fragmented opposition could strip Fidesz of its parliamentary majority if voters frustrated with Orban’s policies choose tactical voting in the 106 constituencies.</p>
<p>The strongest opposition party is the formerly far-right Jobbik, which has recast its image as a more moderate nationalist force. It has been campaigning on an anti-corruption agenda and urged higher wages to lure back hundreds of thousands of Hungarians who have left Hungary for western Europe.</p>
<p>Clad in a green jacket and white shirt, Jobbik leader Gabor Vona, 39, arrived to vote in the eastern city of Gyongyos, his home town and the district where he is likely to win a seat.</p>
<p>“Everyone should go to vote because this election determines Hungary’s course not for four years but for two generations at least,” he told reporters. “Emigration may or may not define Hungary, and I would prefer that it does not.”</p>
<p>The EU has struggled to respond as Orban’s government has, in the view of its critics, used its two landslide victories in 2010 and 2014 to erode democratic checks and balances. It has curbed the powers of the constitutional court, increased control of the media and appointed loyalists to key positions.</p> Slideshow (11 Images)
<p>Orban is credited with keeping the budget deficit under control, reducing unemployment and some of Hungary’s debt, and putting its economy on a growth track.</p>
<p>On Friday, at his closing campaign rally, he vowed to protect his nation from Muslim migrants, saying: “Migration is like rust that slowly but surely would consume Hungary.”</p> OUTSIDE CHANCE OF SURPRISE
<p>The anti-immigrant campaign has gone down well with many of the roughly two million core voters of Fidesz.</p>
<p>“My little daughter must be my primary concern, to make her future safe. Safety is first,” said Julia Scharle, 27, holding her child outside the polling station where Orban cast his vote. She would not reveal her voting preference.</p>
<p>In March the government gave pre-election handouts to millions of families and pensioners.</p>
<p>A poll by Zavecz research institute published on Friday showed Fidesz had 46 percent support among decided voters, while Jobbik had 19 percent. The Socialists came in third with 14 percent. Voter turnout was estimated between 64 and 68 percent.</p>
<p>However, one-third of voters were undecided.</p>
<p>In 2014, Fidesz won a two-thirds majority in the 199-seat parliament with 133 seats.</p>
<p>If Orban wins again, he is expected to continue his economic policies, with income tax cuts and incentives to boost growth.</p>
<p>His business allies are expected to expand their economic domains. Businessmen close to Fidesz have acquired stakes in major industries like banking, energy, construction and tourism, profiting from EU funds.</p>
<p>“Only a dramatic outcome of the election would force a significant shift in the direction of policymaking,” Barclays said in a note.</p>
<p>Writing by Krisztina Than; additional reporting by Simon Dawson; editing by Janet Lawrence and Andrew Roche</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungary’s National Election Office expects to start publishing preliminary results of Sunday’s parliamentary election at around 1930 GMT, said its head, Ilona Palffy.</p>
<p>Interim data at 1630 GMT showed voter turnout at 68.13 percent, exceeding final turnout in the past three elections.</p>
<p>Voters were no longer allowed to join queues at polling stations from 1700 GMT, but some polling stations stayed open to allow those already in line to cast their ballots.</p>
<p>Reporting by Gergely Szakacs; editing by Andrew Roche</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
| false | 2 |
oslo reuters lowcost airline norwegian air set new record time fastest ever transatlantic flight subsonic passenger aircraft week using boeing 7879 dreamliner says press release norwegian flight dy7014 new york jfk london gatwick monday 15 january completed full duration flight 5 hours 13 minutes flight carrying 284 passengers departed new york 1144am arrived london 957pm 53 minutes early scheduled fly time new york london norwegian airs home page 6 hours 30 minutes source text medianorwegiancomukpressreleasesnorwegiansetsnewrecordtransatlanticflighttimefromnewyorktolondonbyasubsonicaircraft2382387 reporting ole petter skonnord editing camilla knudsen standards thomson reuters trust principles frankfurt reuters christian sewing currently codeputy chief executive officer deutsche bank dbkgnde become new ceo germanys biggest lender replacing john cryan two people familiar matter told reuters sunday christian sewing member board germanys deutsche bank pictured frankfurt germany february 2 2018 reutersralph orlowski sewing german national would replace cryan briton time bank trying strengthen brand home market cryan office less three years investors lost faith return bank profitability three consecutive years losses promotion sewing 47 background retail banking auditing risk comes deutsche bank major shareholders debate path forward investment banking unit revenues slowed key staff defected appointment could signal shift emphasis away deutsche banks strategy seeking profit growth investment bank giving investment bankers greater influence marcus schenck currently sewings fellow codeputy ceo also helps oversee investment bank close leaving bank people familiar matter said sewing tops list candidates preferred option presented chairman paul achleitner hastily arranged board call sunday evening people familiar matter said second external candidate also proposed though persons chances top spot slim second person said sewing would assume helm companys annual general meeting may german magazine der spiegel said website der spiegel first report sunday sewing would likely become banks next ceo deutsche bank said late saturday board would discuss ceo position make decision spokeswoman deutsche bank declined comment sunday blow schenck picking baton sewing would also face challenges including cost cutting intense competition home abroad increased regulation sewing member management board since 2015 currently oversees banks private commercial bank division includes postbank retail banking unit joined deutsche bank 1989 worked frankfurt london singapore tokyo toronto according banks website view sewing seems ok candidate said major investor spoke condition anonymity sewings appointment would blow schenck former goldman sachs gsn investment banker long considered future ceo deutsche schenck signaled looking opportunities outside bank garth ritchie would stay sole head investment bank said first person familiar matter still internal debate outcome said second person john cryan ceo germanys deutsche bank pictured frankfurt germany february 2 2018 reutersralph orlowski achleitner begun search last month replace cryan following flurry negative headlines bank reported third consecutive annual loss cryan said absolutely committed bank achleitner remained silent disappointment major investors seeking clarity sundays board call intended provide clarity dysfunctional company leadership debate also parallels concern direction deutsches investment bank whose swift expansion years leading financial crisis blamed many banks current woes investment banks revenue 2017 25 percent compared 2015 steeper fall suffered rivals division employed 41000 staff end 2017 4 percent 2015 key staff left bank conducting global review investment bank known internally project colombo person direct knowledge matter said deutsche bank ag 11352 dbkgnde xetra 031 264 dbkgnde gsn octavio marenzi ceo consultancy opimas said sewings appointment would mean focus commercial retail banking wealth management looks like board directors capitulating investment banking front marenzi said cryan son jazz musician married wealthy du pont family united states took charge deutsche 2015 overhaul bank years rapid growth investment bankers tumultuous tenure ceo highlights many banks underlying issues early cryan quickly announced thousands job cuts trim costs reversed banks plans sell postbank retail business tepid interest buyers germanys senior politicians criticized cryan paying 23 billion euros 28 billion staff bonuses four times higher previous year bank made losses 2017 banks chief operating officer kim hammonds told colleagues recently bank dysfunctional company ever worked according person direct knowledge matter past weeks number names surfaced possible replacements cryan analysts wonder whether anyone able better job turning bank around actually disciplined execution tough environment team said peter nerby analyses bank moodys wonder anyone really better way get obvious way would reporting andreas framke tom sims edward taylor hans seidenstuecker editing christoph steitz susan fenton jane merriman standards thomson reuters trust principles beirutwashington reuters us president donald trump said sunday would big price pay medical aid groups reported dozens people killed poison gas besieged rebelheld town syria international officials worked try confirm chemical attack happened late saturday town douma trump took rare step directly criticizing russian president vladimir putin connection incident syrian state denied government forces launched chemical attack russia president bashar alassads powerful ally called reports bogus many dead including women children mindless chemical attack syria area atrocity lockdown encircled syrian army making completely inaccessible outside world president putin russia iran responsible backing animal assad big price pay trump wrote twitter white house declined clarify consequences trump mind last year united states launched cruise missile strike syrian air base days sarin gas attack northwestern syria blamed assad russian foreign ministry warned military action basis invented fabricated excuses saying could lead severe consequences joint statement medical relief organization syrian american medical society sams civil defense service operates rebelheld areas said 49 people died attack others put toll even higher related coverage un security council expected meet monday syria attack diplomats iran says syria gas attack reports excuse military action eu calls response yet another chemical attack syria united nations security council likely meet monday afternoon chemical attack request united states eight members diplomats said horrible images last week trump said wanted pull us troops syria though advisers urged wait ensure islamic state militants defeated prevent assads ally iran gaining foothold 2000 us troops ground country working help fight islamic state militants top trump security aide said sunday united states would rule launching another missile attack wouldnt take anything table said tom bossert white house homeland security counterterrorism adviser interview abcs week looking attack point said adding photos incident horrible one video shared activists bodies around dozen children women men foam mouth seen douma city april 7 strong smell voice heard saying reuters could independently verify reports one factor trumps decision bomb syria last year television images dead children trump joined white house monday john bolton takes white house national security adviser trump shaken core national security team past two weeks replacing national security adviser hr mcmaster firing rex tillerson secretary state bolton hardcharging former un ambassador praised trumps missile response last year though generally focused iran bigger national security threat trump set monday talk senior military leadership previously scheduled meeting white house us defense secretary jim mattis warned march trip oman chlorine attacks would unwise saying trump full political maneuver room respond though stopped short threatening retaliation sheltering basements syrian observatory monitoring group said could confirm whether chemical weapons used attack saturday observatory director rami abdulrahman said 11 people died douma result suffocation caused heavy bombardment medical relief organization sams said chlorine bomb hit douma hospital killing six people second attack mixed agents including nerve agents hit nearby building basel termanini usbased vice president sams operates medical facilities supports medics syria told reuters another 35 people killed nearby apartment building women children joint statement sams civil defense said medical centers taken 500 people suffering breathing difficulties frothing mouth smelling chlorine tawfik chamaa genevabased syrian doctor syriafocused union medical care relief organizations uossm network syrian doctors said 150 people confirmed dead number growing majority civilians women children trapped underground shelters told reuters douma eastern ghouta region near damascus assad back control nearly eastern ghouta rebel groups russianbacked military campaign began february leaving douma rebel hands ghouta offensive one deadliest syrias sevenyearlong war killing 1600 civilians according syrian observatory human rights taking douma would seal assads biggest victory since 2016 underline unassailable position war killed hundreds thousands people since mushroomed protests rule 2011 reporting dahlia nehme tom perry beirut mustafa hashem cairo roberta rampton john walcott mark hosenball michelle price sarah lynch washington michelle nichols new york suleiman alkhalidi amman stephanie nebehay geneva anthony deutsch amstersdam john irish paris polina ivanova moscow writing tom perry roberta rampton editing adrian croft james dalgleish standards thomson reuters trust principles budapest hungary reuters polling stations closed vote count began hungarys election sunday high turnout could threaten viktor orbans parliamentary majority hungarian women wearing traditional costumes fill ballot papers polling station hungarian parliamentary elections veresegyhaz hungary april 8 2018 reutersbernadett szabo following acrimonious campaign rightwing nationalist prime minister projected savior hungarys christian culture muslim migration europe opinion polls put fidesz party well ahead strong victory could embolden put muscle central european alliance european unions migration policies orban hungarys longestserving postcommunist premier opposes deeper integration bloc interim data 1630 gmt showed voter turnout 6813 percent exceeding final turnout past three elections high turnout 2002 vote consigned orban eight years opposition contrast turnout 617 percent last election 2014 gave massive victory orbans opponents cheered enthusiasm hungarians vote related coverage hungarys fidesz unlikely win twothirds majority lawmaker interim turnout hungarys election hits 6813 percent convinced high turnout definitely reflects people want change government socialist spokeswoman bernadett budai quoted saying national news agency mti fidesz lawmaker gergely gulyas told private broadcaster atv party unlikely retain twothirds parliamentary majority twothirds victory possible neither side loses 10 districts difference least 20 percent winner runnerup gulyas said consider unlikely think outside category reality voters longer allowed join queues polling stations 1700 gmt already line allowed cast ballots meaning voting could continue hours busiest stations central london emigre hungarians queued hundreds meters rain vote waiting two hours pollsters said voter turnout 70 percent could signal opposition mobilizing supporters efficiently might even deprive fidesz parliamentary majority high turnout means probably less mandates fidesz previous term said peter kreko director think tank political capital added since parties including fidesz mobilized intensively necessarily mean orban threatened defeat orban farright admirers across europe like tough line migrants landslide win would show singleissue campaign arguing migration poses security threat paid woman casts ballot hungarian parliamentary election gyongyos hungary april 8 2018 reutersleonhard foeger migration like rust critics say orban put hungary increasingly authoritarian path stance immigration fueled xenophobia casting vote wealthy district budapest said go take part mobilizing voters asking everyone take part election asked journalists fighting european union orban said eu brussels eu berlin budapest prague bucharest reiterated would stand hungarys interests said hungary loyal member international organizations love country fighting country said strong win orban would boost rightwing nationalists central europe poland neighboring austria expose cracks 28nation eu fidesz led opinion polls vote small chance fragmented opposition could strip fidesz parliamentary majority voters frustrated orbans policies choose tactical voting 106 constituencies strongest opposition party formerly farright jobbik recast image moderate nationalist force campaigning anticorruption agenda urged higher wages lure back hundreds thousands hungarians left hungary western europe clad green jacket white shirt jobbik leader gabor vona 39 arrived vote eastern city gyongyos home town district likely win seat everyone go vote election determines hungarys course four years two generations least told reporters emigration may may define hungary would prefer eu struggled respond orbans government view critics used two landslide victories 2010 2014 erode democratic checks balances curbed powers constitutional court increased control media appointed loyalists key positions slideshow 11 images orban credited keeping budget deficit control reducing unemployment hungarys debt putting economy growth track friday closing campaign rally vowed protect nation muslim migrants saying migration like rust slowly surely would consume hungary outside chance surprise antiimmigrant campaign gone well many roughly two million core voters fidesz little daughter must primary concern make future safe safety first said julia scharle 27 holding child outside polling station orban cast vote would reveal voting preference march government gave preelection handouts millions families pensioners poll zavecz research institute published friday showed fidesz 46 percent support among decided voters jobbik 19 percent socialists came third 14 percent voter turnout estimated 64 68 percent however onethird voters undecided 2014 fidesz twothirds majority 199seat parliament 133 seats orban wins expected continue economic policies income tax cuts incentives boost growth business allies expected expand economic domains businessmen close fidesz acquired stakes major industries like banking energy construction tourism profiting eu funds dramatic outcome election would force significant shift direction policymaking barclays said note writing krisztina additional reporting simon dawson editing janet lawrence andrew roche standards thomson reuters trust principles budapest reuters hungarys national election office expects start publishing preliminary results sundays parliamentary election around 1930 gmt said head ilona palffy interim data 1630 gmt showed voter turnout 6813 percent exceeding final turnout past three elections voters longer allowed join queues polling stations 1700 gmt polling stations stayed open allow already line cast ballots reporting gergely szakacs editing andrew roche standards thomson reuters trust principles
| 2,107 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p>FILE - This Feb. 27, 2013 file photo shows first lady Michelle Obama and Food Network chef Rachael Ray discussing lunches with students from the Eastside and Northside Elementary Schools in Clinton, Miss. Moving beyond the lunch line, new rules expected to be proposed by the White House and the Agriculture Department Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014, would limit marketing of unhealthy foods in schools, phasing out the advertising of sugary drinks and junk foods around school campuses and ensuring that other promotions in schools are in line with health standards that apply to school foods. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)</p>
<p>WASHINGTON - Even the scoreboards in high school gyms eventually will have to promote good health.</p>
<p>Moving beyond the lunch line, new rules that will be proposed Tuesday by the White House and the Agriculture Department would limit marketing of unhealthy foods in schools. They would phase out the advertising of sugary drinks and junk foods around campuses during the school day and ensure that other promotions in schools were in line with health standards that already apply to school foods.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>That means a scoreboard at a high school football or basketball game eventually wouldn't be allowed to advertise Coca-Cola, for example, but it could advertise Diet Coke or Dasani water, which is also owned by Coca-Cola Co. Same with the front of a vending machine. Cups, posters and menu boards which promote foods that don't meet the standards would also be phased out.</p>
<p>Ninety percent of such marketing in schools is related to beverages, and many soda companies already have started to transition their sales and advertising in schools from sugary sodas and sports drinks to their own healthier products.</p>
<p>The proposed rules are part of first lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move initiative to combat child obesity, which is celebrating its fourth anniversary this week. Mrs. Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will announce the new rules at a White House event.</p>
<p>"The idea here is simple - our classrooms should be healthy places where kids aren't bombarded with ads for junk food," the first lady said in a statement released before the announcement. "Because when parents are working hard to teach their kids healthy habits at home, their work shouldn't be undone by unhealthy messages at school."</p>
<p>The rules also would allow more children access to free lunches and ensure that schools have wellness policies in place.</p>
<p>The proposed rules come on the heels of USDA regulations that are now requiring foods in the school lunch line to be healthier.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Rules set to go into effect next school year will make other foods around school healthier as well, including in vending machines and separate "a la carte" lines in the lunch room. Calorie, fat, sugar and sodium limits will have to be met on almost every food and beverage sold during the school day at 100,000 schools. Concessions sold at afterschool sports games would be exempt.</p>
<p>The healthier food rules have come under fire from conservatives who think the government shouldn't dictate what kids eat - and from some students who don't like the healthier foods.</p>
<p>Aware of the backlash, the USDA is allowing schools to make some of their own decisions on what constitutes marketing and asking for comments on some options. For example, the proposal asks for comments on initiatives like Pizza Hut's "Book It" program, which coordinates with schools to reward kids with pizza for reading.</p>
<p>Rules for other school fundraisers, like bake sales and marketing for those events, would be left up to schools or states.</p>
<p>Off-campus fundraisers, like an event at a local fast-food outlet that benefits a school, still would be permitted. But posters advertising the fast food may not be allowed in school hallways. An email to parents - with or without the advertising - would have to suffice. The idea is to market to the parents, not the kids.</p>
<p>The rule also makes allowances for major infrastructure costs - that scoreboard advertising Coca-Cola, for example, wouldn't have to be immediately torn down. But the school would have to get one with a healthier message the next time it was replaced.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>The beverage industry - led by Coca-Cola Co., Dr. Pepper Snapple Group and PepsiCo - is on board with the move. American Beverage Association President and CEO Susan Neely said in a statement that aligning signage with the healthier drinks that will be offered in schools is the "logical next step."</p>
<p>"Mrs. Obama's efforts to continue to strengthen school wellness make sense for the well-being of our schoolchildren," Neely said.</p>
<p>Although Mrs. Obama lobbied Congress to pass the school nutrition bill in 2010, most of her efforts in recent years have been focused on the private sector, building partnerships with food companies and retailers to sell healthier foods.</p>
<p>The child nutrition law also expanded feeding programs for hungry students. The rules being proposed Tuesday would increase that even further by allowing the highest-poverty schools to serve lunch and breakfast to all students for free. According to the USDA and the White House, that initiative would allow 9 million children in 22,000 schools to receive free lunches.</p>
<p>The USDA has already tested the program, which is designed to increase participation for students and reduce paperwork and applications for schools, in 11 states.</p>
<p>In addition, the Obama administration will announce new guidelines for school wellness policies. Schools have been required to have general wellness policies that set their own general standards for foods, physical activity and other wellness activities since 2004. But the new rules would require parents and others in the school community to be involved in those decisions.</p>
<p>""</p>
<p>Follow Mary Clare Jalonick on Twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/mcjalonick" type="external">http://twitter.com/mcjalonick</a></p>
| false | 2 |
file feb 27 2013 file photo shows first lady michelle obama food network chef rachael ray discussing lunches students eastside northside elementary schools clinton miss moving beyond lunch line new rules expected proposed white house agriculture department tuesday feb 25 2014 would limit marketing unhealthy foods schools phasing advertising sugary drinks junk foods around school campuses ensuring promotions schools line health standards apply school foods ap photorogelio v solis file washington even scoreboards high school gyms eventually promote good health moving beyond lunch line new rules proposed tuesday white house agriculture department would limit marketing unhealthy foods schools would phase advertising sugary drinks junk foods around campuses school day ensure promotions schools line health standards already apply school foods advertisement means scoreboard high school football basketball game eventually wouldnt allowed advertise cocacola example could advertise diet coke dasani water also owned cocacola co front vending machine cups posters menu boards promote foods dont meet standards would also phased ninety percent marketing schools related beverages many soda companies already started transition sales advertising schools sugary sodas sports drinks healthier products proposed rules part first lady michelle obamas lets move initiative combat child obesity celebrating fourth anniversary week mrs obama agriculture secretary tom vilsack announce new rules white house event idea simple classrooms healthy places kids arent bombarded ads junk food first lady said statement released announcement parents working hard teach kids healthy habits home work shouldnt undone unhealthy messages school rules also would allow children access free lunches ensure schools wellness policies place proposed rules come heels usda regulations requiring foods school lunch line healthier advertisement rules set go effect next school year make foods around school healthier well including vending machines separate la carte lines lunch room calorie fat sugar sodium limits met almost every food beverage sold school day 100000 schools concessions sold afterschool sports games would exempt healthier food rules come fire conservatives think government shouldnt dictate kids eat students dont like healthier foods aware backlash usda allowing schools make decisions constitutes marketing asking comments options example proposal asks comments initiatives like pizza huts book program coordinates schools reward kids pizza reading rules school fundraisers like bake sales marketing events would left schools states offcampus fundraisers like event local fastfood outlet benefits school still would permitted posters advertising fast food may allowed school hallways email parents without advertising would suffice idea market parents kids rule also makes allowances major infrastructure costs scoreboard advertising cocacola example wouldnt immediately torn school would get one healthier message next time replaced advertisement beverage industry led cocacola co dr pepper snapple group pepsico board move american beverage association president ceo susan neely said statement aligning signage healthier drinks offered schools logical next step mrs obamas efforts continue strengthen school wellness make sense wellbeing schoolchildren neely said although mrs obama lobbied congress pass school nutrition bill 2010 efforts recent years focused private sector building partnerships food companies retailers sell healthier foods child nutrition law also expanded feeding programs hungry students rules proposed tuesday would increase even allowing highestpoverty schools serve lunch breakfast students free according usda white house initiative would allow 9 million children 22000 schools receive free lunches usda already tested program designed increase participation students reduce paperwork applications schools 11 states addition obama administration announce new guidelines school wellness policies schools required general wellness policies set general standards foods physical activity wellness activities since 2004 new rules would require parents others school community involved decisions follow mary clare jalonick twitter httptwittercommcjalonick
| 579 |
<p>Every year we celebrate the grandeur of Tampa Bay with a mix of suggested experiences and witty observations.</p>
<p>The obvious - Cuban sandwiches, grouper delicacies, sunsets on the beach - are a given. Add these suggestions to the traditional staples of bay area living.</p>
<p>Remember: Don’t just reside here, live here.</p>
<p>You haven’t lived in Tampa Bay until you have ...</p>
<p>... heard the mayor of Tampa say, “Bring his head to me.”</p>
<p>... seen the Seminole Heights community unite while enduring the threat of a serial killer.</p>
<p>... seen a legislator from Pasco County become one of the most powerful people in the state without ever getting more than 10,000 votes in a single election. C’mon Richard Corcoran, be a better leader.</p>
<p>... inhaled the pizza burger at Thee Burger Spot on N Tampa and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. When you see the firefighters and the police at a restaurant, you know you’ve found a hidden gem.</p>
<p>... wondered when people will stop saying, “Tampa Bay” is a body of water. Folks, it’s the name of our region. We are one.</p>
<p>... had a seagull steal the ice cream right out of your hands while walking down the boardwalk at John’s Pass.</p>
<p>... kiteboarded under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.</p>
<p>... saluted South Tampa’s Mott-&amp;-Hester Deli for 35 years of business.</p>
<p>... watched a daring suitor with a mariachi band in tow stroll into a Mexican restaurant, like Miguelito’s in Tampa, and propose to his girlfriend while singing in Spanish. Beautiful.</p>
<p>... spent so much time at The Bunker in Ybor City you inquire about bringing a cot.</p>
<p>... taken a ride up the Hillsborough River on a Pirate Water Taxi.</p>
<p>... witnessed a sinkhole swallow an entire Land O’ Lakes neighborhood.</p>
<p>... seen retired mermaids return as “Legendary Sirens” at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.</p>
<p>... rooted for Clearwater’s downtown to replicate the success of other downtown districts in the region.</p>
<p>... enjoyed the blueberry goat cheese at Room 901 in St. Petersburg. (Note: blueberry goat cheese subject to availability).</p>
<p>... saluted our first responders for a job well-done during Hurricane Irma (not you, Duke Energy).</p>
<p>... looked around your community and wondered if there’s any benefit to having area representatives at the top of leadership in Tallahassee.</p>
<p>... wondered what the CEO of Blue Pearl Veterinary Services is going to do with $60 million of property in Ybor City.</p>
<p>... been dazzled by the singing and dancing of Pasco County’s Longleaf Elementary Freedom Review Show Choir.</p>
<p>... drove around downtown St. Petersburg or Tampa searching for a parking spot.</p>
<p>... been in the confessional at Coppertail Brewing’s hip location in Ybor City.</p>
<p>... imbibed under the succulents at O Cocina Mexican restaurant in South Tampa.</p>
<p>... Listened to totally amazing, and completely terrible karaoke at the Beer Shed.</p>
<p>... gotten mad about the Bucs losing in October and even madder about them winning in December.</p>
<p>... said, “Please don’t trade Evan Longor- ... dang.”</p>
<p>... seen students stand up for their teachers as they fight for a promised pay raise from the Hillsborough School District.</p>
<p>... marveled over the Burgert Brothers incredible photo collection.</p>
<p>... snorted about the region’s chances of landing Amazon’s coveted HQ2 headquarters.</p>
<p>... asked how Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandra Murman could oppose a transportation referendum but support one for a Confederate monument?</p>
<p>... realized former HART CEO Katharine Eagan was asked to put together a public transit system with a paper clip, a gum wrapper and two copper pennies. Maybe the next CEO will be named MacGyver.</p>
<p>... celebrated Diane Williams and her heart-warming “Jesus Cares” sign-waving effort in Tampa.</p>
<p>... reveled over the cool vibe in downtown Dunedin.</p>
<p>... seen a mayoral candidate lose his bid because he wouldn’t tell people how he feels about Donald Trump. Take note Tampa mayoral candidates.</p>
<p>... confessed to loving the Lightning even though you don’t love hockey.</p>
<p>... concluded the area’s roadways have turned you into a civil engineering expert, an urban planner and a master of defensive driving.</p>
<p>... been serenaded by drunken Christmas carolers from the Jolly Trolley on Indian Rocks Beach.</p>
<p>... worked up a sweat while decorating a palm tree with Christmas lights in 80-degree weather.</p>
<p>... attended Creative Loafing’s Best of the Bay awards celebration.</p>
<p>... watched chefs battle in the Epicurean Hotel’s kitchen theater.</p>
<p>... realized that if Tampa Bay’s politicians put a football team together, their favorite play would be taking a knee.</p>
<p>... kayaked through mangrove tunnels at Weedon Island.</p>
<p>... seen a school of mullet thrash the water’s surface as you promenade along Tampa’s Riverwalk.</p>
<p>... watched as a former orange grove or strawberry field gets turned into a mega-housing development</p>
<p>... wondered how that mega-housing development is going to impact your daily commute.</p>
<p>... joined in a celebration with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. for its outgoing national president Paulette C. Walker. That girl is on fire.</p>
<p>... been enthralled by the musical stylings of saxophonist Marlon Boone at a Delta Sigma Theta gathering, or a Jazz Tyme Production concert, or in the Raymond James Stadium club lounge.</p>
<p>... come to understand that I do this column every year because I absolutely love Tampa Bay.</p>
<p>Every year we celebrate the grandeur of Tampa Bay with a mix of suggested experiences and witty observations.</p>
<p>The obvious - Cuban sandwiches, grouper delicacies, sunsets on the beach - are a given. Add these suggestions to the traditional staples of bay area living.</p>
<p>Remember: Don’t just reside here, live here.</p>
<p>You haven’t lived in Tampa Bay until you have ...</p>
<p>... heard the mayor of Tampa say, “Bring his head to me.”</p>
<p>... seen the Seminole Heights community unite while enduring the threat of a serial killer.</p>
<p>... seen a legislator from Pasco County become one of the most powerful people in the state without ever getting more than 10,000 votes in a single election. C’mon Richard Corcoran, be a better leader.</p>
<p>... inhaled the pizza burger at Thee Burger Spot on N Tampa and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. When you see the firefighters and the police at a restaurant, you know you’ve found a hidden gem.</p>
<p>... wondered when people will stop saying, “Tampa Bay” is a body of water. Folks, it’s the name of our region. We are one.</p>
<p>... had a seagull steal the ice cream right out of your hands while walking down the boardwalk at John’s Pass.</p>
<p>... kiteboarded under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.</p>
<p>... saluted South Tampa’s Mott-&amp;-Hester Deli for 35 years of business.</p>
<p>... watched a daring suitor with a mariachi band in tow stroll into a Mexican restaurant, like Miguelito’s in Tampa, and propose to his girlfriend while singing in Spanish. Beautiful.</p>
<p>... spent so much time at The Bunker in Ybor City you inquire about bringing a cot.</p>
<p>... taken a ride up the Hillsborough River on a Pirate Water Taxi.</p>
<p>... witnessed a sinkhole swallow an entire Land O’ Lakes neighborhood.</p>
<p>... seen retired mermaids return as “Legendary Sirens” at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.</p>
<p>... rooted for Clearwater’s downtown to replicate the success of other downtown districts in the region.</p>
<p>... enjoyed the blueberry goat cheese at Room 901 in St. Petersburg. (Note: blueberry goat cheese subject to availability).</p>
<p>... saluted our first responders for a job well-done during Hurricane Irma (not you, Duke Energy).</p>
<p>... looked around your community and wondered if there’s any benefit to having area representatives at the top of leadership in Tallahassee.</p>
<p>... wondered what the CEO of Blue Pearl Veterinary Services is going to do with $60 million of property in Ybor City.</p>
<p>... been dazzled by the singing and dancing of Pasco County’s Longleaf Elementary Freedom Review Show Choir.</p>
<p>... drove around downtown St. Petersburg or Tampa searching for a parking spot.</p>
<p>... been in the confessional at Coppertail Brewing’s hip location in Ybor City.</p>
<p>... imbibed under the succulents at O Cocina Mexican restaurant in South Tampa.</p>
<p>... Listened to totally amazing, and completely terrible karaoke at the Beer Shed.</p>
<p>... gotten mad about the Bucs losing in October and even madder about them winning in December.</p>
<p>... said, “Please don’t trade Evan Longor- ... dang.”</p>
<p>... seen students stand up for their teachers as they fight for a promised pay raise from the Hillsborough School District.</p>
<p>... marveled over the Burgert Brothers incredible photo collection.</p>
<p>... snorted about the region’s chances of landing Amazon’s coveted HQ2 headquarters.</p>
<p>... asked how Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandra Murman could oppose a transportation referendum but support one for a Confederate monument?</p>
<p>... realized former HART CEO Katharine Eagan was asked to put together a public transit system with a paper clip, a gum wrapper and two copper pennies. Maybe the next CEO will be named MacGyver.</p>
<p>... celebrated Diane Williams and her heart-warming “Jesus Cares” sign-waving effort in Tampa.</p>
<p>... reveled over the cool vibe in downtown Dunedin.</p>
<p>... seen a mayoral candidate lose his bid because he wouldn’t tell people how he feels about Donald Trump. Take note Tampa mayoral candidates.</p>
<p>... confessed to loving the Lightning even though you don’t love hockey.</p>
<p>... concluded the area’s roadways have turned you into a civil engineering expert, an urban planner and a master of defensive driving.</p>
<p>... been serenaded by drunken Christmas carolers from the Jolly Trolley on Indian Rocks Beach.</p>
<p>... worked up a sweat while decorating a palm tree with Christmas lights in 80-degree weather.</p>
<p>... attended Creative Loafing’s Best of the Bay awards celebration.</p>
<p>... watched chefs battle in the Epicurean Hotel’s kitchen theater.</p>
<p>... realized that if Tampa Bay’s politicians put a football team together, their favorite play would be taking a knee.</p>
<p>... kayaked through mangrove tunnels at Weedon Island.</p>
<p>... seen a school of mullet thrash the water’s surface as you promenade along Tampa’s Riverwalk.</p>
<p>... watched as a former orange grove or strawberry field gets turned into a mega-housing development</p>
<p>... wondered how that mega-housing development is going to impact your daily commute.</p>
<p>... joined in a celebration with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. for its outgoing national president Paulette C. Walker. That girl is on fire.</p>
<p>... been enthralled by the musical stylings of saxophonist Marlon Boone at a Delta Sigma Theta gathering, or a Jazz Tyme Production concert, or in the Raymond James Stadium club lounge.</p>
<p>... come to understand that I do this column every year because I absolutely love Tampa Bay.</p>
| false | 2 |
every year celebrate grandeur tampa bay mix suggested experiences witty observations obvious cuban sandwiches grouper delicacies sunsets beach given add suggestions traditional staples bay area living remember dont reside live havent lived tampa bay heard mayor tampa say bring head seen seminole heights community unite enduring threat serial killer seen legislator pasco county become one powerful people state without ever getting 10000 votes single election cmon richard corcoran better leader inhaled pizza burger thee burger spot n tampa martin luther king jr blvd see firefighters police restaurant know youve found hidden gem wondered people stop saying tampa bay body water folks name region one seagull steal ice cream right hands walking boardwalk johns pass kiteboarded sunshine skyway bridge saluted south tampas mottamphester deli 35 years business watched daring suitor mariachi band tow stroll mexican restaurant like miguelitos tampa propose girlfriend singing spanish beautiful spent much time bunker ybor city inquire bringing cot taken ride hillsborough river pirate water taxi witnessed sinkhole swallow entire land lakes neighborhood seen retired mermaids return legendary sirens weeki wachee springs state park rooted clearwaters downtown replicate success downtown districts region enjoyed blueberry goat cheese room 901 st petersburg note blueberry goat cheese subject availability saluted first responders job welldone hurricane irma duke energy looked around community wondered theres benefit area representatives top leadership tallahassee wondered ceo blue pearl veterinary services going 60 million property ybor city dazzled singing dancing pasco countys longleaf elementary freedom review show choir drove around downtown st petersburg tampa searching parking spot confessional coppertail brewings hip location ybor city imbibed succulents cocina mexican restaurant south tampa listened totally amazing completely terrible karaoke beer shed gotten mad bucs losing october even madder winning december said please dont trade evan longor dang seen students stand teachers fight promised pay raise hillsborough school district marveled burgert brothers incredible photo collection snorted regions chances landing amazons coveted hq2 headquarters asked hillsborough county commissioner sandra murman could oppose transportation referendum support one confederate monument realized former hart ceo katharine eagan asked put together public transit system paper clip gum wrapper two copper pennies maybe next ceo named macgyver celebrated diane williams heartwarming jesus cares signwaving effort tampa reveled cool vibe downtown dunedin seen mayoral candidate lose bid wouldnt tell people feels donald trump take note tampa mayoral candidates confessed loving lightning even though dont love hockey concluded areas roadways turned civil engineering expert urban planner master defensive driving serenaded drunken christmas carolers jolly trolley indian rocks beach worked sweat decorating palm tree christmas lights 80degree weather attended creative loafings best bay awards celebration watched chefs battle epicurean hotels kitchen theater realized tampa bays politicians put football team together favorite play would taking knee kayaked mangrove tunnels weedon island seen school mullet thrash waters surface promenade along tampas riverwalk watched former orange grove strawberry field gets turned megahousing development wondered megahousing development going impact daily commute joined celebration delta sigma theta sorority inc outgoing national president paulette c walker girl fire enthralled musical stylings saxophonist marlon boone delta sigma theta gathering jazz tyme production concert raymond james stadium club lounge come understand column every year absolutely love tampa bay every year celebrate grandeur tampa bay mix suggested experiences witty observations obvious cuban sandwiches grouper delicacies sunsets beach given add suggestions traditional staples bay area living remember dont reside live havent lived tampa bay heard mayor tampa say bring head seen seminole heights community unite enduring threat serial killer seen legislator pasco county become one powerful people state without ever getting 10000 votes single election cmon richard corcoran better leader inhaled pizza burger thee burger spot n tampa martin luther king jr blvd see firefighters police restaurant know youve found hidden gem wondered people stop saying tampa bay body water folks name region one seagull steal ice cream right hands walking boardwalk johns pass kiteboarded sunshine skyway bridge saluted south tampas mottamphester deli 35 years business watched daring suitor mariachi band tow stroll mexican restaurant like miguelitos tampa propose girlfriend singing spanish beautiful spent much time bunker ybor city inquire bringing cot taken ride hillsborough river pirate water taxi witnessed sinkhole swallow entire land lakes neighborhood seen retired mermaids return legendary sirens weeki wachee springs state park rooted clearwaters downtown replicate success downtown districts region enjoyed blueberry goat cheese room 901 st petersburg note blueberry goat cheese subject availability saluted first responders job welldone hurricane irma duke energy looked around community wondered theres benefit area representatives top leadership tallahassee wondered ceo blue pearl veterinary services going 60 million property ybor city dazzled singing dancing pasco countys longleaf elementary freedom review show choir drove around downtown st petersburg tampa searching parking spot confessional coppertail brewings hip location ybor city imbibed succulents cocina mexican restaurant south tampa listened totally amazing completely terrible karaoke beer shed gotten mad bucs losing october even madder winning december said please dont trade evan longor dang seen students stand teachers fight promised pay raise hillsborough school district marveled burgert brothers incredible photo collection snorted regions chances landing amazons coveted hq2 headquarters asked hillsborough county commissioner sandra murman could oppose transportation referendum support one confederate monument realized former hart ceo katharine eagan asked put together public transit system paper clip gum wrapper two copper pennies maybe next ceo named macgyver celebrated diane williams heartwarming jesus cares signwaving effort tampa reveled cool vibe downtown dunedin seen mayoral candidate lose bid wouldnt tell people feels donald trump take note tampa mayoral candidates confessed loving lightning even though dont love hockey concluded areas roadways turned civil engineering expert urban planner master defensive driving serenaded drunken christmas carolers jolly trolley indian rocks beach worked sweat decorating palm tree christmas lights 80degree weather attended creative loafings best bay awards celebration watched chefs battle epicurean hotels kitchen theater realized tampa bays politicians put football team together favorite play would taking knee kayaked mangrove tunnels weedon island seen school mullet thrash waters surface promenade along tampas riverwalk watched former orange grove strawberry field gets turned megahousing development wondered megahousing development going impact daily commute joined celebration delta sigma theta sorority inc outgoing national president paulette c walker girl fire enthralled musical stylings saxophonist marlon boone delta sigma theta gathering jazz tyme production concert raymond james stadium club lounge come understand column every year absolutely love tampa bay
| 1,044 |
<p>Henkel is relocating the headquarters of laundry detergent giant Sun Products to Stamford from Wilton, while bringing hundreds more jobs east from Arizona in a major win for Connecticut.</p>
<p>Henkel spent $3.6 billion in June to acquire Sun Products, which was created in 2008 via a private-equity-backed spinoff from Unilever operations in Trumbull. Henkel is based in Germany and has its North American headquarters in Rocky Hill where it had about 420 jobs according to the most recent records on file with the state of Connecticut.</p>
<p>With Sun already employing about 200 people in Wilton, Henkel will create an additional 266 jobs in Connecticut according to the office of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, giving the governor another significant economic development win after an announcement last month to keep the headquarters of Lockheed Martin subsidiary Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, the largest employer in Southwest Connecticut.</p>
<p>Henke’s consumer hoods headquarters has been located in Scottsdale, Ariz., but with the recent acquisition of Sun Products, the company has decided to combine those operations in Connecticut, with the status of its Sun workforce uncertain given the company’s Rocky Hill offices. Some 375 Arizona employees will be offered the option of relocating to Connecticut, according to the Phoenix Business Journal.</p>
<p>Stamford has several office buildings with available space to accommodate the number of people Henkel is bringing together in Stamford, including downtown offices formerly occupied by UBS and General Reinsurance, and the sprawling former headquarters of Pitney Bowes in the city’s South End.</p>
<p>With brands like All, Snuggle and Wisk, Sun Products is the second largest seller of laundry products in North America, with the market dominated by Procter &amp; Gamble. In the Henkel move from Arizona, Stamford will assume status as the head office for Dial soaps, one of many Henkel personal care and beauty products sold on store shelves coast to coast as well as a broad portfolio of adhesives, sealants, and surface treatments for consumer and industrial use.</p>
<p>“The decision to relocate is a result of our evolving business needs and we are thankful to Arizona and its leaders for many years of partnership and support in the community,” said Jens-Martin Schwaerzler, president of Henkel Consumer Goods North America, in a written statement. “We are looking forward to the future, building on our more than 20-year partnership with the leaders and communities of Connecticut.”</p>
<p>To fund the move, the company will participate in the state’s First Five Plus program, which is operated under the state Department of Economic and Community Development.</p>
<p>Under the program, the company will receive a 10-year, $20 million low-interest loan toward the relocation. It may also be eligible for up to $5 million in tax credits through the Urban and Industrial Sites Reinvestment Tax Credit program, which allows for a corporate tax credit of up to 100 percent of capital investment.</p>
<p>“When an international company of Henkel’s stature decides to relocate to our state, expand its operations, and create hundreds of new jobs, it sends a message to the rest of the world that Connecticut is serious about working with companies to grow, generate capital investment, and strengthen our economy for the residents of our state,” Malloy stated. “Henkel is a valued member of the business community - we are proud of their decision to relocate and expand in Connecticut and we welcome the company to our state.”</p>
<p>Henkel expects the relocation of its operations will start in the second quarter of 2017, with the process completed by the first quarter of 2018. It has yet to pick a specific site in Stamford.</p>
<p>“This is just another example of the positive business environment found here in the State of Connecticut and is reflective of Henkel’s confidence in Connecticut’s workforce talent,” Stamford Mayor David Martin said in a statement. “The City of Stamford has taken steps over the last few years to create a business climate that attracts companies like Henkel. I look forward working with them as a corporate citizen for years to come.”</p>
<p>[email protected]; 203-354-1047; www.twitter.com/casoulman</p>
<p>Henkel is relocating the headquarters of laundry detergent giant Sun Products to Stamford from Wilton, while bringing hundreds more jobs east from Arizona in a major win for Connecticut.</p>
<p>Henkel spent $3.6 billion in June to acquire Sun Products, which was created in 2008 via a private-equity-backed spinoff from Unilever operations in Trumbull. Henkel is based in Germany and has its North American headquarters in Rocky Hill where it had about 420 jobs according to the most recent records on file with the state of Connecticut.</p>
<p>With Sun already employing about 200 people in Wilton, Henkel will create an additional 266 jobs in Connecticut according to the office of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, giving the governor another significant economic development win after an announcement last month to keep the headquarters of Lockheed Martin subsidiary Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, the largest employer in Southwest Connecticut.</p>
<p>Henke’s consumer hoods headquarters has been located in Scottsdale, Ariz., but with the recent acquisition of Sun Products, the company has decided to combine those operations in Connecticut, with the status of its Sun workforce uncertain given the company’s Rocky Hill offices. Some 375 Arizona employees will be offered the option of relocating to Connecticut, according to the Phoenix Business Journal.</p>
<p>Stamford has several office buildings with available space to accommodate the number of people Henkel is bringing together in Stamford, including downtown offices formerly occupied by UBS and General Reinsurance, and the sprawling former headquarters of Pitney Bowes in the city’s South End.</p>
<p>With brands like All, Snuggle and Wisk, Sun Products is the second largest seller of laundry products in North America, with the market dominated by Procter &amp; Gamble. In the Henkel move from Arizona, Stamford will assume status as the head office for Dial soaps, one of many Henkel personal care and beauty products sold on store shelves coast to coast as well as a broad portfolio of adhesives, sealants, and surface treatments for consumer and industrial use.</p>
<p>“The decision to relocate is a result of our evolving business needs and we are thankful to Arizona and its leaders for many years of partnership and support in the community,” said Jens-Martin Schwaerzler, president of Henkel Consumer Goods North America, in a written statement. “We are looking forward to the future, building on our more than 20-year partnership with the leaders and communities of Connecticut.”</p>
<p>To fund the move, the company will participate in the state’s First Five Plus program, which is operated under the state Department of Economic and Community Development.</p>
<p>Under the program, the company will receive a 10-year, $20 million low-interest loan toward the relocation. It may also be eligible for up to $5 million in tax credits through the Urban and Industrial Sites Reinvestment Tax Credit program, which allows for a corporate tax credit of up to 100 percent of capital investment.</p>
<p>“When an international company of Henkel’s stature decides to relocate to our state, expand its operations, and create hundreds of new jobs, it sends a message to the rest of the world that Connecticut is serious about working with companies to grow, generate capital investment, and strengthen our economy for the residents of our state,” Malloy stated. “Henkel is a valued member of the business community - we are proud of their decision to relocate and expand in Connecticut and we welcome the company to our state.”</p>
<p>Henkel expects the relocation of its operations will start in the second quarter of 2017, with the process completed by the first quarter of 2018. It has yet to pick a specific site in Stamford.</p>
<p>“This is just another example of the positive business environment found here in the State of Connecticut and is reflective of Henkel’s confidence in Connecticut’s workforce talent,” Stamford Mayor David Martin said in a statement. “The City of Stamford has taken steps over the last few years to create a business climate that attracts companies like Henkel. I look forward working with them as a corporate citizen for years to come.”</p>
<p>[email protected]; 203-354-1047; www.twitter.com/casoulman</p>
| false | 2 |
henkel relocating headquarters laundry detergent giant sun products stamford wilton bringing hundreds jobs east arizona major win connecticut henkel spent 36 billion june acquire sun products created 2008 via privateequitybacked spinoff unilever operations trumbull henkel based germany north american headquarters rocky hill 420 jobs according recent records file state connecticut sun already employing 200 people wilton henkel create additional 266 jobs connecticut according office gov dannel p malloy giving governor another significant economic development win announcement last month keep headquarters lockheed martin subsidiary sikorsky aircraft stratford largest employer southwest connecticut henkes consumer hoods headquarters located scottsdale ariz recent acquisition sun products company decided combine operations connecticut status sun workforce uncertain given companys rocky hill offices 375 arizona employees offered option relocating connecticut according phoenix business journal stamford several office buildings available space accommodate number people henkel bringing together stamford including downtown offices formerly occupied ubs general reinsurance sprawling former headquarters pitney bowes citys south end brands like snuggle wisk sun products second largest seller laundry products north america market dominated procter amp gamble henkel move arizona stamford assume status head office dial soaps one many henkel personal care beauty products sold store shelves coast coast well broad portfolio adhesives sealants surface treatments consumer industrial use decision relocate result evolving business needs thankful arizona leaders many years partnership support community said jensmartin schwaerzler president henkel consumer goods north america written statement looking forward future building 20year partnership leaders communities connecticut fund move company participate states first five plus program operated state department economic community development program company receive 10year 20 million lowinterest loan toward relocation may also eligible 5 million tax credits urban industrial sites reinvestment tax credit program allows corporate tax credit 100 percent capital investment international company henkels stature decides relocate state expand operations create hundreds new jobs sends message rest world connecticut serious working companies grow generate capital investment strengthen economy residents state malloy stated henkel valued member business community proud decision relocate expand connecticut welcome company state henkel expects relocation operations start second quarter 2017 process completed first quarter 2018 yet pick specific site stamford another example positive business environment found state connecticut reflective henkels confidence connecticuts workforce talent stamford mayor david martin said statement city stamford taken steps last years create business climate attracts companies like henkel look forward working corporate citizen years come alexsoulescnicom 2033541047 wwwtwittercomcasoulman henkel relocating headquarters laundry detergent giant sun products stamford wilton bringing hundreds jobs east arizona major win connecticut henkel spent 36 billion june acquire sun products created 2008 via privateequitybacked spinoff unilever operations trumbull henkel based germany north american headquarters rocky hill 420 jobs according recent records file state connecticut sun already employing 200 people wilton henkel create additional 266 jobs connecticut according office gov dannel p malloy giving governor another significant economic development win announcement last month keep headquarters lockheed martin subsidiary sikorsky aircraft stratford largest employer southwest connecticut henkes consumer hoods headquarters located scottsdale ariz recent acquisition sun products company decided combine operations connecticut status sun workforce uncertain given companys rocky hill offices 375 arizona employees offered option relocating connecticut according phoenix business journal stamford several office buildings available space accommodate number people henkel bringing together stamford including downtown offices formerly occupied ubs general reinsurance sprawling former headquarters pitney bowes citys south end brands like snuggle wisk sun products second largest seller laundry products north america market dominated procter amp gamble henkel move arizona stamford assume status head office dial soaps one many henkel personal care beauty products sold store shelves coast coast well broad portfolio adhesives sealants surface treatments consumer industrial use decision relocate result evolving business needs thankful arizona leaders many years partnership support community said jensmartin schwaerzler president henkel consumer goods north america written statement looking forward future building 20year partnership leaders communities connecticut fund move company participate states first five plus program operated state department economic community development program company receive 10year 20 million lowinterest loan toward relocation may also eligible 5 million tax credits urban industrial sites reinvestment tax credit program allows corporate tax credit 100 percent capital investment international company henkels stature decides relocate state expand operations create hundreds new jobs sends message rest world connecticut serious working companies grow generate capital investment strengthen economy residents state malloy stated henkel valued member business community proud decision relocate expand connecticut welcome company state henkel expects relocation operations start second quarter 2017 process completed first quarter 2018 yet pick specific site stamford another example positive business environment found state connecticut reflective henkels confidence connecticuts workforce talent stamford mayor david martin said statement city stamford taken steps last years create business climate attracts companies like henkel look forward working corporate citizen years come alexsoulescnicom 2033541047 wwwtwittercomcasoulman
| 782 |
<p>What president?</p>
<p>A year after politics — and the newly elected occupant of the White House — dominated the conversation and tone of the Golden Globes, there was barely a mention of such things at Sunday’s ceremony. This year, it was all gender politics, and of course the #MeToo movement that has engulfed Hollywood and spread into the culture at large with astonishing speed. From the sea of glittering black gowns worn in solidarity on the usually multi-colored red carpet, to sly references to unequal pay and recognition for women, to Frances McDormand’s salute to “a tectonic shift” in the Hollywood power structure, it was a night for reckoning — crowned by Oprah Winfrey’s barn-raiser of a speech proclaiming “Their time is UP!”</p>
<p>Some key moments:</p>
<p>Meryl Streep, left, and Ai-jen Poo (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)</p>
<p>SERIOUS CARPET TALK:</p>
<p>Usually, red carpet interviews focus on the provenance of designer gowns and jewelry. This year, there was talk of working conditions for farmers and janitors, and demands for equal pay across society. Several actresses, including Meryl Streep, Michelle Williams and Emma Watson, <a href="" type="internal">brought social activists with them</a> , to focus on real-life solutions to gritty problems far from Hollywood. “We feel emboldened in this particular moment,” Streep said, “to stand together in a thick black line dividing then from now.”</p>
<p>Speaking backstage at the Golden Globe Awards, Oprah Winfrey says the ‘Time’s Up’ movement isn’t just for the privileged, it’s for every “culture, race, religion, politic or workplace.” (Jan. 8)</p>
<p>LAURA DERN’S NORTH STAR:</p>
<p>(Paul Drinkwater/NBC via AP)</p>
<p>It was a night of unusually powerful speeches, whether long or short, that touched eloquently on the #MeToo moment. One came from Laura Dern, who won supporting actress for “Big Little Lies,” a TV series that, aptly, depicts not only sexual abuse, but a group of women who only fully discover their power when they unite. Using her character to describe a past culture in which people were afraid to speak out, Dern urged Hollywood to support and employ survivors brave enough to come forward. And she went further: “May we teach our children,” she said, “that speaking out without the fear of retribution is our culture’s new North Star.”</p>
<p>A SLY NOD TO A GLARING OMISSION:</p>
<p>One of the most glaring snubs in this year’s movie nominations came in the best director category, where Greta Gerwig was passed over for her much-loved “Lady Bird.” Natalie Portman, presenting the director prize, was not about to let that go unnoticed. “And here are the all MALE nominees,” she quipped, to knowing laughter. (Guillermo del Toro won for “The Shape of Water.“) Barbra Streisand also took a jab at the Globes, noting that she’d been the only woman to have won best director — in 1984. “That was 34 years ago, folks. Time’s up!” she said.</p>
<p>A ‘TECTONIC’ SHIFT:</p>
<p>A big winner was “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” in which Frances McDormand plays a mother taunting police to solve the rape and murder of her daughter. Winning for <a href="" type="internal">best actress</a> , McDormand noted to the crowd that “I keep my politics private. But it was really great to be in this room and to be part of a tectonic shift in our industry power structure.” And she added: “Trust me: The women in this room tonight are not here for the food. We’re here for the work.”</p>
<p>OPRAH RULES THE ROOM:</p>
<p>But with all the eloquent speeches, none roused the room like Winfrey’s, who had the crowd giving her repeated ovations as she issued a warning — not once, but three times — to powerful men who abuse women: “ <a href="" type="internal">Their time is up!</a> ” She ended her barn-storming speech, in which she accepted the Cecil B. DeMille lifetime achievement award, with a call to young girls. “I want all the girls watching here and now to know that a new day is on the horizon!” she said. “And when that new day finally dawns, it will be because of a lot of magnificent women ... and some pretty phenomenal men, fighting hard to make sure that they become the leaders who take us to the time when nobody ever has to say, ‘Me too,’ again.” Director Ava DuVernay later wrote on Twitter that the room was “still vibrating like electricity from that speech.”</p>
<p>STERLING K. BROWN MAKES HISTORY:</p>
<p>(Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)</p>
<p>While most of the talk was about progress in the sphere of gender, actor Sterling K. Brown of TV’s “This Is Us” addressed progress of a different kind: he was the first black actor to win the Globe for best actor in a TV drama. He thanked the show’s creator, Dan Fogelman, for writing a role “for a black man that can only be played by a black man.” What he was grateful for, Brown said, is that “I’m being seen for who I am and being appreciated for who I am, and it makes it that much more difficult to dismiss me or dismiss anybody who looks like me.”</p>
<p>CALLING OUT A NETWORK, ON EQUAL PAY:</p>
<p>There’s been much talk about equal pay lately, but Debra Messing and Eva Longoria got very specific, calling out E! Entertainment Television on the issue while doing interviews with them on the red carpet.</p>
<p>Messing referenced the recent departure from E! of host Catt Sadler, who has said she was making about half the pay of her male counterpart, Jason Kennedy.</p>
<p>“I was so shocked to hear that E! doesn’t believe in paying their female co-hosts the same as their male co-hosts,” she said. “I miss Catt Sadler.”</p>
<p>Longoria also made the point, to Ryan Seacrest. “We support gender equity and equal pay and we hope that E! follows that lead with Catt as well,” she said.</p>
<p>THELMA AND LOUISE RETURN:</p>
<p>On an evening recognizing women in Hollywood, it was certainly apt to have Thelma and Louise, aka Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon, present an award. Davis — who is a longtime advocate for gender equality in film — joked cynically that the two had already “fixed everything.” She also noted that the men in the category they were presenting had agreed to give half their salary back “so the women can make more than them.”</p>
<p>She was joking there, too.</p>
<p>CUT-OFF SPEECH AND FAST-FOOD RUN</p>
<p>Guillermo del Toro, who won best director at the Golden Globes, had to hush the orchestra after they began playing shortly after he started his acceptance speech.</p>
<p>He told them to “lower the music ... it’s taken 25 years. Give me a minute!”</p>
<p>He won for the Cold War-era fantasy “The Shape of Water.” The film stars Sally Hawkins as a mute cleaning lady who falls in love with an amphibious creature kept confined in a government lab.</p>
<p>The emotional Mexican-born filmmaker’s acceptance speech was an ode to his love affair with monsters.</p>
<p>He thanked the film’s cast, before continuing: “My monsters thank you.”</p>
<p>Del Toro later <a href="https://twitter.com/RealGDT" type="external">tweeted</a> a photo of an In-N-Out drive-thru menu board with the caption “After the globes celebration.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>For full coverage of awards season, visit: <a href="" type="internal" /> <a href="" type="internal">https://apnews.com/tag/AwardsSeason</a></p>
<p>What president?</p>
<p>A year after politics — and the newly elected occupant of the White House — dominated the conversation and tone of the Golden Globes, there was barely a mention of such things at Sunday’s ceremony. This year, it was all gender politics, and of course the #MeToo movement that has engulfed Hollywood and spread into the culture at large with astonishing speed. From the sea of glittering black gowns worn in solidarity on the usually multi-colored red carpet, to sly references to unequal pay and recognition for women, to Frances McDormand’s salute to “a tectonic shift” in the Hollywood power structure, it was a night for reckoning — crowned by Oprah Winfrey’s barn-raiser of a speech proclaiming “Their time is UP!”</p>
<p>Some key moments:</p>
<p>Meryl Streep, left, and Ai-jen Poo (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)</p>
<p>SERIOUS CARPET TALK:</p>
<p>Usually, red carpet interviews focus on the provenance of designer gowns and jewelry. This year, there was talk of working conditions for farmers and janitors, and demands for equal pay across society. Several actresses, including Meryl Streep, Michelle Williams and Emma Watson, <a href="" type="internal">brought social activists with them</a> , to focus on real-life solutions to gritty problems far from Hollywood. “We feel emboldened in this particular moment,” Streep said, “to stand together in a thick black line dividing then from now.”</p>
<p>Speaking backstage at the Golden Globe Awards, Oprah Winfrey says the ‘Time’s Up’ movement isn’t just for the privileged, it’s for every “culture, race, religion, politic or workplace.” (Jan. 8)</p>
<p>LAURA DERN’S NORTH STAR:</p>
<p>(Paul Drinkwater/NBC via AP)</p>
<p>It was a night of unusually powerful speeches, whether long or short, that touched eloquently on the #MeToo moment. One came from Laura Dern, who won supporting actress for “Big Little Lies,” a TV series that, aptly, depicts not only sexual abuse, but a group of women who only fully discover their power when they unite. Using her character to describe a past culture in which people were afraid to speak out, Dern urged Hollywood to support and employ survivors brave enough to come forward. And she went further: “May we teach our children,” she said, “that speaking out without the fear of retribution is our culture’s new North Star.”</p>
<p>A SLY NOD TO A GLARING OMISSION:</p>
<p>One of the most glaring snubs in this year’s movie nominations came in the best director category, where Greta Gerwig was passed over for her much-loved “Lady Bird.” Natalie Portman, presenting the director prize, was not about to let that go unnoticed. “And here are the all MALE nominees,” she quipped, to knowing laughter. (Guillermo del Toro won for “The Shape of Water.“) Barbra Streisand also took a jab at the Globes, noting that she’d been the only woman to have won best director — in 1984. “That was 34 years ago, folks. Time’s up!” she said.</p>
<p>A ‘TECTONIC’ SHIFT:</p>
<p>A big winner was “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” in which Frances McDormand plays a mother taunting police to solve the rape and murder of her daughter. Winning for <a href="" type="internal">best actress</a> , McDormand noted to the crowd that “I keep my politics private. But it was really great to be in this room and to be part of a tectonic shift in our industry power structure.” And she added: “Trust me: The women in this room tonight are not here for the food. We’re here for the work.”</p>
<p>OPRAH RULES THE ROOM:</p>
<p>But with all the eloquent speeches, none roused the room like Winfrey’s, who had the crowd giving her repeated ovations as she issued a warning — not once, but three times — to powerful men who abuse women: “ <a href="" type="internal">Their time is up!</a> ” She ended her barn-storming speech, in which she accepted the Cecil B. DeMille lifetime achievement award, with a call to young girls. “I want all the girls watching here and now to know that a new day is on the horizon!” she said. “And when that new day finally dawns, it will be because of a lot of magnificent women ... and some pretty phenomenal men, fighting hard to make sure that they become the leaders who take us to the time when nobody ever has to say, ‘Me too,’ again.” Director Ava DuVernay later wrote on Twitter that the room was “still vibrating like electricity from that speech.”</p>
<p>STERLING K. BROWN MAKES HISTORY:</p>
<p>(Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)</p>
<p>While most of the talk was about progress in the sphere of gender, actor Sterling K. Brown of TV’s “This Is Us” addressed progress of a different kind: he was the first black actor to win the Globe for best actor in a TV drama. He thanked the show’s creator, Dan Fogelman, for writing a role “for a black man that can only be played by a black man.” What he was grateful for, Brown said, is that “I’m being seen for who I am and being appreciated for who I am, and it makes it that much more difficult to dismiss me or dismiss anybody who looks like me.”</p>
<p>CALLING OUT A NETWORK, ON EQUAL PAY:</p>
<p>There’s been much talk about equal pay lately, but Debra Messing and Eva Longoria got very specific, calling out E! Entertainment Television on the issue while doing interviews with them on the red carpet.</p>
<p>Messing referenced the recent departure from E! of host Catt Sadler, who has said she was making about half the pay of her male counterpart, Jason Kennedy.</p>
<p>“I was so shocked to hear that E! doesn’t believe in paying their female co-hosts the same as their male co-hosts,” she said. “I miss Catt Sadler.”</p>
<p>Longoria also made the point, to Ryan Seacrest. “We support gender equity and equal pay and we hope that E! follows that lead with Catt as well,” she said.</p>
<p>THELMA AND LOUISE RETURN:</p>
<p>On an evening recognizing women in Hollywood, it was certainly apt to have Thelma and Louise, aka Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon, present an award. Davis — who is a longtime advocate for gender equality in film — joked cynically that the two had already “fixed everything.” She also noted that the men in the category they were presenting had agreed to give half their salary back “so the women can make more than them.”</p>
<p>She was joking there, too.</p>
<p>CUT-OFF SPEECH AND FAST-FOOD RUN</p>
<p>Guillermo del Toro, who won best director at the Golden Globes, had to hush the orchestra after they began playing shortly after he started his acceptance speech.</p>
<p>He told them to “lower the music ... it’s taken 25 years. Give me a minute!”</p>
<p>He won for the Cold War-era fantasy “The Shape of Water.” The film stars Sally Hawkins as a mute cleaning lady who falls in love with an amphibious creature kept confined in a government lab.</p>
<p>The emotional Mexican-born filmmaker’s acceptance speech was an ode to his love affair with monsters.</p>
<p>He thanked the film’s cast, before continuing: “My monsters thank you.”</p>
<p>Del Toro later <a href="https://twitter.com/RealGDT" type="external">tweeted</a> a photo of an In-N-Out drive-thru menu board with the caption “After the globes celebration.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>For full coverage of awards season, visit: <a href="" type="internal" /> <a href="" type="internal">https://apnews.com/tag/AwardsSeason</a></p>
| false | 2 |
president year politics newly elected occupant white house dominated conversation tone golden globes barely mention things sundays ceremony year gender politics course metoo movement engulfed hollywood spread culture large astonishing speed sea glittering black gowns worn solidarity usually multicolored red carpet sly references unequal pay recognition women frances mcdormands salute tectonic shift hollywood power structure night reckoning crowned oprah winfreys barnraiser speech proclaiming time key moments meryl streep left aijen poo photo jordan straussinvisionap serious carpet talk usually red carpet interviews focus provenance designer gowns jewelry year talk working conditions farmers janitors demands equal pay across society several actresses including meryl streep michelle williams emma watson brought social activists focus reallife solutions gritty problems far hollywood feel emboldened particular moment streep said stand together thick black line dividing speaking backstage golden globe awards oprah winfrey says times movement isnt privileged every culture race religion politic workplace jan 8 laura derns north star paul drinkwaternbc via ap night unusually powerful speeches whether long short touched eloquently metoo moment one came laura dern supporting actress big little lies tv series aptly depicts sexual abuse group women fully discover power unite using character describe past culture people afraid speak dern urged hollywood support employ survivors brave enough come forward went may teach children said speaking without fear retribution cultures new north star sly nod glaring omission one glaring snubs years movie nominations came best director category greta gerwig passed muchloved lady bird natalie portman presenting director prize let go unnoticed male nominees quipped knowing laughter guillermo del toro shape water barbra streisand also took jab globes noting shed woman best director 1984 34 years ago folks times said tectonic shift big winner three billboards outside ebbing missouri frances mcdormand plays mother taunting police solve rape murder daughter winning best actress mcdormand noted crowd keep politics private really great room part tectonic shift industry power structure added trust women room tonight food work oprah rules room eloquent speeches none roused room like winfreys crowd giving repeated ovations issued warning three times powerful men abuse women time ended barnstorming speech accepted cecil b demille lifetime achievement award call young girls want girls watching know new day horizon said new day finally dawns lot magnificent women pretty phenomenal men fighting hard make sure become leaders take us time nobody ever say director ava duvernay later wrote twitter room still vibrating like electricity speech sterling k brown makes history photo jordan straussinvisionap talk progress sphere gender actor sterling k brown tvs us addressed progress different kind first black actor win globe best actor tv drama thanked shows creator dan fogelman writing role black man played black man grateful brown said im seen appreciated makes much difficult dismiss dismiss anybody looks like calling network equal pay theres much talk equal pay lately debra messing eva longoria got specific calling e entertainment television issue interviews red carpet messing referenced recent departure e host catt sadler said making half pay male counterpart jason kennedy shocked hear e doesnt believe paying female cohosts male cohosts said miss catt sadler longoria also made point ryan seacrest support gender equity equal pay hope e follows lead catt well said thelma louise return evening recognizing women hollywood certainly apt thelma louise aka geena davis susan sarandon present award davis longtime advocate gender equality film joked cynically two already fixed everything also noted men category presenting agreed give half salary back women make joking cutoff speech fastfood run guillermo del toro best director golden globes hush orchestra began playing shortly started acceptance speech told lower music taken 25 years give minute cold warera fantasy shape water film stars sally hawkins mute cleaning lady falls love amphibious creature kept confined government lab emotional mexicanborn filmmakers acceptance speech ode love affair monsters thanked films cast continuing monsters thank del toro later tweeted photo innout drivethru menu board caption globes celebration ___ full coverage awards season visit httpsapnewscomtagawardsseason president year politics newly elected occupant white house dominated conversation tone golden globes barely mention things sundays ceremony year gender politics course metoo movement engulfed hollywood spread culture large astonishing speed sea glittering black gowns worn solidarity usually multicolored red carpet sly references unequal pay recognition women frances mcdormands salute tectonic shift hollywood power structure night reckoning crowned oprah winfreys barnraiser speech proclaiming time key moments meryl streep left aijen poo photo jordan straussinvisionap serious carpet talk usually red carpet interviews focus provenance designer gowns jewelry year talk working conditions farmers janitors demands equal pay across society several actresses including meryl streep michelle williams emma watson brought social activists focus reallife solutions gritty problems far hollywood feel emboldened particular moment streep said stand together thick black line dividing speaking backstage golden globe awards oprah winfrey says times movement isnt privileged every culture race religion politic workplace jan 8 laura derns north star paul drinkwaternbc via ap night unusually powerful speeches whether long short touched eloquently metoo moment one came laura dern supporting actress big little lies tv series aptly depicts sexual abuse group women fully discover power unite using character describe past culture people afraid speak dern urged hollywood support employ survivors brave enough come forward went may teach children said speaking without fear retribution cultures new north star sly nod glaring omission one glaring snubs years movie nominations came best director category greta gerwig passed muchloved lady bird natalie portman presenting director prize let go unnoticed male nominees quipped knowing laughter guillermo del toro shape water barbra streisand also took jab globes noting shed woman best director 1984 34 years ago folks times said tectonic shift big winner three billboards outside ebbing missouri frances mcdormand plays mother taunting police solve rape murder daughter winning best actress mcdormand noted crowd keep politics private really great room part tectonic shift industry power structure added trust women room tonight food work oprah rules room eloquent speeches none roused room like winfreys crowd giving repeated ovations issued warning three times powerful men abuse women time ended barnstorming speech accepted cecil b demille lifetime achievement award call young girls want girls watching know new day horizon said new day finally dawns lot magnificent women pretty phenomenal men fighting hard make sure become leaders take us time nobody ever say director ava duvernay later wrote twitter room still vibrating like electricity speech sterling k brown makes history photo jordan straussinvisionap talk progress sphere gender actor sterling k brown tvs us addressed progress different kind first black actor win globe best actor tv drama thanked shows creator dan fogelman writing role black man played black man grateful brown said im seen appreciated makes much difficult dismiss dismiss anybody looks like calling network equal pay theres much talk equal pay lately debra messing eva longoria got specific calling e entertainment television issue interviews red carpet messing referenced recent departure e host catt sadler said making half pay male counterpart jason kennedy shocked hear e doesnt believe paying female cohosts male cohosts said miss catt sadler longoria also made point ryan seacrest support gender equity equal pay hope e follows lead catt well said thelma louise return evening recognizing women hollywood certainly apt thelma louise aka geena davis susan sarandon present award davis longtime advocate gender equality film joked cynically two already fixed everything also noted men category presenting agreed give half salary back women make joking cutoff speech fastfood run guillermo del toro best director golden globes hush orchestra began playing shortly started acceptance speech told lower music taken 25 years give minute cold warera fantasy shape water film stars sally hawkins mute cleaning lady falls love amphibious creature kept confined government lab emotional mexicanborn filmmakers acceptance speech ode love affair monsters thanked films cast continuing monsters thank del toro later tweeted photo innout drivethru menu board caption globes celebration ___ full coverage awards season visit httpsapnewscomtagawardsseason
| 1,300 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p />
<p>But unlike the rest of the teen’s female competitors, Beggs, 17, is a boy.</p>
<p>For more than a year, the teen, who was born a girl, has been transitioning from female to male with the help of testosterone therapy.</p>
<p>Beggs’ participation — and dominance — in the girls’ league has spurred consternation among some in the Dallas region, including a lawsuit filed by an unhappy parent, who argued that if Beggs identifies as a boy he should have to wrestle other boys.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>And Beggs would, his family told the Dallas Morning News, if he could, but the rules won’t allow it.</p>
<p>That’s because last year, some 95 percent of Texas superintendents voted in favor of an amendment to the constitution of the University Interscholastic League, the state’s governing body for public school athletics, that requires student athletes to compete as the gender listed on their birth certificate, the Dallas Morning News reported at the time.</p>
<p>When the referendum ballot was approved (586-32, with 2 non-responses), critics called it “horrible policy” that would discriminate against transgender athletes who were unable to afford the complicated maneuvering that goes into legally changing one’s birth certificate through the state.</p>
<p>Now, as word of Beggs’ case has gained increased publicity, experts say the policy’s likely intention — to keep transgender female athletes transitioning from male to female from having a hormonal leg up on competitors — is backfiring.</p>
<p>Some of Beggs’ female competitors forfeited their matches in the regional meet, reported the Associated Press, out of apparent fear of injury because the 17-year-old is taking testosterone that could create a physical disadvantage.</p>
<p>That was the main argument laid out in a lawsuit filed in early February against the UIL by Jim Baudhuin, a local attorney and wrestling parent at a competing high school who sought to have Beggs barred from competing against girls at the state tournament and against other boys as long as he is taking testosterone, reported the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.</p>
<p>But Texas Education Code and UIL rules allow the use of steroids if “dispensed, prescribed, delivered and administered by a medical practitioner for a valid medical purpose,” the AP reported. Nancy Beggs, the teen’s grandmother and legal guardian, has said that the UIL reviewed Mack Beggs’ medical records and approved him for competition prior to the last two seasons.</p>
<p>After two wrestlers forfeited their matches at the regional competition last weekend, Nancy Beggs’ told the Morning News those actions were about “bias, hatred and ignorance,” and that her grandson and at least one of the other wrestlers “know each other and they are not happy about this.”</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Beggs wrestles in the 110 lb class, where his record is 52-0.</p>
<p>It was the parents and coaches, Mack Beggs’ wrote on social media, that were making waves, not the kids.</p>
<p>“The thing is, we want to wrestle each other. I feel so sick and disgusted by the discrimination not by the kids, the PARENTS AND COACHES,” the teen wrote on Facebook. “These kids don’t care who you put in front of them to wrestle. We just want to WRESTLE. THEY are taking that away from me and from the people I’m competing with.”</p>
<p>Since then, Baudhuin (whose daughter is friends with Beggs, wrestles in a different weight class and disapproved of his lawsuit) has altered his position on the conflict.</p>
<p>He told the AP that he is amending his lawsuit to ask the UIL to make its gender policies mirror that of the NCAA, which allows athletes transitioning from female to male and taking testosterone to compete on men’s teams but not women’s teams.</p>
<p>“Mack is a great kid, hard-working, great kid,” Baudhuin told the AP. “So this is not a personal. This is not a hatred issue. We just don’t think it’s fair that Mack should wrestle, either be allowed or should be required to wrestle against girls.”</p>
<p>Baudhuin will not seek a last-minute injunction before the state tournament, he told the AP, but plans to pursue the altered lawsuit once the wrestling season is over, not just in light of Beggs’s case, but because he sees the potential for others to crop up.</p>
<p>“What if next year it’s a swimmer and the year after that it’s somebody who’s running track or somebody playing basketball or whatever?” he told the AP. “This isn’t the one and only time that there’s going to be a transgender athlete involved.”</p>
<p>According to TransAthlete, an advocacy organization for transgender athletes, Texas is one of seven states that it considers to have “discriminatory” policies for trans student athletes by requiring a birth certificate, hormone therapy documentation or proof of gender-reassignment surgery. Other state policies operate on a case-by-case basis or have no limitations, including Florida and California.</p>
<p>Beggs’s story hit the national stage the same week President Donald Trump decided to roll back Obama-era directives protecting transgender students in public schools, outraging LGBTQ advocates.</p>
<p>Joanna Harper, an adviser to the International Olympic Committee, transgender elite runner and medical physicist in Oregon, told the Star-Telegram that she suspects the UIL’s rule is having the “exact opposite effect of what they had desired.”</p>
<p>“Dealing with transgender adolescent athletes is probably the most difficult time frame to make a ruling. In the NCAA, there would be no question that Mack would be required to compete against men, but that’s not an option for him because of the UIL rule,” Harper told the Star-Telegram. “I think the UIL rule is misguided, shortsighted and I actually find a wonderful irony in it.”</p>
<p>The UIL released a statement to the Star-Telegram about the controversy, described by the newspaper as “generic”:</p>
<p>“To compete at this year’s wrestling state tournament all students are subject to UIL rules and state law. This helps ensure a fair competition to the more than 400 students participating. We will continue to work with member schools to best meet the needs of all students.”</p>
| false | 2 |
unlike rest teens female competitors beggs 17 boy year teen born girl transitioning female male help testosterone therapy beggs participation dominance girls league spurred consternation among dallas region including lawsuit filed unhappy parent argued beggs identifies boy wrestle boys advertisement beggs would family told dallas morning news could rules wont allow thats last year 95 percent texas superintendents voted favor amendment constitution university interscholastic league states governing body public school athletics requires student athletes compete gender listed birth certificate dallas morning news reported time referendum ballot approved 58632 2 nonresponses critics called horrible policy would discriminate transgender athletes unable afford complicated maneuvering goes legally changing ones birth certificate state word beggs case gained increased publicity experts say policys likely intention keep transgender female athletes transitioning male female hormonal leg competitors backfiring beggs female competitors forfeited matches regional meet reported associated press apparent fear injury 17yearold taking testosterone could create physical disadvantage main argument laid lawsuit filed early february uil jim baudhuin local attorney wrestling parent competing high school sought beggs barred competing girls state tournament boys long taking testosterone reported fort worth startelegram texas education code uil rules allow use steroids dispensed prescribed delivered administered medical practitioner valid medical purpose ap reported nancy beggs teens grandmother legal guardian said uil reviewed mack beggs medical records approved competition prior last two seasons two wrestlers forfeited matches regional competition last weekend nancy beggs told morning news actions bias hatred ignorance grandson least one wrestlers know happy advertisement beggs wrestles 110 lb class record 520 parents coaches mack beggs wrote social media making waves kids thing want wrestle feel sick disgusted discrimination kids parents coaches teen wrote facebook kids dont care put front wrestle want wrestle taking away people im competing since baudhuin whose daughter friends beggs wrestles different weight class disapproved lawsuit altered position conflict told ap amending lawsuit ask uil make gender policies mirror ncaa allows athletes transitioning female male taking testosterone compete mens teams womens teams mack great kid hardworking great kid baudhuin told ap personal hatred issue dont think fair mack wrestle either allowed required wrestle girls baudhuin seek lastminute injunction state tournament told ap plans pursue altered lawsuit wrestling season light beggss case sees potential others crop next year swimmer year somebody whos running track somebody playing basketball whatever told ap isnt one time theres going transgender athlete involved according transathlete advocacy organization transgender athletes texas one seven states considers discriminatory policies trans student athletes requiring birth certificate hormone therapy documentation proof genderreassignment surgery state policies operate casebycase basis limitations including florida california beggss story hit national stage week president donald trump decided roll back obamaera directives protecting transgender students public schools outraging lgbtq advocates joanna harper adviser international olympic committee transgender elite runner medical physicist oregon told startelegram suspects uils rule exact opposite effect desired dealing transgender adolescent athletes probably difficult time frame make ruling ncaa would question mack would required compete men thats option uil rule harper told startelegram think uil rule misguided shortsighted actually find wonderful irony uil released statement startelegram controversy described newspaper generic compete years wrestling state tournament students subject uil rules state law helps ensure fair competition 400 students participating continue work member schools best meet needs students
| 536 |
<p>Democrats Now Have the Advantage in</p>
<p>The balance of party identification in the American electorate now favors the Democratic Party by a decidedly larger margin than in either of the two previous presidential election cycles.</p>
<p>In 5,566 interviews with registered voters conducted by the Pew Research Center for the People &amp; the Press during the first two months of 2008, 36% identify themselves as Democrats, and just 27% as Republicans.</p>
<p>The share of voters who call themselves Republicans has declined by six points since 2004, and represents, on an annualized basis, the lowest percentage of self-identified Republican voters in 16 years of polling by the Center.</p>
<p>The Democratic Party has also built a substantial edge among independent voters. Of the 37% who claim no party identification, 15% lean Democratic, 10% lean Republican, and 12% have no leaning either way.</p>
<p>By comparison, in 2004 about equal numbers of independents leaned toward both parties. When “leaners” are combined with partisans, however, the Democratic Party now holds a 14-point advantage among voters nationwide (51% Dem/lean-Dem to 37% Rep/lean-Rep), up from a three-point advantage four years ago.</p>
<p>Despite these trends, the proportion of voters who identify with the Democratic Party outright has not increased in recent years. Currently, 36% say they think of themselves as a Democrat, virtually unchanged from 2004 (35%) and 2000 (35%). Instead, as the proportion of self-identified Republicans has decreased, the percentage of independents has grown substantially, from 32% in 2004 to 37% today.</p>
<p>The decline in the number of self-identified Republicans is evident in all parts of the country, but is perhaps most significant in the politically important “swing” states that were closely contested in the 2004 presidential election (see “How the States are Analyzed” below).</p>
<p>Four years ago there were about as many Democrats (35%) as Republicans (33%) in the 12 states where the voting was closest in 2004, and the balance was similar in the 2000 election cycle. But so far in 2008, Democrats hold a substantial 38% to 27% identification advantage in these states.</p>
<p>In the “blue” states — those where John Kerry won by at least five percentage points in 2004 — the Democratic Party’s advantage has nearly doubled from 10 points to 18 points since the last presidential election. As is the case nationwide, the number of Democrats in these states has remained relatively stable, while Republican identification is down seven percentage points over the past four years. Currently, 39% of registered voters in the 13 states Kerry won by more than five points identify themselves as Democrats, compared with 21% who identify as Republicans.</p>
<p>The balance of party identification in “red” states — where George Bush won by more than five points in 2004 — has been more stable. Throughout the last three election cycles, there have been roughly as many Democrats as Republicans in these 24 states collectively. Currently, 33% of voters in these states call themselves Republicans, 33% call themselves Democrats, and 34% choose neither party.</p>
<p>The growing Democratic identification advantage in swing states generally holds true when several of the largest swing states are analyzed individually. In Ohio, 37% of voters identify with the Democratic Party, while just 25% identify with the Republican Party, based on surveys conducted in 2007 and 2008.1</p>
<p>This is a 10-point drop in Republican ID since 2004, and a four-point gain for Democrats. The pattern is similar in Pennsylvania and Michigan, where a rough balance in the number of Democrats and Republicans in the last two election cycles has shifted to a substantial Democratic advantage.</p>
<p>In Florida, however, neither party has gained an advantage in party identification. As was the case in 2004, there are about as many Democrats (35%) as Republicans (32%). The number of voters who identify with neither political party has risen from 28% in 2004 to 33% in 2007 and 2008.</p>
<p>Whether the Republican losses in these swing states will translate into an electoral advantage for Democrats remains uncertain. There is not a one-to-one correspondence between the balance of party identification in a given state and the electoral outcome in presidential elections.</p>
<p>Nowhere is this gap more evident than in many of the states Bush won handily in 2000 and 2004. Bush carried North Carolina, Georgia and Virginia by eight points or more in 2004, even though the balance of party identification in those states was about even — and actually favored the Democrats by four points in the case of North Carolina.</p>
<p>While the share of voters who identify as Republicans is down slightly in many of the largest “red” states, the shifts generally are more modest than in other parts of the country. In both Texas and Virginia, GOP identification is down four percentage points since 2004, and just three points in Georgia. Of the large states Bush won by more than five points in 2004, North Carolina has seen the greatest drop in GOP identification — from 35% in 2004 to just 26% today.</p>
<p>Democrats continue to hold sizable leads in traditional Democratic strongholds. In the four most populous blue states — New York, New Jersey, California and Illinois — Democrats enjoy a double-digit advantage in party identification.</p>
<p>In both New York and New Jersey, the Democratic ID advantage has widened substantially since 2004, again due more to GOP losses than Democratic gains. In California and Illinois, the balance of party identification has remained largely unchanged, with Democrats holding roughly a 10-point edge. As in other parts of the country, however, the number of voters who say they identify with neither party is on the rise, from 29% to 33% of California voters since 2004, and from 34% to 40% of Illinois voters.</p>
<p>The growing Democratic advantage in party identification nationwide is due in part to a decline in the share of white voters who call themselves Republicans.</p>
<p>The balance of party identification among African American voters has remained relatively stable in recent years; the Democrats now hold a 72% to 4% advantage, virtually unchanged from 2004. White voters now are as likely to identify with the Democratic Party as with the GOP (31%). This represents a significant shift from four years ago, when white voters called themselves Republicans by a 38% to 29% margin.</p>
<p>In swing states, where the Republican Party enjoyed a clear advantage in party identification among white voters in the 2000 and 2004 election cycles, more whites now call themselves Democrats. Democratic identification improved to 34% among whites, up from 31% in 2004, while identification with the Republican Party dropped from 37% to 30% over the same period.</p>
<p>The GOP has also experienced losses among white voters in the “blue” states. Despite the Democrats’ wide advantage in these states overall, white voters were about evenly divided between the Republican and Democratic Parties in 2000 and 2004. Since 2004, however, the share of whites who identify with the GOP has dropped considerably; about a quarter call themselves Republicans today (24%), down from a third four years ago. Whites in states that have voted solidly Democratic in the last two presidential elections are now much more likely to say they do not identify with either party (35% in 2004 vs. 43% now).</p>
<p>A similar pattern can be seen in the “red” states. The share of white voters who identify with the Republican Party in these states has dropped from 44% in 2004 to 38% in the first two months of 2008 while identification with the Democratic Party has remained stable and a growing number does not identify with either party. Despite these shifts, white voters in red states are still much more likely to call themselves Republicans than Democrats.</p>
<p>1 Surveys from 2007 and 2008 were combined in order to analyze states individually.</p>
| false | 2 |
democrats advantage balance party identification american electorate favors democratic party decidedly larger margin either two previous presidential election cycles 5566 interviews registered voters conducted pew research center people amp press first two months 2008 36 identify democrats 27 republicans share voters call republicans declined six points since 2004 represents annualized basis lowest percentage selfidentified republican voters 16 years polling center democratic party also built substantial edge among independent voters 37 claim party identification 15 lean democratic 10 lean republican 12 leaning either way comparison 2004 equal numbers independents leaned toward parties leaners combined partisans however democratic party holds 14point advantage among voters nationwide 51 demleandem 37 repleanrep threepoint advantage four years ago despite trends proportion voters identify democratic party outright increased recent years currently 36 say think democrat virtually unchanged 2004 35 2000 35 instead proportion selfidentified republicans decreased percentage independents grown substantially 32 2004 37 today decline number selfidentified republicans evident parts country perhaps significant politically important swing states closely contested 2004 presidential election see states analyzed four years ago many democrats 35 republicans 33 12 states voting closest 2004 balance similar 2000 election cycle far 2008 democrats hold substantial 38 27 identification advantage states blue states john kerry least five percentage points 2004 democratic partys advantage nearly doubled 10 points 18 points since last presidential election case nationwide number democrats states remained relatively stable republican identification seven percentage points past four years currently 39 registered voters 13 states kerry five points identify democrats compared 21 identify republicans balance party identification red states george bush five points 2004 stable throughout last three election cycles roughly many democrats republicans 24 states collectively currently 33 voters states call republicans 33 call democrats 34 choose neither party growing democratic identification advantage swing states generally holds true several largest swing states analyzed individually ohio 37 voters identify democratic party 25 identify republican party based surveys conducted 2007 20081 10point drop republican id since 2004 fourpoint gain democrats pattern similar pennsylvania michigan rough balance number democrats republicans last two election cycles shifted substantial democratic advantage florida however neither party gained advantage party identification case 2004 many democrats 35 republicans 32 number voters identify neither political party risen 28 2004 33 2007 2008 whether republican losses swing states translate electoral advantage democrats remains uncertain onetoone correspondence balance party identification given state electoral outcome presidential elections nowhere gap evident many states bush handily 2000 2004 bush carried north carolina georgia virginia eight points 2004 even though balance party identification states even actually favored democrats four points case north carolina share voters identify republicans slightly many largest red states shifts generally modest parts country texas virginia gop identification four percentage points since 2004 three points georgia large states bush five points 2004 north carolina seen greatest drop gop identification 35 2004 26 today democrats continue hold sizable leads traditional democratic strongholds four populous blue states new york new jersey california illinois democrats enjoy doubledigit advantage party identification new york new jersey democratic id advantage widened substantially since 2004 due gop losses democratic gains california illinois balance party identification remained largely unchanged democrats holding roughly 10point edge parts country however number voters say identify neither party rise 29 33 california voters since 2004 34 40 illinois voters growing democratic advantage party identification nationwide due part decline share white voters call republicans balance party identification among african american voters remained relatively stable recent years democrats hold 72 4 advantage virtually unchanged 2004 white voters likely identify democratic party gop 31 represents significant shift four years ago white voters called republicans 38 29 margin swing states republican party enjoyed clear advantage party identification among white voters 2000 2004 election cycles whites call democrats democratic identification improved 34 among whites 31 2004 identification republican party dropped 37 30 period gop also experienced losses among white voters blue states despite democrats wide advantage states overall white voters evenly divided republican democratic parties 2000 2004 since 2004 however share whites identify gop dropped considerably quarter call republicans today 24 third four years ago whites states voted solidly democratic last two presidential elections much likely say identify either party 35 2004 vs 43 similar pattern seen red states share white voters identify republican party states dropped 44 2004 38 first two months 2008 identification democratic party remained stable growing number identify either party despite shifts white voters red states still much likely call republicans democrats 1 surveys 2007 2008 combined order analyze states individually
| 740 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p />
<p>Road Rage Solves No Problems</p>
<p>DEAR DRIVERS,</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>I just got home. My 16-year-old daughter is working on getting her 50 hours of practice driving in order to get her provisional driver’s license. She is my first and only child, but I am sure it is no different for any parent who is quietly anxious while helping their child learn how to drive. My daughter has finished the class course and 7 hours road driving with a certified driver’s education teacher. She achieved a 90 percent on her road test and was told that was very good and careful for a new driver.</p>
<p>She has about 2 hours highway driving, and I am proud of her dedication to being a good driver.</p>
<p>Just now immediately south of Paseo De Norte she was merging onto the highway. She is mastering the mirrors, acceleration, checking for blind spot and smoothly getting into her lane. She did OK but was just asking me “Mom did I cut off that man behind me?” No sooner than the question (was) asked then the driver pulled out next to us, pulled immediately in front of us, missing us by inches, and then pulled hard to the left to make the Paseo exit. In other words he was exhibiting dangerous road rage. It looked like his passengers in the back were children.</p>
<p>If there is a driver on the planet that hasn’t inadvertently cut someone off, due to the blind spot, let him respond here. I, too, had missed seeing this car despite the swivel head I have whenever she is behind the wheel.</p>
<p>To the driver who was making a point and could have caused a deadly accident both for us and to him and his passengers, was it worth it? How did you explain your behavior to your kids? I had the sad experience of explaining to my 16-year-old that this was road rage. It would happen again and to please not let it start a fear of driving that would only make learning worse.</p>
<p>Enough said.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>KATHLEEN JORDAN</p>
<p>Albuquerque</p>
<p />
<p>What About Pedestrians, Roundabouts?</p>
<p>WITH ALL THIS discussion regarding “roundabouts,” I have a question.</p>
<p>How is pedestrian traffic at the intersections handled? It would seem that overpasses would be the solution … but that would add significantly to the costs.</p>
<p>NORMAN HOGUE</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Albuquerque</p>
<p />
<p>More Taxis Are Needed in Albuquerque</p>
<p>I REALIZE YOU have an alleged transportation correspondent, but please consider the role that the Journal can play to improve our overall traffic-safety and quality-of-life environment.</p>
<p>The lack of available taxis during periods of extreme need — such as New Year’s Eve — shows the failure of the current regulatory environment. Responsible citizens need and demand these services from this city-regulated business.</p>
<p>Ongoing supply failures by the taxi industry is more than a shortcoming, it threatens the public safety of us all during this time of need.</p>
<p>Businesses throughout Albuquerque advise customers to not expect dependable taxi service on New Year’s Eve. Taxi drivers confide that they prefer not to work during this challenging time period, so they just stay home. It’s time to expose the industry’s “shorting” of supply during this time of need and the city government’s head-in-the-sand attitude.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>TOM CICCATERI</p>
<p>Albuquerque</p>
<p />
<p>We Can Change Education Right Here</p>
<p>KUDOS TO (Pojoaque Valley Schools) superintendent Adan Delgado for his substantive suggestions for improving the reading skills of third-graders. What a refreshing departure from the usual comments of status quo defenders. No Skandera-bashing. None of the nonsense about how “high-stakes” standardized tests “mislead” us about student achievement. None of the froth about being “non-judgemental” and the ridiculous support of “progressive” goals such as “democratic citizenry,” “civic engagement,” etc. No mention of the folly of wasting didactic efforts to establish “self-esteem.”</p>
<p>There would be a bright future for New Mexico’s public schools if more Delgados and their ideas are embraced by the union puppets in the state Legislature. There would be no need for “controlling for poverty” if a uniform approach to reading instruction were to be adopted.</p>
<p>It might surprise the progressive faction of the instructorship that “culture” and “parental income” become irrelevant when all students receive the same informational experiences. It works in other societies where the per capita expenditure on education is almost an order of magnitude less than the U.S.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>It can work here in New Mexico.</p>
<p>COLIN K. FRANKER</p>
<p>Albuquerque</p>
<p />
<p>Mayor Should Respect Voice of People</p>
<p>MAYOR BERRY doesn’t approve of the recent ballot initiative to raise the minimum wage in Albuquerque that passed with 66 percent of the vote on November 7.</p>
<p>I respect that. I have to respect that. His reasons are his own. I don’t agree with them, but I respect them, as I respect the reasons of all people that oppose the increase. And I hope he and others would respect my support of the measure.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>More than this, however, it is my hope that all citizens would respect the outcome of the election. It is my hope that the duly-elected government of Albuquerque will respect the ballot initiative as it was passed, and not use other means to alter or otherwise subvert the will of the people of Albuquerque.</p>
<p>We must respect the will of Albuquerque voters. We must put our faith in democracy. If we allow the city council to change the result of this election, where then shall (it) stop? If we set this precedent, what kind of message are we sending the citizens of Albuquerque? Are we to say that it doesn’t matter what they vote for, because the City Council can simply render their vote invalid?</p>
<p>We elect our council members to protect our rights and interests, not usurp our will. We elect our council members to represent our voice in government, not to give a platform for their own agendas.</p>
<p>The minimum wage issue is a weighty one indeed. Albuquerque residents have debated it hotly for decades. And this is how it should be. It was not passed by executive order or by council decree. It was passed by a clear majority of Albuquerque voters in an open and legal election. If the increase is to be undone, let it then be undone in the light of a democratic election, not hidden in the shadows of City Hall.</p>
<p>What, then, will Mayor Berry do? Voters ask not that he support the increase. We simply and humbly ask that he stand by the voters of Albuquerque. We ask that he lend his voice to ours and let the City Council know that (it) must not subvert the will of the voters. We ask that he let (councilors) know that the initiative must be allowed to stand. It was placed on a certified ballot and passed by a clear majority in an open election. We want him to stand with us as we demand that Trudy Jones stop insulting Albuquerque voters by publicly saying that we didn’t understand the initiative.</p>
<p>It’s my belief that voters understood it all too well, and that is why it passed with such popularity. We ask this from the honorable mayor, not just because we support the minimum wage, but because we respect the enduring promise of democracy; that government exists to carry out the will of the people. Will Mayor Berry stand with us?</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>DAVID LUNA</p>
<p>Albuquerque</p>
<p />
<p>Picture of Dead Cranes Disgusting</p>
<p>EVERY DAY WHEN I go out to pick up my morning newspaper, I thrill to the sight and sound of sandhill cranes overhead.</p>
<p>In the almost 20 years that I’ve lived near the Rio Grande, their song has never failed to touch my soul.</p>
<p>What horror, then, to see a photo of a smiling 17-year-old girl, gun in hand, celebrating three dead sandhill cranes on the ground in front of her (Albuquerque Journal, Dec. 27, page B6). Why? For food? Did the dead birds go home with her and appear as dinner that night? Probably not. For sport? Why? Where’s the pleasure in shooting an innocent animal out of the sky? And why is the photo in the newspaper? Is killing a good thing?</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>While I understand hunting for food, I doubt that it’s something I could ever do. But hunting for sport? Unthinkable. And to teach and encourage children to kill such magnificent animals? There are no words.</p>
<p>JEAN STOUFFER</p>
<p>Bosque Farms</p>
<p />
<p>Reservation Dogs Make Great Pets</p>
<p>THE RECENT TRAGIC killing of a boy by a pack of feral dogs on the Ramah Reservation will discourage the adoption of any of them.</p>
<p>We’d like to tell you that our own Rez dog, Tess, that we adopted at a Denver dog shelter 12 years ago is the sweetest, gentlest dog that we have ever had. Her soulful eyes, her sense of family, and her affectionate demeanor have added so much to our home every day. We firmly believe that adopting these dogs (after spaying and neutering) is part of the solution to the growing problem of “dogs with no name,” and after speaking to others who have also rescued dogs, we feel that Rez dogs almost always make wonderful companion dogs.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>GEORGE AND SABINA PEKNIK</p>
<p>Albuquerque West Side residents</p>
<p />
<p>It’s Time for Navajo Nation To Act</p>
<p>I AM OUTRAGED that a boy has been killed by dogs on the Navajo reservation.</p>
<p>How can the residents of Pine Hill be “shocked” when anyone could have seen this coming? Packs of dogs have attacked people on the reservation before, so it was only a matter of time until someone was killed.</p>
<p>I understand that the Navajo Nation has limited resources, but allowing conditions to remain as they are is inhumane to both their animals and their citizens. They can no longer allow “cultural barriers and mistrust” to be an impediment to accepting help from outside groups. Action must be taken quickly, and prevention efforts must remain an ongoing priority.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>ELIZABETH BUCHEN</p>
<p>Albuquerque</p>
<p />
<p>Everyone Must Become Responsible</p>
<p>THE RECENT FILM “Lincoln” dramatically recounts a critical moment in American history where the passage of a piece of legislation caused a paradigm shift in our nation’s being. It ended a time-honored practice of slavery and opened the door to the possibility of a new and just society consistent with our founders’ rhetoric of freedom.</p>
<p>The 13th Amendment de jure abolished slavery; its more profound and enduring impact, however, was the power of the declaration itself, which had a transcendent force that caused a shift in the way society regarded African Americans. The abolition of slavery’s most profound and enduring impact was the effect it had on the perception of a race, thus forever altering this nation’s culture.</p>
<p>Laws and regulation have never been nor ever will be a panacea for society’s ills. As in the case of the 13th Amendment, there can, however, be judicious legislation that is a declaration of a united stand. The 13th Amendment did not prescribe how to end slavery; it ended it by virtue of the decree itself. Such a stand serves to call forth each individual to step up to the task. In the enlightened spirit of the decree, specific laws and regulations emerged to manage its exigencies. There is a debate about gun control in this country. There is no dispute, however, about gun safety and the responsibility inherent in gun ownership. Whether or not we need new gun laws remains to be seen. We do not give up our rights by taking a stand to ensure the security of our fellow citizens, thus raising the universal level of consciousness around the issues of safety and responsibility. As a free society knows, one of the hallmarks of freedom is responsibility. Perhaps it is time to remind ourselves of this and to rededicate ourselves to the cooperative coexistence of liberty and accountability necessary for living in a safe and nurturing society.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>JOHN W. ROTH, PH.D.</p>
<p>Albuquerque</p>
<p />
<p>When Is Your Body Our Business?</p>
<p>I GUESS I’M confused. Some women want the taxpayer to pay for their birth control and their abortions and if we ask a question about it, they say “keep your nose out of my business. It’s my body, I’ll decide what to do with it.”</p>
<p>However, when it comes to prostitution they seem to be the first to want to ensure a law against it. Doesn’t the body of the prostitute belong to that person as much as the body of the person seeking an abortion belong to her? Do you see anything wrong with this picture?</p>
<p>WRILEY L. BURNETT</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Albuquerque</p>
<p />
<p>We’d Hate To Offend Sensitive Folks</p>
<p>I STARTED MY new year by reading, with much amusement, the rant by the reader who was apparently terrified of a person openly carrying a gun. One would have to wonder if this same reader was equally as terrified of the shopper in the liquor department buying a six pack and four miniatures — or, if this behavior was merely ignored as being normal.</p>
<p>However, so as not to offend the sensitivities of these type of people, both my wife and I have made a note of this and will be doubly careful to ensure our pistols are kept discreetly concealed when shopping.</p>
<p>STEVE SWINEHART</p>
<p>Albuquerque</p>
| false | 2 |
road rage solves problems dear drivers advertisement got home 16yearold daughter working getting 50 hours practice driving order get provisional drivers license first child sure different parent quietly anxious helping child learn drive daughter finished class course 7 hours road driving certified drivers education teacher achieved 90 percent road test told good careful new driver 2 hours highway driving proud dedication good driver immediately south paseo de norte merging onto highway mastering mirrors acceleration checking blind spot smoothly getting lane ok asking mom cut man behind sooner question asked driver pulled next us pulled immediately front us missing us inches pulled hard left make paseo exit words exhibiting dangerous road rage looked like passengers back children driver planet hasnt inadvertently cut someone due blind spot let respond missed seeing car despite swivel head whenever behind wheel driver making point could caused deadly accident us passengers worth explain behavior kids sad experience explaining 16yearold road rage would happen please let start fear driving would make learning worse enough said advertisement kathleen jordan albuquerque pedestrians roundabouts discussion regarding roundabouts question pedestrian traffic intersections handled would seem overpasses would solution would add significantly costs norman hogue advertisement albuquerque taxis needed albuquerque realize alleged transportation correspondent please consider role journal play improve overall trafficsafety qualityoflife environment lack available taxis periods extreme need new years eve shows failure current regulatory environment responsible citizens need demand services cityregulated business ongoing supply failures taxi industry shortcoming threatens public safety us time need businesses throughout albuquerque advise customers expect dependable taxi service new years eve taxi drivers confide prefer work challenging time period stay home time expose industrys shorting supply time need city governments headinthesand attitude advertisement tom ciccateri albuquerque change education right kudos pojoaque valley schools superintendent adan delgado substantive suggestions improving reading skills thirdgraders refreshing departure usual comments status quo defenders skanderabashing none nonsense highstakes standardized tests mislead us student achievement none froth nonjudgemental ridiculous support progressive goals democratic citizenry civic engagement etc mention folly wasting didactic efforts establish selfesteem would bright future new mexicos public schools delgados ideas embraced union puppets state legislature would need controlling poverty uniform approach reading instruction adopted might surprise progressive faction instructorship culture parental income become irrelevant students receive informational experiences works societies per capita expenditure education almost order magnitude less us advertisement work new mexico colin k franker albuquerque mayor respect voice people mayor berry doesnt approve recent ballot initiative raise minimum wage albuquerque passed 66 percent vote november 7 respect respect reasons dont agree respect respect reasons people oppose increase hope others would respect support measure advertisement however hope citizens would respect outcome election hope dulyelected government albuquerque respect ballot initiative passed use means alter otherwise subvert people albuquerque must respect albuquerque voters must put faith democracy allow city council change result election shall stop set precedent kind message sending citizens albuquerque say doesnt matter vote city council simply render vote invalid elect council members protect rights interests usurp elect council members represent voice government give platform agendas minimum wage issue weighty one indeed albuquerque residents debated hotly decades passed executive order council decree passed clear majority albuquerque voters open legal election increase undone let undone light democratic election hidden shadows city hall mayor berry voters ask support increase simply humbly ask stand voters albuquerque ask lend voice let city council know must subvert voters ask let councilors know initiative must allowed stand placed certified ballot passed clear majority open election want stand us demand trudy jones stop insulting albuquerque voters publicly saying didnt understand initiative belief voters understood well passed popularity ask honorable mayor support minimum wage respect enduring promise democracy government exists carry people mayor berry stand us advertisement david luna albuquerque picture dead cranes disgusting every day go pick morning newspaper thrill sight sound sandhill cranes overhead almost 20 years ive lived near rio grande song never failed touch soul horror see photo smiling 17yearold girl gun hand celebrating three dead sandhill cranes ground front albuquerque journal dec 27 page b6 food dead birds go home appear dinner night probably sport wheres pleasure shooting innocent animal sky photo newspaper killing good thing advertisement understand hunting food doubt something could ever hunting sport unthinkable teach encourage children kill magnificent animals words jean stouffer bosque farms reservation dogs make great pets recent tragic killing boy pack feral dogs ramah reservation discourage adoption wed like tell rez dog tess adopted denver dog shelter 12 years ago sweetest gentlest dog ever soulful eyes sense family affectionate demeanor added much home every day firmly believe adopting dogs spaying neutering part solution growing problem dogs name speaking others also rescued dogs feel rez dogs almost always make wonderful companion dogs advertisement george sabina peknik albuquerque west side residents time navajo nation act outraged boy killed dogs navajo reservation residents pine hill shocked anyone could seen coming packs dogs attacked people reservation matter time someone killed understand navajo nation limited resources allowing conditions remain inhumane animals citizens longer allow cultural barriers mistrust impediment accepting help outside groups action must taken quickly prevention efforts must remain ongoing priority advertisement elizabeth buchen albuquerque everyone must become responsible recent film lincoln dramatically recounts critical moment american history passage piece legislation caused paradigm shift nations ended timehonored practice slavery opened door possibility new society consistent founders rhetoric freedom 13th amendment de jure abolished slavery profound enduring impact however power declaration transcendent force caused shift way society regarded african americans abolition slaverys profound enduring impact effect perception race thus forever altering nations culture laws regulation never ever panacea societys ills case 13th amendment however judicious legislation declaration united stand 13th amendment prescribe end slavery ended virtue decree stand serves call forth individual step task enlightened spirit decree specific laws regulations emerged manage exigencies debate gun control country dispute however gun safety responsibility inherent gun ownership whether need new gun laws remains seen give rights taking stand ensure security fellow citizens thus raising universal level consciousness around issues safety responsibility free society knows one hallmarks freedom responsibility perhaps time remind rededicate cooperative coexistence liberty accountability necessary living safe nurturing society advertisement john w roth phd albuquerque body business guess im confused women want taxpayer pay birth control abortions ask question say keep nose business body ill decide however comes prostitution seem first want ensure law doesnt body prostitute belong person much body person seeking abortion belong see anything wrong picture wriley l burnett advertisement albuquerque wed hate offend sensitive folks started new year reading much amusement rant reader apparently terrified person openly carrying gun one would wonder reader equally terrified shopper liquor department buying six pack four miniatures behavior merely ignored normal however offend sensitivities type people wife made note doubly careful ensure pistols kept discreetly concealed shopping steve swinehart albuquerque
| 1,123 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p />
<p>SANTA FE – Santa Fe Mayor Javier Gonzales, after recent local controversies over race and deadly violence at a white supremacist rally in Virginia, says he has a “plan to address Santa Fe’s own complicated history with race and memory head-on” – including with an inventory and review of historic monuments and markers.</p>
<p>Gonzales issued a long statement late Thursday that touches on continuing opposition by some Native Americans to an annual public re-enactment of the Spanish reoccupation of Santa Fe in 1692, 12 years after the Pueblo Revolt forced the Europeans out of northern New Mexico.</p>
<p>“I don’t think any government can lead or solve this alone,” said Gonzales, who himself once portrayed Spanish leader and territorial governor Don Diego de Vargas in the Entrada re-enactment as part of Fiestas de Santa Fe.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>“These conversations are difficult and require all of us to participate,” he said. “In doing so … we can heal and grow stronger.”</p>
<p>The obelisk at the center of the Santa Fe Plaza is a memorial to Union soldiers who fought in the Civil War and wars against Indian tribes. Mayor Javier Gonzales has asked for a review of monuments on city property. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)</p>
<p>Indian protesters and others contend the Entrada ritual – scheduled this year for Sept. 8 on the Plaza – whitewashes and celebrates conquest by violence and the threat of it. The event’s supporters say that in an era of warfare, there was a peaceful moment when de Vargas re-entered Santa Fe and that the Entrada script has been changed to reflect Indian concerns.</p>
<p>Gonzales wants a review of all city support for “events or organizations that celebrate or recognize historic events or people,” including funding and logistical help.</p>
<p>Gonzales, amid movement to take down Confederate monuments around the country, also said he has asked the city manager to report on all city property “that holds memorials, monuments, or markers of historic events or people,” to be followed by a public comment process.</p>
<p>Santa Fe’s monuments include a statue of de Vargas in Cathedral Park. There is also an equestrian statue of early Spanish colonial governor Don Pedro de Peralta downtown.</p>
<p>But Gonzales, in previous interviews, has singled out two obelisks for concern – one that serves as a war memorial at the center of the city’s historic Plaza. The other is outside the federal courthouse, apparently on federal property, that honors Kit Carson, the frontiersman, scout and Indian fighter who led a deadly forced march of Navajo people from their homeland to the Bosque Redondo in eastern New Mexico.</p>
<p>Most inscriptions on the 1868 Plaza obelisk honor Union soldiers who fought in area Civil War battles. But on one side of its base, the inscription originally read: “To the heroes who have fallen in various battles with savage Indians in the Territory of New Mexico.” The word “savage” was chiseled out years ago, and authorities never moved to repair it.</p>
<p>Gonzales said he’s not asking for any city monuments to be removed or local events to be canceled.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>“What we are asking for is an inventory of monuments, an inventory of events that are city supported, and allow for a community conversation to do a check-in,” he said in an interview, “to (ask) are there monuments that we need to acknowledge or (that) symbolize a time of oppression that could be harmful and hurtful?”</p>
<p>“Words matter, monuments matter, and events matter. … We’re a community that is strong enough to address them (with) honor,” said Gonzales, who hasn’t announced whether he will run for a second mayoral term next year.</p>
<p>City Councilor Ron Trujillo, who is running for mayor in 2018, said he’s concerned that any discussion of the Entrada should have been started earlier and not less than three weeks before Fiestas.</p>
<p>He referred to a resolution presented to the City Council about three years ago regarding the event that was never followed up on.</p>
<p>Gonzales acknowledged that completing an inventory and discovering a “pathway” forward for the Entrada will not happen before this year’s event. In the meantime he wants to have space for non-violent protest. The Red Nation group has already posted online notices calling for protests again at this year’s Entrada.</p>
<p>Trujillo – who also has portrayed de Vargas at Fiesta – said he supports open dialogue as long as it includes people from all sides, mentioning both Native American and Hispanic groups.</p>
<p>“Each statue represents history in this great community, but each monument could be offensive to some group or organization,” he said. “If that dialogue is going to take place, it has to be with everyone.”</p>
<p>Gonzales spoke at a rally against racism Monday night that filled the Plaza with about 1,500 people. Several people chanted “Abolish the Entrada” at the end of the rally.</p>
<p>Elena Ortiz, from Ohkay Owingeh, has been part of the Entrada protests in the past. She said Friday that she is skeptical about much resulting from the mayor’s effort and that Gonzales has never been willing to take a side on the Entrada controversy. “He would have to admit that he participated in something that’s inherently racist,” she said.</p>
<p>Ortiz also said it would take “jumping through a lot of hoops” for monuments to come down. “If it happens, I would be super-supportive, and I would be willing to get out there with sledgehammer and help,” she said. … I’m just skeptical that anything is going to come of it. I would be really happy to be wrong.”</p>
<p>There are no Confederate monuments in Santa Fe. The nearest is a small marker honoring Texas Confederate volunteers at Pecos National Historical Park, which includes a Civil War battlefield, about 30 miles to the east. A marker honoring Union volunteers from Colorado stands next to the Confederate slab. Another for New Mexico Union volunteers is planned.</p>
<p />
<p />
| false | 2 |
santa fe santa fe mayor javier gonzales recent local controversies race deadly violence white supremacist rally virginia says plan address santa fes complicated history race memory headon including inventory review historic monuments markers gonzales issued long statement late thursday touches continuing opposition native americans annual public reenactment spanish reoccupation santa fe 1692 12 years pueblo revolt forced europeans northern new mexico dont think government lead solve alone said gonzales portrayed spanish leader territorial governor diego de vargas entrada reenactment part fiestas de santa fe advertisement conversations difficult require us participate said heal grow stronger obelisk center santa fe plaza memorial union soldiers fought civil war wars indian tribes mayor javier gonzales asked review monuments city property eddie moorealbuquerque journal indian protesters others contend entrada ritual scheduled year sept 8 plaza whitewashes celebrates conquest violence threat events supporters say era warfare peaceful moment de vargas reentered santa fe entrada script changed reflect indian concerns gonzales wants review city support events organizations celebrate recognize historic events people including funding logistical help gonzales amid movement take confederate monuments around country also said asked city manager report city property holds memorials monuments markers historic events people followed public comment process santa fes monuments include statue de vargas cathedral park also equestrian statue early spanish colonial governor pedro de peralta downtown gonzales previous interviews singled two obelisks concern one serves war memorial center citys historic plaza outside federal courthouse apparently federal property honors kit carson frontiersman scout indian fighter led deadly forced march navajo people homeland bosque redondo eastern new mexico inscriptions 1868 plaza obelisk honor union soldiers fought area civil war battles one side base inscription originally read heroes fallen various battles savage indians territory new mexico word savage chiseled years ago authorities never moved repair gonzales said hes asking city monuments removed local events canceled advertisement asking inventory monuments inventory events city supported allow community conversation checkin said interview ask monuments need acknowledge symbolize time oppression could harmful hurtful words matter monuments matter events matter community strong enough address honor said gonzales hasnt announced whether run second mayoral term next year city councilor ron trujillo running mayor 2018 said hes concerned discussion entrada started earlier less three weeks fiestas referred resolution presented city council three years ago regarding event never followed gonzales acknowledged completing inventory discovering pathway forward entrada happen years event meantime wants space nonviolent protest red nation group already posted online notices calling protests years entrada trujillo also portrayed de vargas fiesta said supports open dialogue long includes people sides mentioning native american hispanic groups statue represents history great community monument could offensive group organization said dialogue going take place everyone gonzales spoke rally racism monday night filled plaza 1500 people several people chanted abolish entrada end rally elena ortiz ohkay owingeh part entrada protests past said friday skeptical much resulting mayors effort gonzales never willing take side entrada controversy would admit participated something thats inherently racist said ortiz also said would take jumping lot hoops monuments come happens would supersupportive would willing get sledgehammer help said im skeptical anything going come would really happy wrong confederate monuments santa fe nearest small marker honoring texas confederate volunteers pecos national historical park includes civil war battlefield 30 miles east marker honoring union volunteers colorado stands next confederate slab another new mexico union volunteers planned
| 552 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p>WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, who was fired from his prominent White House job last month, has registered with the Justice Department as a foreign agent for $530,000 worth of lobbying work before Election Day that may have aided the Turkish government.</p>
<p>Paperwork filed Tuesday with the Justice Department’s Foreign Agent Registration Unit said Flynn and his firm were voluntarily registering for lobbying from August through November that “could be construed to have principally benefited the Republic of Turkey.” It was filed by a lawyer on behalf of the former U.S. Army lieutenant general and intelligence chief.</p>
<p>After his firm’s work on behalf of a Turkish company was done, Flynn agreed not to lobby for five years after leaving government service and never to represent foreign governments.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Under the Foreign Agent Registration Act, U.S. citizens who lobby on behalf of foreign government or political entities must disclose their work to the Justice Department. Willfully failing to register is a felony, though the Justice Department rarely files criminal charges in such cases. It routinely works with lobbying firms to get back in compliance with the law by registering and disclosing their work.</p>
<p>A Turkish businessman who hired Flynn’s consulting firm told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the amended filings were made in response to pressure from Justice Department officials in recent weeks. The businessman, Ekim Alptekin, said in a phone call from Istanbul that the changes were a response to “political pressure” and he did not agree with Flynn’s decision to file the registration documents with the Justice Department.</p>
<p>“I disagree with the filing,” he said. “It would be different if I was working for the government of Turkey, but I am not taking directions from anyone in the government.”</p>
<p>Flynn’s attorney did not respond to questions about whether the Justice Department or FBI had contacted Flynn about his lobbying activities.</p>
<p>Flynn’s consulting firm, Flynn Intel Group Inc., had previously disclosed to Congress that it worked for Inovo BV, a Dutch-based company owned by Alptekin. But neither Flynn nor his company had previously filed paperwork with the Justice Department, which requires more extensive transparency about work that benefits foreign governments and political interests.</p>
<p>In the filings with the Justice Department, Flynn’s attorney, Robert Kelner, noted they served as a termination of the registration, saying the firm had ceased operations in November, the same month the lobbying contract ended.</p>
<p>Calls to phone numbers associated with Flynn and his firm weren’t answered. Kelner, his attorney, declined to comment through a spokesman for his law firm, Covington &amp; Burling.</p>
<p>Reached Wednesday afternoon, an official at the Turkish embassy in Washington said he would refer the questions to the embassy spokesman. The spokesman did not immediately respond.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday afternoon.</p>
<p>Trump fired Flynn last month for misleading Vice President Mike Pence and other administration officials about his contacts with Russia’s ambassador to the U.S., Sergey Kislyak.</p>
<p>As a key member of Trump’s transition team last December, Flynn spoke by phone several times with Kislyak during the period when former President Barack Obama expelled 35 Russian diplomats from the U.S. and levied new sanctions in response to Russian election-related hacking.</p>
<p>According to the new paperwork, Flynn’s firm took on the Turkish-related lobbying work in August while he was a top Trump campaign surrogate. Flynn Intel disclosed in its filing that in mid-September, the company was invited by Alptekin to meet with Turkish officials in New York.</p>
<p>Alptekin acknowledged Wednesday that he had set up the meeting between Flynn and the two officials. He said they met at an undisclosed hotel in New York. Alptekin said Flynn happened to be in New York while the Turkish officials were attending United Nations sessions and a separate conference Alptekin had arranged.</p>
<p>“I asked one of Gen. Flynn’s staff if he was in town and would be available to meet and they got in touch with him,” said Alptekin, who owns several businesses in Turkey.</p>
<p>Among those officials, the documents said, were Turkey’s ministers of foreign affairs and energy. Flynn’s company did not name the officials but reported the two worked for Turkey’s government “to the best of Flynn Intel Group’s current understanding.”</p>
<p>Alptekin, who previously told The Associated Press he has no relationship with the Turkish government, is a member of a Turkish economic relations board run by an appointee of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish president.</p>
<p>Erdogan’s power base is Turkey’s Islamic voters, and since a failed coup in July, he has accelerated a crackdown against the nation’s weakening secularist faction. Erdogan has accused cleric Fethullah Gulen of orchestrating the aborted coup and called for his extradition from the U.S., where he lives. The Obama administration did not comply, and Gulen still lives in a compound in Pennsylvania.</p>
<p>According to the filing, Flynn Intel’s work involved collecting information about Gulen and pressuring U.S. officials to take action against the cleric, including a meeting in October between Flynn’s firm and a representative of the House Homeland Security Committee.</p>
<p>Flynn Intel arranged the meeting to discuss a technology developed by another Flynn Intel client. But after discussing the technology, the firm changed the subject to Gulen, pressuring the committee to hold congressional hearings to investigate the cleric, said a U.S. official with direct knowledge of Flynn Intel’s work. That request was rebuffed. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.</p>
<p>The official said Flynn Intel never revealed whom it was representing during the meeting.</p>
<p>The October meeting came as Flynn was working on an op-ed promoting Turkey’s political and business affairs that was later published in The Hill, a Washington-based political newspaper. Flynn wrote that Turkey needed support and echoed Erdogan’s warnings about Gulen, whom he called a “shady” Turkish Muslim cleric living in Pennsylvania. Flynn argued that Gulen should not be given safe harbor in the U.S.</p>
<p>In the new filing, Flynn disclosed that in writing the op-ed, he relied on research conducted as part of the Inovo BV contract. Flynn’s firm also admitted it conducted “open-source research,” directed by Inovo, focusing on Gulen.</p>
<p>The results “were provided to Inovo” and to a separate lobbying firm, S.G.R. LLC Government Relations and Lobbying, a public relations company retained by Flynn Intel. The materials were aimed for distribution to “third parties,” but because the project terminated early, “the full scope of the contract was not performed,” according to the filings.</p>
<p>In the filings, Flynn emphasized that neither Inovo BV nor the Turkish government directed him to write the op-ed. He also said he was not paid for the op-ed. Alptekin said he had been opposed to Flynn’s writing the op-ed, although he agreed with its anti-Gulen and pro-Turkley stances.</p>
<p>Alptekin added that he had asked for some of the $530,000 in payments to the Flynn Intel Group to be returned to him because of his dissatisfaction with the company’s performance.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Associated Press writer Julie Bykowicz contributed to this report.</p>
| false | 2 |
washington president donald trumps former national security adviser michael flynn fired prominent white house job last month registered justice department foreign agent 530000 worth lobbying work election day may aided turkish government paperwork filed tuesday justice departments foreign agent registration unit said flynn firm voluntarily registering lobbying august november could construed principally benefited republic turkey filed lawyer behalf former us army lieutenant general intelligence chief firms work behalf turkish company done flynn agreed lobby five years leaving government service never represent foreign governments advertisement foreign agent registration act us citizens lobby behalf foreign government political entities must disclose work justice department willfully failing register felony though justice department rarely files criminal charges cases routinely works lobbying firms get back compliance law registering disclosing work turkish businessman hired flynns consulting firm told associated press wednesday amended filings made response pressure justice department officials recent weeks businessman ekim alptekin said phone call istanbul changes response political pressure agree flynns decision file registration documents justice department disagree filing said would different working government turkey taking directions anyone government flynns attorney respond questions whether justice department fbi contacted flynn lobbying activities flynns consulting firm flynn intel group inc previously disclosed congress worked inovo bv dutchbased company owned alptekin neither flynn company previously filed paperwork justice department requires extensive transparency work benefits foreign governments political interests filings justice department flynns attorney robert kelner noted served termination registration saying firm ceased operations november month lobbying contract ended calls phone numbers associated flynn firm werent answered kelner attorney declined comment spokesman law firm covington amp burling reached wednesday afternoon official turkish embassy washington said would refer questions embassy spokesman spokesman immediately respond advertisement white house immediately respond requests comment wednesday afternoon trump fired flynn last month misleading vice president mike pence administration officials contacts russias ambassador us sergey kislyak key member trumps transition team last december flynn spoke phone several times kislyak period former president barack obama expelled 35 russian diplomats us levied new sanctions response russian electionrelated hacking according new paperwork flynns firm took turkishrelated lobbying work august top trump campaign surrogate flynn intel disclosed filing midseptember company invited alptekin meet turkish officials new york alptekin acknowledged wednesday set meeting flynn two officials said met undisclosed hotel new york alptekin said flynn happened new york turkish officials attending united nations sessions separate conference alptekin arranged asked one gen flynns staff town would available meet got touch said alptekin owns several businesses turkey among officials documents said turkeys ministers foreign affairs energy flynns company name officials reported two worked turkeys government best flynn intel groups current understanding alptekin previously told associated press relationship turkish government member turkish economic relations board run appointee recep tayyip erdogan turkish president erdogans power base turkeys islamic voters since failed coup july accelerated crackdown nations weakening secularist faction erdogan accused cleric fethullah gulen orchestrating aborted coup called extradition us lives obama administration comply gulen still lives compound pennsylvania according filing flynn intels work involved collecting information gulen pressuring us officials take action cleric including meeting october flynns firm representative house homeland security committee flynn intel arranged meeting discuss technology developed another flynn intel client discussing technology firm changed subject gulen pressuring committee hold congressional hearings investigate cleric said us official direct knowledge flynn intels work request rebuffed official spoke condition anonymity official authorized discuss matter publicly official said flynn intel never revealed representing meeting october meeting came flynn working oped promoting turkeys political business affairs later published hill washingtonbased political newspaper flynn wrote turkey needed support echoed erdogans warnings gulen called shady turkish muslim cleric living pennsylvania flynn argued gulen given safe harbor us new filing flynn disclosed writing oped relied research conducted part inovo bv contract flynns firm also admitted conducted opensource research directed inovo focusing gulen results provided inovo separate lobbying firm sgr llc government relations lobbying public relations company retained flynn intel materials aimed distribution third parties project terminated early full scope contract performed according filings filings flynn emphasized neither inovo bv turkish government directed write oped also said paid oped alptekin said opposed flynns writing oped although agreed antigulen proturkley stances alptekin added asked 530000 payments flynn intel group returned dissatisfaction companys performance ___ associated press writer julie bykowicz contributed report
| 703 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p />
<p>“I get bored very easy,” he said.</p>
<p>It’s the reason he says he opened the popular Bang Bite Filling Station in 2013, following his retirement.</p>
<p>The well-received food truck, serving burgers, sandwiches and fries – with a gourmet touch – has moved around Santa Fe. But, in September, it settled in a parking lot on West Water Street next to the Inn at Vanessie, the venerable Santa Fe institution that recently contracted with Guerrero to revamp the hotel and its restaurant.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>The chef’s résumé includes working in restaurants in New York and Las Vegas, Nev., before he ran Santa Fe eateries like La Casa Sena, Mangiamo Pronto and El Nido.</p>
<p>Josh Demoss prepares burgers for customers at the Bang Bite food truck in Santa Fe last month. Chef and owner Enrique Guerrero plans more food trucks in an area off Water Street. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)</p>
<p>Vanessie is not the chef’s only new venture. Guerrero has a goal of turning the Water Street area surrounding Bang Bite’s current spot into a distinct food truck center, similar to clusters of rolling diners or food stands that exist in downtown areas across the country.</p>
<p>He plans to add more trucks of his own, each with a menu, he says, inspired by his travels and lifetime memories.</p>
<p>Along with more street food, he envisions a space full of seating – the Water Street lot currently has about three tables – and a playground area for kids.</p>
<p>“If we can offer five to seven different concepts to our customers within a couple of steps from each other, I think that would be pretty cool,” he said.</p>
<p>He already purchased two new trucks and has plans for at least two more, all of which will veer away from what Bang Bite offers. He will own all of them, and the employees will be people he has worked with before. That, Guerro says, will assure customers that each truck will be of the same quality as the current one.</p>
<p>A sign is displayed on the side of Enrique Guerrero’s Swine and Bird food truck. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)</p>
<p>Already in the parking lot next to Bang Bite is Guerrero’s Swine and Bird truck. He described its menu as Southern comfort food and is hoping to open the truck by early February, depending on permit approval. Bang Bite has been testing out specials like the “Angry Bird” fried chicken with a Louisiana-inspired spicy sauce, pulled pork and sides like jalapeno coleslaw that have been positively received.</p>
<p>The other upcoming truck, “Xochitl,” hits closer to home for him. Named after his great-grandmother, the truck’s menu will feature entrees inspired by Mexico’s southern region, including places like Oaxaca and Yucatán.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>“It was very unique,” he said, reminiscing about his great-grandmother’s cooking, adding that memories of what she used to make helped inspire the menu. “She used to cook a lot of things in clay pots, (and) everything was very fresh.”</p>
<p>He wants to make it clear that this truck, currently out of the lot for repairs, will not sell what visitors can already can find in local Mexican restaurants: no tacos, no burritos. Xochitl menu items advertised on the Bang Bite Facebook page have included Borrego Borracho, slow-braised lamb stew with cascabel chili, mulato chile sauce and rice, and a “Pambazo” torta filled with chorizo, potatoes, Oaxaca cheese and sauce made from guajilla peppers.</p>
<p>“That’s what we want from any one of these food trucks, we want to be unique,” Guerrero said. He hopes to have Xochitl serving food by March, around the same time he hopes to add two more trucks.</p>
<p>He’s working on a Japanese ramen truck called “Takenoko” and the other, “Delicatus,” with vegetarian and gluten-free options. Eventually, he wants to collaborate with an outside business to add a dessert truck to the cluster.</p>
<p>There are several upsides to having a food truck hub like this, said Chamber of Commerce President Simon Brackley. “It’s an additional attraction for locals to eat downtown and for visitors to come, and adds a little personality to Santa Fe,” he said.</p>
<p>Not to mention, he says, that food trucks are “hip and trendy” and can provide local entrepreneurs a place to try out an idea or menu without investing too much.</p>
<p>But Brackely also said food trucks come with the same challenges facing all of Santa Fe’s restaurants, including the ups and downs of dining demand. While a place may do well in summer’s tourist-heavy season, that may change in the winter months. Demand may even drastically change, depending on the day of the week, according to Brackley.</p>
<p>Robert Kret, left, of Santa Fe and his son Sam Kret of New York have lunch at the Bang Bite food truck in Santa Fe recently. (Eddie Moore/ Albuquerque Journal)</p>
<p>While standing out on his lot on a late December afternoon, Guerrero noted that Bang Bite on Water Street has had continued success during the winter, which he credits to the seasons’s fairly warm weather.</p>
<p>“Within the next half an hour, I’ll be sold out of food,” Guerrero said at around 2:30 p.m. the day after Christmas. Customers were still trickling in.</p>
<p>“So I’m pretty happy about it,” he said. “People like our product.”</p>
<p>Guerrero said Bang Bite’s following is always looking for the “next cool thing,” and that more and different menus can better attract a diverse clientele. Bang Bite already strives to feed people from all walks of life, catering to “the guy who’s driving the Maserati and to the guy who’s going to change the tires.”</p>
<p>“I believe everybody, whether you have tons of money or don’t, you want something that you can get a good value and for a good price,” he said.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p />
| false | 2 |
get bored easy said reason says opened popular bang bite filling station 2013 following retirement wellreceived food truck serving burgers sandwiches fries gourmet touch moved around santa fe september settled parking lot west water street next inn vanessie venerable santa fe institution recently contracted guerrero revamp hotel restaurant advertisement chefs résumé includes working restaurants new york las vegas nev ran santa fe eateries like la casa sena mangiamo pronto el nido josh demoss prepares burgers customers bang bite food truck santa fe last month chef owner enrique guerrero plans food trucks area water street eddie moorealbuquerque journal vanessie chefs new venture guerrero goal turning water street area surrounding bang bites current spot distinct food truck center similar clusters rolling diners food stands exist downtown areas across country plans add trucks menu says inspired travels lifetime memories along street food envisions space full seating water street lot currently three tables playground area kids offer five seven different concepts customers within couple steps think would pretty cool said already purchased two new trucks plans least two veer away bang bite offers employees people worked guerro says assure customers truck quality current one sign displayed side enrique guerreros swine bird food truck eddie moorealbuquerque journal already parking lot next bang bite guerreros swine bird truck described menu southern comfort food hoping open truck early february depending permit approval bang bite testing specials like angry bird fried chicken louisianainspired spicy sauce pulled pork sides like jalapeno coleslaw positively received upcoming truck xochitl hits closer home named greatgrandmother trucks menu feature entrees inspired mexicos southern region including places like oaxaca yucatán advertisement unique said reminiscing greatgrandmothers cooking adding memories used make helped inspire menu used cook lot things clay pots everything fresh wants make clear truck currently lot repairs sell visitors already find local mexican restaurants tacos burritos xochitl menu items advertised bang bite facebook page included borrego borracho slowbraised lamb stew cascabel chili mulato chile sauce rice pambazo torta filled chorizo potatoes oaxaca cheese sauce made guajilla peppers thats want one food trucks want unique guerrero said hopes xochitl serving food march around time hopes add two trucks hes working japanese ramen truck called takenoko delicatus vegetarian glutenfree options eventually wants collaborate outside business add dessert truck cluster several upsides food truck hub like said chamber commerce president simon brackley additional attraction locals eat downtown visitors come adds little personality santa fe said mention says food trucks hip trendy provide local entrepreneurs place try idea menu without investing much brackely also said food trucks come challenges facing santa fes restaurants including ups downs dining demand place may well summers touristheavy season may change winter months demand may even drastically change depending day week according brackley robert kret left santa fe son sam kret new york lunch bang bite food truck santa fe recently eddie moore albuquerque journal standing lot late december afternoon guerrero noted bang bite water street continued success winter credits seasonss fairly warm weather within next half hour ill sold food guerrero said around 230 pm day christmas customers still trickling im pretty happy said people like product guerrero said bang bites following always looking next cool thing different menus better attract diverse clientele bang bite already strives feed people walks life catering guy whos driving maserati guy whos going change tires believe everybody whether tons money dont want something get good value good price said 160
| 565 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p>MINNEAPOLIS — Court documents unsealed Monday in the investigation into Prince’s death suggest a doctor and a close friend helped him improperly obtain prescription opioid painkillers, but they shed no new light on how the superstar got the fentanyl that killed him.</p>
<p>The affidavits and search warrants were unsealed in Carver County District Court as the yearlong investigation into Prince’s death continues. The documents show authorities searched Paisley Park, cellphone records of Prince’s associates, and Prince’s email accounts to try to determine how he got the fentanyl, a synthetic opioid drug 50 times more powerful than heroin.</p>
<p>The documents don’t reveal answers to that question, but do provide the most details yet seen on Prince’s struggle with addiction to prescription opioids in the days before he died.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Prince was 57 when he was found alone and unresponsive in an elevator at his Paisley Park estate on April 21. Just six days earlier, he fell ill on a plane and had to be revived with two doses of a drug that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.</p>
<p>Associates at Paisley Park also told investigators that Prince was recently “going through withdrawals, which are believed to be the result of the abuse of prescription medication.”</p>
<p>The documents unsealed Monday allege Dr. Michael Todd Schulenberg, a family physician who saw the musician twice last April, told authorities he prescribed the opioid painkiller oxycodone to Prince but put it under the name of Prince’s bodyguard and close friend, Kirk Johnson, “for Prince’s privacy,” one affidavit said.</p>
<p>Schulenberg’s attorney, Amy Conners, disputed that. She said in a statement that Schulenberg “never directly prescribed opioids to Prince, nor did he ever prescribe opioids to any other person with the intent that they would be given to Prince.”</p>
<p>F. Clayton Tyler, Johnson’s attorney, released a statement saying that after reviewing the documents, “we believe that it is clear that Kirk Johnson did not secure nor supply the drugs which caused Prince’s death.”</p>
<p>Schulenberg is practicing family medicine in Minnesota and Conners said there are no restrictions on his license.</p>
<p>It is illegal for a doctor to write a prescription for someone under another person’s name.</p>
<p>Joe Tamburino, a Minnesota defense attorney who is not associated with the Prince case, said while Schulenberg and Johnson could face charges if the allegations are true, it’s unlikely state or federal prosecutors would pursue them. He called them low-level offenses that wouldn’t draw prison time.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>He said for prosecutors, the source of the fentanyl is the big target.</p>
<p>“The oxycodone in this case is only tangential to the whole case,” Tamburino said. “If this was a fentanyl script, oh boy, it would be a totally different situation. … The real meat and potatoes is going to be that fentanyl thing.”</p>
<p>The documents said Prince did not have any prescriptions, including for fentanyl.</p>
<p>James L. Jones, a spokesman for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s field office in Chicago, said anyone convicted of writing a prescription for someone under another person’s name could lose their DEA registration — meaning they could no longer prescribe medications — and could face discipline from their state medical board.</p>
<p>In practice, laws against prescribing drugs for someone under a false name are not usually enforced when a doctor intends to protect a celebrity’s privacy, said Los Angeles attorney Ellyn Garofalo. She represented a doctor who was acquitted of all charges, including false name allegations, in the death of Anna Nicole Smith, the Playboy model and reality TV star who died of an accidental overdose in 2007.</p>
<p>“They would be indicting every pharmacist in Beverly Hills if this were strictly enforced,” Garofalo said Monday.</p>
<p>Oxycodone, the generic name for the active ingredient in OxyContin, was not listed as a cause of Prince’s death. But it is part of a family of painkillers driving the nation’s overdose and addiction epidemic, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nearly 2 million Americans abused or were addicted to prescription opioids, including oxycodone, in 2014.</p>
<p>Patients who take prescription opioids eventually build up a tolerance and need to take stronger doses to get the same effect. In some patients, the cycle leads to dependence and addiction.</p>
<p>A search of Prince’s home yielded numerous pills in various containers. Some were in prescription bottles for Johnson. Some pills in other bottles were marked “Watson 853,” a label used for a drug that is a mix of acetaminophen and hydrocodone, another opioid painkiller. Last August, an official with knowledge of the investigation told The Associated Press that at least one of those pills tested positive for fentanyl, meaning the pill was counterfeit and obtained illegally. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation.</p>
<p>In addition to the dozens of pills recovered, authorities also found a pamphlet for an addiction recovery center in California, the documents unsealed Monday show. The day before Prince died, Paisley Park staffers contacted the California addiction specialist as they were trying to get Prince help.</p>
<p>Dr. Howard Kornfeld sent his son, Andrew, to Minnesota that night, and the younger Kornfeld was among those who found Prince’s body. Andrew Kornfeld was carrying buprenorphine, a medication that can be used to help treat opioid addiction. The Kornfelds’ attorney, William Mauzy, has said Andrew had intended to give the medication to a doctor.</p>
<p>Prince did not have a cellphone and authorities searched multiple email accounts that they believed he was using, as they tried to determine how he got the drug that killed him, according to the search warrants. The search warrants don’t reveal the outcome of the email searches.</p>
<p>The documents also say some of the drugs in Prince’s bedroom were in a suitcase with the name “Peter Bravestrong” on it. Police believe Bravestrong was an alias that Prince used when he traveled.</p>
<p>Investigators have said little publicly about the case over the last year, other than it is active.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow Amy Forliti on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/amyforliti" type="external">http://www.twitter.com/amyforliti</a> . More of her work can be found at <a href="http://bigstory.ap.org/content/amy-forliti" type="external">http://bigstory.ap.org/content/amy-forliti</a> .</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>AP Medical Writer Carla K. Johnson contributed to this story from Chicago. Doug Glass contributed from Minneapolis.</p>
| false | 2 |
minneapolis court documents unsealed monday investigation princes death suggest doctor close friend helped improperly obtain prescription opioid painkillers shed new light superstar got fentanyl killed affidavits search warrants unsealed carver county district court yearlong investigation princes death continues documents show authorities searched paisley park cellphone records princes associates princes email accounts try determine got fentanyl synthetic opioid drug 50 times powerful heroin documents dont reveal answers question provide details yet seen princes struggle addiction prescription opioids days died advertisement prince 57 found alone unresponsive elevator paisley park estate april 21 six days earlier fell ill plane revived two doses drug reverses effects opioid overdose associates paisley park also told investigators prince recently going withdrawals believed result abuse prescription medication documents unsealed monday allege dr michael todd schulenberg family physician saw musician twice last april told authorities prescribed opioid painkiller oxycodone prince put name princes bodyguard close friend kirk johnson princes privacy one affidavit said schulenbergs attorney amy conners disputed said statement schulenberg never directly prescribed opioids prince ever prescribe opioids person intent would given prince f clayton tyler johnsons attorney released statement saying reviewing documents believe clear kirk johnson secure supply drugs caused princes death schulenberg practicing family medicine minnesota conners said restrictions license illegal doctor write prescription someone another persons name joe tamburino minnesota defense attorney associated prince case said schulenberg johnson could face charges allegations true unlikely state federal prosecutors would pursue called lowlevel offenses wouldnt draw prison time advertisement said prosecutors source fentanyl big target oxycodone case tangential whole case tamburino said fentanyl script oh boy would totally different situation real meat potatoes going fentanyl thing documents said prince prescriptions including fentanyl james l jones spokesman us drug enforcement administrations field office chicago said anyone convicted writing prescription someone another persons name could lose dea registration meaning could longer prescribe medications could face discipline state medical board practice laws prescribing drugs someone false name usually enforced doctor intends protect celebritys privacy said los angeles attorney ellyn garofalo represented doctor acquitted charges including false name allegations death anna nicole smith playboy model reality tv star died accidental overdose 2007 would indicting every pharmacist beverly hills strictly enforced garofalo said monday oxycodone generic name active ingredient oxycontin listed cause princes death part family painkillers driving nations overdose addiction epidemic according us centers disease control prevention nearly 2 million americans abused addicted prescription opioids including oxycodone 2014 patients take prescription opioids eventually build tolerance need take stronger doses get effect patients cycle leads dependence addiction search princes home yielded numerous pills various containers prescription bottles johnson pills bottles marked watson 853 label used drug mix acetaminophen hydrocodone another opioid painkiller last august official knowledge investigation told associated press least one pills tested positive fentanyl meaning pill counterfeit obtained illegally official spoke condition anonymity ongoing investigation addition dozens pills recovered authorities also found pamphlet addiction recovery center california documents unsealed monday show day prince died paisley park staffers contacted california addiction specialist trying get prince help dr howard kornfeld sent son andrew minnesota night younger kornfeld among found princes body andrew kornfeld carrying buprenorphine medication used help treat opioid addiction kornfelds attorney william mauzy said andrew intended give medication doctor prince cellphone authorities searched multiple email accounts believed using tried determine got drug killed according search warrants search warrants dont reveal outcome email searches documents also say drugs princes bedroom suitcase name peter bravestrong police believe bravestrong alias prince used traveled investigators said little publicly case last year active ___ follow amy forliti twitter httpwwwtwittercomamyforliti work found httpbigstoryaporgcontentamyforliti ___ ap medical writer carla k johnson contributed story chicago doug glass contributed minneapolis
| 601 |
<p>Jan 22 (Reuters) - Nasdaq Inc:</p>
<p>* NASDAQ - AGENCY FOR COOPERATION OF ENERGY REGULATORS CONTINUES TO USE CO’S SMARTS FOR PAN-EUROPEAN MARKET MONITORING OF EU WHOLESALE ENERGY MARKETS</p>
<p>* NASDAQ - NEW AGREEMENT CONTRACT EXTENSION WILL CONTINUE TO ALLOW NATIONAL REGULATORY AUTHORITIES TO SHARE DATA, TECHNOLOGY, AND EXPERTISE</p>
<p>* NASDAQ - SMARTS TECHNOLOGY WILL CONTINUE BEING LEVERAGED TO MONITOR EUROPEAN WHOLESALE GAS AND ELECTRICITY MARKETS Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage:</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian authorities on Saturday arrested billionaire Ziyavudin Magomedov on charges of embezzling more than $35 million, in one of the highest-profile prosecutions of a Russian tycoon in years.</p> Ziyavudin Magomedov, the co-owner of Russia's Summa investment and trading group that was involved in construction of a soccer World Cup venue in Kaliningrad, attends a hearing on his detention at the Tverskoy District Court in Moscow, Russia March 31, 2018. REUTERS/Tatyana Makeyeva
<p>Magomedov denied the charges at a pre-trial hearing, where a judge ordered that he be held in custody until May 30.</p>
<p>One of Russia’s richest men, the 49-year-old Magomedov holds assets in construction and logistics through his sprawling Summa Group. He also has investments in U.S. tech ventures, including the Virgin One Hyperloop project,</p>
<p>He was detained along with his business partner and brother, Magomed Magomedov, and Artur Maksidov, the head of a company in the Summa group that was involved in construction of a soccer World Cup venue in the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.</p>
<p>The hearing in Moscow’s Tverskoy District Court was held to decide whether Magomedov and his associates should be detained pending trial.</p>
<p>The judge, Maria Sizintseva, said they acted as part of an organized crime group and had tried to put pressure on witnesses. She rejected an offer from Magomedov to put up a $35 million bail bond, and ordered he be detained.</p>
<p>Citing the arguments against granting bail, the judge said Magomedov had access to his own aircraft, and assets abroad. The day before he was detained, he had booked a flight from Moscow to Miami, the judge said.</p> Slideshow (4 Images) MUSCULAR STATE
<p>Invited to speak from a metal cage in the courtroom, Magomedov, dressed in a dark-blue jogging suit, said: “I categorically disagree with the charges presented.... The prosecution case does not stand up to scrutiny.”</p>
<p>He said he needed treatment in the United States for a medical problem, and offered to put up the $35 million bail. “I’m willing to pull together this money, so no one has any thoughts that I might go on the run,” Magomedov said.</p>
<a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=NMTP.MM" type="external">Novorossiyskiy Morskoy Torgovyi Port PAO</a> 7.765 NMTP.MM Moscow Interbank Currency Exchange -0.19 (-2.33%) NMTP.MM TRNF_p.MM FESH.MM
<p>Magomedov is part of a group of Russian multi-millionaires who, while publicly loyal to the Kremlin, are not in President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle.</p>
<p>Some members of the group say they are being squeezed by a tough economy, Western sanctions on Russia, and powerful state-run companies that are muscling in on nearly all sectors of the economy.</p>
<p>In past cases when magnates have been prosecuted, some in the Russia business community have said the tycoons were victims of a plot by the Kremlin or by politically connected business rivals - though the authorities deny that.</p>
<p>People familiar with the Russian judicial system say high-profile corruption cases are rarely fabricated, but that the law is applied selectively, and that prosecutions can be influenced by outside factors.</p>
<p>Ziyavudin Magomedov ranked 63rd last year on the Forbes list of the richest businesspeople in Russia with $1.4 billion. In January, he was listed by the U.S. Treasury Department as one of 96 “oligarchs” close to Putin.</p>
<p>His Caspian Venture Capital fund has investments in ride-hailing service Uber UBER.UL; Diamond Foundry, a company that produces man-made diamonds; and Peek, an online leisure activities company.</p>
<p>Magomedov is also co-executive chairman of Los Angeles-based tech firm Virgin Hyperloop One, which is chaired by Richard Branson. It is one of several firms developing a futuristic transport system that involves propelling people at high speed through sealed tubes.</p>
<p>He also co-owns the Novorossiysk Commercial Sea Port ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=NMTP.MM" type="external">NMTP.MM</a>) with Russian oil pipeline monopoly Transneft ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=TRNF_p.MM" type="external">TRNF_p.MM</a>) and transportation group Fesco ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=FESH.MM" type="external">FESH.MM</a>).</p>
<p>Additional reporting by Gleb Stolyarov; Writing by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber and Christian Lowe; Editing by Larry King</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>GAZA (Reuters) - Israeli troops fired warning shots toward Palestinian youths gathered at the Gaza-Israel border on Saturday, wounding 13 people, health officials said.</p> A Palestinian hurls stones at Israeli troops during clashes at the Gaza-Israel border at a protest demanding the right to return to their homeland, in the southern Gaza Strip March 31, 2018. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa
<p>Tension remained high in the area a day after deadly violence broke out in one of the biggest Palestinian demonstrations there in years.</p>
<p>An Israeli military spokesman said he was checking the details of Saturday’s unrest.</p>
<p>On Friday at least 15 Palestinians were killed by Israeli security forces confronting protesters, some of whom the military said had opened fire, rolled burning tires and hurled rocks and fire bombs toward troops across the border.</p> A Palestinian is evacuated during clashes with Israeli troops at the Gaza-Israel border at a protest demanding the right to return to their homeland, in the southern Gaza Strip March 31, 2018. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa
<p>Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared Saturday a national day of mourning and a general strike was called across the occupied West Bank. Thousands in Gaza marched through the streets at funerals for those killed.</p>
<p>Tens of thousands of Palestinians had gathered on Friday along the fenced 65-km (40-mile) frontier, where tents were erected for a planned six-week protest pressing for a right of return for refugees and their descendents to what is now Israel. The Israeli military estimate was 30,000.</p>
<p>Families brought their children to the encampments just a few hundred meters (yards) from the Israeli security barrier with the Islamist Hamas-run enclave. But hundreds of Palestinian youths ignored calls from the organizers and the Israeli military to stay away from the frontier and violence broke out.</p> PALESTINIANS MARKING “CATASTROPHE”
<p>The protest, organized by Hamas and other Palestinian factions, is scheduled to culminate on May 15, the day Palestinians commemorate what they call the “Nakba” or “Catastrophe” when hundreds of thousands fled or were driven out of their homes in 1948, when the state of Israel was created.</p>
<p>Israel has long ruled out any right of return, fearing an influx of Arabs that would wipe out its Jewish majority. It argues that refugees should resettle in a future state the Palestinians seek in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza. Peace talks to that end have been frozen since 2014.</p> Slideshow (12 Images)
<p>Israel withdrew its troops and settlers from Gaza in 2005 but still maintains tight control of its land and sea borders.</p>
<p>Egypt also keeps its border with Gaza largely closed.</p>
<p>Abbas’s spokesman, Nabil Abu Rdainah, said: “The message of the Palestinian people is clear. The Palestinian land will always belong to its legitimate owners and the occupation will be removed.”</p>
<p>Israeli military spokesman Brigadier-General Ronen Manelis said Hamas was using the protests as a guise to launch attacks against Israel and ignite the area. He said violence would likely continue along the border until May 15.</p>
<p>“We won’t let this turn into a ping-pong zone where they perpetrate a terrorist act and we respond with pinpoint action. If this continues we will not have no choice but to respond inside the Gaza Strip,” Manelis told reporters in a phone briefing.</p>
<p>The Gaza Health Ministry had said on Friday 16 people were killed but revised the death toll to 15 on Saturday.</p>
<p>Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi and Maayan Lubell; Editing by Angus MacSwan</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>(Reuters) - Baylor University in Texas paid more than $15.1 million to its former head football coach Art Briles after firing him in 2016 for failing to address students’ complaints of rape and sexual assault by football players, new tax filings show.</p> FILE PHOTO: Baylor University head coach Art Briles reacts against the University of Oklahoma in the first half of their NCAA Big 12 football game at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas, United States on November 19, 2011. REUTERS/Mike Stone/File Photo - TM3EC620ZKW01/File Photo
<p>A spokeswoman for Baylor, a private Baptist university in Waco, said the money was severance pay, made as part of a legal settlement, and came from institutional reserves.</p>
<p>Kenneth Starr, who was forced to step down as the university’s president and chancellor in the wake of the scandal, received more than $4.5 million in severance pay, the school said. Starr rose to prominence in the 1990s for his investigation of Bill Clinton’s sex scandals while Clinton was U.S. president.</p>
<p>Starr said in 2016 he was not aware of the assault allegations but accepted responsibility. Both Briles and Baylor have said there were “serious shortcomings” in how they responded to the complaints of assault.</p>
<p>The payments, which were first reported by the Dallas Morning News, appear in the university’s 990 form, a disclosure document the university must file annually with the Internal Revenue Service as a non-profit organization.</p>
<p>Last year, Baylor reached a settlement with a former student who had sued, saying she was a victim of gang rape by football players, and that the school overlooked a violent culture in order to keep good players on its team.</p>
<p>The U.S. Department of Education is investigating the school’s response to students’ complaints of sexual assault by football players.</p>
<p>In a statement, Baylor said the payments to the staff it removed were legal settlements, and that it had improved its procedures for reporting sexual assault, among other measures.</p>
<p>“Baylor remains steadfast in our unwavering commitment to care for our students and respond appropriately to incidents of sexual violence,” the school’s statement said.</p>
<p>Reporting by Jonathan Allen in New York; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>CAMBRIDGE, England (Reuters) - Well-wishers filled the streets of Cambridge on Saturday for the funeral of British physicist Stephen Hawking, hailed by another leading scientist as “an imprisoned mind roaming the cosmos”.</p>
<p>Hawking, crippled since a young man by a degenerative disease, beat the odds stacked against him to became the most celebrated scientist of his era. His work ranged from the origins of the universe itself, through time travel and probing black holes in space.</p>
<p>He achieved international renown after the publication of ““A Brief History of Time” in 1988.</p>
<p>His coffin was topped with white “Universe” lilies and white “Polar Star” roses and carried by pallbearers from the University of Cambridge, where he worked. It was greeted by a large crowd outside the church who clapped as it was carried in.</p>
<p>The 76-year-old scientist was mourned by his children Robert, Lucy and Timothy, joined by guests including playwright Alan Bennett, businessman Elon Musk and model Lily Cole.</p>
<p>Eddie Redmayne, the actor who played Professor Hawking in the 2014 film “The Theory of Everything” was one of the readers in the ceremony and Felicity Jones, who played his wife, Jane Hawking in the film also attended the service.</p>
<p>The ceremony included space-themed music composed specially for Hawking called “Beyond the Night Sky”, inspired by a poem and quotes from “A Brief History of Time” and whistling and “shh” sounds based on recordings of space.</p> Pallbearers carry the coffin into Great St Marys Church, where the funeral of theoretical physicist Prof Stephen Hawking is being held, in Cambridge, Britain, March 31, 2018. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls
<p>Astronomer Royal Martin Rees, a personal friend, read from Plato’s Apology 40, “The Death of Socrates”, which talks of the search for knowledge persisting after death.</p>
<p>Confined to a wheelchair for most of his life after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease when he was 21, Hawking’s towering intellect and sheer persistence struck a chord with ordinary people, Rees said in an appreciation published earlier this month.</p>
<p>“Why did he become such a ‘cult figure’? The concept of an imprisoned mind roaming the cosmos plainly grabbed people’s imagination,” he said.</p> Slideshow (13 Images)
<p>“His name will live in the annals of science; millions have had their cosmic horizons widened by his best-selling books; and even more, around the world, have been inspired by a unique example of achievement against all the odds – a manifestation of amazing will-power and determination.”</p>
<p>Hawking’s ashes will be interred at Westminster Abbey in June, among some of the greatest scientists in history, Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin.</p>
<p>Reporting by Henry Nicholls; Writing by Elisabeth O'Leary; Editing by Stephen Powell</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
| false | 2 |
jan 22 reuters nasdaq inc nasdaq agency cooperation energy regulators continues use cos smarts paneuropean market monitoring eu wholesale energy markets nasdaq new agreement contract extension continue allow national regulatory authorities share data technology expertise nasdaq smarts technology continue leveraged monitor european wholesale gas electricity markets source text eikon company coverage standards thomson reuters trust principles moscow reuters russian authorities saturday arrested billionaire ziyavudin magomedov charges embezzling 35 million one highestprofile prosecutions russian tycoon years ziyavudin magomedov coowner russias summa investment trading group involved construction soccer world cup venue kaliningrad attends hearing detention tverskoy district court moscow russia march 31 2018 reuterstatyana makeyeva magomedov denied charges pretrial hearing judge ordered held custody may 30 one russias richest men 49yearold magomedov holds assets construction logistics sprawling summa group also investments us tech ventures including virgin one hyperloop project detained along business partner brother magomed magomedov artur maksidov head company summa group involved construction soccer world cup venue russian exclave kaliningrad hearing moscows tverskoy district court held decide whether magomedov associates detained pending trial judge maria sizintseva said acted part organized crime group tried put pressure witnesses rejected offer magomedov put 35 million bail bond ordered detained citing arguments granting bail judge said magomedov access aircraft assets abroad day detained booked flight moscow miami judge said slideshow 4 images muscular state invited speak metal cage courtroom magomedov dressed darkblue jogging suit said categorically disagree charges presented prosecution case stand scrutiny said needed treatment united states medical problem offered put 35 million bail im willing pull together money one thoughts might go run magomedov said novorossiyskiy morskoy torgovyi port pao 7765 nmtpmm moscow interbank currency exchange 019 233 nmtpmm trnf_pmm feshmm magomedov part group russian multimillionaires publicly loyal kremlin president vladimir putins inner circle members group say squeezed tough economy western sanctions russia powerful staterun companies muscling nearly sectors economy past cases magnates prosecuted russia business community said tycoons victims plot kremlin politically connected business rivals though authorities deny people familiar russian judicial system say highprofile corruption cases rarely fabricated law applied selectively prosecutions influenced outside factors ziyavudin magomedov ranked 63rd last year forbes list richest businesspeople russia 14 billion january listed us treasury department one 96 oligarchs close putin caspian venture capital fund investments ridehailing service uber uberul diamond foundry company produces manmade diamonds peek online leisure activities company magomedov also coexecutive chairman los angelesbased tech firm virgin hyperloop one chaired richard branson one several firms developing futuristic transport system involves propelling people high speed sealed tubes also coowns novorossiysk commercial sea port nmtpmm russian oil pipeline monopoly transneft trnf_pmm transportation group fesco feshmm additional reporting gleb stolyarov writing gabrielle tetraultfarber christian lowe editing larry king standards thomson reuters trust principles gaza reuters israeli troops fired warning shots toward palestinian youths gathered gazaisrael border saturday wounding 13 people health officials said palestinian hurls stones israeli troops clashes gazaisrael border protest demanding right return homeland southern gaza strip march 31 2018 reutersibraheem abu mustafa tension remained high area day deadly violence broke one biggest palestinian demonstrations years israeli military spokesman said checking details saturdays unrest friday least 15 palestinians killed israeli security forces confronting protesters military said opened fire rolled burning tires hurled rocks fire bombs toward troops across border palestinian evacuated clashes israeli troops gazaisrael border protest demanding right return homeland southern gaza strip march 31 2018 reutersibraheem abu mustafa palestinian president mahmoud abbas declared saturday national day mourning general strike called across occupied west bank thousands gaza marched streets funerals killed tens thousands palestinians gathered friday along fenced 65km 40mile frontier tents erected planned sixweek protest pressing right return refugees descendents israel israeli military estimate 30000 families brought children encampments hundred meters yards israeli security barrier islamist hamasrun enclave hundreds palestinian youths ignored calls organizers israeli military stay away frontier violence broke palestinians marking catastrophe protest organized hamas palestinian factions scheduled culminate may 15 day palestinians commemorate call nakba catastrophe hundreds thousands fled driven homes 1948 state israel created israel long ruled right return fearing influx arabs would wipe jewish majority argues refugees resettle future state palestinians seek israelioccupied west bank gaza peace talks end frozen since 2014 slideshow 12 images israel withdrew troops settlers gaza 2005 still maintains tight control land sea borders egypt also keeps border gaza largely closed abbass spokesman nabil abu rdainah said message palestinian people clear palestinian land always belong legitimate owners occupation removed israeli military spokesman brigadiergeneral ronen manelis said hamas using protests guise launch attacks israel ignite area said violence would likely continue along border may 15 wont let turn pingpong zone perpetrate terrorist act respond pinpoint action continues choice respond inside gaza strip manelis told reporters phone briefing gaza health ministry said friday 16 people killed revised death toll 15 saturday reporting nidal almughrabi maayan lubell editing angus macswan standards thomson reuters trust principles reuters baylor university texas paid 151 million former head football coach art briles firing 2016 failing address students complaints rape sexual assault football players new tax filings show file photo baylor university head coach art briles reacts university oklahoma first half ncaa big 12 football game floyd casey stadium waco texas united states november 19 2011 reutersmike stonefile photo tm3ec620zkw01file photo spokeswoman baylor private baptist university waco said money severance pay made part legal settlement came institutional reserves kenneth starr forced step universitys president chancellor wake scandal received 45 million severance pay school said starr rose prominence 1990s investigation bill clintons sex scandals clinton us president starr said 2016 aware assault allegations accepted responsibility briles baylor said serious shortcomings responded complaints assault payments first reported dallas morning news appear universitys 990 form disclosure document university must file annually internal revenue service nonprofit organization last year baylor reached settlement former student sued saying victim gang rape football players school overlooked violent culture order keep good players team us department education investigating schools response students complaints sexual assault football players statement baylor said payments staff removed legal settlements improved procedures reporting sexual assault among measures baylor remains steadfast unwavering commitment care students respond appropriately incidents sexual violence schools statement said reporting jonathan allen new york editing chizu nomiyama standards thomson reuters trust principles cambridge england reuters wellwishers filled streets cambridge saturday funeral british physicist stephen hawking hailed another leading scientist imprisoned mind roaming cosmos hawking crippled since young man degenerative disease beat odds stacked became celebrated scientist era work ranged origins universe time travel probing black holes space achieved international renown publication brief history time 1988 coffin topped white universe lilies white polar star roses carried pallbearers university cambridge worked greeted large crowd outside church clapped carried 76yearold scientist mourned children robert lucy timothy joined guests including playwright alan bennett businessman elon musk model lily cole eddie redmayne actor played professor hawking 2014 film theory everything one readers ceremony felicity jones played wife jane hawking film also attended service ceremony included spacethemed music composed specially hawking called beyond night sky inspired poem quotes brief history time whistling shh sounds based recordings space pallbearers carry coffin great st marys church funeral theoretical physicist prof stephen hawking held cambridge britain march 31 2018 reutershenry nicholls astronomer royal martin rees personal friend read platos apology 40 death socrates talks search knowledge persisting death confined wheelchair life diagnosed motor neurone disease 21 hawkings towering intellect sheer persistence struck chord ordinary people rees said appreciation published earlier month become cult figure concept imprisoned mind roaming cosmos plainly grabbed peoples imagination said slideshow 13 images name live annals science millions cosmic horizons widened bestselling books even around world inspired unique example achievement odds manifestation amazing willpower determination hawkings ashes interred westminster abbey june among greatest scientists history isaac newton charles darwin reporting henry nicholls writing elisabeth oleary editing stephen powell standards thomson reuters trust principles
| 1,288 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p />
<p>The Blue Demons scored 51 points off 39 Lobo turnovers and blew things open in the second half of a 97-59 win in the final game of the Maggie Dixon Classic. All 14 Lobos in uniform saw action – and 13 turned the ball over at least once.</p>
<p>“DePaul forces you into a frantic pace,” UNM coach Yvonne Sanchez said in a postgame phone interview. “They’re probably the best pressuring team I’ve seen in a long time, and we didn’t handle it. We threw the ball away way too much, and points off turnovers were the ballgame.”</p>
<p>UNM wasn’t the first team burned by the Blue Demons’ pressure. No. 5 Texas A&amp;M had 25 giveaways in Friday’s season-opening win over DePaul.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Nor did the turnover bug immediately doom New Mexico, which had 21 in the first half but trailed just 45-40 early in the second.</p>
<p>But the Lobos’ inability to hang onto the ball combined with DePaul’s 3-point shooting broke things open suddenly in the second half. Megan Rogowski hit five of the Blue Demons’ 11 3-pointers, Brittany Hrynko scored a game-high 19 points, and the quick avalanche of points buried New Mexico.</p>
<p>“I felt like we ran out of gas a little bit,” Sanchez said. “Our kids battled in the first half, but DePaul is not a good team to face in the third game of a tournament with little preparation. No one plays like they do. We made a lot of unforced errors, but DePaul is just a tough matchup.”</p>
<p>Antiesha Brown and Cherise Beynon scored 14 points apiece to lead UNM (0-3). Khadijah Shumpert had eight points, six rebounds and was named to the all-tournament team. Alexa Chavez had her third straight productive game off the bench with eight points and seven boards.</p>
<p>Shumpert fouled out with eight minutes left and DePaul leading 81-59. UNM did not score again.</p>
<p>When they were able to avoid turnovers, the Lobos shot well (46 percent) from the field, but they finished just 9-for-21 from the foul line.</p>
<p>“That makes no sense,” Sanchez said. “You can’t leave 12 points at the foul line, especially against an explosive team like DePaul. But the bottom line is we played two of the best teams in the country this week and learned a lot about ourselves, good and bad. Now we just have to go home and put that knowledge to use.”</p>
<p>The schedule doesn’t get easier immediately. UNM’s next game, Nov. 24 at the Pit, is against No. 6 Stanford.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Official Basketball Box Score</p>
<p>New Mexico vs DePaul</p>
<p>11/16/14 4:30 PM at Chicago, IL</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>——————————————————————————–</p>
<p>VISITORS: New Mexico 0-3</p>
<p>TOT-FG&#160; 3-PT&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; REBOUNDS</p>
<p>## Player Name&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF&#160; TP&#160; A TO BLK S MIN</p>
<p>0&#160; Beynon,Cherise…… *&#160; <a href="callto:6-10%200-2%202-3%200" type="external">6-10&#160;&#160; 0-2&#160;&#160;&#160; 2-3&#160;&#160;&#160; 0</a>&#160; <a href="callto:5%205%204%2014%201%202%200" type="external">5&#160; 5&#160;&#160; 4&#160; 14&#160; 1&#160; 2&#160; 0</a>&#160; 1&#160; 20</p>
<p>03 Greenwood,Josie….. *&#160; <a href="callto:0-0%200-0%200-1%200" type="external">0-0&#160;&#160;&#160; 0-0&#160;&#160;&#160; 0-1&#160;&#160;&#160; 0</a>&#160; <a href="callto:4%204%202%200%202%203%201" type="external">4&#160; 4&#160;&#160; 2&#160;&#160; 0&#160; 2&#160; 3&#160; 1</a>&#160; 0&#160; 18</p>
<p>12 Owens,Bryce……… *&#160; <a href="callto:1-4%201-2%200-0%200" type="external">1-4&#160;&#160;&#160; 1-2&#160;&#160;&#160; 0-0&#160;&#160;&#160; 0</a>&#160; <a href="callto:4%204%202%203%205%205%200" type="external">4&#160; 4&#160;&#160; 2&#160;&#160; 3&#160; 5&#160; 5&#160; 0</a>&#160; 1&#160; 23</p>
<p>13 Shumpert,Khadijah… *&#160; <a href="callto:4-6%200-0%200-0%202" type="external">4-6&#160;&#160;&#160; 0-0&#160;&#160;&#160; 0-0&#160;&#160;&#160; 2</a>&#160; <a href="callto:4%206%205%208%201%207%200" type="external">4&#160; 6&#160;&#160; 5&#160;&#160; 8&#160; 1&#160; 7&#160; 0</a>&#160; 1&#160; 19</p>
<p>15 Brown,Antiesha…… *&#160; <a href="callto:6-12%201-2%201-3%202" type="external">6-12&#160;&#160; 1-2&#160;&#160;&#160; 1-3&#160;&#160;&#160; 2</a>&#160; <a href="callto:2%204%203%2014%202%205%200" type="external">2&#160; 4&#160;&#160; 3&#160; 14&#160; 2&#160; 5&#160; 0</a>&#160; 0&#160; 21</p>
<p>01 Allemand,Brooke…..&#160;&#160;&#160; <a href="callto:0-3%200-1%200-0%200" type="external">0-3&#160;&#160;&#160; 0-1&#160;&#160;&#160; 0-0&#160;&#160;&#160; 0</a>&#160; <a href="callto:3%203%202%200%200%201%200" type="external">3&#160; 3&#160;&#160; 2&#160;&#160; 0&#160; 0&#160; 1&#160; 0</a>&#160; 0&#160;&#160; 9</p>
<p>11 Chavez,Alexa……..&#160;&#160;&#160; <a href="callto:3-5%200-0%202-5%204" type="external">3-5&#160;&#160;&#160; 0-0&#160;&#160;&#160; 2-5&#160;&#160;&#160; 4</a>&#160; <a href="callto:3%207%203%208%201%202%200" type="external">3&#160; 7&#160;&#160; 3&#160;&#160; 8&#160; 1&#160; 2&#160; 0</a>&#160; 1&#160; 19</p>
<p>2&#160; Pye,Kenya………..&#160;&#160;&#160; <a href="callto:1-4%200-1%201-2%200" type="external">1-4&#160;&#160;&#160; 0-1&#160;&#160;&#160; 1-2&#160;&#160;&#160; 0</a>&#160; <a href="callto:2%202%200%203%200%202%200" type="external">2&#160; 2&#160;&#160; 0&#160;&#160; 3&#160; 0&#160; 2&#160; 0</a>&#160; 0&#160; 16</p>
<p>21 Perry,Marissa…….&#160;&#160;&#160; <a href="callto:0-1%200-1%200-2%200" type="external">0-1&#160;&#160;&#160; 0-1&#160;&#160;&#160; 0-2&#160;&#160;&#160; 0</a>&#160; <a href="callto:0%200%200%200%200%200%200" type="external">0&#160; 0&#160;&#160; 0&#160;&#160; 0&#160; 0&#160; 0&#160; 0</a>&#160; 0&#160;&#160; 3</p>
<p>24 Bovero,Jayda……..&#160;&#160;&#160; <a href="callto:0-0%200-0%203-4%200" type="external">0-0&#160;&#160;&#160; 0-0&#160;&#160;&#160; 3-4&#160;&#160;&#160; 0</a>&#160; <a href="callto:1%201%200%203%200%203%200" type="external">1&#160; 1&#160;&#160; 0&#160;&#160; 3&#160; 0&#160; 3&#160; 0</a>&#160; 0&#160;&#160; 7</p>
<p>25 Bryan,Laneah……..&#160;&#160;&#160; <a href="callto:0-0%200-0%200-0%200" type="external">0-0&#160;&#160;&#160; 0-0&#160;&#160;&#160; 0-0&#160;&#160;&#160; 0</a>&#160; <a href="callto:0%200%201%200%200%202%200" type="external">0&#160; 0&#160;&#160; 1&#160;&#160; 0&#160; 0&#160; 2&#160; 0</a>&#160; 2&#160; 13</p>
<p>31 Mitchell,Brea…….&#160;&#160;&#160; <a href="callto:2-5%200-0%200-0%200" type="external">2-5&#160;&#160;&#160; 0-0&#160;&#160;&#160; 0-0&#160;&#160;&#160; 0</a>&#160; <a href="callto:3%203%200%204%200%201%200" type="external">3&#160; 3&#160;&#160; 0&#160;&#160; 4&#160; 0&#160; 1&#160; 0</a>&#160; 0&#160;&#160; 8</p>
<p>32 Keller,Kianna…….&#160;&#160;&#160; <a href="callto:1-2%200-0%200-1%201" type="external">1-2&#160;&#160;&#160; 0-0&#160;&#160;&#160; 0-1&#160;&#160;&#160; 1</a>&#160; <a href="callto:2%203%203%202%200%204%201" type="external">2&#160; 3&#160;&#160; 3&#160;&#160; 2&#160; 0&#160; 4&#160; 1</a>&#160; 0&#160; 22</p>
<p>33 Muraida,Maddie……&#160;&#160;&#160; <a href="callto:0-0%200-0%200-0%200" type="external">0-0&#160;&#160;&#160; 0-0&#160;&#160;&#160; 0-0&#160;&#160;&#160; 0</a>&#160; <a href="callto:0%200%201%200%200%201%200" type="external">0&#160; 0&#160;&#160; 1&#160;&#160; 0&#160; 0&#160; 1&#160; 0</a>&#160; 0&#160;&#160; 2</p>
<p>Team…………….&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; <a href="callto:2%201%203%201" type="external">2 &#160;1&#160; 3&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; 1</a></p>
<p>Totals…………..&#160;&#160; <a href="callto:24-52%202-9%209-21" type="external">24-52&#160;&#160; 2-9&#160;&#160;&#160; 9-21</a>&#160; <a href="callto:11%2034%2045%2026%2059%2012%2039" type="external">11 34 45&#160; 26&#160; 59 12 39</a>&#160; 2&#160; 6 200</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>TOTAL FG% 1st Half: 13-26 50.0%&#160;&#160; 2nd Half: 11-26 42.3%&#160;&#160; Game: 46.2%&#160; DEADB</p>
<p>3-Pt. FG% 1st Half:&#160; 0-2&#160;&#160; 0.0%&#160;&#160; 2nd Half:&#160; 2-7&#160; 28.6%&#160;&#160; Game: 22.2%&#160;&#160; REBS</p>
<p>F Throw % 1st Half:&#160; 9-16 56.3%&#160;&#160; 2nd Half:&#160; 0-5&#160;&#160; 0.0%&#160;&#160; Game: 42.9%&#160;&#160;&#160; 4</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>——————————————————————————–</p>
<p>HOME TEAM: DePaul 2-1</p>
<p>TOT-FG&#160; 3-PT&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; REBOUNDS</p>
<p>## Player Name&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF&#160; TP&#160; A TO BLK S MIN</p>
<p>30 Podkowa,Megan……. f&#160; <a href="callto:4-9%201-3%204-6%202" type="external">4-9&#160;&#160;&#160; 1-3&#160;&#160;&#160; 4-6&#160;&#160;&#160; 2</a>&#160; <a href="callto:4%206%203%2013%201%202%200" type="external">4&#160; 6&#160;&#160; 3&#160; 13&#160; 1&#160; 2&#160; 0</a>&#160; 1&#160; 26</p>
<p>12 Hrynko,Brittany….. g&#160; <a href="callto:8-21%203-10%200-1%200" type="external">8-21&#160;&#160; 3-10&#160;&#160; 0-1&#160;&#160;&#160; 0</a>&#160; <a href="callto:1%201%200%2019%205%204%200" type="external">1&#160; 1&#160;&#160; 0&#160; 19&#160; 5&#160; 4&#160; 0</a>&#160; 3&#160; 27</p>
<p>13 Jenkins,Chanise….. g&#160; <a href="callto:3-4%200-1%200-0%201" type="external">3-4&#160;&#160;&#160; 0-1&#160;&#160;&#160; 0-0&#160;&#160;&#160; 1</a>&#160; <a href="callto:0%201%202%206%206%202%200" type="external">0&#160; 1&#160;&#160; 2&#160;&#160; 6&#160; 6&#160; 2&#160; 0</a>&#160; 2&#160; 16</p>
<p>14 January,Jessica….. g&#160; <a href="callto:5-10%201-3%204-7%203" type="external">5-10&#160;&#160; 1-3&#160;&#160;&#160; 4-7&#160;&#160;&#160; 3</a>&#160; <a href="callto:3%206%204%2015%204%205%200" type="external">3&#160; 6&#160;&#160; 4&#160; 15&#160; 4&#160; 5&#160; 0</a>&#160; 3&#160; 24</p>
<p>21 Rogowski,Megan…… g&#160; <a href="callto:5-12%205-9%202-2%200" type="external">5-12&#160;&#160; 5-9&#160;&#160;&#160; 2-2&#160;&#160;&#160; 0</a>&#160; <a href="callto:2%202%200%2017%201%201%200" type="external">2&#160; 2&#160;&#160; 0&#160; 17&#160; 1&#160; 1&#160; 0</a>&#160; 3&#160; 26</p>
<p>01 Millender,Ashton….&#160;&#160;&#160; <a href="callto:1-3%200-1%200-0%201" type="external">1-3&#160;&#160;&#160; 0-1&#160;&#160;&#160; 0-0&#160;&#160;&#160; 1</a>&#160; <a href="callto:1%202%200%202%200%200%200" type="external">1 &#160;2&#160;&#160; 0&#160;&#160; 2&#160; 0&#160; 0&#160; 0</a>&#160; 2&#160; 12</p>
<p>10 Prochaska,Lauren….&#160;&#160;&#160; <a href="callto:0-0%200-0%200-0%200" type="external">0-0&#160;&#160;&#160; 0-0&#160;&#160;&#160; 0-0&#160;&#160;&#160; 0</a>&#160; <a href="callto:0%200%201%200%201%200%200" type="external">0&#160; 0&#160;&#160; 1&#160;&#160; 0&#160; 1&#160; 0&#160; 0</a>&#160; 0&#160; 10</p>
<p>22 Schulte,Brooke……&#160;&#160;&#160; <a href="callto:1-5%200-1%200-0%203" type="external">1-5&#160;&#160;&#160; 0-1&#160;&#160;&#160; 0-0&#160;&#160;&#160; 3</a>&#160; <a href="callto:3%206%202%202%202%200%200" type="external">3&#160; 6&#160;&#160; 2&#160;&#160; 2&#160; 2&#160; 0&#160; 0</a>&#160; 0&#160; 15</p>
<p>23 McGee,Centrese……&#160;&#160;&#160; <a href="callto:3-5%200-1%200-2%204" type="external">3-5&#160;&#160;&#160; 0-1&#160;&#160;&#160; 0-2&#160;&#160;&#160; 4</a>&#160; <a href="callto:3%207%201%206%201%200%200" type="external">3&#160; 7&#160;&#160; 1&#160;&#160; 6&#160; 1&#160; 0&#160; 0</a>&#160; 3&#160; 18</p>
<p>35 Grays,Mart’e……..&#160;&#160;&#160; <a href="callto:3-3%201-1%200-1%201" type="external">3-3&#160;&#160;&#160; 1-1&#160;&#160;&#160; 0-1&#160;&#160;&#160; 1</a>&#160; <a href="callto:2%203%205%207%201%202%200" type="external">2&#160; 3&#160;&#160; 5&#160;&#160; 7&#160; 1&#160; 2&#160; 0</a>&#160; 0&#160; 10</p>
<p>44 Harvey-Carr,Brandi..&#160;&#160;&#160; <a href="callto:2-5%200-0%206-7%201" type="external">2-5&#160;&#160;&#160; 0-0&#160;&#160;&#160; 6-7&#160;&#160;&#160; 1</a>&#160; <a href="callto:4%205%204%2010%200%200%200" type="external">4&#160; 5&#160;&#160; 4&#160; 10&#160; 0&#160; 0&#160; 0</a>&#160; 1&#160; 16</p>
<p>Team…………….&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; 1&#160; 1</p>
<p>Totals…………..&#160;&#160; <a href="callto:35-77%2011-30%2016-26" type="external">35-77&#160; 11-30&#160; 16-26</a>&#160; <a href="callto:16%2024%2040%2022%2097%2022%2016" type="external">16 24 40&#160; 22&#160; 97 22 16</a>&#160; 0 18 200</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>TOTAL FG% 1st Half: 15-37 40.5%&#160;&#160; 2nd Half: 20-40 50.0%&#160;&#160; Game: 45.5%&#160; DEADB</p>
<p>3-Pt. FG% 1st Half:&#160; 5-16 31.3%&#160;&#160; 2nd Half:&#160; 6-14 42.9%&#160;&#160; Game: 36.7%&#160;&#160; REBS</p>
<p>F Throw % 1st Half: 10-16 62.5%&#160;&#160; 2nd Half:&#160; 6-10 60.0%&#160;&#160; Game: 61.5%&#160;&#160;&#160; 3</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>——————————————————————————–</p>
<p>Officials: Barbara Jo Smith, Tiara Cruse, Kathy Lonergan</p>
<p>Technical fouls: New Mexico-None. DePaul-None.</p>
<p>Attendance: 2135</p>
<p>Score by Periods&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;1st&#160; 2nd&#160;&#160; Total</p>
<p>New Mexico………………..&#160;&#160; <a href="callto:35%2024%20-%2059" type="external">35&#160;&#160; 24&#160; –&#160;&#160; 59</a></p>
<p>DePaul……………………&#160;&#160; <a href="callto:45%2052%20-%2097" type="external">45&#160;&#160; 52&#160; –&#160;&#160; 97</a></p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Points in the paint-UNM 34,DPU 38. Points off turnovers-UNM 14,DPU 51.</p>
<p>2nd chance points-UNM 8,DPU 14. Fast break points-UNM 8,DPU 8.</p>
<p>Bench points-UNM 17,DPU 27. Score tied-4 times. Lead changed-3 times.</p>
<p>Last FG-UNM 2nd-08:08, DPU 2nd-01:34.</p>
<p>Largest lead-UNM by 4 1st-18:18, DPU by 38 2nd-01:05.</p>
<p />
<p />
| false | 2 |
blue demons scored 51 points 39 lobo turnovers blew things open second half 9759 win final game maggie dixon classic 14 lobos uniform saw action 13 turned ball least depaul forces frantic pace unm coach yvonne sanchez said postgame phone interview theyre probably best pressuring team ive seen long time didnt handle threw ball away way much points turnovers ballgame unm wasnt first team burned blue demons pressure 5 texas aampm 25 giveaways fridays seasonopening win depaul advertisement turnover bug immediately doom new mexico 21 first half trailed 4540 early second lobos inability hang onto ball combined depauls 3point shooting broke things open suddenly second half megan rogowski hit five blue demons 11 3pointers brittany hrynko scored gamehigh 19 points quick avalanche points buried new mexico felt like ran gas little bit sanchez said kids battled first half depaul good team face third game tournament little preparation one plays like made lot unforced errors depaul tough matchup antiesha brown cherise beynon scored 14 points apiece lead unm 03 khadijah shumpert eight points six rebounds named alltournament team alexa chavez third straight productive game bench eight points seven boards shumpert fouled eight minutes left depaul leading 8159 unm score able avoid turnovers lobos shot well 46 percent field finished 9for21 foul line makes sense sanchez said cant leave 12 points foul line especially explosive team like depaul bottom line played two best teams country week learned lot good bad go home put knowledge use schedule doesnt get easier immediately unms next game nov 24 pit 6 stanford advertisement official basketball box score new mexico vs depaul 111614 430 pm chicago il 160 160 visitors new mexico 03 totfg160 3pt160160160160160160160160 rebounds player name160160160160160160160160160160160 fgfga fgfga ftfta de tot pf160 tp160 blk min 0160 beynoncherise 160 610160160 02160160160 23160160160 0160 5160 5160160 4160 14160 1160 2160 0160 1160 20 03 greenwoodjosie 160 00160160160 00160160160 01160160160 0160 4160 4160160 2160160 0160 2160 3160 1160 0160 18 12 owensbryce 160 14160160160 12160160160 00160160160 0160 4160 4160160 2160160 3160 5160 5160 0160 1160 23 13 shumpertkhadijah 160 46160160160 00160160160 00160160160 2160 4160 6160160 5160160 8160 1160 7160 0160 1160 19 15 brownantiesha 160 612160160 12160160160 13160160160 2160 2160 4160160 3160 14160 2160 5160 0160 0160 21 01 allemandbrooke160160160 03160160160 01160160160 00160160160 0160 3160 3160160 2160160 0160 0160 1160 0160 0160160 9 11 chavezalexa160160160 35160160160 00160160160 25160160160 4160 3160 7160160 3160160 8160 1160 2160 0160 1160 19 2160 pyekenya160160160 14160160160 01160160160 12160160160 0160 2160 2160160 0160160 3160 0160 2160 0160 0160 16 21 perrymarissa160160160 01160160160 01160160160 02160160160 0160 0160 0160160 0160160 0160 0160 0160 0160 0160160 3 24 boverojayda160160160 00160160160 00160160160 34160160160 0160 1160 1160160 0160160 3160 0160 3160 0160 0160160 7 25 bryanlaneah160160160 00160160160 00160160160 00160160160 0160 0160 0160160 1160160 0160 0160 2160 0160 2160 13 31 mitchellbrea160160160 25160160160 00160160160 00160160160 0160 3160 3160160 0160160 4160 0160 1160 0160 0160160 8 32 kellerkianna160160160 12160160160 00160160160 01160160160 1160 2160 3160160 3160160 2160 0160 4160 1160 0160 22 33 muraidamaddie160160160 00160160160 00160160160 00160160160 0160 0160 0160160 1160160 0160 0160 1160 0160 0160160 2 team160160160160160160160160160160160160160160160160160160160160160160160160 2 1601160 3160160160160160160160160160160160160 1 totals160160 2452160160 29160160160 921160 11 34 45160 26160 59 12 39160 2160 6 200 160 total fg 1st half 1326 500160160 2nd half 1126 423160160 game 462160 deadb 3pt fg 1st half160 02160160 00160160 2nd half160 27160 286160160 game 222160160 rebs f throw 1st half160 916 563160160 2nd half160 05160160 00160160 game 429160160160 4 160 160 home team depaul 21 totfg160 3pt160160160160160160160160 rebounds player name160160160160160160 160160160160160fgfga fgfga ftfta de tot pf160 tp160 blk min 30 podkowamegan f160 49160160160 13160160160 46160160160 2160 4160 6160160 3160 13160 1160 2160 0160 1160 26 12 hrynkobrittany g160 821160160 310160160 01160160160 0160 1160 1160160 0160 19160 5160 4160 0160 3160 27 13 jenkinschanise g160 34160160160 01160160160 00160160160 1160 0160 1160160 2160160 6160 6160 2160 0160 2160 16 14 januaryjessica g160 510160160 13160160160 47160160160 3160 3160 6160160 4160 15160 4160 5160 0160 3160 24 21 rogowskimegan g160 512160160 59160160160 22160160160 0160 2160 2160160 0160 17160 1160 1160 0160 3160 26 01 millenderashton160160160 13160160160 01160160160 00160160160 1160 1 1602160160 0160160 2160 0160 0160 0160 2160 12 10 prochaskalauren160160160 00160160160 00160160160 00160160160 0160 0160 0160160 1160160 0160 1160 0160 0160 0160 10 22 schultebrooke160160160 15160160160 01160160160 00160160160 3160 3160 6160160 2160160 2160 2160 0160 0160 0160 15 23 mcgeecentrese160160160 35160160160 01160160160 02160160160 4160 3160 7160160 1160160 6160 1160 0160 0160 3160 18 35 graysmarte160160160 33160160160 11160160160 01160160160 1160 2160 3160160 5160160 7160 1160 2160 0160 0160 10 44 harveycarrbrandi160160160 25160160160 00160160160 67160160160 1160 4160 5160160 4160 10160 0160 0160 0160 1160 16 team160160160160160160160160160160160160160160160160160160160160160160160160160160160 1160 1 totals160160 3577160 1130160 1626160 16 24 40160 22160 97 22 16160 0 18 200 160 total fg 1st half 1537 405160160 2nd half 2040 500160160 game 455160 deadb 3pt fg 1st half160 516 313160160 2nd half160 614 429160160 game 367160160 rebs f throw 1st half 1016 625160160 2nd half160 610 600160160 game 615160160160 3 160 160 officials barbara jo smith tiara cruse kathy lonergan technical fouls new mexiconone depaulnone attendance 2135 score periods160160160160160 1601601601601601601601601601601st160 2nd160160 total new mexico160160 35160160 24160 160160 59 depaul160160 45160160 52160 160160 97 160 points paintunm 34dpu 38 points turnoversunm 14dpu 51 2nd chance pointsunm 8dpu 14 fast break pointsunm 8dpu 8 bench pointsunm 17dpu 27 score tied4 times lead changed3 times last fgunm 2nd0808 dpu 2nd0134 largest leadunm 4 1st1818 dpu 38 2nd0105
| 885 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p>ATLANTA — The Latest on the College Football Playoff Peach Bowl semifinal game between No. 1 Alabama and No. 4 Washington. All times local.</p>
<p>6:18 p.m.</p>
<p>Washington’s rough day on offense continues.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>The Huskies came out of a long commercial break and were penalized for having 12 men on the field. Then left tackle Trey Adams limped off the field.</p>
<p>They had taken over with 7:07 left trailing 24-7. Alabama’s fourth sack resulted in a 13-yard loss and a punt. Inside the last five minutes, that was a definite mea culpa.</p>
<p>5:55 p.m.</p>
<p>SCORE ALERT: Alabama 24, Washington 7.</p>
<p>Bo Scarbrough busted loose with a tackle-breaking, elusive 68-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter. The backup tailback broke a couple of tackles in the backfield, eluded another and then cut inside for his second touchdown of the Peach Bowl.</p>
<p>Scarbrough has 14 carries for 175 yards and has supplied the bulk of the Tide’s offense. That includes both offensive touchdowns.</p>
<p>5:48 p.m.</p>
<p>Washington didn’t go for it, after all.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>The Huskies lined up on fourth down from their own 48 early in the fourth quarter, but quarterback Jake Browning punted. It was a nice one, too. Leading 17-7, Alabama was buried inside its own 5.</p>
<p>The Huskies scored on their opening drive and gained 103 yards in the first quarter. Washington managed just 52 total yards in the next two quarters. Browning passed for 15 yards in the second and third combined, 13 of them on that final drive of the third.</p>
<p>Alabama’s Jalen Hurts hasn’t had much luck, either. He has passed for 41 yards and run for 43 entering the fourth quarter.</p>
<p>5:20 p.m.</p>
<p>Alabama starting defenders Minkah Fitzpatrick and Dalvin Tomlinson are both on the field in the second half after getting shaken up earlier.</p>
<p>They were hurt on the same play. Fitzpatrick is an All-American safety and Tomlinson a defensive lineman who’s also had a strong season opposite national defensive player of the year Jonathan Allen.</p>
<p>4:55 p.m.</p>
<p>Alabama backup tailback Bo Scarbrough was one of the few offensive players producing big plays in a defense-dominated first half. Scarbrough gained 80 yards on nine carries, including an 18-yard touchdown.</p>
<p>The Tide leads 17-7.</p>
<p>Freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts, the SEC offensive player of the year, was just 5-of-9 passing for 32 yards for Alabama and didn’t have any success running either.</p>
<p>Washington quarterback Jake Browning passed for 83 yards, completing 12 of 21 passes. But he had an interception returned for a touchdown with 1:13 left in the half.</p>
<p>Star receiver John Ross gained a modest 28 came in on five catches and lost a fumble. That led to a field goal, so turnovers set up 10 of Alabama’s points.</p>
<p>The Huskies didn’t force a turnover after coming in having produced a nation’s best 33 this season.</p>
<p>4:42 p.m.</p>
<p>SCORE ALERT: Alabama 17, Washington 7</p>
<p>Alabama linebacker Ryan Anderson has scored the latest defensive touchdown for the Tide this season.</p>
<p>Anderson picked off a pass from Jake Browning, who was under heavy pressure, and raced 26 yards for a touchdown late in the second quarter. It was the Tide’s 11th defensive touchdown of the season, easily leading the nation.</p>
<p>3:54 p.m.</p>
<p>SCORE ALERT: Alabama 10, Washington 7</p>
<p>Alabama converted the game’s first turnover into a 41-yard Adam Griffith field goal one play into the second quarter. The Crimson Tide got the ball after Anthony Averett forced a fumble by John Ross. Jonathan Allen recovered.</p>
<p>It was only the sixth fumble Washington has lost this season.</p>
<p>3:38 p.m.</p>
<p>SCORE ALERT: Washington 7, Alabama 7</p>
<p>That didn’t take long.</p>
<p>After Washington jumped to a 7-0 lead, Alabama answered right back with Bo Scarbrough’s tackle-breaking 18-yard touchdown.</p>
<p>The sophomore also had a big Southeastern Conference championship game against Florida in the Georgia Dome. He ran for 91 yards on 11 carries. The Tide went 78 yards in nine plays, mostly on the ground.</p>
<p>3:26 p.m.</p>
<p>SCORE ALERT: Washington 7, Alabama 0</p>
<p>The two-touchdown underdog Washington Huskies have struck first.</p>
<p>Jake Browning tossed a 16-yard touchdown pass to Dante Pettis, son of former major league outfielder Gary Pettis, with 8:01 in the first quarter.</p>
<p>The Crimson Tide has fallen behind by small margins in three straight games: 7-0 to Florida, 3-0 to Auburn and 3-0 to Chattanooga. All three games ended as comfortable wins for Alabama with the teams managing a combined 18 points after that opening score.</p>
<p>3:10 p.m.</p>
<p>Alabama won the toss and opted to put the nation’s top defense on the field first against quarterback Jake Browning and the Huskies. Ex-Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland of the Buffalo Bills went to midfield with the captains instead of Atlanta receiver Julio Jones.</p>
<p>Alabama fans chanted “Eddie” when injured safety Eddie Jackson went out for the coin toss.</p>
<p>3:05 p.m.</p>
<p>Honorary captains for the Peach Bowl were former Alabama and current Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones and ex-Washington and NFL star Lawyer Milloy, joining the game captains at midfield for the coin toss.</p>
<p>In 2008, Jones became the first freshman receiver to start an opener for the Crimson Tide. He’s a four-time Pro Bowl selection who earned first-team All-Pro honors last season.</p>
<p>Milloy was also a four-time Pro Bowl pick and played a big role in the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl XXXVI Championship. As a sophomore, he became the first defensive back to lead the Huskies in tackles since Tony Bonwell in 1972.</p>
<p>2:30 p.m.</p>
<p>Alabama is seeking a couple of milestones in the Peach Bowl against Washington.</p>
<p>A victory over the Huskies would give the senior class a four-year record of 51-5. Alabama shares the four-year win mark with last year’s Crimson Tide and Ohio State seniors and Chris Petersen’s Boise State group that finished up in 2011.</p>
<p>‘Bama is also trying to match Southern California’s record 16-game win streak over ranked teams from 2002-05. The Tide is currently tied with Barry Switzer’s Oklahoma teams from 1973-75</p>
<p>The Tide has won 25 straight games.</p>
<p>The game is some 2,000 miles from Seattle and 200 from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. So it was no surprise that ‘Bama players coming out for warmups were greeted by cheers and a few boos rained down on the Huskies, though the stadium was still filling in.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>More AP college football: <a href="http://www.collegefootball.ap.org" type="external">www.collegefootball.ap.org</a></p>
| false | 2 |
atlanta latest college football playoff peach bowl semifinal game 1 alabama 4 washington times local 618 pm washingtons rough day offense continues advertisement huskies came long commercial break penalized 12 men field left tackle trey adams limped field taken 707 left trailing 247 alabamas fourth sack resulted 13yard loss punt inside last five minutes definite mea culpa 555 pm score alert alabama 24 washington 7 bo scarbrough busted loose tacklebreaking elusive 68yard touchdown early fourth quarter backup tailback broke couple tackles backfield eluded another cut inside second touchdown peach bowl scarbrough 14 carries 175 yards supplied bulk tides offense includes offensive touchdowns 548 pm washington didnt go advertisement huskies lined fourth 48 early fourth quarter quarterback jake browning punted nice one leading 177 alabama buried inside 5 huskies scored opening drive gained 103 yards first quarter washington managed 52 total yards next two quarters browning passed 15 yards second third combined 13 final drive third alabamas jalen hurts hasnt much luck either passed 41 yards run 43 entering fourth quarter 520 pm alabama starting defenders minkah fitzpatrick dalvin tomlinson field second half getting shaken earlier hurt play fitzpatrick allamerican safety tomlinson defensive lineman whos also strong season opposite national defensive player year jonathan allen 455 pm alabama backup tailback bo scarbrough one offensive players producing big plays defensedominated first half scarbrough gained 80 yards nine carries including 18yard touchdown tide leads 177 freshman quarterback jalen hurts sec offensive player year 5of9 passing 32 yards alabama didnt success running either washington quarterback jake browning passed 83 yards completing 12 21 passes interception returned touchdown 113 left half star receiver john ross gained modest 28 came five catches lost fumble led field goal turnovers set 10 alabamas points huskies didnt force turnover coming produced nations best 33 season 442 pm score alert alabama 17 washington 7 alabama linebacker ryan anderson scored latest defensive touchdown tide season anderson picked pass jake browning heavy pressure raced 26 yards touchdown late second quarter tides 11th defensive touchdown season easily leading nation 354 pm score alert alabama 10 washington 7 alabama converted games first turnover 41yard adam griffith field goal one play second quarter crimson tide got ball anthony averett forced fumble john ross jonathan allen recovered sixth fumble washington lost season 338 pm score alert washington 7 alabama 7 didnt take long washington jumped 70 lead alabama answered right back bo scarbroughs tacklebreaking 18yard touchdown sophomore also big southeastern conference championship game florida georgia dome ran 91 yards 11 carries tide went 78 yards nine plays mostly ground 326 pm score alert washington 7 alabama 0 twotouchdown underdog washington huskies struck first jake browning tossed 16yard touchdown pass dante pettis son former major league outfielder gary pettis 801 first quarter crimson tide fallen behind small margins three straight games 70 florida 30 auburn 30 chattanooga three games ended comfortable wins alabama teams managing combined 18 points opening score 310 pm alabama toss opted put nations top defense field first quarterback jake browning huskies exalabama linebacker reggie ragland buffalo bills went midfield captains instead atlanta receiver julio jones alabama fans chanted eddie injured safety eddie jackson went coin toss 305 pm honorary captains peach bowl former alabama current falcons wide receiver julio jones exwashington nfl star lawyer milloy joining game captains midfield coin toss 2008 jones became first freshman receiver start opener crimson tide hes fourtime pro bowl selection earned firstteam allpro honors last season milloy also fourtime pro bowl pick played big role new england patriots super bowl xxxvi championship sophomore became first defensive back lead huskies tackles since tony bonwell 1972 230 pm alabama seeking couple milestones peach bowl washington victory huskies would give senior class fouryear record 515 alabama shares fouryear win mark last years crimson tide ohio state seniors chris petersens boise state group finished 2011 bama also trying match southern californias record 16game win streak ranked teams 200205 tide currently tied barry switzers oklahoma teams 197375 tide 25 straight games game 2000 miles seattle 200 tuscaloosa alabama surprise bama players coming warmups greeted cheers boos rained huskies though stadium still filling ___ ap college football wwwcollegefootballaporg
| 685 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p>NEW YORK — CEOs of some of the world’s biggest companies are fighting back against President Donald Trump’s temporary immigration ban, calling it un-American and bad for business.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>The heads of Apple, Ford and Goldman Sachs said that they don’t support the executive order the president signed last week, which bans immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S. Google said it is donating cash to organizations that support immigrants. Other companies said they will help employees affected by the ban or, in the case of Starbucks, hire refugees.</p>
<p>Businesses already have a complicated relationship with Trump, who has been openly critical of companies planning to build plants in Mexico or charge what he sees as too much for fighter jets. Some have announced hiring plans and investments in the U.S., saying they like Trump’s plans to reduce regulation and lower corporate taxes.</p>
<p>But the corporate reaction to the executive order was strong, quick and harsh.</p>
<p>“This is unprecedented,” said Bill Klepper, an adjunct management professor at Columbia Business School in New York.</p>
<p>Trump said the executive order, signed Friday, was necessary to stop “radical Islamic terrorists” from coming to the U.S. It included a 90-day ban on travel to the U.S. by citizens of Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen, and a 120-day suspension of the U.S. refugee program. The White House did not respond to a request for comment Monday.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>It could be risky for businesses to speak out publicly, since Trump likes to fight back and criticize companies from his Twitter account. But public-relations experts said businesses have no choice, especially if the ban negatively affects their employees or customers.</p>
<p>“No company has gone out of business putting their customers and employees first,” said Matt Friedman, co-founder of Tanner Friedman Strategic Communications in Farmington Hills, Michigan.</p>
<p>CEOS SPEAK OUT</p>
<p>Executives at technology companies, which employ many immigrants, were some of the first to speak out. Tim Cook, the CEO of iPhone maker Apple Inc., told employees in a memo obtained by The Associated Press that his company does not support the order. “Apple would not exist without immigration,” Cook said.</p>
<p>CEOs from e-commerce companies Amazon.com Inc., eBay Inc. and Etsy Inc. also said they did not support Trump’s order, as did the head of video-streaming company Netflix Inc.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Coca-Cola Co. CEO Muhtar Kent said the soda maker was against the travel ban, and General Electric Co. CEO Jeff Immelt said the industrial conglomerate would make its “voice heard” with the new administration and Congress.</p>
<p>Ford Motor Co. said it does not support the policy “or any other that goes against our values as a company,” according to a letter signed by the automaker’s CEO Mark Fields and Executive Chairman Bill Ford. General Motors Co. sent a note to employees saying it will support any who can’t return to the U.S. because of the ban. But other automakers, Nissan Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co., were silent.</p>
<p>The auto industry, a frequent target of Trump’s ire for moving jobs overseas, is walking a fine line, trying to avoid punishing tariffs and hoping Trump gives them some relief on corporate taxes and fuel economy standards.</p>
<p>And Goldman Sachs Group Inc., whose former employees are some of Trump’s most trusted advisers, also pushed back.</p>
<p>“This is not a policy we support,” said the bank’s CEO, Lloyd Blankfein, in a voicemail to employees.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>DONATING CASH</p>
<p>Google, the internet search company owned by Alphabet Inc., plans to give as much as $4 million to four organizations that provide legal assistance and other services to immigrants. The crisis fund will consist of $2 million from the company and $2 million in employee donations. Google is worried that Trump’s executive order will harm many of its current workers and their families, and will make it more difficult to hire technically skilled workers from outside the U.S. in the future.</p>
<p>Ride-hailing app Lyft said it will give $1 million over the next four years to the American Civil Liberties Union. Lyft’s co-founders, Logan Green and John Zimmer, said they “will not be silent on issues that threaten the values of our community.”</p>
<p>EMPLOYEE HELP</p>
<p>Drugmaker Merck &amp; Co. said it will offer legal advice and other assistance to its employees, as did furniture seller Ikea.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Uber, the ride-hailing app, said it will offer financial help to employees affected by the ban. The company’s CEO, Travis Kalanick, is part of Trump’s economic advisory group and said he will bring up the issue with the president on Friday in Washington.</p>
<p>Uber, however, already faced backlash on Saturday after Twitter users criticized the company and encouraged riders to delete the app for charging less than it could at JFK Airport in New York as taxi drivers had halted service for an hour to protest the ban. The move was perceived by some as an effort to profit off the protests as more passengers would need to seek alternatives to cabs.</p>
<p>HIRING REFUGEES</p>
<p>Starbucks Corp. said it will hire 10,000 refugees over the next five years at its coffee shops around the world and focusing on employing those that have served with U.S. troops as interpreters.</p>
<p>But taking a position on political matters can be risky for companies: the hashtag #BoycottStarbucks was trending on Twitter Monday after the company announced its move. Starbucks said that it recognizes “that sometimes there are those who may disagree with us, and we respect these diverse points of view and will continue to listen.”</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>CEO Howard Schultz said he plans to reach out to employees more frequently.</p>
<p>“I am hearing the alarm you all are sounding that the civility and human rights we have all taken for granted for so long are under attack,” he said in a letter to workers.</p>
<p>__</p>
<p>AP reporters Mae Anderson, Candice Choi, Anne D’Innocenzio, Barbara Ortutay, Ken Sweet in New York, Linda A. Johnson in Trenton, New Jersey, Durbin, Dee-Ann in Detroit and Michael Liedtke in San Francisco contributed to this report.</p>
| false | 2 |
new york ceos worlds biggest companies fighting back president donald trumps temporary immigration ban calling unamerican bad business advertisement heads apple ford goldman sachs said dont support executive order president signed last week bans immigrants seven muslimmajority countries entering us google said donating cash organizations support immigrants companies said help employees affected ban case starbucks hire refugees businesses already complicated relationship trump openly critical companies planning build plants mexico charge sees much fighter jets announced hiring plans investments us saying like trumps plans reduce regulation lower corporate taxes corporate reaction executive order strong quick harsh unprecedented said bill klepper adjunct management professor columbia business school new york trump said executive order signed friday necessary stop radical islamic terrorists coming us included 90day ban travel us citizens iraq iran libya somalia sudan syria yemen 120day suspension us refugee program white house respond request comment monday advertisement could risky businesses speak publicly since trump likes fight back criticize companies twitter account publicrelations experts said businesses choice especially ban negatively affects employees customers company gone business putting customers employees first said matt friedman cofounder tanner friedman strategic communications farmington hills michigan ceos speak executives technology companies employ many immigrants first speak tim cook ceo iphone maker apple inc told employees memo obtained associated press company support order apple would exist without immigration cook said ceos ecommerce companies amazoncom inc ebay inc etsy inc also said support trumps order head videostreaming company netflix inc advertisement cocacola co ceo muhtar kent said soda maker travel ban general electric co ceo jeff immelt said industrial conglomerate would make voice heard new administration congress ford motor co said support policy goes values company according letter signed automakers ceo mark fields executive chairman bill ford general motors co sent note employees saying support cant return us ban automakers nissan motor co honda motor co silent auto industry frequent target trumps ire moving jobs overseas walking fine line trying avoid punishing tariffs hoping trump gives relief corporate taxes fuel economy standards goldman sachs group inc whose former employees trumps trusted advisers also pushed back policy support said banks ceo lloyd blankfein voicemail employees advertisement donating cash google internet search company owned alphabet inc plans give much 4 million four organizations provide legal assistance services immigrants crisis fund consist 2 million company 2 million employee donations google worried trumps executive order harm many current workers families make difficult hire technically skilled workers outside us future ridehailing app lyft said give 1 million next four years american civil liberties union lyfts cofounders logan green john zimmer said silent issues threaten values community employee help drugmaker merck amp co said offer legal advice assistance employees furniture seller ikea advertisement uber ridehailing app said offer financial help employees affected ban companys ceo travis kalanick part trumps economic advisory group said bring issue president friday washington uber however already faced backlash saturday twitter users criticized company encouraged riders delete app charging less could jfk airport new york taxi drivers halted service hour protest ban move perceived effort profit protests passengers would need seek alternatives cabs hiring refugees starbucks corp said hire 10000 refugees next five years coffee shops around world focusing employing served us troops interpreters taking position political matters risky companies hashtag boycottstarbucks trending twitter monday company announced move starbucks said recognizes sometimes may disagree us respect diverse points view continue listen advertisement ceo howard schultz said plans reach employees frequently hearing alarm sounding civility human rights taken granted long attack said letter workers __ ap reporters mae anderson candice choi anne dinnocenzio barbara ortutay ken sweet new york linda johnson trenton new jersey durbin deeann detroit michael liedtke san francisco contributed report
| 610 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p />
<p>Katha was Eric Blair’s last posting in the Imperial Police before he sailed back to England in 1927, adopted the nom de plume Orwell and launched a writing career that would produce powerful novels and commentary. Seven years after leaving the sleepy town on the Irrawaddy River, he immortalized it as the setting of his first novel, the vehemently anti-colonial “Burmese Days,” though he called it not Katha but “Kyauktada.”</p>
<p>The British Club, where much of the novel’s scheming, fighting, drinking and sweating takes place, still stands, as do other sites mentioned including a tennis court, a pagoda and a prison. A house believed to have been Orwell’s home in Katha remains in use.</p>
<p>Nyo Ko Naing, a graphic designer and cartoonist, didn’t know much about “Burmese Days” at first, but soon grasped how important it was to the future of the town.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>He has since become the town’s preservationist, in-house historian, amateur Orwell scholar and literary tour guide, keen to market Katha as a tourist destination. He’s helping to renovate the 19th-century house of the former British commissioner for use as a museum that is expected to open next year.</p>
<p>“It is not easy to get attention from the world,” the 45-year-old said in a recent interview. “So it’s like Katha won the lottery.”</p>
<p>Orwell-related tourism has grown in Myanmar, also known as Burma, since a half-century of military rule ended in 2011, though numbers remain small. Nyo Ko Naing estimates that Katha sees 300 to 400 such visitors per month.</p>
<p>In 2012, he founded the Katha Heritage Trust and mounted a campaign through the media to save the commissioner’s house from a local businessman who wanted to turn the property into a skating rink.</p>
<p>The first floor is now full of archival photos, including one of Orwell as a young policeman, and several portraits of the writer painted recently by local artists.</p>
<p>“We’re collecting materials for the museum right now, such as photos, data and other heritage of Katha. And we’re also renovating that house by maintaining its own original style. That’s why it takes time,” he said.</p>
<p>“Now we have spent 4 million kyats ($3,000) and some tourists have donated,” he added. “We will renovate more whenever we get money.”</p>
<p>The museum will also focus on Katha’s history, with information about nearby battles during World War II and other aspects of the area deemed significant.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Nyo Ko Naing hopes Orwell will be a magnet for foreign tourists who will linger for other attractions, such as Katha’s traditional elephant camps, which the government is exploring turning into eco-tourism destinations amid a wide-ranging ban on logging.</p>
<p>A 12-hour train ride from Mandalay, Katha is a small, idyllic town in the Sagaing region. The atmosphere is as tranquil as the flowing Irrawaddy. As the sun sets, visitors and families stroll along the promenade as mountains darken in the distance.</p>
<p>In the past five years, Myanmar has been rapidly modernizing, and Katha is no exception. There are shiny new bank branches and new hotels. Mobile phone shops proliferate. Many colonial buildings have been left alone, giving the place a timeless feel, though many structures are dilapidated.</p>
<p>Both the tennis court and the prison are still in use. The British Club is now a local business cooperative.</p>
<p>The Hotel Katha, which opened last year, has seized on the Orwell connection. Built to resemble a red-brick colonial home, it offers brochures at the front desk with maps guiding visitors to key sites from the novel. Guests can read copies of “Burmese Days” and Orwell’s essays in the lobby or dine at the Kyauktada Cafe &amp; Restaurant. Meeting rooms are named “Flory,” “Elizabeth,” and “Macgregor,” after three of the book’s characters.</p>
<p>“I want visitors to feel like they are in the book,” said the owner, Bran Aung, in a phone interview. “I want to add more about Orwell. I am still collecting.”</p>
<p>Best known for “1984” and “Animal Farm,” Orwell is also admired for his condemnation of colonialism in “Burmese Days,” depicting the British denizens of Kyauktada largely as racist exploiters. Yet the novel was more read and celebrated abroad than in Burma.</p>
<p>Censorship was lifted in 2012. A year later, Maung Myint Kywe won the government’s most prestigious literary award for his Burmese translation of “Burmese Days.”</p>
<p>“He told me that his translation had been sleeping in the hands of the publisher for more than 30 years,” Thurein Win, who has translated Orwell’s essays, wrote in an email interview. Maung Myint Kywe died in 2014.</p>
<p>Orwell wrote darkly about British and Burmese alike. “Some Burmese don’t like him for his provocative words, but others love his writing,” Thurein Win said.</p>
<p>Nyo Ko Naing’s most impressive Orwellian work may be tracking down the author’s house, which he had previously confused with the commissioner’s. He used a colonial-era map to pinpoint the residence as a two-story teak home on the main road, not far from the Katha Hotel.</p>
<p>In a twist that might amuse Orwell, it is still occupied by a police officer.</p>
<p>“My colleagues said that the house you are going to stay in belongs to the English writer George Orwell,” said Police Chief Myint Aung, who was recently transferred to Katha. He didn’t know anything about the writer, but he is embracing the former resident.</p>
<p>Although the home isn’t officially open to tourists, he lets curious visitors poke around, and he has allowed the trust to hang a banner on the porch explaining some basic history.</p>
<p>“The town of George Orwell is lovely as well as interesting,” the sign says.</p>
| false | 2 |
katha eric blairs last posting imperial police sailed back england 1927 adopted nom de plume orwell launched writing career would produce powerful novels commentary seven years leaving sleepy town irrawaddy river immortalized setting first novel vehemently anticolonial burmese days though called katha kyauktada british club much novels scheming fighting drinking sweating takes place still stands sites mentioned including tennis court pagoda prison house believed orwells home katha remains use nyo ko naing graphic designer cartoonist didnt know much burmese days first soon grasped important future town advertisement since become towns preservationist inhouse historian amateur orwell scholar literary tour guide keen market katha tourist destination hes helping renovate 19thcentury house former british commissioner use museum expected open next year easy get attention world 45yearold said recent interview like katha lottery orwellrelated tourism grown myanmar also known burma since halfcentury military rule ended 2011 though numbers remain small nyo ko naing estimates katha sees 300 400 visitors per month 2012 founded katha heritage trust mounted campaign media save commissioners house local businessman wanted turn property skating rink first floor full archival photos including one orwell young policeman several portraits writer painted recently local artists collecting materials museum right photos data heritage katha also renovating house maintaining original style thats takes time said spent 4 million kyats 3000 tourists donated added renovate whenever get money museum also focus kathas history information nearby battles world war ii aspects area deemed significant advertisement nyo ko naing hopes orwell magnet foreign tourists linger attractions kathas traditional elephant camps government exploring turning ecotourism destinations amid wideranging ban logging 12hour train ride mandalay katha small idyllic town sagaing region atmosphere tranquil flowing irrawaddy sun sets visitors families stroll along promenade mountains darken distance past five years myanmar rapidly modernizing katha exception shiny new bank branches new hotels mobile phone shops proliferate many colonial buildings left alone giving place timeless feel though many structures dilapidated tennis court prison still use british club local business cooperative hotel katha opened last year seized orwell connection built resemble redbrick colonial home offers brochures front desk maps guiding visitors key sites novel guests read copies burmese days orwells essays lobby dine kyauktada cafe amp restaurant meeting rooms named flory elizabeth macgregor three books characters want visitors feel like book said owner bran aung phone interview want add orwell still collecting best known 1984 animal farm orwell also admired condemnation colonialism burmese days depicting british denizens kyauktada largely racist exploiters yet novel read celebrated abroad burma censorship lifted 2012 year later maung myint kywe governments prestigious literary award burmese translation burmese days told translation sleeping hands publisher 30 years thurein win translated orwells essays wrote email interview maung myint kywe died 2014 orwell wrote darkly british burmese alike burmese dont like provocative words others love writing thurein win said nyo ko naings impressive orwellian work may tracking authors house previously confused commissioners used colonialera map pinpoint residence twostory teak home main road far katha hotel twist might amuse orwell still occupied police officer colleagues said house going stay belongs english writer george orwell said police chief myint aung recently transferred katha didnt know anything writer embracing former resident although home isnt officially open tourists lets curious visitors poke around allowed trust hang banner porch explaining basic history town george orwell lovely well interesting sign says
| 551 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p />
<p>It is unclear whether the experiment was a success. In any case, it did not prevent Eblen’s from disappearing in the wave of modernity that swallowed up most of the city’s small grocers and their delivery services.</p>
<p>Building “the most efficient grocery delivery system ever offered” might have been hyperbole for Eblen’s nearly a century ago, but the possibility is real for Seattle-based e-commerce giant Amazon today. Amazon – which has brought sweeping changes to the book, cloud computing and retail industries, to name a few – announced in June it would acquire Austin, Texas-based supermarket chain Whole Foods for $13.7 billion. The news sent grocery stocks tumbling in what data and analytics firm Trepp LLC termed “the Amazacolypse.”</p>
<p>Sprouts deli clerk Jalen Gallegos stocks a case with prepared foods aimed at attracting convenience-focused shoppers. (Greg Sorber/Albuquerque Journal)</p>
<p>Though Amazon remains tight-lipped about its strategy, analysts say the grocery industry is scrambling to anticipate the e-retailer’s next move. That means Albuquerque consumers could see changes in their shopping experience more quickly than they might have expected.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>“Everything is going to change very rapidly,” said Phil Lempert, an industry observer and the founder of SupermarketGuru.com. “It’s going to change in Albuquerque. It’s going to change everywhere.”</p>
<p>A saturated market</p>
<p>Lempert described the grocery industry in medium-sized metropolitan areas such as Albuquerque as “highly saturated and very competitive.” Here, the market is comprised of major chains (Smith’s, Albertsons, Whole Foods), warehouses (Costco, Sam’s Cub), mass merchandisers with grocery operations (Walmart, Target), as well as independent operators.</p>
<p>Sprouts says its expanded juice bar offerings, like those prepared by Marc Hertel, are marketed toward shoppers who want to get in and out of the store quickly. (Greg Sorber/Albuquerque Journal)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.chainstoreguide.com/c-134-grocery-market-share.aspx" type="external">Data from the trade publication Chain Store Guide</a>show two companies dominating the Albuquerque grocery sector: Walmart (which operates Walmart Supercenters, Walmart Neighborhood Market and Sam’s Club) controls about one-third of the market share, while grocery chain Smith’s has a little less than a quarter. Another quarter is approximately split by Albertsons and Costco. The rest is shared by Whole Foods, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s and all other grocers, including La Montañita Co-op, Lowe’s and independent operations.</p>
<p>Whole Foods has only two locations in Albuquerque, but Lempert said they could potentially be important brick-and-mortar sites for Amazon Fresh, Amazon’s grocery delivery service, which is currently unavailable in New Mexico. In the U.S., nearly all 80 million members of Amazon Prime live within 10 miles of a Whole Foods.</p>
<p>In other words, Lempert said, the Whole Foods deal gives Amazon hundreds of depots out of which to base its grocery operations, as well as a built-in customer base within delivery distance.</p>
<p>“Amazon Fresh could very quickly become the number one grocery delivery service in the country,” he said.</p>
<p>Lempert also speculated that Amazon would place lockers in Whole Foods locations, allowing in-store customers to pick up other Amazon orders. Perhaps most crucially for the rest of industry, he said, it is likely that Amazon will significantly reduce Whole Foods’ prices to undercut the competition, a tactic it has used in other industries.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>A spokesperson for Whole Foods told the Journal it was “premature” to comment on the deal, and Amazon did not respond to a request for comment. Both companies have said there will be no layoffs as a result of the acquisition.</p>
<p>No one-size-fits-all solution</p>
<p>Walmart and affiliated stores control about a third of the Albuquerque grocery market. (Greg Sorber/Albuquerque Journal)</p>
<p>Not everyone agrees the Amazon deal will usher in a sea change for the grocery industry, at least in the immediate future. John Dryden, a former research analyst for Kroger, parent company of Smith’s, pointed out that the shopper who goes to a specialty grocer like Whole Foods is not necessarily the same shopper who frequents a store like Smith’s. If Amazon keeps Whole Foods’ operations in its current form, the impact on the industry could be minimal.</p>
<p>“(Whole Foods and Smith’s) are relatively different spaces with a pretty significantly different product mix,” said Dryden. “I don’t see a lot changing right away (with the acquisition), though it ups the level of competition for sure.”</p>
<p>Still, Gene Valdez, executive director of the New Mexico Grocers Association, said the deal was a sign that it is time for grocers of all sizes in the state to think carefully about their digital business strategy.</p>
<p>“Every (grocer) is going to need to work out their delivery operations, to come up to speed with their online ordering system,” he said. “This affects everyone, across the board.”</p>
<p>Smith’s stores capture less than a quarter of the metro-area grocery market. (Greg Sorber/Albuquerque Journal)</p>
<p>Several grocers in the state have experimented with e-commerce operations. Smith’s and Walmart have programs that allow customers to order their groceries online and pick them up outside the store at a designated time. South Valley-based Skarsgard Farms has an online ordering and home delivery system, and offers two-hour delivery to some Albuquerque neighborhoods.</p>
<p>A report earlier this year from Food Marketing Institute and Nielsen determined online grocery sales could surge to 20 percent of the grocery market by 2025, with younger shoppers leading the trend.</p>
<p>Dryden said one of the biggest headaches for Internet Age grocers is that no one shopping experience will appeal to every category of consumer.</p>
<p>“There’s no one-size-fits-all solution,” said Dryden. “For every shopper who wants their groceries delivered or waiting for them outside the store, there’s another who wants to physically pick up their fruit and smell it.”</p>
<p>As a result, traditional grocers are adopting a variety of strategies aimed at different categories of consumers. Dryden said Kroger has focused on both streamlining checkout for shoppers who want to get in and out of the store quickly, while also encouraging other shoppers to linger. One technique involves cutting open samples of citrus fruits in the produce section so the smell wafts through the air to draw shoppers in.</p>
<p>Sprouts says its expanded pre-made food options, like the sushi rolls shown here, are geared toward shoppers in a hurry. (Greg Sorber/Albuquerque Journal)</p>
<p>A spokesperson for Sprouts said its recently expanded deli, sushi, juice and pre-made item offerings are aimed at convenience-focused consumers. In some markets, Sprouts has partnered with Amazon to offer online ordering and two-hour delivery, though the service is not available in Albuquerque.</p>
<p>In the low-margin world of groceries – between 1 percent and 3 percent is typical, according to experts – Dryden said success across consumer categories often comes down to two words: impulse buys. In fact, he said one of Kroger’s business tenets is that shoppers “get the products (they) want, plus a little.”</p>
<p>“You know the magazines and candies they sell right by the checkout counter?” said Dryden. “Those items have pretty good margins. The faster you get people out of the store, the quicker you will see those sales fall, not to mention (the sales) of all the other things shoppers might have picked up had they stayed in the store longer.”</p>
<p>Unfortunately for traditional grocers, if there’s one thing Amazon has been able to do with its e-commerce ventures, it’s using data to understand and target shoppers’ impulses. And with the acquisition of Whole Foods, it will have access to a plethora of data on grocery shopping.</p>
<p>Hope for the corner store</p>
<p>Late last year, Amazon released a video introducing a grocery store called Amazon Go. The video depicts shoppers taking items from the store without stopping by a cashier, their purchases tracked by an app on their phones. A few months later, Amazon filed a patent for a beehive-like tower to house and receive delivery drones.</p>
<p>Lempert said neither Amazon Go nor the drones are likely to change the grocery landscape in the next few years. The opening of the first Amazon Go store in Seattle has been delayed due to technical issues, he pointed out. The drones, while promising, are still considered “creepy” by many consumers.</p>
<p>Instead, Lempert said the rise of e-commerce grocery operations, whether run by Amazon or other companies, may ultimately help an unlikely competitor: small, local grocery stores. Even if the vast majority of shoppers turn to e-commerce and delivery, he said, they will still need to enter a physical store at some point to pick up items on the go. In that case, they are more likely to choose a business where they have personal connections.</p>
<p>“The mom-and-pop stores that have been building relationships with their customers for years, they will be fine, because their customers want to see them succeed,” said Lempert. “It’s the faceless, 40,000-square-foot chain store that’s in trouble.”</p>
<p>In other words, it’s possible that in the not-too-distant future, Albuquerque’s grocery industry could be dominated less by major chains and more by the modern-day equivalent of Eblen’s. But whether those “firm radishes” will be delivered by car or by drone is anyone’s guess.</p>
<p />
| false | 2 |
unclear whether experiment success case prevent eblens disappearing wave modernity swallowed citys small grocers delivery services building efficient grocery delivery system ever offered might hyperbole eblens nearly century ago possibility real seattlebased ecommerce giant amazon today amazon brought sweeping changes book cloud computing retail industries name announced june would acquire austin texasbased supermarket chain whole foods 137 billion news sent grocery stocks tumbling data analytics firm trepp llc termed amazacolypse sprouts deli clerk jalen gallegos stocks case prepared foods aimed attracting conveniencefocused shoppers greg sorberalbuquerque journal though amazon remains tightlipped strategy analysts say grocery industry scrambling anticipate eretailers next move means albuquerque consumers could see changes shopping experience quickly might expected advertisement everything going change rapidly said phil lempert industry observer founder supermarketgurucom going change albuquerque going change everywhere saturated market lempert described grocery industry mediumsized metropolitan areas albuquerque highly saturated competitive market comprised major chains smiths albertsons whole foods warehouses costco sams cub mass merchandisers grocery operations walmart target well independent operators sprouts says expanded juice bar offerings like prepared marc hertel marketed toward shoppers want get store quickly greg sorberalbuquerque journal data trade publication chain store guideshow two companies dominating albuquerque grocery sector walmart operates walmart supercenters walmart neighborhood market sams club controls onethird market share grocery chain smiths little less quarter another quarter approximately split albertsons costco rest shared whole foods sprouts trader joes grocers including la montañita coop lowes independent operations whole foods two locations albuquerque lempert said could potentially important brickandmortar sites amazon fresh amazons grocery delivery service currently unavailable new mexico us nearly 80 million members amazon prime live within 10 miles whole foods words lempert said whole foods deal gives amazon hundreds depots base grocery operations well builtin customer base within delivery distance amazon fresh could quickly become number one grocery delivery service country said lempert also speculated amazon would place lockers whole foods locations allowing instore customers pick amazon orders perhaps crucially rest industry said likely amazon significantly reduce whole foods prices undercut competition tactic used industries advertisement spokesperson whole foods told journal premature comment deal amazon respond request comment companies said layoffs result acquisition onesizefitsall solution walmart affiliated stores control third albuquerque grocery market greg sorberalbuquerque journal everyone agrees amazon deal usher sea change grocery industry least immediate future john dryden former research analyst kroger parent company smiths pointed shopper goes specialty grocer like whole foods necessarily shopper frequents store like smiths amazon keeps whole foods operations current form impact industry could minimal whole foods smiths relatively different spaces pretty significantly different product mix said dryden dont see lot changing right away acquisition though ups level competition sure still gene valdez executive director new mexico grocers association said deal sign time grocers sizes state think carefully digital business strategy every grocer going need work delivery operations come speed online ordering system said affects everyone across board smiths stores capture less quarter metroarea grocery market greg sorberalbuquerque journal several grocers state experimented ecommerce operations smiths walmart programs allow customers order groceries online pick outside store designated time south valleybased skarsgard farms online ordering home delivery system offers twohour delivery albuquerque neighborhoods report earlier year food marketing institute nielsen determined online grocery sales could surge 20 percent grocery market 2025 younger shoppers leading trend dryden said one biggest headaches internet age grocers one shopping experience appeal every category consumer theres onesizefitsall solution said dryden every shopper wants groceries delivered waiting outside store theres another wants physically pick fruit smell result traditional grocers adopting variety strategies aimed different categories consumers dryden said kroger focused streamlining checkout shoppers want get store quickly also encouraging shoppers linger one technique involves cutting open samples citrus fruits produce section smell wafts air draw shoppers sprouts says expanded premade food options like sushi rolls shown geared toward shoppers hurry greg sorberalbuquerque journal spokesperson sprouts said recently expanded deli sushi juice premade item offerings aimed conveniencefocused consumers markets sprouts partnered amazon offer online ordering twohour delivery though service available albuquerque lowmargin world groceries 1 percent 3 percent typical according experts dryden said success across consumer categories often comes two words impulse buys fact said one krogers business tenets shoppers get products want plus little know magazines candies sell right checkout counter said dryden items pretty good margins faster get people store quicker see sales fall mention sales things shoppers might picked stayed store longer unfortunately traditional grocers theres one thing amazon able ecommerce ventures using data understand target shoppers impulses acquisition whole foods access plethora data grocery shopping hope corner store late last year amazon released video introducing grocery store called amazon go video depicts shoppers taking items store without stopping cashier purchases tracked app phones months later amazon filed patent beehivelike tower house receive delivery drones lempert said neither amazon go drones likely change grocery landscape next years opening first amazon go store seattle delayed due technical issues pointed drones promising still considered creepy many consumers instead lempert said rise ecommerce grocery operations whether run amazon companies may ultimately help unlikely competitor small local grocery stores even vast majority shoppers turn ecommerce delivery said still need enter physical store point pick items go case likely choose business personal connections momandpop stores building relationships customers years fine customers want see succeed said lempert faceless 40000squarefoot chain store thats trouble words possible nottoodistant future albuquerques grocery industry could dominated less major chains modernday equivalent eblens whether firm radishes delivered car drone anyones guess
| 902 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p>SALT LAKE CITY — Conservatives who have long complained about the government’s control of vast Western lands hope they will have a new ally in Donald Trump, who has sent mixed signals about how he might manage land and whether he would relinquish federal authority over millions of acres.</p>
<p>The president-elect has pledged to honor Theodore Roosevelt’s tradition of conservation in the West, with its expansive deserts, snow-capped mountain ranges and red rock canyons. But he has also said he will “unleash” energy production there and has railed against “faceless, nameless bureaucrats” in land-management agencies.</p>
<p>Dozens of demands for land handovers have surfaced in Western state legislatures in recent years, and more are sure to be offered in Congress during the Trump administration.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>“Those who are championing these issues certainly see this as a rare opportunity,” said Karla Jones, director of a task force for the American Legislative Exchange Council, a Washington-based organization that develops bills for conservative lawmakers.</p>
<p>On Tuesday, Trump offered the post of interior secretary, the nation’s top custodian of public lands, to Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke of Montana, who has not said whether he will accept. The retired Navy SEAL insists that he does not favor relinquishing federal control of the land, as Democrats allege.</p>
<p>Twelve Western states contain more than half of the nation’s 640 million acres of federal public lands. Those lands comprise more than 60 percent of Alaska, Idaho and Utah.</p>
<p>Resentment of government control has simmered across the West for decades, occasionally boiling over into showdowns such as the armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters in Oregon last winter.</p>
<p>Only a few extremists resort to such tactics. Yet the frustration is evident in countless protests, resolutions and bills demanding a greater say for local residents or seeking the sale of millions of acres to private buyers.</p>
<p>Many conservatives accuse federal managers of putting more value on endangered wildlife than on people and jobs. Trump’s election raises hopes for more oil and gas drilling, mining, grazing and timber harvesting.</p>
<p>How far the Trump administration will go is unclear. But those who have long dreamed of overthrowing a system they consider tantamount to colonialism say the time is now.</p>
<p>“The founding fathers, when they drafted the Constitution, never intended for the federal government to own land like this,” said Kirk Chandler, a rancher and county commissioner from Weiser, Idaho. “It’s supposed to be the people’s land.”</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Environmentalists and their supporters in Congress are gearing up for a fight, saying strong federal regulation is needed to protect water and wildlife habitat.</p>
<p>“Any admin that tries to reverse 100-year history of #PublicLands that belong to every American is going to have to do it over my dead body,” Sen. Martin Heinrich tweeted after Trump’s election.</p>
<p>The Democrat from New Mexico later told The Associated Press that cash-strapped states would probably sell at least some lands to help cover fire suppression and other management costs. “No trespassing” signs would pop up in places where public access has been taken for granted, he said, raising the ire of outdoor sports enthusiasts.</p>
<p>“I think you will see a real populist uprising when you start taking away access to people’s local fishing hole,” Heinrich said.</p>
<p>Supporters of state or local control seethed as the Obama administration created or expanded more than two dozen national monuments that protected hundreds of millions of acres, imposed a moratorium on new coal production and canceled dozens of oil and gas leases.</p>
<p>Despite their shared preference for local control, activists do not have a single plan for accomplishing it. Much will depend on Trump, who told Field &amp; Stream magazine in January that he opposed transferring federal lands to the states.</p>
<p>“I don’t like the idea because I want to keep the lands great, and you don’t know what the state is going to do,” Trump said. “I mean, are they going to sell if they get into a little bit of trouble?”</p>
<p>Yet he endorsed state control in a guest column for a Nevada newspaper, a position the Republican platform strongly backs. A transition team spokesman did not return email messages seeking comment.</p>
<p>Zinke, Trump’s choice for interior secretary, has walked a tightrope in Montana, where opinions about federal dominion are more divided than in some Western states.</p>
<p>During his re-election campaign, Democrats accused him of signing a pledge in 2012 declaring Montana’s lands as sovereign and not subject to federal control. He said he did not remember doing so and resigned as a GOP convention delegate over the platform’s stance. Yet he has criticized federal land management and voted for demonstration projects allowing states to manage portions of national forests.</p>
<p>Republican Rep. Diane Black of Tennessee plans to re-introduce a measure from last year that would authorize states to administer energy leasing and permitting on federal lands. The previous version of the bill was never called for a vote.</p>
<p>Another bill that could be offered again would allow the transfer of 2 million acres of national forests to the states. Rep. Mark Amodei, a Nevada Republican, has sought to reduce the portion of land under federal control in his state from more than 80 percent to about 75 percent.</p>
<p>Skeptics consider federal land transfer a fringe issue, and industry groups tend to avoid it. The National Mining Association has no formal position, focusing instead on specific battles such as a government proposal to ban mineral development on 10 million acres to protect the imperiled sage grouse.</p>
<p>Even a Trump administration and a GOP-controlled Congress probably will not bring any “radical” change in public land management, said Travis Joseph, president of the American Forest Resource Council.</p>
<p>Similar predictions arose when Bush was elected, he noted. The logging industry, he explained, is more concerned about shortages of money and agency personnel that prevent timber harvests allowed under existing federal policies.</p>
<p>“We accept reality,” Joseph said, “and are trying to make reality work as best we can.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Flesher reported from Boise, Idaho, and Traverse City, Michigan.</p>
| false | 2 |
salt lake city conservatives long complained governments control vast western lands hope new ally donald trump sent mixed signals might manage land whether would relinquish federal authority millions acres presidentelect pledged honor theodore roosevelts tradition conservation west expansive deserts snowcapped mountain ranges red rock canyons also said unleash energy production railed faceless nameless bureaucrats landmanagement agencies dozens demands land handovers surfaced western state legislatures recent years sure offered congress trump administration advertisement championing issues certainly see rare opportunity said karla jones director task force american legislative exchange council washingtonbased organization develops bills conservative lawmakers tuesday trump offered post interior secretary nations top custodian public lands republican rep ryan zinke montana said whether accept retired navy seal insists favor relinquishing federal control land democrats allege twelve western states contain half nations 640 million acres federal public lands lands comprise 60 percent alaska idaho utah resentment government control simmered across west decades occasionally boiling showdowns armed takeover malheur national wildlife refuge headquarters oregon last winter extremists resort tactics yet frustration evident countless protests resolutions bills demanding greater say local residents seeking sale millions acres private buyers many conservatives accuse federal managers putting value endangered wildlife people jobs trumps election raises hopes oil gas drilling mining grazing timber harvesting far trump administration go unclear long dreamed overthrowing system consider tantamount colonialism say time founding fathers drafted constitution never intended federal government land like said kirk chandler rancher county commissioner weiser idaho supposed peoples land advertisement environmentalists supporters congress gearing fight saying strong federal regulation needed protect water wildlife habitat admin tries reverse 100year history publiclands belong every american going dead body sen martin heinrich tweeted trumps election democrat new mexico later told associated press cashstrapped states would probably sell least lands help cover fire suppression management costs trespassing signs would pop places public access taken granted said raising ire outdoor sports enthusiasts think see real populist uprising start taking away access peoples local fishing hole heinrich said supporters state local control seethed obama administration created expanded two dozen national monuments protected hundreds millions acres imposed moratorium new coal production canceled dozens oil gas leases despite shared preference local control activists single plan accomplishing much depend trump told field amp stream magazine january opposed transferring federal lands states dont like idea want keep lands great dont know state going trump said mean going sell get little bit trouble yet endorsed state control guest column nevada newspaper position republican platform strongly backs transition team spokesman return email messages seeking comment zinke trumps choice interior secretary walked tightrope montana opinions federal dominion divided western states reelection campaign democrats accused signing pledge 2012 declaring montanas lands sovereign subject federal control said remember resigned gop convention delegate platforms stance yet criticized federal land management voted demonstration projects allowing states manage portions national forests republican rep diane black tennessee plans reintroduce measure last year would authorize states administer energy leasing permitting federal lands previous version bill never called vote another bill could offered would allow transfer 2 million acres national forests states rep mark amodei nevada republican sought reduce portion land federal control state 80 percent 75 percent skeptics consider federal land transfer fringe issue industry groups tend avoid national mining association formal position focusing instead specific battles government proposal ban mineral development 10 million acres protect imperiled sage grouse even trump administration gopcontrolled congress probably bring radical change public land management said travis joseph president american forest resource council similar predictions arose bush elected noted logging industry explained concerned shortages money agency personnel prevent timber harvests allowed existing federal policies accept reality joseph said trying make reality work best ___ flesher reported boise idaho traverse city michigan
| 609 |
<p>SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — It's been more than a decade since the leaders of the two Koreas have held a summit. Could it happen now?</p>
<p>South Korean President Moon Jae-in told reporters Wednesday that he remains open to a meeting with North Korea's leader, if it would improve the strained relations between their two countries and help resolve the global standoff over the North's nuclear weapons development.</p>
<p>It's not a new position for Moon, who took office in May, but it took on new meaning coming one day after high-level officials from the two Koreas held a rare and apparently successful meeting, agreeing on the North's participation in the upcoming Winter Olympics in the South.</p>
<p>A meeting between the two leaders isn't likely in the immediate future. The North's Kim Jong Un hasn't met any foreign leader since he succeeded his father in 2011, and attitudes have hardened since the only two previous Korean summits in 2000 and 2007, when South Korean presidents were pursuing a "Sunshine Policy" of trying to win over the North through engagement and aid.</p>
<p>Moon is a liberal who favors a diplomatic solution to the nuclear issue and whose election ended nine years of hard-line conservative rule. He was chief-of-staff to former President Roh Moo-hyun, who held the last summit with Kim's father in 2007.</p>
<p>Koh Yu-hwan, a North Korea expert at Dongguk University in Seoul, said a meeting during Moon's five-year term is possible.</p>
<p>"Kim has never met any foreign leader, so it would be meaningful for him to make his first summit a meeting between Koreans," Koh said.</p>
<p>During the televised news conference in Seoul, Moon said "I keep myself open to any meeting including a summit," and that he would push for further talks and cooperation after Tuesday's meeting.</p>
<p>"To have a summit, some conditions must be established," he said. "I think a certain level of success must be guaranteed." He didn't set any specific conditions.</p>
<p>Moon called North Korea's participation in next month's Olympics "very desirable," but said inter-Korean relations cannot be improved without progress on the nuclear issue. He warned that the North would face harsher international sanctions and pressure if it resorts to new provocations, adding that "denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is the path to peace and our goal."</p>
<p>Under the deal struck Tuesday at the border village of Panmunjom, North Korea will send officials, athletes, cheerleaders, journalists and others to the Olympics in Pyeongchang, a mountainous county near the border. South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon said Wednesday he expects the delegation will include 400 to 500 people. The accord stipulates the two Koreas will actively cooperate in the Olympics to "enhance the prestige of the Korean people."</p>
<p>The two sides also agreed to hold military talks, and North Korea said it had recently restored a military hotline with the South, the second reopening of an inter-Korean communication channel in about a week, according to South Korean officials. All major communications had been shut down because of the tensions over the North's nuclear program.</p>
<p>The accords, reached at the first meeting between the rival Koreas in about two years, were widely viewed as a positive step following a year of escalating tension over Kim's rapidly advancing nuclear and missile programs. Last year, Kim and President Donald Trump exchanged bellicose rhetoric and crude insults as North Korea conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test and three tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles that put the U.S. within its range.</p>
<p>Trump contended that his tough stance had helped persuade the North to sit down with the South, and Moon said during Wednesday's news conference that he feels thankful to the U.S. president for helping make the talks happen.</p>
<p>Some warn that tensions could quickly flare again as the North still wants to expand its weapons arsenal. They also say Kim may be pushing for better ties with South Korea because North Korea is feeling the pain of U.S.-led international sanctions.</p>
<p>The countries have a long history of failing to follow through with rapprochement accords. In 2015, negotiators met for nearly 40 hours before announcing a deal to pull back from a military standoff caused by land mine blasts that maimed two South Korean soldiers. But animosities flared again several months later after the North Korea's fourth nuclear test.</p>
<p>John Delury, a China and North Korea expert at Yonsei University in Seoul, cautioned that the process is fragile, but said Tuesday's talks are opening up new diplomatic possibilities, in striking contrast to last year.</p>
<p>"It's still very early in this process, and we have to see how much momentum it acquires, but so far this year is definitely getting off to a very different start," he said. "You have to knock on the door to see if it will open."</p>
<p>Two earlier liberal presidents, Roh and his predecessor Kim Dae-jung, met with then-North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. But the conservative governments that followed them took a tougher line.</p>
<p>The presidency of conservative Lee Myung-bak, from 2008 to 2013, was marked by animosity, including North Korean attacks on a warship and a border island that together killed 50 South Koreans in 2010. His successor, Park Geun-hye, indefinitely suspended South Korean participation in a joint industrial park in North Korea's Kaesong city in February 2016, the last remaining major symbol of cooperation between the two.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Moritsugu reported from Tokyo. Associated Press writers Dake Kang and Youkyung Lee contributed to this report.</p>
<p>SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — It's been more than a decade since the leaders of the two Koreas have held a summit. Could it happen now?</p>
<p>South Korean President Moon Jae-in told reporters Wednesday that he remains open to a meeting with North Korea's leader, if it would improve the strained relations between their two countries and help resolve the global standoff over the North's nuclear weapons development.</p>
<p>It's not a new position for Moon, who took office in May, but it took on new meaning coming one day after high-level officials from the two Koreas held a rare and apparently successful meeting, agreeing on the North's participation in the upcoming Winter Olympics in the South.</p>
<p>A meeting between the two leaders isn't likely in the immediate future. The North's Kim Jong Un hasn't met any foreign leader since he succeeded his father in 2011, and attitudes have hardened since the only two previous Korean summits in 2000 and 2007, when South Korean presidents were pursuing a "Sunshine Policy" of trying to win over the North through engagement and aid.</p>
<p>Moon is a liberal who favors a diplomatic solution to the nuclear issue and whose election ended nine years of hard-line conservative rule. He was chief-of-staff to former President Roh Moo-hyun, who held the last summit with Kim's father in 2007.</p>
<p>Koh Yu-hwan, a North Korea expert at Dongguk University in Seoul, said a meeting during Moon's five-year term is possible.</p>
<p>"Kim has never met any foreign leader, so it would be meaningful for him to make his first summit a meeting between Koreans," Koh said.</p>
<p>During the televised news conference in Seoul, Moon said "I keep myself open to any meeting including a summit," and that he would push for further talks and cooperation after Tuesday's meeting.</p>
<p>"To have a summit, some conditions must be established," he said. "I think a certain level of success must be guaranteed." He didn't set any specific conditions.</p>
<p>Moon called North Korea's participation in next month's Olympics "very desirable," but said inter-Korean relations cannot be improved without progress on the nuclear issue. He warned that the North would face harsher international sanctions and pressure if it resorts to new provocations, adding that "denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is the path to peace and our goal."</p>
<p>Under the deal struck Tuesday at the border village of Panmunjom, North Korea will send officials, athletes, cheerleaders, journalists and others to the Olympics in Pyeongchang, a mountainous county near the border. South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon said Wednesday he expects the delegation will include 400 to 500 people. The accord stipulates the two Koreas will actively cooperate in the Olympics to "enhance the prestige of the Korean people."</p>
<p>The two sides also agreed to hold military talks, and North Korea said it had recently restored a military hotline with the South, the second reopening of an inter-Korean communication channel in about a week, according to South Korean officials. All major communications had been shut down because of the tensions over the North's nuclear program.</p>
<p>The accords, reached at the first meeting between the rival Koreas in about two years, were widely viewed as a positive step following a year of escalating tension over Kim's rapidly advancing nuclear and missile programs. Last year, Kim and President Donald Trump exchanged bellicose rhetoric and crude insults as North Korea conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test and three tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles that put the U.S. within its range.</p>
<p>Trump contended that his tough stance had helped persuade the North to sit down with the South, and Moon said during Wednesday's news conference that he feels thankful to the U.S. president for helping make the talks happen.</p>
<p>Some warn that tensions could quickly flare again as the North still wants to expand its weapons arsenal. They also say Kim may be pushing for better ties with South Korea because North Korea is feeling the pain of U.S.-led international sanctions.</p>
<p>The countries have a long history of failing to follow through with rapprochement accords. In 2015, negotiators met for nearly 40 hours before announcing a deal to pull back from a military standoff caused by land mine blasts that maimed two South Korean soldiers. But animosities flared again several months later after the North Korea's fourth nuclear test.</p>
<p>John Delury, a China and North Korea expert at Yonsei University in Seoul, cautioned that the process is fragile, but said Tuesday's talks are opening up new diplomatic possibilities, in striking contrast to last year.</p>
<p>"It's still very early in this process, and we have to see how much momentum it acquires, but so far this year is definitely getting off to a very different start," he said. "You have to knock on the door to see if it will open."</p>
<p>Two earlier liberal presidents, Roh and his predecessor Kim Dae-jung, met with then-North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. But the conservative governments that followed them took a tougher line.</p>
<p>The presidency of conservative Lee Myung-bak, from 2008 to 2013, was marked by animosity, including North Korean attacks on a warship and a border island that together killed 50 South Koreans in 2010. His successor, Park Geun-hye, indefinitely suspended South Korean participation in a joint industrial park in North Korea's Kaesong city in February 2016, the last remaining major symbol of cooperation between the two.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Moritsugu reported from Tokyo. Associated Press writers Dake Kang and Youkyung Lee contributed to this report.</p>
| false | 2 |
seoul south korea ap decade since leaders two koreas held summit could happen south korean president moon jaein told reporters wednesday remains open meeting north koreas leader would improve strained relations two countries help resolve global standoff norths nuclear weapons development new position moon took office may took new meaning coming one day highlevel officials two koreas held rare apparently successful meeting agreeing norths participation upcoming winter olympics south meeting two leaders isnt likely immediate future norths kim jong un hasnt met foreign leader since succeeded father 2011 attitudes hardened since two previous korean summits 2000 2007 south korean presidents pursuing sunshine policy trying win north engagement aid moon liberal favors diplomatic solution nuclear issue whose election ended nine years hardline conservative rule chiefofstaff former president roh moohyun held last summit kims father 2007 koh yuhwan north korea expert dongguk university seoul said meeting moons fiveyear term possible kim never met foreign leader would meaningful make first summit meeting koreans koh said televised news conference seoul moon said keep open meeting including summit would push talks cooperation tuesdays meeting summit conditions must established said think certain level success must guaranteed didnt set specific conditions moon called north koreas participation next months olympics desirable said interkorean relations improved without progress nuclear issue warned north would face harsher international sanctions pressure resorts new provocations adding denuclearization korean peninsula path peace goal deal struck tuesday border village panmunjom north korea send officials athletes cheerleaders journalists others olympics pyeongchang mountainous county near border south korean prime minister lee nakyon said wednesday expects delegation include 400 500 people accord stipulates two koreas actively cooperate olympics enhance prestige korean people two sides also agreed hold military talks north korea said recently restored military hotline south second reopening interkorean communication channel week according south korean officials major communications shut tensions norths nuclear program accords reached first meeting rival koreas two years widely viewed positive step following year escalating tension kims rapidly advancing nuclear missile programs last year kim president donald trump exchanged bellicose rhetoric crude insults north korea conducted sixth powerful nuclear test three tests intercontinental ballistic missiles put us within range trump contended tough stance helped persuade north sit south moon said wednesdays news conference feels thankful us president helping make talks happen warn tensions could quickly flare north still wants expand weapons arsenal also say kim may pushing better ties south korea north korea feeling pain usled international sanctions countries long history failing follow rapprochement accords 2015 negotiators met nearly 40 hours announcing deal pull back military standoff caused land mine blasts maimed two south korean soldiers animosities flared several months later north koreas fourth nuclear test john delury china north korea expert yonsei university seoul cautioned process fragile said tuesdays talks opening new diplomatic possibilities striking contrast last year still early process see much momentum acquires far year definitely getting different start said knock door see open two earlier liberal presidents roh predecessor kim daejung met thennorth korean leader kim jong il conservative governments followed took tougher line presidency conservative lee myungbak 2008 2013 marked animosity including north korean attacks warship border island together killed 50 south koreans 2010 successor park geunhye indefinitely suspended south korean participation joint industrial park north koreas kaesong city february 2016 last remaining major symbol cooperation two ___ moritsugu reported tokyo associated press writers dake kang youkyung lee contributed report seoul south korea ap decade since leaders two koreas held summit could happen south korean president moon jaein told reporters wednesday remains open meeting north koreas leader would improve strained relations two countries help resolve global standoff norths nuclear weapons development new position moon took office may took new meaning coming one day highlevel officials two koreas held rare apparently successful meeting agreeing norths participation upcoming winter olympics south meeting two leaders isnt likely immediate future norths kim jong un hasnt met foreign leader since succeeded father 2011 attitudes hardened since two previous korean summits 2000 2007 south korean presidents pursuing sunshine policy trying win north engagement aid moon liberal favors diplomatic solution nuclear issue whose election ended nine years hardline conservative rule chiefofstaff former president roh moohyun held last summit kims father 2007 koh yuhwan north korea expert dongguk university seoul said meeting moons fiveyear term possible kim never met foreign leader would meaningful make first summit meeting koreans koh said televised news conference seoul moon said keep open meeting including summit would push talks cooperation tuesdays meeting summit conditions must established said think certain level success must guaranteed didnt set specific conditions moon called north koreas participation next months olympics desirable said interkorean relations improved without progress nuclear issue warned north would face harsher international sanctions pressure resorts new provocations adding denuclearization korean peninsula path peace goal deal struck tuesday border village panmunjom north korea send officials athletes cheerleaders journalists others olympics pyeongchang mountainous county near border south korean prime minister lee nakyon said wednesday expects delegation include 400 500 people accord stipulates two koreas actively cooperate olympics enhance prestige korean people two sides also agreed hold military talks north korea said recently restored military hotline south second reopening interkorean communication channel week according south korean officials major communications shut tensions norths nuclear program accords reached first meeting rival koreas two years widely viewed positive step following year escalating tension kims rapidly advancing nuclear missile programs last year kim president donald trump exchanged bellicose rhetoric crude insults north korea conducted sixth powerful nuclear test three tests intercontinental ballistic missiles put us within range trump contended tough stance helped persuade north sit south moon said wednesdays news conference feels thankful us president helping make talks happen warn tensions could quickly flare north still wants expand weapons arsenal also say kim may pushing better ties south korea north korea feeling pain usled international sanctions countries long history failing follow rapprochement accords 2015 negotiators met nearly 40 hours announcing deal pull back military standoff caused land mine blasts maimed two south korean soldiers animosities flared several months later north koreas fourth nuclear test john delury china north korea expert yonsei university seoul cautioned process fragile said tuesdays talks opening new diplomatic possibilities striking contrast last year still early process see much momentum acquires far year definitely getting different start said knock door see open two earlier liberal presidents roh predecessor kim daejung met thennorth korean leader kim jong il conservative governments followed took tougher line presidency conservative lee myungbak 2008 2013 marked animosity including north korean attacks warship border island together killed 50 south koreans 2010 successor park geunhye indefinitely suspended south korean participation joint industrial park north koreas kaesong city february 2016 last remaining major symbol cooperation two ___ moritsugu reported tokyo associated press writers dake kang youkyung lee contributed report
| 1,122 |
<p>ZAGREB, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Workers whose jobs are affected by the closure of some activities at a loss-making oil refinery in the central town of Sisak will be offered other positions, Croatia’s Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Sisak’s 60,000 barrel-per-day (bpd) refinery is owned by Croatian energy firm INA which is in turn owned by the Croatian government and Hungary’s MOL.</p>
<p>INA, which also owns a bigger refinery with a 100,000 bpd capacity in the northern Adriatic city of Rijeka, said last week it planned to close the fluid catalytic cracking facility (FCC) in Sisak to make better use of facilities in both refineries.</p>
<p>It said that the measure would cut 40 jobs in the second half of this year, but trade union representatives for the Sisak refinery said they feared it was the first step towards the closing down the entire plant.</p>
<p>“The workers hit by this measure would be offered adequate other jobs in the refinery,” Plenkovic told a cabinet session.</p>
<p>Zagreb, which owns close to 45 percent of INA, and MOL with an almost 50-percent stake, have for several years been at odds over management rights and INA’s investment strategy. Croatia said it wanted to buy back INA’s shares from MOL which MOL accepted but said the price must be adequate.</p>
<p>The future of the Sisak refinery was one of the bones of contention between the two shareholders as Zagreb primarily focused on saving jobs rather than profitability. A recent study by Deloitte proposed converting the refinery into a logistics centre and a facility to refine biomass.</p>
<p>The Croatian government is in the process of choosing an adviser for buying back INA shares from MOL and for potentially seeking another strategic partner. (Reporting by Igor Ilic; editing by Alexander Smith)</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>KABUL (Reuters) - A suicide bomber blew himself up near a Shi’ite shrine in Kabul on Wednesday, killing at least 26 people and wounding 18, officials said, as the Afghan capital celebrated the Nawruz holiday marking the start of the Persian new year.</p> Afghan policemen arrive at the site of a blast in Kabul, Afghanistan March 21, 2018. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani
<p>The explosion underlined the threat to the city from militant attacks, despite government promises to tighten security in the wake of an attack in January that killed around 100 people.</p>
<p>In Cairo, militant group Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, its Amaq news agency said. An affiliate of the group has claimed previous attacks on Shi’ite targets.</p>
<p>Kabul had been on alert for attacks over the Nawruz holiday but the bomber was still able to detonate his explosives as people were leaving the Kart-e Sakhi shrine, in the west of the city.</p>
<p>“There was a huge explosion and I saw a lot of people running away,” said Sayed Omer, who was nearby at the time of the blast, near the city’s main university.</p> Afghan policemen keep watch at the site of a blast in Kabul, Afghanistan March 21, 2018. REUTERS /Omar Sobhani
<p>Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danesh said the bomber had apparently intended to reach the shrine, a target of previous militant attacks, but had been prevented from getting closer by police checkpoints.</p>
<p>“We had our security in place in and around the shrine,” he said. “All the casualties were young men who were either passing by on the road or gathering to enjoy Nawruz.”</p>
<p>Nasrat Rahimi, a deputy spokesman of the interior ministry, said at least 26 people were dead and 18 wounded. Italian aid group Emergency, which runs one of Kabul’s main trauma hospitals, said seven people had been brought in, three of them dead on arrival.</p>
<p>Nawruz, an ancient Persian celebration of the start of spring, is widely celebrated in many parts of Afghanistan but has also faced opposition from some fundamentalist Muslims, who say it is un-Islamic.</p>
<p>The seemingly endless attacks have undermined support for the government of President Ashraf Ghani, who offered last month to hold peace talks with Taliban insurgents fighting to drive out international forces and reimpose their version of strict Islamic law.</p>
<p>Additional reporting by Omar Fahmy in CAIRO; Writing by James Mackenzie; Editing by Nick Macfie and Clarence Fernandez</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>LONDON (Reuters) - A Cambridge University academic who harvested data on millions of Facebook users said he has been made a scapegoat by the social network and a UK-based political consultancy that is accused of trying to sway public opinion for Donald Trump.</p>
<p>Facebook has been rocked this week by a whistleblower who said that Cambridge Analytica, a UK-based political firm hired by Trump for the 2016 campaign, had improperly accessed information on 50 million Facebook users.</p>
<p>The company has lost nearly $50 billion of its stock market value over the last two days over fears that its dealings with Cambridge Analytica might damage its reputation, deter advertisers and invite tougher regulation.</p>
<p>Facebook has said the data was harvested by Aleksandr Kogan, a psychology academic, who created an app on the platform that was downloaded by 270,000 people. It says he then violated its policies by passing the data to Cambridge Analytica.</p> Figurines are seen in front of the Facebook logo in this illustration taken March 20, 2018. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic
<p>“The events of the past week have been a total shell shock,” Kogan told the BBC. “My view is that I’m being basically used as a scapegoat by both Facebook and Cambridge Analytica when... we thought we were doing something that was really normal.</p>
<p>“We were assured by Cambridge Analytica that everything was perfectly legal and within the terms of service.”</p> Slideshow (2 Images)
<p>Alexander Nix, the head of Cambridge Analytica who was suspended on Tuesday, said in a secretly recorded video that his company had played a decisive role in Trump’s election victory.</p> Related Coverage
<a href="/article/us-facebook-cambridge-analytica-kogan/academic-at-center-of-facebook-row-says-the-data-is-greatly-exaggerated-bbc-idUSKBN1GX0T5" type="external">Academic at center of Facebook row says the data is greatly exaggerated: BBC</a>
<p>But Kogan said the accuracy of the dataset had been “exaggerated” by Cambridge Analytica, and that the information was more likely to hurt Trump’s campaign.</p>
<p>(This story has been corrected to fix stock losses figure in third paragraph to “nearly $50 billion” from “$60 billion”)</p>
<p>Reporting by Kate Holton; editing by Guy Faulconbridge</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>(This March 20 story has been corrected to fix stock losses figure in third paragraph to “nearly $50 billion” from “$60 billion”)</p>
<p>By Eric Auchard and David Ingram</p>
<p>LONDON/SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The suspended chief executive of Cambridge Analytica said in a secretly recorded video broadcast on Tuesday that his UK-based political consultancy’s online campaign played a decisive role in U.S. President Donald Trump’s 2016 election victory.</p>
<p>CEO Alexander Nix’s comments, which could not be verified, are potentially a further problem for Facebook Inc as it faces lawmakers’ scrutiny in the United States and Europe over Cambridge Analytica’s improper use of 50 million Facebook users’ personal data to target voters.</p>
<p>The social media network’s shares fell for a second day, closing down 2.5 percent, as investors worried that its dealings with Cambridge Analytica might damage its reputation, deter advertisers and invite restrictive regulation. The company has lost nearly $50 billion of its stock market value over the last two days.</p>
<p>Cambridge Analytica’s board of directors suspended Nix on Tuesday, shortly before the second part of British broadcaster Channel 4’s expose of the firm’s methods.</p>
<p>In the program Nix describes questionable practices used to influence foreign elections and said his firm did all the research, analytics and targeting of voters for Trump’s digital and TV campaigns. He also boasts he met Trump when he was the Republican presidential candidate “many times”.</p>
<p>Nix’s comments “do not represent the values or operations of the firm and his suspension reflects the seriousness with which we view this violation,” Cambridge Analytica said in a statement on Tuesday.</p>
<p>Cambridge Analytica has denied all the media claims and said it deleted the data after learning the information did not adhere to data protection rules.</p>
<p>Brad Parscale, the 2016 Trump campaign’s main digital adviser who dealt regularly with Cambridge Analytica, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Nix’s claims.</p>
<p>Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and now senior adviser, oversaw the Trump campaign’s digital operations. One former Trump adviser said Kushner brought Cambridge Analytica into the 2016 campaign effort. Kushner’s lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.</p>
<p>Cambridge Analytica whistleblower Christopher Wylie told the Washington Post on Tuesday that in 2014 conservative strategist Steve Bannon, who would go on to be Trump's White House adviser, oversaw the firm's early efforts to collect Facebook data to build detailed profiles on millions of American voters. ( <a href="http://wapo.st/2HOTQNu" type="external">wapo.st/2HOTQNu</a>)</p>
<p>Bannon approved spending nearly $1 million to acquire data, including Facebook profiles, in 2014, Wylie told the Post. It is unclear whether Bannon knew how Cambridge Analytica was obtaining the Facebook data, the Post reported.</p>
<p>Bannon, who served on Cambridge Analytica’s board, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.</p>
<p>U.S. law bans foreigners from making contributions or spending money on behalf of a U.S. election campaign but it was not illegal for the Trump campaign to retain Cambridge Analytica’s services, according to Bradley Smith, a former Republican member of the U.S. Federal Election Commission.</p>
<p>“The fact that they are a British company doesn’t add anything to the analysis unless they were giving their services away for free or charging below-market rates,” said Smith, now a professor at the Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio.</p> FTC REVIEW, LAWSUIT
<p>U.S. and European lawmakers have demanded an explanation of how Cambridge Analytica gained access to user data in 2014 and why Facebook failed to inform its users, raising broader industry questions about consumer privacy.</p> People walk past the building housing the offices of Cambridge Analytica in central London, Britain, March 20, 2018. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls
<p>Facebook said it had been told by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the leading U.S. consumer regulator, that it would receive a letter this week with questions about the data acquired by Cambridge Analytica. It said it had no indication of a formal investigation.</p>
<p>“The entire company is outraged we were deceived,” Facebook said in a statement on Tuesday. “We are committed to vigorously enforcing our policies to protect people’s information and will take whatever steps are required to see that this happens.”</p>
<p>The FTC is reviewing whether Facebook violated a 2011 consent decree it reached with the authority over its privacy practices, a person briefed on the matter told Reuters.</p>
<p>If the FTC finds Facebook violated terms of the consent decree, it has the power to fine the company thousands of dollars a day per violation, which could add up to billions of dollars.</p>
<p>Facebook was also hit on Tuesday in a San Francisco court by the first of what could be many lawsuits by shareholders claiming to suffer losses because the company misled them about its ability to protect user data.&#160;The company could also soon face lawsuits on behalf of users whose personal information was exposed.</p>
<p>Facebook and its peers Alphabet Inc’s Google and Twitter already face a backlash from users and lawmakers over their role during the U.S. presidential election by allowing the spread of false information that might have swayed voters toward Trump.</p> Slideshow (6 Images)
<p>Fear of increased regulation hurt other social media firms on Tuesday. Shares of Snap Inc fell 2.5 percent and Twitter Inc fell more than 10 percent.</p> FOREIGN INFLUENCE
<p>U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, called on Tuesday for Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to testify in Congress. Congressional staff said the company would brief U.S. Senate and House aides on Wednesday.</p>
<p>A Congressional official said House Intelligence Committee Democrats plan to interview Cambridge Analytica whistleblower Wylie. The committee interviewed Nix by video teleconference, according to the Congressional official, but a transcript of that interview has not yet been made public.</p>
<p>The Senate Intelligence Committee, which is conducting a long-term investigation of alleged Russian interference in U.S. politics and a detailed examination of U.S. election security precautions, would carry out its own inquiry of Cambridge Analytica, a Congressional official with direct knowledge of the investigation said.</p>
<p>The White House said it welcomed inquiries, and that the president believes that Americans’ privacy should be protected.</p> Related Coverage
<a href="/article/us-facebook-cambridge-analytica-academic/academic-behind-facebook-breach-says-he-is-a-scapegoat-bbc-idUSKBN1GX0KK" type="external">Academic behind Facebook breach says he is a 'scapegoat': BBC</a>
<a href="/article/us-facebook-cambrige-analytica-stocks/social-media-stocks-tumble-as-wall-street-fears-regulation-idUSKBN1GW2QO" type="external">Social media stocks tumble as Wall Street fears regulation</a>
<a href="/article/us-facebook-cambridge-analytica-factbox/factbox-who-is-cambridge-analytica-and-what-did-it-do-idUSKBN1GW07F" type="external">Factbox: Who is Cambridge Analytica and what did it do?</a> PERSONAL INFORMATION
<p>In Britain, the Information Commissioner’s Office, an independent authority set up to uphold information rights in the public interest, was seeking a warrant from a judge to search the offices of London-based Cambridge Analytica. It was unclear late on Tuesday whether it had obtained it.</p>
<p>Created in 2013, Cambridge Analytica markets itself as a source of consumer research, targeted advertising and other data-related services to both political and corporate clients.</p>
<p>According to the New York Times, it was launched with $15 million in backing from billionaire Republican donor Robert Mercer and a name chosen by Bannon.</p>
<p>Facebook says the data were harvested by a British academic, Aleksandr Kogan, who created an app on the platform that was downloaded by 270,000 people, providing access not only to their own personal data but also data from their friends.</p>
<p>Facebook said Kogan then violated its policies by passing the data to Cambridge Analytica. Facebook has since suspended both the consulting firm and SCL (Strategic Communication Laboratories), a government and military contractor.</p>
<p>Facebook said it had been told that the data were destroyed. Kogan was not immediately reachable for comment.</p>
<p>Reporting by David Ingram in San Francisco, Kate Holton and Paul Sandle in London, David Shepardson, Susan Heavey, Mark Hosenball, Jonathan Landay and Sarah N. Lynch in Washington, Jonathan Stempel in New York; Additional reporting by Munsif Vengattil; Writing by Susan Thomas and Lisa Shumaker; Editing by Nick Zieminski, Bill Rigby and Michael Perry</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel for the first time admitted that it bombed a suspected Syrian nuclear reactor in 2007 and said on Wednesday the strike should be a warning to Iran that it would not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.</p> A still frame taken from video material released on March 21, 2018 shows a combination image of what the Israeli military describes is before and after an Israeli air strike on a suspected Syrian nuclear reactor site near Deir al-Zor on Sept 6, 2007. IDF/Handout via Reuters TV
<p>The Israeli military released previously classified cockpit footage, photographs and intelligence documents about its Sept. 6, 2007, air strike on the Al-Kubar facility near Deir al-Zor in eastern Syria.</p>
<p>It said the reactor was being built with help from North Korea and the facility had been months away from activation. Reuters has been unable to immediately verify the Israeli material.</p>
<p>Israel’s decision to go public comes after repeated calls in recent months by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the United States and international community to take tougher action on Iran, Syria’s ally.</p>
<p>Israel’s intelligence minister, Israel Katz, said on Twitter: “The (2007) operation and its success made clear that Israel will never allow nuclear weaponry to be in the hands of those who threaten its existence - Syria then, and Iran today.”</p>
<p>The Israeli military described in detail events leading up to the night of Sept 5-6, 2007, in which, it said, eight warplanes, F-16s and F-15s, carried out the mission after taking off from the Ramon and Hatzerim air bases and flying to Deir al-Zor region, 450 km northwest of Damascus. Eighteen tonnes of munitions were dropped on the site, it said.</p>
<p>In his 2010 memoir “Decision Points,” former U.S. President George W. Bush disclosed that he discussed intelligence about the Syrian facility with then Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert before it was destroyed but did not give him the green light for the raid.</p>
<p>James Jeffrey, Bush’s deputy national security adviser, said on Wednesday the former U.S. president had been “absolutely supportive” of Israel.</p>
<p>“(He) made it clear that we were very happy that events had eliminated this threat and that if there were any threats to Israel that would emerge from this situation, the United States would stand with Israel, period,” Jeffrey told Israel’s Army Radio.</p>
<p>In 2008 the United States presented what it described as intelligence showing that North Korea had helped Syria with “covert nuclear activities.” At the time Syria dismissed the accusations as part of a campaign to discredit the Damascus government.</p>
<p>“The Syrian government regrets the campaign of lies and falsification by the U.S. administration against Syria, including allegations of nuclear activity,” said a government statement issued on the Syrian state news agency.</p>
<p>Iran, which says its nuclear program has only peaceful aims, signed a 2015 deal under which it accepted curbs on its nuclear program in return for sanctions relief. U.S. President Donald Trump and Netanyahu have both been critical of the deal.</p> FILE PHOTO- This undated image released by the U.S. Government shows a building after it was bombed in Syria. U.S. Government/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo “TOP SECRET”
<p>The Israeli military declassified internal “top secret” intelligence reports, in Hebrew, some of them partly redacted.</p>
<p>One, dated March 30, 2007, said: “Syria has set up, within its territory, a nuclear reactor for the production of plutonium, through North Korea, which according to an (initial) worst-case assessment is liable to be activated in approximately another year. To our assessment [REDACTED] secretive and orderly [REDACTED] for achieving a nuclear weapon.”</p>
<p>Israeli intelligence predicted that the suspected reactor “would turn operational by the end of 2007”.</p> Slideshow (16 Images)
<p>The mission to destroy the facility started at 10.30 p.m. on Sept. 5 and ended with the return of the warplanes at 2.30 a.m. the next day, the Israeli military said.</p>
<p>The event was first made public by Syria, which, as reported by Reuters at the time, said in the early hours of Sept. 6 that Syrian air defenses had repelled an incursion by Israeli warplanes.</p>
<p>Syria, a signatory of the 1970 nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), has always denied that the site was a reactor or that Damascus engaged in nuclear cooperation with North Korea.</p>
<p>The Israeli military’s announcement on Wednesday noted that the area in question, around Deir al-Zor, was captured by Islamic State after the Syrian civil war erupted in 2011.</p>
<p>Had there been an active reactor there, the Israeli military said, it would have had “severe strategic implications on the entire Middle East as well as Israel and Syria”.</p>
<p>The Israeli release contains a black-and-white aerial photograph captioned “before the attack” and showing a box-like structure amid desert dunes with smaller outlying buildings.</p>
<p>A series of black-and-white videos, taken above the target, shows the structure in cross-hairs. A male voice is heard counting down three seconds, a cloud of black smoke rises from the structure as it explodes. Other footage appears to show the aftermath - a smoldering hole in the ground.</p>
<p>Wednesday’s release came ahead of the publication of a memoir by Olmert containing passages about the 2007 strike.</p>
<p>Writing by Dan Williams and Stephen Farrell; Editing by Janet Lawrence</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
| false | 2 |
zagreb jan 24 reuters workers whose jobs affected closure activities lossmaking oil refinery central town sisak offered positions croatias prime minister andrej plenkovic said wednesday sisaks 60000 barrelperday bpd refinery owned croatian energy firm ina turn owned croatian government hungarys mol ina also owns bigger refinery 100000 bpd capacity northern adriatic city rijeka said last week planned close fluid catalytic cracking facility fcc sisak make better use facilities refineries said measure would cut 40 jobs second half year trade union representatives sisak refinery said feared first step towards closing entire plant workers hit measure would offered adequate jobs refinery plenkovic told cabinet session zagreb owns close 45 percent ina mol almost 50percent stake several years odds management rights inas investment strategy croatia said wanted buy back inas shares mol mol accepted said price must adequate future sisak refinery one bones contention two shareholders zagreb primarily focused saving jobs rather profitability recent study deloitte proposed converting refinery logistics centre facility refine biomass croatian government process choosing adviser buying back ina shares mol potentially seeking another strategic partner reporting igor ilic editing alexander smith standards thomson reuters trust principles kabul reuters suicide bomber blew near shiite shrine kabul wednesday killing least 26 people wounding 18 officials said afghan capital celebrated nawruz holiday marking start persian new year afghan policemen arrive site blast kabul afghanistan march 21 2018 reutersomar sobhani explosion underlined threat city militant attacks despite government promises tighten security wake attack january killed around 100 people cairo militant group islamic state claimed responsibility attack amaq news agency said affiliate group claimed previous attacks shiite targets kabul alert attacks nawruz holiday bomber still able detonate explosives people leaving karte sakhi shrine west city huge explosion saw lot people running away said sayed omer nearby time blast near citys main university afghan policemen keep watch site blast kabul afghanistan march 21 2018 reuters omar sobhani interior ministry spokesman najib danesh said bomber apparently intended reach shrine target previous militant attacks prevented getting closer police checkpoints security place around shrine said casualties young men either passing road gathering enjoy nawruz nasrat rahimi deputy spokesman interior ministry said least 26 people dead 18 wounded italian aid group emergency runs one kabuls main trauma hospitals said seven people brought three dead arrival nawruz ancient persian celebration start spring widely celebrated many parts afghanistan also faced opposition fundamentalist muslims say unislamic seemingly endless attacks undermined support government president ashraf ghani offered last month hold peace talks taliban insurgents fighting drive international forces reimpose version strict islamic law additional reporting omar fahmy cairo writing james mackenzie editing nick macfie clarence fernandez standards thomson reuters trust principles london reuters cambridge university academic harvested data millions facebook users said made scapegoat social network ukbased political consultancy accused trying sway public opinion donald trump facebook rocked week whistleblower said cambridge analytica ukbased political firm hired trump 2016 campaign improperly accessed information 50 million facebook users company lost nearly 50 billion stock market value last two days fears dealings cambridge analytica might damage reputation deter advertisers invite tougher regulation facebook said data harvested aleksandr kogan psychology academic created app platform downloaded 270000 people says violated policies passing data cambridge analytica figurines seen front facebook logo illustration taken march 20 2018 reutersdado ruvic events past week total shell shock kogan told bbc view im basically used scapegoat facebook cambridge analytica thought something really normal assured cambridge analytica everything perfectly legal within terms service slideshow 2 images alexander nix head cambridge analytica suspended tuesday said secretly recorded video company played decisive role trumps election victory related coverage academic center facebook row says data greatly exaggerated bbc kogan said accuracy dataset exaggerated cambridge analytica information likely hurt trumps campaign story corrected fix stock losses figure third paragraph nearly 50 billion 60 billion reporting kate holton editing guy faulconbridge standards thomson reuters trust principles march 20 story corrected fix stock losses figure third paragraph nearly 50 billion 60 billion eric auchard david ingram londonsan francisco reuters suspended chief executive cambridge analytica said secretly recorded video broadcast tuesday ukbased political consultancys online campaign played decisive role us president donald trumps 2016 election victory ceo alexander nixs comments could verified potentially problem facebook inc faces lawmakers scrutiny united states europe cambridge analyticas improper use 50 million facebook users personal data target voters social media networks shares fell second day closing 25 percent investors worried dealings cambridge analytica might damage reputation deter advertisers invite restrictive regulation company lost nearly 50 billion stock market value last two days cambridge analyticas board directors suspended nix tuesday shortly second part british broadcaster channel 4s expose firms methods program nix describes questionable practices used influence foreign elections said firm research analytics targeting voters trumps digital tv campaigns also boasts met trump republican presidential candidate many times nixs comments represent values operations firm suspension reflects seriousness view violation cambridge analytica said statement tuesday cambridge analytica denied media claims said deleted data learning information adhere data protection rules brad parscale 2016 trump campaigns main digital adviser dealt regularly cambridge analytica immediately respond request comment nixs claims jared kushner trumps soninlaw senior adviser oversaw trump campaigns digital operations one former trump adviser said kushner brought cambridge analytica 2016 campaign effort kushners lawyer immediately respond request comment cambridge analytica whistleblower christopher wylie told washington post tuesday 2014 conservative strategist steve bannon would go trumps white house adviser oversaw firms early efforts collect facebook data build detailed profiles millions american voters wapost2hotqnu bannon approved spending nearly 1 million acquire data including facebook profiles 2014 wylie told post unclear whether bannon knew cambridge analytica obtaining facebook data post reported bannon served cambridge analyticas board immediately respond request comment reuters us law bans foreigners making contributions spending money behalf us election campaign illegal trump campaign retain cambridge analyticas services according bradley smith former republican member us federal election commission fact british company doesnt add anything analysis unless giving services away free charging belowmarket rates said smith professor capital university law school columbus ohio ftc review lawsuit us european lawmakers demanded explanation cambridge analytica gained access user data 2014 facebook failed inform users raising broader industry questions consumer privacy people walk past building housing offices cambridge analytica central london britain march 20 2018 reutershenry nicholls facebook said told federal trade commission ftc leading us consumer regulator would receive letter week questions data acquired cambridge analytica said indication formal investigation entire company outraged deceived facebook said statement tuesday committed vigorously enforcing policies protect peoples information take whatever steps required see happens ftc reviewing whether facebook violated 2011 consent decree reached authority privacy practices person briefed matter told reuters ftc finds facebook violated terms consent decree power fine company thousands dollars day per violation could add billions dollars facebook also hit tuesday san francisco court first could many lawsuits shareholders claiming suffer losses company misled ability protect user data160the company could also soon face lawsuits behalf users whose personal information exposed facebook peers alphabet incs google twitter already face backlash users lawmakers role us presidential election allowing spread false information might swayed voters toward trump slideshow 6 images fear increased regulation hurt social media firms tuesday shares snap inc fell 25 percent twitter inc fell 10 percent foreign influence us senator dianne feinstein top democrat judiciary committee called tuesday facebook ceo mark zuckerberg testify congress congressional staff said company would brief us senate house aides wednesday congressional official said house intelligence committee democrats plan interview cambridge analytica whistleblower wylie committee interviewed nix video teleconference according congressional official transcript interview yet made public senate intelligence committee conducting longterm investigation alleged russian interference us politics detailed examination us election security precautions would carry inquiry cambridge analytica congressional official direct knowledge investigation said white house said welcomed inquiries president believes americans privacy protected related coverage academic behind facebook breach says scapegoat bbc social media stocks tumble wall street fears regulation factbox cambridge analytica personal information britain information commissioners office independent authority set uphold information rights public interest seeking warrant judge search offices londonbased cambridge analytica unclear late tuesday whether obtained created 2013 cambridge analytica markets source consumer research targeted advertising datarelated services political corporate clients according new york times launched 15 million backing billionaire republican donor robert mercer name chosen bannon facebook says data harvested british academic aleksandr kogan created app platform downloaded 270000 people providing access personal data also data friends facebook said kogan violated policies passing data cambridge analytica facebook since suspended consulting firm scl strategic communication laboratories government military contractor facebook said told data destroyed kogan immediately reachable comment reporting david ingram san francisco kate holton paul sandle london david shepardson susan heavey mark hosenball jonathan landay sarah n lynch washington jonathan stempel new york additional reporting munsif vengattil writing susan thomas lisa shumaker editing nick zieminski bill rigby michael perry standards thomson reuters trust principles jerusalem reuters israel first time admitted bombed suspected syrian nuclear reactor 2007 said wednesday strike warning iran would allowed develop nuclear weapons still frame taken video material released march 21 2018 shows combination image israeli military describes israeli air strike suspected syrian nuclear reactor site near deir alzor sept 6 2007 idfhandout via reuters tv israeli military released previously classified cockpit footage photographs intelligence documents sept 6 2007 air strike alkubar facility near deir alzor eastern syria said reactor built help north korea facility months away activation reuters unable immediately verify israeli material israels decision go public comes repeated calls recent months prime minister benjamin netanyahu united states international community take tougher action iran syrias ally israels intelligence minister israel katz said twitter 2007 operation success made clear israel never allow nuclear weaponry hands threaten existence syria iran today israeli military described detail events leading night sept 56 2007 said eight warplanes f16s f15s carried mission taking ramon hatzerim air bases flying deir alzor region 450 km northwest damascus eighteen tonnes munitions dropped site said 2010 memoir decision points former us president george w bush disclosed discussed intelligence syrian facility israeli prime minister ehud olmert destroyed give green light raid james jeffrey bushs deputy national security adviser said wednesday former us president absolutely supportive israel made clear happy events eliminated threat threats israel would emerge situation united states would stand israel period jeffrey told israels army radio 2008 united states presented described intelligence showing north korea helped syria covert nuclear activities time syria dismissed accusations part campaign discredit damascus government syrian government regrets campaign lies falsification us administration syria including allegations nuclear activity said government statement issued syrian state news agency iran says nuclear program peaceful aims signed 2015 deal accepted curbs nuclear program return sanctions relief us president donald trump netanyahu critical deal file photo undated image released us government shows building bombed syria us governmenthandout via reutersfile photo top secret israeli military declassified internal top secret intelligence reports hebrew partly redacted one dated march 30 2007 said syria set within territory nuclear reactor production plutonium north korea according initial worstcase assessment liable activated approximately another year assessment redacted secretive orderly redacted achieving nuclear weapon israeli intelligence predicted suspected reactor would turn operational end 2007 slideshow 16 images mission destroy facility started 1030 pm sept 5 ended return warplanes 230 next day israeli military said event first made public syria reported reuters time said early hours sept 6 syrian air defenses repelled incursion israeli warplanes syria signatory 1970 nuclear nonproliferation treaty npt always denied site reactor damascus engaged nuclear cooperation north korea israeli militarys announcement wednesday noted area question around deir alzor captured islamic state syrian civil war erupted 2011 active reactor israeli military said would severe strategic implications entire middle east well israel syria israeli release contains blackandwhite aerial photograph captioned attack showing boxlike structure amid desert dunes smaller outlying buildings series blackandwhite videos taken target shows structure crosshairs male voice heard counting three seconds cloud black smoke rises structure explodes footage appears show aftermath smoldering hole ground wednesdays release came ahead publication memoir olmert containing passages 2007 strike writing dan williams stephen farrell editing janet lawrence standards thomson reuters trust principles
| 1,997 |
<p><a href="http://thebreakthrough.org/blog/2012/06/dark_side_scientific_rationality.shtml" type="external">The roots of liberal policy failure</a>&#160;are intertwined with the dark side of scientific rationality.</p>
<p>During the 1980s and 1990s, experts working for the World Bank and development agencies persuaded African nations like Malawi to stop subsidizing fertilizer. Subsidies for fertilizer were extremely popular among Malawi’s people — roughly 90 percent are small farmers growing staples on depleted soils who cannot afford fertilizer at market prices. Malawi’s political leaders resisted the expert advice for years. But donor nations are powerful in aid-dependent countries, and Malawi eventually acceded to their demands.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/02/world/africa/02malawi.html?pagewanted=print" type="external">results</a> were disastrous. Malawians were not able to produce enough corn to feed themselves. By 2005, more than one out of three Malawians were dependent on foreign food aid, and the country was on the brink of famine. In an agriculture-dependent region where poor harvests can have devastating effects, Malawi’s government changed tack, and later that year started subsidizing nitrogen fertilizer over the objections of its expert Western advisers, who predicted a worsening of the disaster.</p>
<p>Instead, the opposite happened. Over the next four years, <a href="https://www.nature.com/news/african-agriculture-dirt-poor-1.10311" type="external">corn production per hectare</a> of land tripled. Acute child hunger rates plunged. Malawi was able to turn away powdered milk from Unicef and export food to its neighbors. Britain’s Department for International Development <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/02/world/africa/02malawi.html?pagewanted=print" type="external">evaluated</a> the program and found that Malawi’s $74 million annual corn fertilizer subsidy was worth $120 to $140 million annually — a nearly 100 percent return on investment.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.nature.com/news/african-agriculture-dirt-poor-1.10311" type="external">Malawi wasn’t alone</a>. In Rwanda, corn yields rose 75 percent after it started subsidizing the distribution of fertilizer. Zambia and Mali launched their own efforts to expand fertilizer use. Egg on its face, the World Bank was forced to admit, albeit in its crabbed bureaucratic vernacular, that subsidies “may be justifiable on a temporary basis to stimulate increased fertilizer use in the short term.”</p>
<p>How did the experts get it so wrong — and for so long? There’s nothing to suggest mal intent. The experts in question have in many cases dedicated their lives to helping poor nations develop. All are highly-educated, not ignorant.</p>
<p>Writing in Breakthrough Journal, innovation expert Daniel Sarewitz blames something else: “scientific rationality unchecked by experience, empathy, and moral grounding.” By “scientific rationality,” Sarewitz, a geologist by training, doesn’t mean science, per se, but rather the reductive chains of logic that end up conflating science with policy. It’s not the rationality itself that’s the problem, but rather its detachment from a larger social, moral, and historical context.</p>
<p>The logic of ending fertilizer subsidies was, for example, ironclad. The law of comparative advantage says that nations will grow faster if they focus on doing things they can do better or more cheaply than other nations. For countries like Malawi and Rwanda, that meant producing (and thus subsidizing the production of) more high-value crops for export, like tea and coffee, and less of low-value food crops for domestic consumption, like corn and wheat. Experts produced rigorous, scientific studies showing that eliminating fertilizer subsidies would result in faster economic growth.</p>
<p>But this rationality only worked in a vacuum. Cutting fertilizer subsidies required ignoring Malawi’s history of depleted soils. It required ignoring the experience of other nations in Europe, Asia, North America, and Latin America, which have all massively boosted productivity through fertilizers and subsidies. And it required dismissing the cries of protest from Malawi’s leaders and farmers.</p>
<p>Sarewitz offers climate policy as a case study in the ways that an overdependence upon scientific rationality can lead experts and policy makers to places they probably don’t want to go. Over the last two decades, the range of policy options considered to be “science-based” has narrowed dramatically. Even after the collapse of international efforts to establish legally binding limits on carbon emissions, many policy experts and climate advocates continue to maintain that pricing carbon and hence raising the cost of fossil energy is the only “science-based” response to global warming.</p>
<p>Indeed, as the expert consensus on carbon pricing congealed, other policy responses were often characterized as unscientific, or even anti-science. “The main points from climate science,” wrote Environmental Defense Fund economist Gernot Wagner recently, “are no longer up for debate: the planet is warming; humans are the cause of it; we need to limit emissions… carbon is a pollutant; we need make polluters pay, either through a cap or a price…. Once again, this one is not up for debate…. you can have very real economic debates around whether to tax or cap carbon…. But it’s not up for debate whether ‘carbon = pollutant’ leads to the need to cap or price carbon. It does.”</p>
<p>It is a remarkable chain of reasoning. If you accept that the planet is warming, then you must support an emissions cap or a price on carbon. To question the latter is to deny the former. Their devotion to a particularly narrow scientific rationality led many liberals to imagine carbon pricing to be the pure policy expression of unadulterated science.</p>
<p>But like ending fertilizer subsidies, raising the price of energy to combat climate change is perfectly rational only so long as the larger context is ignored. “If one were seeking a policy intervention that could simply and effectively erode economic and social equity worldwide,” Sarewitz writes, “one could hardly do better than to increase the cost of energy…. This fact is so blindingly obvious that nearly every large developing country has treated the idea of a global agreement to raise energy prices as a joke of Swiftean character.”</p>
<p>There is, of course, an important role for scientific rationality. Morality unchecked by scientific rationality can descend into dogmatism. Historical awareness unchecked by scientific rationality results in a commitment to traditionalism for its own sake.</p>
<p>But for scientific rationality to be moral, wise, and result in positive outcomes, Sarewitz suggests, it must incorporate, rather than dismiss, other ways of knowing. A rationality that relies on the natural sciences and economics to the exclusion of history, culture, and politics, is a threat and not an aid to liberal goals and values.</p>
<p>In the case of dealing with global warming, Sarewitz suggests updating a successful past model, the Tennessee Valley Authority. That New Deal-era project was focused on expanding access to cheap energy among the poor. It should be placed in a global context, Sarewitz argues, and used to accelerate both energy access and decarbonization through the demonstration and deployment of zero carbon technologies.</p>
<p>But Sarewitz is after prey far larger than climate policy. Over the last few years, many prominent progressives have come to blame liberal policy failures on a society that cares too little about science, rationality, and the truth. Sarewitz begs to differ. In many cases, he convincingly demonstrates, the roots of policy illiberalism lie not in popular irrationalism but rather in reductive, scientistic rationalism.</p>
| false | 2 |
roots liberal policy failure160are intertwined dark side scientific rationality 1980s 1990s experts working world bank development agencies persuaded african nations like malawi stop subsidizing fertilizer subsidies fertilizer extremely popular among malawis people roughly 90 percent small farmers growing staples depleted soils afford fertilizer market prices malawis political leaders resisted expert advice years donor nations powerful aiddependent countries malawi eventually acceded demands results disastrous malawians able produce enough corn feed 2005 one three malawians dependent foreign food aid country brink famine agriculturedependent region poor harvests devastating effects malawis government changed tack later year started subsidizing nitrogen fertilizer objections expert western advisers predicted worsening disaster instead opposite happened next four years corn production per hectare land tripled acute child hunger rates plunged malawi able turn away powdered milk unicef export food neighbors britains department international development evaluated program found malawis 74 million annual corn fertilizer subsidy worth 120 140 million annually nearly 100 percent return investment malawi wasnt alone rwanda corn yields rose 75 percent started subsidizing distribution fertilizer zambia mali launched efforts expand fertilizer use egg face world bank forced admit albeit crabbed bureaucratic vernacular subsidies may justifiable temporary basis stimulate increased fertilizer use short term experts get wrong long theres nothing suggest mal intent experts question many cases dedicated lives helping poor nations develop highlyeducated ignorant writing breakthrough journal innovation expert daniel sarewitz blames something else scientific rationality unchecked experience empathy moral grounding scientific rationality sarewitz geologist training doesnt mean science per se rather reductive chains logic end conflating science policy rationality thats problem rather detachment larger social moral historical context logic ending fertilizer subsidies example ironclad law comparative advantage says nations grow faster focus things better cheaply nations countries like malawi rwanda meant producing thus subsidizing production highvalue crops export like tea coffee less lowvalue food crops domestic consumption like corn wheat experts produced rigorous scientific studies showing eliminating fertilizer subsidies would result faster economic growth rationality worked vacuum cutting fertilizer subsidies required ignoring malawis history depleted soils required ignoring experience nations europe asia north america latin america massively boosted productivity fertilizers subsidies required dismissing cries protest malawis leaders farmers sarewitz offers climate policy case study ways overdependence upon scientific rationality lead experts policy makers places probably dont want go last two decades range policy options considered sciencebased narrowed dramatically even collapse international efforts establish legally binding limits carbon emissions many policy experts climate advocates continue maintain pricing carbon hence raising cost fossil energy sciencebased response global warming indeed expert consensus carbon pricing congealed policy responses often characterized unscientific even antiscience main points climate science wrote environmental defense fund economist gernot wagner recently longer debate planet warming humans cause need limit emissions carbon pollutant need make polluters pay either cap price one debate real economic debates around whether tax cap carbon debate whether carbon pollutant leads need cap price carbon remarkable chain reasoning accept planet warming must support emissions cap price carbon question latter deny former devotion particularly narrow scientific rationality led many liberals imagine carbon pricing pure policy expression unadulterated science like ending fertilizer subsidies raising price energy combat climate change perfectly rational long larger context ignored one seeking policy intervention could simply effectively erode economic social equity worldwide sarewitz writes one could hardly better increase cost energy fact blindingly obvious nearly every large developing country treated idea global agreement raise energy prices joke swiftean character course important role scientific rationality morality unchecked scientific rationality descend dogmatism historical awareness unchecked scientific rationality results commitment traditionalism sake scientific rationality moral wise result positive outcomes sarewitz suggests must incorporate rather dismiss ways knowing rationality relies natural sciences economics exclusion history culture politics threat aid liberal goals values case dealing global warming sarewitz suggests updating successful past model tennessee valley authority new dealera project focused expanding access cheap energy among poor placed global context sarewitz argues used accelerate energy access decarbonization demonstration deployment zero carbon technologies sarewitz prey far larger climate policy last years many prominent progressives come blame liberal policy failures society cares little science rationality truth sarewitz begs differ many cases convincingly demonstrates roots policy illiberalism lie popular irrationalism rather reductive scientistic rationalism
| 684 |
<p>Jan 24 (Reuters) - Radico Khaitan Ltd:</p>
<p>* DEC QUARTER NET PROFIT FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS 350.1 MILLION RUPEES VERSUS 197 MILLION RUPEES LAST YEAR</p>
<p>* DEC QUARTER REVENUE FROM OPERATIONS 17.42 BILLION RUPEES VERSUS 12.38 BILLION RUPEES LAST YEAR Source text: <a href="http://bit.ly/2Gato0K" type="external">bit.ly/2Gato0K</a> Further company coverage:</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>PARIS (Reuters) - French ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy told magistrates who put him under formal investigation on Wednesday that accusations that he got illicit Libyan funding for his 2007 election campaign were lies that were making his life “hell”, Le Figaro newspaper said.</p> FILE PHOTO: Nicolas Sarkozy, former head of the Les Republicains political party, attends a Les Republicains (LR) public meeting in Les Sables d'Olonne, France, October 1, 2016. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe/File Photo
<p>The newspaper published a lengthy account of what it said was a declaration by Sarkozy, in power from 2007 until 2012, made to investigators who told him after two days in custody he was formally suspected of passive corruption and other offences.</p>
<p>“This calumny has made my life a living hell since March 11, 2011,” the newspaper quoted the 63-year-old as having told the investigators. Prosecutors are looking into allegations that Sarkozy’s 2007 election campaign was aided by millions of euros in money from late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.</p>
<p>According to Le Figaro, Sarkozy said he was the victim of a destabilization campaign that began in March 2011, based on accusations from Tripoli and a Franco-Lebanese businessman who is also at the center of a judicial inquiry that began in 2013 but snowballed this week when Sarkozy was held for questioning.</p>
<p>Reporting by Brian Love and Emmanuel Jarry; Editing by Geert De Clercq</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Global tech giants including Facebook and Twitter on Thursday expressed concern about a possible Singapore plan to bring in a new law to tackle the threat of fake news, saying sufficient rules are already in place.</p> FILE PHOTO: People holding mobile phones are silhouetted against a backdrop projected with the Twitter logo in this illustration picture taken in Warsaw, Poland, September 27, 2013. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/File Photo
<p>Officials of Facebook, Twitter and Google attended a parliamentary hearing on how to counter the threat that Singapore said it was particularly vulnerable to due to its size, its role as a global financial hub and its ethnic and religious mix.</p>
<p>They were among 79 people asked to speak in parliament over the eight days set for the hearing. The wealthy city state is among the countries looking to introduce legislation, so far unspecified, to rein in fake news, a trend that has stirred concern that such laws could be used to exert government control over the media.</p>
<p>“We do not believe that legislation is the best approach to addressing the issue,” Alvin Tan, Facebook’s head of public policy for Southeast Asia, said in a written submission.</p>
<p>“Singapore already has a variety of existing laws and regulations which address hate speech, defamation and the spreading of false news.”</p> FILE PHOTO: A Facebook logo is seen at the Facebook Gather conference in Brussels, Belgium, January 23, 2018. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo
<p>Singapore ranks 151 among 180 countries rated in the World Press Freedom Index of Reporters Without Borders, a non-government group that promotes freedom of information.</p>
<p>Lawmakers in the United States and Europe have called for probes into how Facebook allowed Cambridge Analytica to access data on 50 million users and use it to help the election campaign of U.S. President Donald Trump.</p> FILE PHOTO: The Google logo is pictured atop an office building in Irvine, California, U.S. August 7, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo
<p>Microblogging site Twitter also shared concerns about Singapore’s plans.</p>
<p>“No single company, governmental or non-governmental actor, should be the arbiter of truth,” Kathleen Reen, Twitter’s director of Public Policy for Asia Pacific, said.</p>
<p>A parliamentary panel set up to consider possible measures, including legislation, drew 164 written responses from the public, a record for reactions to such a committee on any issue.</p>
<p>Many of the examples of fake news, cited in a Singapore government paper on deliberate online falsehoods published in January, came from abroad.</p>
<p>Reporting by Fathin Ungku; Editing by Jack Kim and Nick Macfie</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>BEIJING (Reuters) - China accused the United States of “repeatedly abusing” trade practices, as Beijing braced on Thursday for an imminent announcement from U.S. President Donald Trump slapping more tariffs on Chinese imports.</p> FILE PHOTO - Containers are seen at the Yangshan Deep Water Port, part of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone, in Shanghai, China September 24, 2016. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo
<p>The U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports worth as much as up to $60 billion are set to be unveiled later on Thursday, raising fears that the world’s two largest economies could be sliding toward a trade war.</p>
<p>On Wednesday, the World Trade Organization ruled that Washington had not fully complied with a 2014 ruling against its anti-subsidy tariffs on various Chinese products ranging from solar panels and wind towers to steel cylinders and aluminum extrusions.</p>
<p>The WTO ruling “proves that the U.S. side has violated WTO rules, repeatedly abused trade remedy measures, which has seriously damaged the fair and just nature of the international trade environment, and weakened the stability of the multilateral trading system,” China’s commerce ministry said late on Wednesday.</p>
<p>The tariffs Trump is set to announce will be imposed under Section 301 of the 1974 U.S. Trade Act, following an intellectual property probe launched in August last year.</p>
<p>Trump is accusing Beijing of compelling U.S. firms to transfer their intellectual property (IP) to China as a cost of doing business there.</p>
<p>Trade wars are “good” and “easy to win”, said Trump, having made election campaign promises to get tough with China over its huge surplus with the United States.</p>
<p>China has repeatedly said it has no wish to fight a trade war, but warned that it is ready if needed.</p>
<p>“With regards to the Section 301 investigation, China has expressed its position on many occasions that we resolutely oppose this type of unilateral and protectionist action by the U.S.,” the Commerce Ministry said in a fresh statement on Thursday.</p>
<p>“China will not sit idly by while legitimate rights and interests are hurt. We must take all necessary measures to firmly defend our rights and interests.”</p>
<p>The Wall Street Journal reported that Beijing has already prepared to strike back with tariffs aimed at Trump’s support base, including levies targeting U.S. agricultural exports.</p> “FOR TARIFFS SAKE”
<p>U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said on Wednesday the tariffs would target China’s high-technology sector and there could also be restrictions on Chinese investments in the United States.</p> FILE PHOTO - A man rides a vehicle past containers at a port in Shanghai, China, February 17, 2016. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo
<p>Other sectors like apparel could also be hit.</p>
<p>Jacob Parker, Beijing-based vice president of China operations at the U.S.-China Business Council said the group wanted to know what action the U.S. administration wants China to take to improve protection for intellectual property, and over forced technology transfer.</p>
<p>“It’s really important for them to lay that out so that we have a strategy going forward and it’s not just tariffs for tariffs’ sake.”</p>
<p>Parker said China needs to adopt a tougher deterrent against counterfeiting and IP theft, and do away with joint venture and business licensing requirements that can be used to mandate technology transfers to gain market access.</p>
<p>“At the moment, it’s very difficult for the two sides to sit down and talk because the Trump administration seems determined to go this way regardless of China’s maneuvers,” said He Weiwen, a senior fellow at the Center for China and Globalization (CCG), a Beijing-based think tank.</p>
<a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=BBY.N" type="external">Best Buy Co Inc</a> 68.44 BBY.N New York Stock Exchange -1.60 (-2.28%) BBY.N BA.N 600029.SS QCOM.O NXPI.O LIMITED IMPACT
<p>The measures planned by Washington so far are expected to have a limited impact on China’s economy, which is far less dependent on exports than it was a decade ago.</p>
<p>“Most Chinese corporates seems to be quite resilient against a potential trade war given the high share of domestic revenue,” said Alicia Garcia Herrero, chief economist for Asia Pacific at Natixis. “However, there are certain sectors which will be relatively more affected, such as information technology and consumer durables.”</p>
<p>In a possible sign of what is to come, Best Buy Co Inc ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=BBY.N" type="external">BBY.N</a>), the largest U.S. consumer electronics retailer, has decided to stop buying smartphones from Chinese telecom equipment maker Huawei, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.</p>
<p>Moody’s Investors Service said the impact would be far greater if the United States significantly expands tariffs and throws in broad-ranging protectionist measures.</p>
<p>Sectors with a large, direct exposure to the U.S. market, Moody’s said, included cork and wood products, furniture, office machines, household appliances, electrical equipment, road vehicles, telecommunications equipment, electrical machinery, apparel and footwear, animal oils and fats.</p>
<p>Analysts said U.S. companies like Boeing Co ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=BA.N" type="external">BA.N</a>), which sell billions of dollars worth of planes to Chinese airlines, as well as deals which require Chinese approval could also become caught in the cross fire should a trade war break out.</p>
<p>Boeing this week announced a $3.6 billion order from China Southern Airlines Co Ltd’s ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=600029.SS" type="external">600029.SS</a>) subsidiary Xiamen Airlines. Chip giant Qualcomm Inc ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=QCOM.O" type="external">QCOM.O</a>) is still waiting for Chinese approval of its proposed $44 billion acquisition of NXP Semiconductors NV ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=NXPI.O" type="external">NXPI.O</a>).</p>
<p>U.S. electric carmaker Tesla Inc ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=TSLA.O" type="external">TSLA.O</a>) is in long-running talks with Shanghai authorities to build a local manufacturing plant in the city, while Chinese state media have called for measures against U.S. soybean imports to China.</p>
<p>Reporting by Brenda Goh in SHANGHAI and Elias Glenn in BEIJING; Writing by Ryan Woo; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (Reuters) - The serial bomber whose deadly attacks terrorized Austin, Texas, for weeks left a 25-minute video “confession” on a cell phone found after he blew himself up on Wednesday as officers closed in to make an arrest, police said.</p>
<p>Mark Conditt, 23, an unemployed man from the suburb of Pflugerville, detailed how he made all seven bombs that have been accounted for - five that exploded, one that was recovered before it went off and a seventh that he detonated as officers rushed his vehicle early on Wednesday.</p>
<p>But the video failed to reveal a coherent motive for the attacks spread over the past three weeks, police said.</p>
<p>“He does not at all mention anything about terrorism, nor does he mention anything about hate, but instead it is the outcry of a very challenged young man, talking about challenges in his personal life,” Austin Police Chief Brian Manley told reporters.</p>
<p>“I would classify this as a confession,” Manley said.</p>
<p>Conditt, who had never before been in trouble with the law, killed two people and wounded five with a campaign of violence that began on March 2, authorities said.</p>
<p>Based on their search of the suspect’s home and his video statement, authorities said they felt confident that there were no other bombs and that the public was safe from further harm.</p>
<p>FBI special agent Christopher Combs said investigators believe the suspect would have continued his attacks had he not been apprehended.</p>
<p>Police recovered a “target list” of addresses for future bombings, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing U.S. Representative Michael McCaul of Texas, the Republican chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.</p>
<p>Even so, the video gave no explanation for the individuals and addresses singled out as recipients of the bombs that were planted or shipped, Manley said.</p>
<p>Police previously said they had considered the possibility that the attacks were racially motivated, noting that the first several victims, including the two who died, were either African-American or Hispanic.</p>
<p>Conditt likely recorded the video between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Tuesday. According to Manley, Conditt said he believed police “were getting very close to him,” and he was right. Authorities filed a criminal complaint and issued an arrest warrant around that time.</p>
<p>By Wednesday morning, police had tracked Conditt to a hotel and were waiting for the arrival of tactical units and equipment before they planned to make an arrest, Manley said. But then Conditt drove away.</p>
<p>Police followed and decided to stop him before he got on the highway. Just as officers approached the vehicle, the explosion went off, Manley said. There was also some police shooting.</p> Texas blast suspect Mark Anthony Conditt is seen in this undated handout photo released by Austin Community College in Austin, Texas, U.S. March 21, 2018. Austin Community College/Handout via REUTERS
<p>“This can never be called a happy ending, but it’s a damn good one for the people of this community, the people of the state of Texas,” Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore told reporters.</p>
<p>Residents in Austin, a city of 1 million people and a liberal enclave of university students and tech companies, voiced relief that the hunt for the serial bomber was over.</p>
<p>“I am going to be leery and extra careful tomorrow at work, but I feel relieved now,” said Jesus Borjon, 44, an employee of parcel delivery firm UPS, who lives in Pflugerville.</p>
<p>Austin was hosting thousands of out-of-town visitors for its annual South by Southwest festival of music, film and technology when the first bombings occurred.</p> Slideshow (24 Images) TRAIL OF CLUES
<p>The trail of clues leading hundreds of investigators to the serial bomber ranged from store receipts and fragments of booby-trapped packages to surveillance video of the suspect in a hat and wig.</p>
<p>Experts scoured the suspect’s home for further evidence on Wednesday, removing explosive materials and bomb components.</p>
<p>“I wouldn’t call it a bomb-making factory, but there’s definitely components consistent with what we’ve seen in all these other devices,” Fred Milanowski, special agent in charge of Houston office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, told reporters.</p>
<p>Investigators evacuated a four-block radius around Conditt’s house while they searched the home, which Conditt shared with two roommates who had been detained for questioning. Conditt moved in a year ago after leaving his parents’ home about a mile (1.6 km) away, public records showed.</p> Related Coverage
<a href="/article/us-texas-blast-fedex/fbi-reminds-couriers-on-suspicious-package-protocols-after-texas-bombings-idUSKBN1GX2AR" type="external">FBI reminds couriers on suspicious package protocols after Texas bombings</a>
<p>One law enforcement official involved in the investigation but speaking on condition of anonymity told Reuters that some of the materials found in remnants of the bombs were traced back to where they had been sold.</p>
<p>The source also said investigators, once they had identified Conditt as a potential suspect, obtained a warrant to monitor his Google search history.</p>
<p>Surveillance video showed the suspect in a hat and a blond wig, as he prepared to ship one of two booby-trapped packages he was known to have sent through FedEx Corp’s delivery service, according to the source.</p>
<p>He used the alias “Kelly Killmore” to ship those packages, ABC News reported, citing unnamed law enforcement sources.</p>
<p>Conditt, who was home-schooled, described himself as a conservative but said he was not politically inclined, according to blog posts he wrote as part of a U.S. politics class at Austin Community College. He attended from 2010 to 2012 and had no record of any disciplinary actions, the school said.</p>
<p>Reporting by Jon Herskovitz; Additional reporting by Jim Forsyth in San Antonio, Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee, Mark Hosenball in Washington, Jonathan Allen and Gina Cherelus in New York and Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Writing by Daniel Trotta; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien, Peter Cooney &amp; Simon Cameron-Moore</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
| false | 2 |
jan 24 reuters radico khaitan ltd dec quarter net profit continuing operations 3501 million rupees versus 197 million rupees last year dec quarter revenue operations 1742 billion rupees versus 1238 billion rupees last year source text bitly2gato0k company coverage standards thomson reuters trust principles paris reuters french expresident nicolas sarkozy told magistrates put formal investigation wednesday accusations got illicit libyan funding 2007 election campaign lies making life hell le figaro newspaper said file photo nicolas sarkozy former head les republicains political party attends les republicains lr public meeting les sables dolonne france october 1 2016 reutersstephane mahefile photo newspaper published lengthy account said declaration sarkozy power 2007 2012 made investigators told two days custody formally suspected passive corruption offences calumny made life living hell since march 11 2011 newspaper quoted 63yearold told investigators prosecutors looking allegations sarkozys 2007 election campaign aided millions euros money late libyan leader muammar gaddafi according le figaro sarkozy said victim destabilization campaign began march 2011 based accusations tripoli francolebanese businessman also center judicial inquiry began 2013 snowballed week sarkozy held questioning reporting brian love emmanuel jarry editing geert de clercq standards thomson reuters trust principles singapore reuters global tech giants including facebook twitter thursday expressed concern possible singapore plan bring new law tackle threat fake news saying sufficient rules already place file photo people holding mobile phones silhouetted backdrop projected twitter logo illustration picture taken warsaw poland september 27 2013 reuterskacper pempelfile photo officials facebook twitter google attended parliamentary hearing counter threat singapore said particularly vulnerable due size role global financial hub ethnic religious mix among 79 people asked speak parliament eight days set hearing wealthy city state among countries looking introduce legislation far unspecified rein fake news trend stirred concern laws could used exert government control media believe legislation best approach addressing issue alvin tan facebooks head public policy southeast asia said written submission singapore already variety existing laws regulations address hate speech defamation spreading false news file photo facebook logo seen facebook gather conference brussels belgium january 23 2018 reutersyves hermanfile photo singapore ranks 151 among 180 countries rated world press freedom index reporters without borders nongovernment group promotes freedom information lawmakers united states europe called probes facebook allowed cambridge analytica access data 50 million users use help election campaign us president donald trump file photo google logo pictured atop office building irvine california us august 7 2017 reutersmike blakefile photo microblogging site twitter also shared concerns singapores plans single company governmental nongovernmental actor arbiter truth kathleen reen twitters director public policy asia pacific said parliamentary panel set consider possible measures including legislation drew 164 written responses public record reactions committee issue many examples fake news cited singapore government paper deliberate online falsehoods published january came abroad reporting fathin ungku editing jack kim nick macfie standards thomson reuters trust principles beijing reuters china accused united states repeatedly abusing trade practices beijing braced thursday imminent announcement us president donald trump slapping tariffs chinese imports file photo containers seen yangshan deep water port part shanghai free trade zone shanghai china september 24 2016 reutersaly songfile photo us tariffs chinese imports worth much 60 billion set unveiled later thursday raising fears worlds two largest economies could sliding toward trade war wednesday world trade organization ruled washington fully complied 2014 ruling antisubsidy tariffs various chinese products ranging solar panels wind towers steel cylinders aluminum extrusions wto ruling proves us side violated wto rules repeatedly abused trade remedy measures seriously damaged fair nature international trade environment weakened stability multilateral trading system chinas commerce ministry said late wednesday tariffs trump set announce imposed section 301 1974 us trade act following intellectual property probe launched august last year trump accusing beijing compelling us firms transfer intellectual property ip china cost business trade wars good easy win said trump made election campaign promises get tough china huge surplus united states china repeatedly said wish fight trade war warned ready needed regards section 301 investigation china expressed position many occasions resolutely oppose type unilateral protectionist action us commerce ministry said fresh statement thursday china sit idly legitimate rights interests hurt must take necessary measures firmly defend rights interests wall street journal reported beijing already prepared strike back tariffs aimed trumps support base including levies targeting us agricultural exports tariffs sake us trade representative robert lighthizer said wednesday tariffs would target chinas hightechnology sector could also restrictions chinese investments united states file photo man rides vehicle past containers port shanghai china february 17 2016 reutersaly songfile photo sectors like apparel could also hit jacob parker beijingbased vice president china operations uschina business council said group wanted know action us administration wants china take improve protection intellectual property forced technology transfer really important lay strategy going forward tariffs tariffs sake parker said china needs adopt tougher deterrent counterfeiting ip theft away joint venture business licensing requirements used mandate technology transfers gain market access moment difficult two sides sit talk trump administration seems determined go way regardless chinas maneuvers said weiwen senior fellow center china globalization ccg beijingbased think tank best buy co inc 6844 bbyn new york stock exchange 160 228 bbyn ban 600029ss qcomo nxpio limited impact measures planned washington far expected limited impact chinas economy far less dependent exports decade ago chinese corporates seems quite resilient potential trade war given high share domestic revenue said alicia garcia herrero chief economist asia pacific natixis however certain sectors relatively affected information technology consumer durables possible sign come best buy co inc bbyn largest us consumer electronics retailer decided stop buying smartphones chinese telecom equipment maker huawei source familiar matter told reuters moodys investors service said impact would far greater united states significantly expands tariffs throws broadranging protectionist measures sectors large direct exposure us market moodys said included cork wood products furniture office machines household appliances electrical equipment road vehicles telecommunications equipment electrical machinery apparel footwear animal oils fats analysts said us companies like boeing co ban sell billions dollars worth planes chinese airlines well deals require chinese approval could also become caught cross fire trade war break boeing week announced 36 billion order china southern airlines co ltds 600029ss subsidiary xiamen airlines chip giant qualcomm inc qcomo still waiting chinese approval proposed 44 billion acquisition nxp semiconductors nv nxpio us electric carmaker tesla inc tslao longrunning talks shanghai authorities build local manufacturing plant city chinese state media called measures us soybean imports china reporting brenda goh shanghai elias glenn beijing writing ryan woo editing simon cameronmoore standards thomson reuters trust principles pflugerville texas reuters serial bomber whose deadly attacks terrorized austin texas weeks left 25minute video confession cell phone found blew wednesday officers closed make arrest police said mark conditt 23 unemployed man suburb pflugerville detailed made seven bombs accounted five exploded one recovered went seventh detonated officers rushed vehicle early wednesday video failed reveal coherent motive attacks spread past three weeks police said mention anything terrorism mention anything hate instead outcry challenged young man talking challenges personal life austin police chief brian manley told reporters would classify confession manley said conditt never trouble law killed two people wounded five campaign violence began march 2 authorities said based search suspects home video statement authorities said felt confident bombs public safe harm fbi special agent christopher combs said investigators believe suspect would continued attacks apprehended police recovered target list addresses future bombings los angeles times reported citing us representative michael mccaul texas republican chairman house homeland security committee even video gave explanation individuals addresses singled recipients bombs planted shipped manley said police previously said considered possibility attacks racially motivated noting first several victims including two died either africanamerican hispanic conditt likely recorded video 9 pm 11 pm tuesday according manley conditt said believed police getting close right authorities filed criminal complaint issued arrest warrant around time wednesday morning police tracked conditt hotel waiting arrival tactical units equipment planned make arrest manley said conditt drove away police followed decided stop got highway officers approached vehicle explosion went manley said also police shooting texas blast suspect mark anthony conditt seen undated handout photo released austin community college austin texas us march 21 2018 austin community collegehandout via reuters never called happy ending damn good one people community people state texas travis county district attorney margaret moore told reporters residents austin city 1 million people liberal enclave university students tech companies voiced relief hunt serial bomber going leery extra careful tomorrow work feel relieved said jesus borjon 44 employee parcel delivery firm ups lives pflugerville austin hosting thousands outoftown visitors annual south southwest festival music film technology first bombings occurred slideshow 24 images trail clues trail clues leading hundreds investigators serial bomber ranged store receipts fragments boobytrapped packages surveillance video suspect hat wig experts scoured suspects home evidence wednesday removing explosive materials bomb components wouldnt call bombmaking factory theres definitely components consistent weve seen devices fred milanowski special agent charge houston office bureau alcohol tobacco firearms explosives told reporters investigators evacuated fourblock radius around conditts house searched home conditt shared two roommates detained questioning conditt moved year ago leaving parents home mile 16 km away public records showed related coverage fbi reminds couriers suspicious package protocols texas bombings one law enforcement official involved investigation speaking condition anonymity told reuters materials found remnants bombs traced back sold source also said investigators identified conditt potential suspect obtained warrant monitor google search history surveillance video showed suspect hat blond wig prepared ship one two boobytrapped packages known sent fedex corps delivery service according source used alias kelly killmore ship packages abc news reported citing unnamed law enforcement sources conditt homeschooled described conservative said politically inclined according blog posts wrote part us politics class austin community college attended 2010 2012 record disciplinary actions school said reporting jon herskovitz additional reporting jim forsyth san antonio brendan obrien milwaukee mark hosenball washington jonathan allen gina cherelus new york steve gorman los angeles writing daniel trotta editing rosalba obrien peter cooney amp simon cameronmoore standards thomson reuters trust principles
| 1,654 |
<p>RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The discovery in China of an underground army of nearly 8,000 life-size terracotta soldiers is considered one of the greatest archaeological finds of the 20th century.</p>
<p>More than four decades after they were first seen in modern times, by farmers in Shaanxi province, the <a href="https://www.vmfa.museum/" type="external">Virginia Museum of Fine Arts</a> has 10 of the majestic figures on display in an exhibit that explores the history of ancient China and the reign of its first emperor, Ying Zheng.</p>
<p>Although various assortments of the terracotta soldiers have been displayed previously in museums in New York, Philadelphia, Seattle and elsewhere, the exhibit in Richmond also includes 40 objects never seen in the U.S., including ancient jade ornaments, precious jewelry and ceramics.</p>
<p>"Terracotta Army: Legacy of the First Emperor of China" is only being shown in Richmond and at the Cincinnati Art Museum, where it goes after its run in Virginia ends March 11.</p>
<p>The exhibit explores the life of Ying Zheng — who declared himself Qin Shihuang, the first emperor — and how he influenced China during his reign from 221 to 210 BC. Historians believe he ordered the construction of the terracotta army, which was buried in pits and discovered 2,000 years later, about a mile east of the emperor's burial site.</p>
<p>"We want visitors to learn who is the first emperor and what people's lives looked then, what technology developed during that time and the architecture of that time," said Li Jian, the co-curator.</p>
<p>"No matter rich or poor, royal emperors or commoners, people had a quest for immortality," she said. "These excavated objects reflect the people's lives at the time."</p>
<p>The first two rooms of the exhibit showcase horse and chariot fittings, arms and armor, works of art in gold and silver, and other cultural relics.</p>
<p>A bucket-shaped mask with an open mouth and cut-out eyes is the oldest object, dating to 3500 BC, when an exorcist would have worn it while performing rituals to ward off evil spirits and misfortune. A necklace of red agate beads and white jade pendants was a type of jewelry favored by Qin nobility. A bronze household lamp would have contained vegetable oil or animal fat, capable of burning for long periods of time in an era before candles.</p>
<p>Visitors encounter an imposing sight as they enter the third room: The terracotta soldiers, 6 feet tall and weighing between 250 and 400 pounds each, are positioned in individual open cases, in various poses of war.</p>
<p>There's the armored general, with detailed carving depicting a protective leather apron overlaid with plated armor. An infantryman stands at attention with both arms at his side. A standing archer and a kneeling archer depict the Qin military strategy, requiring one group of archers to stand and provide cover fire while another group knelt and loaded bolts into their crossbows.</p>
<p>Connie James, a retired kindergarten teacher from Richmond, appreciated the details as she spent a recent weekday afternoon exploring the exhibit with her husband.</p>
<p>"I was expecting them to look like a terracotta flower pot, but they're very intricate," she said. "For those of us who couldn't get to China, this is something very special."</p>
<p>Her husband, David James, liked seeing the ancient weapons used by the warriors.</p>
<p>"I wouldn't have imagined they would have been used in a crossbow at that time, but they were," he said.</p>
<p>Museum director Alex Nyerges said the exhibit attracted nearly 40,000 visitors during its first two weeks in Richmond, putting it on a path to become one of the museum's most popular.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>IF YOU GO</p>
<p>The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is Saturdays through Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. There are special holiday hours.</p>
<p>General admission to the museum is free. The cost for the "Terracotta Army" exhibit is $20 for adults; $16 for seniors 65 and older; $10 for youth (7-17) and college students.</p>
<p>Parking: $5</p>
<p>Website: https://www.vmfa.museum</p>
<p>RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The discovery in China of an underground army of nearly 8,000 life-size terracotta soldiers is considered one of the greatest archaeological finds of the 20th century.</p>
<p>More than four decades after they were first seen in modern times, by farmers in Shaanxi province, the <a href="https://www.vmfa.museum/" type="external">Virginia Museum of Fine Arts</a> has 10 of the majestic figures on display in an exhibit that explores the history of ancient China and the reign of its first emperor, Ying Zheng.</p>
<p>Although various assortments of the terracotta soldiers have been displayed previously in museums in New York, Philadelphia, Seattle and elsewhere, the exhibit in Richmond also includes 40 objects never seen in the U.S., including ancient jade ornaments, precious jewelry and ceramics.</p>
<p>"Terracotta Army: Legacy of the First Emperor of China" is only being shown in Richmond and at the Cincinnati Art Museum, where it goes after its run in Virginia ends March 11.</p>
<p>The exhibit explores the life of Ying Zheng — who declared himself Qin Shihuang, the first emperor — and how he influenced China during his reign from 221 to 210 BC. Historians believe he ordered the construction of the terracotta army, which was buried in pits and discovered 2,000 years later, about a mile east of the emperor's burial site.</p>
<p>"We want visitors to learn who is the first emperor and what people's lives looked then, what technology developed during that time and the architecture of that time," said Li Jian, the co-curator.</p>
<p>"No matter rich or poor, royal emperors or commoners, people had a quest for immortality," she said. "These excavated objects reflect the people's lives at the time."</p>
<p>The first two rooms of the exhibit showcase horse and chariot fittings, arms and armor, works of art in gold and silver, and other cultural relics.</p>
<p>A bucket-shaped mask with an open mouth and cut-out eyes is the oldest object, dating to 3500 BC, when an exorcist would have worn it while performing rituals to ward off evil spirits and misfortune. A necklace of red agate beads and white jade pendants was a type of jewelry favored by Qin nobility. A bronze household lamp would have contained vegetable oil or animal fat, capable of burning for long periods of time in an era before candles.</p>
<p>Visitors encounter an imposing sight as they enter the third room: The terracotta soldiers, 6 feet tall and weighing between 250 and 400 pounds each, are positioned in individual open cases, in various poses of war.</p>
<p>There's the armored general, with detailed carving depicting a protective leather apron overlaid with plated armor. An infantryman stands at attention with both arms at his side. A standing archer and a kneeling archer depict the Qin military strategy, requiring one group of archers to stand and provide cover fire while another group knelt and loaded bolts into their crossbows.</p>
<p>Connie James, a retired kindergarten teacher from Richmond, appreciated the details as she spent a recent weekday afternoon exploring the exhibit with her husband.</p>
<p>"I was expecting them to look like a terracotta flower pot, but they're very intricate," she said. "For those of us who couldn't get to China, this is something very special."</p>
<p>Her husband, David James, liked seeing the ancient weapons used by the warriors.</p>
<p>"I wouldn't have imagined they would have been used in a crossbow at that time, but they were," he said.</p>
<p>Museum director Alex Nyerges said the exhibit attracted nearly 40,000 visitors during its first two weeks in Richmond, putting it on a path to become one of the museum's most popular.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>IF YOU GO</p>
<p>The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is Saturdays through Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. There are special holiday hours.</p>
<p>General admission to the museum is free. The cost for the "Terracotta Army" exhibit is $20 for adults; $16 for seniors 65 and older; $10 for youth (7-17) and college students.</p>
<p>Parking: $5</p>
<p>Website: https://www.vmfa.museum</p>
| false | 2 |
richmond va ap discovery china underground army nearly 8000 lifesize terracotta soldiers considered one greatest archaeological finds 20th century four decades first seen modern times farmers shaanxi province virginia museum fine arts 10 majestic figures display exhibit explores history ancient china reign first emperor ying zheng although various assortments terracotta soldiers displayed previously museums new york philadelphia seattle elsewhere exhibit richmond also includes 40 objects never seen us including ancient jade ornaments precious jewelry ceramics terracotta army legacy first emperor china shown richmond cincinnati art museum goes run virginia ends march 11 exhibit explores life ying zheng declared qin shihuang first emperor influenced china reign 221 210 bc historians believe ordered construction terracotta army buried pits discovered 2000 years later mile east emperors burial site want visitors learn first emperor peoples lives looked technology developed time architecture time said li jian cocurator matter rich poor royal emperors commoners people quest immortality said excavated objects reflect peoples lives time first two rooms exhibit showcase horse chariot fittings arms armor works art gold silver cultural relics bucketshaped mask open mouth cutout eyes oldest object dating 3500 bc exorcist would worn performing rituals ward evil spirits misfortune necklace red agate beads white jade pendants type jewelry favored qin nobility bronze household lamp would contained vegetable oil animal fat capable burning long periods time era candles visitors encounter imposing sight enter third room terracotta soldiers 6 feet tall weighing 250 400 pounds positioned individual open cases various poses war theres armored general detailed carving depicting protective leather apron overlaid plated armor infantryman stands attention arms side standing archer kneeling archer depict qin military strategy requiring one group archers stand provide cover fire another group knelt loaded bolts crossbows connie james retired kindergarten teacher richmond appreciated details spent recent weekday afternoon exploring exhibit husband expecting look like terracotta flower pot theyre intricate said us couldnt get china something special husband david james liked seeing ancient weapons used warriors wouldnt imagined would used crossbow time said museum director alex nyerges said exhibit attracted nearly 40000 visitors first two weeks richmond putting path become one museums popular ___ go virginia museum fine arts saturdays wednesdays 10 5 pm thursdays fridays 10 9 pm special holiday hours general admission museum free cost terracotta army exhibit 20 adults 16 seniors 65 older 10 youth 717 college students parking 5 website httpswwwvmfamuseum richmond va ap discovery china underground army nearly 8000 lifesize terracotta soldiers considered one greatest archaeological finds 20th century four decades first seen modern times farmers shaanxi province virginia museum fine arts 10 majestic figures display exhibit explores history ancient china reign first emperor ying zheng although various assortments terracotta soldiers displayed previously museums new york philadelphia seattle elsewhere exhibit richmond also includes 40 objects never seen us including ancient jade ornaments precious jewelry ceramics terracotta army legacy first emperor china shown richmond cincinnati art museum goes run virginia ends march 11 exhibit explores life ying zheng declared qin shihuang first emperor influenced china reign 221 210 bc historians believe ordered construction terracotta army buried pits discovered 2000 years later mile east emperors burial site want visitors learn first emperor peoples lives looked technology developed time architecture time said li jian cocurator matter rich poor royal emperors commoners people quest immortality said excavated objects reflect peoples lives time first two rooms exhibit showcase horse chariot fittings arms armor works art gold silver cultural relics bucketshaped mask open mouth cutout eyes oldest object dating 3500 bc exorcist would worn performing rituals ward evil spirits misfortune necklace red agate beads white jade pendants type jewelry favored qin nobility bronze household lamp would contained vegetable oil animal fat capable burning long periods time era candles visitors encounter imposing sight enter third room terracotta soldiers 6 feet tall weighing 250 400 pounds positioned individual open cases various poses war theres armored general detailed carving depicting protective leather apron overlaid plated armor infantryman stands attention arms side standing archer kneeling archer depict qin military strategy requiring one group archers stand provide cover fire another group knelt loaded bolts crossbows connie james retired kindergarten teacher richmond appreciated details spent recent weekday afternoon exploring exhibit husband expecting look like terracotta flower pot theyre intricate said us couldnt get china something special husband david james liked seeing ancient weapons used warriors wouldnt imagined would used crossbow time said museum director alex nyerges said exhibit attracted nearly 40000 visitors first two weeks richmond putting path become one museums popular ___ go virginia museum fine arts saturdays wednesdays 10 5 pm thursdays fridays 10 9 pm special holiday hours general admission museum free cost terracotta army exhibit 20 adults 16 seniors 65 older 10 youth 717 college students parking 5 website httpswwwvmfamuseum
| 784 |
<p>Academy of the New Church 39, George School 32</p>
<p>Aliquippa 63, Mohawk 35</p>
<p>Allderdice 61, Brashear 39</p>
<p>Allentown Allen 52, Stroudsburg 49</p>
<p>Ambridge 75, Beaver Falls 65</p>
<p>Antietam 65, Tulpehocken 54</p>
<p>Athens 58, Towanda 37</p>
<p>Austin 53, Smethport 43</p>
<p>Avella 50, Mapletown 47</p>
<p>Avonworth 69, Carlynton 59</p>
<p>Baldwin 45, Peters Township 40</p>
<p>Beaver Area 79, Hopewell 63</p>
<p>Belle Vernon 87, Waynesburg Central 73</p>
<p>Bellwood-Antis 85, West Branch 57</p>
<p>Bentworth 63, Fort Cherry 46</p>
<p>Berks Catholic 58, Conrad Weiser 43</p>
<p>Berlin-Brothersvalley 97, Meyersdale 42</p>
<p>Bethlehem Catholic 62, Allentown Central Catholic 56</p>
<p>Bethlehem Freedom 58, Nazareth Area 57</p>
<p>Biglerville 41, Bermudian Springs 36</p>
<p>Bishop Shanahan 67, Unionville 57</p>
<p>Blacklick 63, Conemaugh Township 59</p>
<p>Bonner-Prendergast 73, Father Judge 58</p>
<p>Brandywine Heights 49, Schuylkill Valley 26</p>
<p>Brentwood 87, Freedom 71</p>
<p>Brockway 53, Curwensville 48</p>
<p>Brookville 67, St. Marys 54</p>
<p>Burrell 35, South Allegheny 15</p>
<p>Butler 77, Pine-Richland 74</p>
<p>Cambridge Springs 62, Youngsville 32</p>
<p>Cameron County 91, Northern Potter 21</p>
<p>Canon-McMillan 58, Ringgold 33</p>
<p>Carrick 80, Westinghouse 68</p>
<p>Cedar Crest 76, Manheim Township 73</p>
<p>Central Bucks West 60, Latin Charter 41</p>
<p>Central Dauphin East 48, Carlisle 31</p>
<p>Central Martinsburg 69, Bald Eagle Area 58</p>
<p>Central York 61, York 54</p>
<p>Chambersburg 54, Central Dauphin 44, OT</p>
<p>Charleroi 70, Bethlehem Center 43</p>
<p>Chartiers-Houston 70, California 45</p>
<p>Cheltenham 63, Upper Moreland 37</p>
<p>Clairton 87, Geibel Catholic 37</p>
<p>Clarion-Limestone 52, Clarion 44</p>
<p>Clearfield 42, Bellefonte 35</p>
<p>Cocalico 53, Manheim Central 41</p>
<p>Conemaugh Valley 57, Ferndale 50</p>
<p>Conestoga Christian 42, Lititz Christian 36</p>
<p>Conestoga Valley 69, Lancaster McCaskey 61</p>
<p>Coudersport 89, Galeton 49</p>
<p>Cranberry 67, Venango 50</p>
<p>Deer Lakes 68, Mount Pleasant 35</p>
<p>Derry 60, Riverview 38</p>
<p>Dover 80, Susquehannock 37</p>
<p>Dubois 58, Punxsutawney 54</p>
<p>East Allegheny 52, Steel Valley 50</p>
<p>East Stroudsburg South 66, Whitehall 39</p>
<p>Easton 57, Emmaus 49</p>
<p>Eden Christian 60, Trinity Christian 31</p>
<p>Eisenhower 50, Cochranton 47</p>
<p>Elizabeth Forward 60, McGuffey 56</p>
<p>Elizabethtown 59, Solanco 51</p>
<p>Elk County Catholic 43, Johnsonburg 36</p>
<p>Ellwood City 63, Elwood City Riverside 54</p>
<p>Ephrata 68, Donegal 63</p>
<p>Erie 65, Meadville 62</p>
<p>Erie Cathedral Prep 56, Erie McDowell 36</p>
<p>Exeter 55, Governor Mifflin 52</p>
<p>Faith Christian Academy 65, Jenkintown 29</p>
<p>Fels 63, Philadelphia Academy Charter 36</p>
<p>Fleetwood 55, Hamburg 36</p>
<p>Fort Leboeuf 50, Warren 45</p>
<p>Fox Chapel 61, Penn Hills 54</p>
<p>Franklin 55, Oil City 48</p>
<p>Franklin Regional 64, Gateway 46</p>
<p>Frazier 63, Jefferson-Morgan 56</p>
<p>Freeport 76, Indiana 62</p>
<p>George Jr. Republic 74, Slippery Rock 51</p>
<p>Greater Latrobe 68, Norwin 58</p>
<p>Greencastle Antrim 73, Big Spring 50</p>
<p>Greensburg Salem 51, Kiski Area 39</p>
<p>Greenville 64, Sharpsville 58</p>
<p>Greenwood 43, Newport 31</p>
<p>Hanover Area 53, MMI Prep 35</p>
<p>Harbor Creek 58, General McLane 46</p>
<p>Harrisburg 87, Mifflin County 67</p>
<p>Hatboro-Horsham 55, Quakertown 21</p>
<p>Hazleton Area 72, Berwick 30</p>
<p>Hempfield 64, Warwick 54</p>
<p>Hershey 57, Harrisburg Bishop McDevitt 47</p>
<p>Hickory 64, Farrell 47</p>
<p>High Point 50, Lancaster Christian 44</p>
<p>High School of the Future 59, Edison 51</p>
<p>Highlands 55, Armstrong 46</p>
<p>Holy Redeemer 74, Northwest Area 48</p>
<p>Honesdale 69, North Pocono 58</p>
<p>Huntingdon 67, Tyrone 55</p>
<p>Imani Christian Academy 71, Winchester Thurston 49</p>
<p>Iroquois 52, Saegertown 26</p>
<p>James Buchanan 53, Boiling Springs 46</p>
<p>Jamestown 51, Commodore Perry 35</p>
<p>Jeannette 61, Springdale 24</p>
<p>Jim Thorpe 49, Minersville 35</p>
<p>Juniata 66, Susquenita 38</p>
<p>Juniata Valley 75, Mount Union 63</p>
<p>Kane Area 55, Sheffield 27</p>
<p>Karns City 72, Redbank Valley 43</p>
<p>Keystone 64, Allegheny-Clarion Valley 52</p>
<p>Kutztown 81, Oley Valley 41</p>
<p>Lakeview 49, Rocky Grove 41</p>
<p>Lancaster Catholic 66, Columbia 36</p>
<p>Lancaster Country Day 80, East Juniata 40</p>
<p>LaSalle 50, Philadelphia Bishop McDevitt 47</p>
<p>Leechburg 70, Summit Academy 56</p>
<p>Ligonier Valley 75, United 50</p>
<p>Lincoln Park Charter 59, New Brighton 39</p>
<p>Littlestown 79, Fairfield 23</p>
<p>Lower Dauphin 62, Cedar Cliff 59</p>
<p>Lower Moreland 49, Church Farm School 36</p>
<p>Marion Center 40, Northern Cambria 35</p>
<p>Mars 78, West Allegheny 70</p>
<p>Mastbaum 76, Prep Charter 71</p>
<p>McKeesport 76, Thomas Jefferson 45</p>
<p>Meadowbrook Christian 65, Sunbury Christian 24</p>
<p>Mechanicsburg 65, Susquehanna Township 60</p>
<p>Mercyhurst Prep 46, Seneca 32</p>
<p>Middletown 81, Camp Hill 52</p>
<p>Monessen 74, West Greene 33</p>
<p>Moniteau 51, Union 46</p>
<p>Montour 85, Knoch 66</p>
<p>Moon 59, Hampton 36</p>
<p>Moorestown Friends, N.J. 62, Abington Friends 33</p>
<p>Moshannon Valley 60, Glendale 57</p>
<p>Mount Lebanon 60, Bethel Park 42</p>
<p>Nanticoke Area 50, Crestwood 33</p>
<p>Neshannock 64, Bishop Canevin 30</p>
<p>Neumann-Goretti 56, Archbishop Wood 52</p>
<p>New Castle 58, Blackhawk 41</p>
<p>New Oxford 49, Dallastown Area 48</p>
<p>Newark Central, N.J. 99, Eastern University 94</p>
<p>Norristown 50, Methacton 38</p>
<p>North Allegheny 71, Altoona 53</p>
<p>North Clarion 88, Forest Area 59</p>
<p>North Penn-Mansfield 81, Williamson 39</p>
<p>North Star 67, Portage Area 63, OT</p>
<p>Northampton 52, Bethlehem Liberty 38</p>
<p>Northeastern 65, South Western 21</p>
<p>Northern Lebanon 67, Pequea Valley 23</p>
<p>Northwestern 52, North East 37</p>
<p>Northwestern Lehigh 55, Palmerton 35</p>
<p>Oswayo 85, Port Allegany 53</p>
<p>Otto-Eldred 46, Bradford 45</p>
<p>Our Lady Of Sacred Heart 73, Northgate 26</p>
<p>Owen J Roberts 56, Boyertown 52</p>
<p>Parkland 61, Pocono Mountain East 52</p>
<p>Penn Manor 57, Lebanon 45</p>
<p>Penncrest 67, Radnor 44</p>
<p>Pennridge 63, Central Bucks East 54</p>
<p>Penns Valley 42, Philipsburg-Osceola 26</p>
<p>Perkiomen School 86, Shipley 77</p>
<p>Philadelphia Roman Catholic 70, Archbishop Carroll 66</p>
<p>Philadelphia West Catholic 86, Conwell Egan 73</p>
<p>Pittsburgh Central Catholic 58, Shaler 49</p>
<p>Pittsburgh Obama 86, Perry Traditional Academy 39</p>
<p>Pittston Area 51, Tunkhannock 49</p>
<p>Pleasant Valley 37, East Stroudsburg North 35</p>
<p>Plum 56, Penn-Trafford 49</p>
<p>Plymouth-Whitemarsh 95, Springfield Montco 33</p>
<p>Pocono Mountain West 47, Allentown Dieruff 43</p>
<p>Pottstown 45, Phoenixville 43</p>
<p>Propel Andrew Street 74, St. Joseph 37</p>
<p>Quaker Valley 63, Central Valley 42</p>
<p>Reading 66, Daniel Boone 30</p>
<p>Red Lion 68, Spring Grove 53</p>
<p>Richland 66, Windber 22</p>
<p>Ridgway 60, Dubois Central Catholic 31</p>
<p>Rockwood 74, Salisbury-Elk Lick 32</p>
<p>Sayre Area 54, Canton 48</p>
<p>Scranton 69, Valley View 51</p>
<p>Scranton Prep 81, West Scranton 54</p>
<p>Seneca Valley 52, North Hills 35</p>
<p>Serra Catholic 63, Greensburg Central Catholic 39</p>
<p>Seton-LaSalle 39, Pittsburgh North Catholic 34</p>
<p>Sewickley Academy 93, Laurel 41</p>
<p>Shade 48, Shanksville-Stoneycreek 47</p>
<p>Shady Side Academy 56, Apollo-Ridge 48</p>
<p>Sharon 51, Grove City 46</p>
<p>South Park 59, South Fayette 51</p>
<p>South Side 70, Brownsville 59</p>
<p>Southern Lehigh 49, Northern Lehigh 39</p>
<p>Springside Chestnut Hill 62, Germantown Academy 56</p>
<p>St. Joseph’s Prep 84, South Philadelphia 63</p>
<p>State College 71, Cumberland Valley 47</p>
<p>Steelton-Highspire 86, York Country Day 68</p>
<p>Sto-Rox 76, Shenango 68</p>
<p>Trinity 71, Laurel Highlands 68</p>
<p>Tussey Mountain 68, Northern Bedford 30</p>
<p>Twin Valley 53, Wyomissing 52</p>
<p>Union Area 70, Cornell 62</p>
<p>Union City 64, Maplewood 54</p>
<p>Uniontown 73, Keystone Oaks 54</p>
<p>Upper Perkiomen 74, Pottsgrove 68</p>
<p>Upper St. Clair 78, Connellsville 51</p>
<p>Valley 75, Yough 51</p>
<p>Vincentian Academy 82, Rochester 60</p>
<p>Washington 57, Southmoreland 50</p>
<p>Waynesboro 60, Shippensburg 58</p>
<p>Wellsboro 61, Troy 34</p>
<p>West Lawn Wilson 59, Muhlenberg 50</p>
<p>West Middlesex 69, Reynolds 31</p>
<p>West Shamokin 63, Penns Manor 47</p>
<p>West York 59, York Suburban 51</p>
<p>Western Wayne 51, Delaware Valley 48</p>
<p>Westtown 76, Friends Central 39</p>
<p>Wilkes-Barre GAR 54, Wyoming Valley West 50</p>
<p>Wilkes-Barre Meyers 64, Dallas 61</p>
<p>Williamsburg 73, Claysburg-Kimmel 56</p>
<p>Wilmington 46, Mercer 35</p>
<p>Wissahickon 79, Upper Dublin 53</p>
<p>Woodland Hills 83, Hempfield Area 52</p>
<p>Wyoming Area 45, Wilkes-Barre Coughlin 39</p>
<p>York Catholic 69, Hanover 47</p>
<p>York County Tech 68, Delone 59</p>
<p>Academy of the New Church 39, George School 32</p>
<p>Aliquippa 63, Mohawk 35</p>
<p>Allderdice 61, Brashear 39</p>
<p>Allentown Allen 52, Stroudsburg 49</p>
<p>Ambridge 75, Beaver Falls 65</p>
<p>Antietam 65, Tulpehocken 54</p>
<p>Athens 58, Towanda 37</p>
<p>Austin 53, Smethport 43</p>
<p>Avella 50, Mapletown 47</p>
<p>Avonworth 69, Carlynton 59</p>
<p>Baldwin 45, Peters Township 40</p>
<p>Beaver Area 79, Hopewell 63</p>
<p>Belle Vernon 87, Waynesburg Central 73</p>
<p>Bellwood-Antis 85, West Branch 57</p>
<p>Bentworth 63, Fort Cherry 46</p>
<p>Berks Catholic 58, Conrad Weiser 43</p>
<p>Berlin-Brothersvalley 97, Meyersdale 42</p>
<p>Bethlehem Catholic 62, Allentown Central Catholic 56</p>
<p>Bethlehem Freedom 58, Nazareth Area 57</p>
<p>Biglerville 41, Bermudian Springs 36</p>
<p>Bishop Shanahan 67, Unionville 57</p>
<p>Blacklick 63, Conemaugh Township 59</p>
<p>Bonner-Prendergast 73, Father Judge 58</p>
<p>Brandywine Heights 49, Schuylkill Valley 26</p>
<p>Brentwood 87, Freedom 71</p>
<p>Brockway 53, Curwensville 48</p>
<p>Brookville 67, St. Marys 54</p>
<p>Burrell 35, South Allegheny 15</p>
<p>Butler 77, Pine-Richland 74</p>
<p>Cambridge Springs 62, Youngsville 32</p>
<p>Cameron County 91, Northern Potter 21</p>
<p>Canon-McMillan 58, Ringgold 33</p>
<p>Carrick 80, Westinghouse 68</p>
<p>Cedar Crest 76, Manheim Township 73</p>
<p>Central Bucks West 60, Latin Charter 41</p>
<p>Central Dauphin East 48, Carlisle 31</p>
<p>Central Martinsburg 69, Bald Eagle Area 58</p>
<p>Central York 61, York 54</p>
<p>Chambersburg 54, Central Dauphin 44, OT</p>
<p>Charleroi 70, Bethlehem Center 43</p>
<p>Chartiers-Houston 70, California 45</p>
<p>Cheltenham 63, Upper Moreland 37</p>
<p>Clairton 87, Geibel Catholic 37</p>
<p>Clarion-Limestone 52, Clarion 44</p>
<p>Clearfield 42, Bellefonte 35</p>
<p>Cocalico 53, Manheim Central 41</p>
<p>Conemaugh Valley 57, Ferndale 50</p>
<p>Conestoga Christian 42, Lititz Christian 36</p>
<p>Conestoga Valley 69, Lancaster McCaskey 61</p>
<p>Coudersport 89, Galeton 49</p>
<p>Cranberry 67, Venango 50</p>
<p>Deer Lakes 68, Mount Pleasant 35</p>
<p>Derry 60, Riverview 38</p>
<p>Dover 80, Susquehannock 37</p>
<p>Dubois 58, Punxsutawney 54</p>
<p>East Allegheny 52, Steel Valley 50</p>
<p>East Stroudsburg South 66, Whitehall 39</p>
<p>Easton 57, Emmaus 49</p>
<p>Eden Christian 60, Trinity Christian 31</p>
<p>Eisenhower 50, Cochranton 47</p>
<p>Elizabeth Forward 60, McGuffey 56</p>
<p>Elizabethtown 59, Solanco 51</p>
<p>Elk County Catholic 43, Johnsonburg 36</p>
<p>Ellwood City 63, Elwood City Riverside 54</p>
<p>Ephrata 68, Donegal 63</p>
<p>Erie 65, Meadville 62</p>
<p>Erie Cathedral Prep 56, Erie McDowell 36</p>
<p>Exeter 55, Governor Mifflin 52</p>
<p>Faith Christian Academy 65, Jenkintown 29</p>
<p>Fels 63, Philadelphia Academy Charter 36</p>
<p>Fleetwood 55, Hamburg 36</p>
<p>Fort Leboeuf 50, Warren 45</p>
<p>Fox Chapel 61, Penn Hills 54</p>
<p>Franklin 55, Oil City 48</p>
<p>Franklin Regional 64, Gateway 46</p>
<p>Frazier 63, Jefferson-Morgan 56</p>
<p>Freeport 76, Indiana 62</p>
<p>George Jr. Republic 74, Slippery Rock 51</p>
<p>Greater Latrobe 68, Norwin 58</p>
<p>Greencastle Antrim 73, Big Spring 50</p>
<p>Greensburg Salem 51, Kiski Area 39</p>
<p>Greenville 64, Sharpsville 58</p>
<p>Greenwood 43, Newport 31</p>
<p>Hanover Area 53, MMI Prep 35</p>
<p>Harbor Creek 58, General McLane 46</p>
<p>Harrisburg 87, Mifflin County 67</p>
<p>Hatboro-Horsham 55, Quakertown 21</p>
<p>Hazleton Area 72, Berwick 30</p>
<p>Hempfield 64, Warwick 54</p>
<p>Hershey 57, Harrisburg Bishop McDevitt 47</p>
<p>Hickory 64, Farrell 47</p>
<p>High Point 50, Lancaster Christian 44</p>
<p>High School of the Future 59, Edison 51</p>
<p>Highlands 55, Armstrong 46</p>
<p>Holy Redeemer 74, Northwest Area 48</p>
<p>Honesdale 69, North Pocono 58</p>
<p>Huntingdon 67, Tyrone 55</p>
<p>Imani Christian Academy 71, Winchester Thurston 49</p>
<p>Iroquois 52, Saegertown 26</p>
<p>James Buchanan 53, Boiling Springs 46</p>
<p>Jamestown 51, Commodore Perry 35</p>
<p>Jeannette 61, Springdale 24</p>
<p>Jim Thorpe 49, Minersville 35</p>
<p>Juniata 66, Susquenita 38</p>
<p>Juniata Valley 75, Mount Union 63</p>
<p>Kane Area 55, Sheffield 27</p>
<p>Karns City 72, Redbank Valley 43</p>
<p>Keystone 64, Allegheny-Clarion Valley 52</p>
<p>Kutztown 81, Oley Valley 41</p>
<p>Lakeview 49, Rocky Grove 41</p>
<p>Lancaster Catholic 66, Columbia 36</p>
<p>Lancaster Country Day 80, East Juniata 40</p>
<p>LaSalle 50, Philadelphia Bishop McDevitt 47</p>
<p>Leechburg 70, Summit Academy 56</p>
<p>Ligonier Valley 75, United 50</p>
<p>Lincoln Park Charter 59, New Brighton 39</p>
<p>Littlestown 79, Fairfield 23</p>
<p>Lower Dauphin 62, Cedar Cliff 59</p>
<p>Lower Moreland 49, Church Farm School 36</p>
<p>Marion Center 40, Northern Cambria 35</p>
<p>Mars 78, West Allegheny 70</p>
<p>Mastbaum 76, Prep Charter 71</p>
<p>McKeesport 76, Thomas Jefferson 45</p>
<p>Meadowbrook Christian 65, Sunbury Christian 24</p>
<p>Mechanicsburg 65, Susquehanna Township 60</p>
<p>Mercyhurst Prep 46, Seneca 32</p>
<p>Middletown 81, Camp Hill 52</p>
<p>Monessen 74, West Greene 33</p>
<p>Moniteau 51, Union 46</p>
<p>Montour 85, Knoch 66</p>
<p>Moon 59, Hampton 36</p>
<p>Moorestown Friends, N.J. 62, Abington Friends 33</p>
<p>Moshannon Valley 60, Glendale 57</p>
<p>Mount Lebanon 60, Bethel Park 42</p>
<p>Nanticoke Area 50, Crestwood 33</p>
<p>Neshannock 64, Bishop Canevin 30</p>
<p>Neumann-Goretti 56, Archbishop Wood 52</p>
<p>New Castle 58, Blackhawk 41</p>
<p>New Oxford 49, Dallastown Area 48</p>
<p>Newark Central, N.J. 99, Eastern University 94</p>
<p>Norristown 50, Methacton 38</p>
<p>North Allegheny 71, Altoona 53</p>
<p>North Clarion 88, Forest Area 59</p>
<p>North Penn-Mansfield 81, Williamson 39</p>
<p>North Star 67, Portage Area 63, OT</p>
<p>Northampton 52, Bethlehem Liberty 38</p>
<p>Northeastern 65, South Western 21</p>
<p>Northern Lebanon 67, Pequea Valley 23</p>
<p>Northwestern 52, North East 37</p>
<p>Northwestern Lehigh 55, Palmerton 35</p>
<p>Oswayo 85, Port Allegany 53</p>
<p>Otto-Eldred 46, Bradford 45</p>
<p>Our Lady Of Sacred Heart 73, Northgate 26</p>
<p>Owen J Roberts 56, Boyertown 52</p>
<p>Parkland 61, Pocono Mountain East 52</p>
<p>Penn Manor 57, Lebanon 45</p>
<p>Penncrest 67, Radnor 44</p>
<p>Pennridge 63, Central Bucks East 54</p>
<p>Penns Valley 42, Philipsburg-Osceola 26</p>
<p>Perkiomen School 86, Shipley 77</p>
<p>Philadelphia Roman Catholic 70, Archbishop Carroll 66</p>
<p>Philadelphia West Catholic 86, Conwell Egan 73</p>
<p>Pittsburgh Central Catholic 58, Shaler 49</p>
<p>Pittsburgh Obama 86, Perry Traditional Academy 39</p>
<p>Pittston Area 51, Tunkhannock 49</p>
<p>Pleasant Valley 37, East Stroudsburg North 35</p>
<p>Plum 56, Penn-Trafford 49</p>
<p>Plymouth-Whitemarsh 95, Springfield Montco 33</p>
<p>Pocono Mountain West 47, Allentown Dieruff 43</p>
<p>Pottstown 45, Phoenixville 43</p>
<p>Propel Andrew Street 74, St. Joseph 37</p>
<p>Quaker Valley 63, Central Valley 42</p>
<p>Reading 66, Daniel Boone 30</p>
<p>Red Lion 68, Spring Grove 53</p>
<p>Richland 66, Windber 22</p>
<p>Ridgway 60, Dubois Central Catholic 31</p>
<p>Rockwood 74, Salisbury-Elk Lick 32</p>
<p>Sayre Area 54, Canton 48</p>
<p>Scranton 69, Valley View 51</p>
<p>Scranton Prep 81, West Scranton 54</p>
<p>Seneca Valley 52, North Hills 35</p>
<p>Serra Catholic 63, Greensburg Central Catholic 39</p>
<p>Seton-LaSalle 39, Pittsburgh North Catholic 34</p>
<p>Sewickley Academy 93, Laurel 41</p>
<p>Shade 48, Shanksville-Stoneycreek 47</p>
<p>Shady Side Academy 56, Apollo-Ridge 48</p>
<p>Sharon 51, Grove City 46</p>
<p>South Park 59, South Fayette 51</p>
<p>South Side 70, Brownsville 59</p>
<p>Southern Lehigh 49, Northern Lehigh 39</p>
<p>Springside Chestnut Hill 62, Germantown Academy 56</p>
<p>St. Joseph’s Prep 84, South Philadelphia 63</p>
<p>State College 71, Cumberland Valley 47</p>
<p>Steelton-Highspire 86, York Country Day 68</p>
<p>Sto-Rox 76, Shenango 68</p>
<p>Trinity 71, Laurel Highlands 68</p>
<p>Tussey Mountain 68, Northern Bedford 30</p>
<p>Twin Valley 53, Wyomissing 52</p>
<p>Union Area 70, Cornell 62</p>
<p>Union City 64, Maplewood 54</p>
<p>Uniontown 73, Keystone Oaks 54</p>
<p>Upper Perkiomen 74, Pottsgrove 68</p>
<p>Upper St. Clair 78, Connellsville 51</p>
<p>Valley 75, Yough 51</p>
<p>Vincentian Academy 82, Rochester 60</p>
<p>Washington 57, Southmoreland 50</p>
<p>Waynesboro 60, Shippensburg 58</p>
<p>Wellsboro 61, Troy 34</p>
<p>West Lawn Wilson 59, Muhlenberg 50</p>
<p>West Middlesex 69, Reynolds 31</p>
<p>West Shamokin 63, Penns Manor 47</p>
<p>West York 59, York Suburban 51</p>
<p>Western Wayne 51, Delaware Valley 48</p>
<p>Westtown 76, Friends Central 39</p>
<p>Wilkes-Barre GAR 54, Wyoming Valley West 50</p>
<p>Wilkes-Barre Meyers 64, Dallas 61</p>
<p>Williamsburg 73, Claysburg-Kimmel 56</p>
<p>Wilmington 46, Mercer 35</p>
<p>Wissahickon 79, Upper Dublin 53</p>
<p>Woodland Hills 83, Hempfield Area 52</p>
<p>Wyoming Area 45, Wilkes-Barre Coughlin 39</p>
<p>York Catholic 69, Hanover 47</p>
<p>York County Tech 68, Delone 59</p>
| false | 2 |
academy new church 39 george school 32 aliquippa 63 mohawk 35 allderdice 61 brashear 39 allentown allen 52 stroudsburg 49 ambridge 75 beaver falls 65 antietam 65 tulpehocken 54 athens 58 towanda 37 austin 53 smethport 43 avella 50 mapletown 47 avonworth 69 carlynton 59 baldwin 45 peters township 40 beaver area 79 hopewell 63 belle vernon 87 waynesburg central 73 bellwoodantis 85 west branch 57 bentworth 63 fort cherry 46 berks catholic 58 conrad weiser 43 berlinbrothersvalley 97 meyersdale 42 bethlehem catholic 62 allentown central catholic 56 bethlehem freedom 58 nazareth area 57 biglerville 41 bermudian springs 36 bishop shanahan 67 unionville 57 blacklick 63 conemaugh township 59 bonnerprendergast 73 father judge 58 brandywine heights 49 schuylkill valley 26 brentwood 87 freedom 71 brockway 53 curwensville 48 brookville 67 st marys 54 burrell 35 south allegheny 15 butler 77 pinerichland 74 cambridge springs 62 youngsville 32 cameron county 91 northern potter 21 canonmcmillan 58 ringgold 33 carrick 80 westinghouse 68 cedar crest 76 manheim township 73 central bucks west 60 latin charter 41 central dauphin east 48 carlisle 31 central martinsburg 69 bald eagle area 58 central york 61 york 54 chambersburg 54 central dauphin 44 ot charleroi 70 bethlehem center 43 chartiershouston 70 california 45 cheltenham 63 upper moreland 37 clairton 87 geibel catholic 37 clarionlimestone 52 clarion 44 clearfield 42 bellefonte 35 cocalico 53 manheim central 41 conemaugh valley 57 ferndale 50 conestoga christian 42 lititz christian 36 conestoga valley 69 lancaster mccaskey 61 coudersport 89 galeton 49 cranberry 67 venango 50 deer lakes 68 mount pleasant 35 derry 60 riverview 38 dover 80 susquehannock 37 dubois 58 punxsutawney 54 east allegheny 52 steel valley 50 east stroudsburg south 66 whitehall 39 easton 57 emmaus 49 eden christian 60 trinity christian 31 eisenhower 50 cochranton 47 elizabeth forward 60 mcguffey 56 elizabethtown 59 solanco 51 elk county catholic 43 johnsonburg 36 ellwood city 63 elwood city riverside 54 ephrata 68 donegal 63 erie 65 meadville 62 erie cathedral prep 56 erie mcdowell 36 exeter 55 governor mifflin 52 faith christian academy 65 jenkintown 29 fels 63 philadelphia academy charter 36 fleetwood 55 hamburg 36 fort leboeuf 50 warren 45 fox chapel 61 penn hills 54 franklin 55 oil city 48 franklin regional 64 gateway 46 frazier 63 jeffersonmorgan 56 freeport 76 indiana 62 george jr republic 74 slippery rock 51 greater latrobe 68 norwin 58 greencastle antrim 73 big spring 50 greensburg salem 51 kiski area 39 greenville 64 sharpsville 58 greenwood 43 newport 31 hanover area 53 mmi prep 35 harbor creek 58 general mclane 46 harrisburg 87 mifflin county 67 hatborohorsham 55 quakertown 21 hazleton area 72 berwick 30 hempfield 64 warwick 54 hershey 57 harrisburg bishop mcdevitt 47 hickory 64 farrell 47 high point 50 lancaster christian 44 high school future 59 edison 51 highlands 55 armstrong 46 holy redeemer 74 northwest area 48 honesdale 69 north pocono 58 huntingdon 67 tyrone 55 imani christian academy 71 winchester thurston 49 iroquois 52 saegertown 26 james buchanan 53 boiling springs 46 jamestown 51 commodore perry 35 jeannette 61 springdale 24 jim thorpe 49 minersville 35 juniata 66 susquenita 38 juniata valley 75 mount union 63 kane area 55 sheffield 27 karns city 72 redbank valley 43 keystone 64 alleghenyclarion valley 52 kutztown 81 oley valley 41 lakeview 49 rocky grove 41 lancaster catholic 66 columbia 36 lancaster country day 80 east juniata 40 lasalle 50 philadelphia bishop mcdevitt 47 leechburg 70 summit academy 56 ligonier valley 75 united 50 lincoln park charter 59 new brighton 39 littlestown 79 fairfield 23 lower dauphin 62 cedar cliff 59 lower moreland 49 church farm school 36 marion center 40 northern cambria 35 mars 78 west allegheny 70 mastbaum 76 prep charter 71 mckeesport 76 thomas jefferson 45 meadowbrook christian 65 sunbury christian 24 mechanicsburg 65 susquehanna township 60 mercyhurst prep 46 seneca 32 middletown 81 camp hill 52 monessen 74 west greene 33 moniteau 51 union 46 montour 85 knoch 66 moon 59 hampton 36 moorestown friends nj 62 abington friends 33 moshannon valley 60 glendale 57 mount lebanon 60 bethel park 42 nanticoke area 50 crestwood 33 neshannock 64 bishop canevin 30 neumanngoretti 56 archbishop wood 52 new castle 58 blackhawk 41 new oxford 49 dallastown area 48 newark central nj 99 eastern university 94 norristown 50 methacton 38 north allegheny 71 altoona 53 north clarion 88 forest area 59 north pennmansfield 81 williamson 39 north star 67 portage area 63 ot northampton 52 bethlehem liberty 38 northeastern 65 south western 21 northern lebanon 67 pequea valley 23 northwestern 52 north east 37 northwestern lehigh 55 palmerton 35 oswayo 85 port allegany 53 ottoeldred 46 bradford 45 lady sacred heart 73 northgate 26 owen j roberts 56 boyertown 52 parkland 61 pocono mountain east 52 penn manor 57 lebanon 45 penncrest 67 radnor 44 pennridge 63 central bucks east 54 penns valley 42 philipsburgosceola 26 perkiomen school 86 shipley 77 philadelphia roman catholic 70 archbishop carroll 66 philadelphia west catholic 86 conwell egan 73 pittsburgh central catholic 58 shaler 49 pittsburgh obama 86 perry traditional academy 39 pittston area 51 tunkhannock 49 pleasant valley 37 east stroudsburg north 35 plum 56 penntrafford 49 plymouthwhitemarsh 95 springfield montco 33 pocono mountain west 47 allentown dieruff 43 pottstown 45 phoenixville 43 propel andrew street 74 st joseph 37 quaker valley 63 central valley 42 reading 66 daniel boone 30 red lion 68 spring grove 53 richland 66 windber 22 ridgway 60 dubois central catholic 31 rockwood 74 salisburyelk lick 32 sayre area 54 canton 48 scranton 69 valley view 51 scranton prep 81 west scranton 54 seneca valley 52 north hills 35 serra catholic 63 greensburg central catholic 39 setonlasalle 39 pittsburgh north catholic 34 sewickley academy 93 laurel 41 shade 48 shanksvillestoneycreek 47 shady side academy 56 apolloridge 48 sharon 51 grove city 46 south park 59 south fayette 51 south side 70 brownsville 59 southern lehigh 49 northern lehigh 39 springside chestnut hill 62 germantown academy 56 st josephs prep 84 south philadelphia 63 state college 71 cumberland valley 47 steeltonhighspire 86 york country day 68 storox 76 shenango 68 trinity 71 laurel highlands 68 tussey mountain 68 northern bedford 30 twin valley 53 wyomissing 52 union area 70 cornell 62 union city 64 maplewood 54 uniontown 73 keystone oaks 54 upper perkiomen 74 pottsgrove 68 upper st clair 78 connellsville 51 valley 75 yough 51 vincentian academy 82 rochester 60 washington 57 southmoreland 50 waynesboro 60 shippensburg 58 wellsboro 61 troy 34 west lawn wilson 59 muhlenberg 50 west middlesex 69 reynolds 31 west shamokin 63 penns manor 47 west york 59 york suburban 51 western wayne 51 delaware valley 48 westtown 76 friends central 39 wilkesbarre gar 54 wyoming valley west 50 wilkesbarre meyers 64 dallas 61 williamsburg 73 claysburgkimmel 56 wilmington 46 mercer 35 wissahickon 79 upper dublin 53 woodland hills 83 hempfield area 52 wyoming area 45 wilkesbarre coughlin 39 york catholic 69 hanover 47 york county tech 68 delone 59 academy new church 39 george school 32 aliquippa 63 mohawk 35 allderdice 61 brashear 39 allentown allen 52 stroudsburg 49 ambridge 75 beaver falls 65 antietam 65 tulpehocken 54 athens 58 towanda 37 austin 53 smethport 43 avella 50 mapletown 47 avonworth 69 carlynton 59 baldwin 45 peters township 40 beaver area 79 hopewell 63 belle vernon 87 waynesburg central 73 bellwoodantis 85 west branch 57 bentworth 63 fort cherry 46 berks catholic 58 conrad weiser 43 berlinbrothersvalley 97 meyersdale 42 bethlehem catholic 62 allentown central catholic 56 bethlehem freedom 58 nazareth area 57 biglerville 41 bermudian springs 36 bishop shanahan 67 unionville 57 blacklick 63 conemaugh township 59 bonnerprendergast 73 father judge 58 brandywine heights 49 schuylkill valley 26 brentwood 87 freedom 71 brockway 53 curwensville 48 brookville 67 st marys 54 burrell 35 south allegheny 15 butler 77 pinerichland 74 cambridge springs 62 youngsville 32 cameron county 91 northern potter 21 canonmcmillan 58 ringgold 33 carrick 80 westinghouse 68 cedar crest 76 manheim township 73 central bucks west 60 latin charter 41 central dauphin east 48 carlisle 31 central martinsburg 69 bald eagle area 58 central york 61 york 54 chambersburg 54 central dauphin 44 ot charleroi 70 bethlehem center 43 chartiershouston 70 california 45 cheltenham 63 upper moreland 37 clairton 87 geibel catholic 37 clarionlimestone 52 clarion 44 clearfield 42 bellefonte 35 cocalico 53 manheim central 41 conemaugh valley 57 ferndale 50 conestoga christian 42 lititz christian 36 conestoga valley 69 lancaster mccaskey 61 coudersport 89 galeton 49 cranberry 67 venango 50 deer lakes 68 mount pleasant 35 derry 60 riverview 38 dover 80 susquehannock 37 dubois 58 punxsutawney 54 east allegheny 52 steel valley 50 east stroudsburg south 66 whitehall 39 easton 57 emmaus 49 eden christian 60 trinity christian 31 eisenhower 50 cochranton 47 elizabeth forward 60 mcguffey 56 elizabethtown 59 solanco 51 elk county catholic 43 johnsonburg 36 ellwood city 63 elwood city riverside 54 ephrata 68 donegal 63 erie 65 meadville 62 erie cathedral prep 56 erie mcdowell 36 exeter 55 governor mifflin 52 faith christian academy 65 jenkintown 29 fels 63 philadelphia academy charter 36 fleetwood 55 hamburg 36 fort leboeuf 50 warren 45 fox chapel 61 penn hills 54 franklin 55 oil city 48 franklin regional 64 gateway 46 frazier 63 jeffersonmorgan 56 freeport 76 indiana 62 george jr republic 74 slippery rock 51 greater latrobe 68 norwin 58 greencastle antrim 73 big spring 50 greensburg salem 51 kiski area 39 greenville 64 sharpsville 58 greenwood 43 newport 31 hanover area 53 mmi prep 35 harbor creek 58 general mclane 46 harrisburg 87 mifflin county 67 hatborohorsham 55 quakertown 21 hazleton area 72 berwick 30 hempfield 64 warwick 54 hershey 57 harrisburg bishop mcdevitt 47 hickory 64 farrell 47 high point 50 lancaster christian 44 high school future 59 edison 51 highlands 55 armstrong 46 holy redeemer 74 northwest area 48 honesdale 69 north pocono 58 huntingdon 67 tyrone 55 imani christian academy 71 winchester thurston 49 iroquois 52 saegertown 26 james buchanan 53 boiling springs 46 jamestown 51 commodore perry 35 jeannette 61 springdale 24 jim thorpe 49 minersville 35 juniata 66 susquenita 38 juniata valley 75 mount union 63 kane area 55 sheffield 27 karns city 72 redbank valley 43 keystone 64 alleghenyclarion valley 52 kutztown 81 oley valley 41 lakeview 49 rocky grove 41 lancaster catholic 66 columbia 36 lancaster country day 80 east juniata 40 lasalle 50 philadelphia bishop mcdevitt 47 leechburg 70 summit academy 56 ligonier valley 75 united 50 lincoln park charter 59 new brighton 39 littlestown 79 fairfield 23 lower dauphin 62 cedar cliff 59 lower moreland 49 church farm school 36 marion center 40 northern cambria 35 mars 78 west allegheny 70 mastbaum 76 prep charter 71 mckeesport 76 thomas jefferson 45 meadowbrook christian 65 sunbury christian 24 mechanicsburg 65 susquehanna township 60 mercyhurst prep 46 seneca 32 middletown 81 camp hill 52 monessen 74 west greene 33 moniteau 51 union 46 montour 85 knoch 66 moon 59 hampton 36 moorestown friends nj 62 abington friends 33 moshannon valley 60 glendale 57 mount lebanon 60 bethel park 42 nanticoke area 50 crestwood 33 neshannock 64 bishop canevin 30 neumanngoretti 56 archbishop wood 52 new castle 58 blackhawk 41 new oxford 49 dallastown area 48 newark central nj 99 eastern university 94 norristown 50 methacton 38 north allegheny 71 altoona 53 north clarion 88 forest area 59 north pennmansfield 81 williamson 39 north star 67 portage area 63 ot northampton 52 bethlehem liberty 38 northeastern 65 south western 21 northern lebanon 67 pequea valley 23 northwestern 52 north east 37 northwestern lehigh 55 palmerton 35 oswayo 85 port allegany 53 ottoeldred 46 bradford 45 lady sacred heart 73 northgate 26 owen j roberts 56 boyertown 52 parkland 61 pocono mountain east 52 penn manor 57 lebanon 45 penncrest 67 radnor 44 pennridge 63 central bucks east 54 penns valley 42 philipsburgosceola 26 perkiomen school 86 shipley 77 philadelphia roman catholic 70 archbishop carroll 66 philadelphia west catholic 86 conwell egan 73 pittsburgh central catholic 58 shaler 49 pittsburgh obama 86 perry traditional academy 39 pittston area 51 tunkhannock 49 pleasant valley 37 east stroudsburg north 35 plum 56 penntrafford 49 plymouthwhitemarsh 95 springfield montco 33 pocono mountain west 47 allentown dieruff 43 pottstown 45 phoenixville 43 propel andrew street 74 st joseph 37 quaker valley 63 central valley 42 reading 66 daniel boone 30 red lion 68 spring grove 53 richland 66 windber 22 ridgway 60 dubois central catholic 31 rockwood 74 salisburyelk lick 32 sayre area 54 canton 48 scranton 69 valley view 51 scranton prep 81 west scranton 54 seneca valley 52 north hills 35 serra catholic 63 greensburg central catholic 39 setonlasalle 39 pittsburgh north catholic 34 sewickley academy 93 laurel 41 shade 48 shanksvillestoneycreek 47 shady side academy 56 apolloridge 48 sharon 51 grove city 46 south park 59 south fayette 51 south side 70 brownsville 59 southern lehigh 49 northern lehigh 39 springside chestnut hill 62 germantown academy 56 st josephs prep 84 south philadelphia 63 state college 71 cumberland valley 47 steeltonhighspire 86 york country day 68 storox 76 shenango 68 trinity 71 laurel highlands 68 tussey mountain 68 northern bedford 30 twin valley 53 wyomissing 52 union area 70 cornell 62 union city 64 maplewood 54 uniontown 73 keystone oaks 54 upper perkiomen 74 pottsgrove 68 upper st clair 78 connellsville 51 valley 75 yough 51 vincentian academy 82 rochester 60 washington 57 southmoreland 50 waynesboro 60 shippensburg 58 wellsboro 61 troy 34 west lawn wilson 59 muhlenberg 50 west middlesex 69 reynolds 31 west shamokin 63 penns manor 47 west york 59 york suburban 51 western wayne 51 delaware valley 48 westtown 76 friends central 39 wilkesbarre gar 54 wyoming valley west 50 wilkesbarre meyers 64 dallas 61 williamsburg 73 claysburgkimmel 56 wilmington 46 mercer 35 wissahickon 79 upper dublin 53 woodland hills 83 hempfield area 52 wyoming area 45 wilkesbarre coughlin 39 york catholic 69 hanover 47 york county tech 68 delone 59
| 2,336 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p />
<p>Among conservatives, that’s basically code for “not an activist judge.” And among liberals, it’s basically code for “conservative.”</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>But the term is much more complicated than those admittedly over-simplified partisan views. So below, let’s review what the term means and how it’s evolved over the years.</p>
<p>The Post’s Supreme Court reporter, Robert Barnes, describes it thusly:</p>
<p>“Like [the man whose seat he’d assume, the late Justice Antonin] Scalia, Gorsuch is a proponent of originalism – meaning that judges should attempt to interpret the words of the Constitution as they were understood at the time they were written – and a textualist who considers only the words of the law being reviewed, not legislators’ intent or the consequences of the decision.</p>
<p>“Critics say that those neutral considerations inevitably lead Gorsuch to conservative outcomes, a criticism that was also leveled at Scalia.”</p>
<p>The Center for the Study of Constitutional Originalism at the University of San Diego School of Law defines it as “the view that the Constitution should be interpreted in accordance with its original meaning – that is, the meaning it had at the time of its enactment.”</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>But I think University of Chicago law professor William Baude, an originalist scholar and former clerk for Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, perhaps has the pithiest definition.</p>
<p>Baude defines it as “the view that law laid down by the framers in the Constitution remains binding until we legally change it, such as through the amendment process.”</p>
<p>“Or differently,” he said, “that the words in the Constitution have the same meaning over time, even if modern circumstances change, and even if we wish the words meant something else.”</p>
<p>The term is actually a relatively recently coined one, but its roots go back further.</p>
<p>In a 2011 paper, Georgetown University law professor Lawrence Solum writes that the first published instance of the term “originalism” in legal periodicals was in the early 1980s. The author, former Stanford law school dean Paul Brest, said he coined the term:</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>“Brest used the terms “originalism” and “originalist” in order to refer to a position that he was criticizing. Brest’s term caught on, and eventually was adopted by proponents of the views that had affinities with the object of his critique. As a consequence, the words ‘originalism’ and ‘originalist’ are ambiguous – used by scholars, lawyers, judges, and the public in a variety of different ways. It seems likely that as a matter of lexicography, “originalism” is a family resemblance term – with several overlapping senses.”</p>
<p>But Solum also noted that references to the “original meaning” of the Constitution appeared in the Yale Law Journal as far back as 1938. And in 1966, “original meaning” appeared in a Supreme Court dissent by Justice Hugo Black, who is now remembered as an originalist. In the years that followed, the original intentions of the founders would be a part of several opinions and dissents. Scalia first used the word “originalist” in a 1995 dissent.</p>
<p>Solum writes that, over the course of those decades, the theory behind those word choices changed. “The mainstream of originalist theory began with an emphasis on the original intentions of the framers but has gradually moved to the view that the ‘original meaning’ of the constitution is the ‘original public meaning’ of the text.”</p>
<p>People still disagree about precisely what it means – with the biggest chasm between supporters and opponents of originalism, as Solum notes. Appropriately, supporters believe in a narrower definition:</p>
<p>“Legal theorists who self-identify as originalists are likely to strive to police the boundaries of the ‘originalism,’ seeking to exclude implausible views and to focus debate on the versions of originalism that they believe are true, correct, or most reasonable. Legal theorists who oppose originalism may have precisely the opposite motivation, seeking to identify originalism with its least defensible variations. Political champions of originalism are likely to focus on simplified ‘sound bite’ versions of the theory that conflate the content of originalist theory with the goals it seeks to achieve: ‘Originalism is the theory that judges should follow the law and not make it.’ Likewise, political opponents might define originalism as a view that is obviously unpalatable: ‘Originalism is anti-woman.’ “</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Essentially, supporters believe it’s the purest form of legal interpretation and guard their definition fiercely, while opponents tie it to shameful episodes in our nation’s past and discrimination. Scalia was on the receiving end of these accusations regularly, especially on issues such as race and gay rights. Even after his death, many attacked his decisions for these reasons.</p>
<p>Columbia University law professor Jamal Greene wrote extensively about originalism’s “race problem” in 2011:</p>
<p>“A racially sensitive constitutionalism must always, therefore, hold out the possibility of legitimate dissent from history. Originalism denies that possibility, and so for me, as I suspect for many African-Americans, it speaks in a foreign tongue.”</p>
<p>In many ways, the debate over originalism mirrors the broader political debate over conservatism and progressivism – and brings with it many of the same connotations for each side. While conservatives believe they stand for the rule of law and smaller government, progressives believe them to be stuck in the past and holding up social change for certain classes of people. And while progressives believe they stand for compassion and government’s role in society, conservatives believe them to be overly fond of throwing inefficient government spending at problems.</p>
<p>In Gorsuch, conservatives have someone whose legal philosophy lines up with their most basic political principles. Their overwhelming early praise is a reflection of that fact.</p>
| false | 2 |
among conservatives thats basically code activist judge among liberals basically code conservative advertisement term much complicated admittedly oversimplified partisan views lets review term means evolved years posts supreme court reporter robert barnes describes thusly like man whose seat hed assume late justice antonin scalia gorsuch proponent originalism meaning judges attempt interpret words constitution understood time written textualist considers words law reviewed legislators intent consequences decision critics say neutral considerations inevitably lead gorsuch conservative outcomes criticism also leveled scalia center study constitutional originalism university san diego school law defines view constitution interpreted accordance original meaning meaning time enactment advertisement think university chicago law professor william baude originalist scholar former clerk supreme court chief justice john roberts perhaps pithiest definition baude defines view law laid framers constitution remains binding legally change amendment process differently said words constitution meaning time even modern circumstances change even wish words meant something else term actually relatively recently coined one roots go back 2011 paper georgetown university law professor lawrence solum writes first published instance term originalism legal periodicals early 1980s author former stanford law school dean paul brest said coined term advertisement brest used terms originalism originalist order refer position criticizing brests term caught eventually adopted proponents views affinities object critique consequence words originalism originalist ambiguous used scholars lawyers judges public variety different ways seems likely matter lexicography originalism family resemblance term several overlapping senses solum also noted references original meaning constitution appeared yale law journal far back 1938 1966 original meaning appeared supreme court dissent justice hugo black remembered originalist years followed original intentions founders would part several opinions dissents scalia first used word originalist 1995 dissent solum writes course decades theory behind word choices changed mainstream originalist theory began emphasis original intentions framers gradually moved view original meaning constitution original public meaning text people still disagree precisely means biggest chasm supporters opponents originalism solum notes appropriately supporters believe narrower definition legal theorists selfidentify originalists likely strive police boundaries originalism seeking exclude implausible views focus debate versions originalism believe true correct reasonable legal theorists oppose originalism may precisely opposite motivation seeking identify originalism least defensible variations political champions originalism likely focus simplified sound bite versions theory conflate content originalist theory goals seeks achieve originalism theory judges follow law make likewise political opponents might define originalism view obviously unpalatable originalism antiwoman advertisement essentially supporters believe purest form legal interpretation guard definition fiercely opponents tie shameful episodes nations past discrimination scalia receiving end accusations regularly especially issues race gay rights even death many attacked decisions reasons columbia university law professor jamal greene wrote extensively originalisms race problem 2011 racially sensitive constitutionalism must always therefore hold possibility legitimate dissent history originalism denies possibility suspect many africanamericans speaks foreign tongue many ways debate originalism mirrors broader political debate conservatism progressivism brings many connotations side conservatives believe stand rule law smaller government progressives believe stuck past holding social change certain classes people progressives believe stand compassion governments role society conservatives believe overly fond throwing inefficient government spending problems gorsuch conservatives someone whose legal philosophy lines basic political principles overwhelming early praise reflection fact
| 513 |
<p>WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — A Delaware bankruptcy judge on Wednesday refused to reopen a disputed auction for the sale of RadioShack’s intellectual property, including trademarks and data on some 67 million customers of the electronics retailer.</p>
<p>Following a hearing Wednesday, Judge Brendan Shannon said he would not second-guess a decision to change an open bidding process at last week’s auction to a call for final sealed bids from three potential buyers.</p>
<p>The auction ended with General Wireless, an affiliate of hedge fund Standard General, declared the winner with a bid of $26.2 million.</p>
<p>While certain issues remain to be resolved, Shannon said he was prepared to approve the sale of the RadioShack brand and other intellectual property to General Wireless, which also is acquiring more than 1,740 RadioShack stores.</p>
<p>Another bidder, Wonderland Investment Group, argued that the intellectual property auction was improperly changed when potential buyers were told, after several rounds of open bidding in minimum increments of $100,000, to submit final sealed bids. The switch was made when the bidding, which opened at $12 million, stood at $18 million, with concerns that the open bidding momentum was flagging.</p>
<p>“I think $8.2 million speaks for itself,” David Peress, a consultant assisting in the auction process, said about the final result.</p>
<p>But Wonderland, which offered $30 million after the bidding was closed, asked Shannon to reopen the bidding. It was supported in its request by RadioShack’s official committee of unsecured creditors and by Salus Capital Partners, a senior lender that held priority claims on the intellectual property.</p>
<p>But Shannon said there were no proper grounds for him to reopen the bidding, even if it would result in millions more for RadioShack creditors.</p>
<p>“The switch to sealed bids, I believe, was permissible,” Shannon said, citing language in the bid procedures order that allowed RadioShack, after consultation with interested parties, to adopt appropriate auction rules.</p>
<p>The judge also noted concerns that reopening the bidding could have upset a settlement agreement reached with several state attorneys general to protect the privacy of RadioShack customers.</p>
<p>As the result of mediation, RadioShack agreed to sell only a few categories of its customer data, including names, mailing addresses, email addresses active within the past two years, and limited transaction data, such as purchase price, product information and store location.</p>
<p>Hal Morris, an assistant attorney general in Texas, noted that RadioShack and General Wireless agreed that there would be no transfer of customer credit card information, Social Security numbers, birth dates or phone numbers.</p>
<p>“We think that offers significant protection for consumers,” said Morris, who was joined by the attorneys general of more than 35 other states in efforts to protect the privacy of RadioShack customers.</p>
<p>“I think an appropriate balance was struck here,” Morris added, noting that General Wireless has a legitimate need for customer information in continuing to operate RadioShack as a going concern.</p>
<p>RadioShack, which has not turned a profit since 2011, sought bankruptcy protection in February after years of financial struggles.</p>
<p>The company, founded in Boston in 1921, began as a distributor of mail-order ship radios, ham radios and parts. In the postwar era, it sold high-fidelity audio components, calculators, early personal computer systems and mobile phones, and the computer industry’s first laptop.</p>
<p>RadioShack’s proposed reorganization plan calls for Sprint, the No. 3 U.S. wireless carrier, to operate dedicated “store within a store” shops in most of the locations acquired by acquired by General Wireless.</p>
<p>WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — A Delaware bankruptcy judge on Wednesday refused to reopen a disputed auction for the sale of RadioShack’s intellectual property, including trademarks and data on some 67 million customers of the electronics retailer.</p>
<p>Following a hearing Wednesday, Judge Brendan Shannon said he would not second-guess a decision to change an open bidding process at last week’s auction to a call for final sealed bids from three potential buyers.</p>
<p>The auction ended with General Wireless, an affiliate of hedge fund Standard General, declared the winner with a bid of $26.2 million.</p>
<p>While certain issues remain to be resolved, Shannon said he was prepared to approve the sale of the RadioShack brand and other intellectual property to General Wireless, which also is acquiring more than 1,740 RadioShack stores.</p>
<p>Another bidder, Wonderland Investment Group, argued that the intellectual property auction was improperly changed when potential buyers were told, after several rounds of open bidding in minimum increments of $100,000, to submit final sealed bids. The switch was made when the bidding, which opened at $12 million, stood at $18 million, with concerns that the open bidding momentum was flagging.</p>
<p>“I think $8.2 million speaks for itself,” David Peress, a consultant assisting in the auction process, said about the final result.</p>
<p>But Wonderland, which offered $30 million after the bidding was closed, asked Shannon to reopen the bidding. It was supported in its request by RadioShack’s official committee of unsecured creditors and by Salus Capital Partners, a senior lender that held priority claims on the intellectual property.</p>
<p>But Shannon said there were no proper grounds for him to reopen the bidding, even if it would result in millions more for RadioShack creditors.</p>
<p>“The switch to sealed bids, I believe, was permissible,” Shannon said, citing language in the bid procedures order that allowed RadioShack, after consultation with interested parties, to adopt appropriate auction rules.</p>
<p>The judge also noted concerns that reopening the bidding could have upset a settlement agreement reached with several state attorneys general to protect the privacy of RadioShack customers.</p>
<p>As the result of mediation, RadioShack agreed to sell only a few categories of its customer data, including names, mailing addresses, email addresses active within the past two years, and limited transaction data, such as purchase price, product information and store location.</p>
<p>Hal Morris, an assistant attorney general in Texas, noted that RadioShack and General Wireless agreed that there would be no transfer of customer credit card information, Social Security numbers, birth dates or phone numbers.</p>
<p>“We think that offers significant protection for consumers,” said Morris, who was joined by the attorneys general of more than 35 other states in efforts to protect the privacy of RadioShack customers.</p>
<p>“I think an appropriate balance was struck here,” Morris added, noting that General Wireless has a legitimate need for customer information in continuing to operate RadioShack as a going concern.</p>
<p>RadioShack, which has not turned a profit since 2011, sought bankruptcy protection in February after years of financial struggles.</p>
<p>The company, founded in Boston in 1921, began as a distributor of mail-order ship radios, ham radios and parts. In the postwar era, it sold high-fidelity audio components, calculators, early personal computer systems and mobile phones, and the computer industry’s first laptop.</p>
<p>RadioShack’s proposed reorganization plan calls for Sprint, the No. 3 U.S. wireless carrier, to operate dedicated “store within a store” shops in most of the locations acquired by acquired by General Wireless.</p>
| false | 2 |
wilmington del ap delaware bankruptcy judge wednesday refused reopen disputed auction sale radioshacks intellectual property including trademarks data 67 million customers electronics retailer following hearing wednesday judge brendan shannon said would secondguess decision change open bidding process last weeks auction call final sealed bids three potential buyers auction ended general wireless affiliate hedge fund standard general declared winner bid 262 million certain issues remain resolved shannon said prepared approve sale radioshack brand intellectual property general wireless also acquiring 1740 radioshack stores another bidder wonderland investment group argued intellectual property auction improperly changed potential buyers told several rounds open bidding minimum increments 100000 submit final sealed bids switch made bidding opened 12 million stood 18 million concerns open bidding momentum flagging think 82 million speaks david peress consultant assisting auction process said final result wonderland offered 30 million bidding closed asked shannon reopen bidding supported request radioshacks official committee unsecured creditors salus capital partners senior lender held priority claims intellectual property shannon said proper grounds reopen bidding even would result millions radioshack creditors switch sealed bids believe permissible shannon said citing language bid procedures order allowed radioshack consultation interested parties adopt appropriate auction rules judge also noted concerns reopening bidding could upset settlement agreement reached several state attorneys general protect privacy radioshack customers result mediation radioshack agreed sell categories customer data including names mailing addresses email addresses active within past two years limited transaction data purchase price product information store location hal morris assistant attorney general texas noted radioshack general wireless agreed would transfer customer credit card information social security numbers birth dates phone numbers think offers significant protection consumers said morris joined attorneys general 35 states efforts protect privacy radioshack customers think appropriate balance struck morris added noting general wireless legitimate need customer information continuing operate radioshack going concern radioshack turned profit since 2011 sought bankruptcy protection february years financial struggles company founded boston 1921 began distributor mailorder ship radios ham radios parts postwar era sold highfidelity audio components calculators early personal computer systems mobile phones computer industrys first laptop radioshacks proposed reorganization plan calls sprint 3 us wireless carrier operate dedicated store within store shops locations acquired acquired general wireless wilmington del ap delaware bankruptcy judge wednesday refused reopen disputed auction sale radioshacks intellectual property including trademarks data 67 million customers electronics retailer following hearing wednesday judge brendan shannon said would secondguess decision change open bidding process last weeks auction call final sealed bids three potential buyers auction ended general wireless affiliate hedge fund standard general declared winner bid 262 million certain issues remain resolved shannon said prepared approve sale radioshack brand intellectual property general wireless also acquiring 1740 radioshack stores another bidder wonderland investment group argued intellectual property auction improperly changed potential buyers told several rounds open bidding minimum increments 100000 submit final sealed bids switch made bidding opened 12 million stood 18 million concerns open bidding momentum flagging think 82 million speaks david peress consultant assisting auction process said final result wonderland offered 30 million bidding closed asked shannon reopen bidding supported request radioshacks official committee unsecured creditors salus capital partners senior lender held priority claims intellectual property shannon said proper grounds reopen bidding even would result millions radioshack creditors switch sealed bids believe permissible shannon said citing language bid procedures order allowed radioshack consultation interested parties adopt appropriate auction rules judge also noted concerns reopening bidding could upset settlement agreement reached several state attorneys general protect privacy radioshack customers result mediation radioshack agreed sell categories customer data including names mailing addresses email addresses active within past two years limited transaction data purchase price product information store location hal morris assistant attorney general texas noted radioshack general wireless agreed would transfer customer credit card information social security numbers birth dates phone numbers think offers significant protection consumers said morris joined attorneys general 35 states efforts protect privacy radioshack customers think appropriate balance struck morris added noting general wireless legitimate need customer information continuing operate radioshack going concern radioshack turned profit since 2011 sought bankruptcy protection february years financial struggles company founded boston 1921 began distributor mailorder ship radios ham radios parts postwar era sold highfidelity audio components calculators early personal computer systems mobile phones computer industrys first laptop radioshacks proposed reorganization plan calls sprint 3 us wireless carrier operate dedicated store within store shops locations acquired acquired general wireless
| 722 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p>FILE – In this March 4, 2014 file photo, copies of President Barack Obama’s proposed budget for fiscal 2015 are set out for distribution by the Senate Budget Committee, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Despite all the hoopla surrounding it, a president’s budget is merely a suggestion. That’s especially true this year, with Obama delivering his multi-trillion-dollar wish list to a Senate and House run by the opposition. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)</p>
<p>WASHINGTON — A quick quiz:</p>
<p>Monday is —</p>
<p>a) Groundhog Day</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>b) Budget Day</p>
<p>c) A day for repeating the same old arguments over spending and taxes, only louder.</p>
<p>d) All of the above.</p>
<p>If you picked “d,” you’re in the proper spirit for federal Budget Day, which appropriately falls on Groundhog Day this year. It’s safe to predict we’re in for way more than six more weeks of Republicans and Democrats fighting over how to spend our money.</p>
<p>Here are five things to know before President Barack Obama’s 2016 budget fully emerges Monday:</p>
<p>——</p>
<p>IT’S JUST AN OPENING BID</p>
<p>Despite all the hoopla surrounding it, a president’s budget is merely a suggestion. That’s especially true this year, with Obama delivering his multi-trillion-dollar wish list to a Senate and House run by the opposition.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>The Constitution gives Congress power to decide how to spend taxpayers’ money. After lawmakers get the president’s budget, they’ll set about coming up with their own, very different, spending plan. There’s a hitch, though — their legislation needs Obama’s signature to become law.</p>
<p>If the president and Congress can’t compromise on spending, that’s how we end up with a partial government shutdown. Republican leaders and Obama say they don’t want that to happen this year.</p>
<p>Still, the usual big disputes loom: Obama wants more spending and higher taxes on the wealthy. Most Republicans want to spend less — except on the military — and resist tax increases.</p>
<p>Plus, this year Republicans are promising to use spending bills to attack Obama’s signature health care law and to roll back his order giving some immigrants relief from deportation.</p>
<p>——</p>
<p>OBAMA WILL BID HIGH</p>
<p>The president will call for increasing spending on agency operating budgets by 7 percent next year, blowing through limits set in an earlier bipartisan deal.</p>
<p>Previewing the detailed document to be released Monday, the White House said it would call for spending about $74 billion more next year than the painful automatic cuts Obama signed into law in that 2011 deal commonly known as the “sequester.” Those harsh automatic cuts were originally set in motion as a threat that would force bipartisan agreement to replace them with something more sensible, but it didn’t work.</p>
<p>Obama would roughly divide the extra money he seeks between the military and domestic programs, such as college aid, medical research and child care.</p>
<p>The White House, without giving details yet, says Obama would offset his spending increases by cutting inefficient programs and closing tax loopholes. In that way, he could continue the recent trend of shrinking the nation’s annual budget deficits.</p>
<p>Republicans say that’s no good. They prefer to tackle the deficit by holding domestic spending in check, or trimming even more.</p>
<p>——</p>
<p>A BIG QUESTION: HOW MUCH DOES THE MILITARY GET?</p>
<p>The military brass has been pleading for relief from their automatic spending limits. Many lawmakers in both parties, eyeing terror attacks and trouble spots around the globe, are anxious to help.</p>
<p>Obama’s proposal to raise the defense budget by $38 billon would allow for more ships and fighter jets. By bundling the military increase with more domestic spending, Obama will pressure Republicans eager to boost the military budget to give in to some of his priorities.</p>
<p>Will Republicans insist on holding the line on spending, even if it means the Pentagon has to go without, too? And how far are Democratic lawmakers and Obama willing to go in using national defense as a bargaining chip?</p>
<p>——</p>
<p>DETAILS MATTER</p>
<p>If Congress is sure to reject and redo Obama’s budget proposal, you might wonder: Why does he bother?</p>
<p>For one thing, the law says he has to submit a budget to Congress by the first Monday in February, although Obama has sometimes missed that deadline.</p>
<p>Plus, the federal budget is a big deal. It’s expected to be in the vicinity of $4 trillion — that’s trillion with a “t” — for the fiscal year beginning in October.</p>
<p>It goes much deeper than political rhetoric about ending big government or boosting the middle class.</p>
<p>The budget carries thousands and thousands of decisions about concrete things the government does — like paying park rangers, Border Patrol agents and workers who answer IRS help lines. Spending money for air traffic control, medical research and food inspection. Weeding out ineffective programs and launching new ones that, hopefully, work better.</p>
<p>The exercise has gone awry over the last few years, leading to showdowns and a 2013 shutdown and failure to complete the normal budget process in a gridlocked Congress.</p>
<p>But the budget minutia that federal agencies sweat over and congressional committees are charged with overseeing is what keeps the U.S. government running.</p>
<p>——</p>
<p>MOST OF THE BUDGET IS ON AUTOPILOT</p>
<p>Running federal agencies isn’t even the half of it.</p>
<p>The biggest share of the budget goes to what’s called “mandatory spending” — ongoing payments that don’t need annual approval by Congress. Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are the biggies. Others include unemployment checks, food stamps and pensions for veterans and government retirees.</p>
<p>To take on the nation’s long-term debt problem, lawmakers and the president would have to deal with these growing costs.</p>
<p>So far, attempts to reach this sort of “grand bargain” have failed, repeatedly.</p>
<p>——–</p>
<p>Associated Press writers Josh Lederman and Andrew Taylor contributed to this report.</p>
<p>——</p>
<p>Follow Connie Cass on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/ConnieCass" type="external">http://www.twitter.com/ConnieCass</a></p>
| false | 2 |
file march 4 2014 file photo copies president barack obamas proposed budget fiscal 2015 set distribution senate budget committee capitol hill washington despite hoopla surrounding presidents budget merely suggestion thats especially true year obama delivering multitrilliondollar wish list senate house run opposition ap photoj scott applewhite file washington quick quiz monday groundhog day advertisement b budget day c day repeating old arguments spending taxes louder picked youre proper spirit federal budget day appropriately falls groundhog day year safe predict way six weeks republicans democrats fighting spend money five things know president barack obamas 2016 budget fully emerges monday opening bid despite hoopla surrounding presidents budget merely suggestion thats especially true year obama delivering multitrilliondollar wish list senate house run opposition advertisement constitution gives congress power decide spend taxpayers money lawmakers get presidents budget theyll set coming different spending plan theres hitch though legislation needs obamas signature become law president congress cant compromise spending thats end partial government shutdown republican leaders obama say dont want happen year still usual big disputes loom obama wants spending higher taxes wealthy republicans want spend less except military resist tax increases plus year republicans promising use spending bills attack obamas signature health care law roll back order giving immigrants relief deportation obama bid high president call increasing spending agency operating budgets 7 percent next year blowing limits set earlier bipartisan deal previewing detailed document released monday white house said would call spending 74 billion next year painful automatic cuts obama signed law 2011 deal commonly known sequester harsh automatic cuts originally set motion threat would force bipartisan agreement replace something sensible didnt work obama would roughly divide extra money seeks military domestic programs college aid medical research child care white house without giving details yet says obama would offset spending increases cutting inefficient programs closing tax loopholes way could continue recent trend shrinking nations annual budget deficits republicans say thats good prefer tackle deficit holding domestic spending check trimming even big question much military get military brass pleading relief automatic spending limits many lawmakers parties eyeing terror attacks trouble spots around globe anxious help obamas proposal raise defense budget 38 billon would allow ships fighter jets bundling military increase domestic spending obama pressure republicans eager boost military budget give priorities republicans insist holding line spending even means pentagon go without far democratic lawmakers obama willing go using national defense bargaining chip details matter congress sure reject redo obamas budget proposal might wonder bother one thing law says submit budget congress first monday february although obama sometimes missed deadline plus federal budget big deal expected vicinity 4 trillion thats trillion fiscal year beginning october goes much deeper political rhetoric ending big government boosting middle class budget carries thousands thousands decisions concrete things government like paying park rangers border patrol agents workers answer irs help lines spending money air traffic control medical research food inspection weeding ineffective programs launching new ones hopefully work better exercise gone awry last years leading showdowns 2013 shutdown failure complete normal budget process gridlocked congress budget minutia federal agencies sweat congressional committees charged overseeing keeps us government running budget autopilot running federal agencies isnt even half biggest share budget goes whats called mandatory spending ongoing payments dont need annual approval congress social security medicare medicaid biggies others include unemployment checks food stamps pensions veterans government retirees take nations longterm debt problem lawmakers president would deal growing costs far attempts reach sort grand bargain failed repeatedly associated press writers josh lederman andrew taylor contributed report follow connie cass twitter httpwwwtwittercomconniecass
| 587 |
<p>CAIRO (AP) — U.S. Vice President Mike Pence's upcoming visit to the Middle East comes at a time of intensely publicized friction between his administration and the Palestinian leadership, posing a dilemma for his Arab hosts — Egypt's president and Jordan's king — on how to safeguard their vital ties with Washington without appearing to ignore Palestinian misgivings.</p>
<p>Both countries are heavily dependent on U.S. military and economic aid, and talks with a senior Trump administration official like Pence offer them an opportunity to strengthen those ties.</p>
<p>It's a tall order given that Pence is visiting at a time of rising anti-U.S. sentiments in the region, stoked by President Donald Trump's recognition of contested Jerusalem as Israel's capital. The city is home to major Muslim sites, along with Christian and Jewish shrines, and its Israeli-annexed eastern sector is sought by the Palestinians as the capital of a future state.</p>
<p>Egypt's elder statesman, Amr Moussa, warned Arab leaders against altering their longstanding objective: A Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital. In a jarring article published recently, the former foreign minister and Arab league chief warned that making concessions on the Palestinian issue would be a "gross strategic mistake."</p>
<p>Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, who has openly cursed Trump over his Jerusalem decision, showed just how deep the gap is between him and the United States after Trump's decision. Addressing a Cairo conference Wednesday, he repeated that Washington removed itself from its role as an honest peace broker. He added: "Jerusalem will be a gate for peace only if it is Palestine's capital, and it will be a gate of war, fear and the absence of security and stability, God forbid, if it is not."</p>
<p>Pence was to have visited the region in mid-December, but rescheduled as Trump's dramatic policy shift on Jerusalem just a few days earlier triggered Arab condemnation and region-wide protests.</p>
<p>At the time, Abbas said he would not receive Pence in the biblical city of Bethlehem, as originally planned, and the spiritual leaders of Egypt's Muslims and Orthodox Christians — Al-Azhar's Grand Imam Ahmed al-Tayeb and Tawadros II respectively — also canceled their meetings with him.</p>
<p>The U.S.-Palestinian crisis has escalated since, with Abbas publicly attacking Trump this week over what he fears is an emerging U.S. plan to propose a Palestinian mini-state in only some of the land Israel captured in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and without a foothold in Jerusalem. Meanwhile, the Trump administration on Tuesday said it was sharply reducing funding to a U.N. aid agency serving millions of Palestinian refugees and their descendants, blaming the Palestinians for lack of progress in Mideast peace efforts.</p>
<p>Egypt's president, Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, reassured Abbas on Wednesday of Cairo's continued efforts to secure an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital, according to a statement by presidential spokesman Bassem Radi. That may in part have been designed to put to rest the fallout from a New York Times report last week which claimed that while Egypt publicly condemned Trump's Jerusalem decision, it privately supported the move.</p>
<p>El-Sissi has repeatedly appealed to Trump to be more involved in the fight against Islamic militancy in the region. With his security forces struggling to contain an insurgency by an Islamic State affiliate in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, the general-turned president will show little willingness to allow anything to diminish what he sees as a strategic alliance with Washington.</p>
<p>Sounding a realistic note, Abbas aide Ahmed Majdalani said the Palestinians did not expect Arab countries to follow suit in their strong response to Trump's Jerusalem's decision. At the same time, he explained, they don't believe the Trump administration will win support for any peace plan that weakens Arab ties to Jerusalem.</p>
<p>Still, Jordan's king faces a particular conundrum, as U.S.-Palestinian ties deteriorate. Palestinians make up a large segment of his country's population.</p>
<p>His Hashemite dynasty largely derives its political legitimacy from its historic role as custodian of Jerusalem's main Muslim shrine, the Al-Aqsa mosque, which is Islam's third holiest site. Any perceived threats to Muslim claims to the city, such as Trump's shift on Jerusalem, undermine its vital role there.</p>
<p>Over the years, Abdullah has tried to soften continued domestic opposition to Jordan's peace treaty with Israel, struck by his father in 1994, in part by offering his services as mediator on behalf of the Palestinians, in dealings with Israel and the U.S.</p>
<p>Pence's meeting with Abdullah on Sunday follows a series of anti-U.S. protests in the kingdom — including some organized by Islamists.</p>
<p>Musa Shteiwi, director of Jordan University's Center for Strategic Studies, said Amman cannot afford to disengage from the U.S. But, he explained, Pence needs to "carefully listen" to what U.S. allies are saying about the risk involved in Trump's Jerusalem decision.</p>
<p>Jordan is the recipient of $1.5 billion in 2015 and $1.6 billion last year in U.S. aid, partially given to fund humanitarian assistance and help Jordan shoulder the burden of hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees from Syria and Iraq.</p>
<p>Jordan, with its deteriorating economy and rising unemployment, is bracing for the fallout from the cuts in U.S. funding for the U.N. agency that has for decades provided education, health and welfare services to some 5 million Palestinian refugees and their descendants in the region.</p>
<p>In contrast, Pence can expect a warm welcome in Israel, whose hard-line government is one of the Trump administration's biggest supporters on the international stage. Trump has adopted a series of decisions seen as sympathetic to the Israeli government, distancing himself from the two-state solution favored by the international community, expressing little opposition to settlement construction and most recently, recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital.</p>
<p>Pence's visit will be highlighted by an address to Israel's Knesset, or parliament, an honor rarely accorded to visiting dignitaries. When Trump recognized Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, he insisted that it did not preclude Palestinian claims or the city's future borders. But the Pence visit, particularly if he refers to the area as being Israeli, will deepen the Palestinian suspicions that Trump has sided with Israel on the most sensitive issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.</p>
<p>__</p>
<p>Su reported from Amman, Jordan. Associated Press writers Karin Laub and Mohammed Daraghmeh in Ramallah, West Bank, and Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this report.</p>
<p>CAIRO (AP) — U.S. Vice President Mike Pence's upcoming visit to the Middle East comes at a time of intensely publicized friction between his administration and the Palestinian leadership, posing a dilemma for his Arab hosts — Egypt's president and Jordan's king — on how to safeguard their vital ties with Washington without appearing to ignore Palestinian misgivings.</p>
<p>Both countries are heavily dependent on U.S. military and economic aid, and talks with a senior Trump administration official like Pence offer them an opportunity to strengthen those ties.</p>
<p>It's a tall order given that Pence is visiting at a time of rising anti-U.S. sentiments in the region, stoked by President Donald Trump's recognition of contested Jerusalem as Israel's capital. The city is home to major Muslim sites, along with Christian and Jewish shrines, and its Israeli-annexed eastern sector is sought by the Palestinians as the capital of a future state.</p>
<p>Egypt's elder statesman, Amr Moussa, warned Arab leaders against altering their longstanding objective: A Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital. In a jarring article published recently, the former foreign minister and Arab league chief warned that making concessions on the Palestinian issue would be a "gross strategic mistake."</p>
<p>Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, who has openly cursed Trump over his Jerusalem decision, showed just how deep the gap is between him and the United States after Trump's decision. Addressing a Cairo conference Wednesday, he repeated that Washington removed itself from its role as an honest peace broker. He added: "Jerusalem will be a gate for peace only if it is Palestine's capital, and it will be a gate of war, fear and the absence of security and stability, God forbid, if it is not."</p>
<p>Pence was to have visited the region in mid-December, but rescheduled as Trump's dramatic policy shift on Jerusalem just a few days earlier triggered Arab condemnation and region-wide protests.</p>
<p>At the time, Abbas said he would not receive Pence in the biblical city of Bethlehem, as originally planned, and the spiritual leaders of Egypt's Muslims and Orthodox Christians — Al-Azhar's Grand Imam Ahmed al-Tayeb and Tawadros II respectively — also canceled their meetings with him.</p>
<p>The U.S.-Palestinian crisis has escalated since, with Abbas publicly attacking Trump this week over what he fears is an emerging U.S. plan to propose a Palestinian mini-state in only some of the land Israel captured in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and without a foothold in Jerusalem. Meanwhile, the Trump administration on Tuesday said it was sharply reducing funding to a U.N. aid agency serving millions of Palestinian refugees and their descendants, blaming the Palestinians for lack of progress in Mideast peace efforts.</p>
<p>Egypt's president, Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, reassured Abbas on Wednesday of Cairo's continued efforts to secure an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital, according to a statement by presidential spokesman Bassem Radi. That may in part have been designed to put to rest the fallout from a New York Times report last week which claimed that while Egypt publicly condemned Trump's Jerusalem decision, it privately supported the move.</p>
<p>El-Sissi has repeatedly appealed to Trump to be more involved in the fight against Islamic militancy in the region. With his security forces struggling to contain an insurgency by an Islamic State affiliate in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, the general-turned president will show little willingness to allow anything to diminish what he sees as a strategic alliance with Washington.</p>
<p>Sounding a realistic note, Abbas aide Ahmed Majdalani said the Palestinians did not expect Arab countries to follow suit in their strong response to Trump's Jerusalem's decision. At the same time, he explained, they don't believe the Trump administration will win support for any peace plan that weakens Arab ties to Jerusalem.</p>
<p>Still, Jordan's king faces a particular conundrum, as U.S.-Palestinian ties deteriorate. Palestinians make up a large segment of his country's population.</p>
<p>His Hashemite dynasty largely derives its political legitimacy from its historic role as custodian of Jerusalem's main Muslim shrine, the Al-Aqsa mosque, which is Islam's third holiest site. Any perceived threats to Muslim claims to the city, such as Trump's shift on Jerusalem, undermine its vital role there.</p>
<p>Over the years, Abdullah has tried to soften continued domestic opposition to Jordan's peace treaty with Israel, struck by his father in 1994, in part by offering his services as mediator on behalf of the Palestinians, in dealings with Israel and the U.S.</p>
<p>Pence's meeting with Abdullah on Sunday follows a series of anti-U.S. protests in the kingdom — including some organized by Islamists.</p>
<p>Musa Shteiwi, director of Jordan University's Center for Strategic Studies, said Amman cannot afford to disengage from the U.S. But, he explained, Pence needs to "carefully listen" to what U.S. allies are saying about the risk involved in Trump's Jerusalem decision.</p>
<p>Jordan is the recipient of $1.5 billion in 2015 and $1.6 billion last year in U.S. aid, partially given to fund humanitarian assistance and help Jordan shoulder the burden of hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees from Syria and Iraq.</p>
<p>Jordan, with its deteriorating economy and rising unemployment, is bracing for the fallout from the cuts in U.S. funding for the U.N. agency that has for decades provided education, health and welfare services to some 5 million Palestinian refugees and their descendants in the region.</p>
<p>In contrast, Pence can expect a warm welcome in Israel, whose hard-line government is one of the Trump administration's biggest supporters on the international stage. Trump has adopted a series of decisions seen as sympathetic to the Israeli government, distancing himself from the two-state solution favored by the international community, expressing little opposition to settlement construction and most recently, recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital.</p>
<p>Pence's visit will be highlighted by an address to Israel's Knesset, or parliament, an honor rarely accorded to visiting dignitaries. When Trump recognized Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, he insisted that it did not preclude Palestinian claims or the city's future borders. But the Pence visit, particularly if he refers to the area as being Israeli, will deepen the Palestinian suspicions that Trump has sided with Israel on the most sensitive issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.</p>
<p>__</p>
<p>Su reported from Amman, Jordan. Associated Press writers Karin Laub and Mohammed Daraghmeh in Ramallah, West Bank, and Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this report.</p>
| false | 2 |
cairo ap us vice president mike pences upcoming visit middle east comes time intensely publicized friction administration palestinian leadership posing dilemma arab hosts egypts president jordans king safeguard vital ties washington without appearing ignore palestinian misgivings countries heavily dependent us military economic aid talks senior trump administration official like pence offer opportunity strengthen ties tall order given pence visiting time rising antius sentiments region stoked president donald trumps recognition contested jerusalem israels capital city home major muslim sites along christian jewish shrines israeliannexed eastern sector sought palestinians capital future state egypts elder statesman amr moussa warned arab leaders altering longstanding objective palestinian state east jerusalem capital jarring article published recently former foreign minister arab league chief warned making concessions palestinian issue would gross strategic mistake palestinian leader mahmoud abbas openly cursed trump jerusalem decision showed deep gap united states trumps decision addressing cairo conference wednesday repeated washington removed role honest peace broker added jerusalem gate peace palestines capital gate war fear absence security stability god forbid pence visited region middecember rescheduled trumps dramatic policy shift jerusalem days earlier triggered arab condemnation regionwide protests time abbas said would receive pence biblical city bethlehem originally planned spiritual leaders egypts muslims orthodox christians alazhars grand imam ahmed altayeb tawadros ii respectively also canceled meetings uspalestinian crisis escalated since abbas publicly attacking trump week fears emerging us plan propose palestinian ministate land israel captured 1967 arabisraeli war without foothold jerusalem meanwhile trump administration tuesday said sharply reducing funding un aid agency serving millions palestinian refugees descendants blaming palestinians lack progress mideast peace efforts egypts president abdelfattah elsissi reassured abbas wednesday cairos continued efforts secure independent palestinian state east jerusalem capital according statement presidential spokesman bassem radi may part designed put rest fallout new york times report last week claimed egypt publicly condemned trumps jerusalem decision privately supported move elsissi repeatedly appealed trump involved fight islamic militancy region security forces struggling contain insurgency islamic state affiliate egypts sinai peninsula generalturned president show little willingness allow anything diminish sees strategic alliance washington sounding realistic note abbas aide ahmed majdalani said palestinians expect arab countries follow suit strong response trumps jerusalems decision time explained dont believe trump administration win support peace plan weakens arab ties jerusalem still jordans king faces particular conundrum uspalestinian ties deteriorate palestinians make large segment countrys population hashemite dynasty largely derives political legitimacy historic role custodian jerusalems main muslim shrine alaqsa mosque islams third holiest site perceived threats muslim claims city trumps shift jerusalem undermine vital role years abdullah tried soften continued domestic opposition jordans peace treaty israel struck father 1994 part offering services mediator behalf palestinians dealings israel us pences meeting abdullah sunday follows series antius protests kingdom including organized islamists musa shteiwi director jordan universitys center strategic studies said amman afford disengage us explained pence needs carefully listen us allies saying risk involved trumps jerusalem decision jordan recipient 15 billion 2015 16 billion last year us aid partially given fund humanitarian assistance help jordan shoulder burden hosting hundreds thousands refugees syria iraq jordan deteriorating economy rising unemployment bracing fallout cuts us funding un agency decades provided education health welfare services 5 million palestinian refugees descendants region contrast pence expect warm welcome israel whose hardline government one trump administrations biggest supporters international stage trump adopted series decisions seen sympathetic israeli government distancing twostate solution favored international community expressing little opposition settlement construction recently recognizing jerusalem israels capital pences visit highlighted address israels knesset parliament honor rarely accorded visiting dignitaries trump recognized jerusalem israeli capital insisted preclude palestinian claims citys future borders pence visit particularly refers area israeli deepen palestinian suspicions trump sided israel sensitive issue israelipalestinian conflict __ su reported amman jordan associated press writers karin laub mohammed daraghmeh ramallah west bank josef federman jerusalem contributed report cairo ap us vice president mike pences upcoming visit middle east comes time intensely publicized friction administration palestinian leadership posing dilemma arab hosts egypts president jordans king safeguard vital ties washington without appearing ignore palestinian misgivings countries heavily dependent us military economic aid talks senior trump administration official like pence offer opportunity strengthen ties tall order given pence visiting time rising antius sentiments region stoked president donald trumps recognition contested jerusalem israels capital city home major muslim sites along christian jewish shrines israeliannexed eastern sector sought palestinians capital future state egypts elder statesman amr moussa warned arab leaders altering longstanding objective palestinian state east jerusalem capital jarring article published recently former foreign minister arab league chief warned making concessions palestinian issue would gross strategic mistake palestinian leader mahmoud abbas openly cursed trump jerusalem decision showed deep gap united states trumps decision addressing cairo conference wednesday repeated washington removed role honest peace broker added jerusalem gate peace palestines capital gate war fear absence security stability god forbid pence visited region middecember rescheduled trumps dramatic policy shift jerusalem days earlier triggered arab condemnation regionwide protests time abbas said would receive pence biblical city bethlehem originally planned spiritual leaders egypts muslims orthodox christians alazhars grand imam ahmed altayeb tawadros ii respectively also canceled meetings uspalestinian crisis escalated since abbas publicly attacking trump week fears emerging us plan propose palestinian ministate land israel captured 1967 arabisraeli war without foothold jerusalem meanwhile trump administration tuesday said sharply reducing funding un aid agency serving millions palestinian refugees descendants blaming palestinians lack progress mideast peace efforts egypts president abdelfattah elsissi reassured abbas wednesday cairos continued efforts secure independent palestinian state east jerusalem capital according statement presidential spokesman bassem radi may part designed put rest fallout new york times report last week claimed egypt publicly condemned trumps jerusalem decision privately supported move elsissi repeatedly appealed trump involved fight islamic militancy region security forces struggling contain insurgency islamic state affiliate egypts sinai peninsula generalturned president show little willingness allow anything diminish sees strategic alliance washington sounding realistic note abbas aide ahmed majdalani said palestinians expect arab countries follow suit strong response trumps jerusalems decision time explained dont believe trump administration win support peace plan weakens arab ties jerusalem still jordans king faces particular conundrum uspalestinian ties deteriorate palestinians make large segment countrys population hashemite dynasty largely derives political legitimacy historic role custodian jerusalems main muslim shrine alaqsa mosque islams third holiest site perceived threats muslim claims city trumps shift jerusalem undermine vital role years abdullah tried soften continued domestic opposition jordans peace treaty israel struck father 1994 part offering services mediator behalf palestinians dealings israel us pences meeting abdullah sunday follows series antius protests kingdom including organized islamists musa shteiwi director jordan universitys center strategic studies said amman afford disengage us explained pence needs carefully listen us allies saying risk involved trumps jerusalem decision jordan recipient 15 billion 2015 16 billion last year us aid partially given fund humanitarian assistance help jordan shoulder burden hosting hundreds thousands refugees syria iraq jordan deteriorating economy rising unemployment bracing fallout cuts us funding un agency decades provided education health welfare services 5 million palestinian refugees descendants region contrast pence expect warm welcome israel whose hardline government one trump administrations biggest supporters international stage trump adopted series decisions seen sympathetic israeli government distancing twostate solution favored international community expressing little opposition settlement construction recently recognizing jerusalem israels capital pences visit highlighted address israels knesset parliament honor rarely accorded visiting dignitaries trump recognized jerusalem israeli capital insisted preclude palestinian claims citys future borders pence visit particularly refers area israeli deepen palestinian suspicions trump sided israel sensitive issue israelipalestinian conflict __ su reported amman jordan associated press writers karin laub mohammed daraghmeh ramallah west bank josef federman jerusalem contributed report
| 1,250 |
<p>LOS ANGELES (AP) — California on Monday becomes the nation's largest state to offer legal recreational marijuana sales. Here's a snapshot of how the market will work and how the state will regulate a pot economy estimated to be worth $7 billion:</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>THE BASICS</p>
<p>California voted to legalize in 2016. The goal is to tighten regulation of the state's long-running medical pot sales while encouraging operators in the vast black market to enter the legal system.</p>
<p>In general, California will treat cannabis like alcohol, allowing people 21 and older to possess up to an ounce of pot and grow six marijuana plants at home. The state in December began licensing businesses for the new economy, including retailers who will sell it and distributors who will move it from fields to storefronts.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>WHERE CAN I BUY LEGAL POT?</p>
<p>The availability of legal weed will come down to this: location. What's emerged so far is a patchwork of local rules under which some cities will have legal cannabis on Jan. 1, but others will not.</p>
<p>Los Angeles has delayed accepting applications for legal sales until Jan. 3, and it will be weeks before any shops open. Kern County is among the places that have banned all commercial cannabis activity. Other cities have postponed taking action, waiting to see how the new market rolls out. Santa Cruz, San Diego, Shasta Lake, San Jose and West Hollywood have authorized businesses for recreational sales.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>LOOK BEFORE YOU LIGHT UP</p>
<p>Legal weed comes with a lot of restrictions, including where it can be smoked. First, there is no smoking in public, and state law has specific rules forbidding anyone from lighting up within 1,000 feet (300 meters) of a school or a daycare center when kids are around, or from smoking while driving. Another general rule: Don't smoke anywhere where tobacco is prohibited. Local governments are free to set rules for smoking at sales shops, what some call cannabis cafes or lounges, but that will vary city to city.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>THE TAXMAN COMETH</p>
<p>The state will impose a 15 percent excise tax on retail purchases of all cannabis and cannabis products, including medicinal cannabis. Cultivators will pay taxes on buds and leaves they sell, which is expected to be passed on to consumers at retail counters, too. Local governments can slap on additional taxes.</p>
<p>In Los Angeles, for example, new taxes and fees could push up the retail cost for a small bag of marijuana by as much as 70 percent. Operators fear that hefty new taxes will drive consumers into the black market. The state expects to bring in $684 million in pot taxes next year, with that number increasing to $1 billion in several years. Los Angeles has predicted that it could pull in $50 million next year.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>WHY LEGAL, WHY NOW?</p>
<p>Californians have gradually taken a more permissive attitude toward pot. Back in 1913, the state banned "loco-weed," according to a history by a major pro-legalization group, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. In the 1970s, felony possession of less than an ounce was downgraded to a misdemeanor, then state voters approved marijuana for medicinal purposes in 1996.</p>
<p>The reason the state is moving into legal cannabis is voters wanted it, overwhelmingly. Proposition 64, which legalized the sale and cultivation of recreational pot for adults, passed in November 2016 with 57 percent of the vote. There are other states with legal weed, including Washington and Colorado, but California will be the biggest by far. It is home to 1 in 8 Americans.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>LEGAL AND ILLEGAL AT THE SAME TIME?</p>
<p>Pot will be legal in California in January, but it remains illegal at the federal level.</p>
<p>While Washington has kept its distance from medicinal pot in states where it is legal, Congress has yet to renew a little-noticed rule that shields state medical marijuana programs from federal intervention. And Attorney General Jeff Sessions, an outspoken opponent of cannabis, has hinted at a possible crackdown. The state's black market is vast: An estimated 15,000 illegal cultivation sites exist in Humboldt County alone, a prized growing area in Northern California's so-called Emerald Triangle.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>GOODBYE MEDICAL CANNABIS?</p>
<p>Not really. Medicinal sales are expected to shrink, but not go away. In Los Angeles, medicinal buyers will pay a lower city tax rate, which could be an inducement to stay in that market. Others are likely to stick with medicinal products they know, such as for sleep problems or pain. One age group caught in a gap between medical and recreational marijuana are those 18 to 20 years old. You have to be at least 21 to buy recreational pot, but medicinal is legal for anyone 18 and older. Some in that age range are likely to continue seeking medicinal purchases.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow AP's complete coverage of marijuana legalization in California here: https://apnews.com/tag/CaliforniaMarijuana</p>
<p>LOS ANGELES (AP) — California on Monday becomes the nation's largest state to offer legal recreational marijuana sales. Here's a snapshot of how the market will work and how the state will regulate a pot economy estimated to be worth $7 billion:</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>THE BASICS</p>
<p>California voted to legalize in 2016. The goal is to tighten regulation of the state's long-running medical pot sales while encouraging operators in the vast black market to enter the legal system.</p>
<p>In general, California will treat cannabis like alcohol, allowing people 21 and older to possess up to an ounce of pot and grow six marijuana plants at home. The state in December began licensing businesses for the new economy, including retailers who will sell it and distributors who will move it from fields to storefronts.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>WHERE CAN I BUY LEGAL POT?</p>
<p>The availability of legal weed will come down to this: location. What's emerged so far is a patchwork of local rules under which some cities will have legal cannabis on Jan. 1, but others will not.</p>
<p>Los Angeles has delayed accepting applications for legal sales until Jan. 3, and it will be weeks before any shops open. Kern County is among the places that have banned all commercial cannabis activity. Other cities have postponed taking action, waiting to see how the new market rolls out. Santa Cruz, San Diego, Shasta Lake, San Jose and West Hollywood have authorized businesses for recreational sales.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>LOOK BEFORE YOU LIGHT UP</p>
<p>Legal weed comes with a lot of restrictions, including where it can be smoked. First, there is no smoking in public, and state law has specific rules forbidding anyone from lighting up within 1,000 feet (300 meters) of a school or a daycare center when kids are around, or from smoking while driving. Another general rule: Don't smoke anywhere where tobacco is prohibited. Local governments are free to set rules for smoking at sales shops, what some call cannabis cafes or lounges, but that will vary city to city.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>THE TAXMAN COMETH</p>
<p>The state will impose a 15 percent excise tax on retail purchases of all cannabis and cannabis products, including medicinal cannabis. Cultivators will pay taxes on buds and leaves they sell, which is expected to be passed on to consumers at retail counters, too. Local governments can slap on additional taxes.</p>
<p>In Los Angeles, for example, new taxes and fees could push up the retail cost for a small bag of marijuana by as much as 70 percent. Operators fear that hefty new taxes will drive consumers into the black market. The state expects to bring in $684 million in pot taxes next year, with that number increasing to $1 billion in several years. Los Angeles has predicted that it could pull in $50 million next year.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>WHY LEGAL, WHY NOW?</p>
<p>Californians have gradually taken a more permissive attitude toward pot. Back in 1913, the state banned "loco-weed," according to a history by a major pro-legalization group, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. In the 1970s, felony possession of less than an ounce was downgraded to a misdemeanor, then state voters approved marijuana for medicinal purposes in 1996.</p>
<p>The reason the state is moving into legal cannabis is voters wanted it, overwhelmingly. Proposition 64, which legalized the sale and cultivation of recreational pot for adults, passed in November 2016 with 57 percent of the vote. There are other states with legal weed, including Washington and Colorado, but California will be the biggest by far. It is home to 1 in 8 Americans.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>LEGAL AND ILLEGAL AT THE SAME TIME?</p>
<p>Pot will be legal in California in January, but it remains illegal at the federal level.</p>
<p>While Washington has kept its distance from medicinal pot in states where it is legal, Congress has yet to renew a little-noticed rule that shields state medical marijuana programs from federal intervention. And Attorney General Jeff Sessions, an outspoken opponent of cannabis, has hinted at a possible crackdown. The state's black market is vast: An estimated 15,000 illegal cultivation sites exist in Humboldt County alone, a prized growing area in Northern California's so-called Emerald Triangle.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>GOODBYE MEDICAL CANNABIS?</p>
<p>Not really. Medicinal sales are expected to shrink, but not go away. In Los Angeles, medicinal buyers will pay a lower city tax rate, which could be an inducement to stay in that market. Others are likely to stick with medicinal products they know, such as for sleep problems or pain. One age group caught in a gap between medical and recreational marijuana are those 18 to 20 years old. You have to be at least 21 to buy recreational pot, but medicinal is legal for anyone 18 and older. Some in that age range are likely to continue seeking medicinal purchases.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow AP's complete coverage of marijuana legalization in California here: https://apnews.com/tag/CaliforniaMarijuana</p>
| false | 2 |
los angeles ap california monday becomes nations largest state offer legal recreational marijuana sales heres snapshot market work state regulate pot economy estimated worth 7 billion ___ basics california voted legalize 2016 goal tighten regulation states longrunning medical pot sales encouraging operators vast black market enter legal system general california treat cannabis like alcohol allowing people 21 older possess ounce pot grow six marijuana plants home state december began licensing businesses new economy including retailers sell distributors move fields storefronts ___ buy legal pot availability legal weed come location whats emerged far patchwork local rules cities legal cannabis jan 1 others los angeles delayed accepting applications legal sales jan 3 weeks shops open kern county among places banned commercial cannabis activity cities postponed taking action waiting see new market rolls santa cruz san diego shasta lake san jose west hollywood authorized businesses recreational sales ___ look light legal weed comes lot restrictions including smoked first smoking public state law specific rules forbidding anyone lighting within 1000 feet 300 meters school daycare center kids around smoking driving another general rule dont smoke anywhere tobacco prohibited local governments free set rules smoking sales shops call cannabis cafes lounges vary city city ___ taxman cometh state impose 15 percent excise tax retail purchases cannabis cannabis products including medicinal cannabis cultivators pay taxes buds leaves sell expected passed consumers retail counters local governments slap additional taxes los angeles example new taxes fees could push retail cost small bag marijuana much 70 percent operators fear hefty new taxes drive consumers black market state expects bring 684 million pot taxes next year number increasing 1 billion several years los angeles predicted could pull 50 million next year ___ legal californians gradually taken permissive attitude toward pot back 1913 state banned locoweed according history major prolegalization group national organization reform marijuana laws 1970s felony possession less ounce downgraded misdemeanor state voters approved marijuana medicinal purposes 1996 reason state moving legal cannabis voters wanted overwhelmingly proposition 64 legalized sale cultivation recreational pot adults passed november 2016 57 percent vote states legal weed including washington colorado california biggest far home 1 8 americans ___ legal illegal time pot legal california january remains illegal federal level washington kept distance medicinal pot states legal congress yet renew littlenoticed rule shields state medical marijuana programs federal intervention attorney general jeff sessions outspoken opponent cannabis hinted possible crackdown states black market vast estimated 15000 illegal cultivation sites exist humboldt county alone prized growing area northern californias socalled emerald triangle ___ goodbye medical cannabis really medicinal sales expected shrink go away los angeles medicinal buyers pay lower city tax rate could inducement stay market others likely stick medicinal products know sleep problems pain one age group caught gap medical recreational marijuana 18 20 years old least 21 buy recreational pot medicinal legal anyone 18 older age range likely continue seeking medicinal purchases ___ follow aps complete coverage marijuana legalization california httpsapnewscomtagcaliforniamarijuana los angeles ap california monday becomes nations largest state offer legal recreational marijuana sales heres snapshot market work state regulate pot economy estimated worth 7 billion ___ basics california voted legalize 2016 goal tighten regulation states longrunning medical pot sales encouraging operators vast black market enter legal system general california treat cannabis like alcohol allowing people 21 older possess ounce pot grow six marijuana plants home state december began licensing businesses new economy including retailers sell distributors move fields storefronts ___ buy legal pot availability legal weed come location whats emerged far patchwork local rules cities legal cannabis jan 1 others los angeles delayed accepting applications legal sales jan 3 weeks shops open kern county among places banned commercial cannabis activity cities postponed taking action waiting see new market rolls santa cruz san diego shasta lake san jose west hollywood authorized businesses recreational sales ___ look light legal weed comes lot restrictions including smoked first smoking public state law specific rules forbidding anyone lighting within 1000 feet 300 meters school daycare center kids around smoking driving another general rule dont smoke anywhere tobacco prohibited local governments free set rules smoking sales shops call cannabis cafes lounges vary city city ___ taxman cometh state impose 15 percent excise tax retail purchases cannabis cannabis products including medicinal cannabis cultivators pay taxes buds leaves sell expected passed consumers retail counters local governments slap additional taxes los angeles example new taxes fees could push retail cost small bag marijuana much 70 percent operators fear hefty new taxes drive consumers black market state expects bring 684 million pot taxes next year number increasing 1 billion several years los angeles predicted could pull 50 million next year ___ legal californians gradually taken permissive attitude toward pot back 1913 state banned locoweed according history major prolegalization group national organization reform marijuana laws 1970s felony possession less ounce downgraded misdemeanor state voters approved marijuana medicinal purposes 1996 reason state moving legal cannabis voters wanted overwhelmingly proposition 64 legalized sale cultivation recreational pot adults passed november 2016 57 percent vote states legal weed including washington colorado california biggest far home 1 8 americans ___ legal illegal time pot legal california january remains illegal federal level washington kept distance medicinal pot states legal congress yet renew littlenoticed rule shields state medical marijuana programs federal intervention attorney general jeff sessions outspoken opponent cannabis hinted possible crackdown states black market vast estimated 15000 illegal cultivation sites exist humboldt county alone prized growing area northern californias socalled emerald triangle ___ goodbye medical cannabis really medicinal sales expected shrink go away los angeles medicinal buyers pay lower city tax rate could inducement stay market others likely stick medicinal products know sleep problems pain one age group caught gap medical recreational marijuana 18 20 years old least 21 buy recreational pot medicinal legal anyone 18 older age range likely continue seeking medicinal purchases ___ follow aps complete coverage marijuana legalization california httpsapnewscomtagcaliforniamarijuana
| 974 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p />
<p>They’re trying to scale back major benefit programs being used by millions of people. And they’re trying to do it even though much of the public is leery of drastic changes, and there’s no support outside the GOP.</p>
<p>It’s not stopping them.</p>
<p>After seven years attacking former President Barack Obama’s health care law, Republicans are finally in control of the entire government and say they have to deliver now. Yet they’re not talking much about the trade-offs that come with sweeping changes, not to mention estimates that millions more people could be uninsured.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>“I don’t think anything of this consequence has ever been passed in the entitlement arena,” said Jim Capretta, a health policy expert with American Enterprise Institute, a business-oriented think tank. “It’s a piece of legislation that would be highly consequential.”</p>
<p>Unprecedented “is a perfectly fair characterization,” said Lanhee Chen, who was policy adviser to former GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney. Like Capretta, Chen agrees with the general direction congressional Republicans are taking, if not all the specifics.</p>
<p>Senate Republicans are winnowing down policy options in search of 51 votes to advance House-passed legislation this summer.</p>
<p>Some of the central issues in the GOP’s health care gamble:</p>
<p>HISTORIC SHIFT</p>
<p>Health care programs usually grow faster than other government services. Republicans want to break that decadeslong trend, although they’d leave Medicare largely untouched for now.</p>
<p>The talk is all about repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act. But the GOP’s American Health Care Act would have lasting impact on Medicaid, the federal-state program covering about 70 million low-income and disabled people, including many elderly nursing home residents.</p>
<p>Republicans would phase out richer financing that the Obama-era law provides states that expand Medicaid to cover low-income adults. More significantly, the GOP would limit future federal spending for the broader program. Medicaid has been an open-ended entitlement, with the feds matching part of what every state spends, about 60 percent on average.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>The House-passed GOP bill would cut $834 billion from projected federal Medicaid spending over a decade, leading to a reduction of about 17 percent in people covered by the program, according to the Congressional Budget Office.</p>
<p>“There is no capacity at the state level to pick up the slack if the federal government withdraws its commitment,” Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., said at a recent budget hearing. Some Republican governors also question the plan.</p>
<p>Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price said Medicaid can be more efficiently managed by the states, and that open-ended federal financing doesn’t necessarily mean improved health for beneficiaries.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>GOALS AND OBJECTIVES</p>
<p>In addition to reducing federal health spending, Republicans want to lower premiums for those who buy their own health insurance, an estimated 20 million people. About half receive subsidies under the Obama law, but the rest pay full freight and many have seen steep premium increases stemming from changes under that law.</p>
<p>“Across America, premiums are skyrocketing, insurers are fleeing, and the American people are paying much more for much worse coverage,” President Donald Trump said recently in Cincinnati.</p>
<p>Republicans would try to lower premiums by loosening some of the law’s requirements, including standard benefits and a guarantee that those in poor health won’t be charged more. People would be required to maintain “continuous coverage” to avoid penalties.</p>
<p>The CBO estimates that the GOP approach would lead to lower premiums than under current law, but the trade-offs could be significant.</p>
<p>Insurance, on average, would pay for a smaller share of health care costs, meaning that deductibles and copayments are likely to be higher. In some states, certain policies may not cover services such as substance abuse treatment. Over time, people with health problems might be priced out of the market.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>PROMISES, PROMISES</p>
<p>Trump’s promise to repeal Obama’s health overhaul was a fixture of his campaign. But he also said he was a different kind of Republican, who would not cut Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid.</p>
<p>Later in the campaign, Trump announced support for a Medicaid block grant, a way of limiting federal spending on the program. But candidate Trump didn’t elaborate on details, and repeatedly promised voters “great” health care.</p>
<p>The president again made that promise last week: “The Republicans are working very, very hard on getting a great health care plan,” Trump said.</p>
<p>But health care policy is all about trade-offs, and Republicans have largely avoided talking about downsides. Democrats are ready to pounce.</p>
<p>“There are critical, life-changing decisions being made about Americans’ health care right now in the United States Senate that should have people on high alert,” Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said in this weekend’s Democratic radio address. “This legislation is going to put the health of millions of Americans at risk.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>LONE RANGER RIDES AGAIN</p>
<p>Republicans never ceased complaining that Obama passed his law without a single GOP vote. Now, their bill has failed to garner any Democratic support. Not surprisingly, polls show that Democrats and independents disapprove of the legislation by wide margins.</p>
<p>“They’re sending legislation through the Congress that is only supported by one party … and somehow thinking it’s going to have a different outcome,” said economist Gail Wilensky, a Republican. “It’s like, really, why would you think that?”</p>
| false | 2 |
theyre trying scale back major benefit programs used millions people theyre trying even though much public leery drastic changes theres support outside gop stopping seven years attacking former president barack obamas health care law republicans finally control entire government say deliver yet theyre talking much tradeoffs come sweeping changes mention estimates millions people could uninsured advertisement dont think anything consequence ever passed entitlement arena said jim capretta health policy expert american enterprise institute businessoriented think tank piece legislation would highly consequential unprecedented perfectly fair characterization said lanhee chen policy adviser former gop presidential nominee mitt romney like capretta chen agrees general direction congressional republicans taking specifics senate republicans winnowing policy options search 51 votes advance housepassed legislation summer central issues gops health care gamble historic shift health care programs usually grow faster government services republicans want break decadeslong trend although theyd leave medicare largely untouched talk repealing 2010 affordable care act gops american health care act would lasting impact medicaid federalstate program covering 70 million lowincome disabled people including many elderly nursing home residents republicans would phase richer financing obamaera law provides states expand medicaid cover lowincome adults significantly gop would limit future federal spending broader program medicaid openended entitlement feds matching part every state spends 60 percent average advertisement housepassed gop bill would cut 834 billion projected federal medicaid spending decade leading reduction 17 percent people covered program according congressional budget office capacity state level pick slack federal government withdraws commitment sen ben cardin dmd said recent budget hearing republican governors also question plan health human services secretary tom price said medicaid efficiently managed states openended federal financing doesnt necessarily mean improved health beneficiaries ___ goals objectives addition reducing federal health spending republicans want lower premiums buy health insurance estimated 20 million people half receive subsidies obama law rest pay full freight many seen steep premium increases stemming changes law across america premiums skyrocketing insurers fleeing american people paying much much worse coverage president donald trump said recently cincinnati republicans would try lower premiums loosening laws requirements including standard benefits guarantee poor health wont charged people would required maintain continuous coverage avoid penalties cbo estimates gop approach would lead lower premiums current law tradeoffs could significant insurance average would pay smaller share health care costs meaning deductibles copayments likely higher states certain policies may cover services substance abuse treatment time people health problems might priced market ___ promises promises trumps promise repeal obamas health overhaul fixture campaign also said different kind republican would cut social security medicare medicaid later campaign trump announced support medicaid block grant way limiting federal spending program candidate trump didnt elaborate details repeatedly promised voters great health care president made promise last week republicans working hard getting great health care plan trump said health care policy tradeoffs republicans largely avoided talking downsides democrats ready pounce critical lifechanging decisions made americans health care right united states senate people high alert sen ron wyden dore said weekends democratic radio address legislation going put health millions americans risk ___ lone ranger rides republicans never ceased complaining obama passed law without single gop vote bill failed garner democratic support surprisingly polls show democrats independents disapprove legislation wide margins theyre sending legislation congress supported one party somehow thinking going different outcome said economist gail wilensky republican like really would think
| 550 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p />
<p>True, America’s most loathsome presidential candidate said some typically loathsome things during Wednesday night’s presidential debate. Most notably, when moderator Chris Wallace asked Trump if he would “accept the result of this election,” Trump launched into a fuming denunciation of the news media and repeated his claim that the election is “rigged.” Pressed by Wallace on whether he accepts the principle that American elections should lead to a concession by the loser and a peaceful transition of power, Trump doubled down: “I will tell you at the time. I’ll keep you in suspense.”</p>
<p>Trump sure knows how to push people’s buttons. On cue, the global media moved into hysteria mode: “Donald Trump placed an unprecedented question mark over the peaceful succession of power in the United States last night,” spluttered the Times of London. In Germany, Der Spiegel decried Trump’s “shocking refusal” to recognize the election results. In the United States, every major newspaper denounced Trump’s comment: It was “a remarkable statement that seemed to cast doubt on American democracy,” opined the New York Times, while the Washington Post called it a “breathtaking repudiation of American democracy.”</p>
<p>But the only shocking thing about Trump’s statements is that everyone seems to find them so shocking.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>It’s no surprise that Trump is shaping up to be a sore loser. He’s been one all his life. As Hillary Clinton pointed out during the debate, Trump even complained that TV’s Emmy Awards were rigged against “The Apprentice,” the reality show Trump hosted before moving on to the “The Presidential Campaign,” his latest absurdist television drama. (The Television Academy, which bestows the Emmys, begs to differ).</p>
<p>Yes, Trump’s ugly comments smack of fascism. Again, no surprise: This is the guy who wants to make all American Muslims register with the government so they can be more effectively monitored. This is the guy who wants to bring back torture and bomb the children of suspected terrorists. This is the guy who threatened, during the second debate, to send Clinton to prison if he wins.</p>
<p>Fortunately for the world, Trump isn’t the arbiter of election validity. If Clinton wins on Nov. 8, as now appears overwhelmingly likely, the courts, the police, the military, Congress, every federal agency, and the vast majority of American voters will accept her as the nation’s president. Trump can reject the election results if he wants, just as he can reject the notion that the Earth is round if he wants. It doesn’t matter. He can stand on a soapbox and whine, but the Secret Service won’t be letting him move into the White House on Jan. 20, and no one will be handing him the nuclear codes.</p>
<p>That’s not the only reason Trump’s unhinged debate comments don’t present an “unprecedented threat” to American democracy. Yes, they may incite some of his most disgruntled supporters to violence. But here again, this would hardly be new.</p>
<p>Though most Americans don’t know it – or prefer to forget it – American history is replete with examples of voter intimidation and political and electoral violence. In 1834, opponents of abolition rioted in New York. In 1856, riots broke out in Baltimore over the disputed mayoral election of Thomas Swann, the “Know Nothing” candidate. In 1871, as many as 30 blacks were killed in Meridian, Mississippi, and the mayor was forcibly driven from office by a white mob. In November 1898, a violent coup by local white supremacists overthrew the elected government of Wilmington, North Carolina. In November 1920, local whites became so incensed when a black man tried to vote that they massacred up to 50 black residents of Ocoee, Florida. 1968 saw the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy, and violent clashes between Chicago police and protesters during the Democratic National Convention.</p>
<p>And, of course, there was the most violent political protest of all, also known as the Civil War. When Abraham Lincoln won the election of 1860, most Southern states seceded from the Union. By the end of the war in 1865, hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians were dead.</p>
<p>That’s not an exhaustive list of political and electoral violence in America, just a representative one. If angry Trump supporters take to the streets – or beat up minorities, or grope some more women – it will be despicable. But it won’t be unprecedented. America has seen much, much worse, and the republic has not collapsed.</p>
<p>So don’t panic. Trump won’t undermine American democracy, both because we have a strong rule-of-law culture and because we’ve survived far more serious threats.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>But don’t get too smug, either. There’s another reason Trump can’t do much to undermine American democracy, and it’s a dirty little secret: America isn’t really a democracy anyway.</p>
<p>What? The world’s oldest, proudest, and loudest democracy isn’t really a democracy?</p>
<p>No, it’s not. If democracy implies that each person’s vote should count equally, the United States has never had much of a democracy. The Constitution created a greatly diluted form of representative democracy that privileges some voters over others. (And I’m not even referring to slavery, or early restriction of the franchise to white male property holders.) Every state gets two senators, for instance, regardless of population size. Since states with smaller populations have, in recent decades, also had less diverse populations, this gives outsized political power to rural white voters and dilutes the political impact of the demographic changes that have been so evident in urban America.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the Electoral College further distorts democracy: A candidate can lose the popular vote but still win the presidency. Most recently, more Americans voted for Democratic candidate Al Gore than for Republican candidate George W. Bush in 2000, but thanks to the Electoral College system (and a little assist from the conservative justices on the Supreme Court), Bush became America’s 43rd president.</p>
<p>Toss in racial gerrymandering, interest group politics, campaign finance rules that give disproportionate political clout to the rich, and a bizarre and often discriminatory patchwork of state voter registration rules, and what you end up with is modern America: an oligarchy in which almost half of eligible voters don’t even bother to go to the polls.</p>
<p>That’s the final reason Trump can’t do much to undermine American democracy. It’s already been undermined.</p>
<p>– – –</p>
<p>Brooks is a law professor at Georgetown University and a Schwartz senior fellow at the New America Foundation. She served as a counselor to the U.S. defense undersecretary for policy from 2009 to 2011 and previously served as a senior advisor at the U.S. State Department.</p>
<p>trump-democracy-comment</p>
| false | 2 |
true americas loathsome presidential candidate said typically loathsome things wednesday nights presidential debate notably moderator chris wallace asked trump would accept result election trump launched fuming denunciation news media repeated claim election rigged pressed wallace whether accepts principle american elections lead concession loser peaceful transition power trump doubled tell time ill keep suspense trump sure knows push peoples buttons cue global media moved hysteria mode donald trump placed unprecedented question mark peaceful succession power united states last night spluttered times london germany der spiegel decried trumps shocking refusal recognize election results united states every major newspaper denounced trumps comment remarkable statement seemed cast doubt american democracy opined new york times washington post called breathtaking repudiation american democracy shocking thing trumps statements everyone seems find shocking advertisement surprise trump shaping sore loser hes one life hillary clinton pointed debate trump even complained tvs emmy awards rigged apprentice reality show trump hosted moving presidential campaign latest absurdist television drama television academy bestows emmys begs differ yes trumps ugly comments smack fascism surprise guy wants make american muslims register government effectively monitored guy wants bring back torture bomb children suspected terrorists guy threatened second debate send clinton prison wins fortunately world trump isnt arbiter election validity clinton wins nov 8 appears overwhelmingly likely courts police military congress every federal agency vast majority american voters accept nations president trump reject election results wants reject notion earth round wants doesnt matter stand soapbox whine secret service wont letting move white house jan 20 one handing nuclear codes thats reason trumps unhinged debate comments dont present unprecedented threat american democracy yes may incite disgruntled supporters violence would hardly new though americans dont know prefer forget american history replete examples voter intimidation political electoral violence 1834 opponents abolition rioted new york 1856 riots broke baltimore disputed mayoral election thomas swann know nothing candidate 1871 many 30 blacks killed meridian mississippi mayor forcibly driven office white mob november 1898 violent coup local white supremacists overthrew elected government wilmington north carolina november 1920 local whites became incensed black man tried vote massacred 50 black residents ocoee florida 1968 saw assassinations martin luther king jr bobby kennedy violent clashes chicago police protesters democratic national convention course violent political protest also known civil war abraham lincoln election 1860 southern states seceded union end war 1865 hundreds thousands soldiers civilians dead thats exhaustive list political electoral violence america representative one angry trump supporters take streets beat minorities grope women despicable wont unprecedented america seen much much worse republic collapsed dont panic trump wont undermine american democracy strong ruleoflaw culture weve survived far serious threats advertisement dont get smug either theres another reason trump cant much undermine american democracy dirty little secret america isnt really democracy anyway worlds oldest proudest loudest democracy isnt really democracy democracy implies persons vote count equally united states never much democracy constitution created greatly diluted form representative democracy privileges voters others im even referring slavery early restriction franchise white male property holders every state gets two senators instance regardless population size since states smaller populations recent decades also less diverse populations gives outsized political power rural white voters dilutes political impact demographic changes evident urban america meanwhile electoral college distorts democracy candidate lose popular vote still win presidency recently americans voted democratic candidate al gore republican candidate george w bush 2000 thanks electoral college system little assist conservative justices supreme court bush became americas 43rd president toss racial gerrymandering interest group politics campaign finance rules give disproportionate political clout rich bizarre often discriminatory patchwork state voter registration rules end modern america oligarchy almost half eligible voters dont even bother go polls thats final reason trump cant much undermine american democracy already undermined brooks law professor georgetown university schwartz senior fellow new america foundation served counselor us defense undersecretary policy 2009 2011 previously served senior advisor us state department trumpdemocracycomment
| 641 |
<p>RABAT, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Morocco’s central bank will continue to intervene in the foreign exchange market if necessary to support the dirham after launching a more flexible foreign exchange system this week, Finance Minister Mohammed Boussaid said on Thursday. (Reporting by Ulf Laessing and Zakia Abdennebi; Editing by Hugh Lawson)</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>(Reuters) - Tesla Inc ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=TSLA.O" type="external">TSLA.O</a>) will be profitable in the third and fourth quarters of this year and will not have to raise any money from investors, billionaire Chief Executive Elon Musk said on Friday, driving shares in the electric carmaker higher.</p> FILE PHOTO: Elon Musk, founder, CEO and lead designer at SpaceX and co-founder of Tesla, speaks at the International Space Station Research and Development Conference in Washington, U.S., July 19, 2017. REUTERS/Aaron P. Bernstein
<p>Tesla has already sought this month to play down widespread Wall Street speculation that it would need to return to capital markets this year to raise more funds for the money-losing company as it ramps up production of the Model 3 sedan seen as crucial to its long-term profitability.</p>
<p>The Silicon Valley car maker, which has consistently fallen short of promised production targets and is fighting bad publicity over a fatal crash of a car using its Autopilot system, said 10 days ago it would have positive cash flow from the third quarter.</p>
<p>Musk went further on Friday in a tweeted response to a story in The Economist which cited estimates Tesla would need $2.5 billion to $3 billion this year in additional funding.</p>
<p>“The Economist used to be boring, but smart with a wicked dry wit. Now it’s just boring (sigh). Tesla will be profitable &amp; cash flow+ in Q3 &amp; Q4, so obv no need to raise money,” Musk wrote.</p>
<p>Tesla shares, which have gained nearly 10 percent since disclosing the Model 3 production numbers on April 3, were up 1.8 percent in afternoon trading on Wall Street.</p>
<p>Musk’s claim about profit and cash flow hinges on a rapid rise in production of the Model 3 sedan, Tesla’s latest vehicle to have experienced production delays. That has postponed revenue from reaching Tesla’s bottom line from cars being delivered to customers.</p>
<p>An unprecedented level of robots used in the Model 3’s final assembly, in a break with automotive manufacturing norms, has added complexity and delays, which Musk acknowledged on Friday.</p>
<p>“Excessive automation at Tesla was a mistake,” Musk tweeted. To be precise, my mistake. Humans are underrated.”</p>
<p>Thomson Reuters consensus of analyst estimates predicts Tesla’s free cash flow to be negative well into 2019, thanks in part to heavy investments. Only one of 19 analysts covering the stock see positive adjusted earnings per share in the third quarter, with that number growing to four for the fourth quarter.</p> FILE PHOTO: A Tesla dealership is seen in West Drayton, just outside London, Britain, February 7, 2018. REUTERS/Hannah McKay/File Photo
<p>Wall Street brokerage Jefferies, which provided the funding estimate cited by The Economist, said in a note last week it expects refinancing risk to remain high for Tesla until it can consistently produce 10,000 Model 3s a week.</p>
<p>The company again missed its own 2,500 target for weekly production at the end of the first quarter, and analysts and fund managers doubt Tesla’s ability to keep production growing to a promised 5,000 Model 3s per week in three months time.</p>
<p>Musk in July said Tesla was going through “manufacturing hell” in ramping up production of the Model 3.</p>
<p>He told “CBS News” in an interview that aired Friday the company “got complacent” and “put too much new technology into the Model 3 all at once.” Part of the interview took place in a Tesla Model 3 Musk was driving with Autopilot activated at times.</p>
<a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=TSLA.O" type="external">Tesla Inc</a> 300.34 TSLA.O Nasdaq +6.26 (+2.13%) TSLA.O
<p>Musk told CBS Tesla is currently producing 2,000 Model 3 cars a week.</p>
<p>Last month, Moody’s Investors Service downgraded Tesla’s credit rating to B3 from B2, reflecting “the significant shortfall in the production rate of the company’s Model 3.”</p>
<p>Moody’s added that its negative outlook for Tesla “reflects the likelihood that Tesla will have to undertake a large, near-term capital raise in order to refund maturing obligations and avoid a liquidity shortfall.”</p>
<p>On Thursday, the National Transportation Safety Board said that after a series of public disclosures by Tesla it had taken the unusual step of revoking Tesla’s status as a formal party to its investigation of a March 23 crash in California that killed a driver who was using Autopilot. The NTSB is also investigating two other Tesla crashes.</p>
<p>Tesla lashed out at the NTSB and said it planned to complain to Congress.</p>
<p>Asked by CBS if there was a defect with Autopilot, Musk responded: “The system worked as described, which is that it is a hands-on system. It is not a self-driving system.”</p>
<p>At one point during the interview, Musk did not have his hands on the wheel and the car beeped at him to retake the wheel.</p>
<p>Reporting by Sonam Rai in Bengaluru and David Shepardson in Washington; additional reporting by Dan Burns and Alexandria Sage; editing by Phil Berlowitz</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>LONDON (Reuters) - Britain’s biggest carmaker Jaguar Land Rover ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=TAMO.NS" type="external">TAMO.NS</a>) will cut around 1,000 jobs and production at two of its English factories due to a fall in sales caused by uncertainty around Brexit and confusion over diesel policy, a source told Reuters.</p> FILE PHOTO: New Land Rover cars are seen in a parking lot at the Jaguar Land Rover plant at Halewood in Liverpool, northern England, September 12 , 2016. REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo
<p>Output will be cut at its central English Solihull and Castle Bromwich plants, affecting some 1,000 agency workers, the source said.</p>
<p>A spokesman at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) declined to comment on the number of jobs which would be lost but the firm said it would be making changes to its output plans.</p>
<p>“In light of the continuing headwinds impacting the car industry, we are making some adjustments to our production schedules and the level of agency staff,” the company said in a statement.</p>
<a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=TAMO.NS" type="external">Tata Motors Ltd</a> 357.05 TAMO.NS National Stock Exchange of India -1.35 (-0.38%) TAMO.NS
<p>It is not renewing the contracts of a number of agency staff at the Solihull site and would be informing staff on Monday of its plans for the 2018-19 financial year.</p>
<p>In January, the firm said it would temporarily reduce production at its other British plant of Halewood later this year in response to weakening demand due to Brexit and tax hikes on diesel cars but did not detail any job losses.</p>
<p>Jaguar sales are down 26 percent so far this year whilst Land Rover demand dropped 20 percent in its home market as buyers shun diesel, concerned over planned tax rises and possible bans and restrictions in several countries.</p>
<p>“It’s been obvious to everyone that sales have been dropping,” the source said.</p>
<p>British new car registrations have been falling for a year which the car industry body has partly blamed on weakening consumer confidence in the wake of the Brexit vote, after record demand in 2015 and 2016.</p>
<p>Editing by Stephen Addison</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>MEXICO CITY/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. trade negotiators have significantly softened their demands to increase regional automotive content under a reworked NAFTA trade pact in an effort to move more quickly towards a deal in the next few weeks, auto industry executives said on Friday.</p> FILE PHOTO: Eduardo Solis, President of the Mexican Automotive Industry Association (AMIA), speaks during an interview with Reuters in Mexico City, Mexico May 22, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso/File Photo
<p>A deal on automotive content rules would remove one of the biggest sticking points in talks to update the 24-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement.</p>
<p>The Trump administration had initially demanded that North American-built vehicles contain 85 percent content made in NAFTA countries by value, up from the current 62.5 percent, along with half the value coming from the United States - levels that Canada, Mexico and automotive groups had said was unworkable.</p>
<p>But this has been cut by 10 percentage points, and the U.S. specific percentage demand dropped, industry officials said.</p>
<p>“The U.S. put on the table 75 percent instead of 85 percent for the regional content value of the vehicle and its core components,” said Eduardo Solis, head of Mexico’s AMIA automotive industry association.</p>
<p>“All of this is being carefully analyzed and specific questions are being asked during this round of the U.S. negotiators (in charge of) rules of origin,” Solis said in a statement.</p>
<p>The 75 percent regional content is for major components such as engines, drivetrains, axles, suspensions and body panels. Aluminum and steel would go into a bucket of other parts and materials requiring 70 percent regional content, while a third bucket of lesser parts would require 65 percent regional content.</p>
<p>“From the parts manufacturer perspective this is a significant step in the right direction, compared to where we were,” said Ann Wilson, head of government affairs at the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association.</p>
<p>“But it does appear that this will creates significantly more paperwork for smaller suppliers to have to certify their parts,” Wilson added. “I think there’s a lot of room yet to improve this.”</p>
<p>Negotiators from the three nations were due to discuss the new U.S. proposals at talks this week in Washington. Talks on rules of origin were due to take place on both Friday and Saturday, according to a schedule seen by Reuters.</p>
<p>A senior union leader who spoke to the Canadian negotiating team on Friday said the talks were progressing slowly.</p>
<p>“We really still are far, far, far away on the issues that are keeping us apart and frankly there has been very little discussion on them this week,” Unifor President Jerry Dias told Canada’s CTV network, citing the U.S. stance on dispute resolution and labor standards.</p>
<p>U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer has been pushing for a deal-in-principle on NAFTA in the next few weeks as the Mexico’s presidential election campaign officially gets underway. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he thought negotiators were “pretty close” to a deal, but that he was in no hurry for a conclusion.</p>
<p>“Unless the United States makes some meaningful major changes in the short term, for anybody to think this is getting done by the end of April is pushing their luck,” said Dias.</p>
<p>U.S. negotiators had also recently floated the idea that 40 percent of automotive production must occur in areas paying wages of between $16 to $19 per hour. Some auto industry officials briefed on the U.S. plan said the latest version would require an average wage rate of $16 an hour for a finished vehicle.</p>
<p>Setting wage minimum wage thresholds for the auto industry could benefit the United States and Canada, whose trade unions say that lower Mexican pay has prompted manufacturing capacity to move south of the Rio Grande.</p>
<p>Talks to rework NAFTA, which underpins $1.2 trillion in annual trade, began last year after President Donald Trump took office promising to abandon the 1994 agreement if it could not be reworked to better serve American interests.</p>
<p>Reporting by Anthony Esposito and David Lawder; Additional reporting by David Ljunggren in Ottawa; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Cynthia Osterman</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>LONDON (Reuters) - Rolls-Royce ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=RR.L" type="external">RR.L</a>) requires more money and more inspections to fix problems with Trent 1000 engines on Boeing ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=BA.N" type="external">BA.N</a>) 787 Dreamliner planes, leading to further disruption for airlines and testing relations between Rolls and its customers.</p> FILE PHOTO: A view of one of two Rolls Royce Trent 1000 engines of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner during a media tour of the aircraft ahead of the Singapore Airshow in Singapore February 12, 2012. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
<p>Problems with engine turbine blades wearing out sooner than expected have hampered a restructuring program prompted by the engineering company’s declining older engine program and plunging demand for oil equipment.</p>
<p>It said on Friday that more regular inspections are required and would lead “to higher than previously guided cash costs being incurred during 2018”.</p>
<p>“We sincerely regret the disruption this will cause to our customers,” CEO Warren East said in a statement.</p>
<p>Airlines have already been forced to alter schedules or lease other aircraft, but the latest issues could be more far-reaching.</p> Related Coverage
<a href="/article/us-rolls-royce-hldg-engines-regulators/regulators-eye-new-measures-after-rolls-royce-trent-1000-glitches-source-idUSKBN1HK1PZ" type="external">Regulators eye new measures after Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 glitches: source</a>
<p>The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plans to reduce the amount of time the affected planes can fly on a single engine after a failure of the other. The time limit would drop as low as 140 minutes, compared with the current window of 330 minutes, a source familiar with the plans said.</p>
<p>This effectively curtails operations across oceans or remote areas.</p>
<p>The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) will also order increased inspections of affected engines in line with actions outlined by Rolls-Royce. Currently inspections must be carried out after every 200 flight cycles.</p>
<p>The two advisories are due to be issued on Friday, the source said.</p>
<p>Rolls said it would reprioritize spending to mitigate the costs and kept its 2018 free cash flow guidance unchanged at about 450 million pounds ($643 million), give or take 100 million pounds.</p>
<p>Shares in Rolls, one of the biggest names in British manufacturing, were down 1.3 percent by 1251 GMT.</p>
<p>It announced the need for stepped up inspections after liaising with authorities over a separate issue with the compressor on Trent 1000 Package C series engines. Rolls said there were 380 such engines in service.</p>
<p>Boeing said that about 25 percent of the Dreamliners flying were powered by the engine and it was deploying support teams to help to manage service disruptions.</p>
<p>General Electric ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=GE.N" type="external">GE.N</a>) engines used on some Boeing 787 Dreamliners are not affected.</p> ENGINE SHORTAGES
<p>The need to inspect and repair Trent 1000 engines has led to an industry-wide shortage.</p>
<p>CEO East said Rolls was working with Boeing and airlines to minimize the disruption.</p>
<p>“Our team of technical experts and service engineers is working around the clock to ensure we return them to full service as soon as possible,” he said.</p>
<a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=RR.L" type="external">Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC</a> 866.8 RR.L London Stock Exchange -14.40 (-1.63%) RR.L BA.N GE.N ICAG.L 9202.T
<p>Norwegian Air, which has the engines in 15 of its 27 Boeing 787s, said it hopes to have inspected all of its engines before May 26 and that it had already found one problem that required an engine to be replaced.</p>
<p>“It’s disappointing and frustrating that our new aircraft don’t work the way they are supposed to,” spokesman Lasse Sandaker-Nilsen said, adding that it had canceled a flight from Paris to New York next week as a result.</p>
<p>“We have an ongoing dialogue with both Boeing and Rolls-Royce and we have been told this problem has their full attention.”</p>
<p>Virgin Atlantic [VA.UL] has up to four 787s grounded at any one time while it sources replacement engines with Rolls and has also leased three Airbus A330-200s to help to cover its flying program.</p>
<p>A Virgin spokeswoman said it had been aware of the increased inspections announced on Friday and that the cover it had in place would be sufficient.</p>
<p>British Airways ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=ICAG.L" type="external">ICAG.L</a>), Japan’s ANA ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=9202.T" type="external">9202.T</a>), Air New Zealand ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=AIR.NZ" type="external">AIR.NZ</a>) and Thai Airways, which also use Trent 1000 engines, were not available for immediate comment.</p>
<p>Scoot, a budget carrier owned by Singapore Airlines ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=SIAL.SI" type="external">SIAL.SI</a>), said it expected some impact on operations.</p>
<p>In December the EASA ordered airlines to replace some Trent 1000 engines.</p>
<p>In March, Rolls said the cash hit from the problem should peak at 340 million pounds in 2018 before falling in 2019.</p>
<p>Additional reporting by Tim Hepher, Joachim Dagenborg, Victoria Bryan, and Jamie Freed; Editing by David Goodman and Jason Neely</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
| false | 2 |
rabat jan 18 reuters moroccos central bank continue intervene foreign exchange market necessary support dirham launching flexible foreign exchange system week finance minister mohammed boussaid said thursday reporting ulf laessing zakia abdennebi editing hugh lawson standards thomson reuters trust principles reuters tesla inc tslao profitable third fourth quarters year raise money investors billionaire chief executive elon musk said friday driving shares electric carmaker higher file photo elon musk founder ceo lead designer spacex cofounder tesla speaks international space station research development conference washington us july 19 2017 reutersaaron p bernstein tesla already sought month play widespread wall street speculation would need return capital markets year raise funds moneylosing company ramps production model 3 sedan seen crucial longterm profitability silicon valley car maker consistently fallen short promised production targets fighting bad publicity fatal crash car using autopilot system said 10 days ago would positive cash flow third quarter musk went friday tweeted response story economist cited estimates tesla would need 25 billion 3 billion year additional funding economist used boring smart wicked dry wit boring sigh tesla profitable amp cash flow q3 amp q4 obv need raise money musk wrote tesla shares gained nearly 10 percent since disclosing model 3 production numbers april 3 18 percent afternoon trading wall street musks claim profit cash flow hinges rapid rise production model 3 sedan teslas latest vehicle experienced production delays postponed revenue reaching teslas bottom line cars delivered customers unprecedented level robots used model 3s final assembly break automotive manufacturing norms added complexity delays musk acknowledged friday excessive automation tesla mistake musk tweeted precise mistake humans underrated thomson reuters consensus analyst estimates predicts teslas free cash flow negative well 2019 thanks part heavy investments one 19 analysts covering stock see positive adjusted earnings per share third quarter number growing four fourth quarter file photo tesla dealership seen west drayton outside london britain february 7 2018 reutershannah mckayfile photo wall street brokerage jefferies provided funding estimate cited economist said note last week expects refinancing risk remain high tesla consistently produce 10000 model 3s week company missed 2500 target weekly production end first quarter analysts fund managers doubt teslas ability keep production growing promised 5000 model 3s per week three months time musk july said tesla going manufacturing hell ramping production model 3 told cbs news interview aired friday company got complacent put much new technology model 3 part interview took place tesla model 3 musk driving autopilot activated times tesla inc 30034 tslao nasdaq 626 213 tslao musk told cbs tesla currently producing 2000 model 3 cars week last month moodys investors service downgraded teslas credit rating b3 b2 reflecting significant shortfall production rate companys model 3 moodys added negative outlook tesla reflects likelihood tesla undertake large nearterm capital raise order refund maturing obligations avoid liquidity shortfall thursday national transportation safety board said series public disclosures tesla taken unusual step revoking teslas status formal party investigation march 23 crash california killed driver using autopilot ntsb also investigating two tesla crashes tesla lashed ntsb said planned complain congress asked cbs defect autopilot musk responded system worked described handson system selfdriving system one point interview musk hands wheel car beeped retake wheel reporting sonam rai bengaluru david shepardson washington additional reporting dan burns alexandria sage editing phil berlowitz standards thomson reuters trust principles london reuters britains biggest carmaker jaguar land rover tamons cut around 1000 jobs production two english factories due fall sales caused uncertainty around brexit confusion diesel policy source told reuters file photo new land rover cars seen parking lot jaguar land rover plant halewood liverpool northern england september 12 2016 reutersphil noblefile photo output cut central english solihull castle bromwich plants affecting 1000 agency workers source said spokesman jaguar land rover jlr declined comment number jobs would lost firm said would making changes output plans light continuing headwinds impacting car industry making adjustments production schedules level agency staff company said statement tata motors ltd 35705 tamons national stock exchange india 135 038 tamons renewing contracts number agency staff solihull site would informing staff monday plans 201819 financial year january firm said would temporarily reduce production british plant halewood later year response weakening demand due brexit tax hikes diesel cars detail job losses jaguar sales 26 percent far year whilst land rover demand dropped 20 percent home market buyers shun diesel concerned planned tax rises possible bans restrictions several countries obvious everyone sales dropping source said british new car registrations falling year car industry body partly blamed weakening consumer confidence wake brexit vote record demand 2015 2016 editing stephen addison standards thomson reuters trust principles mexico citywashington reuters us trade negotiators significantly softened demands increase regional automotive content reworked nafta trade pact effort move quickly towards deal next weeks auto industry executives said friday file photo eduardo solis president mexican automotive industry association amia speaks interview reuters mexico city mexico may 22 2017 reuterscarlos jassofile photo deal automotive content rules would remove one biggest sticking points talks update 24yearold north american free trade agreement trump administration initially demanded north americanbuilt vehicles contain 85 percent content made nafta countries value current 625 percent along half value coming united states levels canada mexico automotive groups said unworkable cut 10 percentage points us specific percentage demand dropped industry officials said us put table 75 percent instead 85 percent regional content value vehicle core components said eduardo solis head mexicos amia automotive industry association carefully analyzed specific questions asked round us negotiators charge rules origin solis said statement 75 percent regional content major components engines drivetrains axles suspensions body panels aluminum steel would go bucket parts materials requiring 70 percent regional content third bucket lesser parts would require 65 percent regional content parts manufacturer perspective significant step right direction compared said ann wilson head government affairs motor equipment manufacturers association appear creates significantly paperwork smaller suppliers certify parts wilson added think theres lot room yet improve negotiators three nations due discuss new us proposals talks week washington talks rules origin due take place friday saturday according schedule seen reuters senior union leader spoke canadian negotiating team friday said talks progressing slowly really still far far far away issues keeping us apart frankly little discussion week unifor president jerry dias told canadas ctv network citing us stance dispute resolution labor standards us trade representative robert lighthizer pushing dealinprinciple nafta next weeks mexicos presidential election campaign officially gets underway president donald trump said thursday thought negotiators pretty close deal hurry conclusion unless united states makes meaningful major changes short term anybody think getting done end april pushing luck said dias us negotiators also recently floated idea 40 percent automotive production must occur areas paying wages 16 19 per hour auto industry officials briefed us plan said latest version would require average wage rate 16 hour finished vehicle setting wage minimum wage thresholds auto industry could benefit united states canada whose trade unions say lower mexican pay prompted manufacturing capacity move south rio grande talks rework nafta underpins 12 trillion annual trade began last year president donald trump took office promising abandon 1994 agreement could reworked better serve american interests reporting anthony esposito david lawder additional reporting david ljunggren ottawa editing chizu nomiyama cynthia osterman standards thomson reuters trust principles london reuters rollsroyce rrl requires money inspections fix problems trent 1000 engines boeing ban 787 dreamliner planes leading disruption airlines testing relations rolls customers file photo view one two rolls royce trent 1000 engines boeing 787 dreamliner media tour aircraft ahead singapore airshow singapore february 12 2012 reutersedgar sufile photo problems engine turbine blades wearing sooner expected hampered restructuring program prompted engineering companys declining older engine program plunging demand oil equipment said friday regular inspections required would lead higher previously guided cash costs incurred 2018 sincerely regret disruption cause customers ceo warren east said statement airlines already forced alter schedules lease aircraft latest issues could farreaching related coverage regulators eye new measures rollsroyce trent 1000 glitches source us federal aviation administration faa plans reduce amount time affected planes fly single engine failure time limit would drop low 140 minutes compared current window 330 minutes source familiar plans said effectively curtails operations across oceans remote areas european aviation safety agency easa also order increased inspections affected engines line actions outlined rollsroyce currently inspections must carried every 200 flight cycles two advisories due issued friday source said rolls said would reprioritize spending mitigate costs kept 2018 free cash flow guidance unchanged 450 million pounds 643 million give take 100 million pounds shares rolls one biggest names british manufacturing 13 percent 1251 gmt announced need stepped inspections liaising authorities separate issue compressor trent 1000 package c series engines rolls said 380 engines service boeing said 25 percent dreamliners flying powered engine deploying support teams help manage service disruptions general electric gen engines used boeing 787 dreamliners affected engine shortages need inspect repair trent 1000 engines led industrywide shortage ceo east said rolls working boeing airlines minimize disruption team technical experts service engineers working around clock ensure return full service soon possible said rollsroyce holdings plc 8668 rrl london stock exchange 1440 163 rrl ban gen icagl 9202t norwegian air engines 15 27 boeing 787s said hopes inspected engines may 26 already found one problem required engine replaced disappointing frustrating new aircraft dont work way supposed spokesman lasse sandakernilsen said adding canceled flight paris new york next week result ongoing dialogue boeing rollsroyce told problem full attention virgin atlantic vaul four 787s grounded one time sources replacement engines rolls also leased three airbus a330200s help cover flying program virgin spokeswoman said aware increased inspections announced friday cover place would sufficient british airways icagl japans ana 9202t air new zealand airnz thai airways also use trent 1000 engines available immediate comment scoot budget carrier owned singapore airlines sialsi said expected impact operations december easa ordered airlines replace trent 1000 engines march rolls said cash hit problem peak 340 million pounds 2018 falling 2019 additional reporting tim hepher joachim dagenborg victoria bryan jamie freed editing david goodman jason neely standards thomson reuters trust principles
| 1,667 |
<p><a href="" type="internal" />The Line: Millions of people have lost their health insurance and their doctors because of the Affordable Care Act.</p>
<p>The Party: Republican</p>
<p>President Obama gave ad-makers plenty of fodder last year when his promise — “If you like your health care plan, you can keep your health care plan” — <a href="" type="internal">clearly was proven false</a>. We <a href="" type="internal">had said years earlier</a> that Obama couldn’t make that promise to everyone, but the claim made headlines when Americans received cancellation notices for individual market plans that no longer met the law’s requirements.</p>
<p>Critics of the law now say millions lost their health insurance. But that’s misleading. Those individual market plans were discontinued, but policyholders weren’t denied coverage. And the question is, how many millions of insured Americans had plans canceled, and how does that compare with the millions of uninsured Americans who gained coverage under the law.</p>
<p>There is evidence that far more have gained coverage than had their policies canceled.</p>
<p>The conservative Americans for Prosperity has made the canceled policies a theme in its advertising. In one series of ads, a soft-spoken woman says: “Millions of people have lost their health insurance. Millions of people can’t see their own doctors.” That ad, which aired in February and March, targets Democratic senators in three states: Sens. Mark Udall in Colorado, Mary Landrieu in Louisiana and Mark Pryor in Arkansas. The ad <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdSOGKMMlmmY7PeOxod80xHZxUhfsDh2H" type="external">aired</a> against Sen. Kay Hagan in North Carolina in November, and it’s also been used to target a few House members.</p>
<p>&lt;iframe style="width: 500px; height:300px;" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen src="https://video.factcheck.org/play/ce1f0e29a73"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;</p>
<p>Another AFP ad targeting Landrieu — and airing in January — said that “millions of Americans have lost their health care.”</p>
<p />
<p>It’s true that insurance companies discontinued health plans that had covered millions of people who had bought them directly rather than through an employer. That’s because those plans didn’t meet the coverage standards of the new law.</p>
<p>But those policyholders didn’t lose the ability to have insurance. In most cases, insurers offered them an alternative plan, though there were some instances of companies exiting the individual market altogether.</p>
<p>Whether offered an alternative or not, individuals could shop for insurance on the federal and state marketplaces, or through a broker or insurance carrier directly. Many were likely eligible for federal subsidies to help pay for insurance, resulting in better coverage and lower rates for some. But the specific plan they had was indeed discontinued. (More than half of those with canceled policies were likely to be eligible for federal assistance, <a href="http://healthaffairs.org/blog/2014/03/03/how-many-nongroup-policies-were-canceled-estimates-from-december-2013/" type="external">according to Urban Institute research</a>, and about 80 percent of all those buying plans on the exchanges are expected to qualify for subsidies, <a href="http://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/attachments/43900-2014-02-ACAtables.pdf" type="external">according to the Congressional Budget Office</a>.)</p>
<p>How many individual market cancellations were there?</p>
<p>The most commonly used figure is 4.7 million, based on reporting by the Associated Press last December. But there’s reason to doubt the accuracy of that figure. An analysis of a more recent poll by researchers at the Urban Institute puts the figure at somewhere around 2.6 million.</p>
<p>An <a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/news/policy-notifications-current-status-state-204701399.html" type="external">AP story that ran Dec. 26</a> said that “at least 4.7 million Americans received the cancellation notices,” and gave state-by-state figures for the “number of policies scheduled to be canceled.”</p>
<p>But the news agency didn’t say exactly how it arrived at the other figures that went into the 4.7 million total, making the reporting impossible for outsiders to verify.&#160;In three states, the figures appear to be inflated. Washington state’s insurance commissioner, for example, has publicly stated that the AP’s figure of 290,000 discontinued policies in that state is “inaccurate.” In a <a href="http://oic.wa.gov/about-oic/news-media/news-releases/2014/2-13-2014.html" type="external">news release on his official website</a>, Insurance Commissioner Michael Kreidler said that there were only 278,000 total in the individual market at the end of September.&#160;Recent reports by our fact-checking colleagues at <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/03/30/4022122/rick-scotts-political-committee.html" type="external">Politifact.com</a> and the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/wp/2014/04/07/mcconnells-stale-inflated-claim-on-health-plan-cancellations/" type="external">Washington Post</a> show the numbers were too high in Florida and Kentucky.</p>
<p>And now, new research also gives reason to think the AP estimate may be inflated.</p>
<p>In a March 3 posting on the website of the journal Health Affairs, two researchers from the Urban Institute analyzed findings from a nationwide poll and said, “Our findings imply that <a href="http://healthaffairs.org/blog/2014/03/03/how-many-nongroup-policies-were-canceled-estimates-from-december-2013/" type="external">roughly 2.6 million people</a>would have reported that their plan would no longer be offered due to noncompliance with the ACA.” And in this case, the methodology is made explicit.</p>
<p>In December 2013, the Urban Institute’s quarterly <a href="http://hrms.urban.org/index.html" type="external">Health Reform Monitoring Survey</a> of adults ages 18-64 included this question: “Did you receive a notice in the past few months from a health insurance company saying that your policy is cancelled or will no longer be offered at the end of 2013?” And of the 522 people polled who were covered by non-group policies, 18.6 percent said yes, their old plan would no longer be offered because it didn’t meet the new coverage standards that went into effect Jan. 1.</p>
<p>And if 14 million people were covered by non-group policies nationwide (as indicated by the National Health Information Survey of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), that percentage translates to 2.6 million non-group policies discontinued, the authors stated.</p>
<p>To be sure, there is always a statistical margin of error in any random-sample poll. Lead author Lisa Clemans-Cope told us in an email that statistically, there is a 95 percent certainty that the true percentage whose non-group policies were discontinued falls somewhere between 16.2 percent and 23.3 percent. That would put the number at anywhere between about 2.3 million and 3.3 million.</p>
<p>That range could be higher or lower depending on what number is used for the total who had non-group coverage in the first place. The Urban Institute authors cite <a href="http://healthaffairs.org/blog/2014/03/03/how-many-nongroup-policies-were-canceled-estimates-from-december-2013/" type="external">a study published last year</a> that found estimates of the total number of people covered by non-group policies ranged from 9.55 million to 25.3 million. So if 18.6 percent of non-group policyholders got notices that their policies were being dropped because of the new law, as the poll indicates, then the actual number whose plans were dropped could be as low as about 1.8 million or as high as 4.7 million (coincidentally, the same as the AP’s figure), depending on how many had such policies in the first place.</p>
<p>The authors, as noted, picked an estimate that fell in the middle of this range to arrive at their figure of 2.6 million discontinued policies. Until and unless better evidence comes along, that’s the most solidly based figure available.</p>
<p>How many “millions” so far have gained coverage?</p>
<p>The early numbers on enrollment in the exchanges and Medicaid don’t tell us how many of the enrollees were previously uninsured — despite <a href="" type="internal">some claims from Democrats to the contrary</a>. The Obama administration <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2014/04/obamacare-enrollment-numbers-105572.html" type="external">disclosed</a> on April 10 that 7.5 million had signed up for plans on the exchanges, but we don’t know how many previously had insurance. The Medicaid rolls increased by more than 3 million through the end of February, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/medicaid-chip-enrollment-grows-by-more-than-3-million-cms-data-shows/2014/04/04/fcdca03e-bc19-11e3-9c3c-311301e2167d_story.html" type="external">the administration also said</a>, a figure that would reflect both those newly eligible under the law and previously eligible but now signing up.</p>
<p>But a <a href="http://www.rwjf.org/en/about-rwjf/newsroom/newsroom-content/2014/04/new-survey-results-show-significant-decline-in-uninsurance-rate-.html?cid=xrs_rss-pr" type="external">survey funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and conducted by the Urban Institute</a> indicates that many of those signing up for the exchanges and Medicaid may have been uninsured. It found that 5.4 million of the previously uninsured had gained coverage between September and the beginning of March. The exchanges launched Oct. 1.</p>
<p>An <a href="http://www.rand.org/blog/2014/04/survey-estimates-net-gain-of-9-3-million-american-adults.html" type="external">April 8 report by the nonprofit RAND Corp.</a> put the figure of newly insured higher. Based on a nationwide poll, Rand estimated that there had been a net gain of 9.3 million insured “adults” as of mid-March, when the poll was being conducted. That includes marketplace and Medicaid enrollment, as well as an increase in employer-based enrollment.</p>
<p>Neither of those figures includes an <a href="http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2012pres/06/20120619b.html" type="external">estimated 3 million young adults</a> who gained coverage in 2010 and 2011, likely because of the law’s provision allowing them to stay on their parents’ policies.</p>
<p>RAND also estimated that 700,000 who previously had individual market plans were now uninsured. The survey didn’t ascertain whether those newly uninsured were due to cancellations or voluntarily dropped coverage.</p>
<p>It will be some time before more concrete coverage numbers are available. The RAND numbers are extrapolated from a survey, and one with sizable margins of error. The estimate of 9.3 million newly insured has a margin of error of 3.5 million people, meaning researchers have a high degree of confidence that the true number would be between 5.8 million and 12.8 million. And the estimate of 700,000 uninsured who previously had individual market plans carries a margin of error of 900,000, putting the likely real number somewhere between zero and 1.6 million people.</p>
<p>Millions more are expected to gain insurance because of the law nationwide in the coming years. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office <a href="http://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/attachments/43900-2014-02-ACAtables.pdf" type="external">estimates</a> that there will be 25 million fewer uninsured due to the ACA as early as 2016.</p>
<p>Losing Doctors?</p>
<p>The AFP ad also makes the claim that “millions of people can’t see their own doctors,” but there’s no evidence that all those who had individual market policies discontinued ended up not being able to keep their own doctors. Anecdotally, <a href="" type="internal">we know</a> <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/wp/2014/03/11/update-julia-boonstras-claim-her-obamacare-plan-is-unaffordable-gets-downgraded-to-three-pinocchios/" type="external">of some folks</a> who were able to keep the same doctor on a new insurance policy. But those are only a few individual stories. One of our guiding principles here is the saying, “The plural of anecdote is not data.”</p>
<p>It is true that using a smaller network of providers is one way insurers can reduce premium costs, and there is evidence that <a href="http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/stories/2013/september/26/narrow-insurance-network-missouri-exchange-marketplace.aspx" type="external">insurers are indeed doing that for exchange plans</a>. As Deborah Chollet, a senior fellow at Mathematica Policy Research, a nonpartisan research firm, <a href="" type="internal">told us in December</a>: “The narrow-network plans offered by some issuers are intended to (a) maximize negotiating leverage with providers by narrowing their PPOs; and (b) thereby reduce premiums to attract consumers.”</p>
<p>Limited networks have existed for some time, as anyone with an HMO, PPO and the like can attest. There are no available statistics showing whether the plans on the new exchanges have more or less narrow networks than existed in the individual market previously. But, again, insurers certainly are limiting their networks to price their plans competitively.</p>
<p>Karen Pollitz, a senior fellow at the Kaiser Family Foundation, told us: “It’s definitely the case (based on conversations with insurers and with providers) that insurers have decided to limit networks in some instances in order to price their health plans more competitively.” She continued: “It’s also definitely the case that some providers have declined to participate in some of the new health insurance networks, holding out for higher fees from some insurers in return for a promise to participate exclusively in their networks. This is market competition at work — not entirely transparent, unfortunately, so it’s not yet clear what the impact will be on patients.”</p>
<p>— Lori Robertson and Brooks Jackson</p>
| false | 2 |
line millions people lost health insurance doctors affordable care act party republican president obama gave admakers plenty fodder last year promise like health care plan keep health care plan clearly proven false said years earlier obama couldnt make promise everyone claim made headlines americans received cancellation notices individual market plans longer met laws requirements critics law say millions lost health insurance thats misleading individual market plans discontinued policyholders werent denied coverage question many millions insured americans plans canceled compare millions uninsured americans gained coverage law evidence far gained coverage policies canceled conservative americans prosperity made canceled policies theme advertising one series ads softspoken woman says millions people lost health insurance millions people cant see doctors ad aired february march targets democratic senators three states sens mark udall colorado mary landrieu louisiana mark pryor arkansas ad aired sen kay hagan north carolina november also used target house members ltiframe stylewidth 500px height300px frameborder0 allowfullscreen srchttpsvideofactcheckorgplayce1f0e29a73gtltiframegt another afp ad targeting landrieu airing january said millions americans lost health care true insurance companies discontinued health plans covered millions people bought directly rather employer thats plans didnt meet coverage standards new law policyholders didnt lose ability insurance cases insurers offered alternative plan though instances companies exiting individual market altogether whether offered alternative individuals could shop insurance federal state marketplaces broker insurance carrier directly many likely eligible federal subsidies help pay insurance resulting better coverage lower rates specific plan indeed discontinued half canceled policies likely eligible federal assistance according urban institute research 80 percent buying plans exchanges expected qualify subsidies according congressional budget office many individual market cancellations commonly used figure 47 million based reporting associated press last december theres reason doubt accuracy figure analysis recent poll researchers urban institute puts figure somewhere around 26 million ap story ran dec 26 said least 47 million americans received cancellation notices gave statebystate figures number policies scheduled canceled news agency didnt say exactly arrived figures went 47 million total making reporting impossible outsiders verify160in three states figures appear inflated washington states insurance commissioner example publicly stated aps figure 290000 discontinued policies state inaccurate news release official website insurance commissioner michael kreidler said 278000 total individual market end september160recent reports factchecking colleagues politifactcom washington post show numbers high florida kentucky new research also gives reason think ap estimate may inflated march 3 posting website journal health affairs two researchers urban institute analyzed findings nationwide poll said findings imply roughly 26 million peoplewould reported plan would longer offered due noncompliance aca case methodology made explicit december 2013 urban institutes quarterly health reform monitoring survey adults ages 1864 included question receive notice past months health insurance company saying policy cancelled longer offered end 2013 522 people polled covered nongroup policies 186 percent said yes old plan would longer offered didnt meet new coverage standards went effect jan 1 14 million people covered nongroup policies nationwide indicated national health information survey us centers disease control prevention percentage translates 26 million nongroup policies discontinued authors stated sure always statistical margin error randomsample poll lead author lisa clemanscope told us email statistically 95 percent certainty true percentage whose nongroup policies discontinued falls somewhere 162 percent 233 percent would put number anywhere 23 million 33 million range could higher lower depending number used total nongroup coverage first place urban institute authors cite study published last year found estimates total number people covered nongroup policies ranged 955 million 253 million 186 percent nongroup policyholders got notices policies dropped new law poll indicates actual number whose plans dropped could low 18 million high 47 million coincidentally aps figure depending many policies first place authors noted picked estimate fell middle range arrive figure 26 million discontinued policies unless better evidence comes along thats solidly based figure available many millions far gained coverage early numbers enrollment exchanges medicaid dont tell us many enrollees previously uninsured despite claims democrats contrary obama administration disclosed april 10 75 million signed plans exchanges dont know many previously insurance medicaid rolls increased 3 million end february administration also said figure would reflect newly eligible law previously eligible signing survey funded robert wood johnson foundation conducted urban institute indicates many signing exchanges medicaid may uninsured found 54 million previously uninsured gained coverage september beginning march exchanges launched oct 1 april 8 report nonprofit rand corp put figure newly insured higher based nationwide poll rand estimated net gain 93 million insured adults midmarch poll conducted includes marketplace medicaid enrollment well increase employerbased enrollment neither figures includes estimated 3 million young adults gained coverage 2010 2011 likely laws provision allowing stay parents policies rand also estimated 700000 previously individual market plans uninsured survey didnt ascertain whether newly uninsured due cancellations voluntarily dropped coverage time concrete coverage numbers available rand numbers extrapolated survey one sizable margins error estimate 93 million newly insured margin error 35 million people meaning researchers high degree confidence true number would 58 million 128 million estimate 700000 uninsured previously individual market plans carries margin error 900000 putting likely real number somewhere zero 16 million people millions expected gain insurance law nationwide coming years nonpartisan congressional budget office estimates 25 million fewer uninsured due aca early 2016 losing doctors afp ad also makes claim millions people cant see doctors theres evidence individual market policies discontinued ended able keep doctors anecdotally know folks able keep doctor new insurance policy individual stories one guiding principles saying plural anecdote data true using smaller network providers one way insurers reduce premium costs evidence insurers indeed exchange plans deborah chollet senior fellow mathematica policy research nonpartisan research firm told us december narrownetwork plans offered issuers intended maximize negotiating leverage providers narrowing ppos b thereby reduce premiums attract consumers limited networks existed time anyone hmo ppo like attest available statistics showing whether plans new exchanges less narrow networks existed individual market previously insurers certainly limiting networks price plans competitively karen pollitz senior fellow kaiser family foundation told us definitely case based conversations insurers providers insurers decided limit networks instances order price health plans competitively continued also definitely case providers declined participate new health insurance networks holding higher fees insurers return promise participate exclusively networks market competition work entirely transparent unfortunately yet clear impact patients lori robertson brooks jackson
| 1,028 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p>WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump told Russian diplomats last week his firing of “nut job” James Comey had eased the pressure on him, even as the FBI’s Trump-Russia investigation had moved into the White House, according to reports Friday that pursued the president as he began his maiden foreign trip.</p>
<p>White House hopes that Trump could leave scandalous allegations at home were crushed in a one-two punch of revelations that landed shortly after his departure. A Washington Post report, citing anonymous sources familiar with the matter, said a senior Trump adviser is now considered a “person of interest” in the law enforcement investigation into whether Trump’s campaign associates coordinated with Russia in an effort to sway the 2016 election.</p>
<p>And The New York Times reported that the president had told Russian officials he felt the dismissal of his FBI director had relieved “great pressure” on him. The White House has said the firing was unrelated to the FBI’s Russia investigation.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Late Friday, the Senate intelligence committee announced that Comey had agreed to testify at an open hearing at an undetermined date after Memorial Day.</p>
<p>Comey will certainly be asked about encounters that precipitated his firing, including a January dinner in which, Comey has told associates, Trump asked for his loyalty. In the Oval Office weeks later, Comey told associates, the president asked him to shut down an investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn.</p>
<p>Comey is known to produce memos documenting especially sensitive or unsettling encounters, such as after the February meeting.</p>
<p>Comey turned down an invitation to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee.</p>
<p>The new headlines were a fresh indication that Trump would not be able to change the subject from what appears to be an intensifying investigation reaching toward the president and his inner circle.</p>
<p>The White House repeated its assertion that a “thorough investigation will confirm that there was no collusion between the campaign and any foreign entity.”</p>
<p>It did not deny the Times report that Trump was critical of Comey to the Russians the day after he fired him.</p>
<p>The Times reported Trump noted the Russia investigation as he told Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Ambassador to the U.S. Sergey Kislyak of his decision to fire Comey.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>“I just fired the head of the FBI. He was crazy, a real nut job,” the Times reported that Trump said during the May 10 meeting. “I faced great pressure because of Russia. That’s taken off.”</p>
<p>White House spokesman Sean Spicer called the president’s rhetoric part of his deal-making.</p>
<p>“By grandstanding and politicizing the investigation into Russia’s actions, James Comey created unnecessary pressure on our ability to engage and negotiate with Russia,” Spicer said. “The investigation would have always continued, and obviously the termination of Comey would not have ended it. Once again, the real story is that our national security has been undermined by the leaking of private and highly classified conversations.”</p>
<p>As for the separate report of a “person of interest” under investigation, the Post said the senior White House adviser “under scrutiny” is someone close to the president but did not name the person.</p>
<p>Among Trump’s senior White House advisers are several former campaign officials, including his son-in-law Jared Kushner, Steve Bannon, Stephen Miller and Kellyanne Conway. In March, Kushner volunteered to answer lawmakers’ questions about meetings he had with Russian officials during the transition.</p>
<p>A spokeswoman for House Speaker Paul Ryan said he would not discuss information provided in classified briefings and said the House Oversight committee had already asked for documents related to Comey’s firing.</p>
<p>Earlier this week, the Justice Department appointed former FBI Director Robert Mueller to take over the federal investigation in an effort to re-establish independence from the White House.</p>
<p>Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein told Congress Friday he stands by a memo he wrote bluntly criticizing Comey. But he made clear it was not his intention for Trump or other White House officials to use the document to justify firing Comey, which is what they have done.</p>
<p>In closed-door meetings with lawmakers on Thursday and Friday, Rosenstein said he wrote the memo after Trump told him one day before the May 9 firing that he wanted to dismiss Comey. Rosenstein said that though he was personally fond of Comey, “I thought it was appropriate to seek a new leader.”</p>
<p>The Justice Department on Friday released the text of Rosenstein’s opening remarks for the briefings on Capitol Hill.</p>
<p>Trump has said he plans to nominate a new FBI director soon, but there was no announcement Friday.</p>
<p>The appointment of Mueller as special counsel has drawn generally favorable comments from Democrats and from some Republicans as well. But lawmakers at both congressional sessions expressed frustration that Rosenstein would say little in answer to their questions about his actions — or others’ — before Comey’s firing.</p>
<p>“There was considerable frustration in the room,” said Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., a member of the Armed Services Committee. “This renewed my confidence that we should not have confidence in this administration. I don’t think (Rosenstein) did a lot to bolster our confidence in him today.”</p>
<p>The White House has struggled since Comey’s firing to explain the chain of events that led to it and the Justice Department’s involvement in that decision. Trump has insisted at times that the decision was his alone, but he also has pointed to the “very strong” recommendation from Rosenstein.</p>
<p>Rosenstein made it clear to the lawmakers that he drafted his memo only after Trump told him of his plans to dismiss the FBI director. “My memorandum is not a statement of reasons to justify a for-cause termination,” he said. But he added, “I wrote it. I believe it. I stand by it.”</p>
<p>The memo focused on Comey’s handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation, particularly the FBI director’s decision to divulge details to the public at various junctures during her presidential campaign against Trump. Rosenstein denounced that decision as “profoundly wrong and unfair.”</p>
<p>Trump has reacted furiously to the appointment of a special counsel, a prosecutor with wide authority to investigate Russia’s interference and other potential crimes uncovered. However, at a combative news conference Thursday, he fell short in trying to resolve questions about investigations into his campaign and his first four months in office.</p>
<p>Asked point-blank if he’d done anything that might merit prosecution or even impeachment, Trump said no — and then added of the lingering allegations and questions: “I think it’s totally ridiculous. Everybody thinks so.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Associated Press writers Matthew Daly, Richard Lardner, Stephen Ohlemacher, Andrew Taylor, Kevin Freking, Mary Clare Jalonick, Eric Tucker and Deb Riechmann contributed to this report.</p>
| false | 2 |
washington president donald trump told russian diplomats last week firing nut job james comey eased pressure even fbis trumprussia investigation moved white house according reports friday pursued president began maiden foreign trip white house hopes trump could leave scandalous allegations home crushed onetwo punch revelations landed shortly departure washington post report citing anonymous sources familiar matter said senior trump adviser considered person interest law enforcement investigation whether trumps campaign associates coordinated russia effort sway 2016 election new york times reported president told russian officials felt dismissal fbi director relieved great pressure white house said firing unrelated fbis russia investigation advertisement late friday senate intelligence committee announced comey agreed testify open hearing undetermined date memorial day comey certainly asked encounters precipitated firing including january dinner comey told associates trump asked loyalty oval office weeks later comey told associates president asked shut investigation former national security adviser michael flynn comey known produce memos documenting especially sensitive unsettling encounters february meeting comey turned invitation testify senate judiciary committee new headlines fresh indication trump would able change subject appears intensifying investigation reaching toward president inner circle white house repeated assertion thorough investigation confirm collusion campaign foreign entity deny times report trump critical comey russians day fired times reported trump noted russia investigation told russian foreign minister sergey lavrov ambassador us sergey kislyak decision fire comey advertisement fired head fbi crazy real nut job times reported trump said may 10 meeting faced great pressure russia thats taken white house spokesman sean spicer called presidents rhetoric part dealmaking grandstanding politicizing investigation russias actions james comey created unnecessary pressure ability engage negotiate russia spicer said investigation would always continued obviously termination comey would ended real story national security undermined leaking private highly classified conversations separate report person interest investigation post said senior white house adviser scrutiny someone close president name person among trumps senior white house advisers several former campaign officials including soninlaw jared kushner steve bannon stephen miller kellyanne conway march kushner volunteered answer lawmakers questions meetings russian officials transition spokeswoman house speaker paul ryan said would discuss information provided classified briefings said house oversight committee already asked documents related comeys firing earlier week justice department appointed former fbi director robert mueller take federal investigation effort reestablish independence white house deputy attorney general rod rosenstein told congress friday stands memo wrote bluntly criticizing comey made clear intention trump white house officials use document justify firing comey done closeddoor meetings lawmakers thursday friday rosenstein said wrote memo trump told one day may 9 firing wanted dismiss comey rosenstein said though personally fond comey thought appropriate seek new leader justice department friday released text rosensteins opening remarks briefings capitol hill trump said plans nominate new fbi director soon announcement friday appointment mueller special counsel drawn generally favorable comments democrats republicans well lawmakers congressional sessions expressed frustration rosenstein would say little answer questions actions others comeys firing considerable frustration room said rep seth moulton dmass member armed services committee renewed confidence confidence administration dont think rosenstein lot bolster confidence today white house struggled since comeys firing explain chain events led justice departments involvement decision trump insisted times decision alone also pointed strong recommendation rosenstein rosenstein made clear lawmakers drafted memo trump told plans dismiss fbi director memorandum statement reasons justify forcause termination said added wrote believe stand memo focused comeys handling hillary clinton email investigation particularly fbi directors decision divulge details public various junctures presidential campaign trump rosenstein denounced decision profoundly wrong unfair trump reacted furiously appointment special counsel prosecutor wide authority investigate russias interference potential crimes uncovered however combative news conference thursday fell short trying resolve questions investigations campaign first four months office asked pointblank hed done anything might merit prosecution even impeachment trump said added lingering allegations questions think totally ridiculous everybody thinks ___ associated press writers matthew daly richard lardner stephen ohlemacher andrew taylor kevin freking mary clare jalonick eric tucker deb riechmann contributed report
| 649 |
<p>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Some Kansas lawmakers say there should be changes to laws concerning when police departments must release body camera footage but they acknowledge it will be difficult to balance the concerns of several stakeholders with conflicting interests.</p>
<p>The issue arose after two recent officer-involved shootings, one in Wichita and the other in Topeka. The Wichita department waited only hours to release footage when an officer fatally shot a man while responding to a hoax call. In contrast, the Topeka police department waited 11 weeks before releasing footage of a deadly shooting in that city, The Topeka Capital-Journal <a href="http://cjonline.com/news/local/2018-01-02/release-police-body-camera-recordings-varies-across-kansas" type="external">reported</a> .</p>
<p>Wichita police spokesman Charley Davidson said chief Gordon Ramsay believes there should be "statewide consistency on video release that should be legislated and not left up to police chiefs or other non-elected officials to decide."</p>
<p>But organizations that represent police officers believe current state law adequately balances justice for all parties with public interest, said Ed Klumpp, who represents the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police, Kansas Sheriffs Association and the Kansas Peace Officers Association. He said he supports more training on applying the current laws.</p>
<p>In Kansas, body camera videos and other recordings are criminal investigations records and public agencies have wide discretion on whether to release those records. A court can order records disclosed if it finds they are in the public interest or don't endanger someone. Some people directly connected to the shootings have the right to view body camera recordings,</p>
<p>Rep. John Alcala, a Democrat from Topeka, said he expects lawmakers to discuss regulation of body camera videos in this year's legislative session, which began Monday. Other lawmakers said the issue needed to be addressed but expressed concern that new regulations should not deter the use of body cameras.</p>
<p>"As the use of body cameras increase, we are going to see more instances of where there is a potential for conflict between those who want to control the release of the footage and those who want it released," said Rep. Fred Patton, a Topeka Republican. "Balancing the interests of criminal investigations, involved parties and their families, innocent third parties and the public will be a challenge."</p>
<p>Rachel Whitten, Gov. Sam Brownback's spokeswoman, declined to comment on the governor's stance on potential changes to body camera laws.</p>
<p>Ron Keefover, president of the Kansas Sunshine Coalition for Open Government, said the organization plans to support legislation during this session that addresses access to police camera footage. He said family members of someone killed by police should have immediate access to body camera video and it should be available to the public when an investigation is no longer active.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Information from: The Topeka (Kan.) Capital-Journal, <a href="http://www.cjonline.com" type="external">http://www.cjonline.com</a></p>
<p>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Some Kansas lawmakers say there should be changes to laws concerning when police departments must release body camera footage but they acknowledge it will be difficult to balance the concerns of several stakeholders with conflicting interests.</p>
<p>The issue arose after two recent officer-involved shootings, one in Wichita and the other in Topeka. The Wichita department waited only hours to release footage when an officer fatally shot a man while responding to a hoax call. In contrast, the Topeka police department waited 11 weeks before releasing footage of a deadly shooting in that city, The Topeka Capital-Journal <a href="http://cjonline.com/news/local/2018-01-02/release-police-body-camera-recordings-varies-across-kansas" type="external">reported</a> .</p>
<p>Wichita police spokesman Charley Davidson said chief Gordon Ramsay believes there should be "statewide consistency on video release that should be legislated and not left up to police chiefs or other non-elected officials to decide."</p>
<p>But organizations that represent police officers believe current state law adequately balances justice for all parties with public interest, said Ed Klumpp, who represents the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police, Kansas Sheriffs Association and the Kansas Peace Officers Association. He said he supports more training on applying the current laws.</p>
<p>In Kansas, body camera videos and other recordings are criminal investigations records and public agencies have wide discretion on whether to release those records. A court can order records disclosed if it finds they are in the public interest or don't endanger someone. Some people directly connected to the shootings have the right to view body camera recordings,</p>
<p>Rep. John Alcala, a Democrat from Topeka, said he expects lawmakers to discuss regulation of body camera videos in this year's legislative session, which began Monday. Other lawmakers said the issue needed to be addressed but expressed concern that new regulations should not deter the use of body cameras.</p>
<p>"As the use of body cameras increase, we are going to see more instances of where there is a potential for conflict between those who want to control the release of the footage and those who want it released," said Rep. Fred Patton, a Topeka Republican. "Balancing the interests of criminal investigations, involved parties and their families, innocent third parties and the public will be a challenge."</p>
<p>Rachel Whitten, Gov. Sam Brownback's spokeswoman, declined to comment on the governor's stance on potential changes to body camera laws.</p>
<p>Ron Keefover, president of the Kansas Sunshine Coalition for Open Government, said the organization plans to support legislation during this session that addresses access to police camera footage. He said family members of someone killed by police should have immediate access to body camera video and it should be available to the public when an investigation is no longer active.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Information from: The Topeka (Kan.) Capital-Journal, <a href="http://www.cjonline.com" type="external">http://www.cjonline.com</a></p>
| false | 2 |
topeka kan ap kansas lawmakers say changes laws concerning police departments must release body camera footage acknowledge difficult balance concerns several stakeholders conflicting interests issue arose two recent officerinvolved shootings one wichita topeka wichita department waited hours release footage officer fatally shot man responding hoax call contrast topeka police department waited 11 weeks releasing footage deadly shooting city topeka capitaljournal reported wichita police spokesman charley davidson said chief gordon ramsay believes statewide consistency video release legislated left police chiefs nonelected officials decide organizations represent police officers believe current state law adequately balances justice parties public interest said ed klumpp represents kansas association chiefs police kansas sheriffs association kansas peace officers association said supports training applying current laws kansas body camera videos recordings criminal investigations records public agencies wide discretion whether release records court order records disclosed finds public interest dont endanger someone people directly connected shootings right view body camera recordings rep john alcala democrat topeka said expects lawmakers discuss regulation body camera videos years legislative session began monday lawmakers said issue needed addressed expressed concern new regulations deter use body cameras use body cameras increase going see instances potential conflict want control release footage want released said rep fred patton topeka republican balancing interests criminal investigations involved parties families innocent third parties public challenge rachel whitten gov sam brownbacks spokeswoman declined comment governors stance potential changes body camera laws ron keefover president kansas sunshine coalition open government said organization plans support legislation session addresses access police camera footage said family members someone killed police immediate access body camera video available public investigation longer active ___ information topeka kan capitaljournal httpwwwcjonlinecom topeka kan ap kansas lawmakers say changes laws concerning police departments must release body camera footage acknowledge difficult balance concerns several stakeholders conflicting interests issue arose two recent officerinvolved shootings one wichita topeka wichita department waited hours release footage officer fatally shot man responding hoax call contrast topeka police department waited 11 weeks releasing footage deadly shooting city topeka capitaljournal reported wichita police spokesman charley davidson said chief gordon ramsay believes statewide consistency video release legislated left police chiefs nonelected officials decide organizations represent police officers believe current state law adequately balances justice parties public interest said ed klumpp represents kansas association chiefs police kansas sheriffs association kansas peace officers association said supports training applying current laws kansas body camera videos recordings criminal investigations records public agencies wide discretion whether release records court order records disclosed finds public interest dont endanger someone people directly connected shootings right view body camera recordings rep john alcala democrat topeka said expects lawmakers discuss regulation body camera videos years legislative session began monday lawmakers said issue needed addressed expressed concern new regulations deter use body cameras use body cameras increase going see instances potential conflict want control release footage want released said rep fred patton topeka republican balancing interests criminal investigations involved parties families innocent third parties public challenge rachel whitten gov sam brownbacks spokeswoman declined comment governors stance potential changes body camera laws ron keefover president kansas sunshine coalition open government said organization plans support legislation session addresses access police camera footage said family members someone killed police immediate access body camera video available public investigation longer active ___ information topeka kan capitaljournal httpwwwcjonlinecom
| 542 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p />
<p>An agreement has been reached between Questa and the Archdiocese of Santa Fe allowing for the restoration of the crumbling San Antonio de Padua Catholic Church in the northern New Mexico village, <a href="http://www.taosnews.com/articles/2010/11/15/news/doc4ce169436a586961921400.txt" type="external">The Taos News</a> reported.</p>
<p>The newspaper said the agreement was announced Monday morning by the village of Questa. Mayor Esther Garcia said the agreement has not been officially signed yet, but everything should be completed later in the week, The News reported.</p>
<p>Calls to the archdiocese were not immediately returned, according to the newspaper.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>The News reported that the west wall of the old church collapsed in October 2008 and was open to the elements for the winter before the archdiocese announced a year later that it planned to demolish the building. In the two years since, parishioners have rallied together in an effort to save the church, eventually taking their concerns to the Questa Village Council, which placed the church under a historic preservation ordinance last winter.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Tuesday, October 05, 2010</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>The Archdiocese of Santa Fe apparently has rejected a proposal to trade Questa’s 170-year-old San Antonio de Padua Catholic Church — aka St. Anthony’s — for open land nearby where a new church could be built.</p>
<p>The archdiocese has submitted a counterproposal to Questa village leaders, who’ve been fighting to save the old church from the wrecking ball for more than a year.</p>
<p>A lawyer for the archdiocese says in a letter that the crumbling church could be turned over for renovations in exchange for agreement on 10 conditions, including that the village drop a restrictive “historical” designation for the old building.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>The Questa Village Council voted unanimously to assign the designation earlier this year, requiring the Archdiocese to go before the council to explain its reasons before the church can be torn down.</p>
<p>“We’re not willing to drop the historical designation,” said Bobby Ortega, a board member of the San Antonio del Rio Colorado Historic Preservation Group, which has leading the fight to prevent the church’s demolition.</p>
<p>“To us that’s critical, because … it really is historical in our mind,” he said. “It’s the oldest building in Questa and part of the identity in the community.”</p>
<p>Removing the designation could also impact potential donors, Ortega said. If the church doesn’t carry a classification as historical, it becomes harder to convince people willing to help of the building’s significance.</p>
<p>The preservation group commissioned a construction plan detailing how the church could be rebuilt for about $1 million, which Ortega said could be raised through “fundraisers and foundations and grants and however else we can do the money.”</p>
<p>Archbishop Michael Sheehan has supported a parish group that has backed demolishing St. Anthony’s. The church’s west wall collapsed in 2008, rendering the building unsafe. But many parishioners and area residents have rallied around saving the adobe church.</p>
<p>No swap deal</p>
<p>Questa Mayor Esther Garcia told the Journal last month that her office had reached an agreement to swap donated parcels for the church. The archdiocese, however, appears to have changed its mind.</p>
<p>Numerous messages seeking comment from the Archdiocese of Santa Fe were not returned Monday.</p>
<p>“It’s hard to understand what they really want to do,” Ortega said.</p>
<p>Among the other stipulations in the archdiocese’s counterproposal is that the renovations be finished within five years, that the archdiocese approve construction drawings and a final construction budget, that funding targets be met as the project progresses, that the preservation group be entirely liable for “costs, expenses or liabilities” incurred during construction, and that the church be turned back over to the archdiocese once the work is finished.</p>
<p>“I guess they want us to restore it and then when we’re done give it back so they can use it as the primary church,” Orega said. “That would be fine; that’s been our intent since Day 1.”</p>
<p>The group sent back its response but declined to release details Monday. Garcia and Ortega both said that they hope for a swift reply and to reach an agreement by the end of the week. Winter conditions are bad for the church’s crumbling structure, Garcia said, and they need to start weatherizing as soon as possible.</p>
<p>Gov. Bill Richardson told the Taos News recently that he supported efforts to save the church and would speak with Sheehan about the matter.</p>
<p>“Governor Richardson has indicated if we can get this property (managed under a) 501(c)3 nonprofit, he can get us some money for restoration,” Ortega said. “His term is about to expire, so the clock is running there as well.”</p>
<p>A spokesperson for Richardson did not return e-mail questions Monday.</p>
<p>Regardless, Ortega said he can’t envision bulldozers ever having at St. Anthony’s.</p>
<p>“At the end of the day, we are going to restore this church,” he said. “There’s no doubt in my mind. Knocking it down is not an option. It’s too important to everyone here.”</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Wednesday, September 08, 2010</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Questa officials are entering negotiations that could save the village’s 170-year-old San Antonio de Padua Catholic Church — aka St. Anthony’s Church — from demolition, according to Questa Mayor Esther Garcia.</p>
<p>Garcia met Tuesday with officials from the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and said the two sides are working to swap village land for the old church, which would be turned over to a restoration committee.</p>
<p>The church’s west wall collapsed in 2008, rendering the building unsafe. Archbishop Michael Sheehan has said repeatedly that the church should be torn down and replaced.</p>
<p>A survey of parishioners conducted last year indicated they’d prefer a new church be built, but many Questa parishioners protested because the parish extends to several other communities as far east as Red River and includes several smaller mission churches.</p>
<p>Garcia said there are several pieces of property the village could trade to the archdiocese. But she declined to specify where those properties were located. The archdiocese will decide within 30 days whether to make the trade and for which plot of land, she said.</p>
<p>The idea of demolition hasn’t sat well with Questa community members. In late July, more than 100 people attended a rally to oppose tearing the church down, and Garcia said she turned over a petition to the archdiocese containing more than 350 signatures in support of restoration. (The latest census data indicate Questa has a population of fewer than 2,000.)</p>
<p>Church supporters hired an engineer who produced a $1 million restoration plan that would fortify the ancient adobe building and make it usable again. The village of Questa also passed an ordinance in February giving the Village Council the authority to designate historic properties, and the council then gave the church a historic designation.</p>
<p>The ordinance also gives the council authority over new construction and demolition. The archdiocese has agreed to abide by the new ordinance.</p>
<p>Among the archdiocese officials who met with Garcia on Tuesday were Chancellor John Cannon and property manager John Huchmala. Garcia said the archdiocese could build a new church on the traded land, and then when restoration is complete the villagers would have two churches to attend.</p>
<p>“They’ll have the old and the new,” Garcia said.</p>
<p>Archdiocese officials did not respond to phone messages Tuesday.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
| false | 2 |
agreement reached questa archdiocese santa fe allowing restoration crumbling san antonio de padua catholic church northern new mexico village taos news reported newspaper said agreement announced monday morning village questa mayor esther garcia said agreement officially signed yet everything completed later week news reported calls archdiocese immediately returned according newspaper advertisement news reported west wall old church collapsed october 2008 open elements winter archdiocese announced year later planned demolish building two years since parishioners rallied together effort save church eventually taking concerns questa village council placed church historic preservation ordinance last winter 160 160 tuesday october 05 2010 160 archdiocese santa fe apparently rejected proposal trade questas 170yearold san antonio de padua catholic church aka st anthonys open land nearby new church could built archdiocese submitted counterproposal questa village leaders whove fighting save old church wrecking ball year lawyer archdiocese says letter crumbling church could turned renovations exchange agreement 10 conditions including village drop restrictive historical designation old building advertisement questa village council voted unanimously assign designation earlier year requiring archdiocese go council explain reasons church torn willing drop historical designation said bobby ortega board member san antonio del rio colorado historic preservation group leading fight prevent churchs demolition us thats critical really historical mind said oldest building questa part identity community removing designation could also impact potential donors ortega said church doesnt carry classification historical becomes harder convince people willing help buildings significance preservation group commissioned construction plan detailing church could rebuilt 1 million ortega said could raised fundraisers foundations grants however else money archbishop michael sheehan supported parish group backed demolishing st anthonys churchs west wall collapsed 2008 rendering building unsafe many parishioners area residents rallied around saving adobe church swap deal questa mayor esther garcia told journal last month office reached agreement swap donated parcels church archdiocese however appears changed mind numerous messages seeking comment archdiocese santa fe returned monday hard understand really want ortega said among stipulations archdioceses counterproposal renovations finished within five years archdiocese approve construction drawings final construction budget funding targets met project progresses preservation group entirely liable costs expenses liabilities incurred construction church turned back archdiocese work finished guess want us restore done give back use primary church orega said would fine thats intent since day 1 group sent back response declined release details monday garcia ortega said hope swift reply reach agreement end week winter conditions bad churchs crumbling structure garcia said need start weatherizing soon possible gov bill richardson told taos news recently supported efforts save church would speak sheehan matter governor richardson indicated get property managed 501c3 nonprofit get us money restoration ortega said term expire clock running well spokesperson richardson return email questions monday regardless ortega said cant envision bulldozers ever st anthonys end day going restore church said theres doubt mind knocking option important everyone 160 160 wednesday september 08 2010 160 questa officials entering negotiations could save villages 170yearold san antonio de padua catholic church aka st anthonys church demolition according questa mayor esther garcia garcia met tuesday officials archdiocese santa fe said two sides working swap village land old church would turned restoration committee churchs west wall collapsed 2008 rendering building unsafe archbishop michael sheehan said repeatedly church torn replaced survey parishioners conducted last year indicated theyd prefer new church built many questa parishioners protested parish extends several communities far east red river includes several smaller mission churches garcia said several pieces property village could trade archdiocese declined specify properties located archdiocese decide within 30 days whether make trade plot land said idea demolition hasnt sat well questa community members late july 100 people attended rally oppose tearing church garcia said turned petition archdiocese containing 350 signatures support restoration latest census data indicate questa population fewer 2000 church supporters hired engineer produced 1 million restoration plan would fortify ancient adobe building make usable village questa also passed ordinance february giving village council authority designate historic properties council gave church historic designation ordinance also gives council authority new construction demolition archdiocese agreed abide new ordinance among archdiocese officials met garcia tuesday chancellor john cannon property manager john huchmala garcia said archdiocese could build new church traded land restoration complete villagers would two churches attend theyll old new garcia said archdiocese officials respond phone messages tuesday 160 160
| 710 |
<p>HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Some immigration signs at Zimbabwe’s main international airport are in Chinese, a sign of China’s deep economic inroads in Africa, which Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit this week.</p>
<p>Xi arrives Tuesday in Zimbabwe before heading on Wednesday to South Africa. There, he will attend a forum on cooperation between Africa and China, whose investment on the continent has soared in the past decade. Zimbabwe, whose economy is faltering, would like to get a bigger piece of it.</p>
<p>China’s overall trade with Africa topped $200 billion last year but has slowed over the past two years as the weakening Chinese economy demands fewer of the continent’s oil, copper and other raw materials.</p>
<p>Chinese-built roads, bridges and power installations are found across Africa, often paid for in resources or through loans from China that must eventually be repaid.</p>
<p>Along with those looming debts, some African nations have expressed anger over Chinese companies’ use of Chinese workers and other practices that fail to benefit local economies.</p>
<p>Inexpensive Chinese goods have long been popular in Africa, and in the last decade Chinese merchants have started eliminating the middle man and setting up retail outlets of their own, much to local merchants’ chagrin. In 2011, riots in the Ugandan capital of Kampala largely targeted the city’s foreign merchants.</p>
<p>There are about a million Chinese living in Africa, mostly engaged in commercial work, according to the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce in Africa.</p>
<p>Xi’s visit to Zimbabwe is his first and he’ll meet President Robert Mugabe, who has been quoted by Zimbabwean state media as saying they will discuss “some of the projects and programs we want China to assist us in undertaking.”</p>
<p>Despite the collaboration, Mugabe has expressed concern in the past, telling the Chinese in 2012 to respect Zimbabwe’s investment and labor laws.</p>
<p>“To our Chinese friends we say, ’You don’t just come, you have to respect our rules,” the Zimbabwean leader said at a gathering of the ruling party.</p>
<p>China pumped $600 million into Zimbabwe in 2013, making it the biggest foreign investor with interests ranging from gold, diamond and platinum mining to tobacco, nickel, chrome, construction, energy and telecommunications, said Chinese ambassador Huang Ping.</p>
<p>Zimbabwe’s economy is battered by mass company closures, high unemployment, low liquidity and foreign direct investment and food shortages. The government has been struggling to raise money to pay its workers, often shifting pay dates. Over two-thirds of Zimbabweans survive on informal trade, according to the African Development Bank.</p>
<p>Xi travels to South Africa where he will be from Wednesday through Saturday on his second state visit to that country. In addition to attending the China and Africa forum security will also be on his agenda. Three Chinese were among 20 people killed in an Islamic extremist assault on a hotel in Mali last week.</p>
<p>China has said it is holding discussions with Djibouti on setting up a naval logistics center in the Horn of Africa nation to service Chinese anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden and other regional missions. It hopes the center could ease difficulties in refueling and replenishing Chinese navy ships and provide recreation for officers and sailors.</p>
<p>Like India, China has looked to African states to bolster its profile. South Africa has been especially supportive on the political front, twice barring entry to the Dalai Lama, a Nobel Peace Prize winner who is derided by Beijing as an advocate for Tibetan independence from Chinese rule.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Associated Press writer Christopher Bodeen contributed to this report from Beijing.</p>
<p>HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Some immigration signs at Zimbabwe’s main international airport are in Chinese, a sign of China’s deep economic inroads in Africa, which Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit this week.</p>
<p>Xi arrives Tuesday in Zimbabwe before heading on Wednesday to South Africa. There, he will attend a forum on cooperation between Africa and China, whose investment on the continent has soared in the past decade. Zimbabwe, whose economy is faltering, would like to get a bigger piece of it.</p>
<p>China’s overall trade with Africa topped $200 billion last year but has slowed over the past two years as the weakening Chinese economy demands fewer of the continent’s oil, copper and other raw materials.</p>
<p>Chinese-built roads, bridges and power installations are found across Africa, often paid for in resources or through loans from China that must eventually be repaid.</p>
<p>Along with those looming debts, some African nations have expressed anger over Chinese companies’ use of Chinese workers and other practices that fail to benefit local economies.</p>
<p>Inexpensive Chinese goods have long been popular in Africa, and in the last decade Chinese merchants have started eliminating the middle man and setting up retail outlets of their own, much to local merchants’ chagrin. In 2011, riots in the Ugandan capital of Kampala largely targeted the city’s foreign merchants.</p>
<p>There are about a million Chinese living in Africa, mostly engaged in commercial work, according to the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce in Africa.</p>
<p>Xi’s visit to Zimbabwe is his first and he’ll meet President Robert Mugabe, who has been quoted by Zimbabwean state media as saying they will discuss “some of the projects and programs we want China to assist us in undertaking.”</p>
<p>Despite the collaboration, Mugabe has expressed concern in the past, telling the Chinese in 2012 to respect Zimbabwe’s investment and labor laws.</p>
<p>“To our Chinese friends we say, ’You don’t just come, you have to respect our rules,” the Zimbabwean leader said at a gathering of the ruling party.</p>
<p>China pumped $600 million into Zimbabwe in 2013, making it the biggest foreign investor with interests ranging from gold, diamond and platinum mining to tobacco, nickel, chrome, construction, energy and telecommunications, said Chinese ambassador Huang Ping.</p>
<p>Zimbabwe’s economy is battered by mass company closures, high unemployment, low liquidity and foreign direct investment and food shortages. The government has been struggling to raise money to pay its workers, often shifting pay dates. Over two-thirds of Zimbabweans survive on informal trade, according to the African Development Bank.</p>
<p>Xi travels to South Africa where he will be from Wednesday through Saturday on his second state visit to that country. In addition to attending the China and Africa forum security will also be on his agenda. Three Chinese were among 20 people killed in an Islamic extremist assault on a hotel in Mali last week.</p>
<p>China has said it is holding discussions with Djibouti on setting up a naval logistics center in the Horn of Africa nation to service Chinese anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden and other regional missions. It hopes the center could ease difficulties in refueling and replenishing Chinese navy ships and provide recreation for officers and sailors.</p>
<p>Like India, China has looked to African states to bolster its profile. South Africa has been especially supportive on the political front, twice barring entry to the Dalai Lama, a Nobel Peace Prize winner who is derided by Beijing as an advocate for Tibetan independence from Chinese rule.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Associated Press writer Christopher Bodeen contributed to this report from Beijing.</p>
| false | 2 |
harare zimbabwe ap immigration signs zimbabwes main international airport chinese sign chinas deep economic inroads africa chinese president xi jinping visit week xi arrives tuesday zimbabwe heading wednesday south africa attend forum cooperation africa china whose investment continent soared past decade zimbabwe whose economy faltering would like get bigger piece chinas overall trade africa topped 200 billion last year slowed past two years weakening chinese economy demands fewer continents oil copper raw materials chinesebuilt roads bridges power installations found across africa often paid resources loans china must eventually repaid along looming debts african nations expressed anger chinese companies use chinese workers practices fail benefit local economies inexpensive chinese goods long popular africa last decade chinese merchants started eliminating middle man setting retail outlets much local merchants chagrin 2011 riots ugandan capital kampala largely targeted citys foreign merchants million chinese living africa mostly engaged commercial work according chinese general chamber commerce africa xis visit zimbabwe first hell meet president robert mugabe quoted zimbabwean state media saying discuss projects programs want china assist us undertaking despite collaboration mugabe expressed concern past telling chinese 2012 respect zimbabwes investment labor laws chinese friends say dont come respect rules zimbabwean leader said gathering ruling party china pumped 600 million zimbabwe 2013 making biggest foreign investor interests ranging gold diamond platinum mining tobacco nickel chrome construction energy telecommunications said chinese ambassador huang ping zimbabwes economy battered mass company closures high unemployment low liquidity foreign direct investment food shortages government struggling raise money pay workers often shifting pay dates twothirds zimbabweans survive informal trade according african development bank xi travels south africa wednesday saturday second state visit country addition attending china africa forum security also agenda three chinese among 20 people killed islamic extremist assault hotel mali last week china said holding discussions djibouti setting naval logistics center horn africa nation service chinese antipiracy patrols gulf aden regional missions hopes center could ease difficulties refueling replenishing chinese navy ships provide recreation officers sailors like india china looked african states bolster profile south africa especially supportive political front twice barring entry dalai lama nobel peace prize winner derided beijing advocate tibetan independence chinese rule ___ associated press writer christopher bodeen contributed report beijing harare zimbabwe ap immigration signs zimbabwes main international airport chinese sign chinas deep economic inroads africa chinese president xi jinping visit week xi arrives tuesday zimbabwe heading wednesday south africa attend forum cooperation africa china whose investment continent soared past decade zimbabwe whose economy faltering would like get bigger piece chinas overall trade africa topped 200 billion last year slowed past two years weakening chinese economy demands fewer continents oil copper raw materials chinesebuilt roads bridges power installations found across africa often paid resources loans china must eventually repaid along looming debts african nations expressed anger chinese companies use chinese workers practices fail benefit local economies inexpensive chinese goods long popular africa last decade chinese merchants started eliminating middle man setting retail outlets much local merchants chagrin 2011 riots ugandan capital kampala largely targeted citys foreign merchants million chinese living africa mostly engaged commercial work according chinese general chamber commerce africa xis visit zimbabwe first hell meet president robert mugabe quoted zimbabwean state media saying discuss projects programs want china assist us undertaking despite collaboration mugabe expressed concern past telling chinese 2012 respect zimbabwes investment labor laws chinese friends say dont come respect rules zimbabwean leader said gathering ruling party china pumped 600 million zimbabwe 2013 making biggest foreign investor interests ranging gold diamond platinum mining tobacco nickel chrome construction energy telecommunications said chinese ambassador huang ping zimbabwes economy battered mass company closures high unemployment low liquidity foreign direct investment food shortages government struggling raise money pay workers often shifting pay dates twothirds zimbabweans survive informal trade according african development bank xi travels south africa wednesday saturday second state visit country addition attending china africa forum security also agenda three chinese among 20 people killed islamic extremist assault hotel mali last week china said holding discussions djibouti setting naval logistics center horn africa nation service chinese antipiracy patrols gulf aden regional missions hopes center could ease difficulties refueling replenishing chinese navy ships provide recreation officers sailors like india china looked african states bolster profile south africa especially supportive political front twice barring entry dalai lama nobel peace prize winner derided beijing advocate tibetan independence chinese rule ___ associated press writer christopher bodeen contributed report beijing
| 730 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p />
<p>She traveled from Nageezi to the Upper Fruitland Chapter house on Wednesday to participate in the Tribal Wills Project, an effort by the University of Denver Sturm College of Law that provides free wills to Native Americans.</p>
<p>The 76-year-old, who does not speak English, used an interpreter to explain her reason for seeking the documentation.</p>
<p>Chavez is among hundreds of Navajo tribal members who hold a title to an allotted plot of land and she wanted to divide the percentage of ownership among her seven children.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>“I thought about my children. That’s why I came here, so that I can give them a portion of my assets,” Chavez said in Navajo.</p>
<p>She added that her decision would avoid future conflict.</p>
<p>“If I don’t do nothing about my land, there’s going to be fights. …I want them to have shares and enjoy their life,” Chavez said.</p>
<p>For Native Americans who hold trust land titles, the American Indian Probate Reform Act of 2004 changed the way such pieces of land are distributed to heirs. The law heightened the importance of making a will.</p>
<p>Julie Redhouse, an accounting technician for the Office of the Special Trustee in the U.S. Department of the Interior, said trust land was equally divided among heirs before the probate reform act.</p>
<p>Under the new rule, a will or gift deed designates who inherits the property and any payments from mineral leases, Redhouse said.</p>
<p>She added that if no such documentation is in place when the property owner dies and the ownership interest is more than 5 percent, the property is equally divided among the owner’s children, which is the same as before the act was passed. However, ownership of most allotted land has been more deeply divided.</p>
<p>If the property owner holds less than 5 percent interest and has no will or gift deed in place, the property transfers to the oldest living child, she said.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>If the oldest child is deceased, then the property goes to the oldest grandchild, Redhouse said.</p>
<p>She added that regardless of the ownership percentage, if the property owner does not have a will, gift deed, spouse or children, the remaining land goes to the tribe.</p>
<p>In response to the act, John Roach, a fiduciary trust officer for the Office of the Special Trustee, contacted numerous law schools in 2013 about developing a program that could provide estate services to tribal members, which can cost as much as $4,000.</p>
<p>Lucy Marsh, a law professor at the university, said the law school was the only one to respond. She said the Tribal Wills Project is a collaborative effort among law students and state licensed attorneys, all of whom volunteer.</p>
<p>For this week’s visit to Upper Fruitland and Nenahnezad, about 20 law students worked under the guidance of Marsh and six supervising attorneys.</p>
<p>The first-year students provided customer service while the second-year and above students interviewed clients, reviewed documents and wrote wills.</p>
<p>The supervising attorneys reviewed the wills before it was prepared for final signatures and notarized in a signing ceremony.</p>
<p>Traditionally, topics like death are not commonly discussed in Navajo society.</p>
<p>Chavez said she respects Navajo tradition but setting an example for her children outweighed her belief.</p>
<p>“I have to set the example, so they can follow what I wrote in this will. …My belief in tradition, I had to overlook that, overcome that,” Chavez said in Navajo.</p>
<p>Each step of the drafting process was explained to Chavez. Joe Henriksen, a second-year law student in charge of writing the will, asked numerous questions.</p>
<p>This is the first time Henriksen volunteered for the project.</p>
<p>“We tell them the will provides a set of instructions to carry out their wishes once they’re gone. That way, it provides them and their ones receiving the will peace of mind,” Henriksen said.</p>
<p>In some cases, the will goes beyond determining the future ownership of allotted land to include personal property, medical power of attorney and memorial instructions.</p>
<p>Henriksen said most clients did not know they could include items that carry sentimental value or significance, like hand woven rugs.</p>
<p>“Some clients are very sentimental about their pets. They want to make sure their two dogs or two cats are kept together,” he said.</p>
<p>Prior to traveling to tribal lands – the project has provided services in Arizona, Colorado, Montana and Utah – students receive training about culture and etiquette.</p>
<p>For this trip, they learned which terminology to avoid when talking about death and burial because it could be regarded as disrespectful.</p>
<p>The Tribal Wills Project was one reason Felicia Acosta-Steiner decided to attend the university’s law school.</p>
<p>“My interest is in social justice. I thought it was some way to give back to a community that is sometimes overlooked, underserved,” she said in an interview at the Nenahnezad Chapter house.</p>
<p>This was the fifth time Jason Gould, a third-year law student, participated in the project.</p>
<p>Gould said his interest in helping Native American communities developed after he spent part of his childhood living on the Yakama Nation in Washington State, where his mother worked as a police department dispatcher.</p>
<p>“The desire to take care of family is universal,” Gould said.</p>
<p>Back at the Upper Fruitland Chapter house, Nageezi resident Bessie Cly wanted information about a will.</p>
<p>Her curiosity was piqued because of the probate reform act and concerns about the future of the land she inherited from a great-great-grandfather.</p>
<p>“If I’m gone, who’s going to get it? It’s best I hand it down to my daughter,” Cly said, adding the Navajo people are taught not to give up land.</p>
<p>Noel Lyn Smith covers the Navajo Nation for The Daily Times. She can be reached at 505-564-4636.</p>
<p>——</p>
<p>©2017 The Daily Times (Farmington, N.M.)</p>
<p>Visit The Daily Times (Farmington, N.M.) at <a href="http://www.daily-times.com" type="external">www.daily-times.com</a></p>
<p>Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.</p>
<p>_____</p>
| false | 2 |
traveled nageezi upper fruitland chapter house wednesday participate tribal wills project effort university denver sturm college law provides free wills native americans 76yearold speak english used interpreter explain reason seeking documentation chavez among hundreds navajo tribal members hold title allotted plot land wanted divide percentage ownership among seven children advertisement thought children thats came give portion assets chavez said navajo added decision would avoid future conflict dont nothing land theres going fights want shares enjoy life chavez said native americans hold trust land titles american indian probate reform act 2004 changed way pieces land distributed heirs law heightened importance making julie redhouse accounting technician office special trustee us department interior said trust land equally divided among heirs probate reform act new rule gift deed designates inherits property payments mineral leases redhouse said added documentation place property owner dies ownership interest 5 percent property equally divided among owners children act passed however ownership allotted land deeply divided property owner holds less 5 percent interest gift deed place property transfers oldest living child said advertisement oldest child deceased property goes oldest grandchild redhouse said added regardless ownership percentage property owner gift deed spouse children remaining land goes tribe response act john roach fiduciary trust officer office special trustee contacted numerous law schools 2013 developing program could provide estate services tribal members cost much 4000 lucy marsh law professor university said law school one respond said tribal wills project collaborative effort among law students state licensed attorneys volunteer weeks visit upper fruitland nenahnezad 20 law students worked guidance marsh six supervising attorneys firstyear students provided customer service secondyear students interviewed clients reviewed documents wrote wills supervising attorneys reviewed wills prepared final signatures notarized signing ceremony traditionally topics like death commonly discussed navajo society chavez said respects navajo tradition setting example children outweighed belief set example follow wrote belief tradition overlook overcome chavez said navajo step drafting process explained chavez joe henriksen secondyear law student charge writing asked numerous questions first time henriksen volunteered project tell provides set instructions carry wishes theyre gone way provides ones receiving peace mind henriksen said cases goes beyond determining future ownership allotted land include personal property medical power attorney memorial instructions henriksen said clients know could include items carry sentimental value significance like hand woven rugs clients sentimental pets want make sure two dogs two cats kept together said prior traveling tribal lands project provided services arizona colorado montana utah students receive training culture etiquette trip learned terminology avoid talking death burial could regarded disrespectful tribal wills project one reason felicia acostasteiner decided attend universitys law school interest social justice thought way give back community sometimes overlooked underserved said interview nenahnezad chapter house fifth time jason gould thirdyear law student participated project gould said interest helping native american communities developed spent part childhood living yakama nation washington state mother worked police department dispatcher desire take care family universal gould said back upper fruitland chapter house nageezi resident bessie cly wanted information curiosity piqued probate reform act concerns future land inherited greatgreatgrandfather im gone whos going get best hand daughter cly said adding navajo people taught give land noel lyn smith covers navajo nation daily times reached 5055644636 2017 daily times farmington nm visit daily times farmington nm wwwdailytimescom distributed tribune content agency llc _____
| 546 |
<p>BORMIO, Italy (AP) — After a five-year absence, Dominik Paris rediscovered that winning feeling on the Stelvio downhill course.</p>
<p>Returning to the site of his first World Cup victory, Paris dominated on home snow Thursday to end the season-long podium drought for Italy’s men’s team.</p>
<p>“I’ve still got the same feeling here,” Paris said. “I had a lot of confidence even after the training run.”</p>
<p>Paris won by a slim 0.04-second margin ahead of Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway on the demanding Stelvio course, which was softer than usual due to heavy snowfall a day earlier.</p>
<p>Kjetil Jansrud of Norway finished third, 0.17 seconds behind.</p>
<p>It was the ninth career win for Paris, a muscular skier who has also claimed the feared downhill in Kitzbuehel, Austria, twice.</p>
<p>After his 2012 win, Paris missed the downhill on the Stelvio in 2013 due to injury. Then the race was moved to nearby Santa Caterina Valfurva for the past three years.</p>
<p>“I’m glad it’s back in Bormio,” said Paris, who keeps his responses brief and to the point.</p>
<p>Last season, the Italian team set a squad record with 43 podium results — 25 for the women and 18 for the men. This season, they have six for the women and now one for the men.</p>
<p>“Now I hope I can maintain this form for the classics,” Paris said, looking forward to the downhills next month in Wengen, Switzerland, and Kitzbuehel.</p>
<p>Svindal and Jansrud had already completed their runs and were preparing to celebrate when Paris came down and got the crowd roaring by leading through the first two checkpoints. Paris trailed slightly at the last split but was able to carry his speed through the final zig-zag turns — when lactic acid was bursting through his muscles — and create a minimal advantage.</p>
<p>The Italian’s speed topped out at 129.7 kph (80 mph).</p>
<p>At the finish, Paris pumped his fists and waved to the crowd.</p>
<p>“The two Norwegians are always fast so you’ve got to pull out something extra to beat them,” Paris said.</p>
<p>When he was an overly aggressive child, Paris was sent by his father to meditate amid grazing cows in the mountains. Now, he expends his energy on the world’s toughest downhill courses — or by playing heavy metal music with his guitar.</p>
<p>The start of the race was delayed for 45 minutes while course workers finished clearing the 40 centimeters (16 inches) of snow that fell on the piste Wednesday.</p>
<p>“I’m always happy when it snows. In winter you need snow,” said Paris, who comes from the Val d’Ultimo in Italy’s German-speaking Alto Adige region.</p>
<p>The snow softened the Stelvio’s bumps, making it less of a physical test than in past years — when most skiers doubled over in exhaustion at the finish.</p>
<p>“The right word is ‘easier’ but that doesn’t mean it’s easier to win,” Svindal said. “It means it was easier to get to the finish line.”</p>
<p>Downhill world champion Beat Feuz of Switzerland finished fourth and Hannes Reichelt of Austria was fifth.</p>
<p>Svindal, who had won the previous two downhills, still leads the discipline standings.</p>
<p>With the sun moving in and out behind clouds and the course mostly in the shade to begin with, there were several ugly falls.</p>
<p>Dominik Schwaiger of Germany was airlifted off the course and brought to a local hospital with unspecified injuries after a high-speed crash. Guillermo Fayed and Matthieu of France were dealing with various bruises after similar falls and Travis Ganong of the United States was getting his knee checked at the U.S. team hotel.</p>
<p>An Alpine combined race is scheduled for the Stelvio on Friday.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>More AP skiing coverage: <a href="" type="internal" /> <a href="" type="internal">https://apnews.com/tag/Alpineskiing</a></p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Andrew Dampf on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/asdampf" type="external">www.twitter.com/asdampf</a></p>
<p>BORMIO, Italy (AP) — After a five-year absence, Dominik Paris rediscovered that winning feeling on the Stelvio downhill course.</p>
<p>Returning to the site of his first World Cup victory, Paris dominated on home snow Thursday to end the season-long podium drought for Italy’s men’s team.</p>
<p>“I’ve still got the same feeling here,” Paris said. “I had a lot of confidence even after the training run.”</p>
<p>Paris won by a slim 0.04-second margin ahead of Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway on the demanding Stelvio course, which was softer than usual due to heavy snowfall a day earlier.</p>
<p>Kjetil Jansrud of Norway finished third, 0.17 seconds behind.</p>
<p>It was the ninth career win for Paris, a muscular skier who has also claimed the feared downhill in Kitzbuehel, Austria, twice.</p>
<p>After his 2012 win, Paris missed the downhill on the Stelvio in 2013 due to injury. Then the race was moved to nearby Santa Caterina Valfurva for the past three years.</p>
<p>“I’m glad it’s back in Bormio,” said Paris, who keeps his responses brief and to the point.</p>
<p>Last season, the Italian team set a squad record with 43 podium results — 25 for the women and 18 for the men. This season, they have six for the women and now one for the men.</p>
<p>“Now I hope I can maintain this form for the classics,” Paris said, looking forward to the downhills next month in Wengen, Switzerland, and Kitzbuehel.</p>
<p>Svindal and Jansrud had already completed their runs and were preparing to celebrate when Paris came down and got the crowd roaring by leading through the first two checkpoints. Paris trailed slightly at the last split but was able to carry his speed through the final zig-zag turns — when lactic acid was bursting through his muscles — and create a minimal advantage.</p>
<p>The Italian’s speed topped out at 129.7 kph (80 mph).</p>
<p>At the finish, Paris pumped his fists and waved to the crowd.</p>
<p>“The two Norwegians are always fast so you’ve got to pull out something extra to beat them,” Paris said.</p>
<p>When he was an overly aggressive child, Paris was sent by his father to meditate amid grazing cows in the mountains. Now, he expends his energy on the world’s toughest downhill courses — or by playing heavy metal music with his guitar.</p>
<p>The start of the race was delayed for 45 minutes while course workers finished clearing the 40 centimeters (16 inches) of snow that fell on the piste Wednesday.</p>
<p>“I’m always happy when it snows. In winter you need snow,” said Paris, who comes from the Val d’Ultimo in Italy’s German-speaking Alto Adige region.</p>
<p>The snow softened the Stelvio’s bumps, making it less of a physical test than in past years — when most skiers doubled over in exhaustion at the finish.</p>
<p>“The right word is ‘easier’ but that doesn’t mean it’s easier to win,” Svindal said. “It means it was easier to get to the finish line.”</p>
<p>Downhill world champion Beat Feuz of Switzerland finished fourth and Hannes Reichelt of Austria was fifth.</p>
<p>Svindal, who had won the previous two downhills, still leads the discipline standings.</p>
<p>With the sun moving in and out behind clouds and the course mostly in the shade to begin with, there were several ugly falls.</p>
<p>Dominik Schwaiger of Germany was airlifted off the course and brought to a local hospital with unspecified injuries after a high-speed crash. Guillermo Fayed and Matthieu of France were dealing with various bruises after similar falls and Travis Ganong of the United States was getting his knee checked at the U.S. team hotel.</p>
<p>An Alpine combined race is scheduled for the Stelvio on Friday.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>More AP skiing coverage: <a href="" type="internal" /> <a href="" type="internal">https://apnews.com/tag/Alpineskiing</a></p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Andrew Dampf on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/asdampf" type="external">www.twitter.com/asdampf</a></p>
| false | 2 |
bormio italy ap fiveyear absence dominik paris rediscovered winning feeling stelvio downhill course returning site first world cup victory paris dominated home snow thursday end seasonlong podium drought italys mens team ive still got feeling paris said lot confidence even training run paris slim 004second margin ahead aksel lund svindal norway demanding stelvio course softer usual due heavy snowfall day earlier kjetil jansrud norway finished third 017 seconds behind ninth career win paris muscular skier also claimed feared downhill kitzbuehel austria twice 2012 win paris missed downhill stelvio 2013 due injury race moved nearby santa caterina valfurva past three years im glad back bormio said paris keeps responses brief point last season italian team set squad record 43 podium results 25 women 18 men season six women one men hope maintain form classics paris said looking forward downhills next month wengen switzerland kitzbuehel svindal jansrud already completed runs preparing celebrate paris came got crowd roaring leading first two checkpoints paris trailed slightly last split able carry speed final zigzag turns lactic acid bursting muscles create minimal advantage italians speed topped 1297 kph 80 mph finish paris pumped fists waved crowd two norwegians always fast youve got pull something extra beat paris said overly aggressive child paris sent father meditate amid grazing cows mountains expends energy worlds toughest downhill courses playing heavy metal music guitar start race delayed 45 minutes course workers finished clearing 40 centimeters 16 inches snow fell piste wednesday im always happy snows winter need snow said paris comes val dultimo italys germanspeaking alto adige region snow softened stelvios bumps making less physical test past years skiers doubled exhaustion finish right word easier doesnt mean easier win svindal said means easier get finish line downhill world champion beat feuz switzerland finished fourth hannes reichelt austria fifth svindal previous two downhills still leads discipline standings sun moving behind clouds course mostly shade begin several ugly falls dominik schwaiger germany airlifted course brought local hospital unspecified injuries highspeed crash guillermo fayed matthieu france dealing various bruises similar falls travis ganong united states getting knee checked us team hotel alpine combined race scheduled stelvio friday ___ ap skiing coverage httpsapnewscomtagalpineskiing ___ andrew dampf twitter wwwtwittercomasdampf bormio italy ap fiveyear absence dominik paris rediscovered winning feeling stelvio downhill course returning site first world cup victory paris dominated home snow thursday end seasonlong podium drought italys mens team ive still got feeling paris said lot confidence even training run paris slim 004second margin ahead aksel lund svindal norway demanding stelvio course softer usual due heavy snowfall day earlier kjetil jansrud norway finished third 017 seconds behind ninth career win paris muscular skier also claimed feared downhill kitzbuehel austria twice 2012 win paris missed downhill stelvio 2013 due injury race moved nearby santa caterina valfurva past three years im glad back bormio said paris keeps responses brief point last season italian team set squad record 43 podium results 25 women 18 men season six women one men hope maintain form classics paris said looking forward downhills next month wengen switzerland kitzbuehel svindal jansrud already completed runs preparing celebrate paris came got crowd roaring leading first two checkpoints paris trailed slightly last split able carry speed final zigzag turns lactic acid bursting muscles create minimal advantage italians speed topped 1297 kph 80 mph finish paris pumped fists waved crowd two norwegians always fast youve got pull something extra beat paris said overly aggressive child paris sent father meditate amid grazing cows mountains expends energy worlds toughest downhill courses playing heavy metal music guitar start race delayed 45 minutes course workers finished clearing 40 centimeters 16 inches snow fell piste wednesday im always happy snows winter need snow said paris comes val dultimo italys germanspeaking alto adige region snow softened stelvios bumps making less physical test past years skiers doubled exhaustion finish right word easier doesnt mean easier win svindal said means easier get finish line downhill world champion beat feuz switzerland finished fourth hannes reichelt austria fifth svindal previous two downhills still leads discipline standings sun moving behind clouds course mostly shade begin several ugly falls dominik schwaiger germany airlifted course brought local hospital unspecified injuries highspeed crash guillermo fayed matthieu france dealing various bruises similar falls travis ganong united states getting knee checked us team hotel alpine combined race scheduled stelvio friday ___ ap skiing coverage httpsapnewscomtagalpineskiing ___ andrew dampf twitter wwwtwittercomasdampf
| 728 |
<p />
<p>The Wall Street Journal&#160;reported that the price of steel, which is&#160;used to make everything from cars to rebar that will help to rebuild bridges and buildings, is expected to rise&#160;in the&#160;coming months, up to $80 a ton.&#160; <a href="" type="external">MarketWatch says</a> the cleanup and reconstruction from Katrina is part of the problem, but worldwide demand that has been high for the last year is also a factor.&#160;&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p><a href="http://money.cnn.com/2005/09/07/news/economy/steel.reut/" type="external">CNN quoted</a> the Journal story as saying that flooding has limited the supply and distribution of liquid hydrogen and scrap steel, as well.</p>
<p>Scrap is used to make basic steel; liquid hydrogen is used to make higher-quality products, such as galvanized and cold-rolled steel. <a href="http://money.cnn.com/quote/quote.html?shownav=true&amp;symb=APD" type="external">Air Products &amp; Chemicals Inc.</a>, a major producer of hydrogen, says it cannot deliver liquid hydrogen to customers because of damage to its plant in New Orleans. The Allentown, Pa.-based company is uncertain when it can restart production, the Journal said.</p>
<p><a href="http://news.monstersandcritics.com/business/article_1046548.php/Steel_zinc_prices_up_after_Katrina_flood" type="external">UPI reported:</a></p>
<p>Zinc prices, meanwhile, soared to an eight-year high Tuesday after the London Metal Exchange suspended deliveries from its huge zinc stockpile in New Orleans, the Telegraph reported Wednesday. The LME said it couldn't find its zinc to deliver.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Investigators were trying to locate the 250,000 tons of zinc, almost half of all the stocks of zinc traded on the LME.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Zinc is mainly used in car production, as an anti-rusting agent.&#160;</p>
<p>This is a story that you could develop locally with construction companies, your state highway department (which might need steel to build/repair bridges), welding shops, auto plants and so on.&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p />
<p>The Katrina Effect</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Even if you do not live anywhere near the storm's path, you may be seeing the effects of the reconstruction for a while.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>For example, there may be labor shortages in construction. <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2005/09/02/news/economy/katrina_widerimpact/index.htm" type="external">CNN Money reported:</a>&#160;</p>
<p>"I think the impact is going to be nationwide for construction," said Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America, the trade group for non-residential builders.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Simonson said that the rebuilding effort could draw labor to the Gulf region.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>"Contractors will have to raise wages to keep their workers in place," he said.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Dave Seiders, chief economist for the National Association of Home Builders, said he's not as concerned about labor shortages as he is about price increases for lumber and other building materials, which he estimates could mean $10,000 or more in higher costs for a new home.&#160;&#160;</p>
<p />
<p>Storm Scams</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>In Missouri, a much wider constellation of Internet sites -- with names like parishdonations.com and katrinafamilies.com -- displayed pictures of the flood-ravaged South and drove traffic to a single site, InternetDonations.org, a nonprofit entity with apparent links to white separatist groups.The registrant of those Web sites was sued by the state of Missouri yesterday for violating state fund-raising law and for "omitting the material fact that the ultimate company behind the defendants' Web sites supports white supremacy."Late [Tuesday] afternoon, the Federal Bureau of Investigation put the number of Web sites claiming to deal in Katrina information and relief -- some legitimate, others not -- at "2,300 and rising." Dozens of suspicious sites claiming links to legitimate charities are being investigated by state and federal authorities. Also under investigation are e-mail spam campaigns using the hurricane as a hook to lure victims to reveal credit card numbers to thieves, as well as fake hurricane news sites and e-mail "updates" that carry malicious code aimed at hijacking a victim's computer."The numbers are still going up," said Dan Larkin, the chief of the Internet Crime Complaint Center operated by the FBI in West Virginia. He said that the amount of suspicious, disaster-related Web activity was higher than the number of swindles seen online after last year's tsunami in Southeast Asia. "We've got a much higher volume of sites popping up," he said.The earliest online frauds began to appear within hours of Katrina's passing. "It was so fast it was amazing," said Audri Lanford, co-director of <a href="http://www.scambusters.org/" type="external">ScamBusters.org</a>, an Internet clearinghouse for information on various forms of online fraud. "The most interesting thing is the scope," she said. "We do get a very good feel for the quantity of scams that are out there, and there's no question that this is huge compared to the tsunami.&#160;</p>
<p>According to <a href="http://www.scambusters.org/hurricanekatrinascams.html" type="external">ScamBusters.org,</a> here are some things to look out for after a disaster:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.aunty-spam.com/hurricane-katrina-email-hoax-invokes-red-cross/" type="external">There is even a chain letter floating around</a>, claiming the Red Cross somehow will benefit if the chain hits 50 names. I am unsure exactly who benefits from this, except that the chain would eventually construct a lot of e-mail addresses that somebody could use to phish with.&#160;&#160;</p>
<p />
<p>Congress Takes up Emergency Radio Issue</p>
<p />
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Now, some members of Congress are demanding action.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Some&#160;members of Congress want TV broadcasters to release some channels/frequencies that they use to broadcast analog TV signals. The FCC hoped those frequencies would not still&#160;be needed by now, but consumers have been much slower to move to digital TV sets than anybody first thought.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Until folks start using digital sets, broadcasters do not have to give up their frequencies and emergency responders don't get their new channels. <a href="http://www.bna.com/webwatch/crsdigitaltv1.pdf" type="external">Here is an in-depth briefing on the issue (PDF).</a> Of course, broadcasters do not want to give up frequencies that viewers are still using to watch TV.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>I got a note from Congresswoman Jane Harman's (D-Calif.) office, saying she and Rep. Curt Weldon (R-Pa.) want to set aside four radio frequencies to be reserved just for first-responders.&#160;Harmon is a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security and Weldon serves on the House Armed Services Committee.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>They&#160; <a href="http://firechief.com/news/weldon-reintroduce-hero042005/index.html" type="external">reintroduced&#160;a bill,</a>&#160;which they call the <a href="http://www.theorator.com/bills109/hr1646.html" type="external">"Homeland Emergency Response Operations" (HERO) Act</a>, in April 2005. It would dedicate&#160;24 MHz&#160;of the broadcast spectrum to first-responders.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Broadcasters might want to pay attention to this, since it has to do with reassigning TV broadcast channels/frequencies that are currently in use, but were to transition into other uses after more people "went digital."&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p><a href="http://firechief.com/communications/firefighting_homeland_emergency_response/" type="external">FireChief.com explained the bill after it was first introduced in December 2001.</a></p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nvfc.org/leg/hero_act.html" type="external">And the National Volunteer Fire Council explains it:</a>&#160;</p>
<p>On September 11, 1996, the Congressionally-mandated Public Safety Wireless Advisory Committee issued its Final Report recommending that 97.5 MHz of additional spectrum be made available for public safety by 2010, including approximately 25 MHz from TV channels 60-69 (746-808 MHz) that should be made available within five years from the date of the report -– September 11, 2001. In response to that need, in the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 Congress required the FCC to allocate 24 MHz of radio spectrum for use by state and local government public safety radio services. The FCC allocated four specific channels (63, 64, 68, and 69) for public safety.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>However, in most parts of the country, the spectrum occupied by those channels will not be available to public safety agencies until the TV stations relinquish them as part of the transition to digital TV transmission. Congress set a deadline of December 31, 2006, for broadcasters to relinquish that spectrum, but the Act also includes a loophole allowing broadcasters to continue operations on stations 60 to 69 until at least 85 percent&#160;of households in their market have a TV capable of receiving DTV signals.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>This loophole effectively vitiates the intent of Congress to provide public safety services with critically-needed spectrum. Most analysts believe that few markets will reach that 85 percent&#160;threshold anytime in the coming decade.&#160;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.house.gov/harman/press/releases/2005/0414PR_HERO.html" type="external">The new legislation would eliminate the 85-percent&#160;"loophole," and would turn the frequencies over to rescue workers Jan. 1, 2007.</a></p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>An aide to the congresswoman tells me that the FCC set aside some frequencies for state-wide licenses which have been issued.&#160;Local governments will apply for channels once regional plans are complete and approved by the FCC. But nobody can use those frequencies while TV stations are still using those channels. And, of course, they can use the channels as long as the majority of TV users do not have digital TVs. The congresswoman wants to move faster.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>You can read the comments in Congresswoman Harman's&#160; <a href="http://www.house.gov/harman/press/releases/2005/0908PR_Harman-Weldon%20Hero.html" type="external">press release</a>.&#160;</p>
<p />
<p />
<p />
<p>Good News (so far) for Insurers</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.slate.com/default.aspx?id=2125758&amp;amp;nav=tap2/" type="external">Slate</a> points out:</p>
<p>In fact, all things considered, big insurers like <a href="http://www.stpaultravelers.com/" type="external">St. Paul Travelers</a> and <a href="http://www.allstate.com/" type="external">Allstate</a> have weathered the most devastating hurricane in the nation's history quite well. (Here's a <a href="http://moneycentral.msn.com/investor/charts/chartdl.asp?Symbol=STA&amp;ShowChtBt=Refresh+Chart&amp;DateRangeForm=1&amp;CP=0&amp;PT=1&amp;C5=9&amp;C6=2005&amp;C7=9&amp;C8=2005&amp;C9=0&amp;ComparisonsForm=1&amp;CB=1&amp;CE=0&amp;CompSyms=all&amp;DisplayForm=1&amp;D4=1&amp;D5=0&amp;D7=&amp;D6=&amp;D3=0" type="external">chart</a> of St. Paul's, Allstate, and the S&amp;P 500 over the last five days.) Why? While they may suffer, they're clearly not going to bear the lion's share of the rebuilding costs. The consulting firm <a href="http://www.rms.com/" type="external">Risk Management Solutions</a> projected Katrina and its aftermath would cause some <a href="http://www.rms.com/NewsPress/PR_090205_HUKatrina.asp" type="external">$100 billion in economic losses</a>. But RMS estimates that insurers' losses will be only a fraction of that, between <a href="http://www.rms.com/NewsPress/PR_090205_HUKatrina_insured.asp" type="external">$20 to $35 billion</a>.</p>
<p />
<p>The Real Health Dangers in the Storm Area (updated)</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>The cable channels keep calling the flood water "a toxic brew." I think they just like saying that phrase. <a href="" type="internal">Earlier this week</a>, I wrote a piece about the real health threats that lurk in the "toxic brew."</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.slate.com/default.aspx?id=2125757&amp;amp;nav=tap2/" type="external">Slate</a> has a clear-minded assessment of the dangers as they are now.&#160;&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p />
<p />
<p />
<p />
<p />
<p />
<p>We are always looking for your great ideas. <a href="" type="internal">Send Al</a> a few sentences and hot links.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p />
<p>Editor's Note: Al's Morning Meeting is a compendium of ideas, edited story excerpts and other materials from a variety of Web sites, as well as original concepts and analysis. When the information comes directly from another source, it will be attributed and a link will be provided whenever possible.&#160;</p>
| false | 2 |
wall street journal160reported price steel is160used make everything cars rebar help rebuild bridges buildings expected rise160in the160coming months 80 ton160 marketwatch says cleanup reconstruction katrina part problem worldwide demand high last year also factor160160 160 cnn quoted journal story saying flooding limited supply distribution liquid hydrogen scrap steel well scrap used make basic steel liquid hydrogen used make higherquality products galvanized coldrolled steel air products amp chemicals inc major producer hydrogen says deliver liquid hydrogen customers damage plant new orleans allentown pabased company uncertain restart production journal said upi reported zinc prices meanwhile soared eightyear high tuesday london metal exchange suspended deliveries huge zinc stockpile new orleans telegraph reported wednesday lme said couldnt find zinc deliver 160 investigators trying locate 250000 tons zinc almost half stocks zinc traded lme 160 zinc mainly used car production antirusting agent160 story could develop locally construction companies state highway department might need steel buildrepair bridges welding shops auto plants on160 160 katrina effect 160 even live anywhere near storms path may seeing effects reconstruction 160 example may labor shortages construction cnn money reported160 think impact going nationwide construction said ken simonson chief economist associated general contractors america trade group nonresidential builders 160 simonson said rebuilding effort could draw labor gulf region 160 contractors raise wages keep workers place said 160 dave seiders chief economist national association home builders said hes concerned labor shortages price increases lumber building materials estimates could mean 10000 higher costs new home160160 storm scams 160 160 missouri much wider constellation internet sites names like parishdonationscom katrinafamiliescom displayed pictures floodravaged south drove traffic single site internetdonationsorg nonprofit entity apparent links white separatist groupsthe registrant web sites sued state missouri yesterday violating state fundraising law omitting material fact ultimate company behind defendants web sites supports white supremacylate tuesday afternoon federal bureau investigation put number web sites claiming deal katrina information relief legitimate others 2300 rising dozens suspicious sites claiming links legitimate charities investigated state federal authorities also investigation email spam campaigns using hurricane hook lure victims reveal credit card numbers thieves well fake hurricane news sites email updates carry malicious code aimed hijacking victims computerthe numbers still going said dan larkin chief internet crime complaint center operated fbi west virginia said amount suspicious disasterrelated web activity higher number swindles seen online last years tsunami southeast asia weve got much higher volume sites popping saidthe earliest online frauds began appear within hours katrinas passing fast amazing said audri lanford codirector scambustersorg internet clearinghouse information various forms online fraud interesting thing scope said get good feel quantity scams theres question huge compared tsunami160 according scambustersorg things look disaster even chain letter floating around claiming red cross somehow benefit chain hits 50 names unsure exactly benefits except chain would eventually construct lot email addresses somebody could use phish with160160 congress takes emergency radio issue 160 members congress demanding action 160 some160members congress want tv broadcasters release channelsfrequencies use broadcast analog tv signals fcc hoped frequencies would still160be needed consumers much slower move digital tv sets anybody first thought 160 folks start using digital sets broadcasters give frequencies emergency responders dont get new channels indepth briefing issue pdf course broadcasters want give frequencies viewers still using watch tv 160 got note congresswoman jane harmans dcalif office saying rep curt weldon rpa want set aside four radio frequencies reserved firstresponders160harmon member house committee homeland security weldon serves house armed services committee 160 they160 reintroduced160a bill160which call homeland emergency response operations hero act april 2005 would dedicate16024 mhz160of broadcast spectrum firstresponders 160 broadcasters might want pay attention since reassigning tv broadcast channelsfrequencies currently use transition uses people went digital160 160 firechiefcom explained bill first introduced december 2001 160 national volunteer fire council explains it160 september 11 1996 congressionallymandated public safety wireless advisory committee issued final report recommending 975 mhz additional spectrum made available public safety 2010 including approximately 25 mhz tv channels 6069 746808 mhz made available within five years date report september 11 2001 response need balanced budget act 1997 congress required fcc allocate 24 mhz radio spectrum use state local government public safety radio services fcc allocated four specific channels 63 64 68 69 public safety 160 however parts country spectrum occupied channels available public safety agencies tv stations relinquish part transition digital tv transmission congress set deadline december 31 2006 broadcasters relinquish spectrum act also includes loophole allowing broadcasters continue operations stations 60 69 least 85 percent160of households market tv capable receiving dtv signals 160 loophole effectively vitiates intent congress provide public safety services criticallyneeded spectrum analysts believe markets reach 85 percent160threshold anytime coming decade160 new legislation would eliminate 85percent160loophole would turn frequencies rescue workers jan 1 2007 160 aide congresswoman tells fcc set aside frequencies statewide licenses issued160local governments apply channels regional plans complete approved fcc nobody use frequencies tv stations still using channels course use channels long majority tv users digital tvs congresswoman wants move faster 160 read comments congresswoman harmans160 press release160 good news far insurers 160 slate points fact things considered big insurers like st paul travelers allstate weathered devastating hurricane nations history quite well heres chart st pauls allstate sampp 500 last five days may suffer theyre clearly going bear lions share rebuilding costs consulting firm risk management solutions projected katrina aftermath would cause 100 billion economic losses rms estimates insurers losses fraction 20 35 billion real health dangers storm area updated 160 cable channels keep calling flood water toxic brew think like saying phrase earlier week wrote piece real health threats lurk toxic brew 160 slate clearminded assessment dangers now160160 160 always looking great ideas send al sentences hot links editors note als morning meeting compendium ideas edited story excerpts materials variety web sites well original concepts analysis information comes directly another source attributed link provided whenever possible160
| 959 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p />
<p>“I could do this every day if I had the personnel,” Calaveras County Sheriff Rick DiBasilio said during the operation near the Sierra Nevada foothills town of Copperopolis, about two hours east of San Francisco.</p>
<p>Authorities this year have cut down close to 30,000 plants grown without permits in a county that is reconsidering its embrace of marijuana cultivation ahead of statewide legalization.</p>
<p>“There are just so many of them,” the sheriff said of the illegal farms. “It’s never-ending.”</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Marijuana has deeply divided financially strapped Calaveras County, among many where growers are increasingly open about their operations and are starting to encroach on neighborhoods.</p>
<p>DiBasilio estimates the county — population 44,000 and about the size of Rhode Island — has more than 1,000 illegal farms in addition to the hundreds with permits or in the process of obtaining them. The influx has caused a backlash among residents and led to the ouster of some leaders who approved marijuana cultivation.</p>
<p>Pot farmers operating legally, meanwhile, say they are helping the local economy and have threatened to sue over attempts to stop them.</p>
<p>California is set to issue licenses in January to grow, transport and sell weed for recreational purposes, nearly 20 years after the state first authorized the drug’s consumption with a doctor’s recommendation.</p>
<p>Farmers can legally grow marijuana for recreational consumption next year but are required to get a local permit before applying for a state license, which has sparked a boom in pot-friendly counties.</p>
<p>Calaveras County legalized medical marijuana cultivation last year, seeking to tax the hundreds of farms that popped up in the region after a 2015 wildfire destroyed more than 500 homes.</p>
<p>County officials expected to receive about 250 applications by the 2016 deadline. They got 770. About 200 applications have been approved, a similar number rejected, and the others are still being processed.</p>
<p>The sheriff gets some of the nearly $10 million in fees and taxes paid by legal farmers to crack down on illegal grows, many of which the department has mapped from the air.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>The new pot farms have brought a bustling industry that includes the sounds of generators, bright lights illuminating gardens at night, water trucks kicking up dust on their way to grows, the distinct odor of marijuana, and tents, trailers and other temporary housing for migrant workers.</p>
<p>Local hardware stores’ gardening sections are now stocked with pot farming supplies.</p>
<p>Law enforcement officials say they have raided farms where they have found pesticides that are banned in the U.S.</p>
<p>“It has changed our way of life,” said Bill McManus, head of an organization seeking to ban marijuana in Calaveras County. “The environmental impacts are atrocious.”</p>
<p>To the north, even the fabled pot-growing mecca known as the Emerald Triangle has been thrown into political turmoil as more farmers set up shop ahead of legalization.</p>
<p>The California Growers Association estimates about 3,500 farmers in Humboldt, Mendocino and Trinity counties have applied for local permits and will be in a position to receive state licenses. An additional 29,000 farmers there haven’t bothered with the paperwork, according to the group.</p>
<p>Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allman complained that local laws allowing cultivation are too “gentle” and attract violent crime, including a farmworker’s recent homicide.</p>
<p>In Siskiyou County, leaders declared a state of emergency and called on Gov. Jerry Brown to help with an influx of marijuana farmers, who have snatched up inexpensive land even though pot cultivation is illegal there. Two growers were arrested and charged with offering Sheriff Jon Lopey $1 million to leave their farms alone.</p>
<p>“That’s all you need to know about the type of money involved,” Lopey said. “This isn’t confined to the state. There’s a big market outside of California they are supplying.”</p>
<p>In Calaveras County, voters in January replaced four of the five supervisors who voted to legalize marijuana. The new majority has vowed to repeal legalization and institute a strict ban. But a formal vote has been delayed several times amid threats of lawsuits from farmers.</p>
<p>“So much of this is a cultural war,” grower Beth Witke said. “I’m tired of being demoralized by the ban supporters.”</p>
<p>Witke and other farmers argue they create good-paying jobs for young adults who otherwise would leave the county for the San Francisco Bay Area. She is among a handful of growers who operated quietly in Calaveras County for decades, attracted by the region’s climate and proximity to the Bay Area.</p>
<p>But the devastating 2015 wildfire helped launch the county’s green rush. The fire leveled subdivisions and wooded areas, turning them into attractive farmland. Former homeowners sold their flattened lots to outside growers armed with cash and betting the county would issue permits to grow.</p>
<p>Mark Bolger received the first permit. He said a ban would drive out him and his dozen workers.</p>
<p>“I’m trying to do the right thing,” Bolger said. “But the first guy through the door always gets shot.”</p>
<p>The sheriff said he’s focused on farmers who have never applied for a permit or who grow despite a rejected application. This year, he has raided about 40 farms and seized close to 30,000 plants.</p>
<p>In late September, deputies raided two farms that share a waterline west of Copperopolis and removed more than 300 plants. Three of the four farmers arrested were new arrivals from Minnesota. All four tended to another plot deputies raided in August.</p>
<p>They were cited and released. One of them — Ryu Lee, 22, of Redding — told deputies taking him to jail that he would return regardless of whether a ban was enacted.</p>
<p>“I’ll see you next year,” Lee said.</p>
| false | 2 |
could every day personnel calaveras county sheriff rick dibasilio said operation near sierra nevada foothills town copperopolis two hours east san francisco authorities year cut close 30000 plants grown without permits county reconsidering embrace marijuana cultivation ahead statewide legalization many sheriff said illegal farms neverending advertisement marijuana deeply divided financially strapped calaveras county among many growers increasingly open operations starting encroach neighborhoods dibasilio estimates county population 44000 size rhode island 1000 illegal farms addition hundreds permits process obtaining influx caused backlash among residents led ouster leaders approved marijuana cultivation pot farmers operating legally meanwhile say helping local economy threatened sue attempts stop california set issue licenses january grow transport sell weed recreational purposes nearly 20 years state first authorized drugs consumption doctors recommendation farmers legally grow marijuana recreational consumption next year required get local permit applying state license sparked boom potfriendly counties calaveras county legalized medical marijuana cultivation last year seeking tax hundreds farms popped region 2015 wildfire destroyed 500 homes county officials expected receive 250 applications 2016 deadline got 770 200 applications approved similar number rejected others still processed sheriff gets nearly 10 million fees taxes paid legal farmers crack illegal grows many department mapped air advertisement new pot farms brought bustling industry includes sounds generators bright lights illuminating gardens night water trucks kicking dust way grows distinct odor marijuana tents trailers temporary housing migrant workers local hardware stores gardening sections stocked pot farming supplies law enforcement officials say raided farms found pesticides banned us changed way life said bill mcmanus head organization seeking ban marijuana calaveras county environmental impacts atrocious north even fabled potgrowing mecca known emerald triangle thrown political turmoil farmers set shop ahead legalization california growers association estimates 3500 farmers humboldt mendocino trinity counties applied local permits position receive state licenses additional 29000 farmers havent bothered paperwork according group mendocino county sheriff tom allman complained local laws allowing cultivation gentle attract violent crime including farmworkers recent homicide siskiyou county leaders declared state emergency called gov jerry brown help influx marijuana farmers snatched inexpensive land even though pot cultivation illegal two growers arrested charged offering sheriff jon lopey 1 million leave farms alone thats need know type money involved lopey said isnt confined state theres big market outside california supplying calaveras county voters january replaced four five supervisors voted legalize marijuana new majority vowed repeal legalization institute strict ban formal vote delayed several times amid threats lawsuits farmers much cultural war grower beth witke said im tired demoralized ban supporters witke farmers argue create goodpaying jobs young adults otherwise would leave county san francisco bay area among handful growers operated quietly calaveras county decades attracted regions climate proximity bay area devastating 2015 wildfire helped launch countys green rush fire leveled subdivisions wooded areas turning attractive farmland former homeowners sold flattened lots outside growers armed cash betting county would issue permits grow mark bolger received first permit said ban would drive dozen workers im trying right thing bolger said first guy door always gets shot sheriff said hes focused farmers never applied permit grow despite rejected application year raided 40 farms seized close 30000 plants late september deputies raided two farms share waterline west copperopolis removed 300 plants three four farmers arrested new arrivals minnesota four tended another plot deputies raided august cited released one ryu lee 22 redding told deputies taking jail would return regardless whether ban enacted ill see next year lee said
| 567 |
<p>MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Senate voted Tuesday to oust leaders of the bipartisan state agencies charged with running elections and overseeing ethics laws, the latest move by Republicans to exact revenge on anyone connected with a now-closed investigation into Gov. Scott Walker and other conservatives.</p>
<p>The highly unusual Senate vote was designed to force out two former employees of the now-shuttered agency that approved the Walker probe who were later selected to head the newly created bipartisan Elections and Ethics commissions.</p>
<p>But Elections administrator Michael Haas said after the vote rejecting his confirmation that he plans to show up for work on Wednesday and if the commission chooses to appoint him as an interim director, he would do it.</p>
<p>Ethics leader Brian Bell declined to say what his next steps would be after the Senate rejected his confirmation. But Ethics Commission chairman David Halbrooks said legal options would be considered. The commission planned to meet Thursday to appoint an interim administrator and Halbrooks wouldn’t say if Bell would be considered for the post.</p>
<p>Senate Republican Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said after the vote that Haas and Bell were no longer employed as the commission’s leaders, although they do remain state employees. Fitzgerald said he hoped the commissions would not re-hire them as interim directors but would not say if he would pursue legal action if that happened.</p>
<p>Fitzgerald also said he wanted to reclassify other jobs at the Ethics and Elections commissions to get rid of others who worked for the previous agency involved in the GOP investigations.</p>
<p>Both Haas and Bell, who have served as interim directors pending Senate confirmation since mimd-2016, had unanimous support of their bipartisan commissions. But Republicans who control the Senate said they didn’t have confidence in their leadership given their past work for the agency that investigated Walker and others in the GOP.</p>
<p>“I wish both of these men would have resigned by now,” Fitzgerald said.</p>
<p>Fitzgerald also said that he had told both Bell and Haas when they were appointed that their jobs would be temporary given their past work for the Government Accountability Board. Haas disputed that Fitzgerald had ever told him the job would be temporary.</p>
<p>Democratic Sen. Jon Erpenbach, of Middleton, objected to the confirmation vote coming without a public hearing, breaking with the long-held practice for appointees.</p>
<p>“This is a smack in the face to what we’re supposed to be about in the Wisconsin state Senate,” Erpenbach said.</p>
<p>The Senate voted 18-13 to reject Haas and Bell, with all Republicans in support and all Democrats against.</p>
<p>Bell watched the vote from the Senate gallery while Haas defended himself on Twitter during the debate.</p>
<p>The Ethics Commission on Monday night, just hours before the vote, released findings of its own internal investigation conducted by a former federal prosecutor, Patrick Fiedler, and his law firm. Their investigation determined “there is not a scintilla of evidence that Brian Bell has ever performed any of his governmental duties in a partisan manner.”</p>
<p>Fitzgerald said he could never support Bell or Haas because of their work for the GAB, which conservatives believe unfairly investigated Walker and other Republicans for alleged illegal campaign coordination. The Wisconsin Supreme Court ended the secret investigation, known as a John Doe, in 2015 and no one was charged.</p>
<p>The Legislature disbanded the GAB in 2015, but the new bipartisan commissions they created unanimously hired Bell and Haas.</p>
<p>Haas did not work directly on the John Doe investigation, but did review legal filings made in lawsuits over the probe. Bell did not work on the investigation and publicly criticized the former GAB last week, saying he left it because he thought it was mismanaged and unfairly enforcing the law.</p>
<p>A report from Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel released last month faulted the GAB for poor security measures that allowed secret documents to be leaked to a newspaper. Schimel did not determine who turned over the information and did not name Bell or Haas among nine people who should face disciplinary action.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow Scott Bauer on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/sbauerAP" type="external" /> <a href="https://twitter.com/sbauerAP" type="external">https://twitter.com/sbauerAP</a></p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Sign up for the @APCentralRegion weekly newsletter showcasing our best reporting from Texas and the Midwest at <a href="http://apne.ws/2u1RMfv" type="external" /> <a href="http://apne.ws/2u1RMfv" type="external">http://apne.ws/2u1RMfv</a></p>
<p>MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Senate voted Tuesday to oust leaders of the bipartisan state agencies charged with running elections and overseeing ethics laws, the latest move by Republicans to exact revenge on anyone connected with a now-closed investigation into Gov. Scott Walker and other conservatives.</p>
<p>The highly unusual Senate vote was designed to force out two former employees of the now-shuttered agency that approved the Walker probe who were later selected to head the newly created bipartisan Elections and Ethics commissions.</p>
<p>But Elections administrator Michael Haas said after the vote rejecting his confirmation that he plans to show up for work on Wednesday and if the commission chooses to appoint him as an interim director, he would do it.</p>
<p>Ethics leader Brian Bell declined to say what his next steps would be after the Senate rejected his confirmation. But Ethics Commission chairman David Halbrooks said legal options would be considered. The commission planned to meet Thursday to appoint an interim administrator and Halbrooks wouldn’t say if Bell would be considered for the post.</p>
<p>Senate Republican Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said after the vote that Haas and Bell were no longer employed as the commission’s leaders, although they do remain state employees. Fitzgerald said he hoped the commissions would not re-hire them as interim directors but would not say if he would pursue legal action if that happened.</p>
<p>Fitzgerald also said he wanted to reclassify other jobs at the Ethics and Elections commissions to get rid of others who worked for the previous agency involved in the GOP investigations.</p>
<p>Both Haas and Bell, who have served as interim directors pending Senate confirmation since mimd-2016, had unanimous support of their bipartisan commissions. But Republicans who control the Senate said they didn’t have confidence in their leadership given their past work for the agency that investigated Walker and others in the GOP.</p>
<p>“I wish both of these men would have resigned by now,” Fitzgerald said.</p>
<p>Fitzgerald also said that he had told both Bell and Haas when they were appointed that their jobs would be temporary given their past work for the Government Accountability Board. Haas disputed that Fitzgerald had ever told him the job would be temporary.</p>
<p>Democratic Sen. Jon Erpenbach, of Middleton, objected to the confirmation vote coming without a public hearing, breaking with the long-held practice for appointees.</p>
<p>“This is a smack in the face to what we’re supposed to be about in the Wisconsin state Senate,” Erpenbach said.</p>
<p>The Senate voted 18-13 to reject Haas and Bell, with all Republicans in support and all Democrats against.</p>
<p>Bell watched the vote from the Senate gallery while Haas defended himself on Twitter during the debate.</p>
<p>The Ethics Commission on Monday night, just hours before the vote, released findings of its own internal investigation conducted by a former federal prosecutor, Patrick Fiedler, and his law firm. Their investigation determined “there is not a scintilla of evidence that Brian Bell has ever performed any of his governmental duties in a partisan manner.”</p>
<p>Fitzgerald said he could never support Bell or Haas because of their work for the GAB, which conservatives believe unfairly investigated Walker and other Republicans for alleged illegal campaign coordination. The Wisconsin Supreme Court ended the secret investigation, known as a John Doe, in 2015 and no one was charged.</p>
<p>The Legislature disbanded the GAB in 2015, but the new bipartisan commissions they created unanimously hired Bell and Haas.</p>
<p>Haas did not work directly on the John Doe investigation, but did review legal filings made in lawsuits over the probe. Bell did not work on the investigation and publicly criticized the former GAB last week, saying he left it because he thought it was mismanaged and unfairly enforcing the law.</p>
<p>A report from Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel released last month faulted the GAB for poor security measures that allowed secret documents to be leaked to a newspaper. Schimel did not determine who turned over the information and did not name Bell or Haas among nine people who should face disciplinary action.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow Scott Bauer on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/sbauerAP" type="external" /> <a href="https://twitter.com/sbauerAP" type="external">https://twitter.com/sbauerAP</a></p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Sign up for the @APCentralRegion weekly newsletter showcasing our best reporting from Texas and the Midwest at <a href="http://apne.ws/2u1RMfv" type="external" /> <a href="http://apne.ws/2u1RMfv" type="external">http://apne.ws/2u1RMfv</a></p>
| false | 2 |
madison wis ap wisconsin senate voted tuesday oust leaders bipartisan state agencies charged running elections overseeing ethics laws latest move republicans exact revenge anyone connected nowclosed investigation gov scott walker conservatives highly unusual senate vote designed force two former employees nowshuttered agency approved walker probe later selected head newly created bipartisan elections ethics commissions elections administrator michael haas said vote rejecting confirmation plans show work wednesday commission chooses appoint interim director would ethics leader brian bell declined say next steps would senate rejected confirmation ethics commission chairman david halbrooks said legal options would considered commission planned meet thursday appoint interim administrator halbrooks wouldnt say bell would considered post senate republican majority leader scott fitzgerald said vote haas bell longer employed commissions leaders although remain state employees fitzgerald said hoped commissions would rehire interim directors would say would pursue legal action happened fitzgerald also said wanted reclassify jobs ethics elections commissions get rid others worked previous agency involved gop investigations haas bell served interim directors pending senate confirmation since mimd2016 unanimous support bipartisan commissions republicans control senate said didnt confidence leadership given past work agency investigated walker others gop wish men would resigned fitzgerald said fitzgerald also said told bell haas appointed jobs would temporary given past work government accountability board haas disputed fitzgerald ever told job would temporary democratic sen jon erpenbach middleton objected confirmation vote coming without public hearing breaking longheld practice appointees smack face supposed wisconsin state senate erpenbach said senate voted 1813 reject haas bell republicans support democrats bell watched vote senate gallery haas defended twitter debate ethics commission monday night hours vote released findings internal investigation conducted former federal prosecutor patrick fiedler law firm investigation determined scintilla evidence brian bell ever performed governmental duties partisan manner fitzgerald said could never support bell haas work gab conservatives believe unfairly investigated walker republicans alleged illegal campaign coordination wisconsin supreme court ended secret investigation known john doe 2015 one charged legislature disbanded gab 2015 new bipartisan commissions created unanimously hired bell haas haas work directly john doe investigation review legal filings made lawsuits probe bell work investigation publicly criticized former gab last week saying left thought mismanaged unfairly enforcing law report republican attorney general brad schimel released last month faulted gab poor security measures allowed secret documents leaked newspaper schimel determine turned information name bell haas among nine people face disciplinary action ___ follow scott bauer twitter httpstwittercomsbauerap ___ sign apcentralregion weekly newsletter showcasing best reporting texas midwest httpapnews2u1rmfv madison wis ap wisconsin senate voted tuesday oust leaders bipartisan state agencies charged running elections overseeing ethics laws latest move republicans exact revenge anyone connected nowclosed investigation gov scott walker conservatives highly unusual senate vote designed force two former employees nowshuttered agency approved walker probe later selected head newly created bipartisan elections ethics commissions elections administrator michael haas said vote rejecting confirmation plans show work wednesday commission chooses appoint interim director would ethics leader brian bell declined say next steps would senate rejected confirmation ethics commission chairman david halbrooks said legal options would considered commission planned meet thursday appoint interim administrator halbrooks wouldnt say bell would considered post senate republican majority leader scott fitzgerald said vote haas bell longer employed commissions leaders although remain state employees fitzgerald said hoped commissions would rehire interim directors would say would pursue legal action happened fitzgerald also said wanted reclassify jobs ethics elections commissions get rid others worked previous agency involved gop investigations haas bell served interim directors pending senate confirmation since mimd2016 unanimous support bipartisan commissions republicans control senate said didnt confidence leadership given past work agency investigated walker others gop wish men would resigned fitzgerald said fitzgerald also said told bell haas appointed jobs would temporary given past work government accountability board haas disputed fitzgerald ever told job would temporary democratic sen jon erpenbach middleton objected confirmation vote coming without public hearing breaking longheld practice appointees smack face supposed wisconsin state senate erpenbach said senate voted 1813 reject haas bell republicans support democrats bell watched vote senate gallery haas defended twitter debate ethics commission monday night hours vote released findings internal investigation conducted former federal prosecutor patrick fiedler law firm investigation determined scintilla evidence brian bell ever performed governmental duties partisan manner fitzgerald said could never support bell haas work gab conservatives believe unfairly investigated walker republicans alleged illegal campaign coordination wisconsin supreme court ended secret investigation known john doe 2015 one charged legislature disbanded gab 2015 new bipartisan commissions created unanimously hired bell haas haas work directly john doe investigation review legal filings made lawsuits probe bell work investigation publicly criticized former gab last week saying left thought mismanaged unfairly enforcing law report republican attorney general brad schimel released last month faulted gab poor security measures allowed secret documents leaked newspaper schimel determine turned information name bell haas among nine people face disciplinary action ___ follow scott bauer twitter httpstwittercomsbauerap ___ sign apcentralregion weekly newsletter showcasing best reporting texas midwest httpapnews2u1rmfv
| 820 |
<p>OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Steve Kerr has spoken of Stephen Curry taking it to another level this season - and Kerr watched it from the bench for the first time Friday night.</p>
<p>The reigning MVP banked in a shot from midcourt with a hand in his face at the halftime buzzer after his three-quarter court swish at the end of the first was just late and he finished with 39 points and a triple-double, helping Kerr win his season debut in the Golden State Warriors' 122-110 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night.</p>
<p>"Great coaching," Kerr quipped. "Steph hits half-court shots all the time in practice."</p>
<p>Kerr returned from a leave of absence dating to Oct. 1 for complications following two back surgeries, and defending champion Golden State delivered for him by winning its 38th straight home game at Oracle Arena to match the 1985-86 Celtics for third-longest home winning streak all-time. The Warriors are 20-0 at home this season.</p>
<p>Curry added 12 assists and 10 rebounds for his second triple-double of the season and seventh of his career. He shimmied after his half-court shot and pounded his chest following his 201st 3-pointer at the 6:26 mark of the third quarter.</p>
<p>"Two fun shots," Curry said of his long heaves. "I hadn't hit one in a while in a game from that far since Memphis last year. Funny that the first one went in and didn't count and then felt pretty confident in the second one just because I'd already done it once. Needed a little glass to help but it went in."</p>
<p>Golden State has 10 triple-doubles this season - Draymond Green has the other eight - to match the franchise record also done in 1959-60. Curry has 30 or more points in six of his last eight games, and Green added 22 points and 11 rebounds.</p>
<p>Curry also became the first player in NBA history to make 200 3-pointers in four straight seasons. The only player with more than four seasons of at least 200 3s is Ray Allen with five.</p>
<p>An emotional Kerr waved and said, "Thank you" when he received a rousing ovation during pregame introductions. He led the Warriors to a franchise-best 67 wins and their first championship in 40 years last season as a first-year coach. Interim coach Luke Walton guided Golden State to an NBA-record 24-0 start and 39-4 record, and now goes back to his job as top assistant.</p>
<p>"It was a special night to have Coach Kerr back on the bench with all he's been through over the last seven months, to see him doing what he loves once again, it's amazing," Green said.</p>
<p>Monta Ellis led the Pacers with 18 points in his return to Oracle to face his former team. Myles Turner, who had averaged 20 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocks over his previous two games, scored a career-high 31 points and grabbed eight rebounds.</p>
<p>Golden State made 10 of its first 14 shots, four of those by Green and two 3-pointers by Curry to go ahead 25-8 on the way to a season sweep of the Pacers. The Warriors put up a 79-point first half - most in a first half in the NBA this season - on the way to a 131-123 road win at Indiana on Dec. 8.</p>
<p>KERR'S RETURN</p>
<p>Kerr couldn't wait to get back out there. He had "butterflies."</p>
<p>"I've been waiting for this for a long time. ... I really missed the routine," Kerr said. "It feels like the first game of the season, which it is for me. Fortunately our team's in a pretty good groove and hopefully we can keep going."</p>
<p>"He's a good friend, and it signals the fact that he's feeling much better, health-wise," said Spurs coach and Kerr friend Gregg Popovich, who will be here Monday night. "And that's wonderful."</p>
<p>GEORGE ALL-STAR STARTER</p>
<p>Pacers coach Frank Vogel made a point to congratulate Paul George on being named an All-Star starter for the Eastern Conference in the Feb. 14 game at Toronto.</p>
<p>It's been a long road back from that devastating right leg injury suffered with the U.S. national team on Aug. 2, 2014.</p>
<p>"So proud of him. I talked to him this afternoon," Vogel said. "You see that (injury) happen and you don't know if you're ever going to play the game again, or walk the same again. To come as far back as to get in some games last year and just return to the court was a huge accomplishment in my mind."</p>
<p>TIP-INS</p>
<p>Pacers: Ellis played his initial 6 1/2 seasons for the Warriors from 2005-12, then was traded to Milwaukee in the deal that brought Andrew Bogut to Golden State in March 2012. ... The Pacers were outrebounded 50-44.</p>
<p>Warriors: The two home winning streaks longer than Golden State's current unbeaten run: Bulls' 44 from March 30, 1995-April 4, 1996, and 40 by the Orlando Magic (March 21, '95-March 19, '96). The Warriors haven't lost at Oracle since a 113-111 overtime defeat to Chicago last Jan. 27. ... Golden State won its first season series against the Pacers since going 2-0 in 2000-01. ... Kerr plans to keep some plays installed by Walton, saying, "Tough act to follow." ... Bogut had three blocks in back-to-back games for the fourth time this season.</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Pacers: At Sacramento on Saturday night.</p>
<p>Warriors: Host San Antonio on Monday night.</p>
<p>OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Steve Kerr has spoken of Stephen Curry taking it to another level this season - and Kerr watched it from the bench for the first time Friday night.</p>
<p>The reigning MVP banked in a shot from midcourt with a hand in his face at the halftime buzzer after his three-quarter court swish at the end of the first was just late and he finished with 39 points and a triple-double, helping Kerr win his season debut in the Golden State Warriors' 122-110 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night.</p>
<p>"Great coaching," Kerr quipped. "Steph hits half-court shots all the time in practice."</p>
<p>Kerr returned from a leave of absence dating to Oct. 1 for complications following two back surgeries, and defending champion Golden State delivered for him by winning its 38th straight home game at Oracle Arena to match the 1985-86 Celtics for third-longest home winning streak all-time. The Warriors are 20-0 at home this season.</p>
<p>Curry added 12 assists and 10 rebounds for his second triple-double of the season and seventh of his career. He shimmied after his half-court shot and pounded his chest following his 201st 3-pointer at the 6:26 mark of the third quarter.</p>
<p>"Two fun shots," Curry said of his long heaves. "I hadn't hit one in a while in a game from that far since Memphis last year. Funny that the first one went in and didn't count and then felt pretty confident in the second one just because I'd already done it once. Needed a little glass to help but it went in."</p>
<p>Golden State has 10 triple-doubles this season - Draymond Green has the other eight - to match the franchise record also done in 1959-60. Curry has 30 or more points in six of his last eight games, and Green added 22 points and 11 rebounds.</p>
<p>Curry also became the first player in NBA history to make 200 3-pointers in four straight seasons. The only player with more than four seasons of at least 200 3s is Ray Allen with five.</p>
<p>An emotional Kerr waved and said, "Thank you" when he received a rousing ovation during pregame introductions. He led the Warriors to a franchise-best 67 wins and their first championship in 40 years last season as a first-year coach. Interim coach Luke Walton guided Golden State to an NBA-record 24-0 start and 39-4 record, and now goes back to his job as top assistant.</p>
<p>"It was a special night to have Coach Kerr back on the bench with all he's been through over the last seven months, to see him doing what he loves once again, it's amazing," Green said.</p>
<p>Monta Ellis led the Pacers with 18 points in his return to Oracle to face his former team. Myles Turner, who had averaged 20 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocks over his previous two games, scored a career-high 31 points and grabbed eight rebounds.</p>
<p>Golden State made 10 of its first 14 shots, four of those by Green and two 3-pointers by Curry to go ahead 25-8 on the way to a season sweep of the Pacers. The Warriors put up a 79-point first half - most in a first half in the NBA this season - on the way to a 131-123 road win at Indiana on Dec. 8.</p>
<p>KERR'S RETURN</p>
<p>Kerr couldn't wait to get back out there. He had "butterflies."</p>
<p>"I've been waiting for this for a long time. ... I really missed the routine," Kerr said. "It feels like the first game of the season, which it is for me. Fortunately our team's in a pretty good groove and hopefully we can keep going."</p>
<p>"He's a good friend, and it signals the fact that he's feeling much better, health-wise," said Spurs coach and Kerr friend Gregg Popovich, who will be here Monday night. "And that's wonderful."</p>
<p>GEORGE ALL-STAR STARTER</p>
<p>Pacers coach Frank Vogel made a point to congratulate Paul George on being named an All-Star starter for the Eastern Conference in the Feb. 14 game at Toronto.</p>
<p>It's been a long road back from that devastating right leg injury suffered with the U.S. national team on Aug. 2, 2014.</p>
<p>"So proud of him. I talked to him this afternoon," Vogel said. "You see that (injury) happen and you don't know if you're ever going to play the game again, or walk the same again. To come as far back as to get in some games last year and just return to the court was a huge accomplishment in my mind."</p>
<p>TIP-INS</p>
<p>Pacers: Ellis played his initial 6 1/2 seasons for the Warriors from 2005-12, then was traded to Milwaukee in the deal that brought Andrew Bogut to Golden State in March 2012. ... The Pacers were outrebounded 50-44.</p>
<p>Warriors: The two home winning streaks longer than Golden State's current unbeaten run: Bulls' 44 from March 30, 1995-April 4, 1996, and 40 by the Orlando Magic (March 21, '95-March 19, '96). The Warriors haven't lost at Oracle since a 113-111 overtime defeat to Chicago last Jan. 27. ... Golden State won its first season series against the Pacers since going 2-0 in 2000-01. ... Kerr plans to keep some plays installed by Walton, saying, "Tough act to follow." ... Bogut had three blocks in back-to-back games for the fourth time this season.</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Pacers: At Sacramento on Saturday night.</p>
<p>Warriors: Host San Antonio on Monday night.</p>
| false | 2 |
oakland calif ap steve kerr spoken stephen curry taking another level season kerr watched bench first time friday night reigning mvp banked shot midcourt hand face halftime buzzer threequarter court swish end first late finished 39 points tripledouble helping kerr win season debut golden state warriors 122110 victory indiana pacers friday night great coaching kerr quipped steph hits halfcourt shots time practice kerr returned leave absence dating oct 1 complications following two back surgeries defending champion golden state delivered winning 38th straight home game oracle arena match 198586 celtics thirdlongest home winning streak alltime warriors 200 home season curry added 12 assists 10 rebounds second tripledouble season seventh career shimmied halfcourt shot pounded chest following 201st 3pointer 626 mark third quarter two fun shots curry said long heaves hadnt hit one game far since memphis last year funny first one went didnt count felt pretty confident second one id already done needed little glass help went golden state 10 tripledoubles season draymond green eight match franchise record also done 195960 curry 30 points six last eight games green added 22 points 11 rebounds curry also became first player nba history make 200 3pointers four straight seasons player four seasons least 200 3s ray allen five emotional kerr waved said thank received rousing ovation pregame introductions led warriors franchisebest 67 wins first championship 40 years last season firstyear coach interim coach luke walton guided golden state nbarecord 240 start 394 record goes back job top assistant special night coach kerr back bench hes last seven months see loves amazing green said monta ellis led pacers 18 points return oracle face former team myles turner averaged 20 points 55 rebounds 30 blocks previous two games scored careerhigh 31 points grabbed eight rebounds golden state made 10 first 14 shots four green two 3pointers curry go ahead 258 way season sweep pacers warriors put 79point first half first half nba season way 131123 road win indiana dec 8 kerrs return kerr couldnt wait get back butterflies ive waiting long time really missed routine kerr said feels like first game season fortunately teams pretty good groove hopefully keep going hes good friend signals fact hes feeling much better healthwise said spurs coach kerr friend gregg popovich monday night thats wonderful george allstar starter pacers coach frank vogel made point congratulate paul george named allstar starter eastern conference feb 14 game toronto long road back devastating right leg injury suffered us national team aug 2 2014 proud talked afternoon vogel said see injury happen dont know youre ever going play game walk come far back get games last year return court huge accomplishment mind tipins pacers ellis played initial 6 12 seasons warriors 200512 traded milwaukee deal brought andrew bogut golden state march 2012 pacers outrebounded 5044 warriors two home winning streaks longer golden states current unbeaten run bulls 44 march 30 1995april 4 1996 40 orlando magic march 21 95march 19 96 warriors havent lost oracle since 113111 overtime defeat chicago last jan 27 golden state first season series pacers since going 20 200001 kerr plans keep plays installed walton saying tough act follow bogut three blocks backtoback games fourth time season next pacers sacramento saturday night warriors host san antonio monday night oakland calif ap steve kerr spoken stephen curry taking another level season kerr watched bench first time friday night reigning mvp banked shot midcourt hand face halftime buzzer threequarter court swish end first late finished 39 points tripledouble helping kerr win season debut golden state warriors 122110 victory indiana pacers friday night great coaching kerr quipped steph hits halfcourt shots time practice kerr returned leave absence dating oct 1 complications following two back surgeries defending champion golden state delivered winning 38th straight home game oracle arena match 198586 celtics thirdlongest home winning streak alltime warriors 200 home season curry added 12 assists 10 rebounds second tripledouble season seventh career shimmied halfcourt shot pounded chest following 201st 3pointer 626 mark third quarter two fun shots curry said long heaves hadnt hit one game far since memphis last year funny first one went didnt count felt pretty confident second one id already done needed little glass help went golden state 10 tripledoubles season draymond green eight match franchise record also done 195960 curry 30 points six last eight games green added 22 points 11 rebounds curry also became first player nba history make 200 3pointers four straight seasons player four seasons least 200 3s ray allen five emotional kerr waved said thank received rousing ovation pregame introductions led warriors franchisebest 67 wins first championship 40 years last season firstyear coach interim coach luke walton guided golden state nbarecord 240 start 394 record goes back job top assistant special night coach kerr back bench hes last seven months see loves amazing green said monta ellis led pacers 18 points return oracle face former team myles turner averaged 20 points 55 rebounds 30 blocks previous two games scored careerhigh 31 points grabbed eight rebounds golden state made 10 first 14 shots four green two 3pointers curry go ahead 258 way season sweep pacers warriors put 79point first half first half nba season way 131123 road win indiana dec 8 kerrs return kerr couldnt wait get back butterflies ive waiting long time really missed routine kerr said feels like first game season fortunately teams pretty good groove hopefully keep going hes good friend signals fact hes feeling much better healthwise said spurs coach kerr friend gregg popovich monday night thats wonderful george allstar starter pacers coach frank vogel made point congratulate paul george named allstar starter eastern conference feb 14 game toronto long road back devastating right leg injury suffered us national team aug 2 2014 proud talked afternoon vogel said see injury happen dont know youre ever going play game walk come far back get games last year return court huge accomplishment mind tipins pacers ellis played initial 6 12 seasons warriors 200512 traded milwaukee deal brought andrew bogut golden state march 2012 pacers outrebounded 5044 warriors two home winning streaks longer golden states current unbeaten run bulls 44 march 30 1995april 4 1996 40 orlando magic march 21 95march 19 96 warriors havent lost oracle since 113111 overtime defeat chicago last jan 27 golden state first season series pacers since going 20 200001 kerr plans keep plays installed walton saying tough act follow bogut three blocks backtoback games fourth time season next pacers sacramento saturday night warriors host san antonio monday night
| 1,078 |
<p>PARIS (AP) — Paul Bocuse, the master chef who defined French cuisine for more than a half-century and put it on tables around the world, has died. He was 91.</p>
<p>Often referred to as the “pope of French cuisine,” Bocuse was a tireless pioneer, the first chef to blend the art of cooking with savvy business tactics — branding his cuisine and his image to create an empire of restaurants around the globe.</p>
<p>Bocuse died Saturday at Collonges-au-Mont-d’or, the place where he was born and had his restaurant.</p>
<p>“French gastronomy loses a mythical figure,” French President Emmanuel Macron said. “The chefs cry in their kitchens, at the Elysee (presidential palace) and everywhere in France.”</p>
<p>Interior Minister Gerard Collomb tweeted that “Mister Paul was France. Simplicity and generosity. Excellence and art de vivre.”</p>
<p>Bocuse, who underwent a triple heart bypass in 2005, had also been suffering from Parkinson’s disease.</p>
<p>Bocuse’s temple to French gastronomy, L’Auberge du Pont de Collonges, outside the city of Lyon in southeastern France, has held three stars — without interruption — since 1965 in the Michelin guide, the bible of gastronomes.</p>
<p>In 1982, Bocuse opened a restaurant in the France Pavilion in Walt Disney World’s Epcot Center in Orlando, Florida, headed by his son Jerome, also a chef. In recent years, Bocuse even dabbled in fast food with two outlets in his home base of Lyon.</p>
<p>“He has been a leader. He took the cook out of the kitchen,” celebrity French chef Alain Ducasse said at a 2013 gathering to honor Bocuse.</p>
<p>“Monsieur Paul,” as he was known, was placed right in the center of 2013 cover of the newsweekly Le Point that exemplified “The French Genius.” Shown in his trademark pose — arms folded over his crisp white apron, a tall chef’s hat, or “toque,” atop his head — he was winged by Marie Curie, Louis Pasteur and Coco Chanel, among other French luminaries.</p>
<p>While excelling in the business of cooking, Bocuse never flagged in his devotion to his first love, creating a top class, quintessentially French meal. He eschewed the fads and experiments that captivated many other top chefs.</p>
<p>“In cooking, there are those who are rap and those who are concerto,” he told the French newsmagazine L’Express before his 2005 biography, adding that he tended toward the concerto.</p>
<p>Born into a family of cooks that he dates to the 1700s, Bocuse stood guard over the kitchen of his world-famous restaurant even in retirement. In a 2011 interview with The Associated Press, Bocuse said he slept in the room where he was born above the dining rooms.</p>
<p>“But I changed the sheets,” he added with characteristic wry humor.</p>
<p>Born on Feb. 11, 1926, Bocuse entered his first apprenticeship at 16. He worked at the famed La Mere Brazier in Lyon, then spent eight years with one of his culinary idols, Fernand Point, whose cooking was a precursor to France’s nouvelle cuisine movement, with lighter sauces and lightly cooked fresh vegetables.</p>
<p>Bocuse’s career in the kitchen traversed the ages. He went from apprenticeships and cooking “brigades,” as kitchen teams are known, when stoves were coal-fired and chefs also served as scullery maids, to the ultra-modern kitchen of his Auberge.</p>
<p>“There was rigor,” Bocuse told the AP. “(At La Mere Brazier) you had to wake up early and milk the cows, feed the pigs, do the laundry and cook .... It was a very tough school of hard knocks.”</p>
<p>“Today, the profession has changed enormously. There’s no more coal. You push a button and you have heat,” he said.</p>
<p>The gastronomic offerings at Bocuse’s L’Auberge du Pont de Collonges are rooted in the French culinary tradition: simple, authentic food that was “identifiable” in its nature.</p>
<p>Emblematic of that was a crock of truffle soup topped with a golden bubble of pastry he created in 1975 for then-French President Valery Giscard d’Estaing, which is served to this day. Another classic is fricassee of Bresse chicken — from France’s Bresse region, which is famed for its poultry — served in cream with morilles, a spring mushroom.</p>
<p>And his favorite ingredient? Butter.</p>
<p>“(It’s a) magical product,” he said during a visit to the Culinary Institute of America. “Nothing replaces butter.”</p>
<p>Three other cooking must-haves, according to the chef, are fresh produce (his was from his own garden), good, trusted kitchen staff and happy diners.</p>
<p>“It’s the client who runs the house,” Bocuse said in the AP interview.</p>
<p>While Bocuse’s kitchens were meticulously in order, his personal life was on the unorthodox side. He acknowledged in a 2005 biography that he had been quietly sharing his life with three women — simultaneously — each with a pivotal role in his life.</p>
<p>“I think cuisine and sex have lots of common points,” Bocuse said before publication of “Paul Bocuse: The Sacred Fire.” “Even if it seems a bit macho, I love women.”</p>
<p>He is survived by his wife Raymonde, their daughter Francoise and a son, Jerome.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Sylvie Corbet contributed to this report.</p>
<p>PARIS (AP) — Paul Bocuse, the master chef who defined French cuisine for more than a half-century and put it on tables around the world, has died. He was 91.</p>
<p>Often referred to as the “pope of French cuisine,” Bocuse was a tireless pioneer, the first chef to blend the art of cooking with savvy business tactics — branding his cuisine and his image to create an empire of restaurants around the globe.</p>
<p>Bocuse died Saturday at Collonges-au-Mont-d’or, the place where he was born and had his restaurant.</p>
<p>“French gastronomy loses a mythical figure,” French President Emmanuel Macron said. “The chefs cry in their kitchens, at the Elysee (presidential palace) and everywhere in France.”</p>
<p>Interior Minister Gerard Collomb tweeted that “Mister Paul was France. Simplicity and generosity. Excellence and art de vivre.”</p>
<p>Bocuse, who underwent a triple heart bypass in 2005, had also been suffering from Parkinson’s disease.</p>
<p>Bocuse’s temple to French gastronomy, L’Auberge du Pont de Collonges, outside the city of Lyon in southeastern France, has held three stars — without interruption — since 1965 in the Michelin guide, the bible of gastronomes.</p>
<p>In 1982, Bocuse opened a restaurant in the France Pavilion in Walt Disney World’s Epcot Center in Orlando, Florida, headed by his son Jerome, also a chef. In recent years, Bocuse even dabbled in fast food with two outlets in his home base of Lyon.</p>
<p>“He has been a leader. He took the cook out of the kitchen,” celebrity French chef Alain Ducasse said at a 2013 gathering to honor Bocuse.</p>
<p>“Monsieur Paul,” as he was known, was placed right in the center of 2013 cover of the newsweekly Le Point that exemplified “The French Genius.” Shown in his trademark pose — arms folded over his crisp white apron, a tall chef’s hat, or “toque,” atop his head — he was winged by Marie Curie, Louis Pasteur and Coco Chanel, among other French luminaries.</p>
<p>While excelling in the business of cooking, Bocuse never flagged in his devotion to his first love, creating a top class, quintessentially French meal. He eschewed the fads and experiments that captivated many other top chefs.</p>
<p>“In cooking, there are those who are rap and those who are concerto,” he told the French newsmagazine L’Express before his 2005 biography, adding that he tended toward the concerto.</p>
<p>Born into a family of cooks that he dates to the 1700s, Bocuse stood guard over the kitchen of his world-famous restaurant even in retirement. In a 2011 interview with The Associated Press, Bocuse said he slept in the room where he was born above the dining rooms.</p>
<p>“But I changed the sheets,” he added with characteristic wry humor.</p>
<p>Born on Feb. 11, 1926, Bocuse entered his first apprenticeship at 16. He worked at the famed La Mere Brazier in Lyon, then spent eight years with one of his culinary idols, Fernand Point, whose cooking was a precursor to France’s nouvelle cuisine movement, with lighter sauces and lightly cooked fresh vegetables.</p>
<p>Bocuse’s career in the kitchen traversed the ages. He went from apprenticeships and cooking “brigades,” as kitchen teams are known, when stoves were coal-fired and chefs also served as scullery maids, to the ultra-modern kitchen of his Auberge.</p>
<p>“There was rigor,” Bocuse told the AP. “(At La Mere Brazier) you had to wake up early and milk the cows, feed the pigs, do the laundry and cook .... It was a very tough school of hard knocks.”</p>
<p>“Today, the profession has changed enormously. There’s no more coal. You push a button and you have heat,” he said.</p>
<p>The gastronomic offerings at Bocuse’s L’Auberge du Pont de Collonges are rooted in the French culinary tradition: simple, authentic food that was “identifiable” in its nature.</p>
<p>Emblematic of that was a crock of truffle soup topped with a golden bubble of pastry he created in 1975 for then-French President Valery Giscard d’Estaing, which is served to this day. Another classic is fricassee of Bresse chicken — from France’s Bresse region, which is famed for its poultry — served in cream with morilles, a spring mushroom.</p>
<p>And his favorite ingredient? Butter.</p>
<p>“(It’s a) magical product,” he said during a visit to the Culinary Institute of America. “Nothing replaces butter.”</p>
<p>Three other cooking must-haves, according to the chef, are fresh produce (his was from his own garden), good, trusted kitchen staff and happy diners.</p>
<p>“It’s the client who runs the house,” Bocuse said in the AP interview.</p>
<p>While Bocuse’s kitchens were meticulously in order, his personal life was on the unorthodox side. He acknowledged in a 2005 biography that he had been quietly sharing his life with three women — simultaneously — each with a pivotal role in his life.</p>
<p>“I think cuisine and sex have lots of common points,” Bocuse said before publication of “Paul Bocuse: The Sacred Fire.” “Even if it seems a bit macho, I love women.”</p>
<p>He is survived by his wife Raymonde, their daughter Francoise and a son, Jerome.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Sylvie Corbet contributed to this report.</p>
| false | 2 |
paris ap paul bocuse master chef defined french cuisine halfcentury put tables around world died 91 often referred pope french cuisine bocuse tireless pioneer first chef blend art cooking savvy business tactics branding cuisine image create empire restaurants around globe bocuse died saturday collongesaumontdor place born restaurant french gastronomy loses mythical figure french president emmanuel macron said chefs cry kitchens elysee presidential palace everywhere france interior minister gerard collomb tweeted mister paul france simplicity generosity excellence art de vivre bocuse underwent triple heart bypass 2005 also suffering parkinsons disease bocuses temple french gastronomy lauberge du pont de collonges outside city lyon southeastern france held three stars without interruption since 1965 michelin guide bible gastronomes 1982 bocuse opened restaurant france pavilion walt disney worlds epcot center orlando florida headed son jerome also chef recent years bocuse even dabbled fast food two outlets home base lyon leader took cook kitchen celebrity french chef alain ducasse said 2013 gathering honor bocuse monsieur paul known placed right center 2013 cover newsweekly le point exemplified french genius shown trademark pose arms folded crisp white apron tall chefs hat toque atop head winged marie curie louis pasteur coco chanel among french luminaries excelling business cooking bocuse never flagged devotion first love creating top class quintessentially french meal eschewed fads experiments captivated many top chefs cooking rap concerto told french newsmagazine lexpress 2005 biography adding tended toward concerto born family cooks dates 1700s bocuse stood guard kitchen worldfamous restaurant even retirement 2011 interview associated press bocuse said slept room born dining rooms changed sheets added characteristic wry humor born feb 11 1926 bocuse entered first apprenticeship 16 worked famed la mere brazier lyon spent eight years one culinary idols fernand point whose cooking precursor frances nouvelle cuisine movement lighter sauces lightly cooked fresh vegetables bocuses career kitchen traversed ages went apprenticeships cooking brigades kitchen teams known stoves coalfired chefs also served scullery maids ultramodern kitchen auberge rigor bocuse told ap la mere brazier wake early milk cows feed pigs laundry cook tough school hard knocks today profession changed enormously theres coal push button heat said gastronomic offerings bocuses lauberge du pont de collonges rooted french culinary tradition simple authentic food identifiable nature emblematic crock truffle soup topped golden bubble pastry created 1975 thenfrench president valery giscard destaing served day another classic fricassee bresse chicken frances bresse region famed poultry served cream morilles spring mushroom favorite ingredient butter magical product said visit culinary institute america nothing replaces butter three cooking musthaves according chef fresh produce garden good trusted kitchen staff happy diners client runs house bocuse said ap interview bocuses kitchens meticulously order personal life unorthodox side acknowledged 2005 biography quietly sharing life three women simultaneously pivotal role life think cuisine sex lots common points bocuse said publication paul bocuse sacred fire even seems bit macho love women survived wife raymonde daughter francoise son jerome ___ sylvie corbet contributed report paris ap paul bocuse master chef defined french cuisine halfcentury put tables around world died 91 often referred pope french cuisine bocuse tireless pioneer first chef blend art cooking savvy business tactics branding cuisine image create empire restaurants around globe bocuse died saturday collongesaumontdor place born restaurant french gastronomy loses mythical figure french president emmanuel macron said chefs cry kitchens elysee presidential palace everywhere france interior minister gerard collomb tweeted mister paul france simplicity generosity excellence art de vivre bocuse underwent triple heart bypass 2005 also suffering parkinsons disease bocuses temple french gastronomy lauberge du pont de collonges outside city lyon southeastern france held three stars without interruption since 1965 michelin guide bible gastronomes 1982 bocuse opened restaurant france pavilion walt disney worlds epcot center orlando florida headed son jerome also chef recent years bocuse even dabbled fast food two outlets home base lyon leader took cook kitchen celebrity french chef alain ducasse said 2013 gathering honor bocuse monsieur paul known placed right center 2013 cover newsweekly le point exemplified french genius shown trademark pose arms folded crisp white apron tall chefs hat toque atop head winged marie curie louis pasteur coco chanel among french luminaries excelling business cooking bocuse never flagged devotion first love creating top class quintessentially french meal eschewed fads experiments captivated many top chefs cooking rap concerto told french newsmagazine lexpress 2005 biography adding tended toward concerto born family cooks dates 1700s bocuse stood guard kitchen worldfamous restaurant even retirement 2011 interview associated press bocuse said slept room born dining rooms changed sheets added characteristic wry humor born feb 11 1926 bocuse entered first apprenticeship 16 worked famed la mere brazier lyon spent eight years one culinary idols fernand point whose cooking precursor frances nouvelle cuisine movement lighter sauces lightly cooked fresh vegetables bocuses career kitchen traversed ages went apprenticeships cooking brigades kitchen teams known stoves coalfired chefs also served scullery maids ultramodern kitchen auberge rigor bocuse told ap la mere brazier wake early milk cows feed pigs laundry cook tough school hard knocks today profession changed enormously theres coal push button heat said gastronomic offerings bocuses lauberge du pont de collonges rooted french culinary tradition simple authentic food identifiable nature emblematic crock truffle soup topped golden bubble pastry created 1975 thenfrench president valery giscard destaing served day another classic fricassee bresse chicken frances bresse region famed poultry served cream morilles spring mushroom favorite ingredient butter magical product said visit culinary institute america nothing replaces butter three cooking musthaves according chef fresh produce garden good trusted kitchen staff happy diners client runs house bocuse said ap interview bocuses kitchens meticulously order personal life unorthodox side acknowledged 2005 biography quietly sharing life three women simultaneously pivotal role life think cuisine sex lots common points bocuse said publication paul bocuse sacred fire even seems bit macho love women survived wife raymonde daughter francoise son jerome ___ sylvie corbet contributed report
| 964 |
<p>ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) — The mayor of Pennsylvania’s third-largest city “sold his office” to campaign donors, trading city contracts for cash to fuel his political ambitions, a prosecutor told jurors Monday in the mayor’s federal corruption trial.</p>
<p>Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski rigged a series of contracts to go to law firms and businesses that supported his campaigns for governor and U.S. Senate, retaliated against vendors that refused to play along or didn’t give sufficiently and tried to hide his tracks, Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Wzorek said in his opening statement.</p>
<p>“If you wanted a contract in the city of Allentown under Mayor Pawlowski, you had to pay,” he said. “The fix was in.”</p>
<p>Pawlowski, 51, who began a fourth term this month, faces an indictment that includes dozens of accusations of fraud, bribery, attempted extortion and lying to the FBI. The most serious charges carry a maximum prison term of 20 years each.</p>
<p>The mayor’s attorney, Jack McMahon, denied an illegal quid pro quo, or explicit connection between city work and campaign contributions. In his opening statement, he called the mayor a “moral person” and accused prosecutors of relying on “conniving, morally bankrupt” witnesses to build their case.</p>
<p>Pawlowski’s political consultants, Mike Fleck and Sam Ruchlewicz, cooperated with the government and secretly recorded conversations with the mayor.</p>
<p>Several of the tapes were played Monday as prosecutors began presenting their case.</p>
<p>In the recordings, Pawlowski is heard complaining about a law firm that gave him a campaign contribution of only $100 after he awarded the firm millions of dollars in legal work.</p>
<p>“It’s kind of like a slap in the face,” he said.</p>
<p>Stevens &amp; Lee had been seeking additional work. But Pawlowski said he wanted $5,000 from the firm “at the very least” before it could get back in his good graces.</p>
<p>Jonathan Saidel, a former Philadelphia city controller who met with the mayor while trying to drum up business for Stevens &amp; Lee, told jurors he found Pawlowski’s talk about city work and campaign cash to be “blatant, amateurish and sad.” He said he didn’t want to be involved in a “quid pro quo.”</p>
<p>“I wanted to pick him up and throw him against the wall,” Saidel, whose meeting with the mayor was captured on tape, told jurors.</p>
<p>The day’s other witness, Stevens &amp; Lee attorney Donald Wieand, described a 2015 phone call from Pawlowski in which the mayor told him he’d be hearing from Allentown’s chief lawyer — which Wieand took to mean the firm was going to get city work. Wieand said Pawlowski then asked for a $1,000 donation to his Senate campaign.</p>
<p>The lawyer said he agreed to send a check, then had second thoughts.</p>
<p>“What have I gotten myself into?” he told jurors, describing his mindset. “Now I’m in a pay-to-play situation, and I was uncomfortable. I didn’t want any part of that.”</p>
<p>He said he never sent the check.</p>
<p>Wzorek, the prosecutor, alleged that Pawlowski rigged millions of dollars in contracts for legal, engineering, technology and construction work.</p>
<p>Worried about getting caught, the mayor twice had his office swept for listening devices, told city workers to use their personal email accounts to conduct business and talked about getting disposable “burner” phones, he said.</p>
<p>A co-defendant, lawyer Scott Allinson, is charged with bribing Pawlowski for legal work for his firm. He has pleaded not guilty.</p>
<p>ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) — The mayor of Pennsylvania’s third-largest city “sold his office” to campaign donors, trading city contracts for cash to fuel his political ambitions, a prosecutor told jurors Monday in the mayor’s federal corruption trial.</p>
<p>Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski rigged a series of contracts to go to law firms and businesses that supported his campaigns for governor and U.S. Senate, retaliated against vendors that refused to play along or didn’t give sufficiently and tried to hide his tracks, Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Wzorek said in his opening statement.</p>
<p>“If you wanted a contract in the city of Allentown under Mayor Pawlowski, you had to pay,” he said. “The fix was in.”</p>
<p>Pawlowski, 51, who began a fourth term this month, faces an indictment that includes dozens of accusations of fraud, bribery, attempted extortion and lying to the FBI. The most serious charges carry a maximum prison term of 20 years each.</p>
<p>The mayor’s attorney, Jack McMahon, denied an illegal quid pro quo, or explicit connection between city work and campaign contributions. In his opening statement, he called the mayor a “moral person” and accused prosecutors of relying on “conniving, morally bankrupt” witnesses to build their case.</p>
<p>Pawlowski’s political consultants, Mike Fleck and Sam Ruchlewicz, cooperated with the government and secretly recorded conversations with the mayor.</p>
<p>Several of the tapes were played Monday as prosecutors began presenting their case.</p>
<p>In the recordings, Pawlowski is heard complaining about a law firm that gave him a campaign contribution of only $100 after he awarded the firm millions of dollars in legal work.</p>
<p>“It’s kind of like a slap in the face,” he said.</p>
<p>Stevens &amp; Lee had been seeking additional work. But Pawlowski said he wanted $5,000 from the firm “at the very least” before it could get back in his good graces.</p>
<p>Jonathan Saidel, a former Philadelphia city controller who met with the mayor while trying to drum up business for Stevens &amp; Lee, told jurors he found Pawlowski’s talk about city work and campaign cash to be “blatant, amateurish and sad.” He said he didn’t want to be involved in a “quid pro quo.”</p>
<p>“I wanted to pick him up and throw him against the wall,” Saidel, whose meeting with the mayor was captured on tape, told jurors.</p>
<p>The day’s other witness, Stevens &amp; Lee attorney Donald Wieand, described a 2015 phone call from Pawlowski in which the mayor told him he’d be hearing from Allentown’s chief lawyer — which Wieand took to mean the firm was going to get city work. Wieand said Pawlowski then asked for a $1,000 donation to his Senate campaign.</p>
<p>The lawyer said he agreed to send a check, then had second thoughts.</p>
<p>“What have I gotten myself into?” he told jurors, describing his mindset. “Now I’m in a pay-to-play situation, and I was uncomfortable. I didn’t want any part of that.”</p>
<p>He said he never sent the check.</p>
<p>Wzorek, the prosecutor, alleged that Pawlowski rigged millions of dollars in contracts for legal, engineering, technology and construction work.</p>
<p>Worried about getting caught, the mayor twice had his office swept for listening devices, told city workers to use their personal email accounts to conduct business and talked about getting disposable “burner” phones, he said.</p>
<p>A co-defendant, lawyer Scott Allinson, is charged with bribing Pawlowski for legal work for his firm. He has pleaded not guilty.</p>
| false | 2 |
allentown pa ap mayor pennsylvanias thirdlargest city sold office campaign donors trading city contracts cash fuel political ambitions prosecutor told jurors monday mayors federal corruption trial allentown mayor ed pawlowski rigged series contracts go law firms businesses supported campaigns governor us senate retaliated vendors refused play along didnt give sufficiently tried hide tracks assistant us attorney anthony wzorek said opening statement wanted contract city allentown mayor pawlowski pay said fix pawlowski 51 began fourth term month faces indictment includes dozens accusations fraud bribery attempted extortion lying fbi serious charges carry maximum prison term 20 years mayors attorney jack mcmahon denied illegal quid pro quo explicit connection city work campaign contributions opening statement called mayor moral person accused prosecutors relying conniving morally bankrupt witnesses build case pawlowskis political consultants mike fleck sam ruchlewicz cooperated government secretly recorded conversations mayor several tapes played monday prosecutors began presenting case recordings pawlowski heard complaining law firm gave campaign contribution 100 awarded firm millions dollars legal work kind like slap face said stevens amp lee seeking additional work pawlowski said wanted 5000 firm least could get back good graces jonathan saidel former philadelphia city controller met mayor trying drum business stevens amp lee told jurors found pawlowskis talk city work campaign cash blatant amateurish sad said didnt want involved quid pro quo wanted pick throw wall saidel whose meeting mayor captured tape told jurors days witness stevens amp lee attorney donald wieand described 2015 phone call pawlowski mayor told hed hearing allentowns chief lawyer wieand took mean firm going get city work wieand said pawlowski asked 1000 donation senate campaign lawyer said agreed send check second thoughts gotten told jurors describing mindset im paytoplay situation uncomfortable didnt want part said never sent check wzorek prosecutor alleged pawlowski rigged millions dollars contracts legal engineering technology construction work worried getting caught mayor twice office swept listening devices told city workers use personal email accounts conduct business talked getting disposable burner phones said codefendant lawyer scott allinson charged bribing pawlowski legal work firm pleaded guilty allentown pa ap mayor pennsylvanias thirdlargest city sold office campaign donors trading city contracts cash fuel political ambitions prosecutor told jurors monday mayors federal corruption trial allentown mayor ed pawlowski rigged series contracts go law firms businesses supported campaigns governor us senate retaliated vendors refused play along didnt give sufficiently tried hide tracks assistant us attorney anthony wzorek said opening statement wanted contract city allentown mayor pawlowski pay said fix pawlowski 51 began fourth term month faces indictment includes dozens accusations fraud bribery attempted extortion lying fbi serious charges carry maximum prison term 20 years mayors attorney jack mcmahon denied illegal quid pro quo explicit connection city work campaign contributions opening statement called mayor moral person accused prosecutors relying conniving morally bankrupt witnesses build case pawlowskis political consultants mike fleck sam ruchlewicz cooperated government secretly recorded conversations mayor several tapes played monday prosecutors began presenting case recordings pawlowski heard complaining law firm gave campaign contribution 100 awarded firm millions dollars legal work kind like slap face said stevens amp lee seeking additional work pawlowski said wanted 5000 firm least could get back good graces jonathan saidel former philadelphia city controller met mayor trying drum business stevens amp lee told jurors found pawlowskis talk city work campaign cash blatant amateurish sad said didnt want involved quid pro quo wanted pick throw wall saidel whose meeting mayor captured tape told jurors days witness stevens amp lee attorney donald wieand described 2015 phone call pawlowski mayor told hed hearing allentowns chief lawyer wieand took mean firm going get city work wieand said pawlowski asked 1000 donation senate campaign lawyer said agreed send check second thoughts gotten told jurors describing mindset im paytoplay situation uncomfortable didnt want part said never sent check wzorek prosecutor alleged pawlowski rigged millions dollars contracts legal engineering technology construction work worried getting caught mayor twice office swept listening devices told city workers use personal email accounts conduct business talked getting disposable burner phones said codefendant lawyer scott allinson charged bribing pawlowski legal work firm pleaded guilty
| 674 |
<p>Republicans are tagging Democratic opponents across the country for wanting to “give Social Security benefits to illegal immigrants.” But nobody’s proposing paying benefits to illegals,&#160;not until and unless they become US citizens or are granted legal status.</p>
<p>The charge is a mischaracterization of an amendment offered during debate of&#160; the immigration bill&#160;that&#160;passed the Senate last May with a healthy bi-partisan majority, 62-36. The amendment would change current law to prevent immigrants from getting credit toward future Social Security benefits from&#160;taxes paid before they have legal permission to work.</p>
<p>The measure has&#160;become a popular campaign issue for Republicans, particularly incumbent House members who raise it against their Democratic challengers. We have counted 29 GOP ads attacking&#160;Democrats with various versions of this misleading claim. Similar misconceptions about the measure were spread as part of&#160;a chain e-mail&#160;last spring and summer.</p>
<p>Along with this latest&#160;swarm of ads&#160;comes&#160;some&#160;related mis characterizations, including a&#160;claim that&#160;the Senate&#160;plan “pays foreign workers more than Americans.” The Senate bill does have provisions to ensure that guest workers are paid no less than Americans. But&#160;no guest&#160;worker&#160;could be hired&#160;if&#160;a US citizen accepted the job.</p>
<p>Most of the ads began airing&#160;within the last two and a half weeks, with a new one popping up almost every day.</p>
<p>In Michigan, the National Republican Senate Committee and Republican challenger&#160;Mike Bouchard released an ad on the Sept. 29 saying of incumbent Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow, “while Michigan was losing jobs, she was fighting to give Social Security benefits to illegal immigrants.” The charge&#160;misrepresents an amendment proposed during consideration of the&#160; <a href="http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=109_cong_bills&amp;docid=f:s2611es.txt.pdf" type="external">Comprehensive Immigration Act</a> that the Senate <a href="http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&amp;session=2&amp;vote=00157" type="external">approved</a>&#160;last spring.</p>
<p>NRSC &amp; Bouchard Ad: “Not A Lot There”</p>
<p>Announcer: There’s something about Debbie Stabenow. Could be that she’s only passed one bill in six years, and that was to name a building. While Michigan was losing jobs, she was fighting to give Social Security benefits to illegal immigrants, voting for higher Death Taxes, higher Social Security taxes, and wasting billions on projects like bicycle paths in Illinois, and a bridge to nowhere in Alaska. Debbie Stabenow, there’s just not a whole lot there.</p>
<p>Bouchard: I’m Mike Bouchard and I approve this message.</p>
<p>Stabenow opposed an amendment that would&#160;prevent formerly illegal immigrants from receiving credit for Social Security taxes paid before they became legal workers.</p>
<p>The amounts are huge. The Social Security Administration has what it calls&#160;an “earnings suspense file” to track the amount of wages that are taxed&#160;for collection but not credited to a specific worker. SSA officials&#160;have <a href="http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/0410immigpay10.html" type="external">said</a> that the fund takes in as much as&#160;$7 billion a year. That&#160;money now goes to pay benefits, effectively subsidizing US&#160;beneficiaries with the taxes paid by illegals.</p>
<p>Some senators opposed granting credit, expressing concern about identity fraud.&#160;Millions of&#160;illegals&#160;use phony Social Security numbers that could have belonged to others, expired or simply have been made up. The amendment to strip out the credit provision was&#160; <a href="http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&amp;session=2&amp;vote=00130" type="external">killed</a>&#160;by a single vote,&#160;50-49. Most Democrats, including Stabenow, were joined by 11 Republicans supporting the credit.</p>
<p>The NRSC even created a Web site,&#160;MuchasGraciasDebbie.com,&#160;to attack Stabenow’s record on immigration, which they falsely say includes&#160;favoring “Social Security benefits for illegals.”&#160;The headline is splashed in the Mexican tri-colors, Stabenow is digitally fitted with&#160;a sombrero and the site welcomes viewers with&#160;the song “Mexican Hat Dance.” A Latino advocacy group,&#160;the National Council of La Raza, has asked for the site to be removed because it is offensive and misrepresents policy debates.</p>
<p>The charge has been used by other Republican Senate challengers, such as Mike McGavick, who is hoping to unseat Sen. Maria Cantwell in Washington state. In an ad that began running Oct. 5, McGavick says:</p>
<p>McGavick:&#160;Sen. Cantwell voted to allow Social Security benefits to illegals — I’d have said no way.</p>
<p>No less than&#160;15&#160;Republican House candidates, nearly all of them incumbents, have accused their Democratic opponents&#160;of wanting to give Social Security benefits to illegal immigrants, or implied that they want to do so. While&#160;most of these&#160;attacks use&#160;the Senate’s bill as the point of reference, they vary in their accuracy.</p>
<p>Chabot&#160;Ad: “Immigration Facts”</p>
<p>Announcer:&#160;John Cranley’s ad is false. The facts: Steve Chabot helped pass tough immigration laws. Chabot voted to add thousands of border agents, restrict taxpayer benefits for illegals. And he’s fighting against amnesty. John Cranley would allow 11 million illegal immigrants to become US citizens. He would even give them Social Security benefits. Here’s the proof, John Cranley’s name on the pro-amnesty legislation. John Cranley, we just can’t trust him.</p>
<p>Chabot: I’m Steve Chabot and I approve this message.</p>
<p>Discussing illegal immigrants in the closely contested 1st district&#160;of Ohio, Rep. Steve Chabot says his opponent John Cranley “would even give them Social Security benefits” in&#160;his ad “Immigration Facts.”</p>
<p>That’s deceptive because, as we’ve noted, no illegal worker would be paid Social Security benefits, and current law already allows illegal workers to get Social Security credit for the taxes they pay while illegal, if and when they become citizens or gain legal permission to work.</p>
<p>As a Cincinnati City Councilman, Cranley&#160;voted for a&#160;resolution that supported the Senate bill and urged lawmakers to enact it. The narrator says, “he would even give them [illegal immigrants] Social Security. Here’s the proof: his name on the pro-amnesty legislation.” What the ad shows is not the Senate legislation; it’s&#160;the one-and-a-half page local resolution endorsing the Senate bill.</p>
<p>In Nevada’s 3rd district, Rep. Jon Porter has attacked his opponent Tessa Hafen on the issue in two separate ads.&#160;One titled&#160;“Washington Ideas” says Hafen supports “a plan that allows illegal aliens to collect Social Security,” referring to the Senate bill.&#160;A&#160; second ad, “Borders,” comes closer to&#160;accurately portraying the complex issue,&#160;saying Hafen supports “giving Social Security to immigrants for work they did illegally.”</p>
<p>However, the Porter campaign stretches to connect Hafen to the provision. When contacted by FactCheck.org, Porter’s campaign cited a Sept. 21 debate&#160;in which&#160;Hafen said:</p>
<p>Hafen: As far as immigration; that was a tough bill in the House that would’ve made illegal immigrants felons. I support what President Bush and the Senate have tried to do.</p>
<p>Porter’s campaign did not produce any statement by Hafen supporting&#160;the specific Social Security provision that is in question here. Besides that,&#160;Porter himself has supported elements&#160;of the&#160;Senate’s bill and the President’s immigration proposals. The Las Vegas Sun&#160;quoted Porter as saying, “I support looking at options at some point for the 12 million people living in the shadows.”</p>
<p>Some ads that use the Senate bill to attack Democrats contain other distortions.&#160; For instance, in the race for Colorado’s 7th District, Republican Rick O’Donnell released an ad on Oct. 2 saying his opponent “Ed Perlmutter supports Ted Kennedy’s plan to give illegal aliens amnesty. It costs over $50 billion dollars. Perl mutter would give illegals welfare, Social Security, even in-state tuition rates at our colleges.”&#160;For one thing, it’s&#160;worth noting that of the six sponsors of “Ted Kennedy’s plan,” five are Republicans,&#160;including John McCain of Arizona and Sam Brownback of Kansas; Kennedy is&#160;the only Democratic sponsor.</p>
<p>The $50-billion figure is spread over 10 years, which the ad fails to mention. The Congressional Budget Office&#160; <a href="http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/75xx/doc7501/s2611spass.pdf#search=%22CBO%20immigration%20senate%22" type="external">analysis</a> of the Senate package actually places the 10-year cost at&#160;$48 billion.&#160;Furthermore, the CBO says most of that cost appears to be due to a mistake in drafting a tax provision which, if corrected to reflect the sponsors’ actual intent, would cut nearly $44 billion from that figure. That would put the 10-year cost at closer to $4 billion.</p>
<p>Two House Republicans are claiming that their opponents favor paying foreign guest workers more than Americans. Arizona’s 5th District Rep. J.D Hayworth, in one of three such ads, claims his opponent Harry&#160;Mitchell supports a plan that “pays foreign workers more than Americans.” Nevada Rep. John Porter’s ad “Borders,” says the plan &#160;“actually proposes paying illegal immigrants more than Americans for some jobs.”</p>
<p>That’s a stretch. The candidates’ aides&#160;say their ads refer to a provision of the&#160;Senate bill that&#160;would&#160;create a special class of immigrant workers, the so-called guest worker program. The legislation requires that employers of guest workers pay them at least as much as they pay all others for the specific job in question. They would be required to pay guest workers more only if the government-determined “prevailing wage” for that job is higher. That’s to&#160;prevent employers from hiring guest workers at lower wages than&#160;Americans and driving down US wages.</p>
<p>In any case, the legislation says employers couldn’t hire a&#160;guest worker before taking several steps to ensure that no American worker&#160;was available to fill the job.</p>
<p>Correction Oct. 11: Our original story said that the “Social Security benefits&#160;to illegal immigrants” charge was a mischaracterization of part of&#160;the immigration bill that passed the Senate. In fact, it is a mischaracterization of current law, which would have been changed under a Republican amendment that failed narrowly.</p>
<p>Current law allows an immigrant to receive credit for future Social Security benefits for work done while they were illegal – so long as they eventually obtain authorization to work and a valid Social Security number. The amendment was offered&#160;by Sen. John Ensign of&#160; Nevada and would&#160;have prohibited any credit for work done without permission, even if an immigrant later gains legal status or becomes a citizen.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&lt;iframe style="width: 500px; height:300px;" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen src="https://video.factcheck.org/play/legacy-234-1"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;</p>
<p>&lt;iframe style="width: 500px; height:300px;" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen src="https://video.factcheck.org/play/legacy-234-2"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;</p>
<p>&lt;iframe style="width: 500px; height:300px;" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen src="https://video.factcheck.org/play/legacy-234-3"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;</p>
<p>&lt;iframe style="width: 500px; height:300px;" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen src="https://video.factcheck.org/play/legacy-234-4"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;</p>
<p>&lt;iframe style="width: 500px; height:300px;" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen src="https://video.factcheck.org/play/legacy-234-5"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;</p>
<p>Cook, Tony, “Hafen vs. Porter: Can Porter put distance between himself and Bush? Can Hafen convince voters that not being Porter is good?” Las Vegas Sun. 19 Sept 2006.</p>
<p>Hurt, Charles, “Illegals granted Social Security,” The Washington Times. 19 May 2006.</p>
<p>Porter, Eduardo, “Immigrants Pad Books, balance Social Security,”&#160; <a href="http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/0410immigpay10.html" type="external">New York Times</a> . 10 April 2005.</p>
<p>“Bush Urges Senate to Approve Immigration Bill by Memorial Day,”&#160; <a href="http://wcbs880.com/pages/28976.php?contentType=4&amp;contentId=132343" type="external">AP</a>. 25 April 2006.</p>
<p>“Hispanic group criticizes anti-Stabenow Web site,” AP. 5 Oct 2006.</p>
<p>“Las Vegas forum draws Titus, Porter, Hafen; Gibbons absent,” AP. 22 Aug 2006.</p>
<p>U.S. Senate, 109th Congress, 2nd Session. Vote No.&#160; <a href="http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&amp;session=2&amp;vote=00157" type="external">157</a>.</p>
<p>U.S. Senate, 109th Congress, 2nd Session. Vote No.&#160; <a href="http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&amp;session=2&amp;vote=00130" type="external">130</a>.</p>
| false | 2 |
republicans tagging democratic opponents across country wanting give social security benefits illegal immigrants nobodys proposing paying benefits illegals160not unless become us citizens granted legal status charge mischaracterization amendment offered debate of160 immigration bill160that160passed senate last may healthy bipartisan majority 6236 amendment would change current law prevent immigrants getting credit toward future social security benefits from160taxes paid legal permission work measure has160become popular campaign issue republicans particularly incumbent house members raise democratic challengers counted 29 gop ads attacking160democrats various versions misleading claim similar misconceptions measure spread part of160a chain email160last spring summer along latest160swarm ads160comes160some160related mis characterizations including a160claim that160the senate160plan pays foreign workers americans senate bill provisions ensure guest workers paid less americans but160no guest160worker160could hired160if160a us citizen accepted job ads began airing160within last two half weeks new one popping almost every day michigan national republican senate committee republican challenger160mike bouchard released ad sept 29 saying incumbent democratic sen debbie stabenow michigan losing jobs fighting give social security benefits illegal immigrants charge160misrepresents amendment proposed consideration the160 comprehensive immigration act senate approved160last spring nrsc amp bouchard ad lot announcer theres something debbie stabenow could shes passed one bill six years name building michigan losing jobs fighting give social security benefits illegal immigrants voting higher death taxes higher social security taxes wasting billions projects like bicycle paths illinois bridge nowhere alaska debbie stabenow theres whole lot bouchard im mike bouchard approve message stabenow opposed amendment would160prevent formerly illegal immigrants receiving credit social security taxes paid became legal workers amounts huge social security administration calls160an earnings suspense file track amount wages taxed160for collection credited specific worker ssa officials160have said fund takes much as1607 billion year that160money goes pay benefits effectively subsidizing us160beneficiaries taxes paid illegals senators opposed granting credit expressing concern identity fraud160millions of160illegals160use phony social security numbers could belonged others expired simply made amendment strip credit provision was160 killed160by single vote1605049 democrats including stabenow joined 11 republicans supporting credit nrsc even created web site160muchasgraciasdebbiecom160to attack stabenows record immigration falsely say includes160favoring social security benefits illegals160the headline splashed mexican tricolors stabenow digitally fitted with160a sombrero site welcomes viewers with160the song mexican hat dance latino advocacy group160the national council la raza asked site removed offensive misrepresents policy debates charge used republican senate challengers mike mcgavick hoping unseat sen maria cantwell washington state ad began running oct 5 mcgavick says mcgavick160sen cantwell voted allow social security benefits illegals id said way less than16015160republican house candidates nearly incumbents accused democratic opponents160of wanting give social security benefits illegal immigrants implied want while160most these160attacks use160the senates bill point reference vary accuracy chabot160ad immigration facts announcer160john cranleys ad false facts steve chabot helped pass tough immigration laws chabot voted add thousands border agents restrict taxpayer benefits illegals hes fighting amnesty john cranley would allow 11 million illegal immigrants become us citizens would even give social security benefits heres proof john cranleys name proamnesty legislation john cranley cant trust chabot im steve chabot approve message discussing illegal immigrants closely contested 1st district160of ohio rep steve chabot says opponent john cranley would even give social security benefits in160his ad immigration facts thats deceptive weve noted illegal worker would paid social security benefits current law already allows illegal workers get social security credit taxes pay illegal become citizens gain legal permission work cincinnati city councilman cranley160voted a160resolution supported senate bill urged lawmakers enact narrator says would even give illegal immigrants social security heres proof name proamnesty legislation ad shows senate legislation its160the oneandahalf page local resolution endorsing senate bill nevadas 3rd district rep jon porter attacked opponent tessa hafen issue two separate ads160one titled160washington ideas says hafen supports plan allows illegal aliens collect social security referring senate bill160a160 second ad borders comes closer to160accurately portraying complex issue160saying hafen supports giving social security immigrants work illegally however porter campaign stretches connect hafen provision contacted factcheckorg porters campaign cited sept 21 debate160in which160hafen said hafen far immigration tough bill house wouldve made illegal immigrants felons support president bush senate tried porters campaign produce statement hafen supporting160the specific social security provision question besides that160porter supported elements160of the160senates bill presidents immigration proposals las vegas sun160quoted porter saying support looking options point 12 million people living shadows ads use senate bill attack democrats contain distortions160 instance race colorados 7th district republican rick odonnell released ad oct 2 saying opponent ed perlmutter supports ted kennedys plan give illegal aliens amnesty costs 50 billion dollars perl mutter would give illegals welfare social security even instate tuition rates colleges160for one thing its160worth noting six sponsors ted kennedys plan five republicans160including john mccain arizona sam brownback kansas kennedy is160the democratic sponsor 50billion figure spread 10 years ad fails mention congressional budget office160 analysis senate package actually places 10year cost at16048 billion160furthermore cbo says cost appears due mistake drafting tax provision corrected reflect sponsors actual intent would cut nearly 44 billion figure would put 10year cost closer 4 billion two house republicans claiming opponents favor paying foreign guest workers americans arizonas 5th district rep jd hayworth one three ads claims opponent harry160mitchell supports plan pays foreign workers americans nevada rep john porters ad borders says plan 160actually proposes paying illegal immigrants americans jobs thats stretch candidates aides160say ads refer provision the160senate bill that160would160create special class immigrant workers socalled guest worker program legislation requires employers guest workers pay least much pay others specific job question would required pay guest workers governmentdetermined prevailing wage job higher thats to160prevent employers hiring guest workers lower wages than160americans driving us wages case legislation says employers couldnt hire a160guest worker taking several steps ensure american worker160was available fill job correction oct 11 original story said social security benefits160to illegal immigrants charge mischaracterization part of160the immigration bill passed senate fact mischaracterization current law would changed republican amendment failed narrowly current law allows immigrant receive credit future social security benefits work done illegal long eventually obtain authorization work valid social security number amendment offered160by sen john ensign of160 nevada would160have prohibited credit work done without permission even immigrant later gains legal status becomes citizen 160 ltiframe stylewidth 500px height300px frameborder0 allowfullscreen srchttpsvideofactcheckorgplaylegacy2341gtltiframegt ltiframe stylewidth 500px height300px frameborder0 allowfullscreen srchttpsvideofactcheckorgplaylegacy2342gtltiframegt ltiframe stylewidth 500px height300px frameborder0 allowfullscreen srchttpsvideofactcheckorgplaylegacy2343gtltiframegt ltiframe stylewidth 500px height300px frameborder0 allowfullscreen srchttpsvideofactcheckorgplaylegacy2344gtltiframegt ltiframe stylewidth 500px height300px frameborder0 allowfullscreen srchttpsvideofactcheckorgplaylegacy2345gtltiframegt cook tony hafen vs porter porter put distance bush hafen convince voters porter good las vegas sun 19 sept 2006 hurt charles illegals granted social security washington times 19 may 2006 porter eduardo immigrants pad books balance social security160 new york times 10 april 2005 bush urges senate approve immigration bill memorial day160 ap 25 april 2006 hispanic group criticizes antistabenow web site ap 5 oct 2006 las vegas forum draws titus porter hafen gibbons absent ap 22 aug 2006 us senate 109th congress 2nd session vote no160 157 us senate 109th congress 2nd session vote no160 130
| 1,128 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p />
<p>Inside the boundaries of Chaco Culture National Historic Park, the treasures of pre-Puebloan culture are protected by federal law and a staff of archaeologists and rangers.</p>
<p>It can probably go without saying that those 20,000 acres in northwestern New Mexico, peppered with great houses, kivas and tools of prehistoric astronomy, are also off-limits to oil and gas exploration and drilling.</p>
<p>But what about outside the boundaries of the monument, a World Heritage Site that attracts people from around the globe looking for a glimpse into a prehistoric culture and a vanished past? Should the views from inside the park to the landscape beyond be under some special consideration for protection?</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>It would be an interesting question at just about any significant historical site, but at Chaco it takes on more importance for a couple of reasons.</p>
<p>First, even though it sits in what appears to be an empty landscape, Chaco was never an isolated place. In its heyday centuries ago, it was part of a society of communities connected through sophisticated roadways that stretched as far as Mesa Verde in what is now Colorado. Climbing to a high spot within the park and looking north is a good way to understand Chaco within that larger framework and get a real sense of what it must have been like to live in the Anasazi world.</p>
<p>The other reason is that Chaco sits smack-dab in the middle of a geological formation that energy companies are looking to for the next big oil and gas boom.</p>
<p>For energy companies, the big region holding the riches of Mancos shale provides opportunities to explore for natural gas and oil on land leased from the Bureau of Land Management. Some of the parcels energy companies have nominated to bid on to explore sit just outside the Chaco park boundaries.</p>
<p>BLM plans to include about 30 land parcels — encompassing several thousand acres — to the north and northeast of the park in an energy lease auction scheduled to take place in January. Most of the parcels are a few miles from the park boundary, and one parcel sits only a few hundred feet from the park.</p>
<p>Lovers of Chaco are an ardent lot, and the prospect of having a beehive of energy extraction — roads, rigs, lights, derricks — clustered near the park’s boundary has them worried, angry and in disbelief.</p>
<p>“People are outraged,” Mike Eisenfeld of San Juan Citizens Alliance told me. He’s the group’s New Mexico energy coordinator, and he has been working on Chaco issues for 20 years. This one, he says, stands out as an almost unbelievable affront.</p>
<p>“Everybody we talk to is like, ‘They’re doing what?’” he said. “It’s crazy.”</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>The BLM, which has postponed lease auctions in the area for years, says it’s time to put the parcels on the table, listen to arguments in favor of developing their resources or protecting them from development and settle the issue once and for all.</p>
<p>Gary Torres, BLM’s field manager in Farmington, said energy companies are quite interested in the parcels, which are on some of the last unleased BLM land in the Farmington District. The area is generally available for oil and gas development under the BLM’s 2003 Resource Management Plan if an energy company nominates a parcel.</p>
<p>“BLM is not compelled to lease,” Torres told me. “However, in order for us to not lease out there, we would need substantive new information about impacts to resources.”</p>
<p>Torres said the agency, through an environmental assessment process, is seeking input from interested parties, which include the Hopi, Navajo and Zuni tribes, as well as national park management and citizens groups, such as the Chaco Alliance.</p>
<p>The point of view of the Chaco Alliance, coordinator Anson Wright said, is that Chaco is too precious to ring with drilling and fracking operations.</p>
<p>“We need to stop all energy development near Chaco,” he told me.</p>
<p>One of the central questions is whether a de facto buffer zone should exist around the park and how far that should extend.</p>
<p>Torres said some of the parcels up for auction are 20 miles from the park boundary. “How close is close?” he said.</p>
<p>Views are one of the impacts BLM can consider in deciding whether to put conditions on a parcel to be put forward for development.</p>
<p>More than 70 areas near Chaco already are protected from mineral development because they were found to contain cultural resources that needed to be protected.</p>
<p>But Dave Evans, the BLM’s Farmington District manager, pointed to homes, windmills and stock tanks in the area, as well as current oil and gas development on lands that were leased before the creation of the park.</p>
<p>“This isn’t a pristine landscape,” he said.</p>
<p>Larry Turk, Chaco’s acting superintendent, has had meetings with BLM officials and is putting together a response he hopes will persuade the BLM to pull the parcels from the sale or put extensive restrictions on their use.</p>
<p>“All we can do is voice our concern,” Turk said, which he said he is doing “pretty strongly.”</p>
<p>Turk’s worry focuses on noise and air pollution that could come with roads, traffic and drilling, as well as modern intrusions on the view visitors experience as they enter the park and enjoy from inside the park.</p>
<p>He said he was especially concerned about an area like the popular Pueblo Alto Complex on the northern end of the park.</p>
<p>“Now,” he said, “when visitors go out there they can almost go back in time,” Turk said. “They can imagine it the way it was a thousand years earlier.”</p>
<p>UpFront is a daily front-page news and opinion column. Comment directly to Leslie at 823-3914 or [email protected]. Go to www.abqjournal.com/letters/new to submit a letter to the editor.</p>
| false | 2 |
inside boundaries chaco culture national historic park treasures prepuebloan culture protected federal law staff archaeologists rangers probably go without saying 20000 acres northwestern new mexico peppered great houses kivas tools prehistoric astronomy also offlimits oil gas exploration drilling outside boundaries monument world heritage site attracts people around globe looking glimpse prehistoric culture vanished past views inside park landscape beyond special consideration protection advertisement would interesting question significant historical site chaco takes importance couple reasons first even though sits appears empty landscape chaco never isolated place heyday centuries ago part society communities connected sophisticated roadways stretched far mesa verde colorado climbing high spot within park looking north good way understand chaco within larger framework get real sense must like live anasazi world reason chaco sits smackdab middle geological formation energy companies looking next big oil gas boom energy companies big region holding riches mancos shale provides opportunities explore natural gas oil land leased bureau land management parcels energy companies nominated bid explore sit outside chaco park boundaries blm plans include 30 land parcels encompassing several thousand acres north northeast park energy lease auction scheduled take place january parcels miles park boundary one parcel sits hundred feet park lovers chaco ardent lot prospect beehive energy extraction roads rigs lights derricks clustered near parks boundary worried angry disbelief people outraged mike eisenfeld san juan citizens alliance told hes groups new mexico energy coordinator working chaco issues 20 years one says stands almost unbelievable affront everybody talk like theyre said crazy advertisement blm postponed lease auctions area years says time put parcels table listen arguments favor developing resources protecting development settle issue gary torres blms field manager farmington said energy companies quite interested parcels last unleased blm land farmington district area generally available oil gas development blms 2003 resource management plan energy company nominates parcel blm compelled lease torres told however order us lease would need substantive new information impacts resources torres said agency environmental assessment process seeking input interested parties include hopi navajo zuni tribes well national park management citizens groups chaco alliance point view chaco alliance coordinator anson wright said chaco precious ring drilling fracking operations need stop energy development near chaco told one central questions whether de facto buffer zone exist around park far extend torres said parcels auction 20 miles park boundary close close said views one impacts blm consider deciding whether put conditions parcel put forward development 70 areas near chaco already protected mineral development found contain cultural resources needed protected dave evans blms farmington district manager pointed homes windmills stock tanks area well current oil gas development lands leased creation park isnt pristine landscape said larry turk chacos acting superintendent meetings blm officials putting together response hopes persuade blm pull parcels sale put extensive restrictions use voice concern turk said said pretty strongly turks worry focuses noise air pollution could come roads traffic drilling well modern intrusions view visitors experience enter park enjoy inside park said especially concerned area like popular pueblo alto complex northern end park said visitors go almost go back time turk said imagine way thousand years earlier upfront daily frontpage news opinion column comment directly leslie 8233914 llinthicumabqjournalcom go wwwabqjournalcomlettersnew submit letter editor
| 529 |
<p>Jan 19 (Reuters) - SWEDOL:</p>
<p>* SIGNS LEASE CONTRACT FOR TWO NEW STORES IN ENKOPING AND SIGTUNA Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage: (Gdynia Newsroom)</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>NEW YORK (Reuters) - The rockiest U.S. stock market in two years will meet a major test in the coming weeks as first-quarter earnings pour in, with expectations that tax cuts will help Corporate America show its biggest quarterly profit growth in seven years. Any disappointments could further upset the fragile market.</p> FILE PHOTO: Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, U.S., March 29, 2018. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
<p>Hopes among stock investors are running high for corporate earnings season, which kicks off in earnest on Thursday and Friday with reports from several large financial institutions including BlackRock ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=BLK.N" type="external">BLK.N</a>) and JP Morgan ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=JPM.N" type="external">JPM.N</a>).</p>
<p>Investors have counted on corporate profits to provide bedrock support as the market endured sharp swings in recent weeks over concerns about a trade war with China and tougher regulations for high-flying technology companies.</p>
<p>The S&amp;P 500 <a href="/finance/markets/index?symbol=.SPX" type="external">.SPX</a> has recovered some after swooning more than 10 percent in February from its Jan. 26 record high, confirming a market correction for the first time in just over two years. The benchmark index remains more than 7 percent off its all-time peak.</p>
<p>“There is an awful lot of pressure for corporate profits in this first quarter and especially the guidance the companies are going to give to really get this market back on its upward track,” said Chuck Carlson, chief executive officer at Horizon Investment Services in Hammond, Indiana.</p>
<p>Analysts expect S&amp;P 500 profits to rise 18.4 percent in the first quarter, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S, the first full quarter since passage of President Donald Trump’s tax cuts, which slashed the corporate tax rate to 21 percent from 35 percent. That would be the biggest profit rise since the first quarter of 2011.</p>
<p>Credit Suisse analysts calculated that more than one third of that growth in the first quarter can be attributed to tax benefits.</p>
<p>(GRAPHIC: Big first quarter seen for Corporate America - <a href="https://reut.rs/2q8lxdE" type="external">reut.rs/2q8lxdE</a>)</p>
<a href="https://reut.rs/2q8lxdE" type="external" />
<p>Given the tendency of companies to report results above Wall Street estimates, those numbers might be expected to come in even higher. For example, first-quarter profits should rise by 24 percent if results achieve the median out-performance of the past eight quarters, according to Thomson Reuters analyst David Aurelio.</p>
<p>“A downside risk is that everyone is hoping for the earnings to come through and that is really a main pillar for the bull case,” said Keith Lerner, chief market strategist with SunTrust Advisory Services in Atlanta. “And if earnings surprise to the downside then you have to say, what is the bull case hanging onto at this point?”</p>
<p>Expectations for first quarter profits have risen from an expectation of 12.2 percent growth on Jan. 1 to 18.4 percent now, an increase of 6.2 percentage points as analysts have factored in the new tax law.</p>
<p>That is unusual: In general, estimates decline by about 4 percentage points from the start of a quarter to the beginning of earnings season, according to Thomson Reuters data, which strategists say tends to help companies to post earnings “beats” when they ultimately report results.</p>
<a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=BLK.N" type="external">BlackRock Inc</a> 519.92 BLK.N New York Stock Exchange -18.48 (-3.43%) BLK.N JPM.N .SPX C.N WFC.N
<p>“The expectation bar is a little bit higher this quarter because you didn’t see that cut ahead of time,” Lerner said.</p>
<p>The very early returns indicate first-quarter results show similar positive surprises to past quarters. Of 23 S&amp;P 500 companies reported so far, 74 percent have reported profits ahead of estimates, according to Thomson Reuters data.</p>
<p>Historically, 64 percent of companies beat estimates in a quarter. More recently, performance versus expectations has been better: over the past four quarters, 75 percent of companies beat earnings estimates.</p>
<p>Seven more S&amp;P 500 companies are expected to report next week including BlackRock, which is the world’s largest asset manager, and three big banks: JP Morgan, Citigroup ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=C.N" type="external">C.N</a>) and Wells Fargo ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=WFC.N" type="external">WFC.N</a>). More than 60 S&amp;P 500 reports are due the following week.</p>
<p>One cushion for investors is that stocks are generally trading at less expensive valuations following the market’s slide. The S&amp;P 500 recently traded at 16.3 times earnings estimates for the next 12 months, down from 18.6 times in January, according to Thomson Reuters Datastream.</p>
<p>S&amp;P 500 companies are expected to increase profits by 19.7 percent in 2018, which would be the biggest annual rise since 2010. In their quarterly reports, corporate executives will give forecasts or insight into prospects for the year. Some strategists said recent policy and market turbulence could lead companies to temper their views.</p>
<p>“Given the uncertainty that is in the market, especially regarding trade and potential tech regulation, we could see management teams be a little more cautious,” said Lindsey Bell, investment strategist at CFRA Research in New York.</p>
<p>Reporting by Lewis Krauskopf; Editing by David Gregorio</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China’s state media has rallied against the United States warning its trade protectionism actions would end in defeat and that the only option now was to hit the United States hard enough so it will “remember the pain”.</p> FILE PHOTO - Shipping containers at Pier J at the Port of Long Beach wait for processing in Long Beach, California, U.S., April 4, 2018. REUTERS/Bob Riha Jr./File Photo
<p>“If the U.S. says that it will pay any price, it must be firmly attacked,” China’s official Xinhua news agency said on Saturday.</p>
<p>China warned on Friday it was ready with a “fierce counter strike” of fresh trade measures if the United States follows through on President Donald Trump’s threat to slap tariffs on an additional $100 billion of Chinese goods.</p>
<p>On Wednesday, China imposed $3 billion of tariffs on U.S. fruits, nuts, wine and pork, just hours after the Trump administration proposed duties on some 1,300 Chinese industrial, technology, transport and medical products.</p>
<p>Rising trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies follows a U.S. finding that China was engaging in unfair trade practices in connection with intellectual property protections. China rejects the charge.</p>
<p>China’s media, which is strictly controlled by the government, has come out in defense of the country, painting the country as a victim of an overly aggressive United States bent on taking illegitimate unilateral action.</p>
<p>“The White House has completely lost its sense of reality!,” said the ruling Communist Party’s People’s Daily newspaper in a Friday commentary, alleging the United States is acting unilaterally and engaging in trade protectionism.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the nationalist Global Times said in an editorial published late on Thursday that the “Chinese are aware that the only option now is to hit the U.S. hard enough so that it will remember the pain.”</p>
<p>Reporting by Engen Tham; Editing by Michael Perry</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>BEIJING/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - China warned on Friday it was fully prepared to respond with a “fierce counter strike” of fresh trade measures if the United States follows through on President Donald Trump’s threat to slap tariffs on an additional $100 billion of Chinese goods.</p>
<p>Trump, in light of what he called China’s “unfair retaliation” against earlier U.S. trade actions, had upped the ante on Thursday by ordering U.S. officials to identify extra tariffs, escalating a tit-for-tat confrontation with potentially damaging consequences for the world’s two biggest economies.</p>
<p>China’s Commerce Ministry spokesman, Gao Feng, calling the U.S. action “extremely mistaken” and unjustified, said the spat was a struggle between unilateralism and multilateralism and that no negotiations were likely in the current circumstances.</p>
<p>“The result of this behavior is to smash your own foot with a stone,” Gao told a news briefing in Beijing. “If the United States announces an additional $100 billion list of tariffs, China has already fully prepared, and will not hesitate to immediately make a fierce counter strike.”</p>
<p>The dueling trade threats rattled Wall Street on Friday, ending a volatile week with major indexes closing down more than 2 percent on the day. The dollar also fell, while safe havens such as the Japanese Yen and gold futures rose.</p>
<p>The week started with China imposing $3 billion of tariffs on U.S. fruits, nuts, wine and pork, and rapidly escalated to threats that could seriously curtail hundreds of billions of dollars in trade between the world’s two largest economies.</p> Related Coverage
<a href="/article/us-usa-trade-china-media/chinas-state-media-says-u-s-tariff-action-will-be-defeated-idUSKCN1HE02Q" type="external">China's state media says U.S. tariff action will be defeated</a>
<a href="/article/us-usa-trade-china-retail/china-trade-dispute-could-slam-u-s-retailers-idUSKCN1HE00B" type="external">China trade dispute could slam U.S. retailers</a>
<a href="/article/us-usa-trade-china-protections/u-s-lawmakers-skeptical-of-promises-to-shield-farmers-from-trade-dispute-idUSKCN1HD23I" type="external">U.S. lawmakers skeptical of promises to shield farmers from trade dispute</a>
<p>While U.S. officials said they were prepared to talk the issues through with China, there was no clear path to negotiations. Both Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Trump economic advisor Larry Kudlow were on television to promote the idea of talks, with Mnuchin telling CNBC “we are in communication regularly”.</p>
<p>Gao’s comments came shortly after Trump defended his proposed tariffs, saying the move might cause “a little pain” but the United States would be better off in the long run.</p>
<p>Asked in an interview with New York radio station WABC about the effect on U.S. stock markets, Trump said the market has gone up (since he took office) “so we might lose a little bit of it.”</p>
<p>“So we may take a hit and you know what, ultimately we’re going to be much stronger for it.”</p>
<p>Kudlow told Bloomberg Television Trump and America’s top trade official Robert Lighthizer were “thinking about submitting a list of suggestions to the Chinese.”</p>
<p>On Wednesday, China unveiled a list of 106 U.S. goods including soybeans, whiskey, frozen beef and aircraft targeted for tariffs, just hours after the Trump administration proposed duties on some 1,300 Chinese industrial, technology, transport and medical products.</p>
<p>Washington called for its initial $50 billion in extra duties after it said an investigation had determined Chinese government policies are designed to transfer U.S. intellectual property to Chinese companies and allow them to seize leadership in key high-technology industries of the future.</p>
<p>China said it was not afraid of a trade war, even though it did not seek one, and accused the United States of provoking the conflict. Gao said comments from U.S. officials about ongoing talks about trade issues were incorrect.</p>
<p>“Under these conditions, the two sides cannot conduct any negotiations on this issue,” Gao said, without elaborating.</p>
<p>Kudlow, who has repeatedly sought to soothe markets with mention of possible talks, told Bloomberg Television there were always ongoing bilateral discussions on trade but that negotiations on tariffs had not begun.</p>
<p>Seeking to tamp down alarm, he told reporters outside the White House, “so nothing’s happened. Nothing’s been executed ... There’s no ‘there’ there yet, but there will be.”</p> CHINA’S ROLE
<p>While Beijing calls Washington the aggressor and says it is spurring global protectionism, China’s trading partners have complained for years that it abuses World Trade Organization rules and propagates unfair policies that lock foreign firms out of some sectors. China has promised repeatedly to open up sectors such as financial services.</p>
<p>President Xi Jinping is expected to unveil reform measures next week and his country’s opening up while attending the Boao Forum, China’s equivalent of Davos, in the southern island province of Hainan.</p>
<p>So far, U.S. information technology products from mobile phones to personal computers have largely escaped the ire of Beijing, as well as telecoms equipment and aircraft larger than the equivalent of a Boeing 737.</p>
<p>Among sectors most affected by a trade war could be technology, particularly chipmakers. The U.S. semiconductor industry relies on China for about a quarter of its revenue.</p> Shipping containers are being loaded onto Xin Da Yang Zhou ship from Shanghai, China at Pier J at the Port of Long Beach in Long Beach, California, U.S., April 4, 2018. REUTERS/Bob Riha Jr.
<p>It also remains to be seen if the dispute would trigger a nationalistic backlash. When ties between Beijing and Seoul chilled, Chinese tourism to South Korea plummeted and Chinese consumers shunned Made-in-South-Korea products.</p>
<p>On Chinese social media on Friday, among the most searched phrases were “China hasn’t grown up afraid” and “China will follow through to the end.”</p>
<p>The China Chamber of International Commerce said the Chinese business community would firmly support government efforts to counter “irrational and erroneous” U.S. words and actions, the official Xinhua news agency reported, and urged Washington not to go “further and further down the wrong path.”</p> DAMAGING CONSEQUENCES
<p>Analysts at Oxford Economics, referring to the fact that the tariffs are not yet in effect, said in a note to clients that, “Importantly, these threatened tariffs will be subject to negotiation, and therefore shouldn’t be considered as final.”</p>
<p>However it added a full-blown trade war “would have a more pronounced effect. The U.S. and China would suffer significant slowdown in real GDP growth – a cumulative loss around 1.0 percentage point.” It cut global economic growth to 2.5 percent in 2019 from 3.0 percent in its baseline scenario.</p> Slideshow (2 Images)
<p>“This is what a trade war looks like, and what we have warned against from the start,” said National Retail Federation President and CEO Matthew Shay.</p>
<p>“We are on a dangerous downward spiral and American families will be on the losing end,” Shay added in a statement, urging Trump “to stop playing a game of chicken with the U.S. economy.”</p>
<p>Reporting by Tom Daly, Michael Martina and Min Zhang in BEIJING and Steve Holland, David Lawder and Doina Chiacu in WASHINGTON; Additional writing by Ryan Woo, Alex Richardson, Lindsay Dunsmuir and David Chance; Editing by Frances Kerry and James Dalgleish</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>(Reuters) - Facebook Inc ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=FB.O" type="external">FB.O</a>) said on Friday that it had suspended Canadian political consultancy AggregateIQ from its platform after reports that the data firm may have improperly had access to the personal data of Facebook users.</p> FILE PHOTO - Silhouettes of laptop users are seen next to a screen projection of Facebook logo in this picture illustration taken March 28, 2018. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
<p>Facebook is under intense pressure after the data of millions of its users ended up in the hands of political consultancy Cambridge Analytica. Christopher Wylie, a whistleblower who once worked at Cambridge Analytica, has said that it worked with Canadian company AggregateIQ.</p>
<p>“In light of recent reports that AggregateIQ may be affiliated with SCL and may, as a result, have improperly received FB user data, we have added them to the list of entities we have suspended from our platform while we investigate,” Facebook said in a statement.</p>
<p>“Our internal review continues, and we will cooperate fully with any investigations by regulatory authorities.”</p>
<p>Strategic Communication Laboratories (SCL) is a government and military contractor that is the parent of Cambridge Analytica.</p>
<p>Wylie has said that AggregateIQ received payment from a pro-Brexit campaign group before the 2016 referendum when Britain voted to quit the European Union.</p>
<p>The Canadian federal agency charged with protecting privacy rights of individuals said on Thursday that the agency, along with its counterpart in British Columbia, would jointly investigate Facebook and AggregateIQ over the ongoing data scandal.</p>
<a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=FB.O" type="external">Facebook Inc</a> 157.2 FB.O Nasdaq -2.14 (-1.34%) FB.O
<p>British Columbia’s privacy commissioner was separately investigating AggregateIQ over whether the Victoria-based company had broken provincial personal privacy rules for its role in the Brexit campaign.</p>
<p>Facebook Canada said on Wednesday that more than 600,000 Canadians had their data “improperly shared” with Cambridge Analytica.</p>
<p>AggregateIQ was not immediately available for a comment.</p>
<p>Cambridge Analytica tweeted on Wednesday, “When Facebook contacted us to let us know the data had been improperly obtained, we immediately deleted the raw data from our file server, and began the process of searching for and removing any of its derivatives in our system.”</p>
<p>Facebook said on Wednesday that the personal information of up to 87 million users, mostly in the United States, may have been improperly shared with political consultancy Cambridge Analytica, up from a previous news media estimate of more than 50 million.</p>
<p>Facebook first acknowledged last month that personal information about millions of users wrongly ended up in the hands of Cambridge Analytica.</p>
<p>London-based Cambridge Analytica, which has counted U.S. President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign among its clients, said on Wednesday on Twitter that it had received no more than 30 million records from a researcher it hired to collect data about people on Facebook.</p>
<p>Reporting by Rama Venkat Raman in Bengalur and David Ingram in San Francisco; Editing by Toni Reinhold</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
| false | 2 |
jan 19 reuters swedol signs lease contract two new stores enkoping sigtuna source text eikon company coverage gdynia newsroom standards thomson reuters trust principles new york reuters rockiest us stock market two years meet major test coming weeks firstquarter earnings pour expectations tax cuts help corporate america show biggest quarterly profit growth seven years disappointments could upset fragile market file photo traders work floor new york stock exchange nyse new york us march 29 2018 reutersbrendan mcdermid hopes among stock investors running high corporate earnings season kicks earnest thursday friday reports several large financial institutions including blackrock blkn jp morgan jpmn investors counted corporate profits provide bedrock support market endured sharp swings recent weeks concerns trade war china tougher regulations highflying technology companies sampp 500 spx recovered swooning 10 percent february jan 26 record high confirming market correction first time two years benchmark index remains 7 percent alltime peak awful lot pressure corporate profits first quarter especially guidance companies going give really get market back upward track said chuck carlson chief executive officer horizon investment services hammond indiana analysts expect sampp 500 profits rise 184 percent first quarter according thomson reuters ibes first full quarter since passage president donald trumps tax cuts slashed corporate tax rate 21 percent 35 percent would biggest profit rise since first quarter 2011 credit suisse analysts calculated one third growth first quarter attributed tax benefits graphic big first quarter seen corporate america reutrs2q8lxde given tendency companies report results wall street estimates numbers might expected come even higher example firstquarter profits rise 24 percent results achieve median outperformance past eight quarters according thomson reuters analyst david aurelio downside risk everyone hoping earnings come really main pillar bull case said keith lerner chief market strategist suntrust advisory services atlanta earnings surprise downside say bull case hanging onto point expectations first quarter profits risen expectation 122 percent growth jan 1 184 percent increase 62 percentage points analysts factored new tax law unusual general estimates decline 4 percentage points start quarter beginning earnings season according thomson reuters data strategists say tends help companies post earnings beats ultimately report results blackrock inc 51992 blkn new york stock exchange 1848 343 blkn jpmn spx cn wfcn expectation bar little bit higher quarter didnt see cut ahead time lerner said early returns indicate firstquarter results show similar positive surprises past quarters 23 sampp 500 companies reported far 74 percent reported profits ahead estimates according thomson reuters data historically 64 percent companies beat estimates quarter recently performance versus expectations better past four quarters 75 percent companies beat earnings estimates seven sampp 500 companies expected report next week including blackrock worlds largest asset manager three big banks jp morgan citigroup cn wells fargo wfcn 60 sampp 500 reports due following week one cushion investors stocks generally trading less expensive valuations following markets slide sampp 500 recently traded 163 times earnings estimates next 12 months 186 times january according thomson reuters datastream sampp 500 companies expected increase profits 197 percent 2018 would biggest annual rise since 2010 quarterly reports corporate executives give forecasts insight prospects year strategists said recent policy market turbulence could lead companies temper views given uncertainty market especially regarding trade potential tech regulation could see management teams little cautious said lindsey bell investment strategist cfra research new york reporting lewis krauskopf editing david gregorio standards thomson reuters trust principles shanghai reuters chinas state media rallied united states warning trade protectionism actions would end defeat option hit united states hard enough remember pain file photo shipping containers pier j port long beach wait processing long beach california us april 4 2018 reutersbob riha jrfile photo us says pay price must firmly attacked chinas official xinhua news agency said saturday china warned friday ready fierce counter strike fresh trade measures united states follows president donald trumps threat slap tariffs additional 100 billion chinese goods wednesday china imposed 3 billion tariffs us fruits nuts wine pork hours trump administration proposed duties 1300 chinese industrial technology transport medical products rising trade tensions worlds two largest economies follows us finding china engaging unfair trade practices connection intellectual property protections china rejects charge chinas media strictly controlled government come defense country painting country victim overly aggressive united states bent taking illegitimate unilateral action white house completely lost sense reality said ruling communist partys peoples daily newspaper friday commentary alleging united states acting unilaterally engaging trade protectionism meanwhile nationalist global times said editorial published late thursday chinese aware option hit us hard enough remember pain reporting engen tham editing michael perry standards thomson reuters trust principles beijingwashington reuters china warned friday fully prepared respond fierce counter strike fresh trade measures united states follows president donald trumps threat slap tariffs additional 100 billion chinese goods trump light called chinas unfair retaliation earlier us trade actions upped ante thursday ordering us officials identify extra tariffs escalating titfortat confrontation potentially damaging consequences worlds two biggest economies chinas commerce ministry spokesman gao feng calling us action extremely mistaken unjustified said spat struggle unilateralism multilateralism negotiations likely current circumstances result behavior smash foot stone gao told news briefing beijing united states announces additional 100 billion list tariffs china already fully prepared hesitate immediately make fierce counter strike dueling trade threats rattled wall street friday ending volatile week major indexes closing 2 percent day dollar also fell safe havens japanese yen gold futures rose week started china imposing 3 billion tariffs us fruits nuts wine pork rapidly escalated threats could seriously curtail hundreds billions dollars trade worlds two largest economies related coverage chinas state media says us tariff action defeated china trade dispute could slam us retailers us lawmakers skeptical promises shield farmers trade dispute us officials said prepared talk issues china clear path negotiations treasury secretary steve mnuchin trump economic advisor larry kudlow television promote idea talks mnuchin telling cnbc communication regularly gaos comments came shortly trump defended proposed tariffs saying move might cause little pain united states would better long run asked interview new york radio station wabc effect us stock markets trump said market gone since took office might lose little bit may take hit know ultimately going much stronger kudlow told bloomberg television trump americas top trade official robert lighthizer thinking submitting list suggestions chinese wednesday china unveiled list 106 us goods including soybeans whiskey frozen beef aircraft targeted tariffs hours trump administration proposed duties 1300 chinese industrial technology transport medical products washington called initial 50 billion extra duties said investigation determined chinese government policies designed transfer us intellectual property chinese companies allow seize leadership key hightechnology industries future china said afraid trade war even though seek one accused united states provoking conflict gao said comments us officials ongoing talks trade issues incorrect conditions two sides conduct negotiations issue gao said without elaborating kudlow repeatedly sought soothe markets mention possible talks told bloomberg television always ongoing bilateral discussions trade negotiations tariffs begun seeking tamp alarm told reporters outside white house nothings happened nothings executed theres yet chinas role beijing calls washington aggressor says spurring global protectionism chinas trading partners complained years abuses world trade organization rules propagates unfair policies lock foreign firms sectors china promised repeatedly open sectors financial services president xi jinping expected unveil reform measures next week countrys opening attending boao forum chinas equivalent davos southern island province hainan far us information technology products mobile phones personal computers largely escaped ire beijing well telecoms equipment aircraft larger equivalent boeing 737 among sectors affected trade war could technology particularly chipmakers us semiconductor industry relies china quarter revenue shipping containers loaded onto xin da yang zhou ship shanghai china pier j port long beach long beach california us april 4 2018 reutersbob riha jr also remains seen dispute would trigger nationalistic backlash ties beijing seoul chilled chinese tourism south korea plummeted chinese consumers shunned madeinsouthkorea products chinese social media friday among searched phrases china hasnt grown afraid china follow end china chamber international commerce said chinese business community would firmly support government efforts counter irrational erroneous us words actions official xinhua news agency reported urged washington go wrong path damaging consequences analysts oxford economics referring fact tariffs yet effect said note clients importantly threatened tariffs subject negotiation therefore shouldnt considered final however added fullblown trade war would pronounced effect us china would suffer significant slowdown real gdp growth cumulative loss around 10 percentage point cut global economic growth 25 percent 2019 30 percent baseline scenario slideshow 2 images trade war looks like warned start said national retail federation president ceo matthew shay dangerous downward spiral american families losing end shay added statement urging trump stop playing game chicken us economy reporting tom daly michael martina min zhang beijing steve holland david lawder doina chiacu washington additional writing ryan woo alex richardson lindsay dunsmuir david chance editing frances kerry james dalgleish standards thomson reuters trust principles reuters facebook inc fbo said friday suspended canadian political consultancy aggregateiq platform reports data firm may improperly access personal data facebook users file photo silhouettes laptop users seen next screen projection facebook logo picture illustration taken march 28 2018 reutersdado ruvicillustration facebook intense pressure data millions users ended hands political consultancy cambridge analytica christopher wylie whistleblower worked cambridge analytica said worked canadian company aggregateiq light recent reports aggregateiq may affiliated scl may result improperly received fb user data added list entities suspended platform investigate facebook said statement internal review continues cooperate fully investigations regulatory authorities strategic communication laboratories scl government military contractor parent cambridge analytica wylie said aggregateiq received payment probrexit campaign group 2016 referendum britain voted quit european union canadian federal agency charged protecting privacy rights individuals said thursday agency along counterpart british columbia would jointly investigate facebook aggregateiq ongoing data scandal facebook inc 1572 fbo nasdaq 214 134 fbo british columbias privacy commissioner separately investigating aggregateiq whether victoriabased company broken provincial personal privacy rules role brexit campaign facebook canada said wednesday 600000 canadians data improperly shared cambridge analytica aggregateiq immediately available comment cambridge analytica tweeted wednesday facebook contacted us let us know data improperly obtained immediately deleted raw data file server began process searching removing derivatives system facebook said wednesday personal information 87 million users mostly united states may improperly shared political consultancy cambridge analytica previous news media estimate 50 million facebook first acknowledged last month personal information millions users wrongly ended hands cambridge analytica londonbased cambridge analytica counted us president donald trumps 2016 campaign among clients said wednesday twitter received 30 million records researcher hired collect data people facebook reporting rama venkat raman bengalur david ingram san francisco editing toni reinhold standards thomson reuters trust principles
| 1,753 |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.