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<p>Jan 23 (Reuters) - Myson Century Inc :</p>
<p>* Says resignation of chairman Tang,Yuh-Fong and general manager Yang,Tsen-Shau, effective Jan. 31</p>
<p>Source text in Chinese: <a href="https://goo.gl/GXyitV" type="external">goo.gl/GXyitV</a>; <a href="https://goo.gl/cuWSoK" type="external">goo.gl/cuWSoK</a></p>
<p>Further company coverage: (Beijing Headline News)</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The leading U.S. consumer protection regulator and attorneys representing 37 states stepped up pressure on Facebook Inc ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=FB.O" type="external">FB.O</a>) on Monday to explain how the social network allowed data of 50 million users get into the hands of a political consultancy.</p>
<p>The U.S. Federal Trade Commission took the unusual step of announcing that it had opened an investigation into the company - which it generally only does in cases of great public interest - citing media reports that raise what it called “substantial concerns about the privacy practices of Facebook.”</p>
<p>On the same day, a bipartisan coalition of 37 state attorneys wrote to Facebook, demanding to know more about the company’s role in the manipulation of users’ data by the consultancy, Cambridge Analytica, which used it to target U.S. and British voters in close-run elections.</p>
<p>“These revelations raise many serious questions concerning Facebook’s policies and practices, and the processes in place to ensure they are followed,” the letter said. “We need to know that users can trust Facebook. With the information we have now, our trust has been broken.”</p>
<p>Facebook shares fell as much as 6.5 percent, briefly dipping below $150 for the first time since July 2017, before recovering the day’s losses to close up 0.4 percent at $160.06.</p>
<p>The shares are still down 13 percent since March 16, when Facebook first acknowledged that user data had been improperly channeled to Cambridge Analytica. The company has lost more than $70 billion in market value since then.</p>
<p>The recovery in Facebook’s stock on Monday may have been due to investors taking advantage of the lower stock price and the belief that the latest regulatory scrutiny may not ultimately hurt the company’s relative long-term growth prospects, Wall Street analysts said.</p>
<p>The FTC investigation is looking at more than whether Facebook violated a 2011 consent order it reached with the FTC 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 it thousands of dollars a day per violation, which could add up to billions of dollars.</p>
<p>“We remain strongly committed to protecting people’s information,” Facebook Deputy Chief Privacy Officer Rob Sherman said in a statement on Monday. “We appreciate the opportunity to answer questions the FTC may have.”</p> ALL APOLOGIES
<p>Lawmakers in the United States and Europe continue to pressure Facebook and Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg to explain the company’s privacy practices.</p>
<p>The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee said on Monday it had invited Zuckerberg and the CEOs of Alphabet Inc ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=GOOGL.O" type="external">GOOGL.O</a>) and Twitter Inc ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=TWTR.N" type="external">TWTR.N</a>) to testify at an April 10 hearing on data privacy.</p> Slideshow (3 Images)
<p>The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee and U.S. Senate Commerce Committee have already formally asked Zuckerberg to appear at a congressional hearing.</p>
<p>“Facebook’s failure to protect confidential user information likely violated specific legally binding commitments, but also basic norms and standards,” said U.S. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.</p>
<p>In Europe, the European Union Justice Commissioner asked Facebook if the company is “absolutely certain” that the Cambridge Analytica incident could not be repeated.</p>
<p>Zuckerberg apologized last week for the mistakes the company had made and he promised to restrict developers’ access to user information as part of a plan to protect privacy. He also said sorry in full-page advertisements in British and U.S. newspapers.</p>
<a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=FB.O" type="external">Facebook Inc</a> 160.06 FB.O Nasdaq +0.67 (+0.42%) FB.O GOOGL.O TWTR.N CBKG.DE
<p>“The was a breach of trust, and I’m sorry we didn’t do more at the time,” Zuckerberg said in the ads. “We are now taking steps to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”</p> ‘FUTURE REGULATION’
<p>His apologies have failed to quell discontent. Germany’s justice minister said Facebook’s promises were not enough.</p>
<p>“In future we will have to regulate companies like Facebook much more strictly,” Katarina Barley said after talks to which she summoned Facebook executives including European public affairs chief Richard Allan.</p>
<p>Advertisers and users are also unhappy.</p>
<p>U.S. auto parts retailer Pep Boys suspended all advertising on Facebook on Monday while wireless speaker maker Sonos said in a blog post it will remove advertising from Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Alphabet’s YouTube for one week.</p>
<p>Internet company Mozilla Corp, Germany’s second-largest bank Commerzbank AG ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=CBKG.DE" type="external">CBKG.DE</a>) and British advertising group ISBA all suspended advertising on Facebook last week.</p>
<p>Opinion polls published on Sunday in the United States and Germany cast doubt over the trust people have in Facebook.</p> Related Coverage
<a href="/article/us-usa-facebook-congress/facebook-ceo-among-those-invited-to-testify-at-u-s-senate-hearing-idUSKBN1H22E1" type="external">Facebook CEO among those invited to testify at U.S. Senate hearing</a>
<a href="/article/us-facebook-cambridge-analytica-eu-lette/eu-presses-facebook-on-sharing-of-user-data-idUSKBN1H22DM" type="external">EU presses Facebook on sharing of user data</a>
<a href="/article/us-facebook-cambridge-analytica-germany/facebook-must-face-tighter-rules-tougher-penalties-german-minister-idUSKBN1H21WK" type="external">Facebook must face tighter rules, tougher penalties: German minister</a>
<p>Fewer than half of Americans trust Facebook to obey U.S. privacy laws, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Sunday, while a survey published by Bild am Sonntag, Germany’s largest-selling Sunday paper, found 60 percent of Germans fear that Facebook and other social networks are having a negative impact on democracy.</p>
<p>Reporting by David Shepardson; Writing by Bill Rigby; Editing by Susan Thomas</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>LONDON/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States said on Monday it would expel 60 Russian diplomats, joining governments across Europe in punishing the Kremlin for a nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy in Britain that they have blamed on Moscow.</p>
<p>It was the strongest action that U.S. President Donald Trump had taken against Russia since coming to office. He has been criticized by Democrats and members of his own Republican Party for failing to be tough enough on Russia over U.S. allegations of Russian meddling in the U.S. electoral system including the 2016 presidential campaign.</p>
<p>British Prime Minister Theresa May, welcoming the show of solidarity, said 18 countries had announced plans to expel Russian officials. Those included 14 European Union countries. In total, 100 Russian diplomats were being removed, the biggest Western expulsion of Russian diplomats since the height of the Cold War.</p>
<p>British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said on Twitter that Monday’s “extraordinary international response by our allies stands in history as the largest collective expulsion of Russian intelligence officers ever and will help defend our shared security.”</p>
<p>May said the coordinated measures sent the “strongest signal to Russia that it cannot continue to flout international law.”</p>
<p>Britain had evidence Russia has investigated ways of distributing nerve agents for assassinations, May told parliament.</p>
<p>Russia’s Foreign Ministry called the expulsions a “provocative gesture.” The Kremlin spokesman said the West was making a “mistake” and that President Vladimir Putin would make a final decision about Russia’s response.</p>
<p>Moscow has denied being behind the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the southern English city of Salisbury. Skripal, 66, and Yulia Skripal, 33, were found unconscious on a public bench in a shopping center on March 4 and remain critically ill in hospital.</p>
<p>“We assess that more than 130 people in Salisbury could have been potentially exposed to this nerve agent,” May said.</p>
<p>Monday’s wave of expulsions followed EU leaders saying last week that evidence presented by May of Russian involvement in the attack was a solid basis for further action.</p>
<p>The staff expelled by Washington includes 12 people identified by the United States as intelligence officers from Russia’s mission to the United Nations headquarters in New York. They were involved in activities outside their official capacity and an abuse of their privileges of residence, U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley said.</p>
<p>Russian U.N. ambassador Vassily Nebenzia called it “a very unfortunate, very unfriendly move.”</p>
<p>Trump also ordered the closure of the Russian consulate in Seattle because of its proximity to a U.S. submarine base and planemaker and defense contractor Boeing Co, a senior U.S. official said. Seattle was a hub of Russian cyber espionage, both political and commercial, according to two U.S. intelligence officials.</p>
<p>The administration officials said “well over 100 intelligence officers” operated in the United States, and Washington’s action cuts 60 of them.</p> An official consul van is pictured outside the building housing the Consulate General of Russia in downtown Seattle, Washington, U.S., March 26, 2018. REUTERS/Lindsey Wasson ONE WEEK TO LEAVE
<p>The envoys and their families have been given a week to leave the United States, according to one U.S. official.</p>
<p>Trump, who before he took office in January last year promised warmer ties with Putin, last week congratulated the Russian leader on his re-election, drawing criticism from Republicans and Democrats alike. Trump said the two leaders had made tentative plans to meet in the “not too distant future.”</p>
<p>He did not bring up the poisoning attack in his phone call with Putin.</p>
<p>Trump himself was silent on Monday on Twitter, where he often comments about his policy decisions. But the White House later said it would like to have a “cooperative relationship” with Russia.</p>
<p>“The president wants to work with the Russians but their actions sometimes don’t allow that to happen,” White House spokesman Raj Shah told a news briefing. “The poisoning in the U.K. that has kind of led to today’s announcement was a very brazen action. It was a reckless action.”</p> Slideshow (7 Images)
<p>U.S. lawmakers largely welcomed Trump’s move on Monday.</p>
<p>Washington had already imposed sanctions on Russian citizens and firms for U.S. election meddling and cyber attacks but put off targeting oligarchs and government officials close to Putin.</p>
<p>“Punishing diplomats is not a direct threat to Putin’s power or money. Further, our previous efforts to kick out diplomats has done little to change Kremlin behavior,” said former CIA officer John Sipher, who served in Moscow and ran the agency’s Russia operations.</p>
<p>U.S. officials said the scale of the expulsions was based not only on the expansion of Russian espionage in the United States, but also on its increasing focus on critical infrastructure targets such as electrical grids, financial networks, transportation and healthcare.</p>
<p>Trump has been criticized in the United States for doing too little to punish Russia for the election meddling and other actions, and U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller is looking into whether Trump’s campaign colluded with the Russians, something he denies. Moscow denies interference in the campaign.</p> Related Coverage
<a href="/article/us-britain-russia-expulsions-factbox/diplomatic-moves-against-russia-after-nerve-gas-attack-idUSKBN1H21VA" type="external">Diplomatic moves against Russia after nerve gas attack</a>
<a href="/article/us-britain-russia-johnson/britains-johnson-expulsions-show-international-frustration-with-russia-idUSKBN1H22TR" type="external">Britain's Johnson: expulsions show international frustration with Russia</a>
<a href="/article/us-britain-russia-eu/eu-foreign-ministers-report-back-on-possible-further-measures-against-russia-uk-idUSKBN1H229U" type="external">EU foreign ministers report back on possible further measures against Russia: UK</a>
<p>Skripal’s poisoning, which Britain said employed the Soviet-era military-grade nerve agent Novichok, is the first known offensive use of a nerve toxin in Europe since World War Two.</p>
<p>The Foreign Ministry said “powerful forces” in the United States and Britain were behind the attack, RIA Novosti agency reported.</p>
<p>European Council President Donald Tusk said further measures could be taken in the coming weeks and months. Russia said it would respond in kind.</p>
<p>“The response will be symmetrical. We will work on it in the coming days and will respond to every country in turn,” the RIA news agency cited an unnamed Foreign Ministry source as saying.</p>
<p>The Kremlin has accused Britain of whipping up an anti-Russia campaign and has sought to cast doubt on the British analysis that Moscow was responsible. Russia has already ordered 23 British diplomats out of the country after Britain expelled 23 Russian diplomats.</p>
<p>Reporting by Michael Holden and Elizabeth Piper in London, John Irish in Paris, Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber, Vladimir Soldatkin and Christian Lowe in Moscow, Alissa de Carbonnel in Bulgaria, David Ljunggren in Ottawa, Johan Sennero in Stockholm, David Mardiste in Tallinn; Roberta Rampton, John Walcott, Warren Strobel, Patricia Zengerle, Matt Spetalnick and Mark Hosenball in Washington; Michelle Nichols at the United Nations; Writing by Guy Falconbridge and Yara Bayoumy; Editing by Kevin Liffey, Frances Kerry; and Grant McCool</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>(Reuters) - The European Commission pressed Facebook ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=FB.O" type="external">FB.O</a>) on Monday over whether EU citizens’ data were among those improperly harvested by a British political consultancy, after the U.S. regulator said it was investigating the firm’s privacy practices.</p> A 3D-printed Facebook logo is seen in front of the logo of the European Union in this picture illustration made in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina on May 15, 2015. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic
<p>That piled yet more pressure on a firm that has lost more than $100 billion in market value in the last 10 days.</p>
<p>Facebook shares fell more than 5 percent on Monday after the U.S. consumer protection regulator made public its investigation of how the social network allowed data of 50 million users to get into the hands of Cambridge Analytica.</p>
<p>Facebook executives have apologized after reports emerged that Cambridge Analytica had used personal data to target U.S. voters.</p>
<p>“Have any data of EU citizens been affected by the recent scandal?” EU Justice Commissioner Vera Jourova wrote in a letter to Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg, seen by Reuters. “If this is the case, how do you intend to inform the authorities and users about it?”</p>
<p>Jourova said that statements by Facebook executives had not alleviated her concerns.</p>
<p>“This is particularly disappointing given our efforts to build a relationship based on trust with you and your colleagues ... this trust is now diminished.”</p>
<p>A Facebook spokeswoman said the company remained strongly committed to protecting people’s information and appreciated “the opportunity to explain what we know and will respond to the questions that the Commissioner has asked”.</p>
<p>Jourova asked Sandberg whether she was certain that a similar situation could “not be repeated today” and if she thought stricter rules were needed for platforms “like those that exist for traditional media”.</p>
<p>“As Mark Zuckerberg said this week, we are working hard to tackle past abuse, prevent future abuse and give people more prominent controls,” the Facebook spokeswoman said.</p>
<a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=FB.O" type="external">Facebook Inc</a> 160.06 FB.O Nasdaq +0.67 (+0.42%) FB.O
<p>Germany’s justice minister called for stricter rules for Facebook after meeting with company executives on Monday who said around 1 percent of 300,000 users of a personality quiz whose results were later fed into Cambridge Analytica’s voter-targeting algorithms were in Europe.</p>
<p>Jourova said she wanted a reply to her letter within two weeks.</p>
<p>The Cambridge Analytica scandal emerged only a few months before a landmark EU data protection law comes into force under which companies found to be in breach could be fined up to 4 percent of global turnover.</p>
<p>Any eventual sanctions for Facebook will fall under the current privacy regulations, and so would be much lower.</p>
<p>Britain’s data watchdog is taking the lead in investigating Facebook and Cambridge Analytica from the European side, and Jourova said she expected the social network to cooperate fully with European data protection authorities.</p>
<p>Reporting by Julia Fioretti; Editing by Andrew Roche and David Evans</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>LONDON (Reuters) - Following are diplomatic measures announced against Russia by the United States, Canada, several EU countries and Ukraine in response to the poisoning of a former Russian double agent with military-grade nerve agent in the English town of Salisbury.</p>
<p>BRITAIN - Expelled 23 Russians alleged to have worked as spies under diplomatic cover. Promised to freeze any Russian state assets that “may be used to threaten the life or property of UK nationals or residents”.</p>
<p>UNITED STATES - Expelling 60 Russians, including 12 intelligence officers from Russia’s mission to U.N. headquarters in New York. Closing Russian consulate in Seattle.</p>
<p>CANADA - Expelling four Russians alleged to have worked as spies or interfered in Canadian affairs under diplomatic cover. Denying three applications for Russian diplomatic staff.</p>
<p>UKRAINE - Expelling 13 Russian diplomats</p>
<p>FRANCE - Expelling four diplomats</p>
<p>GERMANY - Expelling four diplomats</p>
<p>POLAND - Expelling four diplomats</p>
<p>LITHUANIA - Expelling three diplomats</p>
<p>CZECH REPUBLIC - Expelling three diplomats</p>
<p>ITALY - Expelling two diplomats</p>
<p>NETHERLANDS - Expelling two diplomats</p>
<p>SPAIN - Expelling two diplomats</p>
<p>ALBANIA - Expelling two diplomats</p>
<p>DENMARK - Expelling two diplomats</p>
<p>HUNGARY - Expelling one diplomat</p>
<p>MACEDONIA - Expelling one diplomat</p>
<p>SWEDEN - Expelling one diplomat</p>
<p>NORWAY - Expelling one diplomat</p>
<p>LATVIA - Expelling one diplomat</p>
<p>ESTONIA - Expelling one diplomat</p>
<p>FINLAND - Expelling one diplomat</p>
<p>ROMANIA - Expelling one diplomat</p> Related Video
<p>CROATIA - Expelling one diplomat</p> RUSSIAN RESPONSE:
<p>BRITAIN - Russia has expelled 23 British diplomats and closed the British consulate in St Petersburg and the British Council cultural body.</p>
<p>OTHERS - Moscow will expel at least 60 staff from U.S. diplomatic missions in Russia, RIA news agency quoted Russian senator Vladimir Dzhabarov as saying.</p>
<p>RIA also quoted an unnamed Foreign Ministry source as saying: “The response will be symmetrical. We will work on it in the coming days and will respond to every country in turn.”</p>
<p>Compiled by Kevin Liffey; Editing by Gareth Jones</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
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jan 23 reuters myson century inc says resignation chairman tangyuhfong general manager yangtsenshau effective jan 31 source text chinese googlgxyitv googlcuwsok company coverage beijing headline news standards thomson reuters trust principles washington reuters leading us consumer protection regulator attorneys representing 37 states stepped pressure facebook inc fbo monday explain social network allowed data 50 million users get hands political consultancy us federal trade commission took unusual step announcing opened investigation company generally cases great public interest citing media reports raise called substantial concerns privacy practices facebook day bipartisan coalition 37 state attorneys wrote facebook demanding know companys role manipulation users data consultancy cambridge analytica used target us british voters closerun elections revelations raise many serious questions concerning facebooks policies practices processes place ensure followed letter said need know users trust facebook information trust broken facebook shares fell much 65 percent briefly dipping 150 first time since july 2017 recovering days losses close 04 percent 16006 shares still 13 percent since march 16 facebook first acknowledged user data improperly channeled cambridge analytica company lost 70 billion market value since recovery facebooks stock monday may due investors taking advantage lower stock price belief latest regulatory scrutiny may ultimately hurt companys relative longterm growth prospects wall street analysts said ftc investigation looking whether facebook violated 2011 consent order reached ftc privacy practices person briefed matter told reuters ftc finds facebook violated terms consent decree power fine thousands dollars day per violation could add billions dollars remain strongly committed protecting peoples information facebook deputy chief privacy officer rob sherman said statement monday appreciate opportunity answer questions ftc may apologies lawmakers united states europe continue pressure facebook chief executive mark zuckerberg explain companys privacy practices us senate judiciary committee said monday invited zuckerberg ceos alphabet inc googlo twitter inc twtrn testify april 10 hearing data privacy slideshow 3 images us house energy commerce committee us senate commerce committee already formally asked zuckerberg appear congressional hearing facebooks failure protect confidential user information likely violated specific legally binding commitments also basic norms standards said us democratic senator richard blumenthal member senate commerce science transportation committee europe european union justice commissioner asked facebook company absolutely certain cambridge analytica incident could repeated zuckerberg apologized last week mistakes company made promised restrict developers access user information part plan protect privacy also said sorry fullpage advertisements british us newspapers facebook inc 16006 fbo nasdaq 067 042 fbo googlo twtrn cbkgde breach trust im sorry didnt time zuckerberg said ads taking steps make sure doesnt happen future regulation apologies failed quell discontent germanys justice minister said facebooks promises enough future regulate companies like facebook much strictly katarina barley said talks summoned facebook executives including european public affairs chief richard allan advertisers users also unhappy us auto parts retailer pep boys suspended advertising facebook monday wireless speaker maker sonos said blog post remove advertising facebook instagram twitter alphabets youtube one week internet company mozilla corp germanys secondlargest bank commerzbank ag cbkgde british advertising group isba suspended advertising facebook last week opinion polls published sunday united states germany cast doubt trust people facebook related coverage facebook ceo among invited testify us senate hearing eu presses facebook sharing user data facebook must face tighter rules tougher penalties german minister fewer half americans trust facebook obey us privacy laws according reutersipsos poll released sunday survey published bild sonntag germanys largestselling sunday paper found 60 percent germans fear facebook social networks negative impact democracy reporting david shepardson writing bill rigby editing susan thomas standards thomson reuters trust principles londonwashington reuters united states said monday would expel 60 russian diplomats joining governments across europe punishing kremlin nerve agent attack former russian spy britain blamed moscow strongest action us president donald trump taken russia since coming office criticized democrats members republican party failing tough enough russia us allegations russian meddling us electoral system including 2016 presidential campaign british prime minister theresa may welcoming show solidarity said 18 countries announced plans expel russian officials included 14 european union countries total 100 russian diplomats removed biggest western expulsion russian diplomats since height cold war british foreign secretary boris johnson said twitter mondays extraordinary international response allies stands history largest collective expulsion russian intelligence officers ever help defend shared security may said coordinated measures sent strongest signal russia continue flout international law britain evidence russia investigated ways distributing nerve agents assassinations may told parliament russias foreign ministry called expulsions provocative gesture kremlin spokesman said west making mistake president vladimir putin would make final decision russias response moscow denied behind attack sergei skripal daughter southern english city salisbury skripal 66 yulia skripal 33 found unconscious public bench shopping center march 4 remain critically ill hospital assess 130 people salisbury could potentially exposed nerve agent may said mondays wave expulsions followed eu leaders saying last week evidence presented may russian involvement attack solid basis action staff expelled washington includes 12 people identified united states intelligence officers russias mission united nations headquarters new york involved activities outside official capacity abuse privileges residence us ambassador nikki haley said russian un ambassador vassily nebenzia called unfortunate unfriendly move trump also ordered closure russian consulate seattle proximity us submarine base planemaker defense contractor boeing co senior us official said seattle hub russian cyber espionage political commercial according two us intelligence officials administration officials said well 100 intelligence officers operated united states washingtons action cuts 60 official consul van pictured outside building housing consulate general russia downtown seattle washington us march 26 2018 reuterslindsey wasson one week leave envoys families given week leave united states according one us official trump took office january last year promised warmer ties putin last week congratulated russian leader reelection drawing criticism republicans democrats alike trump said two leaders made tentative plans meet distant future bring poisoning attack phone call putin trump silent monday twitter often comments policy decisions white house later said would like cooperative relationship russia president wants work russians actions sometimes dont allow happen white house spokesman raj shah told news briefing poisoning uk kind led todays announcement brazen action reckless action slideshow 7 images us lawmakers largely welcomed trumps move monday washington already imposed sanctions russian citizens firms us election meddling cyber attacks put targeting oligarchs government officials close putin punishing diplomats direct threat putins power money previous efforts kick diplomats done little change kremlin behavior said former cia officer john sipher served moscow ran agencys russia operations us officials said scale expulsions based expansion russian espionage united states also increasing focus critical infrastructure targets electrical grids financial networks transportation healthcare trump criticized united states little punish russia election meddling actions us special counsel robert mueller looking whether trumps campaign colluded russians something denies moscow denies interference campaign related coverage diplomatic moves russia nerve gas attack britains johnson expulsions show international frustration russia eu foreign ministers report back possible measures russia uk skripals poisoning britain said employed sovietera militarygrade nerve agent novichok first known offensive use nerve toxin europe since world war two foreign ministry said powerful forces united states britain behind attack ria novosti agency reported european council president donald tusk said measures could taken coming weeks months russia said would respond kind response symmetrical work coming days respond every country turn ria news agency cited unnamed foreign ministry source saying kremlin accused britain whipping antirussia campaign sought cast doubt british analysis moscow responsible russia already ordered 23 british diplomats country britain expelled 23 russian diplomats reporting michael holden elizabeth piper london john irish paris gabrielle tetraultfarber vladimir soldatkin christian lowe moscow alissa de carbonnel bulgaria david ljunggren ottawa johan sennero stockholm david mardiste tallinn roberta rampton john walcott warren strobel patricia zengerle matt spetalnick mark hosenball washington michelle nichols united nations writing guy falconbridge yara bayoumy editing kevin liffey frances kerry grant mccool standards thomson reuters trust principles reuters european commission pressed facebook fbo monday whether eu citizens data among improperly harvested british political consultancy us regulator said investigating firms privacy practices 3dprinted facebook logo seen front logo european union picture illustration made zenica bosnia herzegovina may 15 2015 reutersdado ruvic piled yet pressure firm lost 100 billion market value last 10 days facebook shares fell 5 percent monday us consumer protection regulator made public investigation social network allowed data 50 million users get hands cambridge analytica facebook executives apologized reports emerged cambridge analytica used personal data target us voters data eu citizens affected recent scandal eu justice commissioner vera jourova wrote letter facebook chief operating officer sheryl sandberg seen reuters case intend inform authorities users jourova said statements facebook executives alleviated concerns particularly disappointing given efforts build relationship based trust colleagues trust diminished facebook spokeswoman said company remained strongly committed protecting peoples information appreciated opportunity explain know respond questions commissioner asked jourova asked sandberg whether certain similar situation could repeated today thought stricter rules needed platforms like exist traditional media mark zuckerberg said week working hard tackle past abuse prevent future abuse give people prominent controls facebook spokeswoman said facebook inc 16006 fbo nasdaq 067 042 fbo germanys justice minister called stricter rules facebook meeting company executives monday said around 1 percent 300000 users personality quiz whose results later fed cambridge analyticas votertargeting algorithms europe jourova said wanted reply letter within two weeks cambridge analytica scandal emerged months landmark eu data protection law comes force companies found breach could fined 4 percent global turnover eventual sanctions facebook fall current privacy regulations would much lower britains data watchdog taking lead investigating facebook cambridge analytica european side jourova said expected social network cooperate fully european data protection authorities reporting julia fioretti editing andrew roche david evans standards thomson reuters trust principles london reuters following diplomatic measures announced russia united states canada several eu countries ukraine response poisoning former russian double agent militarygrade nerve agent english town salisbury britain expelled 23 russians alleged worked spies diplomatic cover promised freeze russian state assets may used threaten life property uk nationals residents united states expelling 60 russians including 12 intelligence officers russias mission un headquarters new york closing russian consulate seattle canada expelling four russians alleged worked spies interfered canadian affairs diplomatic cover denying three applications russian diplomatic staff ukraine expelling 13 russian diplomats france expelling four diplomats germany expelling four diplomats poland expelling four diplomats lithuania expelling three diplomats czech republic expelling three diplomats italy expelling two diplomats netherlands expelling two diplomats spain expelling two diplomats albania expelling two diplomats denmark expelling two diplomats hungary expelling one diplomat macedonia expelling one diplomat sweden expelling one diplomat norway expelling one diplomat latvia expelling one diplomat estonia expelling one diplomat finland expelling one diplomat romania expelling one diplomat related video croatia expelling one diplomat russian response britain russia expelled 23 british diplomats closed british consulate st petersburg british council cultural body others moscow expel least 60 staff us diplomatic missions russia ria news agency quoted russian senator vladimir dzhabarov saying ria also quoted unnamed foreign ministry source saying response symmetrical work coming days respond every country turn compiled kevin liffey editing gareth jones standards thomson reuters trust principles
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<p>PUNCAK, Indonesia — After getting death threats from Al-Shabab militants, Mohamed Dahir Saeed and his wife fled their native Somalia with plans to seek safety in Australia. They arrived in nearby Indonesia, only to be told “the sea is closed” for anyone attempting to make the perilous boat journey south.</p>
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<p>That was two years ago. Now another chance may be disappearing for Saeed and thousands of other asylum seekers who have made it to this Southeast Asian country with dreams of finding better lives elsewhere.</p>
<p>“The majority of people here, the U.S. takes them,” Saeed said. “Now the U.S. they say no Somalian, no Iraq, no Syrian, no Iran, no Sudan. … So maybe we will go to another place. I hope,” he said Tuesday, seated outside his tiny house perched above the Ciliwung River.</p>
<p>For thousands of asylum seekers and refugees from Iraq, Somalia and other conflict-scarred countries, Indonesia is an often yearslong hiatus as they wait for the U.S. or another country to accept them. President Donald Trump’s travel ban on citizens of seven Muslim countries and suspension of the U.S. refugee program has now made their tenuous situation even more uncertain.</p>
<p>Indonesia is home to nearly 14,000 men, women and children seeking resettlement in other countries, according to UNHCR, the U.N. refugee agency. About 7,500 have been recognized as refugees, giving them the prized U.N. card that inches them closer to realizing their dreams of a better life. But last year just 610 were resettled in other countries such as the U.S., Canada, Germany and New Zealand.</p>
<p>At least 2,700 of those in limbo here are from countries listed in Trump’s 90-day travel ban: Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, Syria and Libya. Asylum seekers in general are affected by his 120-day suspension of the U.S. refugee program, and by his decision to cut the number of refugees the U.S. accepts this budget year by more than half, to 50,000.</p>
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<p>Some 3 million refugees have been resettled in the U.S. since Congress passed the Refugee Act of 1980, according to the Pew Research Center.</p>
<p>Saeed, 31, said that if he had the chance he’d tell the U.S. president that as a Somalian he’s a “peace man.” He said he left Somalia after Al-Shabab militants fighting the government pressured him to join their group, and that one of the militants wanted Saeed’s wife for himself.</p>
<p>“Now in Somalia there is a war from Al-Shabab and government. So these Somalis who run from Somalia, they need peace because they need to work, they need to feed their family. They are looking for a better life.”</p>
<p>Indonesia, a vast but poor archipelago country of more than 250 million people in Southeast Asia, might seem an unlikely refuge. Initially, many people fled there because they believed it would be a jumping-off point to reach Australia by boat. That possibility no longer exists: Since September 2013, the Australian government has turned back the often barely seaworthy vessels.</p>
<p>Puncak, a small West Java city nestled beneath a mountain that tempers Indonesia’s tropical heat, is a magnet for men from the Middle East seeking sex and a pleasant climate. Because of its proximity to Jakarta, where asylum seekers can be summoned for a refugee interview, and because of the low cost of living, many families from Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Pakistan and other nations also scrape out an existence there.</p>
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<p>Saeed is waiting in Puncak for a UNHCR interview he said he was told could happen in a year. Before that, he and his wife stayed on Batam, an Indonesian island near Singapore, in accommodations overseen by the International Organization for Migration.</p>
<p>It was good there, he said. Food, a room and an operation for his wife to remove a cyst that made her infertile. But when UNHCR told them there would be no refugee interviews there, they made the agonizing choice a month ago to come to Java.</p>
<p>They sold their mobile phones for money. His wife is sick again, but an operation is out of the question. One plus: The cool climate means they don’t to buy a fan or an air conditioner — an unthinkable expense.</p>
<p>Despite the meager existence in Puncak, the endless days of boredom, the frustration and the waiting, living among the general population is for many preferable to the alternative of staying in one of the Indonesian government’s overcrowded detention centers or camps.</p>
<p>The government of predominantly Muslim Indonesia allows asylum seekers to live in the community but they are not permitted to work and lack access to schools and public hospitals.</p>
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<p>There is no financial support unless a nongovernmental group gets involved. If relatives or friends abroad stop sending money, surrendering to a detention center is the only option left.</p>
<p>Khairullah, a minority Sunni Muslim from Iraq, said he fled Mosul about two years ago with his wife and two young sons. The Iraqi city was liberated last month from Islamic State group militants who captured it in the summer of 2014.</p>
<p>“I want to go outside (Iraq) because there my life is very dangerous. Maybe I’m dead, maybe my wife is dead. Maybe one of my children,” said Khairullah, who ran a barbershop in Iraq.</p>
<p>He said he couldn’t afford to live in Turkey or Jordan, but a friend convinced him that life in Indonesia’s camps was decent, with two rooms for a family, money and food.</p>
<p>“When I come here to Indonesia, I go to the camp, I don’t see this. One room, small room, no money, food no good. I can’t stay there.”</p>
<p>Now the family, expanded to five with the birth of a daughter in Indonesia, waits to hear the outcome of a refugee interview they had five months ago. Khairullah said a sister in Iraq sends $300 a month, but not always because of the chaotic conditions in the country.</p>
<p>“Now we see the Trump news. No Muslims. Don’t come, Muslims,” he said, cradling his toddler Rawan.</p>
<p>“You know, I don’t sleep at night, just thinking. What about my future? For me it’s OK. But what about the future of my sons? What about my daughter with no ID? What about them? I don’t know what I do.”</p>
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puncak indonesia getting death threats alshabab militants mohamed dahir saeed wife fled native somalia plans seek safety australia arrived nearby indonesia told sea closed anyone attempting make perilous boat journey south advertisement two years ago another chance may disappearing saeed thousands asylum seekers made southeast asian country dreams finding better lives elsewhere majority people us takes saeed said us say somalian iraq syrian iran sudan maybe go another place hope said tuesday seated outside tiny house perched ciliwung river thousands asylum seekers refugees iraq somalia conflictscarred countries indonesia often yearslong hiatus wait us another country accept president donald trumps travel ban citizens seven muslim countries suspension us refugee program made tenuous situation even uncertain indonesia home nearly 14000 men women children seeking resettlement countries according unhcr un refugee agency 7500 recognized refugees giving prized un card inches closer realizing dreams better life last year 610 resettled countries us canada germany new zealand least 2700 limbo countries listed trumps 90day travel ban iran iraq sudan somalia yemen syria libya asylum seekers general affected 120day suspension us refugee program decision cut number refugees us accepts budget year half 50000 advertisement 3 million refugees resettled us since congress passed refugee act 1980 according pew research center saeed 31 said chance hed tell us president somalian hes peace man said left somalia alshabab militants fighting government pressured join group one militants wanted saeeds wife somalia war alshabab government somalis run somalia need peace need work need feed family looking better life indonesia vast poor archipelago country 250 million people southeast asia might seem unlikely refuge initially many people fled believed would jumpingoff point reach australia boat possibility longer exists since september 2013 australian government turned back often barely seaworthy vessels puncak small west java city nestled beneath mountain tempers indonesias tropical heat magnet men middle east seeking sex pleasant climate proximity jakarta asylum seekers summoned refugee interview low cost living many families afghanistan iraq somalia pakistan nations also scrape existence advertisement saeed waiting puncak unhcr interview said told could happen year wife stayed batam indonesian island near singapore accommodations overseen international organization migration good said food room operation wife remove cyst made infertile unhcr told would refugee interviews made agonizing choice month ago come java sold mobile phones money wife sick operation question one plus cool climate means dont buy fan air conditioner unthinkable expense despite meager existence puncak endless days boredom frustration waiting living among general population many preferable alternative staying one indonesian governments overcrowded detention centers camps government predominantly muslim indonesia allows asylum seekers live community permitted work lack access schools public hospitals advertisement financial support unless nongovernmental group gets involved relatives friends abroad stop sending money surrendering detention center option left khairullah minority sunni muslim iraq said fled mosul two years ago wife two young sons iraqi city liberated last month islamic state group militants captured summer 2014 want go outside iraq life dangerous maybe im dead maybe wife dead maybe one children said khairullah ran barbershop iraq said couldnt afford live turkey jordan friend convinced life indonesias camps decent two rooms family money food come indonesia go camp dont see one room small room money food good cant stay family expanded five birth daughter indonesia waits hear outcome refugee interview five months ago khairullah said sister iraq sends 300 month always chaotic conditions country see trump news muslims dont come muslims said cradling toddler rawan know dont sleep night thinking future ok future sons daughter id dont know
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<p />
<p>“Sir,” Padilla asked former President George W. Bush, “where is this hole breaking?”</p>
<p>Bush, looking at Padilla’s ball 20-feet from the hole, gave his ex-soldier an order: “Ramon, just make the freakin’ putt.”</p>
<p>A few months later, Bush took up painting and was given given a similar order from his instructor while brooding over colors – “Just paint the cube, George.”</p>
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<p>For both men, the answer to their struggles was the same: Don’t dwell. Move on. Padilla made the putt, a story he tells to inspire wounded vets to take up the sport. Bush painted the cube, then moved on to fruit, his dogs, self portraits, and pictures of world leaders.</p>
<p>Now, with the wars behind him but still ever present in his mind, Bush has published “Portraits of Courage,” an immediate best-selling book of 98 portraits of warriors he befriended after they came home not quite the same as they left. Padilla, 42, is on the cover with six other veterans staring off into the distance – pensive, wounded. Only one is</p>
<p>smiling.</p>
<p>Besides losing his arm, Padilla, suffered a traumatic brain injury and cracked part of his skull.</p>
<p>“It looks like me because of the scar on my head,” Padilla said, staring at himself on the cover. “I guess he got my pointy nose right too.”</p>
<p>To Padilla, who lives with his wife and three kids in Waldorf, Maryland and works at the Pentagon helping other wounded warriors find interships, the portrait is more than just a 14-by-16-inch reminder of the permanent wounds he suffered during the longest war in the country’s history. It is proof that Bush continues to make good on a promise to spend the rest of his life helping and celebrating the more than 2.6 million men and women sent into battle after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.</p>
<p>“He’ll never forget what all the warriors did this for this country,” Padilla said. “This shows you he cares. He’s not forgetting.”</p>
<p>Padilla and Bush met at a tournament the former president hosted for the Salute Military Golf Association, a group founded by Jim Estes, a pro golfer from Olney, Maryland. Padilla, a baseball and football star in high school near Los Angeles, was referred to the program by his rehabilitation therapist at Walter Reed.</p>
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<p>At his first lesson, Padilla hit the ball farther and more accurately than many two-handed weekend duffers. Eventually, he helped develop a prosthesis that allowed him to swing with two arms. The sport centered him.</p>
<p>“It gave Ramon the confidence he needed to move on as a father, a husband, really as a man,” Estes said. “And besides that, he really became an excellent golfer.”</p>
<p>But on the course that day in 2011 with the former president, Padilla was less concerned with his score than he was with making sure Bush didn’t feel awkward around him or the other wounded warriors. Padilla doesn’t blame him for his wounds.</p>
<p>“I’m pretty sure people have a lot of questions for him,” Padilla said. “There’s a lot of controversy. He did his best as president. We were proud and honored he sent us to war to fight for our country. We wanted to do that for him. I would never want to disrespect him or question him in anything he did.”</p>
<p>– – –</p>
<p>So Padilla didn’t bring up what happened on July 8, 2007.</p>
<p>He and his squad had just finished their patrol in the mountains in Afghanistan and were preparing for dinner – Philly cheesesteaks made by a soldier from Philly. Padilla went to round up his men, yelling, “Hurry up before I get f—–g shot.”</p>
<p>A few seconds later, a rocket propelled grenade blew up just steps from Padilla, leaving his arm dangling from his body by skin and ligaments. After surgeons completely removed his arm, they left it on his chest as a way to temporarily comfort him.</p>
<p>“Even though I had lost it,” Padilla said, “I hadn’t lost it.”</p>
<p>Padilla spent more than two years recovering at Walter Reed, wondering how he’d play catch with his kids and provide for his family. But he kept all that to himself with the former commander-in-chief, though Bush could clearly see Padilla had returned with only one arm.</p>
<p>“We talked about family,” Padilla said. “I said, ‘Hey sir, how is your putting going? How are your daughters?’ Stuff like that. I didn’t want him to be uncomfortable.”</p>
<p>Padilla and his wife Judith were invited to Bush’s home. Laura Bush showed them around, telling the stories behind family mementos and photos. Bush had not started painting yet.</p>
<p>“I had been an art-agnostic all my life,” Bush wrote in the introduction to “Portraits of Courage.”</p>
<p>In the spring of 2012, a Yale history professor visited Bush at his office. The professor mentioned Winston Churchill’s essay “Painting as a Pastime.” Bush reveres Churchill. He said to himself, “If that old boy can paint, I can paint.”</p>
<p>Bush took an online art history course from the Museum of Modern Art. He hired an instructor. “There’s a Rembrandt in this body,” he told her. “Your job is to liberate him.” And he turned his “man cave” into an art studio.</p>
<p>“For the first time in my sixty-six years,” he wrote in the book’s introduction, “I picked up a paintbrush that wasn’t meant for drywall.”</p>
<p>The cube. Landscapes. Those much talked about self portraits in the bathtub and shower. Bush painted whenever he had time. Eventually, he painted portraits of world leaders he knew – Vladimir Putin, Tony Blair, the Dalai Lama. In 2015, painter Sedrick Huckaby suggested that Bush paint people he knew but others didn’t.</p>
<p>“Instantly, I thought of painting wounded warriors I had gotten to know,” Bush wrote, then directing his staff to collect photos and stories of veterans he remembered, including Padilla, who also served in Iraq.</p>
<p>Padilla got an email that Bush wanted to paint him and the former president used a photo taken of him during his trip to Dallas.</p>
<p>This was not some sort of apology, a way to make amends for decisions that many Americans still vehemently condemn and that have killed almost 6,900 U.S. service members. In promoting the book last week, Bush told the “Today Show” that he still thought he had made the right decisions in sending American troops to war in Iraq and Afghanistan.</p>
<p>“I regret they got hurt,” he said.</p>
<p>The portraits of the wounded warriors are meant “to show their determination to recover, lack of self-pity, and desire to continue to serve in new ways as civilians,” Bush wrote in the introduction. “I painted these men and women as a way to honor their service to the country and to show my respect for their sacrifice and courage.”</p>
<p>Proceeds from the $35 book will go to veterans charities. The portraits are also being displayed at Bush’s presidential library in Dallas. Padilla hopes to travel there to see his face, and that scar, hanging on the wall. He’d certainly love to see Bush again. After he made that long putt, Bush grabbed him and rubbed his hair celebrating.</p>
<p>“It was like he was my uncle,” Padilla said. “I had that kind of bond with him.”</p>
<p>In the meantime, he’s showing off the book to friends and family. Bush autographed the page with his portrait.</p>
<p>“To Ramon,” he wrote. “With respect and admiration.”</p>
<p>– – –</p>
<p>Video link: Why George W. Bush has been making a comeback</p>
<p><a href="http://wapo.st/2llib6G" type="external">http://wapo.st/2llib6G</a></p>
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sir padilla asked former president george w bush hole breaking bush looking padillas ball 20feet hole gave exsoldier order ramon make freakin putt months later bush took painting given given similar order instructor brooding colors paint cube george advertisement men answer struggles dont dwell move padilla made putt story tells inspire wounded vets take sport bush painted cube moved fruit dogs self portraits pictures world leaders wars behind still ever present mind bush published portraits courage immediate bestselling book 98 portraits warriors befriended came home quite left padilla 42 cover six veterans staring distance pensive wounded one smiling besides losing arm padilla suffered traumatic brain injury cracked part skull looks like scar head padilla said staring cover guess got pointy nose right padilla lives wife three kids waldorf maryland works pentagon helping wounded warriors find interships portrait 14by16inch reminder permanent wounds suffered longest war countrys history proof bush continues make good promise spend rest life helping celebrating 26 million men women sent battle sept 11 terrorist attacks hell never forget warriors country padilla said shows cares hes forgetting padilla bush met tournament former president hosted salute military golf association group founded jim estes pro golfer olney maryland padilla baseball football star high school near los angeles referred program rehabilitation therapist walter reed advertisement first lesson padilla hit ball farther accurately many twohanded weekend duffers eventually helped develop prosthesis allowed swing two arms sport centered gave ramon confidence needed move father husband really man estes said besides really became excellent golfer course day 2011 former president padilla less concerned score making sure bush didnt feel awkward around wounded warriors padilla doesnt blame wounds im pretty sure people lot questions padilla said theres lot controversy best president proud honored sent us war fight country wanted would never want disrespect question anything padilla didnt bring happened july 8 2007 squad finished patrol mountains afghanistan preparing dinner philly cheesesteaks made soldier philly padilla went round men yelling hurry get fg shot seconds later rocket propelled grenade blew steps padilla leaving arm dangling body skin ligaments surgeons completely removed arm left chest way temporarily comfort even though lost padilla said hadnt lost padilla spent two years recovering walter reed wondering hed play catch kids provide family kept former commanderinchief though bush could clearly see padilla returned one arm talked family padilla said said hey sir putting going daughters stuff like didnt want uncomfortable padilla wife judith invited bushs home laura bush showed around telling stories behind family mementos photos bush started painting yet artagnostic life bush wrote introduction portraits courage spring 2012 yale history professor visited bush office professor mentioned winston churchills essay painting pastime bush reveres churchill said old boy paint paint bush took online art history course museum modern art hired instructor theres rembrandt body told job liberate turned man cave art studio first time sixtysix years wrote books introduction picked paintbrush wasnt meant drywall cube landscapes much talked self portraits bathtub shower bush painted whenever time eventually painted portraits world leaders knew vladimir putin tony blair dalai lama 2015 painter sedrick huckaby suggested bush paint people knew others didnt instantly thought painting wounded warriors gotten know bush wrote directing staff collect photos stories veterans remembered including padilla also served iraq padilla got email bush wanted paint former president used photo taken trip dallas sort apology way make amends decisions many americans still vehemently condemn killed almost 6900 us service members promoting book last week bush told today show still thought made right decisions sending american troops war iraq afghanistan regret got hurt said portraits wounded warriors meant show determination recover lack selfpity desire continue serve new ways civilians bush wrote introduction painted men women way honor service country show respect sacrifice courage proceeds 35 book go veterans charities portraits also displayed bushs presidential library dallas padilla hopes travel see face scar hanging wall hed certainly love see bush made long putt bush grabbed rubbed hair celebrating like uncle padilla said kind bond meantime hes showing book friends family bush autographed page portrait ramon wrote respect admiration video link george w bush making comeback httpwapost2llib6g
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<p>A data breach at testing vendor Questar Assessment exposed personal information of about 52 students in five New York schools, state Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia said Thursday.</p>
<p>Questar, headquartered in Apple Valley, Minnesota, reported that someone accessed a small amount of "personally identifiable" information from Dec. 30 to Jan. 2, Elia said. The data included some student names, identification numbers, grade levels and teachers' names, but not student addresses, social security numbers, disability status or test scores.</p>
<p>New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's office has opened an investigation, spokeswoman Amy Spitalnick said.</p>
<p>The data breach affected one other state, Questar Chief Operating Officer Brad Baumgartner told The Associated Press. He declined to identify it, saying he could not disclose client information.</p>
<p>"Even though access was to a very minor amount of data any unauthorized access to data is unacceptable," the company said in a statement. "Questar took immediate action to address the unauthorized access."</p>
<p>Elia said the state first learned of the breach on Tuesday but was not told the names or schools of those affected until Thursday. The students, who represent a small fraction of those who took computer-based tests this past spring, attended five schools: John F. Kennedy School, Great Neck; Menands School, Menands; School 2, Oceanside; Public School 15 Jackie Robinson, Queens, and St. Amelia School, Buffalo.</p>
<p>On a conference call with reporters, Elia said she could not speculate on the reason the data was accessed, but said it would have no obvious use.</p>
<p>"We can't see any reason that anyone would do it," she said.</p>
<p>She said Questar had indicated that it suspected a former employee, but Baumgartner told the AP that there was not any evidence to support that.</p>
<p>"At this time, the person is unknown to us," he said.</p>
<p>The state Education Department wants Questar to detail by Jan. 26 what steps it will take to prevent future breaches and to have an outside expert audit the security of its systems, security protocols and procedures by Feb. 20.</p>
<p>New York replaced test vendor Pearson with Questar in 2015 amid a backlash over standardized testing. The five-year, $44 million contract tasked Questar with developing new grade 3-8 English language arts and math assessments that districts could choose to administer via computer.</p>
<p>About 28,000 students took the latest assessments electronically, while an additional 60,000 students field-tested computer-based tests, Elia said. Although the majority of students in the state's nearly 700 school districts still take the tests with paper and pencil, eventually all testing is expected to shift to computers.</p>
<p>"Any breach of student data, no matter how small, is unacceptable," said Carl Korn, spokesman for New York State United Teachers, a statewide teachers' union. "While it appears the State Education Department caught this quickly and responded appropriately, it underscores the serious concerns that parents and teachers have about the state's rush to adopt computer-based testing."</p>
<p>Ian Rosenblum, executive director of The Education Trust-New York, an advocacy group, praised the state's response and said the incident should not undermine the assessment program which, he said, "has a critical role in ensuring schools and districts are serving all students and promoting equity."</p>
<p>A data breach at testing vendor Questar Assessment exposed personal information of about 52 students in five New York schools, state Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia said Thursday.</p>
<p>Questar, headquartered in Apple Valley, Minnesota, reported that someone accessed a small amount of "personally identifiable" information from Dec. 30 to Jan. 2, Elia said. The data included some student names, identification numbers, grade levels and teachers' names, but not student addresses, social security numbers, disability status or test scores.</p>
<p>New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's office has opened an investigation, spokeswoman Amy Spitalnick said.</p>
<p>The data breach affected one other state, Questar Chief Operating Officer Brad Baumgartner told The Associated Press. He declined to identify it, saying he could not disclose client information.</p>
<p>"Even though access was to a very minor amount of data any unauthorized access to data is unacceptable," the company said in a statement. "Questar took immediate action to address the unauthorized access."</p>
<p>Elia said the state first learned of the breach on Tuesday but was not told the names or schools of those affected until Thursday. The students, who represent a small fraction of those who took computer-based tests this past spring, attended five schools: John F. Kennedy School, Great Neck; Menands School, Menands; School 2, Oceanside; Public School 15 Jackie Robinson, Queens, and St. Amelia School, Buffalo.</p>
<p>On a conference call with reporters, Elia said she could not speculate on the reason the data was accessed, but said it would have no obvious use.</p>
<p>"We can't see any reason that anyone would do it," she said.</p>
<p>She said Questar had indicated that it suspected a former employee, but Baumgartner told the AP that there was not any evidence to support that.</p>
<p>"At this time, the person is unknown to us," he said.</p>
<p>The state Education Department wants Questar to detail by Jan. 26 what steps it will take to prevent future breaches and to have an outside expert audit the security of its systems, security protocols and procedures by Feb. 20.</p>
<p>New York replaced test vendor Pearson with Questar in 2015 amid a backlash over standardized testing. The five-year, $44 million contract tasked Questar with developing new grade 3-8 English language arts and math assessments that districts could choose to administer via computer.</p>
<p>About 28,000 students took the latest assessments electronically, while an additional 60,000 students field-tested computer-based tests, Elia said. Although the majority of students in the state's nearly 700 school districts still take the tests with paper and pencil, eventually all testing is expected to shift to computers.</p>
<p>"Any breach of student data, no matter how small, is unacceptable," said Carl Korn, spokesman for New York State United Teachers, a statewide teachers' union. "While it appears the State Education Department caught this quickly and responded appropriately, it underscores the serious concerns that parents and teachers have about the state's rush to adopt computer-based testing."</p>
<p>Ian Rosenblum, executive director of The Education Trust-New York, an advocacy group, praised the state's response and said the incident should not undermine the assessment program which, he said, "has a critical role in ensuring schools and districts are serving all students and promoting equity."</p>
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data breach testing vendor questar assessment exposed personal information 52 students five new york schools state education commissioner maryellen elia said thursday questar headquartered apple valley minnesota reported someone accessed small amount personally identifiable information dec 30 jan 2 elia said data included student names identification numbers grade levels teachers names student addresses social security numbers disability status test scores new york attorney general eric schneidermans office opened investigation spokeswoman amy spitalnick said data breach affected one state questar chief operating officer brad baumgartner told associated press declined identify saying could disclose client information even though access minor amount data unauthorized access data unacceptable company said statement questar took immediate action address unauthorized access elia said state first learned breach tuesday told names schools affected thursday students represent small fraction took computerbased tests past spring attended five schools john f kennedy school great neck menands school menands school 2 oceanside public school 15 jackie robinson queens st amelia school buffalo conference call reporters elia said could speculate reason data accessed said would obvious use cant see reason anyone would said said questar indicated suspected former employee baumgartner told ap evidence support time person unknown us said state education department wants questar detail jan 26 steps take prevent future breaches outside expert audit security systems security protocols procedures feb 20 new york replaced test vendor pearson questar 2015 amid backlash standardized testing fiveyear 44 million contract tasked questar developing new grade 38 english language arts math assessments districts could choose administer via computer 28000 students took latest assessments electronically additional 60000 students fieldtested computerbased tests elia said although majority students states nearly 700 school districts still take tests paper pencil eventually testing expected shift computers breach student data matter small unacceptable said carl korn spokesman new york state united teachers statewide teachers union appears state education department caught quickly responded appropriately underscores serious concerns parents teachers states rush adopt computerbased testing ian rosenblum executive director education trustnew york advocacy group praised states response said incident undermine assessment program said critical role ensuring schools districts serving students promoting equity data breach testing vendor questar assessment exposed personal information 52 students five new york schools state education commissioner maryellen elia said thursday questar headquartered apple valley minnesota reported someone accessed small amount personally identifiable information dec 30 jan 2 elia said data included student names identification numbers grade levels teachers names student addresses social security numbers disability status test scores new york attorney general eric schneidermans office opened investigation spokeswoman amy spitalnick said data breach affected one state questar chief operating officer brad baumgartner told associated press declined identify saying could disclose client information even though access minor amount data unauthorized access data unacceptable company said statement questar took immediate action address unauthorized access elia said state first learned breach tuesday told names schools affected thursday students represent small fraction took computerbased tests past spring attended five schools john f kennedy school great neck menands school menands school 2 oceanside public school 15 jackie robinson queens st amelia school buffalo conference call reporters elia said could speculate reason data accessed said would obvious use cant see reason anyone would said said questar indicated suspected former employee baumgartner told ap evidence support time person unknown us said state education department wants questar detail jan 26 steps take prevent future breaches outside expert audit security systems security protocols procedures feb 20 new york replaced test vendor pearson questar 2015 amid backlash standardized testing fiveyear 44 million contract tasked questar developing new grade 38 english language arts math assessments districts could choose administer via computer 28000 students took latest assessments electronically additional 60000 students fieldtested computerbased tests elia said although majority students states nearly 700 school districts still take tests paper pencil eventually testing expected shift computers breach student data matter small unacceptable said carl korn spokesman new york state united teachers statewide teachers union appears state education department caught quickly responded appropriately underscores serious concerns parents teachers states rush adopt computerbased testing ian rosenblum executive director education trustnew york advocacy group praised states response said incident undermine assessment program said critical role ensuring schools districts serving students promoting equity
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<p>PARIS — France’s election campaign commission said Saturday “a significant amount of data” — and some fake information — has been leaked on social networks following a hacking attack on centrist Emmanuel Macron’s presidential campaign. It urged citizens not to relay the data on social media to protect the integrity of the French vote.</p>
<p>France’s government cybersecurity agency will investigate the attack, according to a government official who said it appeared to be a “very serious” breach.</p>
<p>The leak came 36 hours before the nation votes Sunday in a crucial presidential runoff between Macron and far-right candidate Marine Le Pen — and just as a two-day blackout on campaigning began so that voters could reflect on their choice.</p>
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<p>Voting started Saturday in France’s overseas territories and in some embassies abroad.</p>
<p>The leaked documents appear largely mundane, and the perpetrators remain unknown. It’s unclear whether the document dump will dent Macron’s large polling lead over Le Pen going into the vote.</p>
<p>The election commission met Saturday after the leaks emerged just before midnight Friday. The commission said the leaked data apparently came from Macron’s “information systems and mail accounts from some of his campaign managers.” It said the leaked data had been “fraudulently” obtained and that fake news was probably mingled in with it.</p>
<p>The commission urged French media and citizens not to relay the leaked documents. French electoral laws impose a news blackout Saturday and most of Sunday on any campaigning and media coverage seen as swaying the election.</p>
<p>The Macron team asked the campaign oversight commission Saturday to bring in cybersecurity agency ANSSI to study the hack, according to a government official who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the details publicly.</p>
<p>ANSSI can only be called in for cases where the cyberattack is “massive and sophisticated” — and the Macron hack appears to fit the bill, the official said.</p>
<p>Someone on 4chan — a site known, among other things, for cruel hoaxes and political extremism — posted links to a large set of data Friday night.</p>
<p>Macron’s team quickly confirmed that it had been hit by a “massive and coordinated” hack some weeks ago, in which unidentified hackers accessed staffers’ personal and professional emails and leaked campaign finance material and contracts — as well as fake documents — online.</p>
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<p>In a cursory look at the leaked documents, they appear to be day-to-day communications, with a few items so out of character that they might be fakes. Other documents, which seem to date back several years, don’t appear related to the campaign at all.</p>
<p>Le Pen’s campaign could not formally respond due to the campaigning blackout, but National Front official Florian Philippot, asked in a tweet: “Will the #Macronleaks teach us something that investigative journalism deliberately buried?”</p>
<p>The Macron hacking announcement came just 10 days after the campaign’s digital chief, Mounir Mahjoubi, said it had been targeted by Russia-linked hackers — but that those hacking attempts had all been thwarted.</p>
<p>Mahjoubi and other campaign staffers would not comment Saturday.</p>
<p>The documents leaked Friday were widely circulated on U.S. far-right sites. Experts dissecting the data say they spotted a couple of Russian names in the dump. Matt Suiche of cybersecurity firm Comae Technologies said “there’s Cyrillic script in the metadata,” but added it was hard to tell whether that’s due to carelessness or a deliberate misdirection.</p>
<p>In other voting issues, the French voting watchdog urged the Interior Ministry to look into claims by the Le Pen campaign of tampering with ballot papers in a way that favors Macron.</p>
<p>The first French territory to vote Saturday was Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, an archipelago near Newfoundland, where voters came dressed in scarves and jackets to ward off the chilly weather. Shortly afterward, voting started in French Guiana and the French West Indies, where voters wore shorts.</p>
<p>French citizens also turned out in droves to vote in the Canadian province of Quebec. The French consul general in Montreal said more than 57,000 people had registered to vote in the province, the vast majority in Montreal.</p>
<p>The last polling stations on the French mainland close at 8:00 p.m. Sunday, when the first pollsters’ projections and official partial results are expected.</p>
<p>The campaign has been unusually bitter, with voters hurling eggs and flour, protesters clashing with police and the candidates insulting each other on national television — a reflection of the country’s deep divisions.</p>
<p>Le Pen, 48, has brought her far-right National Front party, once a pariah for its racism and anti-Semitism, closer than ever to the French presidency, softening its message and seizing on working-class voters’ growing frustration with globalization and immigration.</p>
<p>The 39-year-old Macron, a former economy minister and investment banker who has never held elected office, also helped upend France’s traditional political structure with his wild-card campaign.</p>
<p>After ditching France’s traditional left-right political parties in a first-round presidential ballot, voters were choosing between Macron’s business-friendly vision and Le Pen’s protectionist, closed-borders view. Macron wants a strong EU, while Le Pen favors a France-first policy that could see France spin out of the bloc.</p>
<p>From depressed northern France to the streets of Paris, few voters seemed aware Saturday of the hacking attack on Macron’s team — although several were looking forward to the end of a vitriolic campaign.</p>
<p>In Henin-Beaumont in northern France, where Le Pen will cast her ballot on Sunday, 28-year-old Thomas Delannoy said the campaign “looks like reality TV.” The construction painter called the electoral process “laughable,” saying that neither candidate had a platform he could identify with.</p>
<p>Macron will vote Sunday in the seaside town of Le Touquet, where his wife Brigitte went for a walk Saturday with her daughter and grandchildren.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Angela Charlton contributed to this report.</p>
| false | 2 |
paris frances election campaign commission said saturday significant amount data fake information leaked social networks following hacking attack centrist emmanuel macrons presidential campaign urged citizens relay data social media protect integrity french vote frances government cybersecurity agency investigate attack according government official said appeared serious breach leak came 36 hours nation votes sunday crucial presidential runoff macron farright candidate marine le pen twoday blackout campaigning began voters could reflect choice advertisement voting started saturday frances overseas territories embassies abroad leaked documents appear largely mundane perpetrators remain unknown unclear whether document dump dent macrons large polling lead le pen going vote election commission met saturday leaks emerged midnight friday commission said leaked data apparently came macrons information systems mail accounts campaign managers said leaked data fraudulently obtained fake news probably mingled commission urged french media citizens relay leaked documents french electoral laws impose news blackout saturday sunday campaigning media coverage seen swaying election macron team asked campaign oversight commission saturday bring cybersecurity agency anssi study hack according government official spoke associated press condition anonymity werent authorized discuss details publicly anssi called cases cyberattack massive sophisticated macron hack appears fit bill official said someone 4chan site known among things cruel hoaxes political extremism posted links large set data friday night macrons team quickly confirmed hit massive coordinated hack weeks ago unidentified hackers accessed staffers personal professional emails leaked campaign finance material contracts well fake documents online advertisement cursory look leaked documents appear daytoday communications items character might fakes documents seem date back several years dont appear related campaign le pens campaign could formally respond due campaigning blackout national front official florian philippot asked tweet macronleaks teach us something investigative journalism deliberately buried macron hacking announcement came 10 days campaigns digital chief mounir mahjoubi said targeted russialinked hackers hacking attempts thwarted mahjoubi campaign staffers would comment saturday documents leaked friday widely circulated us farright sites experts dissecting data say spotted couple russian names dump matt suiche cybersecurity firm comae technologies said theres cyrillic script metadata added hard tell whether thats due carelessness deliberate misdirection voting issues french voting watchdog urged interior ministry look claims le pen campaign tampering ballot papers way favors macron first french territory vote saturday saintpierreetmiquelon archipelago near newfoundland voters came dressed scarves jackets ward chilly weather shortly afterward voting started french guiana french west indies voters wore shorts french citizens also turned droves vote canadian province quebec french consul general montreal said 57000 people registered vote province vast majority montreal last polling stations french mainland close 800 pm sunday first pollsters projections official partial results expected campaign unusually bitter voters hurling eggs flour protesters clashing police candidates insulting national television reflection countrys deep divisions le pen 48 brought farright national front party pariah racism antisemitism closer ever french presidency softening message seizing workingclass voters growing frustration globalization immigration 39yearold macron former economy minister investment banker never held elected office also helped upend frances traditional political structure wildcard campaign ditching frances traditional leftright political parties firstround presidential ballot voters choosing macrons businessfriendly vision le pens protectionist closedborders view macron wants strong eu le pen favors francefirst policy could see france spin bloc depressed northern france streets paris voters seemed aware saturday hacking attack macrons team although several looking forward end vitriolic campaign heninbeaumont northern france le pen cast ballot sunday 28yearold thomas delannoy said campaign looks like reality tv construction painter called electoral process laughable saying neither candidate platform could identify macron vote sunday seaside town le touquet wife brigitte went walk saturday daughter grandchildren ___ angela charlton contributed report
| 590 |
<p>WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Jeff Sessions was questioned for hours in the special counsel's Russia investigation, the Justice Department said Tuesday, as prosecutors moved closer to a possible interview with President Donald Trump about whether he took steps to obstruct an FBI probe into contacts between Russia and his 2016 campaign.</p>
<p>The Sessions interview last week makes him the highest-ranking Trump administration official, and first Cabinet member, known to have submitted to questioning. It came as special counsel Robert Mueller investigates whether Trump's actions in office, including the firing of FBI Director James Comey, constitute improper efforts to stymie the FBI investigation.</p>
<p>With many of Trump's closest aides having now been questioned, the president and his lawyers are preparing for the prospect of an interview that would likely focus on some of the same obstruction questions. Expected topics for any sit-down with Mueller, who has expressed interest in speaking with Trump, would include not only Comey's firing but also interactions the fired FBI director has said unnerved him, including a request from the president that he end an investigation into a top White House official.</p>
<p>In the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump said he was "not at all concerned" about what Sessions may have told the Mueller team.</p>
<p>The recent questioning of the country's chief law enforcement officer shows the investigators' determined interest in the obstruction question that has been at the heart of the investigation for months through interviews of many current and former White House officials.</p>
<p>Sessions himself is a potentially important witness given his role as a key Trump surrogate on the campaign trail and his direct involvement in the May 9 firing of Comey, which he advocated. The White House initially said the termination was done on the recommendation of the Justice Department and cited as justification a memo from Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein that faulted Comey for his handling of the Hillary Clinton email server investigation.</p>
<p>But Trump said later that he was thinking of "this Russia thing" when he fired Comey, and he had decided to make the move even before the Justice Department's recommendations.</p>
<p>Sessions was one of Trump's earliest and most loyal allies, the first senator to endorse him during the presidential campaign and then a key national security adviser. He was present for an April 2016 Trump foreign policy speech at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, where he spoke with the Russian ambassador to the United States. He also attended a meeting a month earlier with campaign aides including George Papadopoulos, a foreign policy adviser who pleaded guilty last year to lying to the FBI.</p>
<p>Sessions may well have been asked during his Mueller interview about any interactions he had with Papadopoulos, as well as about his own encounters during the campaign with the Russian ambassador.</p>
<p>He might also be able to supply information about White House efforts to discourage him from recusing himself from the Russia investigation, which he did last March after acknowledging two previously undisclosed encounters with the ambassador. And he may also have been asked about an episode from last February in which Comey says Trump cleared the room of Sessions and other officials before encouraging him to end an investigation into fired national security adviser Michael Flynn.</p>
<p>Mueller has been investigating the events leading up to Flynn's dismissal from the White House in February.</p>
<p>Comey says he documented that conversation in a memo, one of a series of contemporaneous notes he kept of conversations with the president that troubled him. The New York Times, which first reported the interview with Sessions, said that investigators spoke to Comey last year about his memos.</p>
<p>Over the past several months Mueller investigators have spoken with other people close to the president, including White House Counsel Don McGahn, former chief of staff Reince Priebus and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, in the probe of campaign contacts with Russia and possible obstruction.</p>
<p>Mueller has conveyed interest in speaking with the president, and White House attorney Ty Cobb has said that is "under active discussion" with Trump's individual lawyers. He said last week on a CBS News' political podcast, "The Takeout," that he expected the investigation to be wrapped up within weeks.</p>
<p>"There's no reason for it not to conclude soon," Cobb said. "Soon to me would be in the next four to six weeks."</p>
<p>Though Trump and Sessions during the campaign shared an ambitious law-and-order agenda, and even though the attorney general has continued to push the president's priorities, his recusal decision has strained their bond. Since then, Trump has lashed out repeatedly on Twitter at Sessions and the Justice Department, and the two men now rarely speak directly. Trump saw the recusal as weak and disloyal, believing his attorney general should be doing more to protect him</p>
<p>People familiar with the matter have told The Associated Press that McGahn had contacted Sessions to urge him to retain control of the investigation. McGahn was acting at the behest of the president, according to one of those people, who spoke only on condition of anonymity to discuss the investigation.</p>
<p>Rosenstein appointed Mueller to take over the Russia investigation a week after Comey was fired. He oversees the work of Mueller's investigators, but he told the AP in an interview last June that he, too, would recuse himself if his actions ever became relevant to the probe. He was questioned by Mueller's team months ago, according to people familiar with the matter.</p>
<p>Sessions' attorney, Chuck Cooper, declined to comment.</p>
<p>Four people have so far been charged in the Mueller investigation, including Flynn and former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Flynn and Papadopoulos have pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow Eric Tucker on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/etuckerAP</p>
<p>Associated Press writers Sadie Gurman and Catherine Lucey contributed to this report.</p>
<p>WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Jeff Sessions was questioned for hours in the special counsel's Russia investigation, the Justice Department said Tuesday, as prosecutors moved closer to a possible interview with President Donald Trump about whether he took steps to obstruct an FBI probe into contacts between Russia and his 2016 campaign.</p>
<p>The Sessions interview last week makes him the highest-ranking Trump administration official, and first Cabinet member, known to have submitted to questioning. It came as special counsel Robert Mueller investigates whether Trump's actions in office, including the firing of FBI Director James Comey, constitute improper efforts to stymie the FBI investigation.</p>
<p>With many of Trump's closest aides having now been questioned, the president and his lawyers are preparing for the prospect of an interview that would likely focus on some of the same obstruction questions. Expected topics for any sit-down with Mueller, who has expressed interest in speaking with Trump, would include not only Comey's firing but also interactions the fired FBI director has said unnerved him, including a request from the president that he end an investigation into a top White House official.</p>
<p>In the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump said he was "not at all concerned" about what Sessions may have told the Mueller team.</p>
<p>The recent questioning of the country's chief law enforcement officer shows the investigators' determined interest in the obstruction question that has been at the heart of the investigation for months through interviews of many current and former White House officials.</p>
<p>Sessions himself is a potentially important witness given his role as a key Trump surrogate on the campaign trail and his direct involvement in the May 9 firing of Comey, which he advocated. The White House initially said the termination was done on the recommendation of the Justice Department and cited as justification a memo from Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein that faulted Comey for his handling of the Hillary Clinton email server investigation.</p>
<p>But Trump said later that he was thinking of "this Russia thing" when he fired Comey, and he had decided to make the move even before the Justice Department's recommendations.</p>
<p>Sessions was one of Trump's earliest and most loyal allies, the first senator to endorse him during the presidential campaign and then a key national security adviser. He was present for an April 2016 Trump foreign policy speech at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, where he spoke with the Russian ambassador to the United States. He also attended a meeting a month earlier with campaign aides including George Papadopoulos, a foreign policy adviser who pleaded guilty last year to lying to the FBI.</p>
<p>Sessions may well have been asked during his Mueller interview about any interactions he had with Papadopoulos, as well as about his own encounters during the campaign with the Russian ambassador.</p>
<p>He might also be able to supply information about White House efforts to discourage him from recusing himself from the Russia investigation, which he did last March after acknowledging two previously undisclosed encounters with the ambassador. And he may also have been asked about an episode from last February in which Comey says Trump cleared the room of Sessions and other officials before encouraging him to end an investigation into fired national security adviser Michael Flynn.</p>
<p>Mueller has been investigating the events leading up to Flynn's dismissal from the White House in February.</p>
<p>Comey says he documented that conversation in a memo, one of a series of contemporaneous notes he kept of conversations with the president that troubled him. The New York Times, which first reported the interview with Sessions, said that investigators spoke to Comey last year about his memos.</p>
<p>Over the past several months Mueller investigators have spoken with other people close to the president, including White House Counsel Don McGahn, former chief of staff Reince Priebus and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, in the probe of campaign contacts with Russia and possible obstruction.</p>
<p>Mueller has conveyed interest in speaking with the president, and White House attorney Ty Cobb has said that is "under active discussion" with Trump's individual lawyers. He said last week on a CBS News' political podcast, "The Takeout," that he expected the investigation to be wrapped up within weeks.</p>
<p>"There's no reason for it not to conclude soon," Cobb said. "Soon to me would be in the next four to six weeks."</p>
<p>Though Trump and Sessions during the campaign shared an ambitious law-and-order agenda, and even though the attorney general has continued to push the president's priorities, his recusal decision has strained their bond. Since then, Trump has lashed out repeatedly on Twitter at Sessions and the Justice Department, and the two men now rarely speak directly. Trump saw the recusal as weak and disloyal, believing his attorney general should be doing more to protect him</p>
<p>People familiar with the matter have told The Associated Press that McGahn had contacted Sessions to urge him to retain control of the investigation. McGahn was acting at the behest of the president, according to one of those people, who spoke only on condition of anonymity to discuss the investigation.</p>
<p>Rosenstein appointed Mueller to take over the Russia investigation a week after Comey was fired. He oversees the work of Mueller's investigators, but he told the AP in an interview last June that he, too, would recuse himself if his actions ever became relevant to the probe. He was questioned by Mueller's team months ago, according to people familiar with the matter.</p>
<p>Sessions' attorney, Chuck Cooper, declined to comment.</p>
<p>Four people have so far been charged in the Mueller investigation, including Flynn and former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Flynn and Papadopoulos have pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow Eric Tucker on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/etuckerAP</p>
<p>Associated Press writers Sadie Gurman and Catherine Lucey contributed to this report.</p>
| false | 2 |
washington ap attorney general jeff sessions questioned hours special counsels russia investigation justice department said tuesday prosecutors moved closer possible interview president donald trump whether took steps obstruct fbi probe contacts russia 2016 campaign sessions interview last week makes highestranking trump administration official first cabinet member known submitted questioning came special counsel robert mueller investigates whether trumps actions office including firing fbi director james comey constitute improper efforts stymie fbi investigation many trumps closest aides questioned president lawyers preparing prospect interview would likely focus obstruction questions expected topics sitdown mueller expressed interest speaking trump would include comeys firing also interactions fired fbi director said unnerved including request president end investigation top white house official oval office tuesday trump said concerned sessions may told mueller team recent questioning countrys chief law enforcement officer shows investigators determined interest obstruction question heart investigation months interviews many current former white house officials sessions potentially important witness given role key trump surrogate campaign trail direct involvement may 9 firing comey advocated white house initially said termination done recommendation justice department cited justification memo deputy attorney general rod rosenstein faulted comey handling hillary clinton email server investigation trump said later thinking russia thing fired comey decided make move even justice departments recommendations sessions one trumps earliest loyal allies first senator endorse presidential campaign key national security adviser present april 2016 trump foreign policy speech mayflower hotel washington spoke russian ambassador united states also attended meeting month earlier campaign aides including george papadopoulos foreign policy adviser pleaded guilty last year lying fbi sessions may well asked mueller interview interactions papadopoulos well encounters campaign russian ambassador might also able supply information white house efforts discourage recusing russia investigation last march acknowledging two previously undisclosed encounters ambassador may also asked episode last february comey says trump cleared room sessions officials encouraging end investigation fired national security adviser michael flynn mueller investigating events leading flynns dismissal white house february comey says documented conversation memo one series contemporaneous notes kept conversations president troubled new york times first reported interview sessions said investigators spoke comey last year memos past several months mueller investigators spoken people close president including white house counsel mcgahn former chief staff reince priebus trumps soninlaw jared kushner probe campaign contacts russia possible obstruction mueller conveyed interest speaking president white house attorney ty cobb said active discussion trumps individual lawyers said last week cbs news political podcast takeout expected investigation wrapped within weeks theres reason conclude soon cobb said soon would next four six weeks though trump sessions campaign shared ambitious lawandorder agenda even though attorney general continued push presidents priorities recusal decision strained bond since trump lashed repeatedly twitter sessions justice department two men rarely speak directly trump saw recusal weak disloyal believing attorney general protect people familiar matter told associated press mcgahn contacted sessions urge retain control investigation mcgahn acting behest president according one people spoke condition anonymity discuss investigation rosenstein appointed mueller take russia investigation week comey fired oversees work muellers investigators told ap interview last june would recuse actions ever became relevant probe questioned muellers team months ago according people familiar matter sessions attorney chuck cooper declined comment four people far charged mueller investigation including flynn former trump campaign chairman paul manafort flynn papadopoulos pleaded guilty lying fbi ___ follow eric tucker twitter httpwwwtwittercometuckerap associated press writers sadie gurman catherine lucey contributed report washington ap attorney general jeff sessions questioned hours special counsels russia investigation justice department said tuesday prosecutors moved closer possible interview president donald trump whether took steps obstruct fbi probe contacts russia 2016 campaign sessions interview last week makes highestranking trump administration official first cabinet member known submitted questioning came special counsel robert mueller investigates whether trumps actions office including firing fbi director james comey constitute improper efforts stymie fbi investigation many trumps closest aides questioned president lawyers preparing prospect interview would likely focus obstruction questions expected topics sitdown mueller expressed interest speaking trump would include comeys firing also interactions fired fbi director said unnerved including request president end investigation top white house official oval office tuesday trump said concerned sessions may told mueller team recent questioning countrys chief law enforcement officer shows investigators determined interest obstruction question heart investigation months interviews many current former white house officials sessions potentially important witness given role key trump surrogate campaign trail direct involvement may 9 firing comey advocated white house initially said termination done recommendation justice department cited justification memo deputy attorney general rod rosenstein faulted comey handling hillary clinton email server investigation trump said later thinking russia thing fired comey decided make move even justice departments recommendations sessions one trumps earliest loyal allies first senator endorse presidential campaign key national security adviser present april 2016 trump foreign policy speech mayflower hotel washington spoke russian ambassador united states also attended meeting month earlier campaign aides including george papadopoulos foreign policy adviser pleaded guilty last year lying fbi sessions may well asked mueller interview interactions papadopoulos well encounters campaign russian ambassador might also able supply information white house efforts discourage recusing russia investigation last march acknowledging two previously undisclosed encounters ambassador may also asked episode last february comey says trump cleared room sessions officials encouraging end investigation fired national security adviser michael flynn mueller investigating events leading flynns dismissal white house february comey says documented conversation memo one series contemporaneous notes kept conversations president troubled new york times first reported interview sessions said investigators spoke comey last year memos past several months mueller investigators spoken people close president including white house counsel mcgahn former chief staff reince priebus trumps soninlaw jared kushner probe campaign contacts russia possible obstruction mueller conveyed interest speaking president white house attorney ty cobb said active discussion trumps individual lawyers said last week cbs news political podcast takeout expected investigation wrapped within weeks theres reason conclude soon cobb said soon would next four six weeks though trump sessions campaign shared ambitious lawandorder agenda even though attorney general continued push presidents priorities recusal decision strained bond since trump lashed repeatedly twitter sessions justice department two men rarely speak directly trump saw recusal weak disloyal believing attorney general protect people familiar matter told associated press mcgahn contacted sessions urge retain control investigation mcgahn acting behest president according one people spoke condition anonymity discuss investigation rosenstein appointed mueller take russia investigation week comey fired oversees work muellers investigators told ap interview last june would recuse actions ever became relevant probe questioned muellers team months ago according people familiar matter sessions attorney chuck cooper declined comment four people far charged mueller investigation including flynn former trump campaign chairman paul manafort flynn papadopoulos pleaded guilty lying fbi ___ follow eric tucker twitter httpwwwtwittercometuckerap associated press writers sadie gurman catherine lucey contributed report
| 1,116 |
<p>MIAMI (AP) — A Miami federal judge on Tuesday upheld the extradition request for former Panama president Ricardo Martinelli to face political espionage and embezzlement charges in his home country.</p>
<p>U.S. District Judge Marcia Cooke ruled Tuesday at a hearing that a previous federal judge was correct that Panama’s extradition request is valid. But Cooke also stayed her decision until Feb. 6 to give Martinelli’s lawyers time to file notice of an appeal.</p>
<p>Martinelli, 65, was Panama’s president from 2009-2014. He is accused of illegally monitoring phone calls and other communications of at least 150 people using an extensive surveillance system. Martinelli is also accused of embezzling $13 million in public funds linked to the system.</p>
<p>Martinelli has been jailed since his June 2017 arrest at his Miami-area home based on the Panama extradition warrant. He had been seeking asylum in the U.S., claiming the charges are politically motivated.</p>
<p>His attorneys argued Tuesday that Panama’s extradition warrant was legally insufficient because it didn’t specifically list the key charges for which he is being sought and because of a peculiar retroactivity clause in Panama’s 113-year-old extradition treaty with the U.S.</p>
<p>One of Martinelli’s lawyers, David Howard, contended that an appeals court ruling in a different case established that an extradition warrant must list at least one charge for which a person can be extradited. The Panama warrant only lists contempt of court because Martinelli did not show up at a hearing, which is not an extraditable offense under the treaty.</p>
<p>“There has to be reference to at least one charge. It refers to none. There is no other way around it,” Howard told Cooke.</p>
<p>But Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Fels said the warrant lists the Panama case number that includes the surveillance and embezzlement charges and that the State Department has concluded the warrant passes legal muster.</p>
<p>“Panama would not agree to a treaty that would hamper their ability to extradite fugitives from the United States,” Fels said.</p>
<p>Martinelli’s attorneys also renewed their claims that the extradition request runs counter to terms of an updated treaty between the two countries involving cybercrimes that took effect in July 2014, after the alleged surveillance offenses were committed. They claim those crimes don’t apply to Martinelli because Panama’s original 1905 extradition treaty with the U.S. contains a clause saying it did not apply retroactively — and that it remains in effect today.</p>
<p>Fels, however, said that clause was meant only for crimes that were committed in Panama before the treaty took effect in 1905.</p>
<p>“This language basically doesn’t have any application anymore,” he said.</p>
<p>The next step for Martinelli’s attorneys would be to appeal Cooke’s ruling to the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. There is no timetable for the appeals court to make a decision.</p>
<p>_____</p>
<p>Follow Curt Anderson on Twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/Miamicurt" type="external">http://twitter.com/Miamicurt</a></p>
<p>MIAMI (AP) — A Miami federal judge on Tuesday upheld the extradition request for former Panama president Ricardo Martinelli to face political espionage and embezzlement charges in his home country.</p>
<p>U.S. District Judge Marcia Cooke ruled Tuesday at a hearing that a previous federal judge was correct that Panama’s extradition request is valid. But Cooke also stayed her decision until Feb. 6 to give Martinelli’s lawyers time to file notice of an appeal.</p>
<p>Martinelli, 65, was Panama’s president from 2009-2014. He is accused of illegally monitoring phone calls and other communications of at least 150 people using an extensive surveillance system. Martinelli is also accused of embezzling $13 million in public funds linked to the system.</p>
<p>Martinelli has been jailed since his June 2017 arrest at his Miami-area home based on the Panama extradition warrant. He had been seeking asylum in the U.S., claiming the charges are politically motivated.</p>
<p>His attorneys argued Tuesday that Panama’s extradition warrant was legally insufficient because it didn’t specifically list the key charges for which he is being sought and because of a peculiar retroactivity clause in Panama’s 113-year-old extradition treaty with the U.S.</p>
<p>One of Martinelli’s lawyers, David Howard, contended that an appeals court ruling in a different case established that an extradition warrant must list at least one charge for which a person can be extradited. The Panama warrant only lists contempt of court because Martinelli did not show up at a hearing, which is not an extraditable offense under the treaty.</p>
<p>“There has to be reference to at least one charge. It refers to none. There is no other way around it,” Howard told Cooke.</p>
<p>But Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Fels said the warrant lists the Panama case number that includes the surveillance and embezzlement charges and that the State Department has concluded the warrant passes legal muster.</p>
<p>“Panama would not agree to a treaty that would hamper their ability to extradite fugitives from the United States,” Fels said.</p>
<p>Martinelli’s attorneys also renewed their claims that the extradition request runs counter to terms of an updated treaty between the two countries involving cybercrimes that took effect in July 2014, after the alleged surveillance offenses were committed. They claim those crimes don’t apply to Martinelli because Panama’s original 1905 extradition treaty with the U.S. contains a clause saying it did not apply retroactively — and that it remains in effect today.</p>
<p>Fels, however, said that clause was meant only for crimes that were committed in Panama before the treaty took effect in 1905.</p>
<p>“This language basically doesn’t have any application anymore,” he said.</p>
<p>The next step for Martinelli’s attorneys would be to appeal Cooke’s ruling to the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. There is no timetable for the appeals court to make a decision.</p>
<p>_____</p>
<p>Follow Curt Anderson on Twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/Miamicurt" type="external">http://twitter.com/Miamicurt</a></p>
| false | 2 |
miami ap miami federal judge tuesday upheld extradition request former panama president ricardo martinelli face political espionage embezzlement charges home country us district judge marcia cooke ruled tuesday hearing previous federal judge correct panamas extradition request valid cooke also stayed decision feb 6 give martinellis lawyers time file notice appeal martinelli 65 panamas president 20092014 accused illegally monitoring phone calls communications least 150 people using extensive surveillance system martinelli also accused embezzling 13 million public funds linked system martinelli jailed since june 2017 arrest miamiarea home based panama extradition warrant seeking asylum us claiming charges politically motivated attorneys argued tuesday panamas extradition warrant legally insufficient didnt specifically list key charges sought peculiar retroactivity clause panamas 113yearold extradition treaty us one martinellis lawyers david howard contended appeals court ruling different case established extradition warrant must list least one charge person extradited panama warrant lists contempt court martinelli show hearing extraditable offense treaty reference least one charge refers none way around howard told cooke assistant us attorney adam fels said warrant lists panama case number includes surveillance embezzlement charges state department concluded warrant passes legal muster panama would agree treaty would hamper ability extradite fugitives united states fels said martinellis attorneys also renewed claims extradition request runs counter terms updated treaty two countries involving cybercrimes took effect july 2014 alleged surveillance offenses committed claim crimes dont apply martinelli panamas original 1905 extradition treaty us contains clause saying apply retroactively remains effect today fels however said clause meant crimes committed panama treaty took effect 1905 language basically doesnt application anymore said next step martinellis attorneys would appeal cookes ruling atlantabased 11th us circuit court appeals timetable appeals court make decision _____ follow curt anderson twitter httptwittercommiamicurt miami ap miami federal judge tuesday upheld extradition request former panama president ricardo martinelli face political espionage embezzlement charges home country us district judge marcia cooke ruled tuesday hearing previous federal judge correct panamas extradition request valid cooke also stayed decision feb 6 give martinellis lawyers time file notice appeal martinelli 65 panamas president 20092014 accused illegally monitoring phone calls communications least 150 people using extensive surveillance system martinelli also accused embezzling 13 million public funds linked system martinelli jailed since june 2017 arrest miamiarea home based panama extradition warrant seeking asylum us claiming charges politically motivated attorneys argued tuesday panamas extradition warrant legally insufficient didnt specifically list key charges sought peculiar retroactivity clause panamas 113yearold extradition treaty us one martinellis lawyers david howard contended appeals court ruling different case established extradition warrant must list least one charge person extradited panama warrant lists contempt court martinelli show hearing extraditable offense treaty reference least one charge refers none way around howard told cooke assistant us attorney adam fels said warrant lists panama case number includes surveillance embezzlement charges state department concluded warrant passes legal muster panama would agree treaty would hamper ability extradite fugitives united states fels said martinellis attorneys also renewed claims extradition request runs counter terms updated treaty two countries involving cybercrimes took effect july 2014 alleged surveillance offenses committed claim crimes dont apply martinelli panamas original 1905 extradition treaty us contains clause saying apply retroactively remains effect today fels however said clause meant crimes committed panama treaty took effect 1905 language basically doesnt application anymore said next step martinellis attorneys would appeal cookes ruling atlantabased 11th us circuit court appeals timetable appeals court make decision _____ follow curt anderson twitter httptwittercommiamicurt
| 566 |
<p>Freshman forwards Wendell Carter Jr. and Marvin Bagley III dominated in the lane as fifth-ranked Duke rolled to an 81-54 victory against visiting Pittsburgh on Saturday afternoon at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C.</p>
<p>Carter scored 21 points on 9-for-10 shooting from the field and Bagley finished with 20 points on 6-for-10 shooting. They each made a 3-point basket, while Carter shared game-high honors with eight rebounds.</p>
<p>Gary Trent Jr. added 17 points and Grayson Allen dumped in 16 points for Duke (17-2, 5-2 ACC), which has won four games in a row and is unbeaten in 10 home games this season.</p>
<p>Parker Stewart’s 15 points and Marcus Carr’s 12 points paced last-place Pittsburgh (8-12, 0-7). Jonathan Milligan added nine points off the bench.</p>
<p>Allen, who has been in a shooting slump, drained back-to-back 3-pointers as the Blue Devils stretched their lead to 64-30 with more than 13 minutes to play. He ended up 4-for-10 on 3-point attempts.</p>
<p>Duke shot 51.8 percent from the field. That included a 12-for-26 mark on 3-pointers.</p>
<p>None of the Blue Devils reserves scored until the game’s final 90 seconds. Duke’s non-starters combined to shoot 1-for-11 from the field in the game.</p>
<p>The outcome completed a season series sweep for Duke, which won 87-52 less than two weeks ago at Pittsburgh.</p>
<p>Duke’s 48-26 halftime lead came courtesy of 60.7-percent shooting from the field. Carter and Bagley were a combined 10-for-12 in the first half, racking up 27 points between them.</p>
<p>Pittsburgh shot 50 percent (10-for-20) from the field in the first half, but the Panthers gave up 11 turnovers by the break. Stewart and Carr accounted for all except five of the team’s first-half points.</p>
<p>Other than Stewart’s 3-for-6 contribution on 3-pointers, the other Panthers ended up 1-for-10 from long range in the game.</p>
<p>Duke forward Javin DeLaurier, who had been the most-used reserve for the first couple months of the season, returned after a three-game absence with a hamstring injury.</p>
<p>—Field Level Media</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>NEW YORK/SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Shares of Spotify Technology SA ended up 12.9 percent on their first day of trade on the New York Stock Exchange, a smooth debut that could pave the way for other companies looking to go public without the aid of Wall Street underwriters.</p>
<p>Spotify shares opened at $165.90, up nearly 26 percent from a reference price of $132 set by the NYSE late on Monday. The stock ended the session at $149.01, valuing the world’s largest streaming music service at $26.5 billion.</p>
<p>The direct listing was seen as a test case for other companies tempted to list without selling new shares, and for bankers that could lose out on millions of dollars in underwriting fees for future initial public offerings.</p>
<p>“It’s a fair market price. It’s not manipulated or set by any puts and takes by banks or institutional investors,” said Chi-Hua Chien, an early investor in Spotify who is now at San Mateo, California-based venture capital firm Goodwater Capital.</p> Related Coverage
<a href="/article/us-spotify-ipo-flag/nyse-spotifys-market-debut-and-the-swiss-miss-idUSKCN1HA2N2" type="external">NYSE, Spotify's market debut, and the Swiss miss</a>
<a href="/article/us-spotify-tech-ipo-sony/spotify-listing-to-land-986-million-windfall-for-sony-in-first-quarter-idUSKCN1HB02W" type="external">Spotify listing to land $986 million windfall for Sony in first quarter</a>
<a href="/article/us-spotify-ipo-techipos-factbox/factbox-spotify-spike-follows-a-mixed-bag-for-recent-tech-ipos-idUSKCN1HA2FB" type="external">FACTBOX - Spotify spike follows a mixed bag for recent tech IPOs</a>
<p>Some market-watchers cautioned investors not to read too much into the first day of trading, given the mixed performance of recent tech IPOs and an increasingly competitive music streaming landscape.</p> HEMORRHAGING COSTS
<p>The direct listing by the Stockholm-founded company was the largest on record. Spotify now has a higher market value than Snapchat owner Snap Inc, which went public last year. Facebook Inc and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd remain the largest tech stock listings in recent years.</p>
<p>Since launching its service a decade ago, Spotify has overcome resistance from big record labels and some major music artists to transform how people listen to music. But it still does not make a profit and faces intense competition from Apple Inc and others.</p>
<p>“Investors are right to have some reservations. Spotify is from the costs of licensing content,” said Michael Carvin, chief executive of personal finance technology firm SmartAsset. “Even though Spotify’s scale is about twice that of Apple Music, Apple has a huge ecosystem of products to market to.”</p>
<p>Spotify has 71 million so-called premium subscribers, including users who have given the company a credit card number for a free trial. On a comparable basis the Apple Music service has 46 million subscribers.</p>
<p>Amazon Music Unlimited has an estimated 16 million paying subscribers and Pandora has 5.48 million total subscribers. Alphabet Inc’s Google does not release paid subscriber numbers for Google Play Music.</p> HEAVY TRADE
<p>After the listing, Spotify has an enterprise value - which takes into account cash and debt on the company’s balance sheet - of about five times its 2017 revenue of $5 billion.</p>
<p>That represents a premium to smaller rival Pandora Media Inc, which has an enterprise value-to-sales ratio of one, but is far less than a comparable ratio above 10 for Netflix Inc and Dropbox Inc.</p> Pedestrians walk past a banner with the Spotify logo on it as the company lists its stock on the New York Stock Exchange with a direct listing in New York, U.S., April 3, 2018. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson
<p>Analysts had worried ahead of Spotify’s direct listing that forgoing underwriters and traditional promotional events designed to stimulate interest from institutional investors could mean volatility once formal trading kicked off.</p>
<p>The NYSE set Spotify’s reference price late on Monday to be in line with informal, private trading of Spotify shares, giving an early estimate of the level at which supply and demand could be balanced.</p>
<p>The opening public price was determined by buy and sell orders collected by the NYSE from broker-dealers and a designated market maker’s determination of where buy orders could be matched with sell orders.</p>
<p>Nearly 30 million shares had changed hands by the end of regular trading hours. Some 91 percent of Spotify’s 178 million shares were tradable, a much higher percentage than typical in a traditional IPO.</p> Slideshow (4 Images)
<p>While Chief Executive Daniel Ek skipped NYSE rituals such as opening bell-ringing and trading floor interviews to tout the stock, the front of the 115-year-old Greek Revival exchange building was draped in a vast green-and-black Spotify banner.</p>
<p>The only visible hiccup came when the NYSE also briefly flew a Swiss flag in honor of the Swedish company, which the NYSE later described on Twitter as a “momentary ode to our neutral role in the process of price discovery.”</p>
<p>Additional reporting by Eric Auchard in London, Helena Soderpalm in Stockholm, Joshua Franklin in New York and Stephen Nellis and Salvador Rodriguez in San Francisco; Writing by Meredith Mazzilli; Editing by Bill Rigby</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a> &#160;
<p>TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese government officials are bracing for Donald Trump to get tough in trade talks, and are particularly anxious that the U.S. president could target Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s weak-yen policies.</p> FILE PHOTO: U.S. Dollar and Japan Yen notes are seen in this picture illustration June 2, 2017. REUTERS/Thomas White/Illustration/File Photo
<p>The deal Trump clinched with South Korea last month, which was reached in unusually quick negotiations and included a side deal to deter competitive currency devaluation, was the kind of agreement Tokyo fears most.</p>
<p>The officials told Reuters that they worry that similar tactics could be used against Tokyo when Trump meets Abe for a summit in Washington later this month. If Trump forces Bank of Japan and currency policy into discussions, Japanese policymakers don’t have an obvious way to appease him, especially given the unpredictable nature of his attacks.</p>
<p>The biggest risk is if Trump links trade with currency policy and accuses Japan of keeping the yen artificially weak through ultra-easy monetary policy, especially as he seeks to appeal to voters ahead of November’s mid-term U.S. congressional elections. Back in January 2017, Trump alleged that Japan used its “money supply” to weaken the yen and give exporters an unfair advantage.</p>
<p>Any such concerted pressure could bind Tokyo’s hands in dealing with a climb in the yen, which would hurt the nation’s export-reliant economy that has been growing but may not be resilient to such a sideswipe.</p>
<p>“As mid-term elections draw near, it’s possible Washington could put Japan’s currency policy to notice,” said a Japanese government official with knowledge of the negotiations.</p>
<p>Another official said: “It’s hard to predict what Trump would say, so the BOJ’s policy could come under fire. It’s not an immediate risk but something in everyone’s mind.”</p> WARY OF SENDING SIGNAL
<p>To be sure, the side agreement on the won that South Korea agreed to is not binding and focuses on what Japan already does – disclose details on currency intervention such as how much was spent and when. Still, Japan is wary of sending out any signal to markets that Trump is attacking Japan’s currency policy and that this could in any way prevent Tokyo from acting to restrain excessive yen gains.</p>
<p>When Abe and Trump met in February 2017, they kicked off a bilateral economic dialogue led by their deputies to discuss a series of issues, including trade, infrastructure and technical aid.</p>
<p>By broadening the agenda, Japan has managed so far to avert direct U.S. demands for negotiations over a bilateral trade pact, known as a free trade agreement (FTA).</p>
<p>Japan has long upheld a multilateral framework as its export-reliant economy has benefited greatly from global free trade. This approach helps Japan diffuse direct pressure from countries like the United States to open up its politically sensitive markets, such as agriculture.</p>
<p>Japanese officials say they will resist two-way trade deals with the United States at the summit, even if that reduces the chance of gaining exemptions for Washington’s recently introduced steel and aluminum tariffs. Trump temporarily excluded six trade partners, including Canada, Mexico and the European Union from these import duties. South Korea avoided tariffs but at a cost of agreeing to export quotas.</p>
<p>There are now major questions about whether the Japanese multilateral approach will be good enough for Trump.</p>
<p>The U.S. Trade Representative last week criticized what it said were non-tariff barriers to the Japanese car market and called for greater access to Japan for American beef and rice.</p>
<p>“The United States is only interested in a bilateral deal and probably won’t listen to Japanese calls for a multilateral approach on trade,” said Naoyuki Shinohara, Japan’s former top currency diplomat who retains close contact with incumbent policymakers.</p>
<p>“Japan will eventually have to enter FTA talks” and face U.S. pressure to open up its auto and farm markets, he said.</p> BOJ’S COMMUNICATION CHALLENGE
<p>Some officials say Japan is in a stronger position than South Korea and won’t have to compromise as much. That is because it still does not have a bilateral FTA, is transparent on currency policy and hasn’t intervened in the currency market since northeastern Japan was hit by a massive earthquake and resulting tsunami in 2011.</p>
<p>“Japan has far more to lose from a bilateral FTA. It doesn’t make sense to do this to avoid tariffs,” said a third government official directly involved in bilateral negotiations. “We’ll never allow currency issues be tied to trade. That’s absolutely unacceptable.”</p>
<p>A renewed attack on Japan’s currency policy will be damaging particularly since Tokyo has hardly any ammunition left to fight another yen spike.</p>
<p>Fears of a trade war have boosted investors’ demand for the safe-haven yen and pushed up the Japanese currency to around 106 against the dollar, significantly stronger than the 109-level on which many exporters base their earnings forecasts for the current fiscal year to March 2019.</p>
<p>Japanese policymakers have warned that the yen’s 7 percent gain against the dollar this year is too volatile a move, though such verbal warnings have had little effect in keeping yen rises in check.</p>
<p>While currency intervention hasn’t been ruled out if the yen spikes to less than 100 to the dollar, gaining U.S. consent for such a move would be extremely hard, the officials say.</p>
<p>That leaves monetary policy as a last resort, though the BOJ too has barely any tools left to fight a currency gain or another recession after BOJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda’s “bazooka” stimulus that started in 2013.</p>
<p>The BOJ’s huge buying has dried up bond market liquidity and years of near-zero interest rates have eroded bank profits, raising concern that more easing could do more harm than good.</p>
<p>Even maintaining the current policy, which pegs Japanese government bond yields at zero even as U.S. interest rates rise, could draw U.S. heat if Washington perceives it as intended to weaken the yen, some analysts say.</p>
<p>Hiroshi Watanabe, a former top Japanese currency diplomat, said Tokyo could face criticism if the dollar rises to around 115 yen and the U.S.-Japan interest rate gap widens to around 350 basis points.</p> Stocks plunge on trade war fear; tech leads selloff
<p>“The BOJ should be mindful that at some point, the United States could argue that it’s using monetary policy” to keep the yen weak, he said.</p>
<p>Reporting by Leika Kihara; Editing by Martin Howell</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Trump administration heralded the government’s sale last month of U.S. drilling leases in the Gulf of Mexico as a bellwether.</p> FILE PHOTO: Unused oil rigs sit in the Gulf of Mexico near Port Fourchon, Louisiana August 11, 2010. REUTERS/Lee Celano/File Photo
<p>If that is the case, a Reuters analysis of the sale’s results shows reason to worry about demand in future offshore auctions.</p>
<p>The sale brought in $124.8 million, as just 1 percent of the 77 million acres (31.2 million hectares) offered found bidders. Reuters examined the acreage offered and leased, and nearly all the purchases show big drillers stuck closest to existing infrastructure, shunning the most far-flung areas.</p>
<p>While U.S. crude oil production reached a record last year at more than 10 million barrels a day, most new development is in onshore shale regions. The U.S. Interior Department has said it wants to open all U.S. coasts for drilling, including the Atlantic and Pacific. But the Gulf result indicates limited interest even in already-developed areas, never mind unexplored coasts.</p>
<p>The March auction included 9,088 deepwater blocks, each comprising roughly nine square miles. Only 105 of these blocks received bids and all but three of these were close to existing infrastructure and leases.</p>
<p>“It kind of looks like they’re just shoring up their existing prospects right now,” said John Filostrat, a spokesman for the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the division of Interior that manages the auctions. Filostrat said the administration is still optimistic about future auctions and believes more auctions are needed to show the current trends.</p>
<p>For a graphic on Golf of Mexico auction, click <a href="" type="internal">here</a></p>
<p>However, money for exploration is increasingly flocking to other regions, particularly Latin America, where energy reforms have attracted billions of dollars in investment from companies historically known as Gulf heavyweights. A January auction by Mexico brought in more than four times the bids as the U.S. sale.</p>
<p>Of the 105 new U.S. leases in water depths of more than 656 feet (200 meters), 85 were immediately contiguous with existing leased acreage or production platforms, and another 17 were within about two miles of existing leases or infrastructure, according to the Reuters analysis.</p>
<p>Among the areas where companies submitted bids were Mississippi Canyon and Green Canyon, two of the most densely leased plays in the Gulf, about 100 miles (160 km) off the Louisiana coast. Royal Dutch Shell Plc was the high bidder on two Mississippi Canyon blocks.</p>
<p>Overall, Shell picked up 16 Gulf blocks including 6 adjacent to its deepwater developments known as Kakias and Stones, and 10 clustered around other actively leased areas. It told Reuters that it wanted to “acquire blocks that could potentially support future development using our existing hubs.”</p>
<p>BP Plc’s most notable bids were 19 blocks in DeSoto Canyon, contiguous to a known gas field, about 100 miles from the Louisiana coast. “BP is strategic with its bids, and we use the opportunity to expand and strengthen our plays,” a company spokesman told Reuters.</p>
<p>Only three blocks leased were more than a few miles from existing acreage. Those blocks were snapped up by Chevron, which declined comment.</p>
<p>Bidding on parcels close to known assets increases the likelihood of finds that can be produced affordably, cutting infrastructure and supply costs.</p>
<p>“There’s still interest, but it is in areas where there was already existing knowledge of the resource base, or existing development activity or existing production,” said Michael Cohen, director of commodity research at Barclays.</p>
<p>“Spending a lot of money to prospect is probably not going to be looked upon with favor by investors,” he said.</p> HESITATION AMONG BIG BUYERS
<p>Major oil companies remain lukewarm about pushing the boundaries of available frontiers, desiring longer leases and lower royalty rates.</p>
<p>Deepwater offshore blocks currently require an 18.75 percent payment to the U.S. government, compared with 12.5 percent for shallower areas and onshore drilling. An Interior Department panel in February recommended lowering those rates.</p>
<p>“It is something to look for in the August sale, possibly,” said BOEM’s Filostrat.</p>
<p>Companies have also expressed a desire for longer leases to more effectively drill in unexplored areas further from the coasts. Six deepwater regions more than 200 miles off the Louisiana coast received no bids at all. The water here is generally about two miles deep. The locale makes both drilling and transporting oil to shore especially costly.</p>
<p>The high cost of building underwater pipelines is another deterrent. Deepwater projects like Chevron’s Jack and St. Malo fields, more than 200 miles from the coast, required a pipeline connecting them to existing Gulf infrastructure closer to shore, approved in 2010, during a boom when U.S. crude traded at about $90 a barrel.</p>
<p>Oil prices have rebounded from 2016’s lows at less than $30 a barrel, but the industry is still “in a bit of a wait and see mode,” said William Turner, a senior research analyst in Houston for Wood Mackenzie.</p>
<p>Reporting By Jessica Resnick-Ault, additional reporting from Ayenat Mersie; editing by David Gregorio</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>BEIJING (Reuters) - Global Times’s Editor-in-Chief Hu Xijin said on Twitter that China will announce retaliatory steps on Wednesday afternoon, after the U.S. administration unveiled a list of Chinese goods that could face additional U.S. tariffs.</p>
<p>“According to information I received, China’s massive plan in retaliation of U.S. tariffs will be released this afternoon Beijing time,” Hu said.</p>
<p>Global Times is run by the ruling Communist Party’s official People’s Daily, although its stance does not necessarily reflect Chinese government policy.</p>
<p>Reporting by Ryan Woo; Editing by Shri Navaratnam</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
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freshman forwards wendell carter jr marvin bagley iii dominated lane fifthranked duke rolled 8154 victory visiting pittsburgh saturday afternoon cameron indoor stadium durham nc carter scored 21 points 9for10 shooting field bagley finished 20 points 6for10 shooting made 3point basket carter shared gamehigh honors eight rebounds gary trent jr added 17 points grayson allen dumped 16 points duke 172 52 acc four games row unbeaten 10 home games season parker stewarts 15 points marcus carrs 12 points paced lastplace pittsburgh 812 07 jonathan milligan added nine points bench allen shooting slump drained backtoback 3pointers blue devils stretched lead 6430 13 minutes play ended 4for10 3point attempts duke shot 518 percent field included 12for26 mark 3pointers none blue devils reserves scored games final 90 seconds dukes nonstarters combined shoot 1for11 field game outcome completed season series sweep duke 8752 less two weeks ago pittsburgh dukes 4826 halftime lead came courtesy 607percent shooting field carter bagley combined 10for12 first half racking 27 points pittsburgh shot 50 percent 10for20 field first half panthers gave 11 turnovers break stewart carr accounted except five teams firsthalf points stewarts 3for6 contribution 3pointers panthers ended 1for10 long range game duke forward javin delaurier mostused reserve first couple months season returned threegame absence hamstring injury field level media standards thomson reuters trust principles new yorksan francisco reuters shares spotify technology sa ended 129 percent first day trade new york stock exchange smooth debut could pave way companies looking go public without aid wall street underwriters spotify shares opened 16590 nearly 26 percent reference price 132 set nyse late monday stock ended session 14901 valuing worlds largest streaming music service 265 billion direct listing seen test case companies tempted list without selling new shares bankers could lose millions dollars underwriting fees future initial public offerings fair market price manipulated set puts takes banks institutional investors said chihua chien early investor spotify san mateo californiabased venture capital firm goodwater capital related coverage nyse spotifys market debut swiss miss spotify listing land 986 million windfall sony first quarter factbox spotify spike follows mixed bag recent tech ipos marketwatchers cautioned investors read much first day trading given mixed performance recent tech ipos increasingly competitive music streaming landscape hemorrhaging costs direct listing stockholmfounded company largest record spotify higher market value snapchat owner snap inc went public last year facebook inc alibaba group holding ltd remain largest tech stock listings recent years since launching service decade ago spotify overcome resistance big record labels major music artists transform people listen music still make profit faces intense competition apple inc others investors right reservations spotify costs licensing content said michael carvin chief executive personal finance technology firm smartasset even though spotifys scale twice apple music apple huge ecosystem products market spotify 71 million socalled premium subscribers including users given company credit card number free trial comparable basis apple music service 46 million subscribers amazon music unlimited estimated 16 million paying subscribers pandora 548 million total subscribers alphabet incs google release paid subscriber numbers google play music heavy trade listing spotify enterprise value takes account cash debt companys balance sheet five times 2017 revenue 5 billion represents premium smaller rival pandora media inc enterprise valuetosales ratio one far less comparable ratio 10 netflix inc dropbox inc pedestrians walk past banner spotify logo company lists stock new york stock exchange direct listing new york us april 3 2018 reuterslucas jackson analysts worried ahead spotifys direct listing forgoing underwriters traditional promotional events designed stimulate interest institutional investors could mean volatility formal trading kicked nyse set spotifys reference price late monday line informal private trading spotify shares giving early estimate level supply demand could balanced opening public price determined buy sell orders collected nyse brokerdealers designated market makers determination buy orders could matched sell orders nearly 30 million shares changed hands end regular trading hours 91 percent spotifys 178 million shares tradable much higher percentage typical traditional ipo slideshow 4 images chief executive daniel ek skipped nyse rituals opening bellringing trading floor interviews tout stock front 115yearold greek revival exchange building draped vast greenandblack spotify banner visible hiccup came nyse also briefly flew swiss flag honor swedish company nyse later described twitter momentary ode neutral role process price discovery additional reporting eric auchard london helena soderpalm stockholm joshua franklin new york stephen nellis salvador rodriguez san francisco writing meredith mazzilli editing bill rigby standards thomson reuters trust principles 160 tokyo reuters japanese government officials bracing donald trump get tough trade talks particularly anxious us president could target prime minister shinzo abes weakyen policies file photo us dollar japan yen notes seen picture illustration june 2 2017 reutersthomas whiteillustrationfile photo deal trump clinched south korea last month reached unusually quick negotiations included side deal deter competitive currency devaluation kind agreement tokyo fears officials told reuters worry similar tactics could used tokyo trump meets abe summit washington later month trump forces bank japan currency policy discussions japanese policymakers dont obvious way appease especially given unpredictable nature attacks biggest risk trump links trade currency policy accuses japan keeping yen artificially weak ultraeasy monetary policy especially seeks appeal voters ahead novembers midterm us congressional elections back january 2017 trump alleged japan used money supply weaken yen give exporters unfair advantage concerted pressure could bind tokyos hands dealing climb yen would hurt nations exportreliant economy growing may resilient sideswipe midterm elections draw near possible washington could put japans currency policy notice said japanese government official knowledge negotiations another official said hard predict trump would say bojs policy could come fire immediate risk something everyones mind wary sending signal sure side agreement south korea agreed binding focuses japan already disclose details currency intervention much spent still japan wary sending signal markets trump attacking japans currency policy could way prevent tokyo acting restrain excessive yen gains abe trump met february 2017 kicked bilateral economic dialogue led deputies discuss series issues including trade infrastructure technical aid broadening agenda japan managed far avert direct us demands negotiations bilateral trade pact known free trade agreement fta japan long upheld multilateral framework exportreliant economy benefited greatly global free trade approach helps japan diffuse direct pressure countries like united states open politically sensitive markets agriculture japanese officials say resist twoway trade deals united states summit even reduces chance gaining exemptions washingtons recently introduced steel aluminum tariffs trump temporarily excluded six trade partners including canada mexico european union import duties south korea avoided tariffs cost agreeing export quotas major questions whether japanese multilateral approach good enough trump us trade representative last week criticized said nontariff barriers japanese car market called greater access japan american beef rice united states interested bilateral deal probably wont listen japanese calls multilateral approach trade said naoyuki shinohara japans former top currency diplomat retains close contact incumbent policymakers japan eventually enter fta talks face us pressure open auto farm markets said bojs communication challenge officials say japan stronger position south korea wont compromise much still bilateral fta transparent currency policy hasnt intervened currency market since northeastern japan hit massive earthquake resulting tsunami 2011 japan far lose bilateral fta doesnt make sense avoid tariffs said third government official directly involved bilateral negotiations well never allow currency issues tied trade thats absolutely unacceptable renewed attack japans currency policy damaging particularly since tokyo hardly ammunition left fight another yen spike fears trade war boosted investors demand safehaven yen pushed japanese currency around 106 dollar significantly stronger 109level many exporters base earnings forecasts current fiscal year march 2019 japanese policymakers warned yens 7 percent gain dollar year volatile move though verbal warnings little effect keeping yen rises check currency intervention hasnt ruled yen spikes less 100 dollar gaining us consent move would extremely hard officials say leaves monetary policy last resort though boj barely tools left fight currency gain another recession boj governor haruhiko kurodas bazooka stimulus started 2013 bojs huge buying dried bond market liquidity years nearzero interest rates eroded bank profits raising concern easing could harm good even maintaining current policy pegs japanese government bond yields zero even us interest rates rise could draw us heat washington perceives intended weaken yen analysts say hiroshi watanabe former top japanese currency diplomat said tokyo could face criticism dollar rises around 115 yen usjapan interest rate gap widens around 350 basis points stocks plunge trade war fear tech leads selloff boj mindful point united states could argue using monetary policy keep yen weak said reporting leika kihara editing martin howell standards thomson reuters trust principles new york reuters trump administration heralded governments sale last month us drilling leases gulf mexico bellwether file photo unused oil rigs sit gulf mexico near port fourchon louisiana august 11 2010 reuterslee celanofile photo case reuters analysis sales results shows reason worry demand future offshore auctions sale brought 1248 million 1 percent 77 million acres 312 million hectares offered found bidders reuters examined acreage offered leased nearly purchases show big drillers stuck closest existing infrastructure shunning farflung areas us crude oil production reached record last year 10 million barrels day new development onshore shale regions us interior department said wants open us coasts drilling including atlantic pacific gulf result indicates limited interest even alreadydeveloped areas never mind unexplored coasts march auction included 9088 deepwater blocks comprising roughly nine square miles 105 blocks received bids three close existing infrastructure leases kind looks like theyre shoring existing prospects right said john filostrat spokesman us bureau ocean energy management division interior manages auctions filostrat said administration still optimistic future auctions believes auctions needed show current trends graphic golf mexico auction click however money exploration increasingly flocking regions particularly latin america energy reforms attracted billions dollars investment companies historically known gulf heavyweights january auction mexico brought four times bids us sale 105 new us leases water depths 656 feet 200 meters 85 immediately contiguous existing leased acreage production platforms another 17 within two miles existing leases infrastructure according reuters analysis among areas companies submitted bids mississippi canyon green canyon two densely leased plays gulf 100 miles 160 km louisiana coast royal dutch shell plc high bidder two mississippi canyon blocks overall shell picked 16 gulf blocks including 6 adjacent deepwater developments known kakias stones 10 clustered around actively leased areas told reuters wanted acquire blocks could potentially support future development using existing hubs bp plcs notable bids 19 blocks desoto canyon contiguous known gas field 100 miles louisiana coast bp strategic bids use opportunity expand strengthen plays company spokesman told reuters three blocks leased miles existing acreage blocks snapped chevron declined comment bidding parcels close known assets increases likelihood finds produced affordably cutting infrastructure supply costs theres still interest areas already existing knowledge resource base existing development activity existing production said michael cohen director commodity research barclays spending lot money prospect probably going looked upon favor investors said hesitation among big buyers major oil companies remain lukewarm pushing boundaries available frontiers desiring longer leases lower royalty rates deepwater offshore blocks currently require 1875 percent payment us government compared 125 percent shallower areas onshore drilling interior department panel february recommended lowering rates something look august sale possibly said boems filostrat companies also expressed desire longer leases effectively drill unexplored areas coasts six deepwater regions 200 miles louisiana coast received bids water generally two miles deep locale makes drilling transporting oil shore especially costly high cost building underwater pipelines another deterrent deepwater projects like chevrons jack st malo fields 200 miles coast required pipeline connecting existing gulf infrastructure closer shore approved 2010 boom us crude traded 90 barrel oil prices rebounded 2016s lows less 30 barrel industry still bit wait see mode said william turner senior research analyst houston wood mackenzie reporting jessica resnickault additional reporting ayenat mersie editing david gregorio standards thomson reuters trust principles beijing reuters global timess editorinchief hu xijin said twitter china announce retaliatory steps wednesday afternoon us administration unveiled list chinese goods could face additional us tariffs according information received chinas massive plan retaliation us tariffs released afternoon beijing time hu said global times run ruling communist partys official peoples daily although stance necessarily reflect chinese government policy reporting ryan woo editing shri navaratnam standards thomson reuters trust principles
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<p />
<p>“My family gets stressed, too, because they’re worried about me,” admitted Yu, of San Jose, Calif.</p>
<p>If we were talking about symptoms of a fast-spreading virus, officials with the Centers for Disease Control might be dispatching scientists in biohazard suits.</p>
<p>Instead, the culprit is stress. It has been identified as one of the major scourges of our modern age. Seventy-eight percent of American adults say their stress levels increased or stayed the same over the past five years, according to a 2013 American Psychological Association report. And more than 30 percent say stress has had a significant impact on their physical and mental health. Consequences of chronic untre ated stress range from decreased immune system function to insomnia to increased risk of heart disease.</p>
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<p>To get to the bottom of why we’re all so stressed out, some researchers have focused on how anxiety can be as contagious as any airborne pathogen. Researchers also liken it to secondhand smoke as they consider how regular exposure to challenging people hurts us physically and emotionally.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Consider how someone else’s negativity can put you on edge. There’s the co-worker who constantly complains. The friend who calls to vent about her marriage. The sighing, toe-tapping, visibly impatient customer in line with you at the grocery store.</p>
<p>Philosophers and psychologists have long pondered the ways people wittingly or not influence other’s emotions. Their curiosity makes sense, considering that humans are “fundamentally social creatures,” said Dr. David Spiegel. He is the director of the Center on Stress and Health at Stanford University’s School of Medicine, whi c h studies the effects of stress on mental and physical health.</p>
<p>In trying to document the extent to which we are susceptible to “emotional contagion,” researchers are using sophisticated methods to locate exactly where stress develops in people’s bodies. While we may think of stress as purely emotional, doctors know it churns up complex physiological reactions that involve the nervous, endocrine and immune systems.</p>
<p>In a St. Louis University experiment, 20 students watched others struggle to present speeches or perform arithmetic problems. The researchers then measured the levels of cortisol and a stress-related salivary enzyme in both the speakers and the student observers. The team found that the observers’ stress responses were “proportional” to the speakers’ responses.</p>
<p>Tony Buchanan, associate professor of St. Louis University’s Department of Psychology, was surprised at how much witnesses were unsettled by the speakers’ discomfort. “It was also surprisin g how easily the stress was transmitted,” he said.</p>
<p>Another 2014 study by researchers at UC San Francisco and New York University found that babies immediately reacted to the stress of mothers who had just participated in an exercise designed to make them anxious.</p>
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<p>While babies played with caregivers in one room, the mothers gave an impromptu speech to a panel of people. A third of the 69 mothers in the study faced panelists who responded with scowls. After the mothers returned to their babies, the heart rates of mothers and babies were measured. The increased heart rates of the agitated moms were mirrored in their babies, even if the moms tried to mask their distress with smiles and soothing voices, said Sara Waters, a postdoctoral fellow at UCSF focusing on development psychology. But it doesn’t take being in the same room with someone you know to be brought down by someone else’s negativity, as Facebook found with its controversial experiment on how “emotional co n tagion” spreads via social networks.</p>
<p>For one week, the site’s data scientists programmed an algorithm to automatically omit content that contained words associated with either positive or negative emotions from the central news feeds of nearly 700,000 users. The study showed that reducing positive content in users’ news feeds reduced the positive content users in turn posted in their status updates.</p>
<p>As alarming as it can be to learn that we’re so easily ruffled by others, secondhand stress is not always a bad thing. In fact, it often confers benefits to individuals and societies, experts say. One point of the St. Louis study was to demonstrate people’s capacity for empathy. The observers may have felt discomfort, but that emotional state can inspire altruism. “In natural disasters and terrorist events, a lot of people will be running toward the victims to help them,” Buchanan said. “That’s a situation where everyone is under stress, but a significant group of peo p le are drawn to help others.”</p>
<p>Because we’re wired to be sensitive to other people, secondhand stress “allows us to be connected to other people, for good and for bad,” said Spiegel. Much of his research at Stanford has focused on whether support groups improve the quality of life of breast cancer patients.</p>
<p>Certainly, women in those groups are exposed to heartbreaking stories about members in pain, lacking family support or learning their prognosis isn’t good. But those women can also benefit from comforting those in need and even learning that their situation isn’t so dire. “It can be hurtful to lose someone in the group, but at the same time, they can feel good about offering help and feel lucky to still be alive,” Spiegel said.</p>
<p>For the babies in Waters’ experiment, their acute sensitivity to their mothers’ distress probably signals a healthy evolutionary adaptation-relying on their mothers’ emotional cues to know if an environment is safe.</p>
<p>Yet Water s acknowledges the growing body of research suggesting that chronically stressed-out parents could hurt their children’s development, especially of young children or babies in utero.</p>
<p>She hopes that work like hers provides child-care experts with data they can use to develop coping strategies for parents and their kids. “I think that’s one of the things we’re starting to explore is the extent to which parents can start to pay attention to stress inside the body and help themselves and their children to bring those stress levels down, by doing deep breathing or other calming exercises.”</p>
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family gets stressed theyre worried admitted yu san jose calif talking symptoms fastspreading virus officials centers disease control might dispatching scientists biohazard suits instead culprit stress identified one major scourges modern age seventyeight percent american adults say stress levels increased stayed past five years according 2013 american psychological association report 30 percent say stress significant impact physical mental health consequences chronic untre ated stress range decreased immune system function insomnia increased risk heart disease advertisement get bottom stressed researchers focused anxiety contagious airborne pathogen researchers also liken secondhand smoke consider regular exposure challenging people hurts us physically emotionally 160 consider someone elses negativity put edge theres coworker constantly complains friend calls vent marriage sighing toetapping visibly impatient customer line grocery store philosophers psychologists long pondered ways people wittingly influence others emotions curiosity makes sense considering humans fundamentally social creatures said dr david spiegel director center stress health stanford universitys school medicine whi c h studies effects stress mental physical health trying document extent susceptible emotional contagion researchers using sophisticated methods locate exactly stress develops peoples bodies may think stress purely emotional doctors know churns complex physiological reactions involve nervous endocrine immune systems st louis university experiment 20 students watched others struggle present speeches perform arithmetic problems researchers measured levels cortisol stressrelated salivary enzyme speakers student observers team found observers stress responses proportional speakers responses tony buchanan associate professor st louis universitys department psychology surprised much witnesses unsettled speakers discomfort also surprisin g easily stress transmitted said another 2014 study researchers uc san francisco new york university found babies immediately reacted stress mothers participated exercise designed make anxious advertisement babies played caregivers one room mothers gave impromptu speech panel people third 69 mothers study faced panelists responded scowls mothers returned babies heart rates mothers babies measured increased heart rates agitated moms mirrored babies even moms tried mask distress smiles soothing voices said sara waters postdoctoral fellow ucsf focusing development psychology doesnt take room someone know brought someone elses negativity facebook found controversial experiment emotional co n tagion spreads via social networks one week sites data scientists programmed algorithm automatically omit content contained words associated either positive negative emotions central news feeds nearly 700000 users study showed reducing positive content users news feeds reduced positive content users turn posted status updates alarming learn easily ruffled others secondhand stress always bad thing fact often confers benefits individuals societies experts say one point st louis study demonstrate peoples capacity empathy observers may felt discomfort emotional state inspire altruism natural disasters terrorist events lot people running toward victims help buchanan said thats situation everyone stress significant group peo p le drawn help others wired sensitive people secondhand stress allows us connected people good bad said spiegel much research stanford focused whether support groups improve quality life breast cancer patients certainly women groups exposed heartbreaking stories members pain lacking family support learning prognosis isnt good women also benefit comforting need even learning situation isnt dire hurtful lose someone group time feel good offering help feel lucky still alive spiegel said babies waters experiment acute sensitivity mothers distress probably signals healthy evolutionary adaptationrelying mothers emotional cues know environment safe yet water acknowledges growing body research suggesting chronically stressedout parents could hurt childrens development especially young children babies utero hopes work like provides childcare experts data use develop coping strategies parents kids think thats one things starting explore extent parents start pay attention stress inside body help children bring stress levels deep breathing calming exercises 160
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<p>IQUIQUE, Chile (AP) — It was all in a day's work for the ever-unpredictable Pope Francis.</p>
<p>First he celebrated the first-ever airborne papal wedding, marrying two flight attendants at 36,000 feet during a flight on Thursday to this northern Chilean beachside town.</p>
<p>Then after landing, Francis came to the rescue of a policewoman who was thrown from her rearing horse as his popemobile passed by.</p>
<p>In between, he did what he actually came to do: celebrate Mass for some 50,000 people in a desert-hot field near the town of Iquique.</p>
<p>And as a final gesture to cap a most remarkable day even by Franciscan standards, the 81-year-old Argentine set off a near-national uproar by accusing victims of Chile's most notorious pedophile priest of slander.</p>
<p>Welcome to the Francis papacy, five years on.</p>
<p>It all began with LATAM Flight 1250 from Santiago.</p>
<p>The crew of Chile's flagship carrier was gathering in the first-class section for the usual photo with the pope when flight attendants Paula Podest and Carlos Ciuffardi revealed that they were a married couple. Francis motioned for them to sit next to him for the photo and asked if they had been married in the church.</p>
<p>They told Francis that they had been wed in a civil service in 2010 but had been unable to follow up with a church ceremony because the Feb. 27, 2010 earthquake that rocked Chile had damaged the church.</p>
<p>Francis then made a proposal of his own: "I'll marry you!" and they readily agreed. The head of the airline served as the witness.</p>
<p>"He told me it's historic, that there has never before been a pope who married someone aboard a plane," the 41-year-old groom told journalists aboard the flight after he exchanged his "I do's" with his beaming bride.</p>
<p>Ciuffardi said the pope also told them: "This is the sacrament that is missing in the world, the sacrament of marriage. May this motivate others to get the sacrament of marriage. I'll do it for this reason."</p>
<p>Ciuffardi and the 39-year-old Podest have two children, 6-year-old Rafaela and 3-year-old Isabela. They said they plan to take a "mini-honeymoon" and return to Santiago on Friday.</p>
<p>The airborne wedding came about spontaneously, as is often the case with the ever-surprising Francis.</p>
<p>"We told him that we are husband and wife, that we have two daughters and that we would have loved to receive his blessing," Ciuffardi said. "All of a sudden he asked us if we were married in the church, too."</p>
<p>The couple explained that their church's bell tower had fallen during the quake, forcing the cancellation of the church service. One thing led to another, and they never followed up.</p>
<p>"He liked us and he asked, 'Do you want me to marry you?'" Ciuffardi said. "He asked: 'Are you sure?' 'Yes, of course!' we said."</p>
<p>A Vatican official then hastily drew up an official, albeit handwritten, marriage certificate, stating that the two had consented to the sacrament of marriage on Jan. 18, 2018, and that Francis had blessed it "aboard the papal plane from Santiago to Iquique."</p>
<p>Recounting the story to the 70 or so journalists who travel with the pope on his foreign trips, Podest said Francis offered a bit of advice to the not-so-newlyweds.</p>
<p>"He also said that the wedding rings shouldn't be too tight, because they'll torture you, but that if they're too loose, they'll fall off. So we have to be careful," she said blushing.</p>
<p>She said she and Ciuffardi also told the pope that when they first started dating, she was his boss at LATAM. Francis asked if she was still the boss, and both readily agreed.</p>
<p>"And that's why the marriage works," Ciuffardi said.</p>
<p>An hour after the impromptu ceremony, after the flight attendants had passed through the cabin with breakfast trays of fruit cups and warmed croissants, coffee and tea, the plane landed in Iquique and the happy couple bid the passengers farewell.</p>
<p>"We hope you had a good flight," Podest said.</p>
<p>Francis then moved on to the real purpose of his visit, celebrating Mass for the region's migrant community.</p>
<p>During his homily, he urged the Chilean government to continue welcoming migrants and caring for the least fortunate among them, saying, "There is no Christian joy when doors are closed."</p>
<p>The Argentine pope, who has frequently called on wealthy countries to welcome migrants and refugees, praised Iquique for having been a "land of dreams" for so many newcomers. And he urged Chile to continue to be a place of hospitality, employment and justice, especially for migrants, who are often exploited.</p>
<p>"Let us be attentive to the lack of steady employment, which destroys lives and homes," he said. "Let us be attentive to those who profit from the irregular status of many immigrants who don't know the language or who don't have their papers in order."</p>
<p>After the Mass, as his entourage headed back to Iquique, Francis had a scare when a police horse reared up just as his popemobile was passing by, throwing the rider and forcing the pope's driver to swerve slightly to get out of the way.</p>
<p>Francis, who wasn't hurt, had his driver stop so he could get out to check on the officer, described by the Vatican as a Chilean policewoman.</p>
<p>Francis stayed with her, bending down to speak with her, until an ambulance arrived. The Vatican said the rider remained conscious "and received some words of consolation from the Holy Father."</p>
<p>After she was taken away, Francis resumed his ride.</p>
<p>It was the second such incident in recent months. Francis got a black eye in Cartagena, Colombia, in September when his popemobile stopped short and he hit his head on the side rail. He cut his eyebrow and wore a cassock stained with a few drops of blood for the rest of the day.</p>
<p>Francis has insisted on using minimally covered popemobiles on his foreign visits so he can be close to his flock. But Thursday's incident again underscored his vulnerability in the open-sided vehicles that often pass through tight, crowded spaces.</p>
<p>Earlier in the trip, Francis was hit in the head with a flying object that someone in the crowd had thrown toward him. He wasn't hurt, and the Vatican later revealed the offending object: A rolled up canvas hat with the words "Pray for the Chilean family."</p>
<p>Francis' visit though ended on a sour note for many in Chile, as he was asked by a Chilean reporter about his controversial decision to appoint a bishop accused of helping keep quiet about the crimes of Chile's most prominent sexual abuser, the Rev. Fernando Karadima.</p>
<p>Francis said that until he sees proof that Bishop Juan Barros was complicit in covering up Karadima's crimes, accusations of complicity by the victims of against Barros are "all calumny."</p>
<p>Patricio Navia, political science professor at Diego Portales University in Santiago, said the comment will likely erase any good will the pope had won over the issue.</p>
<p>IQUIQUE, Chile (AP) — It was all in a day's work for the ever-unpredictable Pope Francis.</p>
<p>First he celebrated the first-ever airborne papal wedding, marrying two flight attendants at 36,000 feet during a flight on Thursday to this northern Chilean beachside town.</p>
<p>Then after landing, Francis came to the rescue of a policewoman who was thrown from her rearing horse as his popemobile passed by.</p>
<p>In between, he did what he actually came to do: celebrate Mass for some 50,000 people in a desert-hot field near the town of Iquique.</p>
<p>And as a final gesture to cap a most remarkable day even by Franciscan standards, the 81-year-old Argentine set off a near-national uproar by accusing victims of Chile's most notorious pedophile priest of slander.</p>
<p>Welcome to the Francis papacy, five years on.</p>
<p>It all began with LATAM Flight 1250 from Santiago.</p>
<p>The crew of Chile's flagship carrier was gathering in the first-class section for the usual photo with the pope when flight attendants Paula Podest and Carlos Ciuffardi revealed that they were a married couple. Francis motioned for them to sit next to him for the photo and asked if they had been married in the church.</p>
<p>They told Francis that they had been wed in a civil service in 2010 but had been unable to follow up with a church ceremony because the Feb. 27, 2010 earthquake that rocked Chile had damaged the church.</p>
<p>Francis then made a proposal of his own: "I'll marry you!" and they readily agreed. The head of the airline served as the witness.</p>
<p>"He told me it's historic, that there has never before been a pope who married someone aboard a plane," the 41-year-old groom told journalists aboard the flight after he exchanged his "I do's" with his beaming bride.</p>
<p>Ciuffardi said the pope also told them: "This is the sacrament that is missing in the world, the sacrament of marriage. May this motivate others to get the sacrament of marriage. I'll do it for this reason."</p>
<p>Ciuffardi and the 39-year-old Podest have two children, 6-year-old Rafaela and 3-year-old Isabela. They said they plan to take a "mini-honeymoon" and return to Santiago on Friday.</p>
<p>The airborne wedding came about spontaneously, as is often the case with the ever-surprising Francis.</p>
<p>"We told him that we are husband and wife, that we have two daughters and that we would have loved to receive his blessing," Ciuffardi said. "All of a sudden he asked us if we were married in the church, too."</p>
<p>The couple explained that their church's bell tower had fallen during the quake, forcing the cancellation of the church service. One thing led to another, and they never followed up.</p>
<p>"He liked us and he asked, 'Do you want me to marry you?'" Ciuffardi said. "He asked: 'Are you sure?' 'Yes, of course!' we said."</p>
<p>A Vatican official then hastily drew up an official, albeit handwritten, marriage certificate, stating that the two had consented to the sacrament of marriage on Jan. 18, 2018, and that Francis had blessed it "aboard the papal plane from Santiago to Iquique."</p>
<p>Recounting the story to the 70 or so journalists who travel with the pope on his foreign trips, Podest said Francis offered a bit of advice to the not-so-newlyweds.</p>
<p>"He also said that the wedding rings shouldn't be too tight, because they'll torture you, but that if they're too loose, they'll fall off. So we have to be careful," she said blushing.</p>
<p>She said she and Ciuffardi also told the pope that when they first started dating, she was his boss at LATAM. Francis asked if she was still the boss, and both readily agreed.</p>
<p>"And that's why the marriage works," Ciuffardi said.</p>
<p>An hour after the impromptu ceremony, after the flight attendants had passed through the cabin with breakfast trays of fruit cups and warmed croissants, coffee and tea, the plane landed in Iquique and the happy couple bid the passengers farewell.</p>
<p>"We hope you had a good flight," Podest said.</p>
<p>Francis then moved on to the real purpose of his visit, celebrating Mass for the region's migrant community.</p>
<p>During his homily, he urged the Chilean government to continue welcoming migrants and caring for the least fortunate among them, saying, "There is no Christian joy when doors are closed."</p>
<p>The Argentine pope, who has frequently called on wealthy countries to welcome migrants and refugees, praised Iquique for having been a "land of dreams" for so many newcomers. And he urged Chile to continue to be a place of hospitality, employment and justice, especially for migrants, who are often exploited.</p>
<p>"Let us be attentive to the lack of steady employment, which destroys lives and homes," he said. "Let us be attentive to those who profit from the irregular status of many immigrants who don't know the language or who don't have their papers in order."</p>
<p>After the Mass, as his entourage headed back to Iquique, Francis had a scare when a police horse reared up just as his popemobile was passing by, throwing the rider and forcing the pope's driver to swerve slightly to get out of the way.</p>
<p>Francis, who wasn't hurt, had his driver stop so he could get out to check on the officer, described by the Vatican as a Chilean policewoman.</p>
<p>Francis stayed with her, bending down to speak with her, until an ambulance arrived. The Vatican said the rider remained conscious "and received some words of consolation from the Holy Father."</p>
<p>After she was taken away, Francis resumed his ride.</p>
<p>It was the second such incident in recent months. Francis got a black eye in Cartagena, Colombia, in September when his popemobile stopped short and he hit his head on the side rail. He cut his eyebrow and wore a cassock stained with a few drops of blood for the rest of the day.</p>
<p>Francis has insisted on using minimally covered popemobiles on his foreign visits so he can be close to his flock. But Thursday's incident again underscored his vulnerability in the open-sided vehicles that often pass through tight, crowded spaces.</p>
<p>Earlier in the trip, Francis was hit in the head with a flying object that someone in the crowd had thrown toward him. He wasn't hurt, and the Vatican later revealed the offending object: A rolled up canvas hat with the words "Pray for the Chilean family."</p>
<p>Francis' visit though ended on a sour note for many in Chile, as he was asked by a Chilean reporter about his controversial decision to appoint a bishop accused of helping keep quiet about the crimes of Chile's most prominent sexual abuser, the Rev. Fernando Karadima.</p>
<p>Francis said that until he sees proof that Bishop Juan Barros was complicit in covering up Karadima's crimes, accusations of complicity by the victims of against Barros are "all calumny."</p>
<p>Patricio Navia, political science professor at Diego Portales University in Santiago, said the comment will likely erase any good will the pope had won over the issue.</p>
| false | 2 |
iquique chile ap days work everunpredictable pope francis first celebrated firstever airborne papal wedding marrying two flight attendants 36000 feet flight thursday northern chilean beachside town landing francis came rescue policewoman thrown rearing horse popemobile passed actually came celebrate mass 50000 people deserthot field near town iquique final gesture cap remarkable day even franciscan standards 81yearold argentine set nearnational uproar accusing victims chiles notorious pedophile priest slander welcome francis papacy five years began latam flight 1250 santiago crew chiles flagship carrier gathering firstclass section usual photo pope flight attendants paula podest carlos ciuffardi revealed married couple francis motioned sit next photo asked married church told francis wed civil service 2010 unable follow church ceremony feb 27 2010 earthquake rocked chile damaged church francis made proposal ill marry readily agreed head airline served witness told historic never pope married someone aboard plane 41yearold groom told journalists aboard flight exchanged dos beaming bride ciuffardi said pope also told sacrament missing world sacrament marriage may motivate others get sacrament marriage ill reason ciuffardi 39yearold podest two children 6yearold rafaela 3yearold isabela said plan take minihoneymoon return santiago friday airborne wedding came spontaneously often case eversurprising francis told husband wife two daughters would loved receive blessing ciuffardi said sudden asked us married church couple explained churchs bell tower fallen quake forcing cancellation church service one thing led another never followed liked us asked want marry ciuffardi said asked sure yes course said vatican official hastily drew official albeit handwritten marriage certificate stating two consented sacrament marriage jan 18 2018 francis blessed aboard papal plane santiago iquique recounting story 70 journalists travel pope foreign trips podest said francis offered bit advice notsonewlyweds also said wedding rings shouldnt tight theyll torture theyre loose theyll fall careful said blushing said ciuffardi also told pope first started dating boss latam francis asked still boss readily agreed thats marriage works ciuffardi said hour impromptu ceremony flight attendants passed cabin breakfast trays fruit cups warmed croissants coffee tea plane landed iquique happy couple bid passengers farewell hope good flight podest said francis moved real purpose visit celebrating mass regions migrant community homily urged chilean government continue welcoming migrants caring least fortunate among saying christian joy doors closed argentine pope frequently called wealthy countries welcome migrants refugees praised iquique land dreams many newcomers urged chile continue place hospitality employment justice especially migrants often exploited let us attentive lack steady employment destroys lives homes said let us attentive profit irregular status many immigrants dont know language dont papers order mass entourage headed back iquique francis scare police horse reared popemobile passing throwing rider forcing popes driver swerve slightly get way francis wasnt hurt driver stop could get check officer described vatican chilean policewoman francis stayed bending speak ambulance arrived vatican said rider remained conscious received words consolation holy father taken away francis resumed ride second incident recent months francis got black eye cartagena colombia september popemobile stopped short hit head side rail cut eyebrow wore cassock stained drops blood rest day francis insisted using minimally covered popemobiles foreign visits close flock thursdays incident underscored vulnerability opensided vehicles often pass tight crowded spaces earlier trip francis hit head flying object someone crowd thrown toward wasnt hurt vatican later revealed offending object rolled canvas hat words pray chilean family francis visit though ended sour note many chile asked chilean reporter controversial decision appoint bishop accused helping keep quiet crimes chiles prominent sexual abuser rev fernando karadima francis said sees proof bishop juan barros complicit covering karadimas crimes accusations complicity victims barros calumny patricio navia political science professor diego portales university santiago said comment likely erase good pope issue iquique chile ap days work everunpredictable pope francis first celebrated firstever airborne papal wedding marrying two flight attendants 36000 feet flight thursday northern chilean beachside town landing francis came rescue policewoman thrown rearing horse popemobile passed actually came celebrate mass 50000 people deserthot field near town iquique final gesture cap remarkable day even franciscan standards 81yearold argentine set nearnational uproar accusing victims chiles notorious pedophile priest slander welcome francis papacy five years began latam flight 1250 santiago crew chiles flagship carrier gathering firstclass section usual photo pope flight attendants paula podest carlos ciuffardi revealed married couple francis motioned sit next photo asked married church told francis wed civil service 2010 unable follow church ceremony feb 27 2010 earthquake rocked chile damaged church francis made proposal ill marry readily agreed head airline served witness told historic never pope married someone aboard plane 41yearold groom told journalists aboard flight exchanged dos beaming bride ciuffardi said pope also told sacrament missing world sacrament marriage may motivate others get sacrament marriage ill reason ciuffardi 39yearold podest two children 6yearold rafaela 3yearold isabela said plan take minihoneymoon return santiago friday airborne wedding came spontaneously often case eversurprising francis told husband wife two daughters would loved receive blessing ciuffardi said sudden asked us married church couple explained churchs bell tower fallen quake forcing cancellation church service one thing led another never followed liked us asked want marry ciuffardi said asked sure yes course said vatican official hastily drew official albeit handwritten marriage certificate stating two consented sacrament marriage jan 18 2018 francis blessed aboard papal plane santiago iquique recounting story 70 journalists travel pope foreign trips podest said francis offered bit advice notsonewlyweds also said wedding rings shouldnt tight theyll torture theyre loose theyll fall careful said blushing said ciuffardi also told pope first started dating boss latam francis asked still boss readily agreed thats marriage works ciuffardi said hour impromptu ceremony flight attendants passed cabin breakfast trays fruit cups warmed croissants coffee tea plane landed iquique happy couple bid passengers farewell hope good flight podest said francis moved real purpose visit celebrating mass regions migrant community homily urged chilean government continue welcoming migrants caring least fortunate among saying christian joy doors closed argentine pope frequently called wealthy countries welcome migrants refugees praised iquique land dreams many newcomers urged chile continue place hospitality employment justice especially migrants often exploited let us attentive lack steady employment destroys lives homes said let us attentive profit irregular status many immigrants dont know language dont papers order mass entourage headed back iquique francis scare police horse reared popemobile passing throwing rider forcing popes driver swerve slightly get way francis wasnt hurt driver stop could get check officer described vatican chilean policewoman francis stayed bending speak ambulance arrived vatican said rider remained conscious received words consolation holy father taken away francis resumed ride second incident recent months francis got black eye cartagena colombia september popemobile stopped short hit head side rail cut eyebrow wore cassock stained drops blood rest day francis insisted using minimally covered popemobiles foreign visits close flock thursdays incident underscored vulnerability opensided vehicles often pass tight crowded spaces earlier trip francis hit head flying object someone crowd thrown toward wasnt hurt vatican later revealed offending object rolled canvas hat words pray chilean family francis visit though ended sour note many chile asked chilean reporter controversial decision appoint bishop accused helping keep quiet crimes chiles prominent sexual abuser rev fernando karadima francis said sees proof bishop juan barros complicit covering karadimas crimes accusations complicity victims barros calumny patricio navia political science professor diego portales university santiago said comment likely erase good pope issue
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<p />
<p>Australians have long had an affinity with the United States and absorb American popular culture like blotting paper. The U.S. is popularly seen as rescuing Australia from Japanese invasion during World War II, after old ally Britain abandoned its Southeast Asian stronghold of Singapore. Ever since, the United States has found a staunch ally in Australia in every major conflict, including an unpopular war in Vietnam and the politically divisive invasion of Iraq in 2003.</p>
<p>Australia increasingly mattered to Washington under President Barack Obama’s tenure, seen in an increased presence of U.S. military troops and Marines on Australian soil as part of a U.S. policy pivot to Asia.</p>
<p>Some Australians doubt the U.S. bedrock of regional security remains as solid under Trump, who questions global alliances. A terse conversation between President Trump and Prime Minister Turnbull suggested the relationship had changed; the American berated a deal his predecessor had made to resettle mainly Muslim refugees who had been rejected by Australia.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>The voices of some students, businesspeople and the retired in Australia epitomize the uncertainty among U.S. allies in the Asia-Pacific region of what comes next:</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>PETE RYAN, 70, is a terminally ill Vietnam War veteran who lives in the Australian capital, Canberra. His son-in-law volunteered to work on Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign and brought him back a red Trump cap, although as a veterans’ advocate Ryan has long kept his political views to himself.</p>
<p>Ryan has always had faith in the Australia-U.S. defense treaty that has formed the backbone of Australian security policy since it was signed in 1951. But Ryan now questions the U.S. commitment to that alliance and the Asia-Pacific region threatened by the territorial claims of China.</p>
<p>“The current era is changed altogether with the election of President Trump and in the future under President Trump, we don’t know — nobody knows — it’s a completely new ball game and we’re now in a position from Australia’s point of view of: wait and see,” Ryan said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>BRONWYN HALBISCH, 71, has been a member of the Australian American Association for more than 25 years. She came to love Americans after forming a relationship with a New Yorker while she was living in Sydney.</p>
<p>Now a resident of Canberra, Halbisch says ties between the countries were too strong to be derailed by individual personalities such as Trump’s. The 75th anniversary in May of the Battle of the Coral Sea — a World War II battle between the Japanese navy on one side and naval and air forces from Australia and the U.S. — was a reminder of that, she said.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>When Trump and Turnbull had a heated telephone discussion over refugees in their first conversation as national leaders, Halbisch saw it as the start of a good relationship.</p>
<p>“In relation to the recent telephone conversation between Turnbull and Trump, Trump is known for his volatility and so it really wasn’t surprising that perhaps that’s the way the conversation went. But Turnbull, I’m really impressed with how he handled it, because he has a bit of history of volatility as well. But the difference between the two is Turnbull is eloquent, and let me tell you, if Trump had been on the end of a Turnbull spray he would have known about it and been probably shocked. And so I feel that Turnbull stood up to him and will stand his ground, and so I look forward to the two of them both being high-powered businessmen before they came into politics — I think it will be a good relationship,” Halbisch said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>DOMINIC NELSON is a 25-year-old Australian National University science student who thinks Trump’s behavior toward Turnbull during their phone conversation was unpresidential. Nelson expects the bilateral relationship will go downhill during Trump’s presidency.</p>
<p>“I think the alliance was pretty strong under Obama. There were tensions between President Trump and Prime Minister Turnbull, so I think it is going to weaken a little in the coming years. From what I have heard and read about, it does seem like it wasn’t — it seemed unpresidential in a way, so it was very aggressive, even toward close allies like Australia and U.S. have been over the past 70 years, even more. It didn’t seem like a good start,” Nelson said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>MARKO TUCOVIC is a 23-year-old Australian National University sociology student and member of the university’s socialist club. He was not a fan of the United States under the Obama administration and doesn’t see much difference under Trump. At the core of Trump’s disagreement with Turnbull is both leaders’ polarizing positions on refugees.</p>
<p>“To be honest, Trump represents a new step in American policy but it’s only a more kind of uncovered step as to what it was before. Like the way he talks about torture. Well, under Obama it was enhanced interrogation techniques. Trump says: ‘No, we torture. That’s fine, and we want to do more torture,'” Tucovic said.</p>
<p>“It think it’s great that Turnbull got embarrassed by his phone call with Trump, because Turnbull’s basically a racist just like Trump. The way that Australia (treats) refugees is cruel and unkind and unfair,” he added.</p>
<p>_____</p>
<p>LACHIE McOMISH owns the Wig and Pen microbrewery in Canberra and has a daughter living in New York. The 65-year-old is frustrated that media reaction to Trump’s election is unnecessarily frightening consumers and harming economic conditions even in Australia.</p>
<p>“The question which has been puzzling many of us is, will the election of the Trump government in the United States of America make any significant difference to Australian-American relations and indeed to economic conditions here in Australia? Does America need Donald Trump to make it great again? Well, I think Donald Trump is not needed to make America great again. America is great and will remain great as long as it remains true to its founding principles: the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness,” McOmish said.</p>
| false | 2 |
australians long affinity united states absorb american popular culture like blotting paper us popularly seen rescuing australia japanese invasion world war ii old ally britain abandoned southeast asian stronghold singapore ever since united states found staunch ally australia every major conflict including unpopular war vietnam politically divisive invasion iraq 2003 australia increasingly mattered washington president barack obamas tenure seen increased presence us military troops marines australian soil part us policy pivot asia australians doubt us bedrock regional security remains solid trump questions global alliances terse conversation president trump prime minister turnbull suggested relationship changed american berated deal predecessor made resettle mainly muslim refugees rejected australia advertisement voices students businesspeople retired australia epitomize uncertainty among us allies asiapacific region comes next ___ pete ryan 70 terminally ill vietnam war veteran lives australian capital canberra soninlaw volunteered work hillary clintons presidential campaign brought back red trump cap although veterans advocate ryan long kept political views ryan always faith australiaus defense treaty formed backbone australian security policy since signed 1951 ryan questions us commitment alliance asiapacific region threatened territorial claims china current era changed altogether election president trump future president trump dont know nobody knows completely new ball game position australias point view wait see ryan said ___ bronwyn halbisch 71 member australian american association 25 years came love americans forming relationship new yorker living sydney resident canberra halbisch says ties countries strong derailed individual personalities trumps 75th anniversary may battle coral sea world war ii battle japanese navy one side naval air forces australia us reminder said advertisement trump turnbull heated telephone discussion refugees first conversation national leaders halbisch saw start good relationship relation recent telephone conversation turnbull trump trump known volatility really wasnt surprising perhaps thats way conversation went turnbull im really impressed handled bit history volatility well difference two turnbull eloquent let tell trump end turnbull spray would known probably shocked feel turnbull stood stand ground look forward two highpowered businessmen came politics think good relationship halbisch said ___ dominic nelson 25yearold australian national university science student thinks trumps behavior toward turnbull phone conversation unpresidential nelson expects bilateral relationship go downhill trumps presidency think alliance pretty strong obama tensions president trump prime minister turnbull think going weaken little coming years heard read seem like wasnt seemed unpresidential way aggressive even toward close allies like australia us past 70 years even didnt seem like good start nelson said ___ marko tucovic 23yearold australian national university sociology student member universitys socialist club fan united states obama administration doesnt see much difference trump core trumps disagreement turnbull leaders polarizing positions refugees honest trump represents new step american policy kind uncovered step like way talks torture well obama enhanced interrogation techniques trump says torture thats fine want torture tucovic said think great turnbull got embarrassed phone call trump turnbulls basically racist like trump way australia treats refugees cruel unkind unfair added _____ lachie mcomish owns wig pen microbrewery canberra daughter living new york 65yearold frustrated media reaction trumps election unnecessarily frightening consumers harming economic conditions even australia question puzzling many us election trump government united states america make significant difference australianamerican relations indeed economic conditions australia america need donald trump make great well think donald trump needed make america great america great remain great long remains true founding principles pursuit life liberty happiness mcomish said
| 551 |
<p>LOS ANGELES (AP) - Gonzaga has become one of those college basketball programs that reload rather than rebuild.</p>
<p>Last season Gonzaga made it all the way to the NCAA championship game, led by a group now mostly departed.</p>
<p>But they have Johnathan Williams playing in the paint now, and he looked more than comfortable in a starring role Saturday night in No. 19 Gonzaga's 85-66 victory over Loyola Marymount.</p>
<p>The 6-foot-9 Williams scored 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and the Bulldogs opened the second half with a decisive 17-0 run. Williams had a half-dozen dunks, all of the powerful variety.</p>
<p>"He can make those shots, he can make those drives," Gonzaga coach Mark Few said. "He's an excellent rebounder.</p>
<p>"He's been wildly inconsistent. He's had games with two and four points. I'm hoping we're rounding him to where we can count on him for double-digit points and hopefully double-digit rebounds."</p>
<p>The Bulldogs (14-3, 4-0 WCC) received 12 points from Zach Norvell Jr. and Josh Perkins, and another 11 from Rui Hachimura.</p>
<p>Gonzaga led by as many as 24 points in the second half. The Bulldogs dominated play in the paint, outscoring Loyola 48-26.</p>
<p>Steve Haney led Loyola (5-10, 0-4) with 22 points, but scored only four late in the second half. James Bateman added 13 for the Lions.</p>
<p>The Lions never could recover from their dismal start to the second half.</p>
<p>"We went through a dry spell where we were at 41 (points) forever," Loyola coach Mike Dunlap said. "We got smashed in that first 4 minutes."</p>
<p>Gonzaga built what appeared to be a comfortable 34-20 lead midway into the first half, getting strong inside play from Williams and Hachimura.</p>
<p>But the Lions started chipping away at the lead and then finished the half with a 7-0 flurry to trail 46-41.</p>
<p>Then came the 17-0 blitz and the game was quickly out of reach.</p>
<p>"They hit their 3s," Dunlap said. "That got them off the schneid. One of our goals was to make them beat us with the 2s and that just dislodged everything."</p>
<p>Gonzaga connected on 8 of 20 3-point attempts on the night.</p>
<p>Few said the defense started the second-half run.</p>
<p>"We started guarding Haney, that's what we were supposed to do from the jump but we didn't," he said. "We built a lead up in the first half and then got a little casual on the offensive end."</p>
<p>POLL IMPLICATIONS</p>
<p>The Bulldogs only figure to climb in the polls after sweeping their two games in Los Angeles over the weekend against Loyola and Pepperdine.</p>
<p>BIG PICTURE</p>
<p>Gonzaga: The Bulldogs have taken their expected 4-0 start to conference play after sweeping Pepperdine and Loyola this week.</p>
<p>Loyola: The Lions started the season 5-4 but have lost six consecutive games and are still looking for their first conference win.</p>
<p>WILLIAMS RISING</p>
<p>Dunlap said he's not surprised by Williams stepping up, though the forward said he still looks for more consistency.</p>
<p>"He's a tough matchup for everybody in the league because he can also stretch you," Dunlap said. "He's an interesting guy. He can pound you on the boards and can hit a 3. He's a pro and everybody knows it."</p>
<p>Said Williams: "I just tried to come out aggressively and crash the boards and set a tone. I just want to be more consistent. LMU fought hard tonight, I just had the hot hand and my teammates found me."</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Gonzaga: Return to Spokane on Thursday to meet Portland.</p>
<p>Loyola: Remain at home to play San Francisco on Thursday.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>More AP college basketball: http://collegebasketball.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_Top25</p>
<p>LOS ANGELES (AP) - Gonzaga has become one of those college basketball programs that reload rather than rebuild.</p>
<p>Last season Gonzaga made it all the way to the NCAA championship game, led by a group now mostly departed.</p>
<p>But they have Johnathan Williams playing in the paint now, and he looked more than comfortable in a starring role Saturday night in No. 19 Gonzaga's 85-66 victory over Loyola Marymount.</p>
<p>The 6-foot-9 Williams scored 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and the Bulldogs opened the second half with a decisive 17-0 run. Williams had a half-dozen dunks, all of the powerful variety.</p>
<p>"He can make those shots, he can make those drives," Gonzaga coach Mark Few said. "He's an excellent rebounder.</p>
<p>"He's been wildly inconsistent. He's had games with two and four points. I'm hoping we're rounding him to where we can count on him for double-digit points and hopefully double-digit rebounds."</p>
<p>The Bulldogs (14-3, 4-0 WCC) received 12 points from Zach Norvell Jr. and Josh Perkins, and another 11 from Rui Hachimura.</p>
<p>Gonzaga led by as many as 24 points in the second half. The Bulldogs dominated play in the paint, outscoring Loyola 48-26.</p>
<p>Steve Haney led Loyola (5-10, 0-4) with 22 points, but scored only four late in the second half. James Bateman added 13 for the Lions.</p>
<p>The Lions never could recover from their dismal start to the second half.</p>
<p>"We went through a dry spell where we were at 41 (points) forever," Loyola coach Mike Dunlap said. "We got smashed in that first 4 minutes."</p>
<p>Gonzaga built what appeared to be a comfortable 34-20 lead midway into the first half, getting strong inside play from Williams and Hachimura.</p>
<p>But the Lions started chipping away at the lead and then finished the half with a 7-0 flurry to trail 46-41.</p>
<p>Then came the 17-0 blitz and the game was quickly out of reach.</p>
<p>"They hit their 3s," Dunlap said. "That got them off the schneid. One of our goals was to make them beat us with the 2s and that just dislodged everything."</p>
<p>Gonzaga connected on 8 of 20 3-point attempts on the night.</p>
<p>Few said the defense started the second-half run.</p>
<p>"We started guarding Haney, that's what we were supposed to do from the jump but we didn't," he said. "We built a lead up in the first half and then got a little casual on the offensive end."</p>
<p>POLL IMPLICATIONS</p>
<p>The Bulldogs only figure to climb in the polls after sweeping their two games in Los Angeles over the weekend against Loyola and Pepperdine.</p>
<p>BIG PICTURE</p>
<p>Gonzaga: The Bulldogs have taken their expected 4-0 start to conference play after sweeping Pepperdine and Loyola this week.</p>
<p>Loyola: The Lions started the season 5-4 but have lost six consecutive games and are still looking for their first conference win.</p>
<p>WILLIAMS RISING</p>
<p>Dunlap said he's not surprised by Williams stepping up, though the forward said he still looks for more consistency.</p>
<p>"He's a tough matchup for everybody in the league because he can also stretch you," Dunlap said. "He's an interesting guy. He can pound you on the boards and can hit a 3. He's a pro and everybody knows it."</p>
<p>Said Williams: "I just tried to come out aggressively and crash the boards and set a tone. I just want to be more consistent. LMU fought hard tonight, I just had the hot hand and my teammates found me."</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Gonzaga: Return to Spokane on Thursday to meet Portland.</p>
<p>Loyola: Remain at home to play San Francisco on Thursday.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>More AP college basketball: http://collegebasketball.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_Top25</p>
| false | 2 |
los angeles ap gonzaga become one college basketball programs reload rather rebuild last season gonzaga made way ncaa championship game led group mostly departed johnathan williams playing paint looked comfortable starring role saturday night 19 gonzagas 8566 victory loyola marymount 6foot9 williams scored 30 points grabbed 10 rebounds bulldogs opened second half decisive 170 run williams halfdozen dunks powerful variety make shots make drives gonzaga coach mark said hes excellent rebounder hes wildly inconsistent hes games two four points im hoping rounding count doubledigit points hopefully doubledigit rebounds bulldogs 143 40 wcc received 12 points zach norvell jr josh perkins another 11 rui hachimura gonzaga led many 24 points second half bulldogs dominated play paint outscoring loyola 4826 steve haney led loyola 510 04 22 points scored four late second half james bateman added 13 lions lions never could recover dismal start second half went dry spell 41 points forever loyola coach mike dunlap said got smashed first 4 minutes gonzaga built appeared comfortable 3420 lead midway first half getting strong inside play williams hachimura lions started chipping away lead finished half 70 flurry trail 4641 came 170 blitz game quickly reach hit 3s dunlap said got schneid one goals make beat us 2s dislodged everything gonzaga connected 8 20 3point attempts night said defense started secondhalf run started guarding haney thats supposed jump didnt said built lead first half got little casual offensive end poll implications bulldogs figure climb polls sweeping two games los angeles weekend loyola pepperdine big picture gonzaga bulldogs taken expected 40 start conference play sweeping pepperdine loyola week loyola lions started season 54 lost six consecutive games still looking first conference win williams rising dunlap said hes surprised williams stepping though forward said still looks consistency hes tough matchup everybody league also stretch dunlap said hes interesting guy pound boards hit 3 hes pro everybody knows said williams tried come aggressively crash boards set tone want consistent lmu fought hard tonight hot hand teammates found next gonzaga return spokane thursday meet portland loyola remain home play san francisco thursday ___ ap college basketball httpcollegebasketballaporg httpwwwtwittercomap_top25 los angeles ap gonzaga become one college basketball programs reload rather rebuild last season gonzaga made way ncaa championship game led group mostly departed johnathan williams playing paint looked comfortable starring role saturday night 19 gonzagas 8566 victory loyola marymount 6foot9 williams scored 30 points grabbed 10 rebounds bulldogs opened second half decisive 170 run williams halfdozen dunks powerful variety make shots make drives gonzaga coach mark said hes excellent rebounder hes wildly inconsistent hes games two four points im hoping rounding count doubledigit points hopefully doubledigit rebounds bulldogs 143 40 wcc received 12 points zach norvell jr josh perkins another 11 rui hachimura gonzaga led many 24 points second half bulldogs dominated play paint outscoring loyola 4826 steve haney led loyola 510 04 22 points scored four late second half james bateman added 13 lions lions never could recover dismal start second half went dry spell 41 points forever loyola coach mike dunlap said got smashed first 4 minutes gonzaga built appeared comfortable 3420 lead midway first half getting strong inside play williams hachimura lions started chipping away lead finished half 70 flurry trail 4641 came 170 blitz game quickly reach hit 3s dunlap said got schneid one goals make beat us 2s dislodged everything gonzaga connected 8 20 3point attempts night said defense started secondhalf run started guarding haney thats supposed jump didnt said built lead first half got little casual offensive end poll implications bulldogs figure climb polls sweeping two games los angeles weekend loyola pepperdine big picture gonzaga bulldogs taken expected 40 start conference play sweeping pepperdine loyola week loyola lions started season 54 lost six consecutive games still looking first conference win williams rising dunlap said hes surprised williams stepping though forward said still looks consistency hes tough matchup everybody league also stretch dunlap said hes interesting guy pound boards hit 3 hes pro everybody knows said williams tried come aggressively crash boards set tone want consistent lmu fought hard tonight hot hand teammates found next gonzaga return spokane thursday meet portland loyola remain home play san francisco thursday ___ ap college basketball httpcollegebasketballaporg httpwwwtwittercomap_top25
| 700 |
<p>VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned Tuesday that if North Korea does not choose to negotiate on giving up its nuclear weapons that pose a growing threat to the United States it could trigger a military response.</p>
<p>After a meeting of U.S. allies on how to beef up the sanctions pressure, Tillerson stressed that the Trump administration seeks a diplomatic resolution in the nuclear standoff, but he said the North has yet to show itself to be a "credible negotiating partner." He said U.S.-North Korea talks would require a "sustained cessation" of threatening behavior.</p>
<p>Tillerson declined to comment on whether the White House is considering limited military action against Pyongyang, in response to reports that some in the Trump administration advocate military action to give the North a "bloody nose."</p>
<p>"We all need to be very sober and clear-eyed about the current situation," Tillerson said when he was asked whether Americans should be concerned about the possibility of a war. He said North Korea has continued to make significant advances in its nuclear weapons through the thermonuclear test and progress in its intercontinental missile systems.</p>
<p>"We have to recognize that the threat is growing and that if North Korea does not choose the pathway of engagement, discussion, negotiation then they themselves will trigger an option," he said.</p>
<p>His uncompromising message came after a gathering in Vancouver of 20 nations that were on America's side during the Korean War, where there was skepticism among the allies over North Korea's sincerity in its recent diplomatic opening with the U.S.-allied South. The meeting convened days after a mistaken missile alert caused panic on Hawaii, a stark reminder of the fears of conflict with the North.</p>
<p>Despite Washington's tough stance and determination to keep up the pressure on North Korea, President Donald Trump has signaled openness to talks with the North under the right circumstances. After months of insults and blood-curdling threats traded with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Trump suggested in an interview last week that the two leaders could have a positive relationship.</p>
<p>Tillerson declined to say Tuesday whether Trump has spoken directly to Kim.</p>
<p>"I don't think it's useful to comment" he said. "We are at a very tenuous stage in terms of how far North Korea has taken their program and what we can do to convince them to take an alternative path. And so when we get into who's talking to who and what was said, if we want that to be made know or made public we will announce it."</p>
<p>South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said its talks with North Korea, leading to the North's participation in next month's Olympics being hosted by the South, are a "significant first step toward restoring inter-Korean relations."</p>
<p>But she conceded that despite the overtures, North Korea has yet to show any intention to fulfill its obligations on denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.</p>
<p>Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono was blunter. He said the North "wants to buy some time to continue their nuclear and missile programs."</p>
<p>The meeting was attended by foreign ministers and senior diplomats of nations that sent troops or humanitarian aid to the U.N. Command that supported South Korea in the fight against the communist North and its allies during the 1950-53 Korean War. It's a diverse gathering of mostly European and Asian nations, as well as Australia, New Zealand and Colombia.</p>
<p>The delegates were briefed Monday night by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. A senior State Department official described that as a chance to demonstrate that the U.S. has an integrated strategy and to raise confidence that it definitely prefers a diplomatic solution over resorting to military action. The official was not authorized to speak publicly about the briefing and requested anonymity.</p>
<p>The gathering, co-hosted by Canada and the U.S., had few concrete outcomes and was principally intended as a show of solidarity. But it alienated China and Russia, which fought on the communist side in the war and were not invited. U.S. officials say those two nations, which are the North's main economic and diplomatic partners, will be briefed afterward.</p>
<p>Beijing and Moscow have supported U.N. Security Council resolutions to restrict export revenue for North Korean nuclear and missile development. They are more forward-leaning than Washington in their calls for negotiations with Kim's government. The sanctions also limit imports by North Korea of oil and petroleum products, most of which are supplied by China.</p>
<p>Tillerson said all nations must work together to improve maritime interdiction operations and stop illicit ship-to-ship transfers that violate U.N. sanctions. He said the allies did not seek to interfere with "legitimate maritime activities." He said most interdictions to date have taken place in ports and have not required military action.</p>
<p>The latest U.N. Security Council resolution, adopted in December in response to an ICBM test, calls on member states to impound vessels in their ports if there are reasonable grounds to suspect illicit trade with North Korea. It authorizes interdictions in a member state's territorial waters.</p>
<p>VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned Tuesday that if North Korea does not choose to negotiate on giving up its nuclear weapons that pose a growing threat to the United States it could trigger a military response.</p>
<p>After a meeting of U.S. allies on how to beef up the sanctions pressure, Tillerson stressed that the Trump administration seeks a diplomatic resolution in the nuclear standoff, but he said the North has yet to show itself to be a "credible negotiating partner." He said U.S.-North Korea talks would require a "sustained cessation" of threatening behavior.</p>
<p>Tillerson declined to comment on whether the White House is considering limited military action against Pyongyang, in response to reports that some in the Trump administration advocate military action to give the North a "bloody nose."</p>
<p>"We all need to be very sober and clear-eyed about the current situation," Tillerson said when he was asked whether Americans should be concerned about the possibility of a war. He said North Korea has continued to make significant advances in its nuclear weapons through the thermonuclear test and progress in its intercontinental missile systems.</p>
<p>"We have to recognize that the threat is growing and that if North Korea does not choose the pathway of engagement, discussion, negotiation then they themselves will trigger an option," he said.</p>
<p>His uncompromising message came after a gathering in Vancouver of 20 nations that were on America's side during the Korean War, where there was skepticism among the allies over North Korea's sincerity in its recent diplomatic opening with the U.S.-allied South. The meeting convened days after a mistaken missile alert caused panic on Hawaii, a stark reminder of the fears of conflict with the North.</p>
<p>Despite Washington's tough stance and determination to keep up the pressure on North Korea, President Donald Trump has signaled openness to talks with the North under the right circumstances. After months of insults and blood-curdling threats traded with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Trump suggested in an interview last week that the two leaders could have a positive relationship.</p>
<p>Tillerson declined to say Tuesday whether Trump has spoken directly to Kim.</p>
<p>"I don't think it's useful to comment" he said. "We are at a very tenuous stage in terms of how far North Korea has taken their program and what we can do to convince them to take an alternative path. And so when we get into who's talking to who and what was said, if we want that to be made know or made public we will announce it."</p>
<p>South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said its talks with North Korea, leading to the North's participation in next month's Olympics being hosted by the South, are a "significant first step toward restoring inter-Korean relations."</p>
<p>But she conceded that despite the overtures, North Korea has yet to show any intention to fulfill its obligations on denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.</p>
<p>Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono was blunter. He said the North "wants to buy some time to continue their nuclear and missile programs."</p>
<p>The meeting was attended by foreign ministers and senior diplomats of nations that sent troops or humanitarian aid to the U.N. Command that supported South Korea in the fight against the communist North and its allies during the 1950-53 Korean War. It's a diverse gathering of mostly European and Asian nations, as well as Australia, New Zealand and Colombia.</p>
<p>The delegates were briefed Monday night by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. A senior State Department official described that as a chance to demonstrate that the U.S. has an integrated strategy and to raise confidence that it definitely prefers a diplomatic solution over resorting to military action. The official was not authorized to speak publicly about the briefing and requested anonymity.</p>
<p>The gathering, co-hosted by Canada and the U.S., had few concrete outcomes and was principally intended as a show of solidarity. But it alienated China and Russia, which fought on the communist side in the war and were not invited. U.S. officials say those two nations, which are the North's main economic and diplomatic partners, will be briefed afterward.</p>
<p>Beijing and Moscow have supported U.N. Security Council resolutions to restrict export revenue for North Korean nuclear and missile development. They are more forward-leaning than Washington in their calls for negotiations with Kim's government. The sanctions also limit imports by North Korea of oil and petroleum products, most of which are supplied by China.</p>
<p>Tillerson said all nations must work together to improve maritime interdiction operations and stop illicit ship-to-ship transfers that violate U.N. sanctions. He said the allies did not seek to interfere with "legitimate maritime activities." He said most interdictions to date have taken place in ports and have not required military action.</p>
<p>The latest U.N. Security Council resolution, adopted in December in response to an ICBM test, calls on member states to impound vessels in their ports if there are reasonable grounds to suspect illicit trade with North Korea. It authorizes interdictions in a member state's territorial waters.</p>
| false | 2 |
vancouver british columbia ap secretary state rex tillerson warned tuesday north korea choose negotiate giving nuclear weapons pose growing threat united states could trigger military response meeting us allies beef sanctions pressure tillerson stressed trump administration seeks diplomatic resolution nuclear standoff said north yet show credible negotiating partner said usnorth korea talks would require sustained cessation threatening behavior tillerson declined comment whether white house considering limited military action pyongyang response reports trump administration advocate military action give north bloody nose need sober cleareyed current situation tillerson said asked whether americans concerned possibility war said north korea continued make significant advances nuclear weapons thermonuclear test progress intercontinental missile systems recognize threat growing north korea choose pathway engagement discussion negotiation trigger option said uncompromising message came gathering vancouver 20 nations americas side korean war skepticism among allies north koreas sincerity recent diplomatic opening usallied south meeting convened days mistaken missile alert caused panic hawaii stark reminder fears conflict north despite washingtons tough stance determination keep pressure north korea president donald trump signaled openness talks north right circumstances months insults bloodcurdling threats traded north korean leader kim jong un trump suggested interview last week two leaders could positive relationship tillerson declined say tuesday whether trump spoken directly kim dont think useful comment said tenuous stage terms far north korea taken program convince take alternative path get whos talking said want made know made public announce south korean foreign minister kang kyungwha said talks north korea leading norths participation next months olympics hosted south significant first step toward restoring interkorean relations conceded despite overtures north korea yet show intention fulfill obligations denuclearization korean peninsula japanese foreign minister taro kono blunter said north wants buy time continue nuclear missile programs meeting attended foreign ministers senior diplomats nations sent troops humanitarian aid un command supported south korea fight communist north allies 195053 korean war diverse gathering mostly european asian nations well australia new zealand colombia delegates briefed monday night defense secretary jim mattis senior state department official described chance demonstrate us integrated strategy raise confidence definitely prefers diplomatic solution resorting military action official authorized speak publicly briefing requested anonymity gathering cohosted canada us concrete outcomes principally intended show solidarity alienated china russia fought communist side war invited us officials say two nations norths main economic diplomatic partners briefed afterward beijing moscow supported un security council resolutions restrict export revenue north korean nuclear missile development forwardleaning washington calls negotiations kims government sanctions also limit imports north korea oil petroleum products supplied china tillerson said nations must work together improve maritime interdiction operations stop illicit shiptoship transfers violate un sanctions said allies seek interfere legitimate maritime activities said interdictions date taken place ports required military action latest un security council resolution adopted december response icbm test calls member states impound vessels ports reasonable grounds suspect illicit trade north korea authorizes interdictions member states territorial waters vancouver british columbia ap secretary state rex tillerson warned tuesday north korea choose negotiate giving nuclear weapons pose growing threat united states could trigger military response meeting us allies beef sanctions pressure tillerson stressed trump administration seeks diplomatic resolution nuclear standoff said north yet show credible negotiating partner said usnorth korea talks would require sustained cessation threatening behavior tillerson declined comment whether white house considering limited military action pyongyang response reports trump administration advocate military action give north bloody nose need sober cleareyed current situation tillerson said asked whether americans concerned possibility war said north korea continued make significant advances nuclear weapons thermonuclear test progress intercontinental missile systems recognize threat growing north korea choose pathway engagement discussion negotiation trigger option said uncompromising message came gathering vancouver 20 nations americas side korean war skepticism among allies north koreas sincerity recent diplomatic opening usallied south meeting convened days mistaken missile alert caused panic hawaii stark reminder fears conflict north despite washingtons tough stance determination keep pressure north korea president donald trump signaled openness talks north right circumstances months insults bloodcurdling threats traded north korean leader kim jong un trump suggested interview last week two leaders could positive relationship tillerson declined say tuesday whether trump spoken directly kim dont think useful comment said tenuous stage terms far north korea taken program convince take alternative path get whos talking said want made know made public announce south korean foreign minister kang kyungwha said talks north korea leading norths participation next months olympics hosted south significant first step toward restoring interkorean relations conceded despite overtures north korea yet show intention fulfill obligations denuclearization korean peninsula japanese foreign minister taro kono blunter said north wants buy time continue nuclear missile programs meeting attended foreign ministers senior diplomats nations sent troops humanitarian aid un command supported south korea fight communist north allies 195053 korean war diverse gathering mostly european asian nations well australia new zealand colombia delegates briefed monday night defense secretary jim mattis senior state department official described chance demonstrate us integrated strategy raise confidence definitely prefers diplomatic solution resorting military action official authorized speak publicly briefing requested anonymity gathering cohosted canada us concrete outcomes principally intended show solidarity alienated china russia fought communist side war invited us officials say two nations norths main economic diplomatic partners briefed afterward beijing moscow supported un security council resolutions restrict export revenue north korean nuclear missile development forwardleaning washington calls negotiations kims government sanctions also limit imports north korea oil petroleum products supplied china tillerson said nations must work together improve maritime interdiction operations stop illicit shiptoship transfers violate un sanctions said allies seek interfere legitimate maritime activities said interdictions date taken place ports required military action latest un security council resolution adopted december response icbm test calls member states impound vessels ports reasonable grounds suspect illicit trade north korea authorizes interdictions member states territorial waters
| 954 |
<p>Jan 19 (Reuters) - Kasikornbank Pcl:</p>
<p>* QTRLY NET PROFIT ATTRIBUTABLE 5.71 BILLION BAHT VERSUS 10.24 BILLION BAHT</p>
<p>* QTRLY NET INTEREST INCOME 24.02 BILLION BAHT VERSUS 23.00 BILLION BAHT A YEAR AGO Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage:</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May won backing from her senior ministers to take unspecified action with the United States and France to deter further use of chemical weapons by Syria after a suspected poison gas attack on civilians.</p> Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May walks out of 10 Downing Street to greet Portugal's Prime Minister Antonio Costa in London, April 10, 2018. REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
<p>After warning Russia on Wednesday of imminent military action, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was holding meetings on Syria and expected to make decisions “fairly soon.”</p>
<p>Russia has warned the West against attacking its Syrian ally President Bashar al-Assad, who is also supported by Iran, and says there is no evidence of a chemical attack in the Syrian town of Douma near Damascus.</p>
<p>May recalled the ministers from their Easter holiday for the meeting in Downing Street to discuss Britain’s response to what she has cast as a barbaric attack that cannot go unchallenged.</p>
<p>May told her senior ministers on Thursday that the attack in Douma showed a “deeply concerning” erosion of international legal norms barring the use of chemical weapons.</p>
<p>“Cabinet agreed on the need to take action to alleviate humanitarian distress and to deter the further use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime,” a spokeswoman for the prime minister said in a statement after the meeting.</p> Britain's Minister for the Cabinet Office David Lidington arrives in Downing Street in London, Britain, April 12, 2018. REUTERS/Simon Dawson
<p>Ministers also agreed the May should continue to work with the United States and France to come up with the right response.</p>
<p>The statement made no specific reference to military action.</p>
<p>The rising tension over the Douma attack demonstrates the volatile nature of the Syrian civil war, which started in March 2011 as an anti-Assad uprising but is now a proxy conflict involving a number of world and regional powers and a myriad of insurgent groups.</p>
<p>The attack was first reported by Syrian rebel group Jaish al-Islam on Saturday. Inspectors with the global chemical weapons watchdog, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, are due to investigate the incident.</p> USA VS RUSSIA?
<p>The BBC said May was ready to give the go-ahead for Britain to take part in action led by the United States without seeking prior approval from parliament. Downing Street spokesmen repeatedly declined to comment on that report.</p>
<p>“The chemical weapons attack that took place on Saturday in Douma in Syria was a shocking and barbaric act,” May told reporters on Wednesday. “All the indications are that the Syrian regime was responsible.”</p>
<p>May is not obliged to win parliament’s approval, but a non-binding constitutional convention to do so has been established since a 2003 vote on joining the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.</p> Slideshow (5 Images)
<p>It has been observed in subsequent military deployments in Libya and Iraq and many British lawmakers and voters are deeply skeptical of deepening involvement in the Syrian civil war.</p>
<p>Opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said parliament should be consulted before May approved military action.</p>
<p>“Just imagine the scenario if an American missile shoots down a Russian plane, or vice-a-versa - where do we go from there?” Corbyn said.</p>
<p>A YouGov poll published on Thursday showed just one in five British voters supported a missile strike on Syria. The poll showed 43 percent of voters opposed such a strike and 34 percent did not know what should be done.</p>
<p>Britain has been launching air strikes in Syria from its military base in Cyprus, but only against targets linked to the Islamic State militant group.</p>
<p>Parliament voted down British military action against Assad’s government in 2013, in an embarrassment for May’s predecessor, David Cameron. That then deterred the U.S. administration of Barack Obama from similar action.</p>
<p>The war plans of British leaders have been complicated in recent years by the memory of Britain’s 2003 decision to invade Iraq after asserting - wrongly, as it later turned out - that President Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction.</p>
<p>But with less than a year to go until Britain leaves the European Union, May wants to deepen its “special relationship” with the United States with a wide-ranging free trade deal that would help cushion the impact of Brexit.</p>
<p>Writing by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Andrew Roche and Toby Chopra</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>OKLAHOMA CITY (Reuters) - Oklahoma’s largest teachers union on Thursday called off a nearly two-week walkout that shut public schools statewide, saying it had secured historic gains in education funding after school budgets were devastated by a decade of cuts.</p> Protester march during a strike by Oklahoma educators demanding more school funding near the Oklahoma state Capitol in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S., April 9, 2018. Picture taken on April 9, 2018. REUTERS/Heide Brandes
<p>The move came after the Republican-dominated legislature passed its first major tax hikes in a quarter century that raised about $450 million in revenue for education. Republican leaders said they had no plans to go as high as the $600 million being sought by educators.</p>
<p>“We absolutely have a victory for teachers,” Alicia Priest, president of the Oklahoma Education Association, told a news conference.</p>
<p>“Our members are saying they want to go back to the classroom,” said Priest, whose union has about 40,000 members.</p>
<p>Some major districts have said they will resume classes on Monday.</p>
<p>The strike was part of a wave of actions by teachers in states that have some of the lowest per-student spending in the country. A West Virginia strike ended last month with a pay raise for teachers, and educators in Arizona protested before classes on Wednesday, without skipping work, to seek enhanced education funding.</p>
<p>The Oklahoma walkout began on April 2 and affected about 500,000 of the state’s 700,000 public school students.</p> A protester holds up a sign during a strike by Oklahoma educators demanding more school funding near the Oklahoma state Capitol in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S., April 9, 2018. Picture taken on April 9, 2018. REUTERS/Heide Brandes
<p>Opinion surveys showed it had garnered wide support among Oklahoma voters, many of whom had seen firsthand how students at struggling schools had to share outdated and tattered textbooks and sometimes go to a four-day school week to help save districts money.</p>
<p>Oklahoma teachers, who were seeking a $10,000 annual wage hike over three years, will see an average annual pay raise of about $6,100 from the increased funding, lawmakers said.</p>
<p>In May 2017, their annual mean wage was $41,880, among the lowest in the country, compared with neighboring states such as Texas at $57,830 and Kansas at $50,470, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.</p>
<p>School districts for the most part supported the teacher walk-out. But they began to run out of wiggle room to make up for lost time when the labor action threatened to extend the school year, piling pressure on teachers to return.</p>
<p>Low wages have created an exodus of educators, causing a teacher shortage in Oklahoma. As a result, school districts had to cut curricula and deploy nearly 2,000 emergency-certified instructors as a stop-gap measure.</p>
<p>Reporting by Heide Brandes in Oklahoma City and Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton in Tulsa; Writing by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by Bill Tarrant and Sandra Maler</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>WASHINGTON/UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - President Donald Trump and his national security aides on Thursday discussed U.S. options on Syria, where he has threatened missile strikes in response to a suspected poison gas attack, as a Russian envoy voiced fears of wider conflict between Washington and Moscow.</p>
<p>Worries about a confrontation between Russia, Syria’s big ally, and the West have been running high since Trump said on Wednesday that missiles “will be coming” in response to the attack in the Syrian town of Douma on April 7, and lambasted Moscow for standing by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.</p>
<p>Trump tempered those remarks on Thursday.</p>
<p>“Never said when an attack on Syria would take place. Could be very soon or not so soon at all!” Trump wrote on Twitter.</p>
<p>Trump met with his national security team on the situation in Syria later in the day and “no final decision has been made,” the White House said in a statement.</p>
<p>“We are continuing to assess intelligence and are engaged in conversations with our partners and allies,” the statement said.</p> Related Coverage
<a href="/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-allies-factbox/factbox-assads-foreign-backers-in-syrias-war-idUSKBN1HJ2DE" type="external">Factbox: Assad's foreign backers in Syria's war</a>
<p>Trump spoke to British Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday, and the two agreed “on the need to deter the further use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime,” May’s office said in a statement.</p>
<p>He was also due to speak with French President Emmanuel Macron, who said France had proof the Syrian government carried out the attack near Damascus, which aid groups have said killed dozens of people, and will decide whether to strike back when all the necessary information has been gathered.</p>
<p>“We have proof that last week ... chemical weapons were used, at least with chlorine, and that they were used by the regime of Bashar al-Assad,” Macron said, without offering details of any evidence.</p>
<p>Two U.S. officials familiar with an investigation of samples from Douma and the symptoms of victims said initial indications that a mix of weaponized chlorine gas and sarin were used in the attack appeared to be correct. But U.S. intelligence agencies have not completed their assessment or reached a final conclusion, the officials said.</p>
<p>Russia said it deployed military police in Douma on Thursday after the town was taken over by government forces.</p>
<p>“They are the guarantors of law and order in the town,” RIA news agency quoted Russia’s defense ministry as saying.</p>
<p>There were signs of a global effort to head off a direct confrontation between Russia and the West. The Kremlin said a crisis communications link with the United States, created to avoid an accidental clash over Syria, was in use.</p> FEARS OF WAR
<p>Vassily Nebenzia, Moscow’s ambassador to the United Nations, said he “cannot exclude” war between the United States and Russia and urged Washington and its allies to refrain from military action against Syria.</p>
<p>“The immediate priority is to avert the danger of war,” he told reporters. “We hope there will be no point of no return,” the envoy said.</p>
<p>A team of experts from the global chemical weapons watchdog, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, was traveling to Syria and will start its investigations on Saturday, the Netherlands-based agency said.</p>
<p>It was not clear whether Trump and U.S. allies would wait for the results of the investigation before deciding on a possible strike.</p>
<p>In Washington, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told Congress he believed there was a chemical attack in Syria, but added a short while later that the United States had not made any decision to launch military action.</p>
<p>“I don’t want to talk about a specific attack that is not yet in the offing. ... This would be pre-decisional,” Mattis told the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee.</p>
<p>Moscow is estimated to have dozens of aircraft at its Hmeymim air base in Syria including fighters and bombers, as well as 10 to 15 warships and support vessels in the Mediterranean.</p>
<p>The Syrian government and Russian forces in Syria possess truck-mounted surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery weapons systems.</p> FILE PHOTO - A man walks with his bicycle at a damaged site in the besieged town of Douma, Eastern Ghouta, in Damascus, Syria March 30, 2018. REUTERS/Bassam Khabieh
<p>Russia, Syria and its other main backer, Iran, have said reports of the Douma attack were fabricated by rebels and rescue workers and have accused the United States of seeking to use it as a pretext to attack the Syrian government.</p>
<p>Nervous world stock markets showed signs of recovery after Trump’s signal that military strikes might not be imminent.</p>
<p>Britain’s May won backing from her senior ministers to take unspecified action with the United States and France to deter further use of chemical weapons by Syria.</p>
<p>May had recalled the ministers from their Easter holiday for the meeting to discuss Britain’s response to what she has cast as a barbaric attack that cannot go unchallenged.</p>
<p>Russian ships had left the Tartus naval base in Syria, Interfax news agency quoted a Russian lawmaker as saying. Vladimir Shamanov, who chairs the defense committee of the lower house, said the vessels had departed the base for their own safety, which was “normal practice” when there were threats of attack.</p>
<p>Any U.S. strike would probably involve the Navy, given the risk to aircraft from Russian and Syrian air defenses. A U.S. guided-missile destroyer, the USS Donald Cook, is in the Mediterranean.</p> FILE PHOTO - The U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook sails in the Bosphorus strait in Istanbul, Turkey August 28, 2015. REUTERS/Yoruk Isik
<p>The Syrian conflict has widened the rifts between Moscow, Washington and European powers and inflamed the bitter rivalries that run across the Middle East.</p>
<p>Reporting by Jeff Mason in Washngton and Michelle Nichols at the United Nations; Additional reporting by Angus McDowall in Beirut, William James, Guy Faulconbridge and David Milliken in London, Andrew Osborn, Maria Kiselyova and Jack Stubbs in Moscow, John Irish in Paris, Graham Fahy in Dublin and John Walcott, Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali in Washington; Writing by Alistair Bell; Editing by Will Dunham and Peter Cooney</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State nominee Mike Pompeo promised on Thursday he would be willing to break from President Donald Trump if necessary, saying he would take a tough line with Russia and that he wanted to “fix” the Iran nuclear deal.</p>
<p>Pompeo, who is currently director of the Central Intelligence Agency, blamed tensions between Moscow and Washington on Russia’s “bad behavior” and said he would support more U.S. sanctions against Russia.</p>
<p>“(Russian President) Vladimir Putin has not yet received the message sufficiently,” Pompeo told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during a relatively smooth five-hour-long confirmation hearing.</p>
<p>He said Russia’s push into Ukraine and other countries needed to be curbed. “We need to push back in each place and in every vector,” Pompeo said. “We need to make sure that Vladimir Putin doesn’t succeed in what he believes his ultimate goal is.”</p>
<p>Critics, including some in Trump’s own Republican Party, have accused the president of taking too soft a line on the Russian president. Trump has denied that - and has been strongly critical in recent days of Moscow’s backing of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad - but he has also talked of wanting better relations with Putin.</p> Related Coverage
<a href="/article/us-usa-trump-pompeo-mueller/u-s-secretary-of-state-nominee-pompeo-confirms-special-counsel-interview-idUSKBN1HJ2FE" type="external">U.S. Secretary of State nominee Pompeo confirms special counsel interview</a>
<a href="/article/us-usa-trump-pompeo-iran/pompeo-says-he-wants-to-fix-iran-deal-work-with-allies-if-cant-be-fixed-idUSKBN1HJ2OA" type="external">Pompeo says he 'wants to fix' Iran deal, work with allies if can't be fixed</a>
<p>Trump nominated Pompeo to become the country’s top diplomat on March 13 after firing Rex Tillerson. Tillerson, a former chief executive of Exxon Mobil( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=XOM.N" type="external">XOM.N</a>), had a rocky relationship with Trump in just over a year in the job.</p>
<p>The start of Pompeo’s hearing was disrupted by protesters chanting: “No Pompeo, no more war.” Another shouted that the CIA director was no diplomat.</p> DEMOCRATIC PRAISE
<p>While Pompeo faced pointed questions from Democrats - including about his continued opposition to gay marriage and his associations with anti-Muslim organizations - he was also complimented. Democratic Senator Ben Cardin praised Pompeo’s concise answers. Senator Chris Coons said he was “confident” Pompeo would be a strong advocate for diplomats.</p>
<p>Pompeo will likely need Democratic support to be approved by the committee because one Republican member, Senator Rand Paul, has announced his opposition. Senate rules allow a vote in the full Senate even if the panel does not approve the nomination, but that has never happened with a secretary of state.</p>
<p>Senator Bob Corker, the panel’s Republican chairman, said he hoped it would vote on Pompeo on April 23, with a confirmation vote in the full Senate shortly afterward. At the end of the hearing, Corker said Pompeo had his “avid” support.</p>
<p>Senator Robert Menendez, the panel’s top Democrat, said he would make his final decision after reviewing Pompeo’s testimony and answers to written questions. He said he had not seen enough evidence of Pompeo’s independence.</p>
<p>“I think he is someone who will execute what the president wants even if he is in disagreement,” Menendez said.</p>
<p>As a Republican congressman, Pompeo was a strong opponent of the 2015 nuclear pact between Iran and six world powers reached under Democratic President Barack Obama, which lifted sanctions on Iran in exchange for curbs on Tehran’s nuclear program.</p>
<p>Trump has delivered an ultimatum that Britain, France and Germany must agree to “fix the terrible flaws of the Iran nuclear deal” or he will refuse to extend the sanctions relief by a May 12 deadline.</p>
<p>Pompeo said he favored a “fix” and believed Iran was not “racing” to develop a nuclear weapon before the deal was finalized, and that he did not expect it would do so if the deal were to fall apart.</p>
<p>Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said in a separate congressional hearing on Thursday that he also believed the agreement should be fixed and the administration was working with allies to address its flaws.</p> Slideshow (7 Images) TIES TO TRUMP
<p>Pompeo was pressed repeatedly on whether Trump spoke to him about the investigation looking into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.</p>
<p>Pompeo acknowledged he had been interviewed by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, whose federal probe includes looking into whether there was collusion between Moscow and Trump’s campaign. He declined to discuss details.</p>
<p>U.S. intelligence agencies concluded Russia interfered in the campaign to boost Trump. Moscow denies doing so and Trump has denied collusion by his campaign.</p>
<p>Trump developed a warm relationship with Pompeo during White House meetings over the first year of his presidency and believes Pompeo shares more of his world view than Tillerson.</p>
<p>Pompeo was questioned repeatedly over whether he would act independently and stand up to Trump. There has been rapid turnover among senior administration officials, with the president souring rapidly on those who disagreed with him.</p>
<a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=XOM.N" type="external">Exxon Mobil Corp</a> 77.22 XOM.N New York Stock Exchange -0.21 (-0.27%) XOM.N
<p>Pompeo promised he would be his own man as secretary of state, saying his relationship with Trump meant, “I was able to persuade him” when he headed the CIA.</p>
<p>Menendez said Trump’s “erratic approach” to foreign policy had confused allies and emboldened adversaries. “Will you stand up to President Trump and advise him differently when he is wrong? Or will you be a yes man?” Menendez asked.</p>
<p>Pompeo promised to rebuild the State Department, which has been gutted by the departure of senior diplomats and often found itself sidelined by the White House.</p>
<p>A reorganization and hiring freeze initiated by Tillerson left the rank and file demoralized.</p>
<p>Pompeo said he would work quickly in his new role to fill vacant positions and promised to spend money allocated by Congress for State Department programs.</p>
<p>Reporting by Patricia Zengerle and Lesley Wroughton; Editing by Frances Kerry and Peter Cooney</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
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jan 19 reuters kasikornbank pcl qtrly net profit attributable 571 billion baht versus 1024 billion baht qtrly net interest income 2402 billion baht versus 2300 billion baht year ago source text eikon company coverage standards thomson reuters trust principles london reuters british prime minister theresa may backing senior ministers take unspecified action united states france deter use chemical weapons syria suspected poison gas attack civilians britains prime minister theresa may walks 10 downing street greet portugals prime minister antonio costa london april 10 2018 reutershannah mckay warning russia wednesday imminent military action us president donald trump said thursday holding meetings syria expected make decisions fairly soon russia warned west attacking syrian ally president bashar alassad also supported iran says evidence chemical attack syrian town douma near damascus may recalled ministers easter holiday meeting downing street discuss britains response cast barbaric attack go unchallenged may told senior ministers thursday attack douma showed deeply concerning erosion international legal norms barring use chemical weapons cabinet agreed need take action alleviate humanitarian distress deter use chemical weapons assad regime spokeswoman prime minister said statement meeting britains minister cabinet office david lidington arrives downing street london britain april 12 2018 reuterssimon dawson ministers also agreed may continue work united states france come right response statement made specific reference military action rising tension douma attack demonstrates volatile nature syrian civil war started march 2011 antiassad uprising proxy conflict involving number world regional powers myriad insurgent groups attack first reported syrian rebel group jaish alislam saturday inspectors global chemical weapons watchdog organisation prohibition chemical weapons due investigate incident usa vs russia bbc said may ready give goahead britain take part action led united states without seeking prior approval parliament downing street spokesmen repeatedly declined comment report chemical weapons attack took place saturday douma syria shocking barbaric act may told reporters wednesday indications syrian regime responsible may obliged win parliaments approval nonbinding constitutional convention established since 2003 vote joining usled invasion iraq slideshow 5 images observed subsequent military deployments libya iraq many british lawmakers voters deeply skeptical deepening involvement syrian civil war opposition labour party leader jeremy corbyn said parliament consulted may approved military action imagine scenario american missile shoots russian plane viceaversa go corbyn said yougov poll published thursday showed one five british voters supported missile strike syria poll showed 43 percent voters opposed strike 34 percent know done britain launching air strikes syria military base cyprus targets linked islamic state militant group parliament voted british military action assads government 2013 embarrassment mays predecessor david cameron deterred us administration barack obama similar action war plans british leaders complicated recent years memory britains 2003 decision invade iraq asserting wrongly later turned president saddam hussein possessed weapons mass destruction less year go britain leaves european union may wants deepen special relationship united states wideranging free trade deal would help cushion impact brexit writing guy faulconbridge editing andrew roche toby chopra standards thomson reuters trust principles oklahoma city reuters oklahomas largest teachers union thursday called nearly twoweek walkout shut public schools statewide saying secured historic gains education funding school budgets devastated decade cuts protester march strike oklahoma educators demanding school funding near oklahoma state capitol oklahoma city oklahoma us april 9 2018 picture taken april 9 2018 reutersheide brandes move came republicandominated legislature passed first major tax hikes quarter century raised 450 million revenue education republican leaders said plans go high 600 million sought educators absolutely victory teachers alicia priest president oklahoma education association told news conference members saying want go back classroom said priest whose union 40000 members major districts said resume classes monday strike part wave actions teachers states lowest perstudent spending country west virginia strike ended last month pay raise teachers educators arizona protested classes wednesday without skipping work seek enhanced education funding oklahoma walkout began april 2 affected 500000 states 700000 public school students protester holds sign strike oklahoma educators demanding school funding near oklahoma state capitol oklahoma city oklahoma us april 9 2018 picture taken april 9 2018 reutersheide brandes opinion surveys showed garnered wide support among oklahoma voters many seen firsthand students struggling schools share outdated tattered textbooks sometimes go fourday school week help save districts money oklahoma teachers seeking 10000 annual wage hike three years see average annual pay raise 6100 increased funding lawmakers said may 2017 annual mean wage 41880 among lowest country compared neighboring states texas 57830 kansas 50470 according us bureau labor statistics school districts part supported teacher walkout began run wiggle room make lost time labor action threatened extend school year piling pressure teachers return low wages created exodus educators causing teacher shortage oklahoma result school districts cut curricula deploy nearly 2000 emergencycertified instructors stopgap measure reporting heide brandes oklahoma city lenzy krehbielburton tulsa writing jon herskovitz editing bill tarrant sandra maler standards thomson reuters trust principles washingtonunited nations reuters president donald trump national security aides thursday discussed us options syria threatened missile strikes response suspected poison gas attack russian envoy voiced fears wider conflict washington moscow worries confrontation russia syrias big ally west running high since trump said wednesday missiles coming response attack syrian town douma april 7 lambasted moscow standing syrian president bashar alassad trump tempered remarks thursday never said attack syria would take place could soon soon trump wrote twitter trump met national security team situation syria later day final decision made white house said statement continuing assess intelligence engaged conversations partners allies statement said related coverage factbox assads foreign backers syrias war trump spoke british prime minister theresa may thursday two agreed need deter use chemical weapons assad regime mays office said statement also due speak french president emmanuel macron said france proof syrian government carried attack near damascus aid groups said killed dozens people decide whether strike back necessary information gathered proof last week chemical weapons used least chlorine used regime bashar alassad macron said without offering details evidence two us officials familiar investigation samples douma symptoms victims said initial indications mix weaponized chlorine gas sarin used attack appeared correct us intelligence agencies completed assessment reached final conclusion officials said russia said deployed military police douma thursday town taken government forces guarantors law order town ria news agency quoted russias defense ministry saying signs global effort head direct confrontation russia west kremlin said crisis communications link united states created avoid accidental clash syria use fears war vassily nebenzia moscows ambassador united nations said exclude war united states russia urged washington allies refrain military action syria immediate priority avert danger war told reporters hope point return envoy said team experts global chemical weapons watchdog organisation prohibition chemical weapons traveling syria start investigations saturday netherlandsbased agency said clear whether trump us allies would wait results investigation deciding possible strike washington us defense secretary jim mattis told congress believed chemical attack syria added short later united states made decision launch military action dont want talk specific attack yet offing would predecisional mattis told house representatives armed services committee moscow estimated dozens aircraft hmeymim air base syria including fighters bombers well 10 15 warships support vessels mediterranean syrian government russian forces syria possess truckmounted surfacetoair missile antiaircraft artillery weapons systems file photo man walks bicycle damaged site besieged town douma eastern ghouta damascus syria march 30 2018 reutersbassam khabieh russia syria main backer iran said reports douma attack fabricated rebels rescue workers accused united states seeking use pretext attack syrian government nervous world stock markets showed signs recovery trumps signal military strikes might imminent britains may backing senior ministers take unspecified action united states france deter use chemical weapons syria may recalled ministers easter holiday meeting discuss britains response cast barbaric attack go unchallenged russian ships left tartus naval base syria interfax news agency quoted russian lawmaker saying vladimir shamanov chairs defense committee lower house said vessels departed base safety normal practice threats attack us strike would probably involve navy given risk aircraft russian syrian air defenses us guidedmissile destroyer uss donald cook mediterranean file photo us navy arleigh burkeclass guidedmissile destroyer uss donald cook sails bosphorus strait istanbul turkey august 28 2015 reutersyoruk isik syrian conflict widened rifts moscow washington european powers inflamed bitter rivalries run across middle east reporting jeff mason washngton michelle nichols united nations additional reporting angus mcdowall beirut william james guy faulconbridge david milliken london andrew osborn maria kiselyova jack stubbs moscow john irish paris graham fahy dublin john walcott phil stewart idrees ali washington writing alistair bell editing dunham peter cooney standards thomson reuters trust principles washington reuters us secretary state nominee mike pompeo promised thursday would willing break president donald trump necessary saying would take tough line russia wanted fix iran nuclear deal pompeo currently director central intelligence agency blamed tensions moscow washington russias bad behavior said would support us sanctions russia russian president vladimir putin yet received message sufficiently pompeo told senate foreign relations committee relatively smooth fivehourlong confirmation hearing said russias push ukraine countries needed curbed need push back place every vector pompeo said need make sure vladimir putin doesnt succeed believes ultimate goal critics including trumps republican party accused president taking soft line russian president trump denied strongly critical recent days moscows backing syrian president bashar alassad also talked wanting better relations putin related coverage us secretary state nominee pompeo confirms special counsel interview pompeo says wants fix iran deal work allies cant fixed trump nominated pompeo become countrys top diplomat march 13 firing rex tillerson tillerson former chief executive exxon mobil xomn rocky relationship trump year job start pompeos hearing disrupted protesters chanting pompeo war another shouted cia director diplomat democratic praise pompeo faced pointed questions democrats including continued opposition gay marriage associations antimuslim organizations also complimented democratic senator ben cardin praised pompeos concise answers senator chris coons said confident pompeo would strong advocate diplomats pompeo likely need democratic support approved committee one republican member senator rand paul announced opposition senate rules allow vote full senate even panel approve nomination never happened secretary state senator bob corker panels republican chairman said hoped would vote pompeo april 23 confirmation vote full senate shortly afterward end hearing corker said pompeo avid support senator robert menendez panels top democrat said would make final decision reviewing pompeos testimony answers written questions said seen enough evidence pompeos independence think someone execute president wants even disagreement menendez said republican congressman pompeo strong opponent 2015 nuclear pact iran six world powers reached democratic president barack obama lifted sanctions iran exchange curbs tehrans nuclear program trump delivered ultimatum britain france germany must agree fix terrible flaws iran nuclear deal refuse extend sanctions relief may 12 deadline pompeo said favored fix believed iran racing develop nuclear weapon deal finalized expect would deal fall apart defense secretary jim mattis said separate congressional hearing thursday also believed agreement fixed administration working allies address flaws slideshow 7 images ties trump pompeo pressed repeatedly whether trump spoke investigation looking alleged russian meddling 2016 us presidential election pompeo acknowledged interviewed special counsel robert mueller whose federal probe includes looking whether collusion moscow trumps campaign declined discuss details us intelligence agencies concluded russia interfered campaign boost trump moscow denies trump denied collusion campaign trump developed warm relationship pompeo white house meetings first year presidency believes pompeo shares world view tillerson pompeo questioned repeatedly whether would act independently stand trump rapid turnover among senior administration officials president souring rapidly disagreed exxon mobil corp 7722 xomn new york stock exchange 021 027 xomn pompeo promised would man secretary state saying relationship trump meant able persuade headed cia menendez said trumps erratic approach foreign policy confused allies emboldened adversaries stand president trump advise differently wrong yes man menendez asked pompeo promised rebuild state department gutted departure senior diplomats often found sidelined white house reorganization hiring freeze initiated tillerson left rank file demoralized pompeo said would work quickly new role fill vacant positions promised spend money allocated congress state department programs reporting patricia zengerle lesley wroughton editing frances kerry peter cooney standards thomson reuters trust principles
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<p>BOSTON (AP) — What should have been a fairly routine administrative exercise — setting a date for this year's primary election in Massachusetts — is turning into a major political headache for state Secretary William Galvin.</p>
<p>The primary is normally held seven weeks before the November general election, which would be Sept. 18.</p>
<p>But this year, that day also marks the start of Yom Kippur. Setting the primary for that date would clash with a state law requiring the primary to be moved when it conflicts with a religious holiday.</p>
<p>Backing up a week to Sept. 11 doesn't help, either, because that would fall on Rosh Hashanah.</p>
<p>That presented Galvin, who oversees state elections, with a potentially dicey decision. The longtime Democratic officeholder decided to crowdsource the decision by making a public appeal for suggestions from voters, candidates or anyone else with an interest.</p>
<p>This week, Galvin announced a decision: He set the date for Tuesday, Sept. 4, the day after Labor Day. That immediately drew the ire of voting advocacy groups like the Massachusetts League of Women Voters and Galvin's Democratic primary challenger Josh Zakim, a Boston city councilor.</p>
<p>Galvin offered an olive branch of sorts, proposing legislation that would allow five days of early voting prior to the primary. Galvin said after consulting with Senate President Harriette Chandler and Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo, both fellow Democrats, he will seek funding for local election officials to conduct early primary voting.</p>
<p>"Given the interest we are already seeing in the primaries and the successful implementation of early voting in the 2016 state election, I believe offering early voting for the state primaries would provide a greater opportunity for voter participation," Galvin said in a written statement announcing the decision.</p>
<p>The first to jump on Galvin's Sept. 4 date was Zakim.</p>
<p>"It is outrageous and unprecedented to schedule a statewide primary for the day after Labor Day, when people are just returning from their summer vacations and haven't had time to focus on the upcoming election," he said. "Scheduling an early voting period during the last week of August is equally ridiculous."</p>
<p>Zakim said there were "any number of dates" that Galvin could have picked instead of a date that Zakim said would end up depressing the vote.</p>
<p>Zakim said he recommended weekend voting, saying it would make it easier for working people and young people to get to the polls despite busy work and school schedules.</p>
<p>The League of Women Voters was only slightly less critical.</p>
<p>The league said it was pleased Galvin had embraced their idea of extending early voting to the state primary after it proved enormously popular during the 2016 general election.</p>
<p>But the league also said the Tuesday after Labor Day was a poor choice — in part because the early voting period would fall during the waning days of August, when few people are in campaign mode.</p>
<p>"Voting on the day after Labor Day will prove challenging for voters in the commonwealth, especially for families preparing children for the start of school, and for candidates who are eager to get their message out to voters," the group said.</p>
<p>The group urged Galvin to roll out what they called "a robust public relations campaign" to make voters aware of the date of the primary and of options for early and absentee voting.</p>
<p>Other states facing the same dilemma have found dates other than the Tuesday after Labor Day to schedule their primaries.</p>
<p>In Rhode Island, officials decided to move the primary elections to Wednesday, Sept. 12, to avoid conflicting with Rosh Hashanah. The state's primary is generally set for the first Tuesday after the first Monday in September, which is Sept. 11 this year.</p>
<p>Delaware decided to move the 2018 primary election date from Sept. 11 to Sept. 6, a Thursday.</p>
<p>In New York, a state lawmaker last year announced legislation to change the scheduled Sept. 11 primary to Sept. 13 to avoid conflicts with Rosh Hashanah and the ceremonies remembering the Sept. 11 attacks.</p>
<p>New Hampshire has also scheduled its primary for Sept. 11.</p>
<p>BOSTON (AP) — What should have been a fairly routine administrative exercise — setting a date for this year's primary election in Massachusetts — is turning into a major political headache for state Secretary William Galvin.</p>
<p>The primary is normally held seven weeks before the November general election, which would be Sept. 18.</p>
<p>But this year, that day also marks the start of Yom Kippur. Setting the primary for that date would clash with a state law requiring the primary to be moved when it conflicts with a religious holiday.</p>
<p>Backing up a week to Sept. 11 doesn't help, either, because that would fall on Rosh Hashanah.</p>
<p>That presented Galvin, who oversees state elections, with a potentially dicey decision. The longtime Democratic officeholder decided to crowdsource the decision by making a public appeal for suggestions from voters, candidates or anyone else with an interest.</p>
<p>This week, Galvin announced a decision: He set the date for Tuesday, Sept. 4, the day after Labor Day. That immediately drew the ire of voting advocacy groups like the Massachusetts League of Women Voters and Galvin's Democratic primary challenger Josh Zakim, a Boston city councilor.</p>
<p>Galvin offered an olive branch of sorts, proposing legislation that would allow five days of early voting prior to the primary. Galvin said after consulting with Senate President Harriette Chandler and Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo, both fellow Democrats, he will seek funding for local election officials to conduct early primary voting.</p>
<p>"Given the interest we are already seeing in the primaries and the successful implementation of early voting in the 2016 state election, I believe offering early voting for the state primaries would provide a greater opportunity for voter participation," Galvin said in a written statement announcing the decision.</p>
<p>The first to jump on Galvin's Sept. 4 date was Zakim.</p>
<p>"It is outrageous and unprecedented to schedule a statewide primary for the day after Labor Day, when people are just returning from their summer vacations and haven't had time to focus on the upcoming election," he said. "Scheduling an early voting period during the last week of August is equally ridiculous."</p>
<p>Zakim said there were "any number of dates" that Galvin could have picked instead of a date that Zakim said would end up depressing the vote.</p>
<p>Zakim said he recommended weekend voting, saying it would make it easier for working people and young people to get to the polls despite busy work and school schedules.</p>
<p>The League of Women Voters was only slightly less critical.</p>
<p>The league said it was pleased Galvin had embraced their idea of extending early voting to the state primary after it proved enormously popular during the 2016 general election.</p>
<p>But the league also said the Tuesday after Labor Day was a poor choice — in part because the early voting period would fall during the waning days of August, when few people are in campaign mode.</p>
<p>"Voting on the day after Labor Day will prove challenging for voters in the commonwealth, especially for families preparing children for the start of school, and for candidates who are eager to get their message out to voters," the group said.</p>
<p>The group urged Galvin to roll out what they called "a robust public relations campaign" to make voters aware of the date of the primary and of options for early and absentee voting.</p>
<p>Other states facing the same dilemma have found dates other than the Tuesday after Labor Day to schedule their primaries.</p>
<p>In Rhode Island, officials decided to move the primary elections to Wednesday, Sept. 12, to avoid conflicting with Rosh Hashanah. The state's primary is generally set for the first Tuesday after the first Monday in September, which is Sept. 11 this year.</p>
<p>Delaware decided to move the 2018 primary election date from Sept. 11 to Sept. 6, a Thursday.</p>
<p>In New York, a state lawmaker last year announced legislation to change the scheduled Sept. 11 primary to Sept. 13 to avoid conflicts with Rosh Hashanah and the ceremonies remembering the Sept. 11 attacks.</p>
<p>New Hampshire has also scheduled its primary for Sept. 11.</p>
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boston ap fairly routine administrative exercise setting date years primary election massachusetts turning major political headache state secretary william galvin primary normally held seven weeks november general election would sept 18 year day also marks start yom kippur setting primary date would clash state law requiring primary moved conflicts religious holiday backing week sept 11 doesnt help either would fall rosh hashanah presented galvin oversees state elections potentially dicey decision longtime democratic officeholder decided crowdsource decision making public appeal suggestions voters candidates anyone else interest week galvin announced decision set date tuesday sept 4 day labor day immediately drew ire voting advocacy groups like massachusetts league women voters galvins democratic primary challenger josh zakim boston city councilor galvin offered olive branch sorts proposing legislation would allow five days early voting prior primary galvin said consulting senate president harriette chandler speaker house robert deleo fellow democrats seek funding local election officials conduct early primary voting given interest already seeing primaries successful implementation early voting 2016 state election believe offering early voting state primaries would provide greater opportunity voter participation galvin said written statement announcing decision first jump galvins sept 4 date zakim outrageous unprecedented schedule statewide primary day labor day people returning summer vacations havent time focus upcoming election said scheduling early voting period last week august equally ridiculous zakim said number dates galvin could picked instead date zakim said would end depressing vote zakim said recommended weekend voting saying would make easier working people young people get polls despite busy work school schedules league women voters slightly less critical league said pleased galvin embraced idea extending early voting state primary proved enormously popular 2016 general election league also said tuesday labor day poor choice part early voting period would fall waning days august people campaign mode voting day labor day prove challenging voters commonwealth especially families preparing children start school candidates eager get message voters group said group urged galvin roll called robust public relations campaign make voters aware date primary options early absentee voting states facing dilemma found dates tuesday labor day schedule primaries rhode island officials decided move primary elections wednesday sept 12 avoid conflicting rosh hashanah states primary generally set first tuesday first monday september sept 11 year delaware decided move 2018 primary election date sept 11 sept 6 thursday new york state lawmaker last year announced legislation change scheduled sept 11 primary sept 13 avoid conflicts rosh hashanah ceremonies remembering sept 11 attacks new hampshire also scheduled primary sept 11 boston ap fairly routine administrative exercise setting date years primary election massachusetts turning major political headache state secretary william galvin primary normally held seven weeks november general election would sept 18 year day also marks start yom kippur setting primary date would clash state law requiring primary moved conflicts religious holiday backing week sept 11 doesnt help either would fall rosh hashanah presented galvin oversees state elections potentially dicey decision longtime democratic officeholder decided crowdsource decision making public appeal suggestions voters candidates anyone else interest week galvin announced decision set date tuesday sept 4 day labor day immediately drew ire voting advocacy groups like massachusetts league women voters galvins democratic primary challenger josh zakim boston city councilor galvin offered olive branch sorts proposing legislation would allow five days early voting prior primary galvin said consulting senate president harriette chandler speaker house robert deleo fellow democrats seek funding local election officials conduct early primary voting given interest already seeing primaries successful implementation early voting 2016 state election believe offering early voting state primaries would provide greater opportunity voter participation galvin said written statement announcing decision first jump galvins sept 4 date zakim outrageous unprecedented schedule statewide primary day labor day people returning summer vacations havent time focus upcoming election said scheduling early voting period last week august equally ridiculous zakim said number dates galvin could picked instead date zakim said would end depressing vote zakim said recommended weekend voting saying would make easier working people young people get polls despite busy work school schedules league women voters slightly less critical league said pleased galvin embraced idea extending early voting state primary proved enormously popular 2016 general election league also said tuesday labor day poor choice part early voting period would fall waning days august people campaign mode voting day labor day prove challenging voters commonwealth especially families preparing children start school candidates eager get message voters group said group urged galvin roll called robust public relations campaign make voters aware date primary options early absentee voting states facing dilemma found dates tuesday labor day schedule primaries rhode island officials decided move primary elections wednesday sept 12 avoid conflicting rosh hashanah states primary generally set first tuesday first monday september sept 11 year delaware decided move 2018 primary election date sept 11 sept 6 thursday new york state lawmaker last year announced legislation change scheduled sept 11 primary sept 13 avoid conflicts rosh hashanah ceremonies remembering sept 11 attacks new hampshire also scheduled primary sept 11
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<p>Even before the House voted, Senate Democrats pledged to reject the measure and the White House issued a statement vowing a veto in any event. Republicans are pursuing “a narrow ideological agenda … and pushing the government towards shutdown,” it said.</p>
<p>The Senate is not scheduled to meet until mid-afternoon on Monday, 10 hours before a shutdown would begin, and even some Republicans said privately they feared that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., held the advantage in the fast-approaching end game. If so, a House GOP rank and file that includes numerous tea party allies would soon have to choose between triggering the first partial shutdown in nearly two decades — or coming away empty-handed from their latest confrontation with Obama.</p>
<p>Undeterred, House Republicans pressed ahead with their latest attempt to squeeze a concession from the White House in exchange for letting the government open for business normally on Tuesday. “Obamacare is based on a limitless government, bureaucratic arrogance and a disregard of a will of the people,” said Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind.</p>
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<p>Another Republican, Rep. Darrell Issa of California, reacted angrily when asked whether he would eventually support a standalone spending bill if needed to prevent a shutdown. “How dare you presume a failure? How dare you? How dare you?” he said.</p>
<p>Apart from its impact on the health care law, the legislation that House Republicans decided to back would assure routine funding for government agencies through Dec. 15. Under House rules, the measure went to the Senate after lawmakers voted 248-174 to repeal the medical tax, then 231-192 for the one-year delay in Obamacare.</p>
<p>A companion measure to assure U.S. troops are paid in the event of a shutdown passed unanimously.</p>
<p>The government spending measure marked something of a reduction in demands by House Republicans, who passed legislation several days ago that would permanently strip the health care law of money while providing funding for the government.</p>
<p>It also contained significant concessions from a party that long has criticized the health care law for imposing numerous government mandates on industry, in some cases far exceeding what Republicans have been willing to support in the past. Acknowledging as much, Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., said that as a conservative he had often found during Obama’s presidency that his choice was “between something bad or (something) horrible.”</p>
<p>GOP aides said that under the legislation headed toward a vote, most portions of the health law that already have gone into effect would remain unchanged. That includes requirements for insurance companies to guarantee coverage for pre-existing conditions and to require children to be covered on their parents’ plans until age 26. It would not change a part of the law that reduces costs for seniors with high prescription drug expenses.</p>
<p>One exception would give insurers or others the right not to provide abortion coverage, based on religious or moral objections.</p>
<p>The measure would delay implementation of a requirement for all individuals to purchase coverage or face a penalty, and of a separate feature of the law that will create marketplaces where individuals can shop for coverage from private insurers.</p>
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<p>By repealing the medical device tax, the GOP measure also would raise deficits — an irony for a party that won the House majority in 2010 by pledging to get the nation’s finances under control.</p>
<p>The Senate rejected the most recent House-passed anti-shutdown bill on a party-line vote of 54-44 Friday, insisting on a straightforward continuation in government funding without health care-related add-ons.</p>
<p>That left the next step up to the House — with time to avert a partial shutdown growing ever shorter.</p>
<p>For a moment at least, the revised House proposal papered over a simmering dispute between Speaker John Boehner and the rest of the leadership, and tea party conservatives who have been more militant about abolishing the health law that all Republican lawmakers oppose.</p>
<p>It was unclear whether members of the rank and file had consulted with Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who has become the face of the “Defund Obamacare” campaign that tea party organizations are promoting and using as a fundraising tool.</p>
<p>In debate on the House floor, Republicans adamantly rejected charges that they seek a government shutdown, and said their goal is to spare the nation from the effects of a law they said would cost jobs and reduce the quality of care. The law is an “attack and an assault on the free enterprise and the free economy,” said Rep. Pete Sessions of Texas.</p>
<p>Democrats disagreed vociferously. “House Republicans are shutting down the government. They’re doing it intentionally. They’re doing it on purpose,” said Rep. Donna Edwards of Maryland, as Republican lawmakers booed from their seats on the floor.</p>
<p>In the Senate, there was little doubt that Reid had the votes to block a one-year delay in the health care program widely known as “Obamacare.” The device tax seemed trickier, since 33 Democrats joined all Senate Republicans in supporting repeal on a nonbinding vote earlier in the year. But aides said both House-passed proposals would be rejected in a single vote.</p>
<p>The 2.3 percent tax, which took effect in January, is imposed on items such as pacemakers and CT scan machines; eyeglasses, contact lenses, hearing aids and other items are exempt. Repealing it would cost the government an estimated $29 billion over the coming decade.</p>
<p>If lawmakers miss the approaching deadline, a wide range of federal programs would be affected, from the national parks to the Pentagon.</p>
<p>Some critical services such patrolling the borders, inspecting meat and controlling air traffic would continue. Social Security benefits would be sent and the Medicare and Medicaid health care programs for the elderly and poor would continue to pay doctors and hospitals.</p>
<p>The new health insurance exchanges would open Tuesday, a development that’s lent urgency to the drive to use a normally routine stopgap spending bill to gut implementation of the law.</p>
<p>On the vote to repeal the medical device tax, 17 Democrats sided with Republicans. Two Democrats supported the delay in the health care law, and two Republicans opposed it.</p>
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even house voted senate democrats pledged reject measure white house issued statement vowing veto event republicans pursuing narrow ideological agenda pushing government towards shutdown said senate scheduled meet midafternoon monday 10 hours shutdown would begin even republicans said privately feared senate majority leader harry reid dnev held advantage fastapproaching end game house gop rank file includes numerous tea party allies would soon choose triggering first partial shutdown nearly two decades coming away emptyhanded latest confrontation obama undeterred house republicans pressed ahead latest attempt squeeze concession white house exchange letting government open business normally tuesday obamacare based limitless government bureaucratic arrogance disregard people said rep marlin stutzman rind advertisement another republican rep darrell issa california reacted angrily asked whether would eventually support standalone spending bill needed prevent shutdown dare presume failure dare dare said apart impact health care law legislation house republicans decided back would assure routine funding government agencies dec 15 house rules measure went senate lawmakers voted 248174 repeal medical tax 231192 oneyear delay obamacare companion measure assure us troops paid event shutdown passed unanimously government spending measure marked something reduction demands house republicans passed legislation several days ago would permanently strip health care law money providing funding government also contained significant concessions party long criticized health care law imposing numerous government mandates industry cases far exceeding republicans willing support past acknowledging much rep trent franks rariz said conservative often found obamas presidency choice something bad something horrible gop aides said legislation headed toward vote portions health law already gone effect would remain unchanged includes requirements insurance companies guarantee coverage preexisting conditions require children covered parents plans age 26 would change part law reduces costs seniors high prescription drug expenses one exception would give insurers others right provide abortion coverage based religious moral objections measure would delay implementation requirement individuals purchase coverage face penalty separate feature law create marketplaces individuals shop coverage private insurers advertisement repealing medical device tax gop measure also would raise deficits irony party house majority 2010 pledging get nations finances control senate rejected recent housepassed antishutdown bill partyline vote 5444 friday insisting straightforward continuation government funding without health carerelated addons left next step house time avert partial shutdown growing ever shorter moment least revised house proposal papered simmering dispute speaker john boehner rest leadership tea party conservatives militant abolishing health law republican lawmakers oppose unclear whether members rank file consulted texas sen ted cruz become face defund obamacare campaign tea party organizations promoting using fundraising tool debate house floor republicans adamantly rejected charges seek government shutdown said goal spare nation effects law said would cost jobs reduce quality care law attack assault free enterprise free economy said rep pete sessions texas democrats disagreed vociferously house republicans shutting government theyre intentionally theyre purpose said rep donna edwards maryland republican lawmakers booed seats floor senate little doubt reid votes block oneyear delay health care program widely known obamacare device tax seemed trickier since 33 democrats joined senate republicans supporting repeal nonbinding vote earlier year aides said housepassed proposals would rejected single vote 23 percent tax took effect january imposed items pacemakers ct scan machines eyeglasses contact lenses hearing aids items exempt repealing would cost government estimated 29 billion coming decade lawmakers miss approaching deadline wide range federal programs would affected national parks pentagon critical services patrolling borders inspecting meat controlling air traffic would continue social security benefits would sent medicare medicaid health care programs elderly poor would continue pay doctors hospitals new health insurance exchanges would open tuesday development thats lent urgency drive use normally routine stopgap spending bill gut implementation law vote repeal medical device tax 17 democrats sided republicans two democrats supported delay health care law two republicans opposed
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<p>Seven lieutenants, three captains and two deputy chiefs received pay increases of around 7 percent in March. The average salary bump for the group was $6,798.</p>
<p>Police department and union leaders say the raises were needed to address the department’s issues involving compaction, which happens when subordinate workers earn near or more than their superiors.</p>
<p>“This raise brought them up to a level where in most cases the supervisors are getting a little more money than the individuals they are supervising,” Police Chief Ray Rael said.</p>
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<p>Meanwhile, over the past three years, rank-and-file police officers have gotten one 3 percent raise, with non-commissioned officers, such as public safety aides and animal control workers, receiving a slightly higher increase. City employees who don’t work in the public safety sector have made do with less, with one across-the-board 2 percent pay increase during the same time frame.</p>
<p>The police union took part in the discussion to raise pay for management, ultimately giving its stamp of approval.</p>
<p>However, it appears the raises weren’t discussed publicly.</p>
<p>Former City Manager Robert Romero, who retired in May, administratively authorized the plan. The Journal learned about the raises after looking at employee pay information provided by the city in response to a public records request.</p>
<p>Rael said the raises were given in accordance with city guidelines. He noted that the increases didn’t require additional funding for the police department. The money was taken from several small areas in the existing budget where police officials didn’t spend as much money as expected, he said.</p>
<p>Pay discrepancy</p>
<p>City records show the March raises increased the annual pay of Deputy Chiefs Bill Johnson and John Schaerfl from $91,780 to $98,987.</p>
<p>Salaries for the department’s three captains increased an average of $5,846 a year, to $88,379.</p>
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<p>Lieutenant pay jumped an average of $7,089 to bring the position’s annual salary to $80,350. Pre-raise salaries varied more among lieutenants than other managers, ranging from $70,520 to $75,689.</p>
<p>Rael did not receive a raise in March, according to city records. He pulls in a salary of about $104,000 annually.</p>
<p>The pension of at least one recent police department retiree benefited from the March raises. The $2.71 hourly pay bump given to Capt. Aric Wheeler, who retired in August, resulted in a 0.8 percent increase in Wheeler’s annual pension benefit, according to police department officials. Pensions are based on the three consecutive top-paying years of a worker’s career.</p>
<p>Wheeler was police chief for nearly two years before stepping down in 2011.</p>
<p>Lt. Abram Anaya, who served as Wheeler’s deputy chief, and Lt. Alan Mascarenas have also recently retired, although it wasn’t immediately clear how the pay raise impacted their pensions.</p>
<p>Officers who take on management positions have a tremendous amount of work, responsibility and accountability, Rael said.</p>
<p>He said there were several years that passed where union members received raises that non-union managers did not. Police higher-ups – who don’t belong to the police union – also don’t earn overtime or holiday pay.</p>
<p>It resulted in instances where sergeants were making more money than the lieutenants and captains who supervised them, Rael said.</p>
<p>“When it came to testing (for promotion to lieutenant) we were finding we didn’t have individuals who were interested in promotions because they would lose money,” Rael said.</p>
<p>Just prior to the March raises, only one sergeant took the test to be a lieutenant. After the raises, eight officers tried out, according to Rael. “That’s a marked increase,” he said.</p>
<p>The officers recently promoted to the position of lieutenant have perhaps been the biggest monetary beneficiaries of the March raises. Three sergeants promoted to lieutenant over the past several months received, for instance, pay bumps ranging from $16,808 to $17,438.</p>
<p>The police department currently consists of nearly 150 employees. Most lower-ranking police officers are paid hourly rates in the teens or twenties. Six sergeants have salaries that pay them $32-35 an hour.</p>
<p>However, documents provided by the police department show that last year nine police officers took home more money than the highest-paid lieutenant when hourly pay is combined with overtime. Sgt. Mark Barnett earned a total income of nearly $100,000. The other eight officers were within a few thousand dollars of the highest-paid lieutenants.</p>
<p>The take-home earnings of an additional 10 non-management police officers were also within range of the department’s lieutenants.</p>
<p>Union agreement</p>
<p>Overtime expenses have been an issue for the police department. A Journal investigation in 2009 found that over one 12-month period, officers’ overtime amounted to $1.13 million, with just 10 officers collectively earning nearly a quarter of that amount. In 2010, one sergeant alone made $53,000 in overtime.</p>
<p>The Police Department has brought the overtime total down since then, partly by moving to a controversial workweek shift that requires officers to work five eight-hour days instead of four 10-hour work days. The police union has fought the change.</p>
<p>Police union president Adam Gallegos agreed that the department had a problem with officers not seeking a promotion to lieutenant because they would make less money.</p>
<p>“We’re doing this for the betterment of the police department, so we get more people applying for those lieutenant positions,” Gallegos said. “Our main things were to make sure people in those positions were qualified to do those jobs and secondly to ensure there was a career ladder for members of the association.”</p>
<p>Gallegos said the union also agreed to the raises as part of negotiations to keep in place the current system of requiring officers to take a test to move to lieutenant instead of a proposal to have the police chief hand-pick lieutenants.</p>
<p>Rael said he isn’t ignoring the pay situation of lower-ranking police officers. The department is working on a recruitment and retention plan to make the SFPD competitive with higher-paid police departments around the state, he said.</p>
<p>Santa Fe city employees have traditionally received healthy annual pay increases. However, that practice stopped a few years ago as the national and local economic climate worsened.</p>
<p>City workers as a class didn’t receive raises in the 2010-2011 or 2011-2012 fiscal years. In 2012-2013, non-public safety workers saw 2 percent pay increases, while police and fire got raises of 2 to 4.5 percent. No across-the-board raises are scheduled for the 2013-2014 fiscal year, according to city officials.</p>
<p>It should be noted that over the past few years some individual city workers have received raises, at times very generous, for promotions and other reasons.</p>
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seven lieutenants three captains two deputy chiefs received pay increases around 7 percent march average salary bump group 6798 police department union leaders say raises needed address departments issues involving compaction happens subordinate workers earn near superiors raise brought level cases supervisors getting little money individuals supervising police chief ray rael said advertisement meanwhile past three years rankandfile police officers gotten one 3 percent raise noncommissioned officers public safety aides animal control workers receiving slightly higher increase city employees dont work public safety sector made less one acrosstheboard 2 percent pay increase time frame police union took part discussion raise pay management ultimately giving stamp approval however appears raises werent discussed publicly former city manager robert romero retired may administratively authorized plan journal learned raises looking employee pay information provided city response public records request rael said raises given accordance city guidelines noted increases didnt require additional funding police department money taken several small areas existing budget police officials didnt spend much money expected said pay discrepancy city records show march raises increased annual pay deputy chiefs bill johnson john schaerfl 91780 98987 salaries departments three captains increased average 5846 year 88379 advertisement lieutenant pay jumped average 7089 bring positions annual salary 80350 preraise salaries varied among lieutenants managers ranging 70520 75689 rael receive raise march according city records pulls salary 104000 annually pension least one recent police department retiree benefited march raises 271 hourly pay bump given capt aric wheeler retired august resulted 08 percent increase wheelers annual pension benefit according police department officials pensions based three consecutive toppaying years workers career wheeler police chief nearly two years stepping 2011 lt abram anaya served wheelers deputy chief lt alan mascarenas also recently retired although wasnt immediately clear pay raise impacted pensions officers take management positions tremendous amount work responsibility accountability rael said said several years passed union members received raises nonunion managers police higherups dont belong police union also dont earn overtime holiday pay resulted instances sergeants making money lieutenants captains supervised rael said came testing promotion lieutenant finding didnt individuals interested promotions would lose money rael said prior march raises one sergeant took test lieutenant raises eight officers tried according rael thats marked increase said officers recently promoted position lieutenant perhaps biggest monetary beneficiaries march raises three sergeants promoted lieutenant past several months received instance pay bumps ranging 16808 17438 police department currently consists nearly 150 employees lowerranking police officers paid hourly rates teens twenties six sergeants salaries pay 3235 hour however documents provided police department show last year nine police officers took home money highestpaid lieutenant hourly pay combined overtime sgt mark barnett earned total income nearly 100000 eight officers within thousand dollars highestpaid lieutenants takehome earnings additional 10 nonmanagement police officers also within range departments lieutenants union agreement overtime expenses issue police department journal investigation 2009 found one 12month period officers overtime amounted 113 million 10 officers collectively earning nearly quarter amount 2010 one sergeant alone made 53000 overtime police department brought overtime total since partly moving controversial workweek shift requires officers work five eighthour days instead four 10hour work days police union fought change police union president adam gallegos agreed department problem officers seeking promotion lieutenant would make less money betterment police department get people applying lieutenant positions gallegos said main things make sure people positions qualified jobs secondly ensure career ladder members association gallegos said union also agreed raises part negotiations keep place current system requiring officers take test move lieutenant instead proposal police chief handpick lieutenants rael said isnt ignoring pay situation lowerranking police officers department working recruitment retention plan make sfpd competitive higherpaid police departments around state said santa fe city employees traditionally received healthy annual pay increases however practice stopped years ago national local economic climate worsened city workers class didnt receive raises 20102011 20112012 fiscal years 20122013 nonpublic safety workers saw 2 percent pay increases police fire got raises 2 45 percent acrosstheboard raises scheduled 20132014 fiscal year according city officials noted past years individual city workers received raises times generous promotions reasons
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<p>WASHINGTON — Congress sped toward reopening the government Monday, as Senate Democrats dropped their objections to a temporary funding bill in return for assurances from Republicans leaders that they will soon take up immigration and other contentious issues.</p>
<p>Senate Republican leader McConnell’s commitment to quickly tackle the issue of immigrant “Dreamers” was contingent on Democrats providing enough votes now for a stopgap spending measure lasting a little less than three weeks. The measure needed 60 votes, and Democrats provided 33 of the 81 it got. Eighteen senators, including members of both parties, were opposed.</p>
<p>Before the government can reopen the Senate must vote on final passage, the House must approve in turn, and President Donald Trump must sign the measure.</p>
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<p>Democrats climbed onboard after two days of negotiations that ended with new reassurances from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell that the Senate would consider immigration proposals in the coming weeks.</p>
<p>Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer lent his backing to the agreement during a speech on the chamber’s floor. “Now there is a real pathway to get a bill on the floor and through the Senate,” he said of legislation to halt any deportation efforts aimed at “Dreamers,” who were brought to the country as children and are now here illegally.</p>
<p>The White House downplayed McConnell’s commitment, and said Democrats caved under pressure. “They blinked,” principal deputy press secretary Raj Shah told CNN.</p>
<p>Earlier Monday, McConnell raised hopes for a quick end to the shutdown, saying “I hope and intend” to reach agreement soon on immigration and other contentious issues — if the Democrats agreed to the stopgap spending measure lasting a little less than three weeks.</p>
<p>A block of liberal Democrats — some of them 2020 presidential hopefuls — stuck to their opposition. Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Dianne Feinstein of California, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Cory Booker of New Jersey voted no, as did Independent Bernie Sanders of Vermont.</p>
<p>Feinstein said she wasn’t persuaded by McConnell’s assurances and did not know how a proposal to protect the more than 700,000 younger immigrants would fare in the House.</p>
<p>House Speaker Paul Ryan told “Fox and Friends” Monday that if the Senate approved a temporary spending bill to reopen the government through Feb. 8, the House would approve it, too.</p>
<p>The Senate vote came as most government offices cut back drastically or even closed on Monday, as the major effects of the shutdown were first being felt with the beginning of the workweek.</p>
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<p>McConnell said he hoped to reach bipartisan solutions on immigration, border security, disaster aid, military funding and more by Feb. 8. If not, he said “it would be my intention to take up legislation” addressing those issues.</p>
<p>The Senate over the weekend inched closer but ultimately fell short of a deal that could have reopened the government before the beginning of the workweek. McConnell and Schumer said negotiations lasted late into the night.</p>
<p>On Sunday night, Democrats appeared to be holding out for a firmer commitment from McConnell. “We have yet to reach an agreement on a path forward,” Schumer said then.</p>
<p>There were hours of behind-the-scenes talks over the weekend between the leaders and rank-and-file lawmakers over how to end the display of legislative dysfunction, which began at midnight Friday after Democrats blocked a temporary spending measure. Democrats have sought to use the spending bill to win concessions, including protections for roughly 700,000 younger immigrants.</p>
<p>Republicans have appeared increasingly confident that Democrats are bearing the brunt of criticism for the shutdown and that they will ultimately buckle. The White House and GOP leaders said they would not negotiate with Democrats on immigration until the government is reopened.</p>
<p>President Trump on Monday accused Democrats of prioritizing services and security for noncitizens over U.S. citizens. “Not good,” his first tweet said. In a second tweet, he said, “Democrats have shut down our government in the interests of their far left base. They don’t want to do it but are powerless!”</p>
<p>Trump’s first tweet appeared to undercut comments by his legislative affairs director, Marc Short, who told CNN that the immigrants in question are law-abiding and “productive to our society.” Short says the administration wants to “find a pathway for them” to stay in the U.S.</p>
<p>It appeared that Democratic resolve was beginning to waver, with growing worries that a prolonged shutdown could prove to be an electoral headache for the party just as it has grown more confident about prospects in November midterm elections.</p>
<p>Although they initially dug in on a demand for an immigration deal, Democrats had shifted to blaming the shutdown on the incompetence of Republicans and Trump, seeming sensitive to being seen by voters as willing to tie up government operations to protect immigrants.</p>
<p>Trump, who regularly disrupted negotiations in recent weeks, had been a relatively subdued player in the weekend debate. He has not appeared in public since Friday afternoon. The White House said he was in regular contact with Republican leaders, but he has not reached out to any Democrats, a White House official said.</p>
<p>Democrats are facing intense pressure from their base to solve the issue over the young immigrants, commonly referred to as “Dreamers,” and they are skeptical of Republicans’ credibility when offering to take up the issue. Whether Trump would back the emerging plan or any later proposal on immigration is an open question.</p>
<p>While lawmakers feuded, signs of the shutdown were evident at national parks and in some federal agencies. Social Security and most other safety-net programs were unaffected by the lapse in federal spending authority. Critical government functions continued, with uniformed service members, health inspectors and law enforcement officers set to work without pay.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick, Kevin Freking, Catherine Lucey contributed to this report.</p>
| false | 2 |
washington congress sped toward reopening government monday senate democrats dropped objections temporary funding bill return assurances republicans leaders soon take immigration contentious issues senate republican leader mcconnells commitment quickly tackle issue immigrant dreamers contingent democrats providing enough votes stopgap spending measure lasting little less three weeks measure needed 60 votes democrats provided 33 81 got eighteen senators including members parties opposed government reopen senate must vote final passage house must approve turn president donald trump must sign measure advertisement democrats climbed onboard two days negotiations ended new reassurances senate majority leader mitch mcconnell senate would consider immigration proposals coming weeks senate democratic leader chuck schumer lent backing agreement speech chambers floor real pathway get bill floor senate said legislation halt deportation efforts aimed dreamers brought country children illegally white house downplayed mcconnells commitment said democrats caved pressure blinked principal deputy press secretary raj shah told cnn earlier monday mcconnell raised hopes quick end shutdown saying hope intend reach agreement soon immigration contentious issues democrats agreed stopgap spending measure lasting little less three weeks block liberal democrats 2020 presidential hopefuls stuck opposition sens elizabeth warren massachusetts dianne feinstein california kirsten gillibrand new york cory booker new jersey voted independent bernie sanders vermont feinstein said wasnt persuaded mcconnells assurances know proposal protect 700000 younger immigrants would fare house house speaker paul ryan told fox friends monday senate approved temporary spending bill reopen government feb 8 house would approve senate vote came government offices cut back drastically even closed monday major effects shutdown first felt beginning workweek advertisement mcconnell said hoped reach bipartisan solutions immigration border security disaster aid military funding feb 8 said would intention take legislation addressing issues senate weekend inched closer ultimately fell short deal could reopened government beginning workweek mcconnell schumer said negotiations lasted late night sunday night democrats appeared holding firmer commitment mcconnell yet reach agreement path forward schumer said hours behindthescenes talks weekend leaders rankandfile lawmakers end display legislative dysfunction began midnight friday democrats blocked temporary spending measure democrats sought use spending bill win concessions including protections roughly 700000 younger immigrants republicans appeared increasingly confident democrats bearing brunt criticism shutdown ultimately buckle white house gop leaders said would negotiate democrats immigration government reopened president trump monday accused democrats prioritizing services security noncitizens us citizens good first tweet said second tweet said democrats shut government interests far left base dont want powerless trumps first tweet appeared undercut comments legislative affairs director marc short told cnn immigrants question lawabiding productive society short says administration wants find pathway stay us appeared democratic resolve beginning waver growing worries prolonged shutdown could prove electoral headache party grown confident prospects november midterm elections although initially dug demand immigration deal democrats shifted blaming shutdown incompetence republicans trump seeming sensitive seen voters willing tie government operations protect immigrants trump regularly disrupted negotiations recent weeks relatively subdued player weekend debate appeared public since friday afternoon white house said regular contact republican leaders reached democrats white house official said democrats facing intense pressure base solve issue young immigrants commonly referred dreamers skeptical republicans credibility offering take issue whether trump would back emerging plan later proposal immigration open question lawmakers feuded signs shutdown evident national parks federal agencies social security safetynet programs unaffected lapse federal spending authority critical government functions continued uniformed service members health inspectors law enforcement officers set work without pay ___ associated press writers mary clare jalonick kevin freking catherine lucey contributed report
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<p>BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon is campaigning to get at least five times more women elected to parliament this spring in its first vote in nearly 10 years, the country’s first women’s affairs minister says.</p>
<p>It is a daunting task for a Middle Eastern country that may otherwise look like one of the most liberal in the region.</p>
<p>Despite a relatively free press, diverse religious groups and women in prominent positions in the business world and the media, Lebanon ranks surprisingly low when it comes to female representation in politics, and politicians have failed to act on a movement to institute a quota for women in parliament.</p>
<p>“Keeping women from public life is not only a loss for women. It is a loss for the parliament,” Minister of State for Women’s Affairs Jean Oghassabian told The Associated Press. “The main obstacles are mentality, a philosophy of life, and this needs time,” he said.</p>
<p>There are only four women in the outgoing parliament elected in 2009, a flimsy 3 percent of its 128 lawmakers. It was a drop from 2005, when six women were elected. Since 2004, there have been one or at most two posts for women in government.</p>
<p>Compared to other countries in the region, Lebanon ranks as one of the lowest in terms of female representation in parliament, with only Oman, Kuwait and Yemen having fewer. Oman and Kuwait have one and two women representatives respectively. War-torn Yemen has none and is currently without a functioning parliament.</p>
<p>Even in ultraconservative Saudi Arabia, the monarch appointed 30 women to the consultative Shura Council, giving them nearly 20 percent of the seats.</p>
<p>“In politics, there seems to be some kind of invisible barrier for women to really break through,” Christina Lassen, European Union Ambassador to Lebanon, told The Associated Press at a conference held last week to promote women’s representation.</p>
<p>Three months before the vote, the Women’s Affairs Ministry in collaboration with the United Nations and the EU launched a campaign to boost women’s numbers in the elections, with the slogan: “Half the society, half the parliament.”</p>
<p>Billboards went up in several Beirut districts. Programs on local TV stations about women in politics are airing weekly and local groups say they are training women candidates on public speaking.</p>
<p>Oghassabian said last year’s decision to appoint a man to the newly created portfolio was meant to send a message that it is also “a man’s duty” to fight for women’s rights.</p>
<p>Holding parliamentary elections in Lebanon is a feat in itself. Scheduled for May, these are the first elections in the country since 2009. Previous votes were delayed amid instability and haggling over a new election law.</p>
<p>Seats in the Lebanese parliament are allotted according to sects, with each community distributing them according to region and strongholds. In this complex confessional-based political system, adding a women’s quota was too complicated for some to contemplate, said Nora Mourad, a gender researcher with the United Nations Development Program.</p>
<p>Last year, the politicians refused to even discuss a female quota in the new law. Members of the powerful Shiite group, Hezbollah, walked out of the room before the discussion began.</p>
<p>“We are against a quota. We are against imposing conditions from the outside on our policies and roles and work,” said Rima Fakhry, a politician from the conservative Shiite group. “The women movement considers that women should reach decision-making positions. For them it is in parliament. We differ with those movements.”</p>
<p>Although Fakhry herself is a senior member of the political bureau of Hezbollah, she told the audience at the conference that her group doesn’t see the role of a lawmaker as befitting for a woman in Lebanon. Her group won’t nominate women to run for office.</p>
<p>“For us, the woman is a woman. She must work to realize the main goals she exists for. These are not different from those of men. But the difference is in the details,” she said. “She has a home. She is a mother and must bring up generations. This takes a lot of the woman’s time.”</p>
<p>Even though the country’s civil war ended 28 years ago, its politics are still dominated by former warlords and family dynasties, and elections are often settled behind closed doors.</p>
<p>Most women in politics have their posts because they are related to influential male politicians. Of the four women currently in parliament, one is the aunt of the current prime minister, another is the wife of a party leader, and the other two are the daughters of an assassinated media figure and a former minister.</p>
<p>Still, Oghassabian said he expects at least 20 women to make it into parliament, and dozens more to run.</p>
<p>The new law introduced a complicated proportional representation system that would preserve the sectarian nature of the parliament. But some argue it will offer women and independents a better chance.</p>
<p>Local groups, along with the U.N. and EU, are encouraging political parties to have a voluntary quota for women on their lists. Women’s groups are contemplating all-women lists as well as a campaign of “no-woman, no-vote” to pressure political parties to include women on their lists.</p>
<p>In Wednesday’s conference, representatives from the political parties said internal deliberations are ongoing. One senior member of the Future party said he will recommend 20 percent women’s representation. Another, from the Progressive Socialist Party, said it has commissioned a review of internal literature to ensure women’s issues and requests are reflected.</p>
<p>Victoria El-Khoury Zwein, a potential candidate with a new party called Sabaa, or seven, said she’s skeptical that veteran parties would give women a winning chance. But she said with proportional representation, she’s optimistic she needs fewer votes to make it.</p>
<p>“There must be 15 percent of the population who want a new political class,” she said. “It is not an easy battle. But we can (do it).”</p>
<p>BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon is campaigning to get at least five times more women elected to parliament this spring in its first vote in nearly 10 years, the country’s first women’s affairs minister says.</p>
<p>It is a daunting task for a Middle Eastern country that may otherwise look like one of the most liberal in the region.</p>
<p>Despite a relatively free press, diverse religious groups and women in prominent positions in the business world and the media, Lebanon ranks surprisingly low when it comes to female representation in politics, and politicians have failed to act on a movement to institute a quota for women in parliament.</p>
<p>“Keeping women from public life is not only a loss for women. It is a loss for the parliament,” Minister of State for Women’s Affairs Jean Oghassabian told The Associated Press. “The main obstacles are mentality, a philosophy of life, and this needs time,” he said.</p>
<p>There are only four women in the outgoing parliament elected in 2009, a flimsy 3 percent of its 128 lawmakers. It was a drop from 2005, when six women were elected. Since 2004, there have been one or at most two posts for women in government.</p>
<p>Compared to other countries in the region, Lebanon ranks as one of the lowest in terms of female representation in parliament, with only Oman, Kuwait and Yemen having fewer. Oman and Kuwait have one and two women representatives respectively. War-torn Yemen has none and is currently without a functioning parliament.</p>
<p>Even in ultraconservative Saudi Arabia, the monarch appointed 30 women to the consultative Shura Council, giving them nearly 20 percent of the seats.</p>
<p>“In politics, there seems to be some kind of invisible barrier for women to really break through,” Christina Lassen, European Union Ambassador to Lebanon, told The Associated Press at a conference held last week to promote women’s representation.</p>
<p>Three months before the vote, the Women’s Affairs Ministry in collaboration with the United Nations and the EU launched a campaign to boost women’s numbers in the elections, with the slogan: “Half the society, half the parliament.”</p>
<p>Billboards went up in several Beirut districts. Programs on local TV stations about women in politics are airing weekly and local groups say they are training women candidates on public speaking.</p>
<p>Oghassabian said last year’s decision to appoint a man to the newly created portfolio was meant to send a message that it is also “a man’s duty” to fight for women’s rights.</p>
<p>Holding parliamentary elections in Lebanon is a feat in itself. Scheduled for May, these are the first elections in the country since 2009. Previous votes were delayed amid instability and haggling over a new election law.</p>
<p>Seats in the Lebanese parliament are allotted according to sects, with each community distributing them according to region and strongholds. In this complex confessional-based political system, adding a women’s quota was too complicated for some to contemplate, said Nora Mourad, a gender researcher with the United Nations Development Program.</p>
<p>Last year, the politicians refused to even discuss a female quota in the new law. Members of the powerful Shiite group, Hezbollah, walked out of the room before the discussion began.</p>
<p>“We are against a quota. We are against imposing conditions from the outside on our policies and roles and work,” said Rima Fakhry, a politician from the conservative Shiite group. “The women movement considers that women should reach decision-making positions. For them it is in parliament. We differ with those movements.”</p>
<p>Although Fakhry herself is a senior member of the political bureau of Hezbollah, she told the audience at the conference that her group doesn’t see the role of a lawmaker as befitting for a woman in Lebanon. Her group won’t nominate women to run for office.</p>
<p>“For us, the woman is a woman. She must work to realize the main goals she exists for. These are not different from those of men. But the difference is in the details,” she said. “She has a home. She is a mother and must bring up generations. This takes a lot of the woman’s time.”</p>
<p>Even though the country’s civil war ended 28 years ago, its politics are still dominated by former warlords and family dynasties, and elections are often settled behind closed doors.</p>
<p>Most women in politics have their posts because they are related to influential male politicians. Of the four women currently in parliament, one is the aunt of the current prime minister, another is the wife of a party leader, and the other two are the daughters of an assassinated media figure and a former minister.</p>
<p>Still, Oghassabian said he expects at least 20 women to make it into parliament, and dozens more to run.</p>
<p>The new law introduced a complicated proportional representation system that would preserve the sectarian nature of the parliament. But some argue it will offer women and independents a better chance.</p>
<p>Local groups, along with the U.N. and EU, are encouraging political parties to have a voluntary quota for women on their lists. Women’s groups are contemplating all-women lists as well as a campaign of “no-woman, no-vote” to pressure political parties to include women on their lists.</p>
<p>In Wednesday’s conference, representatives from the political parties said internal deliberations are ongoing. One senior member of the Future party said he will recommend 20 percent women’s representation. Another, from the Progressive Socialist Party, said it has commissioned a review of internal literature to ensure women’s issues and requests are reflected.</p>
<p>Victoria El-Khoury Zwein, a potential candidate with a new party called Sabaa, or seven, said she’s skeptical that veteran parties would give women a winning chance. But she said with proportional representation, she’s optimistic she needs fewer votes to make it.</p>
<p>“There must be 15 percent of the population who want a new political class,” she said. “It is not an easy battle. But we can (do it).”</p>
| false | 2 |
beirut ap lebanon campaigning get least five times women elected parliament spring first vote nearly 10 years countrys first womens affairs minister says daunting task middle eastern country may otherwise look like one liberal region despite relatively free press diverse religious groups women prominent positions business world media lebanon ranks surprisingly low comes female representation politics politicians failed act movement institute quota women parliament keeping women public life loss women loss parliament minister state womens affairs jean oghassabian told associated press main obstacles mentality philosophy life needs time said four women outgoing parliament elected 2009 flimsy 3 percent 128 lawmakers drop 2005 six women elected since 2004 one two posts women government compared countries region lebanon ranks one lowest terms female representation parliament oman kuwait yemen fewer oman kuwait one two women representatives respectively wartorn yemen none currently without functioning parliament even ultraconservative saudi arabia monarch appointed 30 women consultative shura council giving nearly 20 percent seats politics seems kind invisible barrier women really break christina lassen european union ambassador lebanon told associated press conference held last week promote womens representation three months vote womens affairs ministry collaboration united nations eu launched campaign boost womens numbers elections slogan half society half parliament billboards went several beirut districts programs local tv stations women politics airing weekly local groups say training women candidates public speaking oghassabian said last years decision appoint man newly created portfolio meant send message also mans duty fight womens rights holding parliamentary elections lebanon feat scheduled may first elections country since 2009 previous votes delayed amid instability haggling new election law seats lebanese parliament allotted according sects community distributing according region strongholds complex confessionalbased political system adding womens quota complicated contemplate said nora mourad gender researcher united nations development program last year politicians refused even discuss female quota new law members powerful shiite group hezbollah walked room discussion began quota imposing conditions outside policies roles work said rima fakhry politician conservative shiite group women movement considers women reach decisionmaking positions parliament differ movements although fakhry senior member political bureau hezbollah told audience conference group doesnt see role lawmaker befitting woman lebanon group wont nominate women run office us woman woman must work realize main goals exists different men difference details said home mother must bring generations takes lot womans time even though countrys civil war ended 28 years ago politics still dominated former warlords family dynasties elections often settled behind closed doors women politics posts related influential male politicians four women currently parliament one aunt current prime minister another wife party leader two daughters assassinated media figure former minister still oghassabian said expects least 20 women make parliament dozens run new law introduced complicated proportional representation system would preserve sectarian nature parliament argue offer women independents better chance local groups along un eu encouraging political parties voluntary quota women lists womens groups contemplating allwomen lists well campaign nowoman novote pressure political parties include women lists wednesdays conference representatives political parties said internal deliberations ongoing one senior member future party said recommend 20 percent womens representation another progressive socialist party said commissioned review internal literature ensure womens issues requests reflected victoria elkhoury zwein potential candidate new party called sabaa seven said shes skeptical veteran parties would give women winning chance said proportional representation shes optimistic needs fewer votes make must 15 percent population want new political class said easy battle beirut ap lebanon campaigning get least five times women elected parliament spring first vote nearly 10 years countrys first womens affairs minister says daunting task middle eastern country may otherwise look like one liberal region despite relatively free press diverse religious groups women prominent positions business world media lebanon ranks surprisingly low comes female representation politics politicians failed act movement institute quota women parliament keeping women public life loss women loss parliament minister state womens affairs jean oghassabian told associated press main obstacles mentality philosophy life needs time said four women outgoing parliament elected 2009 flimsy 3 percent 128 lawmakers drop 2005 six women elected since 2004 one two posts women government compared countries region lebanon ranks one lowest terms female representation parliament oman kuwait yemen fewer oman kuwait one two women representatives respectively wartorn yemen none currently without functioning parliament even ultraconservative saudi arabia monarch appointed 30 women consultative shura council giving nearly 20 percent seats politics seems kind invisible barrier women really break christina lassen european union ambassador lebanon told associated press conference held last week promote womens representation three months vote womens affairs ministry collaboration united nations eu launched campaign boost womens numbers elections slogan half society half parliament billboards went several beirut districts programs local tv stations women politics airing weekly local groups say training women candidates public speaking oghassabian said last years decision appoint man newly created portfolio meant send message also mans duty fight womens rights holding parliamentary elections lebanon feat scheduled may first elections country since 2009 previous votes delayed amid instability haggling new election law seats lebanese parliament allotted according sects community distributing according region strongholds complex confessionalbased political system adding womens quota complicated contemplate said nora mourad gender researcher united nations development program last year politicians refused even discuss female quota new law members powerful shiite group hezbollah walked room discussion began quota imposing conditions outside policies roles work said rima fakhry politician conservative shiite group women movement considers women reach decisionmaking positions parliament differ movements although fakhry senior member political bureau hezbollah told audience conference group doesnt see role lawmaker befitting woman lebanon group wont nominate women run office us woman woman must work realize main goals exists different men difference details said home mother must bring generations takes lot womans time even though countrys civil war ended 28 years ago politics still dominated former warlords family dynasties elections often settled behind closed doors women politics posts related influential male politicians four women currently parliament one aunt current prime minister another wife party leader two daughters assassinated media figure former minister still oghassabian said expects least 20 women make parliament dozens run new law introduced complicated proportional representation system would preserve sectarian nature parliament argue offer women independents better chance local groups along un eu encouraging political parties voluntary quota women lists womens groups contemplating allwomen lists well campaign nowoman novote pressure political parties include women lists wednesdays conference representatives political parties said internal deliberations ongoing one senior member future party said recommend 20 percent womens representation another progressive socialist party said commissioned review internal literature ensure womens issues requests reflected victoria elkhoury zwein potential candidate new party called sabaa seven said shes skeptical veteran parties would give women winning chance said proportional representation shes optimistic needs fewer votes make must 15 percent population want new political class said easy battle
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<a href="" type="internal">here</a> FACTORS TO WATCH 11:00 am: Telecom CEOs meeting with TRAI Chairman R.S. Sharma in New Delhi. 12:00 pm: United Spirits post-earnings analyst conference call in Mumbai. 12:30 pm: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Junior Commerce Minister C.R. Chaudhary and other government officials at ASEAN-India Business and Investment Meet &amp; Expo in New Delhi. 12:30 pm: Textile Minister Smriti Irani at FICCI event in New Delhi. 3:30 pm: NIIT post-earnings analyst conference call in Mumbai. 4:00 pm: Can Fin Homes post-earnings analyst conference call in Mumbai. 4:00 pm: Symphony post-earnings analyst conference call in Mumbai. GMF:LIVECHAT- DAVOS From consumer privacy to the autonomous driving market and artificial intelligence, China's biggest search engine Baidu faces many challenges. China’s government has even highlighted Baidu as a nationally important firm for driving the country’s goal to be an international AI leader. Ya-Qin Zhang, President in charge of technology, emerging business, and global business operations, Baidu, discusses his views at 01:30 pm IST. To join the conversation, click on the link:
<a href="" type="internal">here</a> China's central bank has been implementing reforms at a good pace to deleverage and reduce risks to its banking system. Dr. Zhu Min, Former deputy governor at the People's Bank of China, Deputy Managing Director at the International Monetary Fund, joins GMF to discuss PBOC's options, its plans to internatonalize the yuan and whether the Chinese economy is resilient enough to deal with the risks it faces. To join the conversation at 0215 pm IST, click on the link:
<a href="" type="internal">here</a>. INDIA TOP NEWS • India's oil ministry seeks cut in excise duty on petrol, diesel in budget India's oil ministry is pushing for a cut in excise duty on petrol and diesel in the upcoming 2018/19 budget to cushion the impact of rising oil prices on its vast consumer base, two oil ministry officials told Reuters on Monday. • Axis Bank profit rises as bad loan additions slow Axis Bank Ltd, India's third-biggest private sector lender by assets, reported a 25 percent rise in quarterly net profit on higher interest and fee incomes as well as a sharp slowdown in bad loan additions. • India sees scope for more integration among state energy companies India could see more integration among state oil companies, its oil minister said on Monday, following top producer ONGC's $5.8 billion deal last week to buy a majority stake in refiner Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd. • Jaguar Land Rover to cut output due to Brexit, diesel uncertainty to hit sales Britain's biggest carmaker Jaguar Land Rover TAMO.NS will temporarily reduce production at its northern English car plant in Halewood later this year in response to weakening demand due to Brexit and tax hikes on diesel cars. • Asian Paints Q3 profit rises 19 percent, misses estimate India's Asian Paints Ltd posted a 19 percent increase in third-quarter profit on Monday, missing analysts' estimates. GLOBAL TOP NEWS • Government shutdown fizzles on spending, immigration deal in U.S. Congress Congress voted on Monday to end a three-day U.S. government shutdown, approving another short-term funding bill as Democrats accepted promises from Republicans for a broad debate later on the future of young illegal immigrants. • BOJ to sound cautious optimism on inflation, keep policy unchanged Japan's central bank is set to keep monetary settings unchanged on Tuesday and offer a cautiously optimistic view on the inflation outlook, nodding to expectations that a strengthening recovery and a tightening job market may prompt firms to lift wages. • Trump slaps steep U.S. tariffs on imported washers, solar panels U.S. President Donald Trump slapped steep tariffs on imported washing machines and solar panels on Monday, giving a boost to Whirlpool Corp and dealing a setback to the renewable energy industry in the first of several potential trade restrictions. LOCAL MARKETS OUTLOOK (As reported by NewsRise) • The SGX Nifty Futures were trading at 11,006.00, trading up 0.35 pct from its previous close. • The Indian rupee will likely trade steady-to-higher against the dollar in opening session, tracking gains across global share markets, which could rub off on domestic equity markets as well. • Indian government bonds are likely to edge higher in early trade as New Delhi will auction a lower-than-scheduled amount of debt at this week’s auction. The yield on the 7.17 pct bond maturing in 2028 is likely to trade in a 7.24 pct-7.28 pct band today. GLOBAL MARKETS • U.S. stocks advanced on Monday as each of Wall Street's main scored records in the wake of a deal by U.S. senators to end the federal government shutdown. • Asian stocks advanced after U.S. senators struck a deal to end a three-day government shutdown, sending Wall Street's main indexes to record highs and keeping the dollar well supported. • The dollar pared some of its losses after U.S. senators struck a deal to lift a three-day government shutdown but it was mired near a three-year low against a basket of currencies on lingering concerns about its yield advantage being chipped away. • Treasury yields rose on Monday after U.S. lawmakers reached a deal to reopen the federal government, three days into the shutdown. • Oil prices rose, lifted by healthy economic growth as well as the ongoing supply restraint by a group of exporters around OPEC and Russia. • Gold prices held steady, as the dollar pared some losses but remained near a 3-year low amid a surge in global equities after a U.S. government shutdown came to an end. CLOSE FII EQUITIES DEBT INVESTMENTS PNDF spot 63.73/ January 22 $245.30ml -$16.44ml 63.76 n n 10-yr bond 7.45 Month-to-dat $993.16ml $877.87ml yield pct e n n Year-to-date $993.16ml $877.87ml n n For additional data: India govt bond market volumes Stock market reports Non-deliverable forwards data Corporate debt stories [IN CORPD] Local market closing/intraday levels [IN SNAPSHOT] Monthly inflows [INFLOWS RTRS TABLE IN] ($1 = 63.88 Indian rupees) (Compiled by Nishit Kunal in Bengaluru) Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Akzo Nobel will sell its chemicals business in a 10.1 billion euro ($12.6 billion) deal to buyers led by Carlyle Group, the maker of Dulux paints said on Tuesday, making good on a promise made as it fought off a takeover last year.</p>
<p>The sale of the Specialty Chemicals operation to Carlyle and Singapore’s GIC sovereign wealth fund for a slightly better than expected price will allow Akzo to focus on its main paints and coatings business.</p>
<p>It delivers one of the biggest commitments made by Akzo Nobel in its defense against a 26 billion euro ($32 billion) takeover offer from U.S. rival PPG Industries last year.</p>
<p>It may also help to repair strained relationships with shareholders unhappy with the rejection of the bid.</p>
<p>Akzo Nobel CEO Thierry Vanlancker, who took charge last July after the bid battle, expects 7.5 billion euros in net proceeds from the sale. The 10.1 billion euro valuation includes debt.</p>
<p>The division being sold produces an array of chemicals used in plastic packaging, tissue paper, cleaning materials, pharmaceuticals, food products, salts and adhesives.</p>
<p>The 7.5 billion euro total will be returned to shareholders, Vanlancker told Reuters, with the company deciding on the distribution through dividends or share buybacks in the coming months.</p>
<p>The deal leaves Akzo as “one of the top 3 largest paints and coatings companies in the world,” Vanlancker said.</p>
<p>He said Akzo must now deliver on a goal to achieve a 15 percent margin on sales by 2020, after that measure fell to 9.4 percent last year.</p>
<p>That goal will mainly be delivered through cost savings and efficiency measures, Vanlancker said, as overall sales growth in the paints and coatings market is expected to remain modest.</p>
<p>“We will be looking at size (acquisition) opportunities as they come along”, Vanlancker said. “But size is really not top of mind, it’s performance of the business.”</p>
<p>The remaining Akzo business will have 35,700 employees, while Speciality Chemicals employs around 10,000.</p> FILE PHOTO - AkzoNobel's logo is seen in Amsterdam, Netherlands, February 16, 2012. REUTERS/Robin van Lonkhuijsen/United Photos/File Photo DEFENSE PLAN
<p>Akzo will try to strengthen its position in promising markets such as powder coatings, which showed 10 percent global growth last year, the CEO said. Akzo also expects its sales of decorative paints in China and Europe to increase.</p>
<p>Shares rose 2.7 percent to 77.70 euros. That is well short of the figure of around 95 euros in the cash and share offer from PPG last year.</p>
<p>Analyst Wim Hoste of KBC said the sale price for Specialty Chemicals represented a multiple of 9.8 times core earnings, “which is a bit higher ... than we were banking on.”</p>
<p>Bankers advising potential buyers had said they expected the business to fetch an enterprise value of 8-9 times the unit’s expected earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA).</p>
<p>Carlyle had been vying for the asset with U.S. private equity firm Apollo and its consortium partner, Dutch fund PGGM, as well as Dutch investor Hal Investments, and Advent International partnered with Bain Capital Private Equity, people familiar with the matter had told Reuters.</p>
<p>Akzo first announced plans to sell the business last April, when PPG was in full pursuit. Many shareholders were dismayed as Akzo’s boards appeared uninterested in talks with PPG and when they ultimately rejected the U.S. company’s best offer.</p>
<p>With support from Dutch politicians, Akzo argued a takeover was not in the interest of other stakeholders, including employees.</p>
<p>Shareholders sued unsuccessfully to have chairman Antony Burgmans removed. Akzo’s CEO and chief financial officer both resigned last year on health grounds. Burgmans is due to retire after next month’s annual meeting, with former Maersk CEO Nils Andersen nominated to take his place.</p>
<p>Vanlancker said Akzo had extracted promises from Carlyle to keep the chemicals company’s head offices in the Netherlands, though it made no commitment to retain all of the business’s 2,500 employees in the Netherlands.</p>
<p>The deal is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to be concluded before the end of the year, Akzo said.</p>
<p>Lazard, JPMorgan Chase and HSBC advised Akzo Nobel on the sale.</p>
<p>($1 = 0.8023 euros)</p>
<p>Reporting by Toby Sterling and Bart Meijer; Editing by Jason Neely and Keith Weir</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>LONDON (Reuters) - When electric carmaker Tesla Inc. launched its first mass market model last summer, it sent a shockwave through the aluminum industry by largely shifting to steel and away from the lighter weight metal it had used in its first two luxury models.</p> FILE PHOTO: A Tesla Model 3 is seen in a showroom in Los Angeles, California, U.S. January 12, 2018. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo
<p>The switch by Elon Musk’s Tesla to the heavier-but-cheaper metal highlights how steel is fighting back against aluminum, which had widely been expected to be the bigger beneficiary of the electric vehicle revolution.</p>
<p>Aluminum had been seen as the key to offsetting the weight of batteries in order to extend the range of electric vehicles, crucial to increased consumer acceptance.</p>
<p>But as makers of battery-powered cars look to tap into bigger markets with cheaper vehicles - and embrace technological developments in batteries and components - many are increasingly looking to steel to cut costs. The price of Tesla’s mass-market orientated Model 3 is around half of the £70,000 luxury Model S.</p>
<p>“Before the aim was ‘Let’s get the [electric vehicles] developed’, now it’s ‘Let’s get them developed at the right price point,’” says Mauro Erriquez, a partner at McKinsey &amp; Company in Germany who specializes in the auto sector.</p>
<p>It is the latest tussle in a decades-long battle between steel and aluminum for market share among automakers, seeking to cut the weight of vehicles to help slash emissions and meet tough government pollution standards.</p>
<p>Steel is also winning back some market share among gasoline vehicles, such as the Audi A8. The latest model abandoned its heavy use of aluminum and shifted to a mix of steel, aluminum, magnesium and carbon fiber.</p>
<p>The competition between the metals has intensified amid rapidly growing demand for battery-powered cars.</p>
<p>Sales of electric and hybrid vehicles are due to surge to 30 percent of the global auto market by 2030, according to metal consultants CRU, up from 4 percent of the 86 million vehicles sold last year.</p>
<p>In China, the world’s largest auto market, sales of new energy vehicles are due to grow by 40 percent this year to top 1 million vehicles, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.</p>
<p>Tesla declined to comment, but in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission last month it said it designed the Model 3 “with a mix of materials to be lightweight and safe while also increasing cost-effectiveness for this mass-market vehicle”.</p>
<p>Other makers of mass market electric vehicles that have also chosen steel over aluminum include Nissan Motor Co Ltd’s ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=7201.T" type="external">7201.T</a>) Leaf, the world’s best-selling all-electric vehicle, and Volkswagen’s ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=VOWG_p.DE" type="external">VOWG_p.DE</a>) e-Golf.</p>
<p>The e-Golf has 129 kg of aluminum and the Leaf uses 171 kg while Tesla’s luxury Model S contains 661 kg of the metal, according to A2mac1 Automotive Benchmarking. A detailed breakdown was not available for the Tesla 3.</p>
<p>(For a graphic of Metals used in vehicles click <a href="https://tmsnrt.rs/2G9OuvQ" type="external">tmsnrt.rs/2G9OuvQ</a>)</p> STEP CHANGE
<p>Aluminum is still expected to benefit greatly from the electric vehicle revolution, however, especially from hybrids because they have two engines.</p>
<p>Both the combustion engine block and transmission are typically made of aluminum while the metal is also often used for housing the battery and motor in electric vehicles, according to auto metals specialist AluMag in Germany.</p>
<p>And, because it is expected to be years before pure electric vehicles become widely used - in part due to the lack of power charging networks - the growth of hybrids in the interim is expected to benefit aluminum.</p>
<p>According to CRU Consultant Eoin Dinsmore, demand for aluminum from electric and hybrid vehicles is forecast to increase ten times to nearly 10 million tonnes by 2030.</p>
<p>Aluminum was used in the first electric London black cab, which launched last year, spurring the reopening of a UK aluminum plant in Wales owned by Norway’s aluminum producer Norsk Hydro NYH.OL.</p> Slideshow (9 Images)
<p>“We chose aluminum as a material as it is nearly three times lighter than steel in its raw form, and it absorbs twice as much energy in a crash,” said Chris Staunton, chief engineer of body structures for the firm that developed the taxi for the London Electric Vehicle Company ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=0175.HK" type="external">0175.HK</a>).</p>
<p>Both Staunton’s firm and the London Electric Vehicle Company are owned by China’s Geely Automotive Holdings Ltd 0175.HK&gt;.</p>
<p>(Graphic: Aluminum content climbs in vehicles - <a href="http://reut.rs/2FIHfLl" type="external">reut.rs/2FIHfLl</a>)</p> BETTER BATTERIES
<p>But aluminum remains more expensive than steel. Benchmark aluminum futures CMAL3 on the London Metal Exchange are around $2,050 per ton, more than three times the cost of LME steel rebar SRRc1 at $585 a ton.</p>
<p>The price gap between the types of aluminum and steel used in autos was not as wide, but still represented significant savings by using steel, industry experts said.</p>
<a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=7201.T" type="external">Nissan Motor Co Ltd</a> 1130.0 7201.T Tokyo Stock Exchange +25.00 (+2.26%) 7201.T VOWG_p.DE 0175.HK TKAG.DE MT.AS
<p>Meanwhile, stronger and cheaper batteries for electric vehicles as well as developments in the components that generate power and overall structural design have lessened the need for aluminum to cut weight to extend the range.</p>
<p>Since 2010, the cost of batteries have tumbled to as low as $114 per kilowatt hour from $1,000/kwh and are expected to drop further in coming years, according to AluMag.</p>
<p>“I think car makers are finding that as battery costs fall they can achieve their range requirement with an all-steel solution,” said George Coates, technical director for WorldAutoSteel, the automotive arm of the World Steel Association.</p>
<p>Improvements in the powertrain - the main components in a car that generate power - have also had a big impact.</p>
<p>The 2017 model of the Nissan Leaf extended its range by nearly 50 percent to 172 km compared to the 2011 version mainly by improving the powertrain, consolidating four separate systems into one, said McKinsey’s Erriquez.</p>
<p>(For a graphic on Aluminum vs Steel prices click <a href="https://reut.rs/2IS9oBr" type="external">reut.rs/2IS9oBr</a>)</p> MATERIAL MIX
<p>At the same time, the steel industry has developed Advanced High Strength Steel products, which are stronger and lighter than normal steel, and importantly, cheaper than aluminum.</p>
<p>“(Steel) companies like ThyssenKrupp ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=TKAG.DE" type="external">TKAG.DE</a>) and ArcelorMittal ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=MT.AS" type="external">MT.AS</a>), they’re not going to just give up this market share. There will be a battle for the material,” said Jost Gaertner, partner at AluMag.</p>
<p>Future models will likely contain a complex mix of materials, including various grades of steel, aluminum, carbon fiber, magnesium and plastics, automakers and consultants said.</p>
<p>BMW, which used large amounts of costly aluminum and carbon fiber in its i3 and i8, told Reuters it was not planning to increase the use of those materials in future electric models.</p>
<p>“There is no ‘one material fits all’ solution” for future electric vehicles, the German carmaker said in an email.</p>
<p>“We will continue to employ each material in a way and in a quantity which brings in its specific advantages.”</p>
<p>Reporting by Eric Onstad; Editing by Veronica Brown and Cassell Bryan-Low</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. consumer confidence fell from more than a 17-year high in March amid stock market volatility, but households remained upbeat about labor market conditions, which could help to support consumer spending.</p> FILE PHOTO - Holiday shoppers look at store windows at Henri Bendel store on 5th Avenue in New York November 23, 2012. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo
<p>The Conference Board said on Tuesday its consumer confidence index dropped 2.3 points to a reading of 127.7 this month from a slightly downwardly revised 130.0 in February, which was the highest level since November 2000. The index was previously reported at 130.8 in February.</p>
<p>“The stock market has been volatile and consumers don’t like market volatility. The pullback in confidence is not a concern for the economic outlook this year,” said Chris Rupkey, chief economist at MUFG in New York. “Still, we wonder if the decline in confidence means that the economy may have seen its best days already for this cycle.”</p>
<p>U.S. stocks have been under pressure over the past two months as worries about inflation led some investors to speculate that the Federal Reserve could raise interest rates more aggressively than currently anticipated.</p>
<p>Wall Street has also been roiled by the threat of a global trade war after the Trump administration imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. President Donald Trump last week signed a memorandum targeting up to $60 billion in Chinese goods with tariffs over what his administration says is misappropriation of U.S. intellectual property.</p>
<p>The S&amp;P 500 index has dropped about 2 percent so far in March, coming on the heels of a decline of nearly 4 percent in February and putting stocks on pace for their worst two-month performance since the December 2015-January 2016 period.</p>
<p>Stocks were trading higher on Tuesday as fears of a trade war between the United States and China eased.</p>
<p>The dollar rose against a basket of currencies. Prices of U.S. Treasuries climbed as fund managers bought bonds to rebalance their portfolios for the end of the quarter in advance of more government debt supply.</p> FILE PHOTO: Clusters of newly built multi-unit town homes and apartments are shown in San Marcos, California January 19, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo LABOR MARKET STRENGTH
<p>The Conference Board survey’s so-called labor market differential, derived from data on respondents’ views on whether jobs are plentiful or hard to get, increased to 25.0 in March, the strongest reading since May 2001, from 24.0 in February.</p>
<p>That measure, which closely correlates to the unemployment rate in the Labor Department’s employment report, suggests that labor market slack continues to shrink.</p>
<p>“This report combined with the March jobless claims data points to another 200,000-plus reading on payrolls in March, which we judge would push the unemployment rate down to 4.0 percent from 4.1 percent,” said John Ryding, chief economist at RDQ Economics in New York.</p>
<p>The economy added 313,000 jobs in February. Labor market tightness has left economists optimistic that wage growth will soon pick up. That, together with lower income taxes, are expected to spur consumer spending in the coming quarters.</p>
<p>Retail sales have declined for three straight months, leading economists to expect a slowdown in consumer spending in the first quarter. Consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity, grew at a robust 3.8 percent annualized rate in the fourth quarter.</p>
<p>Rising house prices could also boost consumer spending. A separate report on Tuesday showed the S&amp;P CoreLogic Case-Shiller composite index of home prices in 20 metropolitan areas increased 6.4 percent in the 12 months to January after rising 6.3 percent in December.</p>
<p>Higher house prices are bolstering household wealth. But the house price inflation is being driven by an acute shortage of homes available for sale, which is hurting the housing market.</p>
<p>“If we continue to see a steady stream of buyers and owners remain largely uninterested in selling, we can expect prices to continue to rise,” said Danielle Hale, chief economist at realtor.com.</p>
<p>Reporting by Lucia Mutikani; Additional reporting by Chuck Mikolajczak in New York; Editing by Paul Simao</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
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monday following top producer ongcs 58 billion deal last week buy majority stake refiner hindustan petroleum corp ltd jaguar land rover cut output due brexit diesel uncertainty hit sales britains biggest carmaker jaguar land rover tamons temporarily reduce production northern english car plant halewood later year response weakening demand due brexit tax hikes diesel cars asian paints q3 profit rises 19 percent misses estimate indias asian paints ltd posted 19 percent increase thirdquarter profit monday missing analysts estimates global top news government shutdown fizzles spending immigration deal us congress congress voted monday end threeday us government shutdown approving another shortterm funding bill democrats accepted promises republicans broad debate later future young illegal immigrants boj sound cautious optimism inflation keep policy unchanged japans central bank set keep monetary settings unchanged tuesday offer cautiously optimistic view inflation outlook nodding expectations strengthening recovery tightening job market may prompt firms lift wages trump slaps steep us tariffs imported washers solar panels us president donald trump slapped steep tariffs imported washing machines solar panels monday giving boost whirlpool corp dealing setback renewable energy industry first several potential trade restrictions local markets outlook reported newsrise sgx nifty futures trading 1100600 trading 035 pct previous close indian rupee likely trade steadytohigher dollar opening session tracking gains across global share markets could rub domestic equity markets well indian government bonds likely edge higher early trade new delhi auction lowerthanscheduled amount debt weeks auction yield 717 pct bond maturing 2028 likely trade 724 pct728 pct band today global markets us stocks advanced monday wall streets main scored records wake deal us senators end federal government shutdown asian stocks advanced us senators struck deal end threeday government shutdown sending wall streets main indexes record highs keeping dollar well supported dollar pared losses us senators struck deal lift threeday government shutdown mired near threeyear low basket currencies lingering concerns yield advantage chipped away treasury yields rose monday us lawmakers reached deal reopen federal government three days shutdown oil prices rose lifted healthy economic growth well ongoing supply restraint group exporters around opec russia gold prices held steady dollar pared losses remained near 3year low amid surge global equities us government shutdown came end close fii equities debt investments pndf spot 6373 january 22 24530ml 1644ml 6376 n n 10yr bond 745 monthtodat 99316ml 87787ml yield pct e n n yeartodate 99316ml 87787ml n n additional data india govt bond market volumes stock market reports nondeliverable forwards data corporate debt stories corpd local market closingintraday levels snapshot monthly inflows inflows rtrs table 1 6388 indian rupees compiled nishit kunal bengaluru standards thomson reuters trust principles amsterdam reuters akzo nobel sell chemicals business 101 billion euro 126 billion deal buyers led carlyle group maker dulux paints said tuesday making good promise made fought takeover last year sale specialty chemicals operation carlyle singapores gic sovereign wealth fund slightly better expected price allow akzo focus main paints coatings business delivers one biggest commitments made akzo nobel defense 26 billion euro 32 billion takeover offer us rival ppg industries last year may also help repair strained relationships shareholders unhappy rejection bid akzo nobel ceo thierry vanlancker took charge last july bid battle expects 75 billion euros net proceeds sale 101 billion euro valuation includes debt division sold produces array chemicals used plastic packaging tissue paper cleaning materials pharmaceuticals food products salts adhesives 75 billion euro total returned shareholders vanlancker told reuters company deciding distribution dividends share buybacks coming months deal leaves akzo one top 3 largest paints coatings companies world vanlancker said said akzo must deliver goal achieve 15 percent margin sales 2020 measure fell 94 percent last year goal mainly delivered cost savings efficiency measures vanlancker said overall sales growth paints coatings market expected remain modest looking size acquisition opportunities come along vanlancker said size really top mind performance business remaining akzo business 35700 employees speciality chemicals employs around 10000 file photo akzonobels logo seen amsterdam netherlands february 16 2012 reutersrobin van lonkhuijsenunited photosfile photo defense plan akzo try strengthen position promising markets powder coatings showed 10 percent global growth last year ceo said akzo also expects sales decorative paints china europe increase shares rose 27 percent 7770 euros well short figure around 95 euros cash share offer ppg last year analyst wim hoste kbc said sale price specialty chemicals represented multiple 98 times core earnings bit higher banking bankers advising potential buyers said expected business fetch enterprise value 89 times units expected earnings interest tax depreciation amortization ebitda carlyle vying asset us private equity firm apollo consortium partner dutch fund pggm well dutch investor hal investments advent international partnered bain capital private equity people familiar matter told reuters akzo first announced plans sell business last april ppg full pursuit many shareholders dismayed akzos boards appeared uninterested talks ppg ultimately rejected us companys best offer support dutch politicians akzo argued takeover interest stakeholders including employees shareholders sued unsuccessfully chairman antony burgmans removed akzos ceo chief financial officer resigned last year health grounds burgmans due retire next months annual meeting former maersk ceo nils andersen nominated take place vanlancker said akzo extracted promises carlyle keep chemicals companys head offices netherlands though made commitment retain businesss 2500 employees netherlands deal subject regulatory approvals expected concluded end year akzo said lazard jpmorgan chase hsbc advised akzo nobel sale 1 08023 euros reporting toby sterling bart meijer editing jason neely keith weir standards thomson reuters trust principles london reuters electric carmaker tesla inc launched first mass market model last summer sent shockwave aluminum industry largely shifting steel away lighter weight metal used first two luxury models file photo tesla model 3 seen showroom los angeles california us january 12 2018 reuterslucy nicholsonfile photo switch elon musks tesla heavierbutcheaper metal highlights steel fighting back aluminum widely expected bigger beneficiary electric vehicle revolution aluminum seen key offsetting weight batteries order extend range electric vehicles crucial increased consumer acceptance makers batterypowered cars look tap bigger markets cheaper vehicles embrace technological developments batteries components many increasingly looking steel cut costs price teslas massmarket orientated model 3 around half 70000 luxury model aim lets get electric vehicles developed lets get developed right price point says mauro erriquez partner mckinsey amp company germany specializes auto sector latest tussle decadeslong battle steel aluminum market share among automakers seeking cut weight vehicles help slash emissions meet tough government pollution standards steel also winning back market share among gasoline vehicles audi a8 latest model abandoned heavy use aluminum shifted mix steel aluminum magnesium carbon fiber competition metals intensified amid rapidly growing demand batterypowered cars sales electric hybrid vehicles due surge 30 percent global auto market 2030 according metal consultants cru 4 percent 86 million vehicles sold last year china worlds largest auto market sales new energy vehicles due grow 40 percent year top 1 million vehicles according china association automobile manufacturers tesla declined comment filing us securities exchange commission last month said designed model 3 mix materials lightweight safe also increasing costeffectiveness massmarket vehicle makers mass market electric vehicles also chosen steel aluminum include nissan motor co ltds 7201t leaf worlds bestselling allelectric vehicle volkswagens vowg_pde egolf egolf 129 kg aluminum leaf uses 171 kg teslas luxury model contains 661 kg metal according a2mac1 automotive benchmarking detailed breakdown available tesla 3 graphic metals used vehicles click tmsnrtrs2g9ouvq step change aluminum still expected benefit greatly electric vehicle revolution however especially hybrids two engines combustion engine block transmission typically made aluminum metal also often used housing battery motor electric vehicles according auto metals specialist alumag germany expected years pure electric vehicles become widely used part due lack power charging networks growth hybrids interim expected benefit aluminum according cru consultant eoin dinsmore demand aluminum electric hybrid vehicles forecast increase ten times nearly 10 million tonnes 2030 aluminum used first electric london black cab launched last year spurring reopening uk aluminum plant wales owned norways aluminum producer norsk hydro nyhol slideshow 9 images chose aluminum material nearly three times lighter steel raw form absorbs twice much energy crash said chris staunton chief engineer body structures firm developed taxi london electric vehicle company 0175hk stauntons firm london electric vehicle company owned chinas geely automotive holdings ltd 0175hkgt graphic aluminum content climbs vehicles reutrs2fihfll better batteries aluminum remains expensive steel benchmark aluminum futures cmal3 london metal exchange around 2050 per ton three times cost lme steel rebar srrc1 585 ton price gap types aluminum steel used autos wide still represented significant savings using steel industry experts said nissan motor co ltd 11300 7201t tokyo stock exchange 2500 226 7201t vowg_pde 0175hk tkagde mtas meanwhile stronger cheaper batteries electric vehicles well developments components generate power overall structural design lessened need aluminum cut weight extend range since 2010 cost batteries tumbled low 114 per kilowatt hour 1000kwh expected drop coming years according alumag think car makers finding battery costs fall achieve range requirement allsteel solution said george coates technical director worldautosteel automotive arm world steel association improvements powertrain main components car generate power also big impact 2017 model nissan leaf extended range nearly 50 percent 172 km compared 2011 version mainly improving powertrain consolidating four separate systems one said mckinseys erriquez graphic aluminum vs steel prices click reutrs2is9obr material mix time steel industry developed advanced high strength steel products stronger lighter normal steel importantly cheaper aluminum steel companies like thyssenkrupp tkagde arcelormittal mtas theyre going give market share battle material said jost gaertner partner alumag future models likely contain complex mix materials including various grades steel aluminum carbon fiber magnesium plastics automakers consultants said bmw used large amounts costly aluminum carbon fiber i3 i8 told reuters planning increase use materials future electric models one material fits solution future electric vehicles german carmaker said email continue employ material way quantity brings specific advantages reporting eric onstad editing veronica brown cassell bryanlow standards thomson reuters trust principles washington reuters us consumer confidence fell 17year high march amid stock market volatility households remained upbeat labor market conditions could help support consumer spending file photo holiday shoppers look store windows henri bendel store 5th avenue new york november 23 2012 reutersbrendan mcdermidfile photo conference board said tuesday consumer confidence index dropped 23 points reading 1277 month slightly downwardly revised 1300 february highest level since november 2000 index previously reported 1308 february stock market volatile consumers dont like market volatility pullback confidence concern economic outlook year said chris rupkey chief economist mufg new york still wonder decline confidence means economy may seen best days already cycle us stocks pressure past two months worries inflation led investors speculate federal reserve could raise interest rates aggressively currently anticipated wall street also roiled threat global trade war trump administration imposed tariffs steel aluminum imports president donald trump last week signed memorandum targeting 60 billion chinese goods tariffs administration says misappropriation us intellectual property sampp 500 index dropped 2 percent far march coming heels decline nearly 4 percent february putting stocks pace worst twomonth performance since december 2015january 2016 period stocks trading higher tuesday fears trade war united states china eased dollar rose basket currencies prices us treasuries climbed fund managers bought bonds rebalance portfolios end quarter advance government debt supply file photo clusters newly built multiunit town homes apartments shown san marcos california january 19 2016 reutersmike blakefile photo labor market strength conference board surveys socalled labor market differential derived data respondents views whether jobs plentiful hard get increased 250 march strongest reading since may 2001 240 february measure closely correlates unemployment rate labor departments employment report suggests labor market slack continues shrink report combined march jobless claims data points another 200000plus reading payrolls march judge would push unemployment rate 40 percent 41 percent said john ryding chief economist rdq economics new york economy added 313000 jobs february labor market tightness left economists optimistic wage growth soon pick together lower income taxes expected spur consumer spending coming quarters retail sales declined three straight months leading economists expect slowdown consumer spending first quarter consumer spending accounts twothirds us economic activity grew robust 38 percent annualized rate fourth quarter rising house prices could also boost consumer spending separate report tuesday showed sampp corelogic caseshiller composite index home prices 20 metropolitan areas increased 64 percent 12 months january rising 63 percent december higher house prices bolstering household wealth house price inflation driven acute shortage homes available sale hurting housing market continue see steady stream buyers owners remain largely uninterested selling expect prices continue rise said danielle hale chief economist realtorcom reporting lucia mutikani additional reporting chuck mikolajczak new york editing paul simao standards thomson reuters trust principles
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<p>Terrified, she managed to get away. She subsequently told her boyfriend about what happened — and no one else.</p>
<p>“I didn’t know what sexual harassment was. I didn’t know that what he did was actually illegal,” Schneider recalled in a recent phone interview. “All I knew was that I was scared and deeply worried about my career, because this man was in a position of authority and I was a very eager young journalist.”</p>
<p>The recent wave of sexual misconduct allegations, costing dozens of prominent men their jobs and reputations, shows that experiences like Schneider’s remain common in American workplaces. But even as the problem persists, there is far more public awareness now of sexual harassment and far more recourse for victims, compared with the decades before the 1990s.</p>
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<p>Schneider remained at the Hartford Courant for five more years after the kiss, keeping her secret. She later worked for other news and advocacy organizations and is now vice president of communications for the National Women’s Law Center, which is assisting women speaking out about harassment.</p>
<p>“There has been greater recognition that sexual harassment is against the law and should not be tolerated,” Schneider said. “But there are many industries and offices where people are still afraid to speak out.”</p>
<p>Technically, sexual harassment became illegal under the 1964 Civil Rights Act’s ban on sex discrimination, but it took three more decades of court rulings to establish the current concepts of what it entails and how to address it. Gillian Thomas, an American Civil Liberties Union attorney who has written on the topic, said the term “sexual harassment” wasn’t even coined until 1975.</p>
<p>A turning point in public awareness came in 1991, when sexual harassment was the focus of Anita Hill’s testimony during Clarence Thomas’ Supreme Court confirmation hearings.</p>
<p>There also were pivotal Supreme Court rulings, including one in 1986 declaring that a “hostile working environment” could constitute sexual harassment, whether or not an aggrieved employee suffered economic harm by being fired or denied promotion. In 1993, the high court said employees could prevail in harassment cases without having to prove they suffered psychological damage. In 1998, a pair of Supreme Court rulings prompted many employers to adopt anti-harassment policies and formalize mechanisms for employees to lodge confidential complaints.</p>
<p>The legal system remains tilted in favor of the employer, Thomas said, “but at least there’s a vocabulary now for talking about these issues.”</p>
<p>There was no such vocabulary in New York City’s all-male fire department in 1982, when a lawsuit filed by Brenda Berkman forced the department to revise its physical exam so it was possible for women to pass.</p>
<p>Berkman, who retired in 2006 with the rank of captain, said she and the other 39 pioneering women encountered harassment even during probationary training.</p>
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<p>“There was abuse not only by instructors, but also by our fellow male trainees,” Berkman said. “That’s beyond the pale — these guys are on probation and felt they had a license to assault their peers.”</p>
<p>In the early ’90s, Berkman went public with allegations that a fire department physician had groped her breasts during an exam. Other women lodged similar complaints, but it took more than a year before the doctor was charged with misconduct and resigned.</p>
<p>“Whether it was 20 years ago or 20 minutes ago, whenever sexual assault happens, one of the hardest things for the women who survived is that nobody believes them,” Berkman said.</p>
<p>The fire department, over 35 years, has made modest strides in accommodating women — there are now 68, the highest number ever, out of a force of 11,000.</p>
<p>Another veteran of the sex-harassment wars is Teresa Wilson, a 65-year-old nurse in Nashville, Tennessee. It was her case, alleging sustained sexual harassment by her boss in the mid-1980s, that led to the important 1993 Supreme Court ruling.</p>
<p>Wilson, at the time named Teresa Harris, was a manager at Forklift Systems, a construction equipment rental company. She alleged that Forklift’s president often subjected her to sexist remarks and sexual overtures, sometimes in the presence of other employees.</p>
<p>The most hurtful incident, she recalled, was when he asserted in crude language that her sales figures were good because she was having sex with her customers.</p>
<p>Lower courts rebuffed the lawsuit, agreeing with the company that the boss’s behavior did not affect Wilson psychologically or impair her ability to work.</p>
<p>When the case reached the Supreme Court, its first female justice — Sandra Day O’Connor — authored a unanimous opinion rejecting the premise that harassment can be penalized only if proven to have caused substantial psychological harm. Thanks to that ruling, Wilson obtained an out-of-court settlement with Forklift; the terms have not been released.</p>
<p>Wilson is heartened by the multitude of harassment victims now speaking out.</p>
<p>“It’s about time,” she said.</p>
<p>Harassment and sexism were problems in many sectors, including academia.</p>
<p>Susan MacManus, a political science professor at the University of South Florida, says relatively few women had that job back in the early 1970s. When they’d get together at conferences, conversation would inevitably turn to which male colleagues acted inappropriately.</p>
<p>“We had what we called a lech list, men who would prey on women,” MacManus said — which colleagues would try to grab women at bars, which married men sought to hook up for casual sex during conferences.</p>
<p>MacManus said she never was physically harassed but felt gender discrimination in regard to promotions and opportunities. As a graduate student, she said, one of her professors came on to her.</p>
<p>She still sees such behavior — male professors exploiting their best students because they have power over them in terms of grades and recommendations.</p>
<p>“I’m very sad that women still have to put up with this,” she said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Associated Press writer Tamara Lush in Tampa, Florida, contributed to this report.</p>
| false | 2 |
terrified managed get away subsequently told boyfriend happened one else didnt know sexual harassment didnt know actually illegal schneider recalled recent phone interview knew scared deeply worried career man position authority eager young journalist recent wave sexual misconduct allegations costing dozens prominent men jobs reputations shows experiences like schneiders remain common american workplaces even problem persists far public awareness sexual harassment far recourse victims compared decades 1990s advertisement schneider remained hartford courant five years kiss keeping secret later worked news advocacy organizations vice president communications national womens law center assisting women speaking harassment greater recognition sexual harassment law tolerated schneider said many industries offices people still afraid speak technically sexual harassment became illegal 1964 civil rights acts ban sex discrimination took three decades court rulings establish current concepts entails address gillian thomas american civil liberties union attorney written topic said term sexual harassment wasnt even coined 1975 turning point public awareness came 1991 sexual harassment focus anita hills testimony clarence thomas supreme court confirmation hearings also pivotal supreme court rulings including one 1986 declaring hostile working environment could constitute sexual harassment whether aggrieved employee suffered economic harm fired denied promotion 1993 high court said employees could prevail harassment cases without prove suffered psychological damage 1998 pair supreme court rulings prompted many employers adopt antiharassment policies formalize mechanisms employees lodge confidential complaints legal system remains tilted favor employer thomas said least theres vocabulary talking issues vocabulary new york citys allmale fire department 1982 lawsuit filed brenda berkman forced department revise physical exam possible women pass berkman retired 2006 rank captain said 39 pioneering women encountered harassment even probationary training advertisement abuse instructors also fellow male trainees berkman said thats beyond pale guys probation felt license assault peers early 90s berkman went public allegations fire department physician groped breasts exam women lodged similar complaints took year doctor charged misconduct resigned whether 20 years ago 20 minutes ago whenever sexual assault happens one hardest things women survived nobody believes berkman said fire department 35 years made modest strides accommodating women 68 highest number ever force 11000 another veteran sexharassment wars teresa wilson 65yearold nurse nashville tennessee case alleging sustained sexual harassment boss mid1980s led important 1993 supreme court ruling wilson time named teresa harris manager forklift systems construction equipment rental company alleged forklifts president often subjected sexist remarks sexual overtures sometimes presence employees hurtful incident recalled asserted crude language sales figures good sex customers lower courts rebuffed lawsuit agreeing company bosss behavior affect wilson psychologically impair ability work case reached supreme court first female justice sandra day oconnor authored unanimous opinion rejecting premise harassment penalized proven caused substantial psychological harm thanks ruling wilson obtained outofcourt settlement forklift terms released wilson heartened multitude harassment victims speaking time said harassment sexism problems many sectors including academia susan macmanus political science professor university south florida says relatively women job back early 1970s theyd get together conferences conversation would inevitably turn male colleagues acted inappropriately called lech list men would prey women macmanus said colleagues would try grab women bars married men sought hook casual sex conferences macmanus said never physically harassed felt gender discrimination regard promotions opportunities graduate student said one professors came still sees behavior male professors exploiting best students power terms grades recommendations im sad women still put said ___ associated press writer tamara lush tampa florida contributed report
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<p>BOSTON (AP) - Terry Rozier scored 20 points in 20 minutes, stealing the spotlight from LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Isaiah Thomas in a rematch of the Eastern Conference finals and leading the Boston Celtics to a 102-88 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.</p>
<p>Rozier scored the last eight Boston points of the first quarter to give the Celtics an 11-point lead, and had another eight in a row midway through the fourth when they expanded the lead to 21. Marcus Smart and Jayson Tatum had 15 points apiece, and Irving and Al Horford each had 11 points and nine rebounds to help Boston to its fourth straight win.</p>
<p>James had 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists, and Tristan Thompson had 10 points and 10 rebounds for Cleveland, which lost for the fourth time in five games. Playing on back-to-back nights - the Celtics had been preparing for them since New Year's Eve - Cleveland shot 34.8 percent.</p>
<p>It was the first time the teams had played since the season opener, when top Boston free agent Gordon Hayward broke his leg in a gruesome injury that reshuffled the Eastern Conference playoff race.</p>
<p>WARRIORS 125, MAVERICKS 122</p>
<p>DALLAS (AP) - Stephen Curry hit a long 3-pointer with three seconds to play, giving Golden State a hard-fought victory over Dallas.</p>
<p>Curry finished with 32 points as Golden State's "Big Four" combined for 100 - and the Warriors needed every one of them against a Mavericks team that had won four straight.</p>
<p>Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson had 25 points each, and Draymond Green added 18 to go with 10 rebounds.</p>
<p>Wesley Matthews led the Mavericks with 22 points, including seven 3-pointers, and Dwight Powell tied his career high with 21.</p>
<p>Dallas, playing from behind most of the game, erased a 12-point deficit with 4:32 to play, tying the score at 120 on Harrison Barnes' jumper with 39.9 seconds left.</p>
<p>THUNDER 133, LAKERS 96</p>
<p>LOS ANGELES (AP) - Russell Westbrook had 20 points and 12 assists in a successful return home, and rookie Terrance Ferguson scored all 24 of his points in the second half of his first career start as Oklahoma City handed Los Angeles its eighth consecutive defeat.</p>
<p>Paul George also scored 24 points and Carmelo Anthony added 21 to complement Westbrook, the reigning MVP who was born in Long Beach and went to college at UCLA.</p>
<p>The Lakers were led by rookie Kyle Kuzma's 18 points. They shot just 41.3 percent from the field, while the Thunder shot 60.2 percent.</p>
<p>76ERS 112, SPURS 106</p>
<p>PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Joel Embiid shook off a sprained right hand that nearly kept him out of the lineup to score 21 points, grab 11 rebounds and lead Philadelphia past San Antonio.</p>
<p>The 76ers snapped a 12-game losing streak to the Spurs. They needed all 35 minutes from Embiid to knock off short-handed San Antonio.</p>
<p>Embiid was injured in a hard fall Saturday against the Suns. Philadelphia's leading scorer and rebounder sat at his locker before the game and said his hand was swollen and he couldn't shoot.</p>
<p>Embiid used a soft touch to sink a couple of shots during pregame drills, and that was enough to convince the Sixers he could play.</p>
<p>The Sixers blew a 16-point lead and might have been thumped from the outset had the Spurs not sat five players. Patty Mills led the Spurs with 26 points and LaMarcus Aldridge had 24 points and 14 rebounds.</p>
<p>ROCKETS 116, MAGIC 98</p>
<p>ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Gerald Green scored 27 points, Clint Capela had 21 points and eight rebounds and Houston got by without NBA scoring leader James Harden, routing Orlando.</p>
<p>Harden was sidelined by a strained left hamstring.</p>
<p>Green made his first five 3-point shots and finished 7 for 10 from behind the arc for the Rockets, who were never behind and led by as many as 28 late in the third quarter.</p>
<p>Eric Gordon added 17 points and six assists to help Houston tune up for its Thursday night showdown with Golden State.</p>
<p>Aaron Gordon led the Magic with 16 points after missing his first eight shots. Elfrid Payton and Mario Hezonja added 14 each during Orlando's 12th loss in 13 games.</p>
<p>WIZARDS 121, KNICKS 103</p>
<p>WASHINGTON (AP) - Bradley Beal scored 27 points, John Wall added 25 with nine assists and Washington beat New York.</p>
<p>Playing for the first time since he was selected Eastern Conference player of the week, Beal followed his 39-point outburst on Sunday by hitting 11 of his 14 field goal attempts for Washington, which was won five of six.</p>
<p>Marcin Gortat had a season-high 21 points, shooting 9 of 10 from the field.</p>
<p>Michael Beasley had 20 points, including 16 in the second half to lead the Knicks, who have lost six of seven.</p>
<p>Kristips Porzingis scored 16 points. New York has lost 14 of its last 15 against Washington.</p>
<p>HEAT 111, PISTONS 104</p>
<p>MIAMI (AP) - Kelly Olynyk scored 25 points, including a big layup with 39 seconds left, and Goran Dragic added 24 as Miami held off Detroit.</p>
<p>Olynyk finished with 13 rebounds and Dragic had 13 assists for the Heat, who are three games over .500 for the first time since April 2016.</p>
<p>Josh Richardson scored 22 for Miami, which shot 51 percent and outscored the Pistons 51-27 from 3-point range. James Johnson scored 16, Wayne Ellington had 12 and Hassan Whiteside added 10 for the Heat.</p>
<p>Tobias Harris led a balanced Detroit effort with 19.</p>
<p>NETS 98, TIMBERWOLVES 97</p>
<p>NEW YORK (AP) - Spencer Dinwiddie made the go-ahead jumper with 9.7 seconds left and tied his career high with 26 points, leading Brooklyn over Minnesota.</p>
<p>Jimmy Butler missed at the buzzer as the Timberwolves lost for just the second time in nine games.</p>
<p>Dinwiddie added nine assists as the Nets improved to 2-0 in the new year - more wins than they had all last January, when they were 1-15. Joe Harris came off the bench to score 17 points.</p>
<p>Butler finished with 30 points, mostly on the strength of 16-of-18 shooting at the foul line. Andrew Wiggins added 17 points and Karl-Anthony Towns had 16 points and 10 rebounds.</p>
<p>RAPTORS 124, BULLS 115</p>
<p>CHICAGO (AP) - DeMar DeRozan had 35 points and Delon Wright set career highs with 25 points and 13 rebounds as Toronto beat Chicago.</p>
<p>DeRozan came up big again after scoring a franchise-record 52 points in a win over Milwaukee on New Year's Day. Held to nine in the first half this time, he scored 18 in the third quarter. He also shot 5 of 8 on 3-pointers and converted all 10 free throws.</p>
<p>Wright had his first career double-double and hit four 3s.</p>
<p>Serge Ibaka scored 16 points for Toronto. Fred VanVleet added 13 and the Raptors pulled away in the fourth quarter for their ninth win in 11 games.</p>
<p>Justin Holiday led Chicago with 26 points, and Lauri Markkanen added 22 points and 12 rebounds. Nikola Mirotic scored 20, but the Bulls dropped their third straight.</p>
<p>BUCKS 122, PACERS 101</p>
<p>MILWAUKEE (AP) - Giannis Antetokounmpo had 31 points and 10 rebounds, Khris Middleton added 27 points and Milwaukee pulled away from Indiana.</p>
<p>Antetokounmpo had his way around the rim with his usual array of dunks and layups, shooting 12 of 18. He secured his 18th double-double of the season with 1:01 left in the third quarter and was rested for the entire fourth.</p>
<p>Minus leading scorer Victor Oladipo (24.9 points per game) for a fourth straight game because of a knee injury, the Pacers couldn't keep up. Domantas Sabonis had a career-high 24 points on 10-of-13 shooting for Indiana, which lost its season-high fifth in a row.</p>
<p>The Pacers shot just 3 of 15 from 3-point range.</p>
<p>PELICANS 108, JAZZ 98</p>
<p>SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Anthony Davis had 29 points and 15 rebounds to lead New Orleans past Utah.</p>
<p>Jrue Holiday carried the offense early with 18 first-half points and finished with 24 for the Pelicans. DeMarcus Cousins added 19 points and 11 rebounds.</p>
<p>Donovan Mitchell led the Jazz with 24 points, and Joe Johnson scored 20 off the bench.</p>
<p>The Pelicans' 3-point shooting was the difference, as New Orleans went 14 for 30 (46.7 percent) from beyond the arc while the Jazz were 7 of 32 (21.9 percent).</p>
<p>The game went back and forth before the Pelicans closed the third quarter on a 12-1 run, including seven points from Davis. He added 10 in the fourth to help close it out.</p>
<p>NUGGETS 134, SUNS 111</p>
<p>DENVER (AP) - Gary Harris scored 28 of his 36 points in the first half and Denver used a big third quarter to beat Phoenix.</p>
<p>Harris tied his career high in points, finishing 14 of 17 from the field. Nikola Jokic added 14 points, nine rebounds and eight assists to help the Nuggets stop a two-game slide and improve to 13-4 at home this season.</p>
<p>Wilson Chandler scored 17 points, Trey Lyles had 16 and Jamal Murray 13.</p>
<p>Devin Booker led the Suns with 17 points. Greg Monroe, filling in for starting center Tyson Chandler, had 16 points and 10 rebounds.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>More NBA basketball: <a href="" type="internal">https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball</a></p>
<p>BOSTON (AP) - Terry Rozier scored 20 points in 20 minutes, stealing the spotlight from LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Isaiah Thomas in a rematch of the Eastern Conference finals and leading the Boston Celtics to a 102-88 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.</p>
<p>Rozier scored the last eight Boston points of the first quarter to give the Celtics an 11-point lead, and had another eight in a row midway through the fourth when they expanded the lead to 21. Marcus Smart and Jayson Tatum had 15 points apiece, and Irving and Al Horford each had 11 points and nine rebounds to help Boston to its fourth straight win.</p>
<p>James had 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists, and Tristan Thompson had 10 points and 10 rebounds for Cleveland, which lost for the fourth time in five games. Playing on back-to-back nights - the Celtics had been preparing for them since New Year's Eve - Cleveland shot 34.8 percent.</p>
<p>It was the first time the teams had played since the season opener, when top Boston free agent Gordon Hayward broke his leg in a gruesome injury that reshuffled the Eastern Conference playoff race.</p>
<p>WARRIORS 125, MAVERICKS 122</p>
<p>DALLAS (AP) - Stephen Curry hit a long 3-pointer with three seconds to play, giving Golden State a hard-fought victory over Dallas.</p>
<p>Curry finished with 32 points as Golden State's "Big Four" combined for 100 - and the Warriors needed every one of them against a Mavericks team that had won four straight.</p>
<p>Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson had 25 points each, and Draymond Green added 18 to go with 10 rebounds.</p>
<p>Wesley Matthews led the Mavericks with 22 points, including seven 3-pointers, and Dwight Powell tied his career high with 21.</p>
<p>Dallas, playing from behind most of the game, erased a 12-point deficit with 4:32 to play, tying the score at 120 on Harrison Barnes' jumper with 39.9 seconds left.</p>
<p>THUNDER 133, LAKERS 96</p>
<p>LOS ANGELES (AP) - Russell Westbrook had 20 points and 12 assists in a successful return home, and rookie Terrance Ferguson scored all 24 of his points in the second half of his first career start as Oklahoma City handed Los Angeles its eighth consecutive defeat.</p>
<p>Paul George also scored 24 points and Carmelo Anthony added 21 to complement Westbrook, the reigning MVP who was born in Long Beach and went to college at UCLA.</p>
<p>The Lakers were led by rookie Kyle Kuzma's 18 points. They shot just 41.3 percent from the field, while the Thunder shot 60.2 percent.</p>
<p>76ERS 112, SPURS 106</p>
<p>PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Joel Embiid shook off a sprained right hand that nearly kept him out of the lineup to score 21 points, grab 11 rebounds and lead Philadelphia past San Antonio.</p>
<p>The 76ers snapped a 12-game losing streak to the Spurs. They needed all 35 minutes from Embiid to knock off short-handed San Antonio.</p>
<p>Embiid was injured in a hard fall Saturday against the Suns. Philadelphia's leading scorer and rebounder sat at his locker before the game and said his hand was swollen and he couldn't shoot.</p>
<p>Embiid used a soft touch to sink a couple of shots during pregame drills, and that was enough to convince the Sixers he could play.</p>
<p>The Sixers blew a 16-point lead and might have been thumped from the outset had the Spurs not sat five players. Patty Mills led the Spurs with 26 points and LaMarcus Aldridge had 24 points and 14 rebounds.</p>
<p>ROCKETS 116, MAGIC 98</p>
<p>ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Gerald Green scored 27 points, Clint Capela had 21 points and eight rebounds and Houston got by without NBA scoring leader James Harden, routing Orlando.</p>
<p>Harden was sidelined by a strained left hamstring.</p>
<p>Green made his first five 3-point shots and finished 7 for 10 from behind the arc for the Rockets, who were never behind and led by as many as 28 late in the third quarter.</p>
<p>Eric Gordon added 17 points and six assists to help Houston tune up for its Thursday night showdown with Golden State.</p>
<p>Aaron Gordon led the Magic with 16 points after missing his first eight shots. Elfrid Payton and Mario Hezonja added 14 each during Orlando's 12th loss in 13 games.</p>
<p>WIZARDS 121, KNICKS 103</p>
<p>WASHINGTON (AP) - Bradley Beal scored 27 points, John Wall added 25 with nine assists and Washington beat New York.</p>
<p>Playing for the first time since he was selected Eastern Conference player of the week, Beal followed his 39-point outburst on Sunday by hitting 11 of his 14 field goal attempts for Washington, which was won five of six.</p>
<p>Marcin Gortat had a season-high 21 points, shooting 9 of 10 from the field.</p>
<p>Michael Beasley had 20 points, including 16 in the second half to lead the Knicks, who have lost six of seven.</p>
<p>Kristips Porzingis scored 16 points. New York has lost 14 of its last 15 against Washington.</p>
<p>HEAT 111, PISTONS 104</p>
<p>MIAMI (AP) - Kelly Olynyk scored 25 points, including a big layup with 39 seconds left, and Goran Dragic added 24 as Miami held off Detroit.</p>
<p>Olynyk finished with 13 rebounds and Dragic had 13 assists for the Heat, who are three games over .500 for the first time since April 2016.</p>
<p>Josh Richardson scored 22 for Miami, which shot 51 percent and outscored the Pistons 51-27 from 3-point range. James Johnson scored 16, Wayne Ellington had 12 and Hassan Whiteside added 10 for the Heat.</p>
<p>Tobias Harris led a balanced Detroit effort with 19.</p>
<p>NETS 98, TIMBERWOLVES 97</p>
<p>NEW YORK (AP) - Spencer Dinwiddie made the go-ahead jumper with 9.7 seconds left and tied his career high with 26 points, leading Brooklyn over Minnesota.</p>
<p>Jimmy Butler missed at the buzzer as the Timberwolves lost for just the second time in nine games.</p>
<p>Dinwiddie added nine assists as the Nets improved to 2-0 in the new year - more wins than they had all last January, when they were 1-15. Joe Harris came off the bench to score 17 points.</p>
<p>Butler finished with 30 points, mostly on the strength of 16-of-18 shooting at the foul line. Andrew Wiggins added 17 points and Karl-Anthony Towns had 16 points and 10 rebounds.</p>
<p>RAPTORS 124, BULLS 115</p>
<p>CHICAGO (AP) - DeMar DeRozan had 35 points and Delon Wright set career highs with 25 points and 13 rebounds as Toronto beat Chicago.</p>
<p>DeRozan came up big again after scoring a franchise-record 52 points in a win over Milwaukee on New Year's Day. Held to nine in the first half this time, he scored 18 in the third quarter. He also shot 5 of 8 on 3-pointers and converted all 10 free throws.</p>
<p>Wright had his first career double-double and hit four 3s.</p>
<p>Serge Ibaka scored 16 points for Toronto. Fred VanVleet added 13 and the Raptors pulled away in the fourth quarter for their ninth win in 11 games.</p>
<p>Justin Holiday led Chicago with 26 points, and Lauri Markkanen added 22 points and 12 rebounds. Nikola Mirotic scored 20, but the Bulls dropped their third straight.</p>
<p>BUCKS 122, PACERS 101</p>
<p>MILWAUKEE (AP) - Giannis Antetokounmpo had 31 points and 10 rebounds, Khris Middleton added 27 points and Milwaukee pulled away from Indiana.</p>
<p>Antetokounmpo had his way around the rim with his usual array of dunks and layups, shooting 12 of 18. He secured his 18th double-double of the season with 1:01 left in the third quarter and was rested for the entire fourth.</p>
<p>Minus leading scorer Victor Oladipo (24.9 points per game) for a fourth straight game because of a knee injury, the Pacers couldn't keep up. Domantas Sabonis had a career-high 24 points on 10-of-13 shooting for Indiana, which lost its season-high fifth in a row.</p>
<p>The Pacers shot just 3 of 15 from 3-point range.</p>
<p>PELICANS 108, JAZZ 98</p>
<p>SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Anthony Davis had 29 points and 15 rebounds to lead New Orleans past Utah.</p>
<p>Jrue Holiday carried the offense early with 18 first-half points and finished with 24 for the Pelicans. DeMarcus Cousins added 19 points and 11 rebounds.</p>
<p>Donovan Mitchell led the Jazz with 24 points, and Joe Johnson scored 20 off the bench.</p>
<p>The Pelicans' 3-point shooting was the difference, as New Orleans went 14 for 30 (46.7 percent) from beyond the arc while the Jazz were 7 of 32 (21.9 percent).</p>
<p>The game went back and forth before the Pelicans closed the third quarter on a 12-1 run, including seven points from Davis. He added 10 in the fourth to help close it out.</p>
<p>NUGGETS 134, SUNS 111</p>
<p>DENVER (AP) - Gary Harris scored 28 of his 36 points in the first half and Denver used a big third quarter to beat Phoenix.</p>
<p>Harris tied his career high in points, finishing 14 of 17 from the field. Nikola Jokic added 14 points, nine rebounds and eight assists to help the Nuggets stop a two-game slide and improve to 13-4 at home this season.</p>
<p>Wilson Chandler scored 17 points, Trey Lyles had 16 and Jamal Murray 13.</p>
<p>Devin Booker led the Suns with 17 points. Greg Monroe, filling in for starting center Tyson Chandler, had 16 points and 10 rebounds.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>More NBA basketball: <a href="" type="internal">https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball</a></p>
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boston ap terry rozier scored 20 points 20 minutes stealing spotlight lebron james kyrie irving isaiah thomas rematch eastern conference finals leading boston celtics 10288 victory cleveland cavaliers wednesday night rozier scored last eight boston points first quarter give celtics 11point lead another eight row midway fourth expanded lead 21 marcus smart jayson tatum 15 points apiece irving al horford 11 points nine rebounds help boston fourth straight win james 19 points seven rebounds six assists tristan thompson 10 points 10 rebounds cleveland lost fourth time five games playing backtoback nights celtics preparing since new years eve cleveland shot 348 percent first time teams played since season opener top boston free agent gordon hayward broke leg gruesome injury reshuffled eastern conference playoff race warriors 125 mavericks 122 dallas ap stephen curry hit long 3pointer three seconds play giving golden state hardfought victory dallas curry finished 32 points golden states big four combined 100 warriors needed every one mavericks team four straight kevin durant klay thompson 25 points draymond green added 18 go 10 rebounds wesley matthews led mavericks 22 points including seven 3pointers dwight powell tied career high 21 dallas playing behind game erased 12point deficit 432 play tying score 120 harrison barnes jumper 399 seconds left thunder 133 lakers 96 los angeles ap russell westbrook 20 points 12 assists successful return home rookie terrance ferguson scored 24 points second half first career start oklahoma city handed los angeles eighth consecutive defeat paul george also scored 24 points carmelo anthony added 21 complement westbrook reigning mvp born long beach went college ucla lakers led rookie kyle kuzmas 18 points shot 413 percent field thunder shot 602 percent 76ers 112 spurs 106 philadelphia ap joel embiid shook sprained right hand nearly kept lineup score 21 points grab 11 rebounds lead philadelphia past san antonio 76ers snapped 12game losing streak spurs needed 35 minutes embiid knock shorthanded san antonio embiid injured hard fall saturday suns philadelphias leading scorer rebounder sat locker game said hand swollen couldnt shoot embiid used soft touch sink couple shots pregame drills enough convince sixers could play sixers blew 16point lead might thumped outset spurs sat five players patty mills led spurs 26 points lamarcus aldridge 24 points 14 rebounds rockets 116 magic 98 orlando fla ap gerald green scored 27 points clint capela 21 points eight rebounds houston got without nba scoring leader james harden routing orlando harden sidelined strained left hamstring green made first five 3point shots finished 7 10 behind arc rockets never behind led many 28 late third quarter eric gordon added 17 points six assists help houston tune thursday night showdown golden state aaron gordon led magic 16 points missing first eight shots elfrid payton mario hezonja added 14 orlandos 12th loss 13 games wizards 121 knicks 103 washington ap bradley beal scored 27 points john wall added 25 nine assists washington beat new york playing first time since selected eastern conference player week beal followed 39point outburst sunday hitting 11 14 field goal attempts washington five six marcin gortat seasonhigh 21 points shooting 9 10 field michael beasley 20 points including 16 second half lead knicks lost six seven kristips porzingis scored 16 points new york lost 14 last 15 washington heat 111 pistons 104 miami ap kelly olynyk scored 25 points including big layup 39 seconds left goran dragic added 24 miami held detroit olynyk finished 13 rebounds dragic 13 assists heat three games 500 first time since april 2016 josh richardson scored 22 miami shot 51 percent outscored pistons 5127 3point range james johnson scored 16 wayne ellington 12 hassan whiteside added 10 heat tobias harris led balanced detroit effort 19 nets 98 timberwolves 97 new york ap spencer dinwiddie made goahead jumper 97 seconds left tied career high 26 points leading brooklyn minnesota jimmy butler missed buzzer timberwolves lost second time nine games dinwiddie added nine assists nets improved 20 new year wins last january 115 joe harris came bench score 17 points butler finished 30 points mostly strength 16of18 shooting foul line andrew wiggins added 17 points karlanthony towns 16 points 10 rebounds raptors 124 bulls 115 chicago ap demar derozan 35 points delon wright set career highs 25 points 13 rebounds toronto beat chicago derozan came big scoring franchiserecord 52 points win milwaukee new years day held nine first half time scored 18 third quarter also shot 5 8 3pointers converted 10 free throws wright first career doubledouble hit four 3s serge ibaka scored 16 points toronto fred vanvleet added 13 raptors pulled away fourth quarter ninth win 11 games justin holiday led chicago 26 points lauri markkanen added 22 points 12 rebounds nikola mirotic scored 20 bulls dropped third straight bucks 122 pacers 101 milwaukee ap giannis antetokounmpo 31 points 10 rebounds khris middleton added 27 points milwaukee pulled away indiana antetokounmpo way around rim usual array dunks layups shooting 12 18 secured 18th doubledouble season 101 left third quarter rested entire fourth minus leading scorer victor oladipo 249 points per game fourth straight game knee injury pacers couldnt keep domantas sabonis careerhigh 24 points 10of13 shooting indiana lost seasonhigh fifth row pacers shot 3 15 3point range pelicans 108 jazz 98 salt lake city ap anthony davis 29 points 15 rebounds lead new orleans past utah jrue holiday carried offense early 18 firsthalf points finished 24 pelicans demarcus cousins added 19 points 11 rebounds donovan mitchell led jazz 24 points joe johnson scored 20 bench pelicans 3point shooting difference new orleans went 14 30 467 percent beyond arc jazz 7 32 219 percent game went back forth pelicans closed third quarter 121 run including seven points davis added 10 fourth help close nuggets 134 suns 111 denver ap gary harris scored 28 36 points first half denver used big third quarter beat phoenix harris tied career high points finishing 14 17 field nikola jokic added 14 points nine rebounds eight assists help nuggets stop twogame slide improve 134 home season wilson chandler scored 17 points trey lyles 16 jamal murray 13 devin booker led suns 17 points greg monroe filling starting center tyson chandler 16 points 10 rebounds ___ nba basketball httpsapnewscomtagnbabasketball boston ap terry rozier scored 20 points 20 minutes stealing spotlight lebron james kyrie irving isaiah thomas rematch eastern conference finals leading boston celtics 10288 victory cleveland cavaliers wednesday night rozier scored last eight boston points first quarter give celtics 11point lead another eight row midway fourth expanded lead 21 marcus smart jayson tatum 15 points apiece irving al horford 11 points nine rebounds help boston fourth straight win james 19 points seven rebounds six assists tristan thompson 10 points 10 rebounds cleveland lost fourth time five games playing backtoback nights celtics preparing since new years eve cleveland shot 348 percent first time teams played since season opener top boston free agent gordon hayward broke leg gruesome injury reshuffled eastern conference playoff race warriors 125 mavericks 122 dallas ap stephen curry hit long 3pointer three seconds play giving golden state hardfought victory dallas curry finished 32 points golden states big four combined 100 warriors needed every one mavericks team four straight kevin durant klay thompson 25 points draymond green added 18 go 10 rebounds wesley matthews led mavericks 22 points including seven 3pointers dwight powell tied career high 21 dallas playing behind game erased 12point deficit 432 play tying score 120 harrison barnes jumper 399 seconds left thunder 133 lakers 96 los angeles ap russell westbrook 20 points 12 assists successful return home rookie terrance ferguson scored 24 points second half first career start oklahoma city handed los angeles eighth consecutive defeat paul george also scored 24 points carmelo anthony added 21 complement westbrook reigning mvp born long beach went college ucla lakers led rookie kyle kuzmas 18 points shot 413 percent field thunder shot 602 percent 76ers 112 spurs 106 philadelphia ap joel embiid shook sprained right hand nearly kept lineup score 21 points grab 11 rebounds lead philadelphia past san antonio 76ers snapped 12game losing streak spurs needed 35 minutes embiid knock shorthanded san antonio embiid injured hard fall saturday suns philadelphias leading scorer rebounder sat locker game said hand swollen couldnt shoot embiid used soft touch sink couple shots pregame drills enough convince sixers could play sixers blew 16point lead might thumped outset spurs sat five players patty mills led spurs 26 points lamarcus aldridge 24 points 14 rebounds rockets 116 magic 98 orlando fla ap gerald green scored 27 points clint capela 21 points eight rebounds houston got without nba scoring leader james harden routing orlando harden sidelined strained left hamstring green made first five 3point shots finished 7 10 behind arc rockets never behind led many 28 late third quarter eric gordon added 17 points six assists help houston tune thursday night showdown golden state aaron gordon led magic 16 points missing first eight shots elfrid payton mario hezonja added 14 orlandos 12th loss 13 games wizards 121 knicks 103 washington ap bradley beal scored 27 points john wall added 25 nine assists washington beat new york playing first time since selected eastern conference player week beal followed 39point outburst sunday hitting 11 14 field goal attempts washington five six marcin gortat seasonhigh 21 points shooting 9 10 field michael beasley 20 points including 16 second half lead knicks lost six seven kristips porzingis scored 16 points new york lost 14 last 15 washington heat 111 pistons 104 miami ap kelly olynyk scored 25 points including big layup 39 seconds left goran dragic added 24 miami held detroit olynyk finished 13 rebounds dragic 13 assists heat three games 500 first time since april 2016 josh richardson scored 22 miami shot 51 percent outscored pistons 5127 3point range james johnson scored 16 wayne ellington 12 hassan whiteside added 10 heat tobias harris led balanced detroit effort 19 nets 98 timberwolves 97 new york ap spencer dinwiddie made goahead jumper 97 seconds left tied career high 26 points leading brooklyn minnesota jimmy butler missed buzzer timberwolves lost second time nine games dinwiddie added nine assists nets improved 20 new year wins last january 115 joe harris came bench score 17 points butler finished 30 points mostly strength 16of18 shooting foul line andrew wiggins added 17 points karlanthony towns 16 points 10 rebounds raptors 124 bulls 115 chicago ap demar derozan 35 points delon wright set career highs 25 points 13 rebounds toronto beat chicago derozan came big scoring franchiserecord 52 points win milwaukee new years day held nine first half time scored 18 third quarter also shot 5 8 3pointers converted 10 free throws wright first career doubledouble hit four 3s serge ibaka scored 16 points toronto fred vanvleet added 13 raptors pulled away fourth quarter ninth win 11 games justin holiday led chicago 26 points lauri markkanen added 22 points 12 rebounds nikola mirotic scored 20 bulls dropped third straight bucks 122 pacers 101 milwaukee ap giannis antetokounmpo 31 points 10 rebounds khris middleton added 27 points milwaukee pulled away indiana antetokounmpo way around rim usual array dunks layups shooting 12 18 secured 18th doubledouble season 101 left third quarter rested entire fourth minus leading scorer victor oladipo 249 points per game fourth straight game knee injury pacers couldnt keep domantas sabonis careerhigh 24 points 10of13 shooting indiana lost seasonhigh fifth row pacers shot 3 15 3point range pelicans 108 jazz 98 salt lake city ap anthony davis 29 points 15 rebounds lead new orleans past utah jrue holiday carried offense early 18 firsthalf points finished 24 pelicans demarcus cousins added 19 points 11 rebounds donovan mitchell led jazz 24 points joe johnson scored 20 bench pelicans 3point shooting difference new orleans went 14 30 467 percent beyond arc jazz 7 32 219 percent game went back forth pelicans closed third quarter 121 run including seven points davis added 10 fourth help close nuggets 134 suns 111 denver ap gary harris scored 28 36 points first half denver used big third quarter beat phoenix harris tied career high points finishing 14 17 field nikola jokic added 14 points nine rebounds eight assists help nuggets stop twogame slide improve 134 home season wilson chandler scored 17 points trey lyles 16 jamal murray 13 devin booker led suns 17 points greg monroe filling starting center tyson chandler 16 points 10 rebounds ___ nba basketball httpsapnewscomtagnbabasketball
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<p>The two pilots and purser in the cockpit died instantly, and the Boeing 777 disintegrated and fell to earth, killing the rest of the 298 men, women and children aboard Flight 17 on July 17, 2014, Dutch investigators said Tuesday in a long-awaited report.</p>
<p>Some of the victims may have been conscious for 60 to 90 seconds, the Dutch Safety Board said, but they probably were not fully aware of what was happening in the oxygen-starved, freezing chaos. The tornado-like airflow surging through the doomed jet as it came apart was powerful enough to tear off people's clothes and leave naked corpses amid the fields of sunflowers.</p>
<p>The 15-month Dutch investigation blamed a Soviet-made surface-to-air Buk missile for downing the Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur flight, but it did not explicitly say who had fired it. It identified an area of 320 square kilometers (120 square miles) where it said the launch must have taken place, and all of the land was in the hands of pro-Russian separatists fighting Ukrainian forces at the time of the disaster, according to daily maps of fighting released by the Ukrainian National Security Council.</p>
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<p>The Dutch Safety Board also found that the tragedy wouldn't have happened if the airspace of eastern Ukraine had been totally closed to passenger planes as fighting raged below.</p>
<p>"Our investigation showed that all parties regarded the conflict in eastern part of Ukraine from a military perspective. Nobody gave any thought of a possible threat to civil aviation," Safety Board chairman Tjibbe Joustra said in releasing the report at a military base in the southern Netherlands.</p>
<p>He spoke in front of the partially reassembled red, white and blue Malaysian jetliner, much of the left side of its mangled fuselage front riddled with shrapnel holes.</p>
<p>Russian officials were prompt to dismiss the Dutch report, with Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov calling it an obvious "attempt to make a biased conclusion, in essence to carry out a political order."</p>
<p>Earlier Tuesday, the Buk's manufacturer presented its own report trying to clear the separatists, and Russia itself, of any involvement.</p>
<p>The Russian state-controlled consortium Almaz-Antey said it conducted experiments, including one in which a Buk missile was detonated near the nose of an airplane similar to a 777, and it contended they contradicted the conclusion that a Buk missile of the kind used by the Russians destroyed Flight 17. Almaz-Antey had earlier suggested that it could have been a model of Buk that is no longer in service with the Russian military but is part of Ukraine's arsenal.</p>
<p>It said the experiments also rebutted claims the missile was fired from Snizhne, a village that was under rebel control. An Associated Press reporter saw a Buk missile system in that vicinity on the same day.</p>
<p>Despite the moves by Moscow, Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands called on Russia to fully cooperate with a separate criminal investigation that Dutch prosecutors are conducting into the downing of the plane, in which 196 Dutch nationals died.</p>
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<p>Rutte said a key priority "is now tracking down and prosecuting the perpetrators."</p>
<p>"On July 17, 2014, in eastern Ukraine, in broad daylight, a passenger airplane was shot out of the sky with a Buk missile," he said. The safety board's conclusions confirmed "some of our most shocking suspicions," he added.</p>
<p>In a statement, the Dutch-led Joint Investigation Team said it has already identified "persons of interest" in the probe, but said it is "not easy" to find witnesses, especially ones willing to make a statement. They said their probe will stretch into 2016.</p>
<p>The Netherlands has headed the international investigation into the disaster because most victims were Dutch. Ukraine, in whose airspace the incident occurred, agreed to let the Netherlands take the lead.</p>
<p>At U.N. headquarters, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin defended his country's decision not to close its airspace, saying no one at the time was aware of the possibility that Russia had brought highly sophisticated anti-aircraft missiles into Ukraine.</p>
<p>Klimkin also praised the Dutch report as "fully unbiased and transparent," and said what now is needed is for a criminal investigation to reveal the chain of command and bring those responsible to justice.</p>
<p>Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak also said the world "must move forward toward ensuring that those responsible are held accountable for this murderous act." There were 43 Malaysians aboard, the second-highest total.</p>
<p>Dutch investigators said the missile detonated less than a meter (3.3) feet from the plane, to the left side of the cockpit, sending the shrapnel into the plane at speeds of up to 9,000 kph (5,600 mph).</p>
<p>Joustra said missile fragments found in the cockpit crew's bodies, as well as paint traces, helped investigators to identify the Buk. Some of the pieces of metal, he said, were shaped like cubes or "bow ties" - a detail weapons experts called extremely significant.</p>
<p>"The overall picture is conclusive - a 9M38M1 surface-to-air missile from a Buk operated from rebel-held territory in east Ukraine was responsible for the shooting down of MH17," said Nick de Larrinaga, Europe editor for IHS Jane's Defense Weekly.</p>
<p>Joustra said the Russian government had been given the opportunity to review the report's conclusions in advance, and that it maintained it was impossible to determine the type of missile or warhead that struck the Boeing with certainty.</p>
<p>The missile explosion caused a "deafening sound wave" anyone still alive aboard would have heard, the Dutch report said.</p>
<p>The sudden decompression, reduced oxygen levels and extreme cold of minus 40-50 degrees Celsius (minus-40-58 degrees Fahrenheit) may have killed some people. As the high winds tore through the cabin, hand baggage and other personal belongings may have become lethal projectiles.</p>
<p>As the mangled, pilotless jet went into its deadly dive from 33,000 feet, those who hadn't already died may have suffered dizziness, nausea and, finally, blackout and death.</p>
<p>Rob Fredriksz, whose son Bryce was aboard Flight 17, said he was relieved to hear that the passengers died almost instantly and "absolutely felt and knew nothing."</p>
<p>Key findings of the investigation were given to families of victims before the report was released, and Fredriksz said some relatives became emotional when they were shown an animation portraying the downing of the plane.</p>
<p>On Tuesday evening, President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said Russia was disappointed its experts hadn't been invited to take part in the Dutch investigation, adding that the refusal to take the findings of the Buk manufacturer's experiments into account reflected a biased approach.</p>
<p>Commenting on Ukraine blaming Russia-backed separatists for downing the plane, Peskov said that "prior to the completion of the probe, it's inadmissible to put labels and name culprits."</p>
<p>U.S. National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said the Dutch investigation was conducted in a professional manner and should serve as the basis for further work to identify those responsible for the aircraft's destruction.</p>
<p>In the village of Hrabove where the jet came down, Lyudmila Grigoryak - whose house was the closest to the crash site - brought red carnations Tuesday to the field where small pieces of the fuselage are still scattered.</p>
<p>Unlike a year and a half ago when heavy fighting was just nearby, the area is quiet and deserted. All the camouflaged rebels who were patrolling the area and manning checkpoints are gone.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Corder reported from The Hague, Netherlands. Nataliya Vasilyeva, Jim Heintz and Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow, Raf Casert in Brussels, Mstyslav Chernov in Hrabove, Ukraine, Jamey Keaten in Geneva, Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and Nancy Benac in Washington contributed to this report.</p>
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two pilots purser cockpit died instantly boeing 777 disintegrated fell earth killing rest 298 men women children aboard flight 17 july 17 2014 dutch investigators said tuesday longawaited report victims may conscious 60 90 seconds dutch safety board said probably fully aware happening oxygenstarved freezing chaos tornadolike airflow surging doomed jet came apart powerful enough tear peoples clothes leave naked corpses amid fields sunflowers 15month dutch investigation blamed sovietmade surfacetoair buk missile downing amsterdam kuala lumpur flight explicitly say fired identified area 320 square kilometers 120 square miles said launch must taken place land hands prorussian separatists fighting ukrainian forces time disaster according daily maps fighting released ukrainian national security council advertisement dutch safety board also found tragedy wouldnt happened airspace eastern ukraine totally closed passenger planes fighting raged investigation showed parties regarded conflict eastern part ukraine military perspective nobody gave thought possible threat civil aviation safety board chairman tjibbe joustra said releasing report military base southern netherlands spoke front partially reassembled red white blue malaysian jetliner much left side mangled fuselage front riddled shrapnel holes russian officials prompt dismiss dutch report deputy foreign minister sergei ryabkov calling obvious attempt make biased conclusion essence carry political order earlier tuesday buks manufacturer presented report trying clear separatists russia involvement russian statecontrolled consortium almazantey said conducted experiments including one buk missile detonated near nose airplane similar 777 contended contradicted conclusion buk missile kind used russians destroyed flight 17 almazantey earlier suggested could model buk longer service russian military part ukraines arsenal said experiments also rebutted claims missile fired snizhne village rebel control associated press reporter saw buk missile system vicinity day despite moves moscow prime minister mark rutte netherlands called russia fully cooperate separate criminal investigation dutch prosecutors conducting downing plane 196 dutch nationals died advertisement rutte said key priority tracking prosecuting perpetrators july 17 2014 eastern ukraine broad daylight passenger airplane shot sky buk missile said safety boards conclusions confirmed shocking suspicions added statement dutchled joint investigation team said already identified persons interest probe said easy find witnesses especially ones willing make statement said probe stretch 2016 netherlands headed international investigation disaster victims dutch ukraine whose airspace incident occurred agreed let netherlands take lead un headquarters ukrainian foreign minister pavlo klimkin defended countrys decision close airspace saying one time aware possibility russia brought highly sophisticated antiaircraft missiles ukraine klimkin also praised dutch report fully unbiased transparent said needed criminal investigation reveal chain command bring responsible justice malaysias prime minister najib razak also said world must move forward toward ensuring responsible held accountable murderous act 43 malaysians aboard secondhighest total dutch investigators said missile detonated less meter 33 feet plane left side cockpit sending shrapnel plane speeds 9000 kph 5600 mph joustra said missile fragments found cockpit crews bodies well paint traces helped investigators identify buk pieces metal said shaped like cubes bow ties detail weapons experts called extremely significant overall picture conclusive 9m38m1 surfacetoair missile buk operated rebelheld territory east ukraine responsible shooting mh17 said nick de larrinaga europe editor ihs janes defense weekly joustra said russian government given opportunity review reports conclusions advance maintained impossible determine type missile warhead struck boeing certainty missile explosion caused deafening sound wave anyone still alive aboard would heard dutch report said sudden decompression reduced oxygen levels extreme cold minus 4050 degrees celsius minus4058 degrees fahrenheit may killed people high winds tore cabin hand baggage personal belongings may become lethal projectiles mangled pilotless jet went deadly dive 33000 feet hadnt already died may suffered dizziness nausea finally blackout death rob fredriksz whose son bryce aboard flight 17 said relieved hear passengers died almost instantly absolutely felt knew nothing key findings investigation given families victims report released fredriksz said relatives became emotional shown animation portraying downing plane tuesday evening president vladimir putins spokesman dmitry peskov said russia disappointed experts hadnt invited take part dutch investigation adding refusal take findings buk manufacturers experiments account reflected biased approach commenting ukraine blaming russiabacked separatists downing plane peskov said prior completion probe inadmissible put labels name culprits us national security council spokesman ned price said dutch investigation conducted professional manner serve basis work identify responsible aircrafts destruction village hrabove jet came lyudmila grigoryak whose house closest crash site brought red carnations tuesday field small pieces fuselage still scattered unlike year half ago heavy fighting nearby area quiet deserted camouflaged rebels patrolling area manning checkpoints gone ___ corder reported hague netherlands nataliya vasilyeva jim heintz vladimir isachenkov moscow raf casert brussels mstyslav chernov hrabove ukraine jamey keaten geneva edith lederer united nations nancy benac washington contributed report
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<p>BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spain's fall from the top of the soccer rankings took an even more humbling turn Thursday when the team dropped out of the top 10.</p>
<p>The Spanish spent almost six full years at No. 1, winning the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 European Championships. But the troubles in the aging team became apparent in the first game of last year's World Cup in Brazil, when the Netherlands routed the top-ranked defending champions 5-1.</p>
<p>After early elimination, Spain later lost friendlies to France and Germany. And in October, the team's eight-year unbeaten run in qualifying matches ended in a surprising 2-1 loss at Slovakia.</p>
<p>On Thursday, FIFA's latest rankings dropped Spain to 11th place, the first time the team has been outside the top 10 since 2007.</p>
<p>"We have to return to being the team we were before," Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said Wednesday, a day before the rankings were released.</p>
<p>Spain, which fell one spot from 10th, has not played a match since losing to Germany 1-0 in November. That result handed Spain its first loss on home soil in 35 matches, dating back to 2006.</p>
<p>This week's drop, however, has more to do with how good the team was four years ago. The four-year cycle of results used by FIFA means that wins from 2011 are no longer counted.</p>
<p>At the top of the rankings, world champion Germany remained in first place, ahead of Argentina, Colombia, Belgium and the Netherlands. Italy climbed up to replace Spain in 10th.</p>
<p>Spain rose to the top of the rankings when it won Euro 2008, with Luis Aragones as coach. The team remained at the top when Del Bosque took over and guided the team to the 2010 World Cup title and the Euro 2012 title.</p>
<p>Del Bosque has tried to lead what he calls a "sweet" rejuvenation of the team, but he has had mixed results as Xavi Hernandez, Xabi Alonso and David Villa have all retired from international duty.</p>
<p>Striker Diego Costa, who plays for Chelsea, has not completely meshed with the national team's "tiki-taka" passing attack, and newcomers such as striker Paco Alcacer and forward Manuel "Nolito" Agudo have been hampered by injuries.</p>
<p>Doubts also still remain about whether Iker Casillas will be the team's goalkeeper for the Euro 2016 tournament in France.</p>
<p>Despite his unquestionable decline, Del Bosque said Casillas was still his No. 1 'keeper, at least for now.</p>
<p>"We shouldn't change unless (Casillas) has an alarming dip in form," Del Bosque said. "I think he is fine. He will be on our next squad list along with (David) de Gea."</p>
<p>That list will be for a European Championship qualifier against Ukraine in Seville on March 27 and a friendly against the Netherlands four days later. Spain is tied with Ukraine in second place in Group C, trailing Slovakia by three points.</p>
<p>That's a far cry from the dominant days of the not-so-distant past.</p>
<p>BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spain's fall from the top of the soccer rankings took an even more humbling turn Thursday when the team dropped out of the top 10.</p>
<p>The Spanish spent almost six full years at No. 1, winning the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 European Championships. But the troubles in the aging team became apparent in the first game of last year's World Cup in Brazil, when the Netherlands routed the top-ranked defending champions 5-1.</p>
<p>After early elimination, Spain later lost friendlies to France and Germany. And in October, the team's eight-year unbeaten run in qualifying matches ended in a surprising 2-1 loss at Slovakia.</p>
<p>On Thursday, FIFA's latest rankings dropped Spain to 11th place, the first time the team has been outside the top 10 since 2007.</p>
<p>"We have to return to being the team we were before," Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said Wednesday, a day before the rankings were released.</p>
<p>Spain, which fell one spot from 10th, has not played a match since losing to Germany 1-0 in November. That result handed Spain its first loss on home soil in 35 matches, dating back to 2006.</p>
<p>This week's drop, however, has more to do with how good the team was four years ago. The four-year cycle of results used by FIFA means that wins from 2011 are no longer counted.</p>
<p>At the top of the rankings, world champion Germany remained in first place, ahead of Argentina, Colombia, Belgium and the Netherlands. Italy climbed up to replace Spain in 10th.</p>
<p>Spain rose to the top of the rankings when it won Euro 2008, with Luis Aragones as coach. The team remained at the top when Del Bosque took over and guided the team to the 2010 World Cup title and the Euro 2012 title.</p>
<p>Del Bosque has tried to lead what he calls a "sweet" rejuvenation of the team, but he has had mixed results as Xavi Hernandez, Xabi Alonso and David Villa have all retired from international duty.</p>
<p>Striker Diego Costa, who plays for Chelsea, has not completely meshed with the national team's "tiki-taka" passing attack, and newcomers such as striker Paco Alcacer and forward Manuel "Nolito" Agudo have been hampered by injuries.</p>
<p>Doubts also still remain about whether Iker Casillas will be the team's goalkeeper for the Euro 2016 tournament in France.</p>
<p>Despite his unquestionable decline, Del Bosque said Casillas was still his No. 1 'keeper, at least for now.</p>
<p>"We shouldn't change unless (Casillas) has an alarming dip in form," Del Bosque said. "I think he is fine. He will be on our next squad list along with (David) de Gea."</p>
<p>That list will be for a European Championship qualifier against Ukraine in Seville on March 27 and a friendly against the Netherlands four days later. Spain is tied with Ukraine in second place in Group C, trailing Slovakia by three points.</p>
<p>That's a far cry from the dominant days of the not-so-distant past.</p>
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barcelona spain ap spains fall top soccer rankings took even humbling turn thursday team dropped top 10 spanish spent almost six full years 1 winning 2010 world cup 2008 2012 european championships troubles aging team became apparent first game last years world cup brazil netherlands routed topranked defending champions 51 early elimination spain later lost friendlies france germany october teams eightyear unbeaten run qualifying matches ended surprising 21 loss slovakia thursday fifas latest rankings dropped spain 11th place first time team outside top 10 since 2007 return team spain coach vicente del bosque said wednesday day rankings released spain fell one spot 10th played match since losing germany 10 november result handed spain first loss home soil 35 matches dating back 2006 weeks drop however good team four years ago fouryear cycle results used fifa means wins 2011 longer counted top rankings world champion germany remained first place ahead argentina colombia belgium netherlands italy climbed replace spain 10th spain rose top rankings euro 2008 luis aragones coach team remained top del bosque took guided team 2010 world cup title euro 2012 title del bosque tried lead calls sweet rejuvenation team mixed results xavi hernandez xabi alonso david villa retired international duty striker diego costa plays chelsea completely meshed national teams tikitaka passing attack newcomers striker paco alcacer forward manuel nolito agudo hampered injuries doubts also still remain whether iker casillas teams goalkeeper euro 2016 tournament france despite unquestionable decline del bosque said casillas still 1 keeper least shouldnt change unless casillas alarming dip form del bosque said think fine next squad list along david de gea list european championship qualifier ukraine seville march 27 friendly netherlands four days later spain tied ukraine second place group c trailing slovakia three points thats far cry dominant days notsodistant past barcelona spain ap spains fall top soccer rankings took even humbling turn thursday team dropped top 10 spanish spent almost six full years 1 winning 2010 world cup 2008 2012 european championships troubles aging team became apparent first game last years world cup brazil netherlands routed topranked defending champions 51 early elimination spain later lost friendlies france germany october teams eightyear unbeaten run qualifying matches ended surprising 21 loss slovakia thursday fifas latest rankings dropped spain 11th place first time team outside top 10 since 2007 return team spain coach vicente del bosque said wednesday day rankings released spain fell one spot 10th played match since losing germany 10 november result handed spain first loss home soil 35 matches dating back 2006 weeks drop however good team four years ago fouryear cycle results used fifa means wins 2011 longer counted top rankings world champion germany remained first place ahead argentina colombia belgium netherlands italy climbed replace spain 10th spain rose top rankings euro 2008 luis aragones coach team remained top del bosque took guided team 2010 world cup title euro 2012 title del bosque tried lead calls sweet rejuvenation team mixed results xavi hernandez xabi alonso david villa retired international duty striker diego costa plays chelsea completely meshed national teams tikitaka passing attack newcomers striker paco alcacer forward manuel nolito agudo hampered injuries doubts also still remain whether iker casillas teams goalkeeper euro 2016 tournament france despite unquestionable decline del bosque said casillas still 1 keeper least shouldnt change unless casillas alarming dip form del bosque said think fine next squad list along david de gea list european championship qualifier ukraine seville march 27 friendly netherlands four days later spain tied ukraine second place group c trailing slovakia three points thats far cry dominant days notsodistant past
| 594 |
<p>WASHINGTON (AP) — Retailers have the ability to scan your face digitally, and use that identification to offer you special prices or even recognize you as a prior shoplifter. But should they use it? Should they get your permission first?</p>
<p>Privacy advocates announced Tuesday they have walked away from a government-run effort with industry intended to answer these questions. The idea behind the negotiations was to hash out voluntary protocols for facial recognition technology in a way that doesn't hurt consumers. The Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration, or NTIA, was acting as mediator.</p>
<p>The two sides had been meeting for 16 months, including last week, until the nine major privacy groups said they had hit a dead end and that "people deserve more protection than they are likely to get in this forum."</p>
<p>"At a base minimum, people should be able to walk down a public street without fear that companies they've never heard of are tracking their every movement — and identifying them by name — using facial recognition technology," the groups said. "Unfortunately, we have been unable to obtain agreement even with that basic, specific premise."</p>
<p>Industry groups said they still believe consensus could be found on issues like transparency, notification and data security.</p>
<p>"We all want the same outcome — to help users be comfortable using online services with confidence that their privacy will be protected," said Carl Szabo, policy counsel for an e-commerce trade group with Google and Facebook among its members. "Some of us have different opinions about what that outcome looks like."</p>
<p>Microsoft said in a statement that it supports the idea that consumers have to agree to be recognized with biometric software before it can be used.</p>
<p>An NTIA spokeswoman said the government believed that progress had been made and the work will continue. "The process is the strongest when all interested parties participate and are willing to engage on all issues," said NTIA's Juliana Gruenwald.</p>
<p>The debate on facial recognition is only likely to grow bigger in coming years as it becomes more ubiquitous. Facebook, for example, has long used facial recognition technology on its site, and just announced a new companion mobile app called "Moments" that scans a phone's camera roll to ease photo sharing. Microsoft says it is building facial-recognition and fingerprint-identification technology into Windows 10, the new computer operating system coming this summer.</p>
<p>The biggest concern, however, among privacy groups is use of the technology by retailers, including casinos, to target and profile people. One company, FaceFirst, announced last year that its system is capable of processing more than 1 million facial matches per second per server, making it ideal for these customers. So long as a company has an existing photo of "persons of interest," from shoplifters to "your best customers," retail staff can be sent an email or text alerting them of that person's arrival.</p>
<p>The ability to apply a unique signature to a person's face, even if you don't identify them by name, is particularly invasive, according to privacy advocates. They argue that industry has little incentive to adopt tough standards and that Congress should pass general privacy legislation that applies to different technologies.</p>
<p>"You can change your password and your credit card number; you cannot change your fingerprints or the precise dimensions of your face," the privacy groups said in Tuesday's statement. "Through facial recognition, these immutable, physical facts can be used to identify you, remotely and in secret, without any recourse."</p>
<p>Groups that signed the letter included the Center for Democracy and Technology, the Center for Digital Democracy, Consumer Federation of America, Common Sense Media, Electronic Frontier Foundation, American Civil Liberties Union, Consumer Action, Consumer Watchdog and the Center on Privacy &amp; Technology at Georgetown University Law Center.</p>
<p>WASHINGTON (AP) — Retailers have the ability to scan your face digitally, and use that identification to offer you special prices or even recognize you as a prior shoplifter. But should they use it? Should they get your permission first?</p>
<p>Privacy advocates announced Tuesday they have walked away from a government-run effort with industry intended to answer these questions. The idea behind the negotiations was to hash out voluntary protocols for facial recognition technology in a way that doesn't hurt consumers. The Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration, or NTIA, was acting as mediator.</p>
<p>The two sides had been meeting for 16 months, including last week, until the nine major privacy groups said they had hit a dead end and that "people deserve more protection than they are likely to get in this forum."</p>
<p>"At a base minimum, people should be able to walk down a public street without fear that companies they've never heard of are tracking their every movement — and identifying them by name — using facial recognition technology," the groups said. "Unfortunately, we have been unable to obtain agreement even with that basic, specific premise."</p>
<p>Industry groups said they still believe consensus could be found on issues like transparency, notification and data security.</p>
<p>"We all want the same outcome — to help users be comfortable using online services with confidence that their privacy will be protected," said Carl Szabo, policy counsel for an e-commerce trade group with Google and Facebook among its members. "Some of us have different opinions about what that outcome looks like."</p>
<p>Microsoft said in a statement that it supports the idea that consumers have to agree to be recognized with biometric software before it can be used.</p>
<p>An NTIA spokeswoman said the government believed that progress had been made and the work will continue. "The process is the strongest when all interested parties participate and are willing to engage on all issues," said NTIA's Juliana Gruenwald.</p>
<p>The debate on facial recognition is only likely to grow bigger in coming years as it becomes more ubiquitous. Facebook, for example, has long used facial recognition technology on its site, and just announced a new companion mobile app called "Moments" that scans a phone's camera roll to ease photo sharing. Microsoft says it is building facial-recognition and fingerprint-identification technology into Windows 10, the new computer operating system coming this summer.</p>
<p>The biggest concern, however, among privacy groups is use of the technology by retailers, including casinos, to target and profile people. One company, FaceFirst, announced last year that its system is capable of processing more than 1 million facial matches per second per server, making it ideal for these customers. So long as a company has an existing photo of "persons of interest," from shoplifters to "your best customers," retail staff can be sent an email or text alerting them of that person's arrival.</p>
<p>The ability to apply a unique signature to a person's face, even if you don't identify them by name, is particularly invasive, according to privacy advocates. They argue that industry has little incentive to adopt tough standards and that Congress should pass general privacy legislation that applies to different technologies.</p>
<p>"You can change your password and your credit card number; you cannot change your fingerprints or the precise dimensions of your face," the privacy groups said in Tuesday's statement. "Through facial recognition, these immutable, physical facts can be used to identify you, remotely and in secret, without any recourse."</p>
<p>Groups that signed the letter included the Center for Democracy and Technology, the Center for Digital Democracy, Consumer Federation of America, Common Sense Media, Electronic Frontier Foundation, American Civil Liberties Union, Consumer Action, Consumer Watchdog and the Center on Privacy &amp; Technology at Georgetown University Law Center.</p>
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washington ap retailers ability scan face digitally use identification offer special prices even recognize prior shoplifter use get permission first privacy advocates announced tuesday walked away governmentrun effort industry intended answer questions idea behind negotiations hash voluntary protocols facial recognition technology way doesnt hurt consumers commerce departments national telecommunications information administration ntia acting mediator two sides meeting 16 months including last week nine major privacy groups said hit dead end people deserve protection likely get forum base minimum people able walk public street without fear companies theyve never heard tracking every movement identifying name using facial recognition technology groups said unfortunately unable obtain agreement even basic specific premise industry groups said still believe consensus could found issues like transparency notification data security want outcome help users comfortable using online services confidence privacy protected said carl szabo policy counsel ecommerce trade group google facebook among members us different opinions outcome looks like microsoft said statement supports idea consumers agree recognized biometric software used ntia spokeswoman said government believed progress made work continue process strongest interested parties participate willing engage issues said ntias juliana gruenwald debate facial recognition likely grow bigger coming years becomes ubiquitous facebook example long used facial recognition technology site announced new companion mobile app called moments scans phones camera roll ease photo sharing microsoft says building facialrecognition fingerprintidentification technology windows 10 new computer operating system coming summer biggest concern however among privacy groups use technology retailers including casinos target profile people one company facefirst announced last year system capable processing 1 million facial matches per second per server making ideal customers long company existing photo persons interest shoplifters best customers retail staff sent email text alerting persons arrival ability apply unique signature persons face even dont identify name particularly invasive according privacy advocates argue industry little incentive adopt tough standards congress pass general privacy legislation applies different technologies change password credit card number change fingerprints precise dimensions face privacy groups said tuesdays statement facial recognition immutable physical facts used identify remotely secret without recourse groups signed letter included center democracy technology center digital democracy consumer federation america common sense media electronic frontier foundation american civil liberties union consumer action consumer watchdog center privacy amp technology georgetown university law center washington ap retailers ability scan face digitally use identification offer special prices even recognize prior shoplifter use get permission first privacy advocates announced tuesday walked away governmentrun effort industry intended answer questions idea behind negotiations hash voluntary protocols facial recognition technology way doesnt hurt consumers commerce departments national telecommunications information administration ntia acting mediator two sides meeting 16 months including last week nine major privacy groups said hit dead end people deserve protection likely get forum base minimum people able walk public street without fear companies theyve never heard tracking every movement identifying name using facial recognition technology groups said unfortunately unable obtain agreement even basic specific premise industry groups said still believe consensus could found issues like transparency notification data security want outcome help users comfortable using online services confidence privacy protected said carl szabo policy counsel ecommerce trade group google facebook among members us different opinions outcome looks like microsoft said statement supports idea consumers agree recognized biometric software used ntia spokeswoman said government believed progress made work continue process strongest interested parties participate willing engage issues said ntias juliana gruenwald debate facial recognition likely grow bigger coming years becomes ubiquitous facebook example long used facial recognition technology site announced new companion mobile app called moments scans phones camera roll ease photo sharing microsoft says building facialrecognition fingerprintidentification technology windows 10 new computer operating system coming summer biggest concern however among privacy groups use technology retailers including casinos target profile people one company facefirst announced last year system capable processing 1 million facial matches per second per server making ideal customers long company existing photo persons interest shoplifters best customers retail staff sent email text alerting persons arrival ability apply unique signature persons face even dont identify name particularly invasive according privacy advocates argue industry little incentive adopt tough standards congress pass general privacy legislation applies different technologies change password credit card number change fingerprints precise dimensions face privacy groups said tuesdays statement facial recognition immutable physical facts used identify remotely secret without recourse groups signed letter included center democracy technology center digital democracy consumer federation america common sense media electronic frontier foundation american civil liberties union consumer action consumer watchdog center privacy amp technology georgetown university law center
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<p>Christina and Tarek El Moussa, now of HGTV fame, were two recovering real estate agents who, amid the 2008 housing market crash, lost nearly everything. In an attempt to salvage their once-prosperous lifestyle, the couple started a business buying foreclosed houses in southern California and flipping them for a profit.</p>
<p>Tarek had the investment eye, Christina the designer’s touch. Sometimes they succeeded. Sometimes they failed. But, hey, they were trying.</p>
<p>It was a great American plot.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>The couple’s riches-to-rags-to-riches-again backstory attracted showrunners at HGTV, the popular home and garden channel, which signed the couple to the network.</p>
<p>On April 16, 2013, the El Moussas debuted as the stars of their own program, “Flip or Flop.”</p>
<p>The show has skyrocketed in popularity in the four years since, ranking as HGTV’s second-most-watched program in 2016 with 2.8 million viewers, behind the network’s other adored renovating couple, “Fixer Upper’s” Chip and Joanna Gaines.</p>
<p>Like all of HGTV’s signature shows, the premise for “Flip or Flop” is compelling. Viewers can, from the comfort of their couch, watch an abandoned structure transform into an inviting home in the time it takes to finish a glass (or two) of wine. They have accomplished nothing, and yet feel, somehow, as if they were there, knocking down walls with the co-hosts.</p>
<p>What sets “Flip or Flop” apart from the rest of HGTV’s lineup, however, is Christina and Tarek, stereotypically attractive Californians whose personal narrative as husband and wife, best friends, business partners and parents has captured the hearts of their most loyal fans. Blog posts and tabloid pieces about the couple’s seemingly loving family life litter the Internet, buoyed by sappy social media posts from Christina and Tarek.</p>
<p>But like many Americans, 2016 was not kind to the El Moussas.</p>
<p>Fans were devastated to learn in December that the beloved, picture-perfect couple had been separated for nearly eight months, the result of a distressing incident at the El Moussa’s Orange County home that involved a gun and the police. All this came after news reports claimed that their spin-off real estate classes, pitched as training sessions for aspiring house flippers, were a disingenuous money-grab, which they denied.</p>
<p>The couple’s perceived instability had fans questioning whether there was room for reconciliation – and whether a long-term split would mean the end of “Flip or Flop.”</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Then this week, Tarek officially filed for divorce.</p>
<p>He is seeking spousal support and joint custody of the couple’s two children, 6-year-old daughter Taylor and 1-year-old son Brayden, reported Yahoo.</p>
<p>The sense of permanency that accompanied this news thrust fans further into a mournful frenzy, lamenting the death of a love story in which they felt so invested – one that had been sprinkled throughout six seasons on air and included a cancer scare, in vitro fertilization treatments and the birth of their second baby.</p>
<p>When Christina and Tarek met a decade ago, the Californians were successfully selling real estate in the state’s wealthiest neighborhoods. Christina had just graduated from college. Tarek was a rising star in the industry.</p>
<p>The couple married, moved into a house with a $6,000 monthly mortgage payment and started planning for a family, reported the Orange County Register. Then the housing market crashed.</p>
<p>Suddenly their luxurious home shrank to an apartment, with a roommate, where the rent was just $700. For dinner, they shared Subway sandwiches because it was all they could afford. When Christina got pregnant, she passed on purchasing maternity clothes. They were too expensive.</p>
<p>The couple still had their skills, though, eyes for good investments and tasteful design. On a whim, Tarek recruited a friend to edit video footage of them buying and flipping a house, start to finish.</p>
<p>He sent it to HGTV, and the show was born.</p>
<p>“They liked the fact that we were poor and were trying to make something of ourselves,” Christina told the Register in April 2013, the month “Flip or Flop” debuted.</p>
<p>At the time, the couple’s daughter, Taylor, was 2 years old, giving fans of “Flip or Flop” a chance to watch her grow up as the series progressed.</p>
<p>The couple’s attempts at having a second child early in the series were foiled when Tarek was diagnosed with thyroid cancer – thanks to the sharp eye of a savvy viewer.</p>
<p>Ryan Read, a registered nurse in Texas, was watching the show in 2013 when she noticed that, at certain angles and in certain light, it appeared Tarek had a lump on his throat.</p>
<p>Concerned, she emailed the show’s producers: “This is not a joke. I’m a registered nurse. I’ve been watching Flip Or Flop. I noticed that the host Tarek has a large nodule on his thyroid, and he needs to have it checked out.”</p>
<p>Tarek and Christina heeded her advice, and within days they learned Read’s instincts were right – the lump was cancer and had spread to his lymph nodes.</p>
<p>He had surgery to remove his thyroid and lymph nodes and underwent radiation therapy, which was exhausting and gave him migraines, Tarek told the “Today” show, but didn’t force them to quit the show.</p>
<p>“We made a decision that same second: We’re not going to slow down. We’re not going to stop,” he said. “We’re going to run the business. We’re going to fight through this cancer, because the second we slow down is the second it gets scary and you start getting depressed.”</p>
<p>The couple later met Read, captured on film by HGTV, and fans reached out to share their own cancer stories.</p>
<p>That battle, though, posed a second challenge for the couple. The radiation therapy meant they couldn’t conceive naturally for six months to a year after treatments stopped. It took two failed attempts at in vitro fertilization – including one that ended in a miscarriage at eight weeks – before Christina became pregnant with Brayden.</p>
<p>“I had to be super strict,” Christina told PEOPLE magazine. “I had to do one full week in bed. For 13 weeks after that, I couldn’t go for a walk and couldn’t lift anything over a gallon of milk. We planned it during Christmas break so I wasn’t working. We did everything we could to make sure this one worked.”</p>
<p>As their family – and ratings – grew, the TV personalities began expanding their empire, hosting spinoff shows and developing house-flipping seminars to teach fans the tricks of their trade.</p>
<p>But it didn’t take long for attendees to push back.</p>
<p>A trip to promote the training sessions in Washington and Oregon was canceled at the end of 2015 when social media users loudly objected to the premise.</p>
<p>“Do you have the courage to retire rich?” an invitation to the event asked, which locals felt was tone deaf to the challenges facing their communities, included high eviction rates, fast-rising home values, skyrocketing rents and historically low vacancy rates, reported the Oregonian.</p>
<p>About six months later, new reports from the Associated Press, CBS News and ABC News, among others, revealed that students of their real estate seminars felt duped by the couple.</p>
<p>The classes, they said, were misleading, cost thousands of additional dollars beyond the advertised price and didn’t actually provide face time with Tarek and Christina.</p>
<p>The El Moussas defended their program.</p>
<p>“I stand by our product,” Christina told ABC News. “It’s our tools, it’s our system. It’s what Tarek and I do. I’ve only heard very minimal complaints.”</p>
<p>It was only a month later that the police were called to the couple’s home over what Tarek and Christina termed an “unfortunate misunderstanding.</p>
<p>Deputies responded to the home in May after getting a report about a possible suicidal man, according to the Associated Press. Tarek El Moussa was later found in a nearby state park with a handgun, but he denied being suicidal, reported the AP. He voluntarily gave up several guns.</p>
<p>Eight months later, in a statement to People in early December, Tarek and Christina announced that they had sought marriage counseling but decided to split up while evaluating “the future” of their marriage.</p>
<p>“Like many couples, we have had challenges in our marriage,” the pair said in the statement. “We had an unfortunate misunderstanding about six months ago and the police were called to our house in an abundance of caution. There was no violence and no charges were filed. … During the process, we are committed to our kids and being the best parents we can be. We will continue to work through this process civilly and cooperatively, and plan to continue our professional life together.”</p>
<p>They said they had dated other people amid the split but weren’t ready to speak about it further.</p>
<p>Heartbroken – and outraged – fans took to social media to lament the split. Some wrote that they felt lied to by the couple, who had continued to produce episodes on the show as if they were together and whose social media posts never hinted at complications with their marriage.</p>
<p>Almost exactly one month later, Tarek filed for divorce.</p>
<p>In a statement released when the couple announced their separation, HGTV said they respected the El Moussas’ personal privacy and would support them moving forward.</p>
<p>They added that filming of “Flip or Flop” would proceed as scheduled.</p>
<p>On Wednesday, Christina posted on Instagram a photo of her children at church.</p>
<p>“A lot going on lately,” she wrote in the caption. “But making time for what’s important is what’s really important.”</p>
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christina tarek el moussa hgtv fame two recovering real estate agents amid 2008 housing market crash lost nearly everything attempt salvage onceprosperous lifestyle couple started business buying foreclosed houses southern california flipping profit tarek investment eye christina designers touch sometimes succeeded sometimes failed hey trying great american plot advertisement couples richestoragstorichesagain backstory attracted showrunners hgtv popular home garden channel signed couple network april 16 2013 el moussas debuted stars program flip flop show skyrocketed popularity four years since ranking hgtvs secondmostwatched program 2016 28 million viewers behind networks adored renovating couple fixer uppers chip joanna gaines like hgtvs signature shows premise flip flop compelling viewers comfort couch watch abandoned structure transform inviting home time takes finish glass two wine accomplished nothing yet feel somehow knocking walls cohosts sets flip flop apart rest hgtvs lineup however christina tarek stereotypically attractive californians whose personal narrative husband wife best friends business partners parents captured hearts loyal fans blog posts tabloid pieces couples seemingly loving family life litter internet buoyed sappy social media posts christina tarek like many americans 2016 kind el moussas fans devastated learn december beloved pictureperfect couple separated nearly eight months result distressing incident el moussas orange county home involved gun police came news reports claimed spinoff real estate classes pitched training sessions aspiring house flippers disingenuous moneygrab denied couples perceived instability fans questioning whether room reconciliation whether longterm split would mean end flip flop advertisement week tarek officially filed divorce seeking spousal support joint custody couples two children 6yearold daughter taylor 1yearold son brayden reported yahoo sense permanency accompanied news thrust fans mournful frenzy lamenting death love story felt invested one sprinkled throughout six seasons air included cancer scare vitro fertilization treatments birth second baby christina tarek met decade ago californians successfully selling real estate states wealthiest neighborhoods christina graduated college tarek rising star industry couple married moved house 6000 monthly mortgage payment started planning family reported orange county register housing market crashed suddenly luxurious home shrank apartment roommate rent 700 dinner shared subway sandwiches could afford christina got pregnant passed purchasing maternity clothes expensive couple still skills though eyes good investments tasteful design whim tarek recruited friend edit video footage buying flipping house start finish sent hgtv show born liked fact poor trying make something christina told register april 2013 month flip flop debuted time couples daughter taylor 2 years old giving fans flip flop chance watch grow series progressed couples attempts second child early series foiled tarek diagnosed thyroid cancer thanks sharp eye savvy viewer ryan read registered nurse texas watching show 2013 noticed certain angles certain light appeared tarek lump throat concerned emailed shows producers joke im registered nurse ive watching flip flop noticed host tarek large nodule thyroid needs checked tarek christina heeded advice within days learned reads instincts right lump cancer spread lymph nodes surgery remove thyroid lymph nodes underwent radiation therapy exhausting gave migraines tarek told today show didnt force quit show made decision second going slow going stop said going run business going fight cancer second slow second gets scary start getting depressed couple later met read captured film hgtv fans reached share cancer stories battle though posed second challenge couple radiation therapy meant couldnt conceive naturally six months year treatments stopped took two failed attempts vitro fertilization including one ended miscarriage eight weeks christina became pregnant brayden super strict christina told people magazine one full week bed 13 weeks couldnt go walk couldnt lift anything gallon milk planned christmas break wasnt working everything could make sure one worked family ratings grew tv personalities began expanding empire hosting spinoff shows developing houseflipping seminars teach fans tricks trade didnt take long attendees push back trip promote training sessions washington oregon canceled end 2015 social media users loudly objected premise courage retire rich invitation event asked locals felt tone deaf challenges facing communities included high eviction rates fastrising home values skyrocketing rents historically low vacancy rates reported oregonian six months later new reports associated press cbs news abc news among others revealed students real estate seminars felt duped couple classes said misleading cost thousands additional dollars beyond advertised price didnt actually provide face time tarek christina el moussas defended program stand product christina told abc news tools system tarek ive heard minimal complaints month later police called couples home tarek christina termed unfortunate misunderstanding deputies responded home may getting report possible suicidal man according associated press tarek el moussa later found nearby state park handgun denied suicidal reported ap voluntarily gave several guns eight months later statement people early december tarek christina announced sought marriage counseling decided split evaluating future marriage like many couples challenges marriage pair said statement unfortunate misunderstanding six months ago police called house abundance caution violence charges filed process committed kids best parents continue work process civilly cooperatively plan continue professional life together said dated people amid split werent ready speak heartbroken outraged fans took social media lament split wrote felt lied couple continued produce episodes show together whose social media posts never hinted complications marriage almost exactly one month later tarek filed divorce statement released couple announced separation hgtv said respected el moussas personal privacy would support moving forward added filming flip flop would proceed scheduled wednesday christina posted instagram photo children church lot going lately wrote caption making time whats important whats really important
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<p>North Dakota has decided that the data being stored in the little computerized black boxes being installed in cars belongs to the owner.</p>
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<p>My Poynter colleague Larry Larsen flagged this issue&#160;for us years ago.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000230035465/" type="external">Engadget reported:</a></p>
<p>Analysts quoted by News.com estimate that up to 65 percent&#160;of all new vehicles sold last year had black boxes, which typically store a few seconds of data about a car's speed, direction and other vitals. In the event of an accident, the data can help determine liability. However, privacy issues have been raised by groups like the Consumers Union and the Electronic Privacy Information Center, since automakers are not currently required to tell consumers that the boxes are there. However, given that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration <a href="http://www.engadget.com/entry/2139247581413346/" type="external">has recommended</a> that the boxes be required on all new vehicles, you should just assume one is there, and drive accordingly.</p>
<p>The National Conference of State Legislatures says <a href="http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/business/11231216.htm" type="external">11 states are trying to figure out who should own the data being stored in your car's computer.</a></p>
<p>The states considering similar legislation include: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Virginia and West Virginia.An <a href="http://www.tampabaylive.com/stories/2005/03/050325boxes.shtml" type="external">AP story said</a>:</p>
<p>California has a law on the books requiring dealers and vehicle rental companies to inform drivers when a car has a black box. In New York, it is illegal for rental companies to use global positioning system technology to track drivers and use the data to charge extra fees or penalties.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.bankrate.com/nsc/news/chk/20040204a1.asp" type="external">From BankRate.com</a>, here's some advice about your finances.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.stateline.org/live/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=136&amp;languageId=1&amp;contentId=27737" type="external">Stateline.org said</a>:</p>
<p>Congress' decision to phase out the federal estate tax has created a new class of haves and have-nots -- states that have estate taxes and those that don't.</p>
<p>Starting this year, all but 16 states will stop collecting taxes on inherited wealth, creating a patchwork of estate tax liability that some say could spur the rich to start shopping for where to die.</p>
<p>"Some wealthy people might well decide to move out of a state with an estate tax," said Leonard Burman, co-director of the <a href="http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/home/" type="external">Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center</a>, which opposes full repeal of the estate tax.</p>
<p>In 34 states, taxpayers in 2005 will be hit with one tax bill -- from the federal government -- on estates of more than $1.5 million. In the 16 states that preserved their own estate tax, heirs still will be subject to the federal estate tax but also will pay a separate state tax bill.</p>
<p>The 16 states that still have their own estate taxes include: Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/042705dnnatlibrary.4e49e1d4.html" type="external">The Dallas Morning News</a> says libraries nationwide are under lots of pressure.</p>
<p>From coast to coast, budget strains and tax pressures are forcing cities to make hard choices about how to spend limited money, and libraries, much to many residents' dismay, are taking the hit.</p>
<p>Residents are left stunned and outraged at the thought of doing without a beloved national resource. Can't check out books for the summer, log onto the Internet for free, listen to preschoolers giggle during story time or get help searching for a job? Incomprehensible.</p>
<p>"We live in a lower-income area, and if the libraries close, many people won't have anywhere else to go," said Josh Roberts, 17, a Salinas High School junior who has joined the fight to keep the city's three libraries open.</p>
<p>But library backers face an uphill battle.</p>
<p>In the last 18 months, the nation's public libraries have seen their budgets cut by $111.2 million&#160;-- as much as 50 percent in some states&#160;-- the result of struggling economies and reductions in state financing, according to <a href="http://www.ala.org/" type="external">American Library Association</a> figures. The cuts have forced layoffs, reduced operating hours and put many libraries at risk of closing.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.ala.org/ala/news/libraryfunding/libraryfunding.htm" type="external">The American Library Association provides these other examples of libraries across the nation facing budget cuts</a>, reduced hours or the possibility of closure:</p>
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<p>Niagara Falls, N.Y.: Last month, the city cut $1 million, or 50 percent of the library system's budget. It avoided closing the libraries by agreeing to stop charging $300,000 in annual rent. That cleared the way for a June 21 referendum to create a library district tax.</p>
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<p>Spokane, Wash: The Spokane Public Library announced in November 2004 that it faced $1 million in cuts, leading to the elimination of 15 jobs and a reduction in operating hours.</p>
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<p>Ohio: Gov. Bob Taft has proposed $22 million in budget cuts to the state's public libraries, which have the highest rates of use in the nation. <a href="http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=News&amp;template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&amp;ContentID=92558" type="external">Cincinnati's library</a> recently laid off 48 people after announcing last month that there would be job cuts because of state plans to freeze library funding for the year.</p>
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<p>Fabens, Texas: Because of a $20 million budget shortfall, the El Paso County Commissioners Court voted to cut library funding starting Oct. 1, 2004. Local fundraising efforts and a public show of support brought in $21,000, persuading the county to restore the remaining $155,000 needed to keep the library open.</p>
<p>The Colorado legislature is working on a bill that would give employees up to 15 hours&#160;of leave a year&#160;to attend their children's school functions such as school plays or PTA meetings. The legislation affects any business with more than 50 employees.</p>
<p>The&#160; <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/legislature/article/0,1299,DRMN_37_3729627,00.html" type="external">Rocky Mountain News</a> says:</p>
<p>The worker would have to give two weeks' notice before attending an event, the leaves could be no more than two hours at a time, and the mandated unpaid leave wouldn't apply to paramedics or others who work in jobs that require a certain staffing level.</p>
<p>The story says:</p>
<p>The bill isn't directed at the majority of companies where bosses work out flexible schedules with their workers, he said. But increasingly, low-income parents are hired into the service industry where they can't get time off unless it's mandated by law.</p>
<p>Opponents, including officials of the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, worry that the bill will ruin the flexible arrangements that most bosses offer, and might lead to fewer people being hired because of the extra cost.</p>
<p>Others wondered if the 15 hours actually would motivate uninvolved parents to attend their kids' parent-teacher conferences, or whether they'd use all the hours to watch the sporting events.</p>
<p>The bill has already passed the Senate, but must survive two more House votes before being sent to the governor.</p>
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<p>We are always looking for your great ideas. <a href="" type="internal">Send Al</a> a few sentences and hot links.</p>
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<p>Editor's Note: Al's Morning Meeting is a compendium of ideas, edited story excerpts, and other materials from a variety of websites, 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.</p>
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north dakota decided data stored little computerized black boxes installed cars belongs owner poynter colleague larry larsen flagged issue160for us years ago engadget reported analysts quoted newscom estimate 65 percent160of new vehicles sold last year black boxes typically store seconds data cars speed direction vitals event accident data help determine liability however privacy issues raised groups like consumers union electronic privacy information center since automakers currently required tell consumers boxes however given national highway traffic safety administration recommended boxes required new vehicles assume one drive accordingly national conference state legislatures says 11 states trying figure data stored cars computer states considering similar legislation include connecticut massachusetts montana new jersey new york virginia west virginiaan ap story said california law books requiring dealers vehicle rental companies inform drivers car black box new york illegal rental companies use global positioning system technology track drivers use data charge extra fees penalties bankratecom heres advice finances statelineorg said congress decision phase federal estate tax created new class haves havenots states estate taxes dont starting year 16 states stop collecting taxes inherited wealth creating patchwork estate tax liability say could spur rich start shopping die wealthy people might well decide move state estate tax said leonard burman codirector urbanbrookings tax policy center opposes full repeal estate tax 34 states taxpayers 2005 hit one tax bill federal government estates 15 million 16 states preserved estate tax heirs still subject federal estate tax also pay separate state tax bill 16 states still estate taxes include illinois kansas maine maryland massachusetts minnesota nebraska new jersey new york north carolina ohio oregon rhode island vermont virginia wisconsin dallas morning news says libraries nationwide lots pressure coast coast budget strains tax pressures forcing cities make hard choices spend limited money libraries much many residents dismay taking hit residents left stunned outraged thought without beloved national resource cant check books summer log onto internet free listen preschoolers giggle story time get help searching job incomprehensible live lowerincome area libraries close many people wont anywhere else go said josh roberts 17 salinas high school junior joined fight keep citys three libraries open library backers face uphill battle last 18 months nations public libraries seen budgets cut 1112 million160 much 50 percent states160 result struggling economies reductions state financing according american library association figures cuts forced layoffs reduced operating hours put many libraries risk closing american library association provides examples libraries across nation facing budget cuts reduced hours possibility closure niagara falls ny last month city cut 1 million 50 percent library systems budget avoided closing libraries agreeing stop charging 300000 annual rent cleared way june 21 referendum create library district tax spokane wash spokane public library announced november 2004 faced 1 million cuts leading elimination 15 jobs reduction operating hours ohio gov bob taft proposed 22 million budget cuts states public libraries highest rates use nation cincinnatis library recently laid 48 people announcing last month would job cuts state plans freeze library funding year fabens texas 20 million budget shortfall el paso county commissioners court voted cut library funding starting oct 1 2004 local fundraising efforts public show support brought 21000 persuading county restore remaining 155000 needed keep library open colorado legislature working bill would give employees 15 hours160of leave year160to attend childrens school functions school plays pta meetings legislation affects business 50 employees the160 rocky mountain news says worker would give two weeks notice attending event leaves could two hours time mandated unpaid leave wouldnt apply paramedics others work jobs require certain staffing level story says bill isnt directed majority companies bosses work flexible schedules workers said increasingly lowincome parents hired service industry cant get time unless mandated law opponents including officials colorado association commerce industry worry bill ruin flexible arrangements bosses offer might lead fewer people hired extra cost others wondered 15 hours actually would motivate uninvolved parents attend kids parentteacher conferences whether theyd use hours watch sporting events bill already passed senate must survive two house votes sent governor always looking great ideas send al sentences hot links editors note als morning meeting compendium ideas edited story excerpts materials variety websites well original concepts analysis information comes directly another source attributed link provided whenever possible
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<p>PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - CJ McCollum's floater bounced several times around the rim as the crowd seemed to hold a collective breath.</p>
<p>It finally fell in with 5.9 seconds left, giving the Portland Trail Blazers a 111-110 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday night with both teams short-handed.</p>
<p>"It didn't want to go in. I think that's karma for all the in-and-outs I've missed all year. So I was due for one," McCollum said. "I got a good look so I can live with that even if it rolls out. That's the shot I practice over and over again."</p>
<p>McCollum finished with 25 points and Maurice Harkless added 19 off the bench for the Blazers, who were without starter Damian Lillard. It was Portland's fifth win in seven games, and third straight victory at home.</p>
<p>Former Blazer LaMarcus Aldridge had 30 points and 14 rebounds, while Manu Ginobili added 26 points, including six 3-pointers, for the Spurs.</p>
<p>Trailing by as many as 12 points in the third quarter, Portland rallied to lead 101-94 on Harkless' 3-pointer with 5:37 left. But Ginobili's 3 gave the Spurs a 105-103 lead with 2:48 left. He added another to extend the lead to 108-105.</p>
<p>McCollum's layup with 1:11 to go gave the Blazers back a one-point edge, but he missed an off-balance jumper that would have given Portland some cushion.</p>
<p>After Kyle Anderson's free throws put San Antonio in front, McCollum came through with his floater that gave Portland the winning margin. Aldridge missed a jumper from out front as time ran out.</p>
<p>Afterward, Aldridge took responsibility.</p>
<p>"I definitely have to be better. I think this one is on me," he said. "I missed two free throws and then I rushed the last shot. The team did a really good job of putting us in that position, working hard. I think this one is definitely on me tonight."</p>
<p>Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard sat out because of a partial tear in his left shoulder, coach Gregg Popovich revealed before the game. Leonard sustained the injury during the Spurs' 103-89 win Friday over the Phoenix Suns.</p>
<p>"It's too bad because he was starting to get back into form a little bit after playing a couple of games," Popovich told reporters. The coach said the Spurs would monitor the injury over the coming days, and there was no official word about how serious it was.</p>
<p>The game against the Suns was just Leonard's eighth appearance of the season after missing the first 27 games with right quadriceps tendinopathy.</p>
<p>"It's disappointing, we need him," Ginobili said. "He started to feel better, to feel good and then we lose him for a few games and we don't know how many."</p>
<p>The Spurs also didn't have Rudy Gay (right heel) and Danny Green (groin tightness). Tony Parker also did not play. San Antonio plays again on Monday against the Sacramento Kings.</p>
<p>The Blazers were without Lillard because of a right calf strain. Lillard missed four games because of a strained right hamstring but played in the last two, despite being bothered by his calf.</p>
<p>Lillard leads the Blazers with 24.9 points and 6.3 assists per game. Shabazz Napier started in his place.</p>
<p>Napier helped spark Portland at the start and the game was tied at 27 to start the second quarter.</p>
<p>The Spurs led 53-48 at the half, led by Aldridge with 15 points. Jusuf Nurkic had 11 for Portland.</p>
<p>San Antonio extended the lead to 69-57 after Aldridge's layup.</p>
<p>The Blazers rallied and took an 80-77 lead on Napier's basket near the end of the third quarter but Davis Bertans hit a 3 to pull San Antonio back into a tie to open the fourth.</p>
<p>Napier, who continues to impress with his passing, finished with 15 points for his 10th straight game in double figures.</p>
<p>TIP-INS</p>
<p>Spurs: San Antonio won the opening game of this season's series with the Blazers 93-91 in Portland on Dec. 20. The third of the three meetings will be in San Antonio on April 7. ... Aldridge played his first nine NBA seasons with the Blazers.</p>
<p>Trail Blazers: Nurkic had his ninth double-double of the season. He finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds.</p>
<p>AGE IS JUST A NUMBER</p>
<p>Ginobili became the first player in his 40s to score 15-plus points in back-to-back games since Michael Jordan in 2002-03, according to the Spurs.</p>
<p>QUOTABLE</p>
<p>"It's been a tough season. We're still hanging out, hanging in, hanging on. We're doing OK I guess. That's why losses like this hurt more. It was such a great effort and it just slipped away," Ginobili said.</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Spurs: Visit Sacramento on Monday night.</p>
<p>Trail Blazers: Visit the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>For more NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball</p>
<p>PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - CJ McCollum's floater bounced several times around the rim as the crowd seemed to hold a collective breath.</p>
<p>It finally fell in with 5.9 seconds left, giving the Portland Trail Blazers a 111-110 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday night with both teams short-handed.</p>
<p>"It didn't want to go in. I think that's karma for all the in-and-outs I've missed all year. So I was due for one," McCollum said. "I got a good look so I can live with that even if it rolls out. That's the shot I practice over and over again."</p>
<p>McCollum finished with 25 points and Maurice Harkless added 19 off the bench for the Blazers, who were without starter Damian Lillard. It was Portland's fifth win in seven games, and third straight victory at home.</p>
<p>Former Blazer LaMarcus Aldridge had 30 points and 14 rebounds, while Manu Ginobili added 26 points, including six 3-pointers, for the Spurs.</p>
<p>Trailing by as many as 12 points in the third quarter, Portland rallied to lead 101-94 on Harkless' 3-pointer with 5:37 left. But Ginobili's 3 gave the Spurs a 105-103 lead with 2:48 left. He added another to extend the lead to 108-105.</p>
<p>McCollum's layup with 1:11 to go gave the Blazers back a one-point edge, but he missed an off-balance jumper that would have given Portland some cushion.</p>
<p>After Kyle Anderson's free throws put San Antonio in front, McCollum came through with his floater that gave Portland the winning margin. Aldridge missed a jumper from out front as time ran out.</p>
<p>Afterward, Aldridge took responsibility.</p>
<p>"I definitely have to be better. I think this one is on me," he said. "I missed two free throws and then I rushed the last shot. The team did a really good job of putting us in that position, working hard. I think this one is definitely on me tonight."</p>
<p>Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard sat out because of a partial tear in his left shoulder, coach Gregg Popovich revealed before the game. Leonard sustained the injury during the Spurs' 103-89 win Friday over the Phoenix Suns.</p>
<p>"It's too bad because he was starting to get back into form a little bit after playing a couple of games," Popovich told reporters. The coach said the Spurs would monitor the injury over the coming days, and there was no official word about how serious it was.</p>
<p>The game against the Suns was just Leonard's eighth appearance of the season after missing the first 27 games with right quadriceps tendinopathy.</p>
<p>"It's disappointing, we need him," Ginobili said. "He started to feel better, to feel good and then we lose him for a few games and we don't know how many."</p>
<p>The Spurs also didn't have Rudy Gay (right heel) and Danny Green (groin tightness). Tony Parker also did not play. San Antonio plays again on Monday against the Sacramento Kings.</p>
<p>The Blazers were without Lillard because of a right calf strain. Lillard missed four games because of a strained right hamstring but played in the last two, despite being bothered by his calf.</p>
<p>Lillard leads the Blazers with 24.9 points and 6.3 assists per game. Shabazz Napier started in his place.</p>
<p>Napier helped spark Portland at the start and the game was tied at 27 to start the second quarter.</p>
<p>The Spurs led 53-48 at the half, led by Aldridge with 15 points. Jusuf Nurkic had 11 for Portland.</p>
<p>San Antonio extended the lead to 69-57 after Aldridge's layup.</p>
<p>The Blazers rallied and took an 80-77 lead on Napier's basket near the end of the third quarter but Davis Bertans hit a 3 to pull San Antonio back into a tie to open the fourth.</p>
<p>Napier, who continues to impress with his passing, finished with 15 points for his 10th straight game in double figures.</p>
<p>TIP-INS</p>
<p>Spurs: San Antonio won the opening game of this season's series with the Blazers 93-91 in Portland on Dec. 20. The third of the three meetings will be in San Antonio on April 7. ... Aldridge played his first nine NBA seasons with the Blazers.</p>
<p>Trail Blazers: Nurkic had his ninth double-double of the season. He finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds.</p>
<p>AGE IS JUST A NUMBER</p>
<p>Ginobili became the first player in his 40s to score 15-plus points in back-to-back games since Michael Jordan in 2002-03, according to the Spurs.</p>
<p>QUOTABLE</p>
<p>"It's been a tough season. We're still hanging out, hanging in, hanging on. We're doing OK I guess. That's why losses like this hurt more. It was such a great effort and it just slipped away," Ginobili said.</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Spurs: Visit Sacramento on Monday night.</p>
<p>Trail Blazers: Visit the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>For more NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball</p>
| false | 2 |
portland ore ap cj mccollums floater bounced several times around rim crowd seemed hold collective breath finally fell 59 seconds left giving portland trail blazers 111110 victory san antonio spurs sunday night teams shorthanded didnt want go think thats karma inandouts ive missed year due one mccollum said got good look live even rolls thats shot practice mccollum finished 25 points maurice harkless added 19 bench blazers without starter damian lillard portlands fifth win seven games third straight victory home former blazer lamarcus aldridge 30 points 14 rebounds manu ginobili added 26 points including six 3pointers spurs trailing many 12 points third quarter portland rallied lead 10194 harkless 3pointer 537 left ginobilis 3 gave spurs 105103 lead 248 left added another extend lead 108105 mccollums layup 111 go gave blazers back onepoint edge missed offbalance jumper would given portland cushion kyle andersons free throws put san antonio front mccollum came floater gave portland winning margin aldridge missed jumper front time ran afterward aldridge took responsibility definitely better think one said missed two free throws rushed last shot team really good job putting us position working hard think one definitely tonight spurs forward kawhi leonard sat partial tear left shoulder coach gregg popovich revealed game leonard sustained injury spurs 10389 win friday phoenix suns bad starting get back form little bit playing couple games popovich told reporters coach said spurs would monitor injury coming days official word serious game suns leonards eighth appearance season missing first 27 games right quadriceps tendinopathy disappointing need ginobili said started feel better feel good lose games dont know many spurs also didnt rudy gay right heel danny green groin tightness tony parker also play san antonio plays monday sacramento kings blazers without lillard right calf strain lillard missed four games strained right hamstring played last two despite bothered calf lillard leads blazers 249 points 63 assists per game shabazz napier started place napier helped spark portland start game tied 27 start second quarter spurs led 5348 half led aldridge 15 points jusuf nurkic 11 portland san antonio extended lead 6957 aldridges layup blazers rallied took 8077 lead napiers basket near end third quarter davis bertans hit 3 pull san antonio back tie open fourth napier continues impress passing finished 15 points 10th straight game double figures tipins spurs san antonio opening game seasons series blazers 9391 portland dec 20 third three meetings san antonio april 7 aldridge played first nine nba seasons blazers trail blazers nurkic ninth doubledouble season finished 17 points 13 rebounds age number ginobili became first player 40s score 15plus points backtoback games since michael jordan 200203 according spurs quotable tough season still hanging hanging hanging ok guess thats losses like hurt great effort slipped away ginobili said next spurs visit sacramento monday night trail blazers visit oklahoma city thunder tuesday ___ nba coverage httpsapnewscomtagnbabasketball portland ore ap cj mccollums floater bounced several times around rim crowd seemed hold collective breath finally fell 59 seconds left giving portland trail blazers 111110 victory san antonio spurs sunday night teams shorthanded didnt want go think thats karma inandouts ive missed year due one mccollum said got good look live even rolls thats shot practice mccollum finished 25 points maurice harkless added 19 bench blazers without starter damian lillard portlands fifth win seven games third straight victory home former blazer lamarcus aldridge 30 points 14 rebounds manu ginobili added 26 points including six 3pointers spurs trailing many 12 points third quarter portland rallied lead 10194 harkless 3pointer 537 left ginobilis 3 gave spurs 105103 lead 248 left added another extend lead 108105 mccollums layup 111 go gave blazers back onepoint edge missed offbalance jumper would given portland cushion kyle andersons free throws put san antonio front mccollum came floater gave portland winning margin aldridge missed jumper front time ran afterward aldridge took responsibility definitely better think one said missed two free throws rushed last shot team really good job putting us position working hard think one definitely tonight spurs forward kawhi leonard sat partial tear left shoulder coach gregg popovich revealed game leonard sustained injury spurs 10389 win friday phoenix suns bad starting get back form little bit playing couple games popovich told reporters coach said spurs would monitor injury coming days official word serious game suns leonards eighth appearance season missing first 27 games right quadriceps tendinopathy disappointing need ginobili said started feel better feel good lose games dont know many spurs also didnt rudy gay right heel danny green groin tightness tony parker also play san antonio plays monday sacramento kings blazers without lillard right calf strain lillard missed four games strained right hamstring played last two despite bothered calf lillard leads blazers 249 points 63 assists per game shabazz napier started place napier helped spark portland start game tied 27 start second quarter spurs led 5348 half led aldridge 15 points jusuf nurkic 11 portland san antonio extended lead 6957 aldridges layup blazers rallied took 8077 lead napiers basket near end third quarter davis bertans hit 3 pull san antonio back tie open fourth napier continues impress passing finished 15 points 10th straight game double figures tipins spurs san antonio opening game seasons series blazers 9391 portland dec 20 third three meetings san antonio april 7 aldridge played first nine nba seasons blazers trail blazers nurkic ninth doubledouble season finished 17 points 13 rebounds age number ginobili became first player 40s score 15plus points backtoback games since michael jordan 200203 according spurs quotable tough season still hanging hanging hanging ok guess thats losses like hurt great effort slipped away ginobili said next spurs visit sacramento monday night trail blazers visit oklahoma city thunder tuesday ___ nba coverage httpsapnewscomtagnbabasketball
| 946 |
<p>MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The Vermont Board of Libraries has recommended changing the name of a children’s book award that now honors a prominent Vermont author and activist accused of once supporting sterilizing people with severe mental and physical disabilities.</p>
<p>The board said it wants to remove the late Dorothy Canfield Fisher’s name from the award to better match contemporary times and connect with young readers. The award, which was named after Fisher in 1957, honors excellence in children’s literature.</p>
<p>The board’s unanimous recommendation to the state librarian last week came after discussions about Fisher’s association with the state’s eugenics movement, which had been described as an attempt to deal with social and economic problems through sterilization and breeding in the 1920s and ’30s.</p>
<p>Fisher, who wrote novels, nonfiction and short stories, was on a committee of the Vermont Commission on Country Life, which was linked to the eugenics movement.</p>
<p>In the 1930s, some Vermonters of mixed French Canadian and Native American heritage, as well as poor, rural whites, were placed on a state-sanctioned list of “mental defectives” and degenerates and sent to state institutions, such as the Home for the Feeble Minded in Brandon. Some had surgery after Vermont in 1931 became one of more than two dozen to pass a law that allowed for voluntary sterilizations for “human betterment.”</p>
<p>Judy Dow is a descendant of one of the families targeted and a teacher of Native American culture. When she raised concerns about Fisher’s association with the movement and her treatment of Native American and French Canadian characters in her writing, Fisher’s 81-year-old granddaughter, Vivian Scott Hixson, balked.</p>
<p>“Many of the leaders of that movement were racists. Dorothy Canfield Fisher was not,” Hixson, who has a Ph.D. in sociology and taught at Michigan State University, wrote to the board. “In fact, DCF combatted racism all her life.”</p>
<p>Hixson, of East Lansing, Michigan, said Fishers’ temporary support for “the sterilization of people with severe mental and physical handicaps” stopped in the early 1930s when Fisher’s soon-to-be son-in-law — Hixson’s father — and others convinced her otherwise. Hixson’s father, John Paul Scott, was a genetics and psychology researcher.</p>
<p>“It’s just unfortunate that people are looking for someone to attack,” Hixson said.</p>
<p>Helene Lang, a former literature professor at the University of Vermont who has portrayed Fisher in living histories, also stood up to protect Fisher’s name. She said Fisher’s service on the committee did not mean she ever supported eugenics.</p>
<p>“My goal was to protect her because she was a woman who did a lot of good and was particularly the antithesis of the eugenics movement,” Lang said Wednesday.</p>
<p>The name change recommendation should not be interpreted as an indictment of Fisher, said Bruce Post, chairman of the Board of Libraries.</p>
<p>“The Board was aware, to varying degrees, of the Vermont eugenics movement, but it felt that it was not the purview of the Board to involve itself in that larger issue,” he said by email.</p>
<p>The board also recommended to the state librarian that the name of the award be reviewed every 15 years or sooner if appropriate. The state librarian did not return a phone call seeking comment.</p>
<p>Hixson said she understands the need to connect to the children of today and what they’re reading.</p>
<p>“I have grandchildren,” she said. “And their world is so different than the world that we grew up in.”</p>
<p>MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The Vermont Board of Libraries has recommended changing the name of a children’s book award that now honors a prominent Vermont author and activist accused of once supporting sterilizing people with severe mental and physical disabilities.</p>
<p>The board said it wants to remove the late Dorothy Canfield Fisher’s name from the award to better match contemporary times and connect with young readers. The award, which was named after Fisher in 1957, honors excellence in children’s literature.</p>
<p>The board’s unanimous recommendation to the state librarian last week came after discussions about Fisher’s association with the state’s eugenics movement, which had been described as an attempt to deal with social and economic problems through sterilization and breeding in the 1920s and ’30s.</p>
<p>Fisher, who wrote novels, nonfiction and short stories, was on a committee of the Vermont Commission on Country Life, which was linked to the eugenics movement.</p>
<p>In the 1930s, some Vermonters of mixed French Canadian and Native American heritage, as well as poor, rural whites, were placed on a state-sanctioned list of “mental defectives” and degenerates and sent to state institutions, such as the Home for the Feeble Minded in Brandon. Some had surgery after Vermont in 1931 became one of more than two dozen to pass a law that allowed for voluntary sterilizations for “human betterment.”</p>
<p>Judy Dow is a descendant of one of the families targeted and a teacher of Native American culture. When she raised concerns about Fisher’s association with the movement and her treatment of Native American and French Canadian characters in her writing, Fisher’s 81-year-old granddaughter, Vivian Scott Hixson, balked.</p>
<p>“Many of the leaders of that movement were racists. Dorothy Canfield Fisher was not,” Hixson, who has a Ph.D. in sociology and taught at Michigan State University, wrote to the board. “In fact, DCF combatted racism all her life.”</p>
<p>Hixson, of East Lansing, Michigan, said Fishers’ temporary support for “the sterilization of people with severe mental and physical handicaps” stopped in the early 1930s when Fisher’s soon-to-be son-in-law — Hixson’s father — and others convinced her otherwise. Hixson’s father, John Paul Scott, was a genetics and psychology researcher.</p>
<p>“It’s just unfortunate that people are looking for someone to attack,” Hixson said.</p>
<p>Helene Lang, a former literature professor at the University of Vermont who has portrayed Fisher in living histories, also stood up to protect Fisher’s name. She said Fisher’s service on the committee did not mean she ever supported eugenics.</p>
<p>“My goal was to protect her because she was a woman who did a lot of good and was particularly the antithesis of the eugenics movement,” Lang said Wednesday.</p>
<p>The name change recommendation should not be interpreted as an indictment of Fisher, said Bruce Post, chairman of the Board of Libraries.</p>
<p>“The Board was aware, to varying degrees, of the Vermont eugenics movement, but it felt that it was not the purview of the Board to involve itself in that larger issue,” he said by email.</p>
<p>The board also recommended to the state librarian that the name of the award be reviewed every 15 years or sooner if appropriate. The state librarian did not return a phone call seeking comment.</p>
<p>Hixson said she understands the need to connect to the children of today and what they’re reading.</p>
<p>“I have grandchildren,” she said. “And their world is so different than the world that we grew up in.”</p>
| false | 2 |
montpelier vt ap vermont board libraries recommended changing name childrens book award honors prominent vermont author activist accused supporting sterilizing people severe mental physical disabilities board said wants remove late dorothy canfield fishers name award better match contemporary times connect young readers award named fisher 1957 honors excellence childrens literature boards unanimous recommendation state librarian last week came discussions fishers association states eugenics movement described attempt deal social economic problems sterilization breeding 1920s 30s fisher wrote novels nonfiction short stories committee vermont commission country life linked eugenics movement 1930s vermonters mixed french canadian native american heritage well poor rural whites placed statesanctioned list mental defectives degenerates sent state institutions home feeble minded brandon surgery vermont 1931 became one two dozen pass law allowed voluntary sterilizations human betterment judy dow descendant one families targeted teacher native american culture raised concerns fishers association movement treatment native american french canadian characters writing fishers 81yearold granddaughter vivian scott hixson balked many leaders movement racists dorothy canfield fisher hixson phd sociology taught michigan state university wrote board fact dcf combatted racism life hixson east lansing michigan said fishers temporary support sterilization people severe mental physical handicaps stopped early 1930s fishers soontobe soninlaw hixsons father others convinced otherwise hixsons father john paul scott genetics psychology researcher unfortunate people looking someone attack hixson said helene lang former literature professor university vermont portrayed fisher living histories also stood protect fishers name said fishers service committee mean ever supported eugenics goal protect woman lot good particularly antithesis eugenics movement lang said wednesday name change recommendation interpreted indictment fisher said bruce post chairman board libraries board aware varying degrees vermont eugenics movement felt purview board involve larger issue said email board also recommended state librarian name award reviewed every 15 years sooner appropriate state librarian return phone call seeking comment hixson said understands need connect children today theyre reading grandchildren said world different world grew montpelier vt ap vermont board libraries recommended changing name childrens book award honors prominent vermont author activist accused supporting sterilizing people severe mental physical disabilities board said wants remove late dorothy canfield fishers name award better match contemporary times connect young readers award named fisher 1957 honors excellence childrens literature boards unanimous recommendation state librarian last week came discussions fishers association states eugenics movement described attempt deal social economic problems sterilization breeding 1920s 30s fisher wrote novels nonfiction short stories committee vermont commission country life linked eugenics movement 1930s vermonters mixed french canadian native american heritage well poor rural whites placed statesanctioned list mental defectives degenerates sent state institutions home feeble minded brandon surgery vermont 1931 became one two dozen pass law allowed voluntary sterilizations human betterment judy dow descendant one families targeted teacher native american culture raised concerns fishers association movement treatment native american french canadian characters writing fishers 81yearold granddaughter vivian scott hixson balked many leaders movement racists dorothy canfield fisher hixson phd sociology taught michigan state university wrote board fact dcf combatted racism life hixson east lansing michigan said fishers temporary support sterilization people severe mental physical handicaps stopped early 1930s fishers soontobe soninlaw hixsons father others convinced otherwise hixsons father john paul scott genetics psychology researcher unfortunate people looking someone attack hixson said helene lang former literature professor university vermont portrayed fisher living histories also stood protect fishers name said fishers service committee mean ever supported eugenics goal protect woman lot good particularly antithesis eugenics movement lang said wednesday name change recommendation interpreted indictment fisher said bruce post chairman board libraries board aware varying degrees vermont eugenics movement felt purview board involve larger issue said email board also recommended state librarian name award reviewed every 15 years sooner appropriate state librarian return phone call seeking comment hixson said understands need connect children today theyre reading grandchildren said world different world grew
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<p />
<p>Lately, she’s been unable to ignore a case study at home in the United States.</p>
<p>The American University law professor and Harvard University faculty associate has grappled for months with whether Donald Trump’s rhetoric constitutes dangerous speech as she has come to define it. She has examined election-year speech before, but only abroad where the risks of mass atrocities were great.</p>
<p>But in the past week, with Trump claiming that the election system and the media are rigged against him, his messages have the type of undertone that increases the risk of violence between groups, she said.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Benesch, 52, has dedicated the past six years of her life to developing and testing a framework for identifying dangerous speech. To rise to that level, at least two of these five indicators must be true:</p>
<p>– A powerful speaker with a high degree of influence over the audience.</p>
<p>– The audience has grievances and fears that the speaker can cultivate.</p>
<p>– A speech act that is clearly understood as a call to violence.</p>
<p>– A social or historical context that is propitious for violence, for any of a variety of reasons, including long-standing competition between groups for resources, lack of efforts to solve grievances or previous episodes of violence.</p>
<p>— A means of dissemination that is influential in itself, for example because it is the sole or primary source of news for the relevant audience.</p>
<p>“Trump’s speech is very difficult in the sense that he is so often slippery with it,” Benesch said in a recent interview. “The meaning is so often ambiguous.”</p>
<p>But when Trump said his supporters could use the Second Amendment against Hillary Clinton, “it seems to me impossible that people didn’t understand that as a reference to violence,” she said. Or when he suggested that Clinton and President Barack Obama were founders of the Islamic State, something he alluded to again at Wednesday’s final debate, that was a “hallmark of dangerous speech to describe an in-group member as the enemy,” she said.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>And now, with Trump trafficking in the conspiracy theory that if he loses the election it will be because of a rigged system against him, he’s definitely laying the groundwork for potential unrest after the balloting. Direct incitement of violence is illegal, but Trump falls short of actually calling for any kind of civil disobedience.</p>
<p>Because of that, it’s still a gray area that surrounds whether Trump does use dangerous speech.</p>
<p>“Trump may well be undermining the extent to which his supporters trust the essential institutions and practices of U.S. democracy,” Benesch said. “Some of them – those who are most susceptible to being inflamed by such messages – may therefore be more likely to commit violence. However, the United States is not in danger of mass intergroup violence, in my view. It is deeply irresponsible, though, since it can undermine some Americans’ belief in our own democratic institutions, which can make them more susceptible to dangerous speech going forward.”</p>
<p>Still, that she’s getting the question so often is in itself stunning.</p>
<p>“I didn’t imagine that so soon after beginning this work I’d be asked to explain it to someone abroad who would want me to describe a case study,” she said, “and choose a case study in my own country.”</p>
<p>– – –</p>
<p>On an unseasonably warm fall afternoon, Benesch sat barefoot on the stone steps outside her townhouse on a tree-lined street in Washington. Inside, a young researcher was hunched over a laptop at her kitchen table. Her home is also the headquarters for her Dangerous Speech Project, which was born out of research grants she received from the MacArthur Foundation.</p>
<p>Outside the kitchen window is a massive vegetable garden she built on the roof of her garage. Her home, an eclectic mix of mismatched furniture and art, doubles as an “eco-friendly community arts space” that features local musicians at a monthly dinner party she hosts.</p>
<p>Benesch, who was born and raised in New York City, said she comes from a lineage of “immigrants, refugees and people who were killed because other people had been taught to hate them,” but that’s all the personal detail she will divulge. She is eager to discuss her work, but, perhaps because she is an expert in speech, is precise in what she shares, careful not to make generalizations or overstatements.</p>
<p>She credits spending much of her adult life immersed in the mass atrocities people commit against one another all over the world – first as a foreign correspondent for the Miami Herald in Latin America and then as a human rights lawyer – for her drive to understand why and how people turn to violence.</p>
<p>As a young lawyer, she did international work in the aftermath of the ethnic conflicts in Yugoslavia and Rwanda in the 1990s. As they pored over whom to prosecute for the terrible crimes, Benesch was drawn to the question of whether one could detect warning signs for genocide before one occurred. People do not wake up in the morning and simultaneously decide to kill their neighbors, she thought.</p>
<p>This question resurfaced several years later when she was teaching a clinic at Georgetown’s law school representing refugees in asylum cases. As she and her students worked to help people piece their shattered lives back together, she began thinking anew about whether there was a way to foresee the crises that created refugees.</p>
<p>It was around that time that two good friends asked her, in the course of casual conversations, what she would do if she had one full year to work on anything she wanted without any concern for finances. Her answer came easily: She wanted to figure out whether someone could identify the kind of rhetoric that brought about social conflicts, and then whether someone could interfere with it without suppressing freedom of speech. In other words, could genocide be thwarted by simply drawing attention to the “dangerous speech” that precedes it?</p>
<p>“I’ve learned a few specific things about humanity,” Benesch said. “First, people do not hate spontaneously. No one is born hating, or wanting to see or do violence. Also, no particular group – religious, ethnic, cultural or national – has a monopoly on dangerous speech. It isn’t that there is something wrong with one group or another, as some have alleged. All people are capable of producing and being influenced by dangerous speech. I see that as an opportunity.”</p>
<p>– – –</p>
<p>For Benesch, it’s important that people understand that the type of speech she wants to counter is different from hate speech, which she says is a broad category for which there is no agreed-upon definition. An advocate for free speech, she does not believe that hate speech can or should be silenced. In fact, it’s one of the central reasons she sought to differentiate dangerous speech.</p>
<p>There’s no way to say definitively when speech led to genocide or mass atrocities, because there are many contributing factors, or conversely whether Benesch’s efforts to counter that speech has succeeded in quelling what would have otherwise been a mass violence situation. But she has anecdotal evidence that leads her to believe that both are significant factors.</p>
<p>After the results of the 2007 presidential election in Kenya were disputed, there were attacks that left more than 1,000 people dead and 500,000 displaced. In the lead-up to it, political leaders used incendiary language about other ethnic and tribal groups. One group, for example, said that those in another were like weeds that needed to be pulled out so “there would be only one tribe here,” Benesch wrote in a research paper.</p>
<p>Benesch did her first field study for the Dangerous Speech Project in Kenya leading up to its next presidential election, held in March 2013. While there, she helped oversee several projects that sought to diminish the impact of dangerous speech, including one writing four episodes of a popular Kenyan courtroom comedy in which the actors discredited inflammatory statements. The 2013 election produced little violence.</p>
<p>She is continuing to study how to effectively respond to dangerous speech. Right now, she’s looking at the impact that shaming the speakers or using humor to minimize them may have.</p>
<p>Her work has inspired others to take up the cause. This year the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum published a guidebook on countering dangerous speech, and its author credits Benesch as the inspiration for it.</p>
<p>Rob Faris, director of the Berkman Klein Center at Harvard, where Benesch is a faculty associate, described her work as “innovative” in how it attempts to delegitimize dangerous speech rather than try to stifle it, thus protecting freedom of speech.</p>
<p>Her framework is still intended to discourage large incidents of violence. While she has tested some theories on dangerous speech online, her strategies are unlikely to weed out lone mass shooters or even terrorist recruits because they’re too isolated.</p>
<p>“In any given time, in any society there is a subset of people who hold extreme views and are willing to resort to violence, and I don’t think one can suppress that or expect to wipe it out,” Benesch said. “What I’m more concerned about is the large mass of people who are malleable, who can be influenced.”</p>
<p>Despite seeing human viciousness up close, something she said she’ll never get used to, she is hopeful.</p>
<p>“Hatred and fear and even mass atrocities are not at all new in human history – it’s the widespread efforts to push back against them, that are new, and when we step back and take a longer view, we can see that these efforts are working in many contexts and many places,” she said. “Humans are now much less likely to die at the hands of another human than in the past. There is far more work to do, and the daily headlines are often distressing and discouraging, but I can also see, paraphrasing Dr. Martin Luther King, that the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward peace.”</p>
<p>speech-professor</p>
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lately shes unable ignore case study home united states american university law professor harvard university faculty associate grappled months whether donald trumps rhetoric constitutes dangerous speech come define examined electionyear speech abroad risks mass atrocities great past week trump claiming election system media rigged messages type undertone increases risk violence groups said advertisement benesch 52 dedicated past six years life developing testing framework identifying dangerous speech rise level least two five indicators must true powerful speaker high degree influence audience audience grievances fears speaker cultivate speech act clearly understood call violence social historical context propitious violence variety reasons including longstanding competition groups resources lack efforts solve grievances previous episodes violence means dissemination influential example sole primary source news relevant audience trumps speech difficult sense often slippery benesch said recent interview meaning often ambiguous trump said supporters could use second amendment hillary clinton seems impossible people didnt understand reference violence said suggested clinton president barack obama founders islamic state something alluded wednesdays final debate hallmark dangerous speech describe ingroup member enemy said advertisement trump trafficking conspiracy theory loses election rigged system hes definitely laying groundwork potential unrest balloting direct incitement violence illegal trump falls short actually calling kind civil disobedience still gray area surrounds whether trump use dangerous speech trump may well undermining extent supporters trust essential institutions practices us democracy benesch said susceptible inflamed messages may therefore likely commit violence however united states danger mass intergroup violence view deeply irresponsible though since undermine americans belief democratic institutions make susceptible dangerous speech going forward still shes getting question often stunning didnt imagine soon beginning work id asked explain someone abroad would want describe case study said choose case study country unseasonably warm fall afternoon benesch sat barefoot stone steps outside townhouse treelined street washington inside young researcher hunched laptop kitchen table home also headquarters dangerous speech project born research grants received macarthur foundation outside kitchen window massive vegetable garden built roof garage home eclectic mix mismatched furniture art doubles ecofriendly community arts space features local musicians monthly dinner party hosts benesch born raised new york city said comes lineage immigrants refugees people killed people taught hate thats personal detail divulge eager discuss work perhaps expert speech precise shares careful make generalizations overstatements credits spending much adult life immersed mass atrocities people commit one another world first foreign correspondent miami herald latin america human rights lawyer drive understand people turn violence young lawyer international work aftermath ethnic conflicts yugoslavia rwanda 1990s pored prosecute terrible crimes benesch drawn question whether one could detect warning signs genocide one occurred people wake morning simultaneously decide kill neighbors thought question resurfaced several years later teaching clinic georgetowns law school representing refugees asylum cases students worked help people piece shattered lives back together began thinking anew whether way foresee crises created refugees around time two good friends asked course casual conversations would one full year work anything wanted without concern finances answer came easily wanted figure whether someone could identify kind rhetoric brought social conflicts whether someone could interfere without suppressing freedom speech words could genocide thwarted simply drawing attention dangerous speech precedes ive learned specific things humanity benesch said first people hate spontaneously one born hating wanting see violence also particular group religious ethnic cultural national monopoly dangerous speech isnt something wrong one group another alleged people capable producing influenced dangerous speech see opportunity benesch important people understand type speech wants counter different hate speech says broad category agreedupon definition advocate free speech believe hate speech silenced fact one central reasons sought differentiate dangerous speech theres way say definitively speech led genocide mass atrocities many contributing factors conversely whether beneschs efforts counter speech succeeded quelling would otherwise mass violence situation anecdotal evidence leads believe significant factors results 2007 presidential election kenya disputed attacks left 1000 people dead 500000 displaced leadup political leaders used incendiary language ethnic tribal groups one group example said another like weeds needed pulled would one tribe benesch wrote research paper benesch first field study dangerous speech project kenya leading next presidential election held march 2013 helped oversee several projects sought diminish impact dangerous speech including one writing four episodes popular kenyan courtroom comedy actors discredited inflammatory statements 2013 election produced little violence continuing study effectively respond dangerous speech right shes looking impact shaming speakers using humor minimize may work inspired others take cause year us holocaust memorial museum published guidebook countering dangerous speech author credits benesch inspiration rob faris director berkman klein center harvard benesch faculty associate described work innovative attempts delegitimize dangerous speech rather try stifle thus protecting freedom speech framework still intended discourage large incidents violence tested theories dangerous speech online strategies unlikely weed lone mass shooters even terrorist recruits theyre isolated given time society subset people hold extreme views willing resort violence dont think one suppress expect wipe benesch said im concerned large mass people malleable influenced despite seeing human viciousness close something said shell never get used hopeful hatred fear even mass atrocities new human history widespread efforts push back new step back take longer view see efforts working many contexts many places said humans much less likely die hands another human past far work daily headlines often distressing discouraging also see paraphrasing dr martin luther king arc moral universe long bends toward peace speechprofessor
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<p>ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — In this week’s New York state government news, Gov. Andrew Cuomo is poised to unveil his state budget proposal, a spending plan that is likely to call for big changes to state taxes in response to the federal tax overhaul.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, relatives of people who died following long and in many cases painful terminal illnesses are back at the state Capitol to again lobby lawmakers to pass a law authorizing physician-assisted death.</p>
<p>A look at stories making news:</p>
<p>BUDGET BLUES</p>
<p>The Democratic governor will release the roughly $150 million spending plan Tuesday. He and lawmakers hope to pass a budget by April 1, and they’ll have no shortage of tough decisions.</p>
<p>The state faces a projected $4 billion budget deficit thanks in part to weaker than expected tax returns. Recent decisions by Washington Republicans to reduce spending on some health care programs will cost the state another $2 billion in lost revenue.</p>
<p>Then there are taxes, a politically charged topic in any year, let alone in an election year for Cuomo and every lawmaker. Cuomo has floated the idea of big changes to the state’s tax code, including a new tax on certain investment income and a payroll tax, which could be used to replace some or all of the state’s income tax. Payroll taxes are similar to income taxes except that employers pay a portion of the tax.</p>
<p>“It’s not going to be easy, it is going to be complicated, but I believe working together, we will get it done,” Cuomo said during his state of the state address earlier this month.</p>
<p>Some type of tax shift is needed, Cuomo argues, to soften the blow of the federal tax overhaul, which caps at $10,000 a deduction for state and local taxes. That deduction has been especially popular in high-tax states like New York, meaning many homeowners will see significant tax increases under the new federal tax code.</p>
<p>Republicans are wary of Cuomo’s talk of big tax changes, with Senate Leader John Flanagan announcing his opposition days before Cuomo delivers the plan.</p>
<p>Lawmakers are also skeptical of Cuomo’s promise to balance the budget — without big spending increases — while still funding many of the pricey proposals he laid out in his state of the state, which include upgrades to airports, big investments in economic development and increases in spending on education and workforce development.</p>
<p>“Boy was it ambitious,” Flanagan told reporters.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED DEATH</p>
<p>It’s become an annual tradition: the loved ones of New Yorkers who died from painful, terminal illnesses come to the state Capitol to push for a law authorizing people with fatal diseases to seek life-ending medication from a doctor.</p>
<p>The bill has been around for years without getting a vote, but supporters say they’re making quiet, gradual progress.</p>
<p>The proposal now before lawmakers would allow someone with a terminal illness to request life-ending medication from a physician. Two physicians would have to certify the patient has a terminal condition and is mentally competent to make the decision.</p>
<p>Saratoga Springs resident Barbara Thomas lost her husband of 55 years to brain cancer in 2012. It was an agonizing illness, she said, and before he died, Bob was ready to go.</p>
<p>“Bob was not suicidal,” Thomas said. “He wanted to live. But his cancer chose to end his life. He asked me to get his pistol so he could shoot himself. I couldn’t do it.”</p>
<p>Opponents, including the Catholic Church, plan to push back against the bill again this year. They’ve expressed concerns that it could be exploited by greedy relatives eager to speed up an inheritance, or misused by depressed people looking to end their lives.</p>
<p>Supporters recently submitted a petition supporting the measure to Cuomo that was signed by 7,500 New Yorkers.</p>
<p>Colorado, Washington, Vermont, California, Oregon and Washington, D.C., have laws allowing people to seek medical help in ending their lives.</p>
<p>ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — In this week’s New York state government news, Gov. Andrew Cuomo is poised to unveil his state budget proposal, a spending plan that is likely to call for big changes to state taxes in response to the federal tax overhaul.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, relatives of people who died following long and in many cases painful terminal illnesses are back at the state Capitol to again lobby lawmakers to pass a law authorizing physician-assisted death.</p>
<p>A look at stories making news:</p>
<p>BUDGET BLUES</p>
<p>The Democratic governor will release the roughly $150 million spending plan Tuesday. He and lawmakers hope to pass a budget by April 1, and they’ll have no shortage of tough decisions.</p>
<p>The state faces a projected $4 billion budget deficit thanks in part to weaker than expected tax returns. Recent decisions by Washington Republicans to reduce spending on some health care programs will cost the state another $2 billion in lost revenue.</p>
<p>Then there are taxes, a politically charged topic in any year, let alone in an election year for Cuomo and every lawmaker. Cuomo has floated the idea of big changes to the state’s tax code, including a new tax on certain investment income and a payroll tax, which could be used to replace some or all of the state’s income tax. Payroll taxes are similar to income taxes except that employers pay a portion of the tax.</p>
<p>“It’s not going to be easy, it is going to be complicated, but I believe working together, we will get it done,” Cuomo said during his state of the state address earlier this month.</p>
<p>Some type of tax shift is needed, Cuomo argues, to soften the blow of the federal tax overhaul, which caps at $10,000 a deduction for state and local taxes. That deduction has been especially popular in high-tax states like New York, meaning many homeowners will see significant tax increases under the new federal tax code.</p>
<p>Republicans are wary of Cuomo’s talk of big tax changes, with Senate Leader John Flanagan announcing his opposition days before Cuomo delivers the plan.</p>
<p>Lawmakers are also skeptical of Cuomo’s promise to balance the budget — without big spending increases — while still funding many of the pricey proposals he laid out in his state of the state, which include upgrades to airports, big investments in economic development and increases in spending on education and workforce development.</p>
<p>“Boy was it ambitious,” Flanagan told reporters.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED DEATH</p>
<p>It’s become an annual tradition: the loved ones of New Yorkers who died from painful, terminal illnesses come to the state Capitol to push for a law authorizing people with fatal diseases to seek life-ending medication from a doctor.</p>
<p>The bill has been around for years without getting a vote, but supporters say they’re making quiet, gradual progress.</p>
<p>The proposal now before lawmakers would allow someone with a terminal illness to request life-ending medication from a physician. Two physicians would have to certify the patient has a terminal condition and is mentally competent to make the decision.</p>
<p>Saratoga Springs resident Barbara Thomas lost her husband of 55 years to brain cancer in 2012. It was an agonizing illness, she said, and before he died, Bob was ready to go.</p>
<p>“Bob was not suicidal,” Thomas said. “He wanted to live. But his cancer chose to end his life. He asked me to get his pistol so he could shoot himself. I couldn’t do it.”</p>
<p>Opponents, including the Catholic Church, plan to push back against the bill again this year. They’ve expressed concerns that it could be exploited by greedy relatives eager to speed up an inheritance, or misused by depressed people looking to end their lives.</p>
<p>Supporters recently submitted a petition supporting the measure to Cuomo that was signed by 7,500 New Yorkers.</p>
<p>Colorado, Washington, Vermont, California, Oregon and Washington, D.C., have laws allowing people to seek medical help in ending their lives.</p>
| false | 2 |
albany ny ap weeks new york state government news gov andrew cuomo poised unveil state budget proposal spending plan likely call big changes state taxes response federal tax overhaul meanwhile relatives people died following long many cases painful terminal illnesses back state capitol lobby lawmakers pass law authorizing physicianassisted death look stories making news budget blues democratic governor release roughly 150 million spending plan tuesday lawmakers hope pass budget april 1 theyll shortage tough decisions state faces projected 4 billion budget deficit thanks part weaker expected tax returns recent decisions washington republicans reduce spending health care programs cost state another 2 billion lost revenue taxes politically charged topic year let alone election year cuomo every lawmaker cuomo floated idea big changes states tax code including new tax certain investment income payroll tax could used replace states income tax payroll taxes similar income taxes except employers pay portion tax going easy going complicated believe working together get done cuomo said state state address earlier month type tax shift needed cuomo argues soften blow federal tax overhaul caps 10000 deduction state local taxes deduction especially popular hightax states like new york meaning many homeowners see significant tax increases new federal tax code republicans wary cuomos talk big tax changes senate leader john flanagan announcing opposition days cuomo delivers plan lawmakers also skeptical cuomos promise balance budget without big spending increases still funding many pricey proposals laid state state include upgrades airports big investments economic development increases spending education workforce development boy ambitious flanagan told reporters ___ physicianassisted death become annual tradition loved ones new yorkers died painful terminal illnesses come state capitol push law authorizing people fatal diseases seek lifeending medication doctor bill around years without getting vote supporters say theyre making quiet gradual progress proposal lawmakers would allow someone terminal illness request lifeending medication physician two physicians would certify patient terminal condition mentally competent make decision saratoga springs resident barbara thomas lost husband 55 years brain cancer 2012 agonizing illness said died bob ready go bob suicidal thomas said wanted live cancer chose end life asked get pistol could shoot couldnt opponents including catholic church plan push back bill year theyve expressed concerns could exploited greedy relatives eager speed inheritance misused depressed people looking end lives supporters recently submitted petition supporting measure cuomo signed 7500 new yorkers colorado washington vermont california oregon washington dc laws allowing people seek medical help ending lives albany ny ap weeks new york state government news gov andrew cuomo poised unveil state budget proposal spending plan likely call big changes state taxes response federal tax overhaul meanwhile relatives people died following long many cases painful terminal illnesses back state capitol lobby lawmakers pass law authorizing physicianassisted death look stories making news budget blues democratic governor release roughly 150 million spending plan tuesday lawmakers hope pass budget april 1 theyll shortage tough decisions state faces projected 4 billion budget deficit thanks part weaker expected tax returns recent decisions washington republicans reduce spending health care programs cost state another 2 billion lost revenue taxes politically charged topic year let alone election year cuomo every lawmaker cuomo floated idea big changes states tax code including new tax certain investment income payroll tax could used replace states income tax payroll taxes similar income taxes except employers pay portion tax going easy going complicated believe working together get done cuomo said state state address earlier month type tax shift needed cuomo argues soften blow federal tax overhaul caps 10000 deduction state local taxes deduction especially popular hightax states like new york meaning many homeowners see significant tax increases new federal tax code republicans wary cuomos talk big tax changes senate leader john flanagan announcing opposition days cuomo delivers plan lawmakers also skeptical cuomos promise balance budget without big spending increases still funding many pricey proposals laid state state include upgrades airports big investments economic development increases spending education workforce development boy ambitious flanagan told reporters ___ physicianassisted death become annual tradition loved ones new yorkers died painful terminal illnesses come state capitol push law authorizing people fatal diseases seek lifeending medication doctor bill around years without getting vote supporters say theyre making quiet gradual progress proposal lawmakers would allow someone terminal illness request lifeending medication physician two physicians would certify patient terminal condition mentally competent make decision saratoga springs resident barbara thomas lost husband 55 years brain cancer 2012 agonizing illness said died bob ready go bob suicidal thomas said wanted live cancer chose end life asked get pistol could shoot couldnt opponents including catholic church plan push back bill year theyve expressed concerns could exploited greedy relatives eager speed inheritance misused depressed people looking end lives supporters recently submitted petition supporting measure cuomo signed 7500 new yorkers colorado washington vermont california oregon washington dc laws allowing people seek medical help ending lives
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<p>Danielle Bell, a security guard at Clovis High School, puts flowers at a memorial for the victims of the Aug. 28 mass shooting at the Clovis-Carver Public Library. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal)</p>
<p>It marked another year in which violence spurred as many questions as calls for prayer and change as New Mexicans searched for answers.</p>
<p>In Clovis, parents, children and others hid as gunfire erupted inside the public library Aug. 28. The shooting left two dead and four others, including a 10-year-old boy, seriously wounded.</p>
<p>Nathaniel Jouett</p>
<p>The suspect, 16-year-old Nathaniel Jouett, pleaded not guilty to numerous charges. According to court records, he told investigators he was angry and initially intended to target his school.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>About three months later in northwestern New Mexico, shots rang out inside Aztec High School. Two 17-year-old students were killed before the 21-year-old gunman killed himself.</p>
<p>Authorities say evidence left behind by William Atchison, a former student, indicated he carefully planned the attack and complained about work and life.</p>
<p>The Vanilla Moose in Aztec gave out free food and asked for prayers after a gunman killed two students and then himself at Aztec High School. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal)</p>
<p>In June, police say Damian Herrera killed his mother, stepfather and brother before killing a man who stopped to help him when he ran out of gas and another man he encountered hours later at a gas station.</p>
<p>Damian Herrera</p>
<p>Herrera, who has yet to enter a plea, traveled roughly 200 miles in northern New Mexico before authorities captured him during a chase.</p>
<p>Here are some of the other top stories of the year:</p>
<p>Bail reform, rising crime</p>
<p>An overhaul of the state’s bail system aimed at keeping dangerous defendants behind bars before trial quickly became the focus of legal disputes and legislative hearings.</p>
<p>Republican Gov. Susana Martinez called on lawmakers to repeal and replace the measure, saying the courts are using the new system to “return criminals to our neighborhoods.”</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Voters approved a constitutional amendment last year to ensure dangerous defendants remain incarcerated, while allowing nonviolent suspects who can’t afford bail to be released.</p>
<p>In this Sept. 28, 2017, file photo, 12th Judicial District Attorney John Suggs, right, and other members of the New Mexico District Attorneys Association discuss proposed changes to the states bail reform rules during a news conference in Albuquerque. (Susan Montoya Bryan/Associated Press)</p>
<p>District attorneys complained of the changes taxing their resources. Public defenders and reform advocates say New Mexico is on the right track in shifting to a system focused on balancing public safety and fairness.</p>
<p>The debate has festered as residents in Albuquerque complain about rising crime. The metro area claimed the top spot in the nation for auto thefts in 2016 and its recent mayor election focused on crime.</p>
<p>Opioid crisis</p>
<p>New Mexico became the first state to require law enforcement agencies to provide officers with overdose antidote kits. It marked the newest tool in what has been a decadeslong battle for the poverty-stricken state.</p>
<p>Shown is a dose of naloxone, a drug that can reverse an opioid overdose. New Mexico became the first state to require law enforcement agencies to provide officers with overdose antidote kits. (Marla Brose/Albuquerque Journal)</p>
<p>The number of annual drug overdose deaths has plateaued amid a series of pioneering policies to combat opioid addiction. Solutions have included a prescription monitoring database to prevent dangerous overlapping drug sales and increasingly expanding access to naloxone, a drug that can reverse overdoses.</p>
<p>Elected officials are looking to do more. State Attorney General Hector Balderas filed a lawsuit this year accusing opioid manufacturers and distributors of exacerbating the addiction crisis.</p>
<p>Behaving badly?</p>
<p>Lawmakers in December published proposed revisions to sexual harassment rules and disciplinary procedures in response to reports that widespread misconduct has gone unchecked.</p>
<p>Vanessa Alarid, a registered lobbyist, accused former state Rep. Thomas Garcia of offering his vote on legislation in 2009 in exchange for sex. (Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal)</p>
<p>Registered lobbyist Vanessa Alarid came forward to accuse former state Rep. Thomas Garcia of offering to vote for legislation in 2009 if she would have sex with him. Garcia has vigorously denied the allegations and said they were designed to damage his reputation.</p>
<p>Former state Rep. Thomas Garcia</p>
<p>In the state Senate, Democrats recently ousted Michael Padilla from a leadership post amid controversy over past sexual harassment allegations.</p>
<p>The second-term lawmaker from Albuquerque’s South Valley also withdrew from the lieutenant governor’s race amid mounting concern over the decade-old allegations that he harassed women at a prior job. Padilla has long denied the accusations.</p>
<p>State Sen. Michael Padilla</p>
<p>Political upheaval</p>
<p>With Martinez wrapping up her final term as governor, the race to replace her has set off a game of musical chairs. Republican Steve Pearce and Democrat Michelle Lujan Grisham declined to seek re-election to Congress so they could run for governor.</p>
<p>And an open Albuquerque-based congressional seat has drawn a long list of candidates, including former state Democratic Party Chairwoman Debra Haaland and former U.S. Attorney Damon Martinez.</p>
<p>The race in New Mexico’s southern district includes former Hobbs Mayor Monty Newman and state lawmaker Yvette Herrell.</p>
<p>Clergy sex abuse</p>
<p>Hundreds of pages of court records related to sexual abuse allegations against clergy members were made public in response to an order from a New Mexico judge. It marked the largest disclosure of such records since people began suing the Archdiocese of Santa Fe nearly three decades ago.</p>
<p>Church officials said they hoped the disclosure and publication of a list of clergy accused of sexual misconduct would serve as an additional step in healing for victims, their families and parishioners.</p>
<p>Nuclear waste</p>
<p>Shipments to the federal government’s only underground nuclear waste repository resumed in April following an expensive recovery effort and a major policy overhaul prompted by a 2014 radiation release.</p>
<p>The mishap was triggered by a chemical reaction inside a drum of waste that had been inappropriately packed at Los Alamos National Laboratory. The northern New Mexico lab has since been called out for mishandling nuclear material.</p>
<p>The federal government began accepting bids this year for a new contractor to manage the troubled lab.</p>
<p>UNM athletics</p>
<p>Paul Krebs, longtime athletics director at the state’s flagship university, announced his retirement amid inquiries into the handling of public money within the University of New Mexico’s athletics department.</p>
<p>Paul Krebs, longtime athletics director at the University of New Mexico, announced his retirement amid inquiries into the handling of public money within the school’s athletics department. (Jim Thompson/Albuquerque Journal)</p>
<p>The attorney general’s office has been investigating since late May after tens of thousands of dollars was spent on a 2015 golf trip to Scotland that included athletics officials and private donors. Prosecutors are looking at whether there were possible violations of conduct laws and the state constitution’s anti-donation clause.</p>
<p>The state auditor announced in November that a special audit of the department and affiliated fundraising groups found a lack of financial controls over public money, resulting in unpaid access to luxury basketball arena suites, overpayments to coaches and donor perks of golf and alcohol that failed to elicit donations.</p>
<p>The university says it has instituted new controls and oversight of athletic finances.</p>
<p>Education</p>
<p>New Mexico took a novel step to quell the outrage against lunchroom practices that can humiliate children as public school districts nationwide examined how to cope with unpaid student lunch debts.</p>
<p>Martinez signed legislation to ensure children are served meals even if their parents do not pay on time. The new law also prohibits schools from calling attention to children whose lunch accounts are overdrawn to avoid any stigma. Advocates say no other state had taken such a step.</p>
<p>About 200 people rallied outside the New Mexico Public Education Department in Santa Fe on Oct. 16 to protest the department’s proposed science standards. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)</p>
<p>Public education officials also considered adopting science standards that would have deleted or omitted references to evolution, human contributions to global warming and the Earth’s age.</p>
<p>They dropped the changes after scientists and engineers from Los Alamos National Laboratory joined with others in protest.</p>
<p>Leaving a legacy</p>
<p>New Mexico’s longest serving senator, Pete Domenici, died in September of complications from abdominal surgery. He was 85.</p>
<p>The Republican rose to become a power broker in the U.S. Senate. He was remembered most for his ability to reach across the aisle and for his unflagging support of the state’s military installations and national laboratories.</p>
<p>Former U.S. Sen. Pete V. Domenici, on the floor of the New Mexico House of Representatives before the governor’s 2015 State of the State address, died in September at age 85.</p>
<p>He also was known for his work on the federal budget and energy policy over a career that spanned more than 30 years.</p>
<p>News of his death spurred a moment of silence at the Capitol in Santa Fe. Republicans and Democrats said Domenici was someone who put politics aside for the benefit of the people.</p>
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danielle bell security guard clovis high school puts flowers memorial victims aug 28 mass shooting cloviscarver public library adolphe pierrelouisalbuquerque journal marked another year violence spurred many questions calls prayer change new mexicans searched answers clovis parents children others hid gunfire erupted inside public library aug 28 shooting left two dead four others including 10yearold boy seriously wounded nathaniel jouett suspect 16yearold nathaniel jouett pleaded guilty numerous charges according court records told investigators angry initially intended target school advertisement three months later northwestern new mexico shots rang inside aztec high school two 17yearold students killed 21yearold gunman killed authorities say evidence left behind william atchison former student indicated carefully planned attack complained work life vanilla moose aztec gave free food asked prayers gunman killed two students aztec high school adolphe pierrelouisalbuquerque journal june police say damian herrera killed mother stepfather brother killing man stopped help ran gas another man encountered hours later gas station damian herrera herrera yet enter plea traveled roughly 200 miles northern new mexico authorities captured chase top stories year bail reform rising crime overhaul states bail system aimed keeping dangerous defendants behind bars trial quickly became focus legal disputes legislative hearings republican gov susana martinez called lawmakers repeal replace measure saying courts using new system return criminals neighborhoods advertisement voters approved constitutional amendment last year ensure dangerous defendants remain incarcerated allowing nonviolent suspects cant afford bail released sept 28 2017 file photo 12th judicial district attorney john suggs right members new mexico district attorneys association discuss proposed changes states bail reform rules news conference albuquerque susan montoya bryanassociated press district attorneys complained changes taxing resources public defenders reform advocates say new mexico right track shifting system focused balancing public safety fairness debate festered residents albuquerque complain rising crime metro area claimed top spot nation auto thefts 2016 recent mayor election focused crime opioid crisis new mexico became first state require law enforcement agencies provide officers overdose antidote kits marked newest tool decadeslong battle povertystricken state shown dose naloxone drug reverse opioid overdose new mexico became first state require law enforcement agencies provide officers overdose antidote kits marla brosealbuquerque journal number annual drug overdose deaths plateaued amid series pioneering policies combat opioid addiction solutions included prescription monitoring database prevent dangerous overlapping drug sales increasingly expanding access naloxone drug reverse overdoses elected officials looking state attorney general hector balderas filed lawsuit year accusing opioid manufacturers distributors exacerbating addiction crisis behaving badly lawmakers december published proposed revisions sexual harassment rules disciplinary procedures response reports widespread misconduct gone unchecked vanessa alarid registered lobbyist accused former state rep thomas garcia offering vote legislation 2009 exchange sex roberto e rosalesalbuquerque journal registered lobbyist vanessa alarid came forward accuse former state rep thomas garcia offering vote legislation 2009 would sex garcia vigorously denied allegations said designed damage reputation former state rep thomas garcia state senate democrats recently ousted michael padilla leadership post amid controversy past sexual harassment allegations secondterm lawmaker albuquerques south valley also withdrew lieutenant governors race amid mounting concern decadeold allegations harassed women prior job padilla long denied accusations state sen michael padilla political upheaval martinez wrapping final term governor race replace set game musical chairs republican steve pearce democrat michelle lujan grisham declined seek reelection congress could run governor open albuquerquebased congressional seat drawn long list candidates including former state democratic party chairwoman debra haaland former us attorney damon martinez race new mexicos southern district includes former hobbs mayor monty newman state lawmaker yvette herrell clergy sex abuse hundreds pages court records related sexual abuse allegations clergy members made public response order new mexico judge marked largest disclosure records since people began suing archdiocese santa fe nearly three decades ago church officials said hoped disclosure publication list clergy accused sexual misconduct would serve additional step healing victims families parishioners nuclear waste shipments federal governments underground nuclear waste repository resumed april following expensive recovery effort major policy overhaul prompted 2014 radiation release mishap triggered chemical reaction inside drum waste inappropriately packed los alamos national laboratory northern new mexico lab since called mishandling nuclear material federal government began accepting bids year new contractor manage troubled lab unm athletics paul krebs longtime athletics director states flagship university announced retirement amid inquiries handling public money within university new mexicos athletics department paul krebs longtime athletics director university new mexico announced retirement amid inquiries handling public money within schools athletics department jim thompsonalbuquerque journal attorney generals office investigating since late may tens thousands dollars spent 2015 golf trip scotland included athletics officials private donors prosecutors looking whether possible violations conduct laws state constitutions antidonation clause state auditor announced november special audit department affiliated fundraising groups found lack financial controls public money resulting unpaid access luxury basketball arena suites overpayments coaches donor perks golf alcohol failed elicit donations university says instituted new controls oversight athletic finances education new mexico took novel step quell outrage lunchroom practices humiliate children public school districts nationwide examined cope unpaid student lunch debts martinez signed legislation ensure children served meals even parents pay time new law also prohibits schools calling attention children whose lunch accounts overdrawn avoid stigma advocates say state taken step 200 people rallied outside new mexico public education department santa fe oct 16 protest departments proposed science standards eddie moorealbuquerque journal public education officials also considered adopting science standards would deleted omitted references evolution human contributions global warming earths age dropped changes scientists engineers los alamos national laboratory joined others protest leaving legacy new mexicos longest serving senator pete domenici died september complications abdominal surgery 85 republican rose become power broker us senate remembered ability reach across aisle unflagging support states military installations national laboratories former us sen pete v domenici floor new mexico house representatives governors 2015 state state address died september age 85 also known work federal budget energy policy career spanned 30 years news death spurred moment silence capitol santa fe republicans democrats said domenici someone put politics aside benefit people
| 986 |
<p>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump made a curious case for stripping federal protections from vast stretches of two of America’s national monument lands.</p>
<p>For one, he said his decision will give Native Americans back their “rightful voice over the sacred land.” But they already have specified rights on the land, thanks to the national monument designation under the Antiquities Act, and fear losing those rights under his decision. That’s why they’re fighting his action in court.</p>
<p>Trump also said that thanks to his decision, “families will hike and hunt on land they have known for generations, and they will preserve it for generations to come. Cattle will graze along the open range. Sweeping landscapes will inspire young Americans to dream beyond the horizon.”</p>
<p>But hiking, hunting and cattle-grazing are already allowed on the lands that make up the two national monuments he is targeting in Utah: Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante. If the loss of protection spurs energy development, people may see mines on a sweeping landscape where they are now forbidden.</p>
<p>A look at his statement in Salt Lake City on Monday about his plan to reduce Bears Ears by 85 percent and Grand Staircase-Escalante by nearly half:</p>
<p>TRUMP: “As many of you know, past administrations have severely abused the purpose, spirit and intent of a century-old law known as the Antiquities Act. This law requires that only the smallest necessary area be set aside for special protection as national monuments.”</p>
<p>THE FACTS: That’s not exactly what Teddy Roosevelt’s 1906 preservation law says. It states, in essence, that the federal government should not bite off more than it can chew when a president designates an area for protection. It doesn’t demand that such land be kept to a minimum. Such protected land “shall be confined to the smallest area compatible with proper care and management of the objects to be protected,” it says.</p>
<p />
<p>___</p>
<p>TRUMP:</p>
<p>—“We have seen how this tragic federal overreach prevents many Native Americans from having their rightful voice over the sacred land where they practice their most important ancestral and religious traditions.”</p>
<p>—“Here, and in other affected sites, we have seen harmful and unnecessary restrictions on hunting, ranching and responsible economic development. We have seen grazing restrictions prevent ranching families from passing their businesses and beloved heritage on to the children, the children that they love. We’ve seen many rural families stopped from enjoying their outdoor activities, and the fact that they’ve done it all their lives made no difference to the bureaucrats in Washington.”</p>
<p>THE FACTS: Native rights are generally enshrined on national monument lands, not terminated. So are other public uses of the land. What’s most at stake is new mining, logging or commercial development.</p>
<p>Of the two Utah monuments, Grand Staircase is the primary prospect for potential mining because of past interest in a large coal reserve on the lands. Worries about Bears Ears are mainly about disturbing Native American artifacts and general disrespect for land considered sacred by multiple tribes.</p>
<p>Trump’s point about “responsible economic development” goes to the heart of the actual debate over whether Washington is imposing unreasonable restrictions in monument lands. And ranchers bristle under what they consider heavy-handed rules for grazing on these lands.</p>
<p>But the notion that rural families can’t enjoy the beauty of a national monument is unsupported.</p>
<p>When President Barack Obama designated Bears Ears a year ago, for example, current uses of the land were maintained, tribal access among them. It was “closed to new extractive uses such as mining and oil and gas development.” Among the activities or installations allowed: “traditional collection of plants and firewood, off-highway vehicle recreation, hunting and fishing, legal grazing, military training operations, and utility corridors.”</p>
<p>Five tribes lobbied Obama to declare Bears Ears a national monument to preserve lands that are home to ancient cliff dwellings and an estimated 100,000 archaeological sites. Native Americans visit the area to perform ceremonies, collect herbs and wood for medicinal and spiritual purposes, and do healing rituals. The tribes filed a suit Monday night challenging Trump’s action.</p>
<p>A coalition of environment groups filed the first of several expected lawsuits challenging Trump’s move on Grand Staircase-Escalante, established by Bill Clinton when he was president.</p>
<p>The groups say Trump’s decision endangers a “Dinosaur Shangri-la” full of fossils. Some dinosaur fossils sit on a plateau that is home to one of the country’s largest known coal reserves, which could now be open to mining.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>McCombs reported from Salt Lake City. Associated Press writer Matthew Daly contributed to this report.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Find AP Fact Checks at <a href="" type="internal" /> <a href="" type="internal">https://apnews.com/tag/APFactCheck</a></p>
<p>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump made a curious case for stripping federal protections from vast stretches of two of America’s national monument lands.</p>
<p>For one, he said his decision will give Native Americans back their “rightful voice over the sacred land.” But they already have specified rights on the land, thanks to the national monument designation under the Antiquities Act, and fear losing those rights under his decision. That’s why they’re fighting his action in court.</p>
<p>Trump also said that thanks to his decision, “families will hike and hunt on land they have known for generations, and they will preserve it for generations to come. Cattle will graze along the open range. Sweeping landscapes will inspire young Americans to dream beyond the horizon.”</p>
<p>But hiking, hunting and cattle-grazing are already allowed on the lands that make up the two national monuments he is targeting in Utah: Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante. If the loss of protection spurs energy development, people may see mines on a sweeping landscape where they are now forbidden.</p>
<p>A look at his statement in Salt Lake City on Monday about his plan to reduce Bears Ears by 85 percent and Grand Staircase-Escalante by nearly half:</p>
<p>TRUMP: “As many of you know, past administrations have severely abused the purpose, spirit and intent of a century-old law known as the Antiquities Act. This law requires that only the smallest necessary area be set aside for special protection as national monuments.”</p>
<p>THE FACTS: That’s not exactly what Teddy Roosevelt’s 1906 preservation law says. It states, in essence, that the federal government should not bite off more than it can chew when a president designates an area for protection. It doesn’t demand that such land be kept to a minimum. Such protected land “shall be confined to the smallest area compatible with proper care and management of the objects to be protected,” it says.</p>
<p />
<p>___</p>
<p>TRUMP:</p>
<p>—“We have seen how this tragic federal overreach prevents many Native Americans from having their rightful voice over the sacred land where they practice their most important ancestral and religious traditions.”</p>
<p>—“Here, and in other affected sites, we have seen harmful and unnecessary restrictions on hunting, ranching and responsible economic development. We have seen grazing restrictions prevent ranching families from passing their businesses and beloved heritage on to the children, the children that they love. We’ve seen many rural families stopped from enjoying their outdoor activities, and the fact that they’ve done it all their lives made no difference to the bureaucrats in Washington.”</p>
<p>THE FACTS: Native rights are generally enshrined on national monument lands, not terminated. So are other public uses of the land. What’s most at stake is new mining, logging or commercial development.</p>
<p>Of the two Utah monuments, Grand Staircase is the primary prospect for potential mining because of past interest in a large coal reserve on the lands. Worries about Bears Ears are mainly about disturbing Native American artifacts and general disrespect for land considered sacred by multiple tribes.</p>
<p>Trump’s point about “responsible economic development” goes to the heart of the actual debate over whether Washington is imposing unreasonable restrictions in monument lands. And ranchers bristle under what they consider heavy-handed rules for grazing on these lands.</p>
<p>But the notion that rural families can’t enjoy the beauty of a national monument is unsupported.</p>
<p>When President Barack Obama designated Bears Ears a year ago, for example, current uses of the land were maintained, tribal access among them. It was “closed to new extractive uses such as mining and oil and gas development.” Among the activities or installations allowed: “traditional collection of plants and firewood, off-highway vehicle recreation, hunting and fishing, legal grazing, military training operations, and utility corridors.”</p>
<p>Five tribes lobbied Obama to declare Bears Ears a national monument to preserve lands that are home to ancient cliff dwellings and an estimated 100,000 archaeological sites. Native Americans visit the area to perform ceremonies, collect herbs and wood for medicinal and spiritual purposes, and do healing rituals. The tribes filed a suit Monday night challenging Trump’s action.</p>
<p>A coalition of environment groups filed the first of several expected lawsuits challenging Trump’s move on Grand Staircase-Escalante, established by Bill Clinton when he was president.</p>
<p>The groups say Trump’s decision endangers a “Dinosaur Shangri-la” full of fossils. Some dinosaur fossils sit on a plateau that is home to one of the country’s largest known coal reserves, which could now be open to mining.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>McCombs reported from Salt Lake City. Associated Press writer Matthew Daly contributed to this report.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Find AP Fact Checks at <a href="" type="internal" /> <a href="" type="internal">https://apnews.com/tag/APFactCheck</a></p>
| false | 2 |
washington ap president donald trump made curious case stripping federal protections vast stretches two americas national monument lands one said decision give native americans back rightful voice sacred land already specified rights land thanks national monument designation antiquities act fear losing rights decision thats theyre fighting action court trump also said thanks decision families hike hunt land known generations preserve generations come cattle graze along open range sweeping landscapes inspire young americans dream beyond horizon hiking hunting cattlegrazing already allowed lands make two national monuments targeting utah bears ears grand staircaseescalante loss protection spurs energy development people may see mines sweeping landscape forbidden look statement salt lake city monday plan reduce bears ears 85 percent grand staircaseescalante nearly half trump many know past administrations severely abused purpose spirit intent centuryold law known antiquities act law requires smallest necessary area set aside special protection national monuments facts thats exactly teddy roosevelts 1906 preservation law says states essence federal government bite chew president designates area protection doesnt demand land kept minimum protected land shall confined smallest area compatible proper care management objects protected says ___ trump seen tragic federal overreach prevents many native americans rightful voice sacred land practice important ancestral religious traditions affected sites seen harmful unnecessary restrictions hunting ranching responsible economic development seen grazing restrictions prevent ranching families passing businesses beloved heritage children children love weve seen many rural families stopped enjoying outdoor activities fact theyve done lives made difference bureaucrats washington facts native rights generally enshrined national monument lands terminated public uses land whats stake new mining logging commercial development two utah monuments grand staircase primary prospect potential mining past interest large coal reserve lands worries bears ears mainly disturbing native american artifacts general disrespect land considered sacred multiple tribes trumps point responsible economic development goes heart actual debate whether washington imposing unreasonable restrictions monument lands ranchers bristle consider heavyhanded rules grazing lands notion rural families cant enjoy beauty national monument unsupported president barack obama designated bears ears year ago example current uses land maintained tribal access among closed new extractive uses mining oil gas development among activities installations allowed traditional collection plants firewood offhighway vehicle recreation hunting fishing legal grazing military training operations utility corridors five tribes lobbied obama declare bears ears national monument preserve lands home ancient cliff dwellings estimated 100000 archaeological sites native americans visit area perform ceremonies collect herbs wood medicinal spiritual purposes healing rituals tribes filed suit monday night challenging trumps action coalition environment groups filed first several expected lawsuits challenging trumps move grand staircaseescalante established bill clinton president groups say trumps decision endangers dinosaur shangrila full fossils dinosaur fossils sit plateau home one countrys largest known coal reserves could open mining ___ mccombs reported salt lake city associated press writer matthew daly contributed report ___ find ap fact checks httpsapnewscomtagapfactcheck washington ap president donald trump made curious case stripping federal protections vast stretches two americas national monument lands one said decision give native americans back rightful voice sacred land already specified rights land thanks national monument designation antiquities act fear losing rights decision thats theyre fighting action court trump also said thanks decision families hike hunt land known generations preserve generations come cattle graze along open range sweeping landscapes inspire young americans dream beyond horizon hiking hunting cattlegrazing already allowed lands make two national monuments targeting utah bears ears grand staircaseescalante loss protection spurs energy development people may see mines sweeping landscape forbidden look statement salt lake city monday plan reduce bears ears 85 percent grand staircaseescalante nearly half trump many know past administrations severely abused purpose spirit intent centuryold law known antiquities act law requires smallest necessary area set aside special protection national monuments facts thats exactly teddy roosevelts 1906 preservation law says states essence federal government bite chew president designates area protection doesnt demand land kept minimum protected land shall confined smallest area compatible proper care management objects protected says ___ trump seen tragic federal overreach prevents many native americans rightful voice sacred land practice important ancestral religious traditions affected sites seen harmful unnecessary restrictions hunting ranching responsible economic development seen grazing restrictions prevent ranching families passing businesses beloved heritage children children love weve seen many rural families stopped enjoying outdoor activities fact theyve done lives made difference bureaucrats washington facts native rights generally enshrined national monument lands terminated public uses land whats stake new mining logging commercial development two utah monuments grand staircase primary prospect potential mining past interest large coal reserve lands worries bears ears mainly disturbing native american artifacts general disrespect land considered sacred multiple tribes trumps point responsible economic development goes heart actual debate whether washington imposing unreasonable restrictions monument lands ranchers bristle consider heavyhanded rules grazing lands notion rural families cant enjoy beauty national monument unsupported president barack obama designated bears ears year ago example current uses land maintained tribal access among closed new extractive uses mining oil gas development among activities installations allowed traditional collection plants firewood offhighway vehicle recreation hunting fishing legal grazing military training operations utility corridors five tribes lobbied obama declare bears ears national monument preserve lands home ancient cliff dwellings estimated 100000 archaeological sites native americans visit area perform ceremonies collect herbs wood medicinal spiritual purposes healing rituals tribes filed suit monday night challenging trumps action coalition environment groups filed first several expected lawsuits challenging trumps move grand staircaseescalante established bill clinton president groups say trumps decision endangers dinosaur shangrila full fossils dinosaur fossils sit plateau home one countrys largest known coal reserves could open mining ___ mccombs reported salt lake city associated press writer matthew daly contributed report ___ find ap fact checks httpsapnewscomtagapfactcheck
| 934 |
<p>HELENA, Mont. (AP) — The spruce tree destined to serve as the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree was carefully selected from a Montana forest and hauled across the country in a special truck to preserve its freshness.</p>
<p>The 79-foot-tall (24-meter-tall) tree, which was lit up last month during a ceremony with congressional members, had its own website and social media presence.</p>
<p>Now, some Montana companies hope to keep its fame alive by trucking it back home so it can be used to help rebuild a historic chalet in Glacier National Park that was destroyed in a wildfire last summer.</p>
<p>Some critics questioned the amount of fuel that would be burned to haul the tree back across the U.S. when Montana has plenty of trees, while others didn’t mind as long as taxpayer money wasn’t involved.</p>
<p>The effort is certainly more sentimental than practical, but no public money is being spent and no one can profit from the tree’s use, said Bruce Ward with Choose Outdoors, the Denver-based nonprofit that organized the effort to bring the tree to Washington.</p>
<p>Ward got in on the idea after SmartLam, a Montana wood products company, contacted him about doing something more constructive than letting the celebrated tree end up as mulch for the Capitol lawn.</p>
<p>A few phone calls and goodwill gestures later, plans call for the tree to be cut into segments and trucked 2,300 miles (3,701 kilometers) back to Montana starting as early as next week. It was removed from the Capitol lawn Tuesday morning, officials said.</p>
<p>F.H. Stoltz Land &amp; Lumber in Columbia Falls has agreed to process the wood, but vice president and general manager Chuck Roady noted that spruce is a softer wood and more suited for door or window frames or fireplace mantles than structural use in the new park chalet.</p>
<p>Glacier officials are waiting to see how the still-standing rock walls of the Sperry Chalet fare over the winter before deciding on any restoration plans, park spokeswoman Lauren Alley said.</p>
<p>Organizers asked Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester for his support and he wrote to Capitol officials asking the tree to be released to Montana for use in the chalet.</p>
<p>“This wooden and stone landmark, built in Glacier’s rugged backcountry more than a century ago, is irreplaceable,” Tester wrote. “But efforts are underway to rebuild the Sperry Chalet, and I can think of no better use for some of the Montana lumber in our Capitol Christmas Tree to assist in that endeavor.”</p>
<p>Ward had asked if the logs could hitch a ride back with a Montana-made copper star that topped the tree. Whitewood Transport Inc., which hauled the tree to Washington, said they could work that out, he said.</p>
<p>This isn’t the first time the Capitol tree has been given a second life.</p>
<p>In early 2013, former U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell arranged for the tree from a Colorado forest to be returned to the state. The Coors Brewing Co. trucked the tree back to Colorado in 6-foot (2-meter) pieces and the wood was used to make park benches, Ward said.</p>
<p>“For me, it’s a great way to return a historic souvenir to the state to be used for worthwhile purposes,” Ward said Monday.</p>
<p>HELENA, Mont. (AP) — The spruce tree destined to serve as the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree was carefully selected from a Montana forest and hauled across the country in a special truck to preserve its freshness.</p>
<p>The 79-foot-tall (24-meter-tall) tree, which was lit up last month during a ceremony with congressional members, had its own website and social media presence.</p>
<p>Now, some Montana companies hope to keep its fame alive by trucking it back home so it can be used to help rebuild a historic chalet in Glacier National Park that was destroyed in a wildfire last summer.</p>
<p>Some critics questioned the amount of fuel that would be burned to haul the tree back across the U.S. when Montana has plenty of trees, while others didn’t mind as long as taxpayer money wasn’t involved.</p>
<p>The effort is certainly more sentimental than practical, but no public money is being spent and no one can profit from the tree’s use, said Bruce Ward with Choose Outdoors, the Denver-based nonprofit that organized the effort to bring the tree to Washington.</p>
<p>Ward got in on the idea after SmartLam, a Montana wood products company, contacted him about doing something more constructive than letting the celebrated tree end up as mulch for the Capitol lawn.</p>
<p>A few phone calls and goodwill gestures later, plans call for the tree to be cut into segments and trucked 2,300 miles (3,701 kilometers) back to Montana starting as early as next week. It was removed from the Capitol lawn Tuesday morning, officials said.</p>
<p>F.H. Stoltz Land &amp; Lumber in Columbia Falls has agreed to process the wood, but vice president and general manager Chuck Roady noted that spruce is a softer wood and more suited for door or window frames or fireplace mantles than structural use in the new park chalet.</p>
<p>Glacier officials are waiting to see how the still-standing rock walls of the Sperry Chalet fare over the winter before deciding on any restoration plans, park spokeswoman Lauren Alley said.</p>
<p>Organizers asked Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester for his support and he wrote to Capitol officials asking the tree to be released to Montana for use in the chalet.</p>
<p>“This wooden and stone landmark, built in Glacier’s rugged backcountry more than a century ago, is irreplaceable,” Tester wrote. “But efforts are underway to rebuild the Sperry Chalet, and I can think of no better use for some of the Montana lumber in our Capitol Christmas Tree to assist in that endeavor.”</p>
<p>Ward had asked if the logs could hitch a ride back with a Montana-made copper star that topped the tree. Whitewood Transport Inc., which hauled the tree to Washington, said they could work that out, he said.</p>
<p>This isn’t the first time the Capitol tree has been given a second life.</p>
<p>In early 2013, former U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell arranged for the tree from a Colorado forest to be returned to the state. The Coors Brewing Co. trucked the tree back to Colorado in 6-foot (2-meter) pieces and the wood was used to make park benches, Ward said.</p>
<p>“For me, it’s a great way to return a historic souvenir to the state to be used for worthwhile purposes,” Ward said Monday.</p>
| false | 2 |
helena mont ap spruce tree destined serve us capitol christmas tree carefully selected montana forest hauled across country special truck preserve freshness 79foottall 24metertall tree lit last month ceremony congressional members website social media presence montana companies hope keep fame alive trucking back home used help rebuild historic chalet glacier national park destroyed wildfire last summer critics questioned amount fuel would burned haul tree back across us montana plenty trees others didnt mind long taxpayer money wasnt involved effort certainly sentimental practical public money spent one profit trees use said bruce ward choose outdoors denverbased nonprofit organized effort bring tree washington ward got idea smartlam montana wood products company contacted something constructive letting celebrated tree end mulch capitol lawn phone calls goodwill gestures later plans call tree cut segments trucked 2300 miles 3701 kilometers back montana starting early next week removed capitol lawn tuesday morning officials said fh stoltz land amp lumber columbia falls agreed process wood vice president general manager chuck roady noted spruce softer wood suited door window frames fireplace mantles structural use new park chalet glacier officials waiting see stillstanding rock walls sperry chalet fare winter deciding restoration plans park spokeswoman lauren alley said organizers asked democratic us sen jon tester support wrote capitol officials asking tree released montana use chalet wooden stone landmark built glaciers rugged backcountry century ago irreplaceable tester wrote efforts underway rebuild sperry chalet think better use montana lumber capitol christmas tree assist endeavor ward asked logs could hitch ride back montanamade copper star topped tree whitewood transport inc hauled tree washington said could work said isnt first time capitol tree given second life early 2013 former us sen ben nighthorse campbell arranged tree colorado forest returned state coors brewing co trucked tree back colorado 6foot 2meter pieces wood used make park benches ward said great way return historic souvenir state used worthwhile purposes ward said monday helena mont ap spruce tree destined serve us capitol christmas tree carefully selected montana forest hauled across country special truck preserve freshness 79foottall 24metertall tree lit last month ceremony congressional members website social media presence montana companies hope keep fame alive trucking back home used help rebuild historic chalet glacier national park destroyed wildfire last summer critics questioned amount fuel would burned haul tree back across us montana plenty trees others didnt mind long taxpayer money wasnt involved effort certainly sentimental practical public money spent one profit trees use said bruce ward choose outdoors denverbased nonprofit organized effort bring tree washington ward got idea smartlam montana wood products company contacted something constructive letting celebrated tree end mulch capitol lawn phone calls goodwill gestures later plans call tree cut segments trucked 2300 miles 3701 kilometers back montana starting early next week removed capitol lawn tuesday morning officials said fh stoltz land amp lumber columbia falls agreed process wood vice president general manager chuck roady noted spruce softer wood suited door window frames fireplace mantles structural use new park chalet glacier officials waiting see stillstanding rock walls sperry chalet fare winter deciding restoration plans park spokeswoman lauren alley said organizers asked democratic us sen jon tester support wrote capitol officials asking tree released montana use chalet wooden stone landmark built glaciers rugged backcountry century ago irreplaceable tester wrote efforts underway rebuild sperry chalet think better use montana lumber capitol christmas tree assist endeavor ward asked logs could hitch ride back montanamade copper star topped tree whitewood transport inc hauled tree washington said could work said isnt first time capitol tree given second life early 2013 former us sen ben nighthorse campbell arranged tree colorado forest returned state coors brewing co trucked tree back colorado 6foot 2meter pieces wood used make park benches ward said great way return historic souvenir state used worthwhile purposes ward said monday
| 628 |
<p>CAIRO (AP) — A rights lawyer who hopes to run in Egypt’s presidential election in March said Wednesday that bureaucrats loyal to the government were obstructing efforts to get him on the ballot, while his campaign officials said police and government supporters were intimidating potential voters.</p>
<p>The complaints, aired at a news conference held at Khaled Ali’s campaign headquarters in downtown Cairo, suggested that he was struggling to secure the 25,000 signatures, or “recommendations,” necessary to challenge President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who is widely expected to run for and win a second four-year term.</p>
<p>Alternatively, a presidential hopeful could secure the formal backing of 20 elected lawmakers. But the overwhelming majority of the chamber’s 596 members already have pledged their support to el-Sissi, who has yet to formally announce his candidacy.</p>
<p>“The battle for the recommendations is the real battle in this election. Either we win together or I fail alone.” Ali told reporters.</p>
<p>Ali has until Jan. 29 to submit the certified signatures. He said he wanted to submit them on Jan. 25, the seventh anniversary of the popular uprising that toppled longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak. El-Sissi’s supporters portray the uprising as a foreign conspiracy aimed at destabilizing the country.</p>
<p>Malek Adly, a rights lawyer and another January “revolutionary” from Ali’s campaign, told the news conference that supporters were “taking a risk” by visiting government offices to certify their signatures. He also criticized the personal attacks waged against Ali by pro-government talk show hosts.</p>
<p>“The legal team will start legal proceedings against every one of them,” he pledged. He said the campaign also complained about the thousands of street billboards in support of el-Sissi, saying they violate the timeline laid out by the election commission. Campaigning is supposed to begin Feb. 24 and last for under four weeks.</p>
<p>The vote will be held March 27-28 with runoffs, if needed, the following month.</p>
<p>Ali said government workers dragged their feet when his supporters asked for their signatures to be certified.</p>
<p>“We are fully aware of the difficulties and dangers involved in the battle to defend politics and win back public space,” he said. “This is the battle to regain our self-confidence and our ability to work together.”</p>
<p>Several campaign officials who spoke to The Associated Press said Ali supporters were intimidated and threatened by undercover policemen and el-Sissi supporters crowding the government offices. They expressed fears that the process of gathering and certifying signatures would allow authorities to target supporters after the vote.</p>
<p>They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss confidential deliberations.</p>
<p>Since el-Sissi led the military overthrow of an elected Islamist president in 2013, authorities have arrested thousands of people, mainly Islamists but also several prominent secular activists, including many who were behind the 2011 uprising. Street protests have been effectively banned, human rights groups placed under severe restrictions and many critics in the media have been silenced.</p>
<p>El-Sissi has said such measures are necessary to restore stability and rebuild the economy after years of unrest, and to combat an Islamic State-led insurgency.</p>
<p>Ali shot to national fame when he won a court case that annulled Egypt’s transfer of two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia. The government went ahead anyway with the transfer after the agreement was hurriedly ratified by parliament.</p>
<p>He was convicted and sentenced to three months in prison in September for allegedly making an obscene gesture while celebrating the court’s ruling in January 2016. He is appealing the verdict, but if his conviction is upheld he would not be eligible to run.</p>
<p>Another hopeful, former Egyptian lawmaker Mohammed Anwar Sadat, said this week he won’t run, arguing that the political “climate” was not conducive to campaigning. The nephew of Egypt’s late leader Anwar Sadat told reporters Monday that his decision was partially taken to protect his campaign workers from intimidation or arrest.</p>
<p>Last week, former prime minister and air force general Ahmed Shafiq also pulled out of the race, saying he was not the “ideal” person to lead the country at this stage. His decision followed a flood of harsh criticism, some personal, by the pro-government media. Shafiq, who finished second in the 2012 elections, could have potentially lit up the race.</p>
<p>The withdrawals have led many to wonder whether el-Sissi would end up as the only name on the ballot. For decades, Egypt’s presidents were elected in rigged, one-name referendums.</p>
<p>El-Sissi has urged Egyptians to come out and vote, suggesting he is looking for a high turnout that would lend credibility and legitimacy to his widely expected win. That the vote is staggered over three days appears designed to serve that objective.</p>
<p>____</p>
<p>Associated Press writer Samy Magdy contributed to this report.</p>
<p>CAIRO (AP) — A rights lawyer who hopes to run in Egypt’s presidential election in March said Wednesday that bureaucrats loyal to the government were obstructing efforts to get him on the ballot, while his campaign officials said police and government supporters were intimidating potential voters.</p>
<p>The complaints, aired at a news conference held at Khaled Ali’s campaign headquarters in downtown Cairo, suggested that he was struggling to secure the 25,000 signatures, or “recommendations,” necessary to challenge President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who is widely expected to run for and win a second four-year term.</p>
<p>Alternatively, a presidential hopeful could secure the formal backing of 20 elected lawmakers. But the overwhelming majority of the chamber’s 596 members already have pledged their support to el-Sissi, who has yet to formally announce his candidacy.</p>
<p>“The battle for the recommendations is the real battle in this election. Either we win together or I fail alone.” Ali told reporters.</p>
<p>Ali has until Jan. 29 to submit the certified signatures. He said he wanted to submit them on Jan. 25, the seventh anniversary of the popular uprising that toppled longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak. El-Sissi’s supporters portray the uprising as a foreign conspiracy aimed at destabilizing the country.</p>
<p>Malek Adly, a rights lawyer and another January “revolutionary” from Ali’s campaign, told the news conference that supporters were “taking a risk” by visiting government offices to certify their signatures. He also criticized the personal attacks waged against Ali by pro-government talk show hosts.</p>
<p>“The legal team will start legal proceedings against every one of them,” he pledged. He said the campaign also complained about the thousands of street billboards in support of el-Sissi, saying they violate the timeline laid out by the election commission. Campaigning is supposed to begin Feb. 24 and last for under four weeks.</p>
<p>The vote will be held March 27-28 with runoffs, if needed, the following month.</p>
<p>Ali said government workers dragged their feet when his supporters asked for their signatures to be certified.</p>
<p>“We are fully aware of the difficulties and dangers involved in the battle to defend politics and win back public space,” he said. “This is the battle to regain our self-confidence and our ability to work together.”</p>
<p>Several campaign officials who spoke to The Associated Press said Ali supporters were intimidated and threatened by undercover policemen and el-Sissi supporters crowding the government offices. They expressed fears that the process of gathering and certifying signatures would allow authorities to target supporters after the vote.</p>
<p>They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss confidential deliberations.</p>
<p>Since el-Sissi led the military overthrow of an elected Islamist president in 2013, authorities have arrested thousands of people, mainly Islamists but also several prominent secular activists, including many who were behind the 2011 uprising. Street protests have been effectively banned, human rights groups placed under severe restrictions and many critics in the media have been silenced.</p>
<p>El-Sissi has said such measures are necessary to restore stability and rebuild the economy after years of unrest, and to combat an Islamic State-led insurgency.</p>
<p>Ali shot to national fame when he won a court case that annulled Egypt’s transfer of two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia. The government went ahead anyway with the transfer after the agreement was hurriedly ratified by parliament.</p>
<p>He was convicted and sentenced to three months in prison in September for allegedly making an obscene gesture while celebrating the court’s ruling in January 2016. He is appealing the verdict, but if his conviction is upheld he would not be eligible to run.</p>
<p>Another hopeful, former Egyptian lawmaker Mohammed Anwar Sadat, said this week he won’t run, arguing that the political “climate” was not conducive to campaigning. The nephew of Egypt’s late leader Anwar Sadat told reporters Monday that his decision was partially taken to protect his campaign workers from intimidation or arrest.</p>
<p>Last week, former prime minister and air force general Ahmed Shafiq also pulled out of the race, saying he was not the “ideal” person to lead the country at this stage. His decision followed a flood of harsh criticism, some personal, by the pro-government media. Shafiq, who finished second in the 2012 elections, could have potentially lit up the race.</p>
<p>The withdrawals have led many to wonder whether el-Sissi would end up as the only name on the ballot. For decades, Egypt’s presidents were elected in rigged, one-name referendums.</p>
<p>El-Sissi has urged Egyptians to come out and vote, suggesting he is looking for a high turnout that would lend credibility and legitimacy to his widely expected win. That the vote is staggered over three days appears designed to serve that objective.</p>
<p>____</p>
<p>Associated Press writer Samy Magdy contributed to this report.</p>
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cairo ap rights lawyer hopes run egypts presidential election march said wednesday bureaucrats loyal government obstructing efforts get ballot campaign officials said police government supporters intimidating potential voters complaints aired news conference held khaled alis campaign headquarters downtown cairo suggested struggling secure 25000 signatures recommendations necessary challenge president abdelfattah elsissi widely expected run win second fouryear term alternatively presidential hopeful could secure formal backing 20 elected lawmakers overwhelming majority chambers 596 members already pledged support elsissi yet formally announce candidacy battle recommendations real battle election either win together fail alone ali told reporters ali jan 29 submit certified signatures said wanted submit jan 25 seventh anniversary popular uprising toppled longtime autocrat hosni mubarak elsissis supporters portray uprising foreign conspiracy aimed destabilizing country malek adly rights lawyer another january revolutionary alis campaign told news conference supporters taking risk visiting government offices certify signatures also criticized personal attacks waged ali progovernment talk show hosts legal team start legal proceedings every one pledged said campaign also complained thousands street billboards support elsissi saying violate timeline laid election commission campaigning supposed begin feb 24 last four weeks vote held march 2728 runoffs needed following month ali said government workers dragged feet supporters asked signatures certified fully aware difficulties dangers involved battle defend politics win back public space said battle regain selfconfidence ability work together several campaign officials spoke associated press said ali supporters intimidated threatened undercover policemen elsissi supporters crowding government offices expressed fears process gathering certifying signatures would allow authorities target supporters vote spoke condition anonymity authorized discuss confidential deliberations since elsissi led military overthrow elected islamist president 2013 authorities arrested thousands people mainly islamists also several prominent secular activists including many behind 2011 uprising street protests effectively banned human rights groups placed severe restrictions many critics media silenced elsissi said measures necessary restore stability rebuild economy years unrest combat islamic stateled insurgency ali shot national fame court case annulled egypts transfer two red sea islands saudi arabia government went ahead anyway transfer agreement hurriedly ratified parliament convicted sentenced three months prison september allegedly making obscene gesture celebrating courts ruling january 2016 appealing verdict conviction upheld would eligible run another hopeful former egyptian lawmaker mohammed anwar sadat said week wont run arguing political climate conducive campaigning nephew egypts late leader anwar sadat told reporters monday decision partially taken protect campaign workers intimidation arrest last week former prime minister air force general ahmed shafiq also pulled race saying ideal person lead country stage decision followed flood harsh criticism personal progovernment media shafiq finished second 2012 elections could potentially lit race withdrawals led many wonder whether elsissi would end name ballot decades egypts presidents elected rigged onename referendums elsissi urged egyptians come vote suggesting looking high turnout would lend credibility legitimacy widely expected win vote staggered three days appears designed serve objective ____ associated press writer samy magdy contributed report cairo ap rights lawyer hopes run egypts presidential election march said wednesday bureaucrats loyal government obstructing efforts get ballot campaign officials said police government supporters intimidating potential voters complaints aired news conference held khaled alis campaign headquarters downtown cairo suggested struggling secure 25000 signatures recommendations necessary challenge president abdelfattah elsissi widely expected run win second fouryear term alternatively presidential hopeful could secure formal backing 20 elected lawmakers overwhelming majority chambers 596 members already pledged support elsissi yet formally announce candidacy battle recommendations real battle election either win together fail alone ali told reporters ali jan 29 submit certified signatures said wanted submit jan 25 seventh anniversary popular uprising toppled longtime autocrat hosni mubarak elsissis supporters portray uprising foreign conspiracy aimed destabilizing country malek adly rights lawyer another january revolutionary alis campaign told news conference supporters taking risk visiting government offices certify signatures also criticized personal attacks waged ali progovernment talk show hosts legal team start legal proceedings every one pledged said campaign also complained thousands street billboards support elsissi saying violate timeline laid election commission campaigning supposed begin feb 24 last four weeks vote held march 2728 runoffs needed following month ali said government workers dragged feet supporters asked signatures certified fully aware difficulties dangers involved battle defend politics win back public space said battle regain selfconfidence ability work together several campaign officials spoke associated press said ali supporters intimidated threatened undercover policemen elsissi supporters crowding government offices expressed fears process gathering certifying signatures would allow authorities target supporters vote spoke condition anonymity authorized discuss confidential deliberations since elsissi led military overthrow elected islamist president 2013 authorities arrested thousands people mainly islamists also several prominent secular activists including many behind 2011 uprising street protests effectively banned human rights groups placed severe restrictions many critics media silenced elsissi said measures necessary restore stability rebuild economy years unrest combat islamic stateled insurgency ali shot national fame court case annulled egypts transfer two red sea islands saudi arabia government went ahead anyway transfer agreement hurriedly ratified parliament convicted sentenced three months prison september allegedly making obscene gesture celebrating courts ruling january 2016 appealing verdict conviction upheld would eligible run another hopeful former egyptian lawmaker mohammed anwar sadat said week wont run arguing political climate conducive campaigning nephew egypts late leader anwar sadat told reporters monday decision partially taken protect campaign workers intimidation arrest last week former prime minister air force general ahmed shafiq also pulled race saying ideal person lead country stage decision followed flood harsh criticism personal progovernment media shafiq finished second 2012 elections could potentially lit race withdrawals led many wonder whether elsissi would end name ballot decades egypts presidents elected rigged onename referendums elsissi urged egyptians come vote suggesting looking high turnout would lend credibility legitimacy widely expected win vote staggered three days appears designed serve objective ____ associated press writer samy magdy contributed report
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<p />
<p>These so-called phablets, with screens measuring about 6 inches diagonally, are nearly as big as the smallest tablets. Unlike tablets, they can make phone calls over cellular networks.</p>
<p>Two new ones are worth considering. Neither comes with a stylus, a signature feature of Samsung’s 5.7-inch Galaxy Note 3, which is one of the most popular phones of its size. But the 5.9-inch HTC One Max and the 6-inch Nokia Lumia 1520 both have larger screens than the Note.</p>
<p>——</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>— Nokia Lumia 1520 ($585 without contract, $199 with contract through AT&amp;T)</p>
<p>The 1520 runs Windows Phone 8, which has a sliver of the smartphone market — and thus fewer software developers making apps for it. But apart from that, the 1520 is a decent phone.</p>
<p>It’s also among the first Windows phones of its size.</p>
<p>What I like about Windows’ approach to bigger phones is that text and images don’t simply get blown up. The software adapts the layout to take advantage of the larger screen.</p>
<p>With big Android phones, including the Max, you see about the same amount of content that you would on a smaller phone, just somewhat enlarged. With larger Windows phones, you get a third column of apps on the home screen. You can preview two lines of emails rather than one, and you see more contact information at once for people in your address book.</p>
<p>There’s also a new driving mode, which lets you block incoming texts and calls when you’re near a Bluetooth device associated with your car. You can set it up to send automated replies to say you’re driving.</p>
<p>Windows phones of all sizes come with a free Office app to read and touch up documents. With iPhones and Android phones, the app is available only as part of a $100-a-year Office 365 subscription. None of these Office apps are meant for heavy-duty work, though.</p>
<p>To me, the iPhone 5S is the best camera phone for everyday shots, but the 1520’s camera does a great job in low-light situations. It has the same camera technology as the 4.5-inch Lumia 1020, though a software fix gets rid of the 1020’s tendency to make images too yellow.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>To keep the camera thin, Nokia dropped the 1020’s protruding lens and sacrificed resolution. The 1520 can take photos of up to 19 megapixels, instead of 38 megapixels on the 1020. Still, that’s more than most phones. Grabbing and storing all those pixels takes time, so both phones tend to be slower than most cameras in snapping shots.</p>
<p>To keep those photos organized, a Storyteller app automatically groups photos by date and location, if that feature is on when taking shots. I like that as you zoom in on a map, photos split off into smaller groups and are shown down to the street corner or backyard where you took them.</p>
<p>Nokia also has a new Refocus app, which takes up to eight shots with varying focus, so you can decide later whether you’d rather have the foreground or the background come in sharper. You can even have the app blend the shots so that everything’s in focus.</p>
<p>Nokia Corp. phones are often overlooked because they don’t run one of the dominant operating systems. Besides having a good camera, I find colors on the screen more vibrant than on other phones. Before you buy, check the Windows online store to make sure the apps you want are available. It’s getting better, but apps tend to come to iPhones and Android devices first.</p>
<p>——</p>
<p>— HTC One Max ($600 without contract; with two-year contract: $250 through Sprint, $300 through Verizon)</p>
<p>The Max is largely a giant version of the regular, 4.7-inch HTC One. HTC Corp. expands on Android by offering a home screen with a mosaic of customized content — such as your favorite news sites and content shared by friends on Facebook and Twitter. That can get annoying and clutter up the phone, but you can turn that off if you prefer a traditional home screen experience.</p>
<p>Where the Max differs is in offering a fingerprint scanner for bypassing the security password. Unlike the iPhone 5S, the Max launches a different app depending on which finger you use. That gives you quick access to Facebook, the camera or whatever app you designate. Sadly, unlike the iPhone’s sensor, the one on the Max often fails to recognize my prints. The feature is supposed to make one-hand operation easier, but I end up using my other hand anyway to type in the password.</p>
<p>The Max, like the standard One, promises better low-light shots. The camera is 4 megapixels, compared with the minimum 8 megapixels that most high-end phones have. Instead, HTC makes the sensor for individual pixels larger to pick up more light. Night shots don’t come out as dark.</p>
<p>However, the sensors sometimes pick up too much light, so lights on store signs and Christmas trees bleed together and wash out colors. And with fewer pixels, images aren’t as sharp when blown up.</p>
<p>I like how the One’s Gallery app automatically organizes your photos by events, based largely on time and location. Another feature turns selected shots from an event into a short video, with customizable music and special effects. Although the standard One has these features, the Max removes a 30-second cap and lets you choose your own tunes, rather than ones included.</p>
<p>Both Ones come with Zoe, a feature that takes up to 20 shots in three seconds so you can choose the one with the right smile or action.</p>
<p>Samsung’s Note 3 is lighter and easier to hold, but the Max is a good choice if you really need an Android phone that’s even larger than the Note.</p>
<p>——</p>
<p>Anick Jesdanun, deputy technology editor for The Associated Press, can be reached at [email protected].</p>
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socalled phablets screens measuring 6 inches diagonally nearly big smallest tablets unlike tablets make phone calls cellular networks two new ones worth considering neither comes stylus signature feature samsungs 57inch galaxy note 3 one popular phones size 59inch htc one max 6inch nokia lumia 1520 larger screens note advertisement nokia lumia 1520 585 without contract 199 contract atampt 1520 runs windows phone 8 sliver smartphone market thus fewer software developers making apps apart 1520 decent phone also among first windows phones size like windows approach bigger phones text images dont simply get blown software adapts layout take advantage larger screen big android phones including max see amount content would smaller phone somewhat enlarged larger windows phones get third column apps home screen preview two lines emails rather one see contact information people address book theres also new driving mode lets block incoming texts calls youre near bluetooth device associated car set send automated replies say youre driving windows phones sizes come free office app read touch documents iphones android phones app available part 100ayear office 365 subscription none office apps meant heavyduty work though iphone 5s best camera phone everyday shots 1520s camera great job lowlight situations camera technology 45inch lumia 1020 though software fix gets rid 1020s tendency make images yellow advertisement keep camera thin nokia dropped 1020s protruding lens sacrificed resolution 1520 take photos 19 megapixels instead 38 megapixels 1020 still thats phones grabbing storing pixels takes time phones tend slower cameras snapping shots keep photos organized storyteller app automatically groups photos date location feature taking shots like zoom map photos split smaller groups shown street corner backyard took nokia also new refocus app takes eight shots varying focus decide later whether youd rather foreground background come sharper even app blend shots everythings focus nokia corp phones often overlooked dont run one dominant operating systems besides good camera find colors screen vibrant phones buy check windows online store make sure apps want available getting better apps tend come iphones android devices first htc one max 600 without contract twoyear contract 250 sprint 300 verizon max largely giant version regular 47inch htc one htc corp expands android offering home screen mosaic customized content favorite news sites content shared friends facebook twitter get annoying clutter phone turn prefer traditional home screen experience max differs offering fingerprint scanner bypassing security password unlike iphone 5s max launches different app depending finger use gives quick access facebook camera whatever app designate sadly unlike iphones sensor one max often fails recognize prints feature supposed make onehand operation easier end using hand anyway type password max like standard one promises better lowlight shots camera 4 megapixels compared minimum 8 megapixels highend phones instead htc makes sensor individual pixels larger pick light night shots dont come dark however sensors sometimes pick much light lights store signs christmas trees bleed together wash colors fewer pixels images arent sharp blown like ones gallery app automatically organizes photos events based largely time location another feature turns selected shots event short video customizable music special effects although standard one features max removes 30second cap lets choose tunes rather ones included ones come zoe feature takes 20 shots three seconds choose one right smile action samsungs note 3 lighter easier hold max good choice really need android phone thats even larger note anick jesdanun deputy technology editor associated press reached njesdanunaporg
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<p>ZURICH (Reuters) - Manchester United enjoyed the biggest revenue of any European club in the last financial year after a 32 percent increase propelled them above Real Madrid and Barcelona, UEFA said in an annual report published on Tuesday.</p> Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United vs Stoke City - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - January 15, 2018 Manchester United's Anthony Martial celebrates scoring their second goal with Jesse Lingard REUTERS/Andrew Yates
<p>The European Club Football Landscape report said revenues among Europe's 700-odd top-flight clubs totaled 18.5 billion euros ($22.7 billion) for 2016, compared to 16.9 billion the year before and 2.8 billion in 1996.</p>
<p>However, the report acknowledged that nearly half that amount - 9.1 billion euros - was generated by 30 clubs and that the financial gap between the elite ones and the rest was increasing.</p>
<p>English Premier League television revenues were now such that mid-table Bournemouth earned the same as three-times European champions Inter Milan.</p>
<p>United's revenue for 2016 was 689 million euros, compared to 521 million euros in 2015, the report said.</p>
<p>United were followed by Barcelona and Real Madrid (both 620 million), Bayern Munich (592 million), Paris St Germain (542 million) and Manchester City (533 million).</p>
<p>United's operating profit of 232 million euros was also the highest followed by Real Madrid, PSG, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and City.</p>
<p>United was also burdened with the highest net debt of 561 million euros, ahead of Benfica, Inter Milan, Juventus and Liverpool.</p>
<p>The report confirmed that the English Premier League enjoys by far the highest revenues in Europe, averaging 244.4 million euros per club.</p>
<p>Next was Germany's Bundesliga with 149.6 million per club followed by Spain (126.3 million) and Italy (100.2 million)</p>
<p>Revenues fell dramatically elsewhere, even in traditional football nations such as the Netherlands (26.7 million) and Portugal (20.3 million).</p>
<p>Greek clubs earned an average of 8.9 million euros while figures for Eastern Europe were even lower at 5 million euros for Hungary, 4.4 million for Czech Republic and 1.5 million for Slovenia.</p>
<p>"Once more, we cannot help but note that the polarization of commercial and sponsorship revenues between the top tier of clubs and the rest is accelerating," UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said.</p>
<p>"As the guardians of the game, UEFA must ensure that football remains competitive even as financial gaps are augmented by globalization and technological change."</p>
<p>UEFA analyst Sefton Perry said that "only a limited number of clubs are able to fully exploit the enormous commercial opportunities offered by the global market".</p>
<p>Sixteen of the top 20 clubs in terms of domestic broadcast revenues were English with Manchester United top on 146 million, edging out Real Madrid and Barcelona.</p>
<p>Bournemouth earned 99 million euros, level with Inter Milan who, along with Juventus, were the only Serie A side in the top 20.</p>
<p>The report confirmed that transfer spending reached record levels of almost 5.6 billion euros in the European summer of 2017, including six of the top 20 most expensive transfers ever recorded.</p>
<p>Arsenal were the club who made the most from paying fans. UEFA said their yield of 97.8 euros per spectator was the highest in Europe, followed by Chelsea, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Barcelona, Galatasaray, Manchester City and West Ham United.</p>
<p>(This version of the story was corrected to say billion in the third paragraph)</p>
<p>Editing by Ed Osmond</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Premier League clubs enjoyed record profits and revenues in the 2016/17 season according to data released on Friday by Deloitte, who expect profitability to continue despite a decline in domestic broadcasting revenue.</p> Soccer Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - April 14, 2018 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola celebrates after the match REUTERS/David Klein EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details. - RC12500EB5E0
<p>The combined revenues of Premier League clubs increased by nearly 1 billion pounds ($1.4 billion) to a record 4.5 billion pounds in the 2016/17 season.</p>
<p>The collective pre-tax profit of 0.5 billion pounds was almost three times the previous record of 0.2 billion in 2013/14, reported Deloitte.</p> Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City vs Manchester United - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - April 7, 2018 Manchester United's David De Gea saves a shot from Manchester City's Sergio Aguero Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details. - RC1FD6DB6C50
<p>Deloitte found that wage costs across the league rose by nine percent to 2.5 billion pounds, a new record, but noted that growth was significantly slower than the 25 percent increase in overall revenue.</p>
<p>"As predicted last year, the Premier League's three year broadcast deals which came into effect in the 2016/17 season helped drive revenue to record levels," said Dan Jones, head of the Sports Business Group at Deloitte.</p>
<p>Deloitte's analysis found that Premier League clubs have collectively made a pre-tax profit in three out of the last four years.</p> Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal vs Southampton - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - April 8, 2018 General view inside the stadium before the match Action Images via Reuters/Tony O'Brien EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details. - RC13BBE85290
<p>Deloitte expects that trend to continue despite a fall in income from domestic television deals for the three years from the 2019/20 season.</p>
<p>In 2015, Sky and BT smashed forecasts by paying a record 5.14 billion pounds to show matches featuring the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool, as they battled for pay-TV and broadband subscribers.</p>
<p>The two companies, however, will pay a reduced 4.46 billion pounds for 160 games a season in the latest three-year rights packages.</p>
<p>The Premier League hopes revenue from international rights deals will continue to increase.</p>
<p>"Despite the lack of growth in domestic broadcast deals announced to date, we still expect to see overall revenue growth in the coming seasons, and if this is complemented with prudent cost control, we expect that pre-tax profits will be achieved for the foreseeable future," added Jones.</p>
<p>Reporting by Simon Evans; Editing by Toby Davis</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>(Reuters) - Former cycling champion Lance Armstrong on Thursday agreed to pay $5 million to settle a federal suit claiming he defrauded his sponsor, the U.S. Postal Service, by using performance-enhancing drugs, his attorney and federal officials said.</p> FILE PHOTO: U.S. Postal Service team leader Lance Armstrong (R) of the USA looks at a French gendarme before boarding the plane which takes the riders from Grenoble to Perpignan for the transfer stage of the Tour de France cycling race in Grenoble, France, July 19, 2001. REUTERS/Pool/File Photo
<p>The settlement ends the long-running false claims suit brought by fellow cyclist Floyd Landis and joined by the U.S. government, which had sought $100 million in damages on behalf of the Post Office, according to statements from Armstrong's attorney, Elliot Peters, and the U.S. Department of Justice.</p>
<p>"No one is above the law," Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's Civil Division Chad Readler said in a statement. "This settlement demonstrates that those who cheat the government will be held accountable."</p>
<p>In his statement, Peters said, "Lance is delighted to put this behind him."</p>
<p>By phone, Peters told Reuters that he thinks the Postal Service realized it could not prove damages to it caused by Armstrong's behavior. He said the settlement was reached ahead of a scheduled May 7 trial date.</p>
<p>Armstrong, who is now 46 and lives in Austin, Texas, won the biggest race in professional cycling, the Tour de France, a record seven times, six of them while riding for the Postal Service team.</p>
<p>He was stripped of his titles and banned for life from the sport in 2012 by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency after it accused him in a report of engineering one of the most sophisticated doping schemes in sports. Armstrong admitted to the cheating in a January 2013 televised interview with Oprah Winfrey.</p> FILE PHOTO: U.S. Postal Service Team rider Lance Armstrong of the United States raises his arms as he crosses the finish line to win the 204.5 km long 17th stage of the Tour de France from Bourd-d'Oisans to Le Grand Bornand, France, July 22, 2004. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay/File Photo
<p>This is the last legal matter related to Armstrong's doping, Peters said.</p>
<p>"I'm looking forward to devoting myself to the many great things in my life - my five kids, my wife, my podcast, several exciting writing and film projects, my work as a cancer survivor, and my passion for sports and competition," Armstrong said in a statement provided by Peters.</p>
<p>The settlement also calls for Armstrong to pay $1.65 million for the court costs of his former teammate Landis, who also used performance-enhancing drugs and who was stripped of his 2006 Tour de France championship.</p>
<p>Landis originally brought the lawsuit in 2010 under a federal law, the False Claims Act, that lets whistle-blowers pursue fraud cases on behalf of the government, and obtain rewards if successful. Landis will receive $1.1 million as his share of the settlement.</p>
<p>The Justice Department joined the case in February 2013 after Amstrong's public confession.</p>
<p>Reporting by Bernie Woodall in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Editing by Sandra Maler</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>(Reuters) - Grayson Murray has blown hot and cold recently and on Thursday he was hot at the Texas Open, shooting a five-under 67 for a one-stroke lead after the first round in windy San Antonio.</p> Sep 3, 2017; Norton, MA, USA; Grayson Murray hits his tee shot on the 6th hole during the third round of the Dell Technologies Championship golf tournament at TPC of Boston. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
<p>On a day when Sergio Garcia battled to a 74, Murray tamed the Greg Norman-designed TPC San Antonio to head a group of fellow Americans including Ryan Moore and Billy Horschel on 68.</p>
<p>"This is the first time I've seen this course, other than yesterday," said Murray, a 24-year-old North Carolinian.</p>
<p>"You can hit a lot of drivers out there, which is my strength when I'm swinging it well."</p>
<p>Murray certainly swung well right from the first tee. He hardly could have asked for a better start, with birdies at the first two holes.</p>
<p>He also finished with a brace of birdies, capping off his morning by sinking a 10-footer at the par-five 18th.</p>
<p>The only blemish on his card was a double-bogey at the par-three seventh, where he hit a poor shot from a greenside bunker.</p>
<p>The TPC San Antonio rewards straight driving, and it is no coincidence that the past three winners have been Kevin Chappell, Charley Hoffman and Jimmy Walker, all renowned as excellent ball-strikers.</p>
<p>Even more impressive is the list of runner-up finishers over the past three years - Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth, major winners all.</p>
<p>Murray has already won on the PGA Tour, albeit in the absence of the big boys last year at the Barbasol Championship, played on the same dates as the British Open.</p>
<p>His form this season has been strong enough to keep his accountant happy - nearly $850,000 from 13 starts - but inconsistency has been his bane.</p>
<p>In his past six starts he has three top-15 finishes and three missed cuts.</p>
<p>While Murray thrived on Thursday, the tournament's leading drawcard struggled. Garcia notched only one birdie.</p>
<p>Last year's Masters champion is seeking to bounce back after missing the cut two weeks ago in Augusta, where he ran up a 13 at the par-five 15th hole in the opening round.</p>
<p>He will need a decent round on Friday to avoid another weekend off.</p>
<p>Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina; Editing by Ian Ransom</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - American goalkeeper Joshua Wicks is to be released by Swedish top-flight club Sirius after he tested positive for cocaine following his side's 3-1 loss to Hammarby this month in the opening game of the season.</p>
<p>The 34-year-old Wicks has represented several clubs in North America's Major League Soccer as well as teams in Finland and Sweden during his 15-year career.</p>
<p>"He is devastated - football is his work and now he cannot practise it," Ove Sjoeblom, chairman of the Allsvenskan club from Sweden's fourth-largest city of Uppsala, told a news conference on Thursday.</p>
<p>"He's not being fired. It is rather a termination of a contract according to its terms," Sjoeblom added.</p>
<p>Reporting by Philip O'Connor, editing by Ed Osmond</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
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zurich reuters manchester united enjoyed biggest revenue european club last financial year 32 percent increase propelled real madrid barcelona uefa said annual report published tuesday soccer football premier league manchester united vs stoke city old trafford manchester britain january 15 2018 manchester uniteds anthony martial celebrates scoring second goal jesse lingard reutersandrew yates european club football landscape report said revenues among europes 700odd topflight clubs totaled 185 billion euros 227 billion 2016 compared 169 billion year 28 billion 1996 however report acknowledged nearly half amount 91 billion euros generated 30 clubs financial gap elite ones rest increasing english premier league television revenues midtable bournemouth earned threetimes european champions inter milan uniteds revenue 2016 689 million euros compared 521 million euros 2015 report said united followed barcelona real madrid 620 million bayern munich 592 million paris st germain 542 million manchester city 533 million uniteds operating profit 232 million euros also highest followed real madrid psg bayern munich arsenal city united also burdened highest net debt 561 million euros ahead benfica inter milan juventus liverpool report confirmed english premier league enjoys far highest revenues europe averaging 2444 million euros per club next germanys bundesliga 1496 million per club followed spain 1263 million italy 1002 million revenues fell dramatically elsewhere even traditional football nations netherlands 267 million portugal 203 million greek clubs earned average 89 million euros figures eastern europe even lower 5 million euros hungary 44 million czech republic 15 million slovenia help note polarization commercial sponsorship revenues top tier clubs rest accelerating uefa president aleksander ceferin said guardians game uefa must ensure football remains competitive even financial gaps augmented globalization technological change uefa analyst sefton perry said limited number clubs able fully exploit enormous commercial opportunities offered global market sixteen top 20 clubs terms domestic broadcast revenues english manchester united top 146 million edging real madrid barcelona bournemouth earned 99 million euros level inter milan along juventus serie side top 20 report confirmed transfer spending reached record levels almost 56 billion euros european summer 2017 including six top 20 expensive transfers ever recorded arsenal club made paying fans uefa said yield 978 euros per spectator highest europe followed chelsea real madrid liverpool bayern munich manchester united barcelona galatasaray manchester city west ham united version story corrected say billion third paragraph editing ed osmond standards thomson reuters trust principles manchester england reuters premier league clubs enjoyed record profits revenues 201617 season according data released friday deloitte expect profitability continue despite decline domestic broadcasting revenue soccer football premier league tottenham hotspur vs manchester city wembley stadium london britain april 14 2018 manchester city manager pep guardiola celebrates match reutersdavid klein editorial use use unauthorized audio video data fixture lists clubleague logos live services online inmatch use limited 75 images video emulation use betting games single clubleagueplayer publications please contact account representative details rc12500eb5e0 combined revenues premier league clubs increased nearly 1 billion pounds 14 billion record 45 billion pounds 201617 season collective pretax profit 05 billion pounds almost three times previous record 02 billion 201314 reported deloitte soccer football premier league manchester city vs manchester united etihad stadium manchester britain april 7 2018 manchester uniteds david de gea saves shot manchester citys sergio aguero action images via reuterslee smith editorial use use unauthorized audio video data fixture lists clubleague logos live services online inmatch use limited 75 images video emulation use betting games single clubleagueplayer publications please contact account representative details rc1fd6db6c50 deloitte found wage costs across league rose nine percent 25 billion pounds new record noted growth significantly slower 25 percent increase overall revenue predicted last year premier leagues three year broadcast deals came effect 201617 season helped drive revenue record levels said dan jones head sports business group deloitte deloittes analysis found premier league clubs collectively made pretax profit three last four years soccer football premier league arsenal vs southampton emirates stadium london britain april 8 2018 general view inside stadium match action images via reuterstony obrien editorial use use unauthorized audio video data fixture lists clubleague logos live services online inmatch use limited 75 images video emulation use betting games single clubleagueplayer publications please contact account representative details rc13bbe85290 deloitte expects trend continue despite fall income domestic television deals three years 201920 season 2015 sky bt smashed forecasts paying record 514 billion pounds show matches featuring likes manchester united chelsea liverpool battled paytv broadband subscribers two companies however pay reduced 446 billion pounds 160 games season latest threeyear rights packages premier league hopes revenue international rights deals continue increase despite lack growth domestic broadcast deals announced date still expect see overall revenue growth coming seasons complemented prudent cost control expect pretax profits achieved foreseeable future added jones reporting simon evans editing toby davis standards thomson reuters trust principles reuters former cycling champion lance armstrong thursday agreed pay 5 million settle federal suit claiming defrauded sponsor us postal service using performanceenhancing drugs attorney federal officials said file photo us postal service team leader lance armstrong r usa looks french gendarme boarding plane takes riders grenoble perpignan transfer stage tour de france cycling race grenoble france july 19 2001 reuterspoolfile photo settlement ends longrunning false claims suit brought fellow cyclist floyd landis joined us government sought 100 million damages behalf post office according statements armstrongs attorney elliot peters us department justice one law acting assistant attorney general justice departments civil division chad readler said statement settlement demonstrates cheat government held accountable statement peters said lance delighted put behind phone peters told reuters thinks postal service realized could prove damages caused armstrongs behavior said settlement reached ahead scheduled may 7 trial date armstrong 46 lives austin texas biggest race professional cycling tour de france record seven times six riding postal service team stripped titles banned life sport 2012 us antidoping agency accused report engineering one sophisticated doping schemes sports armstrong admitted cheating january 2013 televised interview oprah winfrey file photo us postal service team rider lance armstrong united states raises arms crosses finish line win 2045 km long 17th stage tour de france bourddoisans le grand bornand france july 22 2004 reuterswolfgang rattayfile photo last legal matter related armstrongs doping peters said im looking forward devoting many great things life five kids wife podcast several exciting writing film projects work cancer survivor passion sports competition armstrong said statement provided peters settlement also calls armstrong pay 165 million court costs former teammate landis also used performanceenhancing drugs stripped 2006 tour de france championship landis originally brought lawsuit 2010 federal law false claims act lets whistleblowers pursue fraud cases behalf government obtain rewards successful landis receive 11 million share settlement justice department joined case february 2013 amstrongs public confession reporting bernie woodall fort lauderdale florida editing sandra maler standards thomson reuters trust principles reuters grayson murray blown hot cold recently thursday hot texas open shooting fiveunder 67 onestroke lead first round windy san antonio sep 3 2017 norton usa grayson murray hits tee shot 6th hole third round dell technologies championship golf tournament tpc boston mandatory credit mark koneznyusa today sports day sergio garcia battled 74 murray tamed greg normandesigned tpc san antonio head group fellow americans including ryan moore billy horschel 68 first time ive seen course yesterday said murray 24yearold north carolinian hit lot drivers strength im swinging well murray certainly swung well right first tee hardly could asked better start birdies first two holes also finished brace birdies capping morning sinking 10footer parfive 18th blemish card doublebogey parthree seventh hit poor shot greenside bunker tpc san antonio rewards straight driving coincidence past three winners kevin chappell charley hoffman jimmy walker renowned excellent ballstrikers even impressive list runnerup finishers past three years brooks koepka patrick reed jordan spieth major winners murray already pga tour albeit absence big boys last year barbasol championship played dates british open form season strong enough keep accountant happy nearly 850000 13 starts inconsistency bane past six starts three top15 finishes three missed cuts murray thrived thursday tournaments leading drawcard struggled garcia notched one birdie last years masters champion seeking bounce back missing cut two weeks ago augusta ran 13 parfive 15th hole opening round need decent round friday avoid another weekend reporting andrew cary north carolina editing ian ransom standards thomson reuters trust principles stockholm reuters american goalkeeper joshua wicks released swedish topflight club sirius tested positive cocaine following sides 31 loss hammarby month opening game season 34yearold wicks represented several clubs north americas major league soccer well teams finland sweden 15year career devastated football work practise ove sjoeblom chairman allsvenskan club swedens fourthlargest city uppsala told news conference thursday hes fired rather termination contract according terms sjoeblom added reporting philip oconnor editing ed osmond standards thomson reuters trust principles
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<p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Hundreds of thousands of Americans galvanized by last month’s Florida school massacre rallied in cities across the country on Saturday to demand tighter gun laws.</p>
<p>Carrying signs with slogans such as “If they choose guns over our kids, vote them out,” protesters in Washington jammed Pennsylvania Avenue as students from the Parkland, Florida, high school where 17 people were shot to death called on lawmakers and President Donald Trump to confront the issue.</p>
<p>The massive March For Our Lives rallies, some led by student survivors from Parkland, aim to break legislative gridlock that has long stymied efforts to increase restrictions on firearms sales in a nation where mass shootings like the one on Feb. 14 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School have become frighteningly common.</p>
<p>“Politicians: either represent the people or get out. Stand with us or beware, the voters are coming,” Cameron Kasky, a 17-year-old junior at the high school, told the crowd.</p>
<p>Another Parkland survivor, David Hogg, said it was a new day. “You can hear the people in power shaking,” he said to loud applause.</p>
<p>“We’re going to make sure the best people get in our elections to run not as politicians, but as Americans. Because this - this - is not cutting it,” he said, pointing at the white-domed Capitol. “We can and we will change the world!”</p>
<p>Youthful marchers filled streets in cities nationwide including Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, San Diego and St. Louis.</p>
<p>More than 800 demonstrations were scheduled in the United States and abroad, according to coordinators, with events as far afield as London, Mauritius and Stockholm.</p>
<p>Underlining sharp differences among the American public over the issue, counter-demonstrators and supporters of gun rights were also in evidence in many cities.</p>
<p>“Guns don’t kill people. People kill people,” said Connor Humphrey, 16, of San Luis Obispo, California, who was visiting Washington with his family for spring break.</p>
<p>Humphrey, wearing a red “Make America Great Again” sweatshirt, said he owns guns for target shooting and hunting and uses them responsibly. His school had a lockdown exercise last week.</p>
<p>“I think teachers should have guns,” he said, echoing a proposal made by Trump after the Parkland killings.</p>
<p>Organizers of the anti-gun rallies want Congress, many of whose members are up for re-election in November, to ban the sale of assault weapons like the one used in the Florida rampage and to tighten background checks for gun buyers.</p>
<p>On the other side of the debate, gun rights advocates cite constitutional guarantees of the right to bear arms.</p>
<p>“All they’re doing is asking the government to take their liberty away from them without due process,” Brandon Howard, a 42-year-old Trump supporter, said of the protesters in the capital. He had a sign saying: “Keep your hands off my guns.”</p> Protesters hold photos of victims of school shootings during a "March For Our Lives" demonstration demanding gun control in New York City, U.S. March 24, 2018. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton
<p>In New York, a handful of counter-demonstrators waved placards with messages such as “Keep America Armed” and “Re-elect Trump 2020.”</p> ‘THIS IS THE NORM FOR US’
<p>Among those marching nearby next to Central Park was pop star Paul McCartney, who said he had a personal stake in the gun control debate.</p>
<p>“One of my best friends was shot not far from here,” he told CNN, referring to Beatles bandmate John Lennon, who was gunned down near the park in 1980.</p>
<p>Taking aim at the National Rifle Association gun lobby, teenagers chanted, “Hey, hey, NRA, how many kids have you killed today?”</p> Slideshow (30 Images)
<p>So overcome with emotion was one of the Parkland students who was shot and survived, Samantha Fuentes, that she vomited on stage during her speech.</p>
<p>“I just threw up on international television and it feels great,” she said to loud cheers afterward.</p>
<p>The young U.S. organizers have won kudos and cash from dozens of celebrities, with singers Demi Lovato and Ariana Grande, as well as “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, among those performing in Washington.</p>
<p>Actor George Clooney and his human rights attorney wife, Amal, donated $500,000 and said they would be at the Washington rally.</p>
<p>Democrats and nonpartisan groups hope to register at least 25,000 first-time voters at the rallies, potentially a boost for Democrats, who generally favor stricter gun controls.</p>
<p>On Friday, Trump signed a $1.3 trillion spending bill that includes modest improvements to background checks for gun sales and grants to help schools prevent gun violence.</p>
<p>White House deputy press secretary Lindsay Walters said the administration applauded “the many courageous young Americans” exercising their free-speech rights on Saturday.</p>
<p>“Keeping our children safe is a top priority of the president’s,” said Walters, noting that on Friday the Justice Department proposed rule changes that would effectively ban “bump stock” devices that let semi-automatic weapons fire like a machine gun.</p>
<p>Former President Barack Obama said on Twitter that he and his wife Michelle were inspired by all the young people who made the marches happen.</p>
<p>“Keep at it. You’re leading us forward. Nothing can stand in the way of millions of voices calling for change,” Obama said.</p>
<p>Reporting by Ian Simpson, Lacey Johnson, Katanga Johnson and Lauren Young in Washington, Alice Popovici in New York, Phoenix Tso in Los Angeles, Zachary Fagenson in Parkland, Robert Chiarito in Chicago, and Jim Oliphant in West Palm Beach; Editing by Daniel Wallis and James Dalgleish</p> Our Standards:
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<p>BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian rebels began pulling out of several towns in their former enclave of eastern Ghouta on Saturday, surrendering them to the government and leaving the besieged city of Douma as their last bastion there.</p> Syrian army soldiers fire tracer bullets into the air to celebrate their victory outside Harasta in eastern Ghouta, in Damascus, Syria March 23, 2018. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki
<p>It comes after a month-long assault that devastated the already battered eastern Ghouta, an area of farmland and towns that was one of the first centers of the uprising in 2011 and the last major rebel stronghold near the capital Damascus.</p>
<p>Ten buses carrying fighters along with their families and other civilians started to leave the enclave after dark, the vanguard of a convoy heading into exile in northwestern Syria.</p>
<p>It follows the departure of thousands of others on Friday from the town of Harasta in a similar deal for insurgents to depart with light weapons in return for giving up their territory.</p>
<p>The buses queued at a crossing point before moving into the enclave along a road on the former front lines that had been cleared of barricades, debris and unexploded ordnance.</p> Related Coverage
<a href="/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-ghouta-civilians/russia-says-over-105000-civilians-have-left-syrias-eastern-ghouta-ria-idUSKBN1H00BQ" type="external">Russia says over 105,000 civilians have left Syria's Eastern Ghouta: RIA</a>
<p>Some captives held by the insurgents were released and state television showed them leaving in a minibus.</p>
<p>The army was advancing into towns the rebels had retreated from in preparation for their exit, state television said. It broadcast pictures of the massive trenches and other fortifications the rebels were leaving behind.</p>
<p>It means only Douma is left of the opposition’s eastern Ghouta enclave which a month ago the United Nations said was home to 400,000 people.</p>
<p>The army offensive to capture it, heralded by one of the heaviest bombardments in the seven-year conflict with warplanes, helicopters and artillery, has killed more than 1,600 people, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitor.</p>
<p>Residents and rights groups have accused the government of using weapons that kill indiscriminately - inaccurate barrel bombs dropped from helicopters, chlorine gas and incendiary material that sets raging fires.</p>
<p>Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his close ally Russia, which has helped his air campaign, have denied using all those weapons and say their offensive was needed to end the rule of Islamist militants over civilians.</p> Buses are seen entering into rebels Harasta area in eastern Ghouta in Damascus, Syria March 23, 2018. REUTERS/ Omar Sanadiki EVACUATION
<p>About 7,000 people - fighters along with family members and other civilians who do not wish to come back under Assad’s rule - were to leave the towns of Zamalka, Arbin, Ein Terma and Jobar starting on Saturday, rebels and state media said.</p>
<p>They will go to Idlib province in the northwest - the destination for many such “evacuations” after sieges and ground offensives forced numerous rebel enclaves to surrender in the past two years.</p> Slideshow (2 Images)
<p>It will not mean an end to their experience of war. Syrian military and Russian air raids on Idlib have increased in the past week, killing dozens of people.</p>
<p>Idlib is also unsettled by fighting between the rebel groups. On Saturday, an explosion at a headquarters for al Qaeda’s former affiliate killed at least seven people and injured 25 others.</p>
<p>The Britain-based Observatory said there were also negotiations with the Jaish al-Islam rebel group that controls Douma to release prisoners.</p>
<p>Russia will guarantee that civilians who remain in the areas recaptured by Assad will not be prosecuted, rebels said on Friday. However, rights groups have said some men were forcibly conscripted after fleeing the fighting.</p>
<p>Wael Alwan, spokesman for the Failaq al-Rahman group that was dominant in Zamalka, Arbin, Ein Terma and Jobar, was quoted by al-Hadath television on Saturday as saying he did not trust Russia’s guarantees.</p>
<p>A Russian military webcam at the al-Wafideen crossing point near Douma showed small groups of civilians continuing to flee the danger of further bombardment into government territory, carrying children and sacks of belongings.</p>
<p>Russia’s military said more than 105,000 people had left eastern Ghouta, including over 700 on Saturday.</p>
<p>Tens of thousands have fled their homes in the past week as the bombardment of Douma intensified and refugees from other parts of Ghouta found the basement bomb shelters too full to take them.</p>
<p>Reporting by Angus McDowall; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Dale Hudson</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>PARIS (Reuters) - France will pay a national tribute to a security officer who died from gunshot wounds after voluntarily taking the place of a female hostage during a supermarket siege by an Islamist militant, President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday.</p>
<p>Arnaud Beltrame, 44, a gendarme who once served in Iraq, had been raced to hospital fighting for his life after being shot by the gunman during the siege at the Super U store in the southwestern town of Trebes near the Pyrenees mountains.</p>
<p>His actions were described as heroic by politicians across the political spectrum.</p>
<p>“He fell as a hero, giving up his life to halt the murderous outfit of a jihadist terrorist,” Macron said in a statement shortly before dawn on Saturday.</p>
<p>Macron said France would organize a national tribute in Beltrame’s honor, the president’s office announced after he met with members of the government and officials involved in the attack investigation. It gave no further details.</p>
<p>The attacker was identified by authorities as Redouane Lakdim, a 25-year-old Moroccan-born French national from the city of Carcassonne, not far from Trebes, the tranquil town of about 5,000 people where he struck on Friday.</p>
<p>Lakdim was known to authorities for drug-dealing and other petty crimes, but had also been under surveillance by security services in 2016-2017 for links to the radical Salafist movement, Paris prosecutor Francois Molins said on Friday.</p>
<p>The attacker’s rampage began when he shot the occupant of a car he stole and fired on a group of police joggers, wounding one. He then headed to a supermarket where he killed two people, an employee and a client, bringing Friday’s toll to three dead and 16 injured, according to a government readout.</p>
<p>Beltrame’s death took the number killed to four.</p>
<p>He was part of a team of gendarmes who were among the first to arrive at the supermarket scene. Most of the people in the shop escaped after hiding in a cold storage room and then fleeing through an emergency exit.</p>
<p>He offered to trade places with a hostage the attacker was still holding, whereafter he took her place and left his mobile phone on a table, line open. When shots rang out, elite police stormed the building to kill the assailant. Police sources said Beltrame was shot three times.</p>
<p>Politicians from the left and right called Beltrame a “hero” on Twitter, including opposition leader Laurent Wauquiez, far-right National Rally party leader Marine Le Pen and Olivier Faure, set to become the next Socialist party head.</p>
<p>#ArnaudBeltrame was a trending topic on the social network where people expressed their respect and gratitude for the officer, and thoughts for his wife. Several cities, the National Assembly and police stations lowered their flags in his honor.</p>
<p>The Grand Mosque of Paris, the largest in the country, said the Muslim community joined in mourning for a man who had “fallen heroically under the bullets of the terrorist Redouane Lakdim in the exercise of his mission”.</p> Flowers and messages in tribute to victim are seen in front of the Gendarmerie of Carcassonne, the day after a hostage situation in Trebes, France March 24, 2018. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau
<p>British Prime Minister Theresa May hailed Beltrame’s courage and sacrifice on Twitter, saying they would never be forgotten.</p> ARRESTS AND SEARCHES
<p>The Islamic State militant group on Friday claimed responsibility for the attack.</p>
<p>Several hundred investigators devoted to the inquiry were still checking the claim on Saturday and looking into possible complicity the “terrorist” could have benefited from to carry out his attacks, the president’s office said.</p>
<p>Police arrested two people as part of the investigation - on Friday a woman connected to Lakdim, and overnight a 17-year-old male said to be one of his friends, judicial sources said.</p> Slideshow (6 Images)
<p>Searches at the attacker’s home showed notes referring to Islamic State that appeared to be a will, as well as a phone and a computer, judicial sources said.</p>
<p>Investigators also found three improvised explosive devices, a 7.65-millimetre handgun and a hunting knife in the supermarket, a source said.</p>
<p>U.S. President Donald Trump condemned “the violent actions of the attacker and anyone who would provide him support”.</p>
<p>“We are with you @EmmanuelMacron!” he added on Twitter.</p>
<p>More than 240 people have been killed in France in attacks since 2015 by assailants who either pledged allegiance to Islamic State or were inspired by the ultra-hardline group.</p>
<p>France is part of a group of countries whose warplanes have been bombing Islamic State strongholds in Iraq and Syria, where in recent months IS has lost much of a self-proclaimed “caliphate” of territory it seized in 2014.</p>
<p>One multiple attack by Islamist gunmen and suicide bombers killed 130 people in Paris in November 2015 while another killed close to 90 when a man ran a truck into partying crowds in the Riviera seaside city of Nice in July 2016.</p>
<p>Beltrame was a qualified parachutist who served in Iraq in 2005. He also worked as part of the elite Republican Guard that protects the presidential Elysee Place offices and residence in Paris, Macron said.</p>
<p>Friday’s assault was the first deadly Islamist attack in France since October 2017, when a man stabbed two young women to death in the port city of Marseille before soldiers killed him.</p>
<p>Several attacks over the past year or more have targeted police and soldiers deployed in big numbers to protect civilians and patrol sensitive spots such as airports and train stations.</p>
<p>Additional reporting by Emmanuel Jarry; Editing by Mark Heinrich, Helen Popper and Dale Hudson</p> Our Standards:
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<p>ROME (Reuters) - Italy’s anti-establishment 5-Star Movement hooked up with conservative parties on Saturday to elect the speakers of both houses of parliament, but there was no sign yet they might extend this pact and form a government.</p> The new elected Senate president Forza Italia party's Maria Elisabetta Alberti Casellati speaks during the second session day since the March 4 national election in Rome, Italy March 24, 2018. REUTERS/Remo Casilli
<p>The March 4 national election ended in a hung parliament, with the 5-Star becoming the largest party and a rightist alliance, including ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia party and the anti-migrant League, emerging as the biggest bloc.</p>
<p>After days of behind-the-scenes talks, the two factions joined forces to elect 5-Star heavyweight Roberto Fico president of the lower house and Forza Italia veteran Elisabetta Casellati president of the Senate - both highly prestigious posts.</p>
<p>The conservative alliance came close to collapse on Friday after the League sided with 5-Star to reject Forza Italia’s first choice for the Senate position, but hasty overnight negotiations patched up the row, at least for now.</p>
<p>“I am very happy, moved and proud that parliament has started to work and that the centre-right has held together,” League leader Matteo Salvini said after Saturday’s twin votes.</p>
<p>The election of the speakers opens the way for formal government consultations, which will be led by President Sergio Mattarella and are expected to start early next month.</p>
<p>Later on Saturday Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni officially handed in his resignation and that of his government to Mattarella, as normally happens in Italy when a newly-elected parliament appoints its speakers.</p>
<p>Gentiloni, however, will remain in place to take care of day-to-day operations until a new government is formed, the secretary of the president said in an emailed statement.</p> The new elected Senate president Forza Italia party's Maria Elisabetta Alberti Casellati speaks during the second session day since the March 4 national election in Rome, Italy March 24, 2018. REUTERS/Remo Casilli FLEXIBILITY
<p>The 5-Star and the right have enough seats in parliament to govern Italy, but there are many impediments to such a deal in terms of policy mismatches and personality clashes.</p>
<p>“Here we have seen that there are (parliamentary) forces which carry considerable weight. But for us, government is something different,” said Giorgia Meloni, head of the far-right Brothers of Italy party which is in the conservative alliance.</p>
<p>“For us, 5-Star absolutely does not represent any sort of guarantee, just like the Democratic Party,” she added, referring to the centre-left PD which lost power in the March 4 election.</p> Slideshow (7 Images)
<p>Nonetheless, Saturday’s ballots showed that the 5-Star is evolving. It used to excoriate such parliamentary deal-making as old-style politics, so by agreeing to a deal in both houses it suggested it might prove more flexible in future.</p>
<p>The election of the speakers also represented a blow to Berlusconi, who dominated Italy’s centre-right for almost 25 years but must now play second fiddle to Salvini after the League overtook his Forza Italia party in the March 4 vote.</p>
<p>He accused Salvini of betrayal on Friday after the League sided with the 5-Star over the speaker nominations. On Saturday Berlusconi altered his tone, saying he still trusted Salvini and promised to work for the good of Italy, the euro zone’s third largest economy.</p>
<p>Post-election opinion polls have shown support for Forza Italia collapse further in favor of the League, which has promised a fierce clampdown on illegal immigration and a hefty reduction in both business and personal taxes.</p>
<p>Backing for the 5-Star has also climbed further over the past three weeks, with the movement promising to introduce a generous “Citizen’s Wage” to help the poor and jobless.</p>
<p>Both the League and 5-Star have voiced fierce hostility to EU budget rules and markets are likely to be spooked by any sign they might form a coalition. However, their divergent economic platforms represent a serious hurdle to alliance deals.</p>
<p>Additional reporting by Francesca Landini; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Andrew Bolton</p> Our Standards:
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jan 23 reuters tennenbaum capital partners llc tennenbaum capital partners closes 19 billion direct lending fund tennenbaum capital partners says closing tcp direct lending fund viii amp affiliated vehicles 19 billion investor equity commitments source text eikon standards thomson reuters trust principles washington reuters hundreds thousands americans galvanized last months florida school massacre rallied cities across country saturday demand tighter gun laws carrying signs slogans choose guns kids vote protesters washington jammed pennsylvania avenue students parkland florida high school 17 people shot death called lawmakers president donald trump confront issue massive march lives rallies led student survivors parkland aim break legislative gridlock long stymied efforts increase restrictions firearms sales nation mass shootings like one feb 14 marjory stoneman douglas high school become frighteningly common politicians either represent people get stand us beware voters coming cameron kasky 17yearold junior high school told crowd another parkland survivor david hogg said new day hear people power shaking said loud applause going make sure best people get elections run politicians americans cutting said pointing whitedomed capitol change world youthful marchers filled streets cities nationwide including atlanta baltimore boston chicago los angeles miami minneapolis new york san diego st louis 800 demonstrations scheduled united states abroad according coordinators events far afield london mauritius stockholm underlining sharp differences among american public issue counterdemonstrators supporters gun rights also evidence many cities guns dont kill people people kill people said connor humphrey 16 san luis obispo california visiting washington family spring break humphrey wearing red make america great sweatshirt said owns guns target shooting hunting uses responsibly school lockdown exercise last week think teachers guns said echoing proposal made trump parkland killings organizers antigun rallies want congress many whose members reelection november ban sale assault weapons like one used florida rampage tighten background checks gun buyers side debate gun rights advocates cite constitutional guarantees right bear arms theyre asking government take liberty away without due process brandon howard 42yearold trump supporter said protesters capital sign saying keep hands guns protesters hold photos victims school shootings march lives demonstration demanding gun control new york city us march 24 2018 reutersshannon stapleton new york handful counterdemonstrators waved placards messages keep america armed reelect trump 2020 norm us among marching nearby next central park pop star paul mccartney said personal stake gun control debate one best friends shot far told cnn referring beatles bandmate john lennon gunned near park 1980 taking aim national rifle association gun lobby teenagers chanted hey hey nra many kids killed today slideshow 30 images overcome emotion one parkland students shot survived samantha fuentes vomited stage speech threw international television feels great said loud cheers afterward young us organizers kudos cash dozens celebrities singers demi lovato ariana grande well hamilton creator linmanuel miranda among performing washington actor george clooney human rights attorney wife amal donated 500000 said would washington rally democrats nonpartisan groups hope register least 25000 firsttime voters rallies potentially boost democrats generally favor stricter gun controls friday trump signed 13 trillion spending bill includes modest improvements background checks gun sales grants help schools prevent gun violence white house deputy press secretary lindsay walters said administration applauded many courageous young americans exercising freespeech rights saturday keeping children safe top priority presidents said walters noting friday justice department proposed rule changes would effectively ban bump stock devices let semiautomatic weapons fire like machine gun former president barack obama said twitter wife michelle inspired young people made marches happen keep youre leading us forward nothing stand way millions voices calling change obama said reporting ian simpson lacey johnson katanga johnson lauren young washington alice popovici new york phoenix tso los angeles zachary fagenson parkland robert chiarito chicago jim oliphant west palm beach editing daniel wallis james dalgleish standards thomson reuters trust principles beirut reuters syrian rebels began pulling several towns former enclave eastern ghouta saturday surrendering government leaving besieged city douma last bastion syrian army soldiers fire tracer bullets air celebrate victory outside harasta eastern ghouta damascus syria march 23 2018 reutersomar sanadiki comes monthlong assault devastated already battered eastern ghouta area farmland towns one first centers uprising 2011 last major rebel stronghold near capital damascus ten buses carrying fighters along families civilians started leave enclave dark vanguard convoy heading exile northwestern syria follows departure thousands others friday town harasta similar deal insurgents depart light weapons return giving territory buses queued crossing point moving enclave along road former front lines cleared barricades debris unexploded ordnance related coverage russia says 105000 civilians left syrias eastern ghouta ria captives held insurgents released state television showed leaving minibus army advancing towns rebels retreated preparation exit state television said broadcast pictures massive trenches fortifications rebels leaving behind means douma left oppositions eastern ghouta enclave month ago united nations said home 400000 people army offensive capture heralded one heaviest bombardments sevenyear conflict warplanes helicopters artillery killed 1600 people said syrian observatory human rights war monitor residents rights groups accused government using weapons kill indiscriminately inaccurate barrel bombs dropped helicopters chlorine gas incendiary material sets raging fires syrian president bashar alassad close ally russia helped air campaign denied using weapons say offensive needed end rule islamist militants civilians buses seen entering rebels harasta area eastern ghouta damascus syria march 23 2018 reuters omar sanadiki evacuation 7000 people fighters along family members civilians wish come back assads rule leave towns zamalka arbin ein terma jobar starting saturday rebels state media said go idlib province northwest destination many evacuations sieges ground offensives forced numerous rebel enclaves surrender past two years slideshow 2 images mean end experience war syrian military russian air raids idlib increased past week killing dozens people idlib also unsettled fighting rebel groups saturday explosion headquarters al qaedas former affiliate killed least seven people injured 25 others britainbased observatory said also negotiations jaish alislam rebel group controls douma release prisoners russia guarantee civilians remain areas recaptured assad prosecuted rebels said friday however rights groups said men forcibly conscripted fleeing fighting wael alwan spokesman failaq alrahman group dominant zamalka arbin ein terma jobar quoted alhadath television saturday saying trust russias guarantees russian military webcam alwafideen crossing point near douma showed small groups civilians continuing flee danger bombardment government territory carrying children sacks belongings russias military said 105000 people left eastern ghouta including 700 saturday tens thousands fled homes past week bombardment douma intensified refugees parts ghouta found basement bomb shelters full take reporting angus mcdowall editing mark heinrich dale hudson standards thomson reuters trust principles paris reuters france pay national tribute security officer died gunshot wounds voluntarily taking place female hostage supermarket siege islamist militant president emmanuel macron said saturday arnaud beltrame 44 gendarme served iraq raced hospital fighting life shot gunman siege super u store southwestern town trebes near pyrenees mountains actions described heroic politicians across political spectrum fell hero giving life halt murderous outfit jihadist terrorist macron said statement shortly dawn saturday macron said france would organize national tribute beltrames honor presidents office announced met members government officials involved attack investigation gave details attacker identified authorities redouane lakdim 25yearold moroccanborn french national city carcassonne far trebes tranquil town 5000 people struck friday lakdim known authorities drugdealing petty crimes also surveillance security services 20162017 links radical salafist movement paris prosecutor francois molins said friday attackers rampage began shot occupant car stole fired group police joggers wounding one headed supermarket killed two people employee client bringing fridays toll three dead 16 injured according government readout beltrames death took number killed four part team gendarmes among first arrive supermarket scene people shop escaped hiding cold storage room fleeing emergency exit offered trade places hostage attacker still holding whereafter took place left mobile phone table line open shots rang elite police stormed building kill assailant police sources said beltrame shot three times politicians left right called beltrame hero twitter including opposition leader laurent wauquiez farright national rally party leader marine le pen olivier faure set become next socialist party head arnaudbeltrame trending topic social network people expressed respect gratitude officer thoughts wife several cities national assembly police stations lowered flags honor grand mosque paris largest country said muslim community joined mourning man fallen heroically bullets terrorist redouane lakdim exercise mission flowers messages tribute victim seen front gendarmerie carcassonne day hostage situation trebes france march 24 2018 reutersregis duvignau british prime minister theresa may hailed beltrames courage sacrifice twitter saying would never forgotten arrests searches islamic state militant group friday claimed responsibility attack several hundred investigators devoted inquiry still checking claim saturday looking possible complicity terrorist could benefited carry attacks presidents office said police arrested two people part investigation friday woman connected lakdim overnight 17yearold male said one friends judicial sources said slideshow 6 images searches attackers home showed notes referring islamic state appeared well phone computer judicial sources said investigators also found three improvised explosive devices 765millimetre handgun hunting knife supermarket source said us president donald trump condemned violent actions attacker anyone would provide support emmanuelmacron added twitter 240 people killed france attacks since 2015 assailants either pledged allegiance islamic state inspired ultrahardline group france part group countries whose warplanes bombing islamic state strongholds iraq syria recent months lost much selfproclaimed caliphate territory seized 2014 one multiple attack islamist gunmen suicide bombers killed 130 people paris november 2015 another killed close 90 man ran truck partying crowds riviera seaside city nice july 2016 beltrame qualified parachutist served iraq 2005 also worked part elite republican guard protects presidential elysee place offices residence paris macron said fridays assault first deadly islamist attack france since october 2017 man stabbed two young women death port city marseille soldiers killed several attacks past year targeted police soldiers deployed big numbers protect civilians patrol sensitive spots airports train stations additional reporting emmanuel jarry editing mark heinrich helen popper dale hudson standards thomson reuters trust principles rome reuters italys antiestablishment 5star movement hooked conservative parties saturday elect speakers houses parliament sign yet might extend pact form government new elected senate president forza italia partys maria elisabetta alberti casellati speaks second session day since march 4 national election rome italy march 24 2018 reutersremo casilli march 4 national election ended hung parliament 5star becoming largest party rightist alliance including expremier silvio berlusconis forza italia party antimigrant league emerging biggest bloc days behindthescenes talks two factions joined forces elect 5star heavyweight roberto fico president lower house forza italia veteran elisabetta casellati president senate highly prestigious posts conservative alliance came close collapse friday league sided 5star reject forza italias first choice senate position hasty overnight negotiations patched row least happy moved proud parliament started work centreright held together league leader matteo salvini said saturdays twin votes election speakers opens way formal government consultations led president sergio mattarella expected start early next month later saturday prime minister paolo gentiloni officially handed resignation government mattarella normally happens italy newlyelected parliament appoints speakers gentiloni however remain place take care daytoday operations new government formed secretary president said emailed statement new elected senate president forza italia partys maria elisabetta alberti casellati speaks second session day since march 4 national election rome italy march 24 2018 reutersremo casilli flexibility 5star right enough seats parliament govern italy many impediments deal terms policy mismatches personality clashes seen parliamentary forces carry considerable weight us government something different said giorgia meloni head farright brothers italy party conservative alliance us 5star absolutely represent sort guarantee like democratic party added referring centreleft pd lost power march 4 election slideshow 7 images nonetheless saturdays ballots showed 5star evolving used excoriate parliamentary dealmaking oldstyle politics agreeing deal houses suggested might prove flexible future election speakers also represented blow berlusconi dominated italys centreright almost 25 years must play second fiddle salvini league overtook forza italia party march 4 vote accused salvini betrayal friday league sided 5star speaker nominations saturday berlusconi altered tone saying still trusted salvini promised work good italy euro zones third largest economy postelection opinion polls shown support forza italia collapse favor league promised fierce clampdown illegal immigration hefty reduction business personal taxes backing 5star also climbed past three weeks movement promising introduce generous citizens wage help poor jobless league 5star voiced fierce hostility eu budget rules markets likely spooked sign might form coalition however divergent economic platforms represent serious hurdle alliance deals additional reporting francesca landini editing mark heinrich andrew bolton standards thomson reuters trust principles
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<p>The box is packed with beige and black sneakers that to the untrained eye look identical to the limited edition Adidas Yeezy Boost, designed by rap star Kanye West, which sold out within minutes of being released last year and now have a resale value many times their original retail price.</p>
<p>In the past five years, the Border Force, the policing command under Britain’s Home Office charged with immigration and customs controls, has seized thousands of consignments at Heathrow alone, valued at around £100 million ($125 million), said Peter Herron, senior officer for specialist operations. “Anything a counterfeiter can counterfeit, they will.”</p>
<p>Annual trade in fake products was worth $461 billion in 2013, around 2.5 percent of total global trade, according to Piotr Stryszowski, an economist with the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The money goes to organized crime, and helps fund terrorism and the trafficking of drugs, people, sex and wildlife, as well as the lavish lifestyles of its kingpins.</p>
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<p>“It’s the globalized illicit business of the 21st century,” says Stryszowski, who laments it’s not taken as seriously as other contraband, such as cocaine.</p>
<p>Consumers may see fakes as “fun” and feel clever to buy sunglasses or sneakers that look like the real thing but cost a fraction of the price.</p>
<p>The reality, however, is anything but fun for the workers, many of them children, who toil in appalling, often slave-like conditions in secret factories making fake products for gang bosses who, Stryszowski says, “have no ethics and no respect for the law.”</p>
<p>It’s this human cost that makes counterfeit goods one of the most insidiously dangerous criminal activities in the world today.</p>
<p>London-based intellectual property lawyer Mary Bagnall describes scenes of horror — children chained to sewing machines; people locked in underground factories in remote corners of China — that characterize an industry so lucrative yet so low-risk that some crime gangs are getting out of the drugs and people-trafficking businesses and into fakes.</p>
<p>“This makes more money for organized crime with less risk for them,” she told The Associated Press, describing counterfeiting as part of a “massive global web” of criminality. “It’s difficult to communicate to consumers why it is not a victimless crime.”</p>
<p>“Consumers are used to the idea of fake handbags and even fashion counterfeits, (which) alone amount to some 2.6 billion pounds ($3.24 billion) worth of lost sales and I think an estimated 40,000 lost jobs annually; and that’s just in one industry,” she said.</p>
<p>The total annual cost to the European Union’s fashion industry is 26 billion euros ($27.5 billion), she said.</p>
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<p>Consumers can understand the perils of fake air bags for cars, or fake toys or electrical goods that “could explode in the face of a child,” Bagnall said. But the fake goods industry goes much further than that.</p>
<p>“What consumers are probably less aware of is the danger of counterfeits in relation to other products — I’m talking now about pharmaceuticals, I’m talking about cosmetics,” she said.</p>
<p>Ingredients found in fake cosmetics include chemicals that can cause disfigurement or worse. Medicines made on the cheap and outside regulation can cause serious health problems.</p>
<p>“We have tested cosmetics and what we’ve found is that they will be containing ingredients such as cadmium, arsenic, lead, to very dangerous levels. The worst one we found contained cyanide,” said Matthew Cridland, trading standards manager for Newport, a city 200 kilometers (125 miles) northwest of London.</p>
<p>The vast majority of fakes, more than 81 percent, come from China and Hong Kong. The biggest victims are in the United States, Italy, France and Switzerland, and include designers and manufacturers of everything from high-end fashion clothing, footwear, jewelry and watches, to cosmetics, perfumes and medicines.</p>
<p>Britain is an important destination for counterfeiters, since its purchasing power is high and its consumers enjoy buying brand-name merchandise. Also, like many markets for fakes, the internet has seen illicit profits grow for organized crime while the risk of detection shrinks.</p>
<p>Matt Cope, head of Digital Technology Policy with Britain’s Intellectual Property Office, suggests that undetected volumes of fake merchandise are on the rise.</p>
<p>“With the explosion of online shopping, everybody is very used to ordering from online platforms, and you can order direct from manufacturers, from source countries like China,” he said. “It is harder to track a larger number of small parcels than a smaller number of large shipping containers.”</p>
<p>Some internet sites clearly sell fake goods at a cheap rate and are easily targeted by trademark owners and their lawyers. Others offer fake goods at close to the legitimate retail price to dupe buyers into believing they are getting the real thing at a discount. Still others, Bagnall said, offer genuine products on a “grey market” that bypasses the brand owner to produce illegal profits.</p>
<p>Online marketplaces strive to keep fakes off their sites to protect their own brand integrity. EBay’s global corporate affairs and communications manager Ryan Moore said the company works with “brand owners, retailers and law enforcement agencies to combat bad activity.”</p>
<p>Governments, too, are working across borders to reduce, if not eliminate, the manufacture, distribution and sale of counterfeit goods, and to better inform consumers about the crime gangs, criminal operations and human misery it supports. The British government, for instance, stations a fake trade specialist at its Beijing embassy.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, reality prevails.</p>
<p>“It’s a vast market and consumers always have an appetite for a bargain,” said Cope. “Until they can easily identify whether those goods are genuine or not, it will be very difficult for them to make that choice.”</p>
<p>Cope also says some people are going to buy fakes no matter what.</p>
<p>“It’s something that will be very difficult to wipe out in its entirety, but we can make a dent,” he said.</p>
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<p>Corrects the figure for annual trade in fake products to $461 billion in 2013.</p>
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<p>Follow Lynne O’Donnell on Twitter at @lynnekodonnell.</p>
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box packed beige black sneakers untrained eye look identical limited edition adidas yeezy boost designed rap star kanye west sold within minutes released last year resale value many times original retail price past five years border force policing command britains home office charged immigration customs controls seized thousands consignments heathrow alone valued around 100 million 125 million said peter herron senior officer specialist operations anything counterfeiter counterfeit annual trade fake products worth 461 billion 2013 around 25 percent total global trade according piotr stryszowski economist parisbased organization economic cooperation development money goes organized crime helps fund terrorism trafficking drugs people sex wildlife well lavish lifestyles kingpins advertisement globalized illicit business 21st century says stryszowski laments taken seriously contraband cocaine consumers may see fakes fun feel clever buy sunglasses sneakers look like real thing cost fraction price reality however anything fun workers many children toil appalling often slavelike conditions secret factories making fake products gang bosses stryszowski says ethics respect law human cost makes counterfeit goods one insidiously dangerous criminal activities world today londonbased intellectual property lawyer mary bagnall describes scenes horror children chained sewing machines people locked underground factories remote corners china characterize industry lucrative yet lowrisk crime gangs getting drugs peopletrafficking businesses fakes makes money organized crime less risk told associated press describing counterfeiting part massive global web criminality difficult communicate consumers victimless crime consumers used idea fake handbags even fashion counterfeits alone amount 26 billion pounds 324 billion worth lost sales think estimated 40000 lost jobs annually thats one industry said total annual cost european unions fashion industry 26 billion euros 275 billion said advertisement consumers understand perils fake air bags cars fake toys electrical goods could explode face child bagnall said fake goods industry goes much consumers probably less aware danger counterfeits relation products im talking pharmaceuticals im talking cosmetics said ingredients found fake cosmetics include chemicals cause disfigurement worse medicines made cheap outside regulation cause serious health problems tested cosmetics weve found containing ingredients cadmium arsenic lead dangerous levels worst one found contained cyanide said matthew cridland trading standards manager newport city 200 kilometers 125 miles northwest london vast majority fakes 81 percent come china hong kong biggest victims united states italy france switzerland include designers manufacturers everything highend fashion clothing footwear jewelry watches cosmetics perfumes medicines britain important destination counterfeiters since purchasing power high consumers enjoy buying brandname merchandise also like many markets fakes internet seen illicit profits grow organized crime risk detection shrinks matt cope head digital technology policy britains intellectual property office suggests undetected volumes fake merchandise rise explosion online shopping everybody used ordering online platforms order direct manufacturers source countries like china said harder track larger number small parcels smaller number large shipping containers internet sites clearly sell fake goods cheap rate easily targeted trademark owners lawyers others offer fake goods close legitimate retail price dupe buyers believing getting real thing discount still others bagnall said offer genuine products grey market bypasses brand owner produce illegal profits online marketplaces strive keep fakes sites protect brand integrity ebays global corporate affairs communications manager ryan moore said company works brand owners retailers law enforcement agencies combat bad activity governments working across borders reduce eliminate manufacture distribution sale counterfeit goods better inform consumers crime gangs criminal operations human misery supports british government instance stations fake trade specialist beijing embassy nevertheless reality prevails vast market consumers always appetite bargain said cope easily identify whether goods genuine difficult make choice cope also says people going buy fakes matter something difficult wipe entirety make dent said ___ corrects figure annual trade fake products 461 billion 2013 ___ follow lynne odonnell twitter lynnekodonnell
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<p>Crime — especially burglaries and auto theft. We need police patrolling neighborhoods again. We should hire more officers via college campus recruitment, but we should also better manage our resources by dispatching only the needed number of officers to calls.</p>
<p>2. What measures should the city take to encourage infill development in the near Northeast Heights?</p>
<p>Infill projects will be more successful when inconsistencies and inefficiencies are eliminated with the new Integrated Development Ordinance that updates our zoning regulations and processes while raising the bar for quality and appropriateness of development while protecting single-family residential neighborhoods.</p>
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<p>3. What do you believe is the optimum number of officers for APD and what, if anything, would you do to reach that number?</p>
<p>The CASA study recommended 1,000 officers, which should be our minimum goal. We should recruit from college campuses using our most personable and passionate officers. I sponsored one such event at the University of New Mexico campus and I’m glad to do more.</p>
<p>4. In what circumstances, if any, would you support raising taxes? Which taxes would you be receptive to increasing?</p>
<p>Declining gross receipts taxes have resulted in cutbacks to city departments and critical services. I would prefer first to address taxing Internet sales. Any increase should be taken to voters.</p>
<p>5. In recent years, the city has been issuing revenue bonds to pay for major capital projects. Would you support the continued use of revenue bonds to fund capital projects?</p>
<p>Revenue bonds should be utilized sparingly and rarely. Gross receipts tax, the source for their repayment, is a volatile revenue stream that makes budgeting for city operations challenging.</p>
<p>6. What plans do you have to raise the quality of life for Albuquerque residents?</p>
<p>I have invested in our parks, libraries, and community centers that create welcoming environments and a diversity of activities.</p>
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<p>This summer I am establishing an ad hoc committee to research and recommend options for vacant problem homes that diminish quality of life.</p>
<p>7. The Healthy Workforce Ordinance has garnered both praise and criticism. If approved by voters on Oct. 3 , the ballot initiative will require any business with a physical presence in Albuquerque to provide paid sick time off to full-time, part-time and temporary workers. Supporters argue that the ordinance would ensure that workers don’t have to choose between their paychecks and caring for themselves or a loved one. Opponents argue that it would hurt businesses because of higher costs and record-keeping requirements. What’s your position on the ordinance?</p>
<p>I support giving workers sick time. It is a health issue for workers and for their clients, customers and patients. However, there are flaws in the ordinance as it is going to the voters.</p>
<p>8. Have you or your business, if you are a business owner, ever been the subject of any state or federal tax liens?</p>
<p>No.</p>
<p>9. Have you ever been involved in a personal or business bankruptcy proceeding?</p>
<p>No.</p>
<p>10. Have you ever been arrested for, charged with, or convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony in New Mexico or any other state? If yes, explain.</p>
<p>Over 45 years ago I was charged with shoplifting in a grocery store, an act that I still regret. It was deferred.</p>
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<p>While seeking more police service for our district, and as a councilor, I’ll be providing more responsive and robust action to redress our lingering and chronic substandard properties; i.e., against negligent homeowners and/or their absentee owners via condemnation as needed.</p>
<p>2. What measures should the city take to encourage infill development in the near Northeast Heights?</p>
<p>Working with our mayor and fellow councilors, together we’d suspend most or all development/permit fees, expedite inspections, and facilitate between stakeholders to assure full transparency and complete constituent input.</p>
<p>3. What do you believe is the optimum number of officers for APD and what, if anything, would you do to reach that number?</p>
<p>Optimum staffing levels for the APD are dependent on stable revenues and the city agreeing on actual funding priorities. With a workable budget, I’ll vigorously advocate for a return to 2010-era staffing levels! No to ‘return to work’ schemes.</p>
<p>4. In what circumstances, if any, would you support raising taxes? Which taxes would you be receptive to increasing?</p>
<p>After careful review of the budget, and even after priority funds movements to public safety, if staffing shortages and declining revenues persist, I’d support raising taxes via a dedicated safety tax to secure our city! Officer retention must be addressed!</p>
<p>5. In recent years, the city has been issuing revenue bonds to pay for major capital projects. Would you support the continued use of revenue bonds to fund capital projects?</p>
<p>Our economic “death spiral” puts into serious doubt a stable bonding repayment revenue stream, given a Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) of 7.5%. Ideally, developers and their assets should be on the hook for these bonds. A major rethink is needed!</p>
<p>6. What plans do you have to raise the quality of life for Albuquerque residents?</p>
<p>Our beleaguered taxpayers have the expectation to be safe in their person, homes, and at their place of work! I’ll fight to change our funding priorities for public safety via the city’s budget process. Our safety must come first!</p>
<p>7. The Healthy Workforce Ordinance has garnered both praise and criticism. If approved by voters on&#160;Oct. 3, the ballot initiative will require any business with a physical presence in Albuquerque to provide paid sick time off to full-time, part-time and temporary workers. Supporters argue that the ordinance would ensure that workers don’t have to choose between their paychecks and caring for themselves or a loved one. Opponents argue that it would hurt businesses because of higher costs and record-keeping requirements. What’s your position on the ordinance?</p>
<p>I oppose this ordinance, which the incumbent supported. It is not a “business friendly” initiative and if adopted, would not be subject to revision or repeal. Ordinance turns employee and employer adversaries in an already depressed labor market.</p>
<p>8. Have you or your business, if you are a business owner, ever been the subject of any state or federal tax liens?</p>
<p>No.</p>
<p>9. Have you ever been involved in a personal or business bankruptcy proceeding?</p>
<p>No.</p>
<p>10. Have you ever been arrested for, charged with, or convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony in New Mexico or any other state? Yes If yes, explain.</p>
<p>I was arrested in the late 1990s due to an outstanding warrant issued in the 1980s. Matter was resolved by making full restitution and by paying fines. No jail time and no criminal record.</p>
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crime especially burglaries auto theft need police patrolling neighborhoods hire officers via college campus recruitment also better manage resources dispatching needed number officers calls 2 measures city take encourage infill development near northeast heights infill projects successful inconsistencies inefficiencies eliminated new integrated development ordinance updates zoning regulations processes raising bar quality appropriateness development protecting singlefamily residential neighborhoods advertisement 3 believe optimum number officers apd anything would reach number casa study recommended 1000 officers minimum goal recruit college campuses using personable passionate officers sponsored one event university new mexico campus im glad 4 circumstances would support raising taxes taxes would receptive increasing declining gross receipts taxes resulted cutbacks city departments critical services would prefer first address taxing internet sales increase taken voters 5 recent years city issuing revenue bonds pay major capital projects would support continued use revenue bonds fund capital projects revenue bonds utilized sparingly rarely gross receipts tax source repayment volatile revenue stream makes budgeting city operations challenging 6 plans raise quality life albuquerque residents invested parks libraries community centers create welcoming environments diversity activities advertisement summer establishing ad hoc committee research recommend options vacant problem homes diminish quality life 7 healthy workforce ordinance garnered praise criticism approved voters oct 3 ballot initiative require business physical presence albuquerque provide paid sick time fulltime parttime temporary workers supporters argue ordinance would ensure workers dont choose paychecks caring loved one opponents argue would hurt businesses higher costs recordkeeping requirements whats position ordinance support giving workers sick time health issue workers clients customers patients however flaws ordinance going voters 8 business business owner ever subject state federal tax liens 9 ever involved personal business bankruptcy proceeding 10 ever arrested charged convicted drunken driving misdemeanor felony new mexico state yes explain 45 years ago charged shoplifting grocery store act still regret deferred 160 seeking police service district councilor ill providing responsive robust action redress lingering chronic substandard properties ie negligent homeowners andor absentee owners via condemnation needed 2 measures city take encourage infill development near northeast heights working mayor fellow councilors together wed suspend developmentpermit fees expedite inspections facilitate stakeholders assure full transparency complete constituent input 3 believe optimum number officers apd anything would reach number optimum staffing levels apd dependent stable revenues city agreeing actual funding priorities workable budget ill vigorously advocate return 2010era staffing levels return work schemes 4 circumstances would support raising taxes taxes would receptive increasing careful review budget even priority funds movements public safety staffing shortages declining revenues persist id support raising taxes via dedicated safety tax secure city officer retention must addressed 5 recent years city issuing revenue bonds pay major capital projects would support continued use revenue bonds fund capital projects economic death spiral puts serious doubt stable bonding repayment revenue stream given gross receipts tax grt 75 ideally developers assets hook bonds major rethink needed 6 plans raise quality life albuquerque residents beleaguered taxpayers expectation safe person homes place work ill fight change funding priorities public safety via citys budget process safety must come first 7 healthy workforce ordinance garnered praise criticism approved voters on160oct 3 ballot initiative require business physical presence albuquerque provide paid sick time fulltime parttime temporary workers supporters argue ordinance would ensure workers dont choose paychecks caring loved one opponents argue would hurt businesses higher costs recordkeeping requirements whats position ordinance oppose ordinance incumbent supported business friendly initiative adopted would subject revision repeal ordinance turns employee employer adversaries already depressed labor market 8 business business owner ever subject state federal tax liens 9 ever involved personal business bankruptcy proceeding 10 ever arrested charged convicted drunken driving misdemeanor felony new mexico state yes yes explain arrested late 1990s due outstanding warrant issued 1980s matter resolved making full restitution paying fines jail time criminal record
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<p>NEW YORK (AP) — The threat of rising interest rates is raising real fears about real-estate mutual funds.</p>
<p>Investors have pulled money out of real-estate funds for two straight months, even though they remain among the year's best performers and pay bigger dividends than many stock funds. The worry is that rising rates will hurt growth for the owners of apartment buildings, offices and other commercial real estate, as well as limit demand for their stocks.</p>
<p>Before joining the crowd, bear in mind that rising rates don't always mean losses for real-estate funds. Many have delivered solid returns even during periods of rising interest rates. The key is how quickly and how high rates rise. Real-estate fund managers say they can still make money for investors, though they acknowledge that the performance won't be as good as this year and the recent past.</p>
<p>"One of the things you have to ask is why are rates rising," says John Wenker, co-portfolio manager of Nuveen's Real Estate Securities fund since 1999. "If rates are moving up moderately because the economy is starting to strengthen, that's fine for commercial real estate."</p>
<p>BUILT DIFFERENTLY</p>
<p>For real-estate funds, dividends are king. Most invest in real-estate investment trusts, which can avoid income taxes if they pass on 90 percent of their profit to shareholders as dividends. REITs can own shopping centers, self-storage units or senior housing communities.</p>
<p>Because they pay out so much of their income as dividends, REITs attracted income investors who grew tired of the low yields offered by bonds. That demand helped the average real-estate fund return an annualized 17.4 percent over the last five years, according to Morningstar. That beats the 15.6 percent annualized return for the Standard &amp; Poor's 500 index over the same time.</p>
<p>One concern for REITs is that a rise in interest rates, which economists say is inevitable, will push investors to dump them and go back to bonds. Higher interest rates also make it more expensive for REITs to raise money to buy and develop real estate.</p>
<p>Those fears hurt REITs last year, when the Federal Reserve hinted that it may curtail its bond-buying stimulus program. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note quickly jumped from 1.63 percent in early May to nearly 3 percent by the end of the year. That drove the average real-estate fund into the red in the last three quarters of 2013. For the year, the average real-estate fund returned just 1.5 percent, versus 32.4 percent for the S&amp;P 500.</p>
<p>GRADUAL IS GOOD</p>
<p>REITs can deliver gains if the increase in rates is more moderate and the result of an improving economy. In such a scenario, fund managers say property owners should be able to charge higher rents and have fewer vacancies for their apartments and office buildings. That would lead to higher dividends.</p>
<p>The economy hasn't been as strong as many had hoped, but it is improving. Many economists believe growth next year will be the strongest since 2005. The unemployment rate is also at its lowest level since 2008, and the job market is strong enough that the Federal Reserve earlier this week announced the end to its bond-buying program. The central bank could begin raising its target for short-term interest rates next year, and many economists expect a measured rise.</p>
<p>An encouraging precedent for real-estate investors is the period of 2004-06, when the Federal Reserve raised short-term rates 17 times and the yield on the 10-year Treasury note gradually rose from 4.62 percent to 5.20 percent. The average real-estate fund had solid returns in each of those years, though the group suffered big losses in the following two years as the housing market slumped.</p>
<p>FAIR EXPECTATIONS</p>
<p>Even proponents of REITs acknowledge that they no longer look cheap following their strong run the last five years. The largest U.S. REIT, mall-operator Simon Property Group, has jumped more than sevenfold since bottoming in March 2009. The rise in price has helped push its dividend yield down to 2.9 percent. It was above 4 percent as recently as early 2010.</p>
<p>One of the biggest traditional threats to REITs, an overabundance of properties, isn't much of a concern, says Bob Zenouzi. He is a portfolio manager of the $750 million Delaware Dividend Income fund, which can invest in various stocks and bonds and has more than 7 percent of its portfolio in real estate. Construction on new projects has remained relatively subdued, though some pockets of concern exist around the country, such as apartments in Washington, D.C., and other areas around the Southeast.</p>
<p>So what kinds of returns are likely in the future? REITs currently offer yields of 3 percent to 4 percent, and managers expect continued growth as the economy improves. Add that to expectations for inflation to remain relatively tame, and Zenouzi says an annual return in the high single digits is likely. Nuveen's Wenker has a similar forecast, suggesting something between 5 percent and 10 percent in the next 12 months.</p>
<p>Those returns, though, will likely also be less steady than they've been in recent years. Many investors continue to see REITs as being very sensitive to interest rates, regardless of their history, Wenker says. That could cause them to abandon the group when rates are rising, leading to volatility in REIT prices.</p>
<p>If a storm strikes, fund managers say to stand strong and invest for the long term.</p>
<p>NEW YORK (AP) — The threat of rising interest rates is raising real fears about real-estate mutual funds.</p>
<p>Investors have pulled money out of real-estate funds for two straight months, even though they remain among the year's best performers and pay bigger dividends than many stock funds. The worry is that rising rates will hurt growth for the owners of apartment buildings, offices and other commercial real estate, as well as limit demand for their stocks.</p>
<p>Before joining the crowd, bear in mind that rising rates don't always mean losses for real-estate funds. Many have delivered solid returns even during periods of rising interest rates. The key is how quickly and how high rates rise. Real-estate fund managers say they can still make money for investors, though they acknowledge that the performance won't be as good as this year and the recent past.</p>
<p>"One of the things you have to ask is why are rates rising," says John Wenker, co-portfolio manager of Nuveen's Real Estate Securities fund since 1999. "If rates are moving up moderately because the economy is starting to strengthen, that's fine for commercial real estate."</p>
<p>BUILT DIFFERENTLY</p>
<p>For real-estate funds, dividends are king. Most invest in real-estate investment trusts, which can avoid income taxes if they pass on 90 percent of their profit to shareholders as dividends. REITs can own shopping centers, self-storage units or senior housing communities.</p>
<p>Because they pay out so much of their income as dividends, REITs attracted income investors who grew tired of the low yields offered by bonds. That demand helped the average real-estate fund return an annualized 17.4 percent over the last five years, according to Morningstar. That beats the 15.6 percent annualized return for the Standard &amp; Poor's 500 index over the same time.</p>
<p>One concern for REITs is that a rise in interest rates, which economists say is inevitable, will push investors to dump them and go back to bonds. Higher interest rates also make it more expensive for REITs to raise money to buy and develop real estate.</p>
<p>Those fears hurt REITs last year, when the Federal Reserve hinted that it may curtail its bond-buying stimulus program. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note quickly jumped from 1.63 percent in early May to nearly 3 percent by the end of the year. That drove the average real-estate fund into the red in the last three quarters of 2013. For the year, the average real-estate fund returned just 1.5 percent, versus 32.4 percent for the S&amp;P 500.</p>
<p>GRADUAL IS GOOD</p>
<p>REITs can deliver gains if the increase in rates is more moderate and the result of an improving economy. In such a scenario, fund managers say property owners should be able to charge higher rents and have fewer vacancies for their apartments and office buildings. That would lead to higher dividends.</p>
<p>The economy hasn't been as strong as many had hoped, but it is improving. Many economists believe growth next year will be the strongest since 2005. The unemployment rate is also at its lowest level since 2008, and the job market is strong enough that the Federal Reserve earlier this week announced the end to its bond-buying program. The central bank could begin raising its target for short-term interest rates next year, and many economists expect a measured rise.</p>
<p>An encouraging precedent for real-estate investors is the period of 2004-06, when the Federal Reserve raised short-term rates 17 times and the yield on the 10-year Treasury note gradually rose from 4.62 percent to 5.20 percent. The average real-estate fund had solid returns in each of those years, though the group suffered big losses in the following two years as the housing market slumped.</p>
<p>FAIR EXPECTATIONS</p>
<p>Even proponents of REITs acknowledge that they no longer look cheap following their strong run the last five years. The largest U.S. REIT, mall-operator Simon Property Group, has jumped more than sevenfold since bottoming in March 2009. The rise in price has helped push its dividend yield down to 2.9 percent. It was above 4 percent as recently as early 2010.</p>
<p>One of the biggest traditional threats to REITs, an overabundance of properties, isn't much of a concern, says Bob Zenouzi. He is a portfolio manager of the $750 million Delaware Dividend Income fund, which can invest in various stocks and bonds and has more than 7 percent of its portfolio in real estate. Construction on new projects has remained relatively subdued, though some pockets of concern exist around the country, such as apartments in Washington, D.C., and other areas around the Southeast.</p>
<p>So what kinds of returns are likely in the future? REITs currently offer yields of 3 percent to 4 percent, and managers expect continued growth as the economy improves. Add that to expectations for inflation to remain relatively tame, and Zenouzi says an annual return in the high single digits is likely. Nuveen's Wenker has a similar forecast, suggesting something between 5 percent and 10 percent in the next 12 months.</p>
<p>Those returns, though, will likely also be less steady than they've been in recent years. Many investors continue to see REITs as being very sensitive to interest rates, regardless of their history, Wenker says. That could cause them to abandon the group when rates are rising, leading to volatility in REIT prices.</p>
<p>If a storm strikes, fund managers say to stand strong and invest for the long term.</p>
| false | 2 |
new york ap threat rising interest rates raising real fears realestate mutual funds investors pulled money realestate funds two straight months even though remain among years best performers pay bigger dividends many stock funds worry rising rates hurt growth owners apartment buildings offices commercial real estate well limit demand stocks joining crowd bear mind rising rates dont always mean losses realestate funds many delivered solid returns even periods rising interest rates key quickly high rates rise realestate fund managers say still make money investors though acknowledge performance wont good year recent past one things ask rates rising says john wenker coportfolio manager nuveens real estate securities fund since 1999 rates moving moderately economy starting strengthen thats fine commercial real estate built differently realestate funds dividends king invest realestate investment trusts avoid income taxes pass 90 percent profit shareholders dividends reits shopping centers selfstorage units senior housing communities pay much income dividends reits attracted income investors grew tired low yields offered bonds demand helped average realestate fund return annualized 174 percent last five years according morningstar beats 156 percent annualized return standard amp poors 500 index time one concern reits rise interest rates economists say inevitable push investors dump go back bonds higher interest rates also make expensive reits raise money buy develop real estate fears hurt reits last year federal reserve hinted may curtail bondbuying stimulus program yield 10year treasury note quickly jumped 163 percent early may nearly 3 percent end year drove average realestate fund red last three quarters 2013 year average realestate fund returned 15 percent versus 324 percent sampp 500 gradual good reits deliver gains increase rates moderate result improving economy scenario fund managers say property owners able charge higher rents fewer vacancies apartments office buildings would lead higher dividends economy hasnt strong many hoped improving many economists believe growth next year strongest since 2005 unemployment rate also lowest level since 2008 job market strong enough federal reserve earlier week announced end bondbuying program central bank could begin raising target shortterm interest rates next year many economists expect measured rise encouraging precedent realestate investors period 200406 federal reserve raised shortterm rates 17 times yield 10year treasury note gradually rose 462 percent 520 percent average realestate fund solid returns years though group suffered big losses following two years housing market slumped fair expectations even proponents reits acknowledge longer look cheap following strong run last five years largest us reit malloperator simon property group jumped sevenfold since bottoming march 2009 rise price helped push dividend yield 29 percent 4 percent recently early 2010 one biggest traditional threats reits overabundance properties isnt much concern says bob zenouzi portfolio manager 750 million delaware dividend income fund invest various stocks bonds 7 percent portfolio real estate construction new projects remained relatively subdued though pockets concern exist around country apartments washington dc areas around southeast kinds returns likely future reits currently offer yields 3 percent 4 percent managers expect continued growth economy improves add expectations inflation remain relatively tame zenouzi says annual return high single digits likely nuveens wenker similar forecast suggesting something 5 percent 10 percent next 12 months returns though likely also less steady theyve recent years many investors continue see reits sensitive interest rates regardless history wenker says could cause abandon group rates rising leading volatility reit prices storm strikes fund managers say stand strong invest long term new york ap threat rising interest rates raising real fears realestate mutual funds investors pulled money realestate funds two straight months even though remain among years best performers pay bigger dividends many stock funds worry rising rates hurt growth owners apartment buildings offices commercial real estate well limit demand stocks joining crowd bear mind rising rates dont always mean losses realestate funds many delivered solid returns even periods rising interest rates key quickly high rates rise realestate fund managers say still make money investors though acknowledge performance wont good year recent past one things ask rates rising says john wenker coportfolio manager nuveens real estate securities fund since 1999 rates moving moderately economy starting strengthen thats fine commercial real estate built differently realestate funds dividends king invest realestate investment trusts avoid income taxes pass 90 percent profit shareholders dividends reits shopping centers selfstorage units senior housing communities pay much income dividends reits attracted income investors grew tired low yields offered bonds demand helped average realestate fund return annualized 174 percent last five years according morningstar beats 156 percent annualized return standard amp poors 500 index time one concern reits rise interest rates economists say inevitable push investors dump go back bonds higher interest rates also make expensive reits raise money buy develop real estate fears hurt reits last year federal reserve hinted may curtail bondbuying stimulus program yield 10year treasury note quickly jumped 163 percent early may nearly 3 percent end year drove average realestate fund red last three quarters 2013 year average realestate fund returned 15 percent versus 324 percent sampp 500 gradual good reits deliver gains increase rates moderate result improving economy scenario fund managers say property owners able charge higher rents fewer vacancies apartments office buildings would lead higher dividends economy hasnt strong many hoped improving many economists believe growth next year strongest since 2005 unemployment rate also lowest level since 2008 job market strong enough federal reserve earlier week announced end bondbuying program central bank could begin raising target shortterm interest rates next year many economists expect measured rise encouraging precedent realestate investors period 200406 federal reserve raised shortterm rates 17 times yield 10year treasury note gradually rose 462 percent 520 percent average realestate fund solid returns years though group suffered big losses following two years housing market slumped fair expectations even proponents reits acknowledge longer look cheap following strong run last five years largest us reit malloperator simon property group jumped sevenfold since bottoming march 2009 rise price helped push dividend yield 29 percent 4 percent recently early 2010 one biggest traditional threats reits overabundance properties isnt much concern says bob zenouzi portfolio manager 750 million delaware dividend income fund invest various stocks bonds 7 percent portfolio real estate construction new projects remained relatively subdued though pockets concern exist around country apartments washington dc areas around southeast kinds returns likely future reits currently offer yields 3 percent 4 percent managers expect continued growth economy improves add expectations inflation remain relatively tame zenouzi says annual return high single digits likely nuveens wenker similar forecast suggesting something 5 percent 10 percent next 12 months returns though likely also less steady theyve recent years many investors continue see reits sensitive interest rates regardless history wenker says could cause abandon group rates rising leading volatility reit prices storm strikes fund managers say stand strong invest long term
| 1,116 |
<p>WASHINGTON (AP) — A bleak description of “American carnage.” A forceful rollback of his predecessor’s achievements. A blatant falsehood from the White House podium.</p>
<p>And that was just the first 24 hours.</p>
<p>In his first year in office, Donald Trump proved to be a singular figure, casting aside norms and traditions, fighting with Republicans and Democrats alike and changing how the nation and the presidency are viewed at home and abroad.</p>
<p>Seemingly each day spawned several can-you-believe-it headlines that would have defined a previous president’s term. But in the hyper-accelerated Trump news cycle, many were forgotten by the next morning.</p>
<p>Appropriate for a former reality TV star, Trump’s first year was can’t-miss drama, full of unforgettable characters, surprise casting changes and innumerable plot twists. It came against the backdrop of a deeply polarized nation, a looming nuclear threat, whispers about the president’s fitness for office and, for good measure, the shadow of the Russia investigation.</p>
<p>The reviews weren’t kind. Trump’s first-year approval rating stood at 39 percent, the lowest of any president. But viewers couldn’t look away.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump’s first year was one marked by chaos and controversy, as he cast aside norms and traditions and changed how the presidency is viewed at home and abroad. For anyone thinking year two might be different, think again. (Jan. 19)</p>
<p>“He is a compulsively watchable political character,” said Jon Meacham, presidential historian and biographer. “The country elected the most unconventional president in our history and he has proven to be just that. To me, the story of the first year is the atmospheric chaos that the president has created, sustained and perpetuated.”</p>
<p>Trump was the first president to be elected without any government or military experience. And from the first moments of Trump’s inauguration, it was clear that Washington had never seen anything like this before.</p>
<p>His inaugural speech was a dark pitch to the nation’s forgotten, suggesting a retreat from the world under the slogan of “America First.” It soon led to an uproar over the White House press secretary’s wild claims about the inauguration crowd size.</p>
<p>Soon, other crowds were the story.</p>
<p>Millions of people flooded streets around the globe for the “Women’s March” to protest Trump’s presidency. That set the template for the so-called #Resistance, which swarmed airports just days later when the White House suddenly announced its travel ban on visitors from several Muslim-majority countries.</p>
<p>There would be little attempt from Trump to bring those protesters into the fold. Despite losing the popular vote by nearly 3 million votes, the president forged forward as if elected with a sweeping mandate, aiming his policies directly at his base — with moves such as the rollback of environment regulations and civil rights protections — and blaming Democrats for any Washington failure.</p>
<p />
<p>Always eager to have a foe, Trump governed as he campaigned, and not just by incessantly reliving his 2016 election over Hillary Clinton. Trump frequently instigated fights and rarely let a slight go unanswered via his favorite weapon, his Twitter account.</p>
<p>Any pre-inauguration talk of restraining his Twitter usage was soon forgotten. He used the 140-character — and later, up to 280 — bursts to target foes, traffic in conspiracy theories, salute the programming on Fox News, rattle Congress and unnerve world capitals. In March, he even made the unsubstantiated claim that his predecessor had wiretapped Trump Tower, and he labeled President Barack Obama a “bad (or sick) guy.”</p>
<p>The trail of tweets has roiled the capital for 12 months. Across Washington, phones would buzz with alerts anytime Trump tweeted. Republicans found themselves to be targets of Trump’s tweet just like Democrats, particularly when their efforts to repeal Obama’s health care law — a plan seven years in the making — failed not once, but twice.</p>
<p>Some tweets drew puzzlement; none more than the president’s late-night posting of the nonsensical word “covfefe.”</p>
<p>Some tweets challenged American institutions, full of criticisms of the media and the FBI. Others provoked outrage, as when he suggested that MSNBC host Mika Brzezinski had a face-lift or claimed that Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., “would do anything” for a donation, an unsavory insinuation made at the height of the #MeToo movement.</p>
<p>The discussion about sexual harassment toppled many powerful men but, while Trump’s own accusers resurfaced, the White House never changed its story: The women were lying.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump poses for a photograph in the Oval Office in Washington, Wednesday, April 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)</p>
<p>That was just one of many moments in which Trump appeared almost eager to foment divisions, including racial ones.</p>
<p>His political career was launched on the lie that Obama was not born in the United States, and this month, Trump was denounced for dismissing African nations as “shithole countries” when he urged a limit on immigration from that continent.</p>
<p>He dismissed Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., as “Pocahontas,” mocking her claims about being part Native American, while addressing a group of American Indians. More divisively, he blamed “both sides” for the violence between neo-Nazis and anti-hate group protesters that left one woman dead in Charlottesville, Virginia.</p>
<p>While Trump was rewriting the rules of behavior within the Oval Office, his agenda was largely lifted from the Republican playbook and his first year victories thrilled the GOP orthodoxy. He appointed conservative judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, rolled back business regulations, presided over a massive tax cut and, the White House argued, fostered an environment that freed the stock market to boom.</p>
<p>“2017 was a year of tremendous achievement (and) the achievements for our country, our people, and for our standing in the world have been very monumental,” Trump said at a Cabinet meeting last week, before offering a glimpse into how he views the presidency — as catnip for cable.</p>
<p>“I’m sure their ratings were fantastic. They always are,” he said.</p>
<p>Like any president, Trump faced crises during his first year.</p>
<p>Most ominously, North Korea escalated its nuclear weapons development program while Trump responded with unprecedentedly bellicose rhetoric. He warned of “fire and fury” that could wipe out Pyongyang. At the United Nations, he insulted North Korean leader Kim Jung Un as “Little Rocket Man.” Trump took to Twitter to suggest that his nuclear button was bigger than Kim’s.</p>
<p>The anniversary of his inauguration coincided with a government shutdown, and he scoffed that Democrats “wanted to give me a nice present.”</p>
<p>He traveled overseas four times, upbraiding traditional American allies at NATO for not paying enough, basking in the flattery of Chinese President Xi Jinping and touching a mysterious, glowing orb with Saudi King Salman.</p>
<p>His responses to domestic tragedies were uneven.</p>
<p>He paid tribute to the 58 victims of a shooting at a country music concert in Las Vegas, but made no effort to toughen gun control laws. When Hurricane Maria crushed Puerto Rico, leaving half the island without power for months, Trump feuded with a local mayor and, during a visit, distributed paper towels to survivors by shooting them like they were basketballs.</p>
<p>Befitting a man whose reality show ended with a firing each week, in Trump’s first year his administration’s upper-level officials have had a turnover rate of 34 percent, much higher than any other in the past 40 years. Gone were chief of staff Reince Priebus, chief strategist Steve Bannon, press secretary Sean Spicer and, after just 11 eventful days, communications director Anthony Scaramucci.</p>
<p>But the circumstances of two exits above all may define not just Trump’s first year in office, but those to follow.</p>
<p>National security adviser Mike Flynn was fired less than a month into the term for lying to Vice President Mike Pence about his contacts with foreign officials. In May, Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, who had been leading the investigation into possible collusion between Trump’s campaign and Russian officials during the 2016 election.</p>
<p>That dismissal led to the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller, whose probe into possible collusion and obstruction of justice has hovered over the White House. Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to FBI agents and is now cooperating with Mueller. Trump himself may at some point be interviewed.</p>
<p>“We’ve never had a president who had such a chaotic first year. Every day is topsy-turvy and disorganized, the country has not been so divided since the Civil War and Trump thrives at being the bull that carries his own china shop around with him,” said Douglas Brinkley, presidential historian at Rice University. “He’s not like anything we’ve seen before and this is the question: What are the consequences going to be?”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow Lemire on Twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/@JonLemire" type="external">http://twitter.com/@JonLemire</a></p>
<p>WASHINGTON (AP) — A bleak description of “American carnage.” A forceful rollback of his predecessor’s achievements. A blatant falsehood from the White House podium.</p>
<p>And that was just the first 24 hours.</p>
<p>In his first year in office, Donald Trump proved to be a singular figure, casting aside norms and traditions, fighting with Republicans and Democrats alike and changing how the nation and the presidency are viewed at home and abroad.</p>
<p>Seemingly each day spawned several can-you-believe-it headlines that would have defined a previous president’s term. But in the hyper-accelerated Trump news cycle, many were forgotten by the next morning.</p>
<p>Appropriate for a former reality TV star, Trump’s first year was can’t-miss drama, full of unforgettable characters, surprise casting changes and innumerable plot twists. It came against the backdrop of a deeply polarized nation, a looming nuclear threat, whispers about the president’s fitness for office and, for good measure, the shadow of the Russia investigation.</p>
<p>The reviews weren’t kind. Trump’s first-year approval rating stood at 39 percent, the lowest of any president. But viewers couldn’t look away.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump’s first year was one marked by chaos and controversy, as he cast aside norms and traditions and changed how the presidency is viewed at home and abroad. For anyone thinking year two might be different, think again. (Jan. 19)</p>
<p>“He is a compulsively watchable political character,” said Jon Meacham, presidential historian and biographer. “The country elected the most unconventional president in our history and he has proven to be just that. To me, the story of the first year is the atmospheric chaos that the president has created, sustained and perpetuated.”</p>
<p>Trump was the first president to be elected without any government or military experience. And from the first moments of Trump’s inauguration, it was clear that Washington had never seen anything like this before.</p>
<p>His inaugural speech was a dark pitch to the nation’s forgotten, suggesting a retreat from the world under the slogan of “America First.” It soon led to an uproar over the White House press secretary’s wild claims about the inauguration crowd size.</p>
<p>Soon, other crowds were the story.</p>
<p>Millions of people flooded streets around the globe for the “Women’s March” to protest Trump’s presidency. That set the template for the so-called #Resistance, which swarmed airports just days later when the White House suddenly announced its travel ban on visitors from several Muslim-majority countries.</p>
<p>There would be little attempt from Trump to bring those protesters into the fold. Despite losing the popular vote by nearly 3 million votes, the president forged forward as if elected with a sweeping mandate, aiming his policies directly at his base — with moves such as the rollback of environment regulations and civil rights protections — and blaming Democrats for any Washington failure.</p>
<p />
<p>Always eager to have a foe, Trump governed as he campaigned, and not just by incessantly reliving his 2016 election over Hillary Clinton. Trump frequently instigated fights and rarely let a slight go unanswered via his favorite weapon, his Twitter account.</p>
<p>Any pre-inauguration talk of restraining his Twitter usage was soon forgotten. He used the 140-character — and later, up to 280 — bursts to target foes, traffic in conspiracy theories, salute the programming on Fox News, rattle Congress and unnerve world capitals. In March, he even made the unsubstantiated claim that his predecessor had wiretapped Trump Tower, and he labeled President Barack Obama a “bad (or sick) guy.”</p>
<p>The trail of tweets has roiled the capital for 12 months. Across Washington, phones would buzz with alerts anytime Trump tweeted. Republicans found themselves to be targets of Trump’s tweet just like Democrats, particularly when their efforts to repeal Obama’s health care law — a plan seven years in the making — failed not once, but twice.</p>
<p>Some tweets drew puzzlement; none more than the president’s late-night posting of the nonsensical word “covfefe.”</p>
<p>Some tweets challenged American institutions, full of criticisms of the media and the FBI. Others provoked outrage, as when he suggested that MSNBC host Mika Brzezinski had a face-lift or claimed that Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., “would do anything” for a donation, an unsavory insinuation made at the height of the #MeToo movement.</p>
<p>The discussion about sexual harassment toppled many powerful men but, while Trump’s own accusers resurfaced, the White House never changed its story: The women were lying.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump poses for a photograph in the Oval Office in Washington, Wednesday, April 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)</p>
<p>That was just one of many moments in which Trump appeared almost eager to foment divisions, including racial ones.</p>
<p>His political career was launched on the lie that Obama was not born in the United States, and this month, Trump was denounced for dismissing African nations as “shithole countries” when he urged a limit on immigration from that continent.</p>
<p>He dismissed Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., as “Pocahontas,” mocking her claims about being part Native American, while addressing a group of American Indians. More divisively, he blamed “both sides” for the violence between neo-Nazis and anti-hate group protesters that left one woman dead in Charlottesville, Virginia.</p>
<p>While Trump was rewriting the rules of behavior within the Oval Office, his agenda was largely lifted from the Republican playbook and his first year victories thrilled the GOP orthodoxy. He appointed conservative judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, rolled back business regulations, presided over a massive tax cut and, the White House argued, fostered an environment that freed the stock market to boom.</p>
<p>“2017 was a year of tremendous achievement (and) the achievements for our country, our people, and for our standing in the world have been very monumental,” Trump said at a Cabinet meeting last week, before offering a glimpse into how he views the presidency — as catnip for cable.</p>
<p>“I’m sure their ratings were fantastic. They always are,” he said.</p>
<p>Like any president, Trump faced crises during his first year.</p>
<p>Most ominously, North Korea escalated its nuclear weapons development program while Trump responded with unprecedentedly bellicose rhetoric. He warned of “fire and fury” that could wipe out Pyongyang. At the United Nations, he insulted North Korean leader Kim Jung Un as “Little Rocket Man.” Trump took to Twitter to suggest that his nuclear button was bigger than Kim’s.</p>
<p>The anniversary of his inauguration coincided with a government shutdown, and he scoffed that Democrats “wanted to give me a nice present.”</p>
<p>He traveled overseas four times, upbraiding traditional American allies at NATO for not paying enough, basking in the flattery of Chinese President Xi Jinping and touching a mysterious, glowing orb with Saudi King Salman.</p>
<p>His responses to domestic tragedies were uneven.</p>
<p>He paid tribute to the 58 victims of a shooting at a country music concert in Las Vegas, but made no effort to toughen gun control laws. When Hurricane Maria crushed Puerto Rico, leaving half the island without power for months, Trump feuded with a local mayor and, during a visit, distributed paper towels to survivors by shooting them like they were basketballs.</p>
<p>Befitting a man whose reality show ended with a firing each week, in Trump’s first year his administration’s upper-level officials have had a turnover rate of 34 percent, much higher than any other in the past 40 years. Gone were chief of staff Reince Priebus, chief strategist Steve Bannon, press secretary Sean Spicer and, after just 11 eventful days, communications director Anthony Scaramucci.</p>
<p>But the circumstances of two exits above all may define not just Trump’s first year in office, but those to follow.</p>
<p>National security adviser Mike Flynn was fired less than a month into the term for lying to Vice President Mike Pence about his contacts with foreign officials. In May, Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, who had been leading the investigation into possible collusion between Trump’s campaign and Russian officials during the 2016 election.</p>
<p>That dismissal led to the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller, whose probe into possible collusion and obstruction of justice has hovered over the White House. Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to FBI agents and is now cooperating with Mueller. Trump himself may at some point be interviewed.</p>
<p>“We’ve never had a president who had such a chaotic first year. Every day is topsy-turvy and disorganized, the country has not been so divided since the Civil War and Trump thrives at being the bull that carries his own china shop around with him,” said Douglas Brinkley, presidential historian at Rice University. “He’s not like anything we’ve seen before and this is the question: What are the consequences going to be?”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow Lemire on Twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/@JonLemire" type="external">http://twitter.com/@JonLemire</a></p>
| false | 2 |
washington ap bleak description american carnage forceful rollback predecessors achievements blatant falsehood white house podium first 24 hours first year office donald trump proved singular figure casting aside norms traditions fighting republicans democrats alike changing nation presidency viewed home abroad seemingly day spawned several canyoubelieveit headlines would defined previous presidents term hyperaccelerated trump news cycle many forgotten next morning appropriate former reality tv star trumps first year cantmiss drama full unforgettable characters surprise casting changes innumerable plot twists came backdrop deeply polarized nation looming nuclear threat whispers presidents fitness office good measure shadow russia investigation reviews werent kind trumps firstyear approval rating stood 39 percent lowest president viewers couldnt look away president donald trumps first year one marked chaos controversy cast aside norms traditions changed presidency viewed home abroad anyone thinking year two might different think jan 19 compulsively watchable political character said jon meacham presidential historian biographer country elected unconventional president history proven story first year atmospheric chaos president created sustained perpetuated trump first president elected without government military experience first moments trumps inauguration clear washington never seen anything like inaugural speech dark pitch nations forgotten suggesting retreat world slogan america first soon led uproar white house press secretarys wild claims inauguration crowd size soon crowds story millions people flooded streets around globe womens march protest trumps presidency set template socalled resistance swarmed airports days later white house suddenly announced travel ban visitors several muslimmajority countries would little attempt trump bring protesters fold despite losing popular vote nearly 3 million votes president forged forward elected sweeping mandate aiming policies directly base moves rollback environment regulations civil rights protections blaming democrats washington failure always eager foe trump governed campaigned incessantly reliving 2016 election hillary clinton trump frequently instigated fights rarely let slight go unanswered via favorite weapon twitter account preinauguration talk restraining twitter usage soon forgotten used 140character later 280 bursts target foes traffic conspiracy theories salute programming fox news rattle congress unnerve world capitals march even made unsubstantiated claim predecessor wiretapped trump tower labeled president barack obama bad sick guy trail tweets roiled capital 12 months across washington phones would buzz alerts anytime trump tweeted republicans found targets trumps tweet like democrats particularly efforts repeal obamas health care law plan seven years making failed twice tweets drew puzzlement none presidents latenight posting nonsensical word covfefe tweets challenged american institutions full criticisms media fbi others provoked outrage suggested msnbc host mika brzezinski facelift claimed sen kirsten gillibrand dny would anything donation unsavory insinuation made height metoo movement discussion sexual harassment toppled many powerful men trumps accusers resurfaced white house never changed story women lying president donald trump poses photograph oval office washington wednesday april 19 2017 ap photoandrew harnik one many moments trump appeared almost eager foment divisions including racial ones political career launched lie obama born united states month trump denounced dismissing african nations shithole countries urged limit immigration continent dismissed sen elizabeth warren dmass pocahontas mocking claims part native american addressing group american indians divisively blamed sides violence neonazis antihate group protesters left one woman dead charlottesville virginia trump rewriting rules behavior within oval office agenda largely lifted republican playbook first year victories thrilled gop orthodoxy appointed conservative judge neil gorsuch supreme court rolled back business regulations presided massive tax cut white house argued fostered environment freed stock market boom 2017 year tremendous achievement achievements country people standing world monumental trump said cabinet meeting last week offering glimpse views presidency catnip cable im sure ratings fantastic always said like president trump faced crises first year ominously north korea escalated nuclear weapons development program trump responded unprecedentedly bellicose rhetoric warned fire fury could wipe pyongyang united nations insulted north korean leader kim jung un little rocket man trump took twitter suggest nuclear button bigger kims anniversary inauguration coincided government shutdown scoffed democrats wanted give nice present traveled overseas four times upbraiding traditional american allies nato paying enough basking flattery chinese president xi jinping touching mysterious glowing orb saudi king salman responses domestic tragedies uneven paid tribute 58 victims shooting country music concert las vegas made effort toughen gun control laws hurricane maria crushed puerto rico leaving half island without power months trump feuded local mayor visit distributed paper towels survivors shooting like basketballs befitting man whose reality show ended firing week trumps first year administrations upperlevel officials turnover rate 34 percent much higher past 40 years gone chief staff reince priebus chief strategist steve bannon press secretary sean spicer 11 eventful days communications director anthony scaramucci circumstances two exits may define trumps first year office follow national security adviser mike flynn fired less month term lying vice president mike pence contacts foreign officials may trump fired fbi director james comey leading investigation possible collusion trumps campaign russian officials 2016 election dismissal led appointment special counsel robert mueller whose probe possible collusion obstruction justice hovered white house flynn pleaded guilty lying fbi agents cooperating mueller trump may point interviewed weve never president chaotic first year every day topsyturvy disorganized country divided since civil war trump thrives bull carries china shop around said douglas brinkley presidential historian rice university hes like anything weve seen question consequences going ___ follow lemire twitter httptwittercomjonlemire washington ap bleak description american carnage forceful rollback predecessors achievements blatant falsehood white house podium first 24 hours first year office donald trump proved singular figure casting aside norms traditions fighting republicans democrats alike changing nation presidency viewed home abroad seemingly day spawned several canyoubelieveit headlines would defined previous presidents term hyperaccelerated trump news cycle many forgotten next morning appropriate former reality tv star trumps first year cantmiss drama full unforgettable characters surprise casting changes innumerable plot twists came backdrop deeply polarized nation looming nuclear threat whispers presidents fitness office good measure shadow russia investigation reviews werent kind trumps firstyear approval rating stood 39 percent lowest president viewers couldnt look away president donald trumps first year one marked chaos controversy cast aside norms traditions changed presidency viewed home abroad anyone thinking year two might different think jan 19 compulsively watchable political character said jon meacham presidential historian biographer country elected unconventional president history proven story first year atmospheric chaos president created sustained perpetuated trump first president elected without government military experience first moments trumps inauguration clear washington never seen anything like inaugural speech dark pitch nations forgotten suggesting retreat world slogan america first soon led uproar white house press secretarys wild claims inauguration crowd size soon crowds story millions people flooded streets around globe womens march protest trumps presidency set template socalled resistance swarmed airports days later white house suddenly announced travel ban visitors several muslimmajority countries would little attempt trump bring protesters fold despite losing popular vote nearly 3 million votes president forged forward elected sweeping mandate aiming policies directly base moves rollback environment regulations civil rights protections blaming democrats washington failure always eager foe trump governed campaigned incessantly reliving 2016 election hillary clinton trump frequently instigated fights rarely let slight go unanswered via favorite weapon twitter account preinauguration talk restraining twitter usage soon forgotten used 140character later 280 bursts target foes traffic conspiracy theories salute programming fox news rattle congress unnerve world capitals march even made unsubstantiated claim predecessor wiretapped trump tower labeled president barack obama bad sick guy trail tweets roiled capital 12 months across washington phones would buzz alerts anytime trump tweeted republicans found targets trumps tweet like democrats particularly efforts repeal obamas health care law plan seven years making failed twice tweets drew puzzlement none presidents latenight posting nonsensical word covfefe tweets challenged american institutions full criticisms media fbi others provoked outrage suggested msnbc host mika brzezinski facelift claimed sen kirsten gillibrand dny would anything donation unsavory insinuation made height metoo movement discussion sexual harassment toppled many powerful men trumps accusers resurfaced white house never changed story women lying president donald trump poses photograph oval office washington wednesday april 19 2017 ap photoandrew harnik one many moments trump appeared almost eager foment divisions including racial ones political career launched lie obama born united states month trump denounced dismissing african nations shithole countries urged limit immigration continent dismissed sen elizabeth warren dmass pocahontas mocking claims part native american addressing group american indians divisively blamed sides violence neonazis antihate group protesters left one woman dead charlottesville virginia trump rewriting rules behavior within oval office agenda largely lifted republican playbook first year victories thrilled gop orthodoxy appointed conservative judge neil gorsuch supreme court rolled back business regulations presided massive tax cut white house argued fostered environment freed stock market boom 2017 year tremendous achievement achievements country people standing world monumental trump said cabinet meeting last week offering glimpse views presidency catnip cable im sure ratings fantastic always said like president trump faced crises first year ominously north korea escalated nuclear weapons development program trump responded unprecedentedly bellicose rhetoric warned fire fury could wipe pyongyang united nations insulted north korean leader kim jung un little rocket man trump took twitter suggest nuclear button bigger kims anniversary inauguration coincided government shutdown scoffed democrats wanted give nice present traveled overseas four times upbraiding traditional american allies nato paying enough basking flattery chinese president xi jinping touching mysterious glowing orb saudi king salman responses domestic tragedies uneven paid tribute 58 victims shooting country music concert las vegas made effort toughen gun control laws hurricane maria crushed puerto rico leaving half island without power months trump feuded local mayor visit distributed paper towels survivors shooting like basketballs befitting man whose reality show ended firing week trumps first year administrations upperlevel officials turnover rate 34 percent much higher past 40 years gone chief staff reince priebus chief strategist steve bannon press secretary sean spicer 11 eventful days communications director anthony scaramucci circumstances two exits may define trumps first year office follow national security adviser mike flynn fired less month term lying vice president mike pence contacts foreign officials may trump fired fbi director james comey leading investigation possible collusion trumps campaign russian officials 2016 election dismissal led appointment special counsel robert mueller whose probe possible collusion obstruction justice hovered white house flynn pleaded guilty lying fbi agents cooperating mueller trump may point interviewed weve never president chaotic first year every day topsyturvy disorganized country divided since civil war trump thrives bull carries china shop around said douglas brinkley presidential historian rice university hes like anything weve seen question consequences going ___ follow lemire twitter httptwittercomjonlemire
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<p>Agents patrolling the river forming the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas say they’re starting to see more people like the Guatemalan mother and son who had fled their native country two weeks earlier.</p>
<p>The election of President Donald Trump contributed to a dramatic downturn in migration, causing the number of arrests at the border to hit an all-time low in April and helping the U.S. end the 2017 fiscal year at a 45-year low for Border Patrol arrests.</p>
<p>But since bottoming out in April, the number of immigrants caught at the southern border increased monthly, driven in large part by the arrival of new Central American families such as the Villagrans.</p>
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<p>Border Patrol agents interviewed by The Associated Press say they expect the numbers to keep rising, which they see as a sign that families in Central America are testing the Trump administration. Experts who closely follow migration patterns say any drop-off was bound to be temporary as long as the countries most people are fleeing — El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras — remain ravaged by shootings and gang violence.</p>
<p>Sitting next to the Rio Grande, Villagran said her decision to migrate had nothing to do with politics or who is in the White House, but her own personal situation. She was deported from the U.S. four years earlier, and after returning to Guatemala, she said she had been kidnapped and released.</p>
<p>“Now they ask me for money again,” she said. “I don’t have even a dollar.”</p>
<p>The Border Patrol said Tuesday that it made 22,537 apprehensions at the southwest border in September, nearly double the 11,127 detained in April. September is the latest month for which the Border Patrol has published its figures.</p>
<p>Border apprehensions have long ebbed and flowed based on U.S. immigration policy as well as political and economic conditions in Latin America. Border crossings surged last year, especially in November and December, only to fall when Trump took office in January. In December, the Border Patrol reported more than 43,000 arrests; two months later, that number was 18,800.</p>
<p>Some called the drop the “Trump effect,” particularly as the new administration pursued a border wall, ramped up immigration-related arrests, and signaled it would open investigations of families that had paid human smugglers — or “coyotes” — known to be tied to violent drug cartels. Reports spread that some smugglers were using the threat of a wall and tighter security at the border to charge higher prices to migrants.</p>
<p>But the underlying problems in Central America have remained the same. Officials at migrant shelters in the U.S. and Mexico say they’ve heard of people staying in Mexico longer than they otherwise would or trying to find refuge within their home countries, but that the U.S. remains the ultimate destination for most of them.</p>
<p>A survey published earlier this year found that 30 percent of adults had considered migrating in the last year due to the effect of crime in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, which have a total population of about 30 million people. The survey was conducted by the Latin American Public Opinion Project at Vanderbilt University.</p>
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<p>“As long as they continue without looking to the origin countries and the causes of migration, we will continue within the same parameters,” said Ramon Marquez, director of La 72, a shelter located near the Mexico-Guatemala border. La 72 has started to see its monthly numbers of people served rise again after a decline that mirrored the U.S. figures.</p>
<p>Advocates for tougher immigration laws take the opposite view of the increase: that the U.S. government needs to follow through with its promises to toughen border security. Even though prototypes of a border wall are under construction, the administration’s proposal to start building the wall has stalled in Congress.</p>
<p>The Border Patrol’s biggest union endorsed Trump in last year’s presidential election, and several agents interviewed by the AP said his proposed wall is necessary to turn migrants away.</p>
<p>“They are trying to see what it all means, what does the rhetoric of the administration mean, and how serious are we about removing people,” said Ryan Landrum, the patrol agent in charge of the agency station in Rio Grande City.</p>
<p>Ronald Vitiello, the acting deputy commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said Tuesday that the government was “very concerned” by the numbers of families and unaccompanied children still showing up at the border. Vitiello said his agency wanted changes to a 2008 law that protects children from quickly being deported if they aren’t from Mexico or Canada, to discourage parents in Central America who believe their children will find refuge in the U.S.</p>
<p>Border apprehensions are, by their nature, an incomplete measure of who’s crossing the border, because they don’t account for people who elude Border Patrol agents by foot or are smuggled in trucks and tractor-trailers past highway checkpoints. Authorities along the border have made several major discoveries this year of commercial trucks packed with immigrants entering illegally.</p>
<p>Ten people died in July after being packed into a tractor-trailer with a broken cooling system that was discovered outside a San Antonio Walmart. The people on board were struggling to breathe, and one told authorities that many people were pounding on the walls trying to get the driver to stop. Some of the 29 survivors told authorities that dozens of other passengers fled before police arrived.</p>
<p>“The number of people that were in that compartment, in that trailer in San Antonio, showed us that many people are trying to do that,” said Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera, a researcher at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Associated Press writer Christopher Sherman in Mexico City contributed to this report.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow Nomaan Merchant on Twitter at @nomaanmerchant</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Sign up for the AP’s weekly newsletter showcasing our best reporting from the Midwest and Texas: <a href="http://apne.ws/2u1RMfv" type="external">http://apne.ws/2u1RMfv</a></p>
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agents patrolling river forming usmexico border texas say theyre starting see people like guatemalan mother son fled native country two weeks earlier election president donald trump contributed dramatic downturn migration causing number arrests border hit alltime low april helping us end 2017 fiscal year 45year low border patrol arrests since bottoming april number immigrants caught southern border increased monthly driven large part arrival new central american families villagrans advertisement border patrol agents interviewed associated press say expect numbers keep rising see sign families central america testing trump administration experts closely follow migration patterns say dropoff bound temporary long countries people fleeing el salvador guatemala honduras remain ravaged shootings gang violence sitting next rio grande villagran said decision migrate nothing politics white house personal situation deported us four years earlier returning guatemala said kidnapped released ask money said dont even dollar border patrol said tuesday made 22537 apprehensions southwest border september nearly double 11127 detained april september latest month border patrol published figures border apprehensions long ebbed flowed based us immigration policy well political economic conditions latin america border crossings surged last year especially november december fall trump took office january december border patrol reported 43000 arrests two months later number 18800 called drop trump effect particularly new administration pursued border wall ramped immigrationrelated arrests signaled would open investigations families paid human smugglers coyotes known tied violent drug cartels reports spread smugglers using threat wall tighter security border charge higher prices migrants underlying problems central america remained officials migrant shelters us mexico say theyve heard people staying mexico longer otherwise would trying find refuge within home countries us remains ultimate destination survey published earlier year found 30 percent adults considered migrating last year due effect crime el salvador guatemala honduras total population 30 million people survey conducted latin american public opinion project vanderbilt university advertisement long continue without looking origin countries causes migration continue within parameters said ramon marquez director la 72 shelter located near mexicoguatemala border la 72 started see monthly numbers people served rise decline mirrored us figures advocates tougher immigration laws take opposite view increase us government needs follow promises toughen border security even though prototypes border wall construction administrations proposal start building wall stalled congress border patrols biggest union endorsed trump last years presidential election several agents interviewed ap said proposed wall necessary turn migrants away trying see means rhetoric administration mean serious removing people said ryan landrum patrol agent charge agency station rio grande city ronald vitiello acting deputy commissioner us customs border protection said tuesday government concerned numbers families unaccompanied children still showing border vitiello said agency wanted changes 2008 law protects children quickly deported arent mexico canada discourage parents central america believe children find refuge us border apprehensions nature incomplete measure whos crossing border dont account people elude border patrol agents foot smuggled trucks tractortrailers past highway checkpoints authorities along border made several major discoveries year commercial trucks packed immigrants entering illegally ten people died july packed tractortrailer broken cooling system discovered outside san antonio walmart people board struggling breathe one told authorities many people pounding walls trying get driver stop 29 survivors told authorities dozens passengers fled police arrived number people compartment trailer san antonio showed us many people trying said guadalupe correacabrera researcher university texas rio grande valley ___ associated press writer christopher sherman mexico city contributed report ___ follow nomaan merchant twitter nomaanmerchant ___ sign aps weekly newsletter showcasing best reporting midwest texas httpapnews2u1rmfv
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<p>BRUSSELS, Jan 16 (Reuters) - EU regulators are searching for ways to increase recycling of plastic, as waste piles up in ports after China banned imports of "foreign garbage" from the start of 2018.</p>
<p>Announcing a new policy push on Tuesday, European Commission Vice President Jyrki Katainen said Brussels is mulling a tax on plastic packaging, more curbs on throw-away items like plastic bags and new rules at ports among other restrictions.</p>
<p>"We have all this raw material, and from the beginning of the year now even more, because China will not take our waste, but we don't know what to do with it," Katainen told reporters.</p>
<p>Oil-derived plastic mostly ends up in landfills or incinerated, with less than 30 percent of 25 million tonnes of plastic waste generated each year being recycled in Europe.</p>
<p>EU nations and European Parliament reached an agreement last month to set a legally-binding target for the bloc to recycle 55 percent of plastic packaging waste by 2030 and a ban on landfilling separately collected waste.</p>
<p>EU regulators now want to ensure that the plastic packaging itself is fully recyclable and to improve consumer labelling by creating new quality standards.</p>
<p>The Commission said it will introduce measures to curb ocean-polluting microplastics, such as those used in cosmetics. New port reception facilities will seek to streamline waste management to ensure less gets dumped in the Ocean.</p>
<p>"More and more it is becoming a health problem because it is degrading, going to little chips, fish are eating it and it is coming back to our dinner table," Katainen said.</p>
<p>Before the ban, China was the world's dominant importer of plastic waste. A senior EU officials said he now expected the waste to go to other countries in Southeast Asia, such as Vietnam and Malaysia. (Reporting by Alissa de Carbonnel @AdeCar; editing by Robert-Jan Bartunek)</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>FRANKFURT (Reuters) - German transport minister Andreas Scheuer is asking carmakers to tell him how they plan to complete by the end of the year software upgrades on diesel vehicles to reduce emissions, he told a newspaper.</p> FILE PHOTO: Andreas Scheuer of the Christian Social Union (CSU) arrives for coalition talks about forming a new coalition government at the CDU headquarters in Berlin, Germany, February 3, 2018. REUTERS/Axel Schmidt/File Photo
<p>"I am pushing for the promised 5.3 million cars to really be upgraded by the end of the year," Scheuer told Sueddeutsche Zeitung in an interview published on Friday.</p> Related Coverage
<a href="/article/us-germany-emissions-minister/german-minister-hardware-retrofits-only-way-to-avoid-driving-bans-idUSKBN1HS0G0" type="external">German minister: Hardware retrofits only way to avoid driving bans</a>
<p>"We are nearly done with the 2.5 million affected VW cars. For the other voluntary upgrades I have informed the manufacturers that they must present a time plan showing when they will deliver," he said.</p>
<p>The German car industry, which accounts for some 800,000 jobs in Europe's biggest economy, is struggling with a global backlash against diesel cars after Volkswagen ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=VOWG_p.DE" type="external">VOWG_p.DE</a>) admitted in 2015 that it had cheated U.S. exhaust tests.</p>
<p>The question of how to deal with the fall-out continues to divide the German political class.</p>
<p>Stephan Weil, who as premier of Lower Saxony is responsible for the state's 20 percent voting stake in VW, warned that it could take a long time to change the corporate culture that had triggered the scandal.</p>
<a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=VOWG_p.DE" type="external">Volkswagen AG</a> 171.1 VOWG_p.DE Xetra -2.18 (-1.26%) VOWG_p.DE
<p>Weil, a Social Democrat at the opposite end of Chancellor Angela Merkel's governing coalition from the Bavarian conservative Scheuer, urged the government not to burden carmakers with the cost of fixing vehicles.</p>
<p>"Software updates can cut emissions by 25 to 30 percent," he told Handelsblatt newspaper in a separate interview. "Switchover incentives can be used to encourage modernizing of diesel fleets," he added.</p>
<p>Germany has committed to software upgrades for some 5.3 million diesel cars by the end of the year to reduce emissions by up to 30 percent.</p>
<p>But Scheuer was less compromising. "Time is running out. I will take the manufacturers at their word," he told Sueddeutsche.</p>
<p>The issue of emissions came to a head in February when a court allowed local authorities to bar heavily polluting diesel vehicles. Experts say bans could cut the resale value of up to 15 million diesel vehicles in Europe's biggest car market.</p>
<p>Scheuer affirmed that he was opposed to bans, and that there were technical, legal and financial arguments against costly hardware retrofits of diesel vehicles.</p>
<p>Reporting by Maria Sheahan; Editing by Richard Pullin and Matthew Mpoke Bigg</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>BERLIN (Reuters) - German Environment Minister Svenja Schulze has told a newspaper she does not think software updates for diesel vehicles in Germany will be enough to solve air quality problems and that hardware retrofits are the only way to avoid driving bans.</p> FILE PHOTO: German Environment Minister Svenja Schulze is sworn-in by Parliament President Wolfgang Schaeuble in Germany's lower house of parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, March 14, 2018. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
<p>The German car industry, which accounts for some 800,000 jobs in Europe's biggest economy, is struggling with a global backlash against diesel cars after Volkswagen ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=VOWG_p.DE" type="external">VOWG_p.DE</a>) admitted in 2015 that it had cheated U.S. exhaust tests.</p>
<p>Chancellor Angela Merkel has said she will do everything possible to avoid driving bans but disagreements over how to tackle the problem of diesel cars with high nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions threaten to further strain her coalition with the Social Democrats (SPD).</p>
<p>Asked in an interview with Tagesspiegel to be published on Sunday whether measures already agreed on diesel would suffice to avoid driving bans, Schulze said: "I fear that in cities where the limits have been far exceeded - Munich, Stuttgart and others - software updates alone will not suffice."</p>
<p>She added: "The many measures from the immediate program for clean air, such as electrification of buses, are good and will help many cities but overall they aren't enough to solve the problem in cities that are particularly badly affected."</p>
<p>Schulze, of the SPD, said she was therefore campaigning hard for vehicles to get technical retrofits, adding: "In my view that's the only realistic way to avoid driving bans."</p>
<p>Asked whether the carmakers should pay for the hardware retrofits themselves, she said: "Yes - they are the ones who have caused this."</p>
<a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=VOWG_p.DE" type="external">Volkswagen AG</a> 171.1 VOWG_p.DE Xetra -2.18 (-1.26%) VOWG_p.DE
<p>She said hardware retrofits were especially necessary in particularly badly affected urban areas where there was no other way to stick to NOx limits, adding this was likely to be around 20 cities.</p>
<p>However, German Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer, a member of the Bavarian CSU sister party of Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU), opposes costly hardware retrofits, saying he is committed to meeting emissions targets using measures already being implemented.</p>
<p>Schulze said she and Scheuer were discussing the diesel issue intensely and both wanted Germany to have a strong automobile industry with many jobs. But, she said, it would only remain strong if it pioneered vehicles of the future, and China was the biggest future market.</p>
<p>"That country wants to improve the air in its cities. Soon no more dirty cars will be purchased there," Schulze said.</p>
<p>Reporting by Michelle Martin; Editing by Andrew Bolton</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>MANAGUA (Reuters) - Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega said on Saturday he was ready to consider changing an unpopular social security overhaul that has sparked days of deadly protests and one of the biggest crises of his leadership.</p> A demonstrator fires a homemade mortar towards riot police during a protest over a controversial reform to the pension plans of the Nicaraguan Social Security Institute (INSS) in Managua, Nicaragua April 21, 2018. REUTERS/Oswaldo Rivas
<p>At least six people have died since Nicaraguans began demonstrating on Wednesday against measures that increase worker contributions and lower pensions, in an unusually direct challenge to Ortega, a former Marxist guerrilla.</p>
<p>Late on Saturday, local media said a reporter was shot and killed during a live broadcast from Bluefields, a town on Nicaragua's Caribbean coast that has been hit by the violence.</p> Related Coverage
<a href="/article/us-nicaragua-protests-reporter/reporter-shot-dead-during-live-broadcast-in-nicaragua-media-idUSKBN1HT053" type="external">Reporter shot dead during live broadcast in Nicaragua: media</a>
<p>Graphic footage of the incident quickly spread onto local and social media.</p>
<p>Earlier, Ortega said the benefit changes were not due to take effect until July 1, giving the government time to arrange talks with the private sector to review them.</p>
<p>"We'll have to see what change can be made to this decree or whether we need to do a new one," he said in a televised address.</p>
<p>"Hopefully, we can find a better way of making this change," he added. "Maybe we can find ways of covering part of what is being applied to workers and especially to pensioners."</p> FILE PHOTO - Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega waves to supporters after voting in the municipal elections at a polling station in Managua, Nicaragua November 5, 2017. REUTERS/Oswaldo Rivas
<p>Still, top Nicaraguan private sector lobby COSEP issued a statement afterwards saying it could not enter into talks until the government put a stop to police repression, released people who had been detained for protesting peacefully and re-established unrestricted freedom of speech.</p>
<p>"We urge the government to create these conditions immediately to avoid more bloodshed," COSEP said.</p>
<p>The Red Cross says at least five people have died in protests in Managua and another in the municipality of Tipitapa, northeast of the capital. Hundreds have been injured.</p>
<p>Police have used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters, and disturbances continued in Managua on Saturday.</p>
<p>Most of the deaths have been due to firearms, said Lissett Guido, a spokeswoman for the Red Cross in Nicaragua, one of the poorest countries in the Americas.</p>
<p>Guido could not confirm reports that at least 25 people had died, and said any other fatalities must have occurred in areas the Red Cross had not reached.</p> Slideshow (17 Images)
<p>A Cold War antagonist of the United States, Ortega served a single term as president in the 1980s and has held office continuously since his return to power in 2007.</p>
<p>Through a mix of socialist policies and capitalism, Ortega has delivered a period of stable growth while tightening his hold on the levers of power. That has led critics to accuse him of attempting to establish a family dictatorship.</p>
<p>Vice President Rosario Murillo, Ortega's wife, told local radio that "almost 10" people had been killed in the violence but did not give details. At least 28 police have been injured, she added.</p>
<p>The government has argued the changes to social security are fiscally necessary, but hundreds of retirees began demonstrating on Wednesday after the government approved the changes. They were soon joined by thousands of students and business workers in cities around the nation, sparking clashes with police.</p>
<p>At least three local television stations broadcasting the protests live have had their signals abruptly cut.</p>
<p>The United Nations office on human rights has expressed its concern about the violence, and called on Nicaraguan authorities to stop further attacks on demonstrators and the media.</p>
<p>Reporting by Oswaldo Rivas in Managua; Additional reporting by Miguel Gutierrez in Mexico City; Editing by Chris Reese and Stephen Coates</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis called on Sunday for an end to the violence in Nicaragua, where at least six people have died in protests against unpopular changes in social security.</p> FILE PHOTO: Pope Francis leads a mass to ordain new priests in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican April 22, 2018. REUTERS/Tony Gentile
<p>Speaking to tens of thousands of people in St. Peter's Square for his Sunday address, Francis called for "an end to every form of violence and to avoid the useless shedding of blood."</p>
<p>Francis, the first Latin American pope in history, called for differences to be "resolved peacefully and with a sense of responsibility".</p>
<p>On Saturday, after four days of protests, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, facing the biggest crisis of his leadership, said he was ready to consider changing an unpopular social security overhaul.</p>
<p>The measures increase worker contributions and lower pensions.</p>
<p>Reporting by Philip Pullella; Editing by Edmund Blair</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
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brussels jan 16 reuters eu regulators searching ways increase recycling plastic waste piles ports china banned imports foreign garbage start 2018 announcing new policy push tuesday european commission vice president jyrki katainen said brussels mulling tax plastic packaging curbs throwaway items like plastic bags new rules ports among restrictions raw material beginning year even china take waste dont know katainen told reporters oilderived plastic mostly ends landfills incinerated less 30 percent 25 million tonnes plastic waste generated year recycled europe eu nations european parliament reached agreement last month set legallybinding target bloc recycle 55 percent plastic packaging waste 2030 ban landfilling separately collected waste eu regulators want ensure plastic packaging fully recyclable improve consumer labelling creating new quality standards commission said introduce measures curb oceanpolluting microplastics used cosmetics new port reception facilities seek streamline waste management ensure less gets dumped ocean becoming health problem degrading going little chips fish eating coming back dinner table katainen said ban china worlds dominant importer plastic waste senior eu officials said expected waste go countries southeast asia vietnam malaysia reporting alissa de carbonnel adecar editing robertjan bartunek standards thomson reuters trust principles frankfurt reuters german transport minister andreas scheuer asking carmakers tell plan complete end year software upgrades diesel vehicles reduce emissions told newspaper file photo andreas scheuer christian social union csu arrives coalition talks forming new coalition government cdu headquarters berlin germany february 3 2018 reutersaxel schmidtfile photo pushing promised 53 million cars really upgraded end year scheuer told sueddeutsche zeitung interview published friday related coverage german minister hardware retrofits way avoid driving bans nearly done 25 million affected vw cars voluntary upgrades informed manufacturers must present time plan showing deliver said german car industry accounts 800000 jobs europes biggest economy struggling global backlash diesel cars volkswagen vowg_pde admitted 2015 cheated us exhaust tests question deal fallout continues divide german political class stephan weil premier lower saxony responsible states 20 percent voting stake vw warned could take long time change corporate culture triggered scandal volkswagen ag 1711 vowg_pde xetra 218 126 vowg_pde weil social democrat opposite end chancellor angela merkels governing coalition bavarian conservative scheuer urged government burden carmakers cost fixing vehicles software updates cut emissions 25 30 percent told handelsblatt newspaper separate interview switchover incentives used encourage modernizing diesel fleets added germany committed software upgrades 53 million diesel cars end year reduce emissions 30 percent scheuer less compromising time running take manufacturers word told sueddeutsche issue emissions came head february court allowed local authorities bar heavily polluting diesel vehicles experts say bans could cut resale value 15 million diesel vehicles europes biggest car market scheuer affirmed opposed bans technical legal financial arguments costly hardware retrofits diesel vehicles reporting maria sheahan editing richard pullin matthew mpoke bigg standards thomson reuters trust principles berlin reuters german environment minister svenja schulze told newspaper think software updates diesel vehicles germany enough solve air quality problems hardware retrofits way avoid driving bans file photo german environment minister svenja schulze swornin parliament president wolfgang schaeuble germanys lower house parliament bundestag berlin germany march 14 2018 reuterskai pfaffenbach german car industry accounts 800000 jobs europes biggest economy struggling global backlash diesel cars volkswagen vowg_pde admitted 2015 cheated us exhaust tests chancellor angela merkel said everything possible avoid driving bans disagreements tackle problem diesel cars high nitrogen oxide nox emissions threaten strain coalition social democrats spd asked interview tagesspiegel published sunday whether measures already agreed diesel would suffice avoid driving bans schulze said fear cities limits far exceeded munich stuttgart others software updates alone suffice added many measures immediate program clean air electrification buses good help many cities overall arent enough solve problem cities particularly badly affected schulze spd said therefore campaigning hard vehicles get technical retrofits adding view thats realistic way avoid driving bans asked whether carmakers pay hardware retrofits said yes ones caused volkswagen ag 1711 vowg_pde xetra 218 126 vowg_pde said hardware retrofits especially necessary particularly badly affected urban areas way stick nox limits adding likely around 20 cities however german transport minister andreas scheuer member bavarian csu sister party merkels christian democrats cdu opposes costly hardware retrofits saying committed meeting emissions targets using measures already implemented schulze said scheuer discussing diesel issue intensely wanted germany strong automobile industry many jobs said would remain strong pioneered vehicles future china biggest future market country wants improve air cities soon dirty cars purchased schulze said reporting michelle martin editing andrew bolton standards thomson reuters trust principles managua reuters nicaraguan president daniel ortega said saturday ready consider changing unpopular social security overhaul sparked days deadly protests one biggest crises leadership demonstrator fires homemade mortar towards riot police protest controversial reform pension plans nicaraguan social security institute inss managua nicaragua april 21 2018 reutersoswaldo rivas least six people died since nicaraguans began demonstrating wednesday measures increase worker contributions lower pensions unusually direct challenge ortega former marxist guerrilla late saturday local media said reporter shot killed live broadcast bluefields town nicaraguas caribbean coast hit violence related coverage reporter shot dead live broadcast nicaragua media graphic footage incident quickly spread onto local social media earlier ortega said benefit changes due take effect july 1 giving government time arrange talks private sector review well see change made decree whether need new one said televised address hopefully find better way making change added maybe find ways covering part applied workers especially pensioners file photo nicaraguas president daniel ortega waves supporters voting municipal elections polling station managua nicaragua november 5 2017 reutersoswaldo rivas still top nicaraguan private sector lobby cosep issued statement afterwards saying could enter talks government put stop police repression released people detained protesting peacefully reestablished unrestricted freedom speech urge government create conditions immediately avoid bloodshed cosep said red cross says least five people died protests managua another municipality tipitapa northeast capital hundreds injured police used tear gas rubber bullets disperse protesters disturbances continued managua saturday deaths due firearms said lissett guido spokeswoman red cross nicaragua one poorest countries americas guido could confirm reports least 25 people died said fatalities must occurred areas red cross reached slideshow 17 images cold war antagonist united states ortega served single term president 1980s held office continuously since return power 2007 mix socialist policies capitalism ortega delivered period stable growth tightening hold levers power led critics accuse attempting establish family dictatorship vice president rosario murillo ortegas wife told local radio almost 10 people killed violence give details least 28 police injured added government argued changes social security fiscally necessary hundreds retirees began demonstrating wednesday government approved changes soon joined thousands students business workers cities around nation sparking clashes police least three local television stations broadcasting protests live signals abruptly cut united nations office human rights expressed concern violence called nicaraguan authorities stop attacks demonstrators media reporting oswaldo rivas managua additional reporting miguel gutierrez mexico city editing chris reese stephen coates standards thomson reuters trust principles vatican city reuters pope francis called sunday end violence nicaragua least six people died protests unpopular changes social security file photo pope francis leads mass ordain new priests saint peters basilica vatican april 22 2018 reuterstony gentile speaking tens thousands people st peters square sunday address francis called end every form violence avoid useless shedding blood francis first latin american pope history called differences resolved peacefully sense responsibility saturday four days protests nicaraguan president daniel ortega facing biggest crisis leadership said ready consider changing unpopular social security overhaul measures increase worker contributions lower pensions reporting philip pullella editing edmund blair standards thomson reuters trust principles
| 1,242 |
<p>LOS ANGELES (AP) - Seth Meyers regularly blends bad news with comedy on his nightly talk show, but as the host of Sunday's Golden Globes, he has the unenviable task of setting the tone for Hollywood's awards season as the sexual harassment crisis continues spreading throughout the industry and beyond.</p>
<p>Meyers signed on for the job after the scandal broke in the fall, so he knew what he was getting into.</p>
<p>"And my first instinct was, 'Oh this is probably not the most fun year to do this,'" he said.</p>
<p>But the creative team at "Late Night with Seth Meyers" excels at addressing current events with humor and accuracy, he said, and they're working with him to write material for the Globes.</p>
<p>The 44-year-old comedian talked with The Associated Press about how he's preparing to strike the ultimate balance between celebratory and serious at the ceremony, which will be broadcast live on NBC.</p>
<p>The following interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>AP: How do you balance tough subjects with the need to be funny and light?</p>
<p>Meyers: That's, I think, the conversation we will continue to focus in on as we get closer. We don't want this night to be a session where we're just scolding everything that happened, because it is really important for us to remember that great movies came out of this year; great television shows came out of this year. A lot of people worked really hard. A lot of people, we're realizing, worked really hard in environments that were not that conducive to working really hard. So the goal is to have people have a wonderful night and an enjoyable party in a year which everyone deserves it.</p>
<p>AP: Is writing jokes a way of decompressing from the news?</p>
<p>Meyers: I've found the news harder on our hiatuses than it is on show weeks. There's something very cathartic about processing the news stories through our system here, where you write jokes about it and talk about it with people who make you laugh, and that is just a healthier way of dealing with it... I think that's part of what we'll be trying to do at the Globes, is: Hey, ideally we wouldn't be talking about this stuff, but hopefully we can talk about it in a way that will make us feel better about it as opposed to reminding us how terrible it all was, is, continues to be.</p>
<p>AP: Is it helpful to watch past Globes shows?</p>
<p>Meyers: I pitched in jokes when Amy (Poehler) and Tina (Fey) hosted, so I was backstage for those three years. I will certainly go back and revisit their monologues, because I felt as though they were as good as they get. And I think the same can be said for what Ricky (Gervais) did for the show, because I don't think the show was even perceived this way until he took it over. So I think going back and watching those three hosts will be probably about all the education we'll need.</p>
<p>AP: How do you find time to watch all the nominated movies and TV shows?</p>
<p>Meyers: It's pretty great, because now we have a 20-month-old and another on the way, and I'm just so looking forward to telling my pregnant wife that I have to go watch these movies for work.</p>
<p>AP: Do you have any rituals to calm your nerves before hosting a big show like this?</p>
<p>Meyers: There is alcohol on the premises, which is great. Usually I have to sneak it in. And it helps - you know, I've presented a couple times at the Globes, and one of the things that I do like about the Globes versus, say, the Emmys, is it's just such a shorter walk from the wings to the microphone. That is really important, because that long walk when people are watching you and you have a very long way to the microphone, that's when I feel like self-doubt really has a time to fester.</p>
<p>AP: What are you most looking forward to about hosting the Golden Globes?</p>
<p>Meyers: I imagine we'll go out afterward, so I'm kind of looking forward to that part.</p>
<p>AP: You're looking forward to being done?</p>
<p>Meyers: Yeah. I think being done will be awesome. No, I like telling jokes, and ultimately, when someone like me ends up doing something like this, all I can pretty much bring to it is jokes. I have so few other skills. There won't be a big number; there won't be any singing or dancing. So I will say it is nice to know it'll only be as good as the jokes.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow AP Entertainment Writer Sandy Cohen at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/APSandy" type="external">www.twitter.com/APSandy</a> .</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>This story has been corrected to show that Meyers is 44 years old, not 45.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>For full coverage of awards season, visit: <a href="" type="internal">https://apnews.com/tag/AwardsSeason</a></p>
<p>LOS ANGELES (AP) - Seth Meyers regularly blends bad news with comedy on his nightly talk show, but as the host of Sunday's Golden Globes, he has the unenviable task of setting the tone for Hollywood's awards season as the sexual harassment crisis continues spreading throughout the industry and beyond.</p>
<p>Meyers signed on for the job after the scandal broke in the fall, so he knew what he was getting into.</p>
<p>"And my first instinct was, 'Oh this is probably not the most fun year to do this,'" he said.</p>
<p>But the creative team at "Late Night with Seth Meyers" excels at addressing current events with humor and accuracy, he said, and they're working with him to write material for the Globes.</p>
<p>The 44-year-old comedian talked with The Associated Press about how he's preparing to strike the ultimate balance between celebratory and serious at the ceremony, which will be broadcast live on NBC.</p>
<p>The following interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>AP: How do you balance tough subjects with the need to be funny and light?</p>
<p>Meyers: That's, I think, the conversation we will continue to focus in on as we get closer. We don't want this night to be a session where we're just scolding everything that happened, because it is really important for us to remember that great movies came out of this year; great television shows came out of this year. A lot of people worked really hard. A lot of people, we're realizing, worked really hard in environments that were not that conducive to working really hard. So the goal is to have people have a wonderful night and an enjoyable party in a year which everyone deserves it.</p>
<p>AP: Is writing jokes a way of decompressing from the news?</p>
<p>Meyers: I've found the news harder on our hiatuses than it is on show weeks. There's something very cathartic about processing the news stories through our system here, where you write jokes about it and talk about it with people who make you laugh, and that is just a healthier way of dealing with it... I think that's part of what we'll be trying to do at the Globes, is: Hey, ideally we wouldn't be talking about this stuff, but hopefully we can talk about it in a way that will make us feel better about it as opposed to reminding us how terrible it all was, is, continues to be.</p>
<p>AP: Is it helpful to watch past Globes shows?</p>
<p>Meyers: I pitched in jokes when Amy (Poehler) and Tina (Fey) hosted, so I was backstage for those three years. I will certainly go back and revisit their monologues, because I felt as though they were as good as they get. And I think the same can be said for what Ricky (Gervais) did for the show, because I don't think the show was even perceived this way until he took it over. So I think going back and watching those three hosts will be probably about all the education we'll need.</p>
<p>AP: How do you find time to watch all the nominated movies and TV shows?</p>
<p>Meyers: It's pretty great, because now we have a 20-month-old and another on the way, and I'm just so looking forward to telling my pregnant wife that I have to go watch these movies for work.</p>
<p>AP: Do you have any rituals to calm your nerves before hosting a big show like this?</p>
<p>Meyers: There is alcohol on the premises, which is great. Usually I have to sneak it in. And it helps - you know, I've presented a couple times at the Globes, and one of the things that I do like about the Globes versus, say, the Emmys, is it's just such a shorter walk from the wings to the microphone. That is really important, because that long walk when people are watching you and you have a very long way to the microphone, that's when I feel like self-doubt really has a time to fester.</p>
<p>AP: What are you most looking forward to about hosting the Golden Globes?</p>
<p>Meyers: I imagine we'll go out afterward, so I'm kind of looking forward to that part.</p>
<p>AP: You're looking forward to being done?</p>
<p>Meyers: Yeah. I think being done will be awesome. No, I like telling jokes, and ultimately, when someone like me ends up doing something like this, all I can pretty much bring to it is jokes. I have so few other skills. There won't be a big number; there won't be any singing or dancing. So I will say it is nice to know it'll only be as good as the jokes.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow AP Entertainment Writer Sandy Cohen at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/APSandy" type="external">www.twitter.com/APSandy</a> .</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>This story has been corrected to show that Meyers is 44 years old, not 45.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>For full coverage of awards season, visit: <a href="" type="internal">https://apnews.com/tag/AwardsSeason</a></p>
| false | 2 |
los angeles ap seth meyers regularly blends bad news comedy nightly talk show host sundays golden globes unenviable task setting tone hollywoods awards season sexual harassment crisis continues spreading throughout industry beyond meyers signed job scandal broke fall knew getting first instinct oh probably fun year said creative team late night seth meyers excels addressing current events humor accuracy said theyre working write material globes 44yearold comedian talked associated press hes preparing strike ultimate balance celebratory serious ceremony broadcast live nbc following interview edited clarity brevity ___ ap balance tough subjects need funny light meyers thats think conversation continue focus get closer dont want night session scolding everything happened really important us remember great movies came year great television shows came year lot people worked really hard lot people realizing worked really hard environments conducive working really hard goal people wonderful night enjoyable party year everyone deserves ap writing jokes way decompressing news meyers ive found news harder hiatuses show weeks theres something cathartic processing news stories system write jokes talk people make laugh healthier way dealing think thats part well trying globes hey ideally wouldnt talking stuff hopefully talk way make us feel better opposed reminding us terrible continues ap helpful watch past globes shows meyers pitched jokes amy poehler tina fey hosted backstage three years certainly go back revisit monologues felt though good get think said ricky gervais show dont think show even perceived way took think going back watching three hosts probably education well need ap find time watch nominated movies tv shows meyers pretty great 20monthold another way im looking forward telling pregnant wife go watch movies work ap rituals calm nerves hosting big show like meyers alcohol premises great usually sneak helps know ive presented couple times globes one things like globes versus say emmys shorter walk wings microphone really important long walk people watching long way microphone thats feel like selfdoubt really time fester ap looking forward hosting golden globes meyers imagine well go afterward im kind looking forward part ap youre looking forward done meyers yeah think done awesome like telling jokes ultimately someone like ends something like pretty much bring jokes skills wont big number wont singing dancing say nice know itll good jokes ___ follow ap entertainment writer sandy cohen wwwtwittercomapsandy ___ story corrected show meyers 44 years old 45 ___ full coverage awards season visit httpsapnewscomtagawardsseason los angeles ap seth meyers regularly blends bad news comedy nightly talk show host sundays golden globes unenviable task setting tone hollywoods awards season sexual harassment crisis continues spreading throughout industry beyond meyers signed job scandal broke fall knew getting first instinct oh probably fun year said creative team late night seth meyers excels addressing current events humor accuracy said theyre working write material globes 44yearold comedian talked associated press hes preparing strike ultimate balance celebratory serious ceremony broadcast live nbc following interview edited clarity brevity ___ ap balance tough subjects need funny light meyers thats think conversation continue focus get closer dont want night session scolding everything happened really important us remember great movies came year great television shows came year lot people worked really hard lot people realizing worked really hard environments conducive working really hard goal people wonderful night enjoyable party year everyone deserves ap writing jokes way decompressing news meyers ive found news harder hiatuses show weeks theres something cathartic processing news stories system write jokes talk people make laugh healthier way dealing think thats part well trying globes hey ideally wouldnt talking stuff hopefully talk way make us feel better opposed reminding us terrible continues ap helpful watch past globes shows meyers pitched jokes amy poehler tina fey hosted backstage three years certainly go back revisit monologues felt though good get think said ricky gervais show dont think show even perceived way took think going back watching three hosts probably education well need ap find time watch nominated movies tv shows meyers pretty great 20monthold another way im looking forward telling pregnant wife go watch movies work ap rituals calm nerves hosting big show like meyers alcohol premises great usually sneak helps know ive presented couple times globes one things like globes versus say emmys shorter walk wings microphone really important long walk people watching long way microphone thats feel like selfdoubt really time fester ap looking forward hosting golden globes meyers imagine well go afterward im kind looking forward part ap youre looking forward done meyers yeah think done awesome like telling jokes ultimately someone like ends something like pretty much bring jokes skills wont big number wont singing dancing say nice know itll good jokes ___ follow ap entertainment writer sandy cohen wwwtwittercomapsandy ___ story corrected show meyers 44 years old 45 ___ full coverage awards season visit httpsapnewscomtagawardsseason
| 792 |
<p>NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Michael “The Situation” Sorrentino, one of the stars of the “Jersey Shore” reality TV series that depicted 20-somethings partying and brawling by the seaside, pleaded guilty Friday to cheating on his taxes.</p>
<p>Sorrentino didn’t comment on his way out of the courthouse, but his attorney said the 36-year-old was remorseful and has turned his life around in the last few years, including staying sober and becoming involved in a stable romantic relationship.</p>
<p>“In the last several years he has grown up as a human being,” attorney Henry Klingeman said.</p>
<p>Sorrentino and his brother, Marc, were charged in 2014 and again last year with multiple counts related to nearly $9 million in income from the show.</p>
<p>They had pleaded not guilty but wrote a letter to the judge this week stating they wanted to change their pleas. Their trial had been scheduled to begin next month.</p>
<p>On Friday, Michael Sorrentino pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion and admitted concealing his income in 2011 by making cash deposits in amounts that wouldn’t trigger federal reporting requirements.</p>
<p>Marc Sorrentino pleaded guilty to one count of assisting in the preparation of a false return. Their sentencing was scheduled for April 25.</p>
<p>The charge faced by Michael Sorrentino carries a maximum sentence of 14 months under federal sentencing guidelines, but Klingeman said similarly situated defendants often receive probation.</p>
<p>He added that Sorrentino largely entrusted his financial affairs to others.</p>
<p>“Michael played a minor role in the actual misconduct,” Klingeman said.</p>
<p>“The Situation” appeared on all six seasons of the MTV reality show that ran from 2009 to 2012 and followed the lives of rowdy housemates in the New Jersey town of Seaside Heights. They were known for their drunken antics and the phrase they used to describe their lifestyle: “gym, tan, laundry.”</p>
<p>Republican ex-Gov. Chris Christie criticized the show for promoting stereotypes. Last year, he signed a bill capping the amount of state money universities can pay for speakers, because Rutgers University paid “Jersey Shore” cast member Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi $32,000 in 2011.</p>
<p>The Sorrentino brothers initially were charged with filing bogus tax returns on income earned between 2010 and 2012, mostly through two companies they controlled, MPS Entertainment and Situation Nation. They allegedly filed false documents that understated the income from the businesses as well as their personal income.</p>
<p>The U.S. attorney’s office filed additional charges last April, including tax evasion, structuring bank deposits to avoid reporting requirements and falsifying records.</p>
<p>NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Michael “The Situation” Sorrentino, one of the stars of the “Jersey Shore” reality TV series that depicted 20-somethings partying and brawling by the seaside, pleaded guilty Friday to cheating on his taxes.</p>
<p>Sorrentino didn’t comment on his way out of the courthouse, but his attorney said the 36-year-old was remorseful and has turned his life around in the last few years, including staying sober and becoming involved in a stable romantic relationship.</p>
<p>“In the last several years he has grown up as a human being,” attorney Henry Klingeman said.</p>
<p>Sorrentino and his brother, Marc, were charged in 2014 and again last year with multiple counts related to nearly $9 million in income from the show.</p>
<p>They had pleaded not guilty but wrote a letter to the judge this week stating they wanted to change their pleas. Their trial had been scheduled to begin next month.</p>
<p>On Friday, Michael Sorrentino pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion and admitted concealing his income in 2011 by making cash deposits in amounts that wouldn’t trigger federal reporting requirements.</p>
<p>Marc Sorrentino pleaded guilty to one count of assisting in the preparation of a false return. Their sentencing was scheduled for April 25.</p>
<p>The charge faced by Michael Sorrentino carries a maximum sentence of 14 months under federal sentencing guidelines, but Klingeman said similarly situated defendants often receive probation.</p>
<p>He added that Sorrentino largely entrusted his financial affairs to others.</p>
<p>“Michael played a minor role in the actual misconduct,” Klingeman said.</p>
<p>“The Situation” appeared on all six seasons of the MTV reality show that ran from 2009 to 2012 and followed the lives of rowdy housemates in the New Jersey town of Seaside Heights. They were known for their drunken antics and the phrase they used to describe their lifestyle: “gym, tan, laundry.”</p>
<p>Republican ex-Gov. Chris Christie criticized the show for promoting stereotypes. Last year, he signed a bill capping the amount of state money universities can pay for speakers, because Rutgers University paid “Jersey Shore” cast member Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi $32,000 in 2011.</p>
<p>The Sorrentino brothers initially were charged with filing bogus tax returns on income earned between 2010 and 2012, mostly through two companies they controlled, MPS Entertainment and Situation Nation. They allegedly filed false documents that understated the income from the businesses as well as their personal income.</p>
<p>The U.S. attorney’s office filed additional charges last April, including tax evasion, structuring bank deposits to avoid reporting requirements and falsifying records.</p>
| false | 2 |
newark nj ap michael situation sorrentino one stars jersey shore reality tv series depicted 20somethings partying brawling seaside pleaded guilty friday cheating taxes sorrentino didnt comment way courthouse attorney said 36yearold remorseful turned life around last years including staying sober becoming involved stable romantic relationship last several years grown human attorney henry klingeman said sorrentino brother marc charged 2014 last year multiple counts related nearly 9 million income show pleaded guilty wrote letter judge week stating wanted change pleas trial scheduled begin next month friday michael sorrentino pleaded guilty one count tax evasion admitted concealing income 2011 making cash deposits amounts wouldnt trigger federal reporting requirements marc sorrentino pleaded guilty one count assisting preparation false return sentencing scheduled april 25 charge faced michael sorrentino carries maximum sentence 14 months federal sentencing guidelines klingeman said similarly situated defendants often receive probation added sorrentino largely entrusted financial affairs others michael played minor role actual misconduct klingeman said situation appeared six seasons mtv reality show ran 2009 2012 followed lives rowdy housemates new jersey town seaside heights known drunken antics phrase used describe lifestyle gym tan laundry republican exgov chris christie criticized show promoting stereotypes last year signed bill capping amount state money universities pay speakers rutgers university paid jersey shore cast member nicole snooki polizzi 32000 2011 sorrentino brothers initially charged filing bogus tax returns income earned 2010 2012 mostly two companies controlled mps entertainment situation nation allegedly filed false documents understated income businesses well personal income us attorneys office filed additional charges last april including tax evasion structuring bank deposits avoid reporting requirements falsifying records newark nj ap michael situation sorrentino one stars jersey shore reality tv series depicted 20somethings partying brawling seaside pleaded guilty friday cheating taxes sorrentino didnt comment way courthouse attorney said 36yearold remorseful turned life around last years including staying sober becoming involved stable romantic relationship last several years grown human attorney henry klingeman said sorrentino brother marc charged 2014 last year multiple counts related nearly 9 million income show pleaded guilty wrote letter judge week stating wanted change pleas trial scheduled begin next month friday michael sorrentino pleaded guilty one count tax evasion admitted concealing income 2011 making cash deposits amounts wouldnt trigger federal reporting requirements marc sorrentino pleaded guilty one count assisting preparation false return sentencing scheduled april 25 charge faced michael sorrentino carries maximum sentence 14 months federal sentencing guidelines klingeman said similarly situated defendants often receive probation added sorrentino largely entrusted financial affairs others michael played minor role actual misconduct klingeman said situation appeared six seasons mtv reality show ran 2009 2012 followed lives rowdy housemates new jersey town seaside heights known drunken antics phrase used describe lifestyle gym tan laundry republican exgov chris christie criticized show promoting stereotypes last year signed bill capping amount state money universities pay speakers rutgers university paid jersey shore cast member nicole snooki polizzi 32000 2011 sorrentino brothers initially charged filing bogus tax returns income earned 2010 2012 mostly two companies controlled mps entertainment situation nation allegedly filed false documents understated income businesses well personal income us attorneys office filed additional charges last april including tax evasion structuring bank deposits avoid reporting requirements falsifying records
| 528 |
<p>MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — On a day when shade was a valuable commodity in the searing heat at Melbourne Park, Roger Federer played it cool at the Australian Open.</p>
<p>Six-time champion Novak Djokovic, however, complained about the brutal conditions during his second-round win over Gael Monfils, when the temperature peaked at 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).</p>
<p>Djokovic urged tennis organizers to be more flexible about the rules for drink breaks, time between points and suspension of play when the conditions were bordering on dangerous.</p>
<p>Federer, the defending champion, finished off a 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (4) win over Jan-Lennard Struff a half-hour before midnight, when the temperature was still around 29 degrees C (84 degrees F), and said playing at the height of the heat wouldn’t have bothered him.</p>
<p>“I may have thrived in those conditions,” he said. “It’s definitely a challenge. It’s hard to prepare for that in some ways, but you know when you come down here that can happen.</p>
<p>“Sure, I’m happy I played at night time. But, like I said on court, I would back myself playing during the daytime also. Used to go to Dubai when it was 45 — 38 seems almost OK.”</p>
<p>Temperatures are expected to rise on Friday, before cooling off considerably over the weekend, when Federer and Djokovic’s half of the draw is back for the third round.</p>
<p>Stan Wawrinka, the 2014 Australian Open champion, No. 7 David Goffin and No. 13 Sam Querrey didn’t make it through the second round. Nor did Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza, one of the five seeded women’s players who were eliminated on Day 4.</p>
<p>That left only Maria Sharapova and Angelique Kerber — who will meet in the next round — and French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko as Grand Slam winners in the women’s draw.</p>
<p>Sharapova beat 14th-seeded Anastasija Sevastova 6-1, 7-6 (4) to avenge a loss in last year’s U.S. Open, the five-time major champion’s first Grand Slam after returning from a 15-month doping ban.</p>
<p>Kerber, the 2016 Australian Open champion, had a 6-4, 6-1 win over Donna Vekic before the crowd sang “Happy Birthday” to celebrate her 30th birthday.</p>
<p>Still looking for a first major after two French Open final losses, top-ranked Simona Halep held off 2014 Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard 6-2, 6-2. Halep will next play Lauren Davis.</p>
<p>U.S. Open finalist Madison Keys opened with four straight aces and won the first 11 games in a 6-0, 6-1 win over 92nd-ranked Ekaterina Alexandrova.</p>
<p>Sixth-seeded Karolina Pliskova, No. 8 Caroline Garcia and No. 26 Agnieszka Radwanska also advanced.</p>
<p>Blisters from the hot court surface didn’t help Muguruza in a 7-6 (1), 6-4 loss to 88th-ranked Hsieh Su-wei, who has been No. 1 in doubles but had a career-high ranking of 23rd in singles.</p>
<p>Ninth-seeded Johanna Konta also struggled in a straight-set loss to lucky loser Bernarda Pera, an American who is ranked 123rd and making her Grand Slam debut. Pera, who didn’t even know she had a spot in the main draw until another player withdrew, will next play No. 20 Barbora Strycova.</p>
<p>Wawrinka left it as late as possible before deciding his knee might just be good enough to get him through the first major of the season. Clearly, the 2014 champion was too ambitious. A 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 loss to 97th-ranked Tennys Sandgren in the second round was his earliest exit in a decade here.</p>
<p>“I only had surgery five months ago,” said Wawrinka, who still has a visible scar running down his left knee and hadn’t played since Wimbledon. “To be that far already, it’s more than what we could have expected.”</p>
<p>Wawrinka appeared lethargic and generally didn’t threaten Sandgren, who had never beaten a top-10 player. His wins in the first two rounds make Sandgren 2-0 at majors.</p>
<p>Sandgren — his first name comes down from his great-grandfather — said he held his celebrations in check out of respect for an injured opponent.</p>
<p>Still, he added: “It’s a huge deal for me, and something that if I don’t ever get another accomplishment, I can at least hang my hat on this one.”</p>
<p>Djokovic, who won four of the five Australian titles between 2011 and ’16 before his shocking second-round exit last year, extended his career head-to-head domination over Monfils to 15-0.</p>
<p>The heat peaked during Djokovic’s 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 win. Both players slouched over in the shade between points, earning warnings about time delays from the chair umpire.</p>
<p>The win was a relief for Djokovic, but he said officials need to be more considerate about the players in the conditions.</p>
<p>Now seeded 14th, Djokovic needed four match points in an eight-minute last game before clinching the win against Monfils, who needed a medical timeout for heat stress and said he had trouble breathing.</p>
<p>“It was obvious we both suffered on the court today,” Djokovic said. “Really tough conditions — brutal.”</p>
<p>Juan Martin del Potro, the 2009 U.S. Open champion, had issues with the heat but still advanced along with No. 19 Tomas Berdych, No. 21 Albert Ramos and No. 5 Dominic Thiem, who rallied to beat 190th-ranked American qualifier Denis Kudla 6-7 (6), 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.</p>
<p>Djokovic said the conditions were some of the toughest he’s ever played in, and had some advice for organizers with temperatures predicted to rise to 42 degrees C (108 degrees F) on Day 5.</p>
<p>“There are certain days where you just have to, as a tournament supervisor, recognize that you might need to give players few extra hours,” he said. “I understand there is a factor of tickets. If you don’t play matches, people will be unhappy.”</p>
<p>But he said the conditions were at the point where it becomes a “danger in terms of health.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>More AP coverage: <a href="" type="internal">www.apnews.com/tag/AustralianOpen</a></p>
<p>MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — On a day when shade was a valuable commodity in the searing heat at Melbourne Park, Roger Federer played it cool at the Australian Open.</p>
<p>Six-time champion Novak Djokovic, however, complained about the brutal conditions during his second-round win over Gael Monfils, when the temperature peaked at 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).</p>
<p>Djokovic urged tennis organizers to be more flexible about the rules for drink breaks, time between points and suspension of play when the conditions were bordering on dangerous.</p>
<p>Federer, the defending champion, finished off a 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (4) win over Jan-Lennard Struff a half-hour before midnight, when the temperature was still around 29 degrees C (84 degrees F), and said playing at the height of the heat wouldn’t have bothered him.</p>
<p>“I may have thrived in those conditions,” he said. “It’s definitely a challenge. It’s hard to prepare for that in some ways, but you know when you come down here that can happen.</p>
<p>“Sure, I’m happy I played at night time. But, like I said on court, I would back myself playing during the daytime also. Used to go to Dubai when it was 45 — 38 seems almost OK.”</p>
<p>Temperatures are expected to rise on Friday, before cooling off considerably over the weekend, when Federer and Djokovic’s half of the draw is back for the third round.</p>
<p>Stan Wawrinka, the 2014 Australian Open champion, No. 7 David Goffin and No. 13 Sam Querrey didn’t make it through the second round. Nor did Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza, one of the five seeded women’s players who were eliminated on Day 4.</p>
<p>That left only Maria Sharapova and Angelique Kerber — who will meet in the next round — and French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko as Grand Slam winners in the women’s draw.</p>
<p>Sharapova beat 14th-seeded Anastasija Sevastova 6-1, 7-6 (4) to avenge a loss in last year’s U.S. Open, the five-time major champion’s first Grand Slam after returning from a 15-month doping ban.</p>
<p>Kerber, the 2016 Australian Open champion, had a 6-4, 6-1 win over Donna Vekic before the crowd sang “Happy Birthday” to celebrate her 30th birthday.</p>
<p>Still looking for a first major after two French Open final losses, top-ranked Simona Halep held off 2014 Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard 6-2, 6-2. Halep will next play Lauren Davis.</p>
<p>U.S. Open finalist Madison Keys opened with four straight aces and won the first 11 games in a 6-0, 6-1 win over 92nd-ranked Ekaterina Alexandrova.</p>
<p>Sixth-seeded Karolina Pliskova, No. 8 Caroline Garcia and No. 26 Agnieszka Radwanska also advanced.</p>
<p>Blisters from the hot court surface didn’t help Muguruza in a 7-6 (1), 6-4 loss to 88th-ranked Hsieh Su-wei, who has been No. 1 in doubles but had a career-high ranking of 23rd in singles.</p>
<p>Ninth-seeded Johanna Konta also struggled in a straight-set loss to lucky loser Bernarda Pera, an American who is ranked 123rd and making her Grand Slam debut. Pera, who didn’t even know she had a spot in the main draw until another player withdrew, will next play No. 20 Barbora Strycova.</p>
<p>Wawrinka left it as late as possible before deciding his knee might just be good enough to get him through the first major of the season. Clearly, the 2014 champion was too ambitious. A 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 loss to 97th-ranked Tennys Sandgren in the second round was his earliest exit in a decade here.</p>
<p>“I only had surgery five months ago,” said Wawrinka, who still has a visible scar running down his left knee and hadn’t played since Wimbledon. “To be that far already, it’s more than what we could have expected.”</p>
<p>Wawrinka appeared lethargic and generally didn’t threaten Sandgren, who had never beaten a top-10 player. His wins in the first two rounds make Sandgren 2-0 at majors.</p>
<p>Sandgren — his first name comes down from his great-grandfather — said he held his celebrations in check out of respect for an injured opponent.</p>
<p>Still, he added: “It’s a huge deal for me, and something that if I don’t ever get another accomplishment, I can at least hang my hat on this one.”</p>
<p>Djokovic, who won four of the five Australian titles between 2011 and ’16 before his shocking second-round exit last year, extended his career head-to-head domination over Monfils to 15-0.</p>
<p>The heat peaked during Djokovic’s 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 win. Both players slouched over in the shade between points, earning warnings about time delays from the chair umpire.</p>
<p>The win was a relief for Djokovic, but he said officials need to be more considerate about the players in the conditions.</p>
<p>Now seeded 14th, Djokovic needed four match points in an eight-minute last game before clinching the win against Monfils, who needed a medical timeout for heat stress and said he had trouble breathing.</p>
<p>“It was obvious we both suffered on the court today,” Djokovic said. “Really tough conditions — brutal.”</p>
<p>Juan Martin del Potro, the 2009 U.S. Open champion, had issues with the heat but still advanced along with No. 19 Tomas Berdych, No. 21 Albert Ramos and No. 5 Dominic Thiem, who rallied to beat 190th-ranked American qualifier Denis Kudla 6-7 (6), 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.</p>
<p>Djokovic said the conditions were some of the toughest he’s ever played in, and had some advice for organizers with temperatures predicted to rise to 42 degrees C (108 degrees F) on Day 5.</p>
<p>“There are certain days where you just have to, as a tournament supervisor, recognize that you might need to give players few extra hours,” he said. “I understand there is a factor of tickets. If you don’t play matches, people will be unhappy.”</p>
<p>But he said the conditions were at the point where it becomes a “danger in terms of health.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>More AP coverage: <a href="" type="internal">www.apnews.com/tag/AustralianOpen</a></p>
| false | 2 |
melbourne australia ap day shade valuable commodity searing heat melbourne park roger federer played cool australian open sixtime champion novak djokovic however complained brutal conditions secondround win gael monfils temperature peaked 40 degrees celsius 104 degrees fahrenheit djokovic urged tennis organizers flexible rules drink breaks time points suspension play conditions bordering dangerous federer defending champion finished 64 64 76 4 win janlennard struff halfhour midnight temperature still around 29 degrees c 84 degrees f said playing height heat wouldnt bothered may thrived conditions said definitely challenge hard prepare ways know come happen sure im happy played night time like said court would back playing daytime also used go dubai 45 38 seems almost ok temperatures expected rise friday cooling considerably weekend federer djokovics half draw back third round stan wawrinka 2014 australian open champion 7 david goffin 13 sam querrey didnt make second round wimbledon champion garbine muguruza one five seeded womens players eliminated day 4 left maria sharapova angelique kerber meet next round french open champion jelena ostapenko grand slam winners womens draw sharapova beat 14thseeded anastasija sevastova 61 76 4 avenge loss last years us open fivetime major champions first grand slam returning 15month doping ban kerber 2016 australian open champion 64 61 win donna vekic crowd sang happy birthday celebrate 30th birthday still looking first major two french open final losses topranked simona halep held 2014 wimbledon finalist eugenie bouchard 62 62 halep next play lauren davis us open finalist madison keys opened four straight aces first 11 games 60 61 win 92ndranked ekaterina alexandrova sixthseeded karolina pliskova 8 caroline garcia 26 agnieszka radwanska also advanced blisters hot court surface didnt help muguruza 76 1 64 loss 88thranked hsieh suwei 1 doubles careerhigh ranking 23rd singles ninthseeded johanna konta also struggled straightset loss lucky loser bernarda pera american ranked 123rd making grand slam debut pera didnt even know spot main draw another player withdrew next play 20 barbora strycova wawrinka left late possible deciding knee might good enough get first major season clearly 2014 champion ambitious 62 61 64 loss 97thranked tennys sandgren second round earliest exit decade surgery five months ago said wawrinka still visible scar running left knee hadnt played since wimbledon far already could expected wawrinka appeared lethargic generally didnt threaten sandgren never beaten top10 player wins first two rounds make sandgren 20 majors sandgren first name comes greatgrandfather said held celebrations check respect injured opponent still added huge deal something dont ever get another accomplishment least hang hat one djokovic four five australian titles 2011 16 shocking secondround exit last year extended career headtohead domination monfils 150 heat peaked djokovics 46 63 61 63 win players slouched shade points earning warnings time delays chair umpire win relief djokovic said officials need considerate players conditions seeded 14th djokovic needed four match points eightminute last game clinching win monfils needed medical timeout heat stress said trouble breathing obvious suffered court today djokovic said really tough conditions brutal juan martin del potro 2009 us open champion issues heat still advanced along 19 tomas berdych 21 albert ramos 5 dominic thiem rallied beat 190thranked american qualifier denis kudla 67 6 36 63 62 63 djokovic said conditions toughest hes ever played advice organizers temperatures predicted rise 42 degrees c 108 degrees f day 5 certain days tournament supervisor recognize might need give players extra hours said understand factor tickets dont play matches people unhappy said conditions point becomes danger terms health ___ ap coverage wwwapnewscomtagaustralianopen melbourne australia ap day shade valuable commodity searing heat melbourne park roger federer played cool australian open sixtime champion novak djokovic however complained brutal conditions secondround win gael monfils temperature peaked 40 degrees celsius 104 degrees fahrenheit djokovic urged tennis organizers flexible rules drink breaks time points suspension play conditions bordering dangerous federer defending champion finished 64 64 76 4 win janlennard struff halfhour midnight temperature still around 29 degrees c 84 degrees f said playing height heat wouldnt bothered may thrived conditions said definitely challenge hard prepare ways know come happen sure im happy played night time like said court would back playing daytime also used go dubai 45 38 seems almost ok temperatures expected rise friday cooling considerably weekend federer djokovics half draw back third round stan wawrinka 2014 australian open champion 7 david goffin 13 sam querrey didnt make second round wimbledon champion garbine muguruza one five seeded womens players eliminated day 4 left maria sharapova angelique kerber meet next round french open champion jelena ostapenko grand slam winners womens draw sharapova beat 14thseeded anastasija sevastova 61 76 4 avenge loss last years us open fivetime major champions first grand slam returning 15month doping ban kerber 2016 australian open champion 64 61 win donna vekic crowd sang happy birthday celebrate 30th birthday still looking first major two french open final losses topranked simona halep held 2014 wimbledon finalist eugenie bouchard 62 62 halep next play lauren davis us open finalist madison keys opened four straight aces first 11 games 60 61 win 92ndranked ekaterina alexandrova sixthseeded karolina pliskova 8 caroline garcia 26 agnieszka radwanska also advanced blisters hot court surface didnt help muguruza 76 1 64 loss 88thranked hsieh suwei 1 doubles careerhigh ranking 23rd singles ninthseeded johanna konta also struggled straightset loss lucky loser bernarda pera american ranked 123rd making grand slam debut pera didnt even know spot main draw another player withdrew next play 20 barbora strycova wawrinka left late possible deciding knee might good enough get first major season clearly 2014 champion ambitious 62 61 64 loss 97thranked tennys sandgren second round earliest exit decade surgery five months ago said wawrinka still visible scar running left knee hadnt played since wimbledon far already could expected wawrinka appeared lethargic generally didnt threaten sandgren never beaten top10 player wins first two rounds make sandgren 20 majors sandgren first name comes greatgrandfather said held celebrations check respect injured opponent still added huge deal something dont ever get another accomplishment least hang hat one djokovic four five australian titles 2011 16 shocking secondround exit last year extended career headtohead domination monfils 150 heat peaked djokovics 46 63 61 63 win players slouched shade points earning warnings time delays chair umpire win relief djokovic said officials need considerate players conditions seeded 14th djokovic needed four match points eightminute last game clinching win monfils needed medical timeout heat stress said trouble breathing obvious suffered court today djokovic said really tough conditions brutal juan martin del potro 2009 us open champion issues heat still advanced along 19 tomas berdych 21 albert ramos 5 dominic thiem rallied beat 190thranked american qualifier denis kudla 67 6 36 63 62 63 djokovic said conditions toughest hes ever played advice organizers temperatures predicted rise 42 degrees c 108 degrees f day 5 certain days tournament supervisor recognize might need give players extra hours said understand factor tickets dont play matches people unhappy said conditions point becomes danger terms health ___ ap coverage wwwapnewscomtagaustralianopen
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<p>New Mexico’s Cameron Bairstow went to the Chicago Bulls with the 49th overall selection in Thursday’s NBA draft. (Jim Thompson/Albuquerque Journal)</p>
<p>Former University of New Mexico forward Cameron Bairstow was selected by the Chicago Bulls with the 49th overall pick, No. 19 in the second round of Thursday night’s NBA Draft.</p>
<p>Bairstow, the 6-foot-10 power forward from Brisbane, Australia, improved over each of his four seasons with UNM before having an All-America honorable mention campaign this past season as a senior, during which he averaged 20.4 points per game, 7.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.</p>
<p>UNM head coach Craig Neal on Wednesday said he knew at least one of this former players — Alex Kirk and Kendall Williams were also in Thursday’s draft pool — would be drafted tonight, but did not elaborate. Thursday, he said he is confident all three will be successful pros.</p>
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<p>“Extremely happy for Cam!” Neal said in a text message. “Shows you what hard work and dedication can do for a player. It is the ultimate experience to get drafted in the NBA. Unique for our program to have players picked in back-to-back years by the same team. The Bulls got a class person, a great player, a credit to our program.”</p>
<p>Neither Kirk, a 6-11 center from Los Alamos, nor Kendall Williams, a 6-4 guard, was drafted, but both are expected to sign free-agent deals and participate in the NBA Summer League in July (six teams play in Orlando, Fla., and 24 play in Las Vegas, Nev., including the Bulls).</p>
<p>“All three of our players in this draft (pool) are class acts, great players and a credit to our program,” Neal said.</p>
<p>“I expect all three to have success playing basketball.”</p>
<p>Bairstow spent draft night in San Antonio, Texas, with his girlfriend and was unavailable for comment late Thursday.</p>
<p>Last summer, Bairstow started to appear on the radar of NBA teams thanks to his emergence for the Australian national team in the World University Games, then later by earning a spot on the Aussie Boomers squad. Thursday, former Sydney Kings coach Shane Heal congratulated Bairstow via Twitter, saying he made a good decision by not forgoing his senior season at UNM to play professionally.</p>
<p>“I flew Cam Bairstow into Sydney 12 months ago and offered him a big contract to play with the (Sydney) Kings,” Heal tweeted. “Good decision to stay in school #nba”</p>
<p>New Mexico’s Cameron Bairstow was taken in Thursday’s NBA draft by Chicago, which selected another former Lobo, guard Tony Snell, in last year’s draft. (Greg Sorber/Albuquerque Journal)</p>
<p>Known as a workout warrior who was known for lifting weights after games still in uniform and before doing postgame interviews with media, Bairstow helped himself throughout pre-draft workouts with NBA teams, said his agent, Chris Emens. While Bairstow rarely shot from deeper than about 15 feet at UNM, he shot 60 percent from the NBA 3-point range (22 feet in the corners, 23-9 inches at the top of the key) at the NBA Combine in May.</p>
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<p>“It’s something that teams really haven’t been expecting, given the fact that I didn’t shoot many this year (at UNM),” Bairstow told the Journal earlier this month. “I’m showing I can be consistent and accurate from the 15- to 18-foot range, and in the future I can really start working on bringing that back out (to NBA 3-point range) and add that to my game.”</p>
<p>Nevertheless, Bairstow is about physical play. In an interview on ESPN Radio on Wednesday, former Connecticut guard Shabazz Napier, drafted in the first round by the Charlotte Hornets and traded to the Miami Heat, called Bairstow the one “big guy” who stood out in workouts.</p>
<p>“He was definitely talented,” Napier said of Bairstow. “He was big. The other big guys playing up against him, it was kind of tough. They weren’t as big as he was. I wouldn’t say dominating, but he was definitely getting his fair share.”</p>
<p>At the combine in May, Bairstow measured better than many expected. He was listed as 6-9 throughout his college career at New Mexico but measured at the NBA combine in Chicago on May 15 at 6-9¾.</p>
<p>It is the second consecutive year the Bulls have drafted a former Lobo. Guard Tony Snell was the team’s first-round pick last year.</p>
<p>Former Lobo and fellow Aussie Luc Longley, now a coach with the Aussie Boomers squad Bairstow plays for, played for the Bulls, winning three world titles in the 1990s.</p>
<p>WILLIAMS: Expected to sign free-agent deal (Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal)</p>
<p>KIRK: 6-11 center from Los Alamos</p>
<p>According to the Bulls’ official Twitter account, general manager Gar Forman said the team considered moving up from the 49th pick in the draft to acquire Bairstow.</p>
<p>Bairstow was one of two Mountain West players drafted. San Diego State’s Xavier Thames was chosen by the Brooklyn Nets with the 59th pick, 29th in the second round.</p>
<p>This is the first time the Lobos have had players drafted in consecutive years since 1986 and 1987. The draft has been limited to two rounds since 1989.</p>
<p>The program had two players chosen in the top 60 picks in 1978 — Marvin Johnson (round 2, pick 31) and Michael Cooper (round 3, pick 60), but hadn’t had a player chosen in the top 60 picks in consecutive seasons in more than four decades.</p>
<p>Only players selected in the first round are guaranteed contracts next season.</p>
<p>Here is a profile on Bairstow’s emergence published in December: <a href="" type="internal">Bairstow’s overnight success story was 23 years in the making.</a></p>
<p>LOBO LINKS: <a href="" type="internal">Geoff Grammer’s blog</a> | <a href="" type="internal">Schedule/Results</a> | <a href="" type="internal">Roster</a></p>
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new mexicos cameron bairstow went chicago bulls 49th overall selection thursdays nba draft jim thompsonalbuquerque journal former university new mexico forward cameron bairstow selected chicago bulls 49th overall pick 19 second round thursday nights nba draft bairstow 6foot10 power forward brisbane australia improved four seasons unm allamerica honorable mention campaign past season senior averaged 204 points per game 74 rebounds 15 blocks per game unm head coach craig neal wednesday said knew least one former players alex kirk kendall williams also thursdays draft pool would drafted tonight elaborate thursday said confident three successful pros advertisement extremely happy cam neal said text message shows hard work dedication player ultimate experience get drafted nba unique program players picked backtoback years team bulls got class person great player credit program neither kirk 611 center los alamos kendall williams 64 guard drafted expected sign freeagent deals participate nba summer league july six teams play orlando fla 24 play las vegas nev including bulls three players draft pool class acts great players credit program neal said expect three success playing basketball bairstow spent draft night san antonio texas girlfriend unavailable comment late thursday last summer bairstow started appear radar nba teams thanks emergence australian national team world university games later earning spot aussie boomers squad thursday former sydney kings coach shane heal congratulated bairstow via twitter saying made good decision forgoing senior season unm play professionally flew cam bairstow sydney 12 months ago offered big contract play sydney kings heal tweeted good decision stay school nba new mexicos cameron bairstow taken thursdays nba draft chicago selected another former lobo guard tony snell last years draft greg sorberalbuquerque journal known workout warrior known lifting weights games still uniform postgame interviews media bairstow helped throughout predraft workouts nba teams said agent chris emens bairstow rarely shot deeper 15 feet unm shot 60 percent nba 3point range 22 feet corners 239 inches top key nba combine may advertisement something teams really havent expecting given fact didnt shoot many year unm bairstow told journal earlier month im showing consistent accurate 15 18foot range future really start working bringing back nba 3point range add game nevertheless bairstow physical play interview espn radio wednesday former connecticut guard shabazz napier drafted first round charlotte hornets traded miami heat called bairstow one big guy stood workouts definitely talented napier said bairstow big big guys playing kind tough werent big wouldnt say dominating definitely getting fair share combine may bairstow measured better many expected listed 69 throughout college career new mexico measured nba combine chicago may 15 69¾ second consecutive year bulls drafted former lobo guard tony snell teams firstround pick last year former lobo fellow aussie luc longley coach aussie boomers squad bairstow plays played bulls winning three world titles 1990s williams expected sign freeagent deal roberto e rosalesalbuquerque journal kirk 611 center los alamos according bulls official twitter account general manager gar forman said team considered moving 49th pick draft acquire bairstow bairstow one two mountain west players drafted san diego states xavier thames chosen brooklyn nets 59th pick 29th second round first time lobos players drafted consecutive years since 1986 1987 draft limited two rounds since 1989 program two players chosen top 60 picks 1978 marvin johnson round 2 pick 31 michael cooper round 3 pick 60 hadnt player chosen top 60 picks consecutive seasons four decades players selected first round guaranteed contracts next season profile bairstows emergence published december bairstows overnight success story 23 years making lobo links geoff grammers blog scheduleresults roster
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<p>KINSHASA (Reuters) - Congolese security forces shot dead at least six people and wounded dozens more as they fired tear gas to disperse a protest against President Joseph Kabila organized by the Catholic Church on Sunday, a U.N. peacekeeping mission in the country said.</p> Riot policemen fire teargas canisters to disperse demonstrators during a protest organised by Catholic activists in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo January 21, 2018. REUTERS/Kenny Katombe
<p>Kabila’s refusal to step down at the end of his mandate in December 2016 has triggered a series of street protests in which scores have been killed in Kinshasa. It has also emboldened armed rebel groups in different parts of the country.</p>
<p>A Reuters witness saw police and paramilitary troops fire volleys of tear gas and shoot into the air on Sunday outside the Notre Dame cathedral in the capital Kinshasa.</p>
<p>Florence Marchal, spokeswoman for the U.N. mission (MONUSCO), also said 57 people were wounded and dozens of arrests had been made across the country. As well as Kinshasa, protests erupted in the central Congolese diamond-mining town of Mbuji-Mayi, in the eastern cities of Goma, Lubumbashi and several other places.</p>
<p>A police spokesman did not respond to a request for comment.</p>
<p>The instability has stoked fears that the vast, mineral-rich Democratic Republic of Congo could slide back into the wars that killed millions in the 1990s, mostly from hunger and disease.</p> Riot policemen attempt to block a Catholic priest and demonstrators during a protest organised by Catholic activists in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo January 21, 2018. REUTERS/Kenny Katombe
<p>“I marched today for a simple reason: I want to bring up my children in a country that respects human rights,” protester Pascal Kabeya, a 40-year-old market trader, told Reuters where a few hundred had gathered in a suburb of Kinshasa.</p>
<p>“Kabila has done his two terms. He should leave now and give a chance to someone else”.</p> “WE WILL USE FORCE”
<p>The chief of police for Kinshasa city, General Sylvano Kasongo Kitenge, had warned in a statement overnight that the protest was banned and that “no attempt to disturb public order will be tolerated anywhere in Kinshasa.”</p>
<p>Kasongo, surrounded by several armed police, visited the road leading to Notre Dame where a protest was happening.</p>
<p>“Mass is over, the priests should now go home, and everybody else should go home. If you refuse, we will use force and shoot tear gas, let that be very clear,” he told them.</p>
<p>The violence echoed that of New Year’s Eve, when Congolese forces killed at least seven people in the capital during a protest by Catholic activists..</p>
<p>Under a deal mediated by the church between Kabila and his opponents, the president was to step down at the end of last year, paving the way for an election early this year. But he reneged on the deal and the poll has been repeatedly delayed — it is currently loosely scheduled for the end of 2018.</p> Slideshow (6 Images)
<p>Diplomats from the United States, British and Swiss embassies had all put out statements encouraging the Congolese to march to pressure Kabila to respect the deal.</p>
<p>“We applaud Congolese citizens exercising their constitutional right to assemble peacefully in support of the full implementation of the (agreement),” the U.S. and British embassies said in a joint statement. “Those who do not protect these rights must be held accountable.”</p>
<p>Congo’s influential Roman Catholic Church has emerged as a harness for opposition to Kabila, while his political opposition remains feeble and fragmented.</p>
<p>“I ask the authorities ... and all in this beloved country to put their best effort toward avoiding ... violence,” Pope Francis said of Congo’s crisis while in Peru on Sunday.</p>
<p>Kabila, who has been president since his father was killed in office in 2001, blames the electoral delays on the logistics of voter registration.</p>
<p>Writing by Tim Cocks, additional reporting by Caroline Stauffer in Lima; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg and Elaine Hardcastle</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>SAN JOSE (Reuters) - The center-left’s Carlos Alvarado Quesada decisively defeated a conservative Protestant singer in Costa Rica’s presidential runoff election on Sunday by promising to allow gay marriage, protecting the country’s reputation for tolerance.</p> Carlos Alvarado Quesada, presidential candidate of the ruling Citizens' Action Party (PAC), celebrates his victory during the presidential election in San Jose, Costa Rica April 1, 2018. REUTERS /Jose Cabezas
<p>A former minister and fiction writer, Quesada, 38, had 61 percent of the vote with results in from 95 percent of polling stations, a far bigger lead than predicted by opinion polls that foresaw a tight race.</p> Related Coverage
<a href="/article/us-costarica-election-winner/costa-ricas-young-president-elect-wins-pitching-progressive-values-idUSKCN1H90ED" type="external">Costa Rica's young president-elect wins pitching progressive values</a>
<p>“My commitment is to a government for everybody, in equality and liberty for a more prosperous future,” he told thousands of cheering supporters blowing horns and waving Costa Rica’s red, white and blue flag.</p>
<p>“There is much more that unites us than divides us.”</p> Fabricio Alvarado Munoz, presidential candidate of the National Restoration party (PRN), gestures during a rally after the official election results were released in San Jose, Costa Rica April 1, 2018. REUTERS/Randall Campos NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE.
<p>His rival, Alvarado Munoz, a 43-year-old former TV journalist known for religious dance songs, quickly conceded, sinking to his knees, arms raised, in front of supporters, some of them crying.</p>
<p>“We didn’t win the election,” he said, adding that he had congratulated his opponent in a telephone call and, in another sign of Costa Rica’s cordial politics, promised to help him resolve the country’s problems.</p>
<p>The election had exposed divisions in the Central American tourist destination known for laid-back beach culture and pristine rainforests, but where some rural communities remain socially conservative.</p>
<p>It could also reflect the mood elsewhere in Latin America, where elections are being held this year in several countries that have backed same sex unions, provoking a conservative reaction.</p> Slideshow (8 Images)
<p>Alvarado Quesada, until recently a minister in the outgoing government, will be the youngest president in the modern history of Costa Rica when he takes office in May.</p>
<p>Also known for his student prog-rock band, he used the campaign to appeal to his country’s centrist streak. His vice presidential candidate, Epsy Campbell, will be the country’s first Afro-Costa Rican to serve in that role.</p>
<p>Opponent Alvarado Munoz had vowed to restore what he called traditional values by preventing gay marriage and restricting women’s access to abortions.</p>
<p>The two men took opposing positions on a January decision by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, an influential regional body based in San Jose.</p>
<p>Fabricio, as supporters refer to Alvarado Munoz, called the ruling an affront to sovereignty. Threatening to remove the country from the court’s jurisdiction, he shot from the margins to win the first round of voting in February.</p>
<p>Quesada, by contrast, backed the court’s ruling. In the campaign’s final debate, he called his opponent’s comments homophobic.</p>
<p>Reporting by David Alire Garcia and Enrique Andres Pretel; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel and Clarence Fernandez</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his wife, Ri Sol Ju, were among the hundreds in Pyongyang on Sunday watching South Korean K-pop singers perform in the North for the first time in more than a decade as tensions between the old rivals thaw.</p>
<p>It was the first time a North Korean leader had attended a South Korean performance in the North’s capital. Kim was seen clapping in time to the music and later took photographs with the performers.</p>
<p>“Our dear leader comrade said his heart swelled and he was moved by the sight of his people deepen their understanding of South Korean popular culture and cheer with sincerity,” the North’s KCNA state media said.</p>
<p>The audience cheered and sang along to songs during the two-hour concert and the South Korean performers were later presented with bouquets.</p>
<p>“(Kim Jong Un) showed much interest during the show and asked questions about the songs and lyrics,” Culture Minister Do Jong-whan told reporters after the show.</p>
<p>Tension over North Korea’s tests of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile surged last year and raised fears of U.S. military action in response to North Korea’s threat to develop a nuclear weapon capable of hitting the United States.</p>
<p>But tension has eased significantly since North Korea decided to send athletes to the Winter Olympics in South Korea in February. The neighbours are technically still at war after the 1950-53 conflict ended with a ceasefire, not a truce.</p>
<p>The performance coincided with the beginning of annual joint South Korean-U.S. military drills, which have previously been met with denunciations and missile launches by the North. The exercises were delayed and shortened this year in order not to spoil the Olympic detente.</p>
<p>The two Koreas have set a date for their first summit in more than a decade on April 27, and Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump could meet in May.</p>
<p>The concert, billed as “Spring is Coming”, was put on a the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre by an lineup of top South Korean performers including veteran vocalists Cho Yong-pil, Lee Sun-hee, rock star Yoon Do-hyun and singer Baek Ji-young, as well as K-pop girl band Red Velvet.</p>
<p>Echoing the concert theme, Kim said the performance had brought a “spring of peace” to the two Koreas, and expressed wishes for a “prosperous autumn”, according to the North’s news agency.</p>
<p>The North Korean leader appeared in a group photograph with the performers, distributed by North Korean media. He was also seen talking to members of Red Velvet, who have more than 4.6 million followers on Instagram.</p>
<p>The South Korean delegation travelled to Pyongyang on Saturday in a reciprocal cultural visit after North Korea sent performers to the South in February, the South’s Culture Ministry said.</p>
<p>A taekwondo performance was staged earlier on Sunday.</p> BANNED MEDIA
<p>The images of Kim posing and laughing with South Korean pop stars and applauding in the stands contrasts with reports from North Korean defectors who say he has overseen a crackdown on anyone caught listening to foreign media.</p> North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets South Korean K-pop singers in this photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang April 2, 2018. KCNA/via Reuters
<p>“North Korean refugees overwhelmingly and consistently report that it has become more dangerous to consume foreign media under Kim Jong Un’s crackdowns,” Sokeel Park, the South Korea country director for refugee aid organisation Liberty in North Korea, said on Twitter.</p>
<p>A 2015 survey of North Korean refugees by the U.S. government’s Broadcasting Board of Governors found that 77 percent of respondents said it had become more dangerous to listen to foreign radio under Kim.</p>
<p>South Korean movies were often reported to be especially taboo compared with Chinese films, according to a report by the InterMedia consultancy group, with North Koreans facing prison time if caught.</p>
<p>Seohyun, an actress and vocalist with South Korean girl group Girls’ Generation, sang a North Korean pop song called “Blue Willow Tree”. She had performed with the North’s Samjiyon Orchestra in Seoul in February.</p>
<p>Cho Yong-pil, 68, sang a string of hits including “The Cafe in the Winter”, “Short Hair” and “Let’s Go on a Trip”. Cho staged a solo concert in Pyongyang in 2005 - the last concert by a South Korean artist in the North before Sunday’s performance.</p>
<p>The same South Korean singers will hold another concert with North Korean performers on Tuesday.</p> Slideshow (6 Images)
<p>Meanwhile, Kim Yong Chol, North Korea’s former intelligence chief who now handles inter-Korean affairs, met South Korean journalists on Monday to apologise for the fact they were unable to cover the concert after being invited to the country do so.</p>
<p>Kim “asked pardon” from the “valued guests”.</p>
<p>“Having invited South Korean journalists to the North, we have a duty to ensure that you can gather news freely and film comfortably”, Kim was quoted as saying.</p>
<p>Kim said the journalists’ inability to cover the concert stemmed from a breakdown in cooperation between Kim Jong Un’s security detail and concert organisers.</p>
<p>Reporting by Heekyong Yang and Christine Kim; Additional reporting by Josh Smith and Joyce Lee; Editing by Louise Heavens, Peter Cooney and Paul Tait</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey has ordered the arrest of the Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen and seven others over the 2016 assassination of the Russian envoy to Turkey, the Haberturk newspaper said on Monday, a day before Russian President Vladimir Putin visits the country.</p> U.S.-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen at his home in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. July 10, 2017. REUTERS/Charles Mostoller
<p>Andrei Karlov was shot dead by an off-duty policeman while speaking at an Ankara exhibit opening in December 2016. The gunman shouted “Allahu Akbar” and “Don’t forget Aleppo!” as he opened fire, apparently referring to Russia’s involvement in neighboring Syria. He was shot dead by police at the scene.</p>
<p>Putin arrives on a two-day visit on Tuesday and will meet President Tayyip Erdogan and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Their three countries are the guarantors of the Astana peace talks that has set up “de-escalation” zones across war-torn Syria.</p>
<p>Erdogan said Gulen’s movement was behind the assassination, a charge the cleric has denied. Erdogan also blames the preacher’s network for an attempted military coup in July 2016.</p>
<p>Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the United States since 1999, has denied the charge and condemned the coup.</p>
<p>Haberturk said the authorities ordered the arrests of the eight as the killing was carried out on their orders.</p>
<p>Authorities have so far arrested seven others, including three policeman, in relation to the killing, the Hurriyet newspaper reported.</p>
<p>No one was immediately available for comment at the Ankara prosecutor’s office.</p>
<p>The gunman came from Soke in southwest Turkey, considered one of the country’s most secular regions. His father said his son’s behavior started changing after he joined the police academy, where he became more pious, according to media reports at the time.</p>
<p>While the slogans he shouted suggest he was sympathetic to radical Islamist ideology, Gulen’s network preaches interfaith dialogue. The Turkish government says such teachings are designed to mask the true nature of what they call a dangerous, secretive organization.</p>
<p>Writing by Ece Toksabay; Editing by David Dolan and Hugh Lawson</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>MOSCOW (Reuters) - A Kremlin aide said on Monday that U.S. President Donald Trump suggested the White House as the venue for a summit with Russia’s Vladimir Putin when they discussed the idea of meeting in a telephone call last month.</p>
<p>Since that call, on March 20, preparations for a possible summit have not progressed because of a diplomatic row, the aide, Yuri Ushakov, said.</p>
<p>“When our presidents spoke on the phone, Trump proposed having the first meeting in Washington, in the White House,” Ushakov told reporters at a briefing.</p>
<p>“Trump called Putin last month to congratulate him on his election victory and told reporters he believed he and Putin would meet “in the not too distant future.”</p>
<p>White House press secretary Sarah Sanders did not confirm an invitation had been issued to Putin, but said the two had discussed a number of venues for a potential meeting, including the White House.</p>
<p>“We have nothing further to add at this time,” she told reporters on Monday.</p>
<p>Rolling out a welcome for Putin in the White House, rather than at a neutral location, could anger Trump’s domestic critics, who accuse Russia of hostile acts against Western countries, including the United States.</p> U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia's President Vladimir Putin talk during the family photo session at the APEC Summit in Danang, Vietnam November 11, 2017. REUTERS/Jorge Silva
<p>Some current and former members of Trump’s team are under investigation for alleged collusion with Russia in the run-up to Trump’s inauguration. Trump denies any collusion.</p>
<p>Since the March 20 phone call, Washington expelled 60 Russian diplomats and closed a Russian consulate over allegations that Russia was behind the poisoning of former Russian spy and his daughter in Britain.</p>
<p>Russia denies involvement and has retaliated against the diplomatic sanctions in kind.</p> FILE PHOTO: Russia's President Vladimir Putin talks to U.S. President Donald Trump during their bilateral meeting at the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany July 7, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo
<p>“Against the backdrop of these events, it’s difficult to discuss the possibility of holding a summit”, Ushakov said.</p>
<p>“We want to believe that the discussions (on a proposed summit) will begin,” Ushakov said.</p>
<p>“We want to hope that... one day, at one time or another we can arrive at the start of a serious and constructive dialogue.”</p>
<p>Reporting and writing by Denis Pinchuk; Additional reporting by Jeff Mason in Washington; Editing by Christian Lowe and Robin Pomeroy</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
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kinshasa reuters congolese security forces shot dead least six people wounded dozens fired tear gas disperse protest president joseph kabila organized catholic church sunday un peacekeeping mission country said riot policemen fire teargas canisters disperse demonstrators protest organised catholic activists kinshasa democratic republic congo january 21 2018 reuterskenny katombe kabilas refusal step end mandate december 2016 triggered series street protests scores killed kinshasa also emboldened armed rebel groups different parts country reuters witness saw police paramilitary troops fire volleys tear gas shoot air sunday outside notre dame cathedral capital kinshasa florence marchal spokeswoman un mission monusco also said 57 people wounded dozens arrests made across country well kinshasa protests erupted central congolese diamondmining town mbujimayi eastern cities goma lubumbashi several places police spokesman respond request comment instability stoked fears vast mineralrich democratic republic congo could slide back wars killed millions 1990s mostly hunger disease riot policemen attempt block catholic priest demonstrators protest organised catholic activists kinshasa democratic republic congo january 21 2018 reuterskenny katombe marched today simple reason want bring children country respects human rights protester pascal kabeya 40yearold market trader told reuters hundred gathered suburb kinshasa kabila done two terms leave give chance someone else use force chief police kinshasa city general sylvano kasongo kitenge warned statement overnight protest banned attempt disturb public order tolerated anywhere kinshasa kasongo surrounded several armed police visited road leading notre dame protest happening mass priests go home everybody else go home refuse use force shoot tear gas let clear told violence echoed new years eve congolese forces killed least seven people capital protest catholic activists deal mediated church kabila opponents president step end last year paving way election early year reneged deal poll repeatedly delayed currently loosely scheduled end 2018 slideshow 6 images diplomats united states british swiss embassies put statements encouraging congolese march pressure kabila respect deal applaud congolese citizens exercising constitutional right assemble peacefully support full implementation agreement us british embassies said joint statement protect rights must held accountable congos influential roman catholic church emerged harness opposition kabila political opposition remains feeble fragmented ask authorities beloved country put best effort toward avoiding violence pope francis said congos crisis peru sunday kabila president since father killed office 2001 blames electoral delays logistics voter registration writing tim cocks additional reporting caroline stauffer lima editing matthew mpoke bigg elaine hardcastle standards thomson reuters trust principles san jose reuters centerlefts carlos alvarado quesada decisively defeated conservative protestant singer costa ricas presidential runoff election sunday promising allow gay marriage protecting countrys reputation tolerance carlos alvarado quesada presidential candidate ruling citizens action party pac celebrates victory presidential election san jose costa rica april 1 2018 reuters jose cabezas former minister fiction writer quesada 38 61 percent vote results 95 percent polling stations far bigger lead predicted opinion polls foresaw tight race related coverage costa ricas young presidentelect wins pitching progressive values commitment government everybody equality liberty prosperous future told thousands cheering supporters blowing horns waving costa ricas red white blue flag much unites us divides us fabricio alvarado munoz presidential candidate national restoration party prn gestures rally official election results released san jose costa rica april 1 2018 reutersrandall campos resales archive rival alvarado munoz 43yearold former tv journalist known religious dance songs quickly conceded sinking knees arms raised front supporters crying didnt win election said adding congratulated opponent telephone call another sign costa ricas cordial politics promised help resolve countrys problems election exposed divisions central american tourist destination known laidback beach culture pristine rainforests rural communities remain socially conservative could also reflect mood elsewhere latin america elections held year several countries backed sex unions provoking conservative reaction slideshow 8 images alvarado quesada recently minister outgoing government youngest president modern history costa rica takes office may also known student progrock band used campaign appeal countrys centrist streak vice presidential candidate epsy campbell countrys first afrocosta rican serve role opponent alvarado munoz vowed restore called traditional values preventing gay marriage restricting womens access abortions two men took opposing positions january decision interamerican court human rights influential regional body based san jose fabricio supporters refer alvarado munoz called ruling affront sovereignty threatening remove country courts jurisdiction shot margins win first round voting february quesada contrast backed courts ruling campaigns final debate called opponents comments homophobic reporting david alire garcia enrique andres pretel editing frank jack daniel clarence fernandez standards thomson reuters trust principles seoul reuters north korean leader kim jong un wife ri sol ju among hundreds pyongyang sunday watching south korean kpop singers perform north first time decade tensions old rivals thaw first time north korean leader attended south korean performance norths capital kim seen clapping time music later took photographs performers dear leader comrade said heart swelled moved sight people deepen understanding south korean popular culture cheer sincerity norths kcna state media said audience cheered sang along songs twohour concert south korean performers later presented bouquets kim jong un showed much interest show asked questions songs lyrics culture minister jongwhan told reporters show tension north koreas tests nuclear weapons ballistic missile surged last year raised fears us military action response north koreas threat develop nuclear weapon capable hitting united states tension eased significantly since north korea decided send athletes winter olympics south korea february neighbours technically still war 195053 conflict ended ceasefire truce performance coincided beginning annual joint south koreanus military drills previously met denunciations missile launches north exercises delayed shortened year order spoil olympic detente two koreas set date first summit decade april 27 kim us president donald trump could meet may concert billed spring coming put east pyongyang grand theatre lineup top south korean performers including veteran vocalists cho yongpil lee sunhee rock star yoon dohyun singer baek jiyoung well kpop girl band red velvet echoing concert theme kim said performance brought spring peace two koreas expressed wishes prosperous autumn according norths news agency north korean leader appeared group photograph performers distributed north korean media also seen talking members red velvet 46 million followers instagram south korean delegation travelled pyongyang saturday reciprocal cultural visit north korea sent performers south february souths culture ministry said taekwondo performance staged earlier sunday banned media images kim posing laughing south korean pop stars applauding stands contrasts reports north korean defectors say overseen crackdown anyone caught listening foreign media north korean leader kim jong un meets south korean kpop singers photo released north koreas korean central news agency kcna pyongyang april 2 2018 kcnavia reuters north korean refugees overwhelmingly consistently report become dangerous consume foreign media kim jong uns crackdowns sokeel park south korea country director refugee aid organisation liberty north korea said twitter 2015 survey north korean refugees us governments broadcasting board governors found 77 percent respondents said become dangerous listen foreign radio kim south korean movies often reported especially taboo compared chinese films according report intermedia consultancy group north koreans facing prison time caught seohyun actress vocalist south korean girl group girls generation sang north korean pop song called blue willow tree performed norths samjiyon orchestra seoul february cho yongpil 68 sang string hits including cafe winter short hair lets go trip cho staged solo concert pyongyang 2005 last concert south korean artist north sundays performance south korean singers hold another concert north korean performers tuesday slideshow 6 images meanwhile kim yong chol north koreas former intelligence chief handles interkorean affairs met south korean journalists monday apologise fact unable cover concert invited country kim asked pardon valued guests invited south korean journalists north duty ensure gather news freely film comfortably kim quoted saying kim said journalists inability cover concert stemmed breakdown cooperation kim jong uns security detail concert organisers reporting heekyong yang christine kim additional reporting josh smith joyce lee editing louise heavens peter cooney paul tait standards thomson reuters trust principles ankara reuters turkey ordered arrest muslim cleric fethullah gulen seven others 2016 assassination russian envoy turkey haberturk newspaper said monday day russian president vladimir putin visits country usbased turkish cleric fethullah gulen home saylorsburg pennsylvania us july 10 2017 reuterscharles mostoller andrei karlov shot dead offduty policeman speaking ankara exhibit opening december 2016 gunman shouted allahu akbar dont forget aleppo opened fire apparently referring russias involvement neighboring syria shot dead police scene putin arrives twoday visit tuesday meet president tayyip erdogan iranian president hassan rouhani three countries guarantors astana peace talks set deescalation zones across wartorn syria erdogan said gulens movement behind assassination charge cleric denied erdogan also blames preachers network attempted military coup july 2016 gulen lived selfimposed exile united states since 1999 denied charge condemned coup haberturk said authorities ordered arrests eight killing carried orders authorities far arrested seven others including three policeman relation killing hurriyet newspaper reported one immediately available comment ankara prosecutors office gunman came soke southwest turkey considered one countrys secular regions father said sons behavior started changing joined police academy became pious according media reports time slogans shouted suggest sympathetic radical islamist ideology gulens network preaches interfaith dialogue turkish government says teachings designed mask true nature call dangerous secretive organization writing ece toksabay editing david dolan hugh lawson standards thomson reuters trust principles moscow reuters kremlin aide said monday us president donald trump suggested white house venue summit russias vladimir putin discussed idea meeting telephone call last month since call march 20 preparations possible summit progressed diplomatic row aide yuri ushakov said presidents spoke phone trump proposed first meeting washington white house ushakov told reporters briefing trump called putin last month congratulate election victory told reporters believed putin would meet distant future white house press secretary sarah sanders confirm invitation issued putin said two discussed number venues potential meeting including white house nothing add time told reporters monday rolling welcome putin white house rather neutral location could anger trumps domestic critics accuse russia hostile acts western countries including united states us president donald trump russias president vladimir putin talk family photo session apec summit danang vietnam november 11 2017 reutersjorge silva current former members trumps team investigation alleged collusion russia runup trumps inauguration trump denies collusion since march 20 phone call washington expelled 60 russian diplomats closed russian consulate allegations russia behind poisoning former russian spy daughter britain russia denies involvement retaliated diplomatic sanctions kind file photo russias president vladimir putin talks us president donald trump bilateral meeting g20 summit hamburg germany july 7 2017 reuterscarlos barriafile photo backdrop events difficult discuss possibility holding summit ushakov said want believe discussions proposed summit begin ushakov said want hope one day one time another arrive start serious constructive dialogue reporting writing denis pinchuk additional reporting jeff mason washington editing christian lowe robin pomeroy standards thomson reuters trust principles
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<p>CLEVELAND (AP) - A federal appeals court on Friday upheld a $4 million jury award to the family of a man fatally shot by an off-duty Cleveland police officer in 2012.</p>
<p>A three-judge panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected numerous arguments made by Cleveland city attorneys about why the 2015 federal jury award shouldn't be paid, including a claim that officer Roger Jones' actions were "objectively reasonable" when he shot and killed 20-year-old Kenneth Smith in downtown Cleveland.</p>
<p>Jones was the lone defendant in the civil rights lawsuit but was defended at trial and on appeal by staff attorneys from Cleveland.</p>
<p>Cleveland spokesman Dan Williams said Friday that the city was reviewing the ruling and had no comment. Jones remains a Cleveland police officer.</p>
<p>According to the ruling, Jones was in a parking lot in the early morning of March 10, 2012, when a fight broke out and someone fired a shot in the air. Three men in a gold car tried to drive from the scene but were blocked by police cruisers at an intersection.</p>
<p>Jones, who was wearing a Cleveland Indians jacket, told investigators he approached the car with his gun drawn, yelled at Smith to put up his hands and kicked out the front passenger window when Smith refused to comply. Jones said he shot Smith because he feared he was reaching for a gun sitting on the console. Jones also said Smith got out of the car after being shot and took several steps before collapsing.</p>
<p>Trial witnesses testified that Jones dragged Smith out of the car and shot him in the head while Smith was lowering himself to the ground to surrender. A medical examiner testified at trial that Smith was immediately incapacitated after being shot and couldn't have taken any steps.</p>
<p>Then-Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Tim McGinty called Jones a hero after Jones was cleared of criminal wrongdoing.</p>
<p>The appellate judges said the testimony of eyewitnesses and forensics experts provided a "reasonable basis" for the jury's verdict.</p>
<p>"Suffice it to say ... that a police officer cannot shoot a person simply because the person is near a gun," the ruling said.</p>
<p>The jury initially awarded Smith's family $5.5 million. U.S. District Judge Solomon Oliver Jr. later reduced the judgment to $4 million.</p>
<p>"Kenny Smith was a devoted son and talented artist who had committed no crime, nor posed any threat justifying his untimely death by the reckless and unconstitutional actions of this officer," attorneys for Smith's family said in a statement Friday.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Mark Gillispie can be reached on Twitter at https://twitter.com/mgillispie1.</p>
<p>CLEVELAND (AP) - A federal appeals court on Friday upheld a $4 million jury award to the family of a man fatally shot by an off-duty Cleveland police officer in 2012.</p>
<p>A three-judge panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected numerous arguments made by Cleveland city attorneys about why the 2015 federal jury award shouldn't be paid, including a claim that officer Roger Jones' actions were "objectively reasonable" when he shot and killed 20-year-old Kenneth Smith in downtown Cleveland.</p>
<p>Jones was the lone defendant in the civil rights lawsuit but was defended at trial and on appeal by staff attorneys from Cleveland.</p>
<p>Cleveland spokesman Dan Williams said Friday that the city was reviewing the ruling and had no comment. Jones remains a Cleveland police officer.</p>
<p>According to the ruling, Jones was in a parking lot in the early morning of March 10, 2012, when a fight broke out and someone fired a shot in the air. Three men in a gold car tried to drive from the scene but were blocked by police cruisers at an intersection.</p>
<p>Jones, who was wearing a Cleveland Indians jacket, told investigators he approached the car with his gun drawn, yelled at Smith to put up his hands and kicked out the front passenger window when Smith refused to comply. Jones said he shot Smith because he feared he was reaching for a gun sitting on the console. Jones also said Smith got out of the car after being shot and took several steps before collapsing.</p>
<p>Trial witnesses testified that Jones dragged Smith out of the car and shot him in the head while Smith was lowering himself to the ground to surrender. A medical examiner testified at trial that Smith was immediately incapacitated after being shot and couldn't have taken any steps.</p>
<p>Then-Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Tim McGinty called Jones a hero after Jones was cleared of criminal wrongdoing.</p>
<p>The appellate judges said the testimony of eyewitnesses and forensics experts provided a "reasonable basis" for the jury's verdict.</p>
<p>"Suffice it to say ... that a police officer cannot shoot a person simply because the person is near a gun," the ruling said.</p>
<p>The jury initially awarded Smith's family $5.5 million. U.S. District Judge Solomon Oliver Jr. later reduced the judgment to $4 million.</p>
<p>"Kenny Smith was a devoted son and talented artist who had committed no crime, nor posed any threat justifying his untimely death by the reckless and unconstitutional actions of this officer," attorneys for Smith's family said in a statement Friday.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Mark Gillispie can be reached on Twitter at https://twitter.com/mgillispie1.</p>
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cleveland ap federal appeals court friday upheld 4 million jury award family man fatally shot offduty cleveland police officer 2012 threejudge panel 6th us circuit court appeals rejected numerous arguments made cleveland city attorneys 2015 federal jury award shouldnt paid including claim officer roger jones actions objectively reasonable shot killed 20yearold kenneth smith downtown cleveland jones lone defendant civil rights lawsuit defended trial appeal staff attorneys cleveland cleveland spokesman dan williams said friday city reviewing ruling comment jones remains cleveland police officer according ruling jones parking lot early morning march 10 2012 fight broke someone fired shot air three men gold car tried drive scene blocked police cruisers intersection jones wearing cleveland indians jacket told investigators approached car gun drawn yelled smith put hands kicked front passenger window smith refused comply jones said shot smith feared reaching gun sitting console jones also said smith got car shot took several steps collapsing trial witnesses testified jones dragged smith car shot head smith lowering ground surrender medical examiner testified trial smith immediately incapacitated shot couldnt taken steps thencuyahoga county prosecutor tim mcginty called jones hero jones cleared criminal wrongdoing appellate judges said testimony eyewitnesses forensics experts provided reasonable basis jurys verdict suffice say police officer shoot person simply person near gun ruling said jury initially awarded smiths family 55 million us district judge solomon oliver jr later reduced judgment 4 million kenny smith devoted son talented artist committed crime posed threat justifying untimely death reckless unconstitutional actions officer attorneys smiths family said statement friday ___ mark gillispie reached twitter httpstwittercommgillispie1 cleveland ap federal appeals court friday upheld 4 million jury award family man fatally shot offduty cleveland police officer 2012 threejudge panel 6th us circuit court appeals rejected numerous arguments made cleveland city attorneys 2015 federal jury award shouldnt paid including claim officer roger jones actions objectively reasonable shot killed 20yearold kenneth smith downtown cleveland jones lone defendant civil rights lawsuit defended trial appeal staff attorneys cleveland cleveland spokesman dan williams said friday city reviewing ruling comment jones remains cleveland police officer according ruling jones parking lot early morning march 10 2012 fight broke someone fired shot air three men gold car tried drive scene blocked police cruisers intersection jones wearing cleveland indians jacket told investigators approached car gun drawn yelled smith put hands kicked front passenger window smith refused comply jones said shot smith feared reaching gun sitting console jones also said smith got car shot took several steps collapsing trial witnesses testified jones dragged smith car shot head smith lowering ground surrender medical examiner testified trial smith immediately incapacitated shot couldnt taken steps thencuyahoga county prosecutor tim mcginty called jones hero jones cleared criminal wrongdoing appellate judges said testimony eyewitnesses forensics experts provided reasonable basis jurys verdict suffice say police officer shoot person simply person near gun ruling said jury initially awarded smiths family 55 million us district judge solomon oliver jr later reduced judgment 4 million kenny smith devoted son talented artist committed crime posed threat justifying untimely death reckless unconstitutional actions officer attorneys smiths family said statement friday ___ mark gillispie reached twitter httpstwittercommgillispie1
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<p>RIVERDALE, Ga. (AP) — A campaign event without political chatter seems about as likely as Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal and rapper Ludacris sharing a stage.</p>
<p>But both happened Friday at a charter school outside Atlanta, where the unlikely campaign trail duo was a hit with a cheering crowd of more than 200.</p>
<p>Republican Deal said he couldn't think of anyone better than Christopher "Ludacris" Bridges to inspire students — even though the rapper and actor has used lyrics describing violence against women and has been an outspoken supporter of President Barack Obama.</p>
<p>Deal, in a dark suit and red tie, and Ludacris, in jeans and a dress shirt, sat side by side on a stage in the cafeteria, occasionally leaning over to talk with each other or school officials. Deal introduced Ludacris as students cheered and craned their necks to see him.</p>
<p>Instead of talking politics, the rapper focused on the wide-eyed students at Utopian Academy for the Arts — Georgia's first state-commissioned school, which supporters say addresses an underserved community.</p>
<p>"A lot of people will tell you that you guys are at a disadvantage," said Ludacris, who spent much of his childhood in Atlanta. "I feel you're at an advantage. And you know why? Because you have street smarts, but when you add book smarts to that, you are unstoppable."</p>
<p>Not all of Ludacris' messages are as uplifting. The lyrics of one hit describe violent attacks and threats against women and driving while intoxicated. Deal spokesman Brian Robinson said he could not immediately comment on the propriety of those messages. But he defended the governor's appearance with the rapper, which was promoted by Deal's campaign.</p>
<p>"If we help keep open a school that's doing tremendous work on behalf of children, it was a good day's work for us," Robinson said.</p>
<p>Bryan Thomas, the spokesman for Democratic candidate Jason Carter, wrote Thursday on Twitter that there was an "inordinate" amount of Ludacris being played in the Democrat's campaign office.</p>
<p>"It was interesting that the governor didn't seem to know very much or care very much about some of those lyrics, or at least that's what he professes," Thomas said.</p>
<p>Before the event with Deal, Ludacris' few ventures into politics have been in support of Democrats — including the release of a profane song during the 2008 presidential race criticizing Obama's opponents.</p>
<p>Deal told reporters the appearance was not an endorsement and said the two didn't talk politics. Deal said he's trying to reach every Georgian with his campaign.</p>
<p>"So many people try to divide us along ideological lines," Deal said. "I think the things we ought to concentrate on are the things that bring us together."</p>
<p>Education is hot topic in the campaign for governor between incumbent Deal and Carter. Carter has said he is in favor of charter schools that improve students' performance, but he opposed the creation of the statewide charter committee that approved Utopian. He said local boards are better suited to make that call.</p>
<p>"Sen. Carter doesn't believe that a state bureaucracy in Atlanta is the best place to determine what's right for kids across the state," Thomas said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Associated Press writer Ray Henry contributed to this report from Atlanta.</p>
<p>RIVERDALE, Ga. (AP) — A campaign event without political chatter seems about as likely as Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal and rapper Ludacris sharing a stage.</p>
<p>But both happened Friday at a charter school outside Atlanta, where the unlikely campaign trail duo was a hit with a cheering crowd of more than 200.</p>
<p>Republican Deal said he couldn't think of anyone better than Christopher "Ludacris" Bridges to inspire students — even though the rapper and actor has used lyrics describing violence against women and has been an outspoken supporter of President Barack Obama.</p>
<p>Deal, in a dark suit and red tie, and Ludacris, in jeans and a dress shirt, sat side by side on a stage in the cafeteria, occasionally leaning over to talk with each other or school officials. Deal introduced Ludacris as students cheered and craned their necks to see him.</p>
<p>Instead of talking politics, the rapper focused on the wide-eyed students at Utopian Academy for the Arts — Georgia's first state-commissioned school, which supporters say addresses an underserved community.</p>
<p>"A lot of people will tell you that you guys are at a disadvantage," said Ludacris, who spent much of his childhood in Atlanta. "I feel you're at an advantage. And you know why? Because you have street smarts, but when you add book smarts to that, you are unstoppable."</p>
<p>Not all of Ludacris' messages are as uplifting. The lyrics of one hit describe violent attacks and threats against women and driving while intoxicated. Deal spokesman Brian Robinson said he could not immediately comment on the propriety of those messages. But he defended the governor's appearance with the rapper, which was promoted by Deal's campaign.</p>
<p>"If we help keep open a school that's doing tremendous work on behalf of children, it was a good day's work for us," Robinson said.</p>
<p>Bryan Thomas, the spokesman for Democratic candidate Jason Carter, wrote Thursday on Twitter that there was an "inordinate" amount of Ludacris being played in the Democrat's campaign office.</p>
<p>"It was interesting that the governor didn't seem to know very much or care very much about some of those lyrics, or at least that's what he professes," Thomas said.</p>
<p>Before the event with Deal, Ludacris' few ventures into politics have been in support of Democrats — including the release of a profane song during the 2008 presidential race criticizing Obama's opponents.</p>
<p>Deal told reporters the appearance was not an endorsement and said the two didn't talk politics. Deal said he's trying to reach every Georgian with his campaign.</p>
<p>"So many people try to divide us along ideological lines," Deal said. "I think the things we ought to concentrate on are the things that bring us together."</p>
<p>Education is hot topic in the campaign for governor between incumbent Deal and Carter. Carter has said he is in favor of charter schools that improve students' performance, but he opposed the creation of the statewide charter committee that approved Utopian. He said local boards are better suited to make that call.</p>
<p>"Sen. Carter doesn't believe that a state bureaucracy in Atlanta is the best place to determine what's right for kids across the state," Thomas said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Associated Press writer Ray Henry contributed to this report from Atlanta.</p>
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riverdale ga ap campaign event without political chatter seems likely georgia gov nathan deal rapper ludacris sharing stage happened friday charter school outside atlanta unlikely campaign trail duo hit cheering crowd 200 republican deal said couldnt think anyone better christopher ludacris bridges inspire students even though rapper actor used lyrics describing violence women outspoken supporter president barack obama deal dark suit red tie ludacris jeans dress shirt sat side side stage cafeteria occasionally leaning talk school officials deal introduced ludacris students cheered craned necks see instead talking politics rapper focused wideeyed students utopian academy arts georgias first statecommissioned school supporters say addresses underserved community lot people tell guys disadvantage said ludacris spent much childhood atlanta feel youre advantage know street smarts add book smarts unstoppable ludacris messages uplifting lyrics one hit describe violent attacks threats women driving intoxicated deal spokesman brian robinson said could immediately comment propriety messages defended governors appearance rapper promoted deals campaign help keep open school thats tremendous work behalf children good days work us robinson said bryan thomas spokesman democratic candidate jason carter wrote thursday twitter inordinate amount ludacris played democrats campaign office interesting governor didnt seem know much care much lyrics least thats professes thomas said event deal ludacris ventures politics support democrats including release profane song 2008 presidential race criticizing obamas opponents deal told reporters appearance endorsement said two didnt talk politics deal said hes trying reach every georgian campaign many people try divide us along ideological lines deal said think things ought concentrate things bring us together education hot topic campaign governor incumbent deal carter carter said favor charter schools improve students performance opposed creation statewide charter committee approved utopian said local boards better suited make call sen carter doesnt believe state bureaucracy atlanta best place determine whats right kids across state thomas said ___ associated press writer ray henry contributed report atlanta riverdale ga ap campaign event without political chatter seems likely georgia gov nathan deal rapper ludacris sharing stage happened friday charter school outside atlanta unlikely campaign trail duo hit cheering crowd 200 republican deal said couldnt think anyone better christopher ludacris bridges inspire students even though rapper actor used lyrics describing violence women outspoken supporter president barack obama deal dark suit red tie ludacris jeans dress shirt sat side side stage cafeteria occasionally leaning talk school officials deal introduced ludacris students cheered craned necks see instead talking politics rapper focused wideeyed students utopian academy arts georgias first statecommissioned school supporters say addresses underserved community lot people tell guys disadvantage said ludacris spent much childhood atlanta feel youre advantage know street smarts add book smarts unstoppable ludacris messages uplifting lyrics one hit describe violent attacks threats women driving intoxicated deal spokesman brian robinson said could immediately comment propriety messages defended governors appearance rapper promoted deals campaign help keep open school thats tremendous work behalf children good days work us robinson said bryan thomas spokesman democratic candidate jason carter wrote thursday twitter inordinate amount ludacris played democrats campaign office interesting governor didnt seem know much care much lyrics least thats professes thomas said event deal ludacris ventures politics support democrats including release profane song 2008 presidential race criticizing obamas opponents deal told reporters appearance endorsement said two didnt talk politics deal said hes trying reach every georgian campaign many people try divide us along ideological lines deal said think things ought concentrate things bring us together education hot topic campaign governor incumbent deal carter carter said favor charter schools improve students performance opposed creation statewide charter committee approved utopian said local boards better suited make call sen carter doesnt believe state bureaucracy atlanta best place determine whats right kids across state thomas said ___ associated press writer ray henry contributed report atlanta
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<p>Ret. Master Sgt. William McLain in Henderson, Nev., on Thursday. McLain’s wages were garnished to pay an enlistment bonus he received in 2006. (Isaac Brekken/Los Angeles Times)</p>
<p>WASHINGTON — For the last three years, retired California National Guard Master Sgt. Bill McLain’s wife, Terese, has repaid a bit of his enlistment bonuses to the Pentagon with a caustic note.</p>
<p>Each month, she writes “blood money” on the $100 check — the token amount the McLains pay on the $30,000 debt they deny owing — that she sends to the Pentagon. “Shame on you. Extortion,” she writes on the envelope.</p>
<p>The Pentagon cashes each check.</p>
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<p>Facing a groundswell of public outrage, the Pentagon scrambled this week to temporarily suspend its demands for thousands of California Guard soldiers to repay enlistment bonuses and other incentives they were given to go to war.</p>
<p>But McLain and other soldiers who were wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan may still be required to repay their bonuses, one of several apparent exceptions in the proposed Pentagon solution.</p>
<p>Two weeks before McLain left to fight in Afghanistan in early 2013 — his fourth combat tour in a decade — the National Guard garnished his entire $3,496 monthly paycheck for the enlistment bonuses it claimed he was improperly given five years earlier.</p>
<p>“I had nothing,” the 55-year-old retired special forces soldier recalled Thursday about leaving his wife and two stepdaughters without his salary while he went back to war. “They took every nickel.”</p>
<p>McLain managed to get the wage garnishment lifted, but his troubles were just beginning.</p>
<p>The Pentagon has hounded him ever since to repay the bonuses, even after he was diagnosed as 90 percent disabled on account of head and back injuries sustained in combat, including a 2008 attack in Iraq when a roadside bomb nearly destroyed his jaw.</p>
<p>McLain is one of about 9,800 current and former California Guard soldiers who were ordered to repay enlistment bonuses, tuition assistance or other payments that officials said were improperly awarded when the Defense Department was frantically trying to fill its ranks for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.</p>
<p>A Los Angeles Times story last weekend that revealed the Pentagon repayment demands sparked a public furor about what many viewed as an injustice. Members of Congress and both major party presidential candidates expressed outrage and demanded action.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Under pressure to respond, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter interrupted his trip in Europe on Wednesday to announce a temporary suspension of the claw-backs. He pledged that a special review panel would consider each soldier’s case over the next eight months.</p>
<p>Carter said the Pentagon would grant debt waivers to soldiers who took the enlistment incentives and other payments without realizing they were ineligible. Some soldiers were given as much as $60,000, officials said.</p>
<p>But given the criteria Carter and other Pentagon officials laid out Wednesday, it’s far from certain that McLain and other wounded combat veterans will qualify for that debt relief.</p>
<p>Neither Carter nor his deputy, Peter Levine, the acting assistant secretary of defense who will lead the review, indicated that they would make a blanket exception for soldiers who were wounded in battle.</p>
<p>Federal law already allows the Pentagon to waive certain debts for Purple Heart recipients. But officials haven’t granted that exemption to McLain and other Purple Heart recipients contacted by the Times.</p>
<p>Defense officials also said they don’t plan to waive repayment from soldiers who were ineligible for the enlistment bonuses because they already had served 20 years and thus were entitled to military pensions.</p>
<p>McLain joined the Army in 1979, later ending up in the California Guard. He retired in 2014 and resumed his job as a police officer with the Las Vegas school system.</p>
<p>McLain was born on a U.S. Army base in Germany. His father fought in Vietnam, his grandfather in World War II. He is proud of his military service in Iraq and Afghanistan.</p>
<p>But he and his wife are embittered and angry about the Pentagon demands for repayment of the incentives they gave him to go to war.</p>
<p>“Until we get a letter to us saying legally they can’t take us to (debt) collection or turn us over to the IRS, I won’t be satisfied,” he said Thursday.</p>
<p>Like many California Guard members, McLain’s bonus problems began in 2006, when he was serving in the 19th Special Forces Group, a National Guard unit based in Los Alamitos.</p>
<p>He had gone to Afghanistan in 2002 shortly after the U.S.-led invasion that ousted the Taliban from power.</p>
<p>Four years later, when his enlistment contract was expiring, he volunteered to go to Iraq as the Sunni Muslim insurgency against the U.S.-led occupation was reaching its most violent phase.</p>
<p>Instead of signing a new six-year enlistment, McLain opted to extend his old contract for the year he would deploy in Iraq, receiving no bonus.</p>
<p>He was assigned to a regular Army special forces team at an outpost near Hit, an Iraqi insurgent hotbed where U.S. troops were engaged in fierce daily combat.</p>
<p>McLain says that the unit’s senior noncommissioned officer told him that if he signed up for another six-year contract while in a war zone, he was entitled to a $30,000 re-enlistment bonus since he was on active duty.</p>
<p>McLain says he was skeptical. He believed that as a California Guard member, he only qualified for $15,000, the usual bonus at the time.</p>
<p>But he signed the contract and within weeks received two extra payments of $7,500 in his paycheck. When the other money didn’t appear, he says he assumed he only qualified for $15,000 and “thought no more about it.”</p>
<p>His year in Hit, a sand-blown walled town on the Euphrates River northwest of Ramadi, involved near daily combat.</p>
<p>“Our job was to train the Iraqi police, and we went on a bunch of operations” aimed at capturing insurgents, he said. Militants ambushed U.S. convoys and regularly bombarded his unit’s small outpost with mortar fire, he said.</p>
<p>“By the end of that deployment I had been struck numerous times by IEDs and had been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury,” McLain wrote in August 2015 in his bonus repayment appeal to the Pentagon, using a military abbreviation for improvised explosive device.</p>
<p>His injuries weren’t severe enough to require hospitalization.</p>
<p>A year after McLain returned to the U.S., in 2007, another payment of $7,500 appeared in his Army paycheck without explanation. Then another $7,500 arrived, for a total of $30,000 in bonuses.</p>
<p>“It just showed up on my paycheck, and I thought, ‘Great, he was right,'” McLain said, referring to the senior sergeant in Iraq who had told him that he qualified for $30,000.</p>
<p>McLain returned to Iraq in 2008 and fought in a major battle in the southern city of Basra, where U.S. and Iraqi troops had been sent to quell an insurgent uprising.</p>
<p>As he rode through the city one day, a powerful roadside bomb exploded near his vehicle. A small piece of shrapnel tore through the armor plating and hit the headset radio microphone that McLain used to communicate with other soldiers.</p>
<p>The impact drove his jaw back, bloodied his mouth and left most of his teeth loose. After he returned to Las Vegas in 2009, a Veterans Affairs doctor found his lower jaw was infected. He removed McLain’s teeth and performed a bone graft to reconstruct his lower jaw.</p>
<p>In January 2013, McLain received a letter from the California Guard telling him that he did not qualify for the $30,000 in bonuses he had received after re-enlisting seven years earlier.</p>
<p>Since he had enlisted in 1979, the letter claimed, he had served more than 20 years in the Army when he re-enlisted, and Pentagon rules barred giving bonuses to soldiers who had passed the two-decade mark.</p>
<p>Even if he had been eligible, as a member of the California Guard, he would have only received $15,000, the letter stated.</p>
<p>The bottom line: He had to pay back the entire $30,000.</p>
<p>McLain refused to pay, arguing that he had served only 17 years, because, after leaving active duty, he was inactive from 1988 to 1993 before joining the National Guard.</p>
<p>A week before he left for Afghanistan, the Pentagon sent him a salary statement for $0.00.</p>
<p>He has been fighting the debt ever since.</p>
<p>In 2015, when the Pentagon offered to give him a long-term repayment agreement, he crossed out a section that required him to admit he owed the debt, and started sending $100 checks.</p>
<p>The Defense Finance and Accounting Service, the Pentagon agency that handles repayment of debts, responded with a letter that said because he had “altered” the repayment agreement, he was required to immediately repay the entire $27,112.82 it said he still owed.</p>
<p>“We have determined that we cannot suspend your … debt any longer,” said the letter. It was signed by an unnamed “customer care representative.”</p>
| false | 2 |
ret master sgt william mclain henderson nev thursday mclains wages garnished pay enlistment bonus received 2006 isaac brekkenlos angeles times washington last three years retired california national guard master sgt bill mclains wife terese repaid bit enlistment bonuses pentagon caustic note month writes blood money 100 check token amount mclains pay 30000 debt deny owing sends pentagon shame extortion writes envelope pentagon cashes check advertisement facing groundswell public outrage pentagon scrambled week temporarily suspend demands thousands california guard soldiers repay enlistment bonuses incentives given go war mclain soldiers wounded iraq afghanistan may still required repay bonuses one several apparent exceptions proposed pentagon solution two weeks mclain left fight afghanistan early 2013 fourth combat tour decade national guard garnished entire 3496 monthly paycheck enlistment bonuses claimed improperly given five years earlier nothing 55yearold retired special forces soldier recalled thursday leaving wife two stepdaughters without salary went back war took every nickel mclain managed get wage garnishment lifted troubles beginning pentagon hounded ever since repay bonuses even diagnosed 90 percent disabled account head back injuries sustained combat including 2008 attack iraq roadside bomb nearly destroyed jaw mclain one 9800 current former california guard soldiers ordered repay enlistment bonuses tuition assistance payments officials said improperly awarded defense department frantically trying fill ranks wars iraq afghanistan los angeles times story last weekend revealed pentagon repayment demands sparked public furor many viewed injustice members congress major party presidential candidates expressed outrage demanded action advertisement pressure respond defense secretary ashton carter interrupted trip europe wednesday announce temporary suspension clawbacks pledged special review panel would consider soldiers case next eight months carter said pentagon would grant debt waivers soldiers took enlistment incentives payments without realizing ineligible soldiers given much 60000 officials said given criteria carter pentagon officials laid wednesday far certain mclain wounded combat veterans qualify debt relief neither carter deputy peter levine acting assistant secretary defense lead review indicated would make blanket exception soldiers wounded battle federal law already allows pentagon waive certain debts purple heart recipients officials havent granted exemption mclain purple heart recipients contacted times defense officials also said dont plan waive repayment soldiers ineligible enlistment bonuses already served 20 years thus entitled military pensions mclain joined army 1979 later ending california guard retired 2014 resumed job police officer las vegas school system mclain born us army base germany father fought vietnam grandfather world war ii proud military service iraq afghanistan wife embittered angry pentagon demands repayment incentives gave go war get letter us saying legally cant take us debt collection turn us irs wont satisfied said thursday like many california guard members mclains bonus problems began 2006 serving 19th special forces group national guard unit based los alamitos gone afghanistan 2002 shortly usled invasion ousted taliban power four years later enlistment contract expiring volunteered go iraq sunni muslim insurgency usled occupation reaching violent phase instead signing new sixyear enlistment mclain opted extend old contract year would deploy iraq receiving bonus assigned regular army special forces team outpost near hit iraqi insurgent hotbed us troops engaged fierce daily combat mclain says units senior noncommissioned officer told signed another sixyear contract war zone entitled 30000 reenlistment bonus since active duty mclain says skeptical believed california guard member qualified 15000 usual bonus time signed contract within weeks received two extra payments 7500 paycheck money didnt appear says assumed qualified 15000 thought year hit sandblown walled town euphrates river northwest ramadi involved near daily combat job train iraqi police went bunch operations aimed capturing insurgents said militants ambushed us convoys regularly bombarded units small outpost mortar fire said end deployment struck numerous times ieds diagnosed traumatic brain injury mclain wrote august 2015 bonus repayment appeal pentagon using military abbreviation improvised explosive device injuries werent severe enough require hospitalization year mclain returned us 2007 another payment 7500 appeared army paycheck without explanation another 7500 arrived total 30000 bonuses showed paycheck thought great right mclain said referring senior sergeant iraq told qualified 30000 mclain returned iraq 2008 fought major battle southern city basra us iraqi troops sent quell insurgent uprising rode city one day powerful roadside bomb exploded near vehicle small piece shrapnel tore armor plating hit headset radio microphone mclain used communicate soldiers impact drove jaw back bloodied mouth left teeth loose returned las vegas 2009 veterans affairs doctor found lower jaw infected removed mclains teeth performed bone graft reconstruct lower jaw january 2013 mclain received letter california guard telling qualify 30000 bonuses received reenlisting seven years earlier since enlisted 1979 letter claimed served 20 years army reenlisted pentagon rules barred giving bonuses soldiers passed twodecade mark even eligible member california guard would received 15000 letter stated bottom line pay back entire 30000 mclain refused pay arguing served 17 years leaving active duty inactive 1988 1993 joining national guard week left afghanistan pentagon sent salary statement 000 fighting debt ever since 2015 pentagon offered give longterm repayment agreement crossed section required admit owed debt started sending 100 checks defense finance accounting service pentagon agency handles repayment debts responded letter said altered repayment agreement required immediately repay entire 2711282 said still owed determined suspend debt longer said letter signed unnamed customer care representative
| 854 |
<p>James Harden returned from a seven-game injury hiatus but took a backseat to the dynamic play of Chris Paul and Eric Gordon in the Houston Rockets’ 116-98 victory over the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday at Toyota Center.</p>
<p>Harden, playing under a minutes restriction, finished with 10 points on 3-of-15 shooting and seven assists over 26 minutes, the first time this season he failed to record at least 20 points.</p>
<p>Gordon and Paul filled the scoring void. Gordon posted 30 points off the bench, drilling 7 of 13 3-point attempts. Paul tallied 19 points, six rebounds and nine assists. Paul hit 4 of 8 long-distance attempts as Houston finished 17 of 39 from behind the arc to repeatedly turn back Timberwolves rallies.</p>
<p>Jimmy Butler and Karl-Anthony Towns worked in tandem to keep Minnesota close, with Butler pouring in 23 points as Towns added a double-double of 22 points and 16 rebounds. Andrew Wiggins chipped in a relatively quiet 16 points, and Tyus Jones added 13 points off the Timberwolves’ bench.</p>
<p>Following a sluggish start, the Rockets created separation with a Gordon-paced flurry to close the first period. Gordon tallied nine points in succession, following a three-point play with back-to-back 3-pointers to give the Rockets a 26-17 lead entering the second period. The Rockets pulled the same trick to close the half, with Paul spearheading a 13-5 rally to finish that frame.</p>
<p>Paul sank a pair of 3-pointers during that stretch and assisted on a transition trey from Gordon that extended the lead to 60-47 with just under a minute remaining in the half. Paul also converted a baseline fadeaway over Towns, winning that isolation battle with some deft ballhandling.</p>
<p>After the Timberwolves clawed to within seven late in the third quarter, the Rockets reeled off a 16-4 blitz to close the period and take an 89-70 lead into the fourth. Gordon hit a half-court buzzer-beater for the final bit of theatrics, leaving Minnesota a hole too deep to escape.</p>
<p>Houston has won 15 of its past 17 games against the Timberwolves, including 10 in a row at Toyota Center.</p>
<p>—Field Level Media</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>Kyle Busch finally ended a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race happy, winning Sunday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway by holding off Kevin Harvick over the closing laps.</p>
<p>It was the 44th series win for Busch, who had finished second or third in the previous four Cup races even as Harvick had already won three times this season.</p>
<p>It was also the first win of the season for Joe Gibbs Racing, considered the top Toyota team in the sport.</p>
<p>“My guys were awesome on pit road,” Busch said. “Adam (Stevens, the crew chief) and the guys gave me a great car.</p>
<p>“I can’t say enough about these guys. It was rocking today.”</p>
<p>A point of controversy in the upcoming weeks is going to be the NASCAR-issued pit guns, which Harvick blamed for his up and down day, calling them “pathetic,” and “embarrassing for the sport.”</p>
<p>Kurt Busch started from the pole after truncated qualifying Friday made his fast lap in the first round stand up. He was passed on the first lap by teammate Harvick, who got into the low preferred line around the track as Busch went high.</p>
<p>With a cold track and cold tires — the temperature at race start was 46 degrees — and drivers jockeying for position, the first crash of the day happened on Lap 2 when Alex Bowman got down on the apron and the rear of his car swung right.</p>
<p>When defending series champion Martin Truex Jr.’s crash on Lap 81 took him out of the race, Harvick won Stage 1 under caution, dominating it by leading 74 of 85 laps. It was his fourth stage win of the season, tops in the Cup Series.</p>
<p>On a track that doesn’t afford much green-flag passing, fast pit stops were critical, and even more important was getting on and off pit road mistake-free. That was too much to ask on the first round of stops for contenders Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin and Jimmie Johnson.</p>
<p>Blaney and Hamlin were too fast entering pit road and served pass-through penalties, taking them from being among the leaders to the middle of the pack, with Hamlin soon going a lap down. Johnson’s crew didn’t get his right-front wheel on tight and he had to pit again to tighten it up, relegating him to two laps down as Stage 1 wound down.</p>
<p>When Stage 2 opened for green-flag racing on Lap 91, Kyle Busch re-started in first after a faster pit stop than Harvick, who came out second. Busch held the lead starting from the outside line and kept it until Lap 116, when Harvick flew by on the low line through Turns 1 and 2.</p>
<p>But the 1.5mile D-shaped oval proved treacherous throughout the race, with Kyle Larson blowing a right front tire and hitting the wall hard between Turns 1 and 2 on Lap 126.</p>
<p>On the ensuing pit stops, Harvick dropped eight spots and came out ninth, then Harvick lost a lap when he had to pit with a loose wheel but he slowly made his way back to be in contention until the end despite more pit-road foibles. With Kurt Busch taking over the lead and younger brother Kyle re-starting second when Harvick fell back, Kurt broke out on top and kept the lead until Lap 166 when Kyle passed him to win Stage 2 four laps later, his second stage win of the season.</p>
<p>On the restart on Lap 178 after Stage 2 with Erik Jones leading, seven cars had a big pileup, including Hamlin, Trevor Bayne, Brad Keselowski, Johnson, David Ragan, Aric Almirola and Dillon, bringing out the red flag and a race stoppage of 11 minutes, 4 seconds for cleanup.</p>
<p>The Cup series heads to Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn., next Sunday for the Food City 500 at the half-mile bullring oval for the second short-track race of the season.</p>
<p>—K. Lee Davis, Field Level Media</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>HUMBOLDT, Saskatchewan (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined religious and community leaders at an emotional vigil on Sunday night to honor the 15 members of a junior ice hockey team killed in a bus crash that shocked the hockey-loving nation.</p>
<p>Hundreds of people including National Hockey League (NHL) players attended the vigil at the Elgar Petersen Arena, home of the Humboldt Broncos club at the center of one of the worst disasters to hit Canada’s sporting community.</p>
<p>“We’re here behind you. We will be here for you,” Rob Muench, mayor of the small farming town of Humboldt in Saskatchewan province, told the gathering.</p> Related Coverage
<a href="/article/us-canada-crash-community/hockey-loving-canada-town-mourns-fine-young-guys-after-crash-idUSKBN1HF0UD" type="external">Hockey-loving Canada town mourns 'fine young guys' after crash</a>
<p>“We will get through this.”</p>
<p>Fourteen other members of the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team were injured in the accident, which occurred as the team was traveling to a league playoff game in the town of Nipawin, about 200 km (125 miles) northeast of Humboldt, on Friday.</p>
<p>The bus collided with a semi-trailer truck. Canadian police are looking into road, weather and vehicle conditions.</p>
<p>Former NHL star Sheldon Kennedy was among those who were expected to attend the vigil, along with former players Bob Wilkie and Peter Soberlak. Kennedy was on board a bus involved in another fatal crash in 1986, in which four members of the Swift Current Broncos were killed.</p>
<p>One minute silence was observed at the time when the playoff was scheduled on Sunday evening.</p>
<p>“Today and for every day forward we are all humble Broncos and we will be forever humble Broncos strong,” Broncos President Kevin Geringer told the members attending the vigil.</p>
<p>For the prairies community of Humboldt, population about 6,000, ice hockey is a sport that unifies the town and gives it its identity, bringing home two national championships.</p> Mourners comfort each other during a vigil at the Elgar Petersen Arena, home of the Humboldt Broncos, to honour the victims of a fatal bus accident in Humboldt, Saskatchewan, Canada April 8, 2018. Jonathan Hayward/Pool via REUTERS
<p>Townspeople and team supporters gathered at the local Uniplex sports and education complex to comfort each other. An online fund-raising initiative to help the victims’ families has raised C$3.7 million ($2.9 million).</p>
<p>Rob Eichorst, the team’s governor, said Sunday’s interdenominational vigil was organized by local religious leaders “for healing of the community, the hockey team, the province, the country.”</p>
<p>“There’s no playbook on how to handle this,” Eichorst said. “People are bringing food ... We’ve got multinational companies helping us, we’ve got national companies offering stuff. The support is overwhelming and truly appreciated.”</p> Slideshow (23 Images)
<p>He estimated 300 to 400 people had gathered at the complex on Friday evening. Grief counselors were on hand and the Red Cross was providing support to players’ families as well as the families who billet players.</p>
<p>Reporting by Katherine Fitzpatrick&#160;in HUMBOLDT, Saskatchewan; Writing by Denny Thomas; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien and Stephen Coates</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>(Reuters) - Japanese two-way star Shohei Ohtani continued to display Babe Ruth-like brilliance in the early stages of his Major League career as he flirted with a perfect game while pitching for six-plus innings in a Los Angeles Angels victory on Sunday.</p> Apr 8, 2018; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) throws against the Oakland Athletics in the second inning during a MLB baseball game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
<p>The 23-year-old rookie allowed just one hit and struck out 12 over seven scoreless innings as he improved to 2-0 as a pitcher in his team’s 6-1 win over the Oakland Athletics.</p>
<p>The performance only increased the buzz that Ohtani, who hit home runs in three consecutive games last week, could become the highest-profile player since Hall of Famer Ruth to succeed on both the mound and at the plate.</p>
<p>Ruth managed to dominate both disciplines for the Boston Red Sox in 1918 and 1919 before his fateful move on to the New York Yankees, where he became the Sultan of Swat and seldom pitched.</p>
<p>“I think he’s mature beyond his years,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia told reporters when asked about the right-handed pitcher before Sunday’s game.</p>
<p>“He’s been challenged at a young age, so he’s seasoned to what a lot of players have to get acclimated to. He’s been playing at a very high level of baseball from a very young age.</p>
<p>“Shohei, he’s very confident, he works very, very hard at what he needs to do, and there’s a lot on his plate. But he has the talent to do it.”</p> CLEAN ZERO
<p>Ohtani showed plenty of that talent when he retired the first 19 batters he faced, throwing a perfect game until Marcus Semien lined a fastball into left field for a single with one out in the seventh.</p>
<p>“Probably my best outing ever was when I was in elementary school,” Ohtani, who shone for the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan before joining the Angels in December, said through an interpreter.</p> Apr 8, 2018; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) is greeted by teammates in the dugout against the Oakland Athletics during a MLB baseball game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
<p>He pumped his fist as he walked off the field after striking out the last batter he faced with two runners on in the seventh inning, receiving a standing ovation from the 44,742 in attendance as he departed.</p>
<p>“I wanted to keep a clean zero on the board,” Ohtani said of his last out. “One hit would have been two runs — that’s a huge difference. I wanted that strikeout and I got it.”</p>
<p>Nicknamed the Babe Ruth of Japan because of his dual threat, Ohtani became the first Major League player with two wins and three home runs in his team's first 10 games since Jim Shaw for the Washington Senators in 1919, according to mlb.com <a href="http://www.mlb.com" type="external">www.mlb.com</a>.</p>
<p>He also joined Ruth (1916) and Ken Brett (1973) as the only players in Major League history with a double-digit strikeout game and a home run in three consecutive contests.</p>
<p>Ohtani homered in his first ever at-bat at Angels stadium last week and has continued to thrill fans with a .389 batting average at the plate, where he has three homers and seven RBIs.</p>
<p>On the mound, which is where the Angels plan to use him primarily, Ohtani has 18 strikeouts in two games, helping to push Los Angeles to an impressive 7-3 start. &#160;</p>
<p>Reporting by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles and Gene Cherry in North Carolina; Editing by John O'Brien</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>AUGUSTA, Ga. (Reuters) - Tiger Woods was unable to conjure up his old magic at the U.S. Masters this week but that did not dampen the enthusiasm surrounding his return to Augusta National.</p> Tiger Woods of the U.S. hits off the second tee during final round play of the 2018 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, U.S. April 8, 2018. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson
<p>Woods, despite no chance of getting into contention on the final day of the year’s first major, was given a warm reception whenever patrons caught a glimpse of the four-times Masters champion navigating the course in his traditional Sunday red.</p>
<p>For Woods, who battled back issues for years and had spinal fusion surgery last April, this week marked the first time he competed in any of golf’s four major championships since 2015.</p>
<p>“It’s disappointing that I didn’t hit the ball well enough,” Woods said after capping his final round 69 with a three-putt bogey at the 18th.</p>
<p>“But to be able to just be out here competing again, if you had said that last year at this particular time I would have said you’re crazy.”</p>
<p>Woods is only six tournaments into his comeback from injury and while he was unable to display the type of form that had him labeled as one of the favorites this year, he remains upbeat for what lies ahead.</p>
<p>“Things are progressing,” said Woods. “I just didn’t do a good enough job this week ... but to be able to compete out here and to score like I did, it feels good.”</p> ‘INTENSITY IS UNDENIABLE’
<p>With hours to go before the final pairings teed off, Woods was by far the main draw on a cool morning at Augusta National with fans offering words of encouragement each step of the way.</p>
<p>Long forgotten was the sex scandal that dogged Woods late in 2009 and ultimately cost him a number of lucrative endorsement deals. Also erased from memory was last year’s DUI arrest that produced a droopy-eyed booking photo.</p> Tiger Woods of the U.S pulls his driver out on the second tee during final round play of the 2018 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, U.S. April 8, 2018. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson
<p>And the fact that Woods began his round 18 shots behind overnight leader Patrick Reed was also not enough to spoil the party for the former world number one’s supporters.</p>
<p>Instead, patrons were focused only on jockeying for position with hopes of getting up close with Woods.</p>
<p>“For some reason when you are front row in front of Tiger Woods... you don’t even want to look at him because you are so scared,” Patrick Keim, a 22-year-old student from Auburn, Alabama, told Reuters as Woods made a par putt at the par-three sixth hole.</p>
<p>“The intimidation and the intensity is undeniable.”</p>
<p>Ever the competitor, Woods was still intent on making a move up the scoreboard and did post his lowest score of the week — a three-under 69.</p>
<p>While not able to consistently produce the type of shots he once conjured on command, Woods twice triggered loud roars of old when he nearly aced the par-three fourth and then again at the par-five 15th when his second shot stopped 29 feet from the pin before he converted the eagle putt.</p>
<p>The way Woods, a 79-times winner on the PGA Tour, tamed what was one of the most difficult holes all week is why some of his supporters feel the greatest golfer of his generation is far from done.</p>
<p>“It’s positive what he’s doing,” Ryan Godsey, a 41-year-old teacher from Greenville, South Carolina, said as Woods made birdie at the par-three fourth. “He will win again, it’s just a matter of time.”</p>
<p>Reporting by Frank Pingue, editing by Pritha Sarkar</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
| false | 2 |
james harden returned sevengame injury hiatus took backseat dynamic play chris paul eric gordon houston rockets 11698 victory visiting minnesota timberwolves thursday toyota center harden playing minutes restriction finished 10 points 3of15 shooting seven assists 26 minutes first time season failed record least 20 points gordon paul filled scoring void gordon posted 30 points bench drilling 7 13 3point attempts paul tallied 19 points six rebounds nine assists paul hit 4 8 longdistance attempts houston finished 17 39 behind arc repeatedly turn back timberwolves rallies jimmy butler karlanthony towns worked tandem keep minnesota close butler pouring 23 points towns added doubledouble 22 points 16 rebounds andrew wiggins chipped relatively quiet 16 points tyus jones added 13 points timberwolves bench following sluggish start rockets created separation gordonpaced flurry close first period gordon tallied nine points succession following threepoint play backtoback 3pointers give rockets 2617 lead entering second period rockets pulled trick close half paul spearheading 135 rally finish frame paul sank pair 3pointers stretch assisted transition trey gordon extended lead 6047 minute remaining half paul also converted baseline fadeaway towns winning isolation battle deft ballhandling timberwolves clawed within seven late third quarter rockets reeled 164 blitz close period take 8970 lead fourth gordon hit halfcourt buzzerbeater final bit theatrics leaving minnesota hole deep escape houston 15 past 17 games timberwolves including 10 row toyota center field level media standards thomson reuters trust principles kyle busch finally ended monster energy nascar cup series race happy winning sundays oreilly auto parts 500 texas motor speedway holding kevin harvick closing laps 44th series win busch finished second third previous four cup races even harvick already three times season also first win season joe gibbs racing considered top toyota team sport guys awesome pit road busch said adam stevens crew chief guys gave great car cant say enough guys rocking today point controversy upcoming weeks going nascarissued pit guns harvick blamed day calling pathetic embarrassing sport kurt busch started pole truncated qualifying friday made fast lap first round stand passed first lap teammate harvick got low preferred line around track busch went high cold track cold tires temperature race start 46 degrees drivers jockeying position first crash day happened lap 2 alex bowman got apron rear car swung right defending series champion martin truex jrs crash lap 81 took race harvick stage 1 caution dominating leading 74 85 laps fourth stage win season tops cup series track doesnt afford much greenflag passing fast pit stops critical even important getting pit road mistakefree much ask first round stops contenders ryan blaney denny hamlin jimmie johnson blaney hamlin fast entering pit road served passthrough penalties taking among leaders middle pack hamlin soon going lap johnsons crew didnt get rightfront wheel tight pit tighten relegating two laps stage 1 wound stage 2 opened greenflag racing lap 91 kyle busch restarted first faster pit stop harvick came second busch held lead starting outside line kept lap 116 harvick flew low line turns 1 2 15mile dshaped oval proved treacherous throughout race kyle larson blowing right front tire hitting wall hard turns 1 2 lap 126 ensuing pit stops harvick dropped eight spots came ninth harvick lost lap pit loose wheel slowly made way back contention end despite pitroad foibles kurt busch taking lead younger brother kyle restarting second harvick fell back kurt broke top kept lead lap 166 kyle passed win stage 2 four laps later second stage win season restart lap 178 stage 2 erik jones leading seven cars big pileup including hamlin trevor bayne brad keselowski johnson david ragan aric almirola dillon bringing red flag race stoppage 11 minutes 4 seconds cleanup cup series heads bristol motor speedway bristol tenn next sunday food city 500 halfmile bullring oval second shorttrack race season k lee davis field level media standards thomson reuters trust principles humboldt saskatchewan reuters canadian prime minister justin trudeau joined religious community leaders emotional vigil sunday night honor 15 members junior ice hockey team killed bus crash shocked hockeyloving nation hundreds people including national hockey league nhl players attended vigil elgar petersen arena home humboldt broncos club center one worst disasters hit canadas sporting community behind rob muench mayor small farming town humboldt saskatchewan province told gathering related coverage hockeyloving canada town mourns fine young guys crash get fourteen members humboldt broncos junior hockey team injured accident occurred team traveling league playoff game town nipawin 200 km 125 miles northeast humboldt friday bus collided semitrailer truck canadian police looking road weather vehicle conditions former nhl star sheldon kennedy among expected attend vigil along former players bob wilkie peter soberlak kennedy board bus involved another fatal crash 1986 four members swift current broncos killed one minute silence observed time playoff scheduled sunday evening today every day forward humble broncos forever humble broncos strong broncos president kevin geringer told members attending vigil prairies community humboldt population 6000 ice hockey sport unifies town gives identity bringing home two national championships mourners comfort vigil elgar petersen arena home humboldt broncos honour victims fatal bus accident humboldt saskatchewan canada april 8 2018 jonathan haywardpool via reuters townspeople team supporters gathered local uniplex sports education complex comfort online fundraising initiative help victims families raised c37 million 29 million rob eichorst teams governor said sundays interdenominational vigil organized local religious leaders healing community hockey team province country theres playbook handle eichorst said people bringing food weve got multinational companies helping us weve got national companies offering stuff support overwhelming truly appreciated slideshow 23 images estimated 300 400 people gathered complex friday evening grief counselors hand red cross providing support players families well families billet players reporting katherine fitzpatrick160in humboldt saskatchewan writing denny thomas editing rosalba obrien stephen coates standards thomson reuters trust principles reuters japanese twoway star shohei ohtani continued display babe ruthlike brilliance early stages major league career flirted perfect game pitching sixplus innings los angeles angels victory sunday apr 8 2018 anaheim ca usa los angeles angels starting pitcher shohei ohtani 17 throws oakland athletics second inning mlb baseball game angel stadium anaheim kirby leeusa today sports 23yearold rookie allowed one hit struck 12 seven scoreless innings improved 20 pitcher teams 61 win oakland athletics performance increased buzz ohtani hit home runs three consecutive games last week could become highestprofile player since hall famer ruth succeed mound plate ruth managed dominate disciplines boston red sox 1918 1919 fateful move new york yankees became sultan swat seldom pitched think hes mature beyond years angels manager mike scioscia told reporters asked righthanded pitcher sundays game hes challenged young age hes seasoned lot players get acclimated hes playing high level baseball young age shohei hes confident works hard needs theres lot plate talent clean zero ohtani showed plenty talent retired first 19 batters faced throwing perfect game marcus semien lined fastball left field single one seventh probably best outing ever elementary school ohtani shone hokkaido nippon ham fighters japan joining angels december said interpreter apr 8 2018 anaheim ca usa los angeles angels starting pitcher shohei ohtani 17 greeted teammates dugout oakland athletics mlb baseball game angel stadium anaheim kirby leeusa today sports pumped fist walked field striking last batter faced two runners seventh inning receiving standing ovation 44742 attendance departed wanted keep clean zero board ohtani said last one hit would two runs thats huge difference wanted strikeout got nicknamed babe ruth japan dual threat ohtani became first major league player two wins three home runs teams first 10 games since jim shaw washington senators 1919 according mlbcom wwwmlbcom also joined ruth 1916 ken brett 1973 players major league history doubledigit strikeout game home run three consecutive contests ohtani homered first ever atbat angels stadium last week continued thrill fans 389 batting average plate three homers seven rbis mound angels plan use primarily ohtani 18 strikeouts two games helping push los angeles impressive 73 start 160 reporting jahmal corner los angeles gene cherry north carolina editing john obrien standards thomson reuters trust principles augusta ga reuters tiger woods unable conjure old magic us masters week dampen enthusiasm surrounding return augusta national tiger woods us hits second tee final round play 2018 masters golf tournament augusta national golf club augusta georgia us april 8 2018 reuterslucy nicholson woods despite chance getting contention final day years first major given warm reception whenever patrons caught glimpse fourtimes masters champion navigating course traditional sunday red woods battled back issues years spinal fusion surgery last april week marked first time competed golfs four major championships since 2015 disappointing didnt hit ball well enough woods said capping final round 69 threeputt bogey 18th able competing said last year particular time would said youre crazy woods six tournaments comeback injury unable display type form labeled one favorites year remains upbeat lies ahead things progressing said woods didnt good enough job week able compete score like feels good intensity undeniable hours go final pairings teed woods far main draw cool morning augusta national fans offering words encouragement step way long forgotten sex scandal dogged woods late 2009 ultimately cost number lucrative endorsement deals also erased memory last years dui arrest produced droopyeyed booking photo tiger woods us pulls driver second tee final round play 2018 masters golf tournament augusta national golf club augusta georgia us april 8 2018 reuterslucy nicholson fact woods began round 18 shots behind overnight leader patrick reed also enough spoil party former world number ones supporters instead patrons focused jockeying position hopes getting close woods reason front row front tiger woods dont even want look scared patrick keim 22yearold student auburn alabama told reuters woods made par putt parthree sixth hole intimidation intensity undeniable ever competitor woods still intent making move scoreboard post lowest score week threeunder 69 able consistently produce type shots conjured command woods twice triggered loud roars old nearly aced parthree fourth parfive 15th second shot stopped 29 feet pin converted eagle putt way woods 79times winner pga tour tamed one difficult holes week supporters feel greatest golfer generation far done positive hes ryan godsey 41yearold teacher greenville south carolina said woods made birdie parthree fourth win matter time reporting frank pingue editing pritha sarkar standards thomson reuters trust principles
| 1,687 |
<p>PARIS (AP) — Russian television anchor Pavel Lobkov was in the studio getting ready for his show when jarring news flashed across his phone: Some of his most intimate messages had just been published to the web.</p>
<p>Days earlier, the veteran journalist had come out live on air as HIV-positive, a taboo-breaking revelation that drew responses from hundreds of Russians fighting their own lonely struggles with the virus. Now he'd been hacked.</p>
<p>"These were very personal messages," Lobkov said in a recent interview, describing a frantic call to his lawyer in an abortive effort to stop the spread of nearly 300 pages of Facebook correspondence, including sexually explicit messages. Even two years later, he said, "it's a very traumatic story."</p>
<p>The Associated Press found that Lobkov was targeted by the hacking group known as Fancy Bear in March 2015, nine months before his messages were leaked. He was one of at least 200 journalists, publishers and bloggers targeted by the group as early as mid-2014 and as recently as a few months ago.</p>
<p>The AP identified journalists as the third-largest group on a hacking hit list obtained from cybersecurity firm Secureworks, after diplomatic personnel and U.S. Democrats. About 50 of the journalists worked at The New York Times. Another 50 were either foreign correspondents based in Moscow or Russian reporters like Lobkov who worked for independent news outlets. Others were prominent media figures in Ukraine, Moldova, the Baltics or Washington.</p>
<p>The list of journalists provides new evidence for the U.S. intelligence community's conclusion that Fancy Bear acted on behalf of the Russian government when it intervened in the U.S. presidential election. Spy agencies say the hackers were working to help Republican Donald Trump. The Russian government has denied interfering in the American election.</p>
<p>Previous AP reporting has shown how Fancy Bear — which Secureworks nicknamed Iron Twilight — used phishing emails to try to compromise Russian opposition leaders, Ukrainian politicians and U.S. intelligence figures, along with Hillary Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta and more than 130 other Democrats.</p>
<p>Lobkov, 50, said he saw hacks like the one that turned his day upside-down in December 2015 as dress rehearsals for the email leaks that struck the Democrats in the United States the following year.</p>
<p>"I think the hackers in the service of the Fatherland were long getting their training on our lot before venturing outside."</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>"CLASSIC KGB TACTIC"</p>
<p>New Yorker writer Masha Gessen said it was also in 2015 — when Secureworks first detected attempts to break into her Gmail — that she began noticing people who seemed to materialize next to her in public places in New York and speak loudly in Russian into their phones, as if trying to be overheard. She said this only happened when she put appointments into the online calendar linked to her Google account.</p>
<p>Gessen, the author of a book about Russian President Vladimir Putin's rise to power, said she saw the incidents as threats.</p>
<p>"It was really obvious," she said. "It was a classic KGB intimidation tactic."</p>
<p>Other U.S.-based journalists targeted include Josh Rogin, a Washington Post columnist, and Shane Harris, who was covering the intelligence community for The Daily Beast in 2015. Harris said he dodged the phishing attempt, forwarding the email to a source in the security industry who told him almost immediately that Fancy Bear was involved.</p>
<p>In Russia, the majority of journalists targeted by the hackers worked for independent news outlets like Novaya Gazeta or Vedomosti, though a few — such as Tina Kandelaki and Ksenia Sobchak — are more mainstream. Sobchak has even launched an improbable bid for the Russian presidency.</p>
<p>Investigative reporter Roman Shleynov noted that the Gmail hackers targeted was the one he used while working on the Panama Papers, the expose of international tax avoidance that implicated members of Putin's inner circle.</p>
<p>Fancy Bear also pursued more than 30 media targets in Ukraine, including many journalists at the Kyiv Post and others who have reported from the front lines of the Russia-backed war in the country's east.</p>
<p>Nataliya Gumenyuk, co-founder of Ukrainian internet news site Hromadske, said the hackers were hunting for compromising information.</p>
<p>"The idea was to discredit the independent Ukrainian voices," she said.</p>
<p>The hackers also tried to break into the personal Gmail account of Ellen Barry, The New York Times' former Moscow bureau chief.</p>
<p>Her newspaper appears to have been a favorite target. Fancy Bear sent phishing emails to roughly 50 of Barry's colleagues at The Times in late 2014, according to two people familiar with the matter. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential data.</p>
<p>The Times confirmed in a brief statement that its employees received the malicious messages, but the newspaper declined to comment further.</p>
<p>Some journalists saw their presence on the hackers' hit list as vindication. Among them were CNN security analyst Michael Weiss and Brookings Institution visiting fellow Jamie Kirchick, who took the news as a badge of honor.</p>
<p>"I'm very proud to hear that," Kirchick said.</p>
<p>The Committee to Protect Journalists said the wide net cast by Fancy Bear underscores efforts by governments worldwide to use hacking against journalists.</p>
<p>"It's about gaining access to sources and intimidating those journalists," said Courtney C. Radsch, the group's advocacy director.</p>
<p>In Russia, the stakes are particularly high. The committee has counted 38 murders of journalists there since 1992.</p>
<p>Many journalists told the AP they knew they were under threat, explaining that they had added a second layer of password protection to their emails and only chatted over encrypted messaging apps like Telegram, WhatsApp or Signal.</p>
<p>Fancy Bear target Ekaterina Vinokurova, who works for regional media outlet Znak, said she routinely deletes her emails.</p>
<p>"I understand that my accounts may be hacked at any time," she said in a telephone interview. "I'm ready for them."</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>"I'VE SEEN WHAT THEY COULD DO"</p>
<p>It's not just whom the hackers tried to spy on that points to the Russian government.</p>
<p>It's when.</p>
<p>Maria Titizian, an Armenian journalist, immediately found significance in the date she was targeted: June 26, 2015.</p>
<p>"It was Electric Yerevan," she said, referring to protests over rising energy bills that she reported on. The protests that rocked Armenia's capital that summer were initially seen by some in Moscow as a threat to Russian influence.</p>
<p>Titizian said her outspoken criticism of the Kremlin's "colonial attitude" toward Armenia could have made her a target.</p>
<p>Eliot Higgins, whose open source journalism site Bellingcat repeatedly crops up on the target list, said the phishing attempts seemed to begin "once we started really making strong statements about MH17," the Malaysian airliner shot out of the sky over eastern Ukraine in 2014, killing 298 people. Bellingcat played a key role in marshaling the evidence that the plane was destroyed by a Russian missile — Moscow's denials notwithstanding.</p>
<p>The clearest timing for a hacking attempt may have been that of Adrian Chen.</p>
<p>On June 2, 2015, Chen published a prescient expose of the Internet Research Agency, the Russian "troll factory" that won fresh infamy in October over revelations that it had manufactured make-believe Americans to pollute social media with toxic rhetoric.</p>
<p>Eight days after Chen published his big story, Fancy Bear tried to break into his account.</p>
<p>Chen, who has regularly written about the darker recesses of the internet, said having a lifetime of private messages exposed to the internet could be devastating.</p>
<p>"I've covered a lot of these leaks," he said. "I've seen what they could do."</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Donn reported from Plymouth, Massachusetts. Vasilyeva reported from Moscow. Kate de Pury in Moscow contributed.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>EDITOR'S NOTE — Raphael Satter's father, David Satter, is an author and Russia specialist who has been critical of the Kremlin. His emails were published last year by hackers and his account is on Secureworks' list of Fancy Bear targets.</p>
<p>PARIS (AP) — Russian television anchor Pavel Lobkov was in the studio getting ready for his show when jarring news flashed across his phone: Some of his most intimate messages had just been published to the web.</p>
<p>Days earlier, the veteran journalist had come out live on air as HIV-positive, a taboo-breaking revelation that drew responses from hundreds of Russians fighting their own lonely struggles with the virus. Now he'd been hacked.</p>
<p>"These were very personal messages," Lobkov said in a recent interview, describing a frantic call to his lawyer in an abortive effort to stop the spread of nearly 300 pages of Facebook correspondence, including sexually explicit messages. Even two years later, he said, "it's a very traumatic story."</p>
<p>The Associated Press found that Lobkov was targeted by the hacking group known as Fancy Bear in March 2015, nine months before his messages were leaked. He was one of at least 200 journalists, publishers and bloggers targeted by the group as early as mid-2014 and as recently as a few months ago.</p>
<p>The AP identified journalists as the third-largest group on a hacking hit list obtained from cybersecurity firm Secureworks, after diplomatic personnel and U.S. Democrats. About 50 of the journalists worked at The New York Times. Another 50 were either foreign correspondents based in Moscow or Russian reporters like Lobkov who worked for independent news outlets. Others were prominent media figures in Ukraine, Moldova, the Baltics or Washington.</p>
<p>The list of journalists provides new evidence for the U.S. intelligence community's conclusion that Fancy Bear acted on behalf of the Russian government when it intervened in the U.S. presidential election. Spy agencies say the hackers were working to help Republican Donald Trump. The Russian government has denied interfering in the American election.</p>
<p>Previous AP reporting has shown how Fancy Bear — which Secureworks nicknamed Iron Twilight — used phishing emails to try to compromise Russian opposition leaders, Ukrainian politicians and U.S. intelligence figures, along with Hillary Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta and more than 130 other Democrats.</p>
<p>Lobkov, 50, said he saw hacks like the one that turned his day upside-down in December 2015 as dress rehearsals for the email leaks that struck the Democrats in the United States the following year.</p>
<p>"I think the hackers in the service of the Fatherland were long getting their training on our lot before venturing outside."</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>"CLASSIC KGB TACTIC"</p>
<p>New Yorker writer Masha Gessen said it was also in 2015 — when Secureworks first detected attempts to break into her Gmail — that she began noticing people who seemed to materialize next to her in public places in New York and speak loudly in Russian into their phones, as if trying to be overheard. She said this only happened when she put appointments into the online calendar linked to her Google account.</p>
<p>Gessen, the author of a book about Russian President Vladimir Putin's rise to power, said she saw the incidents as threats.</p>
<p>"It was really obvious," she said. "It was a classic KGB intimidation tactic."</p>
<p>Other U.S.-based journalists targeted include Josh Rogin, a Washington Post columnist, and Shane Harris, who was covering the intelligence community for The Daily Beast in 2015. Harris said he dodged the phishing attempt, forwarding the email to a source in the security industry who told him almost immediately that Fancy Bear was involved.</p>
<p>In Russia, the majority of journalists targeted by the hackers worked for independent news outlets like Novaya Gazeta or Vedomosti, though a few — such as Tina Kandelaki and Ksenia Sobchak — are more mainstream. Sobchak has even launched an improbable bid for the Russian presidency.</p>
<p>Investigative reporter Roman Shleynov noted that the Gmail hackers targeted was the one he used while working on the Panama Papers, the expose of international tax avoidance that implicated members of Putin's inner circle.</p>
<p>Fancy Bear also pursued more than 30 media targets in Ukraine, including many journalists at the Kyiv Post and others who have reported from the front lines of the Russia-backed war in the country's east.</p>
<p>Nataliya Gumenyuk, co-founder of Ukrainian internet news site Hromadske, said the hackers were hunting for compromising information.</p>
<p>"The idea was to discredit the independent Ukrainian voices," she said.</p>
<p>The hackers also tried to break into the personal Gmail account of Ellen Barry, The New York Times' former Moscow bureau chief.</p>
<p>Her newspaper appears to have been a favorite target. Fancy Bear sent phishing emails to roughly 50 of Barry's colleagues at The Times in late 2014, according to two people familiar with the matter. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential data.</p>
<p>The Times confirmed in a brief statement that its employees received the malicious messages, but the newspaper declined to comment further.</p>
<p>Some journalists saw their presence on the hackers' hit list as vindication. Among them were CNN security analyst Michael Weiss and Brookings Institution visiting fellow Jamie Kirchick, who took the news as a badge of honor.</p>
<p>"I'm very proud to hear that," Kirchick said.</p>
<p>The Committee to Protect Journalists said the wide net cast by Fancy Bear underscores efforts by governments worldwide to use hacking against journalists.</p>
<p>"It's about gaining access to sources and intimidating those journalists," said Courtney C. Radsch, the group's advocacy director.</p>
<p>In Russia, the stakes are particularly high. The committee has counted 38 murders of journalists there since 1992.</p>
<p>Many journalists told the AP they knew they were under threat, explaining that they had added a second layer of password protection to their emails and only chatted over encrypted messaging apps like Telegram, WhatsApp or Signal.</p>
<p>Fancy Bear target Ekaterina Vinokurova, who works for regional media outlet Znak, said she routinely deletes her emails.</p>
<p>"I understand that my accounts may be hacked at any time," she said in a telephone interview. "I'm ready for them."</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>"I'VE SEEN WHAT THEY COULD DO"</p>
<p>It's not just whom the hackers tried to spy on that points to the Russian government.</p>
<p>It's when.</p>
<p>Maria Titizian, an Armenian journalist, immediately found significance in the date she was targeted: June 26, 2015.</p>
<p>"It was Electric Yerevan," she said, referring to protests over rising energy bills that she reported on. The protests that rocked Armenia's capital that summer were initially seen by some in Moscow as a threat to Russian influence.</p>
<p>Titizian said her outspoken criticism of the Kremlin's "colonial attitude" toward Armenia could have made her a target.</p>
<p>Eliot Higgins, whose open source journalism site Bellingcat repeatedly crops up on the target list, said the phishing attempts seemed to begin "once we started really making strong statements about MH17," the Malaysian airliner shot out of the sky over eastern Ukraine in 2014, killing 298 people. Bellingcat played a key role in marshaling the evidence that the plane was destroyed by a Russian missile — Moscow's denials notwithstanding.</p>
<p>The clearest timing for a hacking attempt may have been that of Adrian Chen.</p>
<p>On June 2, 2015, Chen published a prescient expose of the Internet Research Agency, the Russian "troll factory" that won fresh infamy in October over revelations that it had manufactured make-believe Americans to pollute social media with toxic rhetoric.</p>
<p>Eight days after Chen published his big story, Fancy Bear tried to break into his account.</p>
<p>Chen, who has regularly written about the darker recesses of the internet, said having a lifetime of private messages exposed to the internet could be devastating.</p>
<p>"I've covered a lot of these leaks," he said. "I've seen what they could do."</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Donn reported from Plymouth, Massachusetts. Vasilyeva reported from Moscow. Kate de Pury in Moscow contributed.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>EDITOR'S NOTE — Raphael Satter's father, David Satter, is an author and Russia specialist who has been critical of the Kremlin. His emails were published last year by hackers and his account is on Secureworks' list of Fancy Bear targets.</p>
| false | 2 |
paris ap russian television anchor pavel lobkov studio getting ready show jarring news flashed across phone intimate messages published web days earlier veteran journalist come live air hivpositive taboobreaking revelation drew responses hundreds russians fighting lonely struggles virus hed hacked personal messages lobkov said recent interview describing frantic call lawyer abortive effort stop spread nearly 300 pages facebook correspondence including sexually explicit messages even two years later said traumatic story associated press found lobkov targeted hacking group known fancy bear march 2015 nine months messages leaked one least 200 journalists publishers bloggers targeted group early mid2014 recently months ago ap identified journalists thirdlargest group hacking hit list obtained cybersecurity firm secureworks diplomatic personnel us democrats 50 journalists worked new york times another 50 either foreign correspondents based moscow russian reporters like lobkov worked independent news outlets others prominent media figures ukraine moldova baltics washington list journalists provides new evidence us intelligence communitys conclusion fancy bear acted behalf russian government intervened us presidential election spy agencies say hackers working help republican donald trump russian government denied interfering american election previous ap reporting shown fancy bear secureworks nicknamed iron twilight used phishing emails try compromise russian opposition leaders ukrainian politicians us intelligence figures along hillary clinton campaign chairman john podesta 130 democrats lobkov 50 said saw hacks like one turned day upsidedown december 2015 dress rehearsals email leaks struck democrats united states following year think hackers service fatherland long getting training lot venturing outside ___ classic kgb tactic new yorker writer masha gessen said also 2015 secureworks first detected attempts break gmail began noticing people seemed materialize next public places new york speak loudly russian phones trying overheard said happened put appointments online calendar linked google account gessen author book russian president vladimir putins rise power said saw incidents threats really obvious said classic kgb intimidation tactic usbased journalists targeted include josh rogin washington post columnist shane harris covering intelligence community daily beast 2015 harris said dodged phishing attempt forwarding email source security industry told almost immediately fancy bear involved russia majority journalists targeted hackers worked independent news outlets like novaya gazeta vedomosti though tina kandelaki ksenia sobchak mainstream sobchak even launched improbable bid russian presidency investigative reporter roman shleynov noted gmail hackers targeted one used working panama papers expose international tax avoidance implicated members putins inner circle fancy bear also pursued 30 media targets ukraine including many journalists kyiv post others reported front lines russiabacked war countrys east nataliya gumenyuk cofounder ukrainian internet news site hromadske said hackers hunting compromising information idea discredit independent ukrainian voices said hackers also tried break personal gmail account ellen barry new york times former moscow bureau chief newspaper appears favorite target fancy bear sent phishing emails roughly 50 barrys colleagues times late 2014 according two people familiar matter spoke condition anonymity discuss confidential data times confirmed brief statement employees received malicious messages newspaper declined comment journalists saw presence hackers hit list vindication among cnn security analyst michael weiss brookings institution visiting fellow jamie kirchick took news badge honor im proud hear kirchick said committee protect journalists said wide net cast fancy bear underscores efforts governments worldwide use hacking journalists gaining access sources intimidating journalists said courtney c radsch groups advocacy director russia stakes particularly high committee counted 38 murders journalists since 1992 many journalists told ap knew threat explaining added second layer password protection emails chatted encrypted messaging apps like telegram whatsapp signal fancy bear target ekaterina vinokurova works regional media outlet znak said routinely deletes emails understand accounts may hacked time said telephone interview im ready ___ ive seen could hackers tried spy points russian government maria titizian armenian journalist immediately found significance date targeted june 26 2015 electric yerevan said referring protests rising energy bills reported protests rocked armenias capital summer initially seen moscow threat russian influence titizian said outspoken criticism kremlins colonial attitude toward armenia could made target eliot higgins whose open source journalism site bellingcat repeatedly crops target list said phishing attempts seemed begin started really making strong statements mh17 malaysian airliner shot sky eastern ukraine 2014 killing 298 people bellingcat played key role marshaling evidence plane destroyed russian missile moscows denials notwithstanding clearest timing hacking attempt may adrian chen june 2 2015 chen published prescient expose internet research agency russian troll factory fresh infamy october revelations manufactured makebelieve americans pollute social media toxic rhetoric eight days chen published big story fancy bear tried break account chen regularly written darker recesses internet said lifetime private messages exposed internet could devastating ive covered lot leaks said ive seen could ___ donn reported plymouth massachusetts vasilyeva reported moscow kate de pury moscow contributed ___ editors note raphael satters father david satter author russia specialist critical kremlin emails published last year hackers account secureworks list fancy bear targets paris ap russian television anchor pavel lobkov studio getting ready show jarring news flashed across phone intimate messages published web days earlier veteran journalist come live air hivpositive taboobreaking revelation drew responses hundreds russians fighting lonely struggles virus hed hacked personal messages lobkov said recent interview describing frantic call lawyer abortive effort stop spread nearly 300 pages facebook correspondence including sexually explicit messages even two years later said traumatic story associated press found lobkov targeted hacking group known fancy bear march 2015 nine months messages leaked one least 200 journalists publishers bloggers targeted group early mid2014 recently months ago ap identified journalists thirdlargest group hacking hit list obtained cybersecurity firm secureworks diplomatic personnel us democrats 50 journalists worked new york times another 50 either foreign correspondents based moscow russian reporters like lobkov worked independent news outlets others prominent media figures ukraine moldova baltics washington list journalists provides new evidence us intelligence communitys conclusion fancy bear acted behalf russian government intervened us presidential election spy agencies say hackers working help republican donald trump russian government denied interfering american election previous ap reporting shown fancy bear secureworks nicknamed iron twilight used phishing emails try compromise russian opposition leaders ukrainian politicians us intelligence figures along hillary clinton campaign chairman john podesta 130 democrats lobkov 50 said saw hacks like one turned day upsidedown december 2015 dress rehearsals email leaks struck democrats united states following year think hackers service fatherland long getting training lot venturing outside ___ classic kgb tactic new yorker writer masha gessen said also 2015 secureworks first detected attempts break gmail began noticing people seemed materialize next public places new york speak loudly russian phones trying overheard said happened put appointments online calendar linked google account gessen author book russian president vladimir putins rise power said saw incidents threats really obvious said classic kgb intimidation tactic usbased journalists targeted include josh rogin washington post columnist shane harris covering intelligence community daily beast 2015 harris said dodged phishing attempt forwarding email source security industry told almost immediately fancy bear involved russia majority journalists targeted hackers worked independent news outlets like novaya gazeta vedomosti though tina kandelaki ksenia sobchak mainstream sobchak even launched improbable bid russian presidency investigative reporter roman shleynov noted gmail hackers targeted one used working panama papers expose international tax avoidance implicated members putins inner circle fancy bear also pursued 30 media targets ukraine including many journalists kyiv post others reported front lines russiabacked war countrys east nataliya gumenyuk cofounder ukrainian internet news site hromadske said hackers hunting compromising information idea discredit independent ukrainian voices said hackers also tried break personal gmail account ellen barry new york times former moscow bureau chief newspaper appears favorite target fancy bear sent phishing emails roughly 50 barrys colleagues times late 2014 according two people familiar matter spoke condition anonymity discuss confidential data times confirmed brief statement employees received malicious messages newspaper declined comment journalists saw presence hackers hit list vindication among cnn security analyst michael weiss brookings institution visiting fellow jamie kirchick took news badge honor im proud hear kirchick said committee protect journalists said wide net cast fancy bear underscores efforts governments worldwide use hacking journalists gaining access sources intimidating journalists said courtney c radsch groups advocacy director russia stakes particularly high committee counted 38 murders journalists since 1992 many journalists told ap knew threat explaining added second layer password protection emails chatted encrypted messaging apps like telegram whatsapp signal fancy bear target ekaterina vinokurova works regional media outlet znak said routinely deletes emails understand accounts may hacked time said telephone interview im ready ___ ive seen could hackers tried spy points russian government maria titizian armenian journalist immediately found significance date targeted june 26 2015 electric yerevan said referring protests rising energy bills reported protests rocked armenias capital summer initially seen moscow threat russian influence titizian said outspoken criticism kremlins colonial attitude toward armenia could made target eliot higgins whose open source journalism site bellingcat repeatedly crops target list said phishing attempts seemed begin started really making strong statements mh17 malaysian airliner shot sky eastern ukraine 2014 killing 298 people bellingcat played key role marshaling evidence plane destroyed russian missile moscows denials notwithstanding clearest timing hacking attempt may adrian chen june 2 2015 chen published prescient expose internet research agency russian troll factory fresh infamy october revelations manufactured makebelieve americans pollute social media toxic rhetoric eight days chen published big story fancy bear tried break account chen regularly written darker recesses internet said lifetime private messages exposed internet could devastating ive covered lot leaks said ive seen could ___ donn reported plymouth massachusetts vasilyeva reported moscow kate de pury moscow contributed ___ editors note raphael satters father david satter author russia specialist critical kremlin emails published last year hackers account secureworks list fancy bear targets
| 1,588 |
<p>ATLANTA (AP) — The NFC South has a chance for bragging rights as the NFL’s strongest division with three playoff teams.</p>
<p>For the Carolina Panthers, two would be enough.</p>
<p>The Atlanta Falcons will try to earn a playoff spot while the Panthers are playing for the division title when the rivals meet Sunday.</p>
<p>Carolina and New Orleans already have <a href="http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/newtons-td-lifts-panthers-playoffs-22-19-win" type="external">secured playoff spots</a> from the division. The Panthers (11-4) would like to spoil Atlanta’s season one year after it played in the Super Bowl.</p>
<p>“We don’t want three teams from the NFC South in the playoffs,” said Carolina cornerback Captain Munnerlyn. “We want two. We gotta go down there and spoil their parade.”</p>
<p>The Falcons (9-6) could make the playoffs with a loss Sunday if Seattle loses to Arizona. Atlanta’s players have only <a href="http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/falcons-focus-locking-playoff-spot-beating-panthers" type="external">talked about earning their spot</a> with a win.</p>
<p>The Falcons also are motivated to make up for a 20-17 loss at Carolina last month and a <a href="http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/defense-propels-saints-past-falcons-playoffs" type="external">mistake-filled loss</a> at New Orleans last week.</p>
<p>“We’ve put ourselves in a position where we’ve got an opportunity to play ourselves in,” Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan said. “At the beginning of the year, that’s what you always want this time of the year, to be in the mix.”</p>
<p>The Panthers already have a playoff spot but this won’t be a situation where they will be expected to rest such key starters as quarterback Cam Newton. Carolina can clinch the NFC South with a win and a loss or tie by New Orleans. The Panthers can clinch a first-round bye with a win, a Vikings loss and losses or ties by the Saints and Rams.</p>
<p>Carolina has won seven of its past eight games, and coach Ron Rivera wants to take a hot team into the playoffs. That means he plans to use his starters.</p>
<p>“We’re approaching this game to win,” Rivera said. “... I want to keep the momentum going.”</p>
<p>Here are some other things to watch when the Panthers and Falcons close the regular season:</p>
<p>NEWTON ON THE RUN: Newton has carried the ball 14 times in each of the past two games, which offensive coordinator Mike Shula said is “probably a little more than we want to.”</p>
<p>“He’s still going to get his carries, but we have to monitor that and do a little better than we did,” Shula said.</p>
<p>Newton was a huge factor on the ground in the win over the Falcons last month, rushing nine times for 86 yards and a touchdown.</p>
<p>HIGH AND TIGHT: Falcons running back Devonta Freeman lost a fumble at the goal line against the Saints last week. It was his fourth fumble in the past three games, leading to extra work this week.</p>
<p>“What we talk about is the term high and tight as a ball carrier,” said coach Dan Quinn. “... High and tight means we’re locking the ball down and we’re going to keep the tip of the ball up tight and we’re locking the ball down to the body and that elbow has to be locked. That’s why we know the issues with Free are correctable.”</p>
<p>GEORGIA NATIVES: Newton, who is from the Atlanta area, isn’t the only Carolina player who gets a little extra amped up when he returns to his home state.</p>
<p>Two former Georgia Bulldogs, <a href="http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/panthers-lb-davis-suspended-2-games-says-he-made-mistake" type="external">Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis</a> and defensive end Charles Johnson, are expected to play. Davis is returning from a one-game suspension for an illegal hit on Green Bay wide receiver Davante Adams. Johnson returns following a four-game absence for violating the league’s performance-enhancers policy.</p>
<p>HURTING LINE: The Falcons have injury concerns across their offensive line. Pro Bowl center Alex Mack (calf) and guards Andy Levitre (triceps) and Wes Schweitzer (groin) have missed practice time. Tight end Levine Toilolo (knee) could miss the game.</p>
<p>HORTON’S STRIP SACKS: Carolina backup defensive end Wes Horton has five strip-sacks since Week 15 of last season, including one last week against Tampa Bay. That ties him with Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue for the most in the league over that span, according to the Panthers website.</p>
<p>“It’s definitely something that I go for,” Horton said. “It’s just training that muscle memory so that when you get to the quarterback you aren’t just securing the tackle. You want to get that ball.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>AP Sports Writer Sports Writer Steve Reed in Charlotte, North Carolina, contributed to this story.</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>ATLANTA (AP) — The NFC South has a chance for bragging rights as the NFL’s strongest division with three playoff teams.</p>
<p>For the Carolina Panthers, two would be enough.</p>
<p>The Atlanta Falcons will try to earn a playoff spot while the Panthers are playing for the division title when the rivals meet Sunday.</p>
<p>Carolina and New Orleans already have <a href="http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/newtons-td-lifts-panthers-playoffs-22-19-win" type="external">secured playoff spots</a> from the division. The Panthers (11-4) would like to spoil Atlanta’s season one year after it played in the Super Bowl.</p>
<p>“We don’t want three teams from the NFC South in the playoffs,” said Carolina cornerback Captain Munnerlyn. “We want two. We gotta go down there and spoil their parade.”</p>
<p>The Falcons (9-6) could make the playoffs with a loss Sunday if Seattle loses to Arizona. Atlanta’s players have only <a href="http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/falcons-focus-locking-playoff-spot-beating-panthers" type="external">talked about earning their spot</a> with a win.</p>
<p>The Falcons also are motivated to make up for a 20-17 loss at Carolina last month and a <a href="http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/defense-propels-saints-past-falcons-playoffs" type="external">mistake-filled loss</a> at New Orleans last week.</p>
<p>“We’ve put ourselves in a position where we’ve got an opportunity to play ourselves in,” Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan said. “At the beginning of the year, that’s what you always want this time of the year, to be in the mix.”</p>
<p>The Panthers already have a playoff spot but this won’t be a situation where they will be expected to rest such key starters as quarterback Cam Newton. Carolina can clinch the NFC South with a win and a loss or tie by New Orleans. The Panthers can clinch a first-round bye with a win, a Vikings loss and losses or ties by the Saints and Rams.</p>
<p>Carolina has won seven of its past eight games, and coach Ron Rivera wants to take a hot team into the playoffs. That means he plans to use his starters.</p>
<p>“We’re approaching this game to win,” Rivera said. “... I want to keep the momentum going.”</p>
<p>Here are some other things to watch when the Panthers and Falcons close the regular season:</p>
<p>NEWTON ON THE RUN: Newton has carried the ball 14 times in each of the past two games, which offensive coordinator Mike Shula said is “probably a little more than we want to.”</p>
<p>“He’s still going to get his carries, but we have to monitor that and do a little better than we did,” Shula said.</p>
<p>Newton was a huge factor on the ground in the win over the Falcons last month, rushing nine times for 86 yards and a touchdown.</p>
<p>HIGH AND TIGHT: Falcons running back Devonta Freeman lost a fumble at the goal line against the Saints last week. It was his fourth fumble in the past three games, leading to extra work this week.</p>
<p>“What we talk about is the term high and tight as a ball carrier,” said coach Dan Quinn. “... High and tight means we’re locking the ball down and we’re going to keep the tip of the ball up tight and we’re locking the ball down to the body and that elbow has to be locked. That’s why we know the issues with Free are correctable.”</p>
<p>GEORGIA NATIVES: Newton, who is from the Atlanta area, isn’t the only Carolina player who gets a little extra amped up when he returns to his home state.</p>
<p>Two former Georgia Bulldogs, <a href="http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/panthers-lb-davis-suspended-2-games-says-he-made-mistake" type="external">Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis</a> and defensive end Charles Johnson, are expected to play. Davis is returning from a one-game suspension for an illegal hit on Green Bay wide receiver Davante Adams. Johnson returns following a four-game absence for violating the league’s performance-enhancers policy.</p>
<p>HURTING LINE: The Falcons have injury concerns across their offensive line. Pro Bowl center Alex Mack (calf) and guards Andy Levitre (triceps) and Wes Schweitzer (groin) have missed practice time. Tight end Levine Toilolo (knee) could miss the game.</p>
<p>HORTON’S STRIP SACKS: Carolina backup defensive end Wes Horton has five strip-sacks since Week 15 of last season, including one last week against Tampa Bay. That ties him with Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue for the most in the league over that span, according to the Panthers website.</p>
<p>“It’s definitely something that I go for,” Horton said. “It’s just training that muscle memory so that when you get to the quarterback you aren’t just securing the tackle. You want to get that ball.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>AP Sports Writer Sports Writer Steve Reed in Charlotte, North Carolina, contributed to this story.</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 |
atlanta ap nfc south chance bragging rights nfls strongest division three playoff teams carolina panthers two would enough atlanta falcons try earn playoff spot panthers playing division title rivals meet sunday carolina new orleans already secured playoff spots division panthers 114 would like spoil atlantas season one year played super bowl dont want three teams nfc south playoffs said carolina cornerback captain munnerlyn want two got ta go spoil parade falcons 96 could make playoffs loss sunday seattle loses arizona atlantas players talked earning spot win falcons also motivated make 2017 loss carolina last month mistakefilled loss new orleans last week weve put position weve got opportunity play falcons quarterback matt ryan said beginning year thats always want time year mix panthers already playoff spot wont situation expected rest key starters quarterback cam newton carolina clinch nfc south win loss tie new orleans panthers clinch firstround bye win vikings loss losses ties saints rams carolina seven past eight games coach ron rivera wants take hot team playoffs means plans use starters approaching game win rivera said want keep momentum going things watch panthers falcons close regular season newton run newton carried ball 14 times past two games offensive coordinator mike shula said probably little want hes still going get carries monitor little better shula said newton huge factor ground win falcons last month rushing nine times 86 yards touchdown high tight falcons running back devonta freeman lost fumble goal line saints last week fourth fumble past three games leading extra work week talk term high tight ball carrier said coach dan quinn high tight means locking ball going keep tip ball tight locking ball body elbow locked thats know issues free correctable georgia natives newton atlanta area isnt carolina player gets little extra amped returns home state two former georgia bulldogs panthers linebacker thomas davis defensive end charles johnson expected play davis returning onegame suspension illegal hit green bay wide receiver davante adams johnson returns following fourgame absence violating leagues performanceenhancers policy hurting line falcons injury concerns across offensive line pro bowl center alex mack calf guards andy levitre triceps wes schweitzer groin missed practice time tight end levine toilolo knee could miss game hortons strip sacks carolina backup defensive end wes horton five stripsacks since week 15 last season including one last week tampa bay ties jaguars defensive end yannick ngakoue league span according panthers website definitely something go horton said training muscle memory get quarterback arent securing tackle want get ball ___ ap sports writer sports writer steve reed charlotte north carolina contributed story ___ nfl coverage httpwwwpro32aporg httpwwwtwittercomap_nfl atlanta ap nfc south chance bragging rights nfls strongest division three playoff teams carolina panthers two would enough atlanta falcons try earn playoff spot panthers playing division title rivals meet sunday carolina new orleans already secured playoff spots division panthers 114 would like spoil atlantas season one year played super bowl dont want three teams nfc south playoffs said carolina cornerback captain munnerlyn want two got ta go spoil parade falcons 96 could make playoffs loss sunday seattle loses arizona atlantas players talked earning spot win falcons also motivated make 2017 loss carolina last month mistakefilled loss new orleans last week weve put position weve got opportunity play falcons quarterback matt ryan said beginning year thats always want time year mix panthers already playoff spot wont situation expected rest key starters quarterback cam newton carolina clinch nfc south win loss tie new orleans panthers clinch firstround bye win vikings loss losses ties saints rams carolina seven past eight games coach ron rivera wants take hot team playoffs means plans use starters approaching game win rivera said want keep momentum going things watch panthers falcons close regular season newton run newton carried ball 14 times past two games offensive coordinator mike shula said probably little want hes still going get carries monitor little better shula said newton huge factor ground win falcons last month rushing nine times 86 yards touchdown high tight falcons running back devonta freeman lost fumble goal line saints last week fourth fumble past three games leading extra work week talk term high tight ball carrier said coach dan quinn high tight means locking ball going keep tip ball tight locking ball body elbow locked thats know issues free correctable georgia natives newton atlanta area isnt carolina player gets little extra amped returns home state two former georgia bulldogs panthers linebacker thomas davis defensive end charles johnson expected play davis returning onegame suspension illegal hit green bay wide receiver davante adams johnson returns following fourgame absence violating leagues performanceenhancers policy hurting line falcons injury concerns across offensive line pro bowl center alex mack calf guards andy levitre triceps wes schweitzer groin missed practice time tight end levine toilolo knee could miss game hortons strip sacks carolina backup defensive end wes horton five stripsacks since week 15 last season including one last week tampa bay ties jaguars defensive end yannick ngakoue league span according panthers website definitely something go horton said training muscle memory get quarterback arent securing tackle want get ball ___ ap sports writer sports writer steve reed charlotte north carolina contributed story ___ nfl coverage httpwwwpro32aporg httpwwwtwittercomap_nfl
| 862 |
<p>SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — President Michelle Bachelet asked Chileans on Friday to receive Pope Francis in a “climate of respect,” hours after three Roman Catholic churches were firebombed and a note left at the scene threatening the pontiff.</p>
<p>In the overnight attacks in Santiago, the capital and largest city where the pope will arrive Monday, the churches were hit with firebombs and then sprayed with accelerant. At one, the doors were burned before firefighters extinguished the blaze.</p>
<p>“The next bombs will be in your cassock,” read pamphlets found outside one of the churches.</p>
<p>Later in the day, police found barrels of flammable liquid at two other churches that had not been ignited. They were handled by bomb squads without incident.</p>
<p>The pamphlets also extolled the cause of the Mapuche indigenous people, who are pushing for a return of ancestral lands and other rights. Francis will celebrate Mass and meet with Mapuches in the southern city of Temuco on Wednesday.</p>
<p>After the previously scheduled security meeting, Bachelet said the Andean nation of 17 million was prepared for the first papal visit since Saint John Paull II came in 1987.</p>
<p>“I also want to invite you all to experience this visit in a climate of respect, solidarity and happiness,” Bachelet said.</p>
<p>There were no immediate arrests in the firebombings, and authorities downplayed their significance with Interior Ministry official Mahmud Aleuy calling the damage “minor.”</p>
<p>Chilean police did not immediately respond to queries about whether new security measures would be taken after the attacks.</p>
<p>Earlier this week police said 18,000 officers would be deployed during Francis’ visits to Santiago, Temuco and the northern city of Iquique. Police will also have helicopters on hand and monitor events with drones.</p>
<p>It was unclear who might have been behind Friday’s attacks. A small minority of Mapuches have used violence to further their cause, and in recent years churches have been targeted.</p>
<p>Chile also has a handful of anarchist groups that periodically attack property and clash with police during protests.</p>
<p>The pamphlet that threatened the pope mentioned the Mapuche cause and called for the liberation of “all political prisoners in the world.”</p>
<p>Hugo Alcaman, president of ENAMA, a Mapuche group that encourages local businesses and advocates social change, condemned the attacks.</p>
<p>“We reject all types of violence, which we don’t think is intelligent or effective,” said Alcaman.</p>
<p>Francis’ visit to Chile and Peru aims to highlight immigration, the suffering of indigenous peoples and protecting the Amazon rainforest.</p>
<p>However sex abuse in the Chilean church and political instability in Peru have become central themes as his arrival nears.</p>
<p>_____</p>
<p>Associated Press writer Eva Vergara reported from Santiago, and Peter Prengaman reported from Rio de Janeiro.</p>
<p>SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — President Michelle Bachelet asked Chileans on Friday to receive Pope Francis in a “climate of respect,” hours after three Roman Catholic churches were firebombed and a note left at the scene threatening the pontiff.</p>
<p>In the overnight attacks in Santiago, the capital and largest city where the pope will arrive Monday, the churches were hit with firebombs and then sprayed with accelerant. At one, the doors were burned before firefighters extinguished the blaze.</p>
<p>“The next bombs will be in your cassock,” read pamphlets found outside one of the churches.</p>
<p>Later in the day, police found barrels of flammable liquid at two other churches that had not been ignited. They were handled by bomb squads without incident.</p>
<p>The pamphlets also extolled the cause of the Mapuche indigenous people, who are pushing for a return of ancestral lands and other rights. Francis will celebrate Mass and meet with Mapuches in the southern city of Temuco on Wednesday.</p>
<p>After the previously scheduled security meeting, Bachelet said the Andean nation of 17 million was prepared for the first papal visit since Saint John Paull II came in 1987.</p>
<p>“I also want to invite you all to experience this visit in a climate of respect, solidarity and happiness,” Bachelet said.</p>
<p>There were no immediate arrests in the firebombings, and authorities downplayed their significance with Interior Ministry official Mahmud Aleuy calling the damage “minor.”</p>
<p>Chilean police did not immediately respond to queries about whether new security measures would be taken after the attacks.</p>
<p>Earlier this week police said 18,000 officers would be deployed during Francis’ visits to Santiago, Temuco and the northern city of Iquique. Police will also have helicopters on hand and monitor events with drones.</p>
<p>It was unclear who might have been behind Friday’s attacks. A small minority of Mapuches have used violence to further their cause, and in recent years churches have been targeted.</p>
<p>Chile also has a handful of anarchist groups that periodically attack property and clash with police during protests.</p>
<p>The pamphlet that threatened the pope mentioned the Mapuche cause and called for the liberation of “all political prisoners in the world.”</p>
<p>Hugo Alcaman, president of ENAMA, a Mapuche group that encourages local businesses and advocates social change, condemned the attacks.</p>
<p>“We reject all types of violence, which we don’t think is intelligent or effective,” said Alcaman.</p>
<p>Francis’ visit to Chile and Peru aims to highlight immigration, the suffering of indigenous peoples and protecting the Amazon rainforest.</p>
<p>However sex abuse in the Chilean church and political instability in Peru have become central themes as his arrival nears.</p>
<p>_____</p>
<p>Associated Press writer Eva Vergara reported from Santiago, and Peter Prengaman reported from Rio de Janeiro.</p>
| false | 2 |
santiago chile ap president michelle bachelet asked chileans friday receive pope francis climate respect hours three roman catholic churches firebombed note left scene threatening pontiff overnight attacks santiago capital largest city pope arrive monday churches hit firebombs sprayed accelerant one doors burned firefighters extinguished blaze next bombs cassock read pamphlets found outside one churches later day police found barrels flammable liquid two churches ignited handled bomb squads without incident pamphlets also extolled cause mapuche indigenous people pushing return ancestral lands rights francis celebrate mass meet mapuches southern city temuco wednesday previously scheduled security meeting bachelet said andean nation 17 million prepared first papal visit since saint john paull ii came 1987 also want invite experience visit climate respect solidarity happiness bachelet said immediate arrests firebombings authorities downplayed significance interior ministry official mahmud aleuy calling damage minor chilean police immediately respond queries whether new security measures would taken attacks earlier week police said 18000 officers would deployed francis visits santiago temuco northern city iquique police also helicopters hand monitor events drones unclear might behind fridays attacks small minority mapuches used violence cause recent years churches targeted chile also handful anarchist groups periodically attack property clash police protests pamphlet threatened pope mentioned mapuche cause called liberation political prisoners world hugo alcaman president enama mapuche group encourages local businesses advocates social change condemned attacks reject types violence dont think intelligent effective said alcaman francis visit chile peru aims highlight immigration suffering indigenous peoples protecting amazon rainforest however sex abuse chilean church political instability peru become central themes arrival nears _____ associated press writer eva vergara reported santiago peter prengaman reported rio de janeiro santiago chile ap president michelle bachelet asked chileans friday receive pope francis climate respect hours three roman catholic churches firebombed note left scene threatening pontiff overnight attacks santiago capital largest city pope arrive monday churches hit firebombs sprayed accelerant one doors burned firefighters extinguished blaze next bombs cassock read pamphlets found outside one churches later day police found barrels flammable liquid two churches ignited handled bomb squads without incident pamphlets also extolled cause mapuche indigenous people pushing return ancestral lands rights francis celebrate mass meet mapuches southern city temuco wednesday previously scheduled security meeting bachelet said andean nation 17 million prepared first papal visit since saint john paull ii came 1987 also want invite experience visit climate respect solidarity happiness bachelet said immediate arrests firebombings authorities downplayed significance interior ministry official mahmud aleuy calling damage minor chilean police immediately respond queries whether new security measures would taken attacks earlier week police said 18000 officers would deployed francis visits santiago temuco northern city iquique police also helicopters hand monitor events drones unclear might behind fridays attacks small minority mapuches used violence cause recent years churches targeted chile also handful anarchist groups periodically attack property clash police protests pamphlet threatened pope mentioned mapuche cause called liberation political prisoners world hugo alcaman president enama mapuche group encourages local businesses advocates social change condemned attacks reject types violence dont think intelligent effective said alcaman francis visit chile peru aims highlight immigration suffering indigenous peoples protecting amazon rainforest however sex abuse chilean church political instability peru become central themes arrival nears _____ associated press writer eva vergara reported santiago peter prengaman reported rio de janeiro
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<p>BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A former Republican state lawmaker from Idaho who was facing a sexual abuse investigation has shot and killed himself, authorities said Tuesday.</p>
<p>Brandon Hixon was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head in his home early Tuesday, Canyon County Coroner Vicki DeGeus-Morris said. A family member discovered his body.</p>
<p>Officials have released no details about the criminal investigation into Hixon, 36, except that it was related to possible sexual abuse. Records obtained by The Associated Press show that he was previously the focus of a separate police investigation in 2014 after being accused of inappropriate touching.</p>
<p>At the time, Hixon denied the accusations and told police he was worried they would harm his political career. It's unknown if the new investigation, ongoing since Oct. 5, was connected to the earlier case.</p>
<p>The attorney general's office was overseeing the investigation but declined to comment Tuesday.</p>
<p>Hixon's death comes after Kentucky lawmaker Dan Johnson shot and killed himself last year after a report was published detailing allegations that he sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl in his basement in 2013. He had denied the accusations.</p>
<p>Hixon was elected in 2012, becoming one of the youngest lawmakers to win a seat in the Idaho House of Representatives. He didn't stand out during his time in the Statehouse until he abruptly resigned in October after the sexual abuse investigation emerged.</p>
<p>"I hope that my efforts have helped improve the lives of my constituents in District 10, as well as all Idahoans," Hixon wrote in his resignation letter. "I will never forget all of my colleagues that I very much enjoyed working side by side with to make Idaho a better place for all."</p>
<p>After stepping down, Hixon was arrested twice for drunken driving and was charged with misdemeanor resisting arrest last month.</p>
<p>Hixon, who got a divorce from his wife in 2016, is survived by his four children, ages 6 to 17.</p>
<p>Across the country, sexual harassment allegations have surfaced in government, entertainment and business, leading to resignations and policy changes. In Idaho, legislative leaders are expected to unveil in the 2018 legislative session new policies for reporting sexual misconduct for lawmakers, lobbyists, staffers and other aides.</p>
<p>Idaho House Speaker Scott Bedke announced Hixon's suicide to lawmakers during Tuesday's floor session. The House chaplain led a prayer.</p>
<p>"We should support those who are close to us when they are struggling," Bedke said. "Please remember Brandon's family in your prayers."</p>
<p>Bedke later said the House will likely organize financial help for Hixon's family but that it was too early to say what exactly was planned.</p>
<p>Other lawmakers also offered condolences.</p>
<p>"I wish I had followed the promptings I received and called with words of kindness and encouragement," Republican state Rep. Bryan Zollinger said in a tweet. "Reminder to us all to love one another despite differences of opinion."</p>
<p>Others said they were shocked by Hixon's death.</p>
<p>"I didn't always agree with Rep. Hixon, but I could work with and talk to him," Democratic state Rep. John McCrostie said in a tweet. "Hope you find some peace, Brandon. Condolences and prayers to his family including his children."</p>
<p>BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A former Republican state lawmaker from Idaho who was facing a sexual abuse investigation has shot and killed himself, authorities said Tuesday.</p>
<p>Brandon Hixon was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head in his home early Tuesday, Canyon County Coroner Vicki DeGeus-Morris said. A family member discovered his body.</p>
<p>Officials have released no details about the criminal investigation into Hixon, 36, except that it was related to possible sexual abuse. Records obtained by The Associated Press show that he was previously the focus of a separate police investigation in 2014 after being accused of inappropriate touching.</p>
<p>At the time, Hixon denied the accusations and told police he was worried they would harm his political career. It's unknown if the new investigation, ongoing since Oct. 5, was connected to the earlier case.</p>
<p>The attorney general's office was overseeing the investigation but declined to comment Tuesday.</p>
<p>Hixon's death comes after Kentucky lawmaker Dan Johnson shot and killed himself last year after a report was published detailing allegations that he sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl in his basement in 2013. He had denied the accusations.</p>
<p>Hixon was elected in 2012, becoming one of the youngest lawmakers to win a seat in the Idaho House of Representatives. He didn't stand out during his time in the Statehouse until he abruptly resigned in October after the sexual abuse investigation emerged.</p>
<p>"I hope that my efforts have helped improve the lives of my constituents in District 10, as well as all Idahoans," Hixon wrote in his resignation letter. "I will never forget all of my colleagues that I very much enjoyed working side by side with to make Idaho a better place for all."</p>
<p>After stepping down, Hixon was arrested twice for drunken driving and was charged with misdemeanor resisting arrest last month.</p>
<p>Hixon, who got a divorce from his wife in 2016, is survived by his four children, ages 6 to 17.</p>
<p>Across the country, sexual harassment allegations have surfaced in government, entertainment and business, leading to resignations and policy changes. In Idaho, legislative leaders are expected to unveil in the 2018 legislative session new policies for reporting sexual misconduct for lawmakers, lobbyists, staffers and other aides.</p>
<p>Idaho House Speaker Scott Bedke announced Hixon's suicide to lawmakers during Tuesday's floor session. The House chaplain led a prayer.</p>
<p>"We should support those who are close to us when they are struggling," Bedke said. "Please remember Brandon's family in your prayers."</p>
<p>Bedke later said the House will likely organize financial help for Hixon's family but that it was too early to say what exactly was planned.</p>
<p>Other lawmakers also offered condolences.</p>
<p>"I wish I had followed the promptings I received and called with words of kindness and encouragement," Republican state Rep. Bryan Zollinger said in a tweet. "Reminder to us all to love one another despite differences of opinion."</p>
<p>Others said they were shocked by Hixon's death.</p>
<p>"I didn't always agree with Rep. Hixon, but I could work with and talk to him," Democratic state Rep. John McCrostie said in a tweet. "Hope you find some peace, Brandon. Condolences and prayers to his family including his children."</p>
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boise idaho ap former republican state lawmaker idaho facing sexual abuse investigation shot killed authorities said tuesday brandon hixon found dead selfinflicted gunshot wound head home early tuesday canyon county coroner vicki degeusmorris said family member discovered body officials released details criminal investigation hixon 36 except related possible sexual abuse records obtained associated press show previously focus separate police investigation 2014 accused inappropriate touching time hixon denied accusations told police worried would harm political career unknown new investigation ongoing since oct 5 connected earlier case attorney generals office overseeing investigation declined comment tuesday hixons death comes kentucky lawmaker dan johnson shot killed last year report published detailing allegations sexually assaulted 17yearold girl basement 2013 denied accusations hixon elected 2012 becoming one youngest lawmakers win seat idaho house representatives didnt stand time statehouse abruptly resigned october sexual abuse investigation emerged hope efforts helped improve lives constituents district 10 well idahoans hixon wrote resignation letter never forget colleagues much enjoyed working side side make idaho better place stepping hixon arrested twice drunken driving charged misdemeanor resisting arrest last month hixon got divorce wife 2016 survived four children ages 6 17 across country sexual harassment allegations surfaced government entertainment business leading resignations policy changes idaho legislative leaders expected unveil 2018 legislative session new policies reporting sexual misconduct lawmakers lobbyists staffers aides idaho house speaker scott bedke announced hixons suicide lawmakers tuesdays floor session house chaplain led prayer support close us struggling bedke said please remember brandons family prayers bedke later said house likely organize financial help hixons family early say exactly planned lawmakers also offered condolences wish followed promptings received called words kindness encouragement republican state rep bryan zollinger said tweet reminder us love one another despite differences opinion others said shocked hixons death didnt always agree rep hixon could work talk democratic state rep john mccrostie said tweet hope find peace brandon condolences prayers family including children boise idaho ap former republican state lawmaker idaho facing sexual abuse investigation shot killed authorities said tuesday brandon hixon found dead selfinflicted gunshot wound head home early tuesday canyon county coroner vicki degeusmorris said family member discovered body officials released details criminal investigation hixon 36 except related possible sexual abuse records obtained associated press show previously focus separate police investigation 2014 accused inappropriate touching time hixon denied accusations told police worried would harm political career unknown new investigation ongoing since oct 5 connected earlier case attorney generals office overseeing investigation declined comment tuesday hixons death comes kentucky lawmaker dan johnson shot killed last year report published detailing allegations sexually assaulted 17yearold girl basement 2013 denied accusations hixon elected 2012 becoming one youngest lawmakers win seat idaho house representatives didnt stand time statehouse abruptly resigned october sexual abuse investigation emerged hope efforts helped improve lives constituents district 10 well idahoans hixon wrote resignation letter never forget colleagues much enjoyed working side side make idaho better place stepping hixon arrested twice drunken driving charged misdemeanor resisting arrest last month hixon got divorce wife 2016 survived four children ages 6 17 across country sexual harassment allegations surfaced government entertainment business leading resignations policy changes idaho legislative leaders expected unveil 2018 legislative session new policies reporting sexual misconduct lawmakers lobbyists staffers aides idaho house speaker scott bedke announced hixons suicide lawmakers tuesdays floor session house chaplain led prayer support close us struggling bedke said please remember brandons family prayers bedke later said house likely organize financial help hixons family early say exactly planned lawmakers also offered condolences wish followed promptings received called words kindness encouragement republican state rep bryan zollinger said tweet reminder us love one another despite differences opinion others said shocked hixons death didnt always agree rep hixon could work talk democratic state rep john mccrostie said tweet hope find peace brandon condolences prayers family including children
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<p>FILE – In this April 19, 2011 file photo, Apple iPhones from AT&amp;T, left, and Verizon, are posed together at an Apple store in Palo Alto, Calif. Whether or not you’re still on an unlimited plan, you’ll have similar things to consider when your phone contract expires. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)</p>
<p>MALVERN, Iowa — As my two-year contract with Verizon came to an end last month, I had to resist the company’s various promotions and discounts.</p>
<p>In accepting the offers, I’d have to give up Verizon’s unlimited data plan, which lets me use the phone’s cellular data connection as much as I want without overage fees. It’s so good that both Verizon and AT&amp;T have been phasing it out. Existing customers have been allowed to keep those plans, but they get kicked out once they accept these offers.</p>
<p>I am paying more to keep my unlimited plan, so I’ll have to explain my reasoning. Whether or not you’re still on an unlimited plan, you’ll have similar things to consider when your phone contract expires.</p>
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<p>——</p>
<p>— Should I keep the unlimited data plan?</p>
<p>AT&amp;T stopped offering unlimited plans to new customers in 2010, and Verizon followed in 2012. An undisclosed number of customers have kept those plans, but once they leave, they aren’t allowed back.</p>
<p>Verizon has further enticed customers to switch by ending subsidies on new phones. That means customers like me have to pay full retail price, or about $650, for the latest high-end phone, even after the contract is up. Usually, it’s $200.</p>
<p>New customers get a set amount of data to use each month, typically 2 gigabytes for a single phone line. Even with my unlimited plan, I rarely go over that amount. Yet I’m reluctant to cede it.</p>
<p>Beyond paying more for the phone, I’m paying about $10 a month more for voice, text and data compared with current rates for 2 gigabytes. I don’t even get unlimited calls or texts — just data.</p>
<p>It’s as though I’m throwing away money.</p>
<p>But that extra cost gives me peace of mind. I’m able to rely on my phone any time I have trouble with my wired broadband service at home. I’m able to visit friends without needing their Wi-Fi password. I can’t use the phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot, but I can use it instead of my laptop for Web surfing.</p>
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<p>I’m also recouping some of that cost in my travels. I avoided paying $45 for three days of Internet access at a San Francisco hotel. Between that stay and a daylong train trip down the Pacific Coast, I used nearly 6 gigabytes for streaming video.</p>
<p>I also consider the extra cost to be insurance. I have no idea what high-data apps and services might come along. I wasn’t streaming video much when the two largest carriers stopped offering unlimited plans. Now, that’s my primary way of watching television.</p>
<p>Families that want to share a pool of data will have to switch to a limited-use plan, as will individuals who don’t want to pay for something they might not need. Not everyone will consider the extra cost worth it.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, Verizon will soon slow down service for its heaviest users — the top 5 percent — when there is congestion in a given area. It has already been doing that for 3G service and will extend that to higher-speed 4G network in October. I’ll have to see how that affects my streaming.</p>
<p>AT&amp;T already has been slowing down service once users reach 3 gigabytes or 5 gigabytes depending on the phone. Unlike Verizon, AT&amp;T still allows unlimited-plan customers to get subsidized phones with a two-year contract extension.</p>
<p>——</p>
<p>— Should I switch carriers?</p>
<p>T-Mobile and Sprint still offer unlimited plans. So why not switch, especially as T-Mobile also offers perks such as free data service when traveling abroad?</p>
<p>Unfortunately, T-Mobile and Sprint can be slow or unavailable outside major metropolitan areas.</p>
<p>What I saw near Malvern, Iowa, during a cross-country train trip was typical of my experience searching for signals in rural America: Verizon and AT&amp;T offered two or three bars on 4G. Sprint had no service, and T-Mobile offered a slow-speed network.</p>
<p>That doesn’t mean AT&amp;T and Verizon are always better. During checks east of Grand Junction and Glenwood Springs in Colorado, AT&amp;T and T-Mobile had limited service, while Verizon and Sprint had none at all. Farther east, though, AT&amp;T was the one that cut out.</p>
<p>This is another way of saying the right carrier for you depends on where you use the phone. But even if service is good at home and work, you’ll likely want service when you travel or visit friends.</p>
<p>For me, Verizon has been dependable, and there’s no reason to fix what isn’t broken.</p>
<p>——</p>
<p>— Should I extend my contract for another two years to get a better deal on phones?</p>
<p>Although this isn’t an option for me, it’s an important consideration for others as wireless carriers encourage you to pay full price, spread over several months under installment plans. In doing so, you forgo about $20 a month in subsidies for a high-end phone.</p>
<p>If you pay the entire cost upfront, you get an unlocked version that you can often move to competing carriers or use with cheaper, local services when traveling abroad. With installments, you typically have flexibility to upgrade your phone before it’s fully paid off by trading in your old one. Sprint stopped offering that, though.</p>
<p>Verizon and AT&amp;T give you discounts on monthly bills if you choose the installment plan, known as Edge or Next. T-Mobile requires all customers to pay full price, so it has already baked in the discounts. With T-Mobile, to upgrade before your phone is fully paid off, you’ll need to pay $10 a month extra for Jump, which also gives you insurance for loss and damage.</p>
<p>Although the discounts are typically less than the subsidies you’re forgoing, it’s the reverse for plans with at least 10 gigabytes of data. So big families sharing lots of data are probably better off with a full-price plan. That’s also the case if you don’t need a high-end phone, as the monthly fees for voice, text and data services factor in the costs of subsidizing the most expensive phones.</p>
<p>Otherwise, you’re better off with a subsidized phone. But be sure to upgrade right at the two-year mark, or you’ll pay more overall in monthly service fees without getting the benefits of subsidies.</p>
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file april 19 2011 file photo apple iphones atampt left verizon posed together apple store palo alto calif whether youre still unlimited plan youll similar things consider phone contract expires ap photopaul sakuma file malvern iowa twoyear contract verizon came end last month resist companys various promotions discounts accepting offers id give verizons unlimited data plan lets use phones cellular data connection much want without overage fees good verizon atampt phasing existing customers allowed keep plans get kicked accept offers paying keep unlimited plan ill explain reasoning whether youre still unlimited plan youll similar things consider phone contract expires advertisement keep unlimited data plan atampt stopped offering unlimited plans new customers 2010 verizon followed 2012 undisclosed number customers kept plans leave arent allowed back verizon enticed customers switch ending subsidies new phones means customers like pay full retail price 650 latest highend phone even contract usually 200 new customers get set amount data use month typically 2 gigabytes single phone line even unlimited plan rarely go amount yet im reluctant cede beyond paying phone im paying 10 month voice text data compared current rates 2 gigabytes dont even get unlimited calls texts data though im throwing away money extra cost gives peace mind im able rely phone time trouble wired broadband service home im able visit friends without needing wifi password cant use phone wifi hotspot use instead laptop web surfing advertisement im also recouping cost travels avoided paying 45 three days internet access san francisco hotel stay daylong train trip pacific coast used nearly 6 gigabytes streaming video also consider extra cost insurance idea highdata apps services might come along wasnt streaming video much two largest carriers stopped offering unlimited plans thats primary way watching television families want share pool data switch limiteduse plan individuals dont want pay something might need everyone consider extra cost worth unfortunately verizon soon slow service heaviest users top 5 percent congestion given area already 3g service extend higherspeed 4g network october ill see affects streaming atampt already slowing service users reach 3 gigabytes 5 gigabytes depending phone unlike verizon atampt still allows unlimitedplan customers get subsidized phones twoyear contract extension switch carriers tmobile sprint still offer unlimited plans switch especially tmobile also offers perks free data service traveling abroad unfortunately tmobile sprint slow unavailable outside major metropolitan areas saw near malvern iowa crosscountry train trip typical experience searching signals rural america verizon atampt offered two three bars 4g sprint service tmobile offered slowspeed network doesnt mean atampt verizon always better checks east grand junction glenwood springs colorado atampt tmobile limited service verizon sprint none farther east though atampt one cut another way saying right carrier depends use phone even service good home work youll likely want service travel visit friends verizon dependable theres reason fix isnt broken extend contract another two years get better deal phones although isnt option important consideration others wireless carriers encourage pay full price spread several months installment plans forgo 20 month subsidies highend phone pay entire cost upfront get unlocked version often move competing carriers use cheaper local services traveling abroad installments typically flexibility upgrade phone fully paid trading old one sprint stopped offering though verizon atampt give discounts monthly bills choose installment plan known edge next tmobile requires customers pay full price already baked discounts tmobile upgrade phone fully paid youll need pay 10 month extra jump also gives insurance loss damage although discounts typically less subsidies youre forgoing reverse plans least 10 gigabytes data big families sharing lots data probably better fullprice plan thats also case dont need highend phone monthly fees voice text data services factor costs subsidizing expensive phones otherwise youre better subsidized phone sure upgrade right twoyear mark youll pay overall monthly service fees without getting benefits subsidies
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<p>BEIJING (AP) — Global stock markets mostly rose Monday following a record-setting week on Wall Street and as traders looked ahead to data releases from China, Japan and the eurozone.</p>
<p>KEEPING SCORE: Germany's DAX rose 0.3 percent to 13,354 and France's CAC 40 gained 0.3 percent to 5,485. London's FTSE 100, however, was off 0.2 percent at 7,709 amid expectations of a government cabinet reshuffle. On Wall Street, where stocks have been on the longest new year winning streak in eight years, the future for the Dow Jones industrial average was flat while the S&amp;P 500 index was down 0.1 percent.</p>
<p>WEEK AHEAD: India reports trade on Wednesday, with forecasters expecting solid gains, while China reports a flurry of data including inflation and bank loan growth. The eurozone reports factory output growth on Thursday. On Friday, China is due to release December trade, with a double-digit rise expected following a weak 2017, while the United States reports monthly inflation.</p>
<p>ANALYST'S TAKE: "This is a big week of event risk," Chris Weston of IG said in a report, pointing to emerging markets trade and U.S. inflation. Weston said investors also are looking forward to U.S. earnings later this week, but the picture is "a little more challenging" as companies bring forward charges for repatriating cash under Washington's tax changes. "This reporting season could be a catalyst, but it does promise to be somewhat messier than prior quarters, not to mention sentiment towards U.S. equities is already sky high."</p>
<p>ASIA'S DAY: The Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.5 percent to 3,409.48 and Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 0.3 percent to 30,899.53. Seoul's Kospi advanced 0.6 percent to 2,513.28 and India's Sensex added 0.5 percent to 34,338.08. Sydney's S&amp;P-ASX 200 edged up 0.1 percent to 6,130.40 and benchmarks in Taiwan and most of Southeast Asia also rose. New Zealand the Philippines declined.</p>
<p>ENERGY: Benchmark U.S. crude gained 20 cents to $61.64 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract fell 57 cents on Friday. Brent crude, used to price international oils, rose 13 cents to $67.75 in London. It fell 45 cents the previous session.</p>
<p>CURRENCY: The dollar edged down to 113.03 yen from Friday's 113.07 yen. The euro declined to $1.1971 from $1.2032.</p>
<p>BEIJING (AP) — Global stock markets mostly rose Monday following a record-setting week on Wall Street and as traders looked ahead to data releases from China, Japan and the eurozone.</p>
<p>KEEPING SCORE: Germany's DAX rose 0.3 percent to 13,354 and France's CAC 40 gained 0.3 percent to 5,485. London's FTSE 100, however, was off 0.2 percent at 7,709 amid expectations of a government cabinet reshuffle. On Wall Street, where stocks have been on the longest new year winning streak in eight years, the future for the Dow Jones industrial average was flat while the S&amp;P 500 index was down 0.1 percent.</p>
<p>WEEK AHEAD: India reports trade on Wednesday, with forecasters expecting solid gains, while China reports a flurry of data including inflation and bank loan growth. The eurozone reports factory output growth on Thursday. On Friday, China is due to release December trade, with a double-digit rise expected following a weak 2017, while the United States reports monthly inflation.</p>
<p>ANALYST'S TAKE: "This is a big week of event risk," Chris Weston of IG said in a report, pointing to emerging markets trade and U.S. inflation. Weston said investors also are looking forward to U.S. earnings later this week, but the picture is "a little more challenging" as companies bring forward charges for repatriating cash under Washington's tax changes. "This reporting season could be a catalyst, but it does promise to be somewhat messier than prior quarters, not to mention sentiment towards U.S. equities is already sky high."</p>
<p>ASIA'S DAY: The Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.5 percent to 3,409.48 and Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 0.3 percent to 30,899.53. Seoul's Kospi advanced 0.6 percent to 2,513.28 and India's Sensex added 0.5 percent to 34,338.08. Sydney's S&amp;P-ASX 200 edged up 0.1 percent to 6,130.40 and benchmarks in Taiwan and most of Southeast Asia also rose. New Zealand the Philippines declined.</p>
<p>ENERGY: Benchmark U.S. crude gained 20 cents to $61.64 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract fell 57 cents on Friday. Brent crude, used to price international oils, rose 13 cents to $67.75 in London. It fell 45 cents the previous session.</p>
<p>CURRENCY: The dollar edged down to 113.03 yen from Friday's 113.07 yen. The euro declined to $1.1971 from $1.2032.</p>
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beijing ap global stock markets mostly rose monday following recordsetting week wall street traders looked ahead data releases china japan eurozone keeping score germanys dax rose 03 percent 13354 frances cac 40 gained 03 percent 5485 londons ftse 100 however 02 percent 7709 amid expectations government cabinet reshuffle wall street stocks longest new year winning streak eight years future dow jones industrial average flat sampp 500 index 01 percent week ahead india reports trade wednesday forecasters expecting solid gains china reports flurry data including inflation bank loan growth eurozone reports factory output growth thursday friday china due release december trade doubledigit rise expected following weak 2017 united states reports monthly inflation analysts take big week event risk chris weston ig said report pointing emerging markets trade us inflation weston said investors also looking forward us earnings later week picture little challenging companies bring forward charges repatriating cash washingtons tax changes reporting season could catalyst promise somewhat messier prior quarters mention sentiment towards us equities already sky high asias day shanghai composite index rose 05 percent 340948 hong kongs hang seng gained 03 percent 3089953 seouls kospi advanced 06 percent 251328 indias sensex added 05 percent 3433808 sydneys samppasx 200 edged 01 percent 613040 benchmarks taiwan southeast asia also rose new zealand philippines declined energy benchmark us crude gained 20 cents 6164 per barrel electronic trading new york mercantile exchange contract fell 57 cents friday brent crude used price international oils rose 13 cents 6775 london fell 45 cents previous session currency dollar edged 11303 yen fridays 11307 yen euro declined 11971 12032 beijing ap global stock markets mostly rose monday following recordsetting week wall street traders looked ahead data releases china japan eurozone keeping score germanys dax rose 03 percent 13354 frances cac 40 gained 03 percent 5485 londons ftse 100 however 02 percent 7709 amid expectations government cabinet reshuffle wall street stocks longest new year winning streak eight years future dow jones industrial average flat sampp 500 index 01 percent week ahead india reports trade wednesday forecasters expecting solid gains china reports flurry data including inflation bank loan growth eurozone reports factory output growth thursday friday china due release december trade doubledigit rise expected following weak 2017 united states reports monthly inflation analysts take big week event risk chris weston ig said report pointing emerging markets trade us inflation weston said investors also looking forward us earnings later week picture little challenging companies bring forward charges repatriating cash washingtons tax changes reporting season could catalyst promise somewhat messier prior quarters mention sentiment towards us equities already sky high asias day shanghai composite index rose 05 percent 340948 hong kongs hang seng gained 03 percent 3089953 seouls kospi advanced 06 percent 251328 indias sensex added 05 percent 3433808 sydneys samppasx 200 edged 01 percent 613040 benchmarks taiwan southeast asia also rose new zealand philippines declined energy benchmark us crude gained 20 cents 6164 per barrel electronic trading new york mercantile exchange contract fell 57 cents friday brent crude used price international oils rose 13 cents 6775 london fell 45 cents previous session currency dollar edged 11303 yen fridays 11307 yen euro declined 11971 12032
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<p>The former out-of-state general contractor on the $400 million Union Pacific rail hub at Santa Teresa is accused of bidding for the multi-million-dollar construction job without a proper New Mexico license and hiring an unlicensed subcontractor.</p>
<p>Potential fines for the licensing violations could run into millions of dollars.</p>
<p>The state Construction Industries Division first investigated the licensing complaints more than two years ago but formal allegations weren’t filed until March of this year.</p>
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<p>The Union Pacific intermodal facility opened in April, with construction ending a year ahead of schedule.</p>
<p>Typically, cases of improperly licensed contractors are sent to public hearing if a complaint filed by the state can’t be resolved.</p>
<p>But the public won’t hear the details of this case because the state Construction Industries Commission and the office of Attorney General Gary King agreed to send the matter to a closed-door mediation that begins Tuesday in Albuquerque.</p>
<p>The mediator is Albuquerque attorney Paul Kennedy, who represents Governor Susana Martinez in two unrelated court cases and was her former appointee to the state Supreme Court in 2012.</p>
<p>The eight people on the commission, which regulates the construction industry in the state, are appointed by Martinez.</p>
<p>“The normal process is not likely to be workable in this case for a number of reasons,” AG spokesman Phil Sisneros said last week.</p>
<p>The case involves a “huge contract” amount of about $178 million, he said, and state law allows for a fine equivalent to about 10 percent of the value of the contract for each violation. There are three separate cases relating to the Union Pacific project.</p>
<p>“Accordingly,” Sisneros said in an email to the Journal, “the potential value of the case is huge.”</p>
<p>He said the legal issues are “also fairly complex and it seems likely that there will be wide variation of opinion on the Commission as to what the settlement value of the case should be.”</p>
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<p>The commission would have to vote publicly on any resolution to result from mediation.</p>
<p>A Union Pacific spokesman referred the Journal to the companies involved for comment. Their attorneys declined to talk about the case, but state records show the companies have denied any wrongdoing.</p>
<p>The state investigation into the former general contractor – a joint venture called Ames/Sundt JV – was spurred by an Albuquerque businessman who bid on part of the Union Pacific job, but lost out on the contract, according to state emails obtained by the Journal.</p>
<p>Ames/Sundt JV was formed to act as general contractor on the massive rail yard project in Santa Teresa near the U.S.-Mexico border. The rail hub was expected to create 3,000 construction jobs and up to 600 permanent positions.</p>
<p>Union Pacific decided to relocate its intermodal facility from El Paso to nearby Santa Teresa after Martinez and the Democrat-controlled state Legislature approved a locomotive fuel exemption to the gross receipts tax and compensation tax in 2011.</p>
<p>Later that year, Union Pacific hired Ames/Sundt JV as general contractor for Phase Two of the rail hub project. The corporations involved included Ames Construction, headquartered in Burnside, Minn,. and Sundt Construction, which is based in Tempe, Ariz.</p>
<p>In April 2012, Kevin Yearout of Yearout Mechanical in Albuquerque sent an email to Martinez’s office, state Economic Development Director Jon Barela and J. Dee Dennis Jr., then-superintendent of the state Regulation and Licensing Division.</p>
<p>Yearout complained the joint venture wasn’t properly licensed under New Mexico law at the time it bid on the project in September 2011. He claimed the proper license wasn’t obtained until “after the fact” – some 75 days later.</p>
<p>Moreover, his email stated, the joint venture in March 2012 awarded a $23 million contract to install industrial piping on the project to a subsidiary of Sundt that didn’t have a mechanical license in New Mexico. Yearout’s company had bid on that work.</p>
<p>“So now we have the largest project in the state, and the poster child for the administration’s economic development program, being awarded to out-of-state, unlicensed contractors. I know this is not going to sit well with many of the Governor’s supporters,” wrote Yearout, who couldn’t be reached for comment this week.</p>
<p>Yearout serves on the state Construction Industries Commission as a Martinez appointee.</p>
<p>After an initial investigation by CID, the commission in May 2012 voted to close two cases involving Sundt Construction and Ames Construction, records show.</p>
<p>Two months later, in early July 2012, Sundt Construction, under the name Sundt New Mexico, obtained a New Mexico mechanical license.</p>
<p>The company became the sole general contractor on the rail hub project when Phase Two of the hub began that same month.</p>
<p>Several weeks later, on July 26, 2012, the Commission met again and voted to send the licensing complaints against Ames and Sundt to the AG’s office.</p>
<p>A subsequent AG investigation found important documents were missing for a prosecution, Sisnero’s email said. CID eventually transferred more than 400 additional pages of information to the AG’s Office last year.</p>
<p>The companies involved also had claimed “trade secret confidentiality,” so a “pre-investigative” subpoena was issued for other information, the AG’s email stated.</p>
<p>With the two-year statute of limitations about to expire, the commission in March of this year voted to file a “notice of contemplated action” against Sundt, Ames and Ames/Sundt JV, authorizing the AG to enter into settlement negotiations.</p>
<p>Yearout recused himself from deliberations and public voting on the matter, according to meeting minutes.</p>
<p />
<p />
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former outofstate general contractor 400 million union pacific rail hub santa teresa accused bidding multimilliondollar construction job without proper new mexico license hiring unlicensed subcontractor potential fines licensing violations could run millions dollars state construction industries division first investigated licensing complaints two years ago formal allegations werent filed march year advertisement union pacific intermodal facility opened april construction ending year ahead schedule typically cases improperly licensed contractors sent public hearing complaint filed state cant resolved public wont hear details case state construction industries commission office attorney general gary king agreed send matter closeddoor mediation begins tuesday albuquerque mediator albuquerque attorney paul kennedy represents governor susana martinez two unrelated court cases former appointee state supreme court 2012 eight people commission regulates construction industry state appointed martinez normal process likely workable case number reasons ag spokesman phil sisneros said last week case involves huge contract amount 178 million said state law allows fine equivalent 10 percent value contract violation three separate cases relating union pacific project accordingly sisneros said email journal potential value case huge said legal issues also fairly complex seems likely wide variation opinion commission settlement value case advertisement commission would vote publicly resolution result mediation union pacific spokesman referred journal companies involved comment attorneys declined talk case state records show companies denied wrongdoing state investigation former general contractor joint venture called amessundt jv spurred albuquerque businessman bid part union pacific job lost contract according state emails obtained journal amessundt jv formed act general contractor massive rail yard project santa teresa near usmexico border rail hub expected create 3000 construction jobs 600 permanent positions union pacific decided relocate intermodal facility el paso nearby santa teresa martinez democratcontrolled state legislature approved locomotive fuel exemption gross receipts tax compensation tax 2011 later year union pacific hired amessundt jv general contractor phase two rail hub project corporations involved included ames construction headquartered burnside minn sundt construction based tempe ariz april 2012 kevin yearout yearout mechanical albuquerque sent email martinezs office state economic development director jon barela j dee dennis jr thensuperintendent state regulation licensing division yearout complained joint venture wasnt properly licensed new mexico law time bid project september 2011 claimed proper license wasnt obtained fact 75 days later moreover email stated joint venture march 2012 awarded 23 million contract install industrial piping project subsidiary sundt didnt mechanical license new mexico yearouts company bid work largest project state poster child administrations economic development program awarded outofstate unlicensed contractors know going sit well many governors supporters wrote yearout couldnt reached comment week yearout serves state construction industries commission martinez appointee initial investigation cid commission may 2012 voted close two cases involving sundt construction ames construction records show two months later early july 2012 sundt construction name sundt new mexico obtained new mexico mechanical license company became sole general contractor rail hub project phase two hub began month several weeks later july 26 2012 commission met voted send licensing complaints ames sundt ags office subsequent ag investigation found important documents missing prosecution sisneros email said cid eventually transferred 400 additional pages information ags office last year companies involved also claimed trade secret confidentiality preinvestigative subpoena issued information ags email stated twoyear statute limitations expire commission march year voted file notice contemplated action sundt ames amessundt jv authorizing ag enter settlement negotiations yearout recused deliberations public voting matter according meeting minutes
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<p>ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Serena Williams lost in her return to tennis after giving birth in September, beaten by French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in an exhibition Saturday and still unsure if she will defend her Australian Open title.</p>
<p>Williams called it a "wonderful" match despite the defeat — she took the second set in a score of 6-2, 3-6 and 10-5 in a super tiebreaker.</p>
<p>The Australian Open, the year's first Grand Slam tournament, begins Jan. 15.</p>
<p>"I don't know if I am totally ready to come back on the tour yet. I know that when I come back I definitely want to be competing for championships. I am definitely looking forward to getting back out there," Williams said.</p>
<p>"I am taking it one day at a time. I am going to assess everything with my team before deciding."</p>
<p>The 36-year-old Williams took time off after winning the Australian Open last January while pregnant. She gave birth to her first child, a girl named Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., on Sept. 1. She married Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian in November.</p>
<p>Williams struggled with her serve in the 67-minute match at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship. But, after nearly a year away from the game, she did win a set against the world's No. 7 player</p>
<p>"I don't think I am going to rate my performance," Williams said. "I have plenty of comebacks, from injuries, from surgeries, but I've never had a comeback after actually giving birth to a human being. So, in my eyes, I feel it was a wonderful, wonderful match for me."</p>
<p>Williams insisted she has a lot more tennis to play.</p>
<p>"Knowing that I have won 23 Grand Slam titles and several other titles, I don't think I have anything more left to prove," she said. "But I am not done yet."</p>
<p>Williams won her opening game, breaking Ostapenko. But she was nowhere near her best in the first set before fighting back and winning the second.</p>
<p>After the initial break, Ostapenko latched onto Williams' weak serves and capitalized on several unforced errors to go up 4-1 with two breaks.</p>
<p>Williams again struggled with her serve in the second set. But she went ahead 3-0 with a couple of early breaks and hit with more confidence, including several crowd-pleasing double-handed passing shots. Another break in the ninth game gave her the set.</p>
<p>"In the beginning, it felt a little tough. But as the match moved on, I was less afraid. I knew I was not going to fall over and break," she said. "The more I played, the more confident I felt that I would be able to go for shots that I was afraid to go for in the first set."</p>
<p>In the super tiebreaker, Ostapenko raced to an 8-2 lead before halting a brief recovery by Williams.</p>
<p>"For me, it is all about physical, how I am feeling physically. ... I am just proud being out here and playing in Abu Dhabi and to be able to just compete," Williams said. "I have had a tough few months and I am just excited to be able to play again."</p>
<p>It was the first time a women's match had been played in the traditionally men's only exhibition.</p>
<p>U.S. Open runner-up Kevin Anderson defeated Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4, 7-6 (0) in the men's final. The 14th-ranked Anderson immediately broke Bautista Agut and was never in danger of losing serve in the first set.</p>
<p>In the second set, Bautista Agut broke in the second game, but the South African broke back immediately. An aggressive Anderson swept the tiebreaker.</p>
<p>ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Serena Williams lost in her return to tennis after giving birth in September, beaten by French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in an exhibition Saturday and still unsure if she will defend her Australian Open title.</p>
<p>Williams called it a "wonderful" match despite the defeat — she took the second set in a score of 6-2, 3-6 and 10-5 in a super tiebreaker.</p>
<p>The Australian Open, the year's first Grand Slam tournament, begins Jan. 15.</p>
<p>"I don't know if I am totally ready to come back on the tour yet. I know that when I come back I definitely want to be competing for championships. I am definitely looking forward to getting back out there," Williams said.</p>
<p>"I am taking it one day at a time. I am going to assess everything with my team before deciding."</p>
<p>The 36-year-old Williams took time off after winning the Australian Open last January while pregnant. She gave birth to her first child, a girl named Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., on Sept. 1. She married Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian in November.</p>
<p>Williams struggled with her serve in the 67-minute match at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship. But, after nearly a year away from the game, she did win a set against the world's No. 7 player</p>
<p>"I don't think I am going to rate my performance," Williams said. "I have plenty of comebacks, from injuries, from surgeries, but I've never had a comeback after actually giving birth to a human being. So, in my eyes, I feel it was a wonderful, wonderful match for me."</p>
<p>Williams insisted she has a lot more tennis to play.</p>
<p>"Knowing that I have won 23 Grand Slam titles and several other titles, I don't think I have anything more left to prove," she said. "But I am not done yet."</p>
<p>Williams won her opening game, breaking Ostapenko. But she was nowhere near her best in the first set before fighting back and winning the second.</p>
<p>After the initial break, Ostapenko latched onto Williams' weak serves and capitalized on several unforced errors to go up 4-1 with two breaks.</p>
<p>Williams again struggled with her serve in the second set. But she went ahead 3-0 with a couple of early breaks and hit with more confidence, including several crowd-pleasing double-handed passing shots. Another break in the ninth game gave her the set.</p>
<p>"In the beginning, it felt a little tough. But as the match moved on, I was less afraid. I knew I was not going to fall over and break," she said. "The more I played, the more confident I felt that I would be able to go for shots that I was afraid to go for in the first set."</p>
<p>In the super tiebreaker, Ostapenko raced to an 8-2 lead before halting a brief recovery by Williams.</p>
<p>"For me, it is all about physical, how I am feeling physically. ... I am just proud being out here and playing in Abu Dhabi and to be able to just compete," Williams said. "I have had a tough few months and I am just excited to be able to play again."</p>
<p>It was the first time a women's match had been played in the traditionally men's only exhibition.</p>
<p>U.S. Open runner-up Kevin Anderson defeated Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4, 7-6 (0) in the men's final. The 14th-ranked Anderson immediately broke Bautista Agut and was never in danger of losing serve in the first set.</p>
<p>In the second set, Bautista Agut broke in the second game, but the South African broke back immediately. An aggressive Anderson swept the tiebreaker.</p>
| false | 2 |
abu dhabi united arab emirates ap serena williams lost return tennis giving birth september beaten french open champion jelena ostapenko exhibition saturday still unsure defend australian open title williams called wonderful match despite defeat took second set score 62 36 105 super tiebreaker australian open years first grand slam tournament begins jan 15 dont know totally ready come back tour yet know come back definitely want competing championships definitely looking forward getting back williams said taking one day time going assess everything team deciding 36yearold williams took time winning australian open last january pregnant gave birth first child girl named alexis olympia ohanian jr sept 1 married reddit cofounder alexis ohanian november williams struggled serve 67minute match mubadala world tennis championship nearly year away game win set worlds 7 player dont think going rate performance williams said plenty comebacks injuries surgeries ive never comeback actually giving birth human eyes feel wonderful wonderful match williams insisted lot tennis play knowing 23 grand slam titles several titles dont think anything left prove said done yet williams opening game breaking ostapenko nowhere near best first set fighting back winning second initial break ostapenko latched onto williams weak serves capitalized several unforced errors go 41 two breaks williams struggled serve second set went ahead 30 couple early breaks hit confidence including several crowdpleasing doublehanded passing shots another break ninth game gave set beginning felt little tough match moved less afraid knew going fall break said played confident felt would able go shots afraid go first set super tiebreaker ostapenko raced 82 lead halting brief recovery williams physical feeling physically proud playing abu dhabi able compete williams said tough months excited able play first time womens match played traditionally mens exhibition us open runnerup kevin anderson defeated spains roberto bautista agut 64 76 0 mens final 14thranked anderson immediately broke bautista agut never danger losing serve first set second set bautista agut broke second game south african broke back immediately aggressive anderson swept tiebreaker abu dhabi united arab emirates ap serena williams lost return tennis giving birth september beaten french open champion jelena ostapenko exhibition saturday still unsure defend australian open title williams called wonderful match despite defeat took second set score 62 36 105 super tiebreaker australian open years first grand slam tournament begins jan 15 dont know totally ready come back tour yet know come back definitely want competing championships definitely looking forward getting back williams said taking one day time going assess everything team deciding 36yearold williams took time winning australian open last january pregnant gave birth first child girl named alexis olympia ohanian jr sept 1 married reddit cofounder alexis ohanian november williams struggled serve 67minute match mubadala world tennis championship nearly year away game win set worlds 7 player dont think going rate performance williams said plenty comebacks injuries surgeries ive never comeback actually giving birth human eyes feel wonderful wonderful match williams insisted lot tennis play knowing 23 grand slam titles several titles dont think anything left prove said done yet williams opening game breaking ostapenko nowhere near best first set fighting back winning second initial break ostapenko latched onto williams weak serves capitalized several unforced errors go 41 two breaks williams struggled serve second set went ahead 30 couple early breaks hit confidence including several crowdpleasing doublehanded passing shots another break ninth game gave set beginning felt little tough match moved less afraid knew going fall break said played confident felt would able go shots afraid go first set super tiebreaker ostapenko raced 82 lead halting brief recovery williams physical feeling physically proud playing abu dhabi able compete williams said tough months excited able play first time womens match played traditionally mens exhibition us open runnerup kevin anderson defeated spains roberto bautista agut 64 76 0 mens final 14thranked anderson immediately broke bautista agut never danger losing serve first set second set bautista agut broke second game south african broke back immediately aggressive anderson swept tiebreaker
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<p />
<p>After falling nearly 60 percent from a peak last June, the price of oil bounced back more than 20 percent as January turned to February. Then, on Tuesday, it sunk 5 percent, closing just above $50. Oil has fallen or risen by 3 percent or more on 14 of 27 trading days so far this year. By comparison, the stock market hasn’t had a move that big in more than three years.</p>
<p>Predicting prices is especially tricky now because the oil market has never quite looked like this. Oil price collapses of the past were triggered either by plummeting demand or an increase in supplies. This latest one had both. Production in the U.S. and elsewhere has been rising, while slower economic growth in China and weak economies in Europe and Japan means demand for oil isn’t growing as much as expected.</p>
<p>As recent trading shows, any sign of reduced production inspires traders to buy oil, and every new sign of rising supplies sends prices lower. In a report Tuesday the U.S. Energy Department, citing unusual uncertainty, said the price of oil could end up anywhere from $32 to $108 by December.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>“There are many more laps to come on this roller coaster,” said Judith Dwarkin, chief economist at ITG Investment Research.</p>
<p>As oil bounces up and down, so will the price of gasoline, diesel and other fuels. Almost no one expects a return to the very high prices of the last four years, so drivers and shippers will continue to pay lower prices. It’s a question of how much less, and for how long.</p>
<p>OIL WILL RISE</p>
<p>Those expecting a quick and lasting price jump see mounting evidence that drillers in the U.S. are pulling back fast because they’re no longer making money. A closely-watched survey by the oil services company Baker Hughes shows that the number of rigs actively drilling for oil fell to 1,140 last week, down 29 percent from a record high of 1,609 in October.</p>
<p>Oil companies have announced spending cuts in the billions of dollars; oil service companies have announced layoffs of thousands of workers.</p>
<p>If companies stop drilling new wells in North Dakota and Texas, the centers of the U.S. oil boom, overall U.S. production could fall fast. Output from most of those wells declines far more quickly than production from more traditional wells. Analysts at Bernstein Research estimate that U.S. production declines at 30 percent a year without constant investment in new wells.</p>
<p>A quick decline in production would send prices higher by reducing global supplies. At the same time, demand could be on the rise. The U.S. economy seems to be improving rapidly and demand for gasoline is increasing. Global demand may also rise somewhat simply because low prices tend to encourage more consumption.</p>
<p>If the oil bulls are right, it means prices for transportation fuels would rise and the slowdown in drilling activity in the U.S. would perhaps be short-lived.</p>
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<p>OIL WILL FALL</p>
<p>Others say oil production is still rising and demand isn’t yet catching up — a recipe for lower oil prices.</p>
<p>The oil bears argue that there are plenty of rigs still working, and they are now focused only on the most prolific spots. Also, oil services companies are charging significantly less for equipment and expertise. This means oil companies may be able to keep oil supplies rising from already high levels despite low prices.</p>
<p>The Energy Department reported last week that there was a record 1.18 billion barrels of oil in storage in the U.S. ITG’s Dwarkin estimates that in the first half of this year the world will be producing, on average, 2 million barrels per day more than it will be consuming.</p>
<p>Analysts at Bank of America Merrill Lynch say $32 a barrel is possible. Ed Morse, an analyst at Citi, called the recent rise in prices a “head fake” and predicts oil could plunge into the $20 range, the lowest since 2002.</p>
<p>The bears also don’t expect much increase in demand. Many developing nations are cutting back on fuel subsidies, which means that consumers could be buying less fuel, not more. And demand in the U.S. and other developed nations won’t rise much, they argue, because of environmental policies and high fuel taxes.</p>
<p>OIL WILL STAY THE SAME</p>
<p>After its recent rise, some think oil may already be close to finding its level.</p>
<p>The International Energy Agency said in a report Tuesday that prices will stabilize in a range “higher than recent lows but substantially below the highs of the last three years.”</p>
<p>In the past, once production went off line it took years to bring it back. Now, the IEA said, drillers can quickly and easily tap shale deposits to bring new oil to market as soon as supplies fall or demand rises. That should help keep a lid on prices.</p>
<p>Tom Pugh, an analyst at Capital Economics, forecasts that Brent crude, the most important benchmark for global crude, will end the year around $60 a barrel, within $4 of where it closed Tuesday — and to be at $70 by the end of 2020.</p>
<p>That doesn’t mean, however, that there won’t further bumps along the way. “We wouldn’t be surprised to see more large price movements before the market settles down,” Pugh wrote.</p>
<p>Jonathan Fahey can be reached at <a href="http://twitter.com/JonathanFahey" type="external">http://twitter.com/JonathanFahey</a> .</p>
| false | 2 |
falling nearly 60 percent peak last june price oil bounced back 20 percent january turned february tuesday sunk 5 percent closing 50 oil fallen risen 3 percent 14 27 trading days far year comparison stock market hasnt move big three years predicting prices especially tricky oil market never quite looked like oil price collapses past triggered either plummeting demand increase supplies latest one production us elsewhere rising slower economic growth china weak economies europe japan means demand oil isnt growing much expected recent trading shows sign reduced production inspires traders buy oil every new sign rising supplies sends prices lower report tuesday us energy department citing unusual uncertainty said price oil could end anywhere 32 108 december advertisement many laps come roller coaster said judith dwarkin chief economist itg investment research oil bounces price gasoline diesel fuels almost one expects return high prices last four years drivers shippers continue pay lower prices question much less long oil rise expecting quick lasting price jump see mounting evidence drillers us pulling back fast theyre longer making money closelywatched survey oil services company baker hughes shows number rigs actively drilling oil fell 1140 last week 29 percent record high 1609 october oil companies announced spending cuts billions dollars oil service companies announced layoffs thousands workers companies stop drilling new wells north dakota texas centers us oil boom overall us production could fall fast output wells declines far quickly production traditional wells analysts bernstein research estimate us production declines 30 percent year without constant investment new wells quick decline production would send prices higher reducing global supplies time demand could rise us economy seems improving rapidly demand gasoline increasing global demand may also rise somewhat simply low prices tend encourage consumption oil bulls right means prices transportation fuels would rise slowdown drilling activity us would perhaps shortlived advertisement oil fall others say oil production still rising demand isnt yet catching recipe lower oil prices oil bears argue plenty rigs still working focused prolific spots also oil services companies charging significantly less equipment expertise means oil companies may able keep oil supplies rising already high levels despite low prices energy department reported last week record 118 billion barrels oil storage us itgs dwarkin estimates first half year world producing average 2 million barrels per day consuming analysts bank america merrill lynch say 32 barrel possible ed morse analyst citi called recent rise prices head fake predicts oil could plunge 20 range lowest since 2002 bears also dont expect much increase demand many developing nations cutting back fuel subsidies means consumers could buying less fuel demand us developed nations wont rise much argue environmental policies high fuel taxes oil stay recent rise think oil may already close finding level international energy agency said report tuesday prices stabilize range higher recent lows substantially highs last three years past production went line took years bring back iea said drillers quickly easily tap shale deposits bring new oil market soon supplies fall demand rises help keep lid prices tom pugh analyst capital economics forecasts brent crude important benchmark global crude end year around 60 barrel within 4 closed tuesday 70 end 2020 doesnt mean however wont bumps along way wouldnt surprised see large price movements market settles pugh wrote jonathan fahey reached httptwittercomjonathanfahey
| 544 |
<p>GENEVA (Reuters) - Israel accused the United Nations on Tuesday of continuous discrimination against it over its treatment of Palestinians, and called for reforms of the U.N. human rights body.</p>
<p>The Human Rights Council’s regular examination of Israel’s record, the first since 2013, comes after U.S. President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem last month as the capital of Israel, angering Palestinians, Middle East leaders and world powers.</p>
<p>Aviva Raz Shechter, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, told the Human Rights Council that her country had always stood up for human rights.</p>
<p>“It has done so while facing serious threats to its security, and while needing to integrate diverse communities and religious groups,” Raz Shechter told the Geneva forum.</p>
<p>The Council has taken a strong position against Israel’s occupation of territory seized in the 1967 Middle East war, its treatment of Palestinians there and its building of Jewish settlements.</p>
<p>Most countries consider the settlements, in areas of the West Bank and Jerusalem that the Palestinians see as part of an eventual independent state, to be illegal under the Geneva Conventions. Israel disputes this and continues their expansion.</p>
<p>An “unparalleled number of one-sided biased and political resolutions adopted regularly by the automatic majority of its members testify not only to the unfair treatment of the State of Israel, but also to the deficiencies of the Council itself and its agenda,” Raz Shechter said.</p>
<p>Dima Asfour of Palestine’s delegation called on Israel to “end the illegal blockade of Gaza, investigate all allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during its military aggressions in Gaza and provide full reparation”.</p>
<p>Israel has imposed strict restrictions on goods that can enter the Gaza Strip, which has been ruled for a decade by the Islamist movement Hamas. Palestinians say the restrictions, which bar a range of goods that Israel says could have military uses, have destroyed the economy of the enclave, home to 2 million people, and prevented rebuilding after a 2014 war.</p>
<p>Israel should also free political prisoners, end its policy of administrative detention and halt “the use of torture against Palestinians, including children in Israeli military detention”, Asfour said.</p>
<p>Jason Mack of the United States, Israel’s main ally, urged Israel to minimise the number and duration of administrative detention orders and ensure detainees have access to lawyers.</p>
<p>Washington says the Council is stacked with opponents of Israel and U.S. ambassador Nikki Haley told the Council last June that the United States was reviewing its participation given what it sees as its “chronic anti-Israel bias”.</p>
<p>The United States already withdrew last year from UN cultural organisation UNESCO, citing anti-Israel bias.</p>
<p>Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; Editing by Peter Graff</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>WASHINGTON/BEIJING (Reuters) - A U.S. Navy destroyer carried out a “freedom of navigation” operation on Friday, coming within 12 nautical miles of an artificial island built by China in the South China Sea, U.S. officials told Reuters.</p>
<p>The operation, which infuriated Beijing, was the latest attempt to counter what Washington sees as China’s efforts to limit freedom of navigation in the strategic waters.</p>
<p>The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the destroyer Mustin traveled close to Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands and carried out maneuvering operations. China has territorial disputes with its neighbors over the area.</p>
<p>Twelve nautical miles is an internationally recognized territorial limit.</p>
<p>The United States has criticized China’s construction of islands and buildup of military facilities in the area, and is concerned they could be used to restrict free nautical movement.</p>
<p>The latest operation, the first since January, occurred just a day after U.S. President Donald Trump lit a slow-burning fuse by signing a presidential memorandum that will target up to $60 billion in Chinese goods with tariffs, following a 30-day consultation period that starts once a list is published.</p>
<p>When asked about the operation, the U.S. military said its activities are carried out under international law and American forces operate in the region on a daily bases.</p>
<p>“We conduct routine and regular freedom of navigation operations, as we have done in the past and will continue to do in the future,” said Lieutenant Commander Nicole Schwegman, a spokeswoman for U.S. Pacific Fleet.</p>
<p>China’s Defense Ministry said two Chinese naval ships had been sent to identify the U.S. ship and warn it to leave. It described the actions of the American ship as seriously harming China’s sovereignty and security, which threatens regional peace and stability.</p>
<p>Such actions cause forces from both countries to come into close proximity and could easily cause a misjudgment or accident, and create serious political and military provocation for China, the ministry said.</p>
<p>China has always dedicated itself to protecting freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, but opposes “illegal and provocative” moves in the name of freedom of navigation, it added.</p> FILE PHOTO: The warship USS Mustin sails near the port in Sihanoukville, 223 km (139 miles) west of Phnom Penh, October 11, 2008. REUTERS/Stringer
<p>“The provocative behavior by the U.S. side will only cause the Chinese military to further strengthen building up defense abilities in all areas.”</p>
<p>In January, another U.S. Navy destroyer sailed near Scarborough Shoal, a disputed lagoon claimed by China in the South China Sea.</p> “MANUFACTURING TENSIONS”
<p>In a separate statement, China’s Foreign Ministry said the country would continue to take all necessary steps to protect its sovereignty and peace and stability in the South China Sea, where it said the situation was developing for the better with the hard work of China and Southeast Asian nations.</p>
<p>The U.S. determination to “manufacture tensions” flies in the face of the wishes of countries in the region to seek cooperation and development and will not enjoy popular support, the foreign ministry said.</p>
<p>The U.S. military has a longstanding position that its operations are carried out throughout the world, including in areas claimed by allies, and they are separate from political considerations.</p>
<p>China’s claims in the South China Sea, through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes each year, are contested by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.</p>
<p>The U.S. military put countering China and Russia at the center of a new national defense strategy unveiled in January.</p>
<p>China’s navy will carry out combat drills in the South China Sea, the military’s official newspaper said on Friday, calling the move part of regular annual exercises.</p>
<p>Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said on Wednesday it had shadowed a Chinese aircraft carrier group traversing the Taiwan Strait in a southwesterly direction - meaning into the disputed South China Sea - in what Taiwan judged to be a drill.</p>
<p>The United States has been pushing allies to carry out freedom of navigation operations as well.</p>
<p>Britain last month said one of its warships would pass through the South China Sea to assert freedom-of-navigation rights.</p>
<p>Reporting by Idrees Ali and Ben Blanchard; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Tom Brown</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>HANOI/SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Vietnam has halted an oil drilling project in the “Red Emperor” block off its southeastern coast licensed to Spanish energy firm Repsol following pressure from China, three sources with direct knowledge of the situation told Reuters on Friday.</p> FILE PHOTO: A Repsol logo at a petrol station in Bormujos near the Andalusian capital of Seville, southern Spain March 3, 2016. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo/File Photo
<p>It would be the second time in less than a year that Vietnam has had to suspend a major oil development in the busy South China Sea waterway under pressure from China.</p>
<p>A source with direct knowledge of the situation said government ministries in Vietnam had paused the project while the decision-making politburo debates whether to suspend or indefinitely terminate the contract.</p>
<p>The decision, which hangs on whether the fees incurred by contract cancellation will exceed the cost of resisting Chinese pressure, is on hold until the politburo meets, the source said.</p>
<p>That meeting has been delayed by overseas trips by Vietnam’s prime minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, a series of visits by foreign dignitaries to Hanoi, and the death of former prime minister Phan Van Khai on Saturday.</p>
<p>“The ministries are determined to terminate the contract,” said the source, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the situation.</p>
<p>A source with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed that the project, which is a joint venture with state oil company PetroVietnam, had been stopped following pressure from China.</p>
<p>A source at Repsol told Reuters high-level executives had been discussing how to respond to the pressure, which had been applied both directly by China, and indirectly via Vietnam.</p>
<p>A spokesman for Repsol in Madrid declined to comment. PetroVietnam executives declined to comment. The Vietnamese foreign ministry did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.</p>
<p>Asked at a regular briefing if China had pressed either Vietnam or Repsol, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said she did not know where such news had come from, but did not elaborate.</p>
<p>“We hope the relevant sides can work together to maintain the hard-earned positive situation in the South China Sea,” she said.</p> ‘RED EMPEROR’
<p>Red Emperor, known in Vietnamese as the Ca Rong Do field, is part of Block 07/03 in the Nam Con Son basin, 440 km (273 miles) off the coast of Vietnam’s southern city of Vung Tau.</p>
<p>The $1-billion field of moderate size by international standards is seen as a key asset to help slow the decline of Vietnam’s stalling oil and gas production.</p>
<p>But the block lies near the U-shaped “nine-dash line” that marks the vast area that China claims in the sea and overlaps what it says are its own oil concessions.</p>
<p>Located in waters around 350 metres (1,148 ft) deep, it is considered to be profitable from around $60 per barrel. Current Brent crude oil prices are almost $70 per barrel.</p>
<p>The field’s estimated potential recovery is around 45 million barrels of crude oil, 172 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 2.3 million barrels of condensate, a super light form of crude oil that is mostly a byproduct of gas production.</p>
<p>Global crude oil, by comparison, is at almost 100 million barrels per day. Global gas consumption is around 4 trillion cubic metres per year.</p>
<p>The move came as Repsol was making final preparations for commercial drilling, according to the BBC, which first reported the news on Friday.</p>
<p>A rig, the Ensco 8504, was due to depart from Singapore for the drill site on Thursday, the BBC said, citing an unnamed energy industry source.</p>
<p>Repsol spent around 33 million euros ($41 million) on exploration in Vietnam last year, according to the company’s 2017 profit and loss statement.</p>
<p>Repsol’s top management considers the Red Emperor site one of the company’s future growth projects.</p>
<p>Repsol, which has a 51.75 percent stake in the project, signed a 384-million-euro rental contract for a rig to start work on a Vietnamese site in 2019, according to the statement.</p>
<p>Just under half the company’s 1 billion euro ($1.23 billion) investments for which contracts have been signed for 2018 are in Vietnam.</p>
<p>(This version of the story has been refiled to clarify attribution in paragraph 7)</p>
<p>Additional reporting by Jose Elias Rodriguez in MADRID and Christian Shepherd in BEIJING; Editing by Clarence Fernandez</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>HELSINKI/BARCELONA (Reuters) - Former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont faces arrest in Finland after authorities there received an international warrant for his detention issued by Spain, the latest legal action against separatist politicians from the wealthy northeastern region.</p> FILE PHOTO: Pro-independence Catalonia's deposed leader Carles Puigdemont lectures at the University of Helsinki, Finland March 23, 2018. Lehtikuva/Markku Ulander/via REUTERS
<p>If he returns to Spain, Puigdemont faces up to 25 years in prison on charges of rebellion and sedition for his part in organising an illegal referendum on secession last year.</p>
<p>Finland has received the warrant but has requested more information from Spain before taking action, Inspector Hannu Kautto told Reuters on Saturday.</p>
<p>In an interview with Spanish radio station Catalunya Radio earlier, Puigdemont’s lawyer, Jaume Alonso-Cuevillas, said his client would present himself to Finish police.</p>
<p>Puigdemont went into self-imposed exile in Belgium last year, shortly after the Catalan parliament made a symbolic declaration of independence from Spain. He arrived in Finland on Thursday to meet lawmakers and attend a conference.</p> FILE PHOTO: Pro-independence Catalonia's deposed leader Carles Puigdemont (R) lectures at the University of Helsinki, Finland March 23, 2018. Lehtikuva/Markku Ulander/via REUTERS
<p>On Friday, Spanish supreme court judge Pablo Llarena ruled a total of 25 separatist politicians, including Puigdemont, would face trial for rebellion, embezzlement or disobeying the state.</p>
<p>Of those, five were sent on Friday to pre-trial jail, among them Jordi Turull, a close ally of Puigdemont who was due to be put forward for a second vote on Saturday to become the next regional president.</p> FILE PHOTO: Pro-independence Catalonia's deposed leader Carles Puigdemont lectures at the University of Helsinki, Finland March 23, 2018. Lehtikuva/Markku Ulander/via REUTERS
<p>The court’s decision means the vote on Turull’s leadership cannot go ahead because his presence is mandatory.</p>
<p>Catalan parliament speaker Roger Torrent said on Friday he would continue with the session and read a statement in support of pro-independence leaders, despite opposition from the government and unionist parties in Catalonia.</p>
<p>On Saturday, government sources reiterated calls for Torrent to cancel the session and said Madrid would study what action to take if it went ahead as planned.</p>
<p>Reprting by Sam Edwards and Jussi Rosendahl; Editing by Mark Potter</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Incoming White House national security adviser John Bolton’s history of clashes with U.S. intelligence agencies suggests how he might handle North Korea and Iran, two of the thorniest challenges he and U.S. President Donald Trump face.</p> FILE PHOTO: Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton arrives for a meeting with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at Trump Tower in New York, U.S., December 2, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo
<p>Bolton takes over on April 9 from retiring Army Lt. Gen. H. R. McMaster. Based on his public statements, he shares Trump’s dislike of the Iran nuclear deal and often-bellicose stance toward North Korea.</p>
<p>However, his pronouncements on both issues are at odds with the assessments of U.S. intelligence agencies.</p>
<p>In a 2017 article in the conservative National Review, Bolton accused Iran of “significant violations” of the 2015 nuclear accord curbing the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program.</p>
<p>U.S. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, however, told Congress in February that Tehran has been in compliance with the deal, which is working as designed.</p>
<p>Bolton has characterized North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs as a threat best eliminated by a pre-emptive military strike. U.S. intelligence analysts have warned that such a strike would trigger a North Korean counterattack that would kill tens of thousands of South Koreans, American troops and civilians, and others as far away as Japan.</p>
<p>As a senior State Department official from 2001 to 2005, Bolton exaggerated what the U.S. government knew about weapons programs in Iraq, Cuba and Syria, and retaliated against analysts who differed with him, according to intelligence officials involved in the events.</p>
<p>“The question is, is he (Bolton) going to be like that, and start with the answer and shoehorn the intelligence to fit,” or take a more balanced view, said a former CIA official with more than 30 years’ experience.</p>
<p>The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, reflected many intelligence veterans’ wariness at Bolton’s appointment.</p>
<p>Bolton declined comment via a spokesman. A CIA spokeswoman also declined comment.</p>
<p>Bolton, 69, is known as a dedicated hawk who marries bureaucratic savvy with belligerent rhetoric.</p>
<p>The decisions the White House confronts on North Korea and Iran require, officials say, complicated judgments based on imperfect information about the status of secret weapons programs, conditions that Bolton’s critics say he has seized on in the past to promote his own agenda.</p> ‘NOT REFLECTED BY INTELLIGENCE’
<p>During President George W. Bush’s first term in office, Bolton was the State Department’s top official on weapons proliferation.</p>
<p>In a May 2002 speech, he declared that Cuba had “at least a limited offensive biological warfare research and development effort,” and was sharing the technology with other countries.</p>
<p>Greg Theilmann, a top State Department intelligence official at the time, recounted how Bolton tried to retaliate against one of Theilmann’s analysts for disputing that conclusion.</p>
<p>“Bolton wanted to make charges about Cuban biological warfare capabilities which were not reflected by the intelligence,” Theilmann said in a telephone interview.</p>
<p>Bolton tried to have analyst Christian Westermann reassigned for challenging him, but he and Carl Ford, the head of the State Department’s intelligence bureau, refused, Theilmann said.</p>
<p>In his 2007 memoir, “Surrender is Not an Option,” Bolton wrote that the language on Cuba’s bioweapons programs had been approved by U.S. intelligence agencies. Westermann, he wrote, “was attempting to impose his own policy views,” which intelligence analysts are not supposed to do.</p>
<p>Fulton Armstrong, who was the intelligence community’s top Cuba expert, said Bolton and several of his associates in government also tried to have him removed over the biological weapons issue.</p>
<p>Bolton “showed every despicable trait of an obsessed policy person who, when frustrated in his attempts to cook the intelligence, lashed out at the person delivering the news,” Armstrong said.</p>
<p>Bolton crossed swords with U.S. spy agencies again in July 2003, when the CIA and other agencies objected to testimony he planned to give describing Syria’s development of biological, chemical and nuclear weapons as a threat to Middle East stability.</p>
<p>Additional reporting by Mark Hosenball; Editing by John Walcott and James Dalgleish</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
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geneva reuters israel accused united nations tuesday continuous discrimination treatment palestinians called reforms un human rights body human rights councils regular examination israels record first since 2013 comes us president donald trump recognised jerusalem last month capital israel angering palestinians middle east leaders world powers aviva raz shechter israels ambassador united nations geneva told human rights council country always stood human rights done facing serious threats security needing integrate diverse communities religious groups raz shechter told geneva forum council taken strong position israels occupation territory seized 1967 middle east war treatment palestinians building jewish settlements countries consider settlements areas west bank jerusalem palestinians see part eventual independent state illegal geneva conventions israel disputes continues expansion unparalleled number onesided biased political resolutions adopted regularly automatic majority members testify unfair treatment state israel also deficiencies council agenda raz shechter said dima asfour palestines delegation called israel end illegal blockade gaza investigate allegations war crimes crimes humanity committed military aggressions gaza provide full reparation israel imposed strict restrictions goods enter gaza strip ruled decade islamist movement hamas palestinians say restrictions bar range goods israel says could military uses destroyed economy enclave home 2 million people prevented rebuilding 2014 war israel also free political prisoners end policy administrative detention halt use torture palestinians including children israeli military detention asfour said jason mack united states israels main ally urged israel minimise number duration administrative detention orders ensure detainees access lawyers washington says council stacked opponents israel us ambassador nikki haley told council last june united states reviewing participation given sees chronic antiisrael bias united states already withdrew last year un cultural organisation unesco citing antiisrael bias reporting stephanie nebehay editing peter graff standards thomson reuters trust principles washingtonbeijing reuters us navy destroyer carried freedom navigation operation friday coming within 12 nautical miles artificial island built china south china sea us officials told reuters operation infuriated beijing latest attempt counter washington sees chinas efforts limit freedom navigation strategic waters officials speaking condition anonymity said destroyer mustin traveled close mischief reef spratly islands carried maneuvering operations china territorial disputes neighbors area twelve nautical miles internationally recognized territorial limit united states criticized chinas construction islands buildup military facilities area concerned could used restrict free nautical movement latest operation first since january occurred day us president donald trump lit slowburning fuse signing presidential memorandum target 60 billion chinese goods tariffs following 30day consultation period starts list published asked operation us military said activities carried international law american forces operate region daily bases conduct routine regular freedom navigation operations done past continue future said lieutenant commander nicole schwegman spokeswoman us pacific fleet chinas defense ministry said two chinese naval ships sent identify us ship warn leave described actions american ship seriously harming chinas sovereignty security threatens regional peace stability actions cause forces countries come close proximity could easily cause misjudgment accident create serious political military provocation china ministry said china always dedicated protecting freedom navigation overflight south china sea opposes illegal provocative moves name freedom navigation added file photo warship uss mustin sails near port sihanoukville 223 km 139 miles west phnom penh october 11 2008 reutersstringer provocative behavior us side cause chinese military strengthen building defense abilities areas january another us navy destroyer sailed near scarborough shoal disputed lagoon claimed china south china sea manufacturing tensions separate statement chinas foreign ministry said country would continue take necessary steps protect sovereignty peace stability south china sea said situation developing better hard work china southeast asian nations us determination manufacture tensions flies face wishes countries region seek cooperation development enjoy popular support foreign ministry said us military longstanding position operations carried throughout world including areas claimed allies separate political considerations chinas claims south china sea 5 trillion shipborne trade passes year contested brunei malaysia philippines taiwan vietnam us military put countering china russia center new national defense strategy unveiled january chinas navy carry combat drills south china sea militarys official newspaper said friday calling move part regular annual exercises taiwans defense ministry said wednesday shadowed chinese aircraft carrier group traversing taiwan strait southwesterly direction meaning disputed south china sea taiwan judged drill united states pushing allies carry freedom navigation operations well britain last month said one warships would pass south china sea assert freedomofnavigation rights reporting idrees ali ben blanchard editing jonathan oatis tom brown standards thomson reuters trust principles hanoisingapore reuters vietnam halted oil drilling project red emperor block southeastern coast licensed spanish energy firm repsol following pressure china three sources direct knowledge situation told reuters friday file photo repsol logo petrol station bormujos near andalusian capital seville southern spain march 3 2016 reutersmarcelo del pozofile photo would second time less year vietnam suspend major oil development busy south china sea waterway pressure china source direct knowledge situation said government ministries vietnam paused project decisionmaking politburo debates whether suspend indefinitely terminate contract decision hangs whether fees incurred contract cancellation exceed cost resisting chinese pressure hold politburo meets source said meeting delayed overseas trips vietnams prime minister nguyen xuan phuc series visits foreign dignitaries hanoi death former prime minister phan van khai saturday ministries determined terminate contract said source asked identified sensitivity situation source direct knowledge situation confirmed project joint venture state oil company petrovietnam stopped following pressure china source repsol told reuters highlevel executives discussing respond pressure applied directly china indirectly via vietnam spokesman repsol madrid declined comment petrovietnam executives declined comment vietnamese foreign ministry immediately respond emailed request comment asked regular briefing china pressed either vietnam repsol chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman hua chunying said know news come elaborate hope relevant sides work together maintain hardearned positive situation south china sea said red emperor red emperor known vietnamese ca rong field part block 0703 nam con son basin 440 km 273 miles coast vietnams southern city vung tau 1billion field moderate size international standards seen key asset help slow decline vietnams stalling oil gas production block lies near ushaped ninedash line marks vast area china claims sea overlaps says oil concessions located waters around 350 metres 1148 ft deep considered profitable around 60 per barrel current brent crude oil prices almost 70 per barrel fields estimated potential recovery around 45 million barrels crude oil 172 billion cubic feet natural gas 23 million barrels condensate super light form crude oil mostly byproduct gas production global crude oil comparison almost 100 million barrels per day global gas consumption around 4 trillion cubic metres per year move came repsol making final preparations commercial drilling according bbc first reported news friday rig ensco 8504 due depart singapore drill site thursday bbc said citing unnamed energy industry source repsol spent around 33 million euros 41 million exploration vietnam last year according companys 2017 profit loss statement repsols top management considers red emperor site one companys future growth projects repsol 5175 percent stake project signed 384millioneuro rental contract rig start work vietnamese site 2019 according statement half companys 1 billion euro 123 billion investments contracts signed 2018 vietnam version story refiled clarify attribution paragraph 7 additional reporting jose elias rodriguez madrid christian shepherd beijing editing clarence fernandez standards thomson reuters trust principles helsinkibarcelona reuters former catalan leader carles puigdemont faces arrest finland authorities received international warrant detention issued spain latest legal action separatist politicians wealthy northeastern region file photo proindependence catalonias deposed leader carles puigdemont lectures university helsinki finland march 23 2018 lehtikuvamarkku ulandervia reuters returns spain puigdemont faces 25 years prison charges rebellion sedition part organising illegal referendum secession last year finland received warrant requested information spain taking action inspector hannu kautto told reuters saturday interview spanish radio station catalunya radio earlier puigdemonts lawyer jaume alonsocuevillas said client would present finish police puigdemont went selfimposed exile belgium last year shortly catalan parliament made symbolic declaration independence spain arrived finland thursday meet lawmakers attend conference file photo proindependence catalonias deposed leader carles puigdemont r lectures university helsinki finland march 23 2018 lehtikuvamarkku ulandervia reuters friday spanish supreme court judge pablo llarena ruled total 25 separatist politicians including puigdemont would face trial rebellion embezzlement disobeying state five sent friday pretrial jail among jordi turull close ally puigdemont due put forward second vote saturday become next regional president file photo proindependence catalonias deposed leader carles puigdemont lectures university helsinki finland march 23 2018 lehtikuvamarkku ulandervia reuters courts decision means vote turulls leadership go ahead presence mandatory catalan parliament speaker roger torrent said friday would continue session read statement support proindependence leaders despite opposition government unionist parties catalonia saturday government sources reiterated calls torrent cancel session said madrid would study action take went ahead planned reprting sam edwards jussi rosendahl editing mark potter standards thomson reuters trust principles washington reuters incoming white house national security adviser john boltons history clashes us intelligence agencies suggests might handle north korea iran two thorniest challenges us president donald trump face file photo former us ambassador united nations john bolton arrives meeting us presidentelect donald trump trump tower new york us december 2 2016 reutersmike segarfile photo bolton takes april 9 retiring army lt gen h r mcmaster based public statements shares trumps dislike iran nuclear deal oftenbellicose stance toward north korea however pronouncements issues odds assessments us intelligence agencies 2017 article conservative national review bolton accused iran significant violations 2015 nuclear accord curbing islamic republics nuclear program us director national intelligence dan coats however told congress february tehran compliance deal working designed bolton characterized north koreas nuclear ballistic missile programs threat best eliminated preemptive military strike us intelligence analysts warned strike would trigger north korean counterattack would kill tens thousands south koreans american troops civilians others far away japan senior state department official 2001 2005 bolton exaggerated us government knew weapons programs iraq cuba syria retaliated analysts differed according intelligence officials involved events question bolton going like start answer shoehorn intelligence fit take balanced view said former cia official 30 years experience official spoke condition anonymity reflected many intelligence veterans wariness boltons appointment bolton declined comment via spokesman cia spokeswoman also declined comment bolton 69 known dedicated hawk marries bureaucratic savvy belligerent rhetoric decisions white house confronts north korea iran require officials say complicated judgments based imperfect information status secret weapons programs conditions boltons critics say seized past promote agenda reflected intelligence president george w bushs first term office bolton state departments top official weapons proliferation may 2002 speech declared cuba least limited offensive biological warfare research development effort sharing technology countries greg theilmann top state department intelligence official time recounted bolton tried retaliate one theilmanns analysts disputing conclusion bolton wanted make charges cuban biological warfare capabilities reflected intelligence theilmann said telephone interview bolton tried analyst christian westermann reassigned challenging carl ford head state departments intelligence bureau refused theilmann said 2007 memoir surrender option bolton wrote language cubas bioweapons programs approved us intelligence agencies westermann wrote attempting impose policy views intelligence analysts supposed fulton armstrong intelligence communitys top cuba expert said bolton several associates government also tried removed biological weapons issue bolton showed every despicable trait obsessed policy person frustrated attempts cook intelligence lashed person delivering news armstrong said bolton crossed swords us spy agencies july 2003 cia agencies objected testimony planned give describing syrias development biological chemical nuclear weapons threat middle east stability additional reporting mark hosenball editing john walcott james dalgleish standards thomson reuters trust principles
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<p>Inside the “Money Free Store,” a woman and her 3-year-old son shop for housewares and Christmas gifts. (Marla Brose/Albuquerque Journal)</p>
<p />
<p>Already, 200 gifts have been collected and wrapped to hand out to strangers as a random act of kindness. Anyone who wants to join in can show up at the corner of Central and San Pedro near the Dollar General parking lot.</p>
<p>From there, everyone will walk around and randomly distribute gifts to whomever they may encounter, or, as founder Kalei Heartland puts it, “people in Nob Hill, in Walmart’s parking lot, people eating alone at Denny’s – we’re swarming the Central/Nob Hill area.”</p>
<p>For information about volunteering for Gift Givers Anonymous and to see the organization’s wish list, go to <a href="http://giftgiversanonymous.org/participation.html" type="external">giftgiversanonymous.org/participation.html</a>.</p>
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<p>Editor’s note: Today, the Journal continues its annual Help for the Holidays series, spotlighting areas in which community members can reach out to neighbors in need. The series continues the next two Sundays in Living.</p>
<p>Gift Givers Anonymous, a tiny nonprofit clearinghouse, is all about the art and science of re-gifting.</p>
<p>It is dedicated to giving – as gifts to those in need – household supplies and other items that have been donated.</p>
<p>It operates out of two storage units near the intersection of Washington and Lomas and consists of a handful of re-gifting volunteers who want to give people around Albuquerque a way to do kind acts for other people, especially during the holidays.</p>
<p>Its mission: “To support and inspire others anonymously, one gift at a time, with acts of kindness and to continue this compassion chain.”</p>
<p>Gift Givers Anonymous began a few years ago in the driveway of the organization’s founder, Kalei Heartland, 43, who lives near Central and Eubank. She wanted to improve the quality of her Christmas experience by making it more about giving, so she found about 10 items to give away – and it made her feel great.</p>
<p>Since then, she has been taking donations of virtually anything, from just about anyone. Estate sale liquidators are a big source of re-giftable goods, she said.</p>
<p>Housewares in the Gift Givers Anonymous store. (Marla Brose/Albuquerque Journal)</p>
<p>She got nonprofit status about eight months ago and since then she has given gifts to between 1,000 and 2,000 families, many of which are being served by local nonprofit organizations with which she’s established relationships.</p>
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<p>Whatever she collects, Heartland stores in one of the two storage facilities donated to her by a former local merchant.</p>
<p>Then, after scheduling pick-up or delivery appointments, she and a small team of volunteers open the storage facility doors to those in need, often organizations such as St. Martin’s Hospitality Center, whose clients include the housing-insecure trying to set up a home.</p>
<p>A 28-year-old mother of two drove up to the storage unit one recent afternoon in a minivan. She asked that her name not be used because she is in a transitional housing program for people with mental health issues – hers include post-traumatic stress disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and borderline personality disorder.</p>
<p>A stuffed penguin is one of the many items coming and going from Gift Givers Anonymous. (Marla Brose/Albuquerque Journal)</p>
<p>She picked up a stuffed penguin that her 3-year-old son had fallen in love with.</p>
<p>She also found towels, kitchen storage containers and pot holders inside the storage units, which Heartland also calls the “Money-Free Store.”</p>
<p>The woman spent about 15 minutes browsing and selecting useful items. “I think we’re done,” she said when her trunk was about full. Then she gave Heartland a big hug.</p>
<p>A few minutes later, another vehicle drove up. This time Gail Hofstadler and her husband, Hugo, got out. The Albuquerque residents said they have donated to GGA since its inception.</p>
<p>They’d heard about GGA because Hofstadler knew a woman, now deceased, who’d asked her to donate her belongings to family, friends and charities when she died, so Hofstadler contacted an estate liquidator who suggested Gift Givers Anonymous.</p>
<p>The couple emptied their trunk of their most recent donatables – golf carts and golf balls she’d placed in round metal tins. The items went into the storage facility and immediately became free for the picking. “I think it’s incredible that they work so hard,” Hofstadler said of the volunteers. “It’s quite wonderful.”</p>
<p>Coming up to greet the Hofstadlers and help them unload, Heartland took a look and said, “Somebody will be thrilled.”</p>
<p>This year, GGA is for the first time taking requests from organizations that need Christmas gifts for their clientele.</p>
<p>That worked out well for Laura Heithaus, president and founder of Baby Brianna Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving children’s welfare. It was founded in the name of Brianna Mariah Lopez, who was born on Valentine’s Day 2002 and died five months later of child abuse and neglect.</p>
<p>Kalei Heartland gives a hug to a 28-year-old mother who received donated household items from Gift Givers Anonymous. (Marla Brose/Albuquerque Journal)</p>
<p>The foundation set a goal this year of providing gifts for children in the lives of the 75 to 100 families the foundation serves every month.</p>
<p>Heithaus had requested from Heartland any help GGA might be able to offer, and when she showed up in a minivan shortly after the Hofstadlers pulled away, she received more than a dozen bags filled with stuffed animals, crayons, Matchbox cars and other items for kids. Each unsealed gift bag was labeled to indicate the age and gender of child for whom the gifts would be appropriate.</p>
<p>“This is awesome,” Heithaus said about five times, visibly overwhelmed with gratitude.</p>
<p>“If this is not enough,” Heartland said, “we have more.”</p>
<p>GGA donates kitchen items, small appliances, furniture, cleaning supplies, medical and computer equipment, and clothes.</p>
<p>Having outgrown their storage space, they’re now seeking funding for, and donations of, a larger storage space with a room for an administrative area as well as a truck that can help them with pick-ups and deliveries.</p>
<p>Stuffed animals in gift bags are ready to go out to the clients of Baby Brianna Foundation. (Marla Brose/Albuquerque Journal)</p>
<p>Donors who offer items they no longer need get a boost, according to Heartland’s brochure, which states: “Spreading positive energy in the community creates positive energy within oneself and in others … inspiring others to join in and spread kindness on their own.”</p>
<p>In the alley outside the storage space, it was apparent the idea had spread to the 28-year-old mother. After loading up her vehicle with enough to start setting up her home, she listened as Heartland explained an upcoming GGA activity of wrapping donated holiday gifts, which Heartland and her crew would later distribute.</p>
<p>Upon hearing about it, the woman said: “I’m more than happy to help you wrap.”</p>
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inside money free store woman 3yearold son shop housewares christmas gifts marla brosealbuquerque journal already 200 gifts collected wrapped hand strangers random act kindness anyone wants join show corner central san pedro near dollar general parking lot everyone walk around randomly distribute gifts whomever may encounter founder kalei heartland puts people nob hill walmarts parking lot people eating alone dennys swarming centralnob hill area information volunteering gift givers anonymous see organizations wish list go giftgiversanonymousorgparticipationhtml advertisement editors note today journal continues annual help holidays series spotlighting areas community members reach neighbors need series continues next two sundays living gift givers anonymous tiny nonprofit clearinghouse art science regifting dedicated giving gifts need household supplies items donated operates two storage units near intersection washington lomas consists handful regifting volunteers want give people around albuquerque way kind acts people especially holidays mission support inspire others anonymously one gift time acts kindness continue compassion chain gift givers anonymous began years ago driveway organizations founder kalei heartland 43 lives near central eubank wanted improve quality christmas experience making giving found 10 items give away made feel great since taking donations virtually anything anyone estate sale liquidators big source regiftable goods said housewares gift givers anonymous store marla brosealbuquerque journal got nonprofit status eight months ago since given gifts 1000 2000 families many served local nonprofit organizations shes established relationships advertisement whatever collects heartland stores one two storage facilities donated former local merchant scheduling pickup delivery appointments small team volunteers open storage facility doors need often organizations st martins hospitality center whose clients include housinginsecure trying set home 28yearold mother two drove storage unit one recent afternoon minivan asked name used transitional housing program people mental health issues include posttraumatic stress disorder attentiondeficit hyperactivity disorder borderline personality disorder stuffed penguin one many items coming going gift givers anonymous marla brosealbuquerque journal picked stuffed penguin 3yearold son fallen love also found towels kitchen storage containers pot holders inside storage units heartland also calls moneyfree store woman spent 15 minutes browsing selecting useful items think done said trunk full gave heartland big hug minutes later another vehicle drove time gail hofstadler husband hugo got albuquerque residents said donated gga since inception theyd heard gga hofstadler knew woman deceased whod asked donate belongings family friends charities died hofstadler contacted estate liquidator suggested gift givers anonymous couple emptied trunk recent donatables golf carts golf balls shed placed round metal tins items went storage facility immediately became free picking think incredible work hard hofstadler said volunteers quite wonderful coming greet hofstadlers help unload heartland took look said somebody thrilled year gga first time taking requests organizations need christmas gifts clientele worked well laura heithaus president founder baby brianna foundation nonprofit organization dedicated improving childrens welfare founded name brianna mariah lopez born valentines day 2002 died five months later child abuse neglect kalei heartland gives hug 28yearold mother received donated household items gift givers anonymous marla brosealbuquerque journal foundation set goal year providing gifts children lives 75 100 families foundation serves every month heithaus requested heartland help gga might able offer showed minivan shortly hofstadlers pulled away received dozen bags filled stuffed animals crayons matchbox cars items kids unsealed gift bag labeled indicate age gender child gifts would appropriate awesome heithaus said five times visibly overwhelmed gratitude enough heartland said gga donates kitchen items small appliances furniture cleaning supplies medical computer equipment clothes outgrown storage space theyre seeking funding donations larger storage space room administrative area well truck help pickups deliveries stuffed animals gift bags ready go clients baby brianna foundation marla brosealbuquerque journal donors offer items longer need get boost according heartlands brochure states spreading positive energy community creates positive energy within oneself others inspiring others join spread kindness alley outside storage space apparent idea spread 28yearold mother loading vehicle enough start setting home listened heartland explained upcoming gga activity wrapping donated holiday gifts heartland crew would later distribute upon hearing woman said im happy help wrap
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<p>CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — A 14-year-old girl who was the angelic face of an iconic Australian bushmen’s hat brand was remembered by hundreds of mourners Friday after her suicide focused attention on the dangers of cyberbullying.</p>
<p>The memorial service for Amy “Dolly” Everett was held in the tiny Northern Territory town of Katherine near her family’s cattle ranch. Most mourners dressed in her favorite color, blue, and many had driven hundreds of kilometers (miles) from distant ranches.</p>
<p>A photograph of a young Dolly, her smiling face framed by sun-kissed curls and shaded by a rabbit-felt hat, has been featured in advertising of Akubra Hats since 2009, most recently this past Christmas.</p>
<p>More than a century old and one of Australia’s most iconic brands, Akubra has made so-called bush hats, the Australian military slouch hats and even the fedora worn by Harrison Ford’s character Indiana Jones in the 1981 movie “Raiders of the Lost Ark.”</p>
<p>Her family has blamed recent online bullying after Dolly’s death last week but hasn’t given specifics of the bullying or her cause of death. The tragic news travelled quickly via social media from the remote and sparsely populated cattle country of Australia’s rugged far north.</p>
<p>“We are shocked and distressed to hear of the passing of ‘Dolly’,” Akubra said in a statement.</p>
<p>Stating that she chose to end her life to escape being bullied, the company said, “To think that anyone could feel so overwhelmed and that suicide was their only option is unfathomable.</p>
<p>Akubra, based in Kempsey, New South Wales state, has used the endearing Outback cowgirl image frequently in its marketing since it was taken at the remote Brunette Downs Station cattle ranch.</p>
<p>After the service, mourners released balloons and butterflies.</p>
<p>Her father, Tick Everett, flanked by his wife Meg and daughter Meg, urged parents to speak to their children about their relationships and bullying.</p>
<p>“Speak even if your voice shakes,” he said, quoting a caption of a sketch of a dancer that Dolly had recently drawn. “Stop bullying and be kind and do it for Dolly,” he added.</p>
<p>The debate about the perils to children of online communication caught the attention of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.</p>
<p>“From pain and loss, we must renew our commitment to say no to bullying,” Turnbull wrote in a Facebook comment.</p>
<p>The government had established an eSafety Commissioner to tackle cyberbullying and to work with internet companies to promote online safety, Turnbull said.</p>
<p>The opposition Labor Party’s last prime minister, Kevin Rudd, tweeted, “Any form of bullying is an assault on our values. And in this young girl’s life with lethal effect.”</p>
<p>Northern Territory police say they are investigating the bullying allegations on behalf of a state coroner who will report on the cause of Dolly’s death. But no criminal investigation is underway. Coroners can recommend criminal charges at the end of an investigation into an unexpected death.</p>
<p>CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — A 14-year-old girl who was the angelic face of an iconic Australian bushmen’s hat brand was remembered by hundreds of mourners Friday after her suicide focused attention on the dangers of cyberbullying.</p>
<p>The memorial service for Amy “Dolly” Everett was held in the tiny Northern Territory town of Katherine near her family’s cattle ranch. Most mourners dressed in her favorite color, blue, and many had driven hundreds of kilometers (miles) from distant ranches.</p>
<p>A photograph of a young Dolly, her smiling face framed by sun-kissed curls and shaded by a rabbit-felt hat, has been featured in advertising of Akubra Hats since 2009, most recently this past Christmas.</p>
<p>More than a century old and one of Australia’s most iconic brands, Akubra has made so-called bush hats, the Australian military slouch hats and even the fedora worn by Harrison Ford’s character Indiana Jones in the 1981 movie “Raiders of the Lost Ark.”</p>
<p>Her family has blamed recent online bullying after Dolly’s death last week but hasn’t given specifics of the bullying or her cause of death. The tragic news travelled quickly via social media from the remote and sparsely populated cattle country of Australia’s rugged far north.</p>
<p>“We are shocked and distressed to hear of the passing of ‘Dolly’,” Akubra said in a statement.</p>
<p>Stating that she chose to end her life to escape being bullied, the company said, “To think that anyone could feel so overwhelmed and that suicide was their only option is unfathomable.</p>
<p>Akubra, based in Kempsey, New South Wales state, has used the endearing Outback cowgirl image frequently in its marketing since it was taken at the remote Brunette Downs Station cattle ranch.</p>
<p>After the service, mourners released balloons and butterflies.</p>
<p>Her father, Tick Everett, flanked by his wife Meg and daughter Meg, urged parents to speak to their children about their relationships and bullying.</p>
<p>“Speak even if your voice shakes,” he said, quoting a caption of a sketch of a dancer that Dolly had recently drawn. “Stop bullying and be kind and do it for Dolly,” he added.</p>
<p>The debate about the perils to children of online communication caught the attention of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.</p>
<p>“From pain and loss, we must renew our commitment to say no to bullying,” Turnbull wrote in a Facebook comment.</p>
<p>The government had established an eSafety Commissioner to tackle cyberbullying and to work with internet companies to promote online safety, Turnbull said.</p>
<p>The opposition Labor Party’s last prime minister, Kevin Rudd, tweeted, “Any form of bullying is an assault on our values. And in this young girl’s life with lethal effect.”</p>
<p>Northern Territory police say they are investigating the bullying allegations on behalf of a state coroner who will report on the cause of Dolly’s death. But no criminal investigation is underway. Coroners can recommend criminal charges at the end of an investigation into an unexpected death.</p>
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canberra australia ap 14yearold girl angelic face iconic australian bushmens hat brand remembered hundreds mourners friday suicide focused attention dangers cyberbullying memorial service amy dolly everett held tiny northern territory town katherine near familys cattle ranch mourners dressed favorite color blue many driven hundreds kilometers miles distant ranches photograph young dolly smiling face framed sunkissed curls shaded rabbitfelt hat featured advertising akubra hats since 2009 recently past christmas century old one australias iconic brands akubra made socalled bush hats australian military slouch hats even fedora worn harrison fords character indiana jones 1981 movie raiders lost ark family blamed recent online bullying dollys death last week hasnt given specifics bullying cause death tragic news travelled quickly via social media remote sparsely populated cattle country australias rugged far north shocked distressed hear passing dolly akubra said statement stating chose end life escape bullied company said think anyone could feel overwhelmed suicide option unfathomable akubra based kempsey new south wales state used endearing outback cowgirl image frequently marketing since taken remote brunette downs station cattle ranch service mourners released balloons butterflies father tick everett flanked wife meg daughter meg urged parents speak children relationships bullying speak even voice shakes said quoting caption sketch dancer dolly recently drawn stop bullying kind dolly added debate perils children online communication caught attention prime minister malcolm turnbull pain loss must renew commitment say bullying turnbull wrote facebook comment government established esafety commissioner tackle cyberbullying work internet companies promote online safety turnbull said opposition labor partys last prime minister kevin rudd tweeted form bullying assault values young girls life lethal effect northern territory police say investigating bullying allegations behalf state coroner report cause dollys death criminal investigation underway coroners recommend criminal charges end investigation unexpected death canberra australia ap 14yearold girl angelic face iconic australian bushmens hat brand remembered hundreds mourners friday suicide focused attention dangers cyberbullying memorial service amy dolly everett held tiny northern territory town katherine near familys cattle ranch mourners dressed favorite color blue many driven hundreds kilometers miles distant ranches photograph young dolly smiling face framed sunkissed curls shaded rabbitfelt hat featured advertising akubra hats since 2009 recently past christmas century old one australias iconic brands akubra made socalled bush hats australian military slouch hats even fedora worn harrison fords character indiana jones 1981 movie raiders lost ark family blamed recent online bullying dollys death last week hasnt given specifics bullying cause death tragic news travelled quickly via social media remote sparsely populated cattle country australias rugged far north shocked distressed hear passing dolly akubra said statement stating chose end life escape bullied company said think anyone could feel overwhelmed suicide option unfathomable akubra based kempsey new south wales state used endearing outback cowgirl image frequently marketing since taken remote brunette downs station cattle ranch service mourners released balloons butterflies father tick everett flanked wife meg daughter meg urged parents speak children relationships bullying speak even voice shakes said quoting caption sketch dancer dolly recently drawn stop bullying kind dolly added debate perils children online communication caught attention prime minister malcolm turnbull pain loss must renew commitment say bullying turnbull wrote facebook comment government established esafety commissioner tackle cyberbullying work internet companies promote online safety turnbull said opposition labor partys last prime minister kevin rudd tweeted form bullying assault values young girls life lethal effect northern territory police say investigating bullying allegations behalf state coroner report cause dollys death criminal investigation underway coroners recommend criminal charges end investigation unexpected death
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<p>Yet when the Federal Reserve meets Wednesday, it’s all but sure to raise its benchmark interest rate for the third time in six months — a pace the Fed would normally adopt when it’s trying to slow an economy at risk of overheating.</p>
<p>So why the rush to keep raising rates?</p>
<p>Even with the economy growing sluggishly, the barometers the Fed studies most closely have given it the confidence to keep gradually lifting still-low borrowing rates toward their historic norms.</p>
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<p>Though the Fed monitors the overall economy, its mandates are to maximize employment and stabilize prices. And hiring in the United States remains solid if slowing, with employment at a 16-year-low of 4.3 percent — even below the level the Fed associates with full employment.</p>
<p>Inflation has been more problematic, having long stayed below the central bank’s 2 percent target rate. But Fed officials have said they think inflation, which has recently slowed further, will soon pick up along with the economy.</p>
<p>That said, no one expects the Fed to turn aggressive. If nothing else, the political fights and uncertainty in Washington — over investigations into Russia’s ties to President Donald Trump’s campaign, health care legislation, tax cut proposals and about whether Congress will raise the nation’s borrowing limit and pass a new budget — could lead the Fed to raise rates more slowly than it otherwise would.</p>
<p>“We are looking at a very messy summer in terms of policy in general, and that may cause the Fed to retreat to the sidelines for a while,” said Diane Swonk, chief economist at DS Economics of Chicago.</p>
<p>Uncertainty also surrounds the Fed’s policy committee’s membership. Trump is expected soon to fill three vacancies on the Fed’s influential board, and those new members, depending on who they are, could alter its rate-setting policy.</p>
<p>Given all that isn’t known, some analysts say an additional rate hike that they had expected in September, to follow the increase they foresee this week, might not happen until December.</p>
<p>“I don’t think there will be any retreat from the Fed’s desire to stay on course for gradual increases in interest rates, but the frequency of the increases may be spaced out over a longer period,” said Sung Won Sohn, an economics professor at the Martin Smith School of Business at California State University.</p>
<p>The CME Group’s tracking gauge shows that market traders see a 96 percent probability that the Fed this week will raise its target for the federal funds rate — the interest that banks charge each other — from a range of 0.75 percent to 1 percent to a range of 1 percent to 1.25 percent.</p>
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<p>The Fed had kept its benchmark rate at a record low near zero starting in late 2008 to try to boost consumer and business borrowing and lift the country out of the worst downturn since the 1930s. It raised the rate modestly in December 2015, then waited a year do so again. It acted again in March and has projected a total of three rate increases this year.</p>
<p>Fed officials have said they think the economy, now entering its ninth year of expansion, no longer needs the ultra-low borrowing rates they has been supplying. Besides stepping up its pace of rate increases, the Fed has also signaled that it’s pondering a plan to begin reducing its enormous portfolio of bonds. At the depths of the recession, the Fed began buying Treasury and mortgage bonds to try to depress long-term loan rates. That effort resulted in a five-fold increase in its portfolio to $4.5 trillion.</p>
<p>In a statement the Fed will release Wednesday — and in a news conference by Chair Janet Yellen to follow — officials may begin to disclose details of how they will begin to pare the bond portfolio, likely by slowing the reinvestment of maturing bonds.</p>
<p>The Fed has been buying bonds to replace those that are maturing and to keep its balance sheet from shrinking. Some analysts have suggested that the Fed will eventually allow a small amount of bonds to mature without being replaced — an amount that would gradually rise as markets adjusted to the process.</p>
<p>Some news reports have mentioned leading candidates to fill the three vacancies on the Fed’s seven-member board. They include Randal Quarles, a top Treasury official in two past Republican administrations, for the vice chairman’s job of overseeing bank regulation. Marvin Goodfriend, an economist at Carnegie Mellon University, has been mentioned for another board spot, and Robert Jones, chief executive of Old National Bancorp in Indiana, reportedly is a candidate for a board seat designated for a community banker.</p>
<p>The betting is that the administration will choose officials who will tilt the Fed toward a more “hawkish” stance. Hawks tend to worry that rates kept too low for too long could escalate inflation or fuel asset bubbles. By contrast, “doves” favor the direction taken under Yellen, favoring relatively low rates to maximize employment.</p>
<p>“I think we are going to end up with a Fed that leans more in a hawkish direction,'” said economist David Jones, the author of several books on the central bank. “The big question is what will they do about Yellen.”</p>
<p>Yellen, the first woman to lead the Fed, is serving a term that will end in February. So far, Trump has sent conflicting signals about whether he plans to nominate her for a second term.</p>
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yet federal reserve meets wednesday sure raise benchmark interest rate third time six months pace fed would normally adopt trying slow economy risk overheating rush keep raising rates even economy growing sluggishly barometers fed studies closely given confidence keep gradually lifting stilllow borrowing rates toward historic norms advertisement though fed monitors overall economy mandates maximize employment stabilize prices hiring united states remains solid slowing employment 16yearlow 43 percent even level fed associates full employment inflation problematic long stayed central banks 2 percent target rate fed officials said think inflation recently slowed soon pick along economy said one expects fed turn aggressive nothing else political fights uncertainty washington investigations russias ties president donald trumps campaign health care legislation tax cut proposals whether congress raise nations borrowing limit pass new budget could lead fed raise rates slowly otherwise would looking messy summer terms policy general may cause fed retreat sidelines said diane swonk chief economist ds economics chicago uncertainty also surrounds feds policy committees membership trump expected soon fill three vacancies feds influential board new members depending could alter ratesetting policy given isnt known analysts say additional rate hike expected september follow increase foresee week might happen december dont think retreat feds desire stay course gradual increases interest rates frequency increases may spaced longer period said sung sohn economics professor martin smith school business california state university cme groups tracking gauge shows market traders see 96 percent probability fed week raise target federal funds rate interest banks charge range 075 percent 1 percent range 1 percent 125 percent advertisement fed kept benchmark rate record low near zero starting late 2008 try boost consumer business borrowing lift country worst downturn since 1930s raised rate modestly december 2015 waited year acted march projected total three rate increases year fed officials said think economy entering ninth year expansion longer needs ultralow borrowing rates supplying besides stepping pace rate increases fed also signaled pondering plan begin reducing enormous portfolio bonds depths recession fed began buying treasury mortgage bonds try depress longterm loan rates effort resulted fivefold increase portfolio 45 trillion statement fed release wednesday news conference chair janet yellen follow officials may begin disclose details begin pare bond portfolio likely slowing reinvestment maturing bonds fed buying bonds replace maturing keep balance sheet shrinking analysts suggested fed eventually allow small amount bonds mature without replaced amount would gradually rise markets adjusted process news reports mentioned leading candidates fill three vacancies feds sevenmember board include randal quarles top treasury official two past republican administrations vice chairmans job overseeing bank regulation marvin goodfriend economist carnegie mellon university mentioned another board spot robert jones chief executive old national bancorp indiana reportedly candidate board seat designated community banker betting administration choose officials tilt fed toward hawkish stance hawks tend worry rates kept low long could escalate inflation fuel asset bubbles contrast doves favor direction taken yellen favoring relatively low rates maximize employment think going end fed leans hawkish direction said economist david jones author several books central bank big question yellen yellen first woman lead fed serving term end february far trump sent conflicting signals whether plans nominate second term
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<p>RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Republican legislators have started trying to block a federal court ruling ordering them to draw new congressional districts because the judges said the GOP went too far to protect its partisan advantage with the current boundaries.</p>
<p>Lawyers for legislative leaders filed a request Thursday asking a three-judge panel to quickly delay enforcement of their ruling filed this week directing lawmakers approve a new map by Jan. 24.</p>
<p>The judges’ decision found illegal partisan gerrymandering in the 2016 congressional map from which Republicans won 10 of the state’s 13 seats. Republicans could face trouble retaining a few of those seats in November should the ruling stay in place and lines be retooled.</p>
<p>In Thursday’s motion, a prerequisite before a stay request can be filed at the U.S. Supreme Court, GOP attorneys wrote the ruling should wait on its order because the justices are likely to step in anyway. The three-judge panel’s decision is likely to be altered by the Supreme Court once it rules in similar partisan gerrymandering cases before it from Wisconsin and possibly Maryland, lawyer Phil Strach wrote.</p>
<p>There’s also not enough time for the judges to review a new map before candidate filing begins Feb. 12, the motion reads. The judges plan to appoint an expert to draw another set of maps in case the legislature doesn’t act or approves another defective map.</p>
<p>“The introduction of multiple congressional plans in addition to the 2016 plan will create mass confusion for voters and candidates right before the opening of the critical filing period,” Strach wrote. Although the Republican legislators asked that the panel make a ruling later Thursday, the court instead set a deadline for early next week for more briefs on the request from election advocacy groups and Democrats that sued over the maps, along with the GOP defendants.</p>
<p>Tuesday’s decision by three-judge panel marked the first time a congressional map had been struck down as a partisan gerrymander nationwide.</p>
<p>U.S. Circuit Judge Jim Wynn, writing the case’s main opinion, said the current map violated the U.S. Constitution’s equal protection clause and was enacted by Republicans “with the intent of discriminating against voters who favored non-Republican candidates.”</p>
<p>A majority on the panel also agreed the rights of members of the minority party in each district saw their rights to free speech and association violated because their favored candidates had little chance of winning under the map.</p>
<p>Separately Thursday, the Republican lawmakers filed a notice that they would appeal the panel’s actual decision to the Supreme Court.</p>
<p>RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Republican legislators have started trying to block a federal court ruling ordering them to draw new congressional districts because the judges said the GOP went too far to protect its partisan advantage with the current boundaries.</p>
<p>Lawyers for legislative leaders filed a request Thursday asking a three-judge panel to quickly delay enforcement of their ruling filed this week directing lawmakers approve a new map by Jan. 24.</p>
<p>The judges’ decision found illegal partisan gerrymandering in the 2016 congressional map from which Republicans won 10 of the state’s 13 seats. Republicans could face trouble retaining a few of those seats in November should the ruling stay in place and lines be retooled.</p>
<p>In Thursday’s motion, a prerequisite before a stay request can be filed at the U.S. Supreme Court, GOP attorneys wrote the ruling should wait on its order because the justices are likely to step in anyway. The three-judge panel’s decision is likely to be altered by the Supreme Court once it rules in similar partisan gerrymandering cases before it from Wisconsin and possibly Maryland, lawyer Phil Strach wrote.</p>
<p>There’s also not enough time for the judges to review a new map before candidate filing begins Feb. 12, the motion reads. The judges plan to appoint an expert to draw another set of maps in case the legislature doesn’t act or approves another defective map.</p>
<p>“The introduction of multiple congressional plans in addition to the 2016 plan will create mass confusion for voters and candidates right before the opening of the critical filing period,” Strach wrote. Although the Republican legislators asked that the panel make a ruling later Thursday, the court instead set a deadline for early next week for more briefs on the request from election advocacy groups and Democrats that sued over the maps, along with the GOP defendants.</p>
<p>Tuesday’s decision by three-judge panel marked the first time a congressional map had been struck down as a partisan gerrymander nationwide.</p>
<p>U.S. Circuit Judge Jim Wynn, writing the case’s main opinion, said the current map violated the U.S. Constitution’s equal protection clause and was enacted by Republicans “with the intent of discriminating against voters who favored non-Republican candidates.”</p>
<p>A majority on the panel also agreed the rights of members of the minority party in each district saw their rights to free speech and association violated because their favored candidates had little chance of winning under the map.</p>
<p>Separately Thursday, the Republican lawmakers filed a notice that they would appeal the panel’s actual decision to the Supreme Court.</p>
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raleigh nc ap north carolina republican legislators started trying block federal court ruling ordering draw new congressional districts judges said gop went far protect partisan advantage current boundaries lawyers legislative leaders filed request thursday asking threejudge panel quickly delay enforcement ruling filed week directing lawmakers approve new map jan 24 judges decision found illegal partisan gerrymandering 2016 congressional map republicans 10 states 13 seats republicans could face trouble retaining seats november ruling stay place lines retooled thursdays motion prerequisite stay request filed us supreme court gop attorneys wrote ruling wait order justices likely step anyway threejudge panels decision likely altered supreme court rules similar partisan gerrymandering cases wisconsin possibly maryland lawyer phil strach wrote theres also enough time judges review new map candidate filing begins feb 12 motion reads judges plan appoint expert draw another set maps case legislature doesnt act approves another defective map introduction multiple congressional plans addition 2016 plan create mass confusion voters candidates right opening critical filing period strach wrote although republican legislators asked panel make ruling later thursday court instead set deadline early next week briefs request election advocacy groups democrats sued maps along gop defendants tuesdays decision threejudge panel marked first time congressional map struck partisan gerrymander nationwide us circuit judge jim wynn writing cases main opinion said current map violated us constitutions equal protection clause enacted republicans intent discriminating voters favored nonrepublican candidates majority panel also agreed rights members minority party district saw rights free speech association violated favored candidates little chance winning map separately thursday republican lawmakers filed notice would appeal panels actual decision supreme court raleigh nc ap north carolina republican legislators started trying block federal court ruling ordering draw new congressional districts judges said gop went far protect partisan advantage current boundaries lawyers legislative leaders filed request thursday asking threejudge panel quickly delay enforcement ruling filed week directing lawmakers approve new map jan 24 judges decision found illegal partisan gerrymandering 2016 congressional map republicans 10 states 13 seats republicans could face trouble retaining seats november ruling stay place lines retooled thursdays motion prerequisite stay request filed us supreme court gop attorneys wrote ruling wait order justices likely step anyway threejudge panels decision likely altered supreme court rules similar partisan gerrymandering cases wisconsin possibly maryland lawyer phil strach wrote theres also enough time judges review new map candidate filing begins feb 12 motion reads judges plan appoint expert draw another set maps case legislature doesnt act approves another defective map introduction multiple congressional plans addition 2016 plan create mass confusion voters candidates right opening critical filing period strach wrote although republican legislators asked panel make ruling later thursday court instead set deadline early next week briefs request election advocacy groups democrats sued maps along gop defendants tuesdays decision threejudge panel marked first time congressional map struck partisan gerrymander nationwide us circuit judge jim wynn writing cases main opinion said current map violated us constitutions equal protection clause enacted republicans intent discriminating voters favored nonrepublican candidates majority panel also agreed rights members minority party district saw rights free speech association violated favored candidates little chance winning map separately thursday republican lawmakers filed notice would appeal panels actual decision supreme court
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<p>The historic hotel, built in 1902 and expanded in 1926, was still in operation on a lease basis by the fading Fred Harvey Inc. when the decision was made in September 1969. Four months later, demolition began.</p>
<p>"The teardown of the Alvarado Hotel in Albuquerque has truly haunted New Mexico," said architect Barbara Felix, who was involved in recent historic preservation work at Santa Fe's La Fonda on the Plaza. "We lost something that was very important."</p>
<p>Tearing down the old through government condemnation and building new was the mantra of the "urban renewal" movement of the time, Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry said.</p>
<p>Nob Hill, seen here on a typical Saturday, is an old-fashioned commercial district near the UNM campus that has found new life as a popular dining and shopping destination. (Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal)</p>
<p>Although torn down by its private owner, not through public condemnation, the Alvarado Hotel was still a casualty of the urban renewal mentality, he said. Four years later, in 1974, the original Albuquerque High School at Central and Broadway NE was closed, with its fate uncertain.</p>
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<p>"I'm glad it was spared the wrecking crane," Berry said.</p>
<p>The revitalization of Old Albuquerque High is one of the defining projects in the gradual transformation of Central Avenue from Old Town to Nob Hill. Built in phases beginning in 1914, the school has been described as a classic example of collegiate Gothic architecture.</p>
<p>The Old Albuquerque High revitalization process began in 1995, when the city initiated an eventually successful effort to buy the blighted 7.2-acre site, and ended in 2009, when the renovation of the former Manual Arts Building into mostly apartments was completed.</p>
<p>The Central Avenue transformation is an ongoing, incremental process.</p>
<p>Two large-scale and potentially game-changing urban infill projects - the 7.1-acre Innovate ABQ in east Downtown and the 12.5-acre Presbyterian project at Central and Interstate 25 - are slated for development.</p>
<p>Innovate ABQ - intended to be a center of innovation and entrepreneurship - is planned at the former First Baptist Church site at the northwest corner of Central and Broadway, across from Old Albuquerque High. UNM purchased the property in 2014.</p>
<p>The Presbyterian project is planned on a mostly vacant five-block area on the north side of Central, across from Presbyterian Hospital. Albuquerque-based Titan Development has entered into an agreement with Presbyterian Healthcare Services, owner of the property, to develop the site.</p>
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<p>In the past 15 years or so, an estimated 60 properties or more have undergone radical improvements in the corridor, either through new construction or major renovation.</p>
<p>Veteran local developer Paul Silverman, who is involved in the four-story Imperial Building that will house a grocery store under construction in Downtown, predicts another $2 billion will be invested in the corridor's redevelopment over the next 20 years.</p>
<p>"You're basically going to see a new city built," he said.</p>
<p>The redevelopment focus on the corridor stems in part from Central's doubling as Route 66, nicknamed "The Mother Road" and steeped in a lore that appeals to the public imagination. Berry described it as "the spine of our community."</p>
<p>As such, Central served as the traditional connection between the city's original destination points of Old Town to the west, Downtown in the middle and the University of New Mexico to the east. Nob Hill is next to the UNM campus.</p>
<p>"It has that base level of urbanity in a good way," Silverman said about the corridor. "You have a foundation to build on - that's captivated the development community."</p>
<p>A key element of that urbanity is the easy availability of public transit in the corridor. The city says plans for an enhanced Albuquerque Rapid Transit, based largely on securing federal funding, would make public transit along the corridor even more user-friendly.</p>
<p>"Rapid Transit, if it materializes, would be a significant improvement," said local businessman Jerry Landgraf, who owns significant developable land in East Nob Hill. "I know it's controversial with some business owners along Central."</p>
<p>Controversy is not new when it comes to revitalizing the city's core.</p>
<p>One of the earliest contemporary attempts at urban infill, Huning Castle Apartments at 1500 Central SW between Downtown and Old Town, first emerged in 1994. It was contested all the way to the state Supreme Court by the local neighborhood association before development could begin.</p>
<p>From start to finish, the 63-unit project took 10 years to complete on a three-acre parcel that had been vacant for decades. The local Keleher family, which had owned the parcel since the 1930s, was determined to develop apartments there as the site's best use.</p>
<p>"We were glad when they were finally built," family member and local attorney Tom Keleher said. "We feel good about it."</p>
<p>The oddest controversy was in 1999 over the fate of what was originally Jones Motor Co. at 3222 Central SE in Nob Hill, a 14,000-square-foot historic structure built in the "Streamline Moderne" style of architecture. At the time, it was boarded up and regularly tagged with graffiti.</p>
<p>Bernalillo County wanted to buy the property at a low-ball price for a community center, an odd use considering its location in the middle of what was then an up-and-coming retail hub. When it was sold for a higher price to local private investors, the controversy escalated.</p>
<p>The county threatened to seize the property through condemnation and the city initially denied the new owner's request to operate a brew pub at the site. A settlement was reached and the building was renovated into Kelly's Brew Pub in what is now the trendy part of Nob Hill.</p>
<p>Government involvement in the Central corridor's redevelopment has generally been more low key, at least from a public perspective, than what happened with the Jones Motor Co. property.</p>
<p>The city is the main public player by virtue of its authority to condemn properties in the corridor, typically rundown Route 66-era motels, and to regulate land use.</p>
<p>The city is in the process of "reinventing" its land-use regulations and development processes to promote urban infill, Berry said. City staff has been encouraged to adopt a more customer-service attitude to help make good projects happen, while always maintaining public safety, he said.</p>
<p>The city's occasional property purchases have resulted in some major infill projects through agreements with private development companies.</p>
<p>The 95,157-square-foot downtown theater block, which opened in 2001 and filled out the block around the historic Sunshine Building at 2nd and Central SW, and five nearby housing and mixed-use projects were all built by private developers on city-owned land.</p>
<p>Next up is the long-anticipated renovation of the De Anza Motor Lodge, a historic but now boarded-up Route 66-era motel at 4301 Central NE in East Nob Hill. The city and a local investment group are in the final stages of negotiating the development agreement for the site.</p>
<p>The renovation will result in about 30 furnished apartments of various sizes that function like extended-stay motel rooms. The $8.2 million redevelopment project would involve tearing down and rebuilding the more dilapidated buildings at the north end of the site.</p>
<p>"You should start to see activity there late in the first quarter of next year," said Bill Smith of Construct Southwest, a partner in the investment group.</p>
<p>East Nob Hill appears to be the busiest section for redevelopment in the Central corridor, with the recent completion of the 75-unit Platinum Apartments and the current construction of The Carlisle, which will have 36 for-sale condos.</p>
<p>"Nob Hill stands out as one of the most authentic urban neighborhoods in Albuquerque," said Carlisle developer Kenny Hinkes, noting it's close to the Sunport and major employers, such as Sandia National Laboratories, UNM, and the Lovelace, Presbyterian and University hospitals.</p>
<p>A sale is pending on one of Landgraf's holdings, the mostly vacant city block at 4119 Central NE. The buyer has general plans for a classic mixed-use project, with retail space on the ground floor along Central, and housing on the upper floors and elsewhere on the site, Landgraf said.</p>
<p>"More housing - rooftops if you will - will bring a big change in character (to East Nob Hill)," he said.</p>
<p>Both Hinkes and Landgraf said it's a matter of just a few years before the style and spirit of Nob Hill proper, which extends from Girard to Carlisle, makes its way farther east to Washington.</p>
<p>Closer to Old Town, local developer Jay Rembe has continued his redevelopment activities with the phased build-out of Country Club Plaza, an 80,000-square-foot mixed-use project on the 1700 block of Central SW.</p>
<p>"The idea is to have the most pedestrian-friendly project by activating these old buildings and placing the new buildings so that you to create a space with outdoor dining opportunities, courtyard lights and fountains," he said. "It will feel like a little village with internal streets."</p>
<p>Rembe was active in the 2000s in the west end of Downtown with projects such as the Silver Lofts and Flying Star Cafe at 8th and Silver SW.</p>
<p />
| false | 2 |
historic hotel built 1902 expanded 1926 still operation lease basis fading fred harvey inc decision made september 1969 four months later demolition began teardown alvarado hotel albuquerque truly haunted new mexico said architect barbara felix involved recent historic preservation work santa fes la fonda plaza lost something important tearing old government condemnation building new mantra urban renewal movement time albuquerque mayor richard berry said nob hill seen typical saturday oldfashioned commercial district near unm campus found new life popular dining shopping destination roberto e rosalesalbuquerque journal although torn private owner public condemnation alvarado hotel still casualty urban renewal mentality said four years later 1974 original albuquerque high school central broadway ne closed fate uncertain advertisement im glad spared wrecking crane berry said revitalization old albuquerque high one defining projects gradual transformation central avenue old town nob hill built phases beginning 1914 school described classic example collegiate gothic architecture old albuquerque high revitalization process began 1995 city initiated eventually successful effort buy blighted 72acre site ended 2009 renovation former manual arts building mostly apartments completed central avenue transformation ongoing incremental process two largescale potentially gamechanging urban infill projects 71acre innovate abq east downtown 125acre presbyterian project central interstate 25 slated development innovate abq intended center innovation entrepreneurship planned former first baptist church site northwest corner central broadway across old albuquerque high unm purchased property 2014 presbyterian project planned mostly vacant fiveblock area north side central across presbyterian hospital albuquerquebased titan development entered agreement presbyterian healthcare services owner property develop site advertisement past 15 years estimated 60 properties undergone radical improvements corridor either new construction major renovation veteran local developer paul silverman involved fourstory imperial building house grocery store construction downtown predicts another 2 billion invested corridors redevelopment next 20 years youre basically going see new city built said redevelopment focus corridor stems part centrals doubling route 66 nicknamed mother road steeped lore appeals public imagination berry described spine community central served traditional connection citys original destination points old town west downtown middle university new mexico east nob hill next unm campus base level urbanity good way silverman said corridor foundation build thats captivated development community key element urbanity easy availability public transit corridor city says plans enhanced albuquerque rapid transit based largely securing federal funding would make public transit along corridor even userfriendly rapid transit materializes would significant improvement said local businessman jerry landgraf owns significant developable land east nob hill know controversial business owners along central controversy new comes revitalizing citys core one earliest contemporary attempts urban infill huning castle apartments 1500 central sw downtown old town first emerged 1994 contested way state supreme court local neighborhood association development could begin start finish 63unit project took 10 years complete threeacre parcel vacant decades local keleher family owned parcel since 1930s determined develop apartments sites best use glad finally built family member local attorney tom keleher said feel good oddest controversy 1999 fate originally jones motor co 3222 central se nob hill 14000squarefoot historic structure built streamline moderne style architecture time boarded regularly tagged graffiti bernalillo county wanted buy property lowball price community center odd use considering location middle upandcoming retail hub sold higher price local private investors controversy escalated county threatened seize property condemnation city initially denied new owners request operate brew pub site settlement reached building renovated kellys brew pub trendy part nob hill government involvement central corridors redevelopment generally low key least public perspective happened jones motor co property city main public player virtue authority condemn properties corridor typically rundown route 66era motels regulate land use city process reinventing landuse regulations development processes promote urban infill berry said city staff encouraged adopt customerservice attitude help make good projects happen always maintaining public safety said citys occasional property purchases resulted major infill projects agreements private development companies 95157squarefoot downtown theater block opened 2001 filled block around historic sunshine building 2nd central sw five nearby housing mixeduse projects built private developers cityowned land next longanticipated renovation de anza motor lodge historic boardedup route 66era motel 4301 central ne east nob hill city local investment group final stages negotiating development agreement site renovation result 30 furnished apartments various sizes function like extendedstay motel rooms 82 million redevelopment project would involve tearing rebuilding dilapidated buildings north end site start see activity late first quarter next year said bill smith construct southwest partner investment group east nob hill appears busiest section redevelopment central corridor recent completion 75unit platinum apartments current construction carlisle 36 forsale condos nob hill stands one authentic urban neighborhoods albuquerque said carlisle developer kenny hinkes noting close sunport major employers sandia national laboratories unm lovelace presbyterian university hospitals sale pending one landgrafs holdings mostly vacant city block 4119 central ne buyer general plans classic mixeduse project retail space ground floor along central housing upper floors elsewhere site landgraf said housing rooftops bring big change character east nob hill said hinkes landgraf said matter years style spirit nob hill proper extends girard carlisle makes way farther east washington closer old town local developer jay rembe continued redevelopment activities phased buildout country club plaza 80000squarefoot mixeduse project 1700 block central sw idea pedestrianfriendly project activating old buildings placing new buildings create space outdoor dining opportunities courtyard lights fountains said feel like little village internal streets rembe active 2000s west end downtown projects silver lofts flying star cafe 8th silver sw
| 888 |
<p>MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid reached the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday but its struggles continued with a 2-2 draw against second-division team Numancia.</p>
<p>Madrid, playing with a second-string lineup, advanced 5-2 on aggregate thanks to its 3-0 win in the first leg last week, which marked the team’s only win in its last four games.</p>
<p>Zinedine Zidane’s side was coming off a 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo and a demoralizing 3-0 home loss to Barcelona in the Spanish league, a competition in which it trails the Catalan club by 16 points with a game in hand.</p>
<p>In front of fewer than 38,000 fans at the 81,000-capacity Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Lucas Vazquez scored for Madrid in the 10th and 59th minutes, while Guillermo Fernandez got Numancia on the board in the 45th and 82nd.</p>
<p>Madrid struggled to create significant chances and was unable to prevent Numancia from threatening.</p>
<p>“We faced a team that gave all it had and played a good game,” Zidane said. “We need to win two or three games in a row to regain some of our confidence. We will keep working hard. We will not just give up.”</p>
<p>Numancia captain Dani Calvo was red carded in injury time.</p>
<p>“We are happy with our performance,” Fernandez said. “It’s not easy to earn a draw in this stadium. We are very satisfied.”</p>
<p>Cristiano Ronaldo was among the players rested by Zidane on Wednesday. Regular starters Casemiro and Isco entered the match in the second half.</p>
<p>On Tuesday, Atletico Madrid eliminated third-division club Lleida, while Valencia beat Las Palmas.</p>
<p>Three-time defending champion Barcelona hosts Celta Vigo on Thursday. The teams drew 1-1 in last week’s first leg in Vigo.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>LEGANES MAKES HISTORY</p>
<p>Leganes reached the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey for the first time in its 89-year history despite a 2-1 loss at Villarreal.</p>
<p>With the teams 2-2 on aggregate, Leganes advanced on away goals after winning the first leg 1-0.</p>
<p>Nabil El Zhar put the visitors ahead before halftime but Daniel Raba equalized for Villarreal early in the second half.</p>
<p>Denis Cheryshev scored Villarreal’s winner with only a few minutes left.</p>
<p>The hosts needed another goal to advance but couldn’t get it despite creating several scoring chances throughout the match — with a great performance by Leganes goalkeeper Nereo Champagne.</p>
<p>It is the third straight season that Villarreal has been eliminated in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey.</p>
<p>Leganes, founded in 1928, is playing only its second season in the first division of Spanish football.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>ALAVES ADVANCES</p>
<p>Last year’s runner-up Alaves defeated third-division team Formentera 2-0 to advance 5-1 on aggregate.</p>
<p>Ermedin Demirovic opened the scoring early in the second half and Alfonso Pedraza sealed the victory in injury time at Mendizorroza Stadium.</p>
<p>In the previous round, Formentera had eliminated Athletic Bilbao, which has won the Copa del Rey 23 times.</p>
<p>Alaves is in the relegation zone in La Liga.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>More AP Spanish soccer coverage: <a href="" type="internal" /> <a href="" type="internal">https://apnews.com/tag/LaLiga</a></p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Tales Azzoni on Twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/tazzoni" type="external" /> <a href="http://twitter.com/tazzoni" type="external">http://twitter.com/tazzoni</a></p>
<p>MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid reached the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday but its struggles continued with a 2-2 draw against second-division team Numancia.</p>
<p>Madrid, playing with a second-string lineup, advanced 5-2 on aggregate thanks to its 3-0 win in the first leg last week, which marked the team’s only win in its last four games.</p>
<p>Zinedine Zidane’s side was coming off a 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo and a demoralizing 3-0 home loss to Barcelona in the Spanish league, a competition in which it trails the Catalan club by 16 points with a game in hand.</p>
<p>In front of fewer than 38,000 fans at the 81,000-capacity Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Lucas Vazquez scored for Madrid in the 10th and 59th minutes, while Guillermo Fernandez got Numancia on the board in the 45th and 82nd.</p>
<p>Madrid struggled to create significant chances and was unable to prevent Numancia from threatening.</p>
<p>“We faced a team that gave all it had and played a good game,” Zidane said. “We need to win two or three games in a row to regain some of our confidence. We will keep working hard. We will not just give up.”</p>
<p>Numancia captain Dani Calvo was red carded in injury time.</p>
<p>“We are happy with our performance,” Fernandez said. “It’s not easy to earn a draw in this stadium. We are very satisfied.”</p>
<p>Cristiano Ronaldo was among the players rested by Zidane on Wednesday. Regular starters Casemiro and Isco entered the match in the second half.</p>
<p>On Tuesday, Atletico Madrid eliminated third-division club Lleida, while Valencia beat Las Palmas.</p>
<p>Three-time defending champion Barcelona hosts Celta Vigo on Thursday. The teams drew 1-1 in last week’s first leg in Vigo.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>LEGANES MAKES HISTORY</p>
<p>Leganes reached the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey for the first time in its 89-year history despite a 2-1 loss at Villarreal.</p>
<p>With the teams 2-2 on aggregate, Leganes advanced on away goals after winning the first leg 1-0.</p>
<p>Nabil El Zhar put the visitors ahead before halftime but Daniel Raba equalized for Villarreal early in the second half.</p>
<p>Denis Cheryshev scored Villarreal’s winner with only a few minutes left.</p>
<p>The hosts needed another goal to advance but couldn’t get it despite creating several scoring chances throughout the match — with a great performance by Leganes goalkeeper Nereo Champagne.</p>
<p>It is the third straight season that Villarreal has been eliminated in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey.</p>
<p>Leganes, founded in 1928, is playing only its second season in the first division of Spanish football.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>ALAVES ADVANCES</p>
<p>Last year’s runner-up Alaves defeated third-division team Formentera 2-0 to advance 5-1 on aggregate.</p>
<p>Ermedin Demirovic opened the scoring early in the second half and Alfonso Pedraza sealed the victory in injury time at Mendizorroza Stadium.</p>
<p>In the previous round, Formentera had eliminated Athletic Bilbao, which has won the Copa del Rey 23 times.</p>
<p>Alaves is in the relegation zone in La Liga.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>More AP Spanish soccer coverage: <a href="" type="internal" /> <a href="" type="internal">https://apnews.com/tag/LaLiga</a></p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Tales Azzoni on Twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/tazzoni" type="external" /> <a href="http://twitter.com/tazzoni" type="external">http://twitter.com/tazzoni</a></p>
| false | 2 |
madrid ap real madrid reached quarterfinals copa del rey wednesday struggles continued 22 draw seconddivision team numancia madrid playing secondstring lineup advanced 52 aggregate thanks 30 win first leg last week marked teams win last four games zinedine zidanes side coming 22 draw celta vigo demoralizing 30 home loss barcelona spanish league competition trails catalan club 16 points game hand front fewer 38000 fans 81000capacity santiago bernabeu stadium lucas vazquez scored madrid 10th 59th minutes guillermo fernandez got numancia board 45th 82nd madrid struggled create significant chances unable prevent numancia threatening faced team gave played good game zidane said need win two three games row regain confidence keep working hard give numancia captain dani calvo red carded injury time happy performance fernandez said easy earn draw stadium satisfied cristiano ronaldo among players rested zidane wednesday regular starters casemiro isco entered match second half tuesday atletico madrid eliminated thirddivision club lleida valencia beat las palmas threetime defending champion barcelona hosts celta vigo thursday teams drew 11 last weeks first leg vigo ___ leganes makes history leganes reached quarterfinals copa del rey first time 89year history despite 21 loss villarreal teams 22 aggregate leganes advanced away goals winning first leg 10 nabil el zhar put visitors ahead halftime daniel raba equalized villarreal early second half denis cheryshev scored villarreals winner minutes left hosts needed another goal advance couldnt get despite creating several scoring chances throughout match great performance leganes goalkeeper nereo champagne third straight season villarreal eliminated round 16 copa del rey leganes founded 1928 playing second season first division spanish football ___ alaves advances last years runnerup alaves defeated thirddivision team formentera 20 advance 51 aggregate ermedin demirovic opened scoring early second half alfonso pedraza sealed victory injury time mendizorroza stadium previous round formentera eliminated athletic bilbao copa del rey 23 times alaves relegation zone la liga ___ ap spanish soccer coverage httpsapnewscomtaglaliga ___ tales azzoni twitter httptwittercomtazzoni madrid ap real madrid reached quarterfinals copa del rey wednesday struggles continued 22 draw seconddivision team numancia madrid playing secondstring lineup advanced 52 aggregate thanks 30 win first leg last week marked teams win last four games zinedine zidanes side coming 22 draw celta vigo demoralizing 30 home loss barcelona spanish league competition trails catalan club 16 points game hand front fewer 38000 fans 81000capacity santiago bernabeu stadium lucas vazquez scored madrid 10th 59th minutes guillermo fernandez got numancia board 45th 82nd madrid struggled create significant chances unable prevent numancia threatening faced team gave played good game zidane said need win two three games row regain confidence keep working hard give numancia captain dani calvo red carded injury time happy performance fernandez said easy earn draw stadium satisfied cristiano ronaldo among players rested zidane wednesday regular starters casemiro isco entered match second half tuesday atletico madrid eliminated thirddivision club lleida valencia beat las palmas threetime defending champion barcelona hosts celta vigo thursday teams drew 11 last weeks first leg vigo ___ leganes makes history leganes reached quarterfinals copa del rey first time 89year history despite 21 loss villarreal teams 22 aggregate leganes advanced away goals winning first leg 10 nabil el zhar put visitors ahead halftime daniel raba equalized villarreal early second half denis cheryshev scored villarreals winner minutes left hosts needed another goal advance couldnt get despite creating several scoring chances throughout match great performance leganes goalkeeper nereo champagne third straight season villarreal eliminated round 16 copa del rey leganes founded 1928 playing second season first division spanish football ___ alaves advances last years runnerup alaves defeated thirddivision team formentera 20 advance 51 aggregate ermedin demirovic opened scoring early second half alfonso pedraza sealed victory injury time mendizorroza stadium previous round formentera eliminated athletic bilbao copa del rey 23 times alaves relegation zone la liga ___ ap spanish soccer coverage httpsapnewscomtaglaliga ___ tales azzoni twitter httptwittercomtazzoni
| 634 |
<p>NEW YORK (AP) - The Dow Jones industrial average burst through the 25,000 point mark Thursday, just five weeks after its first close above 24,000.</p>
<p>The Dow passed five 1,000-point barriers in 2017 on its way to a 25 percent gain for the year, as an eight-year rally since the Great Recession continued to confound skeptics.</p>
<p>Strong global economic growth and good prospects for higher company earnings have analysts predicting more gains, although the market may not stay as calm as it has been recently.</p>
<p>The Dow has made a rapid trip from 24,000 points on November 30, partly on enthusiasm over passage of the Republican-backed tax package, which could boost company profits this year with across-the-board cuts to corporate taxes.</p>
<p>"For a long while in 2017 I would say the biggest driver was excitement and anticipation over tax reform, but at a certain point I think there was a handover to global economic growth really helping to carry the stock market," said Invesco Chief Global Markets Strategist Kristina Hooper.</p>
<p>Big gains in U.S. blue chip companies have powered the Dow's relentless rise to new heights over the past year, including an 87 percent gain in aerospace giant Boeing, a 70 percent rise in construction equipment maker Caterpillar and a 49 percent increase in Apple.</p>
<p>The Dow, which was founded in 1896 and is the oldest barometer of the U.S. stock market, has nearly quadrupled in value from its low during the financial crisis in early 2009. But the global economy and spending by people and businesses and governments were much slower to recover than stocks were.</p>
<p>"Instead of fiscal stimulus, we relied on monetary policy stimulus, which inflates asset prices as opposed to the overall economy," Hooper said. Stocks have continued to climb as investors saw signs economic growth was finally improving.</p>
<p>Technology companies, which put up some of the biggest gains in the last year, continued to lead the market higher. And there was more good economic news Thursday: A report showed private U.S. businesses added 250,000 jobs last month, with smaller businesses adding 94,000.</p>
<p>The Dow, which tracks 30 big U.S. companies, rose 152.45 points, or 0.6 percent, to 25,075.13.</p>
<p>The Standard &amp; Poor's 500, a much broader index that professional investors prefer to use as their benchmark for large U.S. stocks, rose 10.93 points, or 0.4 percent, to 2,723.99.</p>
<p>The Nasdaq composite, which is heavily weighted with technology and biotech companies, added 12.38 points, or 0.2 percent, to 7,077.91. All three indexes set record highs a day earlier.</p>
<p>The Nasdaq reached a milestone of its own this week, closing above 7,000 points for the first time Tuesday.</p>
<p>Indexes in some developing countries have done even better than those in Europe and the U.S. over the past year. Brazil's benchmark Bovespa is up 28 percent over the past year and the Hang Seng index in Hong Kong is up 39 percent.</p>
<p>Bond prices fell, sending yields higher. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 2.45 percent from 2.44 percent. Higher bond yields are good news for banks because they can charge higher interest rates on mortgages and other kinds of loans.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump said Thursday that the Dow could reach 30,000, which would take another 20-percent jump. Few on Wall Street expect stocks to climb that much any time soon. Stocks already did far better than most observers expected last year, and corporate earnings aren't rising fast enough to justify that kind of climb.</p>
<p>NEW YORK (AP) - The Dow Jones industrial average burst through the 25,000 point mark Thursday, just five weeks after its first close above 24,000.</p>
<p>The Dow passed five 1,000-point barriers in 2017 on its way to a 25 percent gain for the year, as an eight-year rally since the Great Recession continued to confound skeptics.</p>
<p>Strong global economic growth and good prospects for higher company earnings have analysts predicting more gains, although the market may not stay as calm as it has been recently.</p>
<p>The Dow has made a rapid trip from 24,000 points on November 30, partly on enthusiasm over passage of the Republican-backed tax package, which could boost company profits this year with across-the-board cuts to corporate taxes.</p>
<p>"For a long while in 2017 I would say the biggest driver was excitement and anticipation over tax reform, but at a certain point I think there was a handover to global economic growth really helping to carry the stock market," said Invesco Chief Global Markets Strategist Kristina Hooper.</p>
<p>Big gains in U.S. blue chip companies have powered the Dow's relentless rise to new heights over the past year, including an 87 percent gain in aerospace giant Boeing, a 70 percent rise in construction equipment maker Caterpillar and a 49 percent increase in Apple.</p>
<p>The Dow, which was founded in 1896 and is the oldest barometer of the U.S. stock market, has nearly quadrupled in value from its low during the financial crisis in early 2009. But the global economy and spending by people and businesses and governments were much slower to recover than stocks were.</p>
<p>"Instead of fiscal stimulus, we relied on monetary policy stimulus, which inflates asset prices as opposed to the overall economy," Hooper said. Stocks have continued to climb as investors saw signs economic growth was finally improving.</p>
<p>Technology companies, which put up some of the biggest gains in the last year, continued to lead the market higher. And there was more good economic news Thursday: A report showed private U.S. businesses added 250,000 jobs last month, with smaller businesses adding 94,000.</p>
<p>The Dow, which tracks 30 big U.S. companies, rose 152.45 points, or 0.6 percent, to 25,075.13.</p>
<p>The Standard &amp; Poor's 500, a much broader index that professional investors prefer to use as their benchmark for large U.S. stocks, rose 10.93 points, or 0.4 percent, to 2,723.99.</p>
<p>The Nasdaq composite, which is heavily weighted with technology and biotech companies, added 12.38 points, or 0.2 percent, to 7,077.91. All three indexes set record highs a day earlier.</p>
<p>The Nasdaq reached a milestone of its own this week, closing above 7,000 points for the first time Tuesday.</p>
<p>Indexes in some developing countries have done even better than those in Europe and the U.S. over the past year. Brazil's benchmark Bovespa is up 28 percent over the past year and the Hang Seng index in Hong Kong is up 39 percent.</p>
<p>Bond prices fell, sending yields higher. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 2.45 percent from 2.44 percent. Higher bond yields are good news for banks because they can charge higher interest rates on mortgages and other kinds of loans.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump said Thursday that the Dow could reach 30,000, which would take another 20-percent jump. Few on Wall Street expect stocks to climb that much any time soon. Stocks already did far better than most observers expected last year, and corporate earnings aren't rising fast enough to justify that kind of climb.</p>
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new york ap dow jones industrial average burst 25000 point mark thursday five weeks first close 24000 dow passed five 1000point barriers 2017 way 25 percent gain year eightyear rally since great recession continued confound skeptics strong global economic growth good prospects higher company earnings analysts predicting gains although market may stay calm recently dow made rapid trip 24000 points november 30 partly enthusiasm passage republicanbacked tax package could boost company profits year acrosstheboard cuts corporate taxes long 2017 would say biggest driver excitement anticipation tax reform certain point think handover global economic growth really helping carry stock market said invesco chief global markets strategist kristina hooper big gains us blue chip companies powered dows relentless rise new heights past year including 87 percent gain aerospace giant boeing 70 percent rise construction equipment maker caterpillar 49 percent increase apple dow founded 1896 oldest barometer us stock market nearly quadrupled value low financial crisis early 2009 global economy spending people businesses governments much slower recover stocks instead fiscal stimulus relied monetary policy stimulus inflates asset prices opposed overall economy hooper said stocks continued climb investors saw signs economic growth finally improving technology companies put biggest gains last year continued lead market higher good economic news thursday report showed private us businesses added 250000 jobs last month smaller businesses adding 94000 dow tracks 30 big us companies rose 15245 points 06 percent 2507513 standard amp poors 500 much broader index professional investors prefer use benchmark large us stocks rose 1093 points 04 percent 272399 nasdaq composite heavily weighted technology biotech companies added 1238 points 02 percent 707791 three indexes set record highs day earlier nasdaq reached milestone week closing 7000 points first time tuesday indexes developing countries done even better europe us past year brazils benchmark bovespa 28 percent past year hang seng index hong kong 39 percent bond prices fell sending yields higher yield 10year treasury note rose 245 percent 244 percent higher bond yields good news banks charge higher interest rates mortgages kinds loans president donald trump said thursday dow could reach 30000 would take another 20percent jump wall street expect stocks climb much time soon stocks already far better observers expected last year corporate earnings arent rising fast enough justify kind climb new york ap dow jones industrial average burst 25000 point mark thursday five weeks first close 24000 dow passed five 1000point barriers 2017 way 25 percent gain year eightyear rally since great recession continued confound skeptics strong global economic growth good prospects higher company earnings analysts predicting gains although market may stay calm recently dow made rapid trip 24000 points november 30 partly enthusiasm passage republicanbacked tax package could boost company profits year acrosstheboard cuts corporate taxes long 2017 would say biggest driver excitement anticipation tax reform certain point think handover global economic growth really helping carry stock market said invesco chief global markets strategist kristina hooper big gains us blue chip companies powered dows relentless rise new heights past year including 87 percent gain aerospace giant boeing 70 percent rise construction equipment maker caterpillar 49 percent increase apple dow founded 1896 oldest barometer us stock market nearly quadrupled value low financial crisis early 2009 global economy spending people businesses governments much slower recover stocks instead fiscal stimulus relied monetary policy stimulus inflates asset prices opposed overall economy hooper said stocks continued climb investors saw signs economic growth finally improving technology companies put biggest gains last year continued lead market higher good economic news thursday report showed private us businesses added 250000 jobs last month smaller businesses adding 94000 dow tracks 30 big us companies rose 15245 points 06 percent 2507513 standard amp poors 500 much broader index professional investors prefer use benchmark large us stocks rose 1093 points 04 percent 272399 nasdaq composite heavily weighted technology biotech companies added 1238 points 02 percent 707791 three indexes set record highs day earlier nasdaq reached milestone week closing 7000 points first time tuesday indexes developing countries done even better europe us past year brazils benchmark bovespa 28 percent past year hang seng index hong kong 39 percent bond prices fell sending yields higher yield 10year treasury note rose 245 percent 244 percent higher bond yields good news banks charge higher interest rates mortgages kinds loans president donald trump said thursday dow could reach 30000 would take another 20percent jump wall street expect stocks climb much time soon stocks already far better observers expected last year corporate earnings arent rising fast enough justify kind climb
| 746 |
<p />
<p>Every reporter knows the value of public records—police reports, courthouse files and the myriad other documents generated by government agencies. Public records provide detail, authority, libel protection and the occasional smoking gun that often makes for powerful journalism.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p />
<p />
<p>But there's another, less obvious record type that smart reporters use to add unforgettable ingredients to their stories.</p>
<p>You won't find&#160;them&#160;in a government filing cabinet or database or discover them with a Freedom of Information request.</p>
<p>These are private records, the documentation that people&#160;create and keep about their own lives or others, the kind buried in a box in the attic, hanging on the refrigerator door or inside a photo album or yearbook.</p>
<p>This class of documentary evidence can strengthen your reporting and bring a new level of intimacy and depth to your stories, shedding light on a person's character or a time in history.</p>
<p>I'd never really thought about the distinction between public and private records until last spring when I heard Louise Kiernan, a Pulitzer Prize winning reporter for the Chicago Tribune, talk about their value at the National Writers Workshop in St. Louis. I learned more last summer when Kiernan spent a day with Poynter's News Reporting and Writing Fellows.</p>
<p>"Whenever you're working on a story, you ought to be thinking about what documents can help you," she advised these young reporters. To take advantage of public records, she says, "everyone should know how to search a court record and file a FOIA request." The websites of <a href="http://ire.org" type="external">Investigative Reporters and Editors</a> (IRE) and the <a href="http://rcfp.org/" type="external">Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press</a> are two of the best&#160;places to learn about these skills.</p>
<p>Louise Kiernan: "People record their lives in all sorts of ways and often what they write or is written about them is more true than what they tell you."At the same time, Kiernan preached the importance of private records: "what people make and keep for themselves." &#160;Among them: baby books, high school and college yearbooks, playbills for student productions, teacher evaluations,&#160;diaries, journals, letters, photos, and videos. She described how a Tribune colleague used teacher evaluations to profile a dying professor, the students' comments opening windows&#160;into their teacher's character.Kiernan continues to rely on private records, she told me today. "In a long-term project about postpartum depression that ran back in February I was able to use excerpts from the journal of a woman who had committed suicide," she said in an email. (You can read the series <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0302160276feb16,1,4961982.story?coll=chi%2Dnewsspecials%2Dhed" type="external">here</a>.)"And, now I'm working on a series of short-term stories about a woman who opposes the war in Iraq and her son, who is a Marine fighting there. Because our access to him has been limited, I've been able to use his emails, both to me and to his mother, as a way to reflect his thoughts and experiences in the stories. There's this one great example where Rob, the son, who signs every email to his mother "Your Son and Marine" writes his final message to her before he goes into combat. He signs it "Your Nervous Son and Marine."&#160;&#160;Kiernan's&#160;lyrical description of the&#160;folder, which contains the son's emails&#160;and other items kept by his mother, suggests the symbolic power of such mementoes:</p>
<p />
<p>I've&#160;seen other examples of private records as a reporting and writing tool.</p>
<p>How The Wall Street Journal used private records to reconstruct experienceIn 2001, reporters for The Wall Street Journal used private records to reconstruct the last hours of five victims of the Sept. 11 attack on the World Trade Center. In an unusual step, they appended a note about the sources&#160;at the end of the story. "How Five Lives Became One Horror When Terror Struck the Twin Towers" began with the reconstruction of one victim's last day:</p>
<p />
<p>How could they know what that handwritten note said since the Windows on the World restaurant vanished when the north tower collapsed? According to the sources note, the reporters&#160;based it on a "handwritten note to Mr. Rivas: reconstructed by Windows on the World banquet chef Ali Hizam from notes written to himself in his notebook."</p>
<p>The story later focused on a World Trade Center employee.</p>
<p>Diane Murray and her co-workers jogged north a few blocks before she realized she was still holding the photo of the boy she had been admiring before the planes hit. She found a phone in a restaurant and called her mother, Jean Murray, administrator of a small hospital in New Jersey. Mrs. Murray had watched the towers burn and collapse on TV while she marshaled her staff for an expected rush of patients. "I love you, I love you, I love you," she told Diane. Diane gave instructions for getting eight-year-old Diana home from school and hung up. Ms. Murray limped into Baldini, a shoe store on Park Avenue South. Her feet were killing her. "I can't believe I got down 92 floors in these heels," she said. She and her co-workers allowed themselves a chuckle. Ms. Murray tried on three pair of shoes before choosing black sneakers for $43.</p>
<p>Once again, the sources note revealed that a private record bolstered the narrative detail. “Source: Shoe shopping: $43 price from Baldini credit-card receipt.”</p>
<p>(Read the <a href="" type="internal">full story</a>&#160;and a&#160;behind-the-scenes <a href="" type="internal">look</a> at&#160;the WSJ's "Sources Note," along with interviews with&#160; <a href="" type="internal">Page One Editor Mike Miller</a> and <a href="" type="internal">Bryan Gruley</a>, the lead writer.)Using Private Records to Illuminate People's LivesInspired by Louise Kiernan's example, Poynter's&#160;summer reporting fellows began looking for private records to bolster their stories from the communities they covered.&#160;In a friendly competition designed to share the lessons of good reporting and writing, the group recognizes their "favorite things" in that week's stories, ranging from the lead and kicker to a public and private record. To profile an aspiring opera singer, Cynthia Daniels viewed the girl's home videos. The hands-down winner in the private record category was Joannie Sevilla's story about the impact of a music therapy class on an 8-year-old cancer patient that reprinted the child's song lyrics.</p>
<p />
<p>Read the full story <a href="http://209.241.184.51/pointssouth/2002/editions/ps3/sevilla.htm" type="external">here</a>.</p>
<p />
<p>"The language Shannon used for the lyrics shows how long she's been in the hospital ("discharge" isn't a regular kid word), and it shows how she's affected by being sick for so long." --Whitney KvasagerUsing Private Records to Investigate the PastI've used private records to report and write a memoir about my father, who died when I was&#160;10 years old, particularly the impact of his father's involvement in a government corruption scandal in 1932. Perhaps the most important was one of the documents included in a packet of materials his high school's alumni office provided. I described my findings in "The Only Honest Man," an essay published in River Teeth, a journal of&#160;nonfiction narrative:</p>
<p>As Louise Kiernan observed, "People record their lives in all sorts of ways and often what they write or is written about them is more true than what they tell you."</p>
<p>[ <a href="" type="internal">Go public with your experiences using private records.</a>&#160;]</p>
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every reporter knows value public recordspolice reports courthouse files myriad documents generated government agencies public records provide detail authority libel protection occasional smoking gun often makes powerful journalism theres another less obvious record type smart reporters use add unforgettable ingredients stories wont find160them160in government filing cabinet database discover freedom information request private records documentation people160create keep lives others kind buried box attic hanging refrigerator door inside photo album yearbook class documentary evidence strengthen reporting bring new level intimacy depth stories shedding light persons character time history id never really thought distinction public private records last spring heard louise kiernan pulitzer prize winning reporter chicago tribune talk value national writers workshop st louis learned last summer kiernan spent day poynters news reporting writing fellows whenever youre working story ought thinking documents help advised young reporters take advantage public records says everyone know search court record file foia request websites investigative reporters editors ire reporters committee freedom press two best160places learn skills louise kiernan people record lives sorts ways often write written true tell youat time kiernan preached importance private records people make keep 160among baby books high school college yearbooks playbills student productions teacher evaluations160diaries journals letters photos videos described tribune colleague used teacher evaluations profile dying professor students comments opening windows160into teachers characterkiernan continues rely private records told today longterm project postpartum depression ran back february able use excerpts journal woman committed suicide said email read series hereand im working series shortterm stories woman opposes war iraq son marine fighting access limited ive able use emails mother way reflect thoughts experiences stories theres one great example rob son signs every email mother son marine writes final message goes combat signs nervous son marine160160kiernans160lyrical description the160folder contains sons emails160and items kept mother suggests symbolic power mementoes ive160seen examples private records reporting writing tool wall street journal used private records reconstruct experiencein 2001 reporters wall street journal used private records reconstruct last hours five victims sept 11 attack world trade center unusual step appended note sources160at end story five lives became one horror terror struck twin towers began reconstruction one victims last day could know handwritten note said since windows world restaurant vanished north tower collapsed according sources note reporters160based handwritten note mr rivas reconstructed windows world banquet chef ali hizam notes written notebook story later focused world trade center employee diane murray coworkers jogged north blocks realized still holding photo boy admiring planes hit found phone restaurant called mother jean murray administrator small hospital new jersey mrs murray watched towers burn collapse tv marshaled staff expected rush patients love love love told diane diane gave instructions getting eightyearold diana home school hung ms murray limped baldini shoe store park avenue south feet killing cant believe got 92 floors heels said coworkers allowed chuckle ms murray tried three pair shoes choosing black sneakers 43 sources note revealed private record bolstered narrative detail source shoe shopping 43 price baldini creditcard receipt read full story160and a160behindthescenes look at160the wsjs sources note along interviews with160 page one editor mike miller bryan gruley lead writerusing private records illuminate peoples livesinspired louise kiernans example poynters160summer reporting fellows began looking private records bolster stories communities covered160in friendly competition designed share lessons good reporting writing group recognizes favorite things weeks stories ranging lead kicker public private record profile aspiring opera singer cynthia daniels viewed girls home videos handsdown winner private record category joannie sevillas story impact music therapy class 8yearold cancer patient reprinted childs song lyrics read full story language shannon used lyrics shows long shes hospital discharge isnt regular kid word shows shes affected sick long whitney kvasagerusing private records investigate pastive used private records report write memoir father died was16010 years old particularly impact fathers involvement government corruption scandal 1932 perhaps important one documents included packet materials high schools alumni office provided described findings honest man essay published river teeth journal of160nonfiction narrative louise kiernan observed people record lives sorts ways often write written true tell go public experiences using private records160
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<p>VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Marko Dano is making his mark — and a major case to stick with the Columbus Blue Jackets next season.</p>
<p>The rookie center recorded his first two-goal game in the NHL and Sergei Bobrovsky made 38 saves as the Blue Jackets routed the Vancouver Canucks 6-2 on Thursday night.</p>
<p>He played in his 25th game in the NHL, but the 20-year-old Austrian now has three goals and four assists in his last five games.</p>
<p>"It's a big opportunity for me to earn a spot for next year," Dano said. "The time (in the AHL) helped me a lot, but now I am trying to play here and trying to get a spot here for next year."</p>
<p>Rene Bourque, Cam Atkinson, Scott Hartnell and Alexander Wennberg — an empty-netter — also scored for Columbus, which has won five of its last six.</p>
<p>Bo Horvat and Daniel Sedin had goals for Vancouver. Eddie Lack allowed five goals on 30 shots before being pulled in favor of Jakob Markstrom midway through the third period.</p>
<p>Markstrom finished with two saves for Vancouver, which is just a point up on Calgary for second place in the Pacific Division with a game in hand.</p>
<p>"I just feel at this time of year ... what you should see is the team that we are," said Canucks coach Willie Desjardins, whose club has struggled at times against the NHL's subpar teams. "The team that showed tonight, that's got to be our team because there's no reason on a game this big that we wouldn't play our best."</p>
<p>Columbus led 3-2 after the second period and extended that advantage 5:31 into the third when Dano swatted home a loose puck at the side of the net after a strange bounce off the glass for the rookie's second of the night and seventh of the season.</p>
<p>Hartnell added his 22nd on a 2-on-1 at 8:32 to make it 5-2, with Dano picking up an assist for the first three-point game of his career.</p>
<p>Wennberg scored his third into an empty net with under five minutes to go as the Blue Jackets won for the second time in as many nights after a 3-2 shootout victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday.</p>
<p>"We stopped playing and I didn't come up with those big saves either," Lack said. "That's a tough one for us."</p>
<p>Bobrovsky made a couple of big saves in the first period to keep things scoreless as Vancouver held a 20-10 shot edge through 20 minutes before a wild second.</p>
<p>The Canucks grabbed the lead three minutes in when Horvat jumped on a giveaway and ripped his 12th goal of the season glove side on Bobrovsky. Daniel Sedin then doubled that advantage 40 seconds later, banging home his own rebound for his 15th.</p>
<p>Columbus' Corey Tropp and Vancouver's Derek Dorsett dropped the gloves a few minutes later in a spirited fight, which seemed to inspire the visitors.</p>
<p>After Bobrovsky made a good save at the other end, Bourque scored his fourth of the season and first with Columbus on a shot from well out at 7:04 that might have taken a deflection off a Canucks' stick, before Dano snapped his sixth home from the slot past Lack at 10:01.</p>
<p>The Blue Jackets got a late power play and scored with 2:42 left in the period when Mark Letestu's point shot was deflected by Atkinson before pinballing in off Vancouver defenseman Alexander Edler.</p>
<p>"When you're a good enough team, you always play your style of hockey and the way you plan," Desjardins said. "I think we're up and down a little bit. I think we need to be better than that."</p>
<p>NOTES: The Canucks finished the regular season 21-10-1 against the East. ... The Canucks will practice at Rogers Arena on Friday before beginning a two-game road trip against Los Angeles on Saturday and Arizona on Sunday.</p>
<p>VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Marko Dano is making his mark — and a major case to stick with the Columbus Blue Jackets next season.</p>
<p>The rookie center recorded his first two-goal game in the NHL and Sergei Bobrovsky made 38 saves as the Blue Jackets routed the Vancouver Canucks 6-2 on Thursday night.</p>
<p>He played in his 25th game in the NHL, but the 20-year-old Austrian now has three goals and four assists in his last five games.</p>
<p>"It's a big opportunity for me to earn a spot for next year," Dano said. "The time (in the AHL) helped me a lot, but now I am trying to play here and trying to get a spot here for next year."</p>
<p>Rene Bourque, Cam Atkinson, Scott Hartnell and Alexander Wennberg — an empty-netter — also scored for Columbus, which has won five of its last six.</p>
<p>Bo Horvat and Daniel Sedin had goals for Vancouver. Eddie Lack allowed five goals on 30 shots before being pulled in favor of Jakob Markstrom midway through the third period.</p>
<p>Markstrom finished with two saves for Vancouver, which is just a point up on Calgary for second place in the Pacific Division with a game in hand.</p>
<p>"I just feel at this time of year ... what you should see is the team that we are," said Canucks coach Willie Desjardins, whose club has struggled at times against the NHL's subpar teams. "The team that showed tonight, that's got to be our team because there's no reason on a game this big that we wouldn't play our best."</p>
<p>Columbus led 3-2 after the second period and extended that advantage 5:31 into the third when Dano swatted home a loose puck at the side of the net after a strange bounce off the glass for the rookie's second of the night and seventh of the season.</p>
<p>Hartnell added his 22nd on a 2-on-1 at 8:32 to make it 5-2, with Dano picking up an assist for the first three-point game of his career.</p>
<p>Wennberg scored his third into an empty net with under five minutes to go as the Blue Jackets won for the second time in as many nights after a 3-2 shootout victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday.</p>
<p>"We stopped playing and I didn't come up with those big saves either," Lack said. "That's a tough one for us."</p>
<p>Bobrovsky made a couple of big saves in the first period to keep things scoreless as Vancouver held a 20-10 shot edge through 20 minutes before a wild second.</p>
<p>The Canucks grabbed the lead three minutes in when Horvat jumped on a giveaway and ripped his 12th goal of the season glove side on Bobrovsky. Daniel Sedin then doubled that advantage 40 seconds later, banging home his own rebound for his 15th.</p>
<p>Columbus' Corey Tropp and Vancouver's Derek Dorsett dropped the gloves a few minutes later in a spirited fight, which seemed to inspire the visitors.</p>
<p>After Bobrovsky made a good save at the other end, Bourque scored his fourth of the season and first with Columbus on a shot from well out at 7:04 that might have taken a deflection off a Canucks' stick, before Dano snapped his sixth home from the slot past Lack at 10:01.</p>
<p>The Blue Jackets got a late power play and scored with 2:42 left in the period when Mark Letestu's point shot was deflected by Atkinson before pinballing in off Vancouver defenseman Alexander Edler.</p>
<p>"When you're a good enough team, you always play your style of hockey and the way you plan," Desjardins said. "I think we're up and down a little bit. I think we need to be better than that."</p>
<p>NOTES: The Canucks finished the regular season 21-10-1 against the East. ... The Canucks will practice at Rogers Arena on Friday before beginning a two-game road trip against Los Angeles on Saturday and Arizona on Sunday.</p>
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vancouver british columbia ap marko dano making mark major case stick columbus blue jackets next season rookie center recorded first twogoal game nhl sergei bobrovsky made 38 saves blue jackets routed vancouver canucks 62 thursday night played 25th game nhl 20yearold austrian three goals four assists last five games big opportunity earn spot next year dano said time ahl helped lot trying play trying get spot next year rene bourque cam atkinson scott hartnell alexander wennberg emptynetter also scored columbus five last six bo horvat daniel sedin goals vancouver eddie lack allowed five goals 30 shots pulled favor jakob markstrom midway third period markstrom finished two saves vancouver point calgary second place pacific division game hand feel time year see team said canucks coach willie desjardins whose club struggled times nhls subpar teams team showed tonight thats got team theres reason game big wouldnt play best columbus led 32 second period extended advantage 531 third dano swatted home loose puck side net strange bounce glass rookies second night seventh season hartnell added 22nd 2on1 832 make 52 dano picking assist first threepoint game career wennberg scored third empty net five minutes go blue jackets second time many nights 32 shootout victory edmonton oilers wednesday stopped playing didnt come big saves either lack said thats tough one us bobrovsky made couple big saves first period keep things scoreless vancouver held 2010 shot edge 20 minutes wild second canucks grabbed lead three minutes horvat jumped giveaway ripped 12th goal season glove side bobrovsky daniel sedin doubled advantage 40 seconds later banging home rebound 15th columbus corey tropp vancouvers derek dorsett dropped gloves minutes later spirited fight seemed inspire visitors bobrovsky made good save end bourque scored fourth season first columbus shot well 704 might taken deflection canucks stick dano snapped sixth home slot past lack 1001 blue jackets got late power play scored 242 left period mark letestus point shot deflected atkinson pinballing vancouver defenseman alexander edler youre good enough team always play style hockey way plan desjardins said think little bit think need better notes canucks finished regular season 21101 east canucks practice rogers arena friday beginning twogame road trip los angeles saturday arizona sunday vancouver british columbia ap marko dano making mark major case stick columbus blue jackets next season rookie center recorded first twogoal game nhl sergei bobrovsky made 38 saves blue jackets routed vancouver canucks 62 thursday night played 25th game nhl 20yearold austrian three goals four assists last five games big opportunity earn spot next year dano said time ahl helped lot trying play trying get spot next year rene bourque cam atkinson scott hartnell alexander wennberg emptynetter also scored columbus five last six bo horvat daniel sedin goals vancouver eddie lack allowed five goals 30 shots pulled favor jakob markstrom midway third period markstrom finished two saves vancouver point calgary second place pacific division game hand feel time year see team said canucks coach willie desjardins whose club struggled times nhls subpar teams team showed tonight thats got team theres reason game big wouldnt play best columbus led 32 second period extended advantage 531 third dano swatted home loose puck side net strange bounce glass rookies second night seventh season hartnell added 22nd 2on1 832 make 52 dano picking assist first threepoint game career wennberg scored third empty net five minutes go blue jackets second time many nights 32 shootout victory edmonton oilers wednesday stopped playing didnt come big saves either lack said thats tough one us bobrovsky made couple big saves first period keep things scoreless vancouver held 2010 shot edge 20 minutes wild second canucks grabbed lead three minutes horvat jumped giveaway ripped 12th goal season glove side bobrovsky daniel sedin doubled advantage 40 seconds later banging home rebound 15th columbus corey tropp vancouvers derek dorsett dropped gloves minutes later spirited fight seemed inspire visitors bobrovsky made good save end bourque scored fourth season first columbus shot well 704 might taken deflection canucks stick dano snapped sixth home slot past lack 1001 blue jackets got late power play scored 242 left period mark letestus point shot deflected atkinson pinballing vancouver defenseman alexander edler youre good enough team always play style hockey way plan desjardins said think little bit think need better notes canucks finished regular season 21101 east canucks practice rogers arena friday beginning twogame road trip los angeles saturday arizona sunday
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<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p>The Rams gather for a pre-race message and prayer before winning the Class 5A team title last fall.</p>
<p>Rio Rancho teams annually dominate two state tournaments, volleyball and wrestling.</p>
<p>For the past three seasons, Rio Rancho boys cross country teams have won the state championships, too: Cleveland High in 2011 and 2012, Rio Rancho High School last year, with the Storm finishing second.</p>
<p>Last year’s Class 5A state cross country girls meet was dominated by a pair of District 2-5A teams, La Cueva and Eldorado, which finished 1-2. District 1-5A placed the next three teams: Volcano Vista was third, followed by fourth-place Rio Rancho and fifth-place Cleveland.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Here are CHS coach Kenny Henry’s responses to a series of questions from the Observer.</p>
<p>How good are your chances to bring home trophies, maybe even win a blue one, at state? I think we have as good a chance as anyone to bring home trophies on both the boys and girls sides this cross country season. If you look at it on paper, our chances of bringing home a blue trophy, on either side, I would say are very slim.</p>
<p>However, a lot can happen over the course of a season. I look forward to seeing what our chances are as we get to November. You never know.</p>
<p>Who are your top returners? &#160;On the boys side, we return four of the seven that ran at state. They are senior Hunter Watson, senior Dante Padilla, junior Keenan Toya and freshman Dillon Wood. In addition, we return senior Quadry Escalada, who did not run at state last season but had the best spring of all our distance runners.</p>
<p>On the girls side, we return four as well from last year’s state team. They are freshman Britney Lovato, senior Nicolette Pacheco, freshman Amanda Mayoral and junior Becca Lovato.</p>
<p>Which Storm runner has the best chance to win the state meet in November? It would be very lofty to say that any of our boys or girls have a chance to win an individual state championship. However, I think we could have a handful of runners with goals of finishing in the top 10 and earning all-state honors.</p>
<p>What are the top meets you’re concerned about this season? For us, every meet will be of huge importance. Every one of our kids will use each meet as a learning experience and as a tool to improve. We don’t have the luxury, or desire, to blow off any competition.</p>
<p>How has your team gotten better, if it has, over last season? On the boys side, we lost our top three from last season, so it is difficult to say we have gotten any better. But there are going to be some aspects of this year’s team I feel will be much stronger than last year’s team.</p>
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<p>On the girls side, I think we have undoubtedly gotten better.&#160;Despite our team being quite young, every one of them will be more experienced. Additionally, many of them had superior springs than they have had in the past which I truly think will bode well for them this fall.</p>
<p>Which teams are the teams to beat in Class 6A this season? On the boys side, I think Rio Rancho is the hands-down favorite.&#160;They are the defending state champions and return most of their team.&#160;Aside from the Rams, I think we can expect La Cueva, Volcano Vista, Cibola and Hobbs to all be very strong. On the girls side, Rio Rancho and La Cueva are the favorites, followed closely by Volcano Vista.</p>
<p>Now, here are RRHS distance coach Sal Gonzales’s responses to similar questions:</p>
<p>How good are your boys’ chances to repeat as state champions? The 2013 state championship team was led by four strong seniors who are going to be hard to replace. Their leadership and work ethic were some of the best I have experienced in my coaching career. This year’s team will build upon the base that established last year. We will rely on running in a strong pack and pushing the pace over the last half of races.</p>
<p>While this team is much younger than last year’s version, this team has valuable experience and confidence that was lacking last year. I believe that we entered last year as a podium team with a chance to upset people. This year we will begin the season as the favorites with a target on our backs. The boys have welcomed the difference.</p>
<p>Can Molly Klein and Bri Pribble stay healthy all season and maybe even finish 1-2 at state? &#160; Molly Klein had an excellent track season and is poised to improve again this fall. Her focus on improving is incredible. The sky is the limit.</p>
<p>Briana Pribble has had another setback this summer. She fractured her kneecap during summer basketball. Bri is one of the most talented runners I have ever coached. Unfortunately, she has been unlucky with injuries over the last couple of years. I fully expect her to be competing by the first meet of the season. Throughout her injuries she has remained an excellent captain.</p>
<p>Who are your top returners? Sophomores Devin Paredes, Noah Dodd, Zach Allen and David Ogden; juniors Michael Goke and Trevor Amestoy, and senior Josh Pyeatt for the boys; freshman Sierra Delaware, sophomores Molly Klein and Alliana Atencio, junior Joana Fernandez and senior Brianna Pribble.</p>
<p>Who are your top newcomers? Freshman Okoya Gachupin for the boys, and freshman Andrea Alodovar and eighth-grader Reina Paredes for the girls.</p>
<p>Which Ram has the best chance to win the state meet in November? Devin Paredes and Michael Goke for the boys; Devin had his best race of the season when he finished third at state. He was our consistent No. 1 all season. He is now a year older and stronger. His confidence is high, but he has training and racing in the proper perspective.</p>
<p>Michael Goke did not have the best 2013 season — he never caught his groove. But he had a solid track season and he is running strong this summer. Devin and Michael have been leading the pack this summer and they plan on attacking races in the same fashion. The top individuals in the state are Justin Kerstetter of Manzano and Chris Harlow of Cibola.</p>
<p>For the girls, Molly Klein and Andrea Almodovar. Molly and Andi have been teammates at St. Thomas Aquinas and with the Cougar Track Club. They live in the same neighborhood and have been friends for years. You can expect that they will be close during races as well.</p>
<p>Last year, Molly felt that Eldorado had an advantage when their three top runners worked together against the field. Molly has stated that she can’t wait for the opportunity to race with Andi against tough fields. Both girls have a great chance at the individual title. Their toughest competition will come from Jessie Hix of Eldorado and Mackenzie Everett of La Cueva.</p>
<p>What are the top meets you’re concerned about this season? In order from most important to least: state, district, Rio Rancho Jamboree and the Desert Twilight Festival.</p>
<p>How has your team gotten better, if it has, over last season? The boys have gotten better because of experience. Our top seven runners have looked really strong all summer. Runners like Trevor Amestoy and Zach Allen have stepped up to another level. They make us deeper than we imagined we would be at this point. This year’s group is faster. They train at a faster pace and begin training runs with focus and purpose. The girls team is stronger due to the additions of Andi Almodovar and Reina Paredes.</p>
<p>Both girls could be top-10 in 6A by the end of the season. The girls are also improved because of gained experience. Runners like Sierra Delaware (seventh in 5A in 2013) are now running smarter and with more confidence. I expect great things out of Sierra this season. She is looking fit and confident.</p>
<p>Which teams are the teams to beat in Class 6A this season? On the girls side the team to beat is the defending state champion La Cueva Bears. They return two All-State runners and they had an excellent track season. District rival Volcano Vista will be in the hunt as well. They return three All-State runners from 2013 and a fourth runner who was All-State in 2012.</p>
<p>For the boys, Hobbs had the best track season, with five boys running under 10:20 for the 3,200-meter run. No one else in the entire state has that. Cleveland has a strong group of young runners who will be led by senior Hunter Watson. I expect them to improve steadily throughout the year and be in the mix at the end of the season. La Cueva, Eldorado and Manzano all have strong front runners who will need their pack to improve to have a chance at the podium.</p>
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rams gather prerace message prayer winning class 5a team title last fall rio rancho teams annually dominate two state tournaments volleyball wrestling past three seasons rio rancho boys cross country teams state championships cleveland high 2011 2012 rio rancho high school last year storm finishing second last years class 5a state cross country girls meet dominated pair district 25a teams la cueva eldorado finished 12 district 15a placed next three teams volcano vista third followed fourthplace rio rancho fifthplace cleveland advertisement chs coach kenny henrys responses series questions observer good chances bring home trophies maybe even win blue one state think good chance anyone bring home trophies boys girls sides cross country season look paper chances bringing home blue trophy either side would say slim however lot happen course season look forward seeing chances get november never know top returners 160on boys side return four seven ran state senior hunter watson senior dante padilla junior keenan toya freshman dillon wood addition return senior quadry escalada run state last season best spring distance runners girls side return four well last years state team freshman britney lovato senior nicolette pacheco freshman amanda mayoral junior becca lovato storm runner best chance win state meet november would lofty say boys girls chance win individual state championship however think could handful runners goals finishing top 10 earning allstate honors top meets youre concerned season us every meet huge importance every one kids use meet learning experience tool improve dont luxury desire blow competition team gotten better last season boys side lost top three last season difficult say gotten better going aspects years team feel much stronger last years team advertisement girls side think undoubtedly gotten better160despite team quite young every one experienced additionally many superior springs past truly think bode well fall teams teams beat class 6a season boys side think rio rancho handsdown favorite160they defending state champions return team160aside rams think expect la cueva volcano vista cibola hobbs strong girls side rio rancho la cueva favorites followed closely volcano vista rrhs distance coach sal gonzaless responses similar questions good boys chances repeat state champions 2013 state championship team led four strong seniors going hard replace leadership work ethic best experienced coaching career years team build upon base established last year rely running strong pack pushing pace last half races team much younger last years version team valuable experience confidence lacking last year believe entered last year podium team chance upset people year begin season favorites target backs boys welcomed difference molly klein bri pribble stay healthy season maybe even finish 12 state 160 molly klein excellent track season poised improve fall focus improving incredible sky limit briana pribble another setback summer fractured kneecap summer basketball bri one talented runners ever coached unfortunately unlucky injuries last couple years fully expect competing first meet season throughout injuries remained excellent captain top returners sophomores devin paredes noah dodd zach allen david ogden juniors michael goke trevor amestoy senior josh pyeatt boys freshman sierra delaware sophomores molly klein alliana atencio junior joana fernandez senior brianna pribble top newcomers freshman okoya gachupin boys freshman andrea alodovar eighthgrader reina paredes girls ram best chance win state meet november devin paredes michael goke boys devin best race season finished third state consistent 1 season year older stronger confidence high training racing proper perspective michael goke best 2013 season never caught groove solid track season running strong summer devin michael leading pack summer plan attacking races fashion top individuals state justin kerstetter manzano chris harlow cibola girls molly klein andrea almodovar molly andi teammates st thomas aquinas cougar track club live neighborhood friends years expect close races well last year molly felt eldorado advantage three top runners worked together field molly stated cant wait opportunity race andi tough fields girls great chance individual title toughest competition come jessie hix eldorado mackenzie everett la cueva top meets youre concerned season order important least state district rio rancho jamboree desert twilight festival team gotten better last season boys gotten better experience top seven runners looked really strong summer runners like trevor amestoy zach allen stepped another level make us deeper imagined would point years group faster train faster pace begin training runs focus purpose girls team stronger due additions andi almodovar reina paredes girls could top10 6a end season girls also improved gained experience runners like sierra delaware seventh 5a 2013 running smarter confidence expect great things sierra season looking fit confident teams teams beat class 6a season girls side team beat defending state champion la cueva bears return two allstate runners excellent track season district rival volcano vista hunt well return three allstate runners 2013 fourth runner allstate 2012 boys hobbs best track season five boys running 1020 3200meter run one else entire state cleveland strong group young runners led senior hunter watson expect improve steadily throughout year mix end season la cueva eldorado manzano strong front runners need pack improve chance podium
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<p>LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Boston Celtics refused to panic, even as the Eastern Conference leaders were staring at a four-game losing streak.</p>
<p>One night after falling to the lowly Los Angeles Lakers, they returned to Staples Center to remind everyone why they’re among the NBA’s best at 35-14. The Celtics’ defense hounded the Clippers all night, forcing 19 turnovers and holding them to 44.3 percent shooting in a 113-102 victory on Wednesday night.</p>
<p>“This is a hard league,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. “You’re going to have your ups and downs. We were really fortunate to win 16 games in a row earlier this year. We could have lost about 11 of them. Sometimes things go your way, sometimes they don’t.”</p>
<p>They were back to going the Celtics’ way Wednesday night.</p>
<p>“They do a good job defending, but we got some good shots, some wide-open shots, and just missed,” Clippers forward Blake Griffin said.</p>
<p>Griffin led all scorers with 23 points, but after the first quarter, the Celtics forced him to settle for the outside shot. Griffin was just 1 of 7 from 3-point range.</p>
<p>The Celtics countered with five players scoring in double-figures, led by Kyrie Irving’s 20 points and Jayson Tatum’s 18.</p>
<p>“Our guys, for the first time in a while, got a little disbanded by their ball movement and attack,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. “They have so many athletes, they really like targeting some of our guys with footspeed.”</p>
<p>Terry Rozier added 15 points off the bench for Boston, and Marcus Morris also had 15.</p>
<p>“It felt like we were getting a lot from a lot of people,” Stevens said. “Offensively, this was one of our better games. The way we moved the ball and shared. That was encouraging.”</p>
<p>The Celtics made 14 3-pointers, though it took them 40 attempts. Irving also led the team in assists (seven) and tied for the lead in rebounds (eight).</p>
<p>TIP-INS</p>
<p>Celtics: C Al Horford hit his head in a loose-ball scramble in the closing seconds against the Lakers on Tuesday, but the team said he did not suffer a concussion. Horford, who has had concussions in the past, was held out against the Clippers as a precaution. ... G Marcus Smart was also out after cutting his hand on broken glass at the team hotel Wednesday and needing stitches. The team said it is investigating the incident.</p>
<p>Clippers: C DeAndre Jordan returned after missing five games with a left ankle sprain. By playing Wednesday, he tied Randy Smith (715) for most games played in team history. ... F Danilo Gallinari said his glute injury is improving, but there is still no timetable for his return. He has not played since Dec. 9th, and has played in only two games since Nov. 5th.</p>
<p>JORDAN RETURN</p>
<p>Jordan finished with 15 points and 14 rebounds, playing 31 minutes.</p>
<p>“I thought he looked OK,” Rivers said. “I didn’t think he was explosive. He had a couple of dunks, but you could see he was ready to play, but he clearly wasn’t 100 percent.</p>
<p>“He didn’t roll a lot tonight, which is part of our offensive package. He didn’t get behind the defense a lot tonight, but I was happy to have him on the floor.”</p>
<p>THAT’S PROGRESS</p>
<p>Stevens was pleased with the way the Celtics battled the Clippers inside. Despite missing Horford, they outrebounded Los Angeles 47-40.</p>
<p>“Defensively, I thought we did as good a job as we could holding our ground,” he said. “It was good we battled the way we did. We needed to. We didn’t do enough the last couple of games.”</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Celtics: Play the third of their four-game trip Saturday at Golden State.</p>
<p>Clippers: Opens a two-game road trip Friday in Memphis.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>More AP NBA: <a href="" type="internal">www.apnews.com/tags/NBAbasketball</a></p>
<p>LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Boston Celtics refused to panic, even as the Eastern Conference leaders were staring at a four-game losing streak.</p>
<p>One night after falling to the lowly Los Angeles Lakers, they returned to Staples Center to remind everyone why they’re among the NBA’s best at 35-14. The Celtics’ defense hounded the Clippers all night, forcing 19 turnovers and holding them to 44.3 percent shooting in a 113-102 victory on Wednesday night.</p>
<p>“This is a hard league,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. “You’re going to have your ups and downs. We were really fortunate to win 16 games in a row earlier this year. We could have lost about 11 of them. Sometimes things go your way, sometimes they don’t.”</p>
<p>They were back to going the Celtics’ way Wednesday night.</p>
<p>“They do a good job defending, but we got some good shots, some wide-open shots, and just missed,” Clippers forward Blake Griffin said.</p>
<p>Griffin led all scorers with 23 points, but after the first quarter, the Celtics forced him to settle for the outside shot. Griffin was just 1 of 7 from 3-point range.</p>
<p>The Celtics countered with five players scoring in double-figures, led by Kyrie Irving’s 20 points and Jayson Tatum’s 18.</p>
<p>“Our guys, for the first time in a while, got a little disbanded by their ball movement and attack,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. “They have so many athletes, they really like targeting some of our guys with footspeed.”</p>
<p>Terry Rozier added 15 points off the bench for Boston, and Marcus Morris also had 15.</p>
<p>“It felt like we were getting a lot from a lot of people,” Stevens said. “Offensively, this was one of our better games. The way we moved the ball and shared. That was encouraging.”</p>
<p>The Celtics made 14 3-pointers, though it took them 40 attempts. Irving also led the team in assists (seven) and tied for the lead in rebounds (eight).</p>
<p>TIP-INS</p>
<p>Celtics: C Al Horford hit his head in a loose-ball scramble in the closing seconds against the Lakers on Tuesday, but the team said he did not suffer a concussion. Horford, who has had concussions in the past, was held out against the Clippers as a precaution. ... G Marcus Smart was also out after cutting his hand on broken glass at the team hotel Wednesday and needing stitches. The team said it is investigating the incident.</p>
<p>Clippers: C DeAndre Jordan returned after missing five games with a left ankle sprain. By playing Wednesday, he tied Randy Smith (715) for most games played in team history. ... F Danilo Gallinari said his glute injury is improving, but there is still no timetable for his return. He has not played since Dec. 9th, and has played in only two games since Nov. 5th.</p>
<p>JORDAN RETURN</p>
<p>Jordan finished with 15 points and 14 rebounds, playing 31 minutes.</p>
<p>“I thought he looked OK,” Rivers said. “I didn’t think he was explosive. He had a couple of dunks, but you could see he was ready to play, but he clearly wasn’t 100 percent.</p>
<p>“He didn’t roll a lot tonight, which is part of our offensive package. He didn’t get behind the defense a lot tonight, but I was happy to have him on the floor.”</p>
<p>THAT’S PROGRESS</p>
<p>Stevens was pleased with the way the Celtics battled the Clippers inside. Despite missing Horford, they outrebounded Los Angeles 47-40.</p>
<p>“Defensively, I thought we did as good a job as we could holding our ground,” he said. “It was good we battled the way we did. We needed to. We didn’t do enough the last couple of games.”</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Celtics: Play the third of their four-game trip Saturday at Golden State.</p>
<p>Clippers: Opens a two-game road trip Friday in Memphis.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>More AP NBA: <a href="" type="internal">www.apnews.com/tags/NBAbasketball</a></p>
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los angeles ap boston celtics refused panic even eastern conference leaders staring fourgame losing streak one night falling lowly los angeles lakers returned staples center remind everyone theyre among nbas best 3514 celtics defense hounded clippers night forcing 19 turnovers holding 443 percent shooting 113102 victory wednesday night hard league celtics coach brad stevens said youre going ups downs really fortunate win 16 games row earlier year could lost 11 sometimes things go way sometimes dont back going celtics way wednesday night good job defending got good shots wideopen shots missed clippers forward blake griffin said griffin led scorers 23 points first quarter celtics forced settle outside shot griffin 1 7 3point range celtics countered five players scoring doublefigures led kyrie irvings 20 points jayson tatums 18 guys first time got little disbanded ball movement attack clippers coach doc rivers said many athletes really like targeting guys footspeed terry rozier added 15 points bench boston marcus morris also 15 felt like getting lot lot people stevens said offensively one better games way moved ball shared encouraging celtics made 14 3pointers though took 40 attempts irving also led team assists seven tied lead rebounds eight tipins celtics c al horford hit head looseball scramble closing seconds lakers tuesday team said suffer concussion horford concussions past held clippers precaution g marcus smart also cutting hand broken glass team hotel wednesday needing stitches team said investigating incident clippers c deandre jordan returned missing five games left ankle sprain playing wednesday tied randy smith 715 games played team history f danilo gallinari said glute injury improving still timetable return played since dec 9th played two games since nov 5th jordan return jordan finished 15 points 14 rebounds playing 31 minutes thought looked ok rivers said didnt think explosive couple dunks could see ready play clearly wasnt 100 percent didnt roll lot tonight part offensive package didnt get behind defense lot tonight happy floor thats progress stevens pleased way celtics battled clippers inside despite missing horford outrebounded los angeles 4740 defensively thought good job could holding ground said good battled way needed didnt enough last couple games next celtics play third fourgame trip saturday golden state clippers opens twogame road trip friday memphis ___ ap nba wwwapnewscomtagsnbabasketball los angeles ap boston celtics refused panic even eastern conference leaders staring fourgame losing streak one night falling lowly los angeles lakers returned staples center remind everyone theyre among nbas best 3514 celtics defense hounded clippers night forcing 19 turnovers holding 443 percent shooting 113102 victory wednesday night hard league celtics coach brad stevens said youre going ups downs really fortunate win 16 games row earlier year could lost 11 sometimes things go way sometimes dont back going celtics way wednesday night good job defending got good shots wideopen shots missed clippers forward blake griffin said griffin led scorers 23 points first quarter celtics forced settle outside shot griffin 1 7 3point range celtics countered five players scoring doublefigures led kyrie irvings 20 points jayson tatums 18 guys first time got little disbanded ball movement attack clippers coach doc rivers said many athletes really like targeting guys footspeed terry rozier added 15 points bench boston marcus morris also 15 felt like getting lot lot people stevens said offensively one better games way moved ball shared encouraging celtics made 14 3pointers though took 40 attempts irving also led team assists seven tied lead rebounds eight tipins celtics c al horford hit head looseball scramble closing seconds lakers tuesday team said suffer concussion horford concussions past held clippers precaution g marcus smart also cutting hand broken glass team hotel wednesday needing stitches team said investigating incident clippers c deandre jordan returned missing five games left ankle sprain playing wednesday tied randy smith 715 games played team history f danilo gallinari said glute injury improving still timetable return played since dec 9th played two games since nov 5th jordan return jordan finished 15 points 14 rebounds playing 31 minutes thought looked ok rivers said didnt think explosive couple dunks could see ready play clearly wasnt 100 percent didnt roll lot tonight part offensive package didnt get behind defense lot tonight happy floor thats progress stevens pleased way celtics battled clippers inside despite missing horford outrebounded los angeles 4740 defensively thought good job could holding ground said good battled way needed didnt enough last couple games next celtics play third fourgame trip saturday golden state clippers opens twogame road trip friday memphis ___ ap nba wwwapnewscomtagsnbabasketball
| 744 |
<p>DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranians angry over rising food prices and inflation protested in the country’s second-largest city and other areas Thursday, putting new pressure on President Hassan Rouhani as his signature nuclear deal with world powers remains in peril.</p>
<p>The protests in Mashhad saw police make an unspecified number of arrests, local authorities said, though the country’s powerful Revolutionary Guard and its affiliates did not intervene as they have in other unauthorized demonstrations since Iran’s disputed 2009 election.</p>
<p>It wasn’t immediately clear how many people took part in Thursday’s protests, though social media posts suggest several thousand likely demonstrated at rallies across at least three other cities.</p>
<p>Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency quoted the governor of the northeastern city of Mashhad, Mohammad Rahim Norouzian, as saying there was an illegal “No to high prices” gathering in the city.</p>
<p>“Police gave them the necessary notifications and treated them with great tolerance,” he said.</p>
<p>Norouzian said police arrested a number of people who intended to destroy public property, without elaborating.</p>
<p>The prices of several staples, including eggs, have risen by up to 40 percent in recent days, with farmers blaming the hikes on higher prices for imported feed. Poultry is an important part of the diet of many of Iran’s 80 million people, and previous price increases have caused political problems for its leaders in the years since the 1979 Islamic revolution.</p>
<p>So has inflation, which Iran’s Central Bank says has returned to 10 percent. Youth unemployment remains high.</p>
<p>Tempers rose further after Rouhani submitted his 2018 budget to parliament, which raises departure taxes for those flying out of the country.</p>
<p>Tehran-based analyst Saeed Leilaz told The Associated Press that Rouhani’s political rivals may have played a role in organizing the protests, saying “the hands of political groups could be seen in today’s gathering in Mashhad.”</p>
<p>But he said the administration still faces a major challenge.</p>
<p>“There are more than 3 million jobless in Iran, and more than 35 percent of Iranians are under the poverty line. These are Rouhani’s problems, and could kill any government. I won’t be shocked if inflation hits 12 percent.”</p>
<p>All this comes as the U.S. Congress weighs President Donald Trump’s refusal to re-certify the nuclear deal. Many Iranians now say they agree with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s repeated warnings the U.S. can’t be trusted.</p>
<p>Khamenei also has kept up his criticism of how Rouhani’s administration has handled the economy, which includes the supreme leader’s opposition to allowing foreign firms to fully enter Iran. The Revolutionary Guard, a hard-line paramilitary organization, has vast economic interests in the country.</p>
<p>The Guard did not mobilize its Basij volunteer forces to counter any of the protests Thursday. However, some protests saw criticism of Iran’s support for Syrian President Bashar Assad in his country’s civil war, in which the Guard has played a major role.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Associated Press writer Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report.</p>
<p>DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranians angry over rising food prices and inflation protested in the country’s second-largest city and other areas Thursday, putting new pressure on President Hassan Rouhani as his signature nuclear deal with world powers remains in peril.</p>
<p>The protests in Mashhad saw police make an unspecified number of arrests, local authorities said, though the country’s powerful Revolutionary Guard and its affiliates did not intervene as they have in other unauthorized demonstrations since Iran’s disputed 2009 election.</p>
<p>It wasn’t immediately clear how many people took part in Thursday’s protests, though social media posts suggest several thousand likely demonstrated at rallies across at least three other cities.</p>
<p>Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency quoted the governor of the northeastern city of Mashhad, Mohammad Rahim Norouzian, as saying there was an illegal “No to high prices” gathering in the city.</p>
<p>“Police gave them the necessary notifications and treated them with great tolerance,” he said.</p>
<p>Norouzian said police arrested a number of people who intended to destroy public property, without elaborating.</p>
<p>The prices of several staples, including eggs, have risen by up to 40 percent in recent days, with farmers blaming the hikes on higher prices for imported feed. Poultry is an important part of the diet of many of Iran’s 80 million people, and previous price increases have caused political problems for its leaders in the years since the 1979 Islamic revolution.</p>
<p>So has inflation, which Iran’s Central Bank says has returned to 10 percent. Youth unemployment remains high.</p>
<p>Tempers rose further after Rouhani submitted his 2018 budget to parliament, which raises departure taxes for those flying out of the country.</p>
<p>Tehran-based analyst Saeed Leilaz told The Associated Press that Rouhani’s political rivals may have played a role in organizing the protests, saying “the hands of political groups could be seen in today’s gathering in Mashhad.”</p>
<p>But he said the administration still faces a major challenge.</p>
<p>“There are more than 3 million jobless in Iran, and more than 35 percent of Iranians are under the poverty line. These are Rouhani’s problems, and could kill any government. I won’t be shocked if inflation hits 12 percent.”</p>
<p>All this comes as the U.S. Congress weighs President Donald Trump’s refusal to re-certify the nuclear deal. Many Iranians now say they agree with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s repeated warnings the U.S. can’t be trusted.</p>
<p>Khamenei also has kept up his criticism of how Rouhani’s administration has handled the economy, which includes the supreme leader’s opposition to allowing foreign firms to fully enter Iran. The Revolutionary Guard, a hard-line paramilitary organization, has vast economic interests in the country.</p>
<p>The Guard did not mobilize its Basij volunteer forces to counter any of the protests Thursday. However, some protests saw criticism of Iran’s support for Syrian President Bashar Assad in his country’s civil war, in which the Guard has played a major role.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Associated Press writer Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report.</p>
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dubai united arab emirates ap iranians angry rising food prices inflation protested countrys secondlargest city areas thursday putting new pressure president hassan rouhani signature nuclear deal world powers remains peril protests mashhad saw police make unspecified number arrests local authorities said though countrys powerful revolutionary guard affiliates intervene unauthorized demonstrations since irans disputed 2009 election wasnt immediately clear many people took part thursdays protests though social media posts suggest several thousand likely demonstrated rallies across least three cities irans staterun irna news agency quoted governor northeastern city mashhad mohammad rahim norouzian saying illegal high prices gathering city police gave necessary notifications treated great tolerance said norouzian said police arrested number people intended destroy public property without elaborating prices several staples including eggs risen 40 percent recent days farmers blaming hikes higher prices imported feed poultry important part diet many irans 80 million people previous price increases caused political problems leaders years since 1979 islamic revolution inflation irans central bank says returned 10 percent youth unemployment remains high tempers rose rouhani submitted 2018 budget parliament raises departure taxes flying country tehranbased analyst saeed leilaz told associated press rouhanis political rivals may played role organizing protests saying hands political groups could seen todays gathering mashhad said administration still faces major challenge 3 million jobless iran 35 percent iranians poverty line rouhanis problems could kill government wont shocked inflation hits 12 percent comes us congress weighs president donald trumps refusal recertify nuclear deal many iranians say agree supreme leader ayatollah ali khameneis repeated warnings us cant trusted khamenei also kept criticism rouhanis administration handled economy includes supreme leaders opposition allowing foreign firms fully enter iran revolutionary guard hardline paramilitary organization vast economic interests country guard mobilize basij volunteer forces counter protests thursday however protests saw criticism irans support syrian president bashar assad countrys civil war guard played major role ___ associated press writer amir vahdat tehran iran contributed report dubai united arab emirates ap iranians angry rising food prices inflation protested countrys secondlargest city areas thursday putting new pressure president hassan rouhani signature nuclear deal world powers remains peril protests mashhad saw police make unspecified number arrests local authorities said though countrys powerful revolutionary guard affiliates intervene unauthorized demonstrations since irans disputed 2009 election wasnt immediately clear many people took part thursdays protests though social media posts suggest several thousand likely demonstrated rallies across least three cities irans staterun irna news agency quoted governor northeastern city mashhad mohammad rahim norouzian saying illegal high prices gathering city police gave necessary notifications treated great tolerance said norouzian said police arrested number people intended destroy public property without elaborating prices several staples including eggs risen 40 percent recent days farmers blaming hikes higher prices imported feed poultry important part diet many irans 80 million people previous price increases caused political problems leaders years since 1979 islamic revolution inflation irans central bank says returned 10 percent youth unemployment remains high tempers rose rouhani submitted 2018 budget parliament raises departure taxes flying country tehranbased analyst saeed leilaz told associated press rouhanis political rivals may played role organizing protests saying hands political groups could seen todays gathering mashhad said administration still faces major challenge 3 million jobless iran 35 percent iranians poverty line rouhanis problems could kill government wont shocked inflation hits 12 percent comes us congress weighs president donald trumps refusal recertify nuclear deal many iranians say agree supreme leader ayatollah ali khameneis repeated warnings us cant trusted khamenei also kept criticism rouhanis administration handled economy includes supreme leaders opposition allowing foreign firms fully enter iran revolutionary guard hardline paramilitary organization vast economic interests country guard mobilize basij volunteer forces counter protests thursday however protests saw criticism irans support syrian president bashar assad countrys civil war guard played major role ___ associated press writer amir vahdat tehran iran contributed report
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<p>This photo was taken at almost the split second that the Hindenburg exploded on May 6, 1937. A second and third explosion on the 804-foot German zeppelin sent the ship crashing to the Earth over the Lakehurst Naval Air Station in Lakehurst, N.J. (The Associated Press)</p>
<p>In 1936 and 1937, young Werner Franz worked as a cabin boy on the Hindenburg, the largest, fastest and sleekest mode of transportation the world had seen up to that time.</p>
<p>The German-built airship, which was 804 feet long and kept aloft by hydrogen gas, was an engineering marvel, capable of making the journey from Frankfurt to the United States in a mere three days. It was also a powerful propaganda tool of the Nazi regime.</p>
<p>Franz, who was 14 at the time, washed dishes and delivered coffee to the crew, but in 2004 he described his seven months with the Hindenburg as “the best time of my life.”</p>
<p>The undated photo provided by John Provan shows Werner Franz, the last surviving crew member of the Hindenburg airship disaster 77 years ago. Franz died Aug. 13 in Frankfurt, Germany. (John Provan/dpa/The Associated Press)</p>
<p>The airship, built by the Zeppelin company, made 34 successful Atlantic crossings in 1936 and was considered the height of luxury and speed in commercial aviation. But the era of the airship came to a ghastly end on May 6, 1937, when the Hindenburg burst into flames as it was attempting to land at a naval station in Lakehurst, New Jersey.</p>
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<p>Within seconds, the mighty aircraft was reduced to a smoldering metal skeleton, killing 35 of the 97 people on board, plus another person on the ground. It was the first major air disaster on American soil, made more vivid by the newsreel cameras, press photographers and radio reporters who were present to record the Hindenburg’s arrival.</p>
<p>Franz managed to escape, leaping to the ground from an opening in the bottom of the airship. He was last surviving crew member of the Hindenburg when he died Aug. 13 at his home near Frankfurt. He was 92.</p>
<p>The cause was a heart attack, John Provan, an American historian in Germany, said Saturday in an interview.</p>
<p>Franz, who was born May 22, 1922, in Frankfurt, needed to find a job to help out his family after his father became ill and had to quit his job as a hotel switchboard operator. Through his older brother, he learned of an opening on the Hindenburg. He made his first flight, a transatlantic voyage to Rio de Janeiro, in October 1936.</p>
<p>Two months earlier, the Hindenburg had impressed spectators at the Olympic Games in Berlin as it flew over the stadium, a polished silver ship in the sky. Nazi swastikas were emblazoned on the tail of the Hindenburg in red, black and white.</p>
<p>The Hindenburg was longer than the U.S. Capitol, end to end, and 250 feet longer than the height of the Washington Monument. It was 135 feet high. Except for a sister Zeppelin that never saw commercial service, there has never been a larger passenger aircraft of any kind. In August 1936, it made its fastest crossing, going from Lakehurst to Frankfurt in 43 hours, 2 minutes.</p>
<p>“It was twice as fast as the fastest transatlantic ship,” said Dan Grossman, an Atlanta-based airship historian. “It was definitely the Concorde of its time.”</p>
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<p>In June 1936, German boxer Max Schmeling flew on the Hindenburg from the United States to Frankfurt after he defeated U.S. heavyweight Joe Louis. Schmeling was originally scheduled to fly to the United States in May 1937 but canceled his plans and came by ocean liner instead.</p>
<p>There were 36 passengers and 61 crew members aboard when the Hindenburg reached the United States on May 6. It circled Manhattan and flew over parts of New Jersey at its usual cruising altitude of about 650 feet before it coming in to land at Lakehurst.</p>
<p>At 7:25 p.m., with the tail of the craft unusually low, flames broke out in the rear of the airship. Leaking hydrogen was ignited by an electromagnetic spark, and within seconds the linen membrane of the airship was engulfed in flames.</p>
<p>Franz was clearing tables in the officers’ mess. With the nose of the aircraft pointing up, dishes and silverware began to clatter to the floor, and he was drenched by a ruptured ballast tank filled with water.</p>
<p>As the Hindenburg began to sink closer to the ground, Franz kicked open a hatch used to load provisions onto the craft. He jumped out, a few feet above the ground, and ran. He can be seen in newsreel footage of the disaster.</p>
<p>A radio broadcaster, Herbert Morrison, memorably described the scene: “It’s a terrific crash, ladies and gentlemen. It’s smoke, and it’s in flames now; and the frame is crashing to the ground, not quite to the mooring mast. Oh, the humanity!”</p>
<p>Franz ran in the direction of the wind, keeping the fire behind him. He escaped with no injuries or burns and was “one of the few survivors who were in the belly of the ship,” Grossman said.</p>
<p>The next day, Franz returned to the site of the crash and walked through wreckage to the spot where his bunk had been. There, he found a pocket watch that had been given to him by his grandfather.</p>
<p>During World War II, Franz was a radio operator for the German Luftwaffe and later repaired precision machines for the German post office. He also worked as a figure-skating and roller-skating coach. One of his ice skaters, Marika Kilius, won two Olympic silver medals in the pairs competition.</p>
<p>Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Annerose Franz; and several children and grandchildren.</p>
<p>A week after the crash, Franz testified before a U.S. board of inquiry about the Hindenburg. When he saw an officer with the German air ministry, he asked, “When the next Zeppelin is ready, may I fly again with her?”</p>
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photo taken almost split second hindenburg exploded may 6 1937 second third explosion 804foot german zeppelin sent ship crashing earth lakehurst naval air station lakehurst nj associated press 1936 1937 young werner franz worked cabin boy hindenburg largest fastest sleekest mode transportation world seen time germanbuilt airship 804 feet long kept aloft hydrogen gas engineering marvel capable making journey frankfurt united states mere three days also powerful propaganda tool nazi regime franz 14 time washed dishes delivered coffee crew 2004 described seven months hindenburg best time life undated photo provided john provan shows werner franz last surviving crew member hindenburg airship disaster 77 years ago franz died aug 13 frankfurt germany john provandpathe associated press airship built zeppelin company made 34 successful atlantic crossings 1936 considered height luxury speed commercial aviation era airship came ghastly end may 6 1937 hindenburg burst flames attempting land naval station lakehurst new jersey advertisement within seconds mighty aircraft reduced smoldering metal skeleton killing 35 97 people board plus another person ground first major air disaster american soil made vivid newsreel cameras press photographers radio reporters present record hindenburgs arrival franz managed escape leaping ground opening bottom airship last surviving crew member hindenburg died aug 13 home near frankfurt 92 cause heart attack john provan american historian germany said saturday interview franz born may 22 1922 frankfurt needed find job help family father became ill quit job hotel switchboard operator older brother learned opening hindenburg made first flight transatlantic voyage rio de janeiro october 1936 two months earlier hindenburg impressed spectators olympic games berlin flew stadium polished silver ship sky nazi swastikas emblazoned tail hindenburg red black white hindenburg longer us capitol end end 250 feet longer height washington monument 135 feet high except sister zeppelin never saw commercial service never larger passenger aircraft kind august 1936 made fastest crossing going lakehurst frankfurt 43 hours 2 minutes twice fast fastest transatlantic ship said dan grossman atlantabased airship historian definitely concorde time advertisement june 1936 german boxer max schmeling flew hindenburg united states frankfurt defeated us heavyweight joe louis schmeling originally scheduled fly united states may 1937 canceled plans came ocean liner instead 36 passengers 61 crew members aboard hindenburg reached united states may 6 circled manhattan flew parts new jersey usual cruising altitude 650 feet coming land lakehurst 725 pm tail craft unusually low flames broke rear airship leaking hydrogen ignited electromagnetic spark within seconds linen membrane airship engulfed flames franz clearing tables officers mess nose aircraft pointing dishes silverware began clatter floor drenched ruptured ballast tank filled water hindenburg began sink closer ground franz kicked open hatch used load provisions onto craft jumped feet ground ran seen newsreel footage disaster radio broadcaster herbert morrison memorably described scene terrific crash ladies gentlemen smoke flames frame crashing ground quite mooring mast oh humanity franz ran direction wind keeping fire behind escaped injuries burns one survivors belly ship grossman said next day franz returned site crash walked wreckage spot bunk found pocket watch given grandfather world war ii franz radio operator german luftwaffe later repaired precision machines german post office also worked figureskating rollerskating coach one ice skaters marika kilius two olympic silver medals pairs competition survivors include wife 52 years annerose franz several children grandchildren week crash franz testified us board inquiry hindenburg saw officer german air ministry asked next zeppelin ready may fly
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<p>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas House and Senate leaders are asking that the state's longtime top school finance official and his immediate staff be suspended while auditors determine if the Education Department has improperly allocated up to $405 million in school transportation costs to the state's school districts.</p>
<p>Senate President Susan Wagle and House Speaker Ron Ryckman contend Dale Dennis, the deputy education commissioner, wrongly allocated the transportation funds during the last 45 years, citing a state audit that said the Education Department doesn't have the authority to set minimum funding levels for transportation, The <a href="http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article196515704.htm" type="external">Wichita Eagle</a> reported.</p>
<p>Dennis responded that he has calculated transportation payments to school districts the same way for decades, following directions he was given by legislative leaders. He noted no one has questioned his authority to do so in the past, despite numerous school finance-related lawsuits, his testimony before several legislative committees and audits of school financing.</p>
<p>The State Board of Education scheduled a special, closed meeting for Friday afternoon to discuss "non-elected personnel."</p>
<p>The complaints about Dennis come as the Legislature is scrambling to find money to respond to a state Supreme Court ruling that Kansas has unconstitutionally underfunded its schools by as much as $650 million a year.</p>
<p>The demand to suspend Dennis prompted an immediate backlash Thursday, including an #ISupportDaleDennis hashtag on Twitter.</p>
<p>Rep. Stephanie Clayton, a moderate Overland Park Republican, said Wagle and Ryckman appear to be trying to eliminate Dennis and his staff from school funding discussions so rank-and-file lawmakers can't get independent information.</p>
<p>"My concern is that there seems to be an attempt to deny legislators access to the tools to make good decisions, which is data," Clayton said. "We need that data now more than ever."</p>
<p>Wagle and Ryckman explained their concerns in a letter to Jim Porter, chairman of the state Board of Education. They contend Dennis has admitted to the Legislative Post Audit that he knew state law did not authorize a minimum per-student funding level for transportation.</p>
<p>"Regardless, he knowingly directed KSDE to distribute these unauthorized payments for decades based on a conversation with Senator Charles Angell, a former member of Senate leadership who left legislative service in 1984."</p>
<p>Angell, a Republican from Plains, served from 1973 to 1984 and was Senate vice president for the last four years of his tenure. He died in 2014.</p>
<p>The GOP leaders estimated the unauthorized spending at more than $300 million if it began in 1984 and $405 million if it started when the Legislature removed transportation minimums from the state education funding formula in 1973. Dennis said he doesn't know how Wagle and Ryckman calculated that number.</p>
<p>The two said they didn't question Dennis' honesty but they have lost faith in him and his staff. They asked that Dennis and his immediate staff be placed on paid leave until an audit and an investigation — perhaps by the attorney general — is completed.</p>
<p>Dennis said legislative leaders told him in the early 1980s that they wanted school transportation funding done in a way that ensured urban districts wouldn't get shortchanged.</p>
<p>"A member of the legislative staff drew it out for me, showed me how to do it, what to do, and said 'That's our definition of a best fit,' and said 'Do you understand it?' And I said 'Yes, sir.' And it's been in effect for 30-some years," he said.</p>
<p>Rep. Melissa Rooker, a moderate Fairway Republican, said legislators have repeatedly discussed the issue and Dennis acted in ways that legislators wanted — ensuring adequate funding for safe transportation in all districts.</p>
<p>"You can consider me, 'Team Dale,'" she said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Information from: The Wichita (Kan.) Eagle, <a href="http://www.kansas.com" type="external">http://www.kansas.com</a></p>
<p>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas House and Senate leaders are asking that the state's longtime top school finance official and his immediate staff be suspended while auditors determine if the Education Department has improperly allocated up to $405 million in school transportation costs to the state's school districts.</p>
<p>Senate President Susan Wagle and House Speaker Ron Ryckman contend Dale Dennis, the deputy education commissioner, wrongly allocated the transportation funds during the last 45 years, citing a state audit that said the Education Department doesn't have the authority to set minimum funding levels for transportation, The <a href="http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article196515704.htm" type="external">Wichita Eagle</a> reported.</p>
<p>Dennis responded that he has calculated transportation payments to school districts the same way for decades, following directions he was given by legislative leaders. He noted no one has questioned his authority to do so in the past, despite numerous school finance-related lawsuits, his testimony before several legislative committees and audits of school financing.</p>
<p>The State Board of Education scheduled a special, closed meeting for Friday afternoon to discuss "non-elected personnel."</p>
<p>The complaints about Dennis come as the Legislature is scrambling to find money to respond to a state Supreme Court ruling that Kansas has unconstitutionally underfunded its schools by as much as $650 million a year.</p>
<p>The demand to suspend Dennis prompted an immediate backlash Thursday, including an #ISupportDaleDennis hashtag on Twitter.</p>
<p>Rep. Stephanie Clayton, a moderate Overland Park Republican, said Wagle and Ryckman appear to be trying to eliminate Dennis and his staff from school funding discussions so rank-and-file lawmakers can't get independent information.</p>
<p>"My concern is that there seems to be an attempt to deny legislators access to the tools to make good decisions, which is data," Clayton said. "We need that data now more than ever."</p>
<p>Wagle and Ryckman explained their concerns in a letter to Jim Porter, chairman of the state Board of Education. They contend Dennis has admitted to the Legislative Post Audit that he knew state law did not authorize a minimum per-student funding level for transportation.</p>
<p>"Regardless, he knowingly directed KSDE to distribute these unauthorized payments for decades based on a conversation with Senator Charles Angell, a former member of Senate leadership who left legislative service in 1984."</p>
<p>Angell, a Republican from Plains, served from 1973 to 1984 and was Senate vice president for the last four years of his tenure. He died in 2014.</p>
<p>The GOP leaders estimated the unauthorized spending at more than $300 million if it began in 1984 and $405 million if it started when the Legislature removed transportation minimums from the state education funding formula in 1973. Dennis said he doesn't know how Wagle and Ryckman calculated that number.</p>
<p>The two said they didn't question Dennis' honesty but they have lost faith in him and his staff. They asked that Dennis and his immediate staff be placed on paid leave until an audit and an investigation — perhaps by the attorney general — is completed.</p>
<p>Dennis said legislative leaders told him in the early 1980s that they wanted school transportation funding done in a way that ensured urban districts wouldn't get shortchanged.</p>
<p>"A member of the legislative staff drew it out for me, showed me how to do it, what to do, and said 'That's our definition of a best fit,' and said 'Do you understand it?' And I said 'Yes, sir.' And it's been in effect for 30-some years," he said.</p>
<p>Rep. Melissa Rooker, a moderate Fairway Republican, said legislators have repeatedly discussed the issue and Dennis acted in ways that legislators wanted — ensuring adequate funding for safe transportation in all districts.</p>
<p>"You can consider me, 'Team Dale,'" she said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Information from: The Wichita (Kan.) Eagle, <a href="http://www.kansas.com" type="external">http://www.kansas.com</a></p>
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topeka kan ap kansas house senate leaders asking states longtime top school finance official immediate staff suspended auditors determine education department improperly allocated 405 million school transportation costs states school districts senate president susan wagle house speaker ron ryckman contend dale dennis deputy education commissioner wrongly allocated transportation funds last 45 years citing state audit said education department doesnt authority set minimum funding levels transportation wichita eagle reported dennis responded calculated transportation payments school districts way decades following directions given legislative leaders noted one questioned authority past despite numerous school financerelated lawsuits testimony several legislative committees audits school financing state board education scheduled special closed meeting friday afternoon discuss nonelected personnel complaints dennis come legislature scrambling find money respond state supreme court ruling kansas unconstitutionally underfunded schools much 650 million year demand suspend dennis prompted immediate backlash thursday including isupportdaledennis hashtag twitter rep stephanie clayton moderate overland park republican said wagle ryckman appear trying eliminate dennis staff school funding discussions rankandfile lawmakers cant get independent information concern seems attempt deny legislators access tools make good decisions data clayton said need data ever wagle ryckman explained concerns letter jim porter chairman state board education contend dennis admitted legislative post audit knew state law authorize minimum perstudent funding level transportation regardless knowingly directed ksde distribute unauthorized payments decades based conversation senator charles angell former member senate leadership left legislative service 1984 angell republican plains served 1973 1984 senate vice president last four years tenure died 2014 gop leaders estimated unauthorized spending 300 million began 1984 405 million started legislature removed transportation minimums state education funding formula 1973 dennis said doesnt know wagle ryckman calculated number two said didnt question dennis honesty lost faith staff asked dennis immediate staff placed paid leave audit investigation perhaps attorney general completed dennis said legislative leaders told early 1980s wanted school transportation funding done way ensured urban districts wouldnt get shortchanged member legislative staff drew showed said thats definition best fit said understand said yes sir effect 30some years said rep melissa rooker moderate fairway republican said legislators repeatedly discussed issue dennis acted ways legislators wanted ensuring adequate funding safe transportation districts consider team dale said ___ information wichita kan eagle httpwwwkansascom topeka kan ap kansas house senate leaders asking states longtime top school finance official immediate staff suspended auditors determine education department improperly allocated 405 million school transportation costs states school districts senate president susan wagle house speaker ron ryckman contend dale dennis deputy education commissioner wrongly allocated transportation funds last 45 years citing state audit said education department doesnt authority set minimum funding levels transportation wichita eagle reported dennis responded calculated transportation payments school districts way decades following directions given legislative leaders noted one questioned authority past despite numerous school financerelated lawsuits testimony several legislative committees audits school financing state board education scheduled special closed meeting friday afternoon discuss nonelected personnel complaints dennis come legislature scrambling find money respond state supreme court ruling kansas unconstitutionally underfunded schools much 650 million year demand suspend dennis prompted immediate backlash thursday including isupportdaledennis hashtag twitter rep stephanie clayton moderate overland park republican said wagle ryckman appear trying eliminate dennis staff school funding discussions rankandfile lawmakers cant get independent information concern seems attempt deny legislators access tools make good decisions data clayton said need data ever wagle ryckman explained concerns letter jim porter chairman state board education contend dennis admitted legislative post audit knew state law authorize minimum perstudent funding level transportation regardless knowingly directed ksde distribute unauthorized payments decades based conversation senator charles angell former member senate leadership left legislative service 1984 angell republican plains served 1973 1984 senate vice president last four years tenure died 2014 gop leaders estimated unauthorized spending 300 million began 1984 405 million started legislature removed transportation minimums state education funding formula 1973 dennis said doesnt know wagle ryckman calculated number two said didnt question dennis honesty lost faith staff asked dennis immediate staff placed paid leave audit investigation perhaps attorney general completed dennis said legislative leaders told early 1980s wanted school transportation funding done way ensured urban districts wouldnt get shortchanged member legislative staff drew showed said thats definition best fit said understand said yes sir effect 30some years said rep melissa rooker moderate fairway republican said legislators repeatedly discussed issue dennis acted ways legislators wanted ensuring adequate funding safe transportation districts consider team dale said ___ information wichita kan eagle httpwwwkansascom
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<p>In the easternmost district of Gogjali, shops were boarded up, with some reduced to burned-out shells. Families stood in their doorways, some holding white flags, while children flashed the “V” for victory sign to the passing troops. A few women ululated in celebration as columns of vehicles passed.</p>
<p>Consolidating the gains in the area lays the groundwork for the troops’ next stage of operation: entering Mosul’s more urban central neighborhoods, a densely built-up zone likely to contain booby traps and roadside bombs.</p>
<p>That could mean house-to-house combat and might take weeks, if not months, with the city center about 10 kilometers (6 miles) away.</p>
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<p>The area’s deputy “emir” was sprawled on a central street, shot and killed by soldiers when he tried to approach them in an explosives-laden vest. Residents watched as the body, clad in a military uniform, was dragged away past an Abrams tank.</p>
<p>A man the troops identified as the deputy’s superior was arrested and taken away in a military vehicle. He wore Afghan-style clothing popular among jihadis and a red kaffiyeh.</p>
<p>Six other militants were killed in a tunnel in the neighborhood, said Lt. Col. Muhanad al-Timimi of the Iraqi special forces, speaking in an interview with The Associated Press.</p>
<p>For Hassan Hussein, a 22-year-old father of two, the day marked a fresh start.</p>
<p>“Today I feel like a new man, especially after shaving for the first time in two years,” he said. “My face feels cold!”</p>
<p>The Islamic State group enforces a strict code on public dress and appearance in territory it controls, with men required to have long beards, and women ordered to wear a niqab — a face covering and full-body veil over their clothes, under threat of lashings and fines.</p>
<p>Hundreds of civilians cleared out of the adjacent neighborhood of al-Samah, some carrying white flags. The women still wore the niqab, although many had removed their face veils and one took off the full-body covering entirely. The men retained their long beards.</p>
<p>Special forces went house to house in Gogjali throughout the day, while sappers searched the road for any explosives left behind by the jihadis. Only sporadic gunfire and artillery could be heard.</p>
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<p>Gen. Abdul-Ghani al-Asadi, commander of the counterterrorism forces, said a curfew had been imposed in the neighborhood.</p>
<p>“We fear that Daesh militants could attack,” he said, using the Arabic acronym for IS.</p>
<p>“So, for the safety of the families, we ask them to stay inside their houses,” he said, speaking in the town of Bartella, about 15 kilometers (9 miles) behind the front lines.</p>
<p>Brig. Gen. Haider Fadhil said no further advances had been planned for Wednesday because high humidity and clouds obscured the view of aircraft and drones — a key component to the operations provided by a U.S.-led coalition.</p>
<p>Farther south, where progress has been slower, Federal Police forces captured four villages outside the Hamam al-Alil area, more than 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Mosul, the army said. The largest is Min Gar, about 10 kilometers (6 miles) west of Hamam al-Alil, said spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasool.</p>
<p>Mosul is the last major IS stronghold in Iraq, and driving the militant group from the city would be a major blow to the survival of its self-declared “caliphate” that stretches into Syria. IS seized Mosul and other territory in 2014, routing the much larger Iraqi military, which had been neglected and demoralized by corruption.</p>
<p>Concern over the fate of civilians caught up in the fighting in and around Iraq’s second-largest city has been growing. Residents reported that IS militants were rounding up thousands of people as human shields or killing those with suspected links to the security forces.</p>
<p>According to one account given to the AP, the fighters went door to door in villages south of Mosul, ordering hundreds to march at gunpoint into the city. Combat in the urban areas is expected to be heavy, and the presence of civilians will slow the army’s advance as it seeks to avoid casualties.</p>
<p>Islamic State militants have carried out mass killings of opponents and boasted about their actions in grisly online photos and video. The United Nations has urged authorities to collect evidence of IS abuses of civilians for use in tribunals.</p>
<p>The Norwegian Refugee Council warned that more than 1 million civilians trapped in Mosul “are in grave danger” as Iraqi troops advance. The aid group, which works with refugees and internally displaced people, said about 18,000 Iraqis have fled their homes since the Oct. 17 start of the Mosul operation.</p>
<p>Adama Dieng, special adviser to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the prevention of genocide, expressed concern over “the increasing risk” of sectarian violence or revenge attacks in the Mosul campaign, especially where state-sanctioned Iraqi Shiite militias are approaching Sunni communities.</p>
<p>“Any kind of retaliatory violence against individuals on the basis of their membership of a specific group is unacceptable,” he said in a statement Tuesday.</p>
<p>Political rhetoric on the issue has been heating up, after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned recently that Turkey would be closely monitoring Shiite militias’ behavior in northern Iraq and seeking to safeguard the rights of ethnic Turkmens there. Erdogan said the Iraqi Shiite militias could prompt a Turkish response if they “terrorize” the Iraqi-Turkmen town of Tal-Afar.</p>
<p>On Tuesday, Turkey’s defense minister said his country was preparing for “all kinds of possibilities” as it began deploying tanks and other vehicles to the border town of Silopi.</p>
<p>In a televised speech later Tuesday evening praising the Mosul operation, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi played down an escalation.</p>
<p>“We don’t want war with Turkey. We do not want confrontation with Turkey,” he said. But if it happens, “we are ready.”</p>
<p>Separately, Amnesty International said government-sanctioned tribal Sunni fighters taking part in the Mosul operation had carried out revenge attacks in newly liberated areas against men and boys they suspected of being IS militants.</p>
<p>Fighters from the Sabawi tribe, originally from Mosul, unlawfully rounded up civilians, beat them with metal rods, gave them electric shocks and tied some of them to vehicles and paraded through the streets or placed them in cages, the London-based group said, based on interviews with local officials and witnesses.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Associated Press writers Sinan Salaheddin and Brian Rohan in Baghdad contributed.</p>
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easternmost district gogjali shops boarded reduced burnedout shells families stood doorways holding white flags children flashed v victory sign passing troops women ululated celebration columns vehicles passed consolidating gains area lays groundwork troops next stage operation entering mosuls urban central neighborhoods densely builtup zone likely contain booby traps roadside bombs could mean housetohouse combat might take weeks months city center 10 kilometers 6 miles away advertisement areas deputy emir sprawled central street shot killed soldiers tried approach explosivesladen vest residents watched body clad military uniform dragged away past abrams tank man troops identified deputys superior arrested taken away military vehicle wore afghanstyle clothing popular among jihadis red kaffiyeh six militants killed tunnel neighborhood said lt col muhanad altimimi iraqi special forces speaking interview associated press hassan hussein 22yearold father two day marked fresh start today feel like new man especially shaving first time two years said face feels cold islamic state group enforces strict code public dress appearance territory controls men required long beards women ordered wear niqab face covering fullbody veil clothes threat lashings fines hundreds civilians cleared adjacent neighborhood alsamah carrying white flags women still wore niqab although many removed face veils one took fullbody covering entirely men retained long beards special forces went house house gogjali throughout day sappers searched road explosives left behind jihadis sporadic gunfire artillery could heard advertisement gen abdulghani alasadi commander counterterrorism forces said curfew imposed neighborhood fear daesh militants could attack said using arabic acronym safety families ask stay inside houses said speaking town bartella 15 kilometers 9 miles behind front lines brig gen haider fadhil said advances planned wednesday high humidity clouds obscured view aircraft drones key component operations provided usled coalition farther south progress slower federal police forces captured four villages outside hamam alalil area 30 kilometers 19 miles mosul army said largest min gar 10 kilometers 6 miles west hamam alalil said spokesman brig gen yahya rasool mosul last major stronghold iraq driving militant group city would major blow survival selfdeclared caliphate stretches syria seized mosul territory 2014 routing much larger iraqi military neglected demoralized corruption concern fate civilians caught fighting around iraqs secondlargest city growing residents reported militants rounding thousands people human shields killing suspected links security forces according one account given ap fighters went door door villages south mosul ordering hundreds march gunpoint city combat urban areas expected heavy presence civilians slow armys advance seeks avoid casualties islamic state militants carried mass killings opponents boasted actions grisly online photos video united nations urged authorities collect evidence abuses civilians use tribunals norwegian refugee council warned 1 million civilians trapped mosul grave danger iraqi troops advance aid group works refugees internally displaced people said 18000 iraqis fled homes since oct 17 start mosul operation adama dieng special adviser un secretarygeneral ban kimoon prevention genocide expressed concern increasing risk sectarian violence revenge attacks mosul campaign especially statesanctioned iraqi shiite militias approaching sunni communities kind retaliatory violence individuals basis membership specific group unacceptable said statement tuesday political rhetoric issue heating turkish president recep tayyip erdogan warned recently turkey would closely monitoring shiite militias behavior northern iraq seeking safeguard rights ethnic turkmens erdogan said iraqi shiite militias could prompt turkish response terrorize iraqiturkmen town talafar tuesday turkeys defense minister said country preparing kinds possibilities began deploying tanks vehicles border town silopi televised speech later tuesday evening praising mosul operation iraqi prime minister haider alabadi played escalation dont want war turkey want confrontation turkey said happens ready separately amnesty international said governmentsanctioned tribal sunni fighters taking part mosul operation carried revenge attacks newly liberated areas men boys suspected militants fighters sabawi tribe originally mosul unlawfully rounded civilians beat metal rods gave electric shocks tied vehicles paraded streets placed cages londonbased group said based interviews local officials witnesses ___ associated press writers sinan salaheddin brian rohan baghdad contributed
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<p><a href="" type="internal" />The Albuquerque restaurant – which uses the tagline “a modern eatery” – has no use for that kind of customary kitchen equipment.</p>
<p>“My biggest thing is just doing honest food using the freshest ingredients possible and sourcing as much locally as possible,” owner Josh Kennon says from inside his 35-seat eatery, the latest addition to the Uptown dining landscape.</p>
<p>Josh Kennon says he aims to offer “honest food using the freshest ingredients possible” at his new Albuquerque restaurant.</p>
<p>Kennon – whose culinary background includes personal chef stints in Phoenix and Los Angeles – has funneled his philosophy into a seasonally changing menu of sandwiches, burgers, salads and wraps with flair.</p>
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<p>On the sandwich front, the options include a ribeye (adorned with carmelized onions, smoked gouda and creamy chimichurri). and a turkey and poached pear. Sandwiches run $10-$14 and include a side, like cotija corn (cotija is a type of cheese), grilled zucchini and green chile slaw.</p>
<p>Burger fans have five choices, like a beef and buffalo combination ($14) and a New Mexico-style cajun ($12) with blackened beef, green chile, swiss, bacon, kale and creole aioli.</p>
<p>And, just in case you’re wondering, the titular fig fruit does factor into several dishes.</p>
<p>“It’s in a lot of my sauces,” Kennon says, pointing to the truffle fig jam used on the salmon sandwich and the tomato fig relish on his “grown-up grilled cheese.”</p>
<p>Fork &amp; Fig is a full-service, sit-down place. But customers who lack the time or interest to hunker down inside the industrial-chic dining room – which offers a full view of the open kitchen – still can enjoy Kennon’s dishes. Fork &amp; Fig will soon add a “fine dining to go” element. Kennon says he hopes to appeal to busy locals, and even guests from nearby hotels, with a special to-go menu featuring full meals priced at about $25 per person. The to-go dinners will change on a weekly basis, he says, but will always incorporate some version of a protein, vegetable and starch.</p>
<p>“It’s another convenience for people who are traveling or get off work and they’d like a nice meal … (but) they don’t have to go through the whole restaurant (experience),” he says.</p>
<p>Kennon says he plans to launch the to-go business this month.</p>
<p>Fork &amp; Fig is in the new Uptown Court development at Menaul and Louisiana. The address is 6904 Menaul NE, and the phone number is 881-5293. It’s open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.</p>
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<p>Apple empanada latte, anyone?</p>
<p>The new Piñon Coffee House has rolled out the welcome mat.</p>
<p>Allen Bassett opened Piñon Coffee House – an offshoot of the New Mexico Piñon Coffee roasting business – last month at 4545 Alameda NE. (Greg Sorber/Albuquerque Journal)</p>
<p>The 25-seat coffee shop opened softly last month near Alameda and Jefferson, giving the corridor what owner Allen Bassett says is a much-needed caffeine jolt.</p>
<p>“There is nothing comparable in the area,” he says. “Not just for coffee, but anything breakfast.”</p>
<p>Piñon Coffee House – which will celebrate its formal grand opening at 10:30 a.m. Thursday – represents New Mexico Piñon Coffee’s first foray into cafes. The company – the most prolific coffee roaster in the state – is known mostly for its red-bagged coffee sold in stores across New Mexico and beyond, but owners hope the cafe component takes off in its own right.</p>
<p>At Piñon Coffee House, ordering a basic cup of joe ($1.60-$2) means picking between four choices: piñon, dark piñon, decaf piñon and biscochito. Lattes ($3.25 or $4.25), meanwhile, come in 10 flavors, including traditional, pecan and even apple empanada.</p>
<p>The cafe also does a few specialty drinks, like a Mexican spiced hot chocolate and the Albuquerque Fog, a new twist on the customary London Fog. The Albuquerque version features Earl Grey tea, steamed milk and biscochito flavoring.</p>
<p>“When we did tastings, it was one of the most popular drinks that we did,” Bassett says.</p>
<p>But Piñon Coffee House has looked beyond drinks to distinguish itself. Instead of acoustic music, Bassett says, the shop has a TV set to a 24-hour news channel. In lieu of an artsy menu board, the cafe lists its drinks and food options – including flatbread pannini sandwiches, burritos and baked goods – on digital screens behind the counter.</p>
<p>“We wanted to go modern,” says Bassett, noting that the menu boards were painstakingly designed to be as clean and easy to read as possible.</p>
<p>Piñon Coffee House is at 4545 Alameda NE, just west of Jefferson. It’s open 6 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.</p>
<p>New ‘Style’ in the North Valley</p>
<p>Pfeifer Studio’s namesake Albuquerque store is about to get a makeover and a new identity.</p>
<p>Adrian Perez, co-owner of Pfeifer Studio, is pictured in the company’s namesake store. The shop is in the process of getting a makeover and new identity as P.S. Global Style. (Dean Hanson/Albuquerque Journal)</p>
<p>The North Valley shop – temporarily closed during its metamorphosis – is scheduled to re-emerge this weekend as P.S. Global Style, a newly branded boutique with a focus on women’s fashion accessories.</p>
<p>The 800-square-foot store originated as a showroom for Pfeifer Studio, a website specializing in high-end home furnishings and decor. But owners AJ DeForest and Adrian Perez say the shop evolved to the point that it no longer reflected the Pfeifer Studio brand. Fewer and fewer customers were interested in buying, say, $900 rustic wood benches. They gravitated instead to handbags (from brands like Baggallini) and other accessories from around the world.</p>
<p>“We almost have no one looking to buy our furniture in Albuquerque and that was not true in the past,” DeForest says. “I think it’s slowly kind of (shifted). … During this past year, it became evident that a change had occurred and we needed to correct ourselves to get in line with what the market (wanted).”</p>
<p>Since the store business is so distinctly different than the online business – which continues to operate – they decided to give it a new name.</p>
<p>P.S. Global Style will continue to carry the goods already popular among its customer base, such as purses, jewelry, apparel and even some specialty foods. But owners will quit trying to force furniture and home accessories into the equation.</p>
<p>“We’re really able to let the shop be what the shop is,” Perez says.</p>
<p>The new P.S. Global Style is set to celebrate its grand opening Saturday and Sunday. It’s at 4022 Rio Grande NW, near Flying Star.</p>
<p>If you have retail news to share, contact me at <a href="" type="internal">[email protected]</a> or 823-3864. For more regular updates on Albuquerque shopping and restaurant news, visit my blog at <a href="" type="internal">abqjournal.com</a> or follow @abqdyer on Twitter.</p>
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albuquerque restaurant uses tagline modern eatery use kind customary kitchen equipment biggest thing honest food using freshest ingredients possible sourcing much locally possible owner josh kennon says inside 35seat eatery latest addition uptown dining landscape josh kennon says aims offer honest food using freshest ingredients possible new albuquerque restaurant kennon whose culinary background includes personal chef stints phoenix los angeles funneled philosophy seasonally changing menu sandwiches burgers salads wraps flair advertisement sandwich front options include ribeye adorned carmelized onions smoked gouda creamy chimichurri turkey poached pear sandwiches run 1014 include side like cotija corn cotija type cheese grilled zucchini green chile slaw burger fans five choices like beef buffalo combination 14 new mexicostyle cajun 12 blackened beef green chile swiss bacon kale creole aioli case youre wondering titular fig fruit factor several dishes lot sauces kennon says pointing truffle fig jam used salmon sandwich tomato fig relish grownup grilled cheese fork amp fig fullservice sitdown place customers lack time interest hunker inside industrialchic dining room offers full view open kitchen still enjoy kennons dishes fork amp fig soon add fine dining go element kennon says hopes appeal busy locals even guests nearby hotels special togo menu featuring full meals priced 25 per person togo dinners change weekly basis says always incorporate version protein vegetable starch another convenience people traveling get work theyd like nice meal dont go whole restaurant experience says kennon says plans launch togo business month fork amp fig new uptown court development menaul louisiana address 6904 menaul ne phone number 8815293 open 11 am9 pm tuesday thursday 11 am10 pm friday saturday 11 am6 pm sunday advertisement apple empanada latte anyone new piñon coffee house rolled welcome mat allen bassett opened piñon coffee house offshoot new mexico piñon coffee roasting business last month 4545 alameda ne greg sorberalbuquerque journal 25seat coffee shop opened softly last month near alameda jefferson giving corridor owner allen bassett says muchneeded caffeine jolt nothing comparable area says coffee anything breakfast piñon coffee house celebrate formal grand opening 1030 thursday represents new mexico piñon coffees first foray cafes company prolific coffee roaster state known mostly redbagged coffee sold stores across new mexico beyond owners hope cafe component takes right piñon coffee house ordering basic cup joe 1602 means picking four choices piñon dark piñon decaf piñon biscochito lattes 325 425 meanwhile come 10 flavors including traditional pecan even apple empanada cafe also specialty drinks like mexican spiced hot chocolate albuquerque fog new twist customary london fog albuquerque version features earl grey tea steamed milk biscochito flavoring tastings one popular drinks bassett says piñon coffee house looked beyond drinks distinguish instead acoustic music bassett says shop tv set 24hour news channel lieu artsy menu board cafe lists drinks food options including flatbread pannini sandwiches burritos baked goods digital screens behind counter wanted go modern says bassett noting menu boards painstakingly designed clean easy read possible piñon coffee house 4545 alameda ne west jefferson open 6 am4 pm weekdays 8 am2 pm saturday sunday new style north valley pfeifer studios namesake albuquerque store get makeover new identity adrian perez coowner pfeifer studio pictured companys namesake store shop process getting makeover new identity ps global style dean hansonalbuquerque journal north valley shop temporarily closed metamorphosis scheduled reemerge weekend ps global style newly branded boutique focus womens fashion accessories 800squarefoot store originated showroom pfeifer studio website specializing highend home furnishings decor owners aj deforest adrian perez say shop evolved point longer reflected pfeifer studio brand fewer fewer customers interested buying say 900 rustic wood benches gravitated instead handbags brands like baggallini accessories around world almost one looking buy furniture albuquerque true past deforest says think slowly kind shifted past year became evident change occurred needed correct get line market wanted since store business distinctly different online business continues operate decided give new name ps global style continue carry goods already popular among customer base purses jewelry apparel even specialty foods owners quit trying force furniture home accessories equation really able let shop shop perez says new ps global style set celebrate grand opening saturday sunday 4022 rio grande nw near flying star retail news share contact jdyerabqjournalcom 8233864 regular updates albuquerque shopping restaurant news visit blog abqjournalcom follow abqdyer twitter 160
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<p>BEIJING — Chinese authorities are struggling to quell protests following the collapse of an investment scheme police say took as much as $4.7 billion from millions of depositors.</p>
<p>The implosion of Qianbao.com adds to a string of failures of Chinese financial ventures blamed on fraud or mismanagement that have prompted protests and complaints of official indifference to the suffering of small investors. In a separate case, the founder of an online lender was sentenced in September to life in prison on charges he defrauded investors of $7.7 billion.</p>
<p>On Monday, hundreds of people marched in freezing weather in the eastern city of Nanjing in Jiangsu province, where Qianbao was founded in 2012, shouting for the government to take action. A video shot by a demonstrator showed police carrying some people away while others shouted, “The Jiangsu government is beating people!”</p>
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<p>“Don’t organize and don’t participate in illegal activities,” the official Xinhua News Agency told readers in a report on Qianbao.com.</p>
<p>Nanjing police detained 11 people on charges of “disturbing public order” for setting up social media accounts to organize protests, the police department announced Tuesday on its microblog account.</p>
<p>Depositors protested in Nanjing on Dec. 12 after they lost access to online accounts, according to Zhan Jianfu, an employee of an auto dealership in the western city of Mianyang. He said he invested several hundred thousand yuan (tens of thousands of dollars) in Qianbao.</p>
<p>“We failed to get a response and some of the investors were intercepted and beaten up,” Zhan said in a telephone interview.</p>
<p>Qianbao had as many as 200 million registered users, according to Chinese news reports. The founder, Zhang Xiaolei — dubbed “China’s most notorious swindler” by one newspaper — turned himself in Dec. 26 to Nanjing police.</p>
<p>Unlike some legitimate Chinese investment vehicles that spun out of control, police and news reports describe Qianbao as a brazenly fraudulent Ponzi scheme.</p>
<p>The company, which moved to Shanghai in 2015, promised returns of up to 60 percent a year. Depositors were paid what Qianbao said were wages for simple tasks such as watching online ads.</p>
<p>Some of the 30 billion yuan ($4.7 billion) raised from depositors was used to buy businesses including a soccer team and a producer of glycerine, but only 20 of the more than 70 companies Qianbao said it owned really existed, according to a statement by Nanjing police. Profits were too small to pay such high returns, so Qianbao used money from new depositors.</p>
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<p>The newspaper Huanqiu reported that in an interview Saturday while in police custody, Zhang “made it clear Qianbao’s collapse was due to his own greed,” but said reckless investors also had to accept the consequences.</p>
<p>“The two sides used each other in a frenzy of chasing fame and fortune,” the newspaper wrote.</p>
<p>Photos released by Xinhua show the balding, bespectacled Zhang in handcuffs and a blue vest as he talked to investigators.</p>
<p>Ambitious investment companies have flourished as Chinese authorities allowed an informal finance industry to grow over the past decade to support entrepreneurs who can get scant credit from the state-owned banking system. The national bank regulator estimated in 2015 the underground finance industry had grown to $1.5 trillion.</p>
<p>The internet has helped them attract money from working class or rural depositors, many of them financial novices with little knowledge of the risks involved. Many lend to factories and retailers or invest in restaurants, car washes and other businesses, but inexperience and poor risk control means a downturn in business conditions can bankrupt them.</p>
<p>Beijing tightened control as defaults mounted following the 2008 financial crisis. Finance as a whole has come under tougher scrutiny after a 2015 plunge in stock prices led to accusations of insider trading and other offenses.</p>
<p>Lack of official supervision has allowed grifters to attract money from investors despite a steady drumbeat of news reports about failed and fraudulent ventures, said Lin Changyu, a lawyer in Shanghai for the Yingke Law Firm.</p>
<p>“In some cases, their advertisements were even shown on (state-run) China Central Television or celebrities were invited to promote the schemes,” said Lin. “Secondly, people were in greedy pursuit of high returns from the scheme and often ignored the potential risks.”</p>
<p>Investors in fraudulent schemes rarely get money back because Chinese courts are reluctant to accept a lawsuit against someone who has been convicted of a crime, said Lin. He said any remaining assets usually are confiscated.</p>
<p>The Nanjing police statement said authorities would “go all out to carry out the recovery work for the stolen goods and maximize the recovery of losses for fundraising participants.”</p>
<p>In one of China’s biggest financial scams, authorities say depositors lost 50 billion yuan ($7.7 billion) in online lender Ezubo before it was seized by regulators in 2015. The founder, a high school dropout, and his brother were sentenced to life in prison in September and 24 other executives received terms of three to 15 years.</p>
<p>When Ezubo depositors vented their anger on social media and asked why authorities didn’t act sooner, police phoned some to warn them against criticizing the Communist Party online. One depositor told The Associated Press police confiscated her computer and cell phone after she wrote online that she might file a petition with the national government.</p>
<p>Zhan, the Qianbao investor, complained authorities might have made losses worse.</p>
<p>“The police shut down some of the factories in which Qianbao invested, causing the workers to lose their jobs and leaving us unable to get our money back,” said Zhan. To salvage what is left, he said, “we appeal for the release of Zhang Xiaolei.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>AP researcher Yu Bing contributed.</p>
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beijing chinese authorities struggling quell protests following collapse investment scheme police say took much 47 billion millions depositors implosion qianbaocom adds string failures chinese financial ventures blamed fraud mismanagement prompted protests complaints official indifference suffering small investors separate case founder online lender sentenced september life prison charges defrauded investors 77 billion monday hundreds people marched freezing weather eastern city nanjing jiangsu province qianbao founded 2012 shouting government take action video shot demonstrator showed police carrying people away others shouted jiangsu government beating people advertisement dont organize dont participate illegal activities official xinhua news agency told readers report qianbaocom nanjing police detained 11 people charges disturbing public order setting social media accounts organize protests police department announced tuesday microblog account depositors protested nanjing dec 12 lost access online accounts according zhan jianfu employee auto dealership western city mianyang said invested several hundred thousand yuan tens thousands dollars qianbao failed get response investors intercepted beaten zhan said telephone interview qianbao many 200 million registered users according chinese news reports founder zhang xiaolei dubbed chinas notorious swindler one newspaper turned dec 26 nanjing police unlike legitimate chinese investment vehicles spun control police news reports describe qianbao brazenly fraudulent ponzi scheme company moved shanghai 2015 promised returns 60 percent year depositors paid qianbao said wages simple tasks watching online ads 30 billion yuan 47 billion raised depositors used buy businesses including soccer team producer glycerine 20 70 companies qianbao said owned really existed according statement nanjing police profits small pay high returns qianbao used money new depositors advertisement newspaper huanqiu reported interview saturday police custody zhang made clear qianbaos collapse due greed said reckless investors also accept consequences two sides used frenzy chasing fame fortune newspaper wrote photos released xinhua show balding bespectacled zhang handcuffs blue vest talked investigators ambitious investment companies flourished chinese authorities allowed informal finance industry grow past decade support entrepreneurs get scant credit stateowned banking system national bank regulator estimated 2015 underground finance industry grown 15 trillion internet helped attract money working class rural depositors many financial novices little knowledge risks involved many lend factories retailers invest restaurants car washes businesses inexperience poor risk control means downturn business conditions bankrupt beijing tightened control defaults mounted following 2008 financial crisis finance whole come tougher scrutiny 2015 plunge stock prices led accusations insider trading offenses lack official supervision allowed grifters attract money investors despite steady drumbeat news reports failed fraudulent ventures said lin changyu lawyer shanghai yingke law firm cases advertisements even shown staterun china central television celebrities invited promote schemes said lin secondly people greedy pursuit high returns scheme often ignored potential risks investors fraudulent schemes rarely get money back chinese courts reluctant accept lawsuit someone convicted crime said lin said remaining assets usually confiscated nanjing police statement said authorities would go carry recovery work stolen goods maximize recovery losses fundraising participants one chinas biggest financial scams authorities say depositors lost 50 billion yuan 77 billion online lender ezubo seized regulators 2015 founder high school dropout brother sentenced life prison september 24 executives received terms three 15 years ezubo depositors vented anger social media asked authorities didnt act sooner police phoned warn criticizing communist party online one depositor told associated press police confiscated computer cell phone wrote online might file petition national government zhan qianbao investor complained authorities might made losses worse police shut factories qianbao invested causing workers lose jobs leaving us unable get money back said zhan salvage left said appeal release zhang xiaolei ___ ap researcher yu bing contributed
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<p>NEW YORK (AP) — There was a time when brassy letters spelling "Trump" had money-making allure. But now the board of a 376-unit luxury condominium tower on Manhattan's West Side is asking a court to declare that it has the right to yank President Donald Trump's name off the building if enough residents decide they don't like his politics.</p>
<p>The condominium board for the 48-story building overlooking the Hudson River filed a lawsuit last week in state court against DJT Holdings LLC, a company controlled by the Trump family.</p>
<p>The building was once part of a multi-tower Trump project called Trump Place, built in partnership with Chinese investors. But the Republican president's connection to it today is a licensing agreement from 2000 in which he allowed his name to be used to market the building. Big letters spelling out "Trump Place" adorn the building's side.</p>
<p>In its lawsuit, the board said it hasn't taken any position yet on whether the Trump name should be removed from the property at 200 Riverside Blvd. It's only asking the court to rule that the licensing agreement does not require use of Trump's name.</p>
<p>Harry Lipman, a lawyer for the condominium, said if the judge rules in its favor, "the board's residential committee will give the unit owners the opportunity to express themselves through a fair and democratic vote on the issue without any threat of legal action by the licensor."</p>
<p>In a letter to the condominium board last spring, Trump Organization attorney Alan Garten warned that removing Trump's name from the building would constitute a "flagrant and material breach of the license agreement."</p>
<p>Lawrence Rosen, a lawyer who represents DJT Holdings, reiterated that stance Thursday.</p>
<p>"The condominium has always been, and remains, obligated to use the Trump name on the building; it was part of the original deal going back several decades," he said in an email. "The current Board of Directors acted pre-maturely and improperly in filing the lawsuit, circumvented an entire class of unit owners, and acted in violation of its own governance procedures."</p>
<p>Trump's name already has been removed from three nearby rental buildings that were part of the same real-estate development but now have different owners. Other towers in the complex have left the name up.</p>
<p>A former resident of 200 Riverside, Harvey Koeppel, told The New York Times the condominium board circulated a survey last year asking residents whether they should remove the Trump name.</p>
<p>"A majority was in favor," Koeppel said.</p>
<p>Discussions about a name change were chilled, he said, after Garten's letter pushing back.</p>
<p>It's unclear whether removing the Trump name would help or hurt condo owners in the building looking to sell their units.</p>
<p>A recent report by the research firm CityRealty found that the average price per square foot for condos sold in 11 Trump-branded buildings in Manhattan fell 7 percent in the 12 months through November compared to a year earlier.</p>
<p>The square-foot price stayed roughly the same at 200 Riverside, dropping 1 percent to $1,586, according to the report. The average price for a condo in the building was $2.1 million.</p>
<p>The owners of hotels in Manhattan's Soho neighborhood, and in Toronto, also have removed the Trump name from their buildings during the past year.</p>
<p>NEW YORK (AP) — There was a time when brassy letters spelling "Trump" had money-making allure. But now the board of a 376-unit luxury condominium tower on Manhattan's West Side is asking a court to declare that it has the right to yank President Donald Trump's name off the building if enough residents decide they don't like his politics.</p>
<p>The condominium board for the 48-story building overlooking the Hudson River filed a lawsuit last week in state court against DJT Holdings LLC, a company controlled by the Trump family.</p>
<p>The building was once part of a multi-tower Trump project called Trump Place, built in partnership with Chinese investors. But the Republican president's connection to it today is a licensing agreement from 2000 in which he allowed his name to be used to market the building. Big letters spelling out "Trump Place" adorn the building's side.</p>
<p>In its lawsuit, the board said it hasn't taken any position yet on whether the Trump name should be removed from the property at 200 Riverside Blvd. It's only asking the court to rule that the licensing agreement does not require use of Trump's name.</p>
<p>Harry Lipman, a lawyer for the condominium, said if the judge rules in its favor, "the board's residential committee will give the unit owners the opportunity to express themselves through a fair and democratic vote on the issue without any threat of legal action by the licensor."</p>
<p>In a letter to the condominium board last spring, Trump Organization attorney Alan Garten warned that removing Trump's name from the building would constitute a "flagrant and material breach of the license agreement."</p>
<p>Lawrence Rosen, a lawyer who represents DJT Holdings, reiterated that stance Thursday.</p>
<p>"The condominium has always been, and remains, obligated to use the Trump name on the building; it was part of the original deal going back several decades," he said in an email. "The current Board of Directors acted pre-maturely and improperly in filing the lawsuit, circumvented an entire class of unit owners, and acted in violation of its own governance procedures."</p>
<p>Trump's name already has been removed from three nearby rental buildings that were part of the same real-estate development but now have different owners. Other towers in the complex have left the name up.</p>
<p>A former resident of 200 Riverside, Harvey Koeppel, told The New York Times the condominium board circulated a survey last year asking residents whether they should remove the Trump name.</p>
<p>"A majority was in favor," Koeppel said.</p>
<p>Discussions about a name change were chilled, he said, after Garten's letter pushing back.</p>
<p>It's unclear whether removing the Trump name would help or hurt condo owners in the building looking to sell their units.</p>
<p>A recent report by the research firm CityRealty found that the average price per square foot for condos sold in 11 Trump-branded buildings in Manhattan fell 7 percent in the 12 months through November compared to a year earlier.</p>
<p>The square-foot price stayed roughly the same at 200 Riverside, dropping 1 percent to $1,586, according to the report. The average price for a condo in the building was $2.1 million.</p>
<p>The owners of hotels in Manhattan's Soho neighborhood, and in Toronto, also have removed the Trump name from their buildings during the past year.</p>
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new york ap time brassy letters spelling trump moneymaking allure board 376unit luxury condominium tower manhattans west side asking court declare right yank president donald trumps name building enough residents decide dont like politics condominium board 48story building overlooking hudson river filed lawsuit last week state court djt holdings llc company controlled trump family building part multitower trump project called trump place built partnership chinese investors republican presidents connection today licensing agreement 2000 allowed name used market building big letters spelling trump place adorn buildings side lawsuit board said hasnt taken position yet whether trump name removed property 200 riverside blvd asking court rule licensing agreement require use trumps name harry lipman lawyer condominium said judge rules favor boards residential committee give unit owners opportunity express fair democratic vote issue without threat legal action licensor letter condominium board last spring trump organization attorney alan garten warned removing trumps name building would constitute flagrant material breach license agreement lawrence rosen lawyer represents djt holdings reiterated stance thursday condominium always remains obligated use trump name building part original deal going back several decades said email current board directors acted prematurely improperly filing lawsuit circumvented entire class unit owners acted violation governance procedures trumps name already removed three nearby rental buildings part realestate development different owners towers complex left name former resident 200 riverside harvey koeppel told new york times condominium board circulated survey last year asking residents whether remove trump name majority favor koeppel said discussions name change chilled said gartens letter pushing back unclear whether removing trump name would help hurt condo owners building looking sell units recent report research firm cityrealty found average price per square foot condos sold 11 trumpbranded buildings manhattan fell 7 percent 12 months november compared year earlier squarefoot price stayed roughly 200 riverside dropping 1 percent 1586 according report average price condo building 21 million owners hotels manhattans soho neighborhood toronto also removed trump name buildings past year new york ap time brassy letters spelling trump moneymaking allure board 376unit luxury condominium tower manhattans west side asking court declare right yank president donald trumps name building enough residents decide dont like politics condominium board 48story building overlooking hudson river filed lawsuit last week state court djt holdings llc company controlled trump family building part multitower trump project called trump place built partnership chinese investors republican presidents connection today licensing agreement 2000 allowed name used market building big letters spelling trump place adorn buildings side lawsuit board said hasnt taken position yet whether trump name removed property 200 riverside blvd asking court rule licensing agreement require use trumps name harry lipman lawyer condominium said judge rules favor boards residential committee give unit owners opportunity express fair democratic vote issue without threat legal action licensor letter condominium board last spring trump organization attorney alan garten warned removing trumps name building would constitute flagrant material breach license agreement lawrence rosen lawyer represents djt holdings reiterated stance thursday condominium always remains obligated use trump name building part original deal going back several decades said email current board directors acted prematurely improperly filing lawsuit circumvented entire class unit owners acted violation governance procedures trumps name already removed three nearby rental buildings part realestate development different owners towers complex left name former resident 200 riverside harvey koeppel told new york times condominium board circulated survey last year asking residents whether remove trump name majority favor koeppel said discussions name change chilled said gartens letter pushing back unclear whether removing trump name would help hurt condo owners building looking sell units recent report research firm cityrealty found average price per square foot condos sold 11 trumpbranded buildings manhattan fell 7 percent 12 months november compared year earlier squarefoot price stayed roughly 200 riverside dropping 1 percent 1586 according report average price condo building 21 million owners hotels manhattans soho neighborhood toronto also removed trump name buildings past year
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<p>Jan 22 (Reuters) - Enterprise Financial Services Corp :</p>
<p>* ENTERPRISE FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP - QTRLY EARNINGS PER SHARE $0.32‍​</p>
<p>* ENTERPRISE FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP - QTRLY CORE EARNINGS PER SHARE $0.77‍​</p>
<p>* ENTERPRISE FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP - NET INTEREST INCOME FOR Q4 INCREASED TO $47.4 MILLION, OR $1.8 MILLION, FROM THE Q3 OF 2017‍​</p>
<p>* ENTERPRISE FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP - QTRLY CORE NET INTEREST INCOME $44.9 MILLION VERSUS $32.2 MLN‍​ Source text: ( <a href="http://bit.ly/2F6ihVr" type="external">bit.ly/2F6ihVr</a>) Further company coverage:</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin will resign soon, President Donald Trump said on Wednesday, adding that he will nominate his personal physician, Dr. Ronny Jackson, to succeed him.</p> FILE PHOTO: Secretary of the Department of Veteran Affairs David Shulkin talks with U.S. President Donald Trump during the signing of an executive order entitled "Supporting our Veterans during their Transition from Uniformed Service to Civilian Life" in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, U.S., January 9, 2018. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/Files Slideshow (2 Images)
<p>White House officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Shulkin had become a distraction due to a constant wave of speculation about his future. They said an undersecretary at the Department of Defense, Robert Wilkie, will be the acting secretary.</p>
<p>Jackson, a rear admiral of the U.S. Navy, has been working as a presidential physician since the George W. Bush administration, and has monitored Trump’s health since Trump became president.</p>
<p>“Admiral Jackson is highly trained and qualified and as a service member himself, he has seen firsthand the tremendous sacrifice our veterans make and has a deep appreciation for the debt our great country owes them,” Trump said.</p>
<p>Trump said he appreciated Shulkin’s work, including passage of the VA Accountability Act.”He has been a great supporter of veterans across the country and I am grateful for his service,” Trump said in a statement.</p>
<p>Shulkin had been drawing criticism for a damning report from the inspector general of the Department of Veterans Affairs. It found that during a trip to London and Denmark he improperly accepted tickets to the Wimbledon tennis tournament and his chief of staff made false statements so Shulkin’s wife could travel at government expense.</p>
<p>Reporting by Steve Holland; Editing by Sandra Maler and Leslie Adler</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>(Reuters) - Lior Ron, head of freight operations at Uber Technologies Inc and a self-driving technology expert, is leaving the ride-hailing company, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday.</p> FILE PHOTO - Lior Ron speaks during the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California, U.S., May 2, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Blake
<p>Ron was a key self-driving hire in 2016 as a co-founder of Otto, the driverless truck company launched with Anthony Levandowski and later bought by Uber.</p>
<p>The departure comes a week after an Uber autonomous vehicle struck and killed a woman crossing a street in Arizona.</p>
<p>Alphabet Inc’s self-driving car unit Waymo sued Uber last year saying that Levandowski downloaded more than 14,000 confidential documents in 2015 before leaving to start Otto.</p>
<p>Uber fired Levandowski in May last year and in February agreed to settle a legal dispute with Waymo by paying $245 million worth of its own shares.</p>
<p>Uber’s Chief Executive Officer Dara Khosrowshahi — who joined the company last August to replace co-founder Travis Kalanick after he was pushed out by the board — is making several changes as he prepares for an initial public offering.</p>
<p>Reporting by Supantha Mukherjee in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>(Reuters) - A driver plowed a vehicle into five people in San Francisco on Wednesday, killing one and critically injuring others before fleeing the scene, police said.</p> Officer Robert Rueca, of the San Francisco Police department, speaks to members of the media at the scene of a hit-and-run incident that struck five pedestrians, killing one in San Francisco, California, U.S., March 28, 2018. REUTERS/Stephen Lam
<p>The five people were taken to the hospital and police later said on Twitter that one person had died following the hit-and-run in San Francisco’s Central Waterfront neighborhood. Police said they were searching for the driver.</p> Members of the San Francisco Police department are seen at the scene of a hit-and-run incident after a vehicle struck five pedestrians, killing one in San Francisco, California, U.S. March 28, 2018. REUTERS/Stephen Lam
<p>At least three of the other victims had life-threatening wounds, police said.</p>
<p>“Driver of vehicle in a physical altercation with&#160;five subjects and struck five subjects with his vehicle,” San Francisco police said in a statement.</p>
<p>It was not clear what might have sparked the dispute between the driver and the people in the street. Police declined to immediately provide further details.</p>
<p>A witness said the driver got out of a van with an ax during the altercation, before getting back into the vehicle and driving it into people on the sidewalk, according to the San Francisco affiliate for NBC.</p> Slideshow (3 Images)
<p>In video from NBC Bay Area, paramedics and police could be seen attending to a person lying on the sidewalk.</p>
<p>Paul Lim, who works at a business in the area, told the San Francisco Chronicle he saw the aftermath of the incident.</p>
<p>“I saw two lifeless people from across the street,” Lim told the newspaper. “Another one was being consoled by a friend screaming for help. And another one was moving very slowly.”</p>
<p>Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles and Gina Cherelus in New York; Editing by Tom Brown and Grant McCool</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wall Street closed lower after a rocky session on Wednesday as gains in consumer staples and healthcare were offset by a sharp drop in Amazon shares and a continuing slide in technology stocks.</p>
<p>All three major U.S. indexes ended the day in negative territory following Tuesday’s late-session tech-driven sell-off following Monday’s rally as traders moved to defensive stocks after recent weeks’ heightened volatility.</p>
<p>“People should expect what’s happening given the kind of volatility we’ve seen as well as the fact that we’re kind of in a news vacuum prior to quarterly earnings,” Chuck Carlson, chief executive at Horizon Investment Services in Hammond, Indiana, said. “It’s a market that’s really looking for the next leadership.”</p>
<p>The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 9.29 points, or 0.04 percent, to 23,848.42, the S&amp;P 500 lost 7.62 points, or 0.29 percent, to 2,605 and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 59.58 points, or 0.85 percent, to 6,949.23.</p>
<p>Online retailer Amazon.com was down as much as 6.7 percent, losing more than $53 billion in market value after a report that President Donald Trump indicated he wanted to rein in the company. The stock later pared its loses to end the day down 4.4 percent.</p>
<p>Shares of automaker Tesla slumped 7.7 percent, extending recent losses, following a credit downgrade and news that officials are investigating a fatal crash and fire in California.</p>
<p>Countering those losses were gains for consumer staples, real estate, telecom, and healthcare.</p>
<p>The S&amp;P Energy index posted the biggest loss of the 11 major S&amp;P sectors, ending 1.99 percent lower as crude prices fell after data showed a surprise build in U.S. stocks.</p>
<p>The markets shrugged off a report from the U.S. Commerce Department that the U.S. economy slowed less than previously reported in the fourth quarter as consumer spending grew at its fastest quarterly pace in three years. GDP expanded at a 2.9 percent annual rate in the last three months of 2017, ahead of the previously reported 2.5 percent.</p>
<p>Strong economic data could invite a more hawkish approach by the U.S. Federal Reserve this year with respect to further interest rate hikes.</p> Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange shortly after the opening bell in New York, U.S., March 19, 2018. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson
<p>“I’m not surprised by the economic data,” said Carlson. “But the market right now is looking past that from a valuation standpoint.”</p>
<p>Stocks had jumped earlier in the week as trade war fears ebbed following comments from officials in the United States and China that implied the world’s two largest economies would renegotiate tariffs and trade imbalances.</p>
<p>China is expected to announce a list of tariffs on U.S. imports in retaliation against the expected tariff proposals from the U.S. on Chinese goods.</p>
<p>Advancing issues outnumbered declining ones on the NYSE by a 1.12-to-1 ratio; on Nasdaq, a 1.22-to-1 ratio favored decliners.</p> A woman passes by the Nasdaq Market Site in Times Square in New York City, U.S., February 7, 2018. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
<p>Volume on U.S. exchanges was 6.96 billion shares, compared to the 7.36 billion average for the full session over the last 20 trading days.</p>
<p>Reporting by Stephen Culp; Editing by Nick Zieminski and Susan Thomas</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
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jan 22 reuters enterprise financial services corp enterprise financial services corp qtrly earnings per share 032 enterprise financial services corp qtrly core earnings per share 077 enterprise financial services corp net interest income q4 increased 474 million 18 million q3 2017 enterprise financial services corp qtrly core net interest income 449 million versus 322 mln source text bitly2f6ihvr company coverage standards thomson reuters trust principles washington reuters veterans affairs secretary david shulkin resign soon president donald trump said wednesday adding nominate personal physician dr ronny jackson succeed file photo secretary department veteran affairs david shulkin talks us president donald trump signing executive order entitled supporting veterans transition uniformed service civilian life oval office white house washington us january 9 2018 reuterscarlos barriafiles slideshow 2 images white house officials speaking condition anonymity said shulkin become distraction due constant wave speculation future said undersecretary department defense robert wilkie acting secretary jackson rear admiral us navy working presidential physician since george w bush administration monitored trumps health since trump became president admiral jackson highly trained qualified service member seen firsthand tremendous sacrifice veterans make deep appreciation debt great country owes trump said trump said appreciated shulkins work including passage va accountability acthe great supporter veterans across country grateful service trump said statement shulkin drawing criticism damning report inspector general department veterans affairs found trip london denmark improperly accepted tickets wimbledon tennis tournament chief staff made false statements shulkins wife could travel government expense reporting steve holland editing sandra maler leslie adler standards thomson reuters trust principles reuters lior ron head freight operations uber technologies inc selfdriving technology expert leaving ridehailing company source familiar matter told reuters wednesday file photo lior ron speaks milken institute global conference beverly hills california us may 2 2017 reutersmike blake ron key selfdriving hire 2016 cofounder otto driverless truck company launched anthony levandowski later bought uber departure comes week uber autonomous vehicle struck killed woman crossing street arizona alphabet incs selfdriving car unit waymo sued uber last year saying levandowski downloaded 14000 confidential documents 2015 leaving start otto uber fired levandowski may last year february agreed settle legal dispute waymo paying 245 million worth shares ubers chief executive officer dara khosrowshahi joined company last august replace cofounder travis kalanick pushed board making several changes prepares initial public offering reporting supantha mukherjee bengaluru editing shounak dasgupta standards thomson reuters trust principles reuters driver plowed vehicle five people san francisco wednesday killing one critically injuring others fleeing scene police said officer robert rueca san francisco police department speaks members media scene hitandrun incident struck five pedestrians killing one san francisco california us march 28 2018 reutersstephen lam five people taken hospital police later said twitter one person died following hitandrun san franciscos central waterfront neighborhood police said searching driver members san francisco police department seen scene hitandrun incident vehicle struck five pedestrians killing one san francisco california us march 28 2018 reutersstephen lam least three victims lifethreatening wounds police said driver vehicle physical altercation with160five subjects struck five subjects vehicle san francisco police said statement clear might sparked dispute driver people street police declined immediately provide details witness said driver got van ax altercation getting back vehicle driving people sidewalk according san francisco affiliate nbc slideshow 3 images video nbc bay area paramedics police could seen attending person lying sidewalk paul lim works business area told san francisco chronicle saw aftermath incident saw two lifeless people across street lim told newspaper another one consoled friend screaming help another one moving slowly reporting alex dobuzinskis los angeles gina cherelus new york editing tom brown grant mccool standards thomson reuters trust principles new york reuters wall street closed lower rocky session wednesday gains consumer staples healthcare offset sharp drop amazon shares continuing slide technology stocks three major us indexes ended day negative territory following tuesdays latesession techdriven selloff following mondays rally traders moved defensive stocks recent weeks heightened volatility people expect whats happening given kind volatility weve seen well fact kind news vacuum prior quarterly earnings chuck carlson chief executive horizon investment services hammond indiana said market thats really looking next leadership dow jones industrial average fell 929 points 004 percent 2384842 sampp 500 lost 762 points 029 percent 2605 nasdaq composite dropped 5958 points 085 percent 694923 online retailer amazoncom much 67 percent losing 53 billion market value report president donald trump indicated wanted rein company stock later pared loses end day 44 percent shares automaker tesla slumped 77 percent extending recent losses following credit downgrade news officials investigating fatal crash fire california countering losses gains consumer staples real estate telecom healthcare sampp energy index posted biggest loss 11 major sampp sectors ending 199 percent lower crude prices fell data showed surprise build us stocks markets shrugged report us commerce department us economy slowed less previously reported fourth quarter consumer spending grew fastest quarterly pace three years gdp expanded 29 percent annual rate last three months 2017 ahead previously reported 25 percent strong economic data could invite hawkish approach us federal reserve year respect interest rate hikes traders work floor new york stock exchange shortly opening bell new york us march 19 2018 reuterslucas jackson im surprised economic data said carlson market right looking past valuation standpoint stocks jumped earlier week trade war fears ebbed following comments officials united states china implied worlds two largest economies would renegotiate tariffs trade imbalances china expected announce list tariffs us imports retaliation expected tariff proposals us chinese goods advancing issues outnumbered declining ones nyse 112to1 ratio nasdaq 122to1 ratio favored decliners woman passes nasdaq market site times square new york city us february 7 2018 reutersbrendan mcdermid volume us exchanges 696 billion shares compared 736 billion average full session last 20 trading days reporting stephen culp editing nick zieminski susan thomas standards thomson reuters trust principles
| 962 |
<p>STORRS, Conn. (AP) — Seton Hall ended a 20-year NCAA Tournament drought on Saturday only to find out how much a first-round loss can sting.</p>
<p>Tabatha Richardson-Smith had 18 points and Tiffany Jones added 17 for the ninth-seeded Pirates (28-6), who fought back from a 12-point second half deficit before falling 79-66 to New Jersey rival Rutgers.</p>
<p>Coach Anthony Bozzella, who brought the team to the tournament in just his second season as head coach, said the pain his players were feeling after the game was a good thing.</p>
<p>“Tonight that became a victory for us because they’re devastated for our fans, for Seton Hall, for our administration,” he said. Two years ago almost to the day, they couldn’t have cared less. That’s the truth. And I give them all the credit for that.”</p>
<p>Rutgers outscored Seton Hall 23-10 over the game’s final nine minutes. The Pirates hit just one of their last seven shots from the floor and didn’t score in the game’s final 3:23.</p>
<p>“We just couldn’t get over the hump,” Bozzella said. “It was frustrating.”</p>
<p>Kahleah Copper and Tyler Scaife each scored 21 points and the eighth-seeded Scarlet Knights (23-9), which had a season high seven 3-pointers. Betnijah Laney added 17. Rutgers had not been to the NCAAs since 2012 and had not won a tournament game since 2011.</p>
<p>“The last time we were in the NCAAs, we didn’t make the second round,” said Laney. “We lost our first game. So this might be another step for us.”</p>
<p>The Scarlet Knights have now won 14 of the last 15 meetings between the former Big East rivals from New Jersey.</p>
<p>Rutgers led by six at the half, and was up 53-41 after a jumper by Copper with just over 14 minutes remaining.</p>
<p>But Seton Hall made one of its several comebacks. A 3-pointer from the left corner by Janee Johnson capped a 15-3 run that tied the game with 9:14 left.</p>
<p>A 3-pointer from the top of the key by Laney pushed the lead back to eight points at 71-63 with 3:43 left in the game. It was her fourth 3-pointer of the game. She had made just 10 on 27 attempts coming into the game.</p>
<p>Seton Hall’s Ka-Deidre Simmons fouled out a few seconds later. The Pirates leading scorer, averaging more than 17 points this season, finished with just five.</p>
<p>Seton Hall, which had won a total of 27 in the three years prior to Bozzella’s arrival, finishes with a program-record 28 wins this year.</p>
<p>“We’re here and we made Seton Hall women’s basketball relevant again,” Simmons said.</p>
<p>A 3-pointer by Richardson-Smith with 3:23 left would be the Pirates’ last points. Rutgers’ defense held the Pirates to just 36 percent shooting for the game, and outrebounded them 55-33</p>
<p>Rutgers, which averages 2.2 baskets from 3-point range a game, had five in the first half and Copper (12), Scaife (11) and Laney (10) all were in double digits by halftime.</p>
<p>The Pirates and Rutgers have played 42 times, with the Scarlet Knights winning 34 of those games. The teams played last year in the WNIT, with Rutgers winning in double overtime on its way to the tournament title.</p>
<p>TIP-INS:</p>
<p>Seton Hall: The Pirates, making their first tournament appearance since 1995, are now 3-3 in NCAA Tournament games. The loss was the was the second in as many for coach Anthony Bozzella, who brought LIU to Storrs in 2001, losing 101-29 loss to the Huskies in the first round.</p>
<p>Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights improved to 23-9 in the NCAA Tournament. ... Scaife became the third Rutgers player this season to reach 1,000 points for her career. The sophomore has 1,009. Laney, a senior, and Copper, a junior also reached the milestone this season.</p>
<p>THREE SURPRISE: Rutgers ranked 340th out of 343 Division I teams, making just 2.2 shots per game from behind the arc. They finished 7 of 13 in this one.</p>
<p>UP NEXT:</p>
<p>Rutgers plays top-seed UConn in the second round.</p>
<p>Seton Hall’s season is over.</p>
<p>STORRS, Conn. (AP) — Seton Hall ended a 20-year NCAA Tournament drought on Saturday only to find out how much a first-round loss can sting.</p>
<p>Tabatha Richardson-Smith had 18 points and Tiffany Jones added 17 for the ninth-seeded Pirates (28-6), who fought back from a 12-point second half deficit before falling 79-66 to New Jersey rival Rutgers.</p>
<p>Coach Anthony Bozzella, who brought the team to the tournament in just his second season as head coach, said the pain his players were feeling after the game was a good thing.</p>
<p>“Tonight that became a victory for us because they’re devastated for our fans, for Seton Hall, for our administration,” he said. Two years ago almost to the day, they couldn’t have cared less. That’s the truth. And I give them all the credit for that.”</p>
<p>Rutgers outscored Seton Hall 23-10 over the game’s final nine minutes. The Pirates hit just one of their last seven shots from the floor and didn’t score in the game’s final 3:23.</p>
<p>“We just couldn’t get over the hump,” Bozzella said. “It was frustrating.”</p>
<p>Kahleah Copper and Tyler Scaife each scored 21 points and the eighth-seeded Scarlet Knights (23-9), which had a season high seven 3-pointers. Betnijah Laney added 17. Rutgers had not been to the NCAAs since 2012 and had not won a tournament game since 2011.</p>
<p>“The last time we were in the NCAAs, we didn’t make the second round,” said Laney. “We lost our first game. So this might be another step for us.”</p>
<p>The Scarlet Knights have now won 14 of the last 15 meetings between the former Big East rivals from New Jersey.</p>
<p>Rutgers led by six at the half, and was up 53-41 after a jumper by Copper with just over 14 minutes remaining.</p>
<p>But Seton Hall made one of its several comebacks. A 3-pointer from the left corner by Janee Johnson capped a 15-3 run that tied the game with 9:14 left.</p>
<p>A 3-pointer from the top of the key by Laney pushed the lead back to eight points at 71-63 with 3:43 left in the game. It was her fourth 3-pointer of the game. She had made just 10 on 27 attempts coming into the game.</p>
<p>Seton Hall’s Ka-Deidre Simmons fouled out a few seconds later. The Pirates leading scorer, averaging more than 17 points this season, finished with just five.</p>
<p>Seton Hall, which had won a total of 27 in the three years prior to Bozzella’s arrival, finishes with a program-record 28 wins this year.</p>
<p>“We’re here and we made Seton Hall women’s basketball relevant again,” Simmons said.</p>
<p>A 3-pointer by Richardson-Smith with 3:23 left would be the Pirates’ last points. Rutgers’ defense held the Pirates to just 36 percent shooting for the game, and outrebounded them 55-33</p>
<p>Rutgers, which averages 2.2 baskets from 3-point range a game, had five in the first half and Copper (12), Scaife (11) and Laney (10) all were in double digits by halftime.</p>
<p>The Pirates and Rutgers have played 42 times, with the Scarlet Knights winning 34 of those games. The teams played last year in the WNIT, with Rutgers winning in double overtime on its way to the tournament title.</p>
<p>TIP-INS:</p>
<p>Seton Hall: The Pirates, making their first tournament appearance since 1995, are now 3-3 in NCAA Tournament games. The loss was the was the second in as many for coach Anthony Bozzella, who brought LIU to Storrs in 2001, losing 101-29 loss to the Huskies in the first round.</p>
<p>Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights improved to 23-9 in the NCAA Tournament. ... Scaife became the third Rutgers player this season to reach 1,000 points for her career. The sophomore has 1,009. Laney, a senior, and Copper, a junior also reached the milestone this season.</p>
<p>THREE SURPRISE: Rutgers ranked 340th out of 343 Division I teams, making just 2.2 shots per game from behind the arc. They finished 7 of 13 in this one.</p>
<p>UP NEXT:</p>
<p>Rutgers plays top-seed UConn in the second round.</p>
<p>Seton Hall’s season is over.</p>
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storrs conn ap seton hall ended 20year ncaa tournament drought saturday find much firstround loss sting tabatha richardsonsmith 18 points tiffany jones added 17 ninthseeded pirates 286 fought back 12point second half deficit falling 7966 new jersey rival rutgers coach anthony bozzella brought team tournament second season head coach said pain players feeling game good thing tonight became victory us theyre devastated fans seton hall administration said two years ago almost day couldnt cared less thats truth give credit rutgers outscored seton hall 2310 games final nine minutes pirates hit one last seven shots floor didnt score games final 323 couldnt get hump bozzella said frustrating kahleah copper tyler scaife scored 21 points eighthseeded scarlet knights 239 season high seven 3pointers betnijah laney added 17 rutgers ncaas since 2012 tournament game since 2011 last time ncaas didnt make second round said laney lost first game might another step us scarlet knights 14 last 15 meetings former big east rivals new jersey rutgers led six half 5341 jumper copper 14 minutes remaining seton hall made one several comebacks 3pointer left corner janee johnson capped 153 run tied game 914 left 3pointer top key laney pushed lead back eight points 7163 343 left game fourth 3pointer game made 10 27 attempts coming game seton halls kadeidre simmons fouled seconds later pirates leading scorer averaging 17 points season finished five seton hall total 27 three years prior bozzellas arrival finishes programrecord 28 wins year made seton hall womens basketball relevant simmons said 3pointer richardsonsmith 323 left would pirates last points rutgers defense held pirates 36 percent shooting game outrebounded 5533 rutgers averages 22 baskets 3point range game five first half copper 12 scaife 11 laney 10 double digits halftime pirates rutgers played 42 times scarlet knights winning 34 games teams played last year wnit rutgers winning double overtime way tournament title tipins seton hall pirates making first tournament appearance since 1995 33 ncaa tournament games loss second many coach anthony bozzella brought liu storrs 2001 losing 10129 loss huskies first round rutgers scarlet knights improved 239 ncaa tournament scaife became third rutgers player season reach 1000 points career sophomore 1009 laney senior copper junior also reached milestone season three surprise rutgers ranked 340th 343 division teams making 22 shots per game behind arc finished 7 13 one next rutgers plays topseed uconn second round seton halls season storrs conn ap seton hall ended 20year ncaa tournament drought saturday find much firstround loss sting tabatha richardsonsmith 18 points tiffany jones added 17 ninthseeded pirates 286 fought back 12point second half deficit falling 7966 new jersey rival rutgers coach anthony bozzella brought team tournament second season head coach said pain players feeling game good thing tonight became victory us theyre devastated fans seton hall administration said two years ago almost day couldnt cared less thats truth give credit rutgers outscored seton hall 2310 games final nine minutes pirates hit one last seven shots floor didnt score games final 323 couldnt get hump bozzella said frustrating kahleah copper tyler scaife scored 21 points eighthseeded scarlet knights 239 season high seven 3pointers betnijah laney added 17 rutgers ncaas since 2012 tournament game since 2011 last time ncaas didnt make second round said laney lost first game might another step us scarlet knights 14 last 15 meetings former big east rivals new jersey rutgers led six half 5341 jumper copper 14 minutes remaining seton hall made one several comebacks 3pointer left corner janee johnson capped 153 run tied game 914 left 3pointer top key laney pushed lead back eight points 7163 343 left game fourth 3pointer game made 10 27 attempts coming game seton halls kadeidre simmons fouled seconds later pirates leading scorer averaging 17 points season finished five seton hall total 27 three years prior bozzellas arrival finishes programrecord 28 wins year made seton hall womens basketball relevant simmons said 3pointer richardsonsmith 323 left would pirates last points rutgers defense held pirates 36 percent shooting game outrebounded 5533 rutgers averages 22 baskets 3point range game five first half copper 12 scaife 11 laney 10 double digits halftime pirates rutgers played 42 times scarlet knights winning 34 games teams played last year wnit rutgers winning double overtime way tournament title tipins seton hall pirates making first tournament appearance since 1995 33 ncaa tournament games loss second many coach anthony bozzella brought liu storrs 2001 losing 10129 loss huskies first round rutgers scarlet knights improved 239 ncaa tournament scaife became third rutgers player season reach 1000 points career sophomore 1009 laney senior copper junior also reached milestone season three surprise rutgers ranked 340th 343 division teams making 22 shots per game behind arc finished 7 13 one next rutgers plays topseed uconn second round seton halls season
| 788 |
<p>Washington taking the lead among states in legal battles against President Donald Trump's travel ban was voted the state's top news story of 2017 by Associated Press member editors and AP staff.</p>
<p>Other top news items of the past 12 months included the deadly Amtrak train derailment south of Tacoma, the death of Soundgarden vocalist Chris Cornell and the multiple radiation scares at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.</p>
<p>Here are 2017's Top Washington stories:</p>
<p>1)Washington state sues over Trump travel ban</p>
<p>In late January Attorney General Bob Ferguson sued President Donald Trump over his temporary ban on immigration from certain countries with majority-Muslim populations, making Washington the first state to announce legal action over Trump's controversial move that saw thousands of protesters flood the nation's airports. Less than a week later a federal judge in Seattle imposed a nationwide hold on the ban. Trump's travel restrictions were revised several times and multiple states sued before the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this month allowed a version to take effect as the challenges wind their way through the courts.</p>
<p>2) Seattle Mayor resigns following sex abuse allegations.</p>
<p>In September Seattle Mayor Ed Murray left office after a fifth man came forward to accuse him of sexual abuse decades ago. Before being elected mayor in 2013, Murray was a long-time state lawmaker who led the campaign to legalize same-sex marriage in Washington state. As mayor he pushed to raise the city's minimum hourly wage to $15. Before the allegations emerged Murray had been expected to easily win re-election. In November city voters chose former U.S. Attorney Jenny Durkan to lead Seattle. She became only the second female elected Seattle mayor.</p>
<p>3)Amtrak train derailment</p>
<p>An Amtrak passenger train travelling twice the speed limit sped into a curve and derailed, spilling rail cars onto Interstate 5 and killing three people. Experts say it's possible the engineer was distracted just prior to the Dec. 18 crash south of Tacoma which also injured dozens. Attention also turned to technology that can automatically slow or stop a speeding train - known as positive train control - which was not operational for this line. Regulators have been pressing railroads for years to install such technology, and some have done so, but the deadline has been extended repeatedly at the industry's request.</p>
<p>4)Amazon announces search for HQ2</p>
<p>Online retailing behemoth Amazon surprised many in early September when it announced it was looking for a second home to complement its Seattle headquarters. The company said it will spend more than $5 billion to build another center in North America to house as many as 50,000 employees. Dozens of cities rushed to submit bids to woo the tech giant and the move by Amazon sparked mixed emotions in its hometown, where civic and business leaders pledged to work more closely with the company while critics said its rapid growth had made Seattle too expensive and too crowded.</p>
<p>5)Everett, Tacoma and Washington state separately sue the makers of OxyContin and other opioids</p>
<p>Lawsuits against opioid makers piled up this year with the city of Everett leading the charge. Everett sued the drug manufacturer of OxyContin in January, blaming Purdue Pharma for an addiction crisis that has overwhelmed city resources and deepened its homelessness problem. Months later, the cities of Tacoma and Seattle and Washington state also separately sued to hold Purdue and other opioid makers accountable for an addiction crisis that has claimed thousands of lives. The governments hope to recoup costs of responding to drug addiction, including money spent on emergencies, criminal justice and social services. The latest suits accuse the companies of deliberately overstating the effectiveness of their prescription painkillers while misleading patients and doctors about the risks of addiction — in violation of Washington's consumer protection laws.</p>
<p>6)Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell dies</p>
<p>Grief-stricken Chris Cornell fans left flowers at memorials across Seattle in May for the musician whose forceful, somber songs helped cement the city's place in rock history. Authorities say Cornell hanged himself in a Detroit hotel room May 18 following a Soundgarden concert. The band had reunited in 2010 after years on hiatus. KEXP, Seattle's popular independent radio station, paid tribute to Cornell all day. The station played non-stop songs from Soundgarden, Cornell's other bands and his solo work, as well as artists who covered Cornell's material and those who were influenced by him. That night the city's Space Needle went dark for an hour in tribute to Cornell.</p>
<p>7) Radiation scares/cleanup at Hanford</p>
<p>A tunnel containing radioactive waste at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Eastern Washington partially collapsed on May 9, forcing some 3,000 workers to shelter in place for several hours. Authorities said there were no injuries from the accident, but it underscored concerns about cleanup and aging infrastructure left over from the production of plutonium for nuclear weapons at the sprawling site near Richland. Workers are engaged in a massive cleanup of the wastes, which is expected to take decades and cost more than $2 billion a year.</p>
<p>8) Kennewick Man buried</p>
<p>The ancient bones of the Kennewick Man were returned to the ground. More than 200 members of five Columbia Plateau tribes and bands gathered at an undisclosed location in February to lay the remains of the man they call the Ancient One to rest. Legislation signed by President Obama required the skeleton, believed to be about 8,400 years old, to be turned over to the coalition of tribes. Kennewick Man was found on the banks of the Columbia River in 1996 by two college students. The skeleton is among the oldest and most complete found in North America. The tribes had pushed for years to bury the skeleton, which some scientists initially believed was not Native American. Later study determined the bones were likely an ancestor of today's Native Americans.</p>
<p>9)Massive women's marches in Seattle, other Northwest cites</p>
<p>Across the Pacific Northwest, women's marches and rallies on Jan. 21 in cities from Seattle to Spokane, as well as Portland, Oregon, and Boise, Idaho, drew tens of thousands of people. Demonstrators wore pink "pussyhats" and waved signs proclaiming: "You belong," ''Love Trumps hate." Seattle police and city officials did not provide a crowd estimate, but march organizers said in late afternoon that more than 150,000 people showed up. Some marchers said they were protesting Trump and his policies, while others wanted to promote unity or to fight racism, sexism and hate.</p>
<p>10)State panel recommends Gov. Jay Inslee reject a massive oil terminal along the Columbia River</p>
<p>A Washington state energy panel voted unanimously in late November to recommend that Gov. Jay Inslee reject a massive oil-by-rail terminal proposed along the Columbia River. The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council said developers had not met their burden to show that the proposed port of Vancouver site was acceptable. The Vancouver Energy terminal, a joint venture of Tesoro Corp. and Savage Cos., would receive about 360,000 barrels of crude oil a day by trains at the port of Vancouver. Oil would temporarily be stored on site and then loaded onto tankers and ships bound for West Coast refineries. Inslee will make his final decision soon.</p>
<p>Washington taking the lead among states in legal battles against President Donald Trump's travel ban was voted the state's top news story of 2017 by Associated Press member editors and AP staff.</p>
<p>Other top news items of the past 12 months included the deadly Amtrak train derailment south of Tacoma, the death of Soundgarden vocalist Chris Cornell and the multiple radiation scares at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.</p>
<p>Here are 2017's Top Washington stories:</p>
<p>1)Washington state sues over Trump travel ban</p>
<p>In late January Attorney General Bob Ferguson sued President Donald Trump over his temporary ban on immigration from certain countries with majority-Muslim populations, making Washington the first state to announce legal action over Trump's controversial move that saw thousands of protesters flood the nation's airports. Less than a week later a federal judge in Seattle imposed a nationwide hold on the ban. Trump's travel restrictions were revised several times and multiple states sued before the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this month allowed a version to take effect as the challenges wind their way through the courts.</p>
<p>2) Seattle Mayor resigns following sex abuse allegations.</p>
<p>In September Seattle Mayor Ed Murray left office after a fifth man came forward to accuse him of sexual abuse decades ago. Before being elected mayor in 2013, Murray was a long-time state lawmaker who led the campaign to legalize same-sex marriage in Washington state. As mayor he pushed to raise the city's minimum hourly wage to $15. Before the allegations emerged Murray had been expected to easily win re-election. In November city voters chose former U.S. Attorney Jenny Durkan to lead Seattle. She became only the second female elected Seattle mayor.</p>
<p>3)Amtrak train derailment</p>
<p>An Amtrak passenger train travelling twice the speed limit sped into a curve and derailed, spilling rail cars onto Interstate 5 and killing three people. Experts say it's possible the engineer was distracted just prior to the Dec. 18 crash south of Tacoma which also injured dozens. Attention also turned to technology that can automatically slow or stop a speeding train - known as positive train control - which was not operational for this line. Regulators have been pressing railroads for years to install such technology, and some have done so, but the deadline has been extended repeatedly at the industry's request.</p>
<p>4)Amazon announces search for HQ2</p>
<p>Online retailing behemoth Amazon surprised many in early September when it announced it was looking for a second home to complement its Seattle headquarters. The company said it will spend more than $5 billion to build another center in North America to house as many as 50,000 employees. Dozens of cities rushed to submit bids to woo the tech giant and the move by Amazon sparked mixed emotions in its hometown, where civic and business leaders pledged to work more closely with the company while critics said its rapid growth had made Seattle too expensive and too crowded.</p>
<p>5)Everett, Tacoma and Washington state separately sue the makers of OxyContin and other opioids</p>
<p>Lawsuits against opioid makers piled up this year with the city of Everett leading the charge. Everett sued the drug manufacturer of OxyContin in January, blaming Purdue Pharma for an addiction crisis that has overwhelmed city resources and deepened its homelessness problem. Months later, the cities of Tacoma and Seattle and Washington state also separately sued to hold Purdue and other opioid makers accountable for an addiction crisis that has claimed thousands of lives. The governments hope to recoup costs of responding to drug addiction, including money spent on emergencies, criminal justice and social services. The latest suits accuse the companies of deliberately overstating the effectiveness of their prescription painkillers while misleading patients and doctors about the risks of addiction — in violation of Washington's consumer protection laws.</p>
<p>6)Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell dies</p>
<p>Grief-stricken Chris Cornell fans left flowers at memorials across Seattle in May for the musician whose forceful, somber songs helped cement the city's place in rock history. Authorities say Cornell hanged himself in a Detroit hotel room May 18 following a Soundgarden concert. The band had reunited in 2010 after years on hiatus. KEXP, Seattle's popular independent radio station, paid tribute to Cornell all day. The station played non-stop songs from Soundgarden, Cornell's other bands and his solo work, as well as artists who covered Cornell's material and those who were influenced by him. That night the city's Space Needle went dark for an hour in tribute to Cornell.</p>
<p>7) Radiation scares/cleanup at Hanford</p>
<p>A tunnel containing radioactive waste at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Eastern Washington partially collapsed on May 9, forcing some 3,000 workers to shelter in place for several hours. Authorities said there were no injuries from the accident, but it underscored concerns about cleanup and aging infrastructure left over from the production of plutonium for nuclear weapons at the sprawling site near Richland. Workers are engaged in a massive cleanup of the wastes, which is expected to take decades and cost more than $2 billion a year.</p>
<p>8) Kennewick Man buried</p>
<p>The ancient bones of the Kennewick Man were returned to the ground. More than 200 members of five Columbia Plateau tribes and bands gathered at an undisclosed location in February to lay the remains of the man they call the Ancient One to rest. Legislation signed by President Obama required the skeleton, believed to be about 8,400 years old, to be turned over to the coalition of tribes. Kennewick Man was found on the banks of the Columbia River in 1996 by two college students. The skeleton is among the oldest and most complete found in North America. The tribes had pushed for years to bury the skeleton, which some scientists initially believed was not Native American. Later study determined the bones were likely an ancestor of today's Native Americans.</p>
<p>9)Massive women's marches in Seattle, other Northwest cites</p>
<p>Across the Pacific Northwest, women's marches and rallies on Jan. 21 in cities from Seattle to Spokane, as well as Portland, Oregon, and Boise, Idaho, drew tens of thousands of people. Demonstrators wore pink "pussyhats" and waved signs proclaiming: "You belong," ''Love Trumps hate." Seattle police and city officials did not provide a crowd estimate, but march organizers said in late afternoon that more than 150,000 people showed up. Some marchers said they were protesting Trump and his policies, while others wanted to promote unity or to fight racism, sexism and hate.</p>
<p>10)State panel recommends Gov. Jay Inslee reject a massive oil terminal along the Columbia River</p>
<p>A Washington state energy panel voted unanimously in late November to recommend that Gov. Jay Inslee reject a massive oil-by-rail terminal proposed along the Columbia River. The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council said developers had not met their burden to show that the proposed port of Vancouver site was acceptable. The Vancouver Energy terminal, a joint venture of Tesoro Corp. and Savage Cos., would receive about 360,000 barrels of crude oil a day by trains at the port of Vancouver. Oil would temporarily be stored on site and then loaded onto tankers and ships bound for West Coast refineries. Inslee will make his final decision soon.</p>
| false | 2 |
washington taking lead among states legal battles president donald trumps travel ban voted states top news story 2017 associated press member editors ap staff top news items past 12 months included deadly amtrak train derailment south tacoma death soundgarden vocalist chris cornell multiple radiation scares hanford nuclear reservation 2017s top washington stories 1washington state sues trump travel ban late january attorney general bob ferguson sued president donald trump temporary ban immigration certain countries majoritymuslim populations making washington first state announce legal action trumps controversial move saw thousands protesters flood nations airports less week later federal judge seattle imposed nationwide hold ban trumps travel restrictions revised several times multiple states sued us supreme court earlier month allowed version take effect challenges wind way courts 2 seattle mayor resigns following sex abuse allegations september seattle mayor ed murray left office fifth man came forward accuse sexual abuse decades ago elected mayor 2013 murray longtime state lawmaker led campaign legalize samesex marriage washington state mayor pushed raise citys minimum hourly wage 15 allegations emerged murray expected easily win reelection november city voters chose former us attorney jenny durkan lead seattle became second female elected seattle mayor 3amtrak train derailment amtrak passenger train travelling twice speed limit sped curve derailed spilling rail cars onto interstate 5 killing three people experts say possible engineer distracted prior dec 18 crash south tacoma also injured dozens attention also turned technology automatically slow stop speeding train known positive train control operational line regulators pressing railroads years install technology done deadline extended repeatedly industrys request 4amazon announces search hq2 online retailing behemoth amazon surprised many early september announced looking second home complement seattle headquarters company said spend 5 billion build another center north america house many 50000 employees dozens cities rushed submit bids woo tech giant move amazon sparked mixed emotions hometown civic business leaders pledged work closely company critics said rapid growth made seattle expensive crowded 5everett tacoma washington state separately sue makers oxycontin opioids lawsuits opioid makers piled year city everett leading charge everett sued drug manufacturer oxycontin january blaming purdue pharma addiction crisis overwhelmed city resources deepened homelessness problem months later cities tacoma seattle washington state also separately sued hold purdue opioid makers accountable addiction crisis claimed thousands lives governments hope recoup costs responding drug addiction including money spent emergencies criminal justice social services latest suits accuse companies deliberately overstating effectiveness prescription painkillers misleading patients doctors risks addiction violation washingtons consumer protection laws 6soundgarden singer chris cornell dies griefstricken chris cornell fans left flowers memorials across seattle may musician whose forceful somber songs helped cement citys place rock history authorities say cornell hanged detroit hotel room may 18 following soundgarden concert band reunited 2010 years hiatus kexp seattles popular independent radio station paid tribute cornell day station played nonstop songs soundgarden cornells bands solo work well artists covered cornells material influenced night citys space needle went dark hour tribute cornell 7 radiation scarescleanup hanford tunnel containing radioactive waste hanford nuclear reservation eastern washington partially collapsed may 9 forcing 3000 workers shelter place several hours authorities said injuries accident underscored concerns cleanup aging infrastructure left production plutonium nuclear weapons sprawling site near richland workers engaged massive cleanup wastes expected take decades cost 2 billion year 8 kennewick man buried ancient bones kennewick man returned ground 200 members five columbia plateau tribes bands gathered undisclosed location february lay remains man call ancient one rest legislation signed president obama required skeleton believed 8400 years old turned coalition tribes kennewick man found banks columbia river 1996 two college students skeleton among oldest complete found north america tribes pushed years bury skeleton scientists initially believed native american later study determined bones likely ancestor todays native americans 9massive womens marches seattle northwest cites across pacific northwest womens marches rallies jan 21 cities seattle spokane well portland oregon boise idaho drew tens thousands people demonstrators wore pink pussyhats waved signs proclaiming belong love trumps hate seattle police city officials provide crowd estimate march organizers said late afternoon 150000 people showed marchers said protesting trump policies others wanted promote unity fight racism sexism hate 10state panel recommends gov jay inslee reject massive oil terminal along columbia river washington state energy panel voted unanimously late november recommend gov jay inslee reject massive oilbyrail terminal proposed along columbia river energy facility site evaluation council said developers met burden show proposed port vancouver site acceptable vancouver energy terminal joint venture tesoro corp savage cos would receive 360000 barrels crude oil day trains port vancouver oil would temporarily stored site loaded onto tankers ships bound west coast refineries inslee make final decision soon washington taking lead among states legal battles president donald trumps travel ban voted states top news story 2017 associated press member editors ap staff top news items past 12 months included deadly amtrak train derailment south tacoma death soundgarden vocalist chris cornell multiple radiation scares hanford nuclear reservation 2017s top washington stories 1washington state sues trump travel ban late january attorney general bob ferguson sued president donald trump temporary ban immigration certain countries majoritymuslim populations making washington first state announce legal action trumps controversial move saw thousands protesters flood nations airports less week later federal judge seattle imposed nationwide hold ban trumps travel restrictions revised several times multiple states sued us supreme court earlier month allowed version take effect challenges wind way courts 2 seattle mayor resigns following sex abuse allegations september seattle mayor ed murray left office fifth man came forward accuse sexual abuse decades ago elected mayor 2013 murray longtime state lawmaker led campaign legalize samesex marriage washington state mayor pushed raise citys minimum hourly wage 15 allegations emerged murray expected easily win reelection november city voters chose former us attorney jenny durkan lead seattle became second female elected seattle mayor 3amtrak train derailment amtrak passenger train travelling twice speed limit sped curve derailed spilling rail cars onto interstate 5 killing three people experts say possible engineer distracted prior dec 18 crash south tacoma also injured dozens attention also turned technology automatically slow stop speeding train known positive train control operational line regulators pressing railroads years install technology done deadline extended repeatedly industrys request 4amazon announces search hq2 online retailing behemoth amazon surprised many early september announced looking second home complement seattle headquarters company said spend 5 billion build another center north america house many 50000 employees dozens cities rushed submit bids woo tech giant move amazon sparked mixed emotions hometown civic business leaders pledged work closely company critics said rapid growth made seattle expensive crowded 5everett tacoma washington state separately sue makers oxycontin opioids lawsuits opioid makers piled year city everett leading charge everett sued drug manufacturer oxycontin january blaming purdue pharma addiction crisis overwhelmed city resources deepened homelessness problem months later cities tacoma seattle washington state also separately sued hold purdue opioid makers accountable addiction crisis claimed thousands lives governments hope recoup costs responding drug addiction including money spent emergencies criminal justice social services latest suits accuse companies deliberately overstating effectiveness prescription painkillers misleading patients doctors risks addiction violation washingtons consumer protection laws 6soundgarden singer chris cornell dies griefstricken chris cornell fans left flowers memorials across seattle may musician whose forceful somber songs helped cement citys place rock history authorities say cornell hanged detroit hotel room may 18 following soundgarden concert band reunited 2010 years hiatus kexp seattles popular independent radio station paid tribute cornell day station played nonstop songs soundgarden cornells bands solo work well artists covered cornells material influenced night citys space needle went dark hour tribute cornell 7 radiation scarescleanup hanford tunnel containing radioactive waste hanford nuclear reservation eastern washington partially collapsed may 9 forcing 3000 workers shelter place several hours authorities said injuries accident underscored concerns cleanup aging infrastructure left production plutonium nuclear weapons sprawling site near richland workers engaged massive cleanup wastes expected take decades cost 2 billion year 8 kennewick man buried ancient bones kennewick man returned ground 200 members five columbia plateau tribes bands gathered undisclosed location february lay remains man call ancient one rest legislation signed president obama required skeleton believed 8400 years old turned coalition tribes kennewick man found banks columbia river 1996 two college students skeleton among oldest complete found north america tribes pushed years bury skeleton scientists initially believed native american later study determined bones likely ancestor todays native americans 9massive womens marches seattle northwest cites across pacific northwest womens marches rallies jan 21 cities seattle spokane well portland oregon boise idaho drew tens thousands people demonstrators wore pink pussyhats waved signs proclaiming belong love trumps hate seattle police city officials provide crowd estimate march organizers said late afternoon 150000 people showed marchers said protesting trump policies others wanted promote unity fight racism sexism hate 10state panel recommends gov jay inslee reject massive oil terminal along columbia river washington state energy panel voted unanimously late november recommend gov jay inslee reject massive oilbyrail terminal proposed along columbia river energy facility site evaluation council said developers met burden show proposed port vancouver site acceptable vancouver energy terminal joint venture tesoro corp savage cos would receive 360000 barrels crude oil day trains port vancouver oil would temporarily stored site loaded onto tankers ships bound west coast refineries inslee make final decision soon
| 1,530 |
<p>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama designated new national monuments Friday in California, Nevada and Texas, setting aside millions of acres that are home to prehistoric rock carvings, Mammoth bones and popular outdoors destinations. The presidential move ran into immediate resistance from some Republicans, who accused Obama of a sneaky land grab that ignored the interests of local residents.</p>
<p>In Nevada, Obama announced a monument at Basin and Range that retiring Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid has been seeking for years. He set aside more than 330,000 acres in northern California for a new monument at Berryessa Snow Mountain. Obama also declared that Waco Mammoth, a relatively small site in central Texas, would join the list of national monuments.</p>
<p>"All of them speak to some incredible history," Obama said as he formally designated the new monuments in the Oval Office.</p>
<p>The three new sites bring to 19 the number of monuments Obama has created or expanded since taking office. Under the 1906 Antiquities Act, presidents have broad authority to designate historic or ecologically significant sites without congressional approval, protecting those areas from new development like mining, oil wells and grazing.</p>
<p>Obama has used that authority aggressively as he's worked to secure a legacy of protecting the environment and warding off the effects of climate change. Environmental advocates hailed the new monuments as bringing sorely needed protection to natural American treasures that future generations will be able to enjoy.</p>
<p>"This is a gift to all Americans," said Sharon Buccino of the Natural Resources Defense Council.</p>
<p>Some Republicans decried the move. House National Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop, R-Utah., said Obama had "shown complete disdain for Congress and the people of Nevada, California, and Texas."</p>
<p>"I condemn this shameful power move which makes states and citizens fearful that the federal government can invade at any time to seize more lands like bandits in the night," Bishop said.</p>
<p>In anticipation of Obama's move, this week Nevada Rep. Cresent Hardy introduced an amendment to an Interior Department bill that would block Obama from creating monuments in areas with local opposition. His amendment made its way into the bill on a 222-206 vote, and lists counties in Nevada, Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oregon and Utah as off-limits.</p>
<p>"This Antiquities Act has been abused," Hardy said in an interview Friday. "I am a huge supporter of protecting certain lands, but I think there's a right process to go through it."</p>
<p>Hardy accused Obama and Reid of pushing the Nevada monument to burnish their legacies. White House spokesman Josh Earnest called Reid an "effective advocate" for making the site a monument but wouldn't say what role his advocacy played in Obama's decision.</p>
<p>Reid, in an interview on Friday, shrugged off the criticism and said he believed history would favorably judge the decision.</p>
<p>"They know this is important to the state of Nevada," Reid told The Associated Press. "They're going to look back one day and say Reid was right."</p>
<p>The new monuments include:</p>
<p>— Waco Mammoth National Monument in Texas, where archaeologists have discovered remains of 24 Columbian Mammoths — the largest of the mammoth species — from more than 65,000 years ago, according to the White House. Like other mammoths, the Columbian Mammoth is now extinct, but roamed freely in North America during the Pleistocene epoch, known colloquially as the ice age. The site also houses preserved remains of other ancient species including the saber-toothed cat, dwarf antelope and the western camel.</p>
<p>— Basin and Range National Monument in Nevada, home to rare rock art from 4,000 years ago. The White House said more than 700,000 acres of public land will be protected in an untouched area of the Great Basin region. Beyond petroglyphs, the site contains "City," an array of abstract sculptures artist Michael Heizer has created for more than four decades.</p>
<p>— Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument in California, where tourists and nature lovers will see more than 330,000 acres in northern California set aside. The White House touted the area's biodiversity and Native American cultural sites, but the area is best known as a destination for hikers, campers, fishermen and hunters. The White House said the monument would likely prompt increased visits, driving economic growth.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Associated Press writer Ken Ritter in Las Vegas contributed to this report.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Reach Josh Lederman on Twitter at http://twitter.com/joshledermanAP</p>
<p>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama designated new national monuments Friday in California, Nevada and Texas, setting aside millions of acres that are home to prehistoric rock carvings, Mammoth bones and popular outdoors destinations. The presidential move ran into immediate resistance from some Republicans, who accused Obama of a sneaky land grab that ignored the interests of local residents.</p>
<p>In Nevada, Obama announced a monument at Basin and Range that retiring Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid has been seeking for years. He set aside more than 330,000 acres in northern California for a new monument at Berryessa Snow Mountain. Obama also declared that Waco Mammoth, a relatively small site in central Texas, would join the list of national monuments.</p>
<p>"All of them speak to some incredible history," Obama said as he formally designated the new monuments in the Oval Office.</p>
<p>The three new sites bring to 19 the number of monuments Obama has created or expanded since taking office. Under the 1906 Antiquities Act, presidents have broad authority to designate historic or ecologically significant sites without congressional approval, protecting those areas from new development like mining, oil wells and grazing.</p>
<p>Obama has used that authority aggressively as he's worked to secure a legacy of protecting the environment and warding off the effects of climate change. Environmental advocates hailed the new monuments as bringing sorely needed protection to natural American treasures that future generations will be able to enjoy.</p>
<p>"This is a gift to all Americans," said Sharon Buccino of the Natural Resources Defense Council.</p>
<p>Some Republicans decried the move. House National Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop, R-Utah., said Obama had "shown complete disdain for Congress and the people of Nevada, California, and Texas."</p>
<p>"I condemn this shameful power move which makes states and citizens fearful that the federal government can invade at any time to seize more lands like bandits in the night," Bishop said.</p>
<p>In anticipation of Obama's move, this week Nevada Rep. Cresent Hardy introduced an amendment to an Interior Department bill that would block Obama from creating monuments in areas with local opposition. His amendment made its way into the bill on a 222-206 vote, and lists counties in Nevada, Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oregon and Utah as off-limits.</p>
<p>"This Antiquities Act has been abused," Hardy said in an interview Friday. "I am a huge supporter of protecting certain lands, but I think there's a right process to go through it."</p>
<p>Hardy accused Obama and Reid of pushing the Nevada monument to burnish their legacies. White House spokesman Josh Earnest called Reid an "effective advocate" for making the site a monument but wouldn't say what role his advocacy played in Obama's decision.</p>
<p>Reid, in an interview on Friday, shrugged off the criticism and said he believed history would favorably judge the decision.</p>
<p>"They know this is important to the state of Nevada," Reid told The Associated Press. "They're going to look back one day and say Reid was right."</p>
<p>The new monuments include:</p>
<p>— Waco Mammoth National Monument in Texas, where archaeologists have discovered remains of 24 Columbian Mammoths — the largest of the mammoth species — from more than 65,000 years ago, according to the White House. Like other mammoths, the Columbian Mammoth is now extinct, but roamed freely in North America during the Pleistocene epoch, known colloquially as the ice age. The site also houses preserved remains of other ancient species including the saber-toothed cat, dwarf antelope and the western camel.</p>
<p>— Basin and Range National Monument in Nevada, home to rare rock art from 4,000 years ago. The White House said more than 700,000 acres of public land will be protected in an untouched area of the Great Basin region. Beyond petroglyphs, the site contains "City," an array of abstract sculptures artist Michael Heizer has created for more than four decades.</p>
<p>— Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument in California, where tourists and nature lovers will see more than 330,000 acres in northern California set aside. The White House touted the area's biodiversity and Native American cultural sites, but the area is best known as a destination for hikers, campers, fishermen and hunters. The White House said the monument would likely prompt increased visits, driving economic growth.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Associated Press writer Ken Ritter in Las Vegas contributed to this report.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Reach Josh Lederman on Twitter at http://twitter.com/joshledermanAP</p>
| false | 2 |
washington ap president barack obama designated new national monuments friday california nevada texas setting aside millions acres home prehistoric rock carvings mammoth bones popular outdoors destinations presidential move ran immediate resistance republicans accused obama sneaky land grab ignored interests local residents nevada obama announced monument basin range retiring senate democratic leader harry reid seeking years set aside 330000 acres northern california new monument berryessa snow mountain obama also declared waco mammoth relatively small site central texas would join list national monuments speak incredible history obama said formally designated new monuments oval office three new sites bring 19 number monuments obama created expanded since taking office 1906 antiquities act presidents broad authority designate historic ecologically significant sites without congressional approval protecting areas new development like mining oil wells grazing obama used authority aggressively hes worked secure legacy protecting environment warding effects climate change environmental advocates hailed new monuments bringing sorely needed protection natural american treasures future generations able enjoy gift americans said sharon buccino natural resources defense council republicans decried move house national resources committee chairman rob bishop rutah said obama shown complete disdain congress people nevada california texas condemn shameful power move makes states citizens fearful federal government invade time seize lands like bandits night bishop said anticipation obamas move week nevada rep cresent hardy introduced amendment interior department bill would block obama creating monuments areas local opposition amendment made way bill 222206 vote lists counties nevada arizona california new mexico oregon utah offlimits antiquities act abused hardy said interview friday huge supporter protecting certain lands think theres right process go hardy accused obama reid pushing nevada monument burnish legacies white house spokesman josh earnest called reid effective advocate making site monument wouldnt say role advocacy played obamas decision reid interview friday shrugged criticism said believed history would favorably judge decision know important state nevada reid told associated press theyre going look back one day say reid right new monuments include waco mammoth national monument texas archaeologists discovered remains 24 columbian mammoths largest mammoth species 65000 years ago according white house like mammoths columbian mammoth extinct roamed freely north america pleistocene epoch known colloquially ice age site also houses preserved remains ancient species including sabertoothed cat dwarf antelope western camel basin range national monument nevada home rare rock art 4000 years ago white house said 700000 acres public land protected untouched area great basin region beyond petroglyphs site contains city array abstract sculptures artist michael heizer created four decades berryessa snow mountain national monument california tourists nature lovers see 330000 acres northern california set aside white house touted areas biodiversity native american cultural sites area best known destination hikers campers fishermen hunters white house said monument would likely prompt increased visits driving economic growth ___ associated press writer ken ritter las vegas contributed report ___ reach josh lederman twitter httptwittercomjoshledermanap washington ap president barack obama designated new national monuments friday california nevada texas setting aside millions acres home prehistoric rock carvings mammoth bones popular outdoors destinations presidential move ran immediate resistance republicans accused obama sneaky land grab ignored interests local residents nevada obama announced monument basin range retiring senate democratic leader harry reid seeking years set aside 330000 acres northern california new monument berryessa snow mountain obama also declared waco mammoth relatively small site central texas would join list national monuments speak incredible history obama said formally designated new monuments oval office three new sites bring 19 number monuments obama created expanded since taking office 1906 antiquities act presidents broad authority designate historic ecologically significant sites without congressional approval protecting areas new development like mining oil wells grazing obama used authority aggressively hes worked secure legacy protecting environment warding effects climate change environmental advocates hailed new monuments bringing sorely needed protection natural american treasures future generations able enjoy gift americans said sharon buccino natural resources defense council republicans decried move house national resources committee chairman rob bishop rutah said obama shown complete disdain congress people nevada california texas condemn shameful power move makes states citizens fearful federal government invade time seize lands like bandits night bishop said anticipation obamas move week nevada rep cresent hardy introduced amendment interior department bill would block obama creating monuments areas local opposition amendment made way bill 222206 vote lists counties nevada arizona california new mexico oregon utah offlimits antiquities act abused hardy said interview friday huge supporter protecting certain lands think theres right process go hardy accused obama reid pushing nevada monument burnish legacies white house spokesman josh earnest called reid effective advocate making site monument wouldnt say role advocacy played obamas decision reid interview friday shrugged criticism said believed history would favorably judge decision know important state nevada reid told associated press theyre going look back one day say reid right new monuments include waco mammoth national monument texas archaeologists discovered remains 24 columbian mammoths largest mammoth species 65000 years ago according white house like mammoths columbian mammoth extinct roamed freely north america pleistocene epoch known colloquially ice age site also houses preserved remains ancient species including sabertoothed cat dwarf antelope western camel basin range national monument nevada home rare rock art 4000 years ago white house said 700000 acres public land protected untouched area great basin region beyond petroglyphs site contains city array abstract sculptures artist michael heizer created four decades berryessa snow mountain national monument california tourists nature lovers see 330000 acres northern california set aside white house touted areas biodiversity native american cultural sites area best known destination hikers campers fishermen hunters white house said monument would likely prompt increased visits driving economic growth ___ associated press writer ken ritter las vegas contributed report ___ reach josh lederman twitter httptwittercomjoshledermanap
| 940 |
<p>WASHINGTON (AP) - The Environmental Protection Agency is touting cleanups at seven of the nation's most polluted places as a signature accomplishment in the Trump administration's effort to reduce the number of Superfund sites, even though records show the physical work was completed before President Donald Trump took office.</p>
<p>The agency earlier this week credited the leadership of EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt with tripling the number of sites fully or partially removed from the Superfund's National Priorities List in 2017, compared with the two sites taken off in the Obama administration's last year.</p>
<p>"We have made it a priority to get these sites cleaned up faster and in the right way," said Pruitt.</p>
<p>He said that, with the agency's moves to create a task force and make those responsible for contamination pay for cleanup, "the Superfund program is carrying out the agency's mission of protecting human health and the environment more every day."</p>
<p>Cleanups of Superfund sites usually take decades, spanning presidential administrations. An analysis of EPA records by The Associated Press shows that overall the seven Superfund sites delisted last year fell short of the average pace set under both the administrations of Barack Obama and George W. Bush, even in their opening years.</p>
<p>All told, EPA averaged delisting more than 10 sites a year under the eight years Obama was in the White House. EPA under Bush delisted nearly 18 sites on average annually during his two terms.</p>
<p>Still, the EPA said Pruitt's initiatives had resulted in "significant improvement."</p>
<p>EPA declined Friday to provide details of procedural changes under Pruitt that led to the seven sites being delisted faster.</p>
<p>"In 2016, President Obama's EPA cleaned up two Superfund sites, but rather than cherry-pick individual years, it would only be fair to judge us upon the completion of our tenure," said Jahan Wilcox, an EPA spokesman. "Under Administrator Pruitt's leadership, we've completed the cleanup of seven toxic land sites and this is just the beginning."</p>
<p>Records show that construction work at all seven sites hyped by Pruitt's EPA, such as removing soil or drilling wells to suck out contaminated groundwater, was completed years before Pruitt was confirmed as the agency's chief in February. Removing sites from the list is a procedural step that occurs after monitoring data show that remaining levels of harmful contaminates meet cleanup targets, which were often set by EPA decades ago.</p>
<p>Further, entries in the U.S. Federal Register showed that EPA announced its move in 2016 to withdraw four of the seven sites - the Ellisville Site in Missouri, the Omaha Lead site in Nebraska, North Penn in Pennsylvania and the Perdido Groundwater Contamination site in Alabama. The planned deletions of two others, the Shpack Landfill in Massachusetts and the Mystery Bridge site in Wyoming, were announced prior to Pruitt's May 22 directive establishing the Superfund task force.</p>
<p>Notice of EPA's intent to remove the last of the seven sites, Nutting Truck &amp; Caster Co. in Minnesota, was Aug. 21.</p>
<p>There are currently more than 1,300 Superfund sites on EPA's National Priorities List at various stages in the cleanup process, and sites are routinely added to or deleted from the list each year. Sites are fully deleted after contamination is addressed across an entire property, often a former industrial site. Partial deletions occur when part of a larger site is cleaned up, but work remains to be completed on other sections.</p>
<p>Sites removed from the list are sometimes clean enough to be used for new housing or commercial development, though many still have levels of contamination that require deed restrictions on how the land can be used in the future.</p>
<p>Pruitt, a former Oklahoma attorney general who has moved to roll back dozens of EPA regulations intended to reduce future pollution, has said increasing the number of sites deleted from the priority list and cleared for redevelopment will be a focus of the agency under his watch. To lead his task force on the issue, Pruitt tapped Albert "Kell" Kelly, a former Oklahoma bank executive who now serves as a senior adviser at EPA, despite having no prior experience as an environmental regulator.</p>
<p>A former EPA official said the agency's work was underway before Pruitt acted. "The agency was already doing what's in the task force report," said Phyllis Anderson, former associate director of the EPA division that manages Superfund cleanups. She retired in 2013 after 30 years at the agency, serving in Republican and Democratic administrations.</p>
<p>Records show the Bush administration's higher count of delistings was largely the result of work EPA completed in the 1990s, when federal spending on Superfund cleanups was roughly twice what it is now.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump's proposed 2018 budget seeks to cut the Superfund program by 30 percent, though Congress has not yet approved a budget for the year. Pruitt says he will accomplish more with less money through better management.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Dearen reported from Gainesville, Florida.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow Biesecker at http://twitter.com/mbieseck and Dearen at http://www.twitter.com/JHDearen</p>
<p>WASHINGTON (AP) - The Environmental Protection Agency is touting cleanups at seven of the nation's most polluted places as a signature accomplishment in the Trump administration's effort to reduce the number of Superfund sites, even though records show the physical work was completed before President Donald Trump took office.</p>
<p>The agency earlier this week credited the leadership of EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt with tripling the number of sites fully or partially removed from the Superfund's National Priorities List in 2017, compared with the two sites taken off in the Obama administration's last year.</p>
<p>"We have made it a priority to get these sites cleaned up faster and in the right way," said Pruitt.</p>
<p>He said that, with the agency's moves to create a task force and make those responsible for contamination pay for cleanup, "the Superfund program is carrying out the agency's mission of protecting human health and the environment more every day."</p>
<p>Cleanups of Superfund sites usually take decades, spanning presidential administrations. An analysis of EPA records by The Associated Press shows that overall the seven Superfund sites delisted last year fell short of the average pace set under both the administrations of Barack Obama and George W. Bush, even in their opening years.</p>
<p>All told, EPA averaged delisting more than 10 sites a year under the eight years Obama was in the White House. EPA under Bush delisted nearly 18 sites on average annually during his two terms.</p>
<p>Still, the EPA said Pruitt's initiatives had resulted in "significant improvement."</p>
<p>EPA declined Friday to provide details of procedural changes under Pruitt that led to the seven sites being delisted faster.</p>
<p>"In 2016, President Obama's EPA cleaned up two Superfund sites, but rather than cherry-pick individual years, it would only be fair to judge us upon the completion of our tenure," said Jahan Wilcox, an EPA spokesman. "Under Administrator Pruitt's leadership, we've completed the cleanup of seven toxic land sites and this is just the beginning."</p>
<p>Records show that construction work at all seven sites hyped by Pruitt's EPA, such as removing soil or drilling wells to suck out contaminated groundwater, was completed years before Pruitt was confirmed as the agency's chief in February. Removing sites from the list is a procedural step that occurs after monitoring data show that remaining levels of harmful contaminates meet cleanup targets, which were often set by EPA decades ago.</p>
<p>Further, entries in the U.S. Federal Register showed that EPA announced its move in 2016 to withdraw four of the seven sites - the Ellisville Site in Missouri, the Omaha Lead site in Nebraska, North Penn in Pennsylvania and the Perdido Groundwater Contamination site in Alabama. The planned deletions of two others, the Shpack Landfill in Massachusetts and the Mystery Bridge site in Wyoming, were announced prior to Pruitt's May 22 directive establishing the Superfund task force.</p>
<p>Notice of EPA's intent to remove the last of the seven sites, Nutting Truck &amp; Caster Co. in Minnesota, was Aug. 21.</p>
<p>There are currently more than 1,300 Superfund sites on EPA's National Priorities List at various stages in the cleanup process, and sites are routinely added to or deleted from the list each year. Sites are fully deleted after contamination is addressed across an entire property, often a former industrial site. Partial deletions occur when part of a larger site is cleaned up, but work remains to be completed on other sections.</p>
<p>Sites removed from the list are sometimes clean enough to be used for new housing or commercial development, though many still have levels of contamination that require deed restrictions on how the land can be used in the future.</p>
<p>Pruitt, a former Oklahoma attorney general who has moved to roll back dozens of EPA regulations intended to reduce future pollution, has said increasing the number of sites deleted from the priority list and cleared for redevelopment will be a focus of the agency under his watch. To lead his task force on the issue, Pruitt tapped Albert "Kell" Kelly, a former Oklahoma bank executive who now serves as a senior adviser at EPA, despite having no prior experience as an environmental regulator.</p>
<p>A former EPA official said the agency's work was underway before Pruitt acted. "The agency was already doing what's in the task force report," said Phyllis Anderson, former associate director of the EPA division that manages Superfund cleanups. She retired in 2013 after 30 years at the agency, serving in Republican and Democratic administrations.</p>
<p>Records show the Bush administration's higher count of delistings was largely the result of work EPA completed in the 1990s, when federal spending on Superfund cleanups was roughly twice what it is now.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump's proposed 2018 budget seeks to cut the Superfund program by 30 percent, though Congress has not yet approved a budget for the year. Pruitt says he will accomplish more with less money through better management.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Dearen reported from Gainesville, Florida.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow Biesecker at http://twitter.com/mbieseck and Dearen at http://www.twitter.com/JHDearen</p>
| false | 2 |
washington ap environmental protection agency touting cleanups seven nations polluted places signature accomplishment trump administrations effort reduce number superfund sites even though records show physical work completed president donald trump took office agency earlier week credited leadership epa administrator scott pruitt tripling number sites fully partially removed superfunds national priorities list 2017 compared two sites taken obama administrations last year made priority get sites cleaned faster right way said pruitt said agencys moves create task force make responsible contamination pay cleanup superfund program carrying agencys mission protecting human health environment every day cleanups superfund sites usually take decades spanning presidential administrations analysis epa records associated press shows overall seven superfund sites delisted last year fell short average pace set administrations barack obama george w bush even opening years told epa averaged delisting 10 sites year eight years obama white house epa bush delisted nearly 18 sites average annually two terms still epa said pruitts initiatives resulted significant improvement epa declined friday provide details procedural changes pruitt led seven sites delisted faster 2016 president obamas epa cleaned two superfund sites rather cherrypick individual years would fair judge us upon completion tenure said jahan wilcox epa spokesman administrator pruitts leadership weve completed cleanup seven toxic land sites beginning records show construction work seven sites hyped pruitts epa removing soil drilling wells suck contaminated groundwater completed years pruitt confirmed agencys chief february removing sites list procedural step occurs monitoring data show remaining levels harmful contaminates meet cleanup targets often set epa decades ago entries us federal register showed epa announced move 2016 withdraw four seven sites ellisville site missouri omaha lead site nebraska north penn pennsylvania perdido groundwater contamination site alabama planned deletions two others shpack landfill massachusetts mystery bridge site wyoming announced prior pruitts may 22 directive establishing superfund task force notice epas intent remove last seven sites nutting truck amp caster co minnesota aug 21 currently 1300 superfund sites epas national priorities list various stages cleanup process sites routinely added deleted list year sites fully deleted contamination addressed across entire property often former industrial site partial deletions occur part larger site cleaned work remains completed sections sites removed list sometimes clean enough used new housing commercial development though many still levels contamination require deed restrictions land used future pruitt former oklahoma attorney general moved roll back dozens epa regulations intended reduce future pollution said increasing number sites deleted priority list cleared redevelopment focus agency watch lead task force issue pruitt tapped albert kell kelly former oklahoma bank executive serves senior adviser epa despite prior experience environmental regulator former epa official said agencys work underway pruitt acted agency already whats task force report said phyllis anderson former associate director epa division manages superfund cleanups retired 2013 30 years agency serving republican democratic administrations records show bush administrations higher count delistings largely result work epa completed 1990s federal spending superfund cleanups roughly twice president donald trumps proposed 2018 budget seeks cut superfund program 30 percent though congress yet approved budget year pruitt says accomplish less money better management ___ dearen reported gainesville florida ___ follow biesecker httptwittercommbieseck dearen httpwwwtwittercomjhdearen washington ap environmental protection agency touting cleanups seven nations polluted places signature accomplishment trump administrations effort reduce number superfund sites even though records show physical work completed president donald trump took office agency earlier week credited leadership epa administrator scott pruitt tripling number sites fully partially removed superfunds national priorities list 2017 compared two sites taken obama administrations last year made priority get sites cleaned faster right way said pruitt said agencys moves create task force make responsible contamination pay cleanup superfund program carrying agencys mission protecting human health environment every day cleanups superfund sites usually take decades spanning presidential administrations analysis epa records associated press shows overall seven superfund sites delisted last year fell short average pace set administrations barack obama george w bush even opening years told epa averaged delisting 10 sites year eight years obama white house epa bush delisted nearly 18 sites average annually two terms still epa said pruitts initiatives resulted significant improvement epa declined friday provide details procedural changes pruitt led seven sites delisted faster 2016 president obamas epa cleaned two superfund sites rather cherrypick individual years would fair judge us upon completion tenure said jahan wilcox epa spokesman administrator pruitts leadership weve completed cleanup seven toxic land sites beginning records show construction work seven sites hyped pruitts epa removing soil drilling wells suck contaminated groundwater completed years pruitt confirmed agencys chief february removing sites list procedural step occurs monitoring data show remaining levels harmful contaminates meet cleanup targets often set epa decades ago entries us federal register showed epa announced move 2016 withdraw four seven sites ellisville site missouri omaha lead site nebraska north penn pennsylvania perdido groundwater contamination site alabama planned deletions two others shpack landfill massachusetts mystery bridge site wyoming announced prior pruitts may 22 directive establishing superfund task force notice epas intent remove last seven sites nutting truck amp caster co minnesota aug 21 currently 1300 superfund sites epas national priorities list various stages cleanup process sites routinely added deleted list year sites fully deleted contamination addressed across entire property often former industrial site partial deletions occur part larger site cleaned work remains completed sections sites removed list sometimes clean enough used new housing commercial development though many still levels contamination require deed restrictions land used future pruitt former oklahoma attorney general moved roll back dozens epa regulations intended reduce future pollution said increasing number sites deleted priority list cleared redevelopment focus agency watch lead task force issue pruitt tapped albert kell kelly former oklahoma bank executive serves senior adviser epa despite prior experience environmental regulator former epa official said agencys work underway pruitt acted agency already whats task force report said phyllis anderson former associate director epa division manages superfund cleanups retired 2013 30 years agency serving republican democratic administrations records show bush administrations higher count delistings largely result work epa completed 1990s federal spending superfund cleanups roughly twice president donald trumps proposed 2018 budget seeks cut superfund program 30 percent though congress yet approved budget year pruitt says accomplish less money better management ___ dearen reported gainesville florida ___ follow biesecker httptwittercommbieseck dearen httpwwwtwittercomjhdearen
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<p>A group called "Environmental Integrity" <a href="http://www.environmentalintegrity.org/pub314.cfm" type="external">has compiled a list</a> of what it says are the power plants that pollute the most per kilowatt-hour of electricity produced. The group compiled the rankings based on data the power plants provided to the Environmental Protection Agency. The group claims:</p>
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<p>The top 50 among the nation's 359 largest power plants generate as little as 14 percent of the electric power –- but account for a disproportionately large share of pollution emissions across four major categories: up to 50 percent of sulfur dioxide emissions, 42 percent of mercury, 40 percent of nitrogen oxides, and 35 percent of carbon dioxide pollution....</p>
<p><a href="http://www.in-forum.com/articles/index.cfm?id=93609&amp;section=News" type="external">The Forum</a> (Fargo, N.D.) points out that many of the plants cited in the Environmental Integrity Project (EIP) study operate within the current pollution laws.</p>
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<p>The 10 states with the heaviest concentrations of the dirtiest power plants –- in terms of pounds of sulfur dioxide emissions per megawatt-hour of electricity generated –- are: Pennsylvania (nine, including five of the 10 dirtiest plants), Ohio (nine), Indiana (six, including two of the top three dirtiest plants), Georgia (four), Maryland (three), Kentucky (three), Alabama (three), New York (two), Tennessee (two) and West Virginia (two).</p>
<p>The "Dirty Kilowatts" report also ranks the worst power plants for carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and mercury, looking at all four pollutants both in terms of total pounds of emissions and also emission rate (pounds per megawatt-hour of electricity produced). Plants in Texas, Georgia, Minnesota, New Mexico and North Dakota top these additional rankings.</p>
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<p>Hybrids Better for the Planet Than Pocketbook</p>
<p>You would have to drive a <a href="http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/comparison/articles/105527/article.html" type="external">hybrid car</a> an awful lot for a much longer than average time to make up for the extra money that these cars cost, according to a new analysis of gas savings versus high price.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2005-05-31-hybrid-costs-usat_x.htm" type="external">USA Today</a> reported:</p>
<p>The premium automakers charge for the advanced technology isn't completely offset by gas savings and federal tax credits over the five years that owners typically keep all vehicles, the analysis by Edmunds.com for USA&#160;Today says.</p>
<p>The study, the latest on break-even points of hybrid cars, shows that in most cases, an owner would have to drive a hybrid tens of thousands of extra miles a year or gasoline would have to hit stratospheric levels to reach a break-even point with a comparable gas-powered model.</p>
<p>The only car in the comparison that roughly equates in costs over five years is the hybrid Toyota Prius, vs. the conventional Camry. The owner would need to drive just 15,000 miles a year or gas would need to be $2.28 a gallon, the peg Edmunds.com is using for the first year in the study. But Camry is bigger.</p>
<p>When compared with the smaller, gas-thrifty conventional Corolla, the Prius wouldn't equal the five-year costs unless it were driven 66,500 miles a year or gas reached $10.10 a gallon.</p>
<p>The study shows, "If people go in with the idea they are saving money, they are mistaken," says Jesse Toprak, pricing director for Edmunds.com, an auto research site.</p>
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<p>Cons Working in Nursing Homes</p>
<p><a href="http://www.detnews.com/2005/metro/0506/01/A01-200135.htm" type="external">The Detroit News</a> reported:</p>
<p>A yearlong study by Attorney General Mike Cox has revealed that workers accused or convicted of felonies such as abuse, illegal drug use and other offenses are caring for vulnerable, elderly patients despite state efforts to screen nursing home and adult foster care workers.</p>
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<p>Airlines to Report Pet Deaths</p>
<p>Starting in a couple of weeks airlines will begin tracking and reporting deaths of the pets that they transport. They will have to begin reporting the information to the federal Department of Transportation June 15 and the first batch of data should become <a href="http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/reports/index.htm" type="external">available on the DOT Web site in July.</a></p>
<p>As <a href="http://washingtontimes.com/business/20050530-115131-9455r.htm" type="external">The Washington Times</a> points out:</p>
<p>There may be little reason for alarm, because data suggests that most pets arrive safely. The federal government estimates that&#160;two million pets fly each year in passenger cabins and cargo areas, but passengers filed just four reports last year with the Transportation Department accusing airlines of mistreating their pets, agency spokesman Bill Mosley said.</p>
<p>The airline industry also thinks the problem may be small. "The numbers will tell, but I don't believe it's a big problem," said Diana Cronan, spokeswoman for the Air Transport Association of America, which represents airlines. But there's no way to tell what goes on inside a plane's cargo area, so the new statistics will help shed light on the problem, said Kelly Connolly, an issues specialist at the Humane Society. Having the data also will help pet owners decide which airline to take or whether to fly at all, she said.</p>
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<p>The "Class" Project</p>
<p>Have you checked out <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/15/national/class/OVERVIEW-FINAL.html?ex=1117771200&amp;en=dce40eba3d1418f2&amp;ei=5070" type="external">The New York Times' project</a> on "class" and society? The package examines the role of religion, wealth, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/featured_articles/20050517tuesday.html" type="external">health</a>, education, marriage, occupation and immigration in determining social class today.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/national/20050515_CLASS_GRAPHIC/index_01.html" type="external">It also includes some interesting interactives</a> such as this chart that allows you to figure out what income and social class you belong to.The Times described the work that took a team a year to assemble this way:</p>
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<p>The Times includes <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/learning/issues_in_depth/20050515.html" type="external">a useful teachers' guide too.</a></p>
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<p>We are always looking for your great ideas. <a href="" type="internal">Send Al</a> a few sentences and hot links.</p>
<p>Editor's Note: Al's Morning Meeting is a compendium of ideas, edited story excerpts, and other materials from a variety of websites, 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.</p>
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group called environmental integrity compiled list says power plants pollute per kilowatthour electricity produced group compiled rankings based data power plants provided environmental protection agency group claims top 50 among nations 359 largest power plants generate little 14 percent electric power account disproportionately large share pollution emissions across four major categories 50 percent sulfur dioxide emissions 42 percent mercury 40 percent nitrogen oxides 35 percent carbon dioxide pollution forum fargo nd points many plants cited environmental integrity project eip study operate within current pollution laws 10 states heaviest concentrations dirtiest power plants terms pounds sulfur dioxide emissions per megawatthour electricity generated pennsylvania nine including five 10 dirtiest plants ohio nine indiana six including two top three dirtiest plants georgia four maryland three kentucky three alabama three new york two tennessee two west virginia two dirty kilowatts report also ranks worst power plants carbon dioxide nitrogen oxide mercury looking four pollutants terms total pounds emissions also emission rate pounds per megawatthour electricity produced plants texas georgia minnesota new mexico north dakota top additional rankings hybrids better planet pocketbook would drive hybrid car awful lot much longer average time make extra money cars cost according new analysis gas savings versus high price usa today reported premium automakers charge advanced technology isnt completely offset gas savings federal tax credits five years owners typically keep vehicles analysis edmundscom usa160today says study latest breakeven points hybrid cars shows cases owner would drive hybrid tens thousands extra miles year gasoline would hit stratospheric levels reach breakeven point comparable gaspowered model car comparison roughly equates costs five years hybrid toyota prius vs conventional camry owner would need drive 15000 miles year gas would need 228 gallon peg edmundscom using first year study camry bigger compared smaller gasthrifty conventional corolla prius wouldnt equal fiveyear costs unless driven 66500 miles year gas reached 1010 gallon study shows people go idea saving money mistaken says jesse toprak pricing director edmundscom auto research site cons working nursing homes detroit news reported yearlong study attorney general mike cox revealed workers accused convicted felonies abuse illegal drug use offenses caring vulnerable elderly patients despite state efforts screen nursing home adult foster care workers airlines report pet deaths starting couple weeks airlines begin tracking reporting deaths pets transport begin reporting information federal department transportation june 15 first batch data become available dot web site july washington times points may little reason alarm data suggests pets arrive safely federal government estimates that160two million pets fly year passenger cabins cargo areas passengers filed four reports last year transportation department accusing airlines mistreating pets agency spokesman bill mosley said airline industry also thinks problem may small numbers tell dont believe big problem said diana cronan spokeswoman air transport association america represents airlines theres way tell goes inside planes cargo area new statistics help shed light problem said kelly connolly issues specialist humane society data also help pet owners decide airline take whether fly said class project checked new york times project class society package examines role religion wealth health education marriage occupation immigration determining social class today also includes interesting interactives chart allows figure income social class belong tothe times described work took team year assemble way times includes useful teachers guide always looking great ideas send al sentences hot links editors note als morning meeting compendium ideas edited story excerpts materials variety websites well original concepts analysis information comes directly another source attributed link provided whenever possible
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<p>BEIJING (AP) — China’s plan for a modern Silk Road of railways, ports and other facilities linking Asia with Europe hit a $14 billion pothole in Pakistan.</p>
<p>Pakistan’s relations with Beijing are so close that officials call China their “Iron Brother.” Despite that, plans for the Diamer-Bhasha Dam were thrown into turmoil in November when the chairman of Pakistan’s water authority said Beijing wanted an ownership stake in the hydropower project. He rejected that as against Pakistani interests.</p>
<p>China issued a denial but the official withdrew the dam from among dozens of projects being jointly developed by the two countries.</p>
<p>(AP Graphics/Penny Yi Wang)</p>
<p>From Pakistan to Tanzania to Hungary, projects under President Xi Jinping’s signature “Belt and Road Initiative” are being canceled, renegotiated or delayed due to disputes about costs or complaints host countries get too little out of projects built by Chinese companies and financed by loans from Beijing that must be repaid.</p>
<p>In some places, Beijing is suffering a political backlash due to fears of domination by Asia’s biggest economy.</p>
<p>“Pakistan is one of the countries that is in China’s hip pocket, and for Pakistan to stand up and say, ‘I’m not going to do this with you,’ shows it’s not as ‘win-win’ as China says it is,” said Robert Koepp, an analyst in Hong Kong for the Economist Corporate Network, a research firm.</p>
<p>Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Forum in May 2017. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)</p>
<p>“Belt and Road,” announced by Xi in 2013, is a loosely defined umbrella for Chinese-built or -financed projects across 65 countries from the South Pacific through Asia to Africa and Europe. They range from oil drilling in Siberia to construction of ports in Southeast Asia, railways in Eastern Europe and power plants in the Middle East.</p>
<p>Other governments welcomed the initiative in a region the Asian Development Bank says needs more than $26 trillion of infrastructure investment by 2030 to keep economies growing. Nations including Japan have given or lent billions of dollars for development, but China’s venture is bigger and the only source of money for many projects.</p>
<p>Governments from Washington to Moscow to New Delhi are uneasy Beijing is trying to use its “Belt and Road” to develop a China-centered political structure that will erode their influence.</p>
<p />
<p>China’s significance to Pakistan as a source of financing increased following U.S. President Donald Trump’s Jan. 5 decision to suspend security assistance to Islamabad in a dispute over whether it was doing enough to stop Afghan militants.</p>
<p>“Belt and Road” is a business venture, not aid. A Cabinet official, Ou Xiaoli, told The Associated Press in April that lending will be on commercial terms. Beijing wants to attract non-Chinese investors, though that has happened with only a handful of projects, he said.</p>
<p>Among projects that have been derailed or disrupted:</p>
<p>—Authorities in Nepal canceled plans in November for Chinese companies to build a $2.5 billion dam after they concluded contracts for the Budhi Gandaki Hydro Electric Project violated rules requiring multiple bidders.</p>
<p>—The European Union is looking into whether Hungary violated the trade bloc’s rules by awarding contracts to Chinese builders of a high-speed railway to neighboring Serbia without competing bids.</p>
<p>—In Myanmar, plans for a Chinese oil company to build a $3 billion refinery were canceled in November due to financing difficulties, the newspaper Myanmar Times reported.</p>
<p>There is no official list of projects, but consulting firm BMI Research has compiled a database of $1.8 trillion of infrastructure investments announced across Asia, Africa and the Middle East that include Chinese money or other involvement.</p>
<p>Many are still in planning stages and some up to three decades in the future, according to Christian Zhang, a BMI analyst.</p>
<p>Work in progress at a new international trade route near Havalian in Pakistan. (AP Photo/B.K. Bangash)</p>
<p>“It’s probably too early to say at this point how much of the overall initiative will actually be implemented,” said Zhang.</p>
<p>The U.S. and Japanese governments express interest in building contracts or other potential “Belt and Road” opportunities for their companies. But they also are trying to develop alternative initiatives.</p>
<p>In November, the U.S. government’s Overseas Private Investment Corp. signed an agreement with Japanese partners to offer “infrastructure investment alternatives in the Indo-Pacific region,” according to a White House statement.</p>
<p>The following month, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Japan can “cooperate greatly” with China.</p>
<p>The stumbles for one of the world’s most ambitious infrastructure ventures could help temper concerns Beijing will increase its strategic influence.</p>
<p>“There is a big possibility that China is going to have a lot of disagreements and misunderstandings,” said Kerry Brown, a specialist in Chinese politics at King’s College London. “It’s hard to think of a big, successful project the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ has led to at the moment.”</p>
<p>Even Pakistan, one of China’s friendliest neighbors, has failed to agree on key projects.</p>
<p>Display for last year’s Belt and Road Forum at the China National Convention Center in Beijing. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)</p>
<p>The two governments are developing facilities with a total cost of $60 billion including power plants and railways to link China’s far west with the Chinese-built port of Gwadar on the Indian Ocean.</p>
<p>A visit by a Chinese assistant foreign minister in November produced no agreement on railway projects in the southern city of Karachi valued at $10 billion and a $260 million airport for Gwadar.</p>
<p>The same month, the chairman of the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority announced the Diamer-Bhasha Dam would be withdrawn from joint development. The site is in Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan’s far north, part of the Kashmir region, which also is claimed by India.</p>
<p>“Chinese conditions for financing the Diamer-Bhasha Dam were not doable and against our interests,” the official, Muzammil Hussain, told legislators, according to Pakistani news reports.</p>
<p>The Chinese Cabinet agency overseeing “Belt and Road,” the National Development and Reform Commission, denied in a written statement that it asked for an ownership stake. It said the two sides had held only preliminary talks about the project.</p>
<p>A Pakistani Cabinet official who spoke on condition he not be identified further said the Chinese side asked for clarification of the ownership status of the dam site because Gilgit-Baltistan has yet to be formally made part of a Pakistani province. The water authority didn’t respond to requests to clarify its chairman’s comments.</p>
<p>“Belt and Road” is interwoven with official efforts to export Chinese rail, hydropower and other technology and steel, aluminum and other industrial goods.</p>
<p>Former Pakistan’s Army Chief General Raheel Sharif addresses the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) seminar in Gwadar, Pakistan on April 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)</p>
<p>In Thailand, work on a $15 billion high-speed railway was suspended in 2016 following complaints too little business went to Thai companies.</p>
<p>After more talks over costs, technology sharing and land ownership, Thai leaders announced a new plan in July for a first line to be built from Bangkok to the country’s northeast. Building contracts went to Thai companies while China will supply technology.</p>
<p>In Tanzania, the government has reopened negotiations with China and another investor, the government of the gulf nation of Oman, over ownership of a planned $11 billion port in the city of Bagamoyo. The Tanzanian government failed to raise $28 million for its contribution, leaving it unclear what share the government might get.</p>
<p>Tanzania wants to make sure its people get more than just taxes collected from the port, said the director of the Tanzania Ports Authority, Deusdedit Kakoko.</p>
<p>“Land is for Tanzanians, and as the government we’re ensuring they get a share,” Kakoko said in an interview.</p>
<p>Despite such setbacks, Chinese officials say most “Belt and Road” projects are moving ahead with few problems.</p>
<p>Work on pipelines to deliver oil and gas from Russia and Central Asia is making “steady progress,” said a deputy commerce minister, Li Chenggang, at a Nov. 21 news conference.</p>
<p>“We have a lot of room for further cooperation,” said Li.</p>
<p>The state-run China Development Bank announced in 2015 it had set aside $890 billion for more than 900 projects across 60 countries in gas, minerals, power, telecoms, infrastructure and farming. The Export-Import Bank of China said it would finance 1,000 projects in 49 countries.</p>
<p>Acting as banker gives Beijing leverage to require use of Chinese builders and technology. But it can lead to complaints host countries fail to negotiate hard enough.</p>
<p>In Sri Lanka, the government sold an 80 percent stake in a port in the southern city of Hambantota to a Chinese state-owned company on Dec. 9 after falling behind in repaying $1.5 billion borrowed from Beijing to build it. That prompted complaints the deal was too favorable to Beijing.</p>
<p>“There is the perception of a Chinese incursion into their sovereignty by taking over the port,” said BMI’s Zhang.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Ahmed reported from Islamabad and Domasa from Dodoma, Tanzania. AP Writer Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed.</p>
<p>BEIJING (AP) — China’s plan for a modern Silk Road of railways, ports and other facilities linking Asia with Europe hit a $14 billion pothole in Pakistan.</p>
<p>Pakistan’s relations with Beijing are so close that officials call China their “Iron Brother.” Despite that, plans for the Diamer-Bhasha Dam were thrown into turmoil in November when the chairman of Pakistan’s water authority said Beijing wanted an ownership stake in the hydropower project. He rejected that as against Pakistani interests.</p>
<p>China issued a denial but the official withdrew the dam from among dozens of projects being jointly developed by the two countries.</p>
<p>(AP Graphics/Penny Yi Wang)</p>
<p>From Pakistan to Tanzania to Hungary, projects under President Xi Jinping’s signature “Belt and Road Initiative” are being canceled, renegotiated or delayed due to disputes about costs or complaints host countries get too little out of projects built by Chinese companies and financed by loans from Beijing that must be repaid.</p>
<p>In some places, Beijing is suffering a political backlash due to fears of domination by Asia’s biggest economy.</p>
<p>“Pakistan is one of the countries that is in China’s hip pocket, and for Pakistan to stand up and say, ‘I’m not going to do this with you,’ shows it’s not as ‘win-win’ as China says it is,” said Robert Koepp, an analyst in Hong Kong for the Economist Corporate Network, a research firm.</p>
<p>Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Forum in May 2017. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)</p>
<p>“Belt and Road,” announced by Xi in 2013, is a loosely defined umbrella for Chinese-built or -financed projects across 65 countries from the South Pacific through Asia to Africa and Europe. They range from oil drilling in Siberia to construction of ports in Southeast Asia, railways in Eastern Europe and power plants in the Middle East.</p>
<p>Other governments welcomed the initiative in a region the Asian Development Bank says needs more than $26 trillion of infrastructure investment by 2030 to keep economies growing. Nations including Japan have given or lent billions of dollars for development, but China’s venture is bigger and the only source of money for many projects.</p>
<p>Governments from Washington to Moscow to New Delhi are uneasy Beijing is trying to use its “Belt and Road” to develop a China-centered political structure that will erode their influence.</p>
<p />
<p>China’s significance to Pakistan as a source of financing increased following U.S. President Donald Trump’s Jan. 5 decision to suspend security assistance to Islamabad in a dispute over whether it was doing enough to stop Afghan militants.</p>
<p>“Belt and Road” is a business venture, not aid. A Cabinet official, Ou Xiaoli, told The Associated Press in April that lending will be on commercial terms. Beijing wants to attract non-Chinese investors, though that has happened with only a handful of projects, he said.</p>
<p>Among projects that have been derailed or disrupted:</p>
<p>—Authorities in Nepal canceled plans in November for Chinese companies to build a $2.5 billion dam after they concluded contracts for the Budhi Gandaki Hydro Electric Project violated rules requiring multiple bidders.</p>
<p>—The European Union is looking into whether Hungary violated the trade bloc’s rules by awarding contracts to Chinese builders of a high-speed railway to neighboring Serbia without competing bids.</p>
<p>—In Myanmar, plans for a Chinese oil company to build a $3 billion refinery were canceled in November due to financing difficulties, the newspaper Myanmar Times reported.</p>
<p>There is no official list of projects, but consulting firm BMI Research has compiled a database of $1.8 trillion of infrastructure investments announced across Asia, Africa and the Middle East that include Chinese money or other involvement.</p>
<p>Many are still in planning stages and some up to three decades in the future, according to Christian Zhang, a BMI analyst.</p>
<p>Work in progress at a new international trade route near Havalian in Pakistan. (AP Photo/B.K. Bangash)</p>
<p>“It’s probably too early to say at this point how much of the overall initiative will actually be implemented,” said Zhang.</p>
<p>The U.S. and Japanese governments express interest in building contracts or other potential “Belt and Road” opportunities for their companies. But they also are trying to develop alternative initiatives.</p>
<p>In November, the U.S. government’s Overseas Private Investment Corp. signed an agreement with Japanese partners to offer “infrastructure investment alternatives in the Indo-Pacific region,” according to a White House statement.</p>
<p>The following month, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Japan can “cooperate greatly” with China.</p>
<p>The stumbles for one of the world’s most ambitious infrastructure ventures could help temper concerns Beijing will increase its strategic influence.</p>
<p>“There is a big possibility that China is going to have a lot of disagreements and misunderstandings,” said Kerry Brown, a specialist in Chinese politics at King’s College London. “It’s hard to think of a big, successful project the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ has led to at the moment.”</p>
<p>Even Pakistan, one of China’s friendliest neighbors, has failed to agree on key projects.</p>
<p>Display for last year’s Belt and Road Forum at the China National Convention Center in Beijing. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)</p>
<p>The two governments are developing facilities with a total cost of $60 billion including power plants and railways to link China’s far west with the Chinese-built port of Gwadar on the Indian Ocean.</p>
<p>A visit by a Chinese assistant foreign minister in November produced no agreement on railway projects in the southern city of Karachi valued at $10 billion and a $260 million airport for Gwadar.</p>
<p>The same month, the chairman of the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority announced the Diamer-Bhasha Dam would be withdrawn from joint development. The site is in Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan’s far north, part of the Kashmir region, which also is claimed by India.</p>
<p>“Chinese conditions for financing the Diamer-Bhasha Dam were not doable and against our interests,” the official, Muzammil Hussain, told legislators, according to Pakistani news reports.</p>
<p>The Chinese Cabinet agency overseeing “Belt and Road,” the National Development and Reform Commission, denied in a written statement that it asked for an ownership stake. It said the two sides had held only preliminary talks about the project.</p>
<p>A Pakistani Cabinet official who spoke on condition he not be identified further said the Chinese side asked for clarification of the ownership status of the dam site because Gilgit-Baltistan has yet to be formally made part of a Pakistani province. The water authority didn’t respond to requests to clarify its chairman’s comments.</p>
<p>“Belt and Road” is interwoven with official efforts to export Chinese rail, hydropower and other technology and steel, aluminum and other industrial goods.</p>
<p>Former Pakistan’s Army Chief General Raheel Sharif addresses the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) seminar in Gwadar, Pakistan on April 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)</p>
<p>In Thailand, work on a $15 billion high-speed railway was suspended in 2016 following complaints too little business went to Thai companies.</p>
<p>After more talks over costs, technology sharing and land ownership, Thai leaders announced a new plan in July for a first line to be built from Bangkok to the country’s northeast. Building contracts went to Thai companies while China will supply technology.</p>
<p>In Tanzania, the government has reopened negotiations with China and another investor, the government of the gulf nation of Oman, over ownership of a planned $11 billion port in the city of Bagamoyo. The Tanzanian government failed to raise $28 million for its contribution, leaving it unclear what share the government might get.</p>
<p>Tanzania wants to make sure its people get more than just taxes collected from the port, said the director of the Tanzania Ports Authority, Deusdedit Kakoko.</p>
<p>“Land is for Tanzanians, and as the government we’re ensuring they get a share,” Kakoko said in an interview.</p>
<p>Despite such setbacks, Chinese officials say most “Belt and Road” projects are moving ahead with few problems.</p>
<p>Work on pipelines to deliver oil and gas from Russia and Central Asia is making “steady progress,” said a deputy commerce minister, Li Chenggang, at a Nov. 21 news conference.</p>
<p>“We have a lot of room for further cooperation,” said Li.</p>
<p>The state-run China Development Bank announced in 2015 it had set aside $890 billion for more than 900 projects across 60 countries in gas, minerals, power, telecoms, infrastructure and farming. The Export-Import Bank of China said it would finance 1,000 projects in 49 countries.</p>
<p>Acting as banker gives Beijing leverage to require use of Chinese builders and technology. But it can lead to complaints host countries fail to negotiate hard enough.</p>
<p>In Sri Lanka, the government sold an 80 percent stake in a port in the southern city of Hambantota to a Chinese state-owned company on Dec. 9 after falling behind in repaying $1.5 billion borrowed from Beijing to build it. That prompted complaints the deal was too favorable to Beijing.</p>
<p>“There is the perception of a Chinese incursion into their sovereignty by taking over the port,” said BMI’s Zhang.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Ahmed reported from Islamabad and Domasa from Dodoma, Tanzania. AP Writer Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed.</p>
| false | 2 |
beijing ap chinas plan modern silk road railways ports facilities linking asia europe hit 14 billion pothole pakistan pakistans relations beijing close officials call china iron brother despite plans diamerbhasha dam thrown turmoil november chairman pakistans water authority said beijing wanted ownership stake hydropower project rejected pakistani interests china issued denial official withdrew dam among dozens projects jointly developed two countries ap graphicspenny yi wang pakistan tanzania hungary projects president xi jinpings signature belt road initiative canceled renegotiated delayed due disputes costs complaints host countries get little projects built chinese companies financed loans beijing must repaid places beijing suffering political backlash due fears domination asias biggest economy pakistan one countries chinas hip pocket pakistan stand say im going shows winwin china says said robert koepp analyst hong kong economist corporate network research firm chinese president xi jinping speaks opening ceremony belt road forum may 2017 ap photomark schiefelbein belt road announced xi 2013 loosely defined umbrella chinesebuilt financed projects across 65 countries south pacific asia africa europe range oil drilling siberia construction ports southeast asia railways eastern europe power plants middle east governments welcomed initiative region asian development bank says needs 26 trillion infrastructure investment 2030 keep economies growing nations including japan given lent billions dollars development chinas venture bigger source money many projects governments washington moscow new delhi uneasy beijing trying use belt road develop chinacentered political structure erode influence chinas significance pakistan source financing increased following us president donald trumps jan 5 decision suspend security assistance islamabad dispute whether enough stop afghan militants belt road business venture aid cabinet official ou xiaoli told associated press april lending commercial terms beijing wants attract nonchinese investors though happened handful projects said among projects derailed disrupted authorities nepal canceled plans november chinese companies build 25 billion dam concluded contracts budhi gandaki hydro electric project violated rules requiring multiple bidders european union looking whether hungary violated trade blocs rules awarding contracts chinese builders highspeed railway neighboring serbia without competing bids myanmar plans chinese oil company build 3 billion refinery canceled november due financing difficulties newspaper myanmar times reported official list projects consulting firm bmi research compiled database 18 trillion infrastructure investments announced across asia africa middle east include chinese money involvement many still planning stages three decades future according christian zhang bmi analyst work progress new international trade route near havalian pakistan ap photobk bangash probably early say point much overall initiative actually implemented said zhang us japanese governments express interest building contracts potential belt road opportunities companies also trying develop alternative initiatives november us governments overseas private investment corp signed agreement japanese partners offer infrastructure investment alternatives indopacific region according white house statement following month prime minister shinzo abe said japan cooperate greatly china stumbles one worlds ambitious infrastructure ventures could help temper concerns beijing increase strategic influence big possibility china going lot disagreements misunderstandings said kerry brown specialist chinese politics kings college london hard think big successful project belt road initiative led moment even pakistan one chinas friendliest neighbors failed agree key projects display last years belt road forum china national convention center beijing ap photomark schiefelbein two governments developing facilities total cost 60 billion including power plants railways link chinas far west chinesebuilt port gwadar indian ocean visit chinese assistant foreign minister november produced agreement railway projects southern city karachi valued 10 billion 260 million airport gwadar month chairman pakistan water power development authority announced diamerbhasha dam would withdrawn joint development site gilgitbaltistan pakistans far north part kashmir region also claimed india chinese conditions financing diamerbhasha dam doable interests official muzammil hussain told legislators according pakistani news reports chinese cabinet agency overseeing belt road national development reform commission denied written statement asked ownership stake said two sides held preliminary talks project pakistani cabinet official spoke condition identified said chinese side asked clarification ownership status dam site gilgitbaltistan yet formally made part pakistani province water authority didnt respond requests clarify chairmans comments belt road interwoven official efforts export chinese rail hydropower technology steel aluminum industrial goods former pakistans army chief general raheel sharif addresses chinapakistan economic corridor cpec seminar gwadar pakistan april 12 2016 ap photoanjum naveed thailand work 15 billion highspeed railway suspended 2016 following complaints little business went thai companies talks costs technology sharing land ownership thai leaders announced new plan july first line built bangkok countrys northeast building contracts went thai companies china supply technology tanzania government reopened negotiations china another investor government gulf nation oman ownership planned 11 billion port city bagamoyo tanzanian government failed raise 28 million contribution leaving unclear share government might get tanzania wants make sure people get taxes collected port said director tanzania ports authority deusdedit kakoko land tanzanians government ensuring get share kakoko said interview despite setbacks chinese officials say belt road projects moving ahead problems work pipelines deliver oil gas russia central asia making steady progress said deputy commerce minister li chenggang nov 21 news conference lot room cooperation said li staterun china development bank announced 2015 set aside 890 billion 900 projects across 60 countries gas minerals power telecoms infrastructure farming exportimport bank china said would finance 1000 projects 49 countries acting banker gives beijing leverage require use chinese builders technology lead complaints host countries fail negotiate hard enough sri lanka government sold 80 percent stake port southern city hambantota chinese stateowned company dec 9 falling behind repaying 15 billion borrowed beijing build prompted complaints deal favorable beijing perception chinese incursion sovereignty taking port said bmis zhang ___ ahmed reported islamabad domasa dodoma tanzania ap writer mari yamaguchi tokyo contributed beijing ap chinas plan modern silk road railways ports facilities linking asia europe hit 14 billion pothole pakistan pakistans relations beijing close officials call china iron brother despite plans diamerbhasha dam thrown turmoil november chairman pakistans water authority said beijing wanted ownership stake hydropower project rejected pakistani interests china issued denial official withdrew dam among dozens projects jointly developed two countries ap graphicspenny yi wang pakistan tanzania hungary projects president xi jinpings signature belt road initiative canceled renegotiated delayed due disputes costs complaints host countries get little projects built chinese companies financed loans beijing must repaid places beijing suffering political backlash due fears domination asias biggest economy pakistan one countries chinas hip pocket pakistan stand say im going shows winwin china says said robert koepp analyst hong kong economist corporate network research firm chinese president xi jinping speaks opening ceremony belt road forum may 2017 ap photomark schiefelbein belt road announced xi 2013 loosely defined umbrella chinesebuilt financed projects across 65 countries south pacific asia africa europe range oil drilling siberia construction ports southeast asia railways eastern europe power plants middle east governments welcomed initiative region asian development bank says needs 26 trillion infrastructure investment 2030 keep economies growing nations including japan given lent billions dollars development chinas venture bigger source money many projects governments washington moscow new delhi uneasy beijing trying use belt road develop chinacentered political structure erode influence chinas significance pakistan source financing increased following us president donald trumps jan 5 decision suspend security assistance islamabad dispute whether enough stop afghan militants belt road business venture aid cabinet official ou xiaoli told associated press april lending commercial terms beijing wants attract nonchinese investors though happened handful projects said among projects derailed disrupted authorities nepal canceled plans november chinese companies build 25 billion dam concluded contracts budhi gandaki hydro electric project violated rules requiring multiple bidders european union looking whether hungary violated trade blocs rules awarding contracts chinese builders highspeed railway neighboring serbia without competing bids myanmar plans chinese oil company build 3 billion refinery canceled november due financing difficulties newspaper myanmar times reported official list projects consulting firm bmi research compiled database 18 trillion infrastructure investments announced across asia africa middle east include chinese money involvement many still planning stages three decades future according christian zhang bmi analyst work progress new international trade route near havalian pakistan ap photobk bangash probably early say point much overall initiative actually implemented said zhang us japanese governments express interest building contracts potential belt road opportunities companies also trying develop alternative initiatives november us governments overseas private investment corp signed agreement japanese partners offer infrastructure investment alternatives indopacific region according white house statement following month prime minister shinzo abe said japan cooperate greatly china stumbles one worlds ambitious infrastructure ventures could help temper concerns beijing increase strategic influence big possibility china going lot disagreements misunderstandings said kerry brown specialist chinese politics kings college london hard think big successful project belt road initiative led moment even pakistan one chinas friendliest neighbors failed agree key projects display last years belt road forum china national convention center beijing ap photomark schiefelbein two governments developing facilities total cost 60 billion including power plants railways link chinas far west chinesebuilt port gwadar indian ocean visit chinese assistant foreign minister november produced agreement railway projects southern city karachi valued 10 billion 260 million airport gwadar month chairman pakistan water power development authority announced diamerbhasha dam would withdrawn joint development site gilgitbaltistan pakistans far north part kashmir region also claimed india chinese conditions financing diamerbhasha dam doable interests official muzammil hussain told legislators according pakistani news reports chinese cabinet agency overseeing belt road national development reform commission denied written statement asked ownership stake said two sides held preliminary talks project pakistani cabinet official spoke condition identified said chinese side asked clarification ownership status dam site gilgitbaltistan yet formally made part pakistani province water authority didnt respond requests clarify chairmans comments belt road interwoven official efforts export chinese rail hydropower technology steel aluminum industrial goods former pakistans army chief general raheel sharif addresses chinapakistan economic corridor cpec seminar gwadar pakistan april 12 2016 ap photoanjum naveed thailand work 15 billion highspeed railway suspended 2016 following complaints little business went thai companies talks costs technology sharing land ownership thai leaders announced new plan july first line built bangkok countrys northeast building contracts went thai companies china supply technology tanzania government reopened negotiations china another investor government gulf nation oman ownership planned 11 billion port city bagamoyo tanzanian government failed raise 28 million contribution leaving unclear share government might get tanzania wants make sure people get taxes collected port said director tanzania ports authority deusdedit kakoko land tanzanians government ensuring get share kakoko said interview despite setbacks chinese officials say belt road projects moving ahead problems work pipelines deliver oil gas russia central asia making steady progress said deputy commerce minister li chenggang nov 21 news conference lot room cooperation said li staterun china development bank announced 2015 set aside 890 billion 900 projects across 60 countries gas minerals power telecoms infrastructure farming exportimport bank china said would finance 1000 projects 49 countries acting banker gives beijing leverage require use chinese builders technology lead complaints host countries fail negotiate hard enough sri lanka government sold 80 percent stake port southern city hambantota chinese stateowned company dec 9 falling behind repaying 15 billion borrowed beijing build prompted complaints deal favorable beijing perception chinese incursion sovereignty taking port said bmis zhang ___ ahmed reported islamabad domasa dodoma tanzania ap writer mari yamaguchi tokyo contributed
| 1,842 |
<p>SAN DIEGO (AP) — Ian Kennedy was close to perfect through four innings, holding the Washington Nationals without a hit and getting a double play to erase the only baserunner.</p>
<p>He ran into trouble in the fifth and then faltered in the sixth.</p>
<p>Stephen Strasburg rebounded from a rough start to beat his hometown San Diego Padres for the fourth straight time, and Bryce Harper and Danny Espinosa hit three-run homers to power Washington to a 10-5 victory Sunday.</p>
<p>The Nationals won the final three of the four-game series and for the 15th time in 19 games.</p>
<p>The Padres were left frustrated again. They've scored only six runs in the last three games. On Sunday, Justin Upton homered twice for the Padres, raising his season total to 10, and Jedd Gyorko hit his second.</p>
<p>Harper tripled into the right-field corner leading off the fifth for Washington's first hit and Ryan Zimmerman followed with an infield single to third. Kennedy retired Tyler Moore and Jose Lobaton before Espinosa drove an 0-1 pitch an estimated 383 feet into the Jack Daniel's party deck atop the right-field wall for a 3-2 lead.</p>
<p>Kennedy walked the bases loaded opening the sixth. Lefty Frank Garces came on to face Harper, who hit a nubber down the third-base line for an RBI infield single. Zimmerman hit a sacrifice fly and Moore hit a two-run double for a 7-2 lead.</p>
<p>"I almost pitched out of it," Kennedy said. "I was one out away, one pitch away, from closing the fifth inning out, and it was a big blow but I was trying to go out and throw the sixth inning and missed them by a little bit, off on fastballs. It's pretty frustrating because it was such a good start. I thought it was going to be another good day."</p>
<p>Kennedy allowed six runs, three hits and four walks in five innings. He struck out six.</p>
<p>"It looks as though in the sixth he lost his release point," manager Bud Black said. "He just couldn't find the range on any of his pitches. At times that can get to a pitcher, you know, when you're trying to throw strikes and you can't. That's always a tough one. It just looked as though his mechanics were off a little bit.</p>
<p>Harper went 3 for 3 with a walk and four RBIs. His NL-leading 14th homer was an opposite-field shot to left off reliever Dale Thayer with one out in the seventh. Harper also had an infield RBI single and a triple. Needing a double for the cycle, he grounded to first, ending the ninth.</p>
<p>Strasburg (3-4), who went to West Hills High in suburban Santee and pitched for Tony Gwynn at San Diego State, improved to 4-1 against the Padres, including 2-0 at Petco Park.</p>
<p>He was coming off a start he called embarrassing, when he allowed career-high eight runs in only 3 1-3 innings in a 14-6 loss at Arizona. In his outing before that, he left early because of a tight back and later visited a chiropractor.</p>
<p>Given a 7-2 lead, Strasburg pitched into the sixth for the first time in three starts. He allowed three runs and five hits in five-plus innings, struck out seven and walked one. He was chased after allowing a double and single opening the sixth.</p>
<p>Strasburg fell behind 2-0 after allowing Matt Kemp's RBI infield hit in the first and Upton's home run to left with two outs in the third. Upton hit another solo shot in the eighth, off Tanner Roark.</p>
<p>TRAINER'S ROOM</p>
<p>Nationals: OF Jayson Werth missed his second straight game after getting hit on the left wrist by a pitch Friday night.</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Nationals: Washington is off Monday before opening a two-game series against the New York Yankees on Tuesday night, when LHP Gio Gonzalez (3-2, 4.25 ERA) is scheduled to oppose RHP Nathan Eovaldi (3-1, 4.14).</p>
<p>Padres: San Diego is off Monday before welcoming Kris Bryant and the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night for the opener of a three-game series. Bryant starred at the University of San Diego. The scheduled starters are RHP Jason Hammel (3-1, 3.11) for the Cubs and RHP James Shields (5-0, 3.91) for the Padres.</p>
<p>SAN DIEGO (AP) — Ian Kennedy was close to perfect through four innings, holding the Washington Nationals without a hit and getting a double play to erase the only baserunner.</p>
<p>He ran into trouble in the fifth and then faltered in the sixth.</p>
<p>Stephen Strasburg rebounded from a rough start to beat his hometown San Diego Padres for the fourth straight time, and Bryce Harper and Danny Espinosa hit three-run homers to power Washington to a 10-5 victory Sunday.</p>
<p>The Nationals won the final three of the four-game series and for the 15th time in 19 games.</p>
<p>The Padres were left frustrated again. They've scored only six runs in the last three games. On Sunday, Justin Upton homered twice for the Padres, raising his season total to 10, and Jedd Gyorko hit his second.</p>
<p>Harper tripled into the right-field corner leading off the fifth for Washington's first hit and Ryan Zimmerman followed with an infield single to third. Kennedy retired Tyler Moore and Jose Lobaton before Espinosa drove an 0-1 pitch an estimated 383 feet into the Jack Daniel's party deck atop the right-field wall for a 3-2 lead.</p>
<p>Kennedy walked the bases loaded opening the sixth. Lefty Frank Garces came on to face Harper, who hit a nubber down the third-base line for an RBI infield single. Zimmerman hit a sacrifice fly and Moore hit a two-run double for a 7-2 lead.</p>
<p>"I almost pitched out of it," Kennedy said. "I was one out away, one pitch away, from closing the fifth inning out, and it was a big blow but I was trying to go out and throw the sixth inning and missed them by a little bit, off on fastballs. It's pretty frustrating because it was such a good start. I thought it was going to be another good day."</p>
<p>Kennedy allowed six runs, three hits and four walks in five innings. He struck out six.</p>
<p>"It looks as though in the sixth he lost his release point," manager Bud Black said. "He just couldn't find the range on any of his pitches. At times that can get to a pitcher, you know, when you're trying to throw strikes and you can't. That's always a tough one. It just looked as though his mechanics were off a little bit.</p>
<p>Harper went 3 for 3 with a walk and four RBIs. His NL-leading 14th homer was an opposite-field shot to left off reliever Dale Thayer with one out in the seventh. Harper also had an infield RBI single and a triple. Needing a double for the cycle, he grounded to first, ending the ninth.</p>
<p>Strasburg (3-4), who went to West Hills High in suburban Santee and pitched for Tony Gwynn at San Diego State, improved to 4-1 against the Padres, including 2-0 at Petco Park.</p>
<p>He was coming off a start he called embarrassing, when he allowed career-high eight runs in only 3 1-3 innings in a 14-6 loss at Arizona. In his outing before that, he left early because of a tight back and later visited a chiropractor.</p>
<p>Given a 7-2 lead, Strasburg pitched into the sixth for the first time in three starts. He allowed three runs and five hits in five-plus innings, struck out seven and walked one. He was chased after allowing a double and single opening the sixth.</p>
<p>Strasburg fell behind 2-0 after allowing Matt Kemp's RBI infield hit in the first and Upton's home run to left with two outs in the third. Upton hit another solo shot in the eighth, off Tanner Roark.</p>
<p>TRAINER'S ROOM</p>
<p>Nationals: OF Jayson Werth missed his second straight game after getting hit on the left wrist by a pitch Friday night.</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Nationals: Washington is off Monday before opening a two-game series against the New York Yankees on Tuesday night, when LHP Gio Gonzalez (3-2, 4.25 ERA) is scheduled to oppose RHP Nathan Eovaldi (3-1, 4.14).</p>
<p>Padres: San Diego is off Monday before welcoming Kris Bryant and the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night for the opener of a three-game series. Bryant starred at the University of San Diego. The scheduled starters are RHP Jason Hammel (3-1, 3.11) for the Cubs and RHP James Shields (5-0, 3.91) for the Padres.</p>
| false | 2 |
san diego ap ian kennedy close perfect four innings holding washington nationals without hit getting double play erase baserunner ran trouble fifth faltered sixth stephen strasburg rebounded rough start beat hometown san diego padres fourth straight time bryce harper danny espinosa hit threerun homers power washington 105 victory sunday nationals final three fourgame series 15th time 19 games padres left frustrated theyve scored six runs last three games sunday justin upton homered twice padres raising season total 10 jedd gyorko hit second harper tripled rightfield corner leading fifth washingtons first hit ryan zimmerman followed infield single third kennedy retired tyler moore jose lobaton espinosa drove 01 pitch estimated 383 feet jack daniels party deck atop rightfield wall 32 lead kennedy walked bases loaded opening sixth lefty frank garces came face harper hit nubber thirdbase line rbi infield single zimmerman hit sacrifice fly moore hit tworun double 72 lead almost pitched kennedy said one away one pitch away closing fifth inning big blow trying go throw sixth inning missed little bit fastballs pretty frustrating good start thought going another good day kennedy allowed six runs three hits four walks five innings struck six looks though sixth lost release point manager bud black said couldnt find range pitches times get pitcher know youre trying throw strikes cant thats always tough one looked though mechanics little bit harper went 3 3 walk four rbis nlleading 14th homer oppositefield shot left reliever dale thayer one seventh harper also infield rbi single triple needing double cycle grounded first ending ninth strasburg 34 went west hills high suburban santee pitched tony gwynn san diego state improved 41 padres including 20 petco park coming start called embarrassing allowed careerhigh eight runs 3 13 innings 146 loss arizona outing left early tight back later visited chiropractor given 72 lead strasburg pitched sixth first time three starts allowed three runs five hits fiveplus innings struck seven walked one chased allowing double single opening sixth strasburg fell behind 20 allowing matt kemps rbi infield hit first uptons home run left two outs third upton hit another solo shot eighth tanner roark trainers room nationals jayson werth missed second straight game getting hit left wrist pitch friday night next nationals washington monday opening twogame series new york yankees tuesday night lhp gio gonzalez 32 425 era scheduled oppose rhp nathan eovaldi 31 414 padres san diego monday welcoming kris bryant chicago cubs tuesday night opener threegame series bryant starred university san diego scheduled starters rhp jason hammel 31 311 cubs rhp james shields 50 391 padres san diego ap ian kennedy close perfect four innings holding washington nationals without hit getting double play erase baserunner ran trouble fifth faltered sixth stephen strasburg rebounded rough start beat hometown san diego padres fourth straight time bryce harper danny espinosa hit threerun homers power washington 105 victory sunday nationals final three fourgame series 15th time 19 games padres left frustrated theyve scored six runs last three games sunday justin upton homered twice padres raising season total 10 jedd gyorko hit second harper tripled rightfield corner leading fifth washingtons first hit ryan zimmerman followed infield single third kennedy retired tyler moore jose lobaton espinosa drove 01 pitch estimated 383 feet jack daniels party deck atop rightfield wall 32 lead kennedy walked bases loaded opening sixth lefty frank garces came face harper hit nubber thirdbase line rbi infield single zimmerman hit sacrifice fly moore hit tworun double 72 lead almost pitched kennedy said one away one pitch away closing fifth inning big blow trying go throw sixth inning missed little bit fastballs pretty frustrating good start thought going another good day kennedy allowed six runs three hits four walks five innings struck six looks though sixth lost release point manager bud black said couldnt find range pitches times get pitcher know youre trying throw strikes cant thats always tough one looked though mechanics little bit harper went 3 3 walk four rbis nlleading 14th homer oppositefield shot left reliever dale thayer one seventh harper also infield rbi single triple needing double cycle grounded first ending ninth strasburg 34 went west hills high suburban santee pitched tony gwynn san diego state improved 41 padres including 20 petco park coming start called embarrassing allowed careerhigh eight runs 3 13 innings 146 loss arizona outing left early tight back later visited chiropractor given 72 lead strasburg pitched sixth first time three starts allowed three runs five hits fiveplus innings struck seven walked one chased allowing double single opening sixth strasburg fell behind 20 allowing matt kemps rbi infield hit first uptons home run left two outs third upton hit another solo shot eighth tanner roark trainers room nationals jayson werth missed second straight game getting hit left wrist pitch friday night next nationals washington monday opening twogame series new york yankees tuesday night lhp gio gonzalez 32 425 era scheduled oppose rhp nathan eovaldi 31 414 padres san diego monday welcoming kris bryant chicago cubs tuesday night opener threegame series bryant starred university san diego scheduled starters rhp jason hammel 31 311 cubs rhp james shields 50 391 padres
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<p />
<p>Preventing terrorists from obtaining nuclear materials is the central focus as President Barack Obama hosts leaders from roughly 50 countries for a nuclear security summit starting Thursday. Despite three previous summits and six years of Obama's prodding, security officials warn that the ingredients for a nuclear device or a "dirty bomb" are alarmingly insecure.</p>
<p>"We know that terrorist organizations have the desire to get access to these raw materials and to have a nuclear device," said Ben Rhodes, Obama's deputy national security adviser. Still, the White House said there was no indication of an imminent plot.</p>
<p>Decades after the Cold War, the threat of a nuclear war between superpowers has given way to growing concerns about non-state actors, including Islamic State and al-Qaida offshoots operating in North Africa and in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Although the U.S. and its allies still worry about North Korea, Obama believes the threat posed by Iran has subsided due to the nuclear deal, leaving extremist groups among the likeliest perpetrators.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>The havoc such an attack could wreak in an urban area like New York or London is concerning enough that leaders scheduled a special session on the threat during the two-day summit. U.S. officials said the leaders would discuss a hypothetical scenario about a chain of events that could lead to nuclear terrorism.</p>
<p>Those concerns have taken on heightened significant following the March 22 attacks at a Brussels airport and subway station. Last year, authorities searching the apartment of two brothers linked to earlier attacks in Paris found video of a senior official at a Belgian nuclear waste facility. The brothers were part of the Islamic State cell that went on to strike Brussels; both died in the attacks.</p>
<p>On the summit's sidelines, Obama planned to meet with the leaders of China, South Korea and Japan, who all share U.S. concerns about North Korea's nuclear program.</p>
<p>Yet other key players will be missing. Russian President Vladimir Putin refused to attend, as Moscow scoffed at what it deemed U.S. efforts to take control of the process. Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif canceled his trip following an Easter bombing that killed 72 people.</p>
<p>Some 2,000 metric tons of highly enriched uranium and separated plutonium being used in civilian or military programs could be turned into a nuclear bomb if stolen or diverted, the White House said. And fewer than half of the countries participating in the summit have even agreed to secure their sources of radiological material, needed for a dirty bomb.</p>
<p>"The policies are moving in the right direction," said Joe Cirincione, who runs the nuclear security group Ploughshares Fund. "But when you're fleeing a forest fire, it's not just a question of direction, it's a question of speed."</p>
<p>Nuclear security experts say there are four potential scenarios for a nuclear-related attack by an extremist group. Some are more likely than others.</p>
<p>The most devastating but improbable scenario involves a group stealing a fully functional bomb from a nuclear-armed country. Most nuclear experts point to Pakistan as the likeliest source, though that would require cooperation with someone on the inside of Pakistan's military.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Easier to pull off would be for IS or another group to obtain fissile material like highly enriched uranium, then turn it into a crude nuclear device delivered by truck or ship. A third possibility is that extremists could bomb an existing nuclear facility, such as the Belgian waste plant, spreading highly radioactive material over a wide area.</p>
<p>The most likely scenario that security experts fear is that a group could get ahold of radioactive material, such as cesium or cobalt, for a dirty bomb that could be carried in a suitcase. Those materials are widely used in industrial and academic settings as well as in hospitals to irradiate blood, with no consistently applied security standards across the globe.</p>
<p>Unlike a nuclear bomb, the only people killed instantly by a "dirty bomb" would be those close to the blast site. But the blast could spread cancer-causing substances over a vast area, triggering panic and evacuations.</p>
<p>"Even if it is small, such an incident would create such havoc in the world that you have to take it quite seriously," said former Ambassador Wendy Sherman, who spearheaded U.S. nuclear negotiations with Iran and North Korea before joining the Albright Stonebridge Group.</p>
<p>Detonated in a major city, a dirty bomb could cause tens of billions of dollars in economic damage, said Andrew Bieniawski, who studies materials security at the Nuclear Threat Initiative. People and businesses would have to be relocated - potentially for years - while the contamination is cleaned up. Few would be inclined to ever go back, a reality on display in Chernobyl, Ukraine decades after the 1986 accident.</p>
<p>Reducing the threat of nuclear terrorism has been a persistent theme for Obama, who won the Nobel Peace Prize after emphasizing nuclear disarmament. Four months into his presidency, Obama warned in a much-cited speech in Prague that nuclear weapons were "the most dangerous legacy of the Cold War."</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Reach Josh Lederman on Twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/joshledermanAP" type="external">http://twitter.com/joshledermanAP</a></p>
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preventing terrorists obtaining nuclear materials central focus president barack obama hosts leaders roughly 50 countries nuclear security summit starting thursday despite three previous summits six years obamas prodding security officials warn ingredients nuclear device dirty bomb alarmingly insecure know terrorist organizations desire get access raw materials nuclear device said ben rhodes obamas deputy national security adviser still white house said indication imminent plot decades cold war threat nuclear war superpowers given way growing concerns nonstate actors including islamic state alqaida offshoots operating north africa yemen saudi arabia although us allies still worry north korea obama believes threat posed iran subsided due nuclear deal leaving extremist groups among likeliest perpetrators advertisement havoc attack could wreak urban area like new york london concerning enough leaders scheduled special session threat twoday summit us officials said leaders would discuss hypothetical scenario chain events could lead nuclear terrorism concerns taken heightened significant following march 22 attacks brussels airport subway station last year authorities searching apartment two brothers linked earlier attacks paris found video senior official belgian nuclear waste facility brothers part islamic state cell went strike brussels died attacks summits sidelines obama planned meet leaders china south korea japan share us concerns north koreas nuclear program yet key players missing russian president vladimir putin refused attend moscow scoffed deemed us efforts take control process pakistani prime minister nawaz sharif canceled trip following easter bombing killed 72 people 2000 metric tons highly enriched uranium separated plutonium used civilian military programs could turned nuclear bomb stolen diverted white house said fewer half countries participating summit even agreed secure sources radiological material needed dirty bomb policies moving right direction said joe cirincione runs nuclear security group ploughshares fund youre fleeing forest fire question direction question speed nuclear security experts say four potential scenarios nuclearrelated attack extremist group likely others devastating improbable scenario involves group stealing fully functional bomb nucleararmed country nuclear experts point pakistan likeliest source though would require cooperation someone inside pakistans military advertisement easier pull would another group obtain fissile material like highly enriched uranium turn crude nuclear device delivered truck ship third possibility extremists could bomb existing nuclear facility belgian waste plant spreading highly radioactive material wide area likely scenario security experts fear group could get ahold radioactive material cesium cobalt dirty bomb could carried suitcase materials widely used industrial academic settings well hospitals irradiate blood consistently applied security standards across globe unlike nuclear bomb people killed instantly dirty bomb would close blast site blast could spread cancercausing substances vast area triggering panic evacuations even small incident would create havoc world take quite seriously said former ambassador wendy sherman spearheaded us nuclear negotiations iran north korea joining albright stonebridge group detonated major city dirty bomb could cause tens billions dollars economic damage said andrew bieniawski studies materials security nuclear threat initiative people businesses would relocated potentially years contamination cleaned would inclined ever go back reality display chernobyl ukraine decades 1986 accident reducing threat nuclear terrorism persistent theme obama nobel peace prize emphasizing nuclear disarmament four months presidency obama warned muchcited speech prague nuclear weapons dangerous legacy cold war ___ reach josh lederman twitter httptwittercomjoshledermanap
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<p>ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Royal Dutch Shell has abandoned its long quest to become the first company to produce oil in Alaska’s Arctic waters, darkening the nation’s long-term oil prospects and delighting environmental groups that tried to block the project.</p>
<p>After years of effort, Shell is leaving the region “for the foreseeable future” because it failed to find enough oil to make further drilling worthwhile.</p>
<p>The company has spent more than $7 billion on the effort, slogged through a regulatory gauntlet and fought environmental groups that feared a spill in the harsh climate would be difficult to clean up and devastating to polar bears, walruses, seals and other wildlife.</p>
<p>Shell persisted in hopes of finding a big new source of oil revenue and establishing expertise and a presence in the Arctic, which geologists estimate holds a quarter of the world’s undiscovered conventional oil and gas.</p>
<p>The drilling project also held the hopes of Alaska, which has seen oil production and revenues decline sharply in recent years, and the U.S. oil industry, which looked to Alaska’s offshore Arctic as the next source of oil big enough to keep the country among the top three oil producers in the world along with Saudi Arabia and Russia.</p>
<p>But Shell drilled to 6,800 feet about 80 miles offshore in the Chukchi Sea off Alaska’s northwest coast and just didn’t find much.</p>
<p>“Shell continues to see important exploration potential in the basin, and the area is likely to ultimately be of strategic importance to Alaska and the U.S.,” Marvin Odum, director of Shell’s operations in the Americas, said in a statement issued late Sunday. “However, this is a clearly disappointing exploration outcome for this part of the basin.”</p>
<p>Known in the industry as turning up a “dry hole,” it’s common for exploratory drilling to find little to no oil, especially in formations that have not been explored much in the past.</p>
<p>But Shell’s failure is notable because it was the only active drilling project in the sea, which Shell officials had called “a potential game-changer,” a vast untapped reservoir that could add to America’s energy supply for 50 years.</p>
<p>As recently as March, an Energy Department advisory council called for an immediate expansion of oil exploration in the American Arctic to avoid an increased reliance on imported oil in the future, in part because it would take more than a decade for oil in the Arctic to be discovered, developed and brought to market.</p>
<p>Charles Ebinger, senior fellow for the Brookings Institution Energy Security and Climate Initiative, said in an interview that a successful well by Shell would have been “a terribly big deal” because it would have attracted others to the region.</p>
<p>Though countries are pushing for cleaner energy sources, analysts predict that the world will need another 10 million barrels a day between 2030 and 2040 to meet growing demand, especially in developing countries, Ebinger said. The world now consumes 93.6 million barrels of oil every day.</p>
<p>Regions like the Arctic “are one of the areas that, if we’re going to be able to do this, we need to examine,” he said.</p>
<p>The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that American Arctic waters in the Chukchi and Beaufort seas contain 26 billion barrels or more of recoverable oil.</p>
<p>The Arctic’s vast oil and gas potential is exactly what worries scientists, who warn against tapping new sources of fossil fuels at a time when the world needs to drastically reduce emissions of carbon dioxide from fossil fuel consumption in order to prevent catastrophic changes to the earth’s climate.</p>
<p>Environmental groups, which had staged media campaigns aimed at tarnishing Shell’s reputation and tried unsuccessfully to block Arctic-bound vessels, reveled in Shell’s disappointment.</p>
<p>“Big oil has sustained an unmitigated defeat,” Greenpeace UK Executive Director John Sauven said.</p>
<p>Shell, which is based in The Hague, Netherlands, warned investors that the disappointing well results would lead to a charge against its earnings for the third quarter. It did not disclose the size of the charge but said the accounting value of the project is $3 billion, with another $1.1 billion in commitments to contractors. The company took charges of $2.1 billion in 2013 and $1.9 billion in 2014 also as a result of disappointing drilling results in the U.S.</p>
<p>Shell’s shares were down 3 percent Monday in afternoon trading, in line with a broad market decline, to $45.89. Shell’s share price has fallen by around a third over the past year as oil prices have fallen by half, to about $45 a barrel.</p>
<p>Those weak oil prices are forcing oil companies around the world to cancel or delay new exploration, especially in risky or high-cost areas. That was probably a factor in Shell’s decision to abandon offshore Alaska.</p>
<p>The Alaskan decision is “an example of not going forward with a project because there is just not enough oil and gas to make it economic,” said Louise Cooper, an independent analyst at CooperCity. “If the oil price rises again and the well becomes economic, then it can try again.”</p>
<p>But Miyoko Sakashita, oceans program director for the Center for Biological Diversity, urged Shell not to make another attempt.</p>
<p>“Polar bears, Alaska’s Arctic and our climate just caught a huge break,” Sakashita said. “Here’s hoping Shell leaves the Arctic forever.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Associated Press Writer Pan Pylas in London contributed to this report.</p>
<p>ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Royal Dutch Shell has abandoned its long quest to become the first company to produce oil in Alaska’s Arctic waters, darkening the nation’s long-term oil prospects and delighting environmental groups that tried to block the project.</p>
<p>After years of effort, Shell is leaving the region “for the foreseeable future” because it failed to find enough oil to make further drilling worthwhile.</p>
<p>The company has spent more than $7 billion on the effort, slogged through a regulatory gauntlet and fought environmental groups that feared a spill in the harsh climate would be difficult to clean up and devastating to polar bears, walruses, seals and other wildlife.</p>
<p>Shell persisted in hopes of finding a big new source of oil revenue and establishing expertise and a presence in the Arctic, which geologists estimate holds a quarter of the world’s undiscovered conventional oil and gas.</p>
<p>The drilling project also held the hopes of Alaska, which has seen oil production and revenues decline sharply in recent years, and the U.S. oil industry, which looked to Alaska’s offshore Arctic as the next source of oil big enough to keep the country among the top three oil producers in the world along with Saudi Arabia and Russia.</p>
<p>But Shell drilled to 6,800 feet about 80 miles offshore in the Chukchi Sea off Alaska’s northwest coast and just didn’t find much.</p>
<p>“Shell continues to see important exploration potential in the basin, and the area is likely to ultimately be of strategic importance to Alaska and the U.S.,” Marvin Odum, director of Shell’s operations in the Americas, said in a statement issued late Sunday. “However, this is a clearly disappointing exploration outcome for this part of the basin.”</p>
<p>Known in the industry as turning up a “dry hole,” it’s common for exploratory drilling to find little to no oil, especially in formations that have not been explored much in the past.</p>
<p>But Shell’s failure is notable because it was the only active drilling project in the sea, which Shell officials had called “a potential game-changer,” a vast untapped reservoir that could add to America’s energy supply for 50 years.</p>
<p>As recently as March, an Energy Department advisory council called for an immediate expansion of oil exploration in the American Arctic to avoid an increased reliance on imported oil in the future, in part because it would take more than a decade for oil in the Arctic to be discovered, developed and brought to market.</p>
<p>Charles Ebinger, senior fellow for the Brookings Institution Energy Security and Climate Initiative, said in an interview that a successful well by Shell would have been “a terribly big deal” because it would have attracted others to the region.</p>
<p>Though countries are pushing for cleaner energy sources, analysts predict that the world will need another 10 million barrels a day between 2030 and 2040 to meet growing demand, especially in developing countries, Ebinger said. The world now consumes 93.6 million barrels of oil every day.</p>
<p>Regions like the Arctic “are one of the areas that, if we’re going to be able to do this, we need to examine,” he said.</p>
<p>The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that American Arctic waters in the Chukchi and Beaufort seas contain 26 billion barrels or more of recoverable oil.</p>
<p>The Arctic’s vast oil and gas potential is exactly what worries scientists, who warn against tapping new sources of fossil fuels at a time when the world needs to drastically reduce emissions of carbon dioxide from fossil fuel consumption in order to prevent catastrophic changes to the earth’s climate.</p>
<p>Environmental groups, which had staged media campaigns aimed at tarnishing Shell’s reputation and tried unsuccessfully to block Arctic-bound vessels, reveled in Shell’s disappointment.</p>
<p>“Big oil has sustained an unmitigated defeat,” Greenpeace UK Executive Director John Sauven said.</p>
<p>Shell, which is based in The Hague, Netherlands, warned investors that the disappointing well results would lead to a charge against its earnings for the third quarter. It did not disclose the size of the charge but said the accounting value of the project is $3 billion, with another $1.1 billion in commitments to contractors. The company took charges of $2.1 billion in 2013 and $1.9 billion in 2014 also as a result of disappointing drilling results in the U.S.</p>
<p>Shell’s shares were down 3 percent Monday in afternoon trading, in line with a broad market decline, to $45.89. Shell’s share price has fallen by around a third over the past year as oil prices have fallen by half, to about $45 a barrel.</p>
<p>Those weak oil prices are forcing oil companies around the world to cancel or delay new exploration, especially in risky or high-cost areas. That was probably a factor in Shell’s decision to abandon offshore Alaska.</p>
<p>The Alaskan decision is “an example of not going forward with a project because there is just not enough oil and gas to make it economic,” said Louise Cooper, an independent analyst at CooperCity. “If the oil price rises again and the well becomes economic, then it can try again.”</p>
<p>But Miyoko Sakashita, oceans program director for the Center for Biological Diversity, urged Shell not to make another attempt.</p>
<p>“Polar bears, Alaska’s Arctic and our climate just caught a huge break,” Sakashita said. “Here’s hoping Shell leaves the Arctic forever.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Associated Press Writer Pan Pylas in London contributed to this report.</p>
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anchorage alaska ap royal dutch shell abandoned long quest become first company produce oil alaskas arctic waters darkening nations longterm oil prospects delighting environmental groups tried block project years effort shell leaving region foreseeable future failed find enough oil make drilling worthwhile company spent 7 billion effort slogged regulatory gauntlet fought environmental groups feared spill harsh climate would difficult clean devastating polar bears walruses seals wildlife shell persisted hopes finding big new source oil revenue establishing expertise presence arctic geologists estimate holds quarter worlds undiscovered conventional oil gas drilling project also held hopes alaska seen oil production revenues decline sharply recent years us oil industry looked alaskas offshore arctic next source oil big enough keep country among top three oil producers world along saudi arabia russia shell drilled 6800 feet 80 miles offshore chukchi sea alaskas northwest coast didnt find much shell continues see important exploration potential basin area likely ultimately strategic importance alaska us marvin odum director shells operations americas said statement issued late sunday however clearly disappointing exploration outcome part basin known industry turning dry hole common exploratory drilling find little oil especially formations explored much past shells failure notable active drilling project sea shell officials called potential gamechanger vast untapped reservoir could add americas energy supply 50 years recently march energy department advisory council called immediate expansion oil exploration american arctic avoid increased reliance imported oil future part would take decade oil arctic discovered developed brought market charles ebinger senior fellow brookings institution energy security climate initiative said interview successful well shell would terribly big deal would attracted others region though countries pushing cleaner energy sources analysts predict world need another 10 million barrels day 2030 2040 meet growing demand especially developing countries ebinger said world consumes 936 million barrels oil every day regions like arctic one areas going able need examine said us geological survey estimates american arctic waters chukchi beaufort seas contain 26 billion barrels recoverable oil arctics vast oil gas potential exactly worries scientists warn tapping new sources fossil fuels time world needs drastically reduce emissions carbon dioxide fossil fuel consumption order prevent catastrophic changes earths climate environmental groups staged media campaigns aimed tarnishing shells reputation tried unsuccessfully block arcticbound vessels reveled shells disappointment big oil sustained unmitigated defeat greenpeace uk executive director john sauven said shell based hague netherlands warned investors disappointing well results would lead charge earnings third quarter disclose size charge said accounting value project 3 billion another 11 billion commitments contractors company took charges 21 billion 2013 19 billion 2014 also result disappointing drilling results us shells shares 3 percent monday afternoon trading line broad market decline 4589 shells share price fallen around third past year oil prices fallen half 45 barrel weak oil prices forcing oil companies around world cancel delay new exploration especially risky highcost areas probably factor shells decision abandon offshore alaska alaskan decision example going forward project enough oil gas make economic said louise cooper independent analyst coopercity oil price rises well becomes economic try miyoko sakashita oceans program director center biological diversity urged shell make another attempt polar bears alaskas arctic climate caught huge break sakashita said heres hoping shell leaves arctic forever ___ associated press writer pan pylas london contributed report anchorage alaska ap royal dutch shell abandoned long quest become first company produce oil alaskas arctic waters darkening nations longterm oil prospects delighting environmental groups tried block project years effort shell leaving region foreseeable future failed find enough oil make drilling worthwhile company spent 7 billion effort slogged regulatory gauntlet fought environmental groups feared spill harsh climate would difficult clean devastating polar bears walruses seals wildlife shell persisted hopes finding big new source oil revenue establishing expertise presence arctic geologists estimate holds quarter worlds undiscovered conventional oil gas drilling project also held hopes alaska seen oil production revenues decline sharply recent years us oil industry looked alaskas offshore arctic next source oil big enough keep country among top three oil producers world along saudi arabia russia shell drilled 6800 feet 80 miles offshore chukchi sea alaskas northwest coast didnt find much shell continues see important exploration potential basin area likely ultimately strategic importance alaska us marvin odum director shells operations americas said statement issued late sunday however clearly disappointing exploration outcome part basin known industry turning dry hole common exploratory drilling find little oil especially formations explored much past shells failure notable active drilling project sea shell officials called potential gamechanger vast untapped reservoir could add americas energy supply 50 years recently march energy department advisory council called immediate expansion oil exploration american arctic avoid increased reliance imported oil future part would take decade oil arctic discovered developed brought market charles ebinger senior fellow brookings institution energy security climate initiative said interview successful well shell would terribly big deal would attracted others region though countries pushing cleaner energy sources analysts predict world need another 10 million barrels day 2030 2040 meet growing demand especially developing countries ebinger said world consumes 936 million barrels oil every day regions like arctic one areas going able need examine said us geological survey estimates american arctic waters chukchi beaufort seas contain 26 billion barrels recoverable oil arctics vast oil gas potential exactly worries scientists warn tapping new sources fossil fuels time world needs drastically reduce emissions carbon dioxide fossil fuel consumption order prevent catastrophic changes earths climate environmental groups staged media campaigns aimed tarnishing shells reputation tried unsuccessfully block arcticbound vessels reveled shells disappointment big oil sustained unmitigated defeat greenpeace uk executive director john sauven said shell based hague netherlands warned investors disappointing well results would lead charge earnings third quarter disclose size charge said accounting value project 3 billion another 11 billion commitments contractors company took charges 21 billion 2013 19 billion 2014 also result disappointing drilling results us shells shares 3 percent monday afternoon trading line broad market decline 4589 shells share price fallen around third past year oil prices fallen half 45 barrel weak oil prices forcing oil companies around world cancel delay new exploration especially risky highcost areas probably factor shells decision abandon offshore alaska alaskan decision example going forward project enough oil gas make economic said louise cooper independent analyst coopercity oil price rises well becomes economic try miyoko sakashita oceans program director center biological diversity urged shell make another attempt polar bears alaskas arctic climate caught huge break sakashita said heres hoping shell leaves arctic forever ___ associated press writer pan pylas london contributed report
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<p>Fire erupts from a vase at the center of a sand painting by Bert Benally during the “Pull of the Moon” installation in Coyote Canyon on the Navajo Nation. (Courtesy of Robert Schwan)</p>
<p>SANTA FE, N.M. — Flames soar from a large vase, then lick along thin kerosene streams to the four directions, burning away wrong ideas and leaving a metal construction of the essence of traditional Navajo life: a cornstalk.</p>
<p>Only about 30 people were in Coyote Canyon on a star-thick night late in June for the installation and performance of “Pull of the Moon,” a temporary and site-specific collaboration of Navajo artist Bert Benally and famed Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei.</p>
<p>But the rest of us will be able to view some outgrowths of the project, including a documentary on the making of the artwork, a live performance of sounds stemming from the installation and an immersive fulldome digital landscape based on “Pull of the Moon.”</p>
<p>Chinese artist Ai Weiwei’s images of bicycles, created from fired porcelain. (Courtesy of Robert Schwan)</p>
<p>The performance with German sound artist Robert Henke and Benally will occur during a reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and the documentary by Daniel Hyde and Blackhorse Lowe will begin screening the same day, both at the Museum of Contemporary Native Art in Santa Fe.</p>
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<p>The visual projections on the immersive dome, stretching to the ground and over your head, will be presented by xRez Studio the following weekend on Museum Hill.</p>
<p>It’s all an outgrowth of Navajo TIME (Temporary Installations Made for the Environment), a partnership between New Mexico Arts (part of the Department of Cultural Affairs) and the Navajo Nation Museum.</p>
<p>“The concept is based on Navajo aesthetics, the idea that, for the Navajo, art is more about the process rather than the finished project,” said Benally in a news release.</p>
<p>Benally, who lives in Shiprock and teaches art in an elementary school and at Diné College, said in an online video that he often is “on the fringes” with his art, working with graffiti artists and rap groups, for example.</p>
<p>He has an MFA in sculpture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, but said in the video, “I had to just kind of erase all the Western arts knowledge I had and rebuild with the Navajo traditions. That’s what liberated me and made my work more interesting. Otherwise, maybe I would have just ended up at Indian Market.”</p>
<p />
<p>WHAT: Documentary film on the making of “Pull of the Moon” screening through Oct. 16 at the museum</p>
<p>WHAT: Immersive fulldome digital landscape based on “Pull of the Moon” WHERE: At the dome on Museum Hill WHEN: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, July 18, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 19 COST: Free</p>
<p>Not that there’s anything wrong with that, he hastened to add, noting that many Native artists receive a large share of their income from that Santa Fe event.</p>
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<p>Saying that “Pull of the Moon” started as an audio project he was working on, developing it into a Navajo TIME project appealed to him, he said, because he wants his own people to see his art. “My primary audience is Navajo people,” he said.</p>
<p>The night of the installation included a traditional Navajo meal shared by people who would view the final flames, according to Caitlin Olsen, a spokeswoman for New Mexico Arts who attended the event.</p>
<p>The food was offered at a family home in Coyote Canyon at a place whose Navajo name translates to Peach Springs, she said.</p>
<p>But the process also included calls, emails and visits to Ai in Beijing so the two could bring their thoughts together on what they wanted to say, and how to say it.</p>
<p>In an interview with Garth Clark, chief editor of CFile, Ai said, “This particular collaboration is very unique because I had lived in North America for twelve years and had Native American friends involved with pottery.</p>
<p>“I like projects that are set up in special conditions or that have a deeper significance. The Navajo people are quite spiritual, and it will be interesting to share in this exchange of thoughts and ideas.”</p>
<p>Ai provided some 250 pounds of finely ground powder from fired porcelain used in one of his projects to construct his bicycle outlines as a type of sand painting in “Pull of the Moon.”</p>
<p>Information released earlier that the powder came from purportedly ancient Chinese vases dropped in one of his projects was not correct, Olsen said.</p>
<p>When Ai realized the attributes of the Coyote Canyon site, she added, he playfully threw in some larger shards in hopes of confusing future archaeologists doing digs on the Navajo land.</p>
<p>Coyote Canyon is located in New Mexico in the southeastern quadrant of the Navajo Nation. (Courtesy of Robert Schwan)</p>
<p>Those vases bring to mind a tall vase at the middle of Benally’s installation, which Benally said was a symbol holding all the prejudices and stereotypes about the Navajo people, according to Olsen, but was burnt away to reveal how they see themselves, as people closely tied to corn and its blessings.</p>
<p>Benally and Ai had separate designs on the site, both contained within roughly circular boundaries. Benally’s was “very geometric,” Olsen said, with important symbols, such as a bear, which is the protector of the clan living in the area, at the cardinal directions coming from (or into) the center. Another, she said, represented the weaving of Navajo rugs.</p>
<p>Ai’s sand painting, on the other hand, contained images of joined bicycles, a symbol that frequently shows up in his work and was meaningful during the Chinese revolution, she said.</p>
<p>Both artists, she noted, come from cultures that have a history of oppression by a ruling class.</p>
<p />
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fire erupts vase center sand painting bert benally pull moon installation coyote canyon navajo nation courtesy robert schwan santa fe nm flames soar large vase lick along thin kerosene streams four directions burning away wrong ideas leaving metal construction essence traditional navajo life cornstalk 30 people coyote canyon starthick night late june installation performance pull moon temporary sitespecific collaboration navajo artist bert benally famed chinese dissident artist ai weiwei rest us able view outgrowths project including documentary making artwork live performance sounds stemming installation immersive fulldome digital landscape based pull moon chinese artist ai weiweis images bicycles created fired porcelain courtesy robert schwan performance german sound artist robert henke benally occur reception 5 pm 7 pm wednesday documentary daniel hyde blackhorse lowe begin screening day museum contemporary native art santa fe advertisement visual projections immersive dome stretching ground head presented xrez studio following weekend museum hill outgrowth navajo time temporary installations made environment partnership new mexico arts part department cultural affairs navajo nation museum concept based navajo aesthetics idea navajo art process rather finished project said benally news release benally lives shiprock teaches art elementary school diné college said online video often fringes art working graffiti artists rap groups example mfa sculpture university wisconsinmadison said video kind erase western arts knowledge rebuild navajo traditions thats liberated made work interesting otherwise maybe would ended indian market documentary film making pull moon screening oct 16 museum immersive fulldome digital landscape based pull moon dome museum hill 5 pm 9 pm friday july 18 10 5 pm saturday july 19 cost free theres anything wrong hastened add noting many native artists receive large share income santa fe event advertisement saying pull moon started audio project working developing navajo time project appealed said wants people see art primary audience navajo people said night installation included traditional navajo meal shared people would view final flames according caitlin olsen spokeswoman new mexico arts attended event food offered family home coyote canyon place whose navajo name translates peach springs said process also included calls emails visits ai beijing two could bring thoughts together wanted say say interview garth clark chief editor cfile ai said particular collaboration unique lived north america twelve years native american friends involved pottery like projects set special conditions deeper significance navajo people quite spiritual interesting share exchange thoughts ideas ai provided 250 pounds finely ground powder fired porcelain used one projects construct bicycle outlines type sand painting pull moon information released earlier powder came purportedly ancient chinese vases dropped one projects correct olsen said ai realized attributes coyote canyon site added playfully threw larger shards hopes confusing future archaeologists digs navajo land coyote canyon located new mexico southeastern quadrant navajo nation courtesy robert schwan vases bring mind tall vase middle benallys installation benally said symbol holding prejudices stereotypes navajo people according olsen burnt away reveal see people closely tied corn blessings benally ai separate designs site contained within roughly circular boundaries benallys geometric olsen said important symbols bear protector clan living area cardinal directions coming center another said represented weaving navajo rugs ais sand painting hand contained images joined bicycles symbol frequently shows work meaningful chinese revolution said artists noted come cultures history oppression ruling class
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<p>BILLINGS, Mont. — President Barack Obama’s administration will leave behind a host of disputed recent actions and unfinished business on the environment — from shelved energy leases and blocked mining projects to pollution restrictions and decisions on hundreds of potentially imperiled species.</p>
<p>Republicans and business groups emboldened by Donald Trump’s victory are gearing up to reverse many of the administration’s signature environmental moves, particularly those made since the election.</p>
<p>The outcome could determine whether eight years of Democratic rule in the White House leaves a lasting mark on the environment or quickly fades.</p>
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<p>Already environmental groups and their Democratic allies are raising alarms over Trump’s choice of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency, Texas Gov. Rick Perry for energy secretary and Thursday’s announcement of Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke for interior secretary. All three are industry proponents who have lined up against Obama on environmental issues and expressed doubts about the science behind climate change.</p>
<p>“Obama may be in danger of losing his entire legacy,” said Rep. Rob Bishop, chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, who pointed to “excessive” administration moves on the environment that attracted a Republican backlash.</p>
<p>“From the top, the president (Trump) on down, there is a commitment to making change, and the stars are aligning to see that change take place,” the Utah Republican said.</p>
<p>Reversing course from the Obama years could happen with the stroke of a pen for a moratorium on new coal sales and recent mining claim withdrawals in Montana, Oregon and Washington. Trump already has said he would knock down the coal moratorium.</p>
<p>Other administration actions will be harder to unravel, legal and industry experts said. Those include pollution restrictions for coal-burning power plants, blocked oil leases in the Arctic and limitations on methane emissions to reduce greenhouse gases from the oil and gas industry, which would require congressional action or the reopening of lengthy bureaucratic processes.</p>
<p>The latest eleventh-hour action by the administration came Thursday, when the Agriculture and Interior departments declined to renew mineral leases critical for a $2.8 billion copper-nickel mine upstream from Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Bishop’s office said it would not be easy to reverse the move.</p>
<p>Yet with the GOP in firm control of Congress, the White House and likely the Supreme Court, “they are going to have an easier time getting their way” on environmental issues, said Mark Squillace, a professor of natural resource law at the University of Colorado.</p>
<p>“It is easier to break things than it is to create them. … On some level, Trump wants to come in and break things Obama has created,” he said.</p>
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<p>The Obama administration’s scramble to finalize key environmental policies in its last days obscures the fact that many of those actions were in the works for years. Nevertheless, the industry wish list for Trump and the next Congress has grown with each recent announcement.</p>
<p>Senior administration officials reject allegations that they’re ignoring public sentiment in a rush to get disputed and controversial items over the finish line before their power expires.</p>
<p>As evidence, officials pointed to the yearslong process that resulted in the methane rule and the millions of public comments received prior to shelving future energy lease sales in the Arctic.</p>
<p>It would not make sense for that work to “just be put in a drawer” because of the election, Bureau of Land Management Deputy Director Linda Lance argued.</p>
<p>“There are good moderate proposals that have very much taken into account the concerns of the public. We would hope the work that’s done will be respected and continue,” she said.</p>
<p>Among the most powerful legislative instruments Republicans promise to wield to overturn recent moves by the current administration is the Congressional Review Act. The 1996 law, passed as part of then-Speaker Newt Gingrich’s “Contract with America,” allows lawmakers to overturn rules recently issued by a previous president with approval from both chambers of Congress and the consent of the new president.</p>
<p>It would apply to rules submitted since May 30, the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service has said. It’s been used successfully only once, to kill a 2000 rule on workplace ergonomics from the Clinton administration.</p>
<p>Prominent Republicans including Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming promised to use the law when the administration last month finalized the methane rule, which would restrict companies from burning off excess natural gas, a contributor to climate change. Barrasso chairs the Senate Subcommittee on Energy and Natural Resources.</p>
<p>He said the rule would drive oil and natural gas companies off public lands and showed the Obama administration was “unwilling to listen to the message that the American people sent” with Trump’s election.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, conservation groups that frequently prodded the Obama administration to be more aggressive on the environment now find themselves at risk of being marginalized.</p>
<p>In recent years those groups complained that timelines for greenhouse gas reductions were too long. They accused the administration of underfunding agencies that oversee endangered species protections. And they went to court to challenge sales of federally owned coal with no regard for future pollution.</p>
<p>Activists acknowledged they will soon need to shift their focus to the Republicans, who they predict will open more public lands to oil and gas drilling, mining and logging and will attempt to dismantle the Endangered Species Act.</p>
<p>“We have to play defense now, and that’s what we’re going to do. We’re expecting full-on trench warfare,” said Jeremy Nichols, climate program director for the nonprofit environmental group WildEarth Guardians.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow Matthew Brown on Twitter at https://twitter.com/matthewbrownap</p>
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billings mont president barack obamas administration leave behind host disputed recent actions unfinished business environment shelved energy leases blocked mining projects pollution restrictions decisions hundreds potentially imperiled species republicans business groups emboldened donald trumps victory gearing reverse many administrations signature environmental moves particularly made since election outcome could determine whether eight years democratic rule white house leaves lasting mark environment quickly fades advertisement already environmental groups democratic allies raising alarms trumps choice oklahoma attorney general scott pruitt head environmental protection agency texas gov rick perry energy secretary thursdays announcement montana rep ryan zinke interior secretary three industry proponents lined obama environmental issues expressed doubts science behind climate change obama may danger losing entire legacy said rep rob bishop chairman house natural resources committee pointed excessive administration moves environment attracted republican backlash top president trump commitment making change stars aligning see change take place utah republican said reversing course obama years could happen stroke pen moratorium new coal sales recent mining claim withdrawals montana oregon washington trump already said would knock coal moratorium administration actions harder unravel legal industry experts said include pollution restrictions coalburning power plants blocked oil leases arctic limitations methane emissions reduce greenhouse gases oil gas industry would require congressional action reopening lengthy bureaucratic processes latest eleventhhour action administration came thursday agriculture interior departments declined renew mineral leases critical 28 billion coppernickel mine upstream minnesotas boundary waters canoe area wilderness bishops office said would easy reverse move yet gop firm control congress white house likely supreme court going easier time getting way environmental issues said mark squillace professor natural resource law university colorado easier break things create level trump wants come break things obama created said advertisement obama administrations scramble finalize key environmental policies last days obscures fact many actions works years nevertheless industry wish list trump next congress grown recent announcement senior administration officials reject allegations theyre ignoring public sentiment rush get disputed controversial items finish line power expires evidence officials pointed yearslong process resulted methane rule millions public comments received prior shelving future energy lease sales arctic would make sense work put drawer election bureau land management deputy director linda lance argued good moderate proposals much taken account concerns public would hope work thats done respected continue said among powerful legislative instruments republicans promise wield overturn recent moves current administration congressional review act 1996 law passed part thenspeaker newt gingrichs contract america allows lawmakers overturn rules recently issued previous president approval chambers congress consent new president would apply rules submitted since may 30 nonpartisan congressional research service said used successfully kill 2000 rule workplace ergonomics clinton administration prominent republicans including sen john barrasso wyoming promised use law administration last month finalized methane rule would restrict companies burning excess natural gas contributor climate change barrasso chairs senate subcommittee energy natural resources said rule would drive oil natural gas companies public lands showed obama administration unwilling listen message american people sent trumps election meanwhile conservation groups frequently prodded obama administration aggressive environment find risk marginalized recent years groups complained timelines greenhouse gas reductions long accused administration underfunding agencies oversee endangered species protections went court challenge sales federally owned coal regard future pollution activists acknowledged soon need shift focus republicans predict open public lands oil gas drilling mining logging attempt dismantle endangered species act play defense thats going expecting fullon trench warfare said jeremy nichols climate program director nonprofit environmental group wildearth guardians ___ follow matthew brown twitter httpstwittercommatthewbrownap
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<p />
<p>“… when is it OK to call a robbery, an assault, a battery ‘horseplay’ and get a judge to block the school’s policies?” the victim wrote in a letter read into the court record by his attorney.</p>
<p>Judge Daniel Ramczyk ruled that the charges against Chavez will be dismissed, provided he is not charged with any new offenses in the next three months.</p>
<p>The judge also commended the victim, a 17-year-old junior, for submitting the letter, which criticized some adults for throwing out “everything they teach us about honor, integrity, character” when those principles “become inconvenient.”</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>The victim’s letter emphasizes that the incident between him and Chavez was not “horseplay,” which is how Chavez’s supporters have characterized it. It’s the first time he has made a public statement.</p>
<p>“I am absolutely blown away by the letter,” Ramczyk said. “I think there’s a lot of wisdom and there’s a lot of courage in that letter.”</p>
<p>Chavez, an 18-year-old senior, was charged and suspended from school in February, after he allegedly took $15 from the victim – another, much smaller, member of the wrestling team – then refused to give it back and slapped him across the face. The victim had planned to use the money to register for an Advanced Placement test.</p>
<p>The incident, which occurred in the school cafeteria, was witnessed by the sheriff’s deputy assigned to Rio Grande, and happened the day before the state wrestling tournament began. The issue became controversial after several local politicians made phone calls on Chavez’s behalf.</p>
<p>Statement from the victim</p>
<p>[scribd id=139122064 key=key-sixi6ufiyj3cs9kxgbc mode=scroll]</p>
<p>Albuquerque Public Schools officials kept Chavez’s suspension in place, but his family took the issue to court and received a temporary restraining order that allowed him to wrestle, despite the district’s objections. Chavez won his weight class, and Rio Grande shared the team title with Cleveland High School.</p>
<p>Through his attorney, the victim agreed to the judge’s decision, saying he is “still angry and hurt by what Nick did,” but doesn’t want anything bad to happen to Chavez.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Attorney Michael Hart read the letter from the teen, who could not be in court because he was taking an end-of-course exam. The student said he was tired of hearing the incident described as “horseplay.”</p>
<p>Chavez’s attorney, Glenn Smith Valdez, has repeatedly used the word “horseplay” to describe what happened. When asked about the victim’s letter on Thursday, he said “the letter speaks for itself” and declined to comment further.</p>
<p>Chavez made one comment in court, saying he was sorry he and the victim have not remained friends through the incident.</p>
<p>The victim’s statement emphasizes he is more upset about the community’s reaction than the incident itself.</p>
<p>“But what will be a lot harder to get over, and will be a lot harder to forget is how almost everyone else acted when Nick stole from me, hit me, and humiliated me in front of dozens of kids at school in the cafeteria and lounge,” he wrote. “I got phone calls and tweets from people I thought were my friends telling me I should lie about what happened, so Nick would be allowed to wrestle in the state tournament.”</p>
<p>The letter specifically questioned the action by adults who intervened on Chavez’s behalf.</p>
<p>“I am still wondering how politicians, and people who want us young people to respect them were so quickly willing to throw out everything they teach us about honor, integrity, character, and especially all this stuff they keep saying about how they oppose bullying – when all of those principles become inconvenient. When it might mean that an athlete with political connections will have to sit out an important wrestling match.”</p>
<p>In the hours after Chavez was suspended, County Commissioner Art De La Cruz called school board member Analee Maestas, who called APS Superintendent Winston Brooks. Both De La Cruz and Maestas said in February they believed the incident needed to be investigated further and that the district moved too quickly in suspending Chavez.</p>
<p>De La Cruz declined Thursday to comment on the victim’s statement.</p>
<p>Maestas said she never asked district officials to withdraw Chavez’s suspension and emphasized she has no connection to his family. She repeatedly said she was only interested in making sure Chavez had due process. APS procedure does not entitle students to a hearing when they have been short-term suspended, only when they face long-term suspension. Chavez was suspended from school and activities for three days, which he ultimately served as an in-school suspension after the wrestling tournament.</p>
<p>In response to the victim’s frustration at the term “horseplay,” which Maestas used in February to describe what she had heard about the incident, she said it can be hard to tell when teenage boys are fighting versus playing.</p>
<p>“My grandson lived with me and he brought many of his friends to my house, and many times they were horseplaying and wrestling, and sometimes I thought they were really fighting,” Maestas said. “So if they were friends, and I understand they were friends, I couldn’t make that judgment, and I didn’t make that judgment.”</p>
<p>She also said she would have helped any constituents in Chavez’s situation, regardless of whether they were athletes.</p>
<p>The victim wrote in his letter that Rio Grande students feel Chavez got special treatment.</p>
<p>“There isn’t a kid at Rio Grande who believes that they would get the same attention and support from the politicians if they took advantage of a student half their size,” he wrote. “But I guess this is as important a lesson as any other I take away from this event.”</p>
<p>State Sen. Michael Padilla had also called Brooks about the case, although Padilla emphasized Thursday that he did not call on behalf of either student.</p>
<p>“All I asked the superintendent to do was to ensure that both children were treated fairly,” Padilla said, adding that he doesn’t know either of the families but had talked to Maestas about the issue. He said he follows up on all constituent concerns, and that “bullying is never appropriate in any instance.”</p>
<p>The teen’s letter also emphasizes he is glad Chavez was able to wrestle, saying he is “proud to be a Raven, and proud that Rio Grande was able to win the state championship.”</p>
<p>Ramczyk urged Chavez to reach out to the victim at some point and try to make the situation right.</p>
<p>“I think unless you do that, this incident, whatever it involved, is going to continue to haunt you for a long time,” Ramczyk said.</p>
| false | 2 |
ok call robbery assault battery horseplay get judge block schools policies victim wrote letter read court record attorney judge daniel ramczyk ruled charges chavez dismissed provided charged new offenses next three months judge also commended victim 17yearold junior submitting letter criticized adults throwing everything teach us honor integrity character principles become inconvenient advertisement victims letter emphasizes incident chavez horseplay chavezs supporters characterized first time made public statement absolutely blown away letter ramczyk said think theres lot wisdom theres lot courage letter chavez 18yearold senior charged suspended school february allegedly took 15 victim another much smaller member wrestling team refused give back slapped across face victim planned use money register advanced placement test incident occurred school cafeteria witnessed sheriffs deputy assigned rio grande happened day state wrestling tournament began issue became controversial several local politicians made phone calls chavezs behalf statement victim scribd id139122064 keykeysixi6ufiyj3cs9kxgbc modescroll albuquerque public schools officials kept chavezs suspension place family took issue court received temporary restraining order allowed wrestle despite districts objections chavez weight class rio grande shared team title cleveland high school attorney victim agreed judges decision saying still angry hurt nick doesnt want anything bad happen chavez advertisement attorney michael hart read letter teen could court taking endofcourse exam student said tired hearing incident described horseplay chavezs attorney glenn smith valdez repeatedly used word horseplay describe happened asked victims letter thursday said letter speaks declined comment chavez made one comment court saying sorry victim remained friends incident victims statement emphasizes upset communitys reaction incident lot harder get lot harder forget almost everyone else acted nick stole hit humiliated front dozens kids school cafeteria lounge wrote got phone calls tweets people thought friends telling lie happened nick would allowed wrestle state tournament letter specifically questioned action adults intervened chavezs behalf still wondering politicians people want us young people respect quickly willing throw everything teach us honor integrity character especially stuff keep saying oppose bullying principles become inconvenient might mean athlete political connections sit important wrestling match hours chavez suspended county commissioner art de la cruz called school board member analee maestas called aps superintendent winston brooks de la cruz maestas said february believed incident needed investigated district moved quickly suspending chavez de la cruz declined thursday comment victims statement maestas said never asked district officials withdraw chavezs suspension emphasized connection family repeatedly said interested making sure chavez due process aps procedure entitle students hearing shortterm suspended face longterm suspension chavez suspended school activities three days ultimately served inschool suspension wrestling tournament response victims frustration term horseplay maestas used february describe heard incident said hard tell teenage boys fighting versus playing grandson lived brought many friends house many times horseplaying wrestling sometimes thought really fighting maestas said friends understand friends couldnt make judgment didnt make judgment also said would helped constituents chavezs situation regardless whether athletes victim wrote letter rio grande students feel chavez got special treatment isnt kid rio grande believes would get attention support politicians took advantage student half size wrote guess important lesson take away event state sen michael padilla also called brooks case although padilla emphasized thursday call behalf either student asked superintendent ensure children treated fairly padilla said adding doesnt know either families talked maestas issue said follows constituent concerns bullying never appropriate instance teens letter also emphasizes glad chavez able wrestle saying proud raven proud rio grande able win state championship ramczyk urged chavez reach victim point try make situation right think unless incident whatever involved going continue haunt long time ramczyk said
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<p>LONDON (Reuters) - The owners of Battersea Power Station, a huge industrial building in London currently being turned into homes, offices and shops by a Malaysian consortium, are in talks to sell it for 1.6 billion pounds ($2.22 billion), the redevelopers said on Thursday.</p> FILE PHOTO: Construction cranes are seen in operation around Battersea Power Station in the Nine Elms area of London, Britain, October 25, 2017. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo
<p>With its four giant chimneys, the disused electricity generating plant on the south bank of the River Thames was pictured on the cover of Pink Floyd’s album “Animals” and is one of the best-known silhouettes on the London skyline.</p>
<p>Built in the 1930s, the coal-fired power station stopped operating in 1983 and gradually fell into disrepair, with multiple attempts to redevelop it floundering due to costs and practical difficulties in converting the gigantic site.</p>
<p>It was eventually sold to a Malaysian consortium led by property developer SP Setia in 2012, for 400 million pounds, and since then has been undergoing construction work on a vast scale. The project is due to be completed in late 2020.</p>
<p>SP Setia said in an announcement to the Malaysian Stock Exchange that it was in discussions about a potential sale with Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), a Malaysian government-linked investment firm, and Employees Provident Fund Board (EPF), a state pension fund.</p>
<p>The proposal is to sell Phase 2 of the project, the building itself, but not the surrounding land which is also in the process of being redeveloped.</p>
<p>Through their holdings in the current developers and through direct stakes, PNB and EPF already own about 70 percent of the project as a whole.</p>
<p>Battersea Power Station Development Company Ltd, the UK-based structure managing the project, described the proposed transaction as a re-organization of the ownership of the building that would create a long-term asset management and ownership structure.</p>
<p>“Subject to further due diligence and negotiations, the transaction sum is estimated to be 1.6 billion pounds, which is contemplated to be paid in stages through the rest of the construction phase of the Power Station building,” it said in a statement.</p>
<p>Apple announced in September 2016 that it would be moving its London headquarters to the former central boiler house of the power station — a commercial and public relations success for the redevelopers.</p> FILE PHOTO: Battersea Power Station on the banks of the River Thames in London December 28, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Coombs/File Photo
<p>London’s Evening Standard newspaper reported that the proposed sale came after the costs of transforming the brick structure doubled from an initial forecast of about 750 million pounds to around 1.5 billion.</p>
<p>It said the spiraling costs had meant the profit return on the scheme had been cut from 20 percent to 8.2 percent.</p>
<p>A spokesman for the Battersea Power Station Development Company denied that the transaction was in response to an increase in costs.</p>
<p>“Whilst there have been cost increases across the industry and at Battersea Power Station, this transaction is not in reaction to costs,” he said.</p>
<p>“It is simply being concluded to create a long-term stable asset management and ownership platform going forward.”</p>
<p>Reporting by Estelle Shirbon; editing by Stephen Addison</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>KANE COUNTY, Ill. (Reuters) - Lucas Strom, who runs a century-old family farm in rural Illinois, canceled an order to buy a new $71,000 grain storage bin last month - after the seller raised the price 5 percent in a day.</p> Illinois grain farmer Lucas Strom checks on his tractor inside his barn in unincorporated Kane County, Illinois, U.S., April 10, 2018. REUTERS/P.J. Huffstutter
<p>The reason: steel prices jumped right after U.S. President Donald Trump announced tariffs.</p>
<p>Throughout U.S. farm country, where Trump has enjoyed strong support, tariffs on steel and aluminum imports are boosting costs for equipment and infrastructure and causing some farmers and agricultural firms to scrap purchases and expansion plans, according to Reuters’ interviews with farmers, manufacturers, construction firms and food shippers.</p>
<p>The impact of rising steel prices on agriculture illustrates the unintended and unpredictable consequences of aggressive protectionism in a global economy. And the blow comes as farmers fear a more direct hit from retaliatory tariffs threatened by China on crops such as sorghum and soybeans, the most valuable U.S. agricultural export.</p>
<p>A&amp;P Grain Systems in Maple Park, Illinois - the seller of the storage bin Strom wanted to buy with a neighboring farmer - raised its price two days after Trump announced aluminum and steel tariffs on March 1 to protect U.S. producers of the metals. Strom and his neighbor backed out.</p>
<p>“Would that price destroy us? No,” Strom said. “But these days, you have to be smart about your expenses.”</p>
<p>The metals tariffs also hitting makers and sellers of farm equipment, from smaller firms like A&amp;P Grain to global giants such as Deere &amp; Co ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=DE.N" type="external">DE.N</a>) and Caterpillar Inc ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=CAT.N" type="external">CAT.N</a>). Such firms are struggling with whether and how to pass along their higher raw materials costs to farmers who are already reeling from low commodity prices amid a global grains glut.</p>
<p>The world’s two largest economies have threatened each other with tariffs on tens of billions of dollars of goods recent weeks.</p>
<p>Trump imposed&#160;tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum in a move mainly aimed at curbing imports from China. He&#160;has since temporarily excluded the&#160;European Union and six other allies from the duties and given them until May 1 to negotiate permanent exemptions.</p>
<p>A&amp;P Grain President Dave Altepeter said the steel used in their bins is made in the United States, but domestic steel prices also have soared because of the tariffs.</p>
<p>U.S. steel mills typically adjust their prices once a year, normally in the first quarter, Altepeter said. But this year, those prices have jumped four times, he said.</p>
<p>The price of steel used in A&amp;P’s grain bins has jumped about 20 percent since January 1.</p>
<p>“Any time there’s any type of negative talk that affects the steel mill, they’ve raised the price,” said Altepeter.</p>
<p>Last year, about 95,000 tons of steel was shipped to the agriculture industry, compared to the 14 million tons for the U.S. auto industry, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute, an industry group.</p>
<p>Other factors had been driving up steel prices before the recent trade disputes, including&#160;an improving global economy and accelerating manufacturing and construction, particularly in the U.S.</p>
<p>The White House referred questions from Reuters to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which did not respond to a request for comment. Trump and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue have vowed the U.S. government will protect farmers from China’s tariffs, but not explained how.</p>
<p>U.S. farmers can ill-afford any loss of sales. Farm income has dropped by more than half since 2013, following years of massive harvests that have depressed prices for staples such as corn and soybeans.</p>
<p>U.S. competitors Brazil, Argentina and Russia have all raised grain output in recent years, eating into the U.S. share of global markets. Mexico imported ten times more corn from Brazil last year and is set to buy even more in 2018 on worries that renegotiations of the NAFTA trade pact could disrupt their U.S. supplies.</p>
<p>Strom said he has also pushed back plans to build a new metal storage building to house his planter and the combine head he uses for harvesting corn and soybeans. Other farmers, food producers and beer makers have scrambled to finalize deals for steel-based equipment before prices climb more.</p> Slideshow (2 Images) CONSTRUCTION POSTPONED
<p>In Riverton, Illinois, farmer Allen Entwistle said he postponed construction of a new $800,000 storage system for grain after AGCO Corp’s ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=AGCO.N" type="external">AGCO.N</a>) GSI unit increased prices by 15 percent.</p>
<p>Entwistle, who voted for Trump, will instead store corn in bags on the ground.</p>
<p>“President Trump keeps telling us he’s going to get a better deal,” Entwistle said. “When are we gonna make it better?”</p>
<p>AGCO said Trump’s tariffs will raise its costs and make price hikes to customers unavoidable.</p>
<p>“As the entire grain storage industry has weathered increased steel prices, AGCO and GSI are constantly looking for new ways to maximize efficiency and minimize the impact to customers,” said spokeswoman Kelli Cook.</p>
<p>Other companies, including Deere and Caterpillar, are also facing pain from rising steel prices, which account for about 10 percent of equipment manufacturers’ direct costs.</p>
<a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=DE.N" type="external">Deere &amp; Co</a> 149.98 DE.N New York Stock Exchange -0.28 (-0.19%) DE.N CAT.N AGCO.N
<p>Deere CEO Samuel Allen told Reuters last month the company will have to absorb the price increase and cut costs elsewhere. China’s threatened tariffs on U.S. crops could hurt the company even more by undermining demand from farmers, he said.</p>
<p>“This has a huge effect on livelihood of the farmer right now, and at the same time it has a huge impact on manufacturers,” said Dennis Slater, president at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, an industry group.</p>
<p>U.S. net farm income is forecast to drop to $59.5 billion in 2018 dollars, down from $64.9 billion in 2017, an 8.3 percent decline, according to the USDA.</p>
<p>TARIFF ‘DOOM-AND-GLOOM’</p>
<p>In Sheffield, Iowa, Sukup Manufacturing has seen steel prices soar 40 percent since November, said Brent Hansen, the company’s commercial accounts manager.</p>
<p>The maker of grain bins and pre-manufactured steel buildings has encouraged customers to buy quickly before prices jump more. But some have already postponed projects, Hansen said.</p>
<p>“That’s obviously a big price increase for an industry that’s a little bit doom-and-gloom over tariffs,” Hansen said.</p> China vows to 'fight back' if Trump raises trade tension
<p>Sukup used to give customers up to two months to consider its bids for projects. Now, it allows just a week in some cases because of volatile steel prices, Hansen said.</p>
<p>Prices have jumped by 25 percent for thermal insulated panels that keep food cold – which can use either steel, aluminum or both, said Glenn Todd, owner of Todd Construction Services. The company has built food processing and storage facilities for Bumble Bee Seafoods and poultry company Foster Farms.</p>
<p>Richard Adkins, director of sales at Discovery Designs Refrigeration in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, thought his company wouldn’t have to worry about Trump’s tariffs. Most of the metal they use to design industrial refrigeration systems comes from Canada and Mexico, he said, and the president has exempted both countries from the levies.</p>
<p>It didn’t matter. Price-hike notices from vendors landed in Adkins’ mailbox days after Trump announced the duties.</p>
<p>“There’s this knee-jerk reaction,” Adkins said. “We’re quoting prices for projects that won’t be awarded for another six or eight months, and no one wants to be hung out to dry.”</p>
<p>Reporting by Tom Polansek in Chicago and PJ Huffstutter in Kane County. Additional reporting by Rajesh Kumar Singh in Chicago.; Editing by David Gaffen, Simon Webb and Brian Thevenot</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) - 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>NEW YORK (Reuters) - Financial stocks led a drop on Wall Street on Friday as results from big banks failed to enthuse and fear of broader conflict in Syria further unnerved investors.</p>
<p>The S&amp;P banks index fell 2.6 percent and the broader S&amp;P financial index lost 1.6 percent, the most among the 11 major S&amp;P sectors.</p>
<p>Shares of JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co, the biggest U.S. bank by assets, dropped 2.7 percent after the bank’s quarterly profit fell slightly short of expectations. JPMorgan shares were the biggest weight on the S&amp;P 500.</p>
<p>Wells Fargo sank 3.4 percent after the bank said it may have to pay a penalty of $1 billion to resolve investigations, while Citigroup dropped 1.6 percent despite beating profit estimates.</p>
<p>Weak loan growth weighed on bank shares, said RJ Grant, head of trading at Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods in New York.</p>
<p>“If you didn’t own financials going into the quarter, there was nothing in the numbers today that would make you excited about owning them,” Grant said.</p>
<p>U.S. stocks extended losses on Friday after the State Department said that it had proof that Syria carried out a recent chemical weapons attack in the town of Douma.</p>
<p>The renewed possibility of a strike in Syria “is enough to cause heartburn for the market,” said Robert Phipps, a director at Per Stirling Capital Management in Austin, Texas. “There’s a ton of uncertainty right now so investors don’t want to go into the weekend particularly long.”</p>
<p>The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 122.91 points, or 0.5 percent, to 24,360.14, the S&amp;P 500 lost 7.69 points, or 0.29 percent, to 2,656.3 and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 33.60 points, or 0.47 percent, to 7,106.65.</p>
<p>Still, for the week, the S&amp;P 500 rose 1.99 percent, the Dow gained 1.79 percent, and the Nasdaq added 2.77 percent.</p>
<p>Friday’s bank results kicked off earnings season, with Thomson Reuters data predicting profits at S&amp;P 500 companies increased by 18.6 percent in the first quarter from a year ago, their biggest rise in seven years.</p>
<p>While the U.S. economy is performing well, geopolitical issues are weighing on stock markets this year.</p>
<p>Senior Russian lawmakers said on Friday that the lower house of parliament would consider draft legislation giving the Kremlin powers to ban or restrict a list of U.S. imports, reacting to new U.S. sanctions on Russian tycoons and officials.</p>
<p>Boeing fell 2.4 percent after a Russian lawmaker said the country may stop supplying titanium to the company.</p>
<p>Issues with engines for Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner planes also weighed on the company’s shares.</p>
<p>The top gainer among S&amp;P sectors was energy, up 1.1 percent as oil prices rose.</p> Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, (NYSE) in New York, U.S., April 10, 2018. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo
<p>Tesla rose 2.1 percent after founder Elon Musk said the electric car maker would be profitable in the third and fourth quarters and would not need to raise any money this year.</p>
<p>Declining issues outnumbered advancing ones on the NYSE by a 1.28-to-1 ratio; on Nasdaq, a 1.64-to-1 ratio favored decliners.</p>
<p>Volume on U.S. exchanges was 5.78 billion shares, compared to the 7.22 billion average for the full session over the last 20 trading days.</p>
<p>Additional reporting by Sruthi Shankar in Bengaluru and Sinéad Carew in New York; Editing by Patrick Graham and Chizu Nomiyama</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
| false | 2 |
london reuters owners battersea power station huge industrial building london currently turned homes offices shops malaysian consortium talks sell 16 billion pounds 222 billion redevelopers said thursday file photo construction cranes seen operation around battersea power station nine elms area london britain october 25 2017 reuterstoby melvillefile photo four giant chimneys disused electricity generating plant south bank river thames pictured cover pink floyds album animals one bestknown silhouettes london skyline built 1930s coalfired power station stopped operating 1983 gradually fell disrepair multiple attempts redevelop floundering due costs practical difficulties converting gigantic site eventually sold malaysian consortium led property developer sp setia 2012 400 million pounds since undergoing construction work vast scale project due completed late 2020 sp setia said announcement malaysian stock exchange discussions potential sale permodalan nasional berhad pnb malaysian governmentlinked investment firm employees provident fund board epf state pension fund proposal sell phase 2 project building surrounding land also process redeveloped holdings current developers direct stakes pnb epf already 70 percent project whole battersea power station development company ltd ukbased structure managing project described proposed transaction reorganization ownership building would create longterm asset management ownership structure subject due diligence negotiations transaction sum estimated 16 billion pounds contemplated paid stages rest construction phase power station building said statement apple announced september 2016 would moving london headquarters former central boiler house power station commercial public relations success redevelopers file photo battersea power station banks river thames london december 28 2017 reuterskevin coombsfile photo londons evening standard newspaper reported proposed sale came costs transforming brick structure doubled initial forecast 750 million pounds around 15 billion said spiraling costs meant profit return scheme cut 20 percent 82 percent spokesman battersea power station development company denied transaction response increase costs whilst cost increases across industry battersea power station transaction reaction costs said simply concluded create longterm stable asset management ownership platform going forward reporting estelle shirbon editing stephen addison standards thomson reuters trust principles kane county ill reuters lucas strom runs centuryold family farm rural illinois canceled order buy new 71000 grain storage bin last month seller raised price 5 percent day illinois grain farmer lucas strom checks tractor inside barn unincorporated kane county illinois us april 10 2018 reuterspj huffstutter reason steel prices jumped right us president donald trump announced tariffs throughout us farm country trump enjoyed strong support tariffs steel aluminum imports boosting costs equipment infrastructure causing farmers agricultural firms scrap purchases expansion plans according reuters interviews farmers manufacturers construction firms food shippers impact rising steel prices agriculture illustrates unintended unpredictable consequences aggressive protectionism global economy blow comes farmers fear direct hit retaliatory tariffs threatened china crops sorghum soybeans valuable us agricultural export aampp grain systems maple park illinois seller storage bin strom wanted buy neighboring farmer raised price two days trump announced aluminum steel tariffs march 1 protect us producers metals strom neighbor backed would price destroy us strom said days smart expenses metals tariffs also hitting makers sellers farm equipment smaller firms like aampp grain global giants deere amp co den caterpillar inc catn firms struggling whether pass along higher raw materials costs farmers already reeling low commodity prices amid global grains glut worlds two largest economies threatened tariffs tens billions dollars goods recent weeks trump imposed160tariffs 25 percent steel 10 percent aluminum move mainly aimed curbing imports china he160has since temporarily excluded the160european union six allies duties given may 1 negotiate permanent exemptions aampp grain president dave altepeter said steel used bins made united states domestic steel prices also soared tariffs us steel mills typically adjust prices year normally first quarter altepeter said year prices jumped four times said price steel used aampps grain bins jumped 20 percent since january 1 time theres type negative talk affects steel mill theyve raised price said altepeter last year 95000 tons steel shipped agriculture industry compared 14 million tons us auto industry according american iron steel institute industry group factors driving steel prices recent trade disputes including160an improving global economy accelerating manufacturing construction particularly us white house referred questions reuters us department agriculture respond request comment trump agriculture secretary sonny perdue vowed us government protect farmers chinas tariffs explained us farmers illafford loss sales farm income dropped half since 2013 following years massive harvests depressed prices staples corn soybeans us competitors brazil argentina russia raised grain output recent years eating us share global markets mexico imported ten times corn brazil last year set buy even 2018 worries renegotiations nafta trade pact could disrupt us supplies strom said also pushed back plans build new metal storage building house planter combine head uses harvesting corn soybeans farmers food producers beer makers scrambled finalize deals steelbased equipment prices climb slideshow 2 images construction postponed riverton illinois farmer allen entwistle said postponed construction new 800000 storage system grain agco corps agcon gsi unit increased prices 15 percent entwistle voted trump instead store corn bags ground president trump keeps telling us hes going get better deal entwistle said gon na make better agco said trumps tariffs raise costs make price hikes customers unavoidable entire grain storage industry weathered increased steel prices agco gsi constantly looking new ways maximize efficiency minimize impact customers said spokeswoman kelli cook companies including deere caterpillar also facing pain rising steel prices account 10 percent equipment manufacturers direct costs deere amp co 14998 den new york stock exchange 028 019 den catn agcon deere ceo samuel allen told reuters last month company absorb price increase cut costs elsewhere chinas threatened tariffs us crops could hurt company even undermining demand farmers said huge effect livelihood farmer right time huge impact manufacturers said dennis slater president association equipment manufacturers industry group us net farm income forecast drop 595 billion 2018 dollars 649 billion 2017 83 percent decline according usda tariff doomandgloom sheffield iowa sukup manufacturing seen steel prices soar 40 percent since november said brent hansen companys commercial accounts manager maker grain bins premanufactured steel buildings encouraged customers buy quickly prices jump already postponed projects hansen said thats obviously big price increase industry thats little bit doomandgloom tariffs hansen said china vows fight back trump raises trade tension sukup used give customers two months consider bids projects allows week cases volatile steel prices hansen said prices jumped 25 percent thermal insulated panels keep food cold use either steel aluminum said glenn todd owner todd construction services company built food processing storage facilities bumble bee seafoods poultry company foster farms richard adkins director sales discovery designs refrigeration mukwonago wisconsin thought company wouldnt worry trumps tariffs metal use design industrial refrigeration systems comes canada mexico said president exempted countries levies didnt matter pricehike notices vendors landed adkins mailbox days trump announced duties theres kneejerk reaction adkins said quoting prices projects wont awarded another six eight months one wants hung dry reporting tom polansek chicago pj huffstutter kane county additional reporting rajesh kumar singh chicago editing david gaffen simon webb brian thevenot 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 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 new york reuters financial stocks led drop wall street friday results big banks failed enthuse fear broader conflict syria unnerved investors sampp banks index fell 26 percent broader sampp financial index lost 16 percent among 11 major sampp sectors shares jpmorgan chase amp co biggest us bank assets dropped 27 percent banks quarterly profit fell slightly short expectations jpmorgan shares biggest weight sampp 500 wells fargo sank 34 percent bank said may pay penalty 1 billion resolve investigations citigroup dropped 16 percent despite beating profit estimates weak loan growth weighed bank shares said rj grant head trading keefe bruyette amp woods new york didnt financials going quarter nothing numbers today would make excited owning grant said us stocks extended losses friday state department said proof syria carried recent chemical weapons attack town douma renewed possibility strike syria enough cause heartburn market said robert phipps director per stirling capital management austin texas theres ton uncertainty right investors dont want go weekend particularly long dow jones industrial average fell 12291 points 05 percent 2436014 sampp 500 lost 769 points 029 percent 26563 nasdaq composite dropped 3360 points 047 percent 710665 still week sampp 500 rose 199 percent dow gained 179 percent nasdaq added 277 percent fridays bank results kicked earnings season thomson reuters data predicting profits sampp 500 companies increased 186 percent first quarter year ago biggest rise seven years us economy performing well geopolitical issues weighing stock markets year senior russian lawmakers said friday lower house parliament would consider draft legislation giving kremlin powers ban restrict list us imports reacting new us sanctions russian tycoons officials boeing fell 24 percent russian lawmaker said country may stop supplying titanium company issues engines boeings 787 dreamliner planes also weighed companys shares top gainer among sampp sectors energy 11 percent oil prices rose traders work floor new york stock exchange nyse new york us april 10 2018 reutersbrendan mcdermidfile photo tesla rose 21 percent founder elon musk said electric car maker would profitable third fourth quarters would need raise money year declining issues outnumbered advancing ones nyse 128to1 ratio nasdaq 164to1 ratio favored decliners volume us exchanges 578 billion shares compared 722 billion average full session last 20 trading days additional reporting sruthi shankar bengaluru sinéad carew new york editing patrick graham chizu nomiyama standards thomson reuters trust principles
| 2,187 |
<p>PITTSBURGH (AP) — Even as he sat in the back of a police car sprinting to the hospital to get a precise prognosis on his injured left calf while the Pittsburgh Steelers played on without him during a loss to New England three weeks ago, Antonio Brown always believed he’d be back.</p>
<p>He just needed time.</p>
<p>When his teammates provided it by assuring the AFC North champions of a first-round bye, Brown pushed his rehab.</p>
<p>By last weekend <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BdsnOgiF88r/?taken-by=ochocinco" type="external">video surfaced of Brown</a> working out in Florida with former NFL wide receiver Chad Ochocinco.</p>
<p>And there Brown was on Monday, going through drills with the rest of the Steelers well on track for a return on Sunday against Jacksonville in the divisional round of the playoffs.</p>
<p>“I never count myself out regardless of circumstances,” Brown said. “I know playing football you’re going to have adversity. Just got to grow from it.”</p>
<p>While stressing he’s “still got a lot to test,” the only unanimous selection on the 2017 All-Pro Team and the only player in NFL history with five straight seasons with at least 100 receptions appeared to be relatively close to his old self.</p>
<p>“AB is nice,” cornerback Joe Haden said. “If he’s out there, I expect him to be AB. He’s not going to be out there limping around. When he was running, he looked pretty good. You never know how it’s going to feel afterward, but while he’s out there, while he’s running his routes, he looked like AB.”</p>
<p>Brown left in the <a href="https://pro32.ap.org/article/steelers-brown-leaves-calf-injury-taken-hospital" type="external">first half against New England</a> on Dec. 17 when his legs got tangled with a pair of Patriots defenders while trying to haul in a touchdown pass.</p>
<p>The Steelers lost 27-23 before rebounding to close out the regular season with wins over Houston and Cleveland.</p>
<p>Still, their best chance at reaching the AFC championship game for a second consecutive season comes with Brown’s No. 84 in the lineup.</p>
<p>The Jaguars have one of the NFL’s top defensive backfields, though Brown still finished with 10 receptions and 157 yards on Oct. 8, the lone bright spot for the Steelers in a 30-9 loss in which Jacksonville scored the final 23 points and left Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger shaken after throwing five interceptions.</p>
<p>Roethlisberger hasn’t shied away from talk of a rematch. That’s fine by the Jaguars.</p>
<p>“Be careful what you wish for,” Jacksonville cornerback AJ Bouye said. “This is what he wanted. This is what he’s going to get.”</p>
<p>What the Steelers are likely to get in return is a heavy dose of Jaguars rookie running back Leonard Fournette.</p>
<p>He was dominant with 181 yards and two touchdowns against Pittsburgh in October, including a backbreaking 90-yard sprint with 1:47 left that showcased the speed and the power that makes him so dangerous. Jacksonville finished with 231 yards rushing in all, the most given up by the Steelers all season.</p>
<p>It was perhaps the biggest upset in the NFL season at the time. In the rearview, not so much. The Jaguars have proven they’re legit while reaching the playoffs for the first time in a decade.</p>
<p>Though Jacksonville cornerback Jalen Ramsey suggested Pittsburgh must feel like the loss was a “fluke,” the Steelers insist that’s not the case.</p>
<p>“We don’t feel like it was a fluke,” linebacker Bud Dupree said. “We actually saw the plays they made and everything that was going on and the mistakes that we made and ... that’s what happens. We let them get a couple of explosion plays.”</p>
<p>Yet Steelers safety Mike Mitchell is quick to point out the blowout on the scoreboard didn’t exactly reflect what happened on the field. Even with Fournette’s closeout dash to the end zone, Pittsburgh outgained the Jaguars 373-313.</p>
<p>“If you watch that football game, it’s not like their offense exploited us a ton,” Mitchell said. “I don’t think it was a dominant performance from that standpoint. I thought we played well enough to win the game. Obviously we didn’t. We’ve got to do better Sunday as a complete team to win the game.”</p>
<p>One of the reasons Roethlisberger wanted another shot at Jacksonville. The two-time Super Bowl winner facetiously wondered if he still “had it” after turning the ball over repeatedly back in October.</p>
<p>All he did over the second half of the season was throw 18 touchdowns against five interceptions while leading Pittsburgh to a second straight division title and fourth consecutive playoff appearance.</p>
<p>Roethlisberger’s swagger is back. And with Brown nearing a return, the Steelers believe they’re three wins away from a seventh Lombardi Trophy regardless of who may stand in the way.</p>
<p>“(Got to) find a way to win this one,” Brown said, “and then the next one and the next one.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>AP Sports Writer Mark Long in Jacksonville, Fla., contributed to this report.</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>PITTSBURGH (AP) — Even as he sat in the back of a police car sprinting to the hospital to get a precise prognosis on his injured left calf while the Pittsburgh Steelers played on without him during a loss to New England three weeks ago, Antonio Brown always believed he’d be back.</p>
<p>He just needed time.</p>
<p>When his teammates provided it by assuring the AFC North champions of a first-round bye, Brown pushed his rehab.</p>
<p>By last weekend <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BdsnOgiF88r/?taken-by=ochocinco" type="external">video surfaced of Brown</a> working out in Florida with former NFL wide receiver Chad Ochocinco.</p>
<p>And there Brown was on Monday, going through drills with the rest of the Steelers well on track for a return on Sunday against Jacksonville in the divisional round of the playoffs.</p>
<p>“I never count myself out regardless of circumstances,” Brown said. “I know playing football you’re going to have adversity. Just got to grow from it.”</p>
<p>While stressing he’s “still got a lot to test,” the only unanimous selection on the 2017 All-Pro Team and the only player in NFL history with five straight seasons with at least 100 receptions appeared to be relatively close to his old self.</p>
<p>“AB is nice,” cornerback Joe Haden said. “If he’s out there, I expect him to be AB. He’s not going to be out there limping around. When he was running, he looked pretty good. You never know how it’s going to feel afterward, but while he’s out there, while he’s running his routes, he looked like AB.”</p>
<p>Brown left in the <a href="https://pro32.ap.org/article/steelers-brown-leaves-calf-injury-taken-hospital" type="external">first half against New England</a> on Dec. 17 when his legs got tangled with a pair of Patriots defenders while trying to haul in a touchdown pass.</p>
<p>The Steelers lost 27-23 before rebounding to close out the regular season with wins over Houston and Cleveland.</p>
<p>Still, their best chance at reaching the AFC championship game for a second consecutive season comes with Brown’s No. 84 in the lineup.</p>
<p>The Jaguars have one of the NFL’s top defensive backfields, though Brown still finished with 10 receptions and 157 yards on Oct. 8, the lone bright spot for the Steelers in a 30-9 loss in which Jacksonville scored the final 23 points and left Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger shaken after throwing five interceptions.</p>
<p>Roethlisberger hasn’t shied away from talk of a rematch. That’s fine by the Jaguars.</p>
<p>“Be careful what you wish for,” Jacksonville cornerback AJ Bouye said. “This is what he wanted. This is what he’s going to get.”</p>
<p>What the Steelers are likely to get in return is a heavy dose of Jaguars rookie running back Leonard Fournette.</p>
<p>He was dominant with 181 yards and two touchdowns against Pittsburgh in October, including a backbreaking 90-yard sprint with 1:47 left that showcased the speed and the power that makes him so dangerous. Jacksonville finished with 231 yards rushing in all, the most given up by the Steelers all season.</p>
<p>It was perhaps the biggest upset in the NFL season at the time. In the rearview, not so much. The Jaguars have proven they’re legit while reaching the playoffs for the first time in a decade.</p>
<p>Though Jacksonville cornerback Jalen Ramsey suggested Pittsburgh must feel like the loss was a “fluke,” the Steelers insist that’s not the case.</p>
<p>“We don’t feel like it was a fluke,” linebacker Bud Dupree said. “We actually saw the plays they made and everything that was going on and the mistakes that we made and ... that’s what happens. We let them get a couple of explosion plays.”</p>
<p>Yet Steelers safety Mike Mitchell is quick to point out the blowout on the scoreboard didn’t exactly reflect what happened on the field. Even with Fournette’s closeout dash to the end zone, Pittsburgh outgained the Jaguars 373-313.</p>
<p>“If you watch that football game, it’s not like their offense exploited us a ton,” Mitchell said. “I don’t think it was a dominant performance from that standpoint. I thought we played well enough to win the game. Obviously we didn’t. We’ve got to do better Sunday as a complete team to win the game.”</p>
<p>One of the reasons Roethlisberger wanted another shot at Jacksonville. The two-time Super Bowl winner facetiously wondered if he still “had it” after turning the ball over repeatedly back in October.</p>
<p>All he did over the second half of the season was throw 18 touchdowns against five interceptions while leading Pittsburgh to a second straight division title and fourth consecutive playoff appearance.</p>
<p>Roethlisberger’s swagger is back. And with Brown nearing a return, the Steelers believe they’re three wins away from a seventh Lombardi Trophy regardless of who may stand in the way.</p>
<p>“(Got to) find a way to win this one,” Brown said, “and then the next one and the next one.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>AP Sports Writer Mark Long in Jacksonville, Fla., contributed to this report.</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 |
pittsburgh ap even sat back police car sprinting hospital get precise prognosis injured left calf pittsburgh steelers played without loss new england three weeks ago antonio brown always believed hed back needed time teammates provided assuring afc north champions firstround bye brown pushed rehab last weekend video surfaced brown working florida former nfl wide receiver chad ochocinco brown monday going drills rest steelers well track return sunday jacksonville divisional round playoffs never count regardless circumstances brown said know playing football youre going adversity got grow stressing hes still got lot test unanimous selection 2017 allpro team player nfl history five straight seasons least 100 receptions appeared relatively close old self ab nice cornerback joe haden said hes expect ab hes going limping around running looked pretty good never know going feel afterward hes hes running routes looked like ab brown left first half new england dec 17 legs got tangled pair patriots defenders trying haul touchdown pass steelers lost 2723 rebounding close regular season wins houston cleveland still best chance reaching afc championship game second consecutive season comes browns 84 lineup jaguars one nfls top defensive backfields though brown still finished 10 receptions 157 yards oct 8 lone bright spot steelers 309 loss jacksonville scored final 23 points left pittsburgh quarterback ben roethlisberger shaken throwing five interceptions roethlisberger hasnt shied away talk rematch thats fine jaguars careful wish jacksonville cornerback aj bouye said wanted hes going get steelers likely get return heavy dose jaguars rookie running back leonard fournette dominant 181 yards two touchdowns pittsburgh october including backbreaking 90yard sprint 147 left showcased speed power makes dangerous jacksonville finished 231 yards rushing given steelers season perhaps biggest upset nfl season time rearview much jaguars proven theyre legit reaching playoffs first time decade though jacksonville cornerback jalen ramsey suggested pittsburgh must feel like loss fluke steelers insist thats case dont feel like fluke linebacker bud dupree said actually saw plays made everything going mistakes made thats happens let get couple explosion plays yet steelers safety mike mitchell quick point blowout scoreboard didnt exactly reflect happened field even fournettes closeout dash end zone pittsburgh outgained jaguars 373313 watch football game like offense exploited us ton mitchell said dont think dominant performance standpoint thought played well enough win game obviously didnt weve got better sunday complete team win game one reasons roethlisberger wanted another shot jacksonville twotime super bowl winner facetiously wondered still turning ball repeatedly back october second half season throw 18 touchdowns five interceptions leading pittsburgh second straight division title fourth consecutive playoff appearance roethlisbergers swagger back brown nearing return steelers believe theyre three wins away seventh lombardi trophy regardless may stand way got find way win one brown said next one next one ___ ap sports writer mark long jacksonville fla contributed report ___ nfl coverage httpwwwpro32aporg httpwwwtwittercomap_nfl pittsburgh ap even sat back police car sprinting hospital get precise prognosis injured left calf pittsburgh steelers played without loss new england three weeks ago antonio brown always believed hed back needed time teammates provided assuring afc north champions firstround bye brown pushed rehab last weekend video surfaced brown working florida former nfl wide receiver chad ochocinco brown monday going drills rest steelers well track return sunday jacksonville divisional round playoffs never count regardless circumstances brown said know playing football youre going adversity got grow stressing hes still got lot test unanimous selection 2017 allpro team player nfl history five straight seasons least 100 receptions appeared relatively close old self ab nice cornerback joe haden said hes expect ab hes going limping around running looked pretty good never know going feel afterward hes hes running routes looked like ab brown left first half new england dec 17 legs got tangled pair patriots defenders trying haul touchdown pass steelers lost 2723 rebounding close regular season wins houston cleveland still best chance reaching afc championship game second consecutive season comes browns 84 lineup jaguars one nfls top defensive backfields though brown still finished 10 receptions 157 yards oct 8 lone bright spot steelers 309 loss jacksonville scored final 23 points left pittsburgh quarterback ben roethlisberger shaken throwing five interceptions roethlisberger hasnt shied away talk rematch thats fine jaguars careful wish jacksonville cornerback aj bouye said wanted hes going get steelers likely get return heavy dose jaguars rookie running back leonard fournette dominant 181 yards two touchdowns pittsburgh october including backbreaking 90yard sprint 147 left showcased speed power makes dangerous jacksonville finished 231 yards rushing given steelers season perhaps biggest upset nfl season time rearview much jaguars proven theyre legit reaching playoffs first time decade though jacksonville cornerback jalen ramsey suggested pittsburgh must feel like loss fluke steelers insist thats case dont feel like fluke linebacker bud dupree said actually saw plays made everything going mistakes made thats happens let get couple explosion plays yet steelers safety mike mitchell quick point blowout scoreboard didnt exactly reflect happened field even fournettes closeout dash end zone pittsburgh outgained jaguars 373313 watch football game like offense exploited us ton mitchell said dont think dominant performance standpoint thought played well enough win game obviously didnt weve got better sunday complete team win game one reasons roethlisberger wanted another shot jacksonville twotime super bowl winner facetiously wondered still turning ball repeatedly back october second half season throw 18 touchdowns five interceptions leading pittsburgh second straight division title fourth consecutive playoff appearance roethlisbergers swagger back brown nearing return steelers believe theyre three wins away seventh lombardi trophy regardless may stand way got find way win one brown said next one next one ___ ap sports writer mark long jacksonville fla contributed report ___ nfl coverage httpwwwpro32aporg httpwwwtwittercomap_nfl
| 936 |
<p>ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals are prepared to live with the swings and misses, knowing that when Mark Reynolds connects the ball really travels.</p>
<p>They have lacked a power bat off the bench, or power anywhere for that matter, and Reynolds also could platoon with Matt Adams at first base. Manager Mike Matheny promises he won't have batting coach John Mabry tinker too much with a stroke that's boom or bust.</p>
<p>"We need to capitalize on what his strengths are and not focus on the weaknesses, and realize he's got a power component that's very rare," Matheny said at the Winter Warm-Up fan festival. "Make some subtle changes to maybe improve, but also not be afraid to get up there and try to drive the ball. That's why we did bring him in."</p>
<p>General manager John Mozeliak points out something of a happy medium approach would help both parties. Reynolds is playing for his fifth team in four seasons.</p>
<p>"I think we understood what we were buying," Mozeliak said. "But that's not to say we also weren't hopeful of maybe a little bit of an adjustment."</p>
<p>The Cardinals made it to the postseason for a franchise-record fourth consecutive season without relying on the long ball, totaling 102 homers for second-worst in the major leagues. Home runs were down across the board among the starters and the bench contributed just 12.</p>
<p>That's why the Cardinals think the 31-year-old Reynolds is a good fit. He holds the major league record of 223 strikeouts in 2009 with the Arizona Diamondbacks and is just a .229 career hitter, but he hit 44 homers in 2009 and has 21 or more in each of his last seven seasons.</p>
<p>Though he batted a paltry .196 last year with Milwaukee — and fanned nearly once per three at-bats in a part-time role — Reynolds managed to hit 22 homers.</p>
<p>"The one thing we've talked about a lot is who's the power off the bench," Mozeliak said. "Historically, we just haven't had a great answer for that. At the minimum, we're hoping he can do that."</p>
<p>Certainly, Reynolds would love reducing the strikeout count without sacrificing too much pop. But there's a limit.</p>
<p>"When there's two outs and nobody on base and I have two strikes, I'm not going to try to hit a ball to second base," Reynolds said. "I'm going to try to drive the ball in the gap and get in scoring position, and I don't want to compromise that."</p>
<p>After playing his first four seasons with Arizona, Reynolds has had stints with the Orioles, Indians, Yankees and Brewers. He chose a one-year deal with St. Louis for opportunities at the corner infield spots and perhaps some outfield, too, for a chance to play for a faithful fan base and above all join a team accustomed to playing deep into October.</p>
<p>"I had other opportunities to go other places where I could have probably played more, at least on paper, but it didn't look too good for the postseason," Reynolds said. "I wanted to be here."</p>
<p>The move figures to be a motivator for the left-handed hitting Adams, who batted .318 against right-handed pitchers but just .190 against lefties. Only three of Adams' homers came against lefties.</p>
<p>Reynolds hasn't exactly crushed lefties, either, with a career average of .231. But his on-base percentage of .351 against lefties is impressive.</p>
<p>"I'm definitely not here to ride the pine," Reynolds said. "I'm going to try and make it tough on Mike to keep me on the bench."</p>
<p>ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals are prepared to live with the swings and misses, knowing that when Mark Reynolds connects the ball really travels.</p>
<p>They have lacked a power bat off the bench, or power anywhere for that matter, and Reynolds also could platoon with Matt Adams at first base. Manager Mike Matheny promises he won't have batting coach John Mabry tinker too much with a stroke that's boom or bust.</p>
<p>"We need to capitalize on what his strengths are and not focus on the weaknesses, and realize he's got a power component that's very rare," Matheny said at the Winter Warm-Up fan festival. "Make some subtle changes to maybe improve, but also not be afraid to get up there and try to drive the ball. That's why we did bring him in."</p>
<p>General manager John Mozeliak points out something of a happy medium approach would help both parties. Reynolds is playing for his fifth team in four seasons.</p>
<p>"I think we understood what we were buying," Mozeliak said. "But that's not to say we also weren't hopeful of maybe a little bit of an adjustment."</p>
<p>The Cardinals made it to the postseason for a franchise-record fourth consecutive season without relying on the long ball, totaling 102 homers for second-worst in the major leagues. Home runs were down across the board among the starters and the bench contributed just 12.</p>
<p>That's why the Cardinals think the 31-year-old Reynolds is a good fit. He holds the major league record of 223 strikeouts in 2009 with the Arizona Diamondbacks and is just a .229 career hitter, but he hit 44 homers in 2009 and has 21 or more in each of his last seven seasons.</p>
<p>Though he batted a paltry .196 last year with Milwaukee — and fanned nearly once per three at-bats in a part-time role — Reynolds managed to hit 22 homers.</p>
<p>"The one thing we've talked about a lot is who's the power off the bench," Mozeliak said. "Historically, we just haven't had a great answer for that. At the minimum, we're hoping he can do that."</p>
<p>Certainly, Reynolds would love reducing the strikeout count without sacrificing too much pop. But there's a limit.</p>
<p>"When there's two outs and nobody on base and I have two strikes, I'm not going to try to hit a ball to second base," Reynolds said. "I'm going to try to drive the ball in the gap and get in scoring position, and I don't want to compromise that."</p>
<p>After playing his first four seasons with Arizona, Reynolds has had stints with the Orioles, Indians, Yankees and Brewers. He chose a one-year deal with St. Louis for opportunities at the corner infield spots and perhaps some outfield, too, for a chance to play for a faithful fan base and above all join a team accustomed to playing deep into October.</p>
<p>"I had other opportunities to go other places where I could have probably played more, at least on paper, but it didn't look too good for the postseason," Reynolds said. "I wanted to be here."</p>
<p>The move figures to be a motivator for the left-handed hitting Adams, who batted .318 against right-handed pitchers but just .190 against lefties. Only three of Adams' homers came against lefties.</p>
<p>Reynolds hasn't exactly crushed lefties, either, with a career average of .231. But his on-base percentage of .351 against lefties is impressive.</p>
<p>"I'm definitely not here to ride the pine," Reynolds said. "I'm going to try and make it tough on Mike to keep me on the bench."</p>
| false | 2 |
st louis ap st louis cardinals prepared live swings misses knowing mark reynolds connects ball really travels lacked power bat bench power anywhere matter reynolds also could platoon matt adams first base manager mike matheny promises wont batting coach john mabry tinker much stroke thats boom bust need capitalize strengths focus weaknesses realize hes got power component thats rare matheny said winter warmup fan festival make subtle changes maybe improve also afraid get try drive ball thats bring general manager john mozeliak points something happy medium approach would help parties reynolds playing fifth team four seasons think understood buying mozeliak said thats say also werent hopeful maybe little bit adjustment cardinals made postseason franchiserecord fourth consecutive season without relying long ball totaling 102 homers secondworst major leagues home runs across board among starters bench contributed 12 thats cardinals think 31yearold reynolds good fit holds major league record 223 strikeouts 2009 arizona diamondbacks 229 career hitter hit 44 homers 2009 21 last seven seasons though batted paltry 196 last year milwaukee fanned nearly per three atbats parttime role reynolds managed hit 22 homers one thing weve talked lot whos power bench mozeliak said historically havent great answer minimum hoping certainly reynolds would love reducing strikeout count without sacrificing much pop theres limit theres two outs nobody base two strikes im going try hit ball second base reynolds said im going try drive ball gap get scoring position dont want compromise playing first four seasons arizona reynolds stints orioles indians yankees brewers chose oneyear deal st louis opportunities corner infield spots perhaps outfield chance play faithful fan base join team accustomed playing deep october opportunities go places could probably played least paper didnt look good postseason reynolds said wanted move figures motivator lefthanded hitting adams batted 318 righthanded pitchers 190 lefties three adams homers came lefties reynolds hasnt exactly crushed lefties either career average 231 onbase percentage 351 lefties impressive im definitely ride pine reynolds said im going try make tough mike keep bench st louis ap st louis cardinals prepared live swings misses knowing mark reynolds connects ball really travels lacked power bat bench power anywhere matter reynolds also could platoon matt adams first base manager mike matheny promises wont batting coach john mabry tinker much stroke thats boom bust need capitalize strengths focus weaknesses realize hes got power component thats rare matheny said winter warmup fan festival make subtle changes maybe improve also afraid get try drive ball thats bring general manager john mozeliak points something happy medium approach would help parties reynolds playing fifth team four seasons think understood buying mozeliak said thats say also werent hopeful maybe little bit adjustment cardinals made postseason franchiserecord fourth consecutive season without relying long ball totaling 102 homers secondworst major leagues home runs across board among starters bench contributed 12 thats cardinals think 31yearold reynolds good fit holds major league record 223 strikeouts 2009 arizona diamondbacks 229 career hitter hit 44 homers 2009 21 last seven seasons though batted paltry 196 last year milwaukee fanned nearly per three atbats parttime role reynolds managed hit 22 homers one thing weve talked lot whos power bench mozeliak said historically havent great answer minimum hoping certainly reynolds would love reducing strikeout count without sacrificing much pop theres limit theres two outs nobody base two strikes im going try hit ball second base reynolds said im going try drive ball gap get scoring position dont want compromise playing first four seasons arizona reynolds stints orioles indians yankees brewers chose oneyear deal st louis opportunities corner infield spots perhaps outfield chance play faithful fan base join team accustomed playing deep october opportunities go places could probably played least paper didnt look good postseason reynolds said wanted move figures motivator lefthanded hitting adams batted 318 righthanded pitchers 190 lefties three adams homers came lefties reynolds hasnt exactly crushed lefties either career average 231 onbase percentage 351 lefties impressive im definitely ride pine reynolds said im going try make tough mike keep bench
| 664 |
<p>JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Missouri Legislature came to a standstill Thursday, jeopardizing scores of bills with just one day left in the session, as the Republican House speaker announced his resignation amid a scandal and Senate Democrats blocked all debate because of lingering animosity over a bill limiting union powers.</p>
<p>The Senate quit for the day after less than an hour in session after minority party Democrats made it clear they would continue to filibuster all action as a demonstration of their frustration that Republicans forced a right-to-work bill to passage earlier this week.</p>
<p>The House also suspended its normal work Thursday morning, citing the Senate standstill.</p>
<p>Then Thursday afternoon, House Speaker John Diehl announced he was resigning while acknowledging that he had exchanged sexually suggestive text messages with a college student who was a Capitol intern. The House abruptly quit for the day, without taking up any business. House Republicans planned to meet Thursday night to discuss nominating a new speaker.</p>
<p>“This is a crazy time,” said state Rep. Kevin Engler, a Republican from Farmington who is a former Senate majority leader.</p>
<p>Lawmakers face a 6 p.m. CDT Friday deadline to pass bills.</p>
<p>The standstill is jeopardizing numerous measures, including one reauthorizing taxes on health care providers that help fund the Medicaid program. The taxes are due to expire Sept. 30. If the reauthorization bill dies, Missouri could lose about $3.6 billion in revenues, punching a huge hole in the state’s $9.4 billion annual Medicaid health care program for low-income residents.</p>
<p>Diehl announced he was quitting both his leadership post and his job as a representative from suburban St. Louis following a report Wednesday by The Kansas City Star detailing what it said was a series of sexually charged text messages between Diehl and a college freshman who had worked as an intern for another House member.</p>
<p>In the Senate, the Capitol standstill began after a Tuesday night move by Senate Republicans, who used a rare procedural motion to shut off debate and force a vote on the right-to work legislation. House Republicans then gave the bill final approval Wednesday, sending it to Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon, who is expected to veto it.</p>
<p>Senate Democrats, who strongly opposed the bill, are particularly upset about the way in which it was passed. So they are preventing votes on all other legislation.</p>
<p>“Once decorum has been cast aside for a single issue, then at that point and time we have no reason to preserve it,” said Sen. Jason Holsman, a Democrat from Kansas City.</p>
<p>Added Democratic Sen. Scott Sifton, of St. Louis: “We are here standing up to protect the function of this body, somewhat paradoxically, by impeding it.”</p>
<p>Senate Majority Leader Ron Richard and Minority Leader Joe Keaveny were meeting Thursday to see whether they could work out some arrangement to allow votes on legislation Friday.</p>
<p>Richard said he has no plans to use procedural motions to shut off the Democrats’ filibuster and force a vote on the bill reauthorizing the taxes for the Medicaid program.</p>
<p>If the Medicaid bill fails, some senators said it might be necessary to meet in a special session to try again to pass it.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow David A. Lieb at: <a href="https://twitter.com/DavidALieb" type="external" /> <a href="https://twitter.com/DavidALieb" type="external">https://twitter.com/DavidALieb</a> .</p>
<p>JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Missouri Legislature came to a standstill Thursday, jeopardizing scores of bills with just one day left in the session, as the Republican House speaker announced his resignation amid a scandal and Senate Democrats blocked all debate because of lingering animosity over a bill limiting union powers.</p>
<p>The Senate quit for the day after less than an hour in session after minority party Democrats made it clear they would continue to filibuster all action as a demonstration of their frustration that Republicans forced a right-to-work bill to passage earlier this week.</p>
<p>The House also suspended its normal work Thursday morning, citing the Senate standstill.</p>
<p>Then Thursday afternoon, House Speaker John Diehl announced he was resigning while acknowledging that he had exchanged sexually suggestive text messages with a college student who was a Capitol intern. The House abruptly quit for the day, without taking up any business. House Republicans planned to meet Thursday night to discuss nominating a new speaker.</p>
<p>“This is a crazy time,” said state Rep. Kevin Engler, a Republican from Farmington who is a former Senate majority leader.</p>
<p>Lawmakers face a 6 p.m. CDT Friday deadline to pass bills.</p>
<p>The standstill is jeopardizing numerous measures, including one reauthorizing taxes on health care providers that help fund the Medicaid program. The taxes are due to expire Sept. 30. If the reauthorization bill dies, Missouri could lose about $3.6 billion in revenues, punching a huge hole in the state’s $9.4 billion annual Medicaid health care program for low-income residents.</p>
<p>Diehl announced he was quitting both his leadership post and his job as a representative from suburban St. Louis following a report Wednesday by The Kansas City Star detailing what it said was a series of sexually charged text messages between Diehl and a college freshman who had worked as an intern for another House member.</p>
<p>In the Senate, the Capitol standstill began after a Tuesday night move by Senate Republicans, who used a rare procedural motion to shut off debate and force a vote on the right-to work legislation. House Republicans then gave the bill final approval Wednesday, sending it to Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon, who is expected to veto it.</p>
<p>Senate Democrats, who strongly opposed the bill, are particularly upset about the way in which it was passed. So they are preventing votes on all other legislation.</p>
<p>“Once decorum has been cast aside for a single issue, then at that point and time we have no reason to preserve it,” said Sen. Jason Holsman, a Democrat from Kansas City.</p>
<p>Added Democratic Sen. Scott Sifton, of St. Louis: “We are here standing up to protect the function of this body, somewhat paradoxically, by impeding it.”</p>
<p>Senate Majority Leader Ron Richard and Minority Leader Joe Keaveny were meeting Thursday to see whether they could work out some arrangement to allow votes on legislation Friday.</p>
<p>Richard said he has no plans to use procedural motions to shut off the Democrats’ filibuster and force a vote on the bill reauthorizing the taxes for the Medicaid program.</p>
<p>If the Medicaid bill fails, some senators said it might be necessary to meet in a special session to try again to pass it.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow David A. Lieb at: <a href="https://twitter.com/DavidALieb" type="external" /> <a href="https://twitter.com/DavidALieb" type="external">https://twitter.com/DavidALieb</a> .</p>
| false | 2 |
jefferson city mo ap missouri legislature came standstill thursday jeopardizing scores bills one day left session republican house speaker announced resignation amid scandal senate democrats blocked debate lingering animosity bill limiting union powers senate quit day less hour session minority party democrats made clear would continue filibuster action demonstration frustration republicans forced righttowork bill passage earlier week house also suspended normal work thursday morning citing senate standstill thursday afternoon house speaker john diehl announced resigning acknowledging exchanged sexually suggestive text messages college student capitol intern house abruptly quit day without taking business house republicans planned meet thursday night discuss nominating new speaker crazy time said state rep kevin engler republican farmington former senate majority leader lawmakers face 6 pm cdt friday deadline pass bills standstill jeopardizing numerous measures including one reauthorizing taxes health care providers help fund medicaid program taxes due expire sept 30 reauthorization bill dies missouri could lose 36 billion revenues punching huge hole states 94 billion annual medicaid health care program lowincome residents diehl announced quitting leadership post job representative suburban st louis following report wednesday kansas city star detailing said series sexually charged text messages diehl college freshman worked intern another house member senate capitol standstill began tuesday night move senate republicans used rare procedural motion shut debate force vote rightto work legislation house republicans gave bill final approval wednesday sending democratic gov jay nixon expected veto senate democrats strongly opposed bill particularly upset way passed preventing votes legislation decorum cast aside single issue point time reason preserve said sen jason holsman democrat kansas city added democratic sen scott sifton st louis standing protect function body somewhat paradoxically impeding senate majority leader ron richard minority leader joe keaveny meeting thursday see whether could work arrangement allow votes legislation friday richard said plans use procedural motions shut democrats filibuster force vote bill reauthorizing taxes medicaid program medicaid bill fails senators said might necessary meet special session try pass ___ follow david lieb httpstwittercomdavidalieb jefferson city mo ap missouri legislature came standstill thursday jeopardizing scores bills one day left session republican house speaker announced resignation amid scandal senate democrats blocked debate lingering animosity bill limiting union powers senate quit day less hour session minority party democrats made clear would continue filibuster action demonstration frustration republicans forced righttowork bill passage earlier week house also suspended normal work thursday morning citing senate standstill thursday afternoon house speaker john diehl announced resigning acknowledging exchanged sexually suggestive text messages college student capitol intern house abruptly quit day without taking business house republicans planned meet thursday night discuss nominating new speaker crazy time said state rep kevin engler republican farmington former senate majority leader lawmakers face 6 pm cdt friday deadline pass bills standstill jeopardizing numerous measures including one reauthorizing taxes health care providers help fund medicaid program taxes due expire sept 30 reauthorization bill dies missouri could lose 36 billion revenues punching huge hole states 94 billion annual medicaid health care program lowincome residents diehl announced quitting leadership post job representative suburban st louis following report wednesday kansas city star detailing said series sexually charged text messages diehl college freshman worked intern another house member senate capitol standstill began tuesday night move senate republicans used rare procedural motion shut debate force vote rightto work legislation house republicans gave bill final approval wednesday sending democratic gov jay nixon expected veto senate democrats strongly opposed bill particularly upset way passed preventing votes legislation decorum cast aside single issue point time reason preserve said sen jason holsman democrat kansas city added democratic sen scott sifton st louis standing protect function body somewhat paradoxically impeding senate majority leader ron richard minority leader joe keaveny meeting thursday see whether could work arrangement allow votes legislation friday richard said plans use procedural motions shut democrats filibuster force vote bill reauthorizing taxes medicaid program medicaid bill fails senators said might necessary meet special session try pass ___ follow david lieb httpstwittercomdavidalieb
| 652 |
<p>Leftovers! Some folks love them, others happily scrape them into the trash. Me, I’m on the love team. Leftovers speak to me. I’d always rather start a meal with a fridge full of tasty bits of this and that than have to confront a blank canvas of raw ingredients. This recipe tackles one particular challenge: how to repurpose leftover cooked chops, steaks, or roasts.</p>
<p>The answer? Turn them into burgers. “Wait a minute,” you say. “They’ve already been cooked once. Won’t they be dry as dust if you turn them into burgers and cook them again?” Nope, not if you combine the leftover meat with some moist ingredients, such as the spinach and feta cheese listed here.</p>
<p>For Spinach and Feta Burgers with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce, start with 12 ounces of cooked meat — pork, beef or lamb — trimmed of excess fat and any sinew. Cut the meat into cubes roughly 1 inch per side, then pulse in a food processor to chop it to burger consistency. (Be careful not to leave your finger on the pulse button for too long; you don’t want to end up with baby food.) Add the moist ingredients, along with an egg and a bit of panko to bind it all up. If you’re no fan of spinach and feta, you can substitute other cooked (and finely chopped) vegetables and/or cheese.</p>
<p>If you have time, make the burgers early in the day and chill them for a few hours before cooking. This will help them to hold their shape. If you don’t have the time, don’t worry. Just take care to turn them gently as they cook.</p>
<p>One last note: The sauce is a wonderful complement, but you’re welcome to lose it if it doesn’t appeal to you. The burgers are plenty tasty without it.</p>
<p>This recipe’s true miracle is transforming a mere 12 ounces of meat into six full dinner portions, allowing you to save money as well as food. And the new dish is so different from the original that no one will pipe up to say, “What, leftovers again!?”</p>
<p>Spinach and Feta Burgers with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce</p>
<p>Start to finish: 50 minutes (30 hands on)</p>
<p>For the sauce:</p>
<p>A 6-inch piece of English cucumber (the long, thin kind)</p>
<p>Kosher salt</p>
<p>1 cup plain Greek yogurt</p>
<p>1 teaspoon minced garlic</p>
<p>For the burgers:</p>
<p>3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided</p>
<p>5 ounces baby spinach</p>
<p>Kosher salt</p>
<p>1 teaspoon minced garlic</p>
<p>1/4 teaspoon hot pepper flakes, optional</p>
<p>1 large egg</p>
<p>12 ounces trimmed cooked lamb or pork chop meat or cooked steak, or leftover roast meat</p>
<p>3 ounces coarsely crumbled feta cheese</p>
<p>3/4 cup panko bread crumbs</p>
<p>6 pita halves</p>
<p>Shredded romaine lettuce and sliced tomatoes for garnish</p>
<p>Make the sauce: Peel, halve lengthwise and seed the cucumber. Coarsely shred it and in a medium bowl toss it with a pinch of salt. Let the cucumber stand for 10 minutes and then add the yogurt, garlic, additional salt to taste; stir well.</p>
<p>In a large nonstick skillet heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high heat until hot. Add the spinach and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the garlic and hot pepper flakes, if using, and cook, stirring, until all of the spinach is wilted, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a shallow bowl and cool to room temperature in the refrigerator. Wipe out and reserve the skillet.</p>
<p>In a food processor, process the egg until it is lightly beaten. Cut the lamb into 1-inch pieces and add it to the food processor. Pulse 6 to 8 times or until the meat is chopped into medium-fine pieces. Add the feta, cooled spinach mixture and 1/4 cup of the bread crumbs and pulse two or three times or until just mixed.</p>
<p>Shape the mixture into six burgers. Spread out the remaining bread crumbs in a soup or pie plate. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in the reserved large skillet over medium heat until hot. Dip the burgers into the crumbs to coat them lightly on all sides; shake off any excess crumbs. Add the burgers to the skillet and cook until golden and heated through, about 3 minutes a side.</p>
<p>Transfer the burgers to the pita halves and spoon some of the sauce over each burger. Garnish with the lettuce and tomatoes. Makes 6 servings.</p>
<p>Nutritional information per serving: 331 calories; 141 calories from fat; 16 g fat (6 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 50 mg cholesterol; 593 mg sodium; 26 g carbohydrates; 2 g fiber; 2 g sugar; 19 g protein.</p>
<p>___________________</p>
<p>EDITOR’S NOTE: Sara Moulton is host of public television’s “Sara’s Weeknight Meals.” She was executive chef at Gourmet magazine for nearly 25 years and spent a decade hosting several Food Network shows including “Cooking Live.” Her latest cookbook is “HomeCooking 101.”</p>
<p>Leftovers! Some folks love them, others happily scrape them into the trash. Me, I’m on the love team. Leftovers speak to me. I’d always rather start a meal with a fridge full of tasty bits of this and that than have to confront a blank canvas of raw ingredients. This recipe tackles one particular challenge: how to repurpose leftover cooked chops, steaks, or roasts.</p>
<p>The answer? Turn them into burgers. “Wait a minute,” you say. “They’ve already been cooked once. Won’t they be dry as dust if you turn them into burgers and cook them again?” Nope, not if you combine the leftover meat with some moist ingredients, such as the spinach and feta cheese listed here.</p>
<p>For Spinach and Feta Burgers with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce, start with 12 ounces of cooked meat — pork, beef or lamb — trimmed of excess fat and any sinew. Cut the meat into cubes roughly 1 inch per side, then pulse in a food processor to chop it to burger consistency. (Be careful not to leave your finger on the pulse button for too long; you don’t want to end up with baby food.) Add the moist ingredients, along with an egg and a bit of panko to bind it all up. If you’re no fan of spinach and feta, you can substitute other cooked (and finely chopped) vegetables and/or cheese.</p>
<p>If you have time, make the burgers early in the day and chill them for a few hours before cooking. This will help them to hold their shape. If you don’t have the time, don’t worry. Just take care to turn them gently as they cook.</p>
<p>One last note: The sauce is a wonderful complement, but you’re welcome to lose it if it doesn’t appeal to you. The burgers are plenty tasty without it.</p>
<p>This recipe’s true miracle is transforming a mere 12 ounces of meat into six full dinner portions, allowing you to save money as well as food. And the new dish is so different from the original that no one will pipe up to say, “What, leftovers again!?”</p>
<p>Spinach and Feta Burgers with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce</p>
<p>Start to finish: 50 minutes (30 hands on)</p>
<p>For the sauce:</p>
<p>A 6-inch piece of English cucumber (the long, thin kind)</p>
<p>Kosher salt</p>
<p>1 cup plain Greek yogurt</p>
<p>1 teaspoon minced garlic</p>
<p>For the burgers:</p>
<p>3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided</p>
<p>5 ounces baby spinach</p>
<p>Kosher salt</p>
<p>1 teaspoon minced garlic</p>
<p>1/4 teaspoon hot pepper flakes, optional</p>
<p>1 large egg</p>
<p>12 ounces trimmed cooked lamb or pork chop meat or cooked steak, or leftover roast meat</p>
<p>3 ounces coarsely crumbled feta cheese</p>
<p>3/4 cup panko bread crumbs</p>
<p>6 pita halves</p>
<p>Shredded romaine lettuce and sliced tomatoes for garnish</p>
<p>Make the sauce: Peel, halve lengthwise and seed the cucumber. Coarsely shred it and in a medium bowl toss it with a pinch of salt. Let the cucumber stand for 10 minutes and then add the yogurt, garlic, additional salt to taste; stir well.</p>
<p>In a large nonstick skillet heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high heat until hot. Add the spinach and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the garlic and hot pepper flakes, if using, and cook, stirring, until all of the spinach is wilted, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a shallow bowl and cool to room temperature in the refrigerator. Wipe out and reserve the skillet.</p>
<p>In a food processor, process the egg until it is lightly beaten. Cut the lamb into 1-inch pieces and add it to the food processor. Pulse 6 to 8 times or until the meat is chopped into medium-fine pieces. Add the feta, cooled spinach mixture and 1/4 cup of the bread crumbs and pulse two or three times or until just mixed.</p>
<p>Shape the mixture into six burgers. Spread out the remaining bread crumbs in a soup or pie plate. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in the reserved large skillet over medium heat until hot. Dip the burgers into the crumbs to coat them lightly on all sides; shake off any excess crumbs. Add the burgers to the skillet and cook until golden and heated through, about 3 minutes a side.</p>
<p>Transfer the burgers to the pita halves and spoon some of the sauce over each burger. Garnish with the lettuce and tomatoes. Makes 6 servings.</p>
<p>Nutritional information per serving: 331 calories; 141 calories from fat; 16 g fat (6 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 50 mg cholesterol; 593 mg sodium; 26 g carbohydrates; 2 g fiber; 2 g sugar; 19 g protein.</p>
<p>___________________</p>
<p>EDITOR’S NOTE: Sara Moulton is host of public television’s “Sara’s Weeknight Meals.” She was executive chef at Gourmet magazine for nearly 25 years and spent a decade hosting several Food Network shows including “Cooking Live.” Her latest cookbook is “HomeCooking 101.”</p>
| false | 2 |
leftovers folks love others happily scrape trash im love team leftovers speak id always rather start meal fridge full tasty bits confront blank canvas raw ingredients recipe tackles one particular challenge repurpose leftover cooked chops steaks roasts answer turn burgers wait minute say theyve already cooked wont dry dust turn burgers cook nope combine leftover meat moist ingredients spinach feta cheese listed spinach feta burgers cucumber yogurt sauce start 12 ounces cooked meat pork beef lamb trimmed excess fat sinew cut meat cubes roughly 1 inch per side pulse food processor chop burger consistency careful leave finger pulse button long dont want end baby food add moist ingredients along egg bit panko bind youre fan spinach feta substitute cooked finely chopped vegetables andor cheese time make burgers early day chill hours cooking help hold shape dont time dont worry take care turn gently cook one last note sauce wonderful complement youre welcome lose doesnt appeal burgers plenty tasty without recipes true miracle transforming mere 12 ounces meat six full dinner portions allowing save money well food new dish different original one pipe say leftovers spinach feta burgers cucumber yogurt sauce start finish 50 minutes 30 hands sauce 6inch piece english cucumber long thin kind kosher salt 1 cup plain greek yogurt 1 teaspoon minced garlic burgers 3 tablespoons extravirgin olive oil divided 5 ounces baby spinach kosher salt 1 teaspoon minced garlic 14 teaspoon hot pepper flakes optional 1 large egg 12 ounces trimmed cooked lamb pork chop meat cooked steak leftover roast meat 3 ounces coarsely crumbled feta cheese 34 cup panko bread crumbs 6 pita halves shredded romaine lettuce sliced tomatoes garnish make sauce peel halve lengthwise seed cucumber coarsely shred medium bowl toss pinch salt let cucumber stand 10 minutes add yogurt garlic additional salt taste stir well large nonstick skillet heat 1 tablespoon oil mediumhigh heat hot add spinach pinch salt cook stirring 1 minute add garlic hot pepper flakes using cook stirring spinach wilted 1 12 2 minutes transfer mixture shallow bowl cool room temperature refrigerator wipe reserve skillet food processor process egg lightly beaten cut lamb 1inch pieces add food processor pulse 6 8 times meat chopped mediumfine pieces add feta cooled spinach mixture 14 cup bread crumbs pulse two three times mixed shape mixture six burgers spread remaining bread crumbs soup pie plate heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil reserved large skillet medium heat hot dip burgers crumbs coat lightly sides shake excess crumbs add burgers skillet cook golden heated 3 minutes side transfer burgers pita halves spoon sauce burger garnish lettuce tomatoes makes 6 servings nutritional information per serving 331 calories 141 calories fat 16 g fat 6 g saturated 0 g trans fats 50 mg cholesterol 593 mg sodium 26 g carbohydrates 2 g fiber 2 g sugar 19 g protein ___________________ editors note sara moulton host public televisions saras weeknight meals executive chef gourmet magazine nearly 25 years spent decade hosting several food network shows including cooking live latest cookbook homecooking 101 leftovers folks love others happily scrape trash im love team leftovers speak id always rather start meal fridge full tasty bits confront blank canvas raw ingredients recipe tackles one particular challenge repurpose leftover cooked chops steaks roasts answer turn burgers wait minute say theyve already cooked wont dry dust turn burgers cook nope combine leftover meat moist ingredients spinach feta cheese listed spinach feta burgers cucumber yogurt sauce start 12 ounces cooked meat pork beef lamb trimmed excess fat sinew cut meat cubes roughly 1 inch per side pulse food processor chop burger consistency careful leave finger pulse button long dont want end baby food add moist ingredients along egg bit panko bind youre fan spinach feta substitute cooked finely chopped vegetables andor cheese time make burgers early day chill hours cooking help hold shape dont time dont worry take care turn gently cook one last note sauce wonderful complement youre welcome lose doesnt appeal burgers plenty tasty without recipes true miracle transforming mere 12 ounces meat six full dinner portions allowing save money well food new dish different original one pipe say leftovers spinach feta burgers cucumber yogurt sauce start finish 50 minutes 30 hands sauce 6inch piece english cucumber long thin kind kosher salt 1 cup plain greek yogurt 1 teaspoon minced garlic burgers 3 tablespoons extravirgin olive oil divided 5 ounces baby spinach kosher salt 1 teaspoon minced garlic 14 teaspoon hot pepper flakes optional 1 large egg 12 ounces trimmed cooked lamb pork chop meat cooked steak leftover roast meat 3 ounces coarsely crumbled feta cheese 34 cup panko bread crumbs 6 pita halves shredded romaine lettuce sliced tomatoes garnish make sauce peel halve lengthwise seed cucumber coarsely shred medium bowl toss pinch salt let cucumber stand 10 minutes add yogurt garlic additional salt taste stir well large nonstick skillet heat 1 tablespoon oil mediumhigh heat hot add spinach pinch salt cook stirring 1 minute add garlic hot pepper flakes using cook stirring spinach wilted 1 12 2 minutes transfer mixture shallow bowl cool room temperature refrigerator wipe reserve skillet food processor process egg lightly beaten cut lamb 1inch pieces add food processor pulse 6 8 times meat chopped mediumfine pieces add feta cooled spinach mixture 14 cup bread crumbs pulse two three times mixed shape mixture six burgers spread remaining bread crumbs soup pie plate heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil reserved large skillet medium heat hot dip burgers crumbs coat lightly sides shake excess crumbs add burgers skillet cook golden heated 3 minutes side transfer burgers pita halves spoon sauce burger garnish lettuce tomatoes makes 6 servings nutritional information per serving 331 calories 141 calories fat 16 g fat 6 g saturated 0 g trans fats 50 mg cholesterol 593 mg sodium 26 g carbohydrates 2 g fiber 2 g sugar 19 g protein ___________________ editors note sara moulton host public televisions saras weeknight meals executive chef gourmet magazine nearly 25 years spent decade hosting several food network shows including cooking live latest cookbook homecooking 101
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<p>BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) — M.J. Walker somehow managed to secure 18 tickets out of Florida State's visiting-team allotment to take care of various family members who live in Virginia and wanted to come to Saturday's Florida State-Virginia Tech game.</p>
<p>He also gave them a performance worth remembering.</p>
<p>Walker scored a career-high 24 points to lead the Seminoles to a 91-82 victory over the Hokies on Saturday.</p>
<p>Playing in front of numerous family members from Petersburg, Virginia, and other parts of the commonwealth, Walker came off the bench to hit 8 of 13 from the floor, including four 3-pointers to lift the Seminoles (14-5, 3-4 ACC) to their first league road win of the season.</p>
<p>"They gave me some energy," Walker said. "I was definitely looking forward to seeing them, but I stayed locked in. I was happy that they came, but I just stayed locked in and continued to play my game."</p>
<p>Braian Angola added 14 points for the Seminoles, who had lost three of their past four games since upsetting North Carolina in Tallahassee on Jan. 3. Terance Mann finished with 12.</p>
<p>Justin Robinson paced the Hokies (13-6, 2-4) with 26 points. Virginia Tech has now lost three straight to Florida State.</p>
<p>The Seminoles led the entire second half. Walker — a freshman who considered Virginia Tech during the recruiting process — gave Florida State its biggest lead when he scored on three straight possessions. His jumper with 11:57 remaining capped his spurt and gave the Seminoles a 61-47 lead.</p>
<p>"He's had several good games for us this year, so it's not unlike him to be able to do that," Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton said of Walker. "I just think today was one of those days where he was focused. The last couple of games that he's played, he hasn't been as quite as consistent as he had been."</p>
<p>Walker later made the biggest play of the game when he made a steal and laid the ball in with 57 seconds left to push Florida State's lead to 79-70. The Seminoles made 12 of 14 free throws in the final minute to seal it.</p>
<p>For the Hokies, the loss was bittersweet. They shot better than 49 percent for the second straight game and hit 10 3-pointers, but came up short again.</p>
<p>"Our 13 turnovers led to 20 points," Virginia Tech head coach Buzz Williams said. "That's hard. Obviously, they shoot a high percentage (53.4 percent). Any team does on live-ball turnovers. In the halfcourt, we need to do a better job — I would be at the front of the list — and figure out whatever that is to get more consecutive stops."</p>
<p>BIG PICTURE</p>
<p>Florida State: The Seminoles possess the depth and length to compete with anyone, but need to shoot well to give themselves a chance to win. They had shot just 27.4 percent from beyond the 3-point arc in their previous four games, but heated up against Virginia Tech, connecting on 9 of 20.</p>
<p>Virginia Tech: The Hokies have now lost two home games in ACC play, and their path to a potential NCAA Tournament bid doesn't get any easier, as they face No. 15 North Carolina on Monday. They will have to pull off some upsets in their final 12 games to get back in the at-large picture for a second straight season.</p>
<p>KOUMADJE A DIFFERENCE</p>
<p>Florida State shot better than 50 percent from the floor for the first time since beating Southern Miss on Dec. 21 — a span of six games. The Seminoles shot 53.4 percent (31 of 58) against the Hokies, and Hamilton attributed much of that to 7-foot-4 center Christ Koumadje, who played in just his fifth game since missing 11 games with a foot injury. Koumadje, who made 5 of 6 and scored 10 points in just 15 minutes, is now shooting 63.6 percent from the floor since his return.</p>
<p>"We've been a little cold the last couple of games in terms of shooting the ball from the perimeter," Hamilton said. "I thought we would be a good perimeter-shooting team.</p>
<p>"Where we've been mostly challenged, we didn't have Christ Koumadje, so we didn't have an experienced interior game. Today, Christ being out there gave us a presence offensively and defensively that was welcome."</p>
<p>TECH'S TURNOVERS TOO MUCH</p>
<p>Virginia Tech has made taking care of the ball a point of emphasis in recent practices. Players run on a treadmill for 30 seconds after each turnover committed, and the Hokies' 13 turnovers were fewer than the 19 that they committed in their previous game — a loss at Louisville on Jan. 13. But that's still too many for Williams, who saw his team commit at least 12 turnovers for the fourth time in six ACC games.</p>
<p>"We have made it more of a priority," he said of taking care of the ball. "What I'm trying to do is figure out how to help them because what I'm doing is not good enough to put them in the right position . The evidence and the stats show that we know what our issues are, and that's what we've got to change."</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Florida State: The Seminoles return home to take on Georgia Tech on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Virginia Tech: The Hokies play host to North Carolina on Monday.</p>
<p>BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) — M.J. Walker somehow managed to secure 18 tickets out of Florida State's visiting-team allotment to take care of various family members who live in Virginia and wanted to come to Saturday's Florida State-Virginia Tech game.</p>
<p>He also gave them a performance worth remembering.</p>
<p>Walker scored a career-high 24 points to lead the Seminoles to a 91-82 victory over the Hokies on Saturday.</p>
<p>Playing in front of numerous family members from Petersburg, Virginia, and other parts of the commonwealth, Walker came off the bench to hit 8 of 13 from the floor, including four 3-pointers to lift the Seminoles (14-5, 3-4 ACC) to their first league road win of the season.</p>
<p>"They gave me some energy," Walker said. "I was definitely looking forward to seeing them, but I stayed locked in. I was happy that they came, but I just stayed locked in and continued to play my game."</p>
<p>Braian Angola added 14 points for the Seminoles, who had lost three of their past four games since upsetting North Carolina in Tallahassee on Jan. 3. Terance Mann finished with 12.</p>
<p>Justin Robinson paced the Hokies (13-6, 2-4) with 26 points. Virginia Tech has now lost three straight to Florida State.</p>
<p>The Seminoles led the entire second half. Walker — a freshman who considered Virginia Tech during the recruiting process — gave Florida State its biggest lead when he scored on three straight possessions. His jumper with 11:57 remaining capped his spurt and gave the Seminoles a 61-47 lead.</p>
<p>"He's had several good games for us this year, so it's not unlike him to be able to do that," Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton said of Walker. "I just think today was one of those days where he was focused. The last couple of games that he's played, he hasn't been as quite as consistent as he had been."</p>
<p>Walker later made the biggest play of the game when he made a steal and laid the ball in with 57 seconds left to push Florida State's lead to 79-70. The Seminoles made 12 of 14 free throws in the final minute to seal it.</p>
<p>For the Hokies, the loss was bittersweet. They shot better than 49 percent for the second straight game and hit 10 3-pointers, but came up short again.</p>
<p>"Our 13 turnovers led to 20 points," Virginia Tech head coach Buzz Williams said. "That's hard. Obviously, they shoot a high percentage (53.4 percent). Any team does on live-ball turnovers. In the halfcourt, we need to do a better job — I would be at the front of the list — and figure out whatever that is to get more consecutive stops."</p>
<p>BIG PICTURE</p>
<p>Florida State: The Seminoles possess the depth and length to compete with anyone, but need to shoot well to give themselves a chance to win. They had shot just 27.4 percent from beyond the 3-point arc in their previous four games, but heated up against Virginia Tech, connecting on 9 of 20.</p>
<p>Virginia Tech: The Hokies have now lost two home games in ACC play, and their path to a potential NCAA Tournament bid doesn't get any easier, as they face No. 15 North Carolina on Monday. They will have to pull off some upsets in their final 12 games to get back in the at-large picture for a second straight season.</p>
<p>KOUMADJE A DIFFERENCE</p>
<p>Florida State shot better than 50 percent from the floor for the first time since beating Southern Miss on Dec. 21 — a span of six games. The Seminoles shot 53.4 percent (31 of 58) against the Hokies, and Hamilton attributed much of that to 7-foot-4 center Christ Koumadje, who played in just his fifth game since missing 11 games with a foot injury. Koumadje, who made 5 of 6 and scored 10 points in just 15 minutes, is now shooting 63.6 percent from the floor since his return.</p>
<p>"We've been a little cold the last couple of games in terms of shooting the ball from the perimeter," Hamilton said. "I thought we would be a good perimeter-shooting team.</p>
<p>"Where we've been mostly challenged, we didn't have Christ Koumadje, so we didn't have an experienced interior game. Today, Christ being out there gave us a presence offensively and defensively that was welcome."</p>
<p>TECH'S TURNOVERS TOO MUCH</p>
<p>Virginia Tech has made taking care of the ball a point of emphasis in recent practices. Players run on a treadmill for 30 seconds after each turnover committed, and the Hokies' 13 turnovers were fewer than the 19 that they committed in their previous game — a loss at Louisville on Jan. 13. But that's still too many for Williams, who saw his team commit at least 12 turnovers for the fourth time in six ACC games.</p>
<p>"We have made it more of a priority," he said of taking care of the ball. "What I'm trying to do is figure out how to help them because what I'm doing is not good enough to put them in the right position . The evidence and the stats show that we know what our issues are, and that's what we've got to change."</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Florida State: The Seminoles return home to take on Georgia Tech on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Virginia Tech: The Hokies play host to North Carolina on Monday.</p>
| false | 2 |
blacksburg va ap mj walker somehow managed secure 18 tickets florida states visitingteam allotment take care various family members live virginia wanted come saturdays florida statevirginia tech game also gave performance worth remembering walker scored careerhigh 24 points lead seminoles 9182 victory hokies saturday playing front numerous family members petersburg virginia parts commonwealth walker came bench hit 8 13 floor including four 3pointers lift seminoles 145 34 acc first league road win season gave energy walker said definitely looking forward seeing stayed locked happy came stayed locked continued play game braian angola added 14 points seminoles lost three past four games since upsetting north carolina tallahassee jan 3 terance mann finished 12 justin robinson paced hokies 136 24 26 points virginia tech lost three straight florida state seminoles led entire second half walker freshman considered virginia tech recruiting process gave florida state biggest lead scored three straight possessions jumper 1157 remaining capped spurt gave seminoles 6147 lead hes several good games us year unlike able florida state coach leonard hamilton said walker think today one days focused last couple games hes played hasnt quite consistent walker later made biggest play game made steal laid ball 57 seconds left push florida states lead 7970 seminoles made 12 14 free throws final minute seal hokies loss bittersweet shot better 49 percent second straight game hit 10 3pointers came short 13 turnovers led 20 points virginia tech head coach buzz williams said thats hard obviously shoot high percentage 534 percent team liveball turnovers halfcourt need better job would front list figure whatever get consecutive stops big picture florida state seminoles possess depth length compete anyone need shoot well give chance win shot 274 percent beyond 3point arc previous four games heated virginia tech connecting 9 20 virginia tech hokies lost two home games acc play path potential ncaa tournament bid doesnt get easier face 15 north carolina monday pull upsets final 12 games get back atlarge picture second straight season koumadje difference florida state shot better 50 percent floor first time since beating southern miss dec 21 span six games seminoles shot 534 percent 31 58 hokies hamilton attributed much 7foot4 center christ koumadje played fifth game since missing 11 games foot injury koumadje made 5 6 scored 10 points 15 minutes shooting 636 percent floor since return weve little cold last couple games terms shooting ball perimeter hamilton said thought would good perimetershooting team weve mostly challenged didnt christ koumadje didnt experienced interior game today christ gave us presence offensively defensively welcome techs turnovers much virginia tech made taking care ball point emphasis recent practices players run treadmill 30 seconds turnover committed hokies 13 turnovers fewer 19 committed previous game loss louisville jan 13 thats still many williams saw team commit least 12 turnovers fourth time six acc games made priority said taking care ball im trying figure help im good enough put right position evidence stats show know issues thats weve got change next florida state seminoles return home take georgia tech wednesday virginia tech hokies play host north carolina monday blacksburg va ap mj walker somehow managed secure 18 tickets florida states visitingteam allotment take care various family members live virginia wanted come saturdays florida statevirginia tech game also gave performance worth remembering walker scored careerhigh 24 points lead seminoles 9182 victory hokies saturday playing front numerous family members petersburg virginia parts commonwealth walker came bench hit 8 13 floor including four 3pointers lift seminoles 145 34 acc first league road win season gave energy walker said definitely looking forward seeing stayed locked happy came stayed locked continued play game braian angola added 14 points seminoles lost three past four games since upsetting north carolina tallahassee jan 3 terance mann finished 12 justin robinson paced hokies 136 24 26 points virginia tech lost three straight florida state seminoles led entire second half walker freshman considered virginia tech recruiting process gave florida state biggest lead scored three straight possessions jumper 1157 remaining capped spurt gave seminoles 6147 lead hes several good games us year unlike able florida state coach leonard hamilton said walker think today one days focused last couple games hes played hasnt quite consistent walker later made biggest play game made steal laid ball 57 seconds left push florida states lead 7970 seminoles made 12 14 free throws final minute seal hokies loss bittersweet shot better 49 percent second straight game hit 10 3pointers came short 13 turnovers led 20 points virginia tech head coach buzz williams said thats hard obviously shoot high percentage 534 percent team liveball turnovers halfcourt need better job would front list figure whatever get consecutive stops big picture florida state seminoles possess depth length compete anyone need shoot well give chance win shot 274 percent beyond 3point arc previous four games heated virginia tech connecting 9 20 virginia tech hokies lost two home games acc play path potential ncaa tournament bid doesnt get easier face 15 north carolina monday pull upsets final 12 games get back atlarge picture second straight season koumadje difference florida state shot better 50 percent floor first time since beating southern miss dec 21 span six games seminoles shot 534 percent 31 58 hokies hamilton attributed much 7foot4 center christ koumadje played fifth game since missing 11 games foot injury koumadje made 5 6 scored 10 points 15 minutes shooting 636 percent floor since return weve little cold last couple games terms shooting ball perimeter hamilton said thought would good perimetershooting team weve mostly challenged didnt christ koumadje didnt experienced interior game today christ gave us presence offensively defensively welcome techs turnovers much virginia tech made taking care ball point emphasis recent practices players run treadmill 30 seconds turnover committed hokies 13 turnovers fewer 19 committed previous game loss louisville jan 13 thats still many williams saw team commit least 12 turnovers fourth time six acc games made priority said taking care ball im trying figure help im good enough put right position evidence stats show know issues thats weve got change next florida state seminoles return home take georgia tech wednesday virginia tech hokies play host north carolina monday
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