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<p>Q: Has Obama found a "legal way around the Second Amendment"?</p>
<p>A: The administration’s agreement to talk about writing a United Nations treaty to regulate arms exports and imports is a far cry from banning possession of firearms, which Obama says he doesn’t want to do and the Supreme Court has said can’t be done anyway.</p>
<p />
<p>FULL QUESTION</p>
<p>Is this correct?</p>
<p>Obama Finds Legal Way Around The 2nd. Amendment and Uses It. The Full Article Here http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE59E0Q920091015</p>
<p>Subject: Obama Takes First Step in Banning All Firearms On Wednesday Obama Took the First Major Step in a Plan to Ban All Firearms in the United States&#160;</p>
<p>[EET ]On Wednesday the Obama administration took its first major step in a plan to ban all firearms in the United States . The Obama administration intends to force gun control and a complete ban on all weapons for US citizens through the signing of international treaties with foreign nations. By signing international treaties on gun control, the Obama administration can use the US State Department to bypass the normal legislative process in Congress. Once the US Government signs these international treaties, all US citizens will be subject to those gun laws created by foreign governments. These are laws that have been developed and promoted by organizations such as the United Nations and individuals such as George Soros and Michael Bloomberg. The laws are designed and intended to lead to the complete ban and confiscation of all firearms.</p>
<p>The Obama administration is attempting to use tactics and methods of gun control that will inflict major damage to our 2nd Amendment before US citizens even understand what has happened. Obama can appear before the public and tell them that he does not intend to pursue any legislation (in the United States) that will lead to new gun control laws, while cloaked in secrecy, his Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton is committing the US to international treaties and foreign gun control laws. Does that mean Obama is telling the truth? What it means is that there will be no publicized gun control debates in the media or votes in Congress. We will wake up one morning and find that the United States has signed a treaty that prohibits firearm and ammunition manufacturers from selling to the public. We will wake up another morning and find that the US has signed a treaty that prohibits any transfer of firearm ownership. And then, we will wake up yet another morning and find that the US has signed a treaty that requires US citizens to deliver any firearm they own to the local government collection and destruction center or face imprisonment.</p>
<p>This is not a joke nor a false warning. As sure as government health care will be forced on us by the Obama administration through whatever means necessary, so will gun control.</p>
<p>[/EET]</p>
<p>FULL ANSWER</p>
<p>We’ve received many queries about this chain e-mail, which refers to a proposed United Nations treaty to regulate the global trade of conventional weapons.</p>
<p>Much of what this e-mail claims is simply false. A "complete ban on all weapons for US citizens" isn’t possible under our Constitution, according to the Supreme Court, which held just last year&#160;that:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/07pdf/07-290.pdf" type="external">District of Columbia v. Heller</a>, 26 June 2008: (T)he enshrinement of constitutional rights necessarily takes certain policy choices off the table. These include the absolute prohibition of handguns held and used for self-defense in the home.</p>
<p>Furthermore, if an arms trade treaty ever materializes, the administration won’t be able to "bypass" Congress, as the e-mail maintains. All international treaties require the <a href="http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Treaties.htm" type="external">approval of two-thirds of the Senate</a> before they are considered ratified and in effect.</p>
<p>In addition, the idea that a treaty necessarily would make U.S. citizens "subject to those gun laws created by foreign governments," as the e-mail claims, is wrong. Treaties don’t subject one nations’ citizens to the laws of other nations. They do commit governments to whatever actions a treaty specifies, such as ceasing to test nuclear weapons, in the case of the <a href="http://www.ctbto.org/" type="external">Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty</a> (a treaty signed by the U.S., but never ratified by Congress).</p>
<p>As for this particular treaty: First of all, it doesn’t yet exist. What is true is that the Obama administration, reversing the line taken by the Bush White House, has voted to support a process that could, in 2012 at the earliest, result in a treaty.</p>
<p>The idea of achieving an international agreement on trade in conventional arms has long been kicking around, and in 2006 the UN General Assembly <a href="http://disarmament.un.org/CAB/ATT/Resolution_61_89.pdf" type="external">passed a resolution</a> titled "Toward an arms trade treaty." The measure instructed the UN secretary-general to get the views of all member states on "the feasibility, scope and draft parameters for a comprehensive, legally binding instrument establishing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arms." A panel of "governmental experts" was tasked with providing advice as well. The resolution was approved 153-1, the <a href="http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2006/ga10547.doc.htm" type="external">only dissenter</a> being the U.S.</p>
<p>Then in 2008, the General Assembly passed another resolution, this one calling for further efforts toward an arms trade treaty (ATT) through a new open-ended working group. Again, the U.S. provided the <a href="http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2008/ga10804.doc.htm" type="external">only vote against</a> the measure.</p>
<p>Since President Obama took office, though, the U.S. has been more receptive to the notion. In mid-October, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued a <a href="http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2009a/10/130573.htm" type="external">statement</a>saying: "The United States is committed to actively pursuing a strong and robust treaty that contains the highest possible, legally binding standards for the international transfer of conventional weapons." And on Oct. 28, the General Assembly <a href="http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2009/gadis3402.doc.htm" type="external">voted 153-1</a> to <a href="http://www.iansa.org/un/documents/ATT_1com09_draft.pdf" type="external">move forward</a> in preparation for a United Nations conference on the arms trade treaty in 2012 that could yield a formal document. This time, Zimbabwe was the lone naysayer (19 nations abstained).</p>
<p>Some critics of the concept of an arms trade treaty say they believe, like the author of the e-mail above, that it’s a back-door avenue to gun control. In fact, suspicions that the <a href="http://italy.usembassy.gov/pdf/other/RS22108.pdf" type="external">UN wants to seize Americans’ guns</a> have been circulating since the mid-1990s. Those fears dovetail with trepidations that some have about Obama on this issue. John Bolton, former ambassador to the UN under the George W. Bush administration, <a href="http://dataservices.nranews.com/assets/podcasts/11_6_09_Cam_and_Company.mp3" type="external">recently told</a> the NRANews:</p>
<p>Bolton, Nov. 6: The administration is trying to act as though this is really just a treaty about international arms trade between nation states, but there’s no doubt – as was the case back over a decade ago – that the real agenda here is domestic firearms control. After the treaty is approved and it comes into force, you will find out that it … requires the Congress to adopt some measure that restricts ownership of firearms. The administration knows it cannot obtain this kind of legislation purely in a domestic context. … They will use an international agreement as an excuse to get domestically what they couldn’t otherwise.</p>
<p>That’s Bolton’s opinion. The fact is that a provision in the resolution’s preamble&#160;– included at the request of the U.S.&#160;– explicitly recognizes the right of nations to regulate gun sales and ownership within their borders, including through their constitutions:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.iansa.org/un/documents/ATT_1com09_draft.pdf" type="external">UN General Assembly Resolution A/C.1/64/L.38/Rev.1</a>, Oct. 28: …Acknowledging also the right of States to regulate internal transfers of arms and national ownership, including through national constitutional protections on private ownership, exclusively within their territory…</p>
<p>Another provision acknowledges that countries have a right to arms for "self-defence and security needs and in order to participate in peace support operations."</p>
<p>Also, two weeks before the General Assembly voted on the measure, Secretary of State Clinton stated a key condition of U.S. approval and made sure the caveat made it into the resolution:&#160;The 2012 conference must make its decisions by "consensus," she said. In practical terms, that means <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE59E0Q920091015" type="external">every country</a> has veto power on the negotiated agreement, and it won’t go into effect without the approval of all. In short, no treaty will take effect if the U.S. does not agree.</p>
<p>Despite widespread claims like this one, we’ve seen little or no evidence that the Obama administration is doing much to regulate guns or gun ownership. As a candidate Obama did say that he favored reinstating the "assault weapons ban" and closing the "gun show loophole" (which allows some gun buyers to avoid background checks), while <a href="" type="internal">the NRA</a> stirred the fears of gun rights advocates. But he also said he believes the Second Amendment creates an individual right to bear arms, and that he would "protect the rights of hunters and other law-abiding Americans to purchase, own, transport, and use guns."</p>
<p>Furthermore, since taking office, Obama has not pushed any of his promised gun control measures. Asked about assault weapons at a press conference with Mexican President Felipe Calderon in the spring, he said:</p>
<p>Obama, April 16: I think none of us are under any illusion that reinstating that ban would be easy. And so, what we’ve focused on is how we can improve our enforcement of existing laws. …</p>
<p>The only piece of gun legislation he has signed has been an expansion, not a contraction, of gun owners’ rights: In May, the president <a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/traveloutdoors/2009212341_apusgunsnationalparks.html" type="external">signed credit card legislation</a> that included a provision allowing loaded and concealed weapons in national parks.</p>
<p>That hasn’t stopped gun rights advocates from believing that Obama is going to implement sweeping anti-firearms policies. Just since he’s been in office, we’ve been asked if Obama was raising the tax on ammunition by <a href="" type="internal">500 percent</a> (no), if he was <a href="" type="internal">dropping the program</a> that allows commercial pilots to carry guns (no), if the "Obama regime" was going to <a href="" type="internal">require a federal license</a> to own a handgun (no, again), and whether he was behind a move to tax guns and require owners to report their weapons on their federal income tax forms for 2009 (no – <a href="" type="internal">that bill died before Obama was even a U.S. senator</a>).</p>
<p>Nevertheless, a <a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/123602/many-gun-owners-think-obama-will-try-ban-gun-sales.aspx" type="external">Gallup poll</a> in October found that 41 percent of all Americans and 52 percent of gun owners believe that Obama will try to ban the sale of guns. And people are acting on these beliefs: A <a href="http://www.philly.com/inquirer/world_us/20090924_Ammo_getting_scarce_as_gun_owners_load_up.html" type="external">run on ammunition</a> has created shortages for sport shooters, and FBI background checks, required of most would-be gun purchasers, were up 25 percent in the first five months of 2009 compared with a year earlier.</p>
<p>These claims may keep coming, but they will continue to be unfounded — until and unless Obama takes real steps to regulate firearms, which so far he has not.</p>
<p>-Viveca Novak</p>
<p><a href="http://dataservices.nranews.com/assets/podcasts/11_6_09_Cam_and_Company.mp3" type="external">Cam &amp; Company</a>. NRANews. 6 Nov 2009.</p>
<p>Foster, Mary. " <a href="http://www.philly.com/inquirer/world_us/20090924_Ammo_getting_scarce_as_gun_owners_load_up.html" type="external">Ammo Getting Scarce as Gun Owners Load Up</a>." Associated Press. 24 Sep 2009.</p>
<p>Daly, Matthew. " <a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/traveloutdoors/2009212341_apusgunsnationalparks.html" type="external">Govt: Guns barred from national parks until Feb.</a>" Associated Press. 22 May 2009.</p>
<p>Newport, Frank. " <a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/123602/many-gun-owners-think-obama-will-try-ban-gun-sales.aspx" type="external">Many Gun Owners Think Obama Will Try to Ban Gun Sales</a>." Gallup.com. 20 Oct 2009.</p>
<p>" <a href="http://disarmament.un.org/CAB/ATT/Resolution_61_89.pdf" type="external">Resolution 61/89: Towards an arms trade treaty: establishing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arms</a>." United Nations General Assembly. 18 Dec 2006.</p>
<p>"Resolution 63/389: Towards an arms trade treaty: establishing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arms." United Nations General Assembly. 23 Dec 2008.</p>
<p>" <a href="http://www.disarm.emb-japan.go.jp/statements/Statement/N0958107.pdf" type="external">Resolution A/C.1/64/L.38/REV.1: Towards an arms trade treaty: establishing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arms</a>." United Nations General Assembly. 28 Oct 2009.</p>
<p>" <a href="http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2006/ga10547.doc.htm" type="external">Arms Trade Treaty, ‘Nuclear-Weapon-Free World,’ Outer Space Arms Race Among Issues, as General Assembly Adopts 54 First Committee Texts</a>." United Nations General Assembly Department of Public Information. 6 Dec 2006.</p>
<p>" <a href="http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2008/ga10804.doc.htm" type="external">General Assembly Ends Main Part of Sixty-Third Session, Adopting Texts on Human Resources Management, New System for United Nations Administration of Justice</a>."&#160; United Nations General Assembly Department of Public Information. 23 Dec 2008.</p>
<p>" <a href="http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2009/gadis3402.doc.htm" type="external">Sending Six Drafts to General Assembly, First Committee Calls for International Day for World Free of Nuclear Weapons, Conference on Arms Trade Treaty in 2012</a>." United Nations General Assembly Department of Public Information. 30 Oct 2009.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2009a/10/130573.htm" type="external">"U.S. Support for the Arms Trade Treaty</a>". Remarks by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. 14 Oct 2009.</p>
<p>Mohammed, Arshad. " <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE59E0Q920091015" type="external">U.S. reverses stance on treaty to regulate arms trade</a>." Reuters. 14 Oct 2009.</p>
<p>Supreme Court of the United States. <a href="http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/07pdf/07-290.pdf" type="external">District of Columbia v. Heller</a>, 554 U.S. ___ (2008). 26 Jun 2008.</p>
<p>Brown, Marjorie Ann. " <a href="http://italy.usembassy.gov/pdf/other/RS22108.pdf" type="external">The United Nations and ‘Gun Control</a>‘." Congressional Research Service Report to Congress. 7 April 2005.</p>
| false | 2 |
q obama found legal way around second amendment administrations agreement talk writing united nations treaty regulate arms exports imports far cry banning possession firearms obama says doesnt want supreme court said cant done anyway full question correct obama finds legal way around 2nd amendment uses full article httpwwwreuterscomarticlepoliticsnewsidustre59e0q920091015 subject obama takes first step banning firearms wednesday obama took first major step plan ban firearms united states160 eet wednesday obama administration took first major step plan ban firearms united states obama administration intends force gun control complete ban weapons us citizens signing international treaties foreign nations signing international treaties gun control obama administration use us state department bypass normal legislative process congress us government signs international treaties us citizens subject gun laws created foreign governments laws developed promoted organizations united nations individuals george soros michael bloomberg laws designed intended lead complete ban confiscation firearms obama administration attempting use tactics methods gun control inflict major damage 2nd amendment us citizens even understand happened obama appear public tell intend pursue legislation united states lead new gun control laws cloaked secrecy secretary state hillary clinton committing us international treaties foreign gun control laws mean obama telling truth means publicized gun control debates media votes congress wake one morning find united states signed treaty prohibits firearm ammunition manufacturers selling public wake another morning find us signed treaty prohibits transfer firearm ownership wake yet another morning find us signed treaty requires us citizens deliver firearm local government collection destruction center face imprisonment joke false warning sure government health care forced us obama administration whatever means necessary gun control eet full answer weve received many queries chain email refers proposed united nations treaty regulate global trade conventional weapons much email claims simply false complete ban weapons us citizens isnt possible constitution according supreme court held last year160that district columbia v heller 26 june 2008 enshrinement constitutional rights necessarily takes certain policy choices table include absolute prohibition handguns held used selfdefense home furthermore arms trade treaty ever materializes administration wont able bypass congress email maintains international treaties require approval twothirds senate considered ratified effect addition idea treaty necessarily would make us citizens subject gun laws created foreign governments email claims wrong treaties dont subject one nations citizens laws nations commit governments whatever actions treaty specifies ceasing test nuclear weapons case comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty treaty signed us never ratified congress particular treaty first doesnt yet exist true obama administration reversing line taken bush white house voted support process could 2012 earliest result treaty idea achieving international agreement trade conventional arms long kicking around 2006 un general assembly passed resolution titled toward arms trade treaty measure instructed un secretarygeneral get views member states feasibility scope draft parameters comprehensive legally binding instrument establishing common international standards import export transfer conventional arms panel governmental experts tasked providing advice well resolution approved 1531 dissenter us 2008 general assembly passed another resolution one calling efforts toward arms trade treaty att new openended working group us provided vote measure since president obama took office though us receptive notion midoctober secretary state hillary clinton issued statementsaying united states committed actively pursuing strong robust treaty contains highest possible legally binding standards international transfer conventional weapons oct 28 general assembly voted 1531 move forward preparation united nations conference arms trade treaty 2012 could yield formal document time zimbabwe lone naysayer 19 nations abstained critics concept arms trade treaty say believe like author email backdoor avenue gun control fact suspicions un wants seize americans guns circulating since mid1990s fears dovetail trepidations obama issue john bolton former ambassador un george w bush administration recently told nranews bolton nov 6 administration trying act though really treaty international arms trade nation states theres doubt case back decade ago real agenda domestic firearms control treaty approved comes force find requires congress adopt measure restricts ownership firearms administration knows obtain kind legislation purely domestic context use international agreement excuse get domestically couldnt otherwise thats boltons opinion fact provision resolutions preamble160 included request us160 explicitly recognizes right nations regulate gun sales ownership within borders including constitutions un general assembly resolution ac164l38rev1 oct 28 acknowledging also right states regulate internal transfers arms national ownership including national constitutional protections private ownership exclusively within territory another provision acknowledges countries right arms selfdefence security needs order participate peace support operations also two weeks general assembly voted measure secretary state clinton stated key condition us approval made sure caveat made resolution160the 2012 conference must make decisions consensus said practical terms means every country veto power negotiated agreement wont go effect without approval short treaty take effect us agree despite widespread claims like one weve seen little evidence obama administration much regulate guns gun ownership candidate obama say favored reinstating assault weapons ban closing gun show loophole allows gun buyers avoid background checks nra stirred fears gun rights advocates also said believes second amendment creates individual right bear arms would protect rights hunters lawabiding americans purchase transport use guns furthermore since taking office obama pushed promised gun control measures asked assault weapons press conference mexican president felipe calderon spring said obama april 16 think none us illusion reinstating ban would easy weve focused improve enforcement existing laws piece gun legislation signed expansion contraction gun owners rights may president signed credit card legislation included provision allowing loaded concealed weapons national parks hasnt stopped gun rights advocates believing obama going implement sweeping antifirearms policies since hes office weve asked obama raising tax ammunition 500 percent dropping program allows commercial pilots carry guns obama regime going require federal license handgun whether behind move tax guns require owners report weapons federal income tax forms 2009 bill died obama even us senator nevertheless gallup poll october found 41 percent americans 52 percent gun owners believe obama try ban sale guns people acting beliefs run ammunition created shortages sport shooters fbi background checks required wouldbe gun purchasers 25 percent first five months 2009 compared year earlier claims may keep coming continue unfounded unless obama takes real steps regulate firearms far viveca novak cam amp company nranews 6 nov 2009 foster mary ammo getting scarce gun owners load associated press 24 sep 2009 daly matthew govt guns barred national parks feb associated press 22 may 2009 newport frank many gun owners think obama try ban gun sales gallupcom 20 oct 2009 resolution 6189 towards arms trade treaty establishing common international standards import export transfer conventional arms united nations general assembly 18 dec 2006 resolution 63389 towards arms trade treaty establishing common international standards import export transfer conventional arms united nations general assembly 23 dec 2008 resolution ac164l38rev1 towards arms trade treaty establishing common international standards import export transfer conventional arms united nations general assembly 28 oct 2009 arms trade treaty nuclearweaponfree world outer space arms race among issues general assembly adopts 54 first committee texts united nations general assembly department public information 6 dec 2006 general assembly ends main part sixtythird session adopting texts human resources management new system united nations administration justice160 united nations general assembly department public information 23 dec 2008 sending six drafts general assembly first committee calls international day world free nuclear weapons conference arms trade treaty 2012 united nations general assembly department public information 30 oct 2009 us support arms trade treaty remarks secretary state hillary rodham clinton 14 oct 2009 mohammed arshad us reverses stance treaty regulate arms trade reuters 14 oct 2009 supreme court united states district columbia v heller 554 us ___ 2008 26 jun 2008 brown marjorie ann united nations gun control congressional research service report congress 7 april 2005
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<p>LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Topping Deng Adel's happiness in hitting shots when Louisville needed them was his satisfaction making timely defensive contributions that helped the Cardinals earn another hard-fought victory.</p>
<p>Adel had a career-high 27 points, scoring seven consecutive during a critical second-half stretch that put the Cardinals ahead, and made two big defensive plays late that helped them beat Virginia Tech 94-86 on Saturday.</p>
<p>The junior forward's 3-pointer with 5:28 remaining gave Louisville a 74-72 lead before he added two free throws and a one-handed basket to make it 80-76. Adel then grabbed a key defensive rebound before blocking Justin Robinson's shot, followed by another big rebound to finish with a season-high 11 boards.</p>
<p>"If you want to be a great player, you gotta do it on both ends," said Adel, who made 10 of 15 from the field to top last season's previous high of 22 points against Wake Forest.</p>
<p>"I just made sure to not give up, not give them an easy layup or an easy rebound and just continue to play as a team."</p>
<p>Louisville teammates weren't shocked by the breakout performance its leading scorer had been building toward all season. It was certainly necessary in an entertaining back-and-forth game featuring 17 lead changes and 10 ties.</p>
<p>"Finally, it's about time," joked senior center Anas Mahmoud (six points, five rebounds). "He's been playing really well in practice and was due for a game like this. That old saying that you take what the defense gives you, today he did that."</p>
<p>Other Cardinals made clutch contributions as they shot 31 of 59 from the field (53 percent) to follow up Wednesday's comeback win at No. 23 Florida State.</p>
<p>Ray Spalding (six points, five rebounds, four blocks) and Ryan McMahon combined for the next seven points. Senior guard Quentin Snider added six free throws to tie a season high with 19 points, and V.J. King (16 points) made one as Louisville (13-4, 3-1) held off the Hokies for their second consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference victory.</p>
<p>Robinson had 23 points, Kerry Blackshear Jr. 19 and Ahmed Hill 17 for Virginia Tech (13-5, 2-3), which shot 49 percent but committed 19 turnovers.</p>
<p>Hokies coach Buzz Williams credited Louisville for disrupting his team and added, "Really good coaches. Really good players. And I'm doing a really bad job."</p>
<p>BIG PICTURE</p>
<p>Virginia Tech: The Hokies entered as the nation's top-shooting team (52 percent) and played as expected, dominating inside scoring in particular (40-28). They also made 18 of 22 at the line to stay close. But Tech couldn't get needed plays down the stretch and came up short in its second trip to Kentucky in a month. The Hokies lost 93-86 at Kentucky on Dec. 16.</p>
<p>Louisville: It's been nearly a month since the Cardinals reached double digits in 3-pointers, and all 13 on 23 attempts were needed to counter the high-scoring Hokies. Adel led the way, making 4 of 6 from long range. Ryan McMahon added two key 3s for 10 points, his second consecutive double-digit effort. Their 11 steals were also critical, among 19 turnovers they forced for 20 points.</p>
<p>"We did a great job on offense," interim coach David Padgett said, "shared the ball, shot the ball well and did a good job offensively of being aggressive and withstanding a little bit of a run they had there in the second half."</p>
<p>TIP-INS</p>
<p>Louisville's bench also outscored the Hokies 23-8 in earning its 13th straight series victory and 24th in 26. ... Virginia Tech didn't block a shot.</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Virginia Tech: Hosts Florida State on Saturday.</p>
<p>Louisville: Visits Notre Dame on Tuesday in the lone season meeting between the schools. The Cardinals haven't won in South Bend since Feb. 26, 1994.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>For more AP college basketball coverage: http://collegebasketball.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_Top25</p>
<p>LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Topping Deng Adel's happiness in hitting shots when Louisville needed them was his satisfaction making timely defensive contributions that helped the Cardinals earn another hard-fought victory.</p>
<p>Adel had a career-high 27 points, scoring seven consecutive during a critical second-half stretch that put the Cardinals ahead, and made two big defensive plays late that helped them beat Virginia Tech 94-86 on Saturday.</p>
<p>The junior forward's 3-pointer with 5:28 remaining gave Louisville a 74-72 lead before he added two free throws and a one-handed basket to make it 80-76. Adel then grabbed a key defensive rebound before blocking Justin Robinson's shot, followed by another big rebound to finish with a season-high 11 boards.</p>
<p>"If you want to be a great player, you gotta do it on both ends," said Adel, who made 10 of 15 from the field to top last season's previous high of 22 points against Wake Forest.</p>
<p>"I just made sure to not give up, not give them an easy layup or an easy rebound and just continue to play as a team."</p>
<p>Louisville teammates weren't shocked by the breakout performance its leading scorer had been building toward all season. It was certainly necessary in an entertaining back-and-forth game featuring 17 lead changes and 10 ties.</p>
<p>"Finally, it's about time," joked senior center Anas Mahmoud (six points, five rebounds). "He's been playing really well in practice and was due for a game like this. That old saying that you take what the defense gives you, today he did that."</p>
<p>Other Cardinals made clutch contributions as they shot 31 of 59 from the field (53 percent) to follow up Wednesday's comeback win at No. 23 Florida State.</p>
<p>Ray Spalding (six points, five rebounds, four blocks) and Ryan McMahon combined for the next seven points. Senior guard Quentin Snider added six free throws to tie a season high with 19 points, and V.J. King (16 points) made one as Louisville (13-4, 3-1) held off the Hokies for their second consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference victory.</p>
<p>Robinson had 23 points, Kerry Blackshear Jr. 19 and Ahmed Hill 17 for Virginia Tech (13-5, 2-3), which shot 49 percent but committed 19 turnovers.</p>
<p>Hokies coach Buzz Williams credited Louisville for disrupting his team and added, "Really good coaches. Really good players. And I'm doing a really bad job."</p>
<p>BIG PICTURE</p>
<p>Virginia Tech: The Hokies entered as the nation's top-shooting team (52 percent) and played as expected, dominating inside scoring in particular (40-28). They also made 18 of 22 at the line to stay close. But Tech couldn't get needed plays down the stretch and came up short in its second trip to Kentucky in a month. The Hokies lost 93-86 at Kentucky on Dec. 16.</p>
<p>Louisville: It's been nearly a month since the Cardinals reached double digits in 3-pointers, and all 13 on 23 attempts were needed to counter the high-scoring Hokies. Adel led the way, making 4 of 6 from long range. Ryan McMahon added two key 3s for 10 points, his second consecutive double-digit effort. Their 11 steals were also critical, among 19 turnovers they forced for 20 points.</p>
<p>"We did a great job on offense," interim coach David Padgett said, "shared the ball, shot the ball well and did a good job offensively of being aggressive and withstanding a little bit of a run they had there in the second half."</p>
<p>TIP-INS</p>
<p>Louisville's bench also outscored the Hokies 23-8 in earning its 13th straight series victory and 24th in 26. ... Virginia Tech didn't block a shot.</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Virginia Tech: Hosts Florida State on Saturday.</p>
<p>Louisville: Visits Notre Dame on Tuesday in the lone season meeting between the schools. The Cardinals haven't won in South Bend since Feb. 26, 1994.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>For more AP college basketball coverage: http://collegebasketball.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_Top25</p>
| false | 2 |
louisville ky ap topping deng adels happiness hitting shots louisville needed satisfaction making timely defensive contributions helped cardinals earn another hardfought victory adel careerhigh 27 points scoring seven consecutive critical secondhalf stretch put cardinals ahead made two big defensive plays late helped beat virginia tech 9486 saturday junior forwards 3pointer 528 remaining gave louisville 7472 lead added two free throws onehanded basket make 8076 adel grabbed key defensive rebound blocking justin robinsons shot followed another big rebound finish seasonhigh 11 boards want great player got ta ends said adel made 10 15 field top last seasons previous high 22 points wake forest made sure give give easy layup easy rebound continue play team louisville teammates werent shocked breakout performance leading scorer building toward season certainly necessary entertaining backandforth game featuring 17 lead changes 10 ties finally time joked senior center anas mahmoud six points five rebounds hes playing really well practice due game like old saying take defense gives today cardinals made clutch contributions shot 31 59 field 53 percent follow wednesdays comeback win 23 florida state ray spalding six points five rebounds four blocks ryan mcmahon combined next seven points senior guard quentin snider added six free throws tie season high 19 points vj king 16 points made one louisville 134 31 held hokies second consecutive atlantic coast conference victory robinson 23 points kerry blackshear jr 19 ahmed hill 17 virginia tech 135 23 shot 49 percent committed 19 turnovers hokies coach buzz williams credited louisville disrupting team added really good coaches really good players im really bad job big picture virginia tech hokies entered nations topshooting team 52 percent played expected dominating inside scoring particular 4028 also made 18 22 line stay close tech couldnt get needed plays stretch came short second trip kentucky month hokies lost 9386 kentucky dec 16 louisville nearly month since cardinals reached double digits 3pointers 13 23 attempts needed counter highscoring hokies adel led way making 4 6 long range ryan mcmahon added two key 3s 10 points second consecutive doubledigit effort 11 steals also critical among 19 turnovers forced 20 points great job offense interim coach david padgett said shared ball shot ball well good job offensively aggressive withstanding little bit run second half tipins louisvilles bench also outscored hokies 238 earning 13th straight series victory 24th 26 virginia tech didnt block shot next virginia tech hosts florida state saturday louisville visits notre dame tuesday lone season meeting schools cardinals havent south bend since feb 26 1994 ___ ap college basketball coverage httpcollegebasketballaporg httptwittercomap_top25 louisville ky ap topping deng adels happiness hitting shots louisville needed satisfaction making timely defensive contributions helped cardinals earn another hardfought victory adel careerhigh 27 points scoring seven consecutive critical secondhalf stretch put cardinals ahead made two big defensive plays late helped beat virginia tech 9486 saturday junior forwards 3pointer 528 remaining gave louisville 7472 lead added two free throws onehanded basket make 8076 adel grabbed key defensive rebound blocking justin robinsons shot followed another big rebound finish seasonhigh 11 boards want great player got ta ends said adel made 10 15 field top last seasons previous high 22 points wake forest made sure give give easy layup easy rebound continue play team louisville teammates werent shocked breakout performance leading scorer building toward season certainly necessary entertaining backandforth game featuring 17 lead changes 10 ties finally time joked senior center anas mahmoud six points five rebounds hes playing really well practice due game like old saying take defense gives today cardinals made clutch contributions shot 31 59 field 53 percent follow wednesdays comeback win 23 florida state ray spalding six points five rebounds four blocks ryan mcmahon combined next seven points senior guard quentin snider added six free throws tie season high 19 points vj king 16 points made one louisville 134 31 held hokies second consecutive atlantic coast conference victory robinson 23 points kerry blackshear jr 19 ahmed hill 17 virginia tech 135 23 shot 49 percent committed 19 turnovers hokies coach buzz williams credited louisville disrupting team added really good coaches really good players im really bad job big picture virginia tech hokies entered nations topshooting team 52 percent played expected dominating inside scoring particular 4028 also made 18 22 line stay close tech couldnt get needed plays stretch came short second trip kentucky month hokies lost 9386 kentucky dec 16 louisville nearly month since cardinals reached double digits 3pointers 13 23 attempts needed counter highscoring hokies adel led way making 4 6 long range ryan mcmahon added two key 3s 10 points second consecutive doubledigit effort 11 steals also critical among 19 turnovers forced 20 points great job offense interim coach david padgett said shared ball shot ball well good job offensively aggressive withstanding little bit run second half tipins louisvilles bench also outscored hokies 238 earning 13th straight series victory 24th 26 virginia tech didnt block shot next virginia tech hosts florida state saturday louisville visits notre dame tuesday lone season meeting schools cardinals havent south bend since feb 26 1994 ___ ap college basketball coverage httpcollegebasketballaporg httptwittercomap_top25
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<p>SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea’s Unification Ministry said on Saturday that the sudden cancellation of a North Korean delegation’s planned visit to the South to prepare for the North’s art troupe during the Winter Olympics was “not a permanent cancellation”.</p> South Korean soldiers work on a barricade on the Grand Unification Bridge which leads to the truce village Panmunjom, just south of the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas, in Paju, South Korea, January 19, 2018. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji
<p>“It’s not a permanent cancellation on sending its advance team for performance, it is a tentative cancel,” a ministry official said.</p>
<p>A seven-member North Korean team had been scheduled to visit on Saturday to check venues for the performances, the Unification Ministry previously said.</p>
<p>It was unclear whether the cancellation cast any doubt over the preparations for the North’s participation in next months Winter Olympics in South Korea’s Pyeongchang, an apparent diplomatic breakthrough after months of high tension over the North’s nuclear and missile program.</p>
<p>North Korea has still not disclosed the reason as to why it is not sending the advance team, the official said on Saturday.</p>
<p>However, North Korea and South Korea will still discuss matters concerning next month’s Pyeongchang Winter Olympics via the hotline between the two Koreas throughout the weekend, and the issue of the delegation’s sudden change in schedule could be discussed, the official added.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, North Korea called the United Nations’ (UN) Secretary General’s remarks this week on its nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches “biased” for not taking the United States to task on its own nuclear program, and attacked the United States and other nations for calling North Korea’s nuclear program “violations of resolutions”.</p>
<p>North Korea said the remarks it took issue with were in the vein of “the U.S. desperately trying to reverse the trend of detente and improvement of inter-Korean relations, which is hardly achieved now”, seemingly referring to the apparent diplomatic breakthrough surrounding the Winter Olympics, according to a statement from the Permanent Mission of the DPRK to the United Nations.</p>
<p>Reporting by Haejin Choi; Writing by Joyce Lee; Editing by Michael Perry</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. intelligence chief said on Wednesday that a decision had been made on the future of American troops in war-torn Syria and the White House would make it public soon.</p> Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Dan Coats testifies during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on "Worldwide Threats" on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., February 13, 2018. REUTERS/Leah Millis
<p>Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said the decision was reached at an “all hands on deck” National Security Council meeting on Tuesday.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he wanted to “get out” of Syria but offered no timetable. [nL2N1RG1HN]</p>
<p>At the same time, Trump’s advisers warned of the hard work left to defeat Islamic State and stabilize areas recaptured from the hardline militant group.</p> Military rivals discuss how to reduce Syria violence
<p>Trump said at a news conference the United States would “not rest until ISIS is gone,” using an acronym for the militant group. But he also suggested that victory was imminent.</p>
<p>“It’s time,” Trump told reporters, when asked if he was inclined to withdraw American forces.</p>
<p>The Pentagon and State Department have said a longer term U.S. effort would be needed to ensure that Islamic State’s defeat is a lasting one.</p>
<p>Reporting by Jonathan Landay; Writing by Doina Chiacu; Editing by David Gregorio</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States plans to sanction Russian oligarchs this week under a law targeting Moscow for meddling in the 2016 U.S. election, sources familiar with the matter said on Wednesday, in potentially the most aggressive move so far against the country’s business elite.</p> A woman pushes a pram near the Kremlin in Tula, south of Moscow, Russia January 26, 2018. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
<p>The action, which could affect people close to President Vladimir Putin, reflects Washington’s desire to hold Russia to account for allegedly interfering in the election - which Moscow denies - even as U.S. President Donald Trump holds out hope for good relations with Putin.</p>
<p>Trump has faced fierce criticism for doing too little to punish Russia for the election meddling and other actions, and Special Counsel Robert Mueller is probing whether his campaign colluded with the Russians, an allegation the president denies.</p>
<p>The sanctions, which two sources said would be announced as early as Thursday, would follow the March 15 U.S. decision to sanction 19 people and five entities, including Russian intelligence services, for cyber attacks stretching back at least two years.</p>
<p>While the steps were the most significant taken against Moscow since Trump took office in 2017, his decision at the time not to target oligarchs and government officials close to Putin drew criticism from U.S. lawmakers in both parties.</p>
<p>This week’s actions will include sanctions against Russian oligarchs, including some with ties to Putin as well as to the Russian government, according to two U.S. officials briefed on the deliberations.</p>
<p>Four sources said the sanctions would be imposed under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, also known as CAATSA, which was passed by Republicans and Democrats seeking to punish Russia for its 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, involvement in the Syrian civil war and meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.</p>
<p>The White House and Treasury declined comment on whether they planned to impose sanctions this week. When asked about the issue, a senior U.S. official said:</p>
<p>“The administration is committed to implementing the CAATSA law as we have said many times. We published an oligarch designation recently and the secretary of the Treasury said further action would be taken. But at this time we don’t have anything specific to announce.”</p>
<p>Additional reporting by Steve Holland, Arshad Mohammed, Lesley Wroughton, Patricia Zengerle and Phil Stewart; Writing By Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Mary Milliken and Alistair Bell</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>VIENNA (Reuters) - Austria’s right-wing government announced plans on Wednesday to ban girls from wearing headscarves in kindergarten and primary schools to combat what it sees as a threat to Austrian mainstream culture from some Muslims.</p> Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz addresses the media after a cabinet meeting in Vienna, Austria, April 4, 2018. REUTERS/Heinz-Peter Bader
<p>Austria took in more than one percent of its population in asylum seekers during Europe’s migration crisis, an issue that helped Chancellor Sebastian Kurz’s conservatives win an election last year by taking a hard line on immigration.</p>
<p>“Our goal is to confront any development of parallel societies in Austria,” Kurz told ORF radio, using a term he and the far-right Freedom Party (FPO), the coalition partner, favour to describe what they see as a threat posed by some Muslims to mainstream culture.</p>
<p>“Girls wearing a headscarf in kindergarten or primary school is of course part of that.”</p> Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache address the media after a cabinet meeting in Vienna, Austria, April 4, 2018. REUTERS/Heinz-Peter Bader
<p>If any such plan became law it would apply to girls of up to around the age of 10 years.</p>
<p>Many Muslims believe their religion requires girls to wear a headscarf from puberty. Headscarves are rarely worn before then.</p>
<p>Kurz, at a news conference with Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache of the FPO, said they believed there was a problem in schools though they produced no figures to support this.</p>
<p>“What I can tell you is that it is a growing phenomenon. A few decades ago we did not have this in Austria and now it occurs primarily in Islamic kindergartens but also here and there in public establishments of Vienna and other cities,” Kurz said.</p>
<p>He said a bill would be drawn up.</p>
<p>Austria’s main Muslim organisation was not immediately available for comment.</p> Slideshow (2 Images)
<p>The previous coalition of Social Democrats and Kurz’s conservatives, passed a law banning face coverings including Muslim full-face veils in public spaces, but women and girls are free to wear regular hijab.</p>
<p>It considered banning teachers from wearing headscarves but that plan was dropped after a debate over religious symbols in schools such as the Catholic crosses that still hang on many classroom walls.</p>
<p>For any headscarf ban to come into force in kindergartens, which are run by Austria’s provinces, the government would need a two-thirds majority in parliament and therefore the support of either the Social Democrats or the liberal Neos party.</p>
<p>While the Social Democrats said they wanted a broader package of measures, they did not rule out cooperation. The Neos said they would examine the text drawn up by the government.</p>
<p>(This version of the story corrects policy line of Kurz’s conservatives in para 2)</p>
<p>Reporting by Francois Murphy and Alexandra Schwarz-Goerlich; Editing by Richard Balmforth</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump agreed in a National Security Council meeting this week to keep U.S. troops in Syria a little longer to defeat Islamic State but wants them out relatively soon, a senior administration official said on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Trump did not approve a specific withdrawal timetable at Tuesday’s meeting, the official said. He wants to ensure Islamic State militants are defeated but wants other countries in the region and the United Nations to step up and help provide stability in Syria, the official said.</p>
<p>“We’re not going to immediately withdraw but neither is the president willing to back a long-term commitment,” the official said.</p>
<p>Trump had signaled his desire to get U.S. forces out of Syria in a speech last Thursday in Ohio, and officials said he had privately been pressing for an early withdrawal in talks with his national security aides.</p>
<p>Trump told a news conference on Tuesday with Baltic leaders that the United States was very successful against Islamic State but that “sometimes it’s time to come back home.”</p>
<p>His advisers have been urging him to maintain at least a small force in Syria to ensure the militants are defeated and to prevent Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s ally Iran from gaining an important foothold.</p>
<p>The United States is conducting air strikes in Syria and has deployed about 2,000 troops on the ground, including special operations forces whose advice has helped Kurdish militia and other U.S.-backed fighters capture territory from Islamic State, also known as ISIS.</p>
<p>White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders rejected concerns that a U.S. withdrawal from Syria might encourage deeper Iranian involvement in the country, saying U.S. allies and partners in the region could help with security.</p>
<p>“The purpose would be to ... train local enforcement as well as have our allies and partners in the region who have a lot more at risk to put more skin into the game,” Sanders told a briefing. “Certainly that’s something that the president wants to see happen, for them to step up and for them to do more.”</p>
<p>Sanders did not say which regional partners might play a role in Syria, but Trump has said Saudi Arabia should pay more if it wants the United States to remain.</p>
<p>The White House said in a statement on Wednesday that the United States remained committed to eliminating ISIS in Syria, but it added that the U.S. military mission was “coming to a rapid end, with ISIS being almost completely destroyed.”</p>
<p>U.S. Army General Joseph Votel, who oversees U.S. troops in the Middle East as the head of Central Command, estimated on Tuesday that more than 90 percent of the group’s territory in Syria had been taken back since 2014.</p>
<p>In the National Security Council meeting, Trump made clear that he did not want to stay in Syria for a lengthy period. The senior official said the impression Trump left was that he would like to withdraw in a year or less.</p> A U.S. fighter stands near a military vehicle, north of Raqqa city, Syria November 6, 2016. REUTERS/Rodi Said
<p>“He’s not going to tolerate several years to a half decade,” the official said.</p>
<p>Brett McGurk, the U.S. special envoy for the global coalition against Islamic State, on Tuesday said: “We are in Syria to fight ISIS. That is our mission and our mission isn’t over and we are going to complete that mission.”</p>
<p>Reporting by Steve Holland; Additional reporting by Jonathan Landay, Doina Chiacu and Phil Stewart; Editing by Alistair Bell and James Dalgleish</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
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seoul reuters south koreas unification ministry said saturday sudden cancellation north korean delegations planned visit south prepare norths art troupe winter olympics permanent cancellation south korean soldiers work barricade grand unification bridge leads truce village panmunjom south demilitarized zone separating two koreas paju south korea january 19 2018 reuterskim hongji permanent cancellation sending advance team performance tentative cancel ministry official said sevenmember north korean team scheduled visit saturday check venues performances unification ministry previously said unclear whether cancellation cast doubt preparations norths participation next months winter olympics south koreas pyeongchang apparent diplomatic breakthrough months high tension norths nuclear missile program north korea still disclosed reason sending advance team official said saturday however north korea south korea still discuss matters concerning next months pyeongchang winter olympics via hotline two koreas throughout weekend issue delegations sudden change schedule could discussed official added meanwhile north korea called united nations un secretary generals remarks week nuclear tests ballistic missile launches biased taking united states task nuclear program attacked united states nations calling north koreas nuclear program violations resolutions north korea said remarks took issue vein us desperately trying reverse trend detente improvement interkorean relations hardly achieved seemingly referring apparent diplomatic breakthrough surrounding winter olympics according statement permanent mission dprk united nations reporting haejin choi writing joyce lee editing michael perry standards thomson reuters trust principles washington reuters us intelligence chief said wednesday decision made future american troops wartorn syria white house would make public soon director national intelligence dni dan coats testifies senate intelligence committee hearing worldwide threats capitol hill washington us february 13 2018 reutersleah millis director national intelligence dan coats said decision reached hands deck national security council meeting tuesday president donald trump said tuesday wanted get syria offered timetable nl2n1rg1hn time trumps advisers warned hard work left defeat islamic state stabilize areas recaptured hardline militant group military rivals discuss reduce syria violence trump said news conference united states would rest isis gone using acronym militant group also suggested victory imminent time trump told reporters asked inclined withdraw american forces pentagon state department said longer term us effort would needed ensure islamic states defeat lasting one reporting jonathan landay writing doina chiacu editing david gregorio standards thomson reuters trust principles washington reuters united states plans sanction russian oligarchs week law targeting moscow meddling 2016 us election sources familiar matter said wednesday potentially aggressive move far countrys business elite woman pushes pram near kremlin tula south moscow russia january 26 2018 reutersmaxim shemetov action could affect people close president vladimir putin reflects washingtons desire hold russia account allegedly interfering election moscow denies even us president donald trump holds hope good relations putin trump faced fierce criticism little punish russia election meddling actions special counsel robert mueller probing whether campaign colluded russians allegation president denies sanctions two sources said would announced early thursday would follow march 15 us decision sanction 19 people five entities including russian intelligence services cyber attacks stretching back least two years steps significant taken moscow since trump took office 2017 decision time target oligarchs government officials close putin drew criticism us lawmakers parties weeks actions include sanctions russian oligarchs including ties putin well russian government according two us officials briefed deliberations four sources said sanctions would imposed countering americas adversaries sanctions act also known caatsa passed republicans democrats seeking punish russia 2014 annexation crimea ukraine involvement syrian civil war meddling 2016 us presidential election white house treasury declined comment whether planned impose sanctions week asked issue senior us official said administration committed implementing caatsa law said many times published oligarch designation recently secretary treasury said action would taken time dont anything specific announce additional reporting steve holland arshad mohammed lesley wroughton patricia zengerle phil stewart writing arshad mohammed editing mary milliken alistair bell standards thomson reuters trust principles vienna reuters austrias rightwing government announced plans wednesday ban girls wearing headscarves kindergarten primary schools combat sees threat austrian mainstream culture muslims austrias chancellor sebastian kurz addresses media cabinet meeting vienna austria april 4 2018 reutersheinzpeter bader austria took one percent population asylum seekers europes migration crisis issue helped chancellor sebastian kurzs conservatives win election last year taking hard line immigration goal confront development parallel societies austria kurz told orf radio using term farright freedom party fpo coalition partner favour describe see threat posed muslims mainstream culture girls wearing headscarf kindergarten primary school course part austrias chancellor sebastian kurz vice chancellor heinzchristian strache address media cabinet meeting vienna austria april 4 2018 reutersheinzpeter bader plan became law would apply girls around age 10 years many muslims believe religion requires girls wear headscarf puberty headscarves rarely worn kurz news conference vice chancellor heinzchristian strache fpo said believed problem schools though produced figures support tell growing phenomenon decades ago austria occurs primarily islamic kindergartens also public establishments vienna cities kurz said said bill would drawn austrias main muslim organisation immediately available comment slideshow 2 images previous coalition social democrats kurzs conservatives passed law banning face coverings including muslim fullface veils public spaces women girls free wear regular hijab considered banning teachers wearing headscarves plan dropped debate religious symbols schools catholic crosses still hang many classroom walls headscarf ban come force kindergartens run austrias provinces government would need twothirds majority parliament therefore support either social democrats liberal neos party social democrats said wanted broader package measures rule cooperation neos said would examine text drawn government version story corrects policy line kurzs conservatives para 2 reporting francois murphy alexandra schwarzgoerlich editing richard balmforth standards thomson reuters trust principles washington reuters president donald trump agreed national security council meeting week keep us troops syria little longer defeat islamic state wants relatively soon senior administration official said wednesday trump approve specific withdrawal timetable tuesdays meeting official said wants ensure islamic state militants defeated wants countries region united nations step help provide stability syria official said going immediately withdraw neither president willing back longterm commitment official said trump signaled desire get us forces syria speech last thursday ohio officials said privately pressing early withdrawal talks national security aides trump told news conference tuesday baltic leaders united states successful islamic state sometimes time come back home advisers urging maintain least small force syria ensure militants defeated prevent syrian president bashar alassads ally iran gaining important foothold united states conducting air strikes syria deployed 2000 troops ground including special operations forces whose advice helped kurdish militia usbacked fighters capture territory islamic state also known isis white house spokeswoman sarah sanders rejected concerns us withdrawal syria might encourage deeper iranian involvement country saying us allies partners region could help security purpose would train local enforcement well allies partners region lot risk put skin game sanders told briefing certainly thats something president wants see happen step sanders say regional partners might play role syria trump said saudi arabia pay wants united states remain white house said statement wednesday united states remained committed eliminating isis syria added us military mission coming rapid end isis almost completely destroyed us army general joseph votel oversees us troops middle east head central command estimated tuesday 90 percent groups territory syria taken back since 2014 national security council meeting trump made clear want stay syria lengthy period senior official said impression trump left would like withdraw year less us fighter stands near military vehicle north raqqa city syria november 6 2016 reutersrodi said hes going tolerate several years half decade official said brett mcgurk us special envoy global coalition islamic state tuesday said syria fight isis mission mission isnt going complete mission reporting steve holland additional reporting jonathan landay doina chiacu phil stewart editing alistair bell james dalgleish standards thomson reuters trust principles
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<p>Police say a sword-wielding man who was fatally shot this week by an officer might have been attempting to commit “suicide by cop,” the <a href="http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-news/ci_15519373" type="external">Las Cruces Sun-News</a> reported, citing a preliminary investigation by the Las Cruces Police Department.</p>
<p>The newspaper said that according to a news release from the department Wednesday, Lance G. Hummell, 23, was suicidal and wanted to provoke officers into using lethal force.</p>
<p>Hummell, who was known as the “Lizard Man” because of his exotic reptile collection, was shot and killed Tuesday morning at a Las Cruces apartment complex after police said he advanced on two officers while wielding a 4-foot-long sword. Police spokesman Dan Trujillo has said that the officers were responding to a call at the apartment complex about an agitated, shirtless man waving a sword in a hostile manner.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
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<p>Wednesday, 14 July 2010 12:56</p>
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<p>A 23-year-old man shot and killed by a Las Cruces police officer Tuesday had threatened suicide before the fatal shooting, family members told the Las Cruces Sun-News.</p>
<p>The newspaper identified the man as Lance Hummell.</p>
<p>Las Cruces police have said Hummell was shot Tuesday morning after he advanced on two officers while wielding a 4-foot-long sword. Police spokesman Dan Trujillo has said that the officers were responding to a call at an apartment complex about an agitated, shirtless man waving a sword in a hostile manner.</p>
<p>The Sun-News reported that according to Hummell’s sister, Carisue Flores, Hummell earlier had had the sword confiscated by police after he held his pregnant girlfriend hostage with it during an incident that led to his hospitalization. Flores told the newspaper the sword had been returned to Hummell three weeks ago.</p>
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<p>Flores said that Hummell, who recently was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and his girlfriend, Brittney Burgess, knew having the sword around was trouble, and Burgess called Hummell’s counselor and police and told them he was going to hurt himself, the newspaper reported.</p>
<p>The Sun-News said that according to Flores, Burgess, who is eight months pregnant with Hummell’s son, was spending time with family in Albuquerque when Hummell called her Tuesday morning and told her he was writing a suicide note, saying he couldn’t imagine life without her or the baby. Burgess called 911, Hummell’s mother and Hummell’s counselor and reported the suicide threat.</p>
<p>Flores told the newspaper the shooting was excessive given Hummell’s mental state.</p>
<p>The Sun-News reported that Hummell’s body has been transported to the Office of the Medical Examiner in Albuquerque for autopsy. The newspaper also said that as is standard procedure, a multi-agency task force will investigate the shooting, during which both officers will be placed on paid leave.</p>
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<p>Tuesday, 13 July 2010 18:55</p>
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<p>A Las Cruces police officer Tuesday morning fatally shot a 23-year-old man who, allegedly wielding a 4-foot-long Japanese-style sword, advanced on officers outside an apartment complex, said Police Chief Richard Williams.</p>
<p>Neighbors at the 42-unit Mesilla Manor Apartments on Boutz Road complained that police did not try other measures to disarm the man before resorting to deadly force. They described the shooting victim, whom police declined to identify Tuesday, as a low-key and friendly man who showed his lizard collection to children in the complex. The victim went by the name of Lance, they said, but they were not sure if that is his real name, and did not know his last name.</p>
<p>The case marks the second time this year that Las Cruces police fatally shot a civilian.</p>
<p>“That never should have happened, no matter if he had a sword. It’s just dead wrong,” said neighbor Gary Christian. “It’s inhuman. There’s always better ways to do things than to kill someone.”</p>
<p>Another neighbor, Rudy Vela, described the victim as a “great guy, an amazing kid.”</p>
<p>“He didn’t mess with anybody. He showed respect to everybody,” Vela said. “It’s tragic that he was killed in the manner that he was.”</p>
<p>Police were summoned to the apartment complex about 8:30 a.m. after the man was seen carrying the sword and “waving it in a hostile manner,” according to police spokesman Dan Trujillo.</p>
<p>After two officers arrived on the scene, the man “aggressively closed distance” on the officers, and one, a seven-year veteran, fired his weapon, striking the victim at least once, Trujillo said.</p>
<p>Two residents said they heard police shout commands twice moments before at least four shots were fired. Shell casings were found about 25 feet from the spot where the victim fell in a parking lot, another resident said.</p>
<p>Referring to the shooting, Williams said, “This is the last thing any officer wants to do. However, our officers have the duty and responsibility to not only protect themselves but the citizens who are in the immediate area.”</p>
<p>Trujillo said it won’t be known if the victim was intoxicated until the autopsy is complete.</p>
<p>Following standard procedure, the two officers, who the chief declined to identify, were placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation by a multi-agency police task force that includes representation from the Las Cruce Police Department. Findings will be forwarded to the office of 3rd Judicial District Attorney Susana Martinez for review.</p>
<p>In the other Las Cruces police shooting case this year, Martinez concluded that two officers acted appropriately on Jan. 17 when they shot and killed 25-year-old Antonio Medrano Jr. Medrano wielded a knife and bat when two officers shot him from a distance of five to seven yards. In April Medrano’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Las Cruces police in federal court.</p>
<p>In late March, a Doña Ana County sheriff’s deputy fatally shot a 17-year-old boy in Mesquite after the youth jumped into the deputy’s cruiser and appeared to threaten the deputy with the vehicle.</p>
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<p>Tuesday, 13 July 2010 14:30</p>
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<p>Las Cruces police say a 23-year-old man was shot and killed Tuesday when he rushed two officers with a samurai-type sword, the Las Cruces Sun-News reported.</p>
<p>The newspaper said that according to Las Cruces Police Department spokesman Dan Trujillo, the name of the dead man would not be released until his family could be notified.</p>
<p>The incident occurred after the officers responded just before 8:30 a.m. to a call about an agitated, shirtless man waving a sword in a hostile manner around the grounds of an apartment complex, the Sun-News reported. The officers were in the parking lot of the complex when Trujillo said the man rushed them.</p>
<p>The newspaper said that according to one witness, one of the officers fired three shots at the man after he raised the 4-foot sword at the officer.</p>
<p>Trujillo told the Sun-News that the officer who fired the shots, a seven-year veteran of the department, and the other officer will be placed on standard administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation into the shooting death. Trujillo said, as is standard procedure, the incident will undergo a multi-agency investigation.</p>
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<p>Tuesday, 13 July 2010 12:47</p>
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<p>One man is dead after an encounter Tuesday morning with Las Cruces police who responded to a call at an apartment complex about a man walking through the complex with a sword, the Las Cruces Sun-News reported.</p>
<p>Dan Trujillo, Las Cruces Police Department spokesman, told the newspaper an investigation is under way. He said the dead man is not a police officer.</p>
<p>The Sun-News reported that according to Trujillo, the call came in at 8:27 a.m. and police responded.</p>
<p>Details about what happened once police arrived were not immediately available. Trujillo said that was under investigation, the newspaper reported.</p>
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police say swordwielding man fatally shot week officer might attempting commit suicide cop las cruces sunnews reported citing preliminary investigation las cruces police department newspaper said according news release department wednesday lance g hummell 23 suicidal wanted provoke officers using lethal force hummell known lizard man exotic reptile collection shot killed tuesday morning las cruces apartment complex police said advanced two officers wielding 4footlong sword police spokesman dan trujillo said officers responding call apartment complex agitated shirtless man waving sword hostile manner advertisement 160 160 wednesday 14 july 2010 1256 160 23yearold man shot killed las cruces police officer tuesday threatened suicide fatal shooting family members told las cruces sunnews newspaper identified man lance hummell las cruces police said hummell shot tuesday morning advanced two officers wielding 4footlong sword police spokesman dan trujillo said officers responding call apartment complex agitated shirtless man waving sword hostile manner sunnews reported according hummells sister carisue flores hummell earlier sword confiscated police held pregnant girlfriend hostage incident led hospitalization flores told newspaper sword returned hummell three weeks ago advertisement flores said hummell recently diagnosed bipolar disorder girlfriend brittney burgess knew sword around trouble burgess called hummells counselor police told going hurt newspaper reported sunnews said according flores burgess eight months pregnant hummells son spending time family albuquerque hummell called tuesday morning told writing suicide note saying couldnt imagine life without baby burgess called 911 hummells mother hummells counselor reported suicide threat flores told newspaper shooting excessive given hummells mental state sunnews reported hummells body transported office medical examiner albuquerque autopsy newspaper also said standard procedure multiagency task force investigate shooting officers placed paid leave 160 160 tuesday 13 july 2010 1855 160 las cruces police officer tuesday morning fatally shot 23yearold man allegedly wielding 4footlong japanesestyle sword advanced officers outside apartment complex said police chief richard williams neighbors 42unit mesilla manor apartments boutz road complained police try measures disarm man resorting deadly force described shooting victim police declined identify tuesday lowkey friendly man showed lizard collection children complex victim went name lance said sure real name know last name case marks second time year las cruces police fatally shot civilian never happened matter sword dead wrong said neighbor gary christian inhuman theres always better ways things kill someone another neighbor rudy vela described victim great guy amazing kid didnt mess anybody showed respect everybody vela said tragic killed manner police summoned apartment complex 830 man seen carrying sword waving hostile manner according police spokesman dan trujillo two officers arrived scene man aggressively closed distance officers one sevenyear veteran fired weapon striking victim least trujillo said two residents said heard police shout commands twice moments least four shots fired shell casings found 25 feet spot victim fell parking lot another resident said referring shooting williams said last thing officer wants however officers duty responsibility protect citizens immediate area trujillo said wont known victim intoxicated autopsy complete following standard procedure two officers chief declined identify placed paid administrative leave pending outcome investigation multiagency police task force includes representation las cruce police department findings forwarded office 3rd judicial district attorney susana martinez review las cruces police shooting case year martinez concluded two officers acted appropriately jan 17 shot killed 25yearold antonio medrano jr medrano wielded knife bat two officers shot distance five seven yards april medranos family filed wrongful death lawsuit las cruces police federal court late march doña ana county sheriffs deputy fatally shot 17yearold boy mesquite youth jumped deputys cruiser appeared threaten deputy vehicle 160 160 tuesday 13 july 2010 1430 160 las cruces police say 23yearold man shot killed tuesday rushed two officers samuraitype sword las cruces sunnews reported newspaper said according las cruces police department spokesman dan trujillo name dead man would released family could notified incident occurred officers responded 830 call agitated shirtless man waving sword hostile manner around grounds apartment complex sunnews reported officers parking lot complex trujillo said man rushed newspaper said according one witness one officers fired three shots man raised 4foot sword officer trujillo told sunnews officer fired shots sevenyear veteran department officer placed standard administrative leave pending outcome investigation shooting death trujillo said standard procedure incident undergo multiagency investigation 160 160 tuesday 13 july 2010 1247 160 one man dead encounter tuesday morning las cruces police responded call apartment complex man walking complex sword las cruces sunnews reported dan trujillo las cruces police department spokesman told newspaper investigation way said dead man police officer sunnews reported according trujillo call came 827 police responded details happened police arrived immediately available trujillo said investigation newspaper reported 160 160
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<p>NEW YORK, Jan 22 (Reuters) - A U.S. energy regulator on Monday said it extended the timeframe to respond to Magellan Midstream Partners’ request for a rehearing on its proposal to establish a marketing arm to buy, sell and ship crude oil.</p>
<p>The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) extended the 30-day deadline by which it is required to respond to appeals of its decisions, according to a filing.</p>
<p>The order “provides the Commission as much as it needs to review thoroughly the issues raised in the record” and make a decision, a FERC spokeswoman said in a statement. (Reporting by Devika Krishna Kumar in New York; Editing by Leslie Adler)</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>TOKYO (Reuters) - Asian stocks edged up and the safe haven yen was broadly lower against the dollar on Thursday amid perceived progress on North Korea issues, although equity gains were limited after a tech-led retreat on Wall Street.</p> A man looks at an electronic stock quotation board outside a brokerage in Tokyo, Japan February 9, 2018. REUTERS/Toru Hanai
<p>MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS was up 0.05 percent.</p>
<p>Australian stocks dipped 0.1 percent, Japan's Nikkei <a href="/finance/markets/index?symbol=.N225" type="external">.N225</a> rose 1 percent and South Korea's KOSPI <a href="/finance/markets/index?symbol=.KS11" type="external">.KS11</a> added 0.1 percent.</p>
<p>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 ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=AMZN.O" type="external">AMZN.O</a>) shares and a continuing slide in technology stocks.</p>
<p>“Fears of a global trade war have eased, although concerns still linger about the U.S. technology sector,” said Masahiro Ichikawa, senior strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui Asset Management in Tokyo.</p>
<p>“But equities in Asia will receive support from an easing of tensions regarding North Korea, with countries like Japan seeking a summit,” Ichikawa added.</p>
<p>Japan has sounded out the North Korean government about a bilateral summit, and Pyongyang has discussed the possibility of a leaders’ meeting with Japan and other countries, Japan’s Asahi newspaper said on Thursday.</p>
<p>North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un pledged his commitment to denuclearization and to meet U.S. officials, China said on Wednesday after his meeting with President Xi Jinping.</p>
<p>The yen, often sought in times of market turmoil and political tensions, retraced its gains against the dollar.</p>
<p>The greenback was steady at 106.860 yen <a href="/finance/currencies/quote?srcCurr=JPY&amp;destCurr=USD" type="external">JPY=</a> after it rallied 1.4 percent on Wednesday, pulling away from a 16-month trough of 104.560 set on Monday.</p>
<a href="/finance/markets/index?symbol=.N225" type="external">Nikkei Inc</a> 21198.63 .N225 Nikkei Index +167.32 (+0.80%) .N225 .KS11 AMZN.O
<p>With fears of a worldwide trade war receding, the dollar also gained against other currencies. The dollar index versus a basket of six major currencies was at 90.068 .DXY after reaching a one-week high of 90.147.</p>
<p>Global markets were shaken this month when U.S. President Donald Trump moved to impose tariffs on Chinese goods and Beijing threatened similar measures. But fears of a full-blown trade war have eased on hopes that negotiations can bring a compromise.</p>
<p>The euro was a shade lower at $1.2305 <a href="/finance/currencies/quote?srcCurr=EUR&amp;destCurr=USD" type="external">EUR=</a> after losing 0.75 percent on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Sterling was flat at $1.4077 <a href="/finance/currencies/quote?srcCurr=GBP&amp;destCurr=USD" type="external">GBP=D3</a> after losing 0.5 percent overnight on data showing British retail sales fell in March for the first time in five months.</p>
<p>The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield was at 2.786 percent US10YT=RR after touching a near two-month low of 2.743 percent overnight on sagging Wall Street shares.</p>
<p>In commodities, U.S. crude futures CLc1 rose 0.5 percent to $64.70 a barrel, partly recovering after dropping 1 percent the previous day when data showed U.S. crude inventories unexpectedly rose last week.</p>
<p>Reporting by Shinichi Saoshiro; editing by Richard Pullin</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump ousted Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin on Wednesday in response to heavy criticism and nominated his personal physician, Rear Admiral Ronny Jackson, to replace him in the latest turnover among Trump’s team.</p>
<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 and said he would be leaving in the next day or two. They said an undersecretary at the Department of Defense, Robert Wilkie, will be the acting secretary.</p>
<p>Shulkin had drawn fire 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>One official said the criticism of Shulkin was “making it harder for him to carry out the duties of secretary of the VA, which is something the president has made clear is a big priority for him.”</p> Related Coverage
<a href="/article/us-usa-trump-veterans-jackson/trump-taps-doctor-decorated-diver-to-rescue-veterans-affairs-idUSKBN1H43IL" type="external">Trump taps doctor, decorated diver to rescue Veterans Affairs</a>
<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 been the lead doctor monitoring Trump’s health since Trump became president.</p>
<p>Jackson gave Trump a clean bill of health early this year after giving the president a physical. He put him on a diet to lose some weight and directed him to get some exercise. Aides said Trump has been eating more fish and fewer cheeseburgers lately.</p>
<p>A Texas native who has been on active duty since 1995, Jackson served during the U.S.-led war in Iraq as an emergency medicine physician in Taqaddum, Iraq.</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>A White House official said Trump warmed to Jackson and had been aware that Shulkin had sought to make Jackson the VA undersecretary last year.</p>
<p>“The president wants somebody who gives him the best possible care to go over and give that same care to the veterans. That’s how strongly he feels about getting them represented properly,” the official 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>U.S. Representative Phil Roe, a Republican who chairs the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, said he hated to see Shulkin go but respected Trump’s decision.</p>
<p>“At the end of the day, cabinet secretaries serve at the pleasure of the president,” he said.</p>
<p>Will Fischer, director of government relations for the VoteVets lobby group, said his group hopes Jackson will oppose any attempt to privatize the VA or its health services, a concept that Republicans talk about occasionally.</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
<p>“If Dr. Jackson can do that, immediately, he will do a lot to help his chances at confirmation,” Fischer said.</p>
<p>The VA oversees healthcare and benefits going to roughly 20 million U.S. military veterans. The Veterans Health Administration, the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States, provides care at more than 1,200 facilities, including 170 VA Medical Centers, to more than 9 million veterans.</p>
<p>Trump praised Shulkin as “fantastic” when he chose him to head the VA in January 2017. Trump, who promised improved veterans’ care during his presidential campaign, last year said the department had made “tremendous progress” under Shulkin.</p>
<p>But support for him at the White House eroded quickly in recent weeks as Trump grew weary of the drumbeat of negative headlines about him.</p> Slideshow (4 Images)
<p>Shulkin said after the release of the inspector general’s report that he would comply with its recommendations, including reimbursing the government for his wife’s $4,312 airfare and paying his friend for the Wimbledon tickets. The department announced two days after the report was issued that Shulkin’s chief of staff, Vivieca Wright Simpson, would retire.</p>
<p>Shulkin joins a long list of senior officials who have either resigned or been fired since Trump took office in January 2017. Others include Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price, FBI chief James Comey and FBI No. 2 Andrew McCabe, Trump’s chief strategist Steve Bannon, national security advisers H.R. McMaster and Michael Flynn, White House chief of staff Reince Priebus, communications directors Hope Hicks and Anthony Scaramucci, and economic adviser Gary Cohn.</p>
<p>Reporting by Steve Holland; Editing by Leslie Adler and James Dalgleish</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>NEW YORK/SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The selection process for the next Federal Reserve Bank of New York president has drawn the ire of New York City, state and other elected officials amid a report that San Francisco Fed President John Williams is the front runner for the job.</p> President and Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, John Williams, gestures as he addresses a news conference in Zurich, Switzerland September 22, 2017. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
<p>The extraordinary public opposition from Democrats, circulated by Washington-based advocacy group Center for Popular Democracy on Wednesday, highlighted concerns over a lack of racial and gender diversity at the U.S. central bank.</p>
<p>The outcry marked an escalation of scrutiny of the New York Fed, and could pose a challenge for Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s efforts to protect the central bank’s independence from political influence.</p>
<p>“The New York Fed has never been led by a woman or a person of color, and that needs to change,” Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said in a statement, adding such well-qualified candidates “should not be overlooked.” The junior U.S. senator from New York also urged Congressional oversight of the selection process.</p>
<p>U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren earlier this week also had called for Congressional hearings on the process.</p>
<p>The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday that the New York Fed board of directors had recommended Williams, a long time Fed economist and policymaker, to succeed William Dudley as New York Fed president.</p>
<p>The New York Fed and the San Francisco Fed declined to comment on Wednesday and the Federal Reserve Board did not respond to a request for comment. The New York Fed said on March 16 it was considering “a handful” of final candidates to replace Dudley, who plans to step down by mid-year.</p>
<p>Both Williams and Dudley are white men and professional economists, though their track record in promoting diversity within their banks’ ranks appears to differ.</p>
<p>In 2016, 46 percent of senior executives at the San Francisco Fed were minorities, the highest percentage of all the 12 Fed banks, and up from 15 percent when Williams took the helm at the bank. The 2016 figure at the New York Fed was 11 percent.</p>
<p>The Fed’s 12 regional banks send diversity reports to Congress annually and the 2017 data will be published by the end of March.</p>
<p>The New York Fed president, often seen as the second most influential policymaker at the central bank, has a permanent vote on interest-rate setting; serves as vice chair of the policy-making committee; oversees market operations including $4.4 trillion in assets; and supervises big banks.</p>
<p>“The New York Federal Reserve Bank must be led by someone who will stand up for an economy that works for all of us – not just Wall Street and the 1 percent. Period,” said New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio in a separate statement.</p>
<p>New York City comptroller Scott Stringer, and 34 state legislators also released letters urging the Fed Chair and the New York Fed to consider diversity in selecting a candidate.</p>
<p>Still, a final decision has not yet been made on a nominee, according to two sources close to the search process who spoke under conditional of anonymity.</p>
<p>Reporting by Jonathan Spicer and Ann Saphir; editing by Diane Craft</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump’s legal troubles deepened on Wednesday as a federal judge refused to throw out a lawsuit accusing him of flouting constitutional safeguards against corruption by maintaining ownership of his business empire while in office.</p>
<p>U.S. District Judge Peter Messitte in Greenbelt, Maryland allowed the lawsuit filed by Maryland and District of Columbia to proceed, rejecting a Justice Department request that it be dismissed. The judge, however, narrowed the claims to include only those involving the Trump International Hotel in Washington and not Trump’s businesses outside of the U.S. capital.</p>
<p>A U.S. judge in Manhattan in December threw out a similar lawsuit against Trump brought by another group of plaintiffs.</p>
<p>Both lawsuits accused Trump of violating the U.S. Constitution’s “emoluments” provisions designed to prevent corruption and foreign influence. One bars U.S. officials from accepting gifts or other emoluments from foreign governments without congressional approval. The other forbids the president from receiving emoluments from individual states.</p>
<p>If the lawsuit presided over by Messitte continues to move forward, the plaintiffs have indicated they would seek a number of documents related to the president, including his tax returns, which Trump has refused to release.</p>
<p>The lawsuit, filed last June, said the Republican president has failed to disentangle himself from his hotels and other businesses, making him vulnerable to inducements by officials seeking to curry favor.</p>
<p>Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh, a Democrat, said in an interview he was pleased with the judge’s action.</p>
<p>“It demonstrates that Donald Trump is not above the law, that he like every other federal employee is governed by the emoluments clause, the original anti-corruption law of the United States. And we intend to hold him accountable,” Frosh said.</p>
<p>Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said, “As we argued, we believe this case should be dismissed, and we will continue to defend the president in court.”</p>
<p>As part of the suit, the District of Columbia and Maryland said their local residents who compete with Trump’s businesses like Trump International Hotel are harmed by decreased patronage, wages and tips.</p>
<p>Trump’s attorneys said such claims were speculative and raised doubts that any harm to competition could be traced directly to Trump’s status as president.</p>
<p>Messitte rejected that view, saying the plaintiffs’ allegations were sufficient to allow the case to proceed.</p>
<p>“Their allegation is bolstered by explicit statements from certain foreign government officials indicating that they are clearly choosing to stay at the president’s hotel, because, as one representative of a foreign government has stated, they want him to know ‘I love your new hotel,’” the judge wrote.</p>
<p>Messitte also noted that since the 2016 presidential election, “foreign governments have indisputably transferred business from the Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton hotels in the District to the President’s Hotel.”</p> LEGAL WOES
<p>Trump’s legal woes are mounting. His lead lawyer in the intensifying special counsel investigation into Russia’s role in the 2016 presidential election resigned last week.</p> FILE PHOTO: Flags fly above the entrance to the new Trump International Hotel on its opening day in Washington, DC, U.S. on September 12, 2016. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo
<p>A New York state judge last week allowed a defamation lawsuit by a woman who accused Trump of sexually harassing her after she appeared on his former reality TV show to proceed.</p>
<p>He also is facing lawsuits from adult film actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal arising from affairs they said they had with the president.</p>
<p>Trump, a wealthy real estate developer who as president regularly visits his own hotels, resorts and golf clubs, has ceded day-to-day control of his businesses to his sons. Critics have said that is not a sufficient safeguard.</p>
<p>This undermines democracy, the suit said, because Americans cannot be sure if Trump is acting in their best interest, or “international and domestic business dealings in which President Trump’s personal fortune is at stake.”</p>
<p>The suit said Trump had received millions of dollars in payments and benefits through leases of Trump properties held by foreign government entities, the purchase of condominiums in Trump properties, as well as hotel accommodations, restaurant purchases and the use of venues for events by foreign governments and diplomats.</p>
<p>Messitte’s action contrasts with that of U.S. District Judge George Daniels in Manhattan, who threw out the similar case filed by a nonprofit watchdog group, a hotel owner, a hotel events booker and a restaurant trade group.</p> FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump takes part in a forum called Generation Next at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, U.S., March 22, 2018. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo
<p>Daniels said the claims were speculative and that the U.S. Congress was the proper place to hold the president to account.</p>
<p>Reporting by Andrew Chung; Editing by Will Dunham</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
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new york jan 22 reuters us energy regulator monday said extended timeframe respond magellan midstream partners request rehearing proposal establish marketing arm buy sell ship crude oil federal energy regulatory commission ferc extended 30day deadline required respond appeals decisions according filing order provides commission much needs review thoroughly issues raised record make decision ferc spokeswoman said statement reporting devika krishna kumar new york editing leslie adler standards thomson reuters trust principles tokyo reuters asian stocks edged safe yen broadly lower dollar thursday amid perceived progress north korea issues although equity gains limited techled retreat wall street man looks electronic stock quotation board outside brokerage tokyo japan february 9 2018 reuterstoru hanai mscis broadest index asiapacific shares outside japan miapj0000pus 005 percent australian stocks dipped 01 percent japans nikkei n225 rose 1 percent south koreas kospi ks11 added 01 percent wall street closed lower rocky session wednesday gains consumer staples healthcare offset sharp drop amazon amzno shares continuing slide technology stocks fears global trade war eased although concerns still linger us technology sector said masahiro ichikawa senior strategist sumitomo mitsui asset management tokyo equities asia receive support easing tensions regarding north korea countries like japan seeking summit ichikawa added japan sounded north korean government bilateral summit pyongyang discussed possibility leaders meeting japan countries japans asahi newspaper said thursday north koreas leader kim jong un pledged commitment denuclearization meet us officials china said wednesday meeting president xi jinping yen often sought times market turmoil political tensions retraced gains dollar greenback steady 106860 yen jpy rallied 14 percent wednesday pulling away 16month trough 104560 set monday nikkei inc 2119863 n225 nikkei index 16732 080 n225 ks11 amzno fears worldwide trade war receding dollar also gained currencies dollar index versus basket six major currencies 90068 dxy reaching oneweek high 90147 global markets shaken month us president donald trump moved impose tariffs chinese goods beijing threatened similar measures fears fullblown trade war eased hopes negotiations bring compromise euro shade lower 12305 eur losing 075 percent wednesday sterling flat 14077 gbpd3 losing 05 percent overnight data showing british retail sales fell march first time five months 10year us treasury yield 2786 percent us10ytrr touching near twomonth low 2743 percent overnight sagging wall street shares commodities us crude futures clc1 rose 05 percent 6470 barrel partly recovering dropping 1 percent previous day data showed us crude inventories unexpectedly rose last week reporting shinichi saoshiro editing richard pullin standards thomson reuters trust principles washington reuters president donald trump ousted veterans affairs secretary david shulkin wednesday response heavy criticism nominated personal physician rear admiral ronny jackson replace latest turnover among trumps team white house officials speaking condition anonymity said shulkin become distraction due constant wave speculation future said would leaving next day two said undersecretary department defense robert wilkie acting secretary shulkin drawn fire 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 one official said criticism shulkin making harder carry duties secretary va something president made clear big priority related coverage trump taps doctor decorated diver rescue veterans affairs jackson rear admiral us navy working presidential physician since george w bush administration lead doctor monitoring trumps health since trump became president jackson gave trump clean bill health early year giving president physical put diet lose weight directed get exercise aides said trump eating fish fewer cheeseburgers lately texas native active duty since 1995 jackson served usled war iraq emergency medicine physician taqaddum iraq admiral jackson highly trained qualified service member seen firsthand tremendous sacrifice veterans make deep appreciation debt great country owes trump said white house official said trump warmed jackson aware shulkin sought make jackson va undersecretary last year president wants somebody gives best possible care go give care veterans thats strongly feels getting represented properly official said trump said appreciated shulkins work including passage va accountability acthe great supporter veterans across country grateful service trump said statement us representative phil roe republican chairs house committee veterans affairs said hated see shulkin go respected trumps decision end day cabinet secretaries serve pleasure president said fischer director government relations votevets lobby group said group hopes jackson oppose attempt privatize va health services concept republicans talk occasionally 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 dr jackson immediately lot help chances confirmation fischer said va oversees healthcare benefits going roughly 20 million us military veterans veterans health administration largest integrated healthcare system united states provides care 1200 facilities including 170 va medical centers 9 million veterans trump praised shulkin fantastic chose head va january 2017 trump promised improved veterans care presidential campaign last year said department made tremendous progress shulkin support white house eroded quickly recent weeks trump grew weary drumbeat negative headlines slideshow 4 images shulkin said release inspector generals report would comply recommendations including reimbursing government wifes 4312 airfare paying friend wimbledon tickets department announced two days report issued shulkins chief staff vivieca wright simpson would retire shulkin joins long list senior officials either resigned fired since trump took office january 2017 others include secretary state rex tillerson secretary health human services tom price fbi chief james comey fbi 2 andrew mccabe trumps chief strategist steve bannon national security advisers hr mcmaster michael flynn white house chief staff reince priebus communications directors hope hicks anthony scaramucci economic adviser gary cohn reporting steve holland editing leslie adler james dalgleish standards thomson reuters trust principles new yorksan francisco reuters selection process next federal reserve bank new york president drawn ire new york city state elected officials amid report san francisco fed president john williams front runner job president chief executive officer us federal reserve bank san francisco john williams gestures addresses news conference zurich switzerland september 22 2017 reutersarnd wiegmann extraordinary public opposition democrats circulated washingtonbased advocacy group center popular democracy wednesday highlighted concerns lack racial gender diversity us central bank outcry marked escalation scrutiny new york fed could pose challenge fed chair jerome powells efforts protect central banks independence political influence new york fed never led woman person color needs change democratic senator kirsten gillibrand said statement adding wellqualified candidates overlooked junior us senator new york also urged congressional oversight selection process us senator elizabeth warren earlier week also called congressional hearings process wall street journal reported saturday new york fed board directors recommended williams long time fed economist policymaker succeed william dudley new york fed president new york fed san francisco fed declined comment wednesday federal reserve board respond request comment new york fed said march 16 considering handful final candidates replace dudley plans step midyear williams dudley white men professional economists though track record promoting diversity within banks ranks appears differ 2016 46 percent senior executives san francisco fed minorities highest percentage 12 fed banks 15 percent williams took helm bank 2016 figure new york fed 11 percent feds 12 regional banks send diversity reports congress annually 2017 data published end march new york fed president often seen second influential policymaker central bank permanent vote interestrate setting serves vice chair policymaking committee oversees market operations including 44 trillion assets supervises big banks new york federal reserve bank must led someone stand economy works us wall street 1 percent period said new york city mayor bill de blasio separate statement new york city comptroller scott stringer 34 state legislators also released letters urging fed chair new york fed consider diversity selecting candidate still final decision yet made nominee according two sources close search process spoke conditional anonymity reporting jonathan spicer ann saphir editing diane craft standards thomson reuters trust principles washington reuters president donald trumps legal troubles deepened wednesday federal judge refused throw lawsuit accusing flouting constitutional safeguards corruption maintaining ownership business empire office us district judge peter messitte greenbelt maryland allowed lawsuit filed maryland district columbia proceed rejecting justice department request dismissed judge however narrowed claims include involving trump international hotel washington trumps businesses outside us capital us judge manhattan december threw similar lawsuit trump brought another group plaintiffs lawsuits accused trump violating us constitutions emoluments provisions designed prevent corruption foreign influence one bars us officials accepting gifts emoluments foreign governments without congressional approval forbids president receiving emoluments individual states lawsuit presided messitte continues move forward plaintiffs indicated would seek number documents related president including tax returns trump refused release lawsuit filed last june said republican president failed disentangle hotels businesses making vulnerable inducements officials seeking curry favor maryland attorney general brian frosh democrat said interview pleased judges action demonstrates donald trump law like every federal employee governed emoluments clause original anticorruption law united states intend hold accountable frosh said justice department spokeswoman kerri kupec said argued believe case dismissed continue defend president court part suit district columbia maryland said local residents compete trumps businesses like trump international hotel harmed decreased patronage wages tips trumps attorneys said claims speculative raised doubts harm competition could traced directly trumps status president messitte rejected view saying plaintiffs allegations sufficient allow case proceed allegation bolstered explicit statements certain foreign government officials indicating clearly choosing stay presidents hotel one representative foreign government stated want know love new hotel judge wrote messitte also noted since 2016 presidential election foreign governments indisputably transferred business four seasons ritz carlton hotels district presidents hotel legal woes trumps legal woes mounting lead lawyer intensifying special counsel investigation russias role 2016 presidential election resigned last week file photo flags fly entrance new trump international hotel opening day washington dc us september 12 2016 reuterskevin lamarquefile photo new york state judge last week allowed defamation lawsuit woman accused trump sexually harassing appeared former reality tv show proceed also facing lawsuits adult film actress stormy daniels former playboy model karen mcdougal arising affairs said president trump wealthy real estate developer president regularly visits hotels resorts golf clubs ceded daytoday control businesses sons critics said sufficient safeguard undermines democracy suit said americans sure trump acting best interest international domestic business dealings president trumps personal fortune stake suit said trump received millions dollars payments benefits leases trump properties held foreign government entities purchase condominiums trump properties well hotel accommodations restaurant purchases use venues events foreign governments diplomats messittes action contrasts us district judge george daniels manhattan threw similar case filed nonprofit watchdog group hotel owner hotel events booker restaurant trade group file photo us president donald trump takes part forum called generation next eisenhower executive office building washington us march 22 2018 reutersleah millisfile photo daniels said claims speculative us congress proper place hold president account reporting andrew chung editing dunham standards thomson reuters trust principles
| 1,781 |
<p>PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — North Korea is one of the least Wi-Fi-friendly countries in the world. Having a device that emits Wi-Fi signals can result in detention and a major fine. Worse, if you are a North Korean. Public use of the internet is a concept that just makes North Korean officials really nervous.</p>
<p>But here’s a sign that might be changing.</p>
<p>North Korea’s main internet provider appears to have put up a Wi-Fi trial balloon at the international departure area of Pyongyang’s airport. It’s a logical place to start. The service is only available, or even visible, to travelers who have already cleared customs, which included me last week. So, noticing the new sign with the familiar Wi-Fi logo in the internet corner of the departures lobby, I decided to give it a whirl.</p>
<p>My flight was fogged in, so I had some extra time. I didn’t expect much. The internet corner, with a handful of terminals, opened in 2015, but I have yet to see anyone actually using it. The first time I tried, there were no attendants available and no keyboards for the desktops.</p>
<p>This experience was different. The young woman staffing the internet service area told me I could use the Wi-Fi for 30 minutes if I paid $2. She took down my passport number and gave me a slip of paper with a username and password. The signal was strongest near the coffee shop, where the router is, so she suggested I log on there.</p>
<p>I tried. Several times. The login was incorrect, according to a screen message.</p>
<p>I went back to the internet corner and asked for help. The attendant apologetically came with me to the coffee shop and we tried it together. No luck. She asked me to wait, then came back with a new username. It didn’t work. She called her supervisor on her cellphone. We tried again.</p>
<p>The final screen message we got before giving up was that the page could not be opened. The attendant took me back to the internet corner and refunded my $2.</p>
<p>None of this came as a particular shock. Airport Wi-Fi can be more aspirational than functional in a lot of places. I’ve had essentially the same issues in Beijing, minus any helpful attendants. In a way, it was also a relief. Logging on to any unfamiliar Wi-Fi network, especially at an airport, opens a phone up to all kinds of hacking mischief.</p>
<p>Still, the Pyongyang airport Wi-Fi IP address that appeared on my phone would be logical for a private network. And I was getting three bars when I was at the coffee shop, meaning something was indeed out there.</p>
<p>Moreover, the attendant seemed genuinely helpful. She did pretty much what anyone would do in a similar situation with a customer and clearly expected we would be able fix the problem and log on. She also offered to let me use the internet on one of the desktop terminals, suggesting that is now actually functional, too.</p>
<p>Maybe some kinks need to be worked out. Contrary to popular belief, not everything in North Korea is fake.</p>
<p>But then again, some things certainly are.</p>
<p>It could be the Wi-Fi is like the airport’s still new <a href="" type="internal">ATMs</a> — the lights are on, at least sometimes, but they have never completed a transaction as far as anyone I know can tell. Or they could be like the brand new coffee vending machine in the arrivals area. Despite its own instructions, for the life of me, I couldn’t find a slot on the machine to insert my money or any indication of how much it would cost.</p>
<p>Alas, I had to catch my plane without checking my email.</p>
<p>I’ll try again next time, if it’s still there.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Eric Talmadge, the AP’s Pyongyang bureau chief since 2013, has flown in and out of the North Korean capital’s airport dozens of times. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram: @erictalmadge</p>
<p>PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — North Korea is one of the least Wi-Fi-friendly countries in the world. Having a device that emits Wi-Fi signals can result in detention and a major fine. Worse, if you are a North Korean. Public use of the internet is a concept that just makes North Korean officials really nervous.</p>
<p>But here’s a sign that might be changing.</p>
<p>North Korea’s main internet provider appears to have put up a Wi-Fi trial balloon at the international departure area of Pyongyang’s airport. It’s a logical place to start. The service is only available, or even visible, to travelers who have already cleared customs, which included me last week. So, noticing the new sign with the familiar Wi-Fi logo in the internet corner of the departures lobby, I decided to give it a whirl.</p>
<p>My flight was fogged in, so I had some extra time. I didn’t expect much. The internet corner, with a handful of terminals, opened in 2015, but I have yet to see anyone actually using it. The first time I tried, there were no attendants available and no keyboards for the desktops.</p>
<p>This experience was different. The young woman staffing the internet service area told me I could use the Wi-Fi for 30 minutes if I paid $2. She took down my passport number and gave me a slip of paper with a username and password. The signal was strongest near the coffee shop, where the router is, so she suggested I log on there.</p>
<p>I tried. Several times. The login was incorrect, according to a screen message.</p>
<p>I went back to the internet corner and asked for help. The attendant apologetically came with me to the coffee shop and we tried it together. No luck. She asked me to wait, then came back with a new username. It didn’t work. She called her supervisor on her cellphone. We tried again.</p>
<p>The final screen message we got before giving up was that the page could not be opened. The attendant took me back to the internet corner and refunded my $2.</p>
<p>None of this came as a particular shock. Airport Wi-Fi can be more aspirational than functional in a lot of places. I’ve had essentially the same issues in Beijing, minus any helpful attendants. In a way, it was also a relief. Logging on to any unfamiliar Wi-Fi network, especially at an airport, opens a phone up to all kinds of hacking mischief.</p>
<p>Still, the Pyongyang airport Wi-Fi IP address that appeared on my phone would be logical for a private network. And I was getting three bars when I was at the coffee shop, meaning something was indeed out there.</p>
<p>Moreover, the attendant seemed genuinely helpful. She did pretty much what anyone would do in a similar situation with a customer and clearly expected we would be able fix the problem and log on. She also offered to let me use the internet on one of the desktop terminals, suggesting that is now actually functional, too.</p>
<p>Maybe some kinks need to be worked out. Contrary to popular belief, not everything in North Korea is fake.</p>
<p>But then again, some things certainly are.</p>
<p>It could be the Wi-Fi is like the airport’s still new <a href="" type="internal">ATMs</a> — the lights are on, at least sometimes, but they have never completed a transaction as far as anyone I know can tell. Or they could be like the brand new coffee vending machine in the arrivals area. Despite its own instructions, for the life of me, I couldn’t find a slot on the machine to insert my money or any indication of how much it would cost.</p>
<p>Alas, I had to catch my plane without checking my email.</p>
<p>I’ll try again next time, if it’s still there.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Eric Talmadge, the AP’s Pyongyang bureau chief since 2013, has flown in and out of the North Korean capital’s airport dozens of times. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram: @erictalmadge</p>
| false | 2 |
pyongyang north korea ap north korea one least wififriendly countries world device emits wifi signals result detention major fine worse north korean public use internet concept makes north korean officials really nervous heres sign might changing north koreas main internet provider appears put wifi trial balloon international departure area pyongyangs airport logical place start service available even visible travelers already cleared customs included last week noticing new sign familiar wifi logo internet corner departures lobby decided give whirl flight fogged extra time didnt expect much internet corner handful terminals opened 2015 yet see anyone actually using first time tried attendants available keyboards desktops experience different young woman staffing internet service area told could use wifi 30 minutes paid 2 took passport number gave slip paper username password signal strongest near coffee shop router suggested log tried several times login incorrect according screen message went back internet corner asked help attendant apologetically came coffee shop tried together luck asked wait came back new username didnt work called supervisor cellphone tried final screen message got giving page could opened attendant took back internet corner refunded 2 none came particular shock airport wifi aspirational functional lot places ive essentially issues beijing minus helpful attendants way also relief logging unfamiliar wifi network especially airport opens phone kinds hacking mischief still pyongyang airport wifi ip address appeared phone would logical private network getting three bars coffee shop meaning something indeed moreover attendant seemed genuinely helpful pretty much anyone would similar situation customer clearly expected would able fix problem log also offered let use internet one desktop terminals suggesting actually functional maybe kinks need worked contrary popular belief everything north korea fake things certainly could wifi like airports still new atms lights least sometimes never completed transaction far anyone know tell could like brand new coffee vending machine arrivals area despite instructions life couldnt find slot machine insert money indication much would cost alas catch plane without checking email ill try next time still ___ eric talmadge aps pyongyang bureau chief since 2013 flown north korean capitals airport dozens times follow twitter instagram erictalmadge pyongyang north korea ap north korea one least wififriendly countries world device emits wifi signals result detention major fine worse north korean public use internet concept makes north korean officials really nervous heres sign might changing north koreas main internet provider appears put wifi trial balloon international departure area pyongyangs airport logical place start service available even visible travelers already cleared customs included last week noticing new sign familiar wifi logo internet corner departures lobby decided give whirl flight fogged extra time didnt expect much internet corner handful terminals opened 2015 yet see anyone actually using first time tried attendants available keyboards desktops experience different young woman staffing internet service area told could use wifi 30 minutes paid 2 took passport number gave slip paper username password signal strongest near coffee shop router suggested log tried several times login incorrect according screen message went back internet corner asked help attendant apologetically came coffee shop tried together luck asked wait came back new username didnt work called supervisor cellphone tried final screen message got giving page could opened attendant took back internet corner refunded 2 none came particular shock airport wifi aspirational functional lot places ive essentially issues beijing minus helpful attendants way also relief logging unfamiliar wifi network especially airport opens phone kinds hacking mischief still pyongyang airport wifi ip address appeared phone would logical private network getting three bars coffee shop meaning something indeed moreover attendant seemed genuinely helpful pretty much anyone would similar situation customer clearly expected would able fix problem log also offered let use internet one desktop terminals suggesting actually functional maybe kinks need worked contrary popular belief everything north korea fake things certainly could wifi like airports still new atms lights least sometimes never completed transaction far anyone know tell could like brand new coffee vending machine arrivals area despite instructions life couldnt find slot machine insert money indication much would cost alas catch plane without checking email ill try next time still ___ eric talmadge aps pyongyang bureau chief since 2013 flown north korean capitals airport dozens times follow twitter instagram erictalmadge
| 696 |
<p>MANKATO, Minn. (AP) — The Simmons family's last home had holes in the floor and their pipes often would freeze and sometimes burst because it got so cold inside in the winter.</p>
<p>Kelsey and Donald Simmons covered the holes with two-by-fours and made other improvisations they could afford on a tight budget. But they realized it wouldn't be long before their mobile home built in 1972 would no longer be inhabitable.</p>
<p>In November they moved into a newer, warm trailer with solid floors thanks to a partnership between the city of Mankato, Minnesota Valley Action Council and three mobile home parks, with support from a state grant.</p>
<p>The pilot program is replacing three dilapidated mobile homes with newer ones at no cost to the homeowners if they stay in their new home for 10 years, <a href="http://www.mankatofreepress.com/news/local_news/pilot-partnership-provides-new-homes-while-cleaning-up-mobile-home/article_ca616696-e5df-11e7-9806-0bf054a9ef2b.html" type="external">the Mankato Free Press reported</a> .</p>
<p>The Simmons family is the first recipient of a new residence. They moved into a 2002 home that was for sale in the Southhaven Mobile Home Community just blocks from their former home last month.</p>
<p>"This is the best thing I could ask for my family," Donald Simmons said. He and his wife worked hard to care for their former home but couldn't keep up with its constant repair needs, he said.</p>
<p>"This is a dream come true," Kelsey Simmons said, adding that even her two children are taking pride in their new home by taking their shoes off at the door and picking up their toys.</p>
<p>One resident of the Lime Valley Mobile Home Park and one resident of the University Park Mobile Home Community soon also will get new places to hang their hats.</p>
<p>"Really it's about making sure these folks have a safe, affordable home. Everyone deserves that," said Judd Schultz, housing services director for the Minnesota Valley Action Council.</p>
<p>Another goal is to remove blight in the mobile home parks. The vacated homes are demolished.</p>
<p>"It's not only helping that household, it's helping the park as well," Schultz said.</p>
<p>A state grant provided $79,000 toward the pilot project. The city of Mankato gave $40,000 of the federal funding it receives to support community development. The three participating mobile home parks each contributed $10,000.</p>
<p>Those dollars will fund purchase of three mobile homes as well as transportation and demolition costs.</p>
<p>Recipients of new homes must have an income of no more than $24,000 but enough so that they can afford lot rent, utilities and upkeep. They are given a 10-year no-interest loan that will be forgiven if they live in and maintain their replacement residence for 10 years.</p>
<p>Schultz and other project leaders hope the pilot will lead to more grants and participation from all seven of the mobile home parks in Mankato.</p>
<p>The project is the product of an initiative by the public safety and building inspections departments to build better connections with the mobile home parks.</p>
<p>Officers and inspectors now regularly visit the parks to identify and warn residents about code violations and meet with property managers about other concerns, said police Cmdr. Dan Schisel. City staff also works with Minnesota Valley Action Council to find grants and other resources to help residents fund home repairs.</p>
<p>"It sends the message that we're here and we care," Schisel said.</p>
<p>Southhaven Mobile Home Community Property Manager Ashley Bogenschutz said some of her residents previously weren't very receptive to the increased presence of city officers, but their attitudes are changing.</p>
<p>"I do believe that the tenants are happier," she said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Information from: The Free Press, <a href="http://www.mankatofreepress.com" type="external">http://www.mankatofreepress.com</a></p>
<p>MANKATO, Minn. (AP) — The Simmons family's last home had holes in the floor and their pipes often would freeze and sometimes burst because it got so cold inside in the winter.</p>
<p>Kelsey and Donald Simmons covered the holes with two-by-fours and made other improvisations they could afford on a tight budget. But they realized it wouldn't be long before their mobile home built in 1972 would no longer be inhabitable.</p>
<p>In November they moved into a newer, warm trailer with solid floors thanks to a partnership between the city of Mankato, Minnesota Valley Action Council and three mobile home parks, with support from a state grant.</p>
<p>The pilot program is replacing three dilapidated mobile homes with newer ones at no cost to the homeowners if they stay in their new home for 10 years, <a href="http://www.mankatofreepress.com/news/local_news/pilot-partnership-provides-new-homes-while-cleaning-up-mobile-home/article_ca616696-e5df-11e7-9806-0bf054a9ef2b.html" type="external">the Mankato Free Press reported</a> .</p>
<p>The Simmons family is the first recipient of a new residence. They moved into a 2002 home that was for sale in the Southhaven Mobile Home Community just blocks from their former home last month.</p>
<p>"This is the best thing I could ask for my family," Donald Simmons said. He and his wife worked hard to care for their former home but couldn't keep up with its constant repair needs, he said.</p>
<p>"This is a dream come true," Kelsey Simmons said, adding that even her two children are taking pride in their new home by taking their shoes off at the door and picking up their toys.</p>
<p>One resident of the Lime Valley Mobile Home Park and one resident of the University Park Mobile Home Community soon also will get new places to hang their hats.</p>
<p>"Really it's about making sure these folks have a safe, affordable home. Everyone deserves that," said Judd Schultz, housing services director for the Minnesota Valley Action Council.</p>
<p>Another goal is to remove blight in the mobile home parks. The vacated homes are demolished.</p>
<p>"It's not only helping that household, it's helping the park as well," Schultz said.</p>
<p>A state grant provided $79,000 toward the pilot project. The city of Mankato gave $40,000 of the federal funding it receives to support community development. The three participating mobile home parks each contributed $10,000.</p>
<p>Those dollars will fund purchase of three mobile homes as well as transportation and demolition costs.</p>
<p>Recipients of new homes must have an income of no more than $24,000 but enough so that they can afford lot rent, utilities and upkeep. They are given a 10-year no-interest loan that will be forgiven if they live in and maintain their replacement residence for 10 years.</p>
<p>Schultz and other project leaders hope the pilot will lead to more grants and participation from all seven of the mobile home parks in Mankato.</p>
<p>The project is the product of an initiative by the public safety and building inspections departments to build better connections with the mobile home parks.</p>
<p>Officers and inspectors now regularly visit the parks to identify and warn residents about code violations and meet with property managers about other concerns, said police Cmdr. Dan Schisel. City staff also works with Minnesota Valley Action Council to find grants and other resources to help residents fund home repairs.</p>
<p>"It sends the message that we're here and we care," Schisel said.</p>
<p>Southhaven Mobile Home Community Property Manager Ashley Bogenschutz said some of her residents previously weren't very receptive to the increased presence of city officers, but their attitudes are changing.</p>
<p>"I do believe that the tenants are happier," she said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Information from: The Free Press, <a href="http://www.mankatofreepress.com" type="external">http://www.mankatofreepress.com</a></p>
| false | 2 |
mankato minn ap simmons familys last home holes floor pipes often would freeze sometimes burst got cold inside winter kelsey donald simmons covered holes twobyfours made improvisations could afford tight budget realized wouldnt long mobile home built 1972 would longer inhabitable november moved newer warm trailer solid floors thanks partnership city mankato minnesota valley action council three mobile home parks support state grant pilot program replacing three dilapidated mobile homes newer ones cost homeowners stay new home 10 years mankato free press reported simmons family first recipient new residence moved 2002 home sale southhaven mobile home community blocks former home last month best thing could ask family donald simmons said wife worked hard care former home couldnt keep constant repair needs said dream come true kelsey simmons said adding even two children taking pride new home taking shoes door picking toys one resident lime valley mobile home park one resident university park mobile home community soon also get new places hang hats really making sure folks safe affordable home everyone deserves said judd schultz housing services director minnesota valley action council another goal remove blight mobile home parks vacated homes demolished helping household helping park well schultz said state grant provided 79000 toward pilot project city mankato gave 40000 federal funding receives support community development three participating mobile home parks contributed 10000 dollars fund purchase three mobile homes well transportation demolition costs recipients new homes must income 24000 enough afford lot rent utilities upkeep given 10year nointerest loan forgiven live maintain replacement residence 10 years schultz project leaders hope pilot lead grants participation seven mobile home parks mankato project product initiative public safety building inspections departments build better connections mobile home parks officers inspectors regularly visit parks identify warn residents code violations meet property managers concerns said police cmdr dan schisel city staff also works minnesota valley action council find grants resources help residents fund home repairs sends message care schisel said southhaven mobile home community property manager ashley bogenschutz said residents previously werent receptive increased presence city officers attitudes changing believe tenants happier said ___ information free press httpwwwmankatofreepresscom mankato minn ap simmons familys last home holes floor pipes often would freeze sometimes burst got cold inside winter kelsey donald simmons covered holes twobyfours made improvisations could afford tight budget realized wouldnt long mobile home built 1972 would longer inhabitable november moved newer warm trailer solid floors thanks partnership city mankato minnesota valley action council three mobile home parks support state grant pilot program replacing three dilapidated mobile homes newer ones cost homeowners stay new home 10 years mankato free press reported simmons family first recipient new residence moved 2002 home sale southhaven mobile home community blocks former home last month best thing could ask family donald simmons said wife worked hard care former home couldnt keep constant repair needs said dream come true kelsey simmons said adding even two children taking pride new home taking shoes door picking toys one resident lime valley mobile home park one resident university park mobile home community soon also get new places hang hats really making sure folks safe affordable home everyone deserves said judd schultz housing services director minnesota valley action council another goal remove blight mobile home parks vacated homes demolished helping household helping park well schultz said state grant provided 79000 toward pilot project city mankato gave 40000 federal funding receives support community development three participating mobile home parks contributed 10000 dollars fund purchase three mobile homes well transportation demolition costs recipients new homes must income 24000 enough afford lot rent utilities upkeep given 10year nointerest loan forgiven live maintain replacement residence 10 years schultz project leaders hope pilot lead grants participation seven mobile home parks mankato project product initiative public safety building inspections departments build better connections mobile home parks officers inspectors regularly visit parks identify warn residents code violations meet property managers concerns said police cmdr dan schisel city staff also works minnesota valley action council find grants resources help residents fund home repairs sends message care schisel said southhaven mobile home community property manager ashley bogenschutz said residents previously werent receptive increased presence city officers attitudes changing believe tenants happier said ___ information free press httpwwwmankatofreepresscom
| 700 |
<p>PLEASANT GROVE, Utah (AP) — With a name like the Truffle Cottage, you might be surprised at how this Pleasant Grove custom chocolate business made a name for itself.</p>
<p>Hint: It had very little to do with hearts or flowers, and very much to do with superheroes and frozen Han Solos.</p>
<p>The Truffle Cottage has been quietly operating since 2013 in the basement of Jennie Hales’ 150-year-old home in Pleasant Grove. In her commercial kitchen there, she creates custom chocolate truffle creations that regularly sell out at comic fan conventions across the nation.</p>
<p>After first sharing her uniquely-flavored truffles with family and friends, she did a booth five years ago at Strawberry Days, Pleasant Grove’s city celebration. A friend approached her, saying she could get Hales a booth at the new Salt Lake Comic Convention that year, and asked her, was she in?</p>
<p>“I said yes, and then got off the phone and had to Google what a comic con was,” Hales said laughing.</p>
<p>Hales created custom Star Wars, Spiderman and Batman truffles for the convention, which sold out the first day. She spent the next two days handcrafting truffles around the clock, while her husband, Paul, and a friend shuttled the chocolates to and from the Con and manned the booth there. They consistently sold out.</p>
<p>Hales knew they’d hit upon something unique, and she signed on to the FanX convention that year. She then started doing the convention circuit.</p>
<p>“That was the beginning of Truffle Cottage, and we’re still doing Cons,” Hales said.</p>
<p>She and her small team are now a regular presence at fan conventions in Utah, Washington state, Texas, Colorado, California, Florida and even Canada. After rounds of nonstop crafting, she regularly carries thousands of chocolate pieces to each convention. Not only have her truffles been eagerly snatched up by the cosplay hordes, but she even has a few celebrities among her fan base, including: Alex Kingston of “ER” and “Doctor Who” fame, Catherine Tate also of “Doctor Who” and “The Office,” and Matthew Lewis of the “Harry Potter” films. She even has her own sweet Carrie Fisher tale.</p>
<p>Toward the end of a Portland fan convention, Fisher was walking by Hales’ Truffle Cottage booth with her entourage, when she stopped.</p>
<p>“She said, ‘I will take all of the Han Solos in Carbonite,’ then she went on. Her handlers gathered them all up and paid for them,” Hales said.</p>
<p>To honor Fisher’s death last year, Hales sold special Millennium Falcons, light sabers, Death Stars, and of course, Han Solo truffles. Her Star Wars collection continues to be a favorite in online sales through thetrufflecottage.com and at conventions.</p>
<p>Hales is a masterful inventor of sorts, and her medium is creamy chocolate. Her Death Star truffles are highly detailed, hollow chocolate spheres housing toffee balls. Her “Game of Thrones” Dragon Eggs house a baby dragon inside their shells. She’s created drones for BYUtv’s newest series, “Extinct,” and sonic screwdrivers for the BBC. Locally, she created chocolate rebar for a Western States Rebar business event.</p>
<p>“We really can do anything in chocolate,” she adds.</p>
<p>From conventions, the Truffle Cottage branched into the corporate world, and her truffles have recently graced the table of almost every major business summit in Utah. Her team monograms summit logos, titles or phrases on truffles of all sizes and flavors.</p>
<p>Though her focus is on appearance, she has not forgotten about flavor — as she explains, if her truffles didn’t taste good, people wouldn’t keep coming back, and she wouldn’t continue to sell out.</p>
<p>Hales hoped to open a Pleasant Grove storefront in November, so she could have fresh product always on hand for her online orders, but construction delays set that plan back. She plans to hold a grand opening for the space in time for Valentine’s Day.</p>
<p>“It’s a very taxing business, but very rewarding,” Hales said last week during a small break during her holiday season culinary crafting. “The Truffle Cottage has been to some interesting places.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Information from: The Daily Herald, <a href="http://www.heraldextra.com" type="external" /> <a href="http://www.heraldextra.com" type="external">http://www.heraldextra.com</a></p>
<p>PLEASANT GROVE, Utah (AP) — With a name like the Truffle Cottage, you might be surprised at how this Pleasant Grove custom chocolate business made a name for itself.</p>
<p>Hint: It had very little to do with hearts or flowers, and very much to do with superheroes and frozen Han Solos.</p>
<p>The Truffle Cottage has been quietly operating since 2013 in the basement of Jennie Hales’ 150-year-old home in Pleasant Grove. In her commercial kitchen there, she creates custom chocolate truffle creations that regularly sell out at comic fan conventions across the nation.</p>
<p>After first sharing her uniquely-flavored truffles with family and friends, she did a booth five years ago at Strawberry Days, Pleasant Grove’s city celebration. A friend approached her, saying she could get Hales a booth at the new Salt Lake Comic Convention that year, and asked her, was she in?</p>
<p>“I said yes, and then got off the phone and had to Google what a comic con was,” Hales said laughing.</p>
<p>Hales created custom Star Wars, Spiderman and Batman truffles for the convention, which sold out the first day. She spent the next two days handcrafting truffles around the clock, while her husband, Paul, and a friend shuttled the chocolates to and from the Con and manned the booth there. They consistently sold out.</p>
<p>Hales knew they’d hit upon something unique, and she signed on to the FanX convention that year. She then started doing the convention circuit.</p>
<p>“That was the beginning of Truffle Cottage, and we’re still doing Cons,” Hales said.</p>
<p>She and her small team are now a regular presence at fan conventions in Utah, Washington state, Texas, Colorado, California, Florida and even Canada. After rounds of nonstop crafting, she regularly carries thousands of chocolate pieces to each convention. Not only have her truffles been eagerly snatched up by the cosplay hordes, but she even has a few celebrities among her fan base, including: Alex Kingston of “ER” and “Doctor Who” fame, Catherine Tate also of “Doctor Who” and “The Office,” and Matthew Lewis of the “Harry Potter” films. She even has her own sweet Carrie Fisher tale.</p>
<p>Toward the end of a Portland fan convention, Fisher was walking by Hales’ Truffle Cottage booth with her entourage, when she stopped.</p>
<p>“She said, ‘I will take all of the Han Solos in Carbonite,’ then she went on. Her handlers gathered them all up and paid for them,” Hales said.</p>
<p>To honor Fisher’s death last year, Hales sold special Millennium Falcons, light sabers, Death Stars, and of course, Han Solo truffles. Her Star Wars collection continues to be a favorite in online sales through thetrufflecottage.com and at conventions.</p>
<p>Hales is a masterful inventor of sorts, and her medium is creamy chocolate. Her Death Star truffles are highly detailed, hollow chocolate spheres housing toffee balls. Her “Game of Thrones” Dragon Eggs house a baby dragon inside their shells. She’s created drones for BYUtv’s newest series, “Extinct,” and sonic screwdrivers for the BBC. Locally, she created chocolate rebar for a Western States Rebar business event.</p>
<p>“We really can do anything in chocolate,” she adds.</p>
<p>From conventions, the Truffle Cottage branched into the corporate world, and her truffles have recently graced the table of almost every major business summit in Utah. Her team monograms summit logos, titles or phrases on truffles of all sizes and flavors.</p>
<p>Though her focus is on appearance, she has not forgotten about flavor — as she explains, if her truffles didn’t taste good, people wouldn’t keep coming back, and she wouldn’t continue to sell out.</p>
<p>Hales hoped to open a Pleasant Grove storefront in November, so she could have fresh product always on hand for her online orders, but construction delays set that plan back. She plans to hold a grand opening for the space in time for Valentine’s Day.</p>
<p>“It’s a very taxing business, but very rewarding,” Hales said last week during a small break during her holiday season culinary crafting. “The Truffle Cottage has been to some interesting places.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Information from: The Daily Herald, <a href="http://www.heraldextra.com" type="external" /> <a href="http://www.heraldextra.com" type="external">http://www.heraldextra.com</a></p>
| false | 2 |
pleasant grove utah ap name like truffle cottage might surprised pleasant grove custom chocolate business made name hint little hearts flowers much superheroes frozen han solos truffle cottage quietly operating since 2013 basement jennie hales 150yearold home pleasant grove commercial kitchen creates custom chocolate truffle creations regularly sell comic fan conventions across nation first sharing uniquelyflavored truffles family friends booth five years ago strawberry days pleasant groves city celebration friend approached saying could get hales booth new salt lake comic convention year asked said yes got phone google comic con hales said laughing hales created custom star wars spiderman batman truffles convention sold first day spent next two days handcrafting truffles around clock husband paul friend shuttled chocolates con manned booth consistently sold hales knew theyd hit upon something unique signed fanx convention year started convention circuit beginning truffle cottage still cons hales said small team regular presence fan conventions utah washington state texas colorado california florida even canada rounds nonstop crafting regularly carries thousands chocolate pieces convention truffles eagerly snatched cosplay hordes even celebrities among fan base including alex kingston er doctor fame catherine tate also doctor office matthew lewis harry potter films even sweet carrie fisher tale toward end portland fan convention fisher walking hales truffle cottage booth entourage stopped said take han solos carbonite went handlers gathered paid hales said honor fishers death last year hales sold special millennium falcons light sabers death stars course han solo truffles star wars collection continues favorite online sales thetrufflecottagecom conventions hales masterful inventor sorts medium creamy chocolate death star truffles highly detailed hollow chocolate spheres housing toffee balls game thrones dragon eggs house baby dragon inside shells shes created drones byutvs newest series extinct sonic screwdrivers bbc locally created chocolate rebar western states rebar business event really anything chocolate adds conventions truffle cottage branched corporate world truffles recently graced table almost every major business summit utah team monograms summit logos titles phrases truffles sizes flavors though focus appearance forgotten flavor explains truffles didnt taste good people wouldnt keep coming back wouldnt continue sell hales hoped open pleasant grove storefront november could fresh product always hand online orders construction delays set plan back plans hold grand opening space time valentines day taxing business rewarding hales said last week small break holiday season culinary crafting truffle cottage interesting places ___ information daily herald httpwwwheraldextracom pleasant grove utah ap name like truffle cottage might surprised pleasant grove custom chocolate business made name hint little hearts flowers much superheroes frozen han solos truffle cottage quietly operating since 2013 basement jennie hales 150yearold home pleasant grove commercial kitchen creates custom chocolate truffle creations regularly sell comic fan conventions across nation first sharing uniquelyflavored truffles family friends booth five years ago strawberry days pleasant groves city celebration friend approached saying could get hales booth new salt lake comic convention year asked said yes got phone google comic con hales said laughing hales created custom star wars spiderman batman truffles convention sold first day spent next two days handcrafting truffles around clock husband paul friend shuttled chocolates con manned booth consistently sold hales knew theyd hit upon something unique signed fanx convention year started convention circuit beginning truffle cottage still cons hales said small team regular presence fan conventions utah washington state texas colorado california florida even canada rounds nonstop crafting regularly carries thousands chocolate pieces convention truffles eagerly snatched cosplay hordes even celebrities among fan base including alex kingston er doctor fame catherine tate also doctor office matthew lewis harry potter films even sweet carrie fisher tale toward end portland fan convention fisher walking hales truffle cottage booth entourage stopped said take han solos carbonite went handlers gathered paid hales said honor fishers death last year hales sold special millennium falcons light sabers death stars course han solo truffles star wars collection continues favorite online sales thetrufflecottagecom conventions hales masterful inventor sorts medium creamy chocolate death star truffles highly detailed hollow chocolate spheres housing toffee balls game thrones dragon eggs house baby dragon inside shells shes created drones byutvs newest series extinct sonic screwdrivers bbc locally created chocolate rebar western states rebar business event really anything chocolate adds conventions truffle cottage branched corporate world truffles recently graced table almost every major business summit utah team monograms summit logos titles phrases truffles sizes flavors though focus appearance forgotten flavor explains truffles didnt taste good people wouldnt keep coming back wouldnt continue sell hales hoped open pleasant grove storefront november could fresh product always hand online orders construction delays set plan back plans hold grand opening space time valentines day taxing business rewarding hales said last week small break holiday season culinary crafting truffle cottage interesting places ___ information daily herald httpwwwheraldextracom
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<p />
<p>The documents describe clandestine methods for bypassing or defeating encryption, antivirus tools and other protective security features intended to keep the private information of citizens and corporations safe from prying eyes. U.S. government employees, including President Donald Trump, use many of the same products and internet services purportedly compromised by the tools.</p>
<p>The documents describe CIA efforts — cooperating with friendly foreign governments and the U.S. National Security Agency — to subvert the world’s most popular technology platforms, including Apple’s iPhones and iPads, Google’s Android phones and the Microsoft Windows operating system for desktop computers and laptops.</p>
<p>The documents also include discussions about compromising some internet-connected televisions to turn them into listening posts. One document discusses hacking vehicle systems, indicating the CIA’s interest in hacking modern cars with sophisticated on-board computers.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>WikiLeaks has a long track record of releasing top secret government documents, and experts who sifted through the material said it appeared legitimate.</p>
<p>The chairman of the House intelligence committee, Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., said he was very concerned about the release and had asked the intelligence community for more information about it.</p>
<p>Former CIA Director Mike Hayden told MSNBC he had undertaken only a cursory review of the documents, but that if they were what they were purported to be, it would amount to a “very extensive file of the tactics, techniques, procedures, targets and other political rules” under which the CIA hacks targets. “If it is that, it would be very, very damaging,” he said.</p>
<p>Jonathan Liu, a spokesman for the CIA, said: “We do not comment on the authenticity or content of purported intelligence documents.” White House spokesman Sean Spicer also declined comment.</p>
<p>Missing from WikiLeaks’ trove are the actual hacking tools themselves, some of which were developed by government hackers while others were purchased from outsiders. WikiLeaks said it planned to avoid distributing tools “until a consensus emerges” on the political nature of the CIA’s program and how such software could be analyzed, disarmed and published.</p>
<p>Tuesday’s disclosure left anxious consumers who use the products with little recourse, since repairing the software vulnerabilities in ways that might block the tools’ effectiveness is the responsibility of leading technology companies. The revelations threatened to upend confidence in an Obama-era government program, the Vulnerability Equities Process, under which federal agencies warn technology companies about weaknesses in their software so they can be quickly fixed.</p>
<p>It was not immediately clear how WikiLeaks obtained the information, and details in the documents could not immediately be verified. WikiLeaks said the material came from “an isolated, high-security network” inside the CIA’s Center for Cyber Intelligence but didn’t say whether the files were removed by a rogue employee or whether the theft involved hacking a federal contractor working for the CIA or perhaps breaking into a staging server where such information might have been temporarily stored.</p>
<p>“The archive appears to have been circulated among former U.S. government hackers and contractors in an unauthorized manner, one of whom has provided WikiLeaks with portions of the archive,” WikiLeaks said in a statement.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Some technology firms on Tuesday said they were evaluating the information. Microsoft Corp. said it was looking into the report, while the maker of secure messaging app Signal said the purported CIA tools affected users’ actual phones and not its software design or encryption protocols.</p>
<p>The manufacturer of the popular Telegram mobile messaging app said in a statement that manufacturers of cellphones and their operating systems, including Apple, Google and Samsung, were responsible for improving the security of their devices. It said the effort will require “many hours of work and many security updates” and assured its customers that “If the CIA is not on your back, you shouldn’t start worrying yet.”</p>
<p>The tools described in the documents carried bizarre names, including Time Stomper, Fight Club, Jukebox, Bartender, Wild Turkey, Margarita and “RickyBobby,” a racecar-driving character in the comedy film, “Talladega Nights.”</p>
<p>That RickyBobby tool, the documents said, was intended to plant and harvest files on computers running “newer versions of Microsoft Windows and Windows Server.” It operated “as a lightweight implant for target computers” without raising warnings from antivirus or intrusion-detection software. It took advantage of files Microsoft built into Windows since at least 10 years ago.</p>
<p>The files include comments by CIA hackers boasting in slang language of their prowess: “You know we got the dankest Trojans and collection tools,” one reads.</p>
<p>The documents show broad exchanges of tools and information among the CIA, NSA and other U.S. intelligence agencies, as well as intelligence services of close allies Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.</p>
<p>WikiLeaks claimed the CIA used both its Langley, Virginia, headquarters and the U.S. consulate in Frankfurt, Germany, as bases for its covert hackers. The AP found that one purported CIA hack that imitates the Domain Name System — the internet’s phone book — traced to an internet domain hosted in Germany.</p>
<p>In an unusual move, WikiLeaks said it was withholding some secrets inside the documents. Among them, it said it had withheld details of tens of thousands of “CIA targets and attack machines throughout Latin America, Europe and the United States.”</p>
<p>WikiLeaks also said its data included a “substantial library” of digital espionage techniques borrowed from other countries, including Russia.</p>
<p>If the authenticity of the documents is officially confirmed, it would represent yet another catastrophic breach for the U.S. intelligence community at the hands of WikiLeaks and its allies, which have repeatedly humbled Washington with the mass release of classified material, including from the State Department and the Pentagon.</p>
<p>Tuesday’s documents purported to be from the CIA’s “Embedded Development Branch” discuss techniques for injecting malicious code into computers protected by the personal security products of leading international anti-virus companies. They describe ways to trick anti-virus products from companies including Russia-based Kaspersky Lab, Romania-based BitDefender, Dutch-based AVG Technologies, F-Secure of Finland and Rising Antivirus, a Chinese company.</p>
<p>In the new trove, programmers also posted instructions for how to access user names and passwords in popular internet browsers like Microsoft Internet Explorer, Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.</p>
<p>Some documents were classified “secret” or “top secret” and not for distribution to foreign nationals. One file said those classifications would protect deployed hacks from being “attributed” to the U.S. government. The practice of attribution, or identifying who was behind an intrusion, has been difficult for investigators probing sophisticated hacks that likely came from powerful nation-states.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Satter reported from Paris. Associated Press writers Stephen Braun, Vivian Salama, Frank Bajak, Tammy Webber and Michael Liedtke contributed to this report.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow Jack Gillum on Twitter at https://twitter.com/jackgillum or Raphael Satter at https://twitter.com/razhael . Both can be reached at https://www.ap.org/tips .</p>
| false | 2 |
documents describe clandestine methods bypassing defeating encryption antivirus tools protective security features intended keep private information citizens corporations safe prying eyes us government employees including president donald trump use many products internet services purportedly compromised tools documents describe cia efforts cooperating friendly foreign governments us national security agency subvert worlds popular technology platforms including apples iphones ipads googles android phones microsoft windows operating system desktop computers laptops documents also include discussions compromising internetconnected televisions turn listening posts one document discusses hacking vehicle systems indicating cias interest hacking modern cars sophisticated onboard computers advertisement wikileaks long track record releasing top secret government documents experts sifted material said appeared legitimate chairman house intelligence committee rep devin nunes rcalif said concerned release asked intelligence community information former cia director mike hayden told msnbc undertaken cursory review documents purported would amount extensive file tactics techniques procedures targets political rules cia hacks targets would damaging said jonathan liu spokesman cia said comment authenticity content purported intelligence documents white house spokesman sean spicer also declined comment missing wikileaks trove actual hacking tools developed government hackers others purchased outsiders wikileaks said planned avoid distributing tools consensus emerges political nature cias program software could analyzed disarmed published tuesdays disclosure left anxious consumers use products little recourse since repairing software vulnerabilities ways might block tools effectiveness responsibility leading technology companies revelations threatened upend confidence obamaera government program vulnerability equities process federal agencies warn technology companies weaknesses software quickly fixed immediately clear wikileaks obtained information details documents could immediately verified wikileaks said material came isolated highsecurity network inside cias center cyber intelligence didnt say whether files removed rogue employee whether theft involved hacking federal contractor working cia perhaps breaking staging server information might temporarily stored archive appears circulated among former us government hackers contractors unauthorized manner one provided wikileaks portions archive wikileaks said statement advertisement technology firms tuesday said evaluating information microsoft corp said looking report maker secure messaging app signal said purported cia tools affected users actual phones software design encryption protocols manufacturer popular telegram mobile messaging app said statement manufacturers cellphones operating systems including apple google samsung responsible improving security devices said effort require many hours work many security updates assured customers cia back shouldnt start worrying yet tools described documents carried bizarre names including time stomper fight club jukebox bartender wild turkey margarita rickybobby racecardriving character comedy film talladega nights rickybobby tool documents said intended plant harvest files computers running newer versions microsoft windows windows server operated lightweight implant target computers without raising warnings antivirus intrusiondetection software took advantage files microsoft built windows since least 10 years ago files include comments cia hackers boasting slang language prowess know got dankest trojans collection tools one reads documents show broad exchanges tools information among cia nsa us intelligence agencies well intelligence services close allies australia canada new zealand united kingdom wikileaks claimed cia used langley virginia headquarters us consulate frankfurt germany bases covert hackers ap found one purported cia hack imitates domain name system internets phone book traced internet domain hosted germany unusual move wikileaks said withholding secrets inside documents among said withheld details tens thousands cia targets attack machines throughout latin america europe united states wikileaks also said data included substantial library digital espionage techniques borrowed countries including russia authenticity documents officially confirmed would represent yet another catastrophic breach us intelligence community hands wikileaks allies repeatedly humbled washington mass release classified material including state department pentagon tuesdays documents purported cias embedded development branch discuss techniques injecting malicious code computers protected personal security products leading international antivirus companies describe ways trick antivirus products companies including russiabased kaspersky lab romaniabased bitdefender dutchbased avg technologies fsecure finland rising antivirus chinese company new trove programmers also posted instructions access user names passwords popular internet browsers like microsoft internet explorer google chrome mozilla firefox documents classified secret top secret distribution foreign nationals one file said classifications would protect deployed hacks attributed us government practice attribution identifying behind intrusion difficult investigators probing sophisticated hacks likely came powerful nationstates ___ satter reported paris associated press writers stephen braun vivian salama frank bajak tammy webber michael liedtke contributed report ___ follow jack gillum twitter httpstwittercomjackgillum raphael satter httpstwittercomrazhael reached httpswwwaporgtips
| 694 |
<p>People who use rent-to-own stores often end up paying twice the retail price — or more — for anything they buy.</p>
<p>So why do millions of people rent to own?</p>
<p>Researchers say people who patronize rent-to-own outlets aren’t being stupid, necessarily. Instead, they’re falling prey to the kinds of irrational thinking that plague most humans along with the limited options facing low-income people with bad, nonexistent or maxed out credit.</p>
<p>“If you talk to rent-to-own customers, you’ll find out that nobody thinks this is cheap,” says Jim Hawkins, a professor at the University of Houston Law Center who has researched the industry. “Everybody knows this is a costly way to buy.”</p>
<p>The primary appeal of rent-to-own is that it provides immediate access to household goods without having to save or make a long-term commitment — two things that are especially difficult for low-earning families who are less likely to have predictable incomes than wealthier families.</p>
<p>WHY PAYMENTS ARE MORE ATTRACTIVE THAN SAVING</p>
<p>Customers can get brand-name furniture, appliances or electronics (market leader Rent-A-Center’s motto is “Get the Good Stuff Today”) with no credit checks or down payments and relatively low monthly or weekly payments.</p>
<p>Rent-to-own companies typically offer free delivery, setup and service if items need repairs, a huge plus, because many families don’t have savings to pay for unexpected expenses. (The Federal Reserve says 44 percent of U.S. adults couldn’t come up with $400 in an emergency.)</p>
<p>If customers can’t make the payments, the items can be returned without triggering collections activity or damage to credit reports. Because low-income families often lack savings cushions to deal with financial shocks, they’re willing to pay a hefty premium for the flexibility of “a completely escapable contract,” researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found.</p>
<p>“An external observer might note that they are paying a huge price for those features, and they are,” says researcher Brian Zikmund-Fisher, who is now a professor at the University of Michigan. “But it’s difficult for someone looking at these contracts from a place of financial stability and wealth to truly understand the experience of financial uncertainty that many people live with.”</p>
<p>WHERE CASH IS RISKY</p>
<p>Zikmund-Fisher and his colleague Andrew Parker found many customers who struggled to save money instead employed rent-to-own contracts as a financial management tool. Low-income people often fear any money they save will disappear into other spending when their incomes drop, or get eaten up by bank fees, or disqualify them from some public benefits, while payments required by a rent-to-own contract allow them to purchase goods they couldn’t otherwise get.</p>
<p>“They used (rent-to-own contracts) as a self-control mechanism: It forced them to put money towards durable goods on literally a weekly basis,” Zikmund-Fisher says.</p>
<p>That still doesn’t make renting-to-own a good idea. Buying stuff you really can’t afford rarely is.</p>
<p>The difference is that higher-income people and those with better credit can put their inadvisable purchases on plastic at much lower effective interest rates. Someone who charges a $450 television on a card with a 20 percent interest rate will pay $89.49 interest over 22 months, if she makes minimum payments. To buy the same TV, a rent-to-own customer might make 52 weekly payments of $20 and spend $1,040 — $590 more than the cash price.</p>
<p>Although customers may understand the cost is high, many don’t understand exactly how high or appreciate how rent-to-own — like payday loans, auto title loans and other products that target low-income consumers — can erode their <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/financial-literacy/?trk=nw-synd_442_0_0" type="external">financial well-being</a> , says economist Signe-Mary McKernan, an expert on wealth-building and poverty for the Urban Institute, an economic and social policy think tank.</p>
<p>McKernan thinks the solution lies not in regulating these businesses out of existence, but helping low-income families get in the habit of saving despite the obstacles. She encourages people to make savings automatic, look for low-fee bank accounts and learn about asset limits for benefit programs like food assistance, since those may be higher than people think.</p>
<p>“The idea is to make it easier to create savings so they need these products less,” McKernan says.</p>
<p>_______</p>
<p>This column was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website <a href="https://nerd.me/home" type="external">NerdWallet</a> .</p>
<p>Liz Weston is a columnist at NerdWallet, a certified financial planner and author of “Your Credit Score.” Email: <a href="http://elvisb.ap.org/News/Stories/CTCB-2017-Oct-25-000501/[email protected]" type="external">[email protected]</a> . Twitter: @lizweston.</p>
<p>RELATED LINKS:</p>
<p>NerdWallet: What’s your financial well-being score?</p>
<p><a href="https://nerd.me/financial-health-quiz" type="external">https://nerd.me/financial-health-quiz</a></p>
<p>NerdWallet: A risky, costly way to buy home goods</p>
<p><a href="https://nerd.me/rent-a-center" type="external">https://nerd.me/rent-a-center</a></p>
<p>People who use rent-to-own stores often end up paying twice the retail price — or more — for anything they buy.</p>
<p>So why do millions of people rent to own?</p>
<p>Researchers say people who patronize rent-to-own outlets aren’t being stupid, necessarily. Instead, they’re falling prey to the kinds of irrational thinking that plague most humans along with the limited options facing low-income people with bad, nonexistent or maxed out credit.</p>
<p>“If you talk to rent-to-own customers, you’ll find out that nobody thinks this is cheap,” says Jim Hawkins, a professor at the University of Houston Law Center who has researched the industry. “Everybody knows this is a costly way to buy.”</p>
<p>The primary appeal of rent-to-own is that it provides immediate access to household goods without having to save or make a long-term commitment — two things that are especially difficult for low-earning families who are less likely to have predictable incomes than wealthier families.</p>
<p>WHY PAYMENTS ARE MORE ATTRACTIVE THAN SAVING</p>
<p>Customers can get brand-name furniture, appliances or electronics (market leader Rent-A-Center’s motto is “Get the Good Stuff Today”) with no credit checks or down payments and relatively low monthly or weekly payments.</p>
<p>Rent-to-own companies typically offer free delivery, setup and service if items need repairs, a huge plus, because many families don’t have savings to pay for unexpected expenses. (The Federal Reserve says 44 percent of U.S. adults couldn’t come up with $400 in an emergency.)</p>
<p>If customers can’t make the payments, the items can be returned without triggering collections activity or damage to credit reports. Because low-income families often lack savings cushions to deal with financial shocks, they’re willing to pay a hefty premium for the flexibility of “a completely escapable contract,” researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found.</p>
<p>“An external observer might note that they are paying a huge price for those features, and they are,” says researcher Brian Zikmund-Fisher, who is now a professor at the University of Michigan. “But it’s difficult for someone looking at these contracts from a place of financial stability and wealth to truly understand the experience of financial uncertainty that many people live with.”</p>
<p>WHERE CASH IS RISKY</p>
<p>Zikmund-Fisher and his colleague Andrew Parker found many customers who struggled to save money instead employed rent-to-own contracts as a financial management tool. Low-income people often fear any money they save will disappear into other spending when their incomes drop, or get eaten up by bank fees, or disqualify them from some public benefits, while payments required by a rent-to-own contract allow them to purchase goods they couldn’t otherwise get.</p>
<p>“They used (rent-to-own contracts) as a self-control mechanism: It forced them to put money towards durable goods on literally a weekly basis,” Zikmund-Fisher says.</p>
<p>That still doesn’t make renting-to-own a good idea. Buying stuff you really can’t afford rarely is.</p>
<p>The difference is that higher-income people and those with better credit can put their inadvisable purchases on plastic at much lower effective interest rates. Someone who charges a $450 television on a card with a 20 percent interest rate will pay $89.49 interest over 22 months, if she makes minimum payments. To buy the same TV, a rent-to-own customer might make 52 weekly payments of $20 and spend $1,040 — $590 more than the cash price.</p>
<p>Although customers may understand the cost is high, many don’t understand exactly how high or appreciate how rent-to-own — like payday loans, auto title loans and other products that target low-income consumers — can erode their <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/financial-literacy/?trk=nw-synd_442_0_0" type="external">financial well-being</a> , says economist Signe-Mary McKernan, an expert on wealth-building and poverty for the Urban Institute, an economic and social policy think tank.</p>
<p>McKernan thinks the solution lies not in regulating these businesses out of existence, but helping low-income families get in the habit of saving despite the obstacles. She encourages people to make savings automatic, look for low-fee bank accounts and learn about asset limits for benefit programs like food assistance, since those may be higher than people think.</p>
<p>“The idea is to make it easier to create savings so they need these products less,” McKernan says.</p>
<p>_______</p>
<p>This column was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website <a href="https://nerd.me/home" type="external">NerdWallet</a> .</p>
<p>Liz Weston is a columnist at NerdWallet, a certified financial planner and author of “Your Credit Score.” Email: <a href="http://elvisb.ap.org/News/Stories/CTCB-2017-Oct-25-000501/[email protected]" type="external">[email protected]</a> . Twitter: @lizweston.</p>
<p>RELATED LINKS:</p>
<p>NerdWallet: What’s your financial well-being score?</p>
<p><a href="https://nerd.me/financial-health-quiz" type="external">https://nerd.me/financial-health-quiz</a></p>
<p>NerdWallet: A risky, costly way to buy home goods</p>
<p><a href="https://nerd.me/rent-a-center" type="external">https://nerd.me/rent-a-center</a></p>
| false | 2 |
people use renttoown stores often end paying twice retail price anything buy millions people rent researchers say people patronize renttoown outlets arent stupid necessarily instead theyre falling prey kinds irrational thinking plague humans along limited options facing lowincome people bad nonexistent maxed credit talk renttoown customers youll find nobody thinks cheap says jim hawkins professor university houston law center researched industry everybody knows costly way buy primary appeal renttoown provides immediate access household goods without save make longterm commitment two things especially difficult lowearning families less likely predictable incomes wealthier families payments attractive saving customers get brandname furniture appliances electronics market leader rentacenters motto get good stuff today credit checks payments relatively low monthly weekly payments renttoown companies typically offer free delivery setup service items need repairs huge plus many families dont savings pay unexpected expenses federal reserve says 44 percent us adults couldnt come 400 emergency customers cant make payments items returned without triggering collections activity damage credit reports lowincome families often lack savings cushions deal financial shocks theyre willing pay hefty premium flexibility completely escapable contract researchers carnegie mellon university found external observer might note paying huge price features says researcher brian zikmundfisher professor university michigan difficult someone looking contracts place financial stability wealth truly understand experience financial uncertainty many people live cash risky zikmundfisher colleague andrew parker found many customers struggled save money instead employed renttoown contracts financial management tool lowincome people often fear money save disappear spending incomes drop get eaten bank fees disqualify public benefits payments required renttoown contract allow purchase goods couldnt otherwise get used renttoown contracts selfcontrol mechanism forced put money towards durable goods literally weekly basis zikmundfisher says still doesnt make rentingtoown good idea buying stuff really cant afford rarely difference higherincome people better credit put inadvisable purchases plastic much lower effective interest rates someone charges 450 television card 20 percent interest rate pay 8949 interest 22 months makes minimum payments buy tv renttoown customer might make 52 weekly payments 20 spend 1040 590 cash price although customers may understand cost high many dont understand exactly high appreciate renttoown like payday loans auto title loans products target lowincome consumers erode financial wellbeing says economist signemary mckernan expert wealthbuilding poverty urban institute economic social policy think tank mckernan thinks solution lies regulating businesses existence helping lowincome families get habit saving despite obstacles encourages people make savings automatic look lowfee bank accounts learn asset limits benefit programs like food assistance since may higher people think idea make easier create savings need products less mckernan says _______ column provided associated press personal finance website nerdwallet liz weston columnist nerdwallet certified financial planner author credit score email lwestonnerdwalletcom twitter lizweston related links nerdwallet whats financial wellbeing score httpsnerdmefinancialhealthquiz nerdwallet risky costly way buy home goods httpsnerdmerentacenter people use renttoown stores often end paying twice retail price anything buy millions people rent researchers say people patronize renttoown outlets arent stupid necessarily instead theyre falling prey kinds irrational thinking plague humans along limited options facing lowincome people bad nonexistent maxed credit talk renttoown customers youll find nobody thinks cheap says jim hawkins professor university houston law center researched industry everybody knows costly way buy primary appeal renttoown provides immediate access household goods without save make longterm commitment two things especially difficult lowearning families less likely predictable incomes wealthier families payments attractive saving customers get brandname furniture appliances electronics market leader rentacenters motto get good stuff today credit checks payments relatively low monthly weekly payments renttoown companies typically offer free delivery setup service items need repairs huge plus many families dont savings pay unexpected expenses federal reserve says 44 percent us adults couldnt come 400 emergency customers cant make payments items returned without triggering collections activity damage credit reports lowincome families often lack savings cushions deal financial shocks theyre willing pay hefty premium flexibility completely escapable contract researchers carnegie mellon university found external observer might note paying huge price features says researcher brian zikmundfisher professor university michigan difficult someone looking contracts place financial stability wealth truly understand experience financial uncertainty many people live cash risky zikmundfisher colleague andrew parker found many customers struggled save money instead employed renttoown contracts financial management tool lowincome people often fear money save disappear spending incomes drop get eaten bank fees disqualify public benefits payments required renttoown contract allow purchase goods couldnt otherwise get used renttoown contracts selfcontrol mechanism forced put money towards durable goods literally weekly basis zikmundfisher says still doesnt make rentingtoown good idea buying stuff really cant afford rarely difference higherincome people better credit put inadvisable purchases plastic much lower effective interest rates someone charges 450 television card 20 percent interest rate pay 8949 interest 22 months makes minimum payments buy tv renttoown customer might make 52 weekly payments 20 spend 1040 590 cash price although customers may understand cost high many dont understand exactly high appreciate renttoown like payday loans auto title loans products target lowincome consumers erode financial wellbeing says economist signemary mckernan expert wealthbuilding poverty urban institute economic social policy think tank mckernan thinks solution lies regulating businesses existence helping lowincome families get habit saving despite obstacles encourages people make savings automatic look lowfee bank accounts learn asset limits benefit programs like food assistance since may higher people think idea make easier create savings need products less mckernan says _______ column provided associated press personal finance website nerdwallet liz weston columnist nerdwallet certified financial planner author credit score email lwestonnerdwalletcom twitter lizweston related links nerdwallet whats financial wellbeing score httpsnerdmefinancialhealthquiz nerdwallet risky costly way buy home goods httpsnerdmerentacenter
| 920 |
<p>YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Ethnic rebel group leaders began meeting Friday in northeastern Myanmar to discuss how to end the current fighting in the region and finalize a nationwide ceasefire agreement with the government.</p>
<p>The meeting which was taking place in Panghsang, the stronghold of the militarily powerful ethnic Wa group is attended by about 50 representatives from 12 ethnic armed groups including the Wa group. Meanwhile in a nearby region, fierce clashes between Kokang guerrillas and government troops have left hundreds killed.</p>
<p>At the same time, an alliance of more than a dozen ethnic minority groups has been holding talks with the government to end decades of fighting for autonomy.</p>
<p>The government’s continued clashes with the Kokang have caused the ethnic alliance to distrust the sincerity of President Thein Sein’s regime. Neither the Kokang nor their Wa hosts have been part of the government’s talks but both were taking part in Friday’s consultations.</p>
<p>The government strongly opposed the participation of the Kokang but leaders of the United Wa State Army invited them “so that we can help discuss and negotiate a speedy cessation of fighting in Kokang region,” Wa spokesman Aung Myint told The Associated Press by phone.</p>
<p>In his opening speech, Wa chairman Pau Yu Chan said, “Nationwide ceasefire agreements are merely words on papers as long as ethnic conflicts continue.” He said all ethnic minorities want to live in peace and build a prosperous and developed nation but ethnic minorities suffer due to more than half a century of ethnic conflict.</p>
<p>The issues discussed would relate to peace and stability in ethnic regions, the Wa spokesman said. “We want peace in the ethnic regions because development cannot be achieved without stability,” Aung Myint added.</p>
<p>His viewpoint was endorsed by government peace negotiator Hla Maung Shwe, who said, “I believe that the Wa leaders will help find a way to end the conflict in its region — especially the ongoing conflict between the government and Kokang rebels.”</p>
<p>He was referring to the fighting between Kokang rebels and government troops in Laukkai region near Chinese border, which broke out in early February.</p>
<p>“If the ethnic leaders summit can find a practical solution to end armed conflict, it could help bring about a more meaningful and inclusive ceasefire agreement,” noted Yan Myo Thein, a writer and political analyst.</p>
<p>The Wa and the Kokang were the fighting force of the now-defunct Burma Communist Party about four decades ago and along with four other ethnic groups have their own designated self-administered areas stipulated in constitution.</p>
<p>It is the first time the Wa have hosted such a meeting in their capital as the government and 16 other ethnic armed groups inch toward signing a historic ceasefire accord.</p>
<p>“The conference will not have an adverse impact on the ceasefire agreement talks but it is likely to cause slight delay,” said Aung Naing Oo, a program director for the non-partisan Myanmar Peace Center.</p>
<p>YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Ethnic rebel group leaders began meeting Friday in northeastern Myanmar to discuss how to end the current fighting in the region and finalize a nationwide ceasefire agreement with the government.</p>
<p>The meeting which was taking place in Panghsang, the stronghold of the militarily powerful ethnic Wa group is attended by about 50 representatives from 12 ethnic armed groups including the Wa group. Meanwhile in a nearby region, fierce clashes between Kokang guerrillas and government troops have left hundreds killed.</p>
<p>At the same time, an alliance of more than a dozen ethnic minority groups has been holding talks with the government to end decades of fighting for autonomy.</p>
<p>The government’s continued clashes with the Kokang have caused the ethnic alliance to distrust the sincerity of President Thein Sein’s regime. Neither the Kokang nor their Wa hosts have been part of the government’s talks but both were taking part in Friday’s consultations.</p>
<p>The government strongly opposed the participation of the Kokang but leaders of the United Wa State Army invited them “so that we can help discuss and negotiate a speedy cessation of fighting in Kokang region,” Wa spokesman Aung Myint told The Associated Press by phone.</p>
<p>In his opening speech, Wa chairman Pau Yu Chan said, “Nationwide ceasefire agreements are merely words on papers as long as ethnic conflicts continue.” He said all ethnic minorities want to live in peace and build a prosperous and developed nation but ethnic minorities suffer due to more than half a century of ethnic conflict.</p>
<p>The issues discussed would relate to peace and stability in ethnic regions, the Wa spokesman said. “We want peace in the ethnic regions because development cannot be achieved without stability,” Aung Myint added.</p>
<p>His viewpoint was endorsed by government peace negotiator Hla Maung Shwe, who said, “I believe that the Wa leaders will help find a way to end the conflict in its region — especially the ongoing conflict between the government and Kokang rebels.”</p>
<p>He was referring to the fighting between Kokang rebels and government troops in Laukkai region near Chinese border, which broke out in early February.</p>
<p>“If the ethnic leaders summit can find a practical solution to end armed conflict, it could help bring about a more meaningful and inclusive ceasefire agreement,” noted Yan Myo Thein, a writer and political analyst.</p>
<p>The Wa and the Kokang were the fighting force of the now-defunct Burma Communist Party about four decades ago and along with four other ethnic groups have their own designated self-administered areas stipulated in constitution.</p>
<p>It is the first time the Wa have hosted such a meeting in their capital as the government and 16 other ethnic armed groups inch toward signing a historic ceasefire accord.</p>
<p>“The conference will not have an adverse impact on the ceasefire agreement talks but it is likely to cause slight delay,” said Aung Naing Oo, a program director for the non-partisan Myanmar Peace Center.</p>
| false | 2 |
yangon myanmar ap ethnic rebel group leaders began meeting friday northeastern myanmar discuss end current fighting region finalize nationwide ceasefire agreement government meeting taking place panghsang stronghold militarily powerful ethnic wa group attended 50 representatives 12 ethnic armed groups including wa group meanwhile nearby region fierce clashes kokang guerrillas government troops left hundreds killed time alliance dozen ethnic minority groups holding talks government end decades fighting autonomy governments continued clashes kokang caused ethnic alliance distrust sincerity president thein seins regime neither kokang wa hosts part governments talks taking part fridays consultations government strongly opposed participation kokang leaders united wa state army invited help discuss negotiate speedy cessation fighting kokang region wa spokesman aung myint told associated press phone opening speech wa chairman pau yu chan said nationwide ceasefire agreements merely words papers long ethnic conflicts continue said ethnic minorities want live peace build prosperous developed nation ethnic minorities suffer due half century ethnic conflict issues discussed would relate peace stability ethnic regions wa spokesman said want peace ethnic regions development achieved without stability aung myint added viewpoint endorsed government peace negotiator hla maung shwe said believe wa leaders help find way end conflict region especially ongoing conflict government kokang rebels referring fighting kokang rebels government troops laukkai region near chinese border broke early february ethnic leaders summit find practical solution end armed conflict could help bring meaningful inclusive ceasefire agreement noted yan myo thein writer political analyst wa kokang fighting force nowdefunct burma communist party four decades ago along four ethnic groups designated selfadministered areas stipulated constitution first time wa hosted meeting capital government 16 ethnic armed groups inch toward signing historic ceasefire accord conference adverse impact ceasefire agreement talks likely cause slight delay said aung naing oo program director nonpartisan myanmar peace center yangon myanmar ap ethnic rebel group leaders began meeting friday northeastern myanmar discuss end current fighting region finalize nationwide ceasefire agreement government meeting taking place panghsang stronghold militarily powerful ethnic wa group attended 50 representatives 12 ethnic armed groups including wa group meanwhile nearby region fierce clashes kokang guerrillas government troops left hundreds killed time alliance dozen ethnic minority groups holding talks government end decades fighting autonomy governments continued clashes kokang caused ethnic alliance distrust sincerity president thein seins regime neither kokang wa hosts part governments talks taking part fridays consultations government strongly opposed participation kokang leaders united wa state army invited help discuss negotiate speedy cessation fighting kokang region wa spokesman aung myint told associated press phone opening speech wa chairman pau yu chan said nationwide ceasefire agreements merely words papers long ethnic conflicts continue said ethnic minorities want live peace build prosperous developed nation ethnic minorities suffer due half century ethnic conflict issues discussed would relate peace stability ethnic regions wa spokesman said want peace ethnic regions development achieved without stability aung myint added viewpoint endorsed government peace negotiator hla maung shwe said believe wa leaders help find way end conflict region especially ongoing conflict government kokang rebels referring fighting kokang rebels government troops laukkai region near chinese border broke early february ethnic leaders summit find practical solution end armed conflict could help bring meaningful inclusive ceasefire agreement noted yan myo thein writer political analyst wa kokang fighting force nowdefunct burma communist party four decades ago along four ethnic groups designated selfadministered areas stipulated constitution first time wa hosted meeting capital government 16 ethnic armed groups inch toward signing historic ceasefire accord conference adverse impact ceasefire agreement talks likely cause slight delay said aung naing oo program director nonpartisan myanmar peace center
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<p>SANTA FE, N.M. — Man gets 70-month sentence for fraud</p>
<p>A Washington, D.C., man who was found guilty by a jury of defrauding Bluenergy Solarwind Inc. of Santa Fe was sentenced Thursday to 70 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.</p>
<p>Daryl J. Hudson, III, 60, also was ordered to pay almost $1.9 million in restitution to the victim, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Hudson was the chairman and CEO of Hampden Kent Group, LLC, a company that advertised its ability to obtain debt funding for start-up businesses in the green energy sector.</p>
<p>In September 2012, a federal jury concluded that Hudson defrauded Bluenergy of $85,000 in 2011 by falsely representing that he could secure debt funding to help the company grow.</p>
<p>According to the trial testimony, BSI was seeking about $80 million in debt funding so it could manufacture new solar wind turbines. In mid-July 2011, the BSI president and Hudson entered into a service agreement in which BSI wired $85,000 to HKG in partial payment of a retainer fee, but the relationship deteriorated. However, Hudson refused to return the retainer fee.</p>
<p>Between July 12 and Aug. 19, 2011, Hudson used wire communications on seven separate occasions in order to execute the scheme to defraud BSI, serving as the basis for the seven counts of wire fraud in the indictment.</p>
<p />
<p>Police Dept. sued over seized money</p>
<p>A man charged with larceny in 2009 is suing the Santa Fe Police Department, alleging that money seized from him was never returned after a judge dismissed the charge in 2011.</p>
<p>William Frederick is seeking the return of the $1,000 and $50,000 in punitive damages.</p>
<p>His lawsuit says the officers took the money from him when responding to a report of an alleged larceny at a house party. Frederick insisted the money was his but the officers believed the alleged victim.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>The suit says that when the case went to trial in September 2011, a district judge dismissed the case because prosecutors couldn’t produce the supposedly stolen money or a picture of it.</p>
<p>A police sergeant indicated on the date of the trial “in open court” that the money had been returned via check to the woman who originally claimed it was hers and that the confiscated bills went to into a police department account.</p>
<p>“There was never a judicial determination that the money in question belonged to anyone other than” Frederick and “the state seems unwilling” to return it, the suit states.</p>
<p>A police spokeswoman wouldn’t comment on pending litigation, but said the police department is looking into what happened to the evidence in Frederick’s case.</p>
<p />
<p>Fundraiser helps Rodeo Royalty</p>
<p>A fundraiser will be held to help pay the promotion expenses for the Santa Fe Rodeo Royalty.</p>
<p>The event will be held April 13, with cocktails beginning at 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m. and dancing and a silent auction afterward. Clay Mac, a country singer, will provide his two-steppin’ music at the Eagles Club, 823 Early St.</p>
<p>Santa Fe Rodeo Queen Alex Tapia and Princess Abigail Woodmansee will attend. Abigail is a junior in high school and will compete for New Mexico High School Rodeo Queen, and Woodmansee is a graduate of New Mexico State University who will compete for Miss Rodeo New Mexico 2014.</p>
<p>Advance ticket purchase is required, $50 per person. Contact 505-490-3008 for tickets and more information.</p>
<p />
<p>Two restaurants marking 10th year</p>
<p>The 10th anniversary of Bumble Bee’s Baja Grill and Bumble Bee’s Baja Grill &amp; Burgers will be celebrated 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday, April 14, at the downtown location, 301 Jefferson in Santa Fe.</p>
<p>Bob and B.J. Weil, who own the restaurants, will offer $2.50 tacos all day long. Entertainment will be provided for kids and adults, with face-painting, surfin’ photos, beach fun and giveaways. Live jazz from 2-6 p.m. will feature John Trentacosta, Bert Dalton, John Gagan and Arlen Asher.</p>
<p>“We’ll be having food specials every month to celebrate our 10 years in Santa Fe in addition to the 10th Anniversary specialty items we created especially for this year,” Bumble Bee Bob said.</p>
<p>Bumble Bee Bob, a rancher, farmer and a land developer, has been part of the Santa Fe community for 52 years. He has served on several charitable boards and has brought musicians to New Mexico through the annual New Mexico Jazz Festival.</p>
<p>Bumblebees, also located at 3777 Cerrillos Road, is based on the idea of fresh, fast, healthful Baja-Mexican food with convenient, casual service.</p>
<p />
<p>Recycling to start for phone books</p>
<p>The city is placing telephone book recycling dumpsters from April 8 through Aug. 30 at the following locations:</p>
<p>♦ Toney Anaya Building, 2550 Cerrillos Road</p>
<p>♦ Joseph Montoya Building, 1100 S. St. Francis Drive</p>
<p>♦ Southside Library, 6599 Jaguar Drive</p>
<p>♦ Oliver La Farge Library, 1730 Llano St.</p>
<p>♦ Fort Marcy Recreation Complex, 490 Bishops Lodge Road</p>
<p>♦ City of Santa Fe Office Complex, 1142 Siler Road.</p>
<p />
<p>Series focuses on women farmers</p>
<p>Women farmers and ranchers will be the focus of Santa Fe Community College’s latest Carbon Economy Series, which will take place April 12-14 on the college campus, 6401 Richards Ave.</p>
<p>An open forum to discuss hands-on issues related to nurturing the land is set for Friday, April 12, 7-9 p.m. with a panel that will include presenters from the all-day workshops scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.</p>
<p>On April 13, Ann Adams, a trainer with Holistic Management International who owns a small farm in the Manzano Mountains, will discuss a planning system that addresses the environmental, economic and social issues faced by farmers and ranchers.</p>
<p>Her talk will be followed by lunch at Tesuque Pueblo, where Serena Hena and Margaret Brascoupe will share traditional knowledge, common practices and communal principals tied to gardening.</p>
<p>On April 14, Laurie Bower, the director of the Southwest Grassfed Livestock Alliance, will discuss the benefits and challenges of raising grassfed livestock. Then Nancy Ranney, alliance president, will discuss the interplay of range management, grass-fed beef and wind and biomass energy.</p>
<p>The afternoon session will take participants to Camino De Paz School and Farm in Santa Cruz for an organic lunch.</p>
<p>Saturday and Sunday workshops are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.</p>
<p>Admission is $10 for Friday night, $175 for each full day or $300 for all three days. Discounts are available. Call 505-819-3828 for more information.</p>
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santa fe nm man gets 70month sentence fraud washington dc man found guilty jury defrauding bluenergy solarwind inc santa fe sentenced thursday 70 months federal prison followed three years supervised release daryl j hudson iii 60 also ordered pay almost 19 million restitution victim according news release us attorneys office advertisement hudson chairman ceo hampden kent group llc company advertised ability obtain debt funding startup businesses green energy sector september 2012 federal jury concluded hudson defrauded bluenergy 85000 2011 falsely representing could secure debt funding help company grow according trial testimony bsi seeking 80 million debt funding could manufacture new solar wind turbines midjuly 2011 bsi president hudson entered service agreement bsi wired 85000 hkg partial payment retainer fee relationship deteriorated however hudson refused return retainer fee july 12 aug 19 2011 hudson used wire communications seven separate occasions order execute scheme defraud bsi serving basis seven counts wire fraud indictment police dept sued seized money man charged larceny 2009 suing santa fe police department alleging money seized never returned judge dismissed charge 2011 william frederick seeking return 1000 50000 punitive damages lawsuit says officers took money responding report alleged larceny house party frederick insisted money officers believed alleged victim advertisement suit says case went trial september 2011 district judge dismissed case prosecutors couldnt produce supposedly stolen money picture police sergeant indicated date trial open court money returned via check woman originally claimed confiscated bills went police department account never judicial determination money question belonged anyone frederick state seems unwilling return suit states police spokeswoman wouldnt comment pending litigation said police department looking happened evidence fredericks case fundraiser helps rodeo royalty fundraiser held help pay promotion expenses santa fe rodeo royalty event held april 13 cocktails beginning 5 pm dinner 6 pm dancing silent auction afterward clay mac country singer provide twosteppin music eagles club 823 early st santa fe rodeo queen alex tapia princess abigail woodmansee attend abigail junior high school compete new mexico high school rodeo queen woodmansee graduate new mexico state university compete miss rodeo new mexico 2014 advance ticket purchase required 50 per person contact 5054903008 tickets information two restaurants marking 10th year 10th anniversary bumble bees baja grill bumble bees baja grill amp burgers celebrated 11 am8 pm sunday april 14 downtown location 301 jefferson santa fe bob bj weil restaurants offer 250 tacos day long entertainment provided kids adults facepainting surfin photos beach fun giveaways live jazz 26 pm feature john trentacosta bert dalton john gagan arlen asher well food specials every month celebrate 10 years santa fe addition 10th anniversary specialty items created especially year bumble bee bob said bumble bee bob rancher farmer land developer part santa fe community 52 years served several charitable boards brought musicians new mexico annual new mexico jazz festival bumblebees also located 3777 cerrillos road based idea fresh fast healthful bajamexican food convenient casual service recycling start phone books city placing telephone book recycling dumpsters april 8 aug 30 following locations toney anaya building 2550 cerrillos road joseph montoya building 1100 st francis drive southside library 6599 jaguar drive oliver la farge library 1730 llano st fort marcy recreation complex 490 bishops lodge road city santa fe office complex 1142 siler road series focuses women farmers women farmers ranchers focus santa fe community colleges latest carbon economy series take place april 1214 college campus 6401 richards ave open forum discuss handson issues related nurturing land set friday april 12 79 pm panel include presenters allday workshops scheduled saturday sunday april 13 ann adams trainer holistic management international owns small farm manzano mountains discuss planning system addresses environmental economic social issues faced farmers ranchers talk followed lunch tesuque pueblo serena hena margaret brascoupe share traditional knowledge common practices communal principals tied gardening april 14 laurie bower director southwest grassfed livestock alliance discuss benefits challenges raising grassfed livestock nancy ranney alliance president discuss interplay range management grassfed beef wind biomass energy afternoon session take participants camino de paz school farm santa cruz organic lunch saturday sunday workshops scheduled 930 430 pm admission 10 friday night 175 full day 300 three days discounts available call 5058193828 information
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<p>MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The Latest on the Alabama legislative session (all times local):</p>
<p>7:20 p.m.</p>
<p>Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey in her first State of the State address said the state has lifted a cloud of controversy that enveloped Alabama government for much of the last two years.</p>
<p>Ivey addressed lawmakers on the opening day of the 2018 legislative session almost exactly nine months after she was elevated to the governor's office in April by the sudden resignation of then-Gov. Robert Bentley.</p>
<p>Ivey told lawmakers that "wounds have started healing" and people's faith in government is being restored.</p>
<p>The GOP governor described a legislative agenda that included pay raises for teachers and state employees, averting a deferral takeover of state prisons and boosting rural broadband access.</p>
<p>Ivey began the speech with the quip "What a game!" in reference to the University of Alabama's championship win over rival Georgia.</p>
<p>__</p>
<p>12:30 p.m.</p>
<p>Alabama lawmakers have begun the 2018 legislative session.</p>
<p>Lawmakers convened at noon Tuesday at the Alabama Statehouse to begin a legislative session that also coincides with an election year.</p>
<p>The session will be dominated by two major budgetary issues: prisons and the Children's Health Insurance Program. Alabama is facing a court order to improve mental health care in prisons. The state will have to pick up some of the cost of the insurance program if Congress does not renew funding.</p>
<p>Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey will give her first State of the State address on Tuesday night. Ivey became governor nine months ago by the sudden resignation of then-Gov. Robert Bentley.</p>
<p>In the speech, Ivey will discuss her session proposals, which include a pay raise for teachers and state employees.</p>
<p>__</p>
<p>12:05 p.m.</p>
<p>Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey is proposing pay raises for state and education employees.</p>
<p>The raises were included in the Tuesday budget presentation Ivey's finance director made to lawmakers on the opening day of the 2018 legislative session.</p>
<p>The numbers in the governor's proposed budget indicate that she is proposing a nearly 3 percent raise for state employees and over a 2 percent raise for education employees.</p>
<p>While, Finance Director Clinton Carter would not confirm the numbers, saying he didn't want to steal the "governor's thunder."</p>
<p>Ivey is expected to discuss the proposed raises in Tuesday night's State of the State address.</p>
<p>__</p>
<p>11:20 a.m.</p>
<p>The state finance director told lawmakers the budget outlook is "good news" but the state should "proceed with caution" because of looming issues in Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program and prisons.</p>
<p>Alabama lawmakers on Tuesday heard projections for the budgets they will write during this legislative session.</p>
<p>After years of lurching from crisis to crisis, Finance Director Clinton Carter said the two state budgets are in the best situation the state has seen in years.</p>
<p>However, Carter said Medicaid will need a significant increase in 2020 and the state will likely have to pick up at least some of the insurance program cost.</p>
<p>Carter said the state also will have to allocate more to prisons to comply with a court order to improve inmate health care.</p>
<p>__</p>
<p>2:39 a.m.</p>
<p>Alabama lawmakers return to Montgomery to begin the 2018 legislative session.</p>
<p>Legislators convene at noon Tuesday to begin a session under an election year backdrop. Lawmakers and state offices are up for election in 2018.</p>
<p>The session will be dominated by two major budgetary issues: prisons and the Children's Health Insurance Program. Alabama is facing a court order to improve mental health care in prisons. The state will have to pick up some of the cost of the insurance program if Congress does not renew funding.</p>
<p>Daycare regulations, a teacher pay raise and ethics reform are other issues that could come before legislators.</p>
<p>Gov. Kay Ivey will give her first State of the State address Tuesday evening. Ivey became governor nine months ago after the resignation of then-Gov. Robert Bentley.</p>
<p>MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The Latest on the Alabama legislative session (all times local):</p>
<p>7:20 p.m.</p>
<p>Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey in her first State of the State address said the state has lifted a cloud of controversy that enveloped Alabama government for much of the last two years.</p>
<p>Ivey addressed lawmakers on the opening day of the 2018 legislative session almost exactly nine months after she was elevated to the governor's office in April by the sudden resignation of then-Gov. Robert Bentley.</p>
<p>Ivey told lawmakers that "wounds have started healing" and people's faith in government is being restored.</p>
<p>The GOP governor described a legislative agenda that included pay raises for teachers and state employees, averting a deferral takeover of state prisons and boosting rural broadband access.</p>
<p>Ivey began the speech with the quip "What a game!" in reference to the University of Alabama's championship win over rival Georgia.</p>
<p>__</p>
<p>12:30 p.m.</p>
<p>Alabama lawmakers have begun the 2018 legislative session.</p>
<p>Lawmakers convened at noon Tuesday at the Alabama Statehouse to begin a legislative session that also coincides with an election year.</p>
<p>The session will be dominated by two major budgetary issues: prisons and the Children's Health Insurance Program. Alabama is facing a court order to improve mental health care in prisons. The state will have to pick up some of the cost of the insurance program if Congress does not renew funding.</p>
<p>Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey will give her first State of the State address on Tuesday night. Ivey became governor nine months ago by the sudden resignation of then-Gov. Robert Bentley.</p>
<p>In the speech, Ivey will discuss her session proposals, which include a pay raise for teachers and state employees.</p>
<p>__</p>
<p>12:05 p.m.</p>
<p>Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey is proposing pay raises for state and education employees.</p>
<p>The raises were included in the Tuesday budget presentation Ivey's finance director made to lawmakers on the opening day of the 2018 legislative session.</p>
<p>The numbers in the governor's proposed budget indicate that she is proposing a nearly 3 percent raise for state employees and over a 2 percent raise for education employees.</p>
<p>While, Finance Director Clinton Carter would not confirm the numbers, saying he didn't want to steal the "governor's thunder."</p>
<p>Ivey is expected to discuss the proposed raises in Tuesday night's State of the State address.</p>
<p>__</p>
<p>11:20 a.m.</p>
<p>The state finance director told lawmakers the budget outlook is "good news" but the state should "proceed with caution" because of looming issues in Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program and prisons.</p>
<p>Alabama lawmakers on Tuesday heard projections for the budgets they will write during this legislative session.</p>
<p>After years of lurching from crisis to crisis, Finance Director Clinton Carter said the two state budgets are in the best situation the state has seen in years.</p>
<p>However, Carter said Medicaid will need a significant increase in 2020 and the state will likely have to pick up at least some of the insurance program cost.</p>
<p>Carter said the state also will have to allocate more to prisons to comply with a court order to improve inmate health care.</p>
<p>__</p>
<p>2:39 a.m.</p>
<p>Alabama lawmakers return to Montgomery to begin the 2018 legislative session.</p>
<p>Legislators convene at noon Tuesday to begin a session under an election year backdrop. Lawmakers and state offices are up for election in 2018.</p>
<p>The session will be dominated by two major budgetary issues: prisons and the Children's Health Insurance Program. Alabama is facing a court order to improve mental health care in prisons. The state will have to pick up some of the cost of the insurance program if Congress does not renew funding.</p>
<p>Daycare regulations, a teacher pay raise and ethics reform are other issues that could come before legislators.</p>
<p>Gov. Kay Ivey will give her first State of the State address Tuesday evening. Ivey became governor nine months ago after the resignation of then-Gov. Robert Bentley.</p>
| false | 2 |
montgomery ala ap latest alabama legislative session times local 720 pm alabama gov kay ivey first state state address said state lifted cloud controversy enveloped alabama government much last two years ivey addressed lawmakers opening day 2018 legislative session almost exactly nine months elevated governors office april sudden resignation thengov robert bentley ivey told lawmakers wounds started healing peoples faith government restored gop governor described legislative agenda included pay raises teachers state employees averting deferral takeover state prisons boosting rural broadband access ivey began speech quip game reference university alabamas championship win rival georgia __ 1230 pm alabama lawmakers begun 2018 legislative session lawmakers convened noon tuesday alabama statehouse begin legislative session also coincides election year session dominated two major budgetary issues prisons childrens health insurance program alabama facing court order improve mental health care prisons state pick cost insurance program congress renew funding alabama gov kay ivey give first state state address tuesday night ivey became governor nine months ago sudden resignation thengov robert bentley speech ivey discuss session proposals include pay raise teachers state employees __ 1205 pm alabama gov kay ivey proposing pay raises state education employees raises included tuesday budget presentation iveys finance director made lawmakers opening day 2018 legislative session numbers governors proposed budget indicate proposing nearly 3 percent raise state employees 2 percent raise education employees finance director clinton carter would confirm numbers saying didnt want steal governors thunder ivey expected discuss proposed raises tuesday nights state state address __ 1120 state finance director told lawmakers budget outlook good news state proceed caution looming issues medicaid childrens health insurance program prisons alabama lawmakers tuesday heard projections budgets write legislative session years lurching crisis crisis finance director clinton carter said two state budgets best situation state seen years however carter said medicaid need significant increase 2020 state likely pick least insurance program cost carter said state also allocate prisons comply court order improve inmate health care __ 239 alabama lawmakers return montgomery begin 2018 legislative session legislators convene noon tuesday begin session election year backdrop lawmakers state offices election 2018 session dominated two major budgetary issues prisons childrens health insurance program alabama facing court order improve mental health care prisons state pick cost insurance program congress renew funding daycare regulations teacher pay raise ethics reform issues could come legislators gov kay ivey give first state state address tuesday evening ivey became governor nine months ago resignation thengov robert bentley montgomery ala ap latest alabama legislative session times local 720 pm alabama gov kay ivey first state state address said state lifted cloud controversy enveloped alabama government much last two years ivey addressed lawmakers opening day 2018 legislative session almost exactly nine months elevated governors office april sudden resignation thengov robert bentley ivey told lawmakers wounds started healing peoples faith government restored gop governor described legislative agenda included pay raises teachers state employees averting deferral takeover state prisons boosting rural broadband access ivey began speech quip game reference university alabamas championship win rival georgia __ 1230 pm alabama lawmakers begun 2018 legislative session lawmakers convened noon tuesday alabama statehouse begin legislative session also coincides election year session dominated two major budgetary issues prisons childrens health insurance program alabama facing court order improve mental health care prisons state pick cost insurance program congress renew funding alabama gov kay ivey give first state state address tuesday night ivey became governor nine months ago sudden resignation thengov robert bentley speech ivey discuss session proposals include pay raise teachers state employees __ 1205 pm alabama gov kay ivey proposing pay raises state education employees raises included tuesday budget presentation iveys finance director made lawmakers opening day 2018 legislative session numbers governors proposed budget indicate proposing nearly 3 percent raise state employees 2 percent raise education employees finance director clinton carter would confirm numbers saying didnt want steal governors thunder ivey expected discuss proposed raises tuesday nights state state address __ 1120 state finance director told lawmakers budget outlook good news state proceed caution looming issues medicaid childrens health insurance program prisons alabama lawmakers tuesday heard projections budgets write legislative session years lurching crisis crisis finance director clinton carter said two state budgets best situation state seen years however carter said medicaid need significant increase 2020 state likely pick least insurance program cost carter said state also allocate prisons comply court order improve inmate health care __ 239 alabama lawmakers return montgomery begin 2018 legislative session legislators convene noon tuesday begin session election year backdrop lawmakers state offices election 2018 session dominated two major budgetary issues prisons childrens health insurance program alabama facing court order improve mental health care prisons state pick cost insurance program congress renew funding daycare regulations teacher pay raise ethics reform issues could come legislators gov kay ivey give first state state address tuesday evening ivey became governor nine months ago resignation thengov robert bentley
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<p>WASHINGTON — The shifting explanations for why President Donald Trump fired national security adviser Michael Flynn have revived questions about whether the president may have obstructed an ongoing investigation of potential contacts between his campaign and Russia.</p>
<p>Pressure on the administration has mounted since Flynn last week pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his conversations with the Russian ambassador, with prosecutors revealing that he is now cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation. And a muddled White House response, including a problematic presidential tweet, has left some Trump confidants worried that the president is not being well-served by his legal team and believing his lawyers have painted a too-rosy picture of the president’s potential plight.</p>
<p>The president’s aides and legal advisers have scrambled for 48 hours to explain a presidential tweet that raised the specter of obstruction. It read: “I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pleaded guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!”</p>
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<p>That tweet appeared to indicate a change in the White House explanation for Flynn’s firing, suggesting Trump was aware when the White House dismissed Flynn on Feb. 13 that the national security adviser had lied to the FBI, whose agents had interviewed him weeks earlier. Former FBI Director James Comey has said Trump the following day brought up the Flynn investigation in private at the White House and told him he hoped he could “let this go,” raising the possibility he knew Flynn had lied and was looking to cover up the offense.</p>
<p>With questions raised by the tweet, Trump associates tried to put distance between the president and the potentially incriminating message.</p>
<p>One of Trump’s attorneys, John Dowd, told CNN on Sunday that he was responsible for crafting the tweet.</p>
<p>Dowd declined to comment to the AP but replied with a Fox News story Monday quoting prominent lawyer Alan Dershowitz as saying Trump couldn’t have committed obstruction of justice by urging Comey to drop the FBI investigation of Flynn.</p>
<p>Kellyanne Conway, counselor to the president, backed up Dowd’s claim that he wrote the tweet, saying “the lawyers are the ones that understand how to put those tweets together.”</p>
<p>“I was with the president on Saturday all day, frankly, and I know that what he said is correct,” Conway continued, referring to Dowd. “What he says is that he put it together and sent it to our director of social media.”</p>
<p>A White House spokesman declined to answer whether Dowd dictated the tweet word-for-word to the White House director of social media, Dan Scavino, or whether Scavino, who has access to the @RealDonaldTrump account and its 44 million followers, put the sentiment into something resembling Trump’s own voice.</p>
<p>The president angrily scolded aides for the tweet over the weekend, according to a person familiar with private conversations but not authorized to discuss them publicly. The White House is considering reviewing how some tweets, particularly related to the Russia probe, get posted.</p>
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<p>The episode has rattled some of Trump’s outside advisers, who have pressed upon Trump since Flynn’s guilty plea that he needs to change legal strategy. White House lawyer Ty Cobb has repeatedly offered public assurances that the investigation into the administration would soon be over, with the president exonerated.</p>
<p>Trump has taken that counsel to heart, telling two close allies over the weekend that he believed he was in the clear and that Mueller’s team wouldn’t unveil any further charges, according to the advisers who discussed the private conversations under the conditions of anonymity. Both of the confidants said they disputed that assessment and urged Trump to go on the offensive, perhaps by firing his current lawyers or triggering a series of events that could lead to Mueller’s dismissal.</p>
<p>Trump did not suggest he was considering that approach. And one of the advisers, who speaks to Trump regularly, said the president had not discussed with him the possibility of issuing any pardons.</p>
<p>The president did lob new criticism at the special counsel investigation Monday, saying he feels “very badly” for Flynn.</p>
<p>“I think it’s a shame,” Trump said of Flynn’s situation, adding that it’s “very unfair” and that Flynn had “led a very strong life.”</p>
<p>In the wake of the controversial tweet, Trump launched a fresh denial that he had pressured the former FBI director, tweeting Sunday that “I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn. Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie!”</p>
<p>Trump fired Comey in May, leading to Mueller’s appointment.</p>
<p>Any proof that Trump knew before he spoke with Comey in February that Flynn had lied to the FBI could bolster obstruction of justice allegations against the president and raise the prospect that he was trying to protect a key member of his inner circle from probable prosecution, said Jimmy Gurule, a Notre Dame criminal law professor and former federal prosecutor.</p>
<p>Though the president has previously said he was thinking of “this Russia thing” when he fired Comey, Gurule said it was reasonable to infer from the weekend tweet that the dismissal of Comey was done in the hope of terminating the FBI investigation.</p>
<p>“If you have knowledge of a crime, a reasonable person would disclose that information to law enforcement. The president did not,” Gurule said.</p>
<p>But David Rivkin Jr., a Washington lawyer specializing in constitutional law who worked in the Justice Department under presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, said that even if the president knew that Flynn had lied to the FBI, “his authority as the chief executive is perfectly sufficient and appropriate to decide that this matter should not be investigated any further.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Lemire reported from New York.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow Lemire on Twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com///twitter.com/@etuckerAP" type="external">http://twitter.com///twitter.com/@etuckerAP</a></p>
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washington shifting explanations president donald trump fired national security adviser michael flynn revived questions whether president may obstructed ongoing investigation potential contacts campaign russia pressure administration mounted since flynn last week pleaded guilty lying fbi conversations russian ambassador prosecutors revealing cooperating special counsel robert muellers investigation muddled white house response including problematic presidential tweet left trump confidants worried president wellserved legal team believing lawyers painted toorosy picture presidents potential plight presidents aides legal advisers scrambled 48 hours explain presidential tweet raised specter obstruction read fire general flynn lied vice president fbi pleaded guilty lies shame actions transition lawful nothing hide advertisement tweet appeared indicate change white house explanation flynns firing suggesting trump aware white house dismissed flynn feb 13 national security adviser lied fbi whose agents interviewed weeks earlier former fbi director james comey said trump following day brought flynn investigation private white house told hoped could let go raising possibility knew flynn lied looking cover offense questions raised tweet trump associates tried put distance president potentially incriminating message one trumps attorneys john dowd told cnn sunday responsible crafting tweet dowd declined comment ap replied fox news story monday quoting prominent lawyer alan dershowitz saying trump couldnt committed obstruction justice urging comey drop fbi investigation flynn kellyanne conway counselor president backed dowds claim wrote tweet saying lawyers ones understand put tweets together president saturday day frankly know said correct conway continued referring dowd says put together sent director social media white house spokesman declined answer whether dowd dictated tweet wordforword white house director social media dan scavino whether scavino access realdonaldtrump account 44 million followers put sentiment something resembling trumps voice president angrily scolded aides tweet weekend according person familiar private conversations authorized discuss publicly white house considering reviewing tweets particularly related russia probe get posted advertisement episode rattled trumps outside advisers pressed upon trump since flynns guilty plea needs change legal strategy white house lawyer ty cobb repeatedly offered public assurances investigation administration would soon president exonerated trump taken counsel heart telling two close allies weekend believed clear muellers team wouldnt unveil charges according advisers discussed private conversations conditions anonymity confidants said disputed assessment urged trump go offensive perhaps firing current lawyers triggering series events could lead muellers dismissal trump suggest considering approach one advisers speaks trump regularly said president discussed possibility issuing pardons president lob new criticism special counsel investigation monday saying feels badly flynn think shame trump said flynns situation adding unfair flynn led strong life wake controversial tweet trump launched fresh denial pressured former fbi director tweeting sunday never asked comey stop investigating flynn fake news covering another comey lie trump fired comey may leading muellers appointment proof trump knew spoke comey february flynn lied fbi could bolster obstruction justice allegations president raise prospect trying protect key member inner circle probable prosecution said jimmy gurule notre dame criminal law professor former federal prosecutor though president previously said thinking russia thing fired comey gurule said reasonable infer weekend tweet dismissal comey done hope terminating fbi investigation knowledge crime reasonable person would disclose information law enforcement president gurule said david rivkin jr washington lawyer specializing constitutional law worked justice department presidents ronald reagan george hw bush said even president knew flynn lied fbi authority chief executive perfectly sufficient appropriate decide matter investigated ___ lemire reported new york ___ follow lemire twitter httptwittercomtwittercometuckerap
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<p>WASHINGTON (AP) — In a remarkably strong show of consumer demand, nearly 9 million people signed up for "Obamacare" next year, as government numbers out Thursday proved predictions of its collapse wrong yet again.</p>
<p>The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said more than 8.8 million people have signed up in the 39 states served by the federal HealthCare.gov website.</p>
<p>That compares to 9.2 million last year in the same states — or 96 percent of the previous total.</p>
<p>The level exceeds what experts thought was possible after another year of political battles over the Affordable Care Act, not to mention market problems like rising premiums and insurer exits. On top of that, the Trump administration cut enrollment season in half, slashed the ad budget, terminated major payments to insurers, and scaled back grants for consumer counselors.</p>
<p>"This level of enrollment is truly remarkable, especially given the headwinds faced by the program," said Larry Levitt of the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump insistently predicted "Obamacare" would implode as he pursued unsuccessful efforts to repeal it in Congress. This week he incorrectly declared the GOP tax bill had essentially repealed it.</p>
<p>Despite all that, more than 1 million new customers signed up last week, ahead of a Dec. 15 deadline for HealthCare.gov. That's a sign of solid interest in the program, which offers subsidized private health insurance to people who don't have access to job-based coverage.</p>
<p>It's possible that final HealthCare.gov numbers could end up somewhat higher than reported Thursday, partly because late sign-ups in the Midwest and the West have yet to be added in.</p>
<p>The nationwide enrollment total won't be known for weeks, since some states running their own health insurance markets — or exchanges — continue signing up customers through January.</p>
<p>Total national enrollment could wind up near last year's final number of 12.2 million.</p>
<p>"We know anecdotally that many state exchanges are running ahead of last year, (and) we could actually make up the national enrollment deficit with higher state-run exchange enrollment," said Chris Sloan of the consulting firm Avalere Health.</p>
<p>Among the HealthCare.gov states, Florida led in enrollments, with 1.7 million people so far. Texas was next, with 1.1 million. Sign-ups for those states could rise, since a deadline extension is available for people in hurricane-affected areas.</p>
<p>In Austin, Texas, a nonprofit group that helps low-income working people surpassed its enrollments for last year, and then some. Foundation Communities signed up 5,323 people this year, or about 20 percent more than last year.</p>
<p>Health insurance program director Elizabeth Colvin credited squads of volunteers who helped steer consumers through a sign-up process that includes having to estimate their income for next year and other challenges.</p>
<p>"The number that came out today proves that Obamacare is working," said Colvin.</p>
<p>Lori Lodes, a former Obama administration official who once helped direct the enrollment campaign, said it's likely that last week saw the biggest number of sign-ups in the program's history.</p>
<p>That's certain to lead to more criticism of the Trump administration for shortening open enrollment and other actions that Democrats call "sabotage."</p>
<p>"The American people surged to defend this historic law from the cruelty of Trumpcare, and they enrolled at a record pace in quality, affordable health coverage on HealthCare.gov," said House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California.</p>
<p>However, the administration also took other less noticed steps to facilitate enrollment, such as creating an easier path for insurers and brokers to sign up customers.</p>
<p>The strong numbers for HealthCare.gov came a day after Trump proclaimed that the GOP tax bill "essentially repealed Obamacare."</p>
<p>But the tax overhaul only repealed the health law's fines on people who don't carry health insurance, starting in 2019. Other major elements of former President Barack Obama's law remain in place, including its Medicaid expansion tailored to low-income adults, protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions, subsidies to help consumers pay their premiums, and requirements that insurers cover "essential" health benefits.</p>
<p>First word of the enrollment numbers came via Twitter from Seema Verma, head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.</p>
<p>She struck an upbeat tone:</p>
<p>"We take pride in providing great customer service," she wrote, congratulating her agency on "the smoothest experience for consumers to date."</p>
<p>In an interview Thursday with The Associated Press, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky, indicated he's skeptical at best about revisiting botched efforts to dismantle the health care law.</p>
<p>Bipartisan legislation to shore up insurance markets is pending before the Senate, but its fate is also uncertain.</p>
<p>WASHINGTON (AP) — In a remarkably strong show of consumer demand, nearly 9 million people signed up for "Obamacare" next year, as government numbers out Thursday proved predictions of its collapse wrong yet again.</p>
<p>The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said more than 8.8 million people have signed up in the 39 states served by the federal HealthCare.gov website.</p>
<p>That compares to 9.2 million last year in the same states — or 96 percent of the previous total.</p>
<p>The level exceeds what experts thought was possible after another year of political battles over the Affordable Care Act, not to mention market problems like rising premiums and insurer exits. On top of that, the Trump administration cut enrollment season in half, slashed the ad budget, terminated major payments to insurers, and scaled back grants for consumer counselors.</p>
<p>"This level of enrollment is truly remarkable, especially given the headwinds faced by the program," said Larry Levitt of the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump insistently predicted "Obamacare" would implode as he pursued unsuccessful efforts to repeal it in Congress. This week he incorrectly declared the GOP tax bill had essentially repealed it.</p>
<p>Despite all that, more than 1 million new customers signed up last week, ahead of a Dec. 15 deadline for HealthCare.gov. That's a sign of solid interest in the program, which offers subsidized private health insurance to people who don't have access to job-based coverage.</p>
<p>It's possible that final HealthCare.gov numbers could end up somewhat higher than reported Thursday, partly because late sign-ups in the Midwest and the West have yet to be added in.</p>
<p>The nationwide enrollment total won't be known for weeks, since some states running their own health insurance markets — or exchanges — continue signing up customers through January.</p>
<p>Total national enrollment could wind up near last year's final number of 12.2 million.</p>
<p>"We know anecdotally that many state exchanges are running ahead of last year, (and) we could actually make up the national enrollment deficit with higher state-run exchange enrollment," said Chris Sloan of the consulting firm Avalere Health.</p>
<p>Among the HealthCare.gov states, Florida led in enrollments, with 1.7 million people so far. Texas was next, with 1.1 million. Sign-ups for those states could rise, since a deadline extension is available for people in hurricane-affected areas.</p>
<p>In Austin, Texas, a nonprofit group that helps low-income working people surpassed its enrollments for last year, and then some. Foundation Communities signed up 5,323 people this year, or about 20 percent more than last year.</p>
<p>Health insurance program director Elizabeth Colvin credited squads of volunteers who helped steer consumers through a sign-up process that includes having to estimate their income for next year and other challenges.</p>
<p>"The number that came out today proves that Obamacare is working," said Colvin.</p>
<p>Lori Lodes, a former Obama administration official who once helped direct the enrollment campaign, said it's likely that last week saw the biggest number of sign-ups in the program's history.</p>
<p>That's certain to lead to more criticism of the Trump administration for shortening open enrollment and other actions that Democrats call "sabotage."</p>
<p>"The American people surged to defend this historic law from the cruelty of Trumpcare, and they enrolled at a record pace in quality, affordable health coverage on HealthCare.gov," said House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California.</p>
<p>However, the administration also took other less noticed steps to facilitate enrollment, such as creating an easier path for insurers and brokers to sign up customers.</p>
<p>The strong numbers for HealthCare.gov came a day after Trump proclaimed that the GOP tax bill "essentially repealed Obamacare."</p>
<p>But the tax overhaul only repealed the health law's fines on people who don't carry health insurance, starting in 2019. Other major elements of former President Barack Obama's law remain in place, including its Medicaid expansion tailored to low-income adults, protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions, subsidies to help consumers pay their premiums, and requirements that insurers cover "essential" health benefits.</p>
<p>First word of the enrollment numbers came via Twitter from Seema Verma, head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.</p>
<p>She struck an upbeat tone:</p>
<p>"We take pride in providing great customer service," she wrote, congratulating her agency on "the smoothest experience for consumers to date."</p>
<p>In an interview Thursday with The Associated Press, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky, indicated he's skeptical at best about revisiting botched efforts to dismantle the health care law.</p>
<p>Bipartisan legislation to shore up insurance markets is pending before the Senate, but its fate is also uncertain.</p>
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washington ap remarkably strong show consumer demand nearly 9 million people signed obamacare next year government numbers thursday proved predictions collapse wrong yet centers medicare medicaid services said 88 million people signed 39 states served federal healthcaregov website compares 92 million last year states 96 percent previous total level exceeds experts thought possible another year political battles affordable care act mention market problems like rising premiums insurer exits top trump administration cut enrollment season half slashed ad budget terminated major payments insurers scaled back grants consumer counselors level enrollment truly remarkable especially given headwinds faced program said larry levitt nonpartisan kaiser family foundation president donald trump insistently predicted obamacare would implode pursued unsuccessful efforts repeal congress week incorrectly declared gop tax bill essentially repealed despite 1 million new customers signed last week ahead dec 15 deadline healthcaregov thats sign solid interest program offers subsidized private health insurance people dont access jobbased coverage possible final healthcaregov numbers could end somewhat higher reported thursday partly late signups midwest west yet added nationwide enrollment total wont known weeks since states running health insurance markets exchanges continue signing customers january total national enrollment could wind near last years final number 122 million know anecdotally many state exchanges running ahead last year could actually make national enrollment deficit higher staterun exchange enrollment said chris sloan consulting firm avalere health among healthcaregov states florida led enrollments 17 million people far texas next 11 million signups states could rise since deadline extension available people hurricaneaffected areas austin texas nonprofit group helps lowincome working people surpassed enrollments last year foundation communities signed 5323 people year 20 percent last year health insurance program director elizabeth colvin credited squads volunteers helped steer consumers signup process includes estimate income next year challenges number came today proves obamacare working said colvin lori lodes former obama administration official helped direct enrollment campaign said likely last week saw biggest number signups programs history thats certain lead criticism trump administration shortening open enrollment actions democrats call sabotage american people surged defend historic law cruelty trumpcare enrolled record pace quality affordable health coverage healthcaregov said house democratic leader nancy pelosi california however administration also took less noticed steps facilitate enrollment creating easier path insurers brokers sign customers strong numbers healthcaregov came day trump proclaimed gop tax bill essentially repealed obamacare tax overhaul repealed health laws fines people dont carry health insurance starting 2019 major elements former president barack obamas law remain place including medicaid expansion tailored lowincome adults protections people preexisting medical conditions subsidies help consumers pay premiums requirements insurers cover essential health benefits first word enrollment numbers came via twitter seema verma head centers medicare medicaid services struck upbeat tone take pride providing great customer service wrote congratulating agency smoothest experience consumers date interview thursday associated press senate majority leader mitch mcconnell rky indicated hes skeptical best revisiting botched efforts dismantle health care law bipartisan legislation shore insurance markets pending senate fate also uncertain washington ap remarkably strong show consumer demand nearly 9 million people signed obamacare next year government numbers thursday proved predictions collapse wrong yet centers medicare medicaid services said 88 million people signed 39 states served federal healthcaregov website compares 92 million last year states 96 percent previous total level exceeds experts thought possible another year political battles affordable care act mention market problems like rising premiums insurer exits top trump administration cut enrollment season half slashed ad budget terminated major payments insurers scaled back grants consumer counselors level enrollment truly remarkable especially given headwinds faced program said larry levitt nonpartisan kaiser family foundation president donald trump insistently predicted obamacare would implode pursued unsuccessful efforts repeal congress week incorrectly declared gop tax bill essentially repealed despite 1 million new customers signed last week ahead dec 15 deadline healthcaregov thats sign solid interest program offers subsidized private health insurance people dont access jobbased coverage possible final healthcaregov numbers could end somewhat higher reported thursday partly late signups midwest west yet added nationwide enrollment total wont known weeks since states running health insurance markets exchanges continue signing customers january total national enrollment could wind near last years final number 122 million know anecdotally many state exchanges running ahead last year could actually make national enrollment deficit higher staterun exchange enrollment said chris sloan consulting firm avalere health among healthcaregov states florida led enrollments 17 million people far texas next 11 million signups states could rise since deadline extension available people hurricaneaffected areas austin texas nonprofit group helps lowincome working people surpassed enrollments last year foundation communities signed 5323 people year 20 percent last year health insurance program director elizabeth colvin credited squads volunteers helped steer consumers signup process includes estimate income next year challenges number came today proves obamacare working said colvin lori lodes former obama administration official helped direct enrollment campaign said likely last week saw biggest number signups programs history thats certain lead criticism trump administration shortening open enrollment actions democrats call sabotage american people surged defend historic law cruelty trumpcare enrolled record pace quality affordable health coverage healthcaregov said house democratic leader nancy pelosi california however administration also took less noticed steps facilitate enrollment creating easier path insurers brokers sign customers strong numbers healthcaregov came day trump proclaimed gop tax bill essentially repealed obamacare tax overhaul repealed health laws fines people dont carry health insurance starting 2019 major elements former president barack obamas law remain place including medicaid expansion tailored lowincome adults protections people preexisting medical conditions subsidies help consumers pay premiums requirements insurers cover essential health benefits first word enrollment numbers came via twitter seema verma head centers medicare medicaid services struck upbeat tone take pride providing great customer service wrote congratulating agency smoothest experience consumers date interview thursday associated press senate majority leader mitch mcconnell rky indicated hes skeptical best revisiting botched efforts dismantle health care law bipartisan legislation shore insurance markets pending senate fate also uncertain
| 978 |
<p>JUBA (Reuters) - Britain said it was closely monitoring a ceasefire agreed last month between South Sudan’s warring parties and would work with regional partners to identify individuals guilty of violations and take action.</p>
<p>South Sudan has been wracked by a four-year civil war that broke out after a political disagreement between former vice president Riek Machar and incumbent leader Salva Kiir degenerated into military confrontation.</p>
<p>Last month, the two sides signed a ceasefire deal in Addis Abba.</p>
<p>In an interview in South Sudan’s capital Juba this week, British special envoy Chris Trott told Reuters:</p>
<p>“Anyone that spoils the chances of peace should understand that we are watching...any breach of the peace process.</p>
<p>“We have seen...violations of the agreement and what we are saying to the parties is that this is unacceptable.”</p>
<p>He urged regional countries to report promptly on any violations, identifying individuals, and “we would like you to send the message by doing X or Y”. He did not specify what this might involve.</p>
<p>Trott was speaking ahead of planned meetings with South Sudanese officials and said he would make it very clear to the government it was expected to honor the ceasefire.</p>
<p>Britain is among world powers trying to put diplomatic pressure on both the South Sudan government and rebels to end the fighting and agree a peace.</p>
<p>Since the deal was signed, several violations have occurred, with both sides blaming each other for the breach.</p>
<p>Early this month several people were killed after fighting broke out near Juba.</p>
<p>The army blamed the rebels who they said attempted to seize a military outpost west of Juba.</p>
<p>Attorneys defending two jailed members of former vice- president Machar’s staff said they had quit, citing what they called the government’s violation of the agreement by failing to release all political prisoners.</p>
<p>South African national William John Endley and James Gatdet Dak, who served as advisor and spokesman for Machar, were arrested in 2016 and have been in detention since. Both were charged with crimes including conspiracy, treason and publishing materials harmful to the state.</p>
<p>Monyluak Alor Kuol, head of the two defendants’ legal team told Reuters their clients’ continued prosecution contradicted the spirit of last month’s ceasefire.</p>
<p>“As lawyers, we cannot encourage impunity (on the part of the government) and that is why we withdrew,” he said.</p>
<p>Writing by Elias Biryabarema; editing by Ralph Boulton</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Saturday she had authorized British forces to conduct precision air-launched cruise missile strikes on Syria to degrade its chemical weapons capability, saying there was no alternative to military action.</p>
<p>Four Royal Air Force Tornado jets using Storm Shadow missiles had taken part in the attack on a military facility near Homs where it was assessed Syria had stockpiled chemicals, Britain’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.</p>
<p>The strike, conducted with the United States and France, was “limited and targeted”, designed to minimize any civilian casualties, May said. The MoD said the initial indications were that the precision weapons and meticulous target planning had “resulted in a successful attack”.</p>
<p>“This is not about intervening in a civil war. It is not about regime change,” May said in a statement.</p>
<p>She said the strike was a response to significant evidence including intelligence showing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government was responsible for attack using chemical weapons in Douma in Syria last Saturday that killed up to 75 people including children.</p>
<p>May added Britain and its allies had sought to use every diplomatic means to stop the use of chemical weapons, but had been repeatedly thwarted, citing a Russian veto of an independent investigation into the Douma attack at the UN Security Council this week.</p>
<p>“So there is no practicable alternative to the use of force to degrade and deter the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian Regime,” she said.</p>
<p>The Western missile strikes demonstrate 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>U.S. President Donald Trump said he was prepared to sustain the response until the government of Assad stopped its use of chemical weapons.</p>
<p>Russia, which intervened in the war in 2015 to back Assad, has denied there was a chemical attack and has accused Britain of helping to stage the Douma incident to stoke anti-Russian hysteria.</p> CHEMICAL WEAPONS TARGETS
<p>Britain’s defense ministry said “very careful scientific analysis” had been applied to maximize the destruction of stockpiled chemicals while minimizing any risk of contamination to surrounding areas.</p>
<p>“The facility which was struck is located some distance from any known concentrations of civilian habitation, reducing yet further any such risk,” the MoD said in a statement.</p> Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May tours Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, April 11, 2018. Christopher Furlong/Pool via Reuters
<p>May said while the strike was targeted at Syria, it sent a message to anyone who used chemical weapons. Britain has accused Russia of being behind last month’s nerve agent attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury, southern England, a charge Moscow has rejected.</p>
<p>“This is the first time as prime minister that I have had to take the decision to commit our armed forces in combat – and it is not a decision I have taken lightly,” she said.</p>
<p>“I have done so because I judge this action to be in Britain’s national interest. We cannot allow the use of chemical weapons to become normalized – within Syria, on the streets of the UK, or anywhere else in our world.”</p>
<p>Many politicians in Britain, including some in May’s own Conservative Party, had called for parliament to be recalled from a break to give authority to any military strike.</p>
<p>May is not obliged to win parliament’s approval before ordering military action, 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> A plane lands on RAF Akrotiri, a military base Britain maintains on Cyprus, April 14, 2018. REUTERS/Yiannis Kourtoglou
<p>Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn had said Britain should press for an independent U.N.-led investigation into the suspected chemical attack in Douma rather than wait for instructions from Trump on how to proceed.</p>
<p>Reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Guy Faulconbridge</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>BEIRUT (Reuters) - The Syrian government and its allies have absorbed a U.S.-led attack on Saturday and the targeted sites were evacuated days ago thanks to a warning from Russia, a senior official in a regional alliance that backs Damascus said.</p> Syria air defences strike back after air strikes by U.S., British and French forces in Damascus, Syria in this still image obtained from video dated early April 14, 2018. SYRIA TV via Reuters TV
<p>“We have absorbed the strike”, the official told Reuters.</p>
<p>“We had an early warning of the strike from the Russians ... and all military bases were evacuated a few days ago,” the official said. Around 30 missiles were fired in the attack, and a third of them were shot down, the official said.</p>
<p>“We are carrying out an assessment of the material damages,” the official added.</p>
<p>Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been backed in the seven-year-long Syrian war by Russia, Iran, and Iran-backed Shi’ite groups from across the region, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah.</p>
<p>Reporting by Laila Bassam; Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Samia Nakhoul</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Russia’s ambassador to the United States on Friday warned that there would be consequences for the U.S.-led military strikes on Syria, adding that it was not acceptable to insult Russia’s president.</p> FILE PHOTO - Anatoly Antonov speaks to the media during a news conference in Moscow March 5, 2015. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin
<p>“A pre-designed scenario is being implemented,” Russian Ambassador Anatoly Antonov said on Twitter. “Again, we are being threatened. We warned that such actions will not be left without consequences.”</p>
<p>“Insulting the President of Russia is unacceptable and inadmissible,” he added. “The U.S. - the possessor of the biggest arsenal of chemical weapons - has no moral right to blame other countries.”</p>
<p>Reporting by Tim Ahmann and Eric Beech; Editing by Eric Walsh</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>DAMASCUS/BEIRUT (Reuters) - A Western attack on Syria hit a scientific research facility in Damascus and Syrian army depots in the Homs area, state media said, and a Reuters witness said the Syrian capital was rocked by explosions as smoke rose into the sky.</p> Syria air defences strike back after air strikes by U.S., British and French forces in Damascus, Syria in this still image obtained from video dated early April 14, 2018. SYRIA TV via Reuters TV
<p>The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said a second research facility was also struck in Damascus, in addition to a third in the Homs area, and five military bases and depots used by elite army divisions in the Mezzeh area of Damascus.</p>
<p>A senior official in the regional alliance that supports President Bashar al-Assad said the attack by the United States, Britain and France would be viewed as contained if it was now over. “If it is finished, and there is no second round, it will be considered limited,” the official told Reuters.</p>
<p>Syrian state TV said air defenses were confronting the attack and had shot down 13 missiles in the Kiswah area south of Damascus. It said a pro-Damascus “anti-terror axis” was confronting the attack, language suggesting that Assad’s ally Russia may be helping to fend off the assault.</p>
<p>State TV described the attack as a “flagrant violation” of international law.</p>
<p>Observatory Director Rami Abdulrahman said all the targeted locations were evacuated three days ago after the Russians told the government they had intelligence that bases including the research centers would be hit. He said there were so far no reports of civilian or military casualties,</p>
<p>Reporting by Kinda Makieh in Damascus, Tom Perry, Samia Nakhoul, Laila Bassam and Ellen Francis in Beirut;Editing by Samia Nakhoul</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
| false | 2 |
juba reuters britain said closely monitoring ceasefire agreed last month south sudans warring parties would work regional partners identify individuals guilty violations take action south sudan wracked fouryear civil war broke political disagreement former vice president riek machar incumbent leader salva kiir degenerated military confrontation last month two sides signed ceasefire deal addis abba interview south sudans capital juba week british special envoy chris trott told reuters anyone spoils chances peace understand watchingany breach peace process seenviolations agreement saying parties unacceptable urged regional countries report promptly violations identifying individuals would like send message x specify might involve trott speaking ahead planned meetings south sudanese officials said would make clear government expected honor ceasefire britain among world powers trying put diplomatic pressure south sudan government rebels end fighting agree peace since deal signed several violations occurred sides blaming breach early month several people killed fighting broke near juba army blamed rebels said attempted seize military outpost west juba attorneys defending two jailed members former vice president machars staff said quit citing called governments violation agreement failing release political prisoners south african national william john endley james gatdet dak served advisor spokesman machar arrested 2016 detention since charged crimes including conspiracy treason publishing materials harmful state monyluak alor kuol head two defendants legal team told reuters clients continued prosecution contradicted spirit last months ceasefire lawyers encourage impunity part government withdrew said writing elias biryabarema editing ralph boulton standards thomson reuters trust principles london reuters british prime minister theresa may said saturday authorized british forces conduct precision airlaunched cruise missile strikes syria degrade chemical weapons capability saying alternative military action four royal air force tornado jets using storm shadow missiles taken part attack military facility near homs assessed syria stockpiled chemicals britains ministry defence mod said strike conducted united states france limited targeted designed minimize civilian casualties may said mod said initial indications precision weapons meticulous target planning resulted successful attack intervening civil war regime change may said statement said strike response significant evidence including intelligence showing syrian president bashar alassads government responsible attack using chemical weapons douma syria last saturday killed 75 people including children may added britain allies sought use every diplomatic means stop use chemical weapons repeatedly thwarted citing russian veto independent investigation douma attack un security council week practicable alternative use force degrade deter use chemical weapons syrian regime said western missile strikes demonstrate volatile nature syrian civil war started march 2011 antiassad uprising proxy conflict involving number world regional powers myriad insurgent groups us president donald trump said prepared sustain response government assad stopped use chemical weapons russia intervened war 2015 back assad denied chemical attack accused britain helping stage douma incident stoke antirussian hysteria chemical weapons targets britains defense ministry said careful scientific analysis applied maximize destruction stockpiled chemicals minimizing risk contamination surrounding areas facility struck located distance known concentrations civilian habitation reducing yet risk mod said statement britains prime minister theresa may tours alexander stadium birmingham april 11 2018 christopher furlongpool via reuters may said strike targeted syria sent message anyone used chemical weapons britain accused russia behind last months nerve agent attack former russian spy sergei skripal daughter salisbury southern england charge moscow rejected first time prime minister take decision commit armed forces combat decision taken lightly said done judge action britains national interest allow use chemical weapons become normalized within syria streets uk anywhere else world many politicians britain including mays conservative party called parliament recalled break give authority military strike may obliged win parliaments approval ordering military action nonbinding constitutional convention established since 2003 vote joining usled invasion iraq plane lands raf akrotiri military base britain maintains cyprus april 14 2018 reutersyiannis kourtoglou opposition labour leader jeremy corbyn said britain press independent unled investigation suspected chemical attack douma rather wait instructions trump proceed reporting michael holden editing guy faulconbridge standards thomson reuters trust principles beirut reuters syrian government allies absorbed usled attack saturday targeted sites evacuated days ago thanks warning russia senior official regional alliance backs damascus said syria air defences strike back air strikes us british french forces damascus syria still image obtained video dated early april 14 2018 syria tv via reuters tv absorbed strike official told reuters early warning strike russians military bases evacuated days ago official said around 30 missiles fired attack third shot official said carrying assessment material damages official added syrian president bashar alassad backed sevenyearlong syrian war russia iran iranbacked shiite groups across region including lebanons hezbollah reporting laila bassam writing tom perry editing samia nakhoul standards thomson reuters trust principles washington reuters russias ambassador united states friday warned would consequences usled military strikes syria adding acceptable insult russias president file photo anatoly antonov speaks media news conference moscow march 5 2015 reuterssergei karpukhin predesigned scenario implemented russian ambassador anatoly antonov said twitter threatened warned actions left without consequences insulting president russia unacceptable inadmissible added us possessor biggest arsenal chemical weapons moral right blame countries reporting tim ahmann eric beech editing eric walsh standards thomson reuters trust principles damascusbeirut reuters western attack syria hit scientific research facility damascus syrian army depots homs area state media said reuters witness said syrian capital rocked explosions smoke rose sky syria air defences strike back air strikes us british french forces damascus syria still image obtained video dated early april 14 2018 syria tv via reuters tv syrian observatory human rights said second research facility also struck damascus addition third homs area five military bases depots used elite army divisions mezzeh area damascus senior official regional alliance supports president bashar alassad said attack united states britain france would viewed contained finished second round considered limited official told reuters syrian state tv said air defenses confronting attack shot 13 missiles kiswah area south damascus said prodamascus antiterror axis confronting attack language suggesting assads ally russia may helping fend assault state tv described attack flagrant violation international law observatory director rami abdulrahman said targeted locations evacuated three days ago russians told government intelligence bases including research centers would hit said far reports civilian military casualties reporting kinda makieh damascus tom perry samia nakhoul laila bassam ellen francis beirutediting samia nakhoul standards thomson reuters trust principles
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<p>BEIRUT — Russia on Monday threatened aircraft from the U.S.-led coalition in Syrian-controlled airspace and suspended a hotline intended to avoid collisions in retaliation for the U.S. military shooting down a Syrian warplane.</p>
<p>The U.S. said it had downed the Syrian jet a day earlier after it dropped bombs near the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces conducting operations against the Islamic State group, adding that was something it would not tolerate.</p>
<p>The downing of the warplane — the first time in the six-year conflict that the U.S. has shot down a Syrian jet — came amid another first: Iran fired several ballistic missiles Sunday night at IS positions in eastern Syria in what it said was a message to archrival Saudi Arabia and the United States.</p>
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<p>The developments added to already-soaring regional tensions and reflect the intensifying rivalry among the major players in Syria’s civil war that could spiral out of control just as the fight against the Islamic State group in its stronghold of Raqqa is gaining ground.</p>
<p>Russia, a key ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad, called on the U.S. military to provide a full accounting as to why it decided to shoot down the Syrian Su-22 bomber.</p>
<p>The U.S. military confirmed that one of its F-18 Super Hornets shot down a Syrian jet that had dropped bombs near the U.S. partner forces SDF. Those forces, which are aligned with the U.S. in the campaign against the Islamic State group, warned Syrian government troops to stop their attacks or face retaliation.</p>
<p>The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that as of Monday, all coalition jets and drones flying west of the Euphrates River will be tracked as potential targets.</p>
<p>Areas of northern Syria west of the Euphrates were controlled by IS before Syrian government forces captured most of them in recent months. The Russians, who have been providing air cover for Assad’s forces since 2015, appear to want to avoid further U.S. targeting of Syrian warplanes or ground troops that have come under U.S. attack in eastern Syria recently.</p>
<p>It was the second time Russia suspended a hotline intended to minimize incidents with the U.S. in Syrian airspace. In April, Russia briefly suspended cooperation after the U.S. military fired 59 missiles at a Syrian air base following a chemical weapons attack that Washington blamed on the Assad government.</p>
<p>Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Washington is working to re-establish communications aimed at avoiding mishaps involving U.S. and Russian air operations in Syria.</p>
<p>Speaking in Washington, the top U.S. military officer said the two sides were in delicate discussions to lower tensions.</p>
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<p>“The worst thing any of us could do right now is address this with hyperbole,” Dunford said.</p>
<p>Viktor Ozerov, chairman of the defense and security committee at the upper chamber of Russian parliament, described his Defense Ministry’s statement as a warning.</p>
<p>“I’m sure that because of this, neither the U.S. nor anyone else will take any actions to threaten our aircraft,” he told the state-owned RIA Novosti news agency. “That’s why there’s no threat of direct confrontation between Russia and American aircraft.”</p>
<p>Ozerov insisted that Russia will be tracking the coalition’s jets, not shooting them down, but he added that “a threat for those jets may appear only if they take action that pose a threat to Russian aircraft.”</p>
<p>Iran said the missile strike by its powerful Revolutionary Guard hit Syria’s eastern city of Deir el-Zour on Sunday night and was in retaliation for two attacks in Tehran earlier this month that killed 17 people and were claimed by the Islamic State group.</p>
<p>It appeared to be Iran’s first missile attack abroad in over 15 years and its first in the Syrian conflict, in which it has provided crucial support to Assad. The muscle-flexing comes amid the worsening of a long-running feud between Shiite powerhouse Iran and Saudi Arabia, with supports Syrian rebels and has led recent efforts to isolate the Gulf nation of Qatar.</p>
<p>“The Saudis and Americans are especially receivers of this message,” Gen. Ramazan Sharif of the Revolutionary Guard told Iranian state TV in an interview.</p>
<p>It also raised questions about how U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, which had previously put Iran “on notice” for its ballistic missile tests, will respond. Israel also is concerned about Iran’s missiles and has deployed a multilayered missile-defense system.</p>
<p>The missile attack came amid recent confrontations in Syria between U.S.-backed forces and Iranian-backed pro-government factions. The U.S. recently deployed a truck-mounted missile system in Syria as Iranian-backed forces cut off the advance of the U.S.-supported rebels along the Iraqi border.</p>
<p>Iranian officials threatened more strikes. Former Guard chief Gen. Mohsen Rezai wrote on Twitter: “The bigger slap is yet to come.”</p>
<p>U.S.-backed opposition fighters said Assad’s forces have been attacking them in the northern province of Raqqa and warned that if such attacks continue, the fighters will take action.</p>
<p>Clashes between Syrian troops and the SDF would escalate tensions and open a new front line in the many complex battlefields of the civil war, now in its seventh year. Clashes between the Kurdish-led SDF and Syrian forces have been rare and some rebel groups have even accused them of coordinating on the battlefield.</p>
<p>Both sides are battling the Islamic State group, with SDF fighters focusing on their march into the northern city of Raqqa, which the extremist group has declared to be its capital.</p>
<p>Syrian government forces have also been attacking IS in northern, central and southern parts of the country, seizing 25,000 square kilometers (9,600 square miles) and reaching the Iraqi border for the first time in years.</p>
<p>SDF spokesman Talal Sillo said the government wants to thwart the SDF offensive to capture Raqqa. He said government forces began attacking the SDF on Saturday, using warplanes, artillery and tanks in areas that SDF had liberated from IS.</p>
<p>Sillo also warned that if “the regime continues in its offensive against our positions in Raqqa province, this will force us to retaliate with force.”</p>
<p>The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which tracks Syria’s war, said government forces expanded their presence in Raqqa province by capturing from IS the town of Rasafa.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Vasilyeva reported from Moscow. Associated Press writers Nasser Karimi in Tehran and Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed.</p>
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beirut russia monday threatened aircraft usled coalition syriancontrolled airspace suspended hotline intended avoid collisions retaliation us military shooting syrian warplane us said downed syrian jet day earlier dropped bombs near usbacked syrian democratic forces conducting operations islamic state group adding something would tolerate downing warplane first time sixyear conflict us shot syrian jet came amid another first iran fired several ballistic missiles sunday night positions eastern syria said message archrival saudi arabia united states advertisement developments added alreadysoaring regional tensions reflect intensifying rivalry among major players syrias civil war could spiral control fight islamic state group stronghold raqqa gaining ground russia key ally syrian president bashar assad called us military provide full accounting decided shoot syrian su22 bomber us military confirmed one f18 super hornets shot syrian jet dropped bombs near us partner forces sdf forces aligned us campaign islamic state group warned syrian government troops stop attacks face retaliation russian defense ministry said statement monday coalition jets drones flying west euphrates river tracked potential targets areas northern syria west euphrates controlled syrian government forces captured recent months russians providing air cover assads forces since 2015 appear want avoid us targeting syrian warplanes ground troops come us attack eastern syria recently second time russia suspended hotline intended minimize incidents us syrian airspace april russia briefly suspended cooperation us military fired 59 missiles syrian air base following chemical weapons attack washington blamed assad government gen joseph dunford chairman joint chiefs staff said washington working reestablish communications aimed avoiding mishaps involving us russian air operations syria speaking washington top us military officer said two sides delicate discussions lower tensions advertisement worst thing us could right address hyperbole dunford said viktor ozerov chairman defense security committee upper chamber russian parliament described defense ministrys statement warning im sure neither us anyone else take actions threaten aircraft told stateowned ria novosti news agency thats theres threat direct confrontation russia american aircraft ozerov insisted russia tracking coalitions jets shooting added threat jets may appear take action pose threat russian aircraft iran said missile strike powerful revolutionary guard hit syrias eastern city deir elzour sunday night retaliation two attacks tehran earlier month killed 17 people claimed islamic state group appeared irans first missile attack abroad 15 years first syrian conflict provided crucial support assad muscleflexing comes amid worsening longrunning feud shiite powerhouse iran saudi arabia supports syrian rebels led recent efforts isolate gulf nation qatar saudis americans especially receivers message gen ramazan sharif revolutionary guard told iranian state tv interview also raised questions us president donald trumps administration previously put iran notice ballistic missile tests respond israel also concerned irans missiles deployed multilayered missiledefense system missile attack came amid recent confrontations syria usbacked forces iranianbacked progovernment factions us recently deployed truckmounted missile system syria iranianbacked forces cut advance ussupported rebels along iraqi border iranian officials threatened strikes former guard chief gen mohsen rezai wrote twitter bigger slap yet come usbacked opposition fighters said assads forces attacking northern province raqqa warned attacks continue fighters take action clashes syrian troops sdf would escalate tensions open new front line many complex battlefields civil war seventh year clashes kurdishled sdf syrian forces rare rebel groups even accused coordinating battlefield sides battling islamic state group sdf fighters focusing march northern city raqqa extremist group declared capital syrian government forces also attacking northern central southern parts country seizing 25000 square kilometers 9600 square miles reaching iraqi border first time years sdf spokesman talal sillo said government wants thwart sdf offensive capture raqqa said government forces began attacking sdf saturday using warplanes artillery tanks areas sdf liberated sillo also warned regime continues offensive positions raqqa province force us retaliate force britainbased syrian observatory human rights tracks syrias war said government forces expanded presence raqqa province capturing town rasafa ___ vasilyeva reported moscow associated press writers nasser karimi tehran jon gambrell dubai united arab emirates contributed
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<p>Pre-orders start April 10. The device costs $349 for a base model, while a luxury gold version will go for $10,000. Industry watchers are eager to see if Apple’s version will be the tipping point for the sluggish smartwatch market. There was similar skepticism when Apple released the iPad in 2010, yet the company has successfully sold millions and its popularity has shaken up the PC market.</p>
<p>The stakes are high for a company that just dislodged AT&amp;T as one of the 30 stocks comprising the venerable Dow Jones industrial average. The watch is the first brand-new device Apple has launched without Steve Jobs.</p>
<p>Cook directed Apple’s big event Monday in San Francisco, unveiling a shiny, skinny and silent MacBook weighing in at just two pounds that the company says is the world’s most energy-efficient laptop. Apple also has unveiled a new deal between Apple TV and HBO, touted growth in iPhone sales and Apple Pay adoption, and announced a set of tools called ResearchKit to help hospitals and research centers develop apps for patients.</p>
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<p>It cut the price of Apple TV by $30 to $69 and is partnering with HBO to offer its stand-alone streaming service, HBO Go, on Apple devices in time for the “Game of Thrones” premiere April 12. It will cost $14.99 monthly. Cook said 2,500 banks are now signed up with Apple Pay, which is available in 700,000 retail locations nationwide.</p>
<p>Below is a live blog of the event. All times PDT.</p>
<p>11:35 a.m.</p>
<p>The event ends as Cook thanks employees who worked on Apple Watch. Dozens stand in the audience. Cook says thousands more were involved at the company’s Cupertino, California, headquarters.</p>
<p>11:33 a.m.</p>
<p>Pre-orders will begin April 10. That’s also when people will be to check them out in retail stores.</p>
<p>The watch will start selling on April 24 in the U.S., Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan and the United Kingdom.</p>
<p>11:30 a.m.</p>
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<p>How much will these cost?</p>
<p>The entry-level aluminum model, called Sport, will be aimed at fitness enthusiasts. It will cost $349 for the smaller, 38-millimeter model</p>
<p>and $399 for the larger, 42-millimeter model. There will be choices of colors and bands.</p>
<p>The stainless steel edition will start at $549 and go up to $1,049 for the smaller model, depending on the selection of watch band. The</p>
<p>larger model will range from $599 to $1,099.</p>
<p>The Apple Watch Edition — the luxury model with 18-karat gold — will be available in limited quantities at select retail stores, for a</p>
<p>price of $10,000.</p>
<p>11:25 a.m.</p>
<p>BATTERY LIFE: Apple says the watch will have 18 hours of battery life across a range of activity — which Cook describes as “all day.”</p>
<p>That’s so if you factor in charging it while you sleep, but you wouldn’t be able to use sleep-tracking apps overnight.</p>
<p>The watch is charged with a magnetic charger that clicks into place when it’s near the back of the watch.</p>
<p>Apple also is releasing an update to its iOS software for iPhones on Monday that includes an Apple Watch app. You won’t be able to use it yet, but you can see some of the customization options and other features to come.</p>
<p>11:20 a.m.</p>
<p>More functionality: You can get reservation information for your Starwood hotel room, and unlock the room door right from the notification on the watch — bypassing the front desk. Using a service from Alarm.com, you can also open your garage door remotely.</p>
<p>Apple says developers have been working on thousands of apps since the company released tools in November.</p>
<p>11:15 a.m.</p>
<p>Technology VP Kevin Lynch demonstrates being able to pay for groceries and other items via Apple Pay integrated into the watch.</p>
<p>Lynch also demonstrates making and receiving calls, getting a boarding pass notification and calling Uber. Lynch presses the watch’s crown to get to the home screen, chooses the Uber app and “calls” for a car.</p>
<p>He also shows off how to use the digital touch option to draw a flower picture for his wife as a message.</p>
<p>11:05 a.m.</p>
<p>Supermodel Christy Turlington Burns appears on stage to banter with Cook. Says she will try to beat four hours in the upcoming London Marathon.</p>
<p>“Apple Watch is going to help me get there,” she vows.</p>
<p>11 a.m.</p>
<p>Apple tapped supermodel Christy Turlington Burns to try out the Apple Watch. Apple shows video of her running a half marathon wearing the watch.</p>
<p>Fitness features include reminders to start moving when you’ve been sitting too long. A new Workout app will offer weekly summaries and goal suggestions for the upcoming week. Cook describes it as “having a coach on your wrist.”</p>
<p>10:55 a.m.</p>
<p>Cook unveils what everyone’s been waiting for today — the watch. Begins by talking about the watch’s time capabilities, including choices of finish and watch faces. And a series of features available called “glances.”</p>
<p>The watch will notify a wearer with a “tap” when a new email has arrived, for instance. You can use the watch for phone calls — the watch is connected to your iPhone using Bluetooth. “I have been wanting to this this since I was five years old. The day is finally here,” Cook declares.</p>
<p>10:50 a.m.</p>
<p>The starting price of the new MacBook laptop is $1,299 and comes with 256 gigabytes of storage. For $1,599, you get a faster processor and twice the storage. The MacBook will start shipping April 10.</p>
<p>Apple also refreshed its current lineup of MacBook Air and Pro products.</p>
<p>10:45 a.m.</p>
<p>Cook says Apple took what it learned from designing iPhones and iPads and “challenged ourselves to reinvent the notebook.” Apple says the keyboard is more responsive, and the screen uses 30 percent less energy to offer the same brightness.</p>
<p>Apple is dropping many of the connection ports, such as USB, in favor of wireless technology. But when something needs to be connected, Apple is offering a single port that can be used for power charging, display output and accessories. It uses an emerging technology called USB-C.</p>
<p>Apple has been known to drop older technologies as new products come along. The MacBook Air got rid of a DVD drive long before others did, for instance.</p>
<p>10:40 a.m.</p>
<p>Tim Cook unveils new MacBook, the thinnest and lightest version of its laptop in silver, space gray and gold finishes. Just 2 pounds and 24 percent skinnier than the MacBook Air. (Apple is dropping Air from the name and is calling this simply the MacBook.) Keys are bigger and backlit with LEDs; screen has 12-inch Retina display, currently available only in the higher-end, heavier MacBook Pro line. Force Touch trackpad allows for clicks, fast-forwarding, and more depending on how hard you press.</p>
<p>Also — it’s silent. No fan.</p>
<p>10:25 a.m.</p>
<p>Jeff Williams, Apple’s senior vice president of operations, addresses the role of Apple products in medical research. The company is creating a set of tools called ResearchKit to help hospitals and research centers develop apps for iPhone users to participate in studies. Apple says it’s working with leading researchers to develop apps for studies on diabetes, asthma, Parkinson’s disease, breast cancer, cardiovascular disease and other ailments. The Parkinson’s app, for instance, will monitor patients as they walk 20 steps to detect the progression of the diseases, which affects motor systems.</p>
<p>Apple says it won’t see any of the data to ensure privacy. ResearchKit, which will be open source, will be available next month. The first five apps are available today.</p>
<p>10:15 a.m.</p>
<p>Cook says its Apple Pay mobile-payment service has expanded to 2,500 banks since launching in October with six credit-card issuing banks in the U.S.. The number of merchants accepting Apple Pay has tripled to nearly 700,000 across the U.S. That’s still a small fraction of all the retail outlets out there.</p>
<p>10:12 a.m.</p>
<p>Cook announces a price cut for Apple TV to $69, from $99. He says 25 million units have been sold so far.</p>
<p>The availability of HBO as a stand-alone service comes as more people turn to the Internet to watch television. HBO previously was available on Apple devices, but only with a cable or satellite subscription.</p>
<p>10:10 a.m.</p>
<p>Cook shows a trailer from the upcoming season of “Game of Thrones.”</p>
<p>10:05 a.m.</p>
<p>Cook walks on stage to talk about Apple’s retail stores and offer an update on Apple TV. He’s joined by HBO CEO Richard Plepler to announce that Apple will be the exclusive partner of HBO’s upcoming stand-alone subscription service, HBO Now.</p>
<p>There will be a new HBO Now channel on Apple TV. It will be possible to get it on iPhones and iPads, too. The service will cost $14.99 a month and will be available in early April — in time for the season premiere of “Game of Thrones.”</p>
<p>10 a.m.</p>
<p>The event begins with a video of an Apple store in West Lake, China. Customers holding Apple products cheer as employees count down to the opening of the store in January.</p>
<p>9:55 a.m.</p>
<p>Journalists, industry analysts and Apple guests fill the auditorium of the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco for the start of the event.</p>
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preorders start april 10 device costs 349 base model luxury gold version go 10000 industry watchers eager see apples version tipping point sluggish smartwatch market similar skepticism apple released ipad 2010 yet company successfully sold millions popularity shaken pc market stakes high company dislodged atampt one 30 stocks comprising venerable dow jones industrial average watch first brandnew device apple launched without steve jobs cook directed apples big event monday san francisco unveiling shiny skinny silent macbook weighing two pounds company says worlds energyefficient laptop apple also unveiled new deal apple tv hbo touted growth iphone sales apple pay adoption announced set tools called researchkit help hospitals research centers develop apps patients advertisement cut price apple tv 30 69 partnering hbo offer standalone streaming service hbo go apple devices time game thrones premiere april 12 cost 1499 monthly cook said 2500 banks signed apple pay available 700000 retail locations nationwide live blog event times pdt 1135 event ends cook thanks employees worked apple watch dozens stand audience cook says thousands involved companys cupertino california headquarters 1133 preorders begin april 10 thats also people check retail stores watch start selling april 24 us australia canada china france germany hong kong japan united kingdom 1130 advertisement much cost entrylevel aluminum model called sport aimed fitness enthusiasts cost 349 smaller 38millimeter model 399 larger 42millimeter model choices colors bands stainless steel edition start 549 go 1049 smaller model depending selection watch band larger model range 599 1099 apple watch edition luxury model 18karat gold available limited quantities select retail stores price 10000 1125 battery life apple says watch 18 hours battery life across range activity cook describes day thats factor charging sleep wouldnt able use sleeptracking apps overnight watch charged magnetic charger clicks place near back watch apple also releasing update ios software iphones monday includes apple watch app wont able use yet see customization options features come 1120 functionality get reservation information starwood hotel room unlock room door right notification watch bypassing front desk using service alarmcom also open garage door remotely apple says developers working thousands apps since company released tools november 1115 technology vp kevin lynch demonstrates able pay groceries items via apple pay integrated watch lynch also demonstrates making receiving calls getting boarding pass notification calling uber lynch presses watchs crown get home screen chooses uber app calls car also shows use digital touch option draw flower picture wife message 1105 supermodel christy turlington burns appears stage banter cook says try beat four hours upcoming london marathon apple watch going help get vows 11 apple tapped supermodel christy turlington burns try apple watch apple shows video running half marathon wearing watch fitness features include reminders start moving youve sitting long new workout app offer weekly summaries goal suggestions upcoming week cook describes coach wrist 1055 cook unveils everyones waiting today watch begins talking watchs time capabilities including choices finish watch faces series features available called glances watch notify wearer tap new email arrived instance use watch phone calls watch connected iphone using bluetooth wanting since five years old day finally cook declares 1050 starting price new macbook laptop 1299 comes 256 gigabytes storage 1599 get faster processor twice storage macbook start shipping april 10 apple also refreshed current lineup macbook air pro products 1045 cook says apple took learned designing iphones ipads challenged reinvent notebook apple says keyboard responsive screen uses 30 percent less energy offer brightness apple dropping many connection ports usb favor wireless technology something needs connected apple offering single port used power charging display output accessories uses emerging technology called usbc apple known drop older technologies new products come along macbook air got rid dvd drive long others instance 1040 tim cook unveils new macbook thinnest lightest version laptop silver space gray gold finishes 2 pounds 24 percent skinnier macbook air apple dropping air name calling simply macbook keys bigger backlit leds screen 12inch retina display currently available higherend heavier macbook pro line force touch trackpad allows clicks fastforwarding depending hard press also silent fan 1025 jeff williams apples senior vice president operations addresses role apple products medical research company creating set tools called researchkit help hospitals research centers develop apps iphone users participate studies apple says working leading researchers develop apps studies diabetes asthma parkinsons disease breast cancer cardiovascular disease ailments parkinsons app instance monitor patients walk 20 steps detect progression diseases affects motor systems apple says wont see data ensure privacy researchkit open source available next month first five apps available today 1015 cook says apple pay mobilepayment service expanded 2500 banks since launching october six creditcard issuing banks us number merchants accepting apple pay tripled nearly 700000 across us thats still small fraction retail outlets 1012 cook announces price cut apple tv 69 99 says 25 million units sold far availability hbo standalone service comes people turn internet watch television hbo previously available apple devices cable satellite subscription 1010 cook shows trailer upcoming season game thrones 1005 cook walks stage talk apples retail stores offer update apple tv hes joined hbo ceo richard plepler announce apple exclusive partner hbos upcoming standalone subscription service hbo new hbo channel apple tv possible get iphones ipads service cost 1499 month available early april time season premiere game thrones 10 event begins video apple store west lake china customers holding apple products cheer employees count opening store january 955 journalists industry analysts apple guests fill auditorium yerba buena center arts san francisco start event
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<p>The two Democrats vying for a chance to become the Bernalillo County sheriff are experienced lawmen who say they want to bring trust and accountability back to the sheriff's office.</p>
<p>Sylvester Stanley, a court security officer with more than three decades of law enforcement experience, and Manuel Gonzales, a former BCSO sheriff with more than 20 years as a certified law enforcement officer, are competing against each other for a chance to run against whoever wins the Republican primary.</p>
<p>Early voting begins Saturday.</p>
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<p>Should Gonzales win the primary, he could face off against his successor, incumbent sheriff Dan Houston. For that to happen, Houston would also have to win the Republican primary.</p>
<p>Gonzales said he's running because the sheriff's office is not the same one he left in December 2010. He took over in December 2009 when then-sheriff Darren White got a job as the city's public safety director.</p>
<p>"In making my decision to run, I felt very compelled to want to come back and help this community out," Gonzales said. "The way I had left the agency is not the shape it's in now."</p>
<p>Gonzales said he wants to improve deputy morale by focusing on accountability, fair and impartial treatment of deputies and collaboration. He said he told deputies that during a recent candidate forum.</p>
<p>"I have the time. I have the experience. I have the qualifications. I have the support," he said. "? So I just felt this is one of the things I wanted to do again."</p>
<p>Stanley ran for the sheriff's office in 2002 but was unsuccessful, and he said he's been considering a new attempt ever since.</p>
<p>"I've been thinking about this for a long time," he said in a phone interview Monday. "? If people look at my qualifications, they are going to see I am the person for the job."</p>
<p>Stanley is a former police chief at the Gallup Police Department and the Isleta Police Department and spent more than 20 years at BCSO, where he eventually became a captain.</p>
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<p>He said he intends to push the department toward greater community policing and that change at the department begins with leadership. <a type="external" href="" /></p>
<p>Manuel Gonzales III</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" />POLITICAL PARTY: Democratic</p>
<p>PLACE OF RESIDENCE: Albuquerque</p>
<p>AGE: 50</p>
<p>EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science in Occupational Education, Major: Management, Minor: Specialization in Law Enforcement, Wayland Baptist University, 2009; Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice, Central New Mexico Community College, 1993.</p>
<p>OCCUPATION: Candidate for Sheriff, March 2014-Present; Sheriff of Bernalillo County, Dec. 2009-Dec. 2010; Captain with Bernalillo County, June 2009-Dec. 2009; Deputy through Lieutenant with Bernalillo County, 1989-2009; Honorable Discharge, United States Marine Corps, 1981-1987.</p>
<p>FAMILY: Elaine R. Gonzales; three children.</p>
<p>POLITICAL/GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE: Appointed to Bernalillo County Sheriff Dec. 1, 2009-Dec. 31, 2010. Assignments: Deputy, Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain, Aug. 14, 1989-Nov. 31, 2009.</p>
<p>MAJOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: Unanimous appointment to Sheriff on Nov. 31, 2009; Graduate from Northwestern University Center for Public Safety-Police Staff and Command Training; New Mexico Department of Public Safety State Certified Executive level officer; Wayland Baptist University, the Dr. Claude W.Cone Award, Outstanding Baccalaureate Graduate for Academic and Community Involvement; Experienced Command Officer-Hurricane Katrina Response Effort.</p>
<p>MAJOR PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: The most rewarding personal accomplishment is being happily married and father of three good and active children. <a type="external" href="" /></p>
<p>Sylvester Stanley</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" />POLITICAL PARTY: Democratic</p>
<p>PLACE OF RESIDENCE: Albuquerque</p>
<p>AGE: 59</p>
<p>EDUCATION: Associate Degree in Criminal Justice</p>
<p>OCCUPATION: 2009-present, Rehire Police officer APD; 2008-2009, State Parks Manager; 2003-2007, Police Chief Gallup, N.M., 2002-2003; Police Chief Isleta Pueblo, 1982-2002; Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department retired captain.</p>
<p>FAMILY: Married to RoseMary Romero-Stanley 35 years, two children.</p>
<p>POLITICAL/GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE:&#160;See above government jobs.</p>
<p>MAJOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT:&#160;Retired from the Sheriff's Department as a Captain; Retired United States Army; Police Chief.</p>
<p>MAJOR PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT:&#160;Happily married for 35 years, raised two sons, and now have seven grandchildren.</p>
<p>Q. Would you support a policy requiring sheriff's deputies to wear lapel cameras and record encounters with civilians?</p>
<p>GONZALES: I support the use of cameras; although, I question whether or not lapel cameras are the best technology today. The policies need to be developed so deputies maintain the ability to treat people fairly and equally.</p>
<p>STANLEY: While lapel cameras are important I would first review the sheriff's policy on lapel camera and audio recording. I would also talk to members of the rank and file and command staff to see if there is a need for modification of the present policy. I would not just change the policy for the sake of just changing the policy.</p>
<p>Q. What differentiates you from your opponent?</p>
<p>GONZALES:&#160;I have an extensive history as Sheriff of treating staff and citizens in a fair, equal, and civil manner. I have established public trust, creditability throughout our community and strong principles to make good choices.</p>
<p>STANLEY:&#160;I have over 38 years of law enforcement experience, with 20 of those years being in the supervisor's rank to include one year as a police chief at Isleta Pueblo, 3.5 as the police chief in Gallup, one year as a state park manager in law enforcement at N.M. State parks. Retired Captain from Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department and retired military 23 years. I am also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, and hold many other management courses. I also have an associate degree in criminal justice.</p>
<p>Q. Do you believe the sheriff's office should be in charge of running the jail system?</p>
<p>GONZALES:&#160;As Sheriff, I would be in support of running the jail provided a comprehensive analysis was completed and supported by the County Commission and community.</p>
<p>STANLEY:&#160;I am not opposed to the sheriff department running the jail but that is a decision that would have to be made and initiated by the county commissioner. If that decision is made there will need to be a partnership with the judicial system, a lot of planning such as short range and long range, and also reorganization that would have to be done. If I am asked to move in that direction I do have an initial plan to start procedures.</p>
<p>Q. Have you or your business, if you are a business owner, ever been the subject of any state or federal tax liens?</p>
<p>GONZALES:&#160;No.</p>
<p>STANLEY:&#160;Not applicable.</p>
<p>Q. Have you ever been involved in a personal or business bankruptcy proceeding?</p>
<p>GONZALES:&#160;No.</p>
<p>STANLEY:&#160;Yes, I initiated a personal bankruptcy, however it was withdrawn and never followed through with.</p>
<p>Q. 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?</p>
<p>GONZALES:&#160;No.</p>
<p>STANLEY:&#160;No.</p>
<p />
<p />
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two democrats vying chance become bernalillo county sheriff experienced lawmen say want bring trust accountability back sheriffs office sylvester stanley court security officer three decades law enforcement experience manuel gonzales former bcso sheriff 20 years certified law enforcement officer competing chance run whoever wins republican primary early voting begins saturday advertisement gonzales win primary could face successor incumbent sheriff dan houston happen houston would also win republican primary gonzales said hes running sheriffs office one left december 2010 took december 2009 thensheriff darren white got job citys public safety director making decision run felt compelled want come back help community gonzales said way left agency shape gonzales said wants improve deputy morale focusing accountability fair impartial treatment deputies collaboration said told deputies recent candidate forum time experience qualifications support said felt one things wanted stanley ran sheriffs office 2002 unsuccessful said hes considering new attempt ever since ive thinking long time said phone interview monday people look qualifications going see person job stanley former police chief gallup police department isleta police department spent 20 years bcso eventually became captain advertisement said intends push department toward greater community policing change department begins leadership manuel gonzales iii political party democratic place residence albuquerque age 50 education bachelor science occupational education major management minor specialization law enforcement wayland baptist university 2009 associate applied science degree criminal justice central new mexico community college 1993 occupation candidate sheriff march 2014present sheriff bernalillo county dec 2009dec 2010 captain bernalillo county june 2009dec 2009 deputy lieutenant bernalillo county 19892009 honorable discharge united states marine corps 19811987 family elaine r gonzales three children politicalgovernment experience appointed bernalillo county sheriff dec 1 2009dec 31 2010 assignments deputy sergeant lieutenant captain aug 14 1989nov 31 2009 major professional accomplishment unanimous appointment sheriff nov 31 2009 graduate northwestern university center public safetypolice staff command training new mexico department public safety state certified executive level officer wayland baptist university dr claude wcone award outstanding baccalaureate graduate academic community involvement experienced command officerhurricane katrina response effort major personal accomplishment rewarding personal accomplishment happily married father three good active children sylvester stanley political party democratic place residence albuquerque age 59 education associate degree criminal justice occupation 2009present rehire police officer apd 20082009 state parks manager 20032007 police chief gallup nm 20022003 police chief isleta pueblo 19822002 bernalillo county sheriffs department retired captain family married rosemary romerostanley 35 years two children politicalgovernment experience160see government jobs major professional accomplishment160retired sheriffs department captain retired united states army police chief major personal accomplishment160happily married 35 years raised two sons seven grandchildren q would support policy requiring sheriffs deputies wear lapel cameras record encounters civilians gonzales support use cameras although question whether lapel cameras best technology today policies need developed deputies maintain ability treat people fairly equally stanley lapel cameras important would first review sheriffs policy lapel camera audio recording would also talk members rank file command staff see need modification present policy would change policy sake changing policy q differentiates opponent gonzales160i extensive history sheriff treating staff citizens fair equal civil manner established public trust creditability throughout community strong principles make good choices stanley160i 38 years law enforcement experience 20 years supervisors rank include one year police chief isleta pueblo 35 police chief gallup one year state park manager law enforcement nm state parks retired captain bernalillo county sheriffs department retired military 23 years also graduate fbi national academy hold many management courses also associate degree criminal justice q believe sheriffs office charge running jail system gonzales160as sheriff would support running jail provided comprehensive analysis completed supported county commission community stanley160i opposed sheriff department running jail decision would made initiated county commissioner decision made need partnership judicial system lot planning short range long range also reorganization would done asked move direction initial plan start procedures q business business owner ever subject state federal tax liens gonzales160no stanley160not applicable q ever involved personal business bankruptcy proceeding gonzales160no stanley160yes initiated personal bankruptcy however withdrawn never followed q ever arrested charged convicted drunken driving misdemeanor felony new mexico state gonzales160no stanley160no
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<p>The mother of one of the shooting victims drives her son through Pat Hurley Park near Atrisco and Central. (Roberto E. Rosales / Journal)</p>
<p>ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Another Albuquerque teenager is dead from gunfire.</p>
<p>In the third incident in four months, Albuquerque juveniles were involved in a fatal shooting Monday morning. A 14-year-old was killed and two other teens were shot and injured around 2 a.m. while hanging out in a group at Pat Hurley Park on the city's West Side.</p>
<p>Police identified the dead teen as Isaiah Albright. They did not identify the other two who were shot, but said they are both expected to fully recover. Police said they believe the shooting was a drive-by, and no one had been arrested by late Monday.</p>
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<p>"Homicide detectives are actively pursuing leads and ask the public to contact 242-COPS with any information regarding this incident," police spokesman Tanner Tixier said.</p>
<p>Pat Hurley Park, northeast of Coors and Central, has been the scene of gun violence at least two other times in recent years and the city has placed portable cameras at the park at times to monitor the area. The cameras were not in the area of the shooting early Monday.</p>
<p>Albright's slaying comes on the heels of two other recent high-profile shootings involving teens in Albuquerque.</p>
<p>In late March, Jaquise Lewis, 17, was shot and killed during a fight at Los Altos Skate Park in Northeast Albuquerque. Six others were injured in the shooting. Police said Lewis' killing was self-defense and said he fired a gun during a gunfight at the park.</p>
<p>A few months later, Jaydon Chavez-Silver, a 17-year-old Manzano High School athlete, was shot and killed as he watched other teens play cards at a gathering at a friend's house in the Northeast Heights. The bullets went through a bay window, and police have not identified a suspect or made any arrests in the case.</p>
<p>Reports of shots fired</p>
<p>On Monday, officers were called to Pat Hurley Park around 2 a.m. after multiple residents reported hearing shots fired, officer Fred Duran said.</p>
<p>"Officers arrived in the area and located one subject lying in the roadway who had sustained at least one gunshot wound," Duran said.</p>
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<p>He said rescue workers were unable to save the victim.</p>
<p>At least two other teens were treated for gunshot wounds at a hospital.</p>
<p>All three of the victims were juveniles, he said.</p>
<p>Duran said when police arrived, there was a large group of teens in the park, and officers interviewed them and released them to their parents.</p>
<p>Duran said police do not have a suspect and have not made any arrests.</p>
<p>Albuquerque police spokeswoman Celina Espinoza said police don't believe any of the recent incidents involving teens are connected.</p>
<p>Chris Salcido, 15, was one of the teens shot and injured early Monday.</p>
<p>He said he was hanging out with friends in the park when he saw a red car drive past and make a U-turn in the parking lot. As the car drove back by the group, someone opened fire, hitting him and two other teens.</p>
<p>After being treated at a hospital, Salcido returned to the park with his mother.</p>
<p>He told the Journal that he had been shot in the back, that another boy was hit and injured and that one boy was struck in the head and died.</p>
<p>Salcido said he and the other victim who was shot and injured go to West Mesa High School.</p>
<p>Salcido's mother, JoyLynn Duran, said that her son was staying with his grandmother that night and that she didn't consider 1 a.m. as being too late for her son to be out with friends.</p>
<p>She said that Salcido's grandma took him to her house after he was shot and that she drove him to the hospital. JoyLynn Duran said a bullet is lodged in her son's shoulder, and will likely have to be surgically removed in a few weeks.</p>
<p>"I was blessed. If it would have went any further it would have gone through his heart," she said. "I feel for my son, because he had to see the little boy pass away in front of him."</p>
<p>Salcido said she thinks the shooting was a random act of violence, not targeting someone at the park.</p>
<p>"It's senseless," she said. "My thoughts and prayers are to that little boy's family. He was an innocent person; it shouldn't have happened to him or any of these kids." But Scott Gibbs, 15, said he heard there was a fight before the shooting.</p>
<p>Gibbs said he met Isaiah Albright earlier that night at a friend's house but left to go home before the teens gathered at the park.</p>
<p>"It's pretty crazy. I feel lucky I didn't get shot," he said.</p>
<p>Park site of past violence</p>
<p>Jen Samp, a spokeswoman for Albuquerque's Parks and Recreation Department, said that the park closes at 10 p.m. and that the teens were not supposed to be hanging out there after hours.</p>
<p>She said police are responsible for enforcing the park's curfew hours and combating crime.</p>
<p>Officials say they have tried to make the park a popular spot for families by upgrading the facilities.</p>
<p>Espinoza, the APD spokeswoman, said she didn't know how many times police have been called to that park.</p>
<p>But previous Journal stories report that the park has been the scene of violent crimes in the past. In 2011, a 15-year-old boy was paralyzed when two car clubs met at the park and a fight exploded into gunfire. And in 2013, a man was shot in the stomach at the park. He apparently survived.</p>
<p>Neighbors and those who frequented the park in recent years have been on edge about crime in the area.</p>
<p>Those concerns prompted calls to city officials to start monitoring the park with surveillance cameras. In the summer of 2014, in a ceremony attended by City Councilor Ken Sanchez and APD Cmdr. Harold Medina, officials unveiled surveillance cameras for the park.</p>
<p>"We will keep Pat Hurley safe," Sanchez said at the time.</p>
<p>But the cameras aren't a permanent fixture at the park, Espinoza said. Police move them around the area based on where they believe they are needed.</p>
<p>Sanchez said the park needs permanent cameras at the lower part of the park, where the shooting occurred.</p>
<p>"Unfortunately, the mobile camera wasn't there," Sanchez said. "This has happened in 2011, 2013 and now in 2015. (The camera) could have prevented this from happening. It's just really unfortunate."</p>
<p>Journal staff photographer Roberto E. Rosales contributed to this report</p>
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mother one shooting victims drives son pat hurley park near atrisco central roberto e rosales journal albuquerque nm another albuquerque teenager dead gunfire third incident four months albuquerque juveniles involved fatal shooting monday morning 14yearold killed two teens shot injured around 2 hanging group pat hurley park citys west side police identified dead teen isaiah albright identify two shot said expected fully recover police said believe shooting driveby one arrested late monday advertisement homicide detectives actively pursuing leads ask public contact 242cops information regarding incident police spokesman tanner tixier said pat hurley park northeast coors central scene gun violence least two times recent years city placed portable cameras park times monitor area cameras area shooting early monday albrights slaying comes heels two recent highprofile shootings involving teens albuquerque late march jaquise lewis 17 shot killed fight los altos skate park northeast albuquerque six others injured shooting police said lewis killing selfdefense said fired gun gunfight park months later jaydon chavezsilver 17yearold manzano high school athlete shot killed watched teens play cards gathering friends house northeast heights bullets went bay window police identified suspect made arrests case reports shots fired monday officers called pat hurley park around 2 multiple residents reported hearing shots fired officer fred duran said officers arrived area located one subject lying roadway sustained least one gunshot wound duran said advertisement said rescue workers unable save victim least two teens treated gunshot wounds hospital three victims juveniles said duran said police arrived large group teens park officers interviewed released parents duran said police suspect made arrests albuquerque police spokeswoman celina espinoza said police dont believe recent incidents involving teens connected chris salcido 15 one teens shot injured early monday said hanging friends park saw red car drive past make uturn parking lot car drove back group someone opened fire hitting two teens treated hospital salcido returned park mother told journal shot back another boy hit injured one boy struck head died salcido said victim shot injured go west mesa high school salcidos mother joylynn duran said son staying grandmother night didnt consider 1 late son friends said salcidos grandma took house shot drove hospital joylynn duran said bullet lodged sons shoulder likely surgically removed weeks blessed would went would gone heart said feel son see little boy pass away front salcido said thinks shooting random act violence targeting someone park senseless said thoughts prayers little boys family innocent person shouldnt happened kids scott gibbs 15 said heard fight shooting gibbs said met isaiah albright earlier night friends house left go home teens gathered park pretty crazy feel lucky didnt get shot said park site past violence jen samp spokeswoman albuquerques parks recreation department said park closes 10 pm teens supposed hanging hours said police responsible enforcing parks curfew hours combating crime officials say tried make park popular spot families upgrading facilities espinoza apd spokeswoman said didnt know many times police called park previous journal stories report park scene violent crimes past 2011 15yearold boy paralyzed two car clubs met park fight exploded gunfire 2013 man shot stomach park apparently survived neighbors frequented park recent years edge crime area concerns prompted calls city officials start monitoring park surveillance cameras summer 2014 ceremony attended city councilor ken sanchez apd cmdr harold medina officials unveiled surveillance cameras park keep pat hurley safe sanchez said time cameras arent permanent fixture park espinoza said police move around area based believe needed sanchez said park needs permanent cameras lower part park shooting occurred unfortunately mobile camera wasnt sanchez said happened 2011 2013 2015 camera could prevented happening really unfortunate journal staff photographer roberto e rosales contributed report
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<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Voter registration activists fanned out among throngs of young Americans who marched for tighter gun laws on Saturday, signing up thousands of first-time voters who want to eject lawmakers who oppose gun control.</p> High school students carry a banner during a "March for Our Lives" demonstration demanding gun control in Seattle, Washington, U.S. March 24, 2018. REUTERS/Jason Redmond
<p>With mid-term Congressional elections eight months away, the activists flocked to some 800 marches across the country to register young voters likely to back Democratic and independent candidates who tend to favor tougher firearms laws.</p>
<p>In Washington, volunteers for the HeadCount voter-registration effort raised their fists and chanted “demonstration without registration leads to frustration” before heading out with clipboards to sign up some of the nation’s newest voters.</p>
<p>“Parkland’s Emma Gonzalez called for more Americans to vote and that is why Headcount is here today,” volunteer Aaron Ghitelman, 26, said of the student who along with classmates forged a national, youth gun control movement following the Feb. 14 massacre at her high school in Parkland, Florida.</p>
<p>Hugh Williams from Ypsilanti, Michigan, was among many 18-year-olds who answered her call.</p>
<p>“Registering to vote today lifted a weight off of my shoulders. The more I see people marching and standing up for a cause I believe in, I want my voice to matter, too,” he said at the Washington march, adding that gun violence was a menace in his community.</p>
<p>Organizers of the voter registration drive hoped to sign up at least 25,000 people on Saturday, a potential boost for Democrats who back stronger controls on assault-style weapons, bump stocks that let semiautomatic rifles fire like automatic weapons, and tighter access to guns for young people and the mentally ill.</p>
<p>At a rally in Chicago, 17-year old Kara Sharp from Island Lake, Illinois, carried a sign reading “Protect students not guns - 2020 Voter” after traveling to the event with her father, a 53-year-old machinist.</p> People demonstrate during a "March For Our Lives" demonstration demanding gun control in Seattle, Washington, U.S. March 24, 2018. REUTERS/Jason Redmond
<p>Volunteers from a local chapter of lobbying group Indivisible435, which backs progressive political candidates, told her how to register to vote once she got home, as she did not have her driving license with her.</p>
<p>“It’s time to disarm hate. I’ll be looking at NRA ratings of politicians and also how they treat LGBQ issues,” said Sharp, a junior at Wauconda High School, referring to the grade the National Rife Association gives members of Congress for their voting record on gun rights.</p> Slideshow (2 Images) ‘TOOLS TO MAKE A CHANGE’
<p>Registration activists are targeting four million Americans turning 18 this year, as well as the many 19- to 21-year-olds who have never voted.</p>
<p>Participation in U.S. elections by young voters is often low. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Monday showed 64 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds said they would vote on Nov. 6, while 27 percent said they would not. Nine percent said they were uncertain or declined to answer.</p>
<p>In Parkland, Florida, Sari Kaufman was among students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where the mass shooting happened, who urged peers to get involved in politics, register to vote and turf out lawmakers who did not protect them.</p>
<p>“With this movement, we will ensure record-breaking turnout not just in the next presidential election, not in the next midterm election, but in all elections,” Kaufman told a crowd of thousands at a rally in Parkland.</p>
<p>“We’re here today to give you the tools to make a change and demand the politicians take action.”</p>
<p>Additional reporting by Robert Chiarito in Chicago and Zachary Fagenson in Parkland, Florida; Writing by Andrew Hay; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Nick Zieminski</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<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> Daisy Hernandez, age 22, joins students and gun control advocates for the "March for Our Lives" event demanding gun control after recent school shootings at a rally in Washington, U.S., March 24, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
<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> Related Coverage
<a href="/article/us-usa-guns-voters/mid-term-battle-at-u-s-anti-gun-marches-thousands-register-to-vote-idUSKBN1H00RY" type="external">Mid-term battle at U.S. anti-gun marches: thousands register to vote</a>
<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:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<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>
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thomson reuters trust principles washington reuters voter registration activists fanned among throngs young americans marched tighter gun laws saturday signing thousands firsttime voters want eject lawmakers oppose gun control high school students carry banner march lives demonstration demanding gun control seattle washington us march 24 2018 reutersjason redmond midterm congressional elections eight months away activists flocked 800 marches across country register young voters likely back democratic independent candidates tend favor tougher firearms laws washington volunteers headcount voterregistration effort raised fists chanted demonstration without registration leads frustration heading clipboards sign nations newest voters parklands emma gonzalez called americans vote headcount today volunteer aaron ghitelman 26 said student along classmates forged national youth gun control movement following feb 14 massacre high school parkland florida hugh williams ypsilanti michigan among many 18yearolds answered call registering vote today lifted weight shoulders see people marching standing cause believe want voice matter said washington march adding gun violence menace community organizers voter registration drive hoped sign least 25000 people saturday potential boost democrats back stronger controls assaultstyle weapons bump stocks let semiautomatic rifles fire like automatic weapons tighter access guns young people mentally ill rally chicago 17year old kara sharp island lake illinois carried sign reading protect students guns 2020 voter traveling event father 53yearold machinist people demonstrate march lives demonstration demanding gun control seattle washington us march 24 2018 reutersjason redmond volunteers local chapter lobbying group indivisible435 backs progressive political candidates told register vote got home driving license time disarm hate ill looking nra ratings politicians also treat lgbq issues said sharp junior wauconda high school referring grade national rife association gives members congress voting record gun rights slideshow 2 images tools make change registration activists targeting four million americans turning 18 year well many 19 21yearolds never voted participation us elections young voters often low reutersipsos poll released monday showed 64 percent 18 29yearolds said would vote nov 6 27 percent said would nine percent said uncertain declined answer parkland florida sari kaufman among students marjory stoneman douglas high school mass shooting happened urged peers get involved politics register vote turf lawmakers protect movement ensure recordbreaking turnout next presidential election next midterm election elections kaufman told crowd thousands rally parkland today give tools make change demand politicians take action additional reporting robert chiarito chicago zachary fagenson parkland florida writing andrew hay editing daniel wallis nick zieminski 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 daisy hernandez age 22 joins students gun control advocates march lives event demanding gun control recent school shootings rally washington us march 24 2018 reutersjonathan ernst 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 related coverage midterm battle us antigun marches thousands register vote 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
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<p>Jan 23 (Reuters) - CVS Health Corp:</p>
<p>* CVS HEALTH EXPANDS SAFE DRUG DISPOSAL AT CVS PHARMACY LOCATIONS IN SOUTH CAROLINA TO HELP COMBAT OPIOID ABUSE Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage:</p> Our Standards:
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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:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<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:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<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:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
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jan 23 reuters cvs health corp cvs health expands safe drug disposal cvs pharmacy locations south carolina help combat opioid abuse source text eikon company coverage 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>By Anita Kumar, Tim Johnson and David Lightman</p>
<p>McClatchy Washington Bureau</p>
<p>(TNS)</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>WASHINGTON — Excerpts of Hillary Clinton’s paid speeches, including those to Wall Street, were leaked Friday, a revelation that may perpetuate criticism that she is an out-of-touch Washington insider and could create trouble for her in the final weeks of her campaign for president.</p>
<p>“Obviously, I’m kind of far removed because the life I’ve lived and the economic, you know, fortunes that my husband and I now enjoy, but I haven’t forgotten it,” Clinton told Goldman-Black Rock on Feb. 4, 2014.</p>
<p>In the transcripts, Clinton acknowledges that she can’t relate to everyday Americans and admits she’s created a public personality separate from who she is in private. She discusses her positions on trade, health care and Wall Street.</p>
<p>“Politics is like sausage being made,” Clinton told the National Multi-Housing Council on April 24, 2013. “It is unsavory, and it always has been that way, but we usually end up where we need to be. But if everybody’s watching, you know, all of the back room discussions and the deals, you know, then people get a little nervous, to say the least. So, you need both a public and a private position.”</p>
<p>The partial transcripts of the speeches were published by the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks as part of a leak of more than 2,000 emails belonging to her campaign chairman, John Podesta. McClatchy could not verify the authenticity of the emails, and Clinton’s campaign declined to confirm their authenticity.</p>
<p>The release came on the same day that the Obama administration accused Russia of being behind the hacking of Democratic National Committee computers in June, and four days after WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said he would begin 10 weeks of releases of what he said would be more than 1 million documents.</p>
<p>“Earlier today the U.S. government removed any reasonable doubt that the Kremlin has weaponized WikiLeaks to meddle in our election and benefit Donald Trump’s candidacy,” Clinton campaign spokesman Glen Caplin said. “We are not going to confirm the authenticity of stolen documents released by Julian Assange, who has made no secret of his desire to damage Hillary Clinton.”</p>
<p>Caplin said other hackers have already proven the warnings of top national security officials that “documents can be faked as part of a sophisticated Russian misinformation campaign.”</p>
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<p>Clinton has repeatedly refused to release transcripts of her speeches, a position that became a fierce point of contention with her opponent in the primaries, Sen. Bernie Sanders, whose campaign focused on assertions that Clinton was part of the moneyed Washington establishment. Clinton made about $21.5 million on speeches after she resigned as secretary of state in early 2013 and before she launched her presidential campaign in the spring of 2015.</p>
<p>Sanders’ demands for the speeches struck a nerve with Democratic Party officials, the leaked emails suggest. In one email, dated Jan. 25, 2016, Clinton research director Tony Carrk sent 25 excerpts from the speeches to several party officials, including Podesta. The subject line was “HRC Paid Speeches.”</p>
<p>“Team, attached are the flags from HRC’s paid speeches we have from HWA. I put some highlights below. There is a lot of policy positions that we should give an extra scrub with policy,” he wrote.</p>
<p>Some of Clinton’s speeches would have been campaign fodder for Sanders.</p>
<p>In a speech to a symposium hosted by the investment bank Goldman Sachs on Oct. 24, 2013, Clinton indicated that Wall Street insiders knew best what sort of regulations the markets needed.</p>
<p>“There’s nothing magic about regulations, too much is bad, too little is bad. How do you get to the golden key, how do we figure out what works? And the people that know the industry better than anybody are the people who work in the industry,” Clinton said.</p>
<p>And in a speech at the University of Connecticut on April 23, 2014, Clinton voiced deep awareness that foreign governments were intercepting State Department communications and personal emails.</p>
<p>“At the State Department we were attacked every hour, more than once an hour by incoming efforts to penetrate everything we had. And that was true across the U.S. government,” Clinton said. “And we knew it was going on when I would go to China, or I would go to Russia, we would leave all of our electronic equipment on the plane, with the batteries out, because this is a new frontier. And they’re trying to find out not just about what we do in our government. They’re trying to find out about what a lot of companies do and they were going after the personal emails of people who worked in the State Department.”</p>
<p>According to the email, in a Jan. 6, 2014, speech to General Electric’s Global Leadership Meeting in Boca Raton, Fla., Clinton also lamented the high cost of campaigns as “so ridiculous” and described it as a “kind of free for all” that the Supreme Court allowed.</p>
<p>“So we’re kind of in the wild west, and, you know, it would be very difficult to run for president without raising a huge amount of money and without having other people supporting you because your opponent will have their supporters. So I think as hard as it was when I ran, I think it’s even harder now,” Clinton said.</p>
<p>“With today’s WikiLeaks revelations we are finding out who Hillary Clinton really is, and it’s not hard to see why she fought so hard to keep her transcripts of speeches to Wall Street banks paying her millions of dollars secret,” Reince Priebus, the Republican National Committee chairman, said in a statement. “The truth that has been exposed here is that the persona Hillary Clinton has adopted for her campaign is a complete and utter fraud. How can Bernie Sanders and many like-minded Democrats continue to support her candidacy in light of these revelations?”</p>
<p>(EDITORS: STORY CAN END HERE)</p>
<p>Analysts doubted that the excerpts would have much effect now. In New Hampshire, where the race is too close to call and Sanders still has a strong following, pollster Andrew Smith, director of the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, said the Clinton news wouldn’t make much difference. “Most of this is already baked into the cake,” he said.</p>
<p>In North Carolina, Jason Husser, director of the Elon University Poll, agreed the effect would be minimal. “While some of Clinton’s quotes certainly aren’t helpful to her,” Husser said, “they largely confirm suspicions that many in the Sanders’ coalition already begrudgingly accepted as they switched to Clinton over Trump.”</p>
<p>In California, Democratic consultant Bob Mulholland agreed the Clinton news would not hurt her. “With only 33 days left, most voters have concluded the candidates have warts,” he said, and have made their decisions with that in mind.</p>
<p>——</p>
<p>©2016 McClatchy Washington Bureau</p>
<p>Visit the McClatchy Washington Bureau at <a href="http://www.mcclatchydc.com" type="external">www.mcclatchydc.com</a></p>
<p>Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.</p>
<p>_____</p>
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anita kumar tim johnson david lightman mcclatchy washington bureau tns advertisement washington excerpts hillary clintons paid speeches including wall street leaked friday revelation may perpetuate criticism outoftouch washington insider could create trouble final weeks campaign president obviously im kind far removed life ive lived economic know fortunes husband enjoy havent forgotten clinton told goldmanblack rock feb 4 2014 transcripts clinton acknowledges cant relate everyday americans admits shes created public personality separate private discusses positions trade health care wall street politics like sausage made clinton told national multihousing council april 24 2013 unsavory always way usually end need everybodys watching know back room discussions deals know people get little nervous say least need public private position partial transcripts speeches published antisecrecy website wikileaks part leak 2000 emails belonging campaign chairman john podesta mcclatchy could verify authenticity emails clintons campaign declined confirm authenticity release came day obama administration accused russia behind hacking democratic national committee computers june four days wikileaks founder julian assange said would begin 10 weeks releases said would 1 million documents earlier today us government removed reasonable doubt kremlin weaponized wikileaks meddle election benefit donald trumps candidacy clinton campaign spokesman glen caplin said going confirm authenticity stolen documents released julian assange made secret desire damage hillary clinton caplin said hackers already proven warnings top national security officials documents faked part sophisticated russian misinformation campaign advertisement clinton repeatedly refused release transcripts speeches position became fierce point contention opponent primaries sen bernie sanders whose campaign focused assertions clinton part moneyed washington establishment clinton made 215 million speeches resigned secretary state early 2013 launched presidential campaign spring 2015 sanders demands speeches struck nerve democratic party officials leaked emails suggest one email dated jan 25 2016 clinton research director tony carrk sent 25 excerpts speeches several party officials including podesta subject line hrc paid speeches team attached flags hrcs paid speeches hwa put highlights lot policy positions give extra scrub policy wrote clintons speeches would campaign fodder sanders speech symposium hosted investment bank goldman sachs oct 24 2013 clinton indicated wall street insiders knew best sort regulations markets needed theres nothing magic regulations much bad little bad get golden key figure works people know industry better anybody people work industry clinton said speech university connecticut april 23 2014 clinton voiced deep awareness foreign governments intercepting state department communications personal emails state department attacked every hour hour incoming efforts penetrate everything true across us government clinton said knew going would go china would go russia would leave electronic equipment plane batteries new frontier theyre trying find government theyre trying find lot companies going personal emails people worked state department according email jan 6 2014 speech general electrics global leadership meeting boca raton fla clinton also lamented high cost campaigns ridiculous described kind free supreme court allowed kind wild west know would difficult run president without raising huge amount money without people supporting opponent supporters think hard ran think even harder clinton said todays wikileaks revelations finding hillary clinton really hard see fought hard keep transcripts speeches wall street banks paying millions dollars secret reince priebus republican national committee chairman said statement truth exposed persona hillary clinton adopted campaign complete utter fraud bernie sanders many likeminded democrats continue support candidacy light revelations editors story end analysts doubted excerpts would much effect new hampshire race close call sanders still strong following pollster andrew smith director university new hampshire survey center said clinton news wouldnt make much difference already baked cake said north carolina jason husser director elon university poll agreed effect would minimal clintons quotes certainly arent helpful husser said largely confirm suspicions many sanders coalition already begrudgingly accepted switched clinton trump california democratic consultant bob mulholland agreed clinton news would hurt 33 days left voters concluded candidates warts said made decisions mind 2016 mcclatchy washington bureau visit mcclatchy washington bureau wwwmcclatchydccom distributed tribune content agency llc _____
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<p>PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) — The Bills have exchanged contract proposals with defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, though no deal is imminent.</p>
<p>General manager Doug Whaley is confident a front-runner will emerge in Buffalo’s three-way quarterback competition. And Whaley has no intention to rush starting cornerback Leodis McKelvin onto the field until he’s fully recovered after aggravating an injury to his right ankle.</p>
<p>Those were among the issues Whaley touched upon during an interview with The Associated Press three days into training camp.</p>
<p>The only thing Whaley declined to share was a timetable to resolve any of the hot-button concerns for a franchise embarking on a new era under new coach Rex Ryan and new owners Terry and Kim Pegula, who purchased the team last October.</p>
<p>“You can’t pin it down,” Whaley said, referring to negotiations with Dareus, the two-time Pro Bowl selection entering the final year of his contract. Dareus is anticipated to command a hefty price with the Bills’ 2011 first-round draft pick drawing comparisons to some of the NFL’s top young defensive linemen.</p>
<p>“Those type of contracts are always a challenge,” said Whaley, whose team is already committed to paying defensive end Mario Williams a $12.1 million base salary this year — the fourth of the player’s six-year, $100 million deal. “But I have confidence that both sides will come to a conclusion where everybody feels that everybody wins.”</p>
<p>Dareus is coming off his most impactful season in which he led NFL defensive tackles with a career-high 10 sacks. He also anchors an attacking-style defense that has combined for an NFL-leading 111 sacks over the past two years.</p>
<p>As for the Bills’ long-standing concern at quarterback, Whaley joined Ryan in taking a wait-and-see approach as EJ Manuel, who lost his starting job last year, competes with the team’s latest batch of offseason additions: 10-year journeyman Matt Cassel and former Ravens backup Tyrod Taylor.</p>
<p>“We’re working through things, and the information is going to make the decision,” Whaley said. “Is it going to be a quick decision? Right now, no. But when it becomes obvious to everybody, then coach will make the decision.”</p>
<p>All three quarterbacks have struggled early in camp.</p>
<p>Manuel fumbled several snaps, and sailed numerous attempts. Cassel’s first pass in team drills was intercepted by rookie second-round pick Ronald Darby. And Taylor, who is listed at 6-foot-1, is having difficulty finding receivers open downfield.</p>
<p>Though Ryan is giving each quarterback an opportunity to play with the starters, Cassel opened each of the first three days with the No. 1 unit.</p>
<p>Ryan explained “it’s more appropriate” for Cassel to play with the starters because of his edge in experience.</p>
<p>McKelvin’s injury has become a concern after he opened camp on the active/non-football injury list. Though the Bills haven’t revealed the exact nature of McKelvin’s injury, it’s to the same ankle that was surgically repaired after he broke it during a 22-9 loss at Miami on Nov. 13.</p>
<p>Whaley called McKelvin’s status day to day, even though the player’s ankle is heavily wrapped, and he’s been limited to watching practice from a golf cart.</p>
<p>The seventh-year player is due to make $3.1 million in each of the final two seasons of his contract.</p>
<p>Whaley disputed speculation that McKelvin’s injury could make him a candidate to be cut to save salary-cap space.</p>
<p>“This is a passing league, and you can’t have too many good corners. And he’s proven that he’s a good corner,” Whaley said. “We know what he can do. And we won’t push him out there too soon.”</p>
<p>NOTES: The Bills signed CB Merrill Noel before practice Monday. He’s an undrafted free agent out of Wake Forest, who signed with Buffalo on May 4 before being cut June 18. ... The Bills have a day off Tuesday, before resuming practice Wednesday morning.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>AP NFL websites: <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">http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL</a></p>
<p>PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) — The Bills have exchanged contract proposals with defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, though no deal is imminent.</p>
<p>General manager Doug Whaley is confident a front-runner will emerge in Buffalo’s three-way quarterback competition. And Whaley has no intention to rush starting cornerback Leodis McKelvin onto the field until he’s fully recovered after aggravating an injury to his right ankle.</p>
<p>Those were among the issues Whaley touched upon during an interview with The Associated Press three days into training camp.</p>
<p>The only thing Whaley declined to share was a timetable to resolve any of the hot-button concerns for a franchise embarking on a new era under new coach Rex Ryan and new owners Terry and Kim Pegula, who purchased the team last October.</p>
<p>“You can’t pin it down,” Whaley said, referring to negotiations with Dareus, the two-time Pro Bowl selection entering the final year of his contract. Dareus is anticipated to command a hefty price with the Bills’ 2011 first-round draft pick drawing comparisons to some of the NFL’s top young defensive linemen.</p>
<p>“Those type of contracts are always a challenge,” said Whaley, whose team is already committed to paying defensive end Mario Williams a $12.1 million base salary this year — the fourth of the player’s six-year, $100 million deal. “But I have confidence that both sides will come to a conclusion where everybody feels that everybody wins.”</p>
<p>Dareus is coming off his most impactful season in which he led NFL defensive tackles with a career-high 10 sacks. He also anchors an attacking-style defense that has combined for an NFL-leading 111 sacks over the past two years.</p>
<p>As for the Bills’ long-standing concern at quarterback, Whaley joined Ryan in taking a wait-and-see approach as EJ Manuel, who lost his starting job last year, competes with the team’s latest batch of offseason additions: 10-year journeyman Matt Cassel and former Ravens backup Tyrod Taylor.</p>
<p>“We’re working through things, and the information is going to make the decision,” Whaley said. “Is it going to be a quick decision? Right now, no. But when it becomes obvious to everybody, then coach will make the decision.”</p>
<p>All three quarterbacks have struggled early in camp.</p>
<p>Manuel fumbled several snaps, and sailed numerous attempts. Cassel’s first pass in team drills was intercepted by rookie second-round pick Ronald Darby. And Taylor, who is listed at 6-foot-1, is having difficulty finding receivers open downfield.</p>
<p>Though Ryan is giving each quarterback an opportunity to play with the starters, Cassel opened each of the first three days with the No. 1 unit.</p>
<p>Ryan explained “it’s more appropriate” for Cassel to play with the starters because of his edge in experience.</p>
<p>McKelvin’s injury has become a concern after he opened camp on the active/non-football injury list. Though the Bills haven’t revealed the exact nature of McKelvin’s injury, it’s to the same ankle that was surgically repaired after he broke it during a 22-9 loss at Miami on Nov. 13.</p>
<p>Whaley called McKelvin’s status day to day, even though the player’s ankle is heavily wrapped, and he’s been limited to watching practice from a golf cart.</p>
<p>The seventh-year player is due to make $3.1 million in each of the final two seasons of his contract.</p>
<p>Whaley disputed speculation that McKelvin’s injury could make him a candidate to be cut to save salary-cap space.</p>
<p>“This is a passing league, and you can’t have too many good corners. And he’s proven that he’s a good corner,” Whaley said. “We know what he can do. And we won’t push him out there too soon.”</p>
<p>NOTES: The Bills signed CB Merrill Noel before practice Monday. He’s an undrafted free agent out of Wake Forest, who signed with Buffalo on May 4 before being cut June 18. ... The Bills have a day off Tuesday, before resuming practice Wednesday morning.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>AP NFL websites: <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">http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL</a></p>
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pittsford ny ap bills exchanged contract proposals defensive tackle marcell dareus though deal imminent general manager doug whaley confident frontrunner emerge buffalos threeway quarterback competition whaley intention rush starting cornerback leodis mckelvin onto field hes fully recovered aggravating injury right ankle among issues whaley touched upon interview associated press three days training camp thing whaley declined share timetable resolve hotbutton concerns franchise embarking new era new coach rex ryan new owners terry kim pegula purchased team last october cant pin whaley said referring negotiations dareus twotime pro bowl selection entering final year contract dareus anticipated command hefty price bills 2011 firstround draft pick drawing comparisons nfls top young defensive linemen type contracts always challenge said whaley whose team already committed paying defensive end mario williams 121 million base salary year fourth players sixyear 100 million deal confidence sides come conclusion everybody feels everybody wins dareus coming impactful season led nfl defensive tackles careerhigh 10 sacks also anchors attackingstyle defense combined nflleading 111 sacks past two years bills longstanding concern quarterback whaley joined ryan taking waitandsee approach ej manuel lost starting job last year competes teams latest batch offseason additions 10year journeyman matt cassel former ravens backup tyrod taylor working things information going make decision whaley said going quick decision right becomes obvious everybody coach make decision three quarterbacks struggled early camp manuel fumbled several snaps sailed numerous attempts cassels first pass team drills intercepted rookie secondround pick ronald darby taylor listed 6foot1 difficulty finding receivers open downfield though ryan giving quarterback opportunity play starters cassel opened first three days 1 unit ryan explained appropriate cassel play starters edge experience mckelvins injury become concern opened camp activenonfootball injury list though bills havent revealed exact nature mckelvins injury ankle surgically repaired broke 229 loss miami nov 13 whaley called mckelvins status day day even though players ankle heavily wrapped hes limited watching practice golf cart seventhyear player due make 31 million final two seasons contract whaley disputed speculation mckelvins injury could make candidate cut save salarycap space passing league cant many good corners hes proven hes good corner whaley said know wont push soon notes bills signed cb merrill noel practice monday hes undrafted free agent wake forest signed buffalo may 4 cut june 18 bills day tuesday resuming practice wednesday morning ___ ap nfl websites httpwwwpro32aporg httpwwwtwittercomap_nfl pittsford ny ap bills exchanged contract proposals defensive tackle marcell dareus though deal imminent general manager doug whaley confident frontrunner emerge buffalos threeway quarterback competition whaley intention rush starting cornerback leodis mckelvin onto field hes fully recovered aggravating injury right ankle among issues whaley touched upon interview associated press three days training camp thing whaley declined share timetable resolve hotbutton concerns franchise embarking new era new coach rex ryan new owners terry kim pegula purchased team last october cant pin whaley said referring negotiations dareus twotime pro bowl selection entering final year contract dareus anticipated command hefty price bills 2011 firstround draft pick drawing comparisons nfls top young defensive linemen type contracts always challenge said whaley whose team already committed paying defensive end mario williams 121 million base salary year fourth players sixyear 100 million deal confidence sides come conclusion everybody feels everybody wins dareus coming impactful season led nfl defensive tackles careerhigh 10 sacks also anchors attackingstyle defense combined nflleading 111 sacks past two years bills longstanding concern quarterback whaley joined ryan taking waitandsee approach ej manuel lost starting job last year competes teams latest batch offseason additions 10year journeyman matt cassel former ravens backup tyrod taylor working things information going make decision whaley said going quick decision right becomes obvious everybody coach make decision three quarterbacks struggled early camp manuel fumbled several snaps sailed numerous attempts cassels first pass team drills intercepted rookie secondround pick ronald darby taylor listed 6foot1 difficulty finding receivers open downfield though ryan giving quarterback opportunity play starters cassel opened first three days 1 unit ryan explained appropriate cassel play starters edge experience mckelvins injury become concern opened camp activenonfootball injury list though bills havent revealed exact nature mckelvins injury ankle surgically repaired broke 229 loss miami nov 13 whaley called mckelvins status day day even though players ankle heavily wrapped hes limited watching practice golf cart seventhyear player due make 31 million final two seasons contract whaley disputed speculation mckelvins injury could make candidate cut save salarycap space passing league cant many good corners hes proven hes good corner whaley said know wont push soon notes bills signed cb merrill noel practice monday hes undrafted free agent wake forest signed buffalo may 4 cut june 18 bills day tuesday resuming practice wednesday morning ___ ap nfl websites httpwwwpro32aporg httpwwwtwittercomap_nfl
| 772 |
<p>ATLANTA (AP) — The Latest on the College Football Playoff national football championship game on Monday night (all times local):</p>
<p>2:30 a.m.</p>
<p>Alabama and Georgia topped the final Top 25 college football poll of the season but many eyes were on Central Florida.</p>
<p>Alabama was voted No. 1 in the final Associated Press college football rankings and received 57 of 61 first-place votes from the media panel. Georgia finished second and Oklahoma was third, followed by Clemson and Ohio State.</p>
<p>UCF received the other four. The Knights went 13-0 to cap the only perfect season in the Football Bowl Subdivision. After beating Auburn in the Peach Bowl, UCF athletic director Danny White said the Knights were declaring themselves national champions.</p>
<p>Florida's governor followed suit with his own proclamation, saying UCF deserved it by winning every game and by beating Auburn — the only team that defeated both Alabama and Georgia this season.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>1:25 a.m.</p>
<p>Alabama freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been named offensive player of the College Football Playoff championship game after leading the Crimson Tide to a come-from-behind 26-23 overtime win over Georgia.</p>
<p>Tagovailoa replaced an ineffective Jalen Hurts to start the second half and led the Tide back from deficits of 13-0 at half and 20-7 in the middle of the third quarter. He completed 14 of 24 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns, including the winning 41-yarder in overtime. The former prep star from Hawaii also ran 12 times for 27 yards.</p>
<p>Alabama defensive lineman Da'Ron Payne was defensive player of the game. Payne had six tackles and was part of an Alabama defensive front that shut down Georgia's running game in the second half. Payne also intercepted a tipped pass, helping to set up a field goal.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>12:55 a.m.</p>
<p>Alabama's 26-23 thriller over Georgia was the first national championship game to go to overtime since 2003.</p>
<p>That's the year Ohio State outlasted Miami 31-24 in double overtime at the Fiesta Bowl in a game that settled the BCS Championship.</p>
<p>There have been some close games since, including the 41-38 Rose Bowl classic in 2006 when Texas beat Southern California. Two years ago, Alabama beat Clemson 45-40 and then the Tigers returned the favor last season with a 35-31 win decided on a last-second touchdown pass.</p>
<p>This year's OT game was settled on a 41-yard TD pass from Tua Tagovailoa to DeVonta Smith.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>12:10 a.m.</p>
<p>Alabama has beaten Georgia 26-23 in overtime to win its fifth national championship since 2009 under Nick Saban.</p>
<p>Freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith after getting sacked on Alabama's opening play of the extra session. Georgia had the ball first in overtime, and Rodrigo Blankenship kicked a 51-yard field goal.</p>
<p>Alabama's Andy Pappanastos missed what would have been the winning 36-yard field goal as time ran out in regulation.</p>
<p>Tagovailoa took over for an ineffective Jalen Hurts to start the second half and led the Crimson Tide to two touchdowns and two field goals as they erased deficits of 13-0 at half and 20-7 in the middle of the third quarter.</p>
<p>It's the 11th national title for the Crimson Tide. Georgia was seeking its second title after winning it all in 1980.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Midnight</p>
<p>Alabama and Georgia are going to overtime in the national championship game, tied at 20-20.</p>
<p>The Crimson Tide has stormed back from a 13-0 halftime deficit and was in position to win it with 3 seconds to go. But Andy Pappanastos missed a field goal try from 36 yards.</p>
<p>Freshman Tua Tagovailoa has led the Alabama comeback after replacing Jalen Hurts to start the second half. He tied it 20-all on a 7-yard pass to Calvin Ridley, and then Alabama's defense forced a three-and-out to set up Pappanastos' try.</p>
<p>Pappanastos missed far to the left. He missed earlier from 40 yards on his first field-goal try of the game. He has connected from 43 and 30 yards.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>11:43 p.m.</p>
<p>The national championship game is tied at 20-all late in the fourth quarter.</p>
<p>Freshman Tua Tagovailoa threw a 7-yard touchdown to Calvin Ridley on a fourth-and-4 play with 3:49 left. The play came after Georgia's Roquan Smith and Trenton Thompson stuffed Damien Harris for a 1-yard loss on third down.</p>
<p>Tagovailoa replaced Jalen Hurts to start the second half and has led Alabama to two touchdowns and two field goals to bring the Crimson Tide back from a 13-0 halftime deficit.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>11:30 p.m.</p>
<p>Alabama has closed to 20-13 in the fourth quarter of the national championship game against Georgia.</p>
<p>Andy Pappanastos kicked his second field goal of the game, a 30-yarder with 9:24 left. The score came one play after Georgia's Dominick Sanders nearly picked off Tua Tagovailoa's overthrown pass in the end zone.</p>
<p>Georgia is trying to win its first national title since 1980.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>11:15 p.m.</p>
<p>Georgia went into the fourth quarter of the national championship game with a 20-10 lead over Alabama.</p>
<p>Georgia freshman Jake Fromm has thrown for 225 yards and a touchdown, with two interceptions, and Sony Michel has run for 84 yards on 12 carries. Georgia's Mecole Hardman has scored twice, the first time on a 1-yard run when he took a direct snap and the second on an 80-yard pass.</p>
<p>Alabama freshman Tua Tagovailoa, who replaced quarterback Jalen Hurts to start the second half, is 7 for 13 for 54 yards and a touchdown.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>11 p.m.</p>
<p>Alabama has pulled within 20-10 of Georgia with 5:15 left in the third quarter of the national championship game.</p>
<p>Andy Pappanastos, who missed a 40-yard field-goal attempt in the first quarter, connected from 43 yards six plays after the Crimson Tide got their second interception in two games by a defensive lineman.</p>
<p>Raekwon Davis picked off a Jake Fromm pass that bounced off the helmet of fellow defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand.</p>
<p>Alabama got an interception from Da'Ron Payne in the playoff semifinal win over Clemson.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>10:50 p.m.</p>
<p>After having three touchdowns all season, Georgia's Mecole Hardman has two touchdowns in the national championship game against Alabama, including an 80-yarder that included some fancy footwork along the sideline.</p>
<p>After Alabama staged an impressive drive for its first touchdown, cutting the Bulldogs' lead to 13-7 in the third quarter, Georgia answered quickly with Jake Fromm's bomb to Hardman.</p>
<p>A review confirmed Hardman stayed in bounds after making contact with Alabama defensive back Tony Brown. Hardman's first score came on a 1-yard touchdown run late in the first half on a direct snap.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>10:45 p.m.</p>
<p>Jake Fromm has thrown an 80-yard touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman to give Georgia a 20-7 lead over Alabama with 6:52 left in the third quarter of the national championship game.</p>
<p>The touchdown stood after a video review to see if Hardman stepped out of bounds at about the Alabama 20-yard line.</p>
<p>The Bulldogs got the ball back when Deandre Baker intercepted freshman Tua Tagovailoa, who had led Alabama to its first touchdown after starting the second half in place of Jalen Hurts. But the Crimson Tide got an interception of its own when a Fromm pass was tipped at the line.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>10:35 p.m.</p>
<p>Alabama has pulled within 13-7 at Georgia in the third quarter of the national championship game.</p>
<p>Freshman Tua Tagovailoa replaced Jalen Hurts to start the second half and hit Henry Ruggs III with a 6-yard touchdown pass to finish a seven-play, 56-yard drive.</p>
<p>Tagovailoa completed 4 of 5 passes, but he used his legs to make the biggest play. Under pressure after he dropped back to pass, he split two Georgia defenders and made a third miss as he scrambled for 9 yards on a third-and-7.</p>
<p>The Tide went three-and-out on their first series with Tagovailoa under center.</p>
<p>Alabama is playing the second half without offensive tackle Jonah Williams. The third-team All-American was replaced by Alex Leatherwood.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump attended the first half of the game and was on the field during the national anthem. He had left by the time things got rolling in the third quarter.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>10:17 p.m.</p>
<p>Trailing 13-0, Alabama has started freshman Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback in the second half of the national championship game against Georgia.</p>
<p>Tagovailoa replaced a struggling Jalen Hurts coming out of the locker room. Hurts was just 3-of-8 passing for 21 yards in the first half while running for 47 yards.</p>
<p>Tagovailoa, a five-star recruit from Hawaii, played in eight games this season. He completed 35 of 53 passes for 470 yards with eight touchdowns against one interception, mostly in mop-up duty. Hurts was the Southeastern Conference offensive player of the year as a freshman last season.</p>
<p>Alabama hadn't been held scoreless in the first half since last season. It was also the first time since the 2012 national title game that a team failed to score in the first half. Alabama shut out Notre Dame going into the half en route to a 42-14 win.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>10 p.m.</p>
<p>Alabama trails Georgia 13-0 at halftime of the national title game.</p>
<p>The Crimson Tide had not been held scoreless in the first half since a 10-0 victory over LSU last season. All 10 of the Tide's points came in the fourth quarter.</p>
<p>Alabama had outscored opponents 270-56 before the half this season coming into the game against its SEC rival.</p>
<p>Georgia's Jake Fromm is 11 of 23 for 126 yards, and Sony Michel has run eight times for 61 yards.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>9:50 p.m.</p>
<p>Georgia holds a 13-0 lead over Alabama at halftime of the national championship game in Atlanta.</p>
<p>Jake Fromm led the Bulldogs on a 69-yard touchdown drive in the last 2 minutes. Wide receiver Mecole Hardman took a direct snap and ran 1 yard into the end zone with 7 seconds left.</p>
<p>Rodrigo Blankenship kicked field goals of 41 and 27 yards, and the Bulldogs' defense held the Crimson Tide in check.</p>
<p>Alabama totaled just 95 yards on five possessions, and Jalen Hurts took a knee to end the half. The Tide punted four straight times after Andy Pappanastos missed a 40-yard field goal on the Tide's first possession.</p>
<p>Georgia got the ball back with 1:19 left in the half. Fromm threw passes of 10 and 16 yards and ran for 14 on Georgia's way to the touchdown.</p>
<p>Fromm is 11 of 23 for 126 yards, and Sony Michel has run eight times for 61 yards.</p>
<p>Hurts is 3 for 8 for 21 yards and he's run six times for 47.</p>
<p>Alabama has scored in 226 consecutive games.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>9:40 p.m.</p>
<p>Georgia wide receiver Riley Ridley is flourishing in his opportunity to emerge from the shadow cast by his older brother, Alabama star Calvin Ridley.</p>
<p>Ridley has four catches for 62 yards in the first half of Monday night's national championship game. He already has moved to within range of his career-high totals of five catches for 67 yards against Vanderbilt in 2016.</p>
<p>While Calvin Ridley, a junior, is second in Alabama history with 220 career receptions, including a team-high 59 this season, Riley Ridley has had a quiet season for Georgia with only eight catches before the championship game.</p>
<p>Georgia led Alabama 6-0 late in the second quarter.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>9:27 p.m.</p>
<p>Rodrigo Blankenship has kicked his second field goal, this one from 27 yards, to give Georgia a 6-0 lead over Alabama with about 6 minutes left until halftime of the national championship game.</p>
<p>Georgia's defense limited Alabama to 57 yards and forced two straight three-and-outs before quarterback Jalen Hurts broke loose for 31 yards. Hurts has completed only 2 of his first 6 passes for 17 yards and the Crimson Tide has punted three times.</p>
<p>Bulldogs freshman Jake Fromm is 8 of 16 for 84 yards.</p>
<p>Georgia receiver Riley Ridley has outplayed his older brother, Alabama All-SEC receiver Calvin Ridley, in the early going. Ridley has two catches for 36 yards, including a 23-yarder to convert a third-and-8 and keep the Bulldogs' second scoring drive alive. Calvin Ridley has one catch for 9 yards.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>9:02 p.m.</p>
<p>Georgia has taken a 3-0 lead in the College Football Playoff championship game, with Rodrigo Blankenship kicking a 41-yard field goal on the second play of the second quarter.</p>
<p>The Bulldogs got into position after moving from their 21 to the Alabama 24 in 14 plays.</p>
<p>The big play on the drive was Sony Michel's 26-yard run to the Alabama 26 on a third-and-20 after Anthony Averett crashed through from the left side to sack Jake Fromm.</p>
<p>Michel's run was reviewed to see if he stepped out of bounds before the 26, but the Big Ten officiating crew's spot was upheld.</p>
<p>Alabama had a chance to take the lead in the first quarter, but Andy Pappanastos missed a 40-yard field goal.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>8:35 p.m.</p>
<p>Georgia turned over the ball on its opening possession of the national championship game but came away unscathed after Alabama missed a field goal.</p>
<p>Tony Brown wrestled a long pass away from Georgia's Javon Wims to set up the Crimson Tide at their 36.</p>
<p>But Alabama failed to come away with points. Andy Pappanastos' 35-yard field goal was nullified by a false start, and he pulled his second attempt from 40 yards wide left.</p>
<p>The Crimson Tide forced Georgia to punt on its second possession with 9:04 left in the first quarter.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>8:20 p.m.</p>
<p>The College Football Playoff national championship game between Alabama (12-1) and Georgia (13-1) is under way at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.</p>
<p>Frank Beamer, Mack Brown and Matt Stinchcomb — named to the 2018 College Football Hall of Fame on Monday — were on the field for the coin toss along with honorary captains O.J. Howard of Alabama and Herschel Walker of Georgia.</p>
<p>Alabama called tails and won the toss and deferred until the second half. They picked off Georgia on the third play from scrimmage.</p>
<p>This is the 68th all-time meeting between the Southeastern Conference rivals and first since 2015, when Alabama won 38-10 in the regular season.</p>
<p>Alabama is in the title game for the third year in a row and seeking its fifth national title under Saban since 2009. Georgia, led by second-year coach and former Saban assistant Kirby Smart, is looking for its first championship since 1980.</p>
<p>The Crimson Tide reached the title game with a 24-6 Sugar Bowl win over Clemson. The Bulldogs advanced with a 54-48 double-overtime win over Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump is in attendance and was on the field during the national anthem.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>8:15 p.m.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump was on the field for the national anthem before the College Football Playoff national title game.</p>
<p>Trump walked onto the field accompanied by the ROTC units from Georgia and Alabama. He was greeted by mostly cheers from the crowd on hand to watch the game between Alabama and Georgia.</p>
<p>Trump waved to the crowd before the Zac Brown Band sang the anthem. Hand placed over his heart, Trump appeared to sing along at times.</p>
<p>No players were on the field yet. That's unlike the NFL, where some players this season protested racial injustice by kneeling during the anthem — often drawing Trump's ire.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>7:45 p.m.</p>
<p>Mercedes-Benz Stadium has a bit of water dripping on to the sideline, seemingly coming from high above the field.</p>
<p>Around the 20-yard line on Alabama's side of the field, but off the playing field, <a href="https://twitter.com/jeffsentell/status/950509178933731328" type="external">a few drops could be spotted falling on to the green artificial turf.</a></p>
<p>A stadium security worker wearing a blue shirt was standing where the water was landing and had wets spots on his shirt.</p>
<p>There have been issues with the stadium's signature retractable roof since construction began on the facility. The roof has only been opened once for football since the stadium opened in August.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>7:15 p.m.</p>
<p>The crowd is trickling into Mercedes-Benz Stadium with the kickoff for Monday night's College Football Playoff national championship game about an hour away.</p>
<p>Alabama native and former NFL star Terrell Owens is among the crowd that navigated the consistent chilly drizzle outside the stadium and security lines to get into the building.</p>
<p>Owens, from Alexander City, Alabama, wore a wool knit Crimson Tide cap and talked with the SEC Network before the contest, telling host Paul Finebaum that his dream growing up wasn't the NFL, it was to play for Alabama.</p>
<p>If he had, the Crimson Tide might have had another national crown or two in their trophy case.</p>
<p>Owens instead played at Chattanooga and was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 1996. He had 1,078 catches in 15 seasons with five NFL teams.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>6:45 p.m.</p>
<p>Alabama radio play-by-play announcer Eli Gold says he has been told that President Trump will be on the Alabama Radio Network during the College Football Playoff national championship game between the Crimson Tide and Georgia.</p>
<p>Gold says network officials reached out to the White House through the Alabama governor's office last week to request an interview with the president and heard back in the last day or so that Trump agreed to come.</p>
<p>Gold says nothing is definitive but if Trump comes on it would like be after the first quarter.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>6:30 p.m.</p>
<p>Georgia won't be at full strength at tight end in its national championship game against Alabama.</p>
<p>Sophomore Charlie Woerner, who set a career high with three catches in the Bulldogs' Rose Bowl playoff win over Oklahoma last week, was on crutches when the team entered Mercedes-Benz Stadium for Monday night's game.</p>
<p>Coach Kirby Smart said Sunday Woerner's status was doubtful after the sophomore suffered a leg injury in last week's win, so the crutches were not a big surprise.</p>
<p>Woerner, listed with Isaac Nauta behind starting tight end Jeb Blazevich, had nine catches for 100 yards this season.</p>
<p>Woerner is the nephew of former Georgia defensive back and return specialist Scott Woerner, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. Scott Woerner was a standout on Georgia's 1980 national championship team.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>3:30 a.m.</p>
<p>No. 4 Alabama faces No. 3 Georgia in an all-Southeastern Conference College Football Playoff national championship game Monday night.</p>
<p>Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban tries to tie former Alabama coach Bear Bryant's record six major poll national championships. Saban has led the Tide to four national championships since 2009, and the last three national championship games.</p>
<p>Georgia, coached by former Saban assistant Kirby Smart, is looking for its first national championship since 1980.</p>
<p>The Bulldogs feature the most prolific running back combination in college football in senior Sony Michel and Nick Chubb. They combined for six touchdowns in the Bulldogs semifinal victory against Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl.</p>
<p>Alabama has to No. 1 rushing defense in the country and smothered Clemson in the Sugar Bowl semifinal to get here.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>More AP college football: http://collegefootball.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_Top25</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>This story has been corrected to show winning TD throw was 41 yards.</p>
<p>ATLANTA (AP) — The Latest on the College Football Playoff national football championship game on Monday night (all times local):</p>
<p>2:30 a.m.</p>
<p>Alabama and Georgia topped the final Top 25 college football poll of the season but many eyes were on Central Florida.</p>
<p>Alabama was voted No. 1 in the final Associated Press college football rankings and received 57 of 61 first-place votes from the media panel. Georgia finished second and Oklahoma was third, followed by Clemson and Ohio State.</p>
<p>UCF received the other four. The Knights went 13-0 to cap the only perfect season in the Football Bowl Subdivision. After beating Auburn in the Peach Bowl, UCF athletic director Danny White said the Knights were declaring themselves national champions.</p>
<p>Florida's governor followed suit with his own proclamation, saying UCF deserved it by winning every game and by beating Auburn — the only team that defeated both Alabama and Georgia this season.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>1:25 a.m.</p>
<p>Alabama freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been named offensive player of the College Football Playoff championship game after leading the Crimson Tide to a come-from-behind 26-23 overtime win over Georgia.</p>
<p>Tagovailoa replaced an ineffective Jalen Hurts to start the second half and led the Tide back from deficits of 13-0 at half and 20-7 in the middle of the third quarter. He completed 14 of 24 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns, including the winning 41-yarder in overtime. The former prep star from Hawaii also ran 12 times for 27 yards.</p>
<p>Alabama defensive lineman Da'Ron Payne was defensive player of the game. Payne had six tackles and was part of an Alabama defensive front that shut down Georgia's running game in the second half. Payne also intercepted a tipped pass, helping to set up a field goal.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>12:55 a.m.</p>
<p>Alabama's 26-23 thriller over Georgia was the first national championship game to go to overtime since 2003.</p>
<p>That's the year Ohio State outlasted Miami 31-24 in double overtime at the Fiesta Bowl in a game that settled the BCS Championship.</p>
<p>There have been some close games since, including the 41-38 Rose Bowl classic in 2006 when Texas beat Southern California. Two years ago, Alabama beat Clemson 45-40 and then the Tigers returned the favor last season with a 35-31 win decided on a last-second touchdown pass.</p>
<p>This year's OT game was settled on a 41-yard TD pass from Tua Tagovailoa to DeVonta Smith.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>12:10 a.m.</p>
<p>Alabama has beaten Georgia 26-23 in overtime to win its fifth national championship since 2009 under Nick Saban.</p>
<p>Freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith after getting sacked on Alabama's opening play of the extra session. Georgia had the ball first in overtime, and Rodrigo Blankenship kicked a 51-yard field goal.</p>
<p>Alabama's Andy Pappanastos missed what would have been the winning 36-yard field goal as time ran out in regulation.</p>
<p>Tagovailoa took over for an ineffective Jalen Hurts to start the second half and led the Crimson Tide to two touchdowns and two field goals as they erased deficits of 13-0 at half and 20-7 in the middle of the third quarter.</p>
<p>It's the 11th national title for the Crimson Tide. Georgia was seeking its second title after winning it all in 1980.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Midnight</p>
<p>Alabama and Georgia are going to overtime in the national championship game, tied at 20-20.</p>
<p>The Crimson Tide has stormed back from a 13-0 halftime deficit and was in position to win it with 3 seconds to go. But Andy Pappanastos missed a field goal try from 36 yards.</p>
<p>Freshman Tua Tagovailoa has led the Alabama comeback after replacing Jalen Hurts to start the second half. He tied it 20-all on a 7-yard pass to Calvin Ridley, and then Alabama's defense forced a three-and-out to set up Pappanastos' try.</p>
<p>Pappanastos missed far to the left. He missed earlier from 40 yards on his first field-goal try of the game. He has connected from 43 and 30 yards.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>11:43 p.m.</p>
<p>The national championship game is tied at 20-all late in the fourth quarter.</p>
<p>Freshman Tua Tagovailoa threw a 7-yard touchdown to Calvin Ridley on a fourth-and-4 play with 3:49 left. The play came after Georgia's Roquan Smith and Trenton Thompson stuffed Damien Harris for a 1-yard loss on third down.</p>
<p>Tagovailoa replaced Jalen Hurts to start the second half and has led Alabama to two touchdowns and two field goals to bring the Crimson Tide back from a 13-0 halftime deficit.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>11:30 p.m.</p>
<p>Alabama has closed to 20-13 in the fourth quarter of the national championship game against Georgia.</p>
<p>Andy Pappanastos kicked his second field goal of the game, a 30-yarder with 9:24 left. The score came one play after Georgia's Dominick Sanders nearly picked off Tua Tagovailoa's overthrown pass in the end zone.</p>
<p>Georgia is trying to win its first national title since 1980.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>11:15 p.m.</p>
<p>Georgia went into the fourth quarter of the national championship game with a 20-10 lead over Alabama.</p>
<p>Georgia freshman Jake Fromm has thrown for 225 yards and a touchdown, with two interceptions, and Sony Michel has run for 84 yards on 12 carries. Georgia's Mecole Hardman has scored twice, the first time on a 1-yard run when he took a direct snap and the second on an 80-yard pass.</p>
<p>Alabama freshman Tua Tagovailoa, who replaced quarterback Jalen Hurts to start the second half, is 7 for 13 for 54 yards and a touchdown.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>11 p.m.</p>
<p>Alabama has pulled within 20-10 of Georgia with 5:15 left in the third quarter of the national championship game.</p>
<p>Andy Pappanastos, who missed a 40-yard field-goal attempt in the first quarter, connected from 43 yards six plays after the Crimson Tide got their second interception in two games by a defensive lineman.</p>
<p>Raekwon Davis picked off a Jake Fromm pass that bounced off the helmet of fellow defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand.</p>
<p>Alabama got an interception from Da'Ron Payne in the playoff semifinal win over Clemson.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>10:50 p.m.</p>
<p>After having three touchdowns all season, Georgia's Mecole Hardman has two touchdowns in the national championship game against Alabama, including an 80-yarder that included some fancy footwork along the sideline.</p>
<p>After Alabama staged an impressive drive for its first touchdown, cutting the Bulldogs' lead to 13-7 in the third quarter, Georgia answered quickly with Jake Fromm's bomb to Hardman.</p>
<p>A review confirmed Hardman stayed in bounds after making contact with Alabama defensive back Tony Brown. Hardman's first score came on a 1-yard touchdown run late in the first half on a direct snap.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>10:45 p.m.</p>
<p>Jake Fromm has thrown an 80-yard touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman to give Georgia a 20-7 lead over Alabama with 6:52 left in the third quarter of the national championship game.</p>
<p>The touchdown stood after a video review to see if Hardman stepped out of bounds at about the Alabama 20-yard line.</p>
<p>The Bulldogs got the ball back when Deandre Baker intercepted freshman Tua Tagovailoa, who had led Alabama to its first touchdown after starting the second half in place of Jalen Hurts. But the Crimson Tide got an interception of its own when a Fromm pass was tipped at the line.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>10:35 p.m.</p>
<p>Alabama has pulled within 13-7 at Georgia in the third quarter of the national championship game.</p>
<p>Freshman Tua Tagovailoa replaced Jalen Hurts to start the second half and hit Henry Ruggs III with a 6-yard touchdown pass to finish a seven-play, 56-yard drive.</p>
<p>Tagovailoa completed 4 of 5 passes, but he used his legs to make the biggest play. Under pressure after he dropped back to pass, he split two Georgia defenders and made a third miss as he scrambled for 9 yards on a third-and-7.</p>
<p>The Tide went three-and-out on their first series with Tagovailoa under center.</p>
<p>Alabama is playing the second half without offensive tackle Jonah Williams. The third-team All-American was replaced by Alex Leatherwood.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump attended the first half of the game and was on the field during the national anthem. He had left by the time things got rolling in the third quarter.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>10:17 p.m.</p>
<p>Trailing 13-0, Alabama has started freshman Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback in the second half of the national championship game against Georgia.</p>
<p>Tagovailoa replaced a struggling Jalen Hurts coming out of the locker room. Hurts was just 3-of-8 passing for 21 yards in the first half while running for 47 yards.</p>
<p>Tagovailoa, a five-star recruit from Hawaii, played in eight games this season. He completed 35 of 53 passes for 470 yards with eight touchdowns against one interception, mostly in mop-up duty. Hurts was the Southeastern Conference offensive player of the year as a freshman last season.</p>
<p>Alabama hadn't been held scoreless in the first half since last season. It was also the first time since the 2012 national title game that a team failed to score in the first half. Alabama shut out Notre Dame going into the half en route to a 42-14 win.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>10 p.m.</p>
<p>Alabama trails Georgia 13-0 at halftime of the national title game.</p>
<p>The Crimson Tide had not been held scoreless in the first half since a 10-0 victory over LSU last season. All 10 of the Tide's points came in the fourth quarter.</p>
<p>Alabama had outscored opponents 270-56 before the half this season coming into the game against its SEC rival.</p>
<p>Georgia's Jake Fromm is 11 of 23 for 126 yards, and Sony Michel has run eight times for 61 yards.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>9:50 p.m.</p>
<p>Georgia holds a 13-0 lead over Alabama at halftime of the national championship game in Atlanta.</p>
<p>Jake Fromm led the Bulldogs on a 69-yard touchdown drive in the last 2 minutes. Wide receiver Mecole Hardman took a direct snap and ran 1 yard into the end zone with 7 seconds left.</p>
<p>Rodrigo Blankenship kicked field goals of 41 and 27 yards, and the Bulldogs' defense held the Crimson Tide in check.</p>
<p>Alabama totaled just 95 yards on five possessions, and Jalen Hurts took a knee to end the half. The Tide punted four straight times after Andy Pappanastos missed a 40-yard field goal on the Tide's first possession.</p>
<p>Georgia got the ball back with 1:19 left in the half. Fromm threw passes of 10 and 16 yards and ran for 14 on Georgia's way to the touchdown.</p>
<p>Fromm is 11 of 23 for 126 yards, and Sony Michel has run eight times for 61 yards.</p>
<p>Hurts is 3 for 8 for 21 yards and he's run six times for 47.</p>
<p>Alabama has scored in 226 consecutive games.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>9:40 p.m.</p>
<p>Georgia wide receiver Riley Ridley is flourishing in his opportunity to emerge from the shadow cast by his older brother, Alabama star Calvin Ridley.</p>
<p>Ridley has four catches for 62 yards in the first half of Monday night's national championship game. He already has moved to within range of his career-high totals of five catches for 67 yards against Vanderbilt in 2016.</p>
<p>While Calvin Ridley, a junior, is second in Alabama history with 220 career receptions, including a team-high 59 this season, Riley Ridley has had a quiet season for Georgia with only eight catches before the championship game.</p>
<p>Georgia led Alabama 6-0 late in the second quarter.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>9:27 p.m.</p>
<p>Rodrigo Blankenship has kicked his second field goal, this one from 27 yards, to give Georgia a 6-0 lead over Alabama with about 6 minutes left until halftime of the national championship game.</p>
<p>Georgia's defense limited Alabama to 57 yards and forced two straight three-and-outs before quarterback Jalen Hurts broke loose for 31 yards. Hurts has completed only 2 of his first 6 passes for 17 yards and the Crimson Tide has punted three times.</p>
<p>Bulldogs freshman Jake Fromm is 8 of 16 for 84 yards.</p>
<p>Georgia receiver Riley Ridley has outplayed his older brother, Alabama All-SEC receiver Calvin Ridley, in the early going. Ridley has two catches for 36 yards, including a 23-yarder to convert a third-and-8 and keep the Bulldogs' second scoring drive alive. Calvin Ridley has one catch for 9 yards.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>9:02 p.m.</p>
<p>Georgia has taken a 3-0 lead in the College Football Playoff championship game, with Rodrigo Blankenship kicking a 41-yard field goal on the second play of the second quarter.</p>
<p>The Bulldogs got into position after moving from their 21 to the Alabama 24 in 14 plays.</p>
<p>The big play on the drive was Sony Michel's 26-yard run to the Alabama 26 on a third-and-20 after Anthony Averett crashed through from the left side to sack Jake Fromm.</p>
<p>Michel's run was reviewed to see if he stepped out of bounds before the 26, but the Big Ten officiating crew's spot was upheld.</p>
<p>Alabama had a chance to take the lead in the first quarter, but Andy Pappanastos missed a 40-yard field goal.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>8:35 p.m.</p>
<p>Georgia turned over the ball on its opening possession of the national championship game but came away unscathed after Alabama missed a field goal.</p>
<p>Tony Brown wrestled a long pass away from Georgia's Javon Wims to set up the Crimson Tide at their 36.</p>
<p>But Alabama failed to come away with points. Andy Pappanastos' 35-yard field goal was nullified by a false start, and he pulled his second attempt from 40 yards wide left.</p>
<p>The Crimson Tide forced Georgia to punt on its second possession with 9:04 left in the first quarter.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>8:20 p.m.</p>
<p>The College Football Playoff national championship game between Alabama (12-1) and Georgia (13-1) is under way at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.</p>
<p>Frank Beamer, Mack Brown and Matt Stinchcomb — named to the 2018 College Football Hall of Fame on Monday — were on the field for the coin toss along with honorary captains O.J. Howard of Alabama and Herschel Walker of Georgia.</p>
<p>Alabama called tails and won the toss and deferred until the second half. They picked off Georgia on the third play from scrimmage.</p>
<p>This is the 68th all-time meeting between the Southeastern Conference rivals and first since 2015, when Alabama won 38-10 in the regular season.</p>
<p>Alabama is in the title game for the third year in a row and seeking its fifth national title under Saban since 2009. Georgia, led by second-year coach and former Saban assistant Kirby Smart, is looking for its first championship since 1980.</p>
<p>The Crimson Tide reached the title game with a 24-6 Sugar Bowl win over Clemson. The Bulldogs advanced with a 54-48 double-overtime win over Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump is in attendance and was on the field during the national anthem.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>8:15 p.m.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump was on the field for the national anthem before the College Football Playoff national title game.</p>
<p>Trump walked onto the field accompanied by the ROTC units from Georgia and Alabama. He was greeted by mostly cheers from the crowd on hand to watch the game between Alabama and Georgia.</p>
<p>Trump waved to the crowd before the Zac Brown Band sang the anthem. Hand placed over his heart, Trump appeared to sing along at times.</p>
<p>No players were on the field yet. That's unlike the NFL, where some players this season protested racial injustice by kneeling during the anthem — often drawing Trump's ire.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>7:45 p.m.</p>
<p>Mercedes-Benz Stadium has a bit of water dripping on to the sideline, seemingly coming from high above the field.</p>
<p>Around the 20-yard line on Alabama's side of the field, but off the playing field, <a href="https://twitter.com/jeffsentell/status/950509178933731328" type="external">a few drops could be spotted falling on to the green artificial turf.</a></p>
<p>A stadium security worker wearing a blue shirt was standing where the water was landing and had wets spots on his shirt.</p>
<p>There have been issues with the stadium's signature retractable roof since construction began on the facility. The roof has only been opened once for football since the stadium opened in August.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>7:15 p.m.</p>
<p>The crowd is trickling into Mercedes-Benz Stadium with the kickoff for Monday night's College Football Playoff national championship game about an hour away.</p>
<p>Alabama native and former NFL star Terrell Owens is among the crowd that navigated the consistent chilly drizzle outside the stadium and security lines to get into the building.</p>
<p>Owens, from Alexander City, Alabama, wore a wool knit Crimson Tide cap and talked with the SEC Network before the contest, telling host Paul Finebaum that his dream growing up wasn't the NFL, it was to play for Alabama.</p>
<p>If he had, the Crimson Tide might have had another national crown or two in their trophy case.</p>
<p>Owens instead played at Chattanooga and was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 1996. He had 1,078 catches in 15 seasons with five NFL teams.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>6:45 p.m.</p>
<p>Alabama radio play-by-play announcer Eli Gold says he has been told that President Trump will be on the Alabama Radio Network during the College Football Playoff national championship game between the Crimson Tide and Georgia.</p>
<p>Gold says network officials reached out to the White House through the Alabama governor's office last week to request an interview with the president and heard back in the last day or so that Trump agreed to come.</p>
<p>Gold says nothing is definitive but if Trump comes on it would like be after the first quarter.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>6:30 p.m.</p>
<p>Georgia won't be at full strength at tight end in its national championship game against Alabama.</p>
<p>Sophomore Charlie Woerner, who set a career high with three catches in the Bulldogs' Rose Bowl playoff win over Oklahoma last week, was on crutches when the team entered Mercedes-Benz Stadium for Monday night's game.</p>
<p>Coach Kirby Smart said Sunday Woerner's status was doubtful after the sophomore suffered a leg injury in last week's win, so the crutches were not a big surprise.</p>
<p>Woerner, listed with Isaac Nauta behind starting tight end Jeb Blazevich, had nine catches for 100 yards this season.</p>
<p>Woerner is the nephew of former Georgia defensive back and return specialist Scott Woerner, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. Scott Woerner was a standout on Georgia's 1980 national championship team.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>3:30 a.m.</p>
<p>No. 4 Alabama faces No. 3 Georgia in an all-Southeastern Conference College Football Playoff national championship game Monday night.</p>
<p>Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban tries to tie former Alabama coach Bear Bryant's record six major poll national championships. Saban has led the Tide to four national championships since 2009, and the last three national championship games.</p>
<p>Georgia, coached by former Saban assistant Kirby Smart, is looking for its first national championship since 1980.</p>
<p>The Bulldogs feature the most prolific running back combination in college football in senior Sony Michel and Nick Chubb. They combined for six touchdowns in the Bulldogs semifinal victory against Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl.</p>
<p>Alabama has to No. 1 rushing defense in the country and smothered Clemson in the Sugar Bowl semifinal to get here.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>More AP college football: http://collegefootball.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_Top25</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>This story has been corrected to show winning TD throw was 41 yards.</p>
| false | 2 |
atlanta ap latest college football playoff national football championship game monday night times local 230 alabama georgia topped final top 25 college football poll season many eyes central florida alabama voted 1 final associated press college football rankings received 57 61 firstplace votes media panel georgia finished second oklahoma third followed clemson ohio state ucf received four knights went 130 cap perfect season football bowl subdivision beating auburn peach bowl ucf athletic director danny white said knights declaring national champions floridas governor followed suit proclamation saying ucf deserved winning every game beating auburn team defeated alabama georgia season ___ 125 alabama freshman quarterback tua tagovailoa named offensive player college football playoff championship game leading crimson tide comefrombehind 2623 overtime win georgia tagovailoa replaced ineffective jalen hurts start second half led tide back deficits 130 half 207 middle third quarter completed 14 24 passes 166 yards three touchdowns including winning 41yarder overtime former prep star hawaii also ran 12 times 27 yards alabama defensive lineman daron payne defensive player game payne six tackles part alabama defensive front shut georgias running game second half payne also intercepted tipped pass helping set field goal ___ 1255 alabamas 2623 thriller georgia first national championship game go overtime since 2003 thats year ohio state outlasted miami 3124 double overtime fiesta bowl game settled bcs championship close games since including 4138 rose bowl classic 2006 texas beat southern california two years ago alabama beat clemson 4540 tigers returned favor last season 3531 win decided lastsecond touchdown pass years ot game settled 41yard td pass tua tagovailoa devonta smith ___ 1210 alabama beaten georgia 2623 overtime win fifth national championship since 2009 nick saban freshman quarterback tua tagovailoa threw 41yard touchdown pass devonta smith getting sacked alabamas opening play extra session georgia ball first overtime rodrigo blankenship kicked 51yard field goal alabamas andy pappanastos missed would winning 36yard field goal time ran regulation tagovailoa took ineffective jalen hurts start second half led crimson tide two touchdowns two field goals erased deficits 130 half 207 middle third quarter 11th national title crimson tide georgia seeking second title winning 1980 ___ midnight alabama georgia going overtime national championship game tied 2020 crimson tide stormed back 130 halftime deficit position win 3 seconds go andy pappanastos missed field goal try 36 yards freshman tua tagovailoa led alabama comeback replacing jalen hurts start second half tied 20all 7yard pass calvin ridley alabamas defense forced threeandout set pappanastos try pappanastos missed far left missed earlier 40 yards first fieldgoal try game connected 43 30 yards ___ 1143 pm national championship game tied 20all late fourth quarter freshman tua tagovailoa threw 7yard touchdown calvin ridley fourthand4 play 349 left play came georgias roquan smith trenton thompson stuffed damien harris 1yard loss third tagovailoa replaced jalen hurts start second half led alabama two touchdowns two field goals bring crimson tide back 130 halftime deficit ___ 1130 pm alabama closed 2013 fourth quarter national championship game georgia andy pappanastos kicked second field goal game 30yarder 924 left score came one play georgias dominick sanders nearly picked tua tagovailoas overthrown pass end zone georgia trying win first national title since 1980 ___ 1115 pm georgia went fourth quarter national championship game 2010 lead alabama georgia freshman jake fromm thrown 225 yards touchdown two interceptions sony michel run 84 yards 12 carries georgias mecole hardman scored twice first time 1yard run took direct snap second 80yard pass alabama freshman tua tagovailoa replaced quarterback jalen hurts start second half 7 13 54 yards touchdown ___ 11 pm alabama pulled within 2010 georgia 515 left third quarter national championship game andy pappanastos missed 40yard fieldgoal attempt first quarter connected 43 yards six plays crimson tide got second interception two games defensive lineman raekwon davis picked jake fromm pass bounced helmet fellow defensive lineman dashawn hand alabama got interception daron payne playoff semifinal win clemson ___ 1050 pm three touchdowns season georgias mecole hardman two touchdowns national championship game alabama including 80yarder included fancy footwork along sideline alabama staged impressive drive first touchdown cutting bulldogs lead 137 third quarter georgia answered quickly jake fromms bomb hardman review confirmed hardman stayed bounds making contact alabama defensive back tony brown hardmans first score came 1yard touchdown run late first half direct snap ___ 1045 pm jake fromm thrown 80yard touchdown pass mecole hardman give georgia 207 lead alabama 652 left third quarter national championship game touchdown stood video review see hardman stepped bounds alabama 20yard line bulldogs got ball back deandre baker intercepted freshman tua tagovailoa led alabama first touchdown starting second half place jalen hurts crimson tide got interception fromm pass tipped line ___ 1035 pm alabama pulled within 137 georgia third quarter national championship game freshman tua tagovailoa replaced jalen hurts start second half hit henry ruggs iii 6yard touchdown pass finish sevenplay 56yard drive tagovailoa completed 4 5 passes used legs make biggest play pressure dropped back pass split two georgia defenders made third miss scrambled 9 yards thirdand7 tide went threeandout first series tagovailoa center alabama playing second half without offensive tackle jonah williams thirdteam allamerican replaced alex leatherwood president donald trump attended first half game field national anthem left time things got rolling third quarter ___ 1017 pm trailing 130 alabama started freshman tua tagovailoa quarterback second half national championship game georgia tagovailoa replaced struggling jalen hurts coming locker room hurts 3of8 passing 21 yards first half running 47 yards tagovailoa fivestar recruit hawaii played eight games season completed 35 53 passes 470 yards eight touchdowns one interception mostly mopup duty hurts southeastern conference offensive player year freshman last season alabama hadnt held scoreless first half since last season also first time since 2012 national title game team failed score first half alabama shut notre dame going half en route 4214 win ___ 10 pm alabama trails georgia 130 halftime national title game crimson tide held scoreless first half since 100 victory lsu last season 10 tides points came fourth quarter alabama outscored opponents 27056 half season coming game sec rival georgias jake fromm 11 23 126 yards sony michel run eight times 61 yards ___ 950 pm georgia holds 130 lead alabama halftime national championship game atlanta jake fromm led bulldogs 69yard touchdown drive last 2 minutes wide receiver mecole hardman took direct snap ran 1 yard end zone 7 seconds left rodrigo blankenship kicked field goals 41 27 yards bulldogs defense held crimson tide check alabama totaled 95 yards five possessions jalen hurts took knee end half tide punted four straight times andy pappanastos missed 40yard field goal tides first possession georgia got ball back 119 left half fromm threw passes 10 16 yards ran 14 georgias way touchdown fromm 11 23 126 yards sony michel run eight times 61 yards hurts 3 8 21 yards hes run six times 47 alabama scored 226 consecutive games ___ 940 pm georgia wide receiver riley ridley flourishing opportunity emerge shadow cast older brother alabama star calvin ridley ridley four catches 62 yards first half monday nights national championship game already moved within range careerhigh totals five catches 67 yards vanderbilt 2016 calvin ridley junior second alabama history 220 career receptions including teamhigh 59 season riley ridley quiet season georgia eight catches championship game georgia led alabama 60 late second quarter ___ 927 pm rodrigo blankenship kicked second field goal one 27 yards give georgia 60 lead alabama 6 minutes left halftime national championship game georgias defense limited alabama 57 yards forced two straight threeandouts quarterback jalen hurts broke loose 31 yards hurts completed 2 first 6 passes 17 yards crimson tide punted three times bulldogs freshman jake fromm 8 16 84 yards georgia receiver riley ridley outplayed older brother alabama allsec receiver calvin ridley early going ridley two catches 36 yards including 23yarder convert thirdand8 keep bulldogs second scoring drive alive calvin ridley one catch 9 yards ___ 902 pm georgia taken 30 lead college football playoff championship game rodrigo blankenship kicking 41yard field goal second play second quarter bulldogs got position moving 21 alabama 24 14 plays big play drive sony michels 26yard run alabama 26 thirdand20 anthony averett crashed left side sack jake fromm michels run reviewed see stepped bounds 26 big ten officiating crews spot upheld alabama chance take lead first quarter andy pappanastos missed 40yard field goal ___ 835 pm georgia turned ball opening possession national championship game came away unscathed alabama missed field goal tony brown wrestled long pass away georgias javon wims set crimson tide 36 alabama failed come away points andy pappanastos 35yard field goal nullified false start pulled second attempt 40 yards wide left crimson tide forced georgia punt second possession 904 left first quarter ___ 820 pm college football playoff national championship game alabama 121 georgia 131 way mercedesbenz stadium atlanta frank beamer mack brown matt stinchcomb named 2018 college football hall fame monday field coin toss along honorary captains oj howard alabama herschel walker georgia alabama called tails toss deferred second half picked georgia third play scrimmage 68th alltime meeting southeastern conference rivals first since 2015 alabama 3810 regular season alabama title game third year row seeking fifth national title saban since 2009 georgia led secondyear coach former saban assistant kirby smart looking first championship since 1980 crimson tide reached title game 246 sugar bowl win clemson bulldogs advanced 5448 doubleovertime win oklahoma rose bowl president donald trump attendance field national anthem ___ 815 pm president donald trump field national anthem college football playoff national title game trump walked onto field accompanied rotc units georgia alabama greeted mostly cheers crowd hand watch game alabama georgia trump waved crowd zac brown band sang anthem hand placed heart trump appeared sing along times players field yet thats unlike nfl players season protested racial injustice kneeling anthem often drawing trumps ire ___ 745 pm mercedesbenz stadium bit water dripping sideline seemingly coming high field around 20yard line alabamas side field playing field drops could spotted falling green artificial turf stadium security worker wearing blue shirt standing water landing wets spots shirt issues stadiums signature retractable roof since construction began facility roof opened football since stadium opened august ___ 715 pm crowd trickling mercedesbenz stadium kickoff monday nights college football playoff national championship game hour away alabama native former nfl star terrell owens among crowd navigated consistent chilly drizzle outside stadium security lines get building owens alexander city alabama wore wool knit crimson tide cap talked sec network contest telling host paul finebaum dream growing wasnt nfl play alabama crimson tide might another national crown two trophy case owens instead played chattanooga drafted san francisco 49ers 1996 1078 catches 15 seasons five nfl teams ___ 645 pm alabama radio playbyplay announcer eli gold says told president trump alabama radio network college football playoff national championship game crimson tide georgia gold says network officials reached white house alabama governors office last week request interview president heard back last day trump agreed come gold says nothing definitive trump comes would like first quarter ___ 630 pm georgia wont full strength tight end national championship game alabama sophomore charlie woerner set career high three catches bulldogs rose bowl playoff win oklahoma last week crutches team entered mercedesbenz stadium monday nights game coach kirby smart said sunday woerners status doubtful sophomore suffered leg injury last weeks win crutches big surprise woerner listed isaac nauta behind starting tight end jeb blazevich nine catches 100 yards season woerner nephew former georgia defensive back return specialist scott woerner member college football hall fame scott woerner standout georgias 1980 national championship team ___ 330 4 alabama faces 3 georgia allsoutheastern conference college football playoff national championship game monday night crimson tide coach nick saban tries tie former alabama coach bear bryants record six major poll national championships saban led tide four national championships since 2009 last three national championship games georgia coached former saban assistant kirby smart looking first national championship since 1980 bulldogs feature prolific running back combination college football senior sony michel nick chubb combined six touchdowns bulldogs semifinal victory oklahoma rose bowl alabama 1 rushing defense country smothered clemson sugar bowl semifinal get ___ ap college football httpcollegefootballaporg httpwwwtwittercomap_top25 ___ story corrected show winning td throw 41 yards atlanta ap latest college football playoff national football championship game monday night times local 230 alabama georgia topped final top 25 college football poll season many eyes central florida alabama voted 1 final associated press college football rankings received 57 61 firstplace votes media panel georgia finished second oklahoma third followed clemson ohio state ucf received four knights went 130 cap perfect season football bowl subdivision beating auburn peach bowl ucf athletic director danny white said knights declaring national champions floridas governor followed suit proclamation saying ucf deserved winning every game beating auburn team defeated alabama georgia season ___ 125 alabama freshman quarterback tua tagovailoa named offensive player college football playoff championship game leading crimson tide comefrombehind 2623 overtime win georgia tagovailoa replaced ineffective jalen hurts start second half led tide back deficits 130 half 207 middle third quarter completed 14 24 passes 166 yards three touchdowns including winning 41yarder overtime former prep star hawaii also ran 12 times 27 yards alabama defensive lineman daron payne defensive player game payne six tackles part alabama defensive front shut georgias running game second half payne also intercepted tipped pass helping set field goal ___ 1255 alabamas 2623 thriller georgia first national championship game go overtime since 2003 thats year ohio state outlasted miami 3124 double overtime fiesta bowl game settled bcs championship close games since including 4138 rose bowl classic 2006 texas beat southern california two years ago alabama beat clemson 4540 tigers returned favor last season 3531 win decided lastsecond touchdown pass years ot game settled 41yard td pass tua tagovailoa devonta smith ___ 1210 alabama beaten georgia 2623 overtime win fifth national championship since 2009 nick saban freshman quarterback tua tagovailoa threw 41yard touchdown pass devonta smith getting sacked alabamas opening play extra session georgia ball first overtime rodrigo blankenship kicked 51yard field goal alabamas andy pappanastos missed would winning 36yard field goal time ran regulation tagovailoa took ineffective jalen hurts start second half led crimson tide two touchdowns two field goals erased deficits 130 half 207 middle third quarter 11th national title crimson tide georgia seeking second title winning 1980 ___ midnight alabama georgia going overtime national championship game tied 2020 crimson tide stormed back 130 halftime deficit position win 3 seconds go andy pappanastos missed field goal try 36 yards freshman tua tagovailoa led alabama comeback replacing jalen hurts start second half tied 20all 7yard pass calvin ridley alabamas defense forced threeandout set pappanastos try pappanastos missed far left missed earlier 40 yards first fieldgoal try game connected 43 30 yards ___ 1143 pm national championship game tied 20all late fourth quarter freshman tua tagovailoa threw 7yard touchdown calvin ridley fourthand4 play 349 left play came georgias roquan smith trenton thompson stuffed damien harris 1yard loss third tagovailoa replaced jalen hurts start second half led alabama two touchdowns two field goals bring crimson tide back 130 halftime deficit ___ 1130 pm alabama closed 2013 fourth quarter national championship game georgia andy pappanastos kicked second field goal game 30yarder 924 left score came one play georgias dominick sanders nearly picked tua tagovailoas overthrown pass end zone georgia trying win first national title since 1980 ___ 1115 pm georgia went fourth quarter national championship game 2010 lead alabama georgia freshman jake fromm thrown 225 yards touchdown two interceptions sony michel run 84 yards 12 carries georgias mecole hardman scored twice first time 1yard run took direct snap second 80yard pass alabama freshman tua tagovailoa replaced quarterback jalen hurts start second half 7 13 54 yards touchdown ___ 11 pm alabama pulled within 2010 georgia 515 left third quarter national championship game andy pappanastos missed 40yard fieldgoal attempt first quarter connected 43 yards six plays crimson tide got second interception two games defensive lineman raekwon davis picked jake fromm pass bounced helmet fellow defensive lineman dashawn hand alabama got interception daron payne playoff semifinal win clemson ___ 1050 pm three touchdowns season georgias mecole hardman two touchdowns national championship game alabama including 80yarder included fancy footwork along sideline alabama staged impressive drive first touchdown cutting bulldogs lead 137 third quarter georgia answered quickly jake fromms bomb hardman review confirmed hardman stayed bounds making contact alabama defensive back tony brown hardmans first score came 1yard touchdown run late first half direct snap ___ 1045 pm jake fromm thrown 80yard touchdown pass mecole hardman give georgia 207 lead alabama 652 left third quarter national championship game touchdown stood video review see hardman stepped bounds alabama 20yard line bulldogs got ball back deandre baker intercepted freshman tua tagovailoa led alabama first touchdown starting second half place jalen hurts crimson tide got interception fromm pass tipped line ___ 1035 pm alabama pulled within 137 georgia third quarter national championship game freshman tua tagovailoa replaced jalen hurts start second half hit henry ruggs iii 6yard touchdown pass finish sevenplay 56yard drive tagovailoa completed 4 5 passes used legs make biggest play pressure dropped back pass split two georgia defenders made third miss scrambled 9 yards thirdand7 tide went threeandout first series tagovailoa center alabama playing second half without offensive tackle jonah williams thirdteam allamerican replaced alex leatherwood president donald trump attended first half game field national anthem left time things got rolling third quarter ___ 1017 pm trailing 130 alabama started freshman tua tagovailoa quarterback second half national championship game georgia tagovailoa replaced struggling jalen hurts coming locker room hurts 3of8 passing 21 yards first half running 47 yards tagovailoa fivestar recruit hawaii played eight games season completed 35 53 passes 470 yards eight touchdowns one interception mostly mopup duty hurts southeastern conference offensive player year freshman last season alabama hadnt held scoreless first half since last season also first time since 2012 national title game team failed score first half alabama shut notre dame going half en route 4214 win ___ 10 pm alabama trails georgia 130 halftime national title game crimson tide held scoreless first half since 100 victory lsu last season 10 tides points came fourth quarter alabama outscored opponents 27056 half season coming game sec rival georgias jake fromm 11 23 126 yards sony michel run eight times 61 yards ___ 950 pm georgia holds 130 lead alabama halftime national championship game atlanta jake fromm led bulldogs 69yard touchdown drive last 2 minutes wide receiver mecole hardman took direct snap ran 1 yard end zone 7 seconds left rodrigo blankenship kicked field goals 41 27 yards bulldogs defense held crimson tide check alabama totaled 95 yards five possessions jalen hurts took knee end half tide punted four straight times andy pappanastos missed 40yard field goal tides first possession georgia got ball back 119 left half fromm threw passes 10 16 yards ran 14 georgias way touchdown fromm 11 23 126 yards sony michel run eight times 61 yards hurts 3 8 21 yards hes run six times 47 alabama scored 226 consecutive games ___ 940 pm georgia wide receiver riley ridley flourishing opportunity emerge shadow cast older brother alabama star calvin ridley ridley four catches 62 yards first half monday nights national championship game already moved within range careerhigh totals five catches 67 yards vanderbilt 2016 calvin ridley junior second alabama history 220 career receptions including teamhigh 59 season riley ridley quiet season georgia eight catches championship game georgia led alabama 60 late second quarter ___ 927 pm rodrigo blankenship kicked second field goal one 27 yards give georgia 60 lead alabama 6 minutes left halftime national championship game georgias defense limited alabama 57 yards forced two straight threeandouts quarterback jalen hurts broke loose 31 yards hurts completed 2 first 6 passes 17 yards crimson tide punted three times bulldogs freshman jake fromm 8 16 84 yards georgia receiver riley ridley outplayed older brother alabama allsec receiver calvin ridley early going ridley two catches 36 yards including 23yarder convert thirdand8 keep bulldogs second scoring drive alive calvin ridley one catch 9 yards ___ 902 pm georgia taken 30 lead college football playoff championship game rodrigo blankenship kicking 41yard field goal second play second quarter bulldogs got position moving 21 alabama 24 14 plays big play drive sony michels 26yard run alabama 26 thirdand20 anthony averett crashed left side sack jake fromm michels run reviewed see stepped bounds 26 big ten officiating crews spot upheld alabama chance take lead first quarter andy pappanastos missed 40yard field goal ___ 835 pm georgia turned ball opening possession national championship game came away unscathed alabama missed field goal tony brown wrestled long pass away georgias javon wims set crimson tide 36 alabama failed come away points andy pappanastos 35yard field goal nullified false start pulled second attempt 40 yards wide left crimson tide forced georgia punt second possession 904 left first quarter ___ 820 pm college football playoff national championship game alabama 121 georgia 131 way mercedesbenz stadium atlanta frank beamer mack brown matt stinchcomb named 2018 college football hall fame monday field coin toss along honorary captains oj howard alabama herschel walker georgia alabama called tails toss deferred second half picked georgia third play scrimmage 68th alltime meeting southeastern conference rivals first since 2015 alabama 3810 regular season alabama title game third year row seeking fifth national title saban since 2009 georgia led secondyear coach former saban assistant kirby smart looking first championship since 1980 crimson tide reached title game 246 sugar bowl win clemson bulldogs advanced 5448 doubleovertime win oklahoma rose bowl president donald trump attendance field national anthem ___ 815 pm president donald trump field national anthem college football playoff national title game trump walked onto field accompanied rotc units georgia alabama greeted mostly cheers crowd hand watch game alabama georgia trump waved crowd zac brown band sang anthem hand placed heart trump appeared sing along times players field yet thats unlike nfl players season protested racial injustice kneeling anthem often drawing trumps ire ___ 745 pm mercedesbenz stadium bit water dripping sideline seemingly coming high field around 20yard line alabamas side field playing field drops could spotted falling green artificial turf stadium security worker wearing blue shirt standing water landing wets spots shirt issues stadiums signature retractable roof since construction began facility roof opened football since stadium opened august ___ 715 pm crowd trickling mercedesbenz stadium kickoff monday nights college football playoff national championship game hour away alabama native former nfl star terrell owens among crowd navigated consistent chilly drizzle outside stadium security lines get building owens alexander city alabama wore wool knit crimson tide cap talked sec network contest telling host paul finebaum dream growing wasnt nfl play alabama crimson tide might another national crown two trophy case owens instead played chattanooga drafted san francisco 49ers 1996 1078 catches 15 seasons five nfl teams ___ 645 pm alabama radio playbyplay announcer eli gold says told president trump alabama radio network college football playoff national championship game crimson tide georgia gold says network officials reached white house alabama governors office last week request interview president heard back last day trump agreed come gold says nothing definitive trump comes would like first quarter ___ 630 pm georgia wont full strength tight end national championship game alabama sophomore charlie woerner set career high three catches bulldogs rose bowl playoff win oklahoma last week crutches team entered mercedesbenz stadium monday nights game coach kirby smart said sunday woerners status doubtful sophomore suffered leg injury last weeks win crutches big surprise woerner listed isaac nauta behind starting tight end jeb blazevich nine catches 100 yards season woerner nephew former georgia defensive back return specialist scott woerner member college football hall fame scott woerner standout georgias 1980 national championship team ___ 330 4 alabama faces 3 georgia allsoutheastern conference college football playoff national championship game monday night crimson tide coach nick saban tries tie former alabama coach bear bryants record six major poll national championships saban led tide four national championships since 2009 last three national championship games georgia coached former saban assistant kirby smart looking first national championship since 1980 bulldogs feature prolific running back combination college football senior sony michel nick chubb combined six touchdowns bulldogs semifinal victory oklahoma rose bowl alabama 1 rushing defense country smothered clemson sugar bowl semifinal get ___ ap college football httpcollegefootballaporg httpwwwtwittercomap_top25 ___ story corrected show winning td throw 41 yards
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<p>Jan 23 (Reuters) - Shrenuj And Company Ltd:</p>
<p>* BANK OF INDIA FILED APPLICATION AGAINST CO WITH NCLT UNDER INSOLVENCY AND BANKRUPTCY CODE Source text - <a href="http://bit.ly/2Bp1jzq" type="external">bit.ly/2Bp1jzq</a> Further company coverage:</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>NORTH CHARLESTON S.C. (Reuters) - Boeing Co ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=BA.N" type="external">BA.N</a>) delivered its first 787-10 Dreamliner to Singapore Airlines ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=SIAL.SI" type="external">SIAL.SI</a>) on Sunday, rounding out a family of lightweight jets on which the U.S. planemaker is betting its future.</p> A Boeing 787-10 aircraft being built for Singapore Airlines sits in the Final Assembly Area before a delivery ceremony of the first Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner at Boeing South Carolina in North Charleston, South Carolina, United States March 25, 2018. REUTERS/Randall Hill
<p>The ceremonial key to the plane was handed to Singapore Airlines Chief Executive Goh Choon Phong on the tarmac at Boeing’s South Carolina plant, where the carbon composite jet is built, in front of more than a thousand Boeing workers and guests.</p>
<p>Goh called it a “beautiful aircraft” and an “unparalleled product for regional operations.”</p>
<p>Boeing Commercial Airplanes Chief Executive Kevin McAllister hailed the two airlines’ 45-year relationship.</p>
<p>Singapore Airlines was the first Southeast Asian carrier to buy Boeing’s 747 jumbo jet in 1972, Goh said, and the group is now the world’s first to operate all the 787 Dreamliner family of models.</p>
<p>The new Dreamliner was parked in front of a line of about 10 787 airplanes in various stages of completion.</p>
<p>Singapore Airlines, which expanded its order for 787-10s to 49 jets last year, plans to introduce the jet on services to Osaka, Japan, followed by Perth, Australia, starting in May.</p>
<p>The 787-10 is built exclusively at the North Charleston plant due to its large size, which prevents the transfer of sections to Boeing’s factory outside Seattle. Unlike the Washington state assembly lines, the plant, which has about 7,000 workers, is not unionized.</p>
<p>The aircraft, which sells for $326 million at list prices, completes a line-up of three models starting with the 787-8 which debuted in 2011. All boast carbon-composite fabrication materials, fuel efficiency and new state-of-the-air filtration systems with higher levels of humidity in the air for long-distance flight.</p> Slideshow (6 Images)
<p>The 787-10’s range is 6,430 nautical miles (11,910 kilometers).</p>
<p>At 223 feet long (68 meters), the aircraft is 18 feet (5.5 meters) longer than the 787-9 and seats around 330 passengers, 40 more than the 787-9 and 88 more than the 787-8.</p>
<p>Europe’s Airbus ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=AIR.PA" type="external">AIR.PA</a>) competes against the 787-10 with its A330neo, an upgraded version of its most-sold wide-body aircraft with fuel-efficient engines and a new cabin.</p>
<a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=BA.N" type="external">Boeing Co</a> 321.0 BA.N New York Stock Exchange -- (--%) BA.N SIAL.SI AIR.PA AAL.O
<p>Both jets are designed for shorter flights compared with other mid-size wide-body planes, tapping into the rapid growth of trade within Asia as well as across other regions.</p>
<p>But after brisk initial sales, orders for both models have slowed, with Airbus selling 214 of its A330neo.</p>
<p>The 787-10 has 171 orders, about 13 percent of the total of firm orders for the 787.</p>
<p>The mid-sized 787-9 is the most popular variant and competes mainly with Airbus’s new-generation carbon-composite A350.</p>
<p>The 787 and A330neo are locked in a fierce battle for sales and profits in the market for jets with around 300 seats.</p>
<p>Boeing looks poised to win a hotly contested order from American Airlines ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=AAL.O" type="external">AAL.O</a>), beating competition from the A330neo, people familiar with the matter said on Friday.</p>
<p>(This story corrects Boeing executive’s title and first name.)</p>
<p>Reporting by Harriet McLeod; Editing by Daniel Wallis</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>LONDON (Reuters) - Crude oil futures steadied on Monday, supported by a rebound in stock markets and escalating Saudi-Iran tensions.</p> FILE PHOTO: An oil pump is seen operating in the Permian Basin near Midland, Texas, U.S., May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder/File Photo
<p>Global stocks came off six-week lows on optimism that the United States and China are set to begin trade talks, easing fears about a trade war between the world’s two largest economies.</p>
<p>The possibility of a full-blown trade war had weighed on the energy complex on fears that it could harm oil demand.</p>
<p>Brent crude futures LCOc1 were up 9 cents at $70.54 a barrel at 1206 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures CLc1 eased 5 cents to $65.83.</p>
<p>U.S. President Donald Trump last week signed a memorandum that could impose tariffs on up to $60 billion of imports from China.</p>
<p>“The ... trade war story ... should be taken into account when trying to quantify the potentially bullish effect of the geopolitical element in oil markets,” said analysts at consultancy JBC Energy.</p>
<p>The market also found support from rising Middle East tensions.</p>
<p>Saudi air defenses shot down seven ballistic missiles fired by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi militia on Sunday, some of which targeted Saudi capital Riyadh.</p>
<p>“Geopolitics and growing concerns about the United States leaving the Iran deal lifted oil prices back towards $70 per barrel,” said Norbert Rucker, head of macro and commodity research at private Swiss bank Julius Baer.</p>
<p>Beyond trade concerns, crude was pressured by a rise in the number of active U.S. oil rigs to a three-year high of 804, implying further rises in production. C-OUT-T-EIA U.S. oil output has already jumped by a quarter since mid-2016 to 10.4 million barrels per day (bpd).</p>
<p>“With US crude production likely to be close to 10.5 million bpd by now and NGL (natural gas liquids) output also increasing strongly, there is a clear chance that year-on-year supply growth in the U.S. could at least temporarily hit 2 million bpd over the summer months,” JBC said</p>
<p>In Asia, Shanghai crude oil futures made a strong debut in terms of volume as investors and commodity merchants bought into the world’s newest financial oil trading instrument.</p>
<p>Hedge funds and other money managers raised their net long U.S. crude futures and options positions in the week to March 20 after two weeks of cutting bullish bets, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) said on Friday.</p>
<p>($1 = 6.3080 Chinese yuan renminbi)</p>
<p>Additional reporting by Henning Gloystein in Singapore; Editing by David Goodman</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>HOUSTON (Reuters) - Nearly a third of the 25 top U.S. shale oil producers have paid or pledged to pay dividends this year, according to Reuters review of financial filings, the largest number since the shale boom took off a decade ago.</p> FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: An oil pump is seen operating in the Permian Basin near Midland, Texas, U.S. on May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder/File Photo
<p>Oil prices CLc1 have risen by over a third in the past year, giving shale producers more revenue to respond to investor calls for improved shareholder returns.</p>
<p>Investors in shale have seen thin returns despite booming production, as shale firms have used profits to invest in raising output more rather than returning cash to shareholders.</p>
<p>Seven U.S. independent shale producers, including Anadarko Petroleum Corp ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=APC.N" type="external">APC.N</a>) and ConocoPhillips ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=COP.N" type="external">COP.N</a>), have boosted quarterly dividends this year, financial disclosures show. That’s a change from just two years ago, when eight of the 25 largest shale firms cut payouts as oil prices CLc1 plunged.</p>
<p>“Investors are using a large megaphone as they talk to the industry about returns, and it’s on the minds of a lot of CEOs,” Travis Stice, chief executive of shale producer Diamondback Energy Inc ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=FANG.O" type="external">FANG.O</a>), said in an interview.</p>
<p>Diamondback last month announced a 12.5-cent quarterly dividend, becoming the first U.S. shale oil company to start a payout since the oil price downturn began in 2014, according to S&amp;P Global Market Intelligence. Shares of the Midland, Texas-based company, which operates in the Permian Basin, the largest U.S. oilfield, are up about 11 percent since the move.</p> Slideshow (3 Images)
<p>“You’re going to see more shale producers focus on dividends,” said Leigh Goehring of G&amp;R Associates, a New York-based energy investment research firm. “Shareholders are demanding it and a trend is forming.”</p>
<p>Since January, 11 shale producers have disclosed plans to spend $3.5 billion on stock buybacks.Oil producers this week will meet investors at an industry conference in New Orleans, a gathering that energy firms often use to outline annual production goals and to shape investor expectations for first-quarter results.</p>
<a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=APC.N" type="external">Anadarko Petroleum Corp</a> 61.56 APC.N New York Stock Exchange -- (--%) APC.N COP.N FANG.O PE.N CLR.N
<p>Calls are likely for more companies to begin offering payouts through dividends or share repurchases. The outlook for continued production gains and the impact of rising service costs also will be on investors’ agenda.</p>
<p>“There does seem to be increasing evidence of financial prudence in the industry,” said Andy McConn of oil consultancy Wood Mackenzie.</p>
<p>Twelve of the 25 largest shale firms do not have quarterly payouts, choosing instead to reinvest cash in drilling and other projects. Parsley Energy Inc ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=PE.N" type="external">PE.N</a>) and Continental Resources Inc ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=CLR.N" type="external">CLR.N</a>) are among the largest of that group, focusing on driving growth in the largest- and second-largest U.S. shale fields, respectively.</p>
<p>That may change as more of their peers focus on payouts.</p>
<p>“Investors are looking for improving results, better returns and operational performance,” said Maynard Holt, chief executive of energy investment bank Tudor, Pickering, Holt &amp; Co.</p>
<p>Reporting by Ernest Scheyder; Editing by Gary McWilliams, Simon Webb and Sandra Maler</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>LONDON (Reuters) - World stocks came off six-week lows and U.S. stock futures jumped on Monday on optimism that the United States and China are set to begin negotiations on trade, easing fears about a trade war between the world’s two largest economies.</p>
<p>MSCI’s world equity index .MIWD00000PUS, which tracks shares in 47 countries, touched its lowest level since Feb. 9 but was then buoyed to a 0.25 percent gain after a Wall Street Journal report that Treasury Secretary Mnuchin was considering a visit to Beijing to begin negotiations.</p>
<p>U.S. stock futures shot up across the board, with Dow Futures 1YMc1 up 1.2 percent while S&amp;P futures ESc1 and Nasdaq futures NQc1 up 1.3 percent and 1.8 percent respectively.</p>
<p>“Exemptions on steel/aluminium tariffs have already been granted for other important trade partners (Canada, Mexico, EU), which suggests the U.S. president is using this approach more for negotiating leverage rather than any real intention to start a global trade war,” wrote Mike van Dulken, head of research at Accendo Markets, noting a “measured” and “nuanced” response from China so far.</p>
<p>Most European stock indices also strengthened, with the pan-European STOXX 600 benchmark up nearly half a percent and the export-sensitive German DAX <a href="/finance/markets/index?symbol=.GDAXI" type="external">.GDAXI</a> up 0.6 percent.</p>
<p>Japan's Nikkei, <a href="/finance/markets/index?symbol=.N225" type="external">.N225</a> meanwhile, erased earlier losses of 1.3 percent to end 0.7 percent higher.</p>
<p>Fears of a trade war mounted this month after Trump first slapped tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, and then on Thursday specifically targeted China by announcing plans for tariffs on up to $60 billion of Chinese goods.</p>
<p>Signs of potential compromises were also supported by news overnight that South Korea would be exempt from U.S. steel tariffs in a revision of the bilateral trade pact between the two countries.</p> Slideshow (2 Images)
<p>South Korea's benchmark share index <a href="/finance/markets/index?symbol=.KS11" type="external">.KS11</a> rose 0.8 percent.</p> DOLLAR BOUNCE
<p>The dollar also bounced off a 16-month low against the Japanese yen <a href="/finance/currencies/quote?srcCurr=JPY&amp;destCurr=USD" type="external">JPY=</a> but remained close to a one-month low against a basket of currencies .DXY, suggesting that fears have not receded completely.</p>
<a href="/finance/markets/index?symbol=.GDAXI" type="external">Deutsche Boerse AG</a> 11952.29 .GDAXI Xetra +65.98 (+0.56%) .GDAXI .N225 .KS11
<p>Safe-haven government bonds yields, which have been compressed in recent times by worries over a potential trade war, firmed on Tuesday with U.S. Treasury yields US10YT=RR rising 2 basis points and euro zone bond yields also edging higher.</p>
<p>Concerns over the formation of a new anti-establishment government in Italy weighed on Southern European debt in particular on Monday, though this was counterbalanced to an extent by a ratings upgrade for Spain late on Friday.</p>
<p>Italian bonds underperformed, with 10-year yields IT10YT=RR rising as much as 4 basis points on further signs that the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement and the anti-migrant League might explore an alliance to form a government.</p>
<p>But the euro <a href="/finance/currencies/quote?srcCurr=EUR&amp;destCurr=USD" type="external">EUR=</a> was still on a positive trajectory, up half a percent to a 2-1/2 week high of $1.2417.</p>
<p>In commodities, international Brent crude futures LCOcv1 opened above $70 a barrel for the first time since January.</p>
<p>In a sign that jitters are still running through the market, spot gold was hovering around five-week highs XAU= and was up slightly at $1,348.69 an ounce.</p>
<p>Reporting by Abhinav Ramnarayan, Additional reporting by Julien Ponthus in LONDON and Swati Pandey in SYDNEY; Editing by Gareth Jones and David Goodman</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
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jan 23 reuters shrenuj company ltd bank india filed application co nclt insolvency bankruptcy code source text bitly2bp1jzq company coverage standards thomson reuters trust principles north charleston sc reuters boeing co ban delivered first 78710 dreamliner singapore airlines sialsi sunday rounding family lightweight jets us planemaker betting future boeing 78710 aircraft built singapore airlines sits final assembly area delivery ceremony first boeing 78710 dreamliner boeing south carolina north charleston south carolina united states march 25 2018 reutersrandall hill ceremonial key plane handed singapore airlines chief executive goh choon phong tarmac boeings south carolina plant carbon composite jet built front thousand boeing workers guests goh called beautiful aircraft unparalleled product regional operations boeing commercial airplanes chief executive kevin mcallister hailed two airlines 45year relationship singapore airlines first southeast asian carrier buy boeings 747 jumbo jet 1972 goh said group worlds first operate 787 dreamliner family models new dreamliner parked front line 10 787 airplanes various stages completion singapore airlines expanded order 78710s 49 jets last year plans introduce jet services osaka japan followed perth australia starting may 78710 built exclusively north charleston plant due large size prevents transfer sections boeings factory outside seattle unlike washington state assembly lines plant 7000 workers unionized aircraft sells 326 million list prices completes lineup three models starting 7878 debuted 2011 boast carboncomposite fabrication materials fuel efficiency new stateoftheair filtration systems higher levels humidity air longdistance flight slideshow 6 images 78710s range 6430 nautical miles 11910 kilometers 223 feet long 68 meters aircraft 18 feet 55 meters longer 7879 seats around 330 passengers 40 7879 88 7878 europes airbus airpa competes 78710 a330neo upgraded version mostsold widebody aircraft fuelefficient engines new cabin boeing co 3210 ban new york stock exchange ban sialsi airpa aalo jets designed shorter flights compared midsize widebody planes tapping rapid growth trade within asia well across regions brisk initial sales orders models slowed airbus selling 214 a330neo 78710 171 orders 13 percent total firm orders 787 midsized 7879 popular variant competes mainly airbuss newgeneration carboncomposite a350 787 a330neo locked fierce battle sales profits market jets around 300 seats boeing looks poised win hotly contested order american airlines aalo beating competition a330neo people familiar matter said friday story corrects boeing executives title first name reporting harriet mcleod editing daniel wallis standards thomson reuters trust principles london reuters crude oil futures steadied monday supported rebound stock markets escalating saudiiran tensions file photo oil pump seen operating permian basin near midland texas us may 3 2017 reutersernest scheyderfile photo global stocks came sixweek lows optimism united states china set begin trade talks easing fears trade war worlds two largest economies possibility fullblown trade war weighed energy complex fears could harm oil demand brent crude futures lcoc1 9 cents 7054 barrel 1206 gmt us west texas intermediate wti crude futures clc1 eased 5 cents 6583 us president donald trump last week signed memorandum could impose tariffs 60 billion imports china trade war story taken account trying quantify potentially bullish effect geopolitical element oil markets said analysts consultancy jbc energy market also found support rising middle east tensions saudi air defenses shot seven ballistic missiles fired yemens iranaligned houthi militia sunday targeted saudi capital riyadh geopolitics growing concerns united states leaving iran deal lifted oil prices back towards 70 per barrel said norbert rucker head macro commodity research private swiss bank julius baer beyond trade concerns crude pressured rise number active us oil rigs threeyear high 804 implying rises production coutteia us oil output already jumped quarter since mid2016 104 million barrels per day bpd us crude production likely close 105 million bpd ngl natural gas liquids output also increasing strongly clear chance yearonyear supply growth us could least temporarily hit 2 million bpd summer months jbc said asia shanghai crude oil futures made strong debut terms volume investors commodity merchants bought worlds newest financial oil trading instrument hedge funds money managers raised net long us crude futures options positions week march 20 two weeks cutting bullish bets us commodity futures trading commission cftc said friday 1 63080 chinese yuan renminbi additional reporting henning gloystein singapore editing david goodman standards thomson reuters trust principles houston reuters nearly third 25 top us shale oil producers paid pledged pay dividends year according reuters review financial filings largest number since shale boom took decade ago file photo file photo oil pump seen operating permian basin near midland texas us may 3 2017 reutersernest scheyderfile photo oil prices clc1 risen third past year giving shale producers revenue respond investor calls improved shareholder returns investors shale seen thin returns despite booming production shale firms used profits invest raising output rather returning cash shareholders seven us independent shale producers including anadarko petroleum corp apcn conocophillips copn boosted quarterly dividends year financial disclosures show thats change two years ago eight 25 largest shale firms cut payouts oil prices clc1 plunged investors using large megaphone talk industry returns minds lot ceos travis stice chief executive shale producer diamondback energy inc fango said interview diamondback last month announced 125cent quarterly dividend becoming first us shale oil company start payout since oil price downturn began 2014 according sampp global market intelligence shares midland texasbased company operates permian basin largest us oilfield 11 percent since move slideshow 3 images youre going see shale producers focus dividends said leigh goehring gampr associates new yorkbased energy investment research firm shareholders demanding trend forming since january 11 shale producers disclosed plans spend 35 billion stock buybacksoil producers week meet investors industry conference new orleans gathering energy firms often use outline annual production goals shape investor expectations firstquarter results anadarko petroleum corp 6156 apcn new york stock exchange apcn copn fango pen clrn calls likely companies begin offering payouts dividends share repurchases outlook continued production gains impact rising service costs also investors agenda seem increasing evidence financial prudence industry said andy mcconn oil consultancy wood mackenzie twelve 25 largest shale firms quarterly payouts choosing instead reinvest cash drilling projects parsley energy inc pen continental resources inc clrn among largest group focusing driving growth largest secondlargest us shale fields respectively may change peers focus payouts investors looking improving results better returns operational performance said maynard holt chief executive energy investment bank tudor pickering holt amp co reporting ernest scheyder editing gary mcwilliams simon webb sandra maler standards thomson reuters trust principles london reuters world stocks came sixweek lows us stock futures jumped monday optimism united states china set begin negotiations trade easing fears trade war worlds two largest economies mscis world equity index miwd00000pus tracks shares 47 countries touched lowest level since feb 9 buoyed 025 percent gain wall street journal report treasury secretary mnuchin considering visit beijing begin negotiations us stock futures shot across board dow futures 1ymc1 12 percent sampp futures esc1 nasdaq futures nqc1 13 percent 18 percent respectively exemptions steelaluminium tariffs already granted important trade partners canada mexico eu suggests us president using approach negotiating leverage rather real intention start global trade war wrote mike van dulken head research accendo markets noting measured nuanced response china far european stock indices also strengthened paneuropean stoxx 600 benchmark nearly half percent exportsensitive german dax gdaxi 06 percent japans nikkei n225 meanwhile erased earlier losses 13 percent end 07 percent higher fears trade war mounted month trump first slapped tariffs steel aluminum imports thursday specifically targeted china announcing plans tariffs 60 billion chinese goods signs potential compromises also supported news overnight south korea would exempt us steel tariffs revision bilateral trade pact two countries slideshow 2 images south koreas benchmark share index ks11 rose 08 percent dollar bounce dollar also bounced 16month low japanese yen jpy remained close onemonth low basket currencies dxy suggesting fears receded completely deutsche boerse ag 1195229 gdaxi xetra 6598 056 gdaxi n225 ks11 safehaven government bonds yields compressed recent times worries potential trade war firmed tuesday us treasury yields us10ytrr rising 2 basis points euro zone bond yields also edging higher concerns formation new antiestablishment government italy weighed southern european debt particular monday though counterbalanced extent ratings upgrade spain late friday italian bonds underperformed 10year yields it10ytrr rising much 4 basis points signs antiestablishment 5star movement antimigrant league might explore alliance form government euro eur still positive trajectory half percent 212 week high 12417 commodities international brent crude futures lcocv1 opened 70 barrel first time since january sign jitters still running market spot gold hovering around fiveweek highs xau slightly 134869 ounce reporting abhinav ramnarayan additional reporting julien ponthus london swati pandey sydney editing gareth jones david goodman standards thomson reuters trust principles
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<p>AUGUSTA, Ga. — The Latest on the first round of the Masters on Thursday (all times local):</p>
<p>7:40 p.m.</p>
<p>How tough were the conditions in the opening round of the Masters?</p>
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<p>Only 11 players broke par Thursday.</p>
<p>Charley Hoffman shot a stunning 7-under 65, but he was in a league of his own with winds gusting close to 40 mph. The only other player in the 60s is William McGirt with a 69.</p>
<p>Lee Westwood shot 70 and eight other players are at 71, a group that includes Phil Mickelson, Justin Rose, Jason Dufner and Sergio Garcia.</p>
<p>That’s it.</p>
<p>Everyone else is at par and above, including three rounds in the 80s. It’s the fewest players to break par in the first round of the Masters since only nine managed to do it in 2007.</p>
<p>Defending champion Danny Willett opened with a 73. The 2015 champion, Jordan Spieth, made a quadruple-bogey for the second year in a row on the way to 75.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>7:15 p.m.</p>
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<p>Charley Hoffman has the largest first-round lead at Augusta National in 62 years.</p>
<p>Hoffman’s 7-under 65 in windy conditions gives him a four-shot edge over William McGirt heading to Friday’s second round.</p>
<p>That’s the largest since the 1955 Masters, when Jack Burke Jr. opened with 67 and was four shots ahead of Julius Boros and Mike Souchak.</p>
<p>But, in a reminder that the tournament is never won on Thursday, Burke followed with a 76 that turned his big lead into a six-shot deficit against Cary Middlecoff, who went on to capture the green jacket in a romp.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>6:45 p.m.</p>
<p>On a day when it was tough just to break par at the Masters, Charley Hoffman turned in one of the greatest rounds of his career.</p>
<p>Hoffman bounced back from a slow start to shoot a 7-under 65 in the opening round, giving him a commanding four-shot lead in a swirling wind that gusted close to 40 mph.</p>
<p>Hoffman had a shot at birdie on the 18th hole, which would have tied him with Craig Wood in 1941 for the largest lead after the opening round. The 40-year-old American wasn’t able to sink the putt, but he certainly had no complaints about his performance — especially after a pair of bogeys left him at 1 over through No. 5.</p>
<p>He birdied eight of the next 12 holes, including four in a row beginning at the 14th.</p>
<p>This isn’t the first time Hoffman has been in contention at Augusta. Two years ago, he played in the next-to-last group on Sunday but closed with a 74 to finish 10 shots behind winner Jordan Spieth.</p>
<p>Now, it’s Hoffman holding a big lead.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>6:15 p.m.</p>
<p>Charley Hoffman is on the way to a remarkable round at the Masters.</p>
<p>The 40-year-old American is 6 under with two holes to play, giving him a three-shot lead in the opening round.</p>
<p>Hoffman had two bogeys in the first five holes, sandwiched around a birdie. After that, he birdied seven of the next 11 holes — even on a day when swirling winds are gusting at more than 30 mph, making it tough just to break par.</p>
<p>There are only 11 players in the red. William McGirt, who shot a 3-under 69, is the lone player within five shots of the lead. No one else has managed to go lower than 1-under par.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>4:55 p.m.</p>
<p>William McGirt has become the first player to shoot in the 60s on a challenging day at Augusta National.</p>
<p>The 37-year-old American posted a 3-under 69 in the opening round, a dazzling performance considering the swirling winds were gusting at more than 30 mph.</p>
<p>McGirt is two shots ahead of anyone in the clubhouse and hardly looking like a Masters rookie. He birdied four holes and had only one bogey.</p>
<p>A journeyman player who didn’t even reach the PGA Tour until he was in his early 30s, McGirt qualified for the Masters with his first tour victory last year at the Memorial.</p>
<p>McGirt calls his Augusta debut one of the top four or five rounds of his pro career.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>4:30 p.m.</p>
<p>Forty-six is a very good number at Augusta National.</p>
<p>Just ask 46-year-old Phil Mickelson.</p>
<p>Lefty eagled the second hole on the way to a 1-under 71 Thursday, a promising start given the windy conditions as he tries to become the oldest champion in Masters history.</p>
<p>Jack Nicklaus was 46 when he won the last of his six green jackets in 1986. Mickelson will turn 47 in June, which makes him seven months older than the Golden Bear at the time of his historic Masters victory.</p>
<p>With the swirling wind gusting at more than 30 mph, Mickelson says any score at par or better is a good one. But at least the greens were receptive after heavy rains earlier in the week, setting up some good scoring chances.</p>
<p>In addition to the eagle at No. 2, Mickelson had three birdies to go along with four bogeys.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>3:30 p.m.</p>
<p>For the second straight round at the Masters, Jordan Spieth had a quadruple bogey on the back nine.</p>
<p>Only it wasn’t at No. 12. And it’s only Thursday.</p>
<p>Spieth was 1 over for the opening round when his third shot on the par-5 15th hit the front of the green and spun back into the water. His fifth shot sailed over the green, and it kept getting worse. He pitched long and went to the front of the green, and then he three-putted for a 9.</p>
<p>That put him at 4 over with three holes to play.</p>
<p>A year ago, Spieth hit two in the water at No. 12 and made a quadruple-bogey that sent him from a one-shot lead to a three-shot deficit and cost him another green jacket.</p>
<p>The wind made the course so tough on Thursday that Spieth had plenty of time to recover.</p>
<p>In fact, he birdied the next hole.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>3:20 p.m.</p>
<p>Now that Dustin Johnson has withdrawn from the Masters with a back injury, the focus turns to the players who are on the course.</p>
<p>The swirling, gusting wind had made conditions especially tough in the opening round Thursday.</p>
<p>At mid-afternoon, only 10 players are under par.</p>
<p>The clubhouse leaders are Russell Henley and Kevin Chappell of the United States and England’s Andy Sullivan. They all shot 1-under 71.</p>
<p>England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick is atop the leaderboard at 3 under, but he’s still got three holes to play.</p>
<p>Justin Rose of England and William McGirt of the U.S. are 2 under.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>2:15 p.m.</p>
<p>Dustin Johnson has withdrawn from the Masters after injuring his lower back in a fall at the home he was renting for the week.</p>
<p>The world’s No. 1-ranked player arrived at Augusta National on quite a roll, having won his last three starts.</p>
<p>He never took a shot at the first major championship of the year.</p>
<p>Johnson walked to the first hole Thursday, as if he was going to play in the final group of the day, but changed his mind at the last possible moment. Bubba Watson and Jimmy Walker teed off while Johnson sauntered back to the clubhouse, a stunning development just hours into the tournament.</p>
<p>His Masters was over before it ever began.</p>
<p>Johnson was injured late Wednesday afternoon when he took what his agent described as a “serious” fall down a staircase.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>1 p.m.</p>
<p>Dustin Johnson has arrived at Augusta National and apparently will try to play in the Masters despite a lower back injury.</p>
<p>Johnson’s status has been up in the air since late Wednesday afternoon, when he took what his agent described as a “serious” fall down the staircase at a home he’s rented for the week. He was told to remain immobile and begin a regimen of anti-inflammatory medication and icing, in hopes of being able to play.</p>
<p>Johnson is scheduled to go off in the last group for Thursday’s opening round at 2:03 p.m. EDT. With about an hour to go, he headed to the practice range to take a few easy swings and test out his back.</p>
<p>The world’s No. 1-ranked player has won his last three starts.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>12:15 p.m.</p>
<p>Phil Mickelson gave his large following a thrill and the early Masters leaderboard a jolt with an eagle on the par-5 second hole.</p>
<p>Mickelson, who at age 46 is seeking his fourth green jacket, landed his second shot about 40 feet right of the flag and made the putt. The gallery, which included Pro Bowl linebacker Vic Beasley of the Atlanta Falcons, went crazy when the putt rolled in, Mickelson smiling and waving in appreciating.</p>
<p>Mickelson followed that up with a birdie on the par-3 fourth and was at 3-under par, one stroke behind early leader Thomas Pieters, who is 4-under through eight holes.</p>
<p>Mickelson is trying to match Jack Nicklaus’ feat as the oldest champion at Augusta. Nicklaus won his sixth Masters crown at 46 years old in 1986.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>10:30 a.m.</p>
<p>The winds are picking up at Augusta National, and it’s reflected on the scoreboard.</p>
<p>Only six players are in the red Thursday some 2 1-2 hours into the opening round of the Masters, led by Scott Piercy and J.B. Holmes at 2 under.</p>
<p>Kevin Chappell, Sandy Lyle, Andy Sullivan and Thomas Pieters are at 1 under.</p>
<p>Former champion Trevor Immelman is 4 over as he approaches the turn. Louis Oosthuizen, Jim Furyk and Mike Weir are at 3 over on the front side.</p>
<p>The winds are blowing at 15-20 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph. It’s expected to get even more challenging as the day goes on, with gusts of 35-40 mph in the forecast by early afternoon.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>8 a.m.</p>
<p>With a moment of silence, a few tears and two tee shots, the 81st Masters has begun.</p>
<p>It was the first Masters since 1954 without four-time champion Arnold Palmer, who died in September. Augusta National chairman Billy Payne told thousands crammed around the first tee that the unbearable sadness was surpassed by the love and affection everyone feels from The King.</p>
<p>He asked for a moment of silence, and then turned it over to Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player to hit the ceremonial opening tee shot.</p>
<p>A day after storms, the sky was clear and the wind already was rattling the trees.</p>
<p>Among those watching were Butch Harmon and his son, Claude Harmon III, who coach Dustin Johnson. They still did not know if the No. 1 player would recover from his fall on a staircase to tee off later in the afternoon.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>4:45 a.m.</p>
<p>Strong winds and a fall down a staircase by the Masters pre-tournament favorite could change the complexion of the season’s first major.</p>
<p>Dustin Johnson, the world’s No. 1-ranked golfer, injured his lower back late Wednesday afternoon in what his agent described as a “serious” fall down the staircase at a home he’d rented for the week. Johnson goes off in the last group for Thursday’s opening round, but even the late 2:03 p.m. starting time may not give him enough time to recover.</p>
<p>The weather forecast for the region, socked by powerful storms two of the last three days, calls for cool, overcast skies and steady winds of 20-30 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph. Augusta National can bedevil the world’s best in tame conditions. But strong winds make hitting fairways and approach shots even tougher, and if the greens dry out, putting can turn treacherous.</p>
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augusta ga latest first round masters thursday times local 740 pm tough conditions opening round masters advertisement 11 players broke par thursday charley hoffman shot stunning 7under 65 league winds gusting close 40 mph player 60s william mcgirt 69 lee westwood shot 70 eight players 71 group includes phil mickelson justin rose jason dufner sergio garcia thats everyone else par including three rounds 80s fewest players break par first round masters since nine managed 2007 defending champion danny willett opened 73 2015 champion jordan spieth made quadruplebogey second year row way 75 ___ 715 pm advertisement charley hoffman largest firstround lead augusta national 62 years hoffmans 7under 65 windy conditions gives fourshot edge william mcgirt heading fridays second round thats largest since 1955 masters jack burke jr opened 67 four shots ahead julius boros mike souchak reminder tournament never thursday burke followed 76 turned big lead sixshot deficit cary middlecoff went capture green jacket romp ___ 645 pm day tough break par masters charley hoffman turned one greatest rounds career hoffman bounced back slow start shoot 7under 65 opening round giving commanding fourshot lead swirling wind gusted close 40 mph hoffman shot birdie 18th hole would tied craig wood 1941 largest lead opening round 40yearold american wasnt able sink putt certainly complaints performance especially pair bogeys left 1 5 birdied eight next 12 holes including four row beginning 14th isnt first time hoffman contention augusta two years ago played nexttolast group sunday closed 74 finish 10 shots behind winner jordan spieth hoffman holding big lead ___ 615 pm charley hoffman way remarkable round masters 40yearold american 6 two holes play giving threeshot lead opening round hoffman two bogeys first five holes sandwiched around birdie birdied seven next 11 holes even day swirling winds gusting 30 mph making tough break par 11 players red william mcgirt shot 3under 69 lone player within five shots lead one else managed go lower 1under par ___ 455 pm william mcgirt become first player shoot 60s challenging day augusta national 37yearold american posted 3under 69 opening round dazzling performance considering swirling winds gusting 30 mph mcgirt two shots ahead anyone clubhouse hardly looking like masters rookie birdied four holes one bogey journeyman player didnt even reach pga tour early 30s mcgirt qualified masters first tour victory last year memorial mcgirt calls augusta debut one top four five rounds pro career ___ 430 pm fortysix good number augusta national ask 46yearold phil mickelson lefty eagled second hole way 1under 71 thursday promising start given windy conditions tries become oldest champion masters history jack nicklaus 46 last six green jackets 1986 mickelson turn 47 june makes seven months older golden bear time historic masters victory swirling wind gusting 30 mph mickelson says score par better good one least greens receptive heavy rains earlier week setting good scoring chances addition eagle 2 mickelson three birdies go along four bogeys ___ 330 pm second straight round masters jordan spieth quadruple bogey back nine wasnt 12 thursday spieth 1 opening round third shot par5 15th hit front green spun back water fifth shot sailed green kept getting worse pitched long went front green threeputted 9 put 4 three holes play year ago spieth hit two water 12 made quadruplebogey sent oneshot lead threeshot deficit cost another green jacket wind made course tough thursday spieth plenty time recover fact birdied next hole ___ 320 pm dustin johnson withdrawn masters back injury focus turns players course swirling gusting wind made conditions especially tough opening round thursday midafternoon 10 players par clubhouse leaders russell henley kevin chappell united states englands andy sullivan shot 1under 71 englands matthew fitzpatrick atop leaderboard 3 hes still got three holes play justin rose england william mcgirt us 2 ___ 215 pm dustin johnson withdrawn masters injuring lower back fall home renting week worlds 1ranked player arrived augusta national quite roll last three starts never took shot first major championship year johnson walked first hole thursday going play final group day changed mind last possible moment bubba watson jimmy walker teed johnson sauntered back clubhouse stunning development hours tournament masters ever began johnson injured late wednesday afternoon took agent described serious fall staircase ___ 1 pm dustin johnson arrived augusta national apparently try play masters despite lower back injury johnsons status air since late wednesday afternoon took agent described serious fall staircase home hes rented week told remain immobile begin regimen antiinflammatory medication icing hopes able play johnson scheduled go last group thursdays opening round 203 pm edt hour go headed practice range take easy swings test back worlds 1ranked player last three starts ___ 1215 pm phil mickelson gave large following thrill early masters leaderboard jolt eagle par5 second hole mickelson age 46 seeking fourth green jacket landed second shot 40 feet right flag made putt gallery included pro bowl linebacker vic beasley atlanta falcons went crazy putt rolled mickelson smiling waving appreciating mickelson followed birdie par3 fourth 3under par one stroke behind early leader thomas pieters 4under eight holes mickelson trying match jack nicklaus feat oldest champion augusta nicklaus sixth masters crown 46 years old 1986 ___ 1030 winds picking augusta national reflected scoreboard six players red thursday 2 12 hours opening round masters led scott piercy jb holmes 2 kevin chappell sandy lyle andy sullivan thomas pieters 1 former champion trevor immelman 4 approaches turn louis oosthuizen jim furyk mike weir 3 front side winds blowing 1520 mph gusts 25 mph expected get even challenging day goes gusts 3540 mph forecast early afternoon ___ 8 moment silence tears two tee shots 81st masters begun first masters since 1954 without fourtime champion arnold palmer died september augusta national chairman billy payne told thousands crammed around first tee unbearable sadness surpassed love affection everyone feels king asked moment silence turned jack nicklaus gary player hit ceremonial opening tee shot day storms sky clear wind already rattling trees among watching butch harmon son claude harmon iii coach dustin johnson still know 1 player would recover fall staircase tee later afternoon ___ 445 strong winds fall staircase masters pretournament favorite could change complexion seasons first major dustin johnson worlds 1ranked golfer injured lower back late wednesday afternoon agent described serious fall staircase home hed rented week johnson goes last group thursdays opening round even late 203 pm starting time may give enough time recover weather forecast region socked powerful storms two last three days calls cool overcast skies steady winds 2030 mph gusts 40 mph augusta national bedevil worlds best tame conditions strong winds make hitting fairways approach shots even tougher greens dry putting turn treacherous
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<p>As the police force shrinks, Mayor Richard Berry and the police union want to revive a program that provides bonuses to veteran officers willing to postpone retirement.</p>
<p>And they’re racing against a deadline to do it. They hope to beat the rush of retirements that typically happens at the end of the calendar year, driven by incentives in the public-employee pension system that in effect encourage retirement.</p>
<p>Rob Perry, Albuquerque’s chief administrative officer, said he might create an officer-retention program, even if an agreement can’t be reached with the union through a new contract.</p>
<p>Rob Perry, Albuquerque’s chief administrative officer, says the city needs to act quickly to retain police officers</p>
<p>“We’re hopeful that the union will recognize that time is of the essence and not wait until the horses have left the barn,” Perry said.</p>
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<p>Stephanie Lopez, president of the police union, said she, too, supports retention bonuses, but questions whether the administration is trying hard enough to keep experienced officers.</p>
<p>“It’s unfortunate that the city’s best offer is significantly less than what was in place before, so much so that it will not be enough of an incentive to get officers to want to stay,” Lopez said.</p>
<p>The details of what’s been offered aren’t clear because union-contract negotiations aren’t public.</p>
<p>A bonus program for officers approaching retirement normally would be part of the contract for police, but the two sides have been unable to reach agreement. The last union contract expired about 2½ years ago, and they’ve been operating under the old contract, subject to budget appropriations, until there’s a new one.</p>
<p>The nature of the overall contract disagreement isn’t clear because negotiations are conducted in secret and can’t be discussed publicly. But the police union and Berry have been at odds throughout his four-year tenure on a number of fronts. Berry, with City Council approval, cut the pay of officers and other employees in 2010 to help keep the city’s budget balanced during the Great Recession.</p>
<p>The size of the police force, meanwhile, has fallen about 15 percent over the past three years. The department had about 920 officers in October, though up to 1,100 are authorized in the budget.</p>
<p>Berry attributes the reduction largely to changes in benefits offered through the pension system. Even talk of reducing public-employee benefits prompted some officers to retire, city officials have said. The pension system is handled at the state level and out of Berry’s control.</p>
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<p>The union cites morale and other problems.</p>
<p>The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating whether APD has a pattern of violating people’s civil rights.</p>
<p>The mayor, City Council and police union all want to enlarge the police force, and the council unanimously approved money to do it this fall. The council has made $2.4 million available, enough to cover a 2.5 percent raise for all officers and financial incentives aimed at retaining veteran officers.</p>
<p>Berry hasn’t said how much the incentives he has in mind would cost, but he has said he expects the council legislation and other budget savings to provide enough money for them.</p>
<p>Perry said the administration wants to act quickly to address the “manpower issues” facing APD and that he may take administrative action to put a retention program in place if there’s no agreement on a new union contract.</p>
<p>“I’m at the point where I believe in order to provide retention incentives to officers that I’ll likely be making an administrative decision if the union cannot come to an agreement within the next several days,” Perry said this week in an interview.</p>
<p>He said “providing sufficient staffing ratios is of paramount importance.”</p>
<p>Perry estimated that 80 officers have at least 19 years of experience. Officers can typically retire with significant benefits after 20 years, though in some cases they can “buy” time and retire early.</p>
<p>The previous retention program offered payments ranging from $2,500 to $15,000 for each officer who agreed to work an extra year. The bonuses came as “deferred compensation payments,” with the amount varying by the officer’s rank and experience level.</p>
<p>Nearly 130 officers had participated in the program before it was halted in 2011 as part of an agreement with the union that allowed officers to keep their take-home cars.</p>
<p>The following year, city auditors criticized APD’s management of the retention program. They said almost half of the officers who participated didn’t qualify.</p>
<p>The program cost about $2.4 million over the course of 3½ years, auditors said.</p>
<p>Daniel Klein, a retired police sergeant, said the management problems cited by auditors could be solved by ensuring the bonuses are handled by the city Human Resources Department, not APD. The police force sees 30 to 50 retirements in a typical year, he said, and about half might be stopped if bonuses were reinstated.</p>
<p>“With the stroke of a pen, it can be done,” Klein said. “… It’ll make the community safer.”</p>
<p>The program is far easier to start, he said, than a complementary program the mayor hopes will win state legislative approval – a deferred retirement plan.</p>
<p>Lopez said if the city administration wants to improve retention, it could start by agreeing to a fair contract.</p>
<p>“We hate the fact that we’re hanging in limbo,” Lopez said, adding that officers haven’t had a raise in about four years.</p>
<p>Lopez wasn’t union president when the retention bonuses were bargained away.</p>
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police force shrinks mayor richard berry police union want revive program provides bonuses veteran officers willing postpone retirement theyre racing deadline hope beat rush retirements typically happens end calendar year driven incentives publicemployee pension system effect encourage retirement rob perry albuquerques chief administrative officer said might create officerretention program even agreement cant reached union new contract rob perry albuquerques chief administrative officer says city needs act quickly retain police officers hopeful union recognize time essence wait horses left barn perry said advertisement stephanie lopez president police union said supports retention bonuses questions whether administration trying hard enough keep experienced officers unfortunate citys best offer significantly less place much enough incentive get officers want stay lopez said details whats offered arent clear unioncontract negotiations arent public bonus program officers approaching retirement normally would part contract police two sides unable reach agreement last union contract expired 2½ years ago theyve operating old contract subject budget appropriations theres new one nature overall contract disagreement isnt clear negotiations conducted secret cant discussed publicly police union berry odds throughout fouryear tenure number fronts berry city council approval cut pay officers employees 2010 help keep citys budget balanced great recession size police force meanwhile fallen 15 percent past three years department 920 officers october though 1100 authorized budget berry attributes reduction largely changes benefits offered pension system even talk reducing publicemployee benefits prompted officers retire city officials said pension system handled state level berrys control advertisement union cites morale problems us department justice investigating whether apd pattern violating peoples civil rights mayor city council police union want enlarge police force council unanimously approved money fall council made 24 million available enough cover 25 percent raise officers financial incentives aimed retaining veteran officers berry hasnt said much incentives mind would cost said expects council legislation budget savings provide enough money perry said administration wants act quickly address manpower issues facing apd may take administrative action put retention program place theres agreement new union contract im point believe order provide retention incentives officers ill likely making administrative decision union come agreement within next several days perry said week interview said providing sufficient staffing ratios paramount importance perry estimated 80 officers least 19 years experience officers typically retire significant benefits 20 years though cases buy time retire early previous retention program offered payments ranging 2500 15000 officer agreed work extra year bonuses came deferred compensation payments amount varying officers rank experience level nearly 130 officers participated program halted 2011 part agreement union allowed officers keep takehome cars following year city auditors criticized apds management retention program said almost half officers participated didnt qualify program cost 24 million course 3½ years auditors said daniel klein retired police sergeant said management problems cited auditors could solved ensuring bonuses handled city human resources department apd police force sees 30 50 retirements typical year said half might stopped bonuses reinstated stroke pen done klein said itll make community safer program far easier start said complementary program mayor hopes win state legislative approval deferred retirement plan lopez said city administration wants improve retention could start agreeing fair contract hate fact hanging limbo lopez said adding officers havent raise four years lopez wasnt union president retention bonuses bargained away
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<p>A McCain-Palin ad claims Obama was rated the "most liberal" U.S. senator, which was true only for 2007 but not for his entire Senate career. He was rated 10th and 16th in his two previous years.</p>
<p>The ad also misquotes Obama. It says he defended himself against the "most liberal" rating by saying "they’re not telling the truth" and "folks are lying." Actually, Obama said McCain and Palin weren’t truthful about the "Bridge to Nowhere," and he was correct. And his "folks are lying" remark referred to anti-abortion groups that accuse him of favoring "infanticide" because of votes he cast in the Illinois state Senate.</p>
<p>After twisting Obama’s words, the ad accuses him of being "not presidential."</p>
<p>The McCain-Palin ad "Folks" was released Oct. 8 to run nationally.</p>
<p>[TET ]</p>
<p>McCain-Palin 2008 TV Ad: "Folks"</p>
<p>Announcer: Who is Barack Obama? The National Journal says he’s the Senate’s most liberal.</p>
<p>How extreme. But when pressed, how does he defend himself?</p>
<p>Obama: They’re not telling the truth.</p>
<p>I hate to say that people are lying, but here’s a situation where folks are lying.</p>
<p>Announcer: Mr. Obama, we all know the truth.</p>
<p>Obama: Folks are lying.</p>
<p>Announcer: Not presidential.</p>
<p>McCain: I’m John McCain and I approve this message. [/TET]</p>
<p>Not Telling the Truth</p>
<p>An announcer asserts of Sen. Barack Obama, "the National Journal says he’s the Senate’s most liberal." The ad then says Obama defended himself by saying, "They’re not telling the truth&#160; … [F]olks are lying." The announcer says Obama’s response is "not presidential."</p>
<p>The ad is misleading regarding the "most liberal" claim, and simply false in the way it twists Obama’s own words.</p>
<p>It is true that the National Journal <a href="http://nj.nationaljournal.com/voteratings/" type="external">rated</a> Obama "the most liberal senator" in 2007, based on 99 votes in the Senate that year. But in his previous two years, Obama was rated 10th and 16th most liberal. So his career voting record is far from "most liberal." The McCain ad is misleading about that.</p>
<p>And it is downright false when it implies that Obama accused the McCain campaign of lying about the "most liberal" rating. He did not. He accused Sen. John McCain and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin of "not telling the truth" about the so-called Bridge to Nowhere, and he accused independent, anti-abortion groups of "lying" when they accused him of favoring "infanticide." The ad takes Obama’s words completely out of their context.</p>
<p>The first comment from Obama quoted in the ad comes from an <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26626083/" type="external">interview</a> that the senator did for MSNBC’s "Countdown" with Keith Olbermann that aired Sept. 8. He was discussing a new ad from the McCain-Palin campaign that claimed Palin "stopped the ‘Bridge to Nowhere.’ " After video of the ad "Original Mavericks" played on screen, Olbermann noted that Palin had actually supported the project at first, before canceling it long after it became a target of criticism by McCain and others. Here’s the exchange:</p>
<p>Keith Olbermann, MSNBC’s "Countdown" (Sept. 8): What are Senator McCain and Governor Palin doing in this new commercial, do you think?</p>
<p>Obama: They’re not telling the truth. You know, I mean, it’s — I think we’ve all gotten accustomed to being able to spin things in politics. But when you’ve got somebody who was for a project being presented as being against it, then that, you know, stretches the bounds of spin into new areas.</p>
<p>We agree with Obama about that ad. We called it "old bunk" in an item on <a href="" type="internal">the FactCheck Wire</a> on Sept. 9. Palin’s misleading claim about the bridge is something we’ve noted on more <a href="" type="internal">than</a> <a href="" type="internal">one</a> <a href="" type="internal">occasion</a>.</p>
<p>"Infanticide"</p>
<p>The second Obama quote comes from an <a href="http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/429313.aspx" type="external">interview</a> that he did with David Brody of the Christian Broadcasting Network, and it was not directed at either the McCain campaign or the National Journal. Obama was attempting to clarify his position on "born alive" legislation in Illinois. This is how that part of the conversation went:</p>
<p>David Brody, CBN News (Aug. 16): Real quick, the born alive infant protection act. I gotta tell you that’s the one thing I get a lot of emails about and it’s just not just from Evangelicals, it about Catholics, Protestants, main — they’re trying to understand it because there was some literature put out by the National Right to Life Committee. And they’re basically saying they felt like you misrepresented your position on that bill.</p>
<p>Obama: Let me clarify this right now.</p>
<p>Brody: Because it’s getting a lot of play.</p>
<p>Obama: Well and because they have not been telling the truth. And I hate to say that people are lying, but here’s a situation where folks are lying. I have said repeatedly that I would have been completely in, fully in support of the federal bill that everybody supported — which was to say — that you should provide assistance to any infant that was born — even if it was as a consequence of an induced abortion.</p>
<p>For the record, we <a href="" type="internal">wrote</a> about the back and forth between the National Right to Life Committee and Obama, regarding his votes against "born alive" legislation during his time in the Illinois state Senate.</p>
<p>For the record, the National Journal did not offer a rating of McCain’s votes for 2007, because he missed more than half the votes that would have figured into the rating, even more than Obama missed.</p>
<p>— by D’Angelo Gore&#160;</p>
<p>Transcript. "Countdown with Keith Olbermann." MSNBC, 8 Sept. 2008</p>
<p>Transcript. "EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Barack Obama." CBN News’s The Brody File, 16 Aug. 2008</p>
<p>Friel, Brian, Richard E. Cohen and Kirk Victor. " <a href="http://nj.nationaljournal.com/voteratings/" type="external">Obama: Most Liberal Senator In 2007</a>." National Journal, 31 Jan. 2008</p>
<p>Press Release. " <a href="http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/News/PressReleases/25431840-1842-4ee5-beef-6d34515f9198.htm" type="external">McCain-Palin 2008 Launches New TV Ad: ‘Folks.’</a>" JohnMccain.com, 8 Oct. 2008</p>
<p>Tapper, Jake. " <a href="http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/01/obama-pushback.html" type="external">Obama Pushback on National Journal Rankings</a>." ABC News Political Punch blog, 31 Jan. 2008&#160;</p>
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mccainpalin ad claims obama rated liberal us senator true 2007 entire senate career rated 10th 16th two previous years ad also misquotes obama says defended liberal rating saying theyre telling truth folks lying actually obama said mccain palin werent truthful bridge nowhere correct folks lying remark referred antiabortion groups accuse favoring infanticide votes cast illinois state senate twisting obamas words ad accuses presidential mccainpalin ad folks released oct 8 run nationally tet mccainpalin 2008 tv ad folks announcer barack obama national journal says hes senates liberal extreme pressed defend obama theyre telling truth hate say people lying heres situation folks lying announcer mr obama know truth obama folks lying announcer presidential mccain im john mccain approve message tet telling truth announcer asserts sen barack obama national journal says hes senates liberal ad says obama defended saying theyre telling truth160 folks lying announcer says obamas response presidential ad misleading regarding liberal claim simply false way twists obamas words true national journal rated obama liberal senator 2007 based 99 votes senate year previous two years obama rated 10th 16th liberal career voting record far liberal mccain ad misleading downright false implies obama accused mccain campaign lying liberal rating accused sen john mccain alaska gov sarah palin telling truth socalled bridge nowhere accused independent antiabortion groups lying accused favoring infanticide ad takes obamas words completely context first comment obama quoted ad comes interview senator msnbcs countdown keith olbermann aired sept 8 discussing new ad mccainpalin campaign claimed palin stopped bridge nowhere video ad original mavericks played screen olbermann noted palin actually supported project first canceling long became target criticism mccain others heres exchange keith olbermann msnbcs countdown sept 8 senator mccain governor palin new commercial think obama theyre telling truth know mean think weve gotten accustomed able spin things politics youve got somebody project presented know stretches bounds spin new areas agree obama ad called old bunk item factcheck wire sept 9 palins misleading claim bridge something weve noted one occasion infanticide second obama quote comes interview david brody christian broadcasting network directed either mccain campaign national journal obama attempting clarify position born alive legislation illinois part conversation went david brody cbn news aug 16 real quick born alive infant protection act got ta tell thats one thing get lot emails evangelicals catholics protestants main theyre trying understand literature put national right life committee theyre basically saying felt like misrepresented position bill obama let clarify right brody getting lot play obama well telling truth hate say people lying heres situation folks lying said repeatedly would completely fully support federal bill everybody supported say provide assistance infant born even consequence induced abortion record wrote back forth national right life committee obama regarding votes born alive legislation time illinois state senate record national journal offer rating mccains votes 2007 missed half votes would figured rating even obama missed dangelo gore160 transcript countdown keith olbermann msnbc 8 sept 2008 transcript exclusive interview barack obama cbn newss brody file 16 aug 2008 friel brian richard e cohen kirk victor obama liberal senator 2007 national journal 31 jan 2008 press release mccainpalin 2008 launches new tv ad folks johnmccaincom 8 oct 2008 tapper jake obama pushback national journal rankings abc news political punch blog 31 jan 2008160
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<p>(Reuters) - The International Triathlon Union (ITU) has launched an investigation into allegations that Olympic bronze medalist Henri Schoeman of South Africa failed a doping test at the Rio Games in 2016, the ruling body said in a statement on Thursday.</p> 2016 Rio Olympics - Triathlon - Men's Victory Ceremony - Fort Copacabana - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - 18/08/2016. Henri Schoeman (RSA) of South Africa poses with his medal. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj
<p>“ITU has been informed of allegations involving Henri Schoeman and an adverse analytical finding that would have occurred during the 2016&#160;Rio Olympic Games,” the ITU said.</p>
<p>“ITU has promptly launched an investigation into the matter. ITU has been in touch with the athlete, who is fully cooperating providing information.”</p>
<p>Schoeman’s manager in South Africa did not immediately reply to a Reuters enquiry late on Thursday.&#160;</p>
<p>Schoeman, 26, finished third in Rio behind British brothers Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee. The South African said later that he had been ill in the lead-up to the race.</p>
<p>His bronze was South Africa’s first medal in the sport since it was introduced to the Games in 2000.</p>
<p>Schoeman also won a silver medal in the mixed relay at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and gold at the 2016 ITU Grand Final.</p>
<p>Writing by Toby Davis,; Editing by Ed Osmond</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, is seeking a temporary restraining order regarding searches of Cohen’s home and office by FBI agents on Monday, a Justice Department spokesman said on Friday.</p> U.S. President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Michael Cohen drives after leaving his hotel in New York City, U.S., April 11, 2018. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
<p>Such an order would be sought to stop the government from using seized materials, according to a person familiar with the investigation.</p>
<p>A hearing on the searches has been set for 10:30 a.m. (1430 GMT) in a Manhattan federal court, the courthouse said.</p>
<p>When reached by phone, a lawyer for Cohen was not immediately available for a request to comment.</p>
<p>Reporting by Karen Freifeld; Writing by Makini Brice; Editing by Frances Kerry</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>LONDON (Reuters) - Russia’s intelligence agencies spied on former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia for at least five years before they were attacked with a nerve agent in March, the national security adviser to Britain’s prime minister said.</p> Salisbury District Hospital is seen after Yulia Skripal was discharged, in Salisbury, Britain, April 10, 2018. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls
<p>Mark Sedwill said in a letter to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Friday that email accounts of Yulia had been targeted in 2013 by cyber specialists from Russia’s GRU military intelligence service.</p>
<p>Sedwill also said in the letter, which was published by the government, that it was “highly likely that the Russian intelligence services view at least some of its defectors as legitimate targets for assassination.”</p>
<p>The Skripals were targeted by what London says was a nerve agent attack that left both of them critically ill for weeks. British Prime Minister Theresa May has said it is highly likely that Moscow was behind the attack.</p>
<p>Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted on Friday that a report this week by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) did not confirm the origin of the poison used against the Skripals.</p>
<p>Lavrov said the report only confirmed the composition of the substance and that Britain’s claim that it confirmed the UK position on the Skripal case was overstated.</p>
<p>Separately on Friday, Russia’s ambassador to Britain said he was concerned the British government was trying to get rid of evidence related to the case.</p>
<p>“We get the impression that the British government is deliberately pursuing the policy of destroying all possible evidence, classifying all remaining materials and making an independent and transparent investigation impossible,” Alexander Yakovenko told reporters.</p>
<p>He also said Russia could not be sure about the authenticity of a statement issued by Yulia Skripal on Wednesday in which she declined the offer of help from the Russian embassy.</p>
<p>Reporting by Kate Holton; Writing by William Schomberg and Elisabeth O'Leary; Editing by Stephen Addison</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>LONDON (Reuters) - Russia’s ambassador to Britain said a claim by a British security advisor on Friday that Russia spied on former agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter for at least five years before they were attacked with a nerve agent was a “big surprise.”</p>
<p>“If someone was spying, why were the British services not complaining about that?” Alexander Yakovenko told reporters.</p>
<p>“They always complain if something goes wrong. We didn’t see any signs, any applications from the British side that they are not happy with the way Skripals were living in Salisbury.”</p>
<p>Sergei Skripal has been living in Britain since 2010 but his daughter only arrived last month, to visit her father.</p>
<p>Earlier on Friday, the national security adviser to Britain’s prime minister told NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in a letter that email accounts of Yulia had been targeted in 2013 by cyber specialists from Russia’s GRU military intelligence service.</p>
<p>Yakovenko said he had not seen the letter.</p>
<p>Reporting by Alistair Smout and Elisabeth O'Leary; Writing by William Schomberg; editing by Stephen Addison</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>(Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures inched higher on Friday as banking shares rose on the first major release of the earnings season and geopolitical tensions and concerns over tit-for-tat trade tariffs retreated.</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>JPMorgan rose 0.56 percent premarket after the biggest U.S. bank by assets reported a 35 percent surge in quarterly profit.</p>
<p>Shares of Wells Fargo and Citigroup, which are also set to report earnings later, were also higher.</p>
<p>Hopes are that tax cuts will help corporate America post its biggest quarterly profit growth in seven years. Earnings at the S&amp;P 500 companies are estimated to grow by 18.4 percent from a year earlier.</p>
<p>By 7:02 a.m. ET, Dow e-minis were up 69 points, or 0.28 percent, S&amp;P 500 e-minis rose 8.25 points, or 0.31 percent, Nasdaq 100 e-minis gained 8.5 points, or 0.13 percent.</p>
<p>Stocks got a boost on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump cast doubt over the timing of his threatened strike on Syria, easing the risk of clashes between Western powers and Russia in Syria over an alleged chemical attack.</p>
<p>Talks of the United States re-opening negotiations with the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), a multinational trade deal the Trump administration walked away from last year, also helped sentiment.</p>
<p>But he later tweeted that the United States would only join the TPP if the deal were substantially better than the one offered to former President Barack Obama.</p>
<p>Among other stocks, Starbucks shares fell 1.3 percent after brokerage Cowen and Co downgraded the stock to “market perform”.</p>
<p>Reporting by Sruthi Shankar in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
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reuters international triathlon union itu launched investigation allegations olympic bronze medalist henri schoeman south africa failed doping test rio games 2016 ruling body said statement thursday 2016 rio olympics triathlon mens victory ceremony fort copacabana rio de janeiro brazil 18082016 henri schoeman rsa south africa poses medal reutersdamir sagolj itu informed allegations involving henri schoeman adverse analytical finding would occurred 2016160rio olympic games itu said itu promptly launched investigation matter itu touch athlete fully cooperating providing information schoemans manager south africa immediately reply reuters enquiry late thursday160 schoeman 26 finished third rio behind british brothers alistair jonathan brownlee south african said later ill leadup race bronze south africas first medal sport since introduced games 2000 schoeman also silver medal mixed relay 2014 commonwealth games gold 2016 itu grand final writing toby davis editing ed osmond standards thomson reuters trust principles washington reuters us president donald trumps personal lawyer michael cohen seeking temporary restraining order regarding searches cohens home office fbi agents monday justice department spokesman said friday us president donald trumps personal lawyer michael cohen drives leaving hotel new york city us april 11 2018 reutersbrendan mcdermid order would sought stop government using seized materials according person familiar investigation hearing searches set 1030 1430 gmt manhattan federal court courthouse said reached phone lawyer cohen immediately available request comment reporting karen freifeld writing makini brice editing frances kerry standards thomson reuters trust principles london reuters russias intelligence agencies spied former double agent sergei skripal daughter yulia least five years attacked nerve agent march national security adviser britains prime minister said salisbury district hospital seen yulia skripal discharged salisbury britain april 10 2018 reuterspeter nicholls mark sedwill said letter nato secretary general jens stoltenberg friday email accounts yulia targeted 2013 cyber specialists russias gru military intelligence service sedwill also said letter published government highly likely russian intelligence services view least defectors legitimate targets assassination skripals targeted london says nerve agent attack left critically ill weeks british prime minister theresa may said highly likely moscow behind attack russian foreign minister sergei lavrov noted friday report week organisation prohibition chemical weapons opcw confirm origin poison used skripals lavrov said report confirmed composition substance britains claim confirmed uk position skripal case overstated separately friday russias ambassador britain said concerned british government trying get rid evidence related case get impression british government deliberately pursuing policy destroying possible evidence classifying remaining materials making independent transparent investigation impossible alexander yakovenko told reporters also said russia could sure authenticity statement issued yulia skripal wednesday declined offer help russian embassy reporting kate holton writing william schomberg elisabeth oleary editing stephen addison standards thomson reuters trust principles london reuters russias ambassador britain said claim british security advisor friday russia spied former agent sergei skripal daughter least five years attacked nerve agent big surprise someone spying british services complaining alexander yakovenko told reporters always complain something goes wrong didnt see signs applications british side happy way skripals living salisbury sergei skripal living britain since 2010 daughter arrived last month visit father earlier friday national security adviser britains prime minister told nato secretary general jens stoltenberg letter email accounts yulia targeted 2013 cyber specialists russias gru military intelligence service yakovenko said seen letter reporting alistair smout elisabeth oleary writing william schomberg editing stephen addison standards thomson reuters trust principles reuters us stock index futures inched higher friday banking shares rose first major release earnings season geopolitical tensions concerns titfortat trade tariffs retreated traders work floor new york stock exchange nyse new york us april 10 2018 reutersbrendan mcdermidfile photo jpmorgan rose 056 percent premarket biggest us bank assets reported 35 percent surge quarterly profit shares wells fargo citigroup also set report earnings later also higher hopes tax cuts help corporate america post biggest quarterly profit growth seven years earnings sampp 500 companies estimated grow 184 percent year earlier 702 et dow eminis 69 points 028 percent sampp 500 eminis rose 825 points 031 percent nasdaq 100 eminis gained 85 points 013 percent stocks got boost thursday us president donald trump cast doubt timing threatened strike syria easing risk clashes western powers russia syria alleged chemical attack talks united states reopening negotiations trans pacific partnership tpp multinational trade deal trump administration walked away last year also helped sentiment later tweeted united states would join tpp deal substantially better one offered former president barack obama among stocks starbucks shares fell 13 percent brokerage cowen co downgraded stock market perform reporting sruthi shankar bengaluru editing sriraj kalluvila standards thomson reuters trust principles
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<p>This photograph taken Nov. 19, 1863, at the site of the dedication of the national cemetery at Gettysburg, Pa., shows President Abraham Lincoln, center, with no hat. (AP Photo/Library of Congress, Alexander Gardner)</p>
<p>It was the biggest assignment of Joseph Ignatius Gilbert’s journalistic career – and he was in serious danger of blowing it.</p>
<p>On Nov. 19, 1863, the 21-year-old Associated Press freelancer was standing before a “rude platform” overlooking the still-ravaged battlefield at Gettysburg, Pa. Towering above him was an almost mythic figure: Abraham Lincoln.</p>
<p>By this time, Gilbert had been covering the president for two-and-a-half long years of civil war. Three months earlier, he had written a dispatch about the Union rout of Gen. George Pickett from this very field, an event often called the “high-water mark of the Confederacy.”</p>
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<p>Lincoln had come to dedicate a portion of the battlefield – still strewn with equipment, clothing and horse skeletons – as a national cemetery. Gilbert was dutifully taking down the president’s words in shorthand when something uncharacteristic happened.</p>
<p>He became star-struck.</p>
<p>“Fascinated by Lincoln’s intense earnestness and depth of feeling, I unconsciously stopped taking notes,” he would recall decades later, “and looked up at him just as he glanced from his manuscript with a faraway look in his eyes as if appealing from the few thousands before him to the invisible audience of countless millions whom his words were to reach.”</p>
<p>Luckily for Gilbert, Lincoln graciously allowed his text to be copied while the ceremonies concluded. And “the press report was made from the copy,” the AP man noted.</p>
<p>Associated Press freelancer Joseph Ignatius Gilbert, in a photograph taken in or near 1863. (AP Photo/Gilbert-Molloy-McHenry Archive)</p>
<p>Brief as Lincoln’s speech was, many newspaper reports paraphrased or outright butchered it. In his new book, “Writing the Gettysburg Address,” Martin P. Johnson argues that the fledgling “wire service” played a key role in ensuring that most Americans experienced the true power and poetry of their president’s words at a time when he desperately wanted to reach them.</p>
<p>“The Gettysburg Address was not necessarily going to be an important text, if the first version published had been such a truncated version,” he says.</p>
<p>But 150 years later, the debate continues over exactly what Lincoln said that day – and why it matters.</p>
<p>The speech contains about 250 words. Today, a listener with a smartphone could polish it off in 10 tweets or simply post the raw video on YouTube.</p>
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<p>But a century and a half ago, the news medium was a reporter taking notes with a pencil, most likely in shorthand.Once finished, he would race to a telegraph office and hand over his dispatch to an operator, who would tap it out in Morse code. The story would travel to a newspaper office, where the series of dots and dashes were deciphered, then set in lead type.</p>
<p>For a great many papers, the source of that text was the AP, and its “agents” – men like Gilbert.</p>
<p>The goateed Gilbert was a “shorthand novice” in the state Senate at Harrisburg on Feb. 22, 1861, when he first heard the new president speak in the Pennsylvania capital. His dispatches appeared in the city’s Evening Telegraph. As he moved on to The Philadelphia Press and AP, the young scribe would have other opportunities to report on “the care worn President whose shoulders, Atlas-like, were carrying the pillars of the Republic.”</p>
<p>There are five known drafts of the speech in Lincoln’s own handwriting, each different from the other in some subtle or not-so-subtle way. The last, penned in March 1864, is the version chiseled in marble on the Lincoln Memorial.</p>
<p>In 1894, Lincoln’s personal secretary, John Nicolay, published what he called “the autograph manuscript” of the Gettysburg Address. The first page was written in pen on lined stationery marked “Executive Mansion”; the second is in pencil on bluish foolscap.</p>
<p>Johnson, an assistant history professor at Miami University in Ohio, concludes that this is the delivery or “battlefield draft” Lincoln pulled from his coat on the platform that day. John R. Sellers, curator of Civil War papers at the Library of Congress, which recently put the pages on display, agrees.</p>
<p>But historian Gabor Boritt, author of “The Gettysburg Gospel,” argues that a version discovered in 1908 among the papers of John M. Hay, Lincoln’s assistant secretary, is the one from which the president read.</p>
<p>Perhaps the most important difference among the various permutations is the presence or absence of the phrase “under God.”</p>
<p>Those words do not appear in either the Nicolay or Hay drafts, but they are present in the three other handwritten copies Lincoln produced for use in fundraising efforts.</p>
<p>This undated image shows part of the “Nicolay Copy” version of the five known drafts the Gettysburg Address written in Lincoln’s own hand. (Library of Congress/The Associated Press)</p>
<p>They also appear in dispatches sent by Gilbert and shorthand stenographer Charles Hale, who was there for the Boston Daily Advertiser, leading Johnson, Boritt and others to conclude that Lincoln added them extemporaneously.</p>
<p>Lincoln told his good friend, Kentuckian James Speed, that he continued to work on the speech after arriving in Gettysburg and had not had time to memorize it. He also acknowledged that he did not stick to the script in his hand.</p>
<p>Nicolay said Lincoln referred to the AP report when reconstructing and refining the address for the later drafts. But which one?</p>
<p>Due to “inevitable telegraphic variations,” says Johnson, there were almost as many versions in circulation “as there were newspapers that printed them.” No definitive “wire copy” survives in AP files, says company archivist Valerie Komor.</p>
<p>In the end, does it really matter whether Lincoln said “the government” or just “government?” It certainly did to him.</p>
<p>“The exact words are important because they clearly reveal Lincoln’s thinking about the importance of the Civil War and the world historical importance of the struggle that he was engaged in,” says Johnson. “He was very clear about wanting to get the words correct, precise – because he knew that it was an important point.”</p>
<p>Johnson says “it’s very fortunate for us” that Gilbert was there.</p>
<p>“We’d probably always have the delivery text, but that might never have been published during Lincoln’s lifetime,” he says. “So the Gettysburg Address might never have become such an important, iconic text for us if the AP had not been there reporting it properly.”</p>
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photograph taken nov 19 1863 site dedication national cemetery gettysburg pa shows president abraham lincoln center hat ap photolibrary congress alexander gardner biggest assignment joseph ignatius gilberts journalistic career serious danger blowing nov 19 1863 21yearold associated press freelancer standing rude platform overlooking stillravaged battlefield gettysburg pa towering almost mythic figure abraham lincoln time gilbert covering president twoandahalf long years civil war three months earlier written dispatch union rout gen george pickett field event often called highwater mark confederacy advertisement lincoln come dedicate portion battlefield still strewn equipment clothing horse skeletons national cemetery gilbert dutifully taking presidents words shorthand something uncharacteristic happened became starstruck fascinated lincolns intense earnestness depth feeling unconsciously stopped taking notes would recall decades later looked glanced manuscript faraway look eyes appealing thousands invisible audience countless millions words reach luckily gilbert lincoln graciously allowed text copied ceremonies concluded press report made copy ap man noted associated press freelancer joseph ignatius gilbert photograph taken near 1863 ap photogilbertmolloymchenry archive brief lincolns speech many newspaper reports paraphrased outright butchered new book writing gettysburg address martin p johnson argues fledgling wire service played key role ensuring americans experienced true power poetry presidents words time desperately wanted reach gettysburg address necessarily going important text first version published truncated version says 150 years later debate continues exactly lincoln said day matters speech contains 250 words today listener smartphone could polish 10 tweets simply post raw video youtube advertisement century half ago news medium reporter taking notes pencil likely shorthandonce finished would race telegraph office hand dispatch operator would tap morse code story would travel newspaper office series dots dashes deciphered set lead type great many papers source text ap agents men like gilbert goateed gilbert shorthand novice state senate harrisburg feb 22 1861 first heard new president speak pennsylvania capital dispatches appeared citys evening telegraph moved philadelphia press ap young scribe would opportunities report care worn president whose shoulders atlaslike carrying pillars republic five known drafts speech lincolns handwriting different subtle notsosubtle way last penned march 1864 version chiseled marble lincoln memorial 1894 lincolns personal secretary john nicolay published called autograph manuscript gettysburg address first page written pen lined stationery marked executive mansion second pencil bluish foolscap johnson assistant history professor miami university ohio concludes delivery battlefield draft lincoln pulled coat platform day john r sellers curator civil war papers library congress recently put pages display agrees historian gabor boritt author gettysburg gospel argues version discovered 1908 among papers john hay lincolns assistant secretary one president read perhaps important difference among various permutations presence absence phrase god words appear either nicolay hay drafts present three handwritten copies lincoln produced use fundraising efforts undated image shows part nicolay copy version five known drafts gettysburg address written lincolns hand library congressthe associated press also appear dispatches sent gilbert shorthand stenographer charles hale boston daily advertiser leading johnson boritt others conclude lincoln added extemporaneously lincoln told good friend kentuckian james speed continued work speech arriving gettysburg time memorize also acknowledged stick script hand nicolay said lincoln referred ap report reconstructing refining address later drafts one due inevitable telegraphic variations says johnson almost many versions circulation newspapers printed definitive wire copy survives ap files says company archivist valerie komor end really matter whether lincoln said government government certainly exact words important clearly reveal lincolns thinking importance civil war world historical importance struggle engaged says johnson clear wanting get words correct precise knew important point johnson says fortunate us gilbert wed probably always delivery text might never published lincolns lifetime says gettysburg address might never become important iconic text us ap reporting properly
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<p>NEW YORK (AP) — Though it hardly appeared like it with thousands of blue-and-orange-dressed fans standing and screaming for them, this was a road game for the New York Knicks.</p>
<p>"It feels like we're playing at home, so it was a good atmosphere for us," Kristaps Porzingis said.</p>
<p>It gets harder from here.</p>
<p>Porzingis had 26 points and nine rebounds, Michael Beasley added 23 points and 10 boards, and the Knicks opened their longest road trip in nearly 30 years by beating the Brooklyn Nets 119-104 on Monday.</p>
<p>A day after blowing a 19-point lead in the third quarter of a loss to New Orleans, the Knicks lost most of a 14-point advantage heading to the fourth. But they opened the period with 11 straight points and went on to beat the Nets comfortably for the third time this season.</p>
<p>Though the game was only a few miles from their home arena, the Knicks will do plenty of traveling the rest of the trip. They play seven straight on the road for the first time since 1988-89, with the remainder coming against the Western Conference.</p>
<p>"I think it's the beginning of an opportunity and they came out and responded after yesterday's loss," Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek said.</p>
<p>Rookie Frank Ntilikina finished with 10 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds as the Knicks snapped a three-game losing streak and won for the third time in 13 games. They played without Tim Hardaway Jr., who was rested after playing 33 minutes Sunday in his second game back from a stress injury to his lower left leg.</p>
<p>DeMarre Carroll scored 22 points for the Nets, who shot 37 percent and lost for the fifth time in six games.</p>
<p>"To a certain extent, it's a make-or-miss league. As a unit, we shot in the 30s. That's not very good," said point guard Spencer Dinwiddie, who went 2 for 14.</p>
<p>The Nets were 14 for 44 in the first half and fell behind by 14 early in the third. They got back into the game mostly on the strength of their free-throw shooting during a foul-filled 12 minutes in which the teams combined to shoot 36 free throws. Brooklyn went 17 of 20 and trailed only 83-81 after Carroll's jumper at the buzzer.</p>
<p>But Ron Baker and Ntilikina made 3-pointers, Beasley had a three-point play in the opening run that made it 94-81 and Brooklyn never challenged again.</p>
<p>"They took us out the beginning of that fourth quarter and then dominated us the rest of the quarter," Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said.</p>
<p>TIP-INS</p>
<p>Knicks: Trey Burke made his Knicks debut after being signed Sunday from their G League team. Burke made a jumper on his first shot and had five points. ... Hornacek said Hardaway hadn't had any setbacks or recurrence of injury, but that he needed rest after playing more minutes than they'd planned on Sunday.</p>
<p>Nets: The Nets fell to 0-8 against the Atlantic Division. ... D'Angelo Russell practiced with the Long Island Nets of the G League on Monday as he continues his recovery from left knee surgery. He was recalled after practice and sat on the Nets' bench, where he was called for a technical foul in the third quarter. Atkinson said the point guard is close to returning from the injury that's sidelined him for two months. ... C Tyler Zeller was back in the starting lineup after missing a game with a sore left hip.</p>
<p>LONG ROAD AHEAD</p>
<p>The Knicks move on to Memphis on Wednesday before the rest of the trip takes them to the western half of the country. They will be gone nearly two weeks before returning home to host the Nets on Jan. 30.</p>
<p>LEE FROM THE LINE</p>
<p>Courtney Lee made his 44th straight free throw on a third-quarter technical, tying the Knicks' record set by Chris Duhon in 2008-09. Lee came into the game leading the league at 96.1 percent after hitting 73 of 76.</p>
<p>MLK-NYK</p>
<p>The Knicks improved to 21-11 on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. They had lost five of their last seven, including losses to Brooklyn in 2013 and '14.</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Knicks: Visit Memphis on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Nets: Host San Antonio on Wednesday.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>More NBA basketball: <a href="" type="internal">https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball</a></p>
<p>NEW YORK (AP) — Though it hardly appeared like it with thousands of blue-and-orange-dressed fans standing and screaming for them, this was a road game for the New York Knicks.</p>
<p>"It feels like we're playing at home, so it was a good atmosphere for us," Kristaps Porzingis said.</p>
<p>It gets harder from here.</p>
<p>Porzingis had 26 points and nine rebounds, Michael Beasley added 23 points and 10 boards, and the Knicks opened their longest road trip in nearly 30 years by beating the Brooklyn Nets 119-104 on Monday.</p>
<p>A day after blowing a 19-point lead in the third quarter of a loss to New Orleans, the Knicks lost most of a 14-point advantage heading to the fourth. But they opened the period with 11 straight points and went on to beat the Nets comfortably for the third time this season.</p>
<p>Though the game was only a few miles from their home arena, the Knicks will do plenty of traveling the rest of the trip. They play seven straight on the road for the first time since 1988-89, with the remainder coming against the Western Conference.</p>
<p>"I think it's the beginning of an opportunity and they came out and responded after yesterday's loss," Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek said.</p>
<p>Rookie Frank Ntilikina finished with 10 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds as the Knicks snapped a three-game losing streak and won for the third time in 13 games. They played without Tim Hardaway Jr., who was rested after playing 33 minutes Sunday in his second game back from a stress injury to his lower left leg.</p>
<p>DeMarre Carroll scored 22 points for the Nets, who shot 37 percent and lost for the fifth time in six games.</p>
<p>"To a certain extent, it's a make-or-miss league. As a unit, we shot in the 30s. That's not very good," said point guard Spencer Dinwiddie, who went 2 for 14.</p>
<p>The Nets were 14 for 44 in the first half and fell behind by 14 early in the third. They got back into the game mostly on the strength of their free-throw shooting during a foul-filled 12 minutes in which the teams combined to shoot 36 free throws. Brooklyn went 17 of 20 and trailed only 83-81 after Carroll's jumper at the buzzer.</p>
<p>But Ron Baker and Ntilikina made 3-pointers, Beasley had a three-point play in the opening run that made it 94-81 and Brooklyn never challenged again.</p>
<p>"They took us out the beginning of that fourth quarter and then dominated us the rest of the quarter," Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said.</p>
<p>TIP-INS</p>
<p>Knicks: Trey Burke made his Knicks debut after being signed Sunday from their G League team. Burke made a jumper on his first shot and had five points. ... Hornacek said Hardaway hadn't had any setbacks or recurrence of injury, but that he needed rest after playing more minutes than they'd planned on Sunday.</p>
<p>Nets: The Nets fell to 0-8 against the Atlantic Division. ... D'Angelo Russell practiced with the Long Island Nets of the G League on Monday as he continues his recovery from left knee surgery. He was recalled after practice and sat on the Nets' bench, where he was called for a technical foul in the third quarter. Atkinson said the point guard is close to returning from the injury that's sidelined him for two months. ... C Tyler Zeller was back in the starting lineup after missing a game with a sore left hip.</p>
<p>LONG ROAD AHEAD</p>
<p>The Knicks move on to Memphis on Wednesday before the rest of the trip takes them to the western half of the country. They will be gone nearly two weeks before returning home to host the Nets on Jan. 30.</p>
<p>LEE FROM THE LINE</p>
<p>Courtney Lee made his 44th straight free throw on a third-quarter technical, tying the Knicks' record set by Chris Duhon in 2008-09. Lee came into the game leading the league at 96.1 percent after hitting 73 of 76.</p>
<p>MLK-NYK</p>
<p>The Knicks improved to 21-11 on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. They had lost five of their last seven, including losses to Brooklyn in 2013 and '14.</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Knicks: Visit Memphis on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Nets: Host San Antonio on Wednesday.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>More NBA basketball: <a href="" type="internal">https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball</a></p>
| false | 2 |
new york ap though hardly appeared like thousands blueandorangedressed fans standing screaming road game new york knicks feels like playing home good atmosphere us kristaps porzingis said gets harder porzingis 26 points nine rebounds michael beasley added 23 points 10 boards knicks opened longest road trip nearly 30 years beating brooklyn nets 119104 monday day blowing 19point lead third quarter loss new orleans knicks lost 14point advantage heading fourth opened period 11 straight points went beat nets comfortably third time season though game miles home arena knicks plenty traveling rest trip play seven straight road first time since 198889 remainder coming western conference think beginning opportunity came responded yesterdays loss knicks coach jeff hornacek said rookie frank ntilikina finished 10 points 10 assists seven rebounds knicks snapped threegame losing streak third time 13 games played without tim hardaway jr rested playing 33 minutes sunday second game back stress injury lower left leg demarre carroll scored 22 points nets shot 37 percent lost fifth time six games certain extent makeormiss league unit shot 30s thats good said point guard spencer dinwiddie went 2 14 nets 14 44 first half fell behind 14 early third got back game mostly strength freethrow shooting foulfilled 12 minutes teams combined shoot 36 free throws brooklyn went 17 20 trailed 8381 carrolls jumper buzzer ron baker ntilikina made 3pointers beasley threepoint play opening run made 9481 brooklyn never challenged took us beginning fourth quarter dominated us rest quarter nets coach kenny atkinson said tipins knicks trey burke made knicks debut signed sunday g league team burke made jumper first shot five points hornacek said hardaway hadnt setbacks recurrence injury needed rest playing minutes theyd planned sunday nets nets fell 08 atlantic division dangelo russell practiced long island nets g league monday continues recovery left knee surgery recalled practice sat nets bench called technical foul third quarter atkinson said point guard close returning injury thats sidelined two months c tyler zeller back starting lineup missing game sore left hip long road ahead knicks move memphis wednesday rest trip takes western half country gone nearly two weeks returning home host nets jan 30 lee line courtney lee made 44th straight free throw thirdquarter technical tying knicks record set chris duhon 200809 lee came game leading league 961 percent hitting 73 76 mlknyk knicks improved 2111 martin luther king jr day lost five last seven including losses brooklyn 2013 14 next knicks visit memphis wednesday nets host san antonio wednesday ___ nba basketball httpsapnewscomtagnbabasketball new york ap though hardly appeared like thousands blueandorangedressed fans standing screaming road game new york knicks feels like playing home good atmosphere us kristaps porzingis said gets harder porzingis 26 points nine rebounds michael beasley added 23 points 10 boards knicks opened longest road trip nearly 30 years beating brooklyn nets 119104 monday day blowing 19point lead third quarter loss new orleans knicks lost 14point advantage heading fourth opened period 11 straight points went beat nets comfortably third time season though game miles home arena knicks plenty traveling rest trip play seven straight road first time since 198889 remainder coming western conference think beginning opportunity came responded yesterdays loss knicks coach jeff hornacek said rookie frank ntilikina finished 10 points 10 assists seven rebounds knicks snapped threegame losing streak third time 13 games played without tim hardaway jr rested playing 33 minutes sunday second game back stress injury lower left leg demarre carroll scored 22 points nets shot 37 percent lost fifth time six games certain extent makeormiss league unit shot 30s thats good said point guard spencer dinwiddie went 2 14 nets 14 44 first half fell behind 14 early third got back game mostly strength freethrow shooting foulfilled 12 minutes teams combined shoot 36 free throws brooklyn went 17 20 trailed 8381 carrolls jumper buzzer ron baker ntilikina made 3pointers beasley threepoint play opening run made 9481 brooklyn never challenged took us beginning fourth quarter dominated us rest quarter nets coach kenny atkinson said tipins knicks trey burke made knicks debut signed sunday g league team burke made jumper first shot five points hornacek said hardaway hadnt setbacks recurrence injury needed rest playing minutes theyd planned sunday nets nets fell 08 atlantic division dangelo russell practiced long island nets g league monday continues recovery left knee surgery recalled practice sat nets bench called technical foul third quarter atkinson said point guard close returning injury thats sidelined two months c tyler zeller back starting lineup missing game sore left hip long road ahead knicks move memphis wednesday rest trip takes western half country gone nearly two weeks returning home host nets jan 30 lee line courtney lee made 44th straight free throw thirdquarter technical tying knicks record set chris duhon 200809 lee came game leading league 961 percent hitting 73 76 mlknyk knicks improved 2111 martin luther king jr day lost five last seven including losses brooklyn 2013 14 next knicks visit memphis wednesday nets host san antonio wednesday ___ nba basketball httpsapnewscomtagnbabasketball
| 830 |
<p>PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Shortly after franchise quarterback Carson Wentz left the field with a torn ACL, Malcolm Jenkins gathered his teammates following a comeback win that clinched a division title. He gave an emotional speech, imploring them to believe they can win the Super Bowl without the guy who got them to that point.</p>
<p>The Philadelphia Eagles are two wins away from their goal. First up is the NFC championship game Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.</p>
<p>"Carson being out of this, that sucks," Jenkins told the team in the locker room after a 43-35 win at the Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 10. "But dig this, we set this up for whoever (is) in this room, that's who we ride with, man. We said, 'we all we got, we all we need.' Believe that.... We got bigger goals ... championships and that's it."</p>
<p>Wentz is the franchise quarterback and a leader by example. Jenkins, the two-time Pro Bowl safety, is the in-your-face leader. He's the first one to address the group after coach Doug Pederson gives his post-game speech.</p>
<p>"He's embraced it and guys look forward to it," Pederson said. "He's got a lot of profound messages. He speaks from the heart and he speaks truth. So that's been a positive."</p>
<p>Jenkins says he always has a purpose when he speaks.</p>
<p>"I kind of try to analyze the situation of where we are as a team, do a little bit of reflection, but make sure that it's not just an emotional response to keep everybody in perspective," he said. "A lot of times I'm talking to myself to be most honest."</p>
<p>As the underdog Eagles (14-3) prepare to host the Vikings (14-3), Jenkins reflected on his inspirational message following Wentz's injury.</p>
<p>"Knowing that the media was getting ready to come in right after and those seeds of doubt, words of doubt were getting ready to come, I wanted to make sure there was a message of confidence and perspective before they had to actually address the media," Jenkins said. "Obviously, we all hurt for Carson. It's a huge blow to the team, but in no way does it change our goals. No way does it change our demeanor. Nothing's changed, and that was kind of the message."</p>
<p>Wentz's injury was the latest and biggest blow for a team seeking its first NFL title since 1960. The Eagles lost nine-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters, versatile running back/return specialist Darren Sproles, playmaking linebacker Jordan Hicks, and special-teams captain Chris Maragos to season-ending injuries.</p>
<p>"We always focused on the guys we had in the huddle," Jenkins said. "Losing the amount of guys that we've lost and facing a lot of the adversity that we have, to have that mentality that we are sufficient, that the guys we have in this room can get it done, no matter what's in front of us, has kind of been the story line of this team. Obviously I think everybody has kind of embraced that mentality."</p>
<p>Jenkins spent his first five seasons with the New Orleans Saints and won a Super Bowl his rookie year. He joined the Eagles in free agency four years ago and has started every game, developing into one of the league's best players at his position.</p>
<p>"Malcolm is always in the right place as a safety," former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky told The Associated Press. "He just takes a level of confidence away from you because you can't manipulate him, you can't get him to do what you want him to do."</p>
<p>Jenkins is not only a team leader, but has earned the respect of his peers. He's very active in the community and established The Players' Coalition to help advance players' activism efforts. Jenkins led a meeting that included NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and teammates with police, policy leaders and public defenders in Philadelphia to discuss criminal justice reform.</p>
<p>"I think that we can play a major role in changing the narrative from this argumentative, combative narrative to one of solutions, one that is aimed at bringing people together, because that's what unique about this game," Jenkins said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>For more NFL coverage: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_RobMaaddi</p>
<p>PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Shortly after franchise quarterback Carson Wentz left the field with a torn ACL, Malcolm Jenkins gathered his teammates following a comeback win that clinched a division title. He gave an emotional speech, imploring them to believe they can win the Super Bowl without the guy who got them to that point.</p>
<p>The Philadelphia Eagles are two wins away from their goal. First up is the NFC championship game Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.</p>
<p>"Carson being out of this, that sucks," Jenkins told the team in the locker room after a 43-35 win at the Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 10. "But dig this, we set this up for whoever (is) in this room, that's who we ride with, man. We said, 'we all we got, we all we need.' Believe that.... We got bigger goals ... championships and that's it."</p>
<p>Wentz is the franchise quarterback and a leader by example. Jenkins, the two-time Pro Bowl safety, is the in-your-face leader. He's the first one to address the group after coach Doug Pederson gives his post-game speech.</p>
<p>"He's embraced it and guys look forward to it," Pederson said. "He's got a lot of profound messages. He speaks from the heart and he speaks truth. So that's been a positive."</p>
<p>Jenkins says he always has a purpose when he speaks.</p>
<p>"I kind of try to analyze the situation of where we are as a team, do a little bit of reflection, but make sure that it's not just an emotional response to keep everybody in perspective," he said. "A lot of times I'm talking to myself to be most honest."</p>
<p>As the underdog Eagles (14-3) prepare to host the Vikings (14-3), Jenkins reflected on his inspirational message following Wentz's injury.</p>
<p>"Knowing that the media was getting ready to come in right after and those seeds of doubt, words of doubt were getting ready to come, I wanted to make sure there was a message of confidence and perspective before they had to actually address the media," Jenkins said. "Obviously, we all hurt for Carson. It's a huge blow to the team, but in no way does it change our goals. No way does it change our demeanor. Nothing's changed, and that was kind of the message."</p>
<p>Wentz's injury was the latest and biggest blow for a team seeking its first NFL title since 1960. The Eagles lost nine-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters, versatile running back/return specialist Darren Sproles, playmaking linebacker Jordan Hicks, and special-teams captain Chris Maragos to season-ending injuries.</p>
<p>"We always focused on the guys we had in the huddle," Jenkins said. "Losing the amount of guys that we've lost and facing a lot of the adversity that we have, to have that mentality that we are sufficient, that the guys we have in this room can get it done, no matter what's in front of us, has kind of been the story line of this team. Obviously I think everybody has kind of embraced that mentality."</p>
<p>Jenkins spent his first five seasons with the New Orleans Saints and won a Super Bowl his rookie year. He joined the Eagles in free agency four years ago and has started every game, developing into one of the league's best players at his position.</p>
<p>"Malcolm is always in the right place as a safety," former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky told The Associated Press. "He just takes a level of confidence away from you because you can't manipulate him, you can't get him to do what you want him to do."</p>
<p>Jenkins is not only a team leader, but has earned the respect of his peers. He's very active in the community and established The Players' Coalition to help advance players' activism efforts. Jenkins led a meeting that included NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and teammates with police, policy leaders and public defenders in Philadelphia to discuss criminal justice reform.</p>
<p>"I think that we can play a major role in changing the narrative from this argumentative, combative narrative to one of solutions, one that is aimed at bringing people together, because that's what unique about this game," Jenkins said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>For more NFL coverage: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_RobMaaddi</p>
| false | 2 |
philadelphia ap shortly franchise quarterback carson wentz left field torn acl malcolm jenkins gathered teammates following comeback win clinched division title gave emotional speech imploring believe win super bowl without guy got point philadelphia eagles two wins away goal first nfc championship game sunday minnesota vikings carson sucks jenkins told team locker room 4335 win los angeles rams dec 10 dig set whoever room thats ride man said got need believe got bigger goals championships thats wentz franchise quarterback leader example jenkins twotime pro bowl safety inyourface leader hes first one address group coach doug pederson gives postgame speech hes embraced guys look forward pederson said hes got lot profound messages speaks heart speaks truth thats positive jenkins says always purpose speaks kind try analyze situation team little bit reflection make sure emotional response keep everybody perspective said lot times im talking honest underdog eagles 143 prepare host vikings 143 jenkins reflected inspirational message following wentzs injury knowing media getting ready come right seeds doubt words doubt getting ready come wanted make sure message confidence perspective actually address media jenkins said obviously hurt carson huge blow team way change goals way change demeanor nothings changed kind message wentzs injury latest biggest blow team seeking first nfl title since 1960 eagles lost ninetime pro bowl left tackle jason peters versatile running backreturn specialist darren sproles playmaking linebacker jordan hicks specialteams captain chris maragos seasonending injuries always focused guys huddle jenkins said losing amount guys weve lost facing lot adversity mentality sufficient guys room get done matter whats front us kind story line team obviously think everybody kind embraced mentality jenkins spent first five seasons new orleans saints super bowl rookie year joined eagles free agency four years ago started every game developing one leagues best players position malcolm always right place safety former nfl quarterback dan orlovsky told associated press takes level confidence away cant manipulate cant get want jenkins team leader earned respect peers hes active community established players coalition help advance players activism efforts jenkins led meeting included nfl commissioner roger goodell teammates police policy leaders public defenders philadelphia discuss criminal justice reform think play major role changing narrative argumentative combative narrative one solutions one aimed bringing people together thats unique game jenkins said ___ nfl coverage wwwpro32aporg wwwtwittercomap_nfl ___ follow rob maaddi twitter httpstwittercomap_robmaaddi philadelphia ap shortly franchise quarterback carson wentz left field torn acl malcolm jenkins gathered teammates following comeback win clinched division title gave emotional speech imploring believe win super bowl without guy got point philadelphia eagles two wins away goal first nfc championship game sunday minnesota vikings carson sucks jenkins told team locker room 4335 win los angeles rams dec 10 dig set whoever room thats ride man said got need believe got bigger goals championships thats wentz franchise quarterback leader example jenkins twotime pro bowl safety inyourface leader hes first one address group coach doug pederson gives postgame speech hes embraced guys look forward pederson said hes got lot profound messages speaks heart speaks truth thats positive jenkins says always purpose speaks kind try analyze situation team little bit reflection make sure emotional response keep everybody perspective said lot times im talking honest underdog eagles 143 prepare host vikings 143 jenkins reflected inspirational message following wentzs injury knowing media getting ready come right seeds doubt words doubt getting ready come wanted make sure message confidence perspective actually address media jenkins said obviously hurt carson huge blow team way change goals way change demeanor nothings changed kind message wentzs injury latest biggest blow team seeking first nfl title since 1960 eagles lost ninetime pro bowl left tackle jason peters versatile running backreturn specialist darren sproles playmaking linebacker jordan hicks specialteams captain chris maragos seasonending injuries always focused guys huddle jenkins said losing amount guys weve lost facing lot adversity mentality sufficient guys room get done matter whats front us kind story line team obviously think everybody kind embraced mentality jenkins spent first five seasons new orleans saints super bowl rookie year joined eagles free agency four years ago started every game developing one leagues best players position malcolm always right place safety former nfl quarterback dan orlovsky told associated press takes level confidence away cant manipulate cant get want jenkins team leader earned respect peers hes active community established players coalition help advance players activism efforts jenkins led meeting included nfl commissioner roger goodell teammates police policy leaders public defenders philadelphia discuss criminal justice reform think play major role changing narrative argumentative combative narrative one solutions one aimed bringing people together thats unique game jenkins said ___ nfl coverage wwwpro32aporg wwwtwittercomap_nfl ___ follow rob maaddi twitter httpstwittercomap_robmaaddi
| 772 |
<p>INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay is betting big on Andrew Luck's health.</p>
<p>He's hoping some head coaching candidates follow his lead.</p>
<p>One day after firing Chuck Pagano, Irsay and general manager Chris Ballard laid out their plan to search for a successor and Irsay wasted no time making his strongest selling point — Luck's likely return in 2018.</p>
<p>"I am telling you that I have no doubt in my mind that Andrew is going to come back. I'm telling you that kid is a special kid. Special," Irsay said Monday, raising his voice for emphasis.</p>
<p>"He was born to do great things in the National Football League and he will do great things in the National Football League.</p>
<p>"I believe he is going to be back and I believe he is going to be back for a long time and I believe he is going to write his name into the National Football League record books in a very strong way."</p>
<p>If Luck does regain his form after missing the 2017 season following surgery on his throwing shoulder, it could make the Colts' job one of the most attractive.</p>
<p>With a healthy 28-year-old, three-time Pro Bowler at quarterback, nearly $90 million in salary cap room, one of the younger teams in the league and the No. 3 draft pick, Indy has a chance to surround Luck with a better supporting cast in 2018.</p>
<p>But the first order of business is finding a head coach.</p>
<p>Neither Ballard nor Irsay discussed specific candidates on their short list and instead only cited broad parameters of what they're seeking.</p>
<p>Ballard said he isn't concerned with an offensive or defensive-minded coach.</p>
<p>The first evidence came Monday when Carolina defensive coordinator Steve Wilks acknowledged the Colts are one of three teams that have already requested permission to speak with him.</p>
<p>The prevailing wisdom is the Colts also will look at several offensive coordinators perhaps including Josh McDaniels of the Patriots, who worked with Jacoby Brissett for 18 months in New England before he was traded to Indy in early September.</p>
<p>Another name to watch might be Kansas City special teams coordinator Dave Toub, who worked with Ballard with the Chiefs.</p>
<p>Previous head coaching experience, Ballard said, isn't a prerequisite, either.</p>
<p>But Ballard, who will lead the search, insists he wants someone who is interested in more than Luck.</p>
<p>"I want someone that wants to come to the Indianapolis Colts," he said. "I don't want them to come here just for Andrew Luck. If he's coming here just for Andrew, then he's probably not the right fit."</p>
<p>And what if the candidate is concerned about Luck's prognosis?</p>
<p>"Not the right fit," Ballard reiterated. "If he has pause, he's not the right guy."</p>
<p>Monday's comments come three days after Luck insisted his shoulder is stronger, more stable and less painful than it was in October when his throwing program was put on hold.</p>
<p>In fact, Luck said, he's now convinced he won't need a second surgery and expects to participate in the Colts' offseason workouts when they start in April.</p>
<p>Irsay staunchly backed his star quarterback.</p>
<p>"I'm telling you, right now, you don't know the fierce fire that's burning in No. 12's eyes," he said. "You don't realize what kind of fever he has for success right now. It's a 107-degree fever that he has right now."</p>
<p>In the meantime, Ballard must come up with an offseason strategy to keep the Colts' rebound back on track.</p>
<p>Last year, he completely overhauled the defense and after a slow start, the play improved during the second half of the season. Sixteen of the Colts key defensive contributors are already under contract for next season.</p>
<p>"I think we made some strides, coming in from a lot of different areas," linebacker John Simon said. "It takes some time to jell a little bit and I think we made some progress and will continue to get better."</p>
<p>The real key, though, will be putting more pieces around Luck and, of course, getting him back behind center.</p>
<p>"We're going to add competition everywhere, that will not change," Ballard said. "As for Andrew, we're just going to continue down the path. He's in a good place, we'll start throwing again soon and that's going to tell us a lot."</p>
<p>NOTES: Irsay may have given away a little draft strategy when he said: "You put him (Luck) on the field, all healed up, and an Edgerrin James-type guy, who might be bigger and stronger and let this guy (Luck) do what he's able to do and this is going to be a special place to play." Penn State's Saquon Barkley is projected to be the first running back selected and at 5-foot-11, 230 pounds is a little bigger than James was (6-1, 216 pounds) in the 1999 draft. ... Indy signed eight players to reserve-future contracts. They are tight end Mo Alie-Cox, receivers Dres Anderson and Kolby Listenbee, defensive tackle Johnathan Calvin, outside linebackers Arthur Miley and Josh Perry, quarterback Phillip Walker and guard Isaiah Williams.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>For more NFL coverage: <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">http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL</a></p>
<p>INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay is betting big on Andrew Luck's health.</p>
<p>He's hoping some head coaching candidates follow his lead.</p>
<p>One day after firing Chuck Pagano, Irsay and general manager Chris Ballard laid out their plan to search for a successor and Irsay wasted no time making his strongest selling point — Luck's likely return in 2018.</p>
<p>"I am telling you that I have no doubt in my mind that Andrew is going to come back. I'm telling you that kid is a special kid. Special," Irsay said Monday, raising his voice for emphasis.</p>
<p>"He was born to do great things in the National Football League and he will do great things in the National Football League.</p>
<p>"I believe he is going to be back and I believe he is going to be back for a long time and I believe he is going to write his name into the National Football League record books in a very strong way."</p>
<p>If Luck does regain his form after missing the 2017 season following surgery on his throwing shoulder, it could make the Colts' job one of the most attractive.</p>
<p>With a healthy 28-year-old, three-time Pro Bowler at quarterback, nearly $90 million in salary cap room, one of the younger teams in the league and the No. 3 draft pick, Indy has a chance to surround Luck with a better supporting cast in 2018.</p>
<p>But the first order of business is finding a head coach.</p>
<p>Neither Ballard nor Irsay discussed specific candidates on their short list and instead only cited broad parameters of what they're seeking.</p>
<p>Ballard said he isn't concerned with an offensive or defensive-minded coach.</p>
<p>The first evidence came Monday when Carolina defensive coordinator Steve Wilks acknowledged the Colts are one of three teams that have already requested permission to speak with him.</p>
<p>The prevailing wisdom is the Colts also will look at several offensive coordinators perhaps including Josh McDaniels of the Patriots, who worked with Jacoby Brissett for 18 months in New England before he was traded to Indy in early September.</p>
<p>Another name to watch might be Kansas City special teams coordinator Dave Toub, who worked with Ballard with the Chiefs.</p>
<p>Previous head coaching experience, Ballard said, isn't a prerequisite, either.</p>
<p>But Ballard, who will lead the search, insists he wants someone who is interested in more than Luck.</p>
<p>"I want someone that wants to come to the Indianapolis Colts," he said. "I don't want them to come here just for Andrew Luck. If he's coming here just for Andrew, then he's probably not the right fit."</p>
<p>And what if the candidate is concerned about Luck's prognosis?</p>
<p>"Not the right fit," Ballard reiterated. "If he has pause, he's not the right guy."</p>
<p>Monday's comments come three days after Luck insisted his shoulder is stronger, more stable and less painful than it was in October when his throwing program was put on hold.</p>
<p>In fact, Luck said, he's now convinced he won't need a second surgery and expects to participate in the Colts' offseason workouts when they start in April.</p>
<p>Irsay staunchly backed his star quarterback.</p>
<p>"I'm telling you, right now, you don't know the fierce fire that's burning in No. 12's eyes," he said. "You don't realize what kind of fever he has for success right now. It's a 107-degree fever that he has right now."</p>
<p>In the meantime, Ballard must come up with an offseason strategy to keep the Colts' rebound back on track.</p>
<p>Last year, he completely overhauled the defense and after a slow start, the play improved during the second half of the season. Sixteen of the Colts key defensive contributors are already under contract for next season.</p>
<p>"I think we made some strides, coming in from a lot of different areas," linebacker John Simon said. "It takes some time to jell a little bit and I think we made some progress and will continue to get better."</p>
<p>The real key, though, will be putting more pieces around Luck and, of course, getting him back behind center.</p>
<p>"We're going to add competition everywhere, that will not change," Ballard said. "As for Andrew, we're just going to continue down the path. He's in a good place, we'll start throwing again soon and that's going to tell us a lot."</p>
<p>NOTES: Irsay may have given away a little draft strategy when he said: "You put him (Luck) on the field, all healed up, and an Edgerrin James-type guy, who might be bigger and stronger and let this guy (Luck) do what he's able to do and this is going to be a special place to play." Penn State's Saquon Barkley is projected to be the first running back selected and at 5-foot-11, 230 pounds is a little bigger than James was (6-1, 216 pounds) in the 1999 draft. ... Indy signed eight players to reserve-future contracts. They are tight end Mo Alie-Cox, receivers Dres Anderson and Kolby Listenbee, defensive tackle Johnathan Calvin, outside linebackers Arthur Miley and Josh Perry, quarterback Phillip Walker and guard Isaiah Williams.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>For more NFL coverage: <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">http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL</a></p>
| false | 2 |
indianapolis ap indianapolis colts owner jim irsay betting big andrew lucks health hes hoping head coaching candidates follow lead one day firing chuck pagano irsay general manager chris ballard laid plan search successor irsay wasted time making strongest selling point lucks likely return 2018 telling doubt mind andrew going come back im telling kid special kid special irsay said monday raising voice emphasis born great things national football league great things national football league believe going back believe going back long time believe going write name national football league record books strong way luck regain form missing 2017 season following surgery throwing shoulder could make colts job one attractive healthy 28yearold threetime pro bowler quarterback nearly 90 million salary cap room one younger teams league 3 draft pick indy chance surround luck better supporting cast 2018 first order business finding head coach neither ballard irsay discussed specific candidates short list instead cited broad parameters theyre seeking ballard said isnt concerned offensive defensiveminded coach first evidence came monday carolina defensive coordinator steve wilks acknowledged colts one three teams already requested permission speak prevailing wisdom colts also look several offensive coordinators perhaps including josh mcdaniels patriots worked jacoby brissett 18 months new england traded indy early september another name watch might kansas city special teams coordinator dave toub worked ballard chiefs previous head coaching experience ballard said isnt prerequisite either ballard lead search insists wants someone interested luck want someone wants come indianapolis colts said dont want come andrew luck hes coming andrew hes probably right fit candidate concerned lucks prognosis right fit ballard reiterated pause hes right guy mondays comments come three days luck insisted shoulder stronger stable less painful october throwing program put hold fact luck said hes convinced wont need second surgery expects participate colts offseason workouts start april irsay staunchly backed star quarterback im telling right dont know fierce fire thats burning 12s eyes said dont realize kind fever success right 107degree fever right meantime ballard must come offseason strategy keep colts rebound back track last year completely overhauled defense slow start play improved second half season sixteen colts key defensive contributors already contract next season think made strides coming lot different areas linebacker john simon said takes time jell little bit think made progress continue get better real key though putting pieces around luck course getting back behind center going add competition everywhere change ballard said andrew going continue path hes good place well start throwing soon thats going tell us lot notes irsay may given away little draft strategy said put luck field healed edgerrin jamestype guy might bigger stronger let guy luck hes able going special place play penn states saquon barkley projected first running back selected 5foot11 230 pounds little bigger james 61 216 pounds 1999 draft indy signed eight players reservefuture contracts tight end mo aliecox receivers dres anderson kolby listenbee defensive tackle johnathan calvin outside linebackers arthur miley josh perry quarterback phillip walker guard isaiah williams ___ nfl coverage httpwwwpro32aporg httpwwwtwittercomap_nfl indianapolis ap indianapolis colts owner jim irsay betting big andrew lucks health hes hoping head coaching candidates follow lead one day firing chuck pagano irsay general manager chris ballard laid plan search successor irsay wasted time making strongest selling point lucks likely return 2018 telling doubt mind andrew going come back im telling kid special kid special irsay said monday raising voice emphasis born great things national football league great things national football league believe going back believe going back long time believe going write name national football league record books strong way luck regain form missing 2017 season following surgery throwing shoulder could make colts job one attractive healthy 28yearold threetime pro bowler quarterback nearly 90 million salary cap room one younger teams league 3 draft pick indy chance surround luck better supporting cast 2018 first order business finding head coach neither ballard irsay discussed specific candidates short list instead cited broad parameters theyre seeking ballard said isnt concerned offensive defensiveminded coach first evidence came monday carolina defensive coordinator steve wilks acknowledged colts one three teams already requested permission speak prevailing wisdom colts also look several offensive coordinators perhaps including josh mcdaniels patriots worked jacoby brissett 18 months new england traded indy early september another name watch might kansas city special teams coordinator dave toub worked ballard chiefs previous head coaching experience ballard said isnt prerequisite either ballard lead search insists wants someone interested luck want someone wants come indianapolis colts said dont want come andrew luck hes coming andrew hes probably right fit candidate concerned lucks prognosis right fit ballard reiterated pause hes right guy mondays comments come three days luck insisted shoulder stronger stable less painful october throwing program put hold fact luck said hes convinced wont need second surgery expects participate colts offseason workouts start april irsay staunchly backed star quarterback im telling right dont know fierce fire thats burning 12s eyes said dont realize kind fever success right 107degree fever right meantime ballard must come offseason strategy keep colts rebound back track last year completely overhauled defense slow start play improved second half season sixteen colts key defensive contributors already contract next season think made strides coming lot different areas linebacker john simon said takes time jell little bit think made progress continue get better real key though putting pieces around luck course getting back behind center going add competition everywhere change ballard said andrew going continue path hes good place well start throwing soon thats going tell us lot notes irsay may given away little draft strategy said put luck field healed edgerrin jamestype guy might bigger stronger let guy luck hes able going special place play penn states saquon barkley projected first running back selected 5foot11 230 pounds little bigger james 61 216 pounds 1999 draft indy signed eight players reservefuture contracts tight end mo aliecox receivers dres anderson kolby listenbee defensive tackle johnathan calvin outside linebackers arthur miley josh perry quarterback phillip walker guard isaiah williams ___ nfl coverage httpwwwpro32aporg httpwwwtwittercomap_nfl
| 998 |
<p>WASHINGTON (AP) — For all his errant swings at the facts, President Donald Trump sometimes gets it just right.</p>
<p>"There's been no first year like this," he told a Florida rally last month.</p>
<p>Were truer words ever spoken?</p>
<p>This Department of Corrections has certainly never seen a first year like this. Falsehoods and exaggerations have tumbled relentlessly out of Trump's Twitter account, speeches and interviews, the vast majority in service of his ego.</p>
<p>Other presidents have skewered the truth — George W. Bush on the pretext for the Iraq war, Barack Obama on the benefits of "Obamacare" — but Trump is of a different order of magnitude.</p>
<p>The president routinely presents his intended actions as achievements ("Obamacare" is dead, money is "pouring" into NATO), and inflates the significance of what he's done (calling his tax cuts the biggest ever and his accomplishments unrivaled in history — neither true). He exaggerates the problems he inherited (roads and bridges are in "total disrepair and disarray," the border was "wide open"), lays out fanciful goals (6 percent economic growth), and doesn't learn from mistakes. Instead he repeats them.</p>
<p>Moreover, Trump often bypasses the vast information-gathering apparatus that reports to him in favor of getting his reality from TV, or just his gut.</p>
<p>Some trends and highlights in his misstatements since taking office:</p>
<p>THE ART OF THE BIGGEST BESTEST</p>
<p>Trump doesn't do big tax cuts. He does the biggest ever. He doesn't win an election. He scores a "landslide." He doesn't just make the Veterans Affairs Department run better. He drives out the "sadists."</p>
<p>In fact:</p>
<p>—The December tax overhaul ranks behind Ronald Reagan's in the early 1980s, post-World War II tax cuts and at least several more.</p>
<p>—His 2016 win ranks as the 13th closest of the 58 presidential elections in U.S. history, according to a tally by Claremont McKenna College political scientist John Pitney. It was no landslide. His winning percentage in the Electoral College was just under 57 percent, narrower than both of Obama's wins (61 percent in 2008 and 62 percent in 2012) and all but two of the last 10 presidential elections. Also, he lost the popular vote to Democrat Hillary Clinton.</p>
<p>—Despite his boasts that incompetent VA employees are being swiftly removed — and enactment of a mid-year law that expedites that process — more VA employees were fired in Obama's last budget year than in Trump's first.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>MISSIONS UNACCOMPLISHED</p>
<p>Trump sees things the way he wants them to be and presents them as if that's how they are.</p>
<p>"You know, we have factories pouring back into our country. Did you ever think you would hear that?" ''I urged our NATO allies to do more to strengthen our crucial alliance and set the stage for significant increases in member contributions. Billions and billions of dollars are pouring in because of that initiative." ''Jobs are pouring back into our country."</p>
<p>In fact:</p>
<p>—Factories are not pouring "back" into the country, nor are they sprouting up domestically in big numbers. When he made his claim, in December, spending on the construction of factories had dropped 14 percent over the past year, continuing a steady decline since the middle of 2015. As for jobs "pouring back into our country," Trump hopes his tax overhaul will make that happen, but it hasn't yet. The economy added about 170,000 new jobs a month during Trump's first year. That was slightly below the average of 185,000 in 2016.</p>
<p>Manufacturers stepped up hiring, adding 196,000 jobs in 2017, but they added more in 2011 and 2014.</p>
<p>—Money isn't pouring into the NATO organization and it won't be. What Trump really means is that he's pushing NATO members to increase their own military budgets so the U.S. won't carry such a heavy load. NATO members agreed during Obama's presidency to increase their military spending in the years ahead. Whether Trump has accelerated that remains to be seen.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>THE APOCALYPSE</p>
<p>Trump makes the state of the union look better under his watch by making the past look as dark as can be. Before him, the U.S. "left our own border wide open. Anybody can come in." The U.S. armed forces were all but in ruins. The health law he inherited and has tried to dismantle is a disaster that "covers very few people," and is essentially "dead." Previous presidents "put American energy under lock and key."</p>
<p>Actually:</p>
<p>—The U.S. border was far from porous before Trump took office. The number of arrests of illegal border crossers — the best measure of how many people are trying to cross illegally — was at a 40-year low before Trump's influence on border policy was felt. The government under presidents George W. Bush and Obama roughly doubled the ranks of the Border Patrol in the past decade or so. Obama was derided by pro-immigrant advocates as "deporter in chief" for the hefty numbers of people he sent home before easing deportations of certain groups later in his presidency.</p>
<p>—Obamacare was covering about 20 million people when Trump described the numbers as "very few." The majority is from the law's Medicaid expansion. The other driver of coverage, plans sold in the subsidized individual insurance market, drew roughly 9 million signups for 2018 despite a much shorter enrollment season, and cuts in the ad budget and federal payments to insurers. The new tax law ends the Obamacare fine for lacking insurance, starting in 2019. That repeals a major component of Obama's law, but other critical parts of the law remain in place.</p>
<p>—Energy production was not imprisoned under previous administrations. It was unleashed, particularly during Obama's presidency, largely because of advances in hydraulic fracturing that made it economical to tap vast reserves of natural gas. Oil production also greatly increased, reducing imports. Before the 2016 presidential election, the U.S. for the first time in decades was getting more energy domestically than it imports. Before Obama, Bush was no adversary of the energy industry.</p>
<p>Despite Trump's rhetoric about U.S. energy production, one of his most consequential actions as president has been to open the U.S. to another source of foreign oil, with his approval of the Keystone XL pipeline from Canada.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>GOING WITH HIS GUT (AND TV)</p>
<p>Trump forms instant impressions about what he sees on TV or otherwise hears about and shares those views, just as the average person does on social media or over coffee. The difference is that a president stands at a bully pulpit and his visceral reactions can change the world.</p>
<p>—Trump strained relations with Britain by retweeting videos spread by a far-right British fringe group that purported to show Muslim extremism. "Muslim migrant beats up Dutch boy on crutches!" said the introduction to one video, which showed a young man attacking another who was on crutches. The attacker was not a Muslim migrant. He was a Dutch-born citizen who was arrested and sentenced for the crime. "Facts do matter," the Dutch Embassy in Washington said in a tweet directed at Trump.</p>
<p>—The president puzzled plenty of people in February when he told a rally that immigration is spreading violence and extremism in Sweden, pointing to "what's happening last night in Sweden." Nothing extraordinary happened in Sweden the previous night, Feb. 17. It happened to be when Trump saw an analyst talking about the subject on Fox News.</p>
<p>But he soon claimed vindication of his statement anyway, telling Time magazine the next month: "I make the statement, everyone goes crazy. The next day they have a massive riot, and death, and problems."</p>
<p>That wasn't right, either. Two days after his rally, a riot broke out in a largely immigrant neighborhood after police arrested a drug crime suspect. Cars were set on fire and shops looted, but no one was killed. Attacks in the country related to extremism remain rare; the biggest surprise for many Swedes was that a police officer found it necessary to fire his gun.</p>
<p>—When an Amtrak train hurtled off the tracks in Washington state in December, killing three people and injuring dozens, Trump's first impulse was to make a plug for his infrastructure plan. Only after that did he offer thoughts and prayers for the victims and thanks for rescuers. His opening tweet: "The train accident that just occurred in DuPont, WA shows more than ever why our soon to be submitted infrastructure plan must be approved quickly. Seven trillion dollars spent in the Middle East while our roads, bridges, tunnels, railways (and more) crumble! Not for long!"</p>
<p>Although he jumped to his conclusion within a few hours of the crash, it's taking investigators months to reach a conclusion that is informed by the facts. But this much was obvious right away: The train was making its inaugural run along a fast, new route, not a crumbling line of the type that would be a priority of a national infrastructure plan. And the train was going over twice the speed limit.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>IT'S WHO YOU KNOW, AND DON'T</p>
<p>Trump has claimed to know certain people well, only to circle back to say he hardly knew them all. His familiarity with them has varied according to political circumstance.</p>
<p>So it was when George Papadopoulos, a Trump campaign adviser, pleaded guilty in October to lying about his Russian interactions. "Few people knew the young, low level volunteer," Trump tweeted in response. After naming Papadopoulos to his campaign's foreign policy advisory council in March 2016, Trump called him an "excellent guy" and tweeted a photo of his council meeting with Papadopoulos among several advisers.</p>
<p>Steve Bannon got such treatment months before his ouster as White House strategist last year.</p>
<p>Trump said he had known him for "many years" when Bannon became his campaign chief in August 2016. When Bannon's tenure as White House strategist was getting dicey in April, Trump said "I didn't know him" when Bannon was named campaign CEO.</p>
<p>Trump and Bannon had known each other for five years when the Republican candidate, a month after accepting the nomination, made him campaign chief.</p>
<p>David Bossie, who was deputy campaign manager, told AP he introduced them in 2011 at Trump Tower and they grew to know each well, as Trump appeared multiple times on Bannon's Breitbart radio show. Bannon interviewed Trump at least nine times in 2015 and 2016 and members of his family and campaign on many other occasions. "They believe in each other's agendas, which is why they have grown so close," Bossie said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Associated Press writers Jim Drinkard, Josh Boak, Christopher Rugaber, Hope Yen, Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Jill Colvin and Lolita C. Baldor contributed to this report.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Find AP Fact Checks at http://apne.ws/2kbx8bd</p>
<p>WASHINGTON (AP) — For all his errant swings at the facts, President Donald Trump sometimes gets it just right.</p>
<p>"There's been no first year like this," he told a Florida rally last month.</p>
<p>Were truer words ever spoken?</p>
<p>This Department of Corrections has certainly never seen a first year like this. Falsehoods and exaggerations have tumbled relentlessly out of Trump's Twitter account, speeches and interviews, the vast majority in service of his ego.</p>
<p>Other presidents have skewered the truth — George W. Bush on the pretext for the Iraq war, Barack Obama on the benefits of "Obamacare" — but Trump is of a different order of magnitude.</p>
<p>The president routinely presents his intended actions as achievements ("Obamacare" is dead, money is "pouring" into NATO), and inflates the significance of what he's done (calling his tax cuts the biggest ever and his accomplishments unrivaled in history — neither true). He exaggerates the problems he inherited (roads and bridges are in "total disrepair and disarray," the border was "wide open"), lays out fanciful goals (6 percent economic growth), and doesn't learn from mistakes. Instead he repeats them.</p>
<p>Moreover, Trump often bypasses the vast information-gathering apparatus that reports to him in favor of getting his reality from TV, or just his gut.</p>
<p>Some trends and highlights in his misstatements since taking office:</p>
<p>THE ART OF THE BIGGEST BESTEST</p>
<p>Trump doesn't do big tax cuts. He does the biggest ever. He doesn't win an election. He scores a "landslide." He doesn't just make the Veterans Affairs Department run better. He drives out the "sadists."</p>
<p>In fact:</p>
<p>—The December tax overhaul ranks behind Ronald Reagan's in the early 1980s, post-World War II tax cuts and at least several more.</p>
<p>—His 2016 win ranks as the 13th closest of the 58 presidential elections in U.S. history, according to a tally by Claremont McKenna College political scientist John Pitney. It was no landslide. His winning percentage in the Electoral College was just under 57 percent, narrower than both of Obama's wins (61 percent in 2008 and 62 percent in 2012) and all but two of the last 10 presidential elections. Also, he lost the popular vote to Democrat Hillary Clinton.</p>
<p>—Despite his boasts that incompetent VA employees are being swiftly removed — and enactment of a mid-year law that expedites that process — more VA employees were fired in Obama's last budget year than in Trump's first.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>MISSIONS UNACCOMPLISHED</p>
<p>Trump sees things the way he wants them to be and presents them as if that's how they are.</p>
<p>"You know, we have factories pouring back into our country. Did you ever think you would hear that?" ''I urged our NATO allies to do more to strengthen our crucial alliance and set the stage for significant increases in member contributions. Billions and billions of dollars are pouring in because of that initiative." ''Jobs are pouring back into our country."</p>
<p>In fact:</p>
<p>—Factories are not pouring "back" into the country, nor are they sprouting up domestically in big numbers. When he made his claim, in December, spending on the construction of factories had dropped 14 percent over the past year, continuing a steady decline since the middle of 2015. As for jobs "pouring back into our country," Trump hopes his tax overhaul will make that happen, but it hasn't yet. The economy added about 170,000 new jobs a month during Trump's first year. That was slightly below the average of 185,000 in 2016.</p>
<p>Manufacturers stepped up hiring, adding 196,000 jobs in 2017, but they added more in 2011 and 2014.</p>
<p>—Money isn't pouring into the NATO organization and it won't be. What Trump really means is that he's pushing NATO members to increase their own military budgets so the U.S. won't carry such a heavy load. NATO members agreed during Obama's presidency to increase their military spending in the years ahead. Whether Trump has accelerated that remains to be seen.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>THE APOCALYPSE</p>
<p>Trump makes the state of the union look better under his watch by making the past look as dark as can be. Before him, the U.S. "left our own border wide open. Anybody can come in." The U.S. armed forces were all but in ruins. The health law he inherited and has tried to dismantle is a disaster that "covers very few people," and is essentially "dead." Previous presidents "put American energy under lock and key."</p>
<p>Actually:</p>
<p>—The U.S. border was far from porous before Trump took office. The number of arrests of illegal border crossers — the best measure of how many people are trying to cross illegally — was at a 40-year low before Trump's influence on border policy was felt. The government under presidents George W. Bush and Obama roughly doubled the ranks of the Border Patrol in the past decade or so. Obama was derided by pro-immigrant advocates as "deporter in chief" for the hefty numbers of people he sent home before easing deportations of certain groups later in his presidency.</p>
<p>—Obamacare was covering about 20 million people when Trump described the numbers as "very few." The majority is from the law's Medicaid expansion. The other driver of coverage, plans sold in the subsidized individual insurance market, drew roughly 9 million signups for 2018 despite a much shorter enrollment season, and cuts in the ad budget and federal payments to insurers. The new tax law ends the Obamacare fine for lacking insurance, starting in 2019. That repeals a major component of Obama's law, but other critical parts of the law remain in place.</p>
<p>—Energy production was not imprisoned under previous administrations. It was unleashed, particularly during Obama's presidency, largely because of advances in hydraulic fracturing that made it economical to tap vast reserves of natural gas. Oil production also greatly increased, reducing imports. Before the 2016 presidential election, the U.S. for the first time in decades was getting more energy domestically than it imports. Before Obama, Bush was no adversary of the energy industry.</p>
<p>Despite Trump's rhetoric about U.S. energy production, one of his most consequential actions as president has been to open the U.S. to another source of foreign oil, with his approval of the Keystone XL pipeline from Canada.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>GOING WITH HIS GUT (AND TV)</p>
<p>Trump forms instant impressions about what he sees on TV or otherwise hears about and shares those views, just as the average person does on social media or over coffee. The difference is that a president stands at a bully pulpit and his visceral reactions can change the world.</p>
<p>—Trump strained relations with Britain by retweeting videos spread by a far-right British fringe group that purported to show Muslim extremism. "Muslim migrant beats up Dutch boy on crutches!" said the introduction to one video, which showed a young man attacking another who was on crutches. The attacker was not a Muslim migrant. He was a Dutch-born citizen who was arrested and sentenced for the crime. "Facts do matter," the Dutch Embassy in Washington said in a tweet directed at Trump.</p>
<p>—The president puzzled plenty of people in February when he told a rally that immigration is spreading violence and extremism in Sweden, pointing to "what's happening last night in Sweden." Nothing extraordinary happened in Sweden the previous night, Feb. 17. It happened to be when Trump saw an analyst talking about the subject on Fox News.</p>
<p>But he soon claimed vindication of his statement anyway, telling Time magazine the next month: "I make the statement, everyone goes crazy. The next day they have a massive riot, and death, and problems."</p>
<p>That wasn't right, either. Two days after his rally, a riot broke out in a largely immigrant neighborhood after police arrested a drug crime suspect. Cars were set on fire and shops looted, but no one was killed. Attacks in the country related to extremism remain rare; the biggest surprise for many Swedes was that a police officer found it necessary to fire his gun.</p>
<p>—When an Amtrak train hurtled off the tracks in Washington state in December, killing three people and injuring dozens, Trump's first impulse was to make a plug for his infrastructure plan. Only after that did he offer thoughts and prayers for the victims and thanks for rescuers. His opening tweet: "The train accident that just occurred in DuPont, WA shows more than ever why our soon to be submitted infrastructure plan must be approved quickly. Seven trillion dollars spent in the Middle East while our roads, bridges, tunnels, railways (and more) crumble! Not for long!"</p>
<p>Although he jumped to his conclusion within a few hours of the crash, it's taking investigators months to reach a conclusion that is informed by the facts. But this much was obvious right away: The train was making its inaugural run along a fast, new route, not a crumbling line of the type that would be a priority of a national infrastructure plan. And the train was going over twice the speed limit.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>IT'S WHO YOU KNOW, AND DON'T</p>
<p>Trump has claimed to know certain people well, only to circle back to say he hardly knew them all. His familiarity with them has varied according to political circumstance.</p>
<p>So it was when George Papadopoulos, a Trump campaign adviser, pleaded guilty in October to lying about his Russian interactions. "Few people knew the young, low level volunteer," Trump tweeted in response. After naming Papadopoulos to his campaign's foreign policy advisory council in March 2016, Trump called him an "excellent guy" and tweeted a photo of his council meeting with Papadopoulos among several advisers.</p>
<p>Steve Bannon got such treatment months before his ouster as White House strategist last year.</p>
<p>Trump said he had known him for "many years" when Bannon became his campaign chief in August 2016. When Bannon's tenure as White House strategist was getting dicey in April, Trump said "I didn't know him" when Bannon was named campaign CEO.</p>
<p>Trump and Bannon had known each other for five years when the Republican candidate, a month after accepting the nomination, made him campaign chief.</p>
<p>David Bossie, who was deputy campaign manager, told AP he introduced them in 2011 at Trump Tower and they grew to know each well, as Trump appeared multiple times on Bannon's Breitbart radio show. Bannon interviewed Trump at least nine times in 2015 and 2016 and members of his family and campaign on many other occasions. "They believe in each other's agendas, which is why they have grown so close," Bossie said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Associated Press writers Jim Drinkard, Josh Boak, Christopher Rugaber, Hope Yen, Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Jill Colvin and Lolita C. Baldor contributed to this report.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Find AP Fact Checks at http://apne.ws/2kbx8bd</p>
| false | 2 |
washington ap errant swings facts president donald trump sometimes gets right theres first year like told florida rally last month truer words ever spoken department corrections certainly never seen first year like falsehoods exaggerations tumbled relentlessly trumps twitter account speeches interviews vast majority service ego presidents skewered truth george w bush pretext iraq war barack obama benefits obamacare trump different order magnitude president routinely presents intended actions achievements obamacare dead money pouring nato inflates significance hes done calling tax cuts biggest ever accomplishments unrivaled history neither true exaggerates problems inherited roads bridges total disrepair disarray border wide open lays fanciful goals 6 percent economic growth doesnt learn mistakes instead repeats moreover trump often bypasses vast informationgathering apparatus reports favor getting reality tv gut trends highlights misstatements since taking office art biggest bestest trump doesnt big tax cuts biggest ever doesnt win election scores landslide doesnt make veterans affairs department run better drives sadists fact december tax overhaul ranks behind ronald reagans early 1980s postworld war ii tax cuts least several 2016 win ranks 13th closest 58 presidential elections us history according tally claremont mckenna college political scientist john pitney landslide winning percentage electoral college 57 percent narrower obamas wins 61 percent 2008 62 percent 2012 two last 10 presidential elections also lost popular vote democrat hillary clinton despite boasts incompetent va employees swiftly removed enactment midyear law expedites process va employees fired obamas last budget year trumps first ___ missions unaccomplished trump sees things way wants presents thats know factories pouring back country ever think would hear urged nato allies strengthen crucial alliance set stage significant increases member contributions billions billions dollars pouring initiative jobs pouring back country fact factories pouring back country sprouting domestically big numbers made claim december spending construction factories dropped 14 percent past year continuing steady decline since middle 2015 jobs pouring back country trump hopes tax overhaul make happen hasnt yet economy added 170000 new jobs month trumps first year slightly average 185000 2016 manufacturers stepped hiring adding 196000 jobs 2017 added 2011 2014 money isnt pouring nato organization wont trump really means hes pushing nato members increase military budgets us wont carry heavy load nato members agreed obamas presidency increase military spending years ahead whether trump accelerated remains seen ___ apocalypse trump makes state union look better watch making past look dark us left border wide open anybody come us armed forces ruins health law inherited tried dismantle disaster covers people essentially dead previous presidents put american energy lock key actually us border far porous trump took office number arrests illegal border crossers best measure many people trying cross illegally 40year low trumps influence border policy felt government presidents george w bush obama roughly doubled ranks border patrol past decade obama derided proimmigrant advocates deporter chief hefty numbers people sent home easing deportations certain groups later presidency obamacare covering 20 million people trump described numbers majority laws medicaid expansion driver coverage plans sold subsidized individual insurance market drew roughly 9 million signups 2018 despite much shorter enrollment season cuts ad budget federal payments insurers new tax law ends obamacare fine lacking insurance starting 2019 repeals major component obamas law critical parts law remain place energy production imprisoned previous administrations unleashed particularly obamas presidency largely advances hydraulic fracturing made economical tap vast reserves natural gas oil production also greatly increased reducing imports 2016 presidential election us first time decades getting energy domestically imports obama bush adversary energy industry despite trumps rhetoric us energy production one consequential actions president open us another source foreign oil approval keystone xl pipeline canada ___ going gut tv trump forms instant impressions sees tv otherwise hears shares views average person social media coffee difference president stands bully pulpit visceral reactions change world trump strained relations britain retweeting videos spread farright british fringe group purported show muslim extremism muslim migrant beats dutch boy crutches said introduction one video showed young man attacking another crutches attacker muslim migrant dutchborn citizen arrested sentenced crime facts matter dutch embassy washington said tweet directed trump president puzzled plenty people february told rally immigration spreading violence extremism sweden pointing whats happening last night sweden nothing extraordinary happened sweden previous night feb 17 happened trump saw analyst talking subject fox news soon claimed vindication statement anyway telling time magazine next month make statement everyone goes crazy next day massive riot death problems wasnt right either two days rally riot broke largely immigrant neighborhood police arrested drug crime suspect cars set fire shops looted one killed attacks country related extremism remain rare biggest surprise many swedes police officer found necessary fire gun amtrak train hurtled tracks washington state december killing three people injuring dozens trumps first impulse make plug infrastructure plan offer thoughts prayers victims thanks rescuers opening tweet train accident occurred dupont wa shows ever soon submitted infrastructure plan must approved quickly seven trillion dollars spent middle east roads bridges tunnels railways crumble long although jumped conclusion within hours crash taking investigators months reach conclusion informed facts much obvious right away train making inaugural run along fast new route crumbling line type would priority national infrastructure plan train going twice speed limit ___ know dont trump claimed know certain people well circle back say hardly knew familiarity varied according political circumstance george papadopoulos trump campaign adviser pleaded guilty october lying russian interactions people knew young low level volunteer trump tweeted response naming papadopoulos campaigns foreign policy advisory council march 2016 trump called excellent guy tweeted photo council meeting papadopoulos among several advisers steve bannon got treatment months ouster white house strategist last year trump said known many years bannon became campaign chief august 2016 bannons tenure white house strategist getting dicey april trump said didnt know bannon named campaign ceo trump bannon known five years republican candidate month accepting nomination made campaign chief david bossie deputy campaign manager told ap introduced 2011 trump tower grew know well trump appeared multiple times bannons breitbart radio show bannon interviewed trump least nine times 2015 2016 members family campaign many occasions believe others agendas grown close bossie said ___ associated press writers jim drinkard josh boak christopher rugaber hope yen ricardo alonsozaldivar jill colvin lolita c baldor contributed report ___ find ap fact checks httpapnews2kbx8bd washington ap errant swings facts president donald trump sometimes gets right theres first year like told florida rally last month truer words ever spoken department corrections certainly never seen first year like falsehoods exaggerations tumbled relentlessly trumps twitter account speeches interviews vast majority service ego presidents skewered truth george w bush pretext iraq war barack obama benefits obamacare trump different order magnitude president routinely presents intended actions achievements obamacare dead money pouring nato inflates significance hes done calling tax cuts biggest ever accomplishments unrivaled history neither true exaggerates problems inherited roads bridges total disrepair disarray border wide open lays fanciful goals 6 percent economic growth doesnt learn mistakes instead repeats moreover trump often bypasses vast informationgathering apparatus reports favor getting reality tv gut trends highlights misstatements since taking office art biggest bestest trump doesnt big tax cuts biggest ever doesnt win election scores landslide doesnt make veterans affairs department run better drives sadists fact december tax overhaul ranks behind ronald reagans early 1980s postworld war ii tax cuts least several 2016 win ranks 13th closest 58 presidential elections us history according tally claremont mckenna college political scientist john pitney landslide winning percentage electoral college 57 percent narrower obamas wins 61 percent 2008 62 percent 2012 two last 10 presidential elections also lost popular vote democrat hillary clinton despite boasts incompetent va employees swiftly removed enactment midyear law expedites process va employees fired obamas last budget year trumps first ___ missions unaccomplished trump sees things way wants presents thats know factories pouring back country ever think would hear urged nato allies strengthen crucial alliance set stage significant increases member contributions billions billions dollars pouring initiative jobs pouring back country fact factories pouring back country sprouting domestically big numbers made claim december spending construction factories dropped 14 percent past year continuing steady decline since middle 2015 jobs pouring back country trump hopes tax overhaul make happen hasnt yet economy added 170000 new jobs month trumps first year slightly average 185000 2016 manufacturers stepped hiring adding 196000 jobs 2017 added 2011 2014 money isnt pouring nato organization wont trump really means hes pushing nato members increase military budgets us wont carry heavy load nato members agreed obamas presidency increase military spending years ahead whether trump accelerated remains seen ___ apocalypse trump makes state union look better watch making past look dark us left border wide open anybody come us armed forces ruins health law inherited tried dismantle disaster covers people essentially dead previous presidents put american energy lock key actually us border far porous trump took office number arrests illegal border crossers best measure many people trying cross illegally 40year low trumps influence border policy felt government presidents george w bush obama roughly doubled ranks border patrol past decade obama derided proimmigrant advocates deporter chief hefty numbers people sent home easing deportations certain groups later presidency obamacare covering 20 million people trump described numbers majority laws medicaid expansion driver coverage plans sold subsidized individual insurance market drew roughly 9 million signups 2018 despite much shorter enrollment season cuts ad budget federal payments insurers new tax law ends obamacare fine lacking insurance starting 2019 repeals major component obamas law critical parts law remain place energy production imprisoned previous administrations unleashed particularly obamas presidency largely advances hydraulic fracturing made economical tap vast reserves natural gas oil production also greatly increased reducing imports 2016 presidential election us first time decades getting energy domestically imports obama bush adversary energy industry despite trumps rhetoric us energy production one consequential actions president open us another source foreign oil approval keystone xl pipeline canada ___ going gut tv trump forms instant impressions sees tv otherwise hears shares views average person social media coffee difference president stands bully pulpit visceral reactions change world trump strained relations britain retweeting videos spread farright british fringe group purported show muslim extremism muslim migrant beats dutch boy crutches said introduction one video showed young man attacking another crutches attacker muslim migrant dutchborn citizen arrested sentenced crime facts matter dutch embassy washington said tweet directed trump president puzzled plenty people february told rally immigration spreading violence extremism sweden pointing whats happening last night sweden nothing extraordinary happened sweden previous night feb 17 happened trump saw analyst talking subject fox news soon claimed vindication statement anyway telling time magazine next month make statement everyone goes crazy next day massive riot death problems wasnt right either two days rally riot broke largely immigrant neighborhood police arrested drug crime suspect cars set fire shops looted one killed attacks country related extremism remain rare biggest surprise many swedes police officer found necessary fire gun amtrak train hurtled tracks washington state december killing three people injuring dozens trumps first impulse make plug infrastructure plan offer thoughts prayers victims thanks rescuers opening tweet train accident occurred dupont wa shows ever soon submitted infrastructure plan must approved quickly seven trillion dollars spent middle east roads bridges tunnels railways crumble long although jumped conclusion within hours crash taking investigators months reach conclusion informed facts much obvious right away train making inaugural run along fast new route crumbling line type would priority national infrastructure plan train going twice speed limit ___ know dont trump claimed know certain people well circle back say hardly knew familiarity varied according political circumstance george papadopoulos trump campaign adviser pleaded guilty october lying russian interactions people knew young low level volunteer trump tweeted response naming papadopoulos campaigns foreign policy advisory council march 2016 trump called excellent guy tweeted photo council meeting papadopoulos among several advisers steve bannon got treatment months ouster white house strategist last year trump said known many years bannon became campaign chief august 2016 bannons tenure white house strategist getting dicey april trump said didnt know bannon named campaign ceo trump bannon known five years republican candidate month accepting nomination made campaign chief david bossie deputy campaign manager told ap introduced 2011 trump tower grew know well trump appeared multiple times bannons breitbart radio show bannon interviewed trump least nine times 2015 2016 members family campaign many occasions believe others agendas grown close bossie said ___ associated press writers jim drinkard josh boak christopher rugaber hope yen ricardo alonsozaldivar jill colvin lolita c baldor contributed report ___ find ap fact checks httpapnews2kbx8bd
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<p>Navy doctor Ronny Jackson, who administered Trump’s first presidential physical last week, said Trump received a perfect score on a test designed to detect early signs of memory loss and other mild cognitive impairment. He also reported the 6-foot-3 president weighed in at 239 pounds — three pounds heavier than he was in September 2016, the last time Trump revealed his weight to the public. That number puts Trump on the cusp of — but just under — the obesity mark.</p>
<p>“The president’s overall health is excellent,” said Jackson, who predicted Trump would remain healthy for the duration of his presidency despite a diet heavy on fast food and an exercise regime limited to weekend golf outings.</p>
<p>“It’s called genetics,” Jackson said. “I don’t know. … He has incredibly good genes and that’s just the way God made him.”</p>
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<p>Presidents don’t typically sit for cognitive assessments during their periodic physical exams. But Jackson said Trump personally requested the test as he continues to face questions about his mental acuity for office. Such questions have escalated in the wake of an unflattering new book that paints Trump as a man-child who has trouble processing information and recognizing old friends.</p>
<p>But the 71-year-old president performed “exceedingly well” on the test, Jackson said, receiving a perfect score.</p>
<p>“He’s very sharp. He’s very articulate when he speaks to me,” said Jackson, who works in close proximity to the president. Jackson accused doctors who have tried to diagnose Trump from afar of performing “tabloid psychiatry.”</p>
<p>Still, Jackson said Trump acknowledged he’d be healthier if he lost a few pounds by exercising more and eating better. Jackson said he’d be arranging to have a dietitian consult with the White House chef to cut calories and would be recommending a low-impact, aerobic exercise program for Trump, with the aim of shedding 10 to 15 pounds this year.</p>
<p>“I would say right now on a day-to-day basis, he doesn’t have a dedicated, defined exercise program,” said Jackson. “The good part is that, you know, we can build on that pretty easily.”</p>
<p>Trump’s body mass index, or BMI, of 29.9 puts him in the category of being overweight for his height. A BMI of 30 and over is considered obese. A copy of Trump’s New York driver’s license obtained by Politico listed Trump’s height as 6-foot-2, instead of 6-foot-3; the lower height would put Trump over the obesity threshold.</p>
<p>Trump’s blood pressure was 122 over 74, and his total cholesterol was 223, which is higher than recommended, even though he takes a low dose of the statin drug Crestor. Jackson said he would increase that dose in an effort to get Trump’s so-called “bad” cholesterol, or LDL level, below 120; it currently is 143.</p>
<p>Despite the diet and cholesterol concerns, Jackson stressed that Trump’s “cardiac health is excellent.” He passed a battery of heart exams, including a stress test that Jackson said showed an above-average exercise capacity for a man of his age, despite some calcium buildup in his arteries. He also takes a low-dose aspirin for heart health.</p>
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<p>With such a bad dietary history, how can that be? Jackson said Trump has avoided some big heart risks — he’s never smoked and isn’t diabetic — and has no family history of heart problems.</p>
<p>Trump has experienced several recent episodes in which he appeared to slur his words, adding to concerns about his health. Jackson said he’d ruled out a list of possible causes, and that dry mouth caused by the over-the-counter decongestant Sudafed was likely to blame.</p>
<p>Trump last revealed details about his health two months before the November 2016 election, when he appeared on the “Dr. Oz” show to give details of a physical performed by his longtime physician, the eccentric Dr. Harold Bornstein. A year earlier, Bornstein had released a letter that predicted Trump would be “the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency” if he won.</p>
<p>The Montreal Cognitive Assessment that Trump took includes remembering a list of spoken words; listening to a list of random numbers and repeating them backward; naming as many words that begin with, say, the letter F as possible within a minute; accurately drawing a cube; and describing concrete ways that two objects — like a train and a bicycle — are alike.</p>
<p>Cognitive assessments aren’t routine in standard physicals, though they recently became covered in Medicare’s annual wellness visits for seniors.</p>
<p>“It’s not a diagnostic test, but it’s pretty sensitive in picking up subtle changes in cognition,” things involving memory, attention and language but not mental health issues, said Dr. Ranit Mishori, professor of family medicine at Georgetown University, who performs these types of routine physicals.</p>
<p>Mishori said Trump’s vital signs, blood tests and physical examinations suggest “he seems to be on track, what you would want to see in a 71-year-old overweight male.”</p>
<p>But Mishori cautioned that despite good results on his cardiac exams, Trump is at increased risk of cardiovascular disease because of his age, weight, sedentary lifestyle and cholesterol level.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>AP Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard and Associated Press writer Darlene Superville contributed to this report.</p>
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navy doctor ronny jackson administered trumps first presidential physical last week said trump received perfect score test designed detect early signs memory loss mild cognitive impairment also reported 6foot3 president weighed 239 pounds three pounds heavier september 2016 last time trump revealed weight public number puts trump cusp obesity mark presidents overall health excellent said jackson predicted trump would remain healthy duration presidency despite diet heavy fast food exercise regime limited weekend golf outings called genetics jackson said dont know incredibly good genes thats way god made advertisement presidents dont typically sit cognitive assessments periodic physical exams jackson said trump personally requested test continues face questions mental acuity office questions escalated wake unflattering new book paints trump manchild trouble processing information recognizing old friends 71yearold president performed exceedingly well test jackson said receiving perfect score hes sharp hes articulate speaks said jackson works close proximity president jackson accused doctors tried diagnose trump afar performing tabloid psychiatry still jackson said trump acknowledged hed healthier lost pounds exercising eating better jackson said hed arranging dietitian consult white house chef cut calories would recommending lowimpact aerobic exercise program trump aim shedding 10 15 pounds year would say right daytoday basis doesnt dedicated defined exercise program said jackson good part know build pretty easily trumps body mass index bmi 299 puts category overweight height bmi 30 considered obese copy trumps new york drivers license obtained politico listed trumps height 6foot2 instead 6foot3 lower height would put trump obesity threshold trumps blood pressure 122 74 total cholesterol 223 higher recommended even though takes low dose statin drug crestor jackson said would increase dose effort get trumps socalled bad cholesterol ldl level 120 currently 143 despite diet cholesterol concerns jackson stressed trumps cardiac health excellent passed battery heart exams including stress test jackson said showed aboveaverage exercise capacity man age despite calcium buildup arteries also takes lowdose aspirin heart health advertisement bad dietary history jackson said trump avoided big heart risks hes never smoked isnt diabetic family history heart problems trump experienced several recent episodes appeared slur words adding concerns health jackson said hed ruled list possible causes dry mouth caused overthecounter decongestant sudafed likely blame trump last revealed details health two months november 2016 election appeared dr oz show give details physical performed longtime physician eccentric dr harold bornstein year earlier bornstein released letter predicted trump would healthiest individual ever elected presidency montreal cognitive assessment trump took includes remembering list spoken words listening list random numbers repeating backward naming many words begin say letter f possible within minute accurately drawing cube describing concrete ways two objects like train bicycle alike cognitive assessments arent routine standard physicals though recently became covered medicares annual wellness visits seniors diagnostic test pretty sensitive picking subtle changes cognition things involving memory attention language mental health issues said dr ranit mishori professor family medicine georgetown university performs types routine physicals mishori said trumps vital signs blood tests physical examinations suggest seems track would want see 71yearold overweight male mishori cautioned despite good results cardiac exams trump increased risk cardiovascular disease age weight sedentary lifestyle cholesterol level ___ ap medical writer lauran neergaard associated press writer darlene superville contributed report
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<p>Nobody is knocking the idea of <a href="http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9287030/site/newsweek/" type="external">giving to hurricane relief funds</a>. But there is a backstory to tell, too, about how charity fatigue sets in about now -- just at the time when many worthwhile non-hurricane-related charities are cranking up their&#160;annual fundraising efforts. There is certainly a story here for you to localize with your local charities, United Way, hospitals and churches.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9492181/" type="external">Bizjournals.com reports</a>:</p>
<p>"We're all very nervous to see how this will impact the end-of-year giving," said Ellen Stein Wallace, executive director of SafeHouse Denver. She and other nonprofit leaders have some reason for nervousness, as previous disasters have shown.</p>
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<p>After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, there was an outpouring of generosity. But studies since have shown that nonprofits took a hit from that event, the <a href="http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2005/09/19/story1.html" type="external">Denver Business Journal</a> reports.</p>
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<p>The Association of Fundraising Professionals found that half of charities had seen donations increase through August 2001 and nearly half saw donations drop off after the event.</p>
<p>The story says that some charities know that they are going to have to raise more this year to care for people who have moved into their towns because of the storm:</p>
<p>For areas such as Georgia, northern Alabama and Texas that had already taken on large numbers Katrina evacuees, the importance of local fundraising has taken on new urgency. "In the case of Hurricane Katrina, the victims are now here in our communities," Mark O'Connell, president of the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta, told the Atlanta Business Chronicle. [...]</p>
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<p>In Tennessee, "Many local nonprofits have experienced an incredible surge in the demand for their services as a result of Hurricane Katrina," said Mike Neal, president of Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. "We know the Nashville Area Red Cross, United Way of Metropolitan Nashville, the Salvation Army of Nashville and Second Harvest Food Bank have been heavily involved in relief efforts, placing a strain on the resources of these organizations."</p>
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<p>Warnings Over "Risky" Interest-Only Mortgages</p>
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<p>Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan says <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/26/AR2005092601586.html?referrer=email&amp;referrer=email" type="external">he is increasingly worried</a> about the newest rise in housing prices and the ways Americans are buying those homes. A Washington Post story indicates that more than 20 percent of new mortgage loans made in the first half of this year were interest-only, according to <a href="http://www.loanperformance.com/" type="external">LoanPerformance.com.</a></p>
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<p><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/26/AR2005092601586.html?referrer=email&amp;referrer=email" type="external">The Washington Post</a> reports:</p>
<p>One driver behind price appreciation, Greenspan said, is the popularity of new types of mortgages that enable many borrowers to buy houses at prices they could otherwise not afford -- and that may be hard for some borrowers to repay if interest rates rise and home prices stabilize or fall. He mentioned as examples interest-only mortgages, 40-year mortgages and "option ARMS" -- adjustable-rate mortgages that permit borrowers to decide how much to pay, how long the loan term should be, and when they can convert between a fixed rate and a variable rate.</p>
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<p>"These products could be cause for some concern both because they expose borrowers to more interest-rate and house-price risk than the standard 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage and because they are seen as vehicles that enable marginally qualified, highly leveraged borrowers to purchase homes at inflated prices," Greenspan said.</p>
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<p>"In the event of widespread cooling in house prices, these borrowers, and the institutions that service them, could be exposed to significant losses," he said.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/mtg/20020620b.asp" type="external">Bankrate.com says:</a></p>
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<p><a href="http://www.latimes.com/classified/realestate/buying/financing/la-re-yrmort15sep15,0,4655673.story?coll=la-class-realestate-finance" type="external">The</a> <a href="http://www.latimes.com/classified/realestate/buying/financing/la-re-yrmort15sep15,0,4655673.story?coll=la-class-realestate-finance" type="external">Los Angeles Times</a> provides a short, useful background on how interest-only loans usually work. <a href="http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050927/BUSINESS/509270324/1003" type="external">Florida Today</a>&#160;shows why buyers -- especially first-time buyers -- are using these "creative" loans as prices soar far above what they can afford.</p>
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<p>Profiting from Katrina: Tracking the Contracts</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.publicintegrity.org./katrina/" type="external">The Center for Public Integrity</a> is on the case.</p>
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<p>The "Not-so-Blind" Blind Trust</p>
<p>The Sen. Bill Frist blind trust story raises interesting questions about how "blind" a blind trust really is.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/blindtrust.asp" type="external">Investopedia.com says:</a></p>
<p>Blind trusts are generally used when a trustor wishes to keep the beneficiary unaware of the specific assets in the trust, such as to avoid conflict of interest between the beneficiary and the investments.&#160;</p>
<p>The idea sounds useful -- a politician with money can park the money in the hands of a trustee who manages the money without telling the politician what he/she is invested in so there will be no potential of a conflict of interest.</p>
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<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050925/ap_on_go_co/frist_blind_trust" type="external">But the Associated Press says</a> it is clear that Sen. Frist received regular updates about his blind trust investments. In fact, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/26/politics/26frist.html" type="external">The New York Times</a> explains that it is not really possible to have a completely "blind" trust, given current disclosure laws.</p>
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<p>Federal ethics laws make it virtually impossible for members of Congress or top White House officials to set up trusts fully beyond their knowledge or control. While officials may choose to set up a conventional blind trust under the control of an independent administrator, ethics laws require the annual public disclosure of its contents.</p>
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<p>So the laws provide for the creation of special "qualified blind trusts" like Mr. Frist's that are exempt from public disclosure. The laws strictly limit communications between the trustee and the beneficiary, but they also mandate disclosure of the original holdings and notification to the beneficiary whenever an original asset is sold.</p>
<p><a href="http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=106033" type="external">Google Answers posted a piece</a> on how blind trusts work and who some of the top names in the blind trust investment world are. It could lead you to some interviews and enterprise on the topic. How do state and local politicians in your area handle their investments, especially when they might have investments that could profit from contracts or decisions they might vote or decide on?&#160;</p>
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<p>Helping People With Disabilities After a Storm</p>
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<p>Maybe your community has taken on some of the evacuated disabled.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nod.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.viewPage&amp;pageID=1430&amp;nodeID=1&amp;FeatureID=1537&amp;redirected=1&amp;CFID=667906&amp;CFTOKEN=69123153" type="external">The National Organization on Disability</a> says:</p>
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<p>Who are the 102,122 people with disabilities who lived in New Orleans? About 10 percent (or 12,000) of them are people ages 5 to 20 years old; 61 percent (or 63,000) of them are aged 21 to 64 years old; and 29 percent (or 27,000) of the people are 65 years of age and older.</p>
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<p>The 102,122 people with disabilities living in New Orleans include people who are blind, people who are deaf, people who use wheelchairs, canes, walkers, crutches, people with service animals, and people with mental health needs.</p>
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<p>In addition to the unique challenges of finding places for people with disabilities to live, there is the matter of displaced students with disabilities of all sorts. It would be hard enough to move a good student from one school to another; now add the extra challenges of learning, physical or emotional disabilities. <a href="http://www.ahead.org/resources/katrina/sos.htm" type="external">The Association on Higher Education and Disabilities Web site points out:</a></p>
<p>As is their experience in living with a disability, the impact of Hurricane Katrina on their lives could be even more complicated than for their classmates. Along with everything else that has been lost, many will have lost critical documentation of their disability and past history of services -- and may have no conceivable means of retrieving or recreating that documentation in the foreseeable future.</p>
<p>Other stories on this issue:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-psych21sep21,0,1895152.story?coll=la-home-headlines" type="external">Hospital Struggled to Calm Clouded Minds</a>, Los Angeles Times (Sept. 21, 2005)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-09-21-katrina-caregivers_x.htm" type="external">Thrust Into Caregiver Role</a>, USA Today (Sept. 21, 2005)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/0905/14katmetdisabled.html" type="external">Disabled Evacuees Languish</a>, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- registration required (Sept. 14, 2005)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20050913-9999-1m13special.html" type="external">Help is on the Way for Special-Needs Kids</a>, The San Diego Union-Tribune (Sept. 13, 2005)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.jfanow.org/jfanow/index.php?mode=A&amp;id=2562;&amp;sort=D" type="external">Urgent Request From The U.S. Department Of Health And Human Services</a> (Sept. 25, 2005)</p>
<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 Web sites, as well as original concepts and analysis. When the information comes directly from another source, it will be attributed and a link will be provided whenever possible.</p>
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nobody knocking idea giving hurricane relief funds backstory tell charity fatigue sets time many worthwhile nonhurricanerelated charities cranking their160annual fundraising efforts certainly story localize local charities united way hospitals churches bizjournalscom reports nervous see impact endofyear giving said ellen stein wallace executive director safehouse denver nonprofit leaders reason nervousness previous disasters shown terrorist attacks sept 11 2001 outpouring generosity studies since shown nonprofits took hit event denver business journal reports 160 association fundraising professionals found half charities seen donations increase august 2001 nearly half saw donations drop event story says charities know going raise year care people moved towns storm areas georgia northern alabama texas already taken large numbers katrina evacuees importance local fundraising taken new urgency case hurricane katrina victims communities mark oconnell president united way metropolitan atlanta told atlanta business chronicle tennessee many local nonprofits experienced incredible surge demand services result hurricane katrina said mike neal president nashville area chamber commerce know nashville area red cross united way metropolitan nashville salvation army nashville second harvest food bank heavily involved relief efforts placing strain resources organizations warnings risky interestonly mortgages fed chairman alan greenspan says increasingly worried newest rise housing prices ways americans buying homes washington post story indicates 20 percent new mortgage loans made first half year interestonly according loanperformancecom washington post reports one driver behind price appreciation greenspan said popularity new types mortgages enable many borrowers buy houses prices could otherwise afford may hard borrowers repay interest rates rise home prices stabilize fall mentioned examples interestonly mortgages 40year mortgages option arms adjustablerate mortgages permit borrowers decide much pay long loan term convert fixed rate variable rate products could cause concern expose borrowers interestrate houseprice risk standard 30year fixedrate mortgage seen vehicles enable marginally qualified highly leveraged borrowers purchase homes inflated prices greenspan said event widespread cooling house prices borrowers institutions service could exposed significant losses said bankratecom says los angeles times provides short useful background interestonly loans usually work florida today160shows buyers especially firsttime buyers using creative loans prices soar far afford profiting katrina tracking contracts center public integrity case notsoblind blind trust sen bill frist blind trust story raises interesting questions blind blind trust really 160 investopediacom says blind trusts generally used trustor wishes keep beneficiary unaware specific assets trust avoid conflict interest beneficiary investments160 idea sounds useful politician money park money hands trustee manages money without telling politician heshe invested potential conflict interest 160 associated press says clear sen frist received regular updates blind trust investments fact new york times explains really possible completely blind trust given current disclosure laws federal ethics laws make virtually impossible members congress top white house officials set trusts fully beyond knowledge control officials may choose set conventional blind trust control independent administrator ethics laws require annual public disclosure contents laws provide creation special qualified blind trusts like mr frists exempt public disclosure laws strictly limit communications trustee beneficiary also mandate disclosure original holdings notification beneficiary whenever original asset sold google answers posted piece blind trusts work top names blind trust investment world could lead interviews enterprise topic state local politicians area handle investments especially might investments could profit contracts decisions might vote decide on160 helping people disabilities storm maybe community taken evacuated disabled national organization disability says 102122 people disabilities lived new orleans 10 percent 12000 people ages 5 20 years old 61 percent 63000 aged 21 64 years old 29 percent 27000 people 65 years age older 160 102122 people disabilities living new orleans include people blind people deaf people use wheelchairs canes walkers crutches people service animals people mental health needs addition unique challenges finding places people disabilities live matter displaced students disabilities sorts would hard enough move good student one school another add extra challenges learning physical emotional disabilities association higher education disabilities web site points experience living disability impact hurricane katrina lives could even complicated classmates along everything else lost many lost critical documentation disability past history services may conceivable means retrieving recreating documentation foreseeable future stories issue hospital struggled calm clouded minds los angeles times sept 21 2005 thrust caregiver role usa today sept 21 2005 disabled evacuees languish atlanta journalconstitution registration required sept 14 2005 help way specialneeds kids san diego uniontribune sept 13 2005 urgent request us department health human services sept 25 2005 always looking great ideas send al sentences hot links editors note als morning meeting compendium ideas edited story excerpts materials variety web sites well original concepts analysis information comes directly another source attributed link provided whenever possible
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<p>NEW YORK (AP) — Dee Gordon hit a two-hopper with runners at the corners in the eighth inning, Adeiny Hechavarria raced home to beat first baseman Garrett Jones' high throw and plate umpire Dale Scott signaled safe.</p>
<p>Game tied.</p>
<p>Then the Yankees asked for a video review.</p>
<p>After a delay of 2 minutes, 41 seconds, an umpire in downtown Manhattan decided catcher Brian McCann tagged Hechavarria's left knee before his right toe touched the plate, and New York held on to beat the Miami Marlins 2-1 Wednesday night.</p>
<p>"I made a point to slide to the outside of the plate, and I really thought my foot got in there," Hechavarria said through a translator. "After the play happened, I came into the clubhouse and looked at the replay and still believe I was safe."</p>
<p>Jones thought Hechavarria hesitated at third rather than run on contact.</p>
<p>"All of a sudden as I'm fielding it, I see him going," Jones said. "He kind of caught me off guard late. ... If he goes right away, I think there's no play."</p>
<p>After the video review, Marlins manager Dan Jennings went out to Scott and double checked that McCann left the runner an open lane. Scott said he had.</p>
<p>"It was a momentum killer for sure," Jennings said.</p>
<p>Alex Rodriguez singled twice to raise his career hits total to 2,997, and Michael Pineda carried a no-hit bid into the seventh inning before allowing Christian Yelich's home run.</p>
<p>Rodriguez lined an RBI single to center in the first inning, singled softly to center in the fifth, walked twice to reach in all four plate appearances and also was thrown out at home plate.</p>
<p>Miami rookie Jose Urena (1-3), trying to impress enough to stay in the rotation with Jose Fernandez and Jarred Cosart set to return from the disabled list, gave up two runs and six hits in six innings. Carlos Beltran's RBI single made it 2-0 in the fifth, with center fielder Marcell Ozuna throwing out Rodriguez at the plate when he tried to score from second.</p>
<p>"Unfortunately my breaking ball was out of the zone," Urena said through a translator.</p>
<p>Pineda (8-3) retired his first 11 batters, then walked Yelich with two outs in the fourth and Justin Bour with one out in the fifth. Yelich reached down and sent a 91 mph fastball into the Yankees' bullpen in right-center leading off the seventh — Miami's first ball out of the infield.</p>
<p>"He was pounding us with that cutter and slider all game," Yelich said.</p>
<p>Pineda, who struck out nine, retired the next two batters and then was replaced by Chasen Shreve following his 100th pitch.</p>
<p>Dellin Betances relieved Justin Wilson with runners at the corners and one out in the eighth and finished the three-hitter for his fourth save. With two on and two outs in the ninth, Jeff Mathis swung over an 86 mph breaking ball for strike three.</p>
<p>Miami was impressed with Betances, who has a 0.26 ERA.</p>
<p>"He lets go of the ball one inch from the plate," said slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who took a called third strike in the ninth.</p>
<p>Miami was playing in new Yankee Stadium for the first time, leaving St. Louis and San Diego as the only teams that have not appeared in the ballpark, which opened in 2009.</p>
<p>"I told these guys when we came in to keep your heads up," Gordon said. "We almost got no-hit, and we still had a chance to win."</p>
<p>WEB GEM</p>
<p>Bour made a diving backhand play at first to rob Jones of a two-run hit in the seventh, the ball sticking out of his glove's webbing.</p>
<p>TRAINER'S ROOM</p>
<p>Marlins: Fernandez, targeting a July 2 return from Tommy John surgery, gave up one run and four hits in 4 2-3 innings for Class A Jupiter. He struck out 10, walked one and allowed a homer. ... Cosart, who hasn't pitched for the Marlins since May 13 because of vertigo, threw 106 pitches over 5 1-3 innings for Triple-A New Orleans on Tuesday night and could be back with the big league club this weekend. ... Michael Morse, sidelined since May 23 by a sprained right ring finger, started a rehab assignment with Double-A Jacksonville. He played first base and was 0 for 5 with three strikeouts. ... Martin Prado, who hurt his right shoulder Sunday, did not make the trip to New York.</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Miami RHP Mat Latos (2-4) starts Thursday's series finale against CC Sabathia (3-7).</p>
<p>NEW YORK (AP) — Dee Gordon hit a two-hopper with runners at the corners in the eighth inning, Adeiny Hechavarria raced home to beat first baseman Garrett Jones' high throw and plate umpire Dale Scott signaled safe.</p>
<p>Game tied.</p>
<p>Then the Yankees asked for a video review.</p>
<p>After a delay of 2 minutes, 41 seconds, an umpire in downtown Manhattan decided catcher Brian McCann tagged Hechavarria's left knee before his right toe touched the plate, and New York held on to beat the Miami Marlins 2-1 Wednesday night.</p>
<p>"I made a point to slide to the outside of the plate, and I really thought my foot got in there," Hechavarria said through a translator. "After the play happened, I came into the clubhouse and looked at the replay and still believe I was safe."</p>
<p>Jones thought Hechavarria hesitated at third rather than run on contact.</p>
<p>"All of a sudden as I'm fielding it, I see him going," Jones said. "He kind of caught me off guard late. ... If he goes right away, I think there's no play."</p>
<p>After the video review, Marlins manager Dan Jennings went out to Scott and double checked that McCann left the runner an open lane. Scott said he had.</p>
<p>"It was a momentum killer for sure," Jennings said.</p>
<p>Alex Rodriguez singled twice to raise his career hits total to 2,997, and Michael Pineda carried a no-hit bid into the seventh inning before allowing Christian Yelich's home run.</p>
<p>Rodriguez lined an RBI single to center in the first inning, singled softly to center in the fifth, walked twice to reach in all four plate appearances and also was thrown out at home plate.</p>
<p>Miami rookie Jose Urena (1-3), trying to impress enough to stay in the rotation with Jose Fernandez and Jarred Cosart set to return from the disabled list, gave up two runs and six hits in six innings. Carlos Beltran's RBI single made it 2-0 in the fifth, with center fielder Marcell Ozuna throwing out Rodriguez at the plate when he tried to score from second.</p>
<p>"Unfortunately my breaking ball was out of the zone," Urena said through a translator.</p>
<p>Pineda (8-3) retired his first 11 batters, then walked Yelich with two outs in the fourth and Justin Bour with one out in the fifth. Yelich reached down and sent a 91 mph fastball into the Yankees' bullpen in right-center leading off the seventh — Miami's first ball out of the infield.</p>
<p>"He was pounding us with that cutter and slider all game," Yelich said.</p>
<p>Pineda, who struck out nine, retired the next two batters and then was replaced by Chasen Shreve following his 100th pitch.</p>
<p>Dellin Betances relieved Justin Wilson with runners at the corners and one out in the eighth and finished the three-hitter for his fourth save. With two on and two outs in the ninth, Jeff Mathis swung over an 86 mph breaking ball for strike three.</p>
<p>Miami was impressed with Betances, who has a 0.26 ERA.</p>
<p>"He lets go of the ball one inch from the plate," said slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who took a called third strike in the ninth.</p>
<p>Miami was playing in new Yankee Stadium for the first time, leaving St. Louis and San Diego as the only teams that have not appeared in the ballpark, which opened in 2009.</p>
<p>"I told these guys when we came in to keep your heads up," Gordon said. "We almost got no-hit, and we still had a chance to win."</p>
<p>WEB GEM</p>
<p>Bour made a diving backhand play at first to rob Jones of a two-run hit in the seventh, the ball sticking out of his glove's webbing.</p>
<p>TRAINER'S ROOM</p>
<p>Marlins: Fernandez, targeting a July 2 return from Tommy John surgery, gave up one run and four hits in 4 2-3 innings for Class A Jupiter. He struck out 10, walked one and allowed a homer. ... Cosart, who hasn't pitched for the Marlins since May 13 because of vertigo, threw 106 pitches over 5 1-3 innings for Triple-A New Orleans on Tuesday night and could be back with the big league club this weekend. ... Michael Morse, sidelined since May 23 by a sprained right ring finger, started a rehab assignment with Double-A Jacksonville. He played first base and was 0 for 5 with three strikeouts. ... Martin Prado, who hurt his right shoulder Sunday, did not make the trip to New York.</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Miami RHP Mat Latos (2-4) starts Thursday's series finale against CC Sabathia (3-7).</p>
| false | 2 |
new york ap dee gordon hit twohopper runners corners eighth inning adeiny hechavarria raced home beat first baseman garrett jones high throw plate umpire dale scott signaled safe game tied yankees asked video review delay 2 minutes 41 seconds umpire downtown manhattan decided catcher brian mccann tagged hechavarrias left knee right toe touched plate new york held beat miami marlins 21 wednesday night made point slide outside plate really thought foot got hechavarria said translator play happened came clubhouse looked replay still believe safe jones thought hechavarria hesitated third rather run contact sudden im fielding see going jones said kind caught guard late goes right away think theres play video review marlins manager dan jennings went scott double checked mccann left runner open lane scott said momentum killer sure jennings said alex rodriguez singled twice raise career hits total 2997 michael pineda carried nohit bid seventh inning allowing christian yelichs home run rodriguez lined rbi single center first inning singled softly center fifth walked twice reach four plate appearances also thrown home plate miami rookie jose urena 13 trying impress enough stay rotation jose fernandez jarred cosart set return disabled list gave two runs six hits six innings carlos beltrans rbi single made 20 fifth center fielder marcell ozuna throwing rodriguez plate tried score second unfortunately breaking ball zone urena said translator pineda 83 retired first 11 batters walked yelich two outs fourth justin bour one fifth yelich reached sent 91 mph fastball yankees bullpen rightcenter leading seventh miamis first ball infield pounding us cutter slider game yelich said pineda struck nine retired next two batters replaced chasen shreve following 100th pitch dellin betances relieved justin wilson runners corners one eighth finished threehitter fourth save two two outs ninth jeff mathis swung 86 mph breaking ball strike three miami impressed betances 026 era lets go ball one inch plate said slugger giancarlo stanton took called third strike ninth miami playing new yankee stadium first time leaving st louis san diego teams appeared ballpark opened 2009 told guys came keep heads gordon said almost got nohit still chance win web gem bour made diving backhand play first rob jones tworun hit seventh ball sticking gloves webbing trainers room marlins fernandez targeting july 2 return tommy john surgery gave one run four hits 4 23 innings class jupiter struck 10 walked one allowed homer cosart hasnt pitched marlins since may 13 vertigo threw 106 pitches 5 13 innings triplea new orleans tuesday night could back big league club weekend michael morse sidelined since may 23 sprained right ring finger started rehab assignment doublea jacksonville played first base 0 5 three strikeouts martin prado hurt right shoulder sunday make trip new york next miami rhp mat latos 24 starts thursdays series finale cc sabathia 37 new york ap dee gordon hit twohopper runners corners eighth inning adeiny hechavarria raced home beat first baseman garrett jones high throw plate umpire dale scott signaled safe game tied yankees asked video review delay 2 minutes 41 seconds umpire downtown manhattan decided catcher brian mccann tagged hechavarrias left knee right toe touched plate new york held beat miami marlins 21 wednesday night made point slide outside plate really thought foot got hechavarria said translator play happened came clubhouse looked replay still believe safe jones thought hechavarria hesitated third rather run contact sudden im fielding see going jones said kind caught guard late goes right away think theres play video review marlins manager dan jennings went scott double checked mccann left runner open lane scott said momentum killer sure jennings said alex rodriguez singled twice raise career hits total 2997 michael pineda carried nohit bid seventh inning allowing christian yelichs home run rodriguez lined rbi single center first inning singled softly center fifth walked twice reach four plate appearances also thrown home plate miami rookie jose urena 13 trying impress enough stay rotation jose fernandez jarred cosart set return disabled list gave two runs six hits six innings carlos beltrans rbi single made 20 fifth center fielder marcell ozuna throwing rodriguez plate tried score second unfortunately breaking ball zone urena said translator pineda 83 retired first 11 batters walked yelich two outs fourth justin bour one fifth yelich reached sent 91 mph fastball yankees bullpen rightcenter leading seventh miamis first ball infield pounding us cutter slider game yelich said pineda struck nine retired next two batters replaced chasen shreve following 100th pitch dellin betances relieved justin wilson runners corners one eighth finished threehitter fourth save two two outs ninth jeff mathis swung 86 mph breaking ball strike three miami impressed betances 026 era lets go ball one inch plate said slugger giancarlo stanton took called third strike ninth miami playing new yankee stadium first time leaving st louis san diego teams appeared ballpark opened 2009 told guys came keep heads gordon said almost got nohit still chance win web gem bour made diving backhand play first rob jones tworun hit seventh ball sticking gloves webbing trainers room marlins fernandez targeting july 2 return tommy john surgery gave one run four hits 4 23 innings class jupiter struck 10 walked one allowed homer cosart hasnt pitched marlins since may 13 vertigo threw 106 pitches 5 13 innings triplea new orleans tuesday night could back big league club weekend michael morse sidelined since may 23 sprained right ring finger started rehab assignment doublea jacksonville played first base 0 5 three strikeouts martin prado hurt right shoulder sunday make trip new york next miami rhp mat latos 24 starts thursdays series finale cc sabathia 37
| 924 |
<p>Q: Did the government buy 79 percent of all vehicles sold by General Motors in June? A: No, that viral rumor is false. All fleet customers combined — including rental car companies and state and local governments — accounted for less than one-third of GM’s June sales.</p>
<p />
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>FULL QUESTION</p>
<p>True or false?</p>
<p>GM Sales: Bloomberg Report.</p>
<p>“See the USA in your Chevrolet…………..”</p>
<p>79% of GM’s sales last month were government purchased</p>
<p>July 12th, 2012</p>
<p>Remember how Obama keeps telling us how he saved GM, and how our economy is getting better, it seems the car company he bought is being saved by Govt employees using our tax money to buy new cars. 79% of GM’s sales last month was government purchased.</p>
<p>GM’s sales figures for last month were the best since 2008, up 16% for the month of June. YIPPEE! Well, wait just a minute. It seems that those rosy sales figures are due primarily to a 79% increase in fleet sales to the U.S. government in June. That’s right. Our tax dollars are being used to pump up GM’s sales figures ahead of next month’s quarterly report so that Dear Leader can point to Government Motors as a huge success. The incestuous relationship between GM, the UAW and the Regime has never been more glaringly apparent. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. GM is unsustainable without government subsidies and will ultimately go bust again, taking billions of taxpayer dollars down with it. We bailed out General Motors to the tune of $50 billion. $30 billion of this is effectively a loss, mostly sunk into fattening the United Auto Workers union—fierce Obama supporters—while the actual bondholders were shown the elevator shaft.</p>
<p>[EET ]</p>
<p>Meanwhile, as News Busters reports, “We the Taxpayers are still stuck holding 500+ million shares of GM stock. Which we need to sell at $53 per. Which debuted post-bankruptcy at $33 per. And which is currently trading at just over $20 per. Meaning we’ll lose about $15 billion.”</p>
<p>But it gets better. Despite the overwhelming negatives, the tiny bright spot of positive June sales numbers is being heralded by Obama and the leftist press as proof the auto bailout was a “success.” Obama is now campaigning on the “success” of – the government buying cars from…the government’s car company. With our money. Americanvision says That’s like you setting up a lemonade stand for your kids. You buy them the lemons, sugar, cups and pitchers – and then buy most of the lemonade yourself.</p>
<p>The pressure is on Government Motors to appear financially strong as this may be the last earnings report before November elections and sets the stage for how “successful” GM is. One of GM’s past tricks to help fudge earnings numbers has been to stuff truck inventory channels. Old habits die hard at GM. According to a Bloomberg report, “GM said inventory of its full-size pickups, which will be refreshed next year, climbed to 238,194 at the end of June, a 135 days’ supply, up from 116 days at the end of May.” 135 days’ supply is huge, the accepted norm is a 60 day supply. The trick here is that GM records revenue when vehicles go into dealership. [/EET]</p>
<p>FULL ANSWER</p>
<p>There are a few problems with the email featured above. It is not a Bloomberg report, for one thing. Its headline is also incorrect: Government purchases were not 79 percent of all GM sales in June.</p>
<p>What is true is that “GM’s sales to government fleet customers were up 79 percent year over year in June,” according to James Cain, the company’s financial news manager. And those “government” customers include federal, state and local agencies.</p>
<p>Moreover, purchases by GM’s fleet customers, including all government agencies as well as businesses, accounted for less than one-third of the company’s sales in June. An actual July <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-03/chrysler-u-s-sales-beat-estimates-as-industry-pace-slows.html#disqus_thread" type="external">Bloomberg report</a> said that “GM sales to fleet customers, such as governments and rental car companies, rose 36 percent last month, making up 32 percent of the company’s sales.”</p>
<p>GM’s Cain added that “government fleet sales account for only about three percent of GM’s total U.S. sales” from January through July of this year. And about three-fourths of the fleet sales, Cain said, are to state and local agencies, which have been purchasing an increasing amount of police vehicles. Actually, state and local agency purchases are up 36 percent for the year, so far, while purchases by the federal government are down by 3.5 percent, he said.</p>
<p>The confusion over GM’s government sales may stem from a <a href="http://nlpc.org/stories/2012/07/05/gm%E2%80%99s-government-sales-and-truck-inventory-rise" type="external">July post</a> from the National Legal and Policy Center, which said that “government purchases of GM vehicles rose a whopping 79 percent in June.” Readers may have thought that was a month-to-month increase, but author Mark Modica told us he was referring to a year-to-year increase. Either way, that’s not the same thing as saying that “79 percent of GM’s sales last month were government purchased.”</p>
<p>— D’Angelo Gore</p>
<p>Correction, Sept. 17: This post originally said that a story by the National Legal and Policy Center made the inaccurate statement that “government purchases of GM vehicles rose a whopping 79 percent in June.” Mark Modica, the author of the story, told us that he was, in fact, referring to the increase as a year-over-year figure, and not a month-to-month increase. The article has been changed accordingly.</p>
<p>Cain, James, General Motors financial news manager. Emails sent to FactCheck.org. 6 Sep 2012.</p>
<p>Trudell, Craig. “ <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-03/chrysler-u-s-sales-beat-estimates-as-industry-pace-slows.html#disqus_thread" type="external">GM, Chrysler Sees June U.S. Auto Sales Beating Estimates</a>.” Bloomberg. 3 Jul 2012.</p>
<p>Modica, Mark. “ <a href="http://nlpc.org/stories/2012/07/05/gm%E2%80%99s-government-sales-and-truck-inventory-rise" type="external">GM’s Government Fleet Sales and Truck Inventory Rise</a>.” National Legal and Policy Center. 5 Jul 2012.</p>
| false | 2 |
q government buy 79 percent vehicles sold general motors june viral rumor false fleet customers combined including rental car companies state local governments accounted less onethird gms june sales 160 full question true false gm sales bloomberg report see usa chevrolet 79 gms sales last month government purchased july 12th 2012 remember obama keeps telling us saved gm economy getting better seems car company bought saved govt employees using tax money buy new cars 79 gms sales last month government purchased gms sales figures last month best since 2008 16 month june yippee well wait minute seems rosy sales figures due primarily 79 increase fleet sales us government june thats right tax dollars used pump gms sales figures ahead next months quarterly report dear leader point government motors huge success incestuous relationship gm uaw regime never glaringly apparent ive said ill say gm unsustainable without government subsidies ultimately go bust taking billions taxpayer dollars bailed general motors tune 50 billion 30 billion effectively loss mostly sunk fattening united auto workers unionfierce obama supporterswhile actual bondholders shown elevator shaft eet meanwhile news busters reports taxpayers still stuck holding 500 million shares gm stock need sell 53 per debuted postbankruptcy 33 per currently trading 20 per meaning well lose 15 billion gets better despite overwhelming negatives tiny bright spot positive june sales numbers heralded obama leftist press proof auto bailout success obama campaigning success government buying cars fromthe governments car company money americanvision says thats like setting lemonade stand kids buy lemons sugar cups pitchers buy lemonade pressure government motors appear financially strong may last earnings report november elections sets stage successful gm one gms past tricks help fudge earnings numbers stuff truck inventory channels old habits die hard gm according bloomberg report gm said inventory fullsize pickups refreshed next year climbed 238194 end june 135 days supply 116 days end may 135 days supply huge accepted norm 60 day supply trick gm records revenue vehicles go dealership eet full answer problems email featured bloomberg report one thing headline also incorrect government purchases 79 percent gm sales june true gms sales government fleet customers 79 percent year year june according james cain companys financial news manager government customers include federal state local agencies moreover purchases gms fleet customers including government agencies well businesses accounted less onethird companys sales june actual july bloomberg report said gm sales fleet customers governments rental car companies rose 36 percent last month making 32 percent companys sales gms cain added government fleet sales account three percent gms total us sales january july year threefourths fleet sales cain said state local agencies purchasing increasing amount police vehicles actually state local agency purchases 36 percent year far purchases federal government 35 percent said confusion gms government sales may stem july post national legal policy center said government purchases gm vehicles rose whopping 79 percent june readers may thought monthtomonth increase author mark modica told us referring yeartoyear increase either way thats thing saying 79 percent gms sales last month government purchased dangelo gore correction sept 17 post originally said story national legal policy center made inaccurate statement government purchases gm vehicles rose whopping 79 percent june mark modica author story told us fact referring increase yearoveryear figure monthtomonth increase article changed accordingly cain james general motors financial news manager emails sent factcheckorg 6 sep 2012 trudell craig gm chrysler sees june us auto sales beating estimates bloomberg 3 jul 2012 modica mark gms government fleet sales truck inventory rise national legal policy center 5 jul 2012
| 587 |
<p>PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia's government said Wednesday it will pay U.S. company Ocean Infinity up to $70 million if it can find the wreckage or black boxes of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 within three months, in a renewed bid to solve the plane's disappearance nearly four years ago.</p>
<p>Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai said there was an 85 percent chance of finding the debris in a new 25,000 square kilometer (9,650 square mile) area — roughly the size of Vermont — identified by experts.</p>
<p>The government signed a "no cure, no fee" deal with the Houston, Texas-based company to resume the hunt for the plane, a year after the official search by Malaysia, Australia and China in the southern Indian Ocean was called off. The plane vanished on March 8, 2014, while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people on board.</p>
<p>"The primary mission by Ocean Infinity is to identify the location of the wreckage and/or both of the flight recorders ... and present a considerable and credible evidence to confirm the exact location of the two main items," he told a news conference.</p>
<p>If the mission is successful within three months, payment will be made based on the size of the area searched. Liow said the government will pay Ocean Infinity $20 million for 5,000 square kilometers (1,930 square mile) of a successful search, $30 million for 15,000 square kilometers (5,790 sq. miles), $50 million for 25,000 square kilometers (9653 sq. miles) and $70 million if the plane or recorders are found beyond the identified area.</p>
<p>Ocean Infinity Chief Executive Oliver Plunkett said the search vessel Seabed Constuctor, which left the South African port of Durban last week, is expected to reach the southern Indian Ocean by Jan. 17 to begin the hunt.</p>
<p>He said eight autonomous underwater vehicles, which are drones fitted with high-tech cameras, sonars and sensors, will be dispatched to map the seabed at a faster pace. Plunkett said the underwater drones can cover 1,200 square kilometers (463 sq. miles) a day and complete the 25,000 square kilometers within a month.</p>
<p>"We have a realistic prospect of finding it," he said. "While there can be no guarantees of locating the aircraft, we believe our system of multiple autonomous vehicles working simultaneously is well suited to the task at hand."</p>
<p>The official search was extremely difficult because no transmissions were received from the aircraft after its first 38 minutes of flight. Systems designed to automatically transmit the flight's position failed to work after this point, said a final report from Australian Transport Safety Board last January.</p>
<p>"I feel very happy but at the same time very panicky whether it can be found or not. Now it's back to four years ago where we have to wait everyday (to find out) whether debris can be found," said Shin Kok Chau, whose wife Tan Ser Kuin was a flight attendant on MH370.</p>
<p>Underwater wreck hunter David Mearns said the new search takes into account oceanographic models used to drastically narrow the possible locations of the crash and deploys state-of-the art underwater vehicles that will allow the company to cover far more seabed at a faster pace.</p>
<p>"There are no guarantees in a search of this type. However, notwithstanding that uncertainty, this upcoming search is the best chance yet that the aircraft wreckage will be found," said Mearns, director of Blue Water Recoveries Ltd.</p>
<p>PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia's government said Wednesday it will pay U.S. company Ocean Infinity up to $70 million if it can find the wreckage or black boxes of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 within three months, in a renewed bid to solve the plane's disappearance nearly four years ago.</p>
<p>Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai said there was an 85 percent chance of finding the debris in a new 25,000 square kilometer (9,650 square mile) area — roughly the size of Vermont — identified by experts.</p>
<p>The government signed a "no cure, no fee" deal with the Houston, Texas-based company to resume the hunt for the plane, a year after the official search by Malaysia, Australia and China in the southern Indian Ocean was called off. The plane vanished on March 8, 2014, while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people on board.</p>
<p>"The primary mission by Ocean Infinity is to identify the location of the wreckage and/or both of the flight recorders ... and present a considerable and credible evidence to confirm the exact location of the two main items," he told a news conference.</p>
<p>If the mission is successful within three months, payment will be made based on the size of the area searched. Liow said the government will pay Ocean Infinity $20 million for 5,000 square kilometers (1,930 square mile) of a successful search, $30 million for 15,000 square kilometers (5,790 sq. miles), $50 million for 25,000 square kilometers (9653 sq. miles) and $70 million if the plane or recorders are found beyond the identified area.</p>
<p>Ocean Infinity Chief Executive Oliver Plunkett said the search vessel Seabed Constuctor, which left the South African port of Durban last week, is expected to reach the southern Indian Ocean by Jan. 17 to begin the hunt.</p>
<p>He said eight autonomous underwater vehicles, which are drones fitted with high-tech cameras, sonars and sensors, will be dispatched to map the seabed at a faster pace. Plunkett said the underwater drones can cover 1,200 square kilometers (463 sq. miles) a day and complete the 25,000 square kilometers within a month.</p>
<p>"We have a realistic prospect of finding it," he said. "While there can be no guarantees of locating the aircraft, we believe our system of multiple autonomous vehicles working simultaneously is well suited to the task at hand."</p>
<p>The official search was extremely difficult because no transmissions were received from the aircraft after its first 38 minutes of flight. Systems designed to automatically transmit the flight's position failed to work after this point, said a final report from Australian Transport Safety Board last January.</p>
<p>"I feel very happy but at the same time very panicky whether it can be found or not. Now it's back to four years ago where we have to wait everyday (to find out) whether debris can be found," said Shin Kok Chau, whose wife Tan Ser Kuin was a flight attendant on MH370.</p>
<p>Underwater wreck hunter David Mearns said the new search takes into account oceanographic models used to drastically narrow the possible locations of the crash and deploys state-of-the art underwater vehicles that will allow the company to cover far more seabed at a faster pace.</p>
<p>"There are no guarantees in a search of this type. However, notwithstanding that uncertainty, this upcoming search is the best chance yet that the aircraft wreckage will be found," said Mearns, director of Blue Water Recoveries Ltd.</p>
| false | 2 |
putrajaya malaysia ap malaysias government said wednesday pay us company ocean infinity 70 million find wreckage black boxes malaysia airlines flight 370 within three months renewed bid solve planes disappearance nearly four years ago transport minister liow tiong lai said 85 percent chance finding debris new 25000 square kilometer 9650 square mile area roughly size vermont identified experts government signed cure fee deal houston texasbased company resume hunt plane year official search malaysia australia china southern indian ocean called plane vanished march 8 2014 flying kuala lumpur beijing 239 people board primary mission ocean infinity identify location wreckage andor flight recorders present considerable credible evidence confirm exact location two main items told news conference mission successful within three months payment made based size area searched liow said government pay ocean infinity 20 million 5000 square kilometers 1930 square mile successful search 30 million 15000 square kilometers 5790 sq miles 50 million 25000 square kilometers 9653 sq miles 70 million plane recorders found beyond identified area ocean infinity chief executive oliver plunkett said search vessel seabed constuctor left south african port durban last week expected reach southern indian ocean jan 17 begin hunt said eight autonomous underwater vehicles drones fitted hightech cameras sonars sensors dispatched map seabed faster pace plunkett said underwater drones cover 1200 square kilometers 463 sq miles day complete 25000 square kilometers within month realistic prospect finding said guarantees locating aircraft believe system multiple autonomous vehicles working simultaneously well suited task hand official search extremely difficult transmissions received aircraft first 38 minutes flight systems designed automatically transmit flights position failed work point said final report australian transport safety board last january feel happy time panicky whether found back four years ago wait everyday find whether debris found said shin kok chau whose wife tan ser kuin flight attendant mh370 underwater wreck hunter david mearns said new search takes account oceanographic models used drastically narrow possible locations crash deploys stateofthe art underwater vehicles allow company cover far seabed faster pace guarantees search type however notwithstanding uncertainty upcoming search best chance yet aircraft wreckage found said mearns director blue water recoveries ltd putrajaya malaysia ap malaysias government said wednesday pay us company ocean infinity 70 million find wreckage black boxes malaysia airlines flight 370 within three months renewed bid solve planes disappearance nearly four years ago transport minister liow tiong lai said 85 percent chance finding debris new 25000 square kilometer 9650 square mile area roughly size vermont identified experts government signed cure fee deal houston texasbased company resume hunt plane year official search malaysia australia china southern indian ocean called plane vanished march 8 2014 flying kuala lumpur beijing 239 people board primary mission ocean infinity identify location wreckage andor flight recorders present considerable credible evidence confirm exact location two main items told news conference mission successful within three months payment made based size area searched liow said government pay ocean infinity 20 million 5000 square kilometers 1930 square mile successful search 30 million 15000 square kilometers 5790 sq miles 50 million 25000 square kilometers 9653 sq miles 70 million plane recorders found beyond identified area ocean infinity chief executive oliver plunkett said search vessel seabed constuctor left south african port durban last week expected reach southern indian ocean jan 17 begin hunt said eight autonomous underwater vehicles drones fitted hightech cameras sonars sensors dispatched map seabed faster pace plunkett said underwater drones cover 1200 square kilometers 463 sq miles day complete 25000 square kilometers within month realistic prospect finding said guarantees locating aircraft believe system multiple autonomous vehicles working simultaneously well suited task hand official search extremely difficult transmissions received aircraft first 38 minutes flight systems designed automatically transmit flights position failed work point said final report australian transport safety board last january feel happy time panicky whether found back four years ago wait everyday find whether debris found said shin kok chau whose wife tan ser kuin flight attendant mh370 underwater wreck hunter david mearns said new search takes account oceanographic models used drastically narrow possible locations crash deploys stateofthe art underwater vehicles allow company cover far seabed faster pace guarantees search type however notwithstanding uncertainty upcoming search best chance yet aircraft wreckage found said mearns director blue water recoveries ltd
| 704 |
<p>KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee forward Dominic Woodson has received an NCAA waiver allowing the Memphis transfer to play immediately rather than sitting out a year.</p>
<p>How much the 6-foot-10 sophomore will actually play may depend on how much weight he loses.</p>
<p>Tennessee coach Donnie Tyndall announced Woodson’s eligibility Thursday as the Volunteers prepare to open practice Sunday. The addition of the 6-foot-10, 281-pound sophomore adds some size to a roster that doesn’t include anyone else with a listed weight above 220.</p>
<p>But he apparently will need to slim down a little bit as he adjusts to Tyndall’s up-tempo style.</p>
<p>Tyndall says Woodson weighed 298 pounds when he enrolled in late August and is down to 281. Tyndall wants Woodson to get to 270 by the Nov. 3 exhibition game with Pikeville and to 265 by the start of December. Woodson averaged 2.5 points and 1.9 rebounds for Memphis last season.</p>
<p>“As happy as we are that Dom has been cleared and will play this season, if we tipped it up today, he would not check in the game,” Tyndall said. “He’s got a million miles to go from a conditioning standpoint. He’s lost 17-18 pounds, but he needs to lose another 12-15. His work ethic has improved, but the consistency to work the right way isn’t there yet and, quite simply, guys are ahead of him. Now if he can continue to work the right way and lose some more weight, then he’ll have a chance to play, no question.”</p>
<p>The NCAA’s decision still represents a major victory for a Tennessee team that underwent a turbulent offseason after going 24-13 and reaching an NCAA regional semifinal.</p>
<p>Not only did the Vols get a new coach after California hired away Cuonzo Martin, they also got almost an entirely new roster.</p>
<p>Senior guard Josh Richardson, sophomore guard Robert Hubbs and junior forwards Armani Moore and Derek Reese are Tennessee’s only returning scholarship players. Richardson is the only player in that group who averaged more than five points per game last season.</p>
<p>That busy offseason means Tennessee likely won’t have a smooth preseason as it gears up for its Nov. 14 season opener with VCU at Annapolis, Maryland. Woodson could boost a frontcourt that lacks bulk, but the Vols still don’t have a proven point guard.</p>
<p>“With a new coach for the returning guys and a lot of newcomers, it’s new to everybody,” Tyndall said. “I’m learning these guys. They’re learning about me. That’s always a little bit of a rough transition, no matter when or where you take over. With an extremely young team and a new coach, there’s going to be some bumps in the road, but I’m excited to just have some long workouts where we can really test these guys, see if they’ll play through fatigue.”</p>
<p>All those new faces have created plenty of uncertainty, particularly at the point guard position. Junior-college transfer Kevin Punter, a natural shooting guard, is getting the first shot at playing the point. Tyndall said Richardson, Moore and freshman forward Willie Carmichael are the players closest to securing starting spots but that every position remains open.</p>
<p>Tyndall has said throughout the offseason that he believes Tennessee will be picked to finish toward the bottom of the Southeastern Conference standings because of all the changes surrounding the program. Tennessee’s players say they’re using that as motivation.</p>
<p>“It kind of puts a chip on our shoulder for the season,” Richardson said. “Every time I go in the gym, I know it makes me work that much harder.”</p>
<p>KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee forward Dominic Woodson has received an NCAA waiver allowing the Memphis transfer to play immediately rather than sitting out a year.</p>
<p>How much the 6-foot-10 sophomore will actually play may depend on how much weight he loses.</p>
<p>Tennessee coach Donnie Tyndall announced Woodson’s eligibility Thursday as the Volunteers prepare to open practice Sunday. The addition of the 6-foot-10, 281-pound sophomore adds some size to a roster that doesn’t include anyone else with a listed weight above 220.</p>
<p>But he apparently will need to slim down a little bit as he adjusts to Tyndall’s up-tempo style.</p>
<p>Tyndall says Woodson weighed 298 pounds when he enrolled in late August and is down to 281. Tyndall wants Woodson to get to 270 by the Nov. 3 exhibition game with Pikeville and to 265 by the start of December. Woodson averaged 2.5 points and 1.9 rebounds for Memphis last season.</p>
<p>“As happy as we are that Dom has been cleared and will play this season, if we tipped it up today, he would not check in the game,” Tyndall said. “He’s got a million miles to go from a conditioning standpoint. He’s lost 17-18 pounds, but he needs to lose another 12-15. His work ethic has improved, but the consistency to work the right way isn’t there yet and, quite simply, guys are ahead of him. Now if he can continue to work the right way and lose some more weight, then he’ll have a chance to play, no question.”</p>
<p>The NCAA’s decision still represents a major victory for a Tennessee team that underwent a turbulent offseason after going 24-13 and reaching an NCAA regional semifinal.</p>
<p>Not only did the Vols get a new coach after California hired away Cuonzo Martin, they also got almost an entirely new roster.</p>
<p>Senior guard Josh Richardson, sophomore guard Robert Hubbs and junior forwards Armani Moore and Derek Reese are Tennessee’s only returning scholarship players. Richardson is the only player in that group who averaged more than five points per game last season.</p>
<p>That busy offseason means Tennessee likely won’t have a smooth preseason as it gears up for its Nov. 14 season opener with VCU at Annapolis, Maryland. Woodson could boost a frontcourt that lacks bulk, but the Vols still don’t have a proven point guard.</p>
<p>“With a new coach for the returning guys and a lot of newcomers, it’s new to everybody,” Tyndall said. “I’m learning these guys. They’re learning about me. That’s always a little bit of a rough transition, no matter when or where you take over. With an extremely young team and a new coach, there’s going to be some bumps in the road, but I’m excited to just have some long workouts where we can really test these guys, see if they’ll play through fatigue.”</p>
<p>All those new faces have created plenty of uncertainty, particularly at the point guard position. Junior-college transfer Kevin Punter, a natural shooting guard, is getting the first shot at playing the point. Tyndall said Richardson, Moore and freshman forward Willie Carmichael are the players closest to securing starting spots but that every position remains open.</p>
<p>Tyndall has said throughout the offseason that he believes Tennessee will be picked to finish toward the bottom of the Southeastern Conference standings because of all the changes surrounding the program. Tennessee’s players say they’re using that as motivation.</p>
<p>“It kind of puts a chip on our shoulder for the season,” Richardson said. “Every time I go in the gym, I know it makes me work that much harder.”</p>
| false | 2 |
knoxville tenn ap tennessee forward dominic woodson received ncaa waiver allowing memphis transfer play immediately rather sitting year much 6foot10 sophomore actually play may depend much weight loses tennessee coach donnie tyndall announced woodsons eligibility thursday volunteers prepare open practice sunday addition 6foot10 281pound sophomore adds size roster doesnt include anyone else listed weight 220 apparently need slim little bit adjusts tyndalls uptempo style tyndall says woodson weighed 298 pounds enrolled late august 281 tyndall wants woodson get 270 nov 3 exhibition game pikeville 265 start december woodson averaged 25 points 19 rebounds memphis last season happy dom cleared play season tipped today would check game tyndall said hes got million miles go conditioning standpoint hes lost 1718 pounds needs lose another 1215 work ethic improved consistency work right way isnt yet quite simply guys ahead continue work right way lose weight hell chance play question ncaas decision still represents major victory tennessee team underwent turbulent offseason going 2413 reaching ncaa regional semifinal vols get new coach california hired away cuonzo martin also got almost entirely new roster senior guard josh richardson sophomore guard robert hubbs junior forwards armani moore derek reese tennessees returning scholarship players richardson player group averaged five points per game last season busy offseason means tennessee likely wont smooth preseason gears nov 14 season opener vcu annapolis maryland woodson could boost frontcourt lacks bulk vols still dont proven point guard new coach returning guys lot newcomers new everybody tyndall said im learning guys theyre learning thats always little bit rough transition matter take extremely young team new coach theres going bumps road im excited long workouts really test guys see theyll play fatigue new faces created plenty uncertainty particularly point guard position juniorcollege transfer kevin punter natural shooting guard getting first shot playing point tyndall said richardson moore freshman forward willie carmichael players closest securing starting spots every position remains open tyndall said throughout offseason believes tennessee picked finish toward bottom southeastern conference standings changes surrounding program tennessees players say theyre using motivation kind puts chip shoulder season richardson said every time go gym know makes work much harder knoxville tenn ap tennessee forward dominic woodson received ncaa waiver allowing memphis transfer play immediately rather sitting year much 6foot10 sophomore actually play may depend much weight loses tennessee coach donnie tyndall announced woodsons eligibility thursday volunteers prepare open practice sunday addition 6foot10 281pound sophomore adds size roster doesnt include anyone else listed weight 220 apparently need slim little bit adjusts tyndalls uptempo style tyndall says woodson weighed 298 pounds enrolled late august 281 tyndall wants woodson get 270 nov 3 exhibition game pikeville 265 start december woodson averaged 25 points 19 rebounds memphis last season happy dom cleared play season tipped today would check game tyndall said hes got million miles go conditioning standpoint hes lost 1718 pounds needs lose another 1215 work ethic improved consistency work right way isnt yet quite simply guys ahead continue work right way lose weight hell chance play question ncaas decision still represents major victory tennessee team underwent turbulent offseason going 2413 reaching ncaa regional semifinal vols get new coach california hired away cuonzo martin also got almost entirely new roster senior guard josh richardson sophomore guard robert hubbs junior forwards armani moore derek reese tennessees returning scholarship players richardson player group averaged five points per game last season busy offseason means tennessee likely wont smooth preseason gears nov 14 season opener vcu annapolis maryland woodson could boost frontcourt lacks bulk vols still dont proven point guard new coach returning guys lot newcomers new everybody tyndall said im learning guys theyre learning thats always little bit rough transition matter take extremely young team new coach theres going bumps road im excited long workouts really test guys see theyll play fatigue new faces created plenty uncertainty particularly point guard position juniorcollege transfer kevin punter natural shooting guard getting first shot playing point tyndall said richardson moore freshman forward willie carmichael players closest securing starting spots every position remains open tyndall said throughout offseason believes tennessee picked finish toward bottom southeastern conference standings changes surrounding program tennessees players say theyre using motivation kind puts chip shoulder season richardson said every time go gym know makes work much harder
| 706 |
<p>CENTURION, South Africa (AP) — South Africa ground its way to 90-2 and a lead of 118 over India in the second test on Monday, increasing the possibility that Virat Kohli's 153 wouldn't be enough to save his team's winning run.</p>
<p>AB de Villiers was 50 not out for South Africa, and Dean Elgar 36 not out at Centurion, where the test and series started to seep away from India on an afternoon when a thunderstorm interrupted play and bad light caused an early end — to the dismay of the Indians.</p>
<p>At stumps, South Africa still had eight wickets left in its second innings and will be targeting a lead of 250 at least, which statistics show is difficult to chase in the fourth innings at SuperSport Park.</p>
<p>Should India fail to win, it would end a run of nine straight series victories for the top-ranked team in the world. South Africa already leads 1-0 in the three-match contest between test cricket's top two teams.</p>
<p>Whatever the doubts over India's No. 1 ranking outside of the home comforts of India, there were none over the class of Kohli, whose 21st test century was a blend of grit and attacking intent and almost single-handedly took his team to 307 all out and just 28 behind South Africa's first-innings score of 335. The next best score by an Indian batsman was 46, by opener Murali Vijay.</p>
<p>"Virat's innings was very crucial for us, it brought us back into the game," India seam bowler Jasprit Bumrah said. "It's always good that your captain is leading from the front."</p>
<p>And while India continues to struggle in big series away from home, 11 of Kohli's 21 test tons have been made outside India. He was just the second Indian after Sachin Tendulkar to make 150 in a test in South Africa.</p>
<p>He hit 15 fours at Centurion, faced 217 balls, and was at the crease for over six hours in an effort to drag his team back into the contest.</p>
<p>Having arrived at 28-2, Kohli was the last man out a day later when he miscued a drive off fast bowler Morne Morkel and was caught at mid-on by de Villiers. His innings lifted India out of early trouble, saw it through another slump at 164-5, and nearly took India into the lead for the first time this series.</p>
<p>It was the India captain's fourth test century in his last seven test innings.</p>
<p>But Kohli's frustration has also been apparent through the series, both in the field and while batting. In this test he has regularly thrown his arms in the air at a missed catch or a poor piece of fielding from a teammate.</p>
<p>On Monday, he tossed his bat to the ground when batting partner Hardik Pandya was run out for 15 for the day's first wicket and a crucial breakthrough for South Africa. Pandya carelessly failed to ground his bat despite it being over the crease when a throw by Vernon Philander crashed into the stumps.</p>
<p>"Virat is very competitive ... that's his nature," Morkel said. "It gets him going and keeps him going. But we don't take any notice."</p>
<p>Kohli's only real help on the third day came from Ravichandran Ashwin, who hit seven fours in his 38 and stuck around with Kohli for nearly 15 overs in a partnership of 71 for the seventh wicket. When Ashwin went to an edge to South Africa captain Faf du Plessis at slip off the bowling of Philander, Kohli's reaction was to slam his bat into his pad at the non-striker's end.</p>
<p>India's hopes did briefly brighten before the rainstorm when Bumrah took two early wickets in South Africa's second innings, removing Aiden Markram and Hashim Amla for 1 each inside the first six overs to have the Proteas in deep trouble at 3-2.</p>
<p>De Villiers and Elgar settled South Africa either side of the thunderstorm, though, taking the lead past 100. The gloom set in again for the Indians, who were unhappy that play resumed so soon after the rain on a damp outfield that apparently resulted in a wet ball. The tourists also thought the umpires took them off too soon for bad light, just when the ball started beating the bat.</p>
<p>"It's OK," Bumrah said. "We wanted to carry on but we were doing as we were told."</p>
<p>A lead in excess of 250 would be tough for India to face up to and could prove to be series-winning for South Africa.</p>
<p>The highest fourth-innings score at Centurion is 251-8 by England in 2000, although that was in the discredited test where both teams forfeited innings at the suggestion of South African captain Hansie Cronje.</p>
<p>After that, England's 228-9 in 2009 is the next highest.</p>
<p>CENTURION, South Africa (AP) — South Africa ground its way to 90-2 and a lead of 118 over India in the second test on Monday, increasing the possibility that Virat Kohli's 153 wouldn't be enough to save his team's winning run.</p>
<p>AB de Villiers was 50 not out for South Africa, and Dean Elgar 36 not out at Centurion, where the test and series started to seep away from India on an afternoon when a thunderstorm interrupted play and bad light caused an early end — to the dismay of the Indians.</p>
<p>At stumps, South Africa still had eight wickets left in its second innings and will be targeting a lead of 250 at least, which statistics show is difficult to chase in the fourth innings at SuperSport Park.</p>
<p>Should India fail to win, it would end a run of nine straight series victories for the top-ranked team in the world. South Africa already leads 1-0 in the three-match contest between test cricket's top two teams.</p>
<p>Whatever the doubts over India's No. 1 ranking outside of the home comforts of India, there were none over the class of Kohli, whose 21st test century was a blend of grit and attacking intent and almost single-handedly took his team to 307 all out and just 28 behind South Africa's first-innings score of 335. The next best score by an Indian batsman was 46, by opener Murali Vijay.</p>
<p>"Virat's innings was very crucial for us, it brought us back into the game," India seam bowler Jasprit Bumrah said. "It's always good that your captain is leading from the front."</p>
<p>And while India continues to struggle in big series away from home, 11 of Kohli's 21 test tons have been made outside India. He was just the second Indian after Sachin Tendulkar to make 150 in a test in South Africa.</p>
<p>He hit 15 fours at Centurion, faced 217 balls, and was at the crease for over six hours in an effort to drag his team back into the contest.</p>
<p>Having arrived at 28-2, Kohli was the last man out a day later when he miscued a drive off fast bowler Morne Morkel and was caught at mid-on by de Villiers. His innings lifted India out of early trouble, saw it through another slump at 164-5, and nearly took India into the lead for the first time this series.</p>
<p>It was the India captain's fourth test century in his last seven test innings.</p>
<p>But Kohli's frustration has also been apparent through the series, both in the field and while batting. In this test he has regularly thrown his arms in the air at a missed catch or a poor piece of fielding from a teammate.</p>
<p>On Monday, he tossed his bat to the ground when batting partner Hardik Pandya was run out for 15 for the day's first wicket and a crucial breakthrough for South Africa. Pandya carelessly failed to ground his bat despite it being over the crease when a throw by Vernon Philander crashed into the stumps.</p>
<p>"Virat is very competitive ... that's his nature," Morkel said. "It gets him going and keeps him going. But we don't take any notice."</p>
<p>Kohli's only real help on the third day came from Ravichandran Ashwin, who hit seven fours in his 38 and stuck around with Kohli for nearly 15 overs in a partnership of 71 for the seventh wicket. When Ashwin went to an edge to South Africa captain Faf du Plessis at slip off the bowling of Philander, Kohli's reaction was to slam his bat into his pad at the non-striker's end.</p>
<p>India's hopes did briefly brighten before the rainstorm when Bumrah took two early wickets in South Africa's second innings, removing Aiden Markram and Hashim Amla for 1 each inside the first six overs to have the Proteas in deep trouble at 3-2.</p>
<p>De Villiers and Elgar settled South Africa either side of the thunderstorm, though, taking the lead past 100. The gloom set in again for the Indians, who were unhappy that play resumed so soon after the rain on a damp outfield that apparently resulted in a wet ball. The tourists also thought the umpires took them off too soon for bad light, just when the ball started beating the bat.</p>
<p>"It's OK," Bumrah said. "We wanted to carry on but we were doing as we were told."</p>
<p>A lead in excess of 250 would be tough for India to face up to and could prove to be series-winning for South Africa.</p>
<p>The highest fourth-innings score at Centurion is 251-8 by England in 2000, although that was in the discredited test where both teams forfeited innings at the suggestion of South African captain Hansie Cronje.</p>
<p>After that, England's 228-9 in 2009 is the next highest.</p>
| false | 2 |
centurion south africa ap south africa ground way 902 lead 118 india second test monday increasing possibility virat kohlis 153 wouldnt enough save teams winning run ab de villiers 50 south africa dean elgar 36 centurion test series started seep away india afternoon thunderstorm interrupted play bad light caused early end dismay indians stumps south africa still eight wickets left second innings targeting lead 250 least statistics show difficult chase fourth innings supersport park india fail win would end run nine straight series victories topranked team world south africa already leads 10 threematch contest test crickets top two teams whatever doubts indias 1 ranking outside home comforts india none class kohli whose 21st test century blend grit attacking intent almost singlehandedly took team 307 28 behind south africas firstinnings score 335 next best score indian batsman 46 opener murali vijay virats innings crucial us brought us back game india seam bowler jasprit bumrah said always good captain leading front india continues struggle big series away home 11 kohlis 21 test tons made outside india second indian sachin tendulkar make 150 test south africa hit 15 fours centurion faced 217 balls crease six hours effort drag team back contest arrived 282 kohli last man day later miscued drive fast bowler morne morkel caught midon de villiers innings lifted india early trouble saw another slump 1645 nearly took india lead first time series india captains fourth test century last seven test innings kohlis frustration also apparent series field batting test regularly thrown arms air missed catch poor piece fielding teammate monday tossed bat ground batting partner hardik pandya run 15 days first wicket crucial breakthrough south africa pandya carelessly failed ground bat despite crease throw vernon philander crashed stumps virat competitive thats nature morkel said gets going keeps going dont take notice kohlis real help third day came ravichandran ashwin hit seven fours 38 stuck around kohli nearly 15 overs partnership 71 seventh wicket ashwin went edge south africa captain faf du plessis slip bowling philander kohlis reaction slam bat pad nonstrikers end indias hopes briefly brighten rainstorm bumrah took two early wickets south africas second innings removing aiden markram hashim amla 1 inside first six overs proteas deep trouble 32 de villiers elgar settled south africa either side thunderstorm though taking lead past 100 gloom set indians unhappy play resumed soon rain damp outfield apparently resulted wet ball tourists also thought umpires took soon bad light ball started beating bat ok bumrah said wanted carry told lead excess 250 would tough india face could prove serieswinning south africa highest fourthinnings score centurion 2518 england 2000 although discredited test teams forfeited innings suggestion south african captain hansie cronje englands 2289 2009 next highest centurion south africa ap south africa ground way 902 lead 118 india second test monday increasing possibility virat kohlis 153 wouldnt enough save teams winning run ab de villiers 50 south africa dean elgar 36 centurion test series started seep away india afternoon thunderstorm interrupted play bad light caused early end dismay indians stumps south africa still eight wickets left second innings targeting lead 250 least statistics show difficult chase fourth innings supersport park india fail win would end run nine straight series victories topranked team world south africa already leads 10 threematch contest test crickets top two teams whatever doubts indias 1 ranking outside home comforts india none class kohli whose 21st test century blend grit attacking intent almost singlehandedly took team 307 28 behind south africas firstinnings score 335 next best score indian batsman 46 opener murali vijay virats innings crucial us brought us back game india seam bowler jasprit bumrah said always good captain leading front india continues struggle big series away home 11 kohlis 21 test tons made outside india second indian sachin tendulkar make 150 test south africa hit 15 fours centurion faced 217 balls crease six hours effort drag team back contest arrived 282 kohli last man day later miscued drive fast bowler morne morkel caught midon de villiers innings lifted india early trouble saw another slump 1645 nearly took india lead first time series india captains fourth test century last seven test innings kohlis frustration also apparent series field batting test regularly thrown arms air missed catch poor piece fielding teammate monday tossed bat ground batting partner hardik pandya run 15 days first wicket crucial breakthrough south africa pandya carelessly failed ground bat despite crease throw vernon philander crashed stumps virat competitive thats nature morkel said gets going keeps going dont take notice kohlis real help third day came ravichandran ashwin hit seven fours 38 stuck around kohli nearly 15 overs partnership 71 seventh wicket ashwin went edge south africa captain faf du plessis slip bowling philander kohlis reaction slam bat pad nonstrikers end indias hopes briefly brighten rainstorm bumrah took two early wickets south africas second innings removing aiden markram hashim amla 1 inside first six overs proteas deep trouble 32 de villiers elgar settled south africa either side thunderstorm though taking lead past 100 gloom set indians unhappy play resumed soon rain damp outfield apparently resulted wet ball tourists also thought umpires took soon bad light ball started beating bat ok bumrah said wanted carry told lead excess 250 would tough india face could prove serieswinning south africa highest fourthinnings score centurion 2518 england 2000 although discredited test teams forfeited innings suggestion south african captain hansie cronje englands 2289 2009 next highest
| 902 |
<p>(Reuters) - Ohio environmental regulators on Friday asked federal energy regulators to order Energy Transfer Partners LP to cease drilling operations on the Rover natural gas pipeline under the Tuscarawas River over concern about the potential for a spill.</p>
<p>The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency said in a filing with the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) that it learned last week that 146,000 gallons of drilling fluid were “lost down the hole” that ETP is drilling under the Tuscarawas River in Stark County, Ohio.</p>
<p>That is the same site as a spill last April of 2 million gallons of mostly clay and water used to lubricate drilling blades, which led FERC to temporarily ban ETP from new horizontal drilling in May.</p>
<p>“FERC cannot idly stand by and allow these significant threats to Ohio continue,” the Ohio EPA said, noting it wants the federal agency to “order the cessation of drilling operations until such time a solution is developed.”</p>
<p>Alexis Daniel, a spokeswoman for ETP, in an email said “we are working in coordination with FERC on all of the remaining HDDs (horizontal directional drilling)and are in compliance with the HDD contingency plan that was approved by FERC.”</p>
<p>Ohio, which asked FERC to ban all of ETP’s horizontal directional drilling in November, said in its filing last week that it wanted more information on the Tuscarawas drilling.</p>
<p>FERC in December allowed ETP to complete all horizontal drills on the Rover project, including those in Ohio.</p>
<p>Pipeline companies use horizontal directional drilling to cross under large obstacles like highways and rivers.</p>
<p>Once finished, the $4.2 billion Rover pipeline will carry up to 3.25 billion cubic feet of gas per day from the Marcellus and Utica shale fields in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia to the U.S. Midwest and Ontario in Canada.</p>
<p>One billion cubic feet per day of gas can supply about 5 million U.S. homes.</p>
<p>The company said it expects to finish Rover by the end of the first quarter.</p>
<p>“We are more than 76 percent complete with all HDD activity and more than 99 percent complete on all construction activities for the project,” Daniel said.</p>
<p>About 1.0 bcfd of gas was already flowing on completed portions of the pipeline, according to Reuters data.</p>
<p>Major gas producers that have signed up to use Rover include units of privately held Ascent Resources LLC, Antero Resources Corp, Range Resources Corp, Southwestern Energy Co, Eclipse Resources Corp and EQT Corp.</p>
<p>Reporting by Scott DiSavino; Additional reporting by Vijaykumar Vedala in Bengaluru Editing by Richard Chang and Lisa Shumaker</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa signed long-delayed renewable energy contracts worth $4.7 billion with independent power producers on Wednesday, in the first major investment deal under President Cyril Ramaphosa.</p> A man walks past eletricity pylons in Soweto, South Africa, March 5, 2018. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
<p>The signing of power purchase agreements for the 27 mostly solar and wind projects was held up for over two years under ousted president Jacob Zuma, who favored a plan to build additional nuclear power plants.</p>
<p>It was also the subject of a last-minute legal challenge by the NUMSA labor union and Transform RSA lobby group, but a court rejected their application for an urgent interdict last week.</p>
<p>The signing represents a victory for Ramaphosa, who has promised to unlock investment and kick-start economic growth since replacing scandal-plagued Zuma in February.</p>
<p>“This will bring much-needed policy and regulatory certainty and maintain South Africa’s position as an energy investment destination of choice,” the energy ministry said in a statement.</p>
<p>Ramaphosa, a wealthy businessman, has prioritized revamping the economy and turning around struggling state-owned enterprises like utility Eskom, which will purchase power from independent producers as part of the deals agreed on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Opponents of the renewable contracts argued that Eskom could not afford the additional financial burden and that they would lead to job losses in the coal sector.</p>
<p>South Africa relies on coal-fired plants for more than 80 percent of its electricity generation, while renewables contribute around 7 percent.</p>
<p>Transform RSA, which opposed Zuma’s removal as head of state, said it would continue to fight the renewable deals and had appealed last week’s court ruling dismissing its application for an interdict.</p>
<p>“Eskom simply does not have the liquidity, cashflow and strong balance sheet to support this hideous gamble on the fiscus and state electricity supplier,” Transform RSA president Adil Nchabeleng said.</p>
<p>Reporting by Alexander Winning; Editing by Joe Brock</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday approved the closure of the country’s most famous tourist island, Boracay, for six months from April 26, his spokesman said, paving the way for a major cleanup of what he had described as a “sewer pool”.</p> FILE PHOTO: Tourists catch a glimpse of the sunset while sailing along the island of Boracay, central Philippines January 17, 2016. REUTERS/Charlie Saceda/File Photo
<p>Boracay, on the northern tip of central Panay island, is a top destination for local and foreign tourists and its sugary white sand, lively night scene and abundant water sports attracted nearly 2 million visitors last year.</p> FILE PHOTO: Tourists takes photographs along local sailboats on the island of Boracay, central Philippines January 18, 2016. REUTERS/Charlie Saceda/File Photo
<p>The island earns revenue from luxury hotels such as Shangri-La’s five-star Boracay Resort &amp; Spa and beachside restaurants and also employs thousands of local residents.</p>
<p>Presidential spokesman Harry Roque announced Duterte’s decision via Twitter without giving further details.</p>
<p>Duterte, whose leadership style has been criticized as dictatorial, has castigated the local government and residents for “overzealous” development and permitting beachfront building with inadequate sewage and water treatment facilities.</p>
<p>Many businesses on the island have been releasing wastewater directly into the sea, violating rules on wastewater management, according to Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu.</p> Traditional boats line up the shore in a secluded beach on the island of Boracay, central Philippines January 18, 2016. REUTERS/Charlie Saceda
<p>Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra, described the discussion about Boracay’s temporary closure during a cabinet meeting late on Wednesday as “exhaustive” and said affected companies would receive financial assistance.</p>
<p>The closure, which is shorter than the one-year shutdown recommended by the environment ministry, comes just a few weeks after the government gave Macau casino operator Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd permission to build a $500 million casino and resort in Boracay.</p>
<p>Philippine Airlines said it will scale down its services to Caticlan and Kalibo airports, the gateways to Boracay, for six months from April following the government’s decision.</p>
<p>It will expand flights to other tourist and provincial destinations in the Philippines, it said in a statement.</p>
<p>Reporting by Enrico dela Cruz; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>ROME (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Asian farmers are growing rice and rearing fish in the same fields to increase their income and reduce weeds, while Ghanaians are using crop residues as compost to boost yields.</p>
<p>Such eco-farming techniques could deliver nutritious, environmentally friendly food for a growing world, increase farmers’ earnings and make farms more resilient to climate change, according to campaigners.</p>
<p>“Agriculture is in transition,” Pasquale Steduto, regional program leader for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in the Middle East and North Africa told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.</p>
<p>“Climate change is adding new uncertainty as well as increasing uncertainty. By introducing agroecology principles, you can reduce the risks&#160;of&#160;exposure&#160;to climate change.”</p>
<p>Global food production is currently based on extensive use of costly chemical fertilisers and pesticides, which damage the environment and human health, experts said at a three-day agroecology conference, which began Tuesday.</p>
<p>Yet less than 30 countries globally, and only two in Africa - Ivory Coast and Mauritius - have laws and policies that support eco-farming, the FAO said.</p>
<p>“We have three big challenges to manage - climate change, food security, and the connection between agriculture, forestry, economy and employment,” said Stephane Le Foll, a French parliamentarian and former agriculture minister.</p>
<p>The solution, he said, is ecological agriculture, which replaces chemical fertilisers with natural methods, such as planting trees amid crops and rotating foods grown to improve soils and deter pests.</p>
<p>Le Foll is vice-president of the “4 per 1000” initiative, which seeks to increase carbon held in agricultural soils by 4 percent a year to combat global warming.</p>
<p>Soil naturally absorbs carbon from the atmosphere through a process known as sequestration which not only reduce harmful greenhouse gases but also creates more fertile soil.</p>
<p>Fertile soils produce more food, which would feed more people and farming that is profitable could resolve unemployment, Le Foll added.&#160;</p>
<p>Agroecology has proven to work in Africa, where farmers are already grappling with degraded soils and unpredictable weather, said Million Belay, co-founder of the advocacy group Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA).</p>
<p>In northern Ethiopia, eco-farming techniques provided better yields than chemical fertilisers in five critical crops, including barley and maize, a project by the Institute for Sustainable Development, an Addis Ababa-based charity, found.</p>
<p>But donors’ focus on commercial agriculture in Africa is holding agroecology back, Belay said.</p>
<p>“Philanthrocapitalists like Bill Gates and others come in with a lot of money to promote commercial agriculture,” he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation, referring to wealthy businesspeople who invest in ventures with a social goal.</p>
<p>The Gates Foundation was not immediately available to comment.</p>
<p>Le Foll said more people could be brought on board by showing that agroecology is profitable. Costs go down while productivity remains the same or even improves, he said.</p>
<p>Reporting by Thin Lei Win, Editing by Katy Migiro. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, corruption and climate change. Visit news.trust.org to see more stories.</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - The world’s largest wind turbine maker Vestas ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=VWS.CO" type="external">VWS.CO</a>) is tapping into experience from the car battery industry to try to address the challenge of using erratic wind and solar energy to meet a growing share of power demand.</p> FILE PHOTO: Maintenance work is done on a Vestas wind turbine (R) at a wind energy park near Heide, Germany, September 9, 2010. REUTERS/Christian Charisius
<p>Energy storage is becoming increasingly important as production of renewable energy rises, because the wind might not blow or the sun shine during the peak hours when most consumers turns on their lights and appliances.</p>
<p>In order to bring down cost of renewable energy and help grid operators balance intermittent output, Vestas last year said it would work to combine wind, solar and battery storage technology.</p>
<p>As part of this, it invested 10 million euros ($12 million) in battery manufacturer Northvolt, which aims to build Europe’s biggest battery cell plant with the backing of investors such as Volkswagen-owned ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=VOWG_p.DE" type="external">VOWG_p.DE</a>) truckmaker Scania.</p>
<p>“We can piggyback on all the research they do with batteries for cars and get an excellent industry battery at the same time,” Vestas chairman Bert Nordberg told Reuters.</p>
<p>Vestas is partnering with Sweden’s Northvolt, headed by former Tesla executive Peter Carlsson, to develop a lithium-ion battery for power plants of the future.</p>
<p>Battery costs have traditionally been high, but the technology is becoming increasingly viable as automakers such as BMW ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=BMWG.DE" type="external">BMWG.DE</a>), Daimler ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=DAIGn.DE" type="external">DAIGn.DE</a>), Volkswagen and Volvo Car Group ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=0175.HK" type="external">0175.HK</a>) ramp up electric car production.</p>
<a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=VWS.CO" type="external">Vestas Wind Systems A/S</a> 422.4 VWS.CO Copenhagen Stock Exchange -- (--%) VWS.CO VOWG_p.DE BMWG.DE DAIGn.DE 0175.HK
<p>Nordberg said the investment into Northvolt meant Vestas could demand development and research into the kind of battery storage it is interested in, and would also be able to place people there.</p>
<p>Vestas is also working with bigger players such as U.S. electric carmaker Tesla ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=TSLA.O" type="external">TSLA.O</a>), whose batteries it plans to use in the world’s first utility-scale project for this technology to store power from both wind and solar sources.</p>
<p>“The output from solar and wind is very intermittent and we need to even that out,” Nordberg said.</p>
<p>Nordberg is part of a Swedish trio, which also includes CEO Anders Runevad and finance chief Marika Frederiksson, that has turned Vestas around and, helped by cost cutting, lifted the company’s operating margin to industry leading levels.</p>
<p>Vestas will continue to make acquisitions within storage and hybrid energy solutions, he said, but declined to say how much it might spend or which targets it was considering.</p>
<p>“The idea is that we should be a technology company, we are not trying to move into buying and selling wind parks,” he said.</p>
<p>Reporting by Stine Jacobsen; Editing by Mark Potter</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
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reuters ohio environmental regulators friday asked federal energy regulators order energy transfer partners lp cease drilling operations rover natural gas pipeline tuscarawas river concern potential spill ohio environmental protection agency said filing us federal energy regulatory commission ferc learned last week 146000 gallons drilling fluid lost hole etp drilling tuscarawas river stark county ohio site spill last april 2 million gallons mostly clay water used lubricate drilling blades led ferc temporarily ban etp new horizontal drilling may ferc idly stand allow significant threats ohio continue ohio epa said noting wants federal agency order cessation drilling operations time solution developed alexis daniel spokeswoman etp email said working coordination ferc remaining hdds horizontal directional drillingand compliance hdd contingency plan approved ferc ohio asked ferc ban etps horizontal directional drilling november said filing last week wanted information tuscarawas drilling ferc december allowed etp complete horizontal drills rover project including ohio pipeline companies use horizontal directional drilling cross large obstacles like highways rivers finished 42 billion rover pipeline carry 325 billion cubic feet gas per day marcellus utica shale fields pennsylvania ohio west virginia us midwest ontario canada one billion cubic feet per day gas supply 5 million us homes company said expects finish rover end first quarter 76 percent complete hdd activity 99 percent complete construction activities project daniel said 10 bcfd gas already flowing completed portions pipeline according reuters data major gas producers signed use rover include units privately held ascent resources llc antero resources corp range resources corp southwestern energy co eclipse resources corp eqt corp reporting scott disavino additional reporting vijaykumar vedala bengaluru editing richard chang lisa shumaker standards thomson reuters trust principles johannesburg reuters south africa signed longdelayed renewable energy contracts worth 47 billion independent power producers wednesday first major investment deal president cyril ramaphosa man walks past eletricity pylons soweto south africa march 5 2018 reuterssiphiwe sibeko signing power purchase agreements 27 mostly solar wind projects held two years ousted president jacob zuma favored plan build additional nuclear power plants also subject lastminute legal challenge numsa labor union transform rsa lobby group court rejected application urgent interdict last week signing represents victory ramaphosa promised unlock investment kickstart economic growth since replacing scandalplagued zuma february bring muchneeded policy regulatory certainty maintain south africas position energy investment destination choice energy ministry said statement ramaphosa wealthy businessman prioritized revamping economy turning around struggling stateowned enterprises like utility eskom purchase power independent producers part deals agreed wednesday opponents renewable contracts argued eskom could afford additional financial burden would lead job losses coal sector south africa relies coalfired plants 80 percent electricity generation renewables contribute around 7 percent transform rsa opposed zumas removal head state said would continue fight renewable deals appealed last weeks court ruling dismissing application interdict eskom simply liquidity cashflow strong balance sheet support hideous gamble fiscus state electricity supplier transform rsa president adil nchabeleng said reporting alexander winning editing joe brock standards thomson reuters trust principles manila reuters philippine president rodrigo duterte wednesday approved closure countrys famous tourist island boracay six months april 26 spokesman said paving way major cleanup described sewer pool file photo tourists catch glimpse sunset sailing along island boracay central philippines january 17 2016 reuterscharlie sacedafile photo boracay northern tip central panay island top destination local foreign tourists sugary white sand lively night scene abundant water sports attracted nearly 2 million visitors last year file photo tourists takes photographs along local sailboats island boracay central philippines january 18 2016 reuterscharlie sacedafile photo island earns revenue luxury hotels shangrilas fivestar boracay resort amp spa beachside restaurants also employs thousands local residents presidential spokesman harry roque announced dutertes decision via twitter without giving details duterte whose leadership style criticized dictatorial castigated local government residents overzealous development permitting beachfront building inadequate sewage water treatment facilities many businesses island releasing wastewater directly sea violating rules wastewater management according environment secretary roy cimatu traditional boats line shore secluded beach island boracay central philippines january 18 2016 reuterscharlie saceda senior deputy executive secretary menardo guevarra described discussion boracays temporary closure cabinet meeting late wednesday exhaustive said affected companies would receive financial assistance closure shorter oneyear shutdown recommended environment ministry comes weeks government gave macau casino operator galaxy entertainment group ltd permission build 500 million casino resort boracay philippine airlines said scale services caticlan kalibo airports gateways boracay six months april following governments decision expand flights tourist provincial destinations philippines said statement reporting enrico dela cruz editing matthew mpoke bigg standards thomson reuters trust principles rome thomson reuters foundation asian farmers growing rice rearing fish fields increase income reduce weeds ghanaians using crop residues compost boost yields ecofarming techniques could deliver nutritious environmentally friendly food growing world increase farmers earnings make farms resilient climate change according campaigners agriculture transition pasquale steduto regional program leader united nations food agriculture organization fao middle east north africa told thomson reuters foundation climate change adding new uncertainty well increasing uncertainty introducing agroecology principles reduce risks160of160exposure160to climate change global food production currently based extensive use costly chemical fertilisers pesticides damage environment human health experts said threeday agroecology conference began tuesday yet less 30 countries globally two africa ivory coast mauritius laws policies support ecofarming fao said three big challenges manage climate change food security connection agriculture forestry economy employment said stephane le foll french parliamentarian former agriculture minister solution said ecological agriculture replaces chemical fertilisers natural methods planting trees amid crops rotating foods grown improve soils deter pests le foll vicepresident 4 per 1000 initiative seeks increase carbon held agricultural soils 4 percent year combat global warming soil naturally absorbs carbon atmosphere process known sequestration reduce harmful greenhouse gases also creates fertile soil fertile soils produce food would feed people farming profitable could resolve unemployment le foll added160 agroecology proven work africa farmers already grappling degraded soils unpredictable weather said million belay cofounder advocacy group alliance food sovereignty africa afsa northern ethiopia ecofarming techniques provided better yields chemical fertilisers five critical crops including barley maize project institute sustainable development addis abababased charity found donors focus commercial agriculture africa holding agroecology back belay said philanthrocapitalists like bill gates others come lot money promote commercial agriculture told thomson reuters foundation referring wealthy businesspeople invest ventures social goal gates foundation immediately available comment le foll said people could brought board showing agroecology profitable costs go productivity remains even improves said reporting thin lei win editing katy migiro please credit thomson reuters foundation charitable arm thomson reuters covers humanitarian news womens rights trafficking corruption climate change visit newstrustorg see stories standards thomson reuters trust principles copenhagen reuters worlds largest wind turbine maker vestas vwsco tapping experience car battery industry try address challenge using erratic wind solar energy meet growing share power demand file photo maintenance work done vestas wind turbine r wind energy park near heide germany september 9 2010 reuterschristian charisius energy storage becoming increasingly important production renewable energy rises wind might blow sun shine peak hours consumers turns lights appliances order bring cost renewable energy help grid operators balance intermittent output vestas last year said would work combine wind solar battery storage technology part invested 10 million euros 12 million battery manufacturer northvolt aims build europes biggest battery cell plant backing investors volkswagenowned vowg_pde truckmaker scania piggyback research batteries cars get excellent industry battery time vestas chairman bert nordberg told reuters vestas partnering swedens northvolt headed former tesla executive peter carlsson develop lithiumion battery power plants future battery costs traditionally high technology becoming increasingly viable automakers bmw bmwgde daimler daignde volkswagen volvo car group 0175hk ramp electric car production vestas wind systems 4224 vwsco copenhagen stock exchange vwsco vowg_pde bmwgde daignde 0175hk nordberg said investment northvolt meant vestas could demand development research kind battery storage interested would also able place people vestas also working bigger players us electric carmaker tesla tslao whose batteries plans use worlds first utilityscale project technology store power wind solar sources output solar wind intermittent need even nordberg said nordberg part swedish trio also includes ceo anders runevad finance chief marika frederiksson turned vestas around helped cost cutting lifted companys operating margin industry leading levels vestas continue make acquisitions within storage hybrid energy solutions said declined say much might spend targets considering idea technology company trying move buying selling wind parks said reporting stine jacobsen editing mark potter standards thomson reuters trust principles
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<p>WASHINGTON - Another year of big premium increases and dwindling choice is looking like a distinct possibility for many consumers who buy their own health insurance - but why, and who's to blame?</p>
<p>President Donald Trump has seized on early market rumbles as validation of his claim that "Obamacare" is a disaster, collapsing of its own weight. Democrats, meanwhile, accuse Trump of "sabotage" on a program he's dissed and wants to dismantle.</p>
<p>It's more complicated, say some independent experts. Trump inherited some problems and risks making things worse.</p>
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<p>Many insurers in the subsidized markets created by the Affordable Care Act are still struggling to overcome financial losses. The cost of care for their new customers turned out higher than expected, a fundamental factor driving premiums higher and nudging some insurers to the exits next year.</p>
<p>But the Trump administration has also sent mixed signals that insurers find unsettling.</p>
<p>On the positive side, a market stabilization regulation gave the industry changes it wanted. And Wednesday, officials announced an enrollment option intended to make it easier for insurers and brokers to sign customers up.</p>
<p>However, insurers' top priority has become a political football. Trump keeps hinting he might stop paying billions of dollars in subsidies to reduce deductibles and copayments.</p>
<p>Insurers are also worried that under Trump the IRS will ease up enforcing the health law's unpopular requirement that most individuals have coverage, seen as driving healthy people into the market. Finally the GOP legislation in Congress would cut private insurance and Medicaid subsidies indirectly flowing to the companies.</p>
<p>The impact will vary by state and insurer, but "I think it is the case that the uncertainty we are dealing with is adding to the premium increases this year," said Cori Uccello of the American Academy of Actuaries, which represents experts who make long-range cost estimates for health care and pension programs.</p>
<p>Oregon is the latest state to unveil insurers' premium requests for 2018: 7 out of 8 carriers are seeking double-digit increases. Nationally, about 20 million people buy their own health insurance policies. Roughly half receive subsidies through the ACA marketplaces, and are cushioned, but the rest will face the brunt of increases. In the latter group are many early retirees, self-employed professionals and small business owners - a traditional Republican constituency.</p>
<p>In Virginia, seven insurers are seeking average premium increases that range from just under 10 percent to more than 50 percent. Kurt Giesa, a partner with the Oliver Wyman consultancy, said such a wide spread signals to him that some insurers may be pricing for political uncertainty.</p>
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<p>"Insurers are operating under a lot of uncertainty right now, and really, the uncertainty isn't being cleared up," he said. "The administration isn't clearing up the uncertainty." Virginia state officials declined to comment.</p>
<p>Standard &amp; Poor's analyst Deep Banerjee had earlier forecast relatively modest increases. Now he's not so sure. "There is a cloud of uncertainty that is hanging over 2018," he said.</p>
<p>In Maryland, where five insurers are seeking increases that average from 18 percent to nearly 59 percent, Insurance Commissioner Al Redmer, Jr., says he's told the companies he's not inclined to make allowances for political uncertainty.</p>
<p>"Trump hasn't been in office for three or four years, and for anybody to try to point to him as the problem, that's either falsifying history or delusional," said Redmer, a Republican. The fundamental factors are sicker customers and higher operating costs, he added. "Congress needs to put aside partisan differences and fix the ACA."</p>
<p>Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Teresa Miller said she's not expecting price shock in her state, but she's convinced the Trump administration isn't helping. "They would rather destabilize the markets and see them fail," said Miller, appointed by a Democratic governor.</p>
<p>If that is Trump's strategy, it could well fail. In a recent poll by the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation, 75 percent said his administration should do what it can to make the health care law work. Three out of five said Trump and the Republican Congress are responsible for any future problems.</p>
<p>In Tennessee, the CEO of a major insurer says political uncertainty has the potential to raise premiums.</p>
<p>"Given the potential negative effects of federal legislative and/or regulatory changes, we believe it will be necessary to price-in those downside risks," JD Hickey of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee wrote to Insurance Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak earlier this month.</p>
<p>Translation: Part of the company's premium request may reflect the impact of uncertainty.</p>
<p>In a statement, the Trump administration said the problems lie with the ACA, not its own stewardship. "It requires impressive mental gymnastics to make the case that Obamacare is working," said spokeswoman Alleigh Marre.</p>
<p>But former President Barack Obama's Medicare administrator said Trump is deliberately trying to make things worse.</p>
<p>"This is purposeful so that the president can create a crisis and use that to force the Congress to pass his law," said Andy Slavitt. "He's holding the match."</p>
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washington another year big premium increases dwindling choice looking like distinct possibility many consumers buy health insurance whos blame president donald trump seized early market rumbles validation claim obamacare disaster collapsing weight democrats meanwhile accuse trump sabotage program hes dissed wants dismantle complicated say independent experts trump inherited problems risks making things worse advertisement many insurers subsidized markets created affordable care act still struggling overcome financial losses cost care new customers turned higher expected fundamental factor driving premiums higher nudging insurers exits next year trump administration also sent mixed signals insurers find unsettling positive side market stabilization regulation gave industry changes wanted wednesday officials announced enrollment option intended make easier insurers brokers sign customers however insurers top priority become political football trump keeps hinting might stop paying billions dollars subsidies reduce deductibles copayments insurers also worried trump irs ease enforcing health laws unpopular requirement individuals coverage seen driving healthy people market finally gop legislation congress would cut private insurance medicaid subsidies indirectly flowing companies impact vary state insurer think case uncertainty dealing adding premium increases year said cori uccello american academy actuaries represents experts make longrange cost estimates health care pension programs oregon latest state unveil insurers premium requests 2018 7 8 carriers seeking doubledigit increases nationally 20 million people buy health insurance policies roughly half receive subsidies aca marketplaces cushioned rest face brunt increases latter group many early retirees selfemployed professionals small business owners traditional republican constituency virginia seven insurers seeking average premium increases range 10 percent 50 percent kurt giesa partner oliver wyman consultancy said wide spread signals insurers may pricing political uncertainty advertisement insurers operating lot uncertainty right really uncertainty isnt cleared said administration isnt clearing uncertainty virginia state officials declined comment standard amp poors analyst deep banerjee earlier forecast relatively modest increases hes sure cloud uncertainty hanging 2018 said maryland five insurers seeking increases average 18 percent nearly 59 percent insurance commissioner al redmer jr says hes told companies hes inclined make allowances political uncertainty trump hasnt office three four years anybody try point problem thats either falsifying history delusional said redmer republican fundamental factors sicker customers higher operating costs added congress needs put aside partisan differences fix aca pennsylvania insurance commissioner teresa miller said shes expecting price shock state shes convinced trump administration isnt helping would rather destabilize markets see fail said miller appointed democratic governor trumps strategy could well fail recent poll nonpartisan kaiser family foundation 75 percent said administration make health care law work three five said trump republican congress responsible future problems tennessee ceo major insurer says political uncertainty potential raise premiums given potential negative effects federal legislative andor regulatory changes believe necessary pricein downside risks jd hickey bluecross blueshield tennessee wrote insurance commissioner julie mix mcpeak earlier month translation part companys premium request may reflect impact uncertainty statement trump administration said problems lie aca stewardship requires impressive mental gymnastics make case obamacare working said spokeswoman alleigh marre former president barack obamas medicare administrator said trump deliberately trying make things worse purposeful president create crisis use force congress pass law said andy slavitt hes holding match
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<p />
<p>Trump and Xi will huddle Thursday and Friday at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, a venue chosen to give the summit a more informal feel. White House officials said Tuesday that trade and security would be high on the new American president’s agenda, including pushing China to exert more economic pressure on North Korea.</p>
<p>Speaking at a White House business forum Tuesday, Trump called North Korea a “humanity problem.” A White House official later said “all options are on the table” for the U.S., though the official would not say what steps Trump was willing to take to curb Pyongyang’s pursuit of a nuclear weapon.</p>
<p>North Korea fired a ballistic missile into the waters off its east coast on Wednesday, U.S. and South Korean officials said, in a reminder of the simmering tensions on the Korean peninsula.</p>
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<p>Like many nations, China is still grappling with Trump’s mercurial nature after the relative transparency and predictability of the bilateral relationship under Barack Obama. Both during his campaign and after his victory, Trump complained repeatedly about China’s allegedly unfair trade practices, its perceived lack of assistance in reining in North Korea and its drive to cement control over the South China Sea.</p>
<p>Some analysts believe Xi might be willing to hand Trump a symbolic victory on trade to put a positive spin on the meeting.</p>
<p>“Xi probably can’t accommodate Trump on sovereignty and security issues, but he has a lot of leeway on economics,” said Robert Sutter, a China expert at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.</p>
<p>Yet even if Xi is able to offer Trump deliverables, he will still have to deal with “a restless U.S. president valuing unpredictability and seeking advantage for his agenda going forward,” Sutter said.</p>
<p>Trump was seen as moving trade even more to the forefront when he signed a pair of executive orders Friday focused on reducing the trade deficit. Coupled together, the orders appeared to be a symbolic shot at China, which accounted for the vast bulk — $347 billion — of last year’s $502 billion trade deficit.</p>
<p>While aides insisted the timing was coincidental, the administration touted the moves as evidence of an aggressive but analytical approach to closing a yawning trade gap that is largely due to the influx of goods from China.</p>
<p>Still, Trump told the Financial Times newspaper that during his meeting with Xi, he doesn’t “want to talk about tariffs yet, perhaps the next time we meet.” A second White House official said Tuesday that the topic may come up, though there was not expected to be any resolution.</p>
<p>The officials would only discuss the upcoming summit on the condition of anonymity in order to avoid pre-empting the president.</p>
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<p>Looming over the visit will be North Korea’s nuclear provocations. China continues to oppose the tough measures demanded of it to address the issue, fearing a collapse of the Pyongyang regime would bring a crush of refugees and possibly U.S. and South Korean troops on its border.</p>
<p>Trump told the Financial Times the U.S. is prepared to act alone if China does not take a tougher stand against North Korea’s nuclear program.</p>
<p>“China has great influence over North Korea,” he said. “And China will either decide to help us with North Korea, or they won’t. And if they do that will be very good for China, and if they don’t it won’t be good for anyone.”</p>
<p>Add to the mix the issue of the South China Sea, where Beijing has built and armed man-made islands despite the concerns of neighboring countries; and Taiwan, the self-governing island democracy that China claims as its own territory, and which some in Trump’s administration would like to see in a stronger relationship with the U.S.</p>
<p>Despite such divisions, Beijing seems committed to establishing a positive relationship between the two leaders.</p>
<p>“It is fundamental for them to improve understanding between each other,” said Xiong Zhiyong, a professor at Peking University’s School of International Relations. “Both sides have shown their willingness to cooperate and they are expected to make a commitment for cooperation.”</p>
<p>China, Xiong said, realizes that Trump “is a leader with a strong personality.”</p>
<p>The White House said Trump and Xi would hold meetings and a dinner on Thursday, then gather again Friday for more discussions and a working lunch. First lady Melania Trump and Xi’s wife, famed songstress Peng Liyuan, plan to attend the dinner.</p>
<p>As personalities, Xi and Trump are a study in contrasts. A lifelong Communist Party apparatchik and son of a former vice premier, Xi has built his career with a cautious approach, avoiding controversial reforms and rarely speaking out in ways that would distract from his core message. His nearly five years as head of the ruling party have been defined by a campaign to achieve the “Chinese dream” of increasing prosperity while tackling endemic corruption.</p>
<p>Still, outwardly cordial relations with U.S. presidents are also a longstanding Chinese tradition, in recognition of the importance of the bilateral relationship. Xi had taken pains to appear at ease in the company of Obama, avoiding the rancor that characterized the relationship between the American leader and Russian President Vladimir Putin.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Bodeen reported from Beijing. Associated Press writer Vivian Salama contributed to this report from Washington.</p>
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<p>Follow Bodeen at <a href="http://twitter.com/cbodeen" type="external">http://twitter.com/cbodeen</a> and Pace at <a href="http://twitter.com/jpaceDC" type="external">http://twitter.com/jpaceDC</a></p>
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trump xi huddle thursday friday trumps maralago estate florida venue chosen give summit informal feel white house officials said tuesday trade security would high new american presidents agenda including pushing china exert economic pressure north korea speaking white house business forum tuesday trump called north korea humanity problem white house official later said options table us though official would say steps trump willing take curb pyongyangs pursuit nuclear weapon north korea fired ballistic missile waters east coast wednesday us south korean officials said reminder simmering tensions korean peninsula advertisement like many nations china still grappling trumps mercurial nature relative transparency predictability bilateral relationship barack obama campaign victory trump complained repeatedly chinas allegedly unfair trade practices perceived lack assistance reining north korea drive cement control south china sea analysts believe xi might willing hand trump symbolic victory trade put positive spin meeting xi probably cant accommodate trump sovereignty security issues lot leeway economics said robert sutter china expert george washington university washington dc yet even xi able offer trump deliverables still deal restless us president valuing unpredictability seeking advantage agenda going forward sutter said trump seen moving trade even forefront signed pair executive orders friday focused reducing trade deficit coupled together orders appeared symbolic shot china accounted vast bulk 347 billion last years 502 billion trade deficit aides insisted timing coincidental administration touted moves evidence aggressive analytical approach closing yawning trade gap largely due influx goods china still trump told financial times newspaper meeting xi doesnt want talk tariffs yet perhaps next time meet second white house official said tuesday topic may come though expected resolution officials would discuss upcoming summit condition anonymity order avoid preempting president advertisement looming visit north koreas nuclear provocations china continues oppose tough measures demanded address issue fearing collapse pyongyang regime would bring crush refugees possibly us south korean troops border trump told financial times us prepared act alone china take tougher stand north koreas nuclear program china great influence north korea said china either decide help us north korea wont good china dont wont good anyone add mix issue south china sea beijing built armed manmade islands despite concerns neighboring countries taiwan selfgoverning island democracy china claims territory trumps administration would like see stronger relationship us despite divisions beijing seems committed establishing positive relationship two leaders fundamental improve understanding said xiong zhiyong professor peking universitys school international relations sides shown willingness cooperate expected make commitment cooperation china xiong said realizes trump leader strong personality white house said trump xi would hold meetings dinner thursday gather friday discussions working lunch first lady melania trump xis wife famed songstress peng liyuan plan attend dinner personalities xi trump study contrasts lifelong communist party apparatchik son former vice premier xi built career cautious approach avoiding controversial reforms rarely speaking ways would distract core message nearly five years head ruling party defined campaign achieve chinese dream increasing prosperity tackling endemic corruption still outwardly cordial relations us presidents also longstanding chinese tradition recognition importance bilateral relationship xi taken pains appear ease company obama avoiding rancor characterized relationship american leader russian president vladimir putin ___ bodeen reported beijing associated press writer vivian salama contributed report washington ___ follow bodeen httptwittercomcbodeen pace httptwittercomjpacedc
| 530 |
<p>SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) — It was a good night for women at the Critics' Choice Awards, which honored women-centered stories like "Big Little Lies," ''The Handmaid's Tale" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel." ''Wonder Woman" was named best action movie and star Gal Gadot accepted a special award for challenging gender stereotypes.</p>
<p>Yet the industry's ongoing sexual misconduct crisis remained an element of the ceremony as James Franco won an acting award early in the evening, hours after a <a href="http://beta.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-james-franco-allegations-20180111-htmlstory.html" type="external">report</a> detailed new misconduct allegations against "The Disaster Artist" star and director. Franco did not attend Thursday's presentation at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, and his award was presented during a pre-telecast section broadcast only online.</p>
<p>Franco won a similar award at the Golden Globes earlier in the week, where most women dressed in black to protest sexual harassment. More women dressed in color on Thursday, but their determination to end gender discrimination remained just as fierce.</p>
<p>"I want to share this award with all the women and men who stand for what's right, standing for those who can't stand or speak for themselves," Gadot said as she accepted the second annual #SeeHer award. "My promise to you is: I will never be silenced. We will continue to band together to make strides, uniting for equality."</p>
<p>Guillermo del Toro's fantasy romance, "The Shape of Water," was the top film winner with four awards. Del Toro, who was also named best director, closed the show Thursday night by shouting that he's always believed in the equality of women.</p>
<p />
<p>"Let me tell you one thing, if you don't do that, you don't know what you're missing," he said.</p>
<p>"The Shape of Water," which led all nominees with 14 bids, also claimed the best picture prize, along with score and production design honors.</p>
<p>Olivia Munn hosted the dinner ceremony, which was broadcast live on the CW network. The actress, who has spoken publicly about her own experiences with sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry, led the audience in a toast. Joined by actress Niecey Nash, they raised a glass "to all the good guys in Hollywood," who held meetings in conference rooms rather than hotel rooms.</p>
<p>"Congratulations for doing what you're supposed to do!" Nash said.</p>
<p>"Big Little Lies" received four awards: best limited series, as well as acting honors for Nicole Kidman, Alexander Skarsgard and Laura Dern.</p>
<p>Kidman thanked the entertainment community "who show up to make really fantastic films and TV and let us do what we love."</p>
<p>"I love being an actor," said the 50-year-old Oscar winner. "Thank you for letting me do it all the way through to this age and beyond."</p>
<p>Stories about women also won in comedy categories. "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" was named best comedy series, and star Rachel Brosnahan won best actress in a comedy.</p>
<p>As she accepted her award, Brosnahan noted that even though women aren't wearing black like most did at the Golden Globe Awards earlier in the week, she said the fight to eradicate sexual harassment continues.</p>
<p>"Let's not lose focus," she said, urging viewers to support the Time's Up initiative. "Let's keep this going."</p>
<p>Presenter Chris Hemsworth noted that women have had a stellar year at the box office.</p>
<p>"The three biggest movies of 2017 in North America were 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi,' 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Wonder Woman,'" which all feature female protagonists, he said. "The biggest comedy was a female ensemble, 'Girls Trip,' and the biggest independent movie was written and directed by Greta Gerwig."</p>
<p>Hemsworth presented the best actress award to an absent Frances McDormand for "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri." The film also won for acting ensemble and supporting actor for Sam Rockwell.</p>
<p>Double winners Thursday included "I, Tonya," ''Darkest Hour," ''Get Out" and "Coco."</p>
<p>"I, Tonya" brought acting accolades for star Margot Robbie and supporting actress Allison Janney. "Darkest Hour" won awards for makeup and lead actor for Gary Oldman. "Get Out" was named best sci-fi or horror film, and writer-director Jordan Peele claimed original screenplay honors. "Coco" won animated feature and original song for "Remember Me."</p>
<p>Many Critics' Choice Awards winners also took home Golden Globes, including McDormand, Rockwell, Oldman, Brosnahan and the stars of "Big Little Lies." Hollywood's awards season continues through March 4, when the Academy Awards are presented.</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 reflect that the Academy Awards are on March 4.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>For full coverage of awards season, visit: <a href="" type="internal">https://apnews.com/tag/AwardsSeason</a></p>
<p>SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) — It was a good night for women at the Critics' Choice Awards, which honored women-centered stories like "Big Little Lies," ''The Handmaid's Tale" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel." ''Wonder Woman" was named best action movie and star Gal Gadot accepted a special award for challenging gender stereotypes.</p>
<p>Yet the industry's ongoing sexual misconduct crisis remained an element of the ceremony as James Franco won an acting award early in the evening, hours after a <a href="http://beta.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-james-franco-allegations-20180111-htmlstory.html" type="external">report</a> detailed new misconduct allegations against "The Disaster Artist" star and director. Franco did not attend Thursday's presentation at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, and his award was presented during a pre-telecast section broadcast only online.</p>
<p>Franco won a similar award at the Golden Globes earlier in the week, where most women dressed in black to protest sexual harassment. More women dressed in color on Thursday, but their determination to end gender discrimination remained just as fierce.</p>
<p>"I want to share this award with all the women and men who stand for what's right, standing for those who can't stand or speak for themselves," Gadot said as she accepted the second annual #SeeHer award. "My promise to you is: I will never be silenced. We will continue to band together to make strides, uniting for equality."</p>
<p>Guillermo del Toro's fantasy romance, "The Shape of Water," was the top film winner with four awards. Del Toro, who was also named best director, closed the show Thursday night by shouting that he's always believed in the equality of women.</p>
<p />
<p>"Let me tell you one thing, if you don't do that, you don't know what you're missing," he said.</p>
<p>"The Shape of Water," which led all nominees with 14 bids, also claimed the best picture prize, along with score and production design honors.</p>
<p>Olivia Munn hosted the dinner ceremony, which was broadcast live on the CW network. The actress, who has spoken publicly about her own experiences with sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry, led the audience in a toast. Joined by actress Niecey Nash, they raised a glass "to all the good guys in Hollywood," who held meetings in conference rooms rather than hotel rooms.</p>
<p>"Congratulations for doing what you're supposed to do!" Nash said.</p>
<p>"Big Little Lies" received four awards: best limited series, as well as acting honors for Nicole Kidman, Alexander Skarsgard and Laura Dern.</p>
<p>Kidman thanked the entertainment community "who show up to make really fantastic films and TV and let us do what we love."</p>
<p>"I love being an actor," said the 50-year-old Oscar winner. "Thank you for letting me do it all the way through to this age and beyond."</p>
<p>Stories about women also won in comedy categories. "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" was named best comedy series, and star Rachel Brosnahan won best actress in a comedy.</p>
<p>As she accepted her award, Brosnahan noted that even though women aren't wearing black like most did at the Golden Globe Awards earlier in the week, she said the fight to eradicate sexual harassment continues.</p>
<p>"Let's not lose focus," she said, urging viewers to support the Time's Up initiative. "Let's keep this going."</p>
<p>Presenter Chris Hemsworth noted that women have had a stellar year at the box office.</p>
<p>"The three biggest movies of 2017 in North America were 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi,' 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Wonder Woman,'" which all feature female protagonists, he said. "The biggest comedy was a female ensemble, 'Girls Trip,' and the biggest independent movie was written and directed by Greta Gerwig."</p>
<p>Hemsworth presented the best actress award to an absent Frances McDormand for "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri." The film also won for acting ensemble and supporting actor for Sam Rockwell.</p>
<p>Double winners Thursday included "I, Tonya," ''Darkest Hour," ''Get Out" and "Coco."</p>
<p>"I, Tonya" brought acting accolades for star Margot Robbie and supporting actress Allison Janney. "Darkest Hour" won awards for makeup and lead actor for Gary Oldman. "Get Out" was named best sci-fi or horror film, and writer-director Jordan Peele claimed original screenplay honors. "Coco" won animated feature and original song for "Remember Me."</p>
<p>Many Critics' Choice Awards winners also took home Golden Globes, including McDormand, Rockwell, Oldman, Brosnahan and the stars of "Big Little Lies." Hollywood's awards season continues through March 4, when the Academy Awards are presented.</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 reflect that the Academy Awards are on March 4.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>For full coverage of awards season, visit: <a href="" type="internal">https://apnews.com/tag/AwardsSeason</a></p>
| false | 2 |
santa monica calif ap good night women critics choice awards honored womencentered stories like big little lies handmaids tale marvelous mrs maisel wonder woman named best action movie star gal gadot accepted special award challenging gender stereotypes yet industrys ongoing sexual misconduct crisis remained element ceremony james franco acting award early evening hours report detailed new misconduct allegations disaster artist star director franco attend thursdays presentation barker hangar santa monica california award presented pretelecast section broadcast online franco similar award golden globes earlier week women dressed black protest sexual harassment women dressed color thursday determination end gender discrimination remained fierce want share award women men stand whats right standing cant stand speak gadot said accepted second annual seeher award promise never silenced continue band together make strides uniting equality guillermo del toros fantasy romance shape water top film winner four awards del toro also named best director closed show thursday night shouting hes always believed equality women let tell one thing dont dont know youre missing said shape water led nominees 14 bids also claimed best picture prize along score production design honors olivia munn hosted dinner ceremony broadcast live cw network actress spoken publicly experiences sexual misconduct entertainment industry led audience toast joined actress niecey nash raised glass good guys hollywood held meetings conference rooms rather hotel rooms congratulations youre supposed nash said big little lies received four awards best limited series well acting honors nicole kidman alexander skarsgard laura dern kidman thanked entertainment community show make really fantastic films tv let us love love actor said 50yearold oscar winner thank letting way age beyond stories women also comedy categories marvelous mrs maisel named best comedy series star rachel brosnahan best actress comedy accepted award brosnahan noted even though women arent wearing black like golden globe awards earlier week said fight eradicate sexual harassment continues lets lose focus said urging viewers support times initiative lets keep going presenter chris hemsworth noted women stellar year box office three biggest movies 2017 north america star wars last jedi beauty beast wonder woman feature female protagonists said biggest comedy female ensemble girls trip biggest independent movie written directed greta gerwig hemsworth presented best actress award absent frances mcdormand three billboards outside ebbing missouri film also acting ensemble supporting actor sam rockwell double winners thursday included tonya darkest hour get coco tonya brought acting accolades star margot robbie supporting actress allison janney darkest hour awards makeup lead actor gary oldman get named best scifi horror film writerdirector jordan peele claimed original screenplay honors coco animated feature original song remember many critics choice awards winners also took home golden globes including mcdormand rockwell oldman brosnahan stars big little lies hollywoods awards season continues march 4 academy awards presented ___ follow ap entertainment writer sandy cohen wwwtwittercomapsandy ___ story corrected reflect academy awards march 4 ___ full coverage awards season visit httpsapnewscomtagawardsseason santa monica calif ap good night women critics choice awards honored womencentered stories like big little lies handmaids tale marvelous mrs maisel wonder woman named best action movie star gal gadot accepted special award challenging gender stereotypes yet industrys ongoing sexual misconduct crisis remained element ceremony james franco acting award early evening hours report detailed new misconduct allegations disaster artist star director franco attend thursdays presentation barker hangar santa monica california award presented pretelecast section broadcast online franco similar award golden globes earlier week women dressed black protest sexual harassment women dressed color thursday determination end gender discrimination remained fierce want share award women men stand whats right standing cant stand speak gadot said accepted second annual seeher award promise never silenced continue band together make strides uniting equality guillermo del toros fantasy romance shape water top film winner four awards del toro also named best director closed show thursday night shouting hes always believed equality women let tell one thing dont dont know youre missing said shape water led nominees 14 bids also claimed best picture prize along score production design honors olivia munn hosted dinner ceremony broadcast live cw network actress spoken publicly experiences sexual misconduct entertainment industry led audience toast joined actress niecey nash raised glass good guys hollywood held meetings conference rooms rather hotel rooms congratulations youre supposed nash said big little lies received four awards best limited series well acting honors nicole kidman alexander skarsgard laura dern kidman thanked entertainment community show make really fantastic films tv let us love love actor said 50yearold oscar winner thank letting way age beyond stories women also comedy categories marvelous mrs maisel named best comedy series star rachel brosnahan best actress comedy accepted award brosnahan noted even though women arent wearing black like golden globe awards earlier week said fight eradicate sexual harassment continues lets lose focus said urging viewers support times initiative lets keep going presenter chris hemsworth noted women stellar year box office three biggest movies 2017 north america star wars last jedi beauty beast wonder woman feature female protagonists said biggest comedy female ensemble girls trip biggest independent movie written directed greta gerwig hemsworth presented best actress award absent frances mcdormand three billboards outside ebbing missouri film also acting ensemble supporting actor sam rockwell double winners thursday included tonya darkest hour get coco tonya brought acting accolades star margot robbie supporting actress allison janney darkest hour awards makeup lead actor gary oldman get named best scifi horror film writerdirector jordan peele claimed original screenplay honors coco animated feature original song remember many critics choice awards winners also took home golden globes including mcdormand rockwell oldman brosnahan stars big little lies hollywoods awards season continues march 4 academy awards presented ___ follow ap entertainment writer sandy cohen wwwtwittercomapsandy ___ story corrected reflect academy awards march 4 ___ full coverage awards season visit httpsapnewscomtagawardsseason
| 954 |
<p>Q: Has a “smoking gun” been found to prove Obama was not born a U.S. citizen? Did he attend Occidental College on a scholarship for foreign students?</p>
<p>A: This chain e-mail is a transparent April Fools’ Day hoax. It fabricates an AP news story about an nonexistent group, and makes false claims about Obama and the Fulbright program.</p>
<p>FULL&#160;QUESTION</p>
<p>I recently received this and wanted to know if it is accurate, and what the implications are.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>OBAMA – SMOKING GUN FINALLY FOUND?</p>
<p>April 1, 2009</p>
<p>AP- WASHINGTON D.C. – In a move certain to fuel the debate over Obama’s qualifications for the presidency, the group “Americans for Freedom of Information” has released copies of President Obama’s college transcripts from Occidental College. Released today, the transcript indicates that Obama, under the name Barry Soetoro, received financial aid as a foreign student from Indonesia as an undergraduate at the school. The transcript was released by Occidental College in compliance with a court order in a suit brought by the group in the Superior Court of California. The transcript shows that Obama (Soetoro) applied for financial aid and was awarded a fellowship for foreign students from the Fulbright Foundation Scholarship program. To qualify, for the scholarship, a student must claim foreign citizenship. This document would seem to provide the smoking gun that many of Obama’s detractors have been seeking.</p>
<p>[EET ]</p>
<p>The news has created a firestorm at the White House as the release casts increasing doubt about Obama’s legitimacy and qualification to serve as president. When reached for comment in London, where he has been in meetings with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Obama smiled but refused comment on the issue. Meanwhile, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs scoffed at the report stating that this was obviously another attempt by a right-wing conservative group to discredit the president and undermine the administration’s efforts to move the country in a new direction.</p>
<p>Britain’s Daily Mail has also carried the story in a front-page article titled, “Obama Eligibility Questioned”, leading some to speculate that the story may overshadow economic issues on Obama’s first official visit to the U.K.</p>
<p>In a related matter, under growing pressure from several groups, Justice Antonin Scalia announced that the Supreme Court agreed on Tuesday to hear arguments concerning Obama’s legal eligibility to serve as President in a case brought by Leo Donofrio of New Jersey. This lawsuit claims Obama’s dual citizenship disqualified him from serving as president. Donofrio’s case is just one of 18 suits brought by citizens demanding proof of Obama’s citizenship or qualification to serve as president.</p>
<p>Gary Kreep of the United States Justice Foundation has released the results of their investigation of Obama’s campaign spending. This study estimates that Obama has spent upwards of $950,000 in campaign funds in the past year with eleven law firms in 12 states for legal resources to block disclosure of any of his personal records. Mr. Kreep indicated that the investigation is still ongoing but that the final report will be provided to the U.S. attorney general, Eric Holder. Mr. Holder has refused to comment on the matter.</p>
<p>[/EET]</p>
<p>FULL&#160;ANSWER</p>
<p>The claim is that Obama received a Fulbright scholarship for foreign students, proving that he is not a U.S. citizen and therefore not eligible to be president. Supposedly this was reported by The Associated Press. But the claim is false and the story is a hoax.</p>
<p>April Fake</p>
<p>We contacted The Associated Press just to confirm what should be obvious, that no such news story ever appeared on the news agency’s wires. Jack Stokes, the AP‘s manager of media relations, gave us this statement:</p>
<p>AP: The story purported to be from The Associated Press on April 1 is fake.</p>
<p>Furthermore, the group that the fake story credits with gaining release of the supposed “smoking gun” documents is also a fake. Searches of news accounts and Internet sites showed no trace of any group called “Americans for Freedom of Information,” until recently. On May 6 such a group did appear, but only as a joke to make fun of anyone who had fallen for the April Fools’ Day gag. An anonymous blogger set up a site calling itself “ <a href="http://amfoi.wordpress.com/" type="external">Americans for Freedom of Information: We Do Not Exist</a>.” Its <a href="http://amfoi.wordpress.com/2009/05/06/welcome-to-the-americans-for-freedom-of-information/" type="external">first entry</a> begins:</p>
<p>“Americans for Freedom of Information” May 6: We are the Americans for Freedom of Information. We are a fictitious group of individuals; i.e. we do not exist. And yet, for a nonexistent organization we wield great power and knowledge! O Yea, Verily. OK, actually, not verily at all. Anti-verily, as a matter of an utter lack of fact.</p>
<p>Update: On May 11 an “Americans for Freedom of Information”&#160;Web site <a href="http://whois.domaintools.com/americansforfreedomofinformation.com" type="external">was registered</a> to a woman in Hilton, N.Y. named <a href="http://www.debrajmsmith.com/beliefs.html" type="external">Debra J.M. Smith</a>. This site of course did not exist when on date of the fake AP story, and Smith told us she is not responsible for the claims it makes.</p>
<p>Where Truth Ends</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" />Not all versions of this e-mail carry the telltale April 1 dateline, however. And more than a month after it first appeared we continue to get questions about whether it is true, and to see postings on conservative blogs that seem to accept its claims as fact. But not only is the message a hoax, its key claims are as false as they can be.</p>
<p>Among the few claims that are true in this message is that from fall 1979 through spring 1981 <a href="http://www.oxy.edu/x7992.xml" type="external">Obama attended Occidental College</a>, a small (currently <a href="http://www.oxy.edu/x2356.xml" type="external">1,825 students</a>, according to its Web site) school in Los Angeles. After that he transferred to Columbia University in New York City to finish his undergraduate education. The photo here is from his application to Occidental.</p>
<p>It’s also true that Obama was on scholarship while at Occidental, according to articles in the <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2007/jan/29/local/me-oxy29" type="external">Los Angeles Times</a> and <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/articles/2008/08/25/small_college_awakened_future_senator_to_service/?page=full" type="external">Boston Globe</a>.</p>
<p>But that’s about where the truth ends. For those who might believe that even a fake news story quoting a nonexistent organization might still have some validity, we offer these facts:</p>
<p>No Fulbright: Contrary to what this e-mail claims, Obama’s scholarship wasn’t a Fulbright. It’s true that many foreign students come to the U.S. under <a href="http://fulbright.state.gov/root/resources-for/students/fulbright-program-opportunities-for-foreign-students" type="external">the Fulbright program</a>, sponsored by the United States Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. But <a href="http://www.foreign.fulbrightonline.org/" type="external">Fulbrights for foreign students</a> are primarily intended for graduate students studying for masters’ degrees or Ph.D. degrees, not for college freshmen and sophomores.</p>
<p>No “Soetoro”: Another false claim is that Obama attended and received financial aid “under the name Barry Soetoro,” using the surname of his Indonesian stepfather Lolo Soetoro. The college’s Director of Communications Jim Tranquada told us there’s no record of that. He told us in an e-mail:</p>
<p>Occidental spokesman Tranquada: Contemporary public documents, such as the 1979-80 freshman ‘Lookbook’ published at the beginning of President Obama’s first year at Occidental, list him as Barack Obama. All of the Occidental alumni I have spoken to from that era (1979-81) who knew him, knew him as Barry Obama.</p>
<p>No Records: It’s not even true that Occidental has released Obama’s student records, as claimed in the message. Nor have courts ordered any such records to be made public. According to the college spokesman:</p>
<p>Occidental spokesman Tranquada: To date, all of the litigation filed regarding President Obama’s student records at Occidental has been rejected by the courts. Occidental has not released his transcripts or his student file.</p>
<p>Furthermore there’s no trace of the supposed Daily Mail story headlined “Obama Eligibility Questioned,” either on <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/index.html" type="external">the newspaper’s Web site</a> or in the Nexis database of stories published by the paper. The claim that the Supreme Court recently agreed to hear a case brought by Leo Donofrio is also false; <a href="http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2008/12/08/supreme_court_declines_to_hear.html" type="external">the high court in fact refused to grant a hearing</a> in that case back <a href="http://origin.www.supremecourtus.gov/docket/08a407.htm" type="external">on Dec. 8, 2008</a>.</p>
<p>There is a group called the “ <a href="http://usjf.net/" type="external">United States Justice Foundation</a>,” and it does list a <a href="http://usjf.net/about/about-executive-director-gary-kreep" type="external">Gary Kreep</a> as its executive director. But we find no report of any study of Obama’s legal spending on its Web site, or any mention of turning information over to Attorney General Eric Holder. We’ve asked Kreep about this in an e-mail message, and will update this item should we receive a reply.</p>
<p>Update: May 28: Kreep responded simply: “It’s all a hoax.”</p>
<p>-Brooks Jackson</p>
| false | 2 |
q smoking gun found prove obama born us citizen attend occidental college scholarship foreign students chain email transparent april fools day hoax fabricates ap news story nonexistent group makes false claims obama fulbright program full160question recently received wanted know accurate implications thanks obama smoking gun finally found april 1 2009 ap washington dc move certain fuel debate obamas qualifications presidency group americans freedom information released copies president obamas college transcripts occidental college released today transcript indicates obama name barry soetoro received financial aid foreign student indonesia undergraduate school transcript released occidental college compliance court order suit brought group superior court california transcript shows obama soetoro applied financial aid awarded fellowship foreign students fulbright foundation scholarship program qualify scholarship student must claim foreign citizenship document would seem provide smoking gun many obamas detractors seeking eet news created firestorm white house release casts increasing doubt obamas legitimacy qualification serve president reached comment london meetings british prime minister gordon brown obama smiled refused comment issue meanwhile white house press secretary robert gibbs scoffed report stating obviously another attempt rightwing conservative group discredit president undermine administrations efforts move country new direction britains daily mail also carried story frontpage article titled obama eligibility questioned leading speculate story may overshadow economic issues obamas first official visit uk related matter growing pressure several groups justice antonin scalia announced supreme court agreed tuesday hear arguments concerning obamas legal eligibility serve president case brought leo donofrio new jersey lawsuit claims obamas dual citizenship disqualified serving president donofrios case one 18 suits brought citizens demanding proof obamas citizenship qualification serve president gary kreep united states justice foundation released results investigation obamas campaign spending study estimates obama spent upwards 950000 campaign funds past year eleven law firms 12 states legal resources block disclosure personal records mr kreep indicated investigation still ongoing final report provided us attorney general eric holder mr holder refused comment matter eet full160answer claim obama received fulbright scholarship foreign students proving us citizen therefore eligible president supposedly reported associated press claim false story hoax april fake contacted associated press confirm obvious news story ever appeared news agencys wires jack stokes aps manager media relations gave us statement ap story purported associated press april 1 fake furthermore group fake story credits gaining release supposed smoking gun documents also fake searches news accounts internet sites showed trace group called americans freedom information recently may 6 group appear joke make fun anyone fallen april fools day gag anonymous blogger set site calling americans freedom information exist first entry begins americans freedom information may 6 americans freedom information fictitious group individuals ie exist yet nonexistent organization wield great power knowledge yea verily ok actually verily antiverily matter utter lack fact update may 11 americans freedom information160web site registered woman hilton ny named debra jm smith site course exist date fake ap story smith told us responsible claims makes truth ends versions email carry telltale april 1 dateline however month first appeared continue get questions whether true see postings conservative blogs seem accept claims fact message hoax key claims false among claims true message fall 1979 spring 1981 obama attended occidental college small currently 1825 students according web site school los angeles transferred columbia university new york city finish undergraduate education photo application occidental also true obama scholarship occidental according articles los angeles times boston globe thats truth ends might believe even fake news story quoting nonexistent organization might still validity offer facts fulbright contrary email claims obamas scholarship wasnt fulbright true many foreign students come us fulbright program sponsored united states department states bureau educational cultural affairs fulbrights foreign students primarily intended graduate students studying masters degrees phd degrees college freshmen sophomores soetoro another false claim obama attended received financial aid name barry soetoro using surname indonesian stepfather lolo soetoro colleges director communications jim tranquada told us theres record told us email occidental spokesman tranquada contemporary public documents 197980 freshman lookbook published beginning president obamas first year occidental list barack obama occidental alumni spoken era 197981 knew knew barry obama records even true occidental released obamas student records claimed message courts ordered records made public according college spokesman occidental spokesman tranquada date litigation filed regarding president obamas student records occidental rejected courts occidental released transcripts student file furthermore theres trace supposed daily mail story headlined obama eligibility questioned either newspapers web site nexis database stories published paper claim supreme court recently agreed hear case brought leo donofrio also false high court fact refused grant hearing case back dec 8 2008 group called united states justice foundation list gary kreep executive director find report study obamas legal spending web site mention turning information attorney general eric holder weve asked kreep email message update item receive reply update may 28 kreep responded simply hoax brooks jackson
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<p>ISTANBUL (Reuters) - The statement issued by the White House regarding Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump does not accurately reflect the content of their conversation, a Turkish source said on Thursday.</p> Smoke rises from the Syria's Afrin region, as it is pictured from near the Turkish town of Hassa, on the Turkish-Syrian border in Hatay province, Turkey. REUTERS/Osman Orsal
<p>“President Trump did not share any ‘concerns about escalating violence’ with regard to the ongoing military operation in Afrin,” the source said, referring to one comment in the White House summary of their phone call.</p>
<p>“The two leaders’ discussion of Operation Olive Branch was limited to an exchange of views,” the source said.</p>
<p>Writing by Daren Butler; Editing by David Dolan</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Trump administration on Thursday blamed the Russian government for a campaign of cyber attacks stretching back at least two years that targeted the U.S. power grid, marking the first time the United States has publicly accused Moscow of hacking into American energy infrastructure.</p>
<p>Beginning in March 2016, or possibly earlier, Russian government hackers sought to penetrate multiple U.S. critical infrastructure sectors, including energy, nuclear, commercial facilities, water, aviation and manufacturing, according to a U.S. security alert published Thursday.</p>
<p>The Department of Homeland Security and FBI said in the alert that a “multi-stage intrusion campaign by Russian government cyber actors” had targeted the networks of small commercial facilities “where they staged malware, conducted spear phishing, and gained remote access into energy sector networks.” The alert did not name facilities or companies targeted.</p>
<p>The direct condemnation of Moscow represented an escalation in the Trump administration’s attempts to deter Russia’s aggression in cyberspace, after senior U.S. intelligence officials said in recent weeks the Kremlin feels it can launch hacking operations against the West with impunity.</p>
<p>It coincided with a decision Thursday by the U.S. Treasury Department to impose sanctions on 19 Russian people and five groups, including Moscow’s intelligence services, for meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and other malicious cyber attacks.</p>
<p>Russia in the past has denied it has tried to hack into other countries’ infrastructure, and vowed on Thursday to retaliate for the new sanctions.</p> ‘UNPRECEDENTED AND EXTRAORDINARY’
<p>U.S. security officials have long warned that the United States may be vulnerable to debilitating cyber attacks from hostile adversaries. It was not clear what impact the attacks had on the firms that were targeted.</p>
<p>But Thursday’s alert provided a link to an analysis by the U.S. cyber security firm Symantec last fall that said a group it had dubbed Dragonfly had targeted energy companies in the United States and Europe and in some cases broke into the core systems that control the companies’ operations.</p>
<p>Malicious email campaigns dating back to late 2015 were used to gain entry into organizations in the United States, Turkey and Switzerland, and likely other countries, Symantec said at the time, though it did not name Russia as the culprit.</p>
<p>The decision by the United States to publicly attribute hacking attempts of American critical infrastructure was “unprecedented and extraordinary,” said Amit Yoran, a former U.S. official who founded DHS’s Computer Emergency Response Team.</p>
<p>“I have never seen anything like this,” said Yoran, now chief executive of the cyber firm Tenable, said.</p>
<p>A White House National Security Council spokesman did not respond when asked what specifically prompted the public blaming of Russia. U.S. officials have historically been reluctant to call out such activity in part because the United States also spies on infrastructure in other parts of the world.</p>
<p>News of the hacking campaign targeting U.S. power companies first surfaced in June in a confidential alert to industry that described attacks on industrial firms, including nuclear plants, but did not attribute blame.</p>
<p>“People sort of suspected Russia was behind it, but today’s statement from the U.S. government carries a lot of weight,” Read said,” said Ben Read, manager for cyber espionage analysis with cyber security company FireEye Inc.</p> ENGINEERS TARGETED
<p>The campaign targeted engineers and technical staff with access to industrial controls, suggesting the hackers were interested in disrupting operations, though FireEye has seen no evidence that they actually took that step, Read said.</p>
<p>It was not clear what was Russia’s motive was. Many cyber security experts and former U.S. officials say such behavior is generally espionage-oriented with the potential, if needed, for sabotage.</p>
<p>Russia has shown a willingness to leverage access into energy networks for damaging effect in the past. Kremlin-linked hackers were widely blamed for two attacks on the Ukrainian energy grid in 2015 and 2016, that caused temporary blackouts for hundreds of thousands of customers and were considered first-of-their-kind assaults. The attacks included sabotaging power distribution equipment, which complicated attempts to restore power.</p>
<p>Senator Maria Cantwell, the top Democrat on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, asked the Trump administration earlier this month to provide a threat assessment gauging Russian capabilities to breach the U.S. electric grid.</p>
<p>It was the third time Cantwell and other senators had asked for such a review. The administration has not yet responded, a spokesman for Cantwell’s office said on Thursday.</p>
<p>Last July there were news reports that the Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corp, which operates a nuclear plant in Kansas, had been targeted by hackers from an unknown origin.</p>
<p>Spokeswoman Jenny Hageman declined to say at the time if the plant had been hacked but said that there had been no operational impact to the plant because operational computer systems were separate from the corporate network. Hageman on Thursday said the company does not comment on security matters.</p>
<p>John Keeley, a spokesman for the industry group the Nuclear Energy Institute, said: “There has been no successful cyber attack against any U.S. nuclear facility, including Wolf Creek.”</p>
<p>He said whether the corporate networks of any nuclear plants had been hacked was a question for the U.S. government.</p>
<p>Reporting by Dustin Volz and Timothy Gardner, additional reporting by Jim Finkle; Editing by Tom Brown and Alistair Bell</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States slapped sanctions on Russian individuals and entities for U.S. election meddling and cyber attacks but put off targeting oligarchs and government officials close to President Vladimir Putin, prompting lawmakers in both parties to say President Donald Trump needs to do much more.</p>
<p>With the United States under pressure to act, the steps announced by the U.S. Treasury Department represented the most significant taken against Moscow since Trump assumed office in January 2017.</p>
<p>Along with imposing sanctions on 19 individuals and five entities including Russian intelligence services, Trump’s administration blamed Moscow for a campaign of cyber attacks stretching back at least two years that targeted the U.S. power grid including nuclear facilities.</p>
<p>The United States also joined Britain, Germany and France in demanding that Russia explain a military-grade nerve toxin attack in England on a former Russian double agent, and Trump said “it certainly looks like the Russians were behind” the incident.</p>
<p>But congressional critics called the administration’s action a woefully inadequate retaliation for Russia interference in the 2016 U.S. election and other actions.</p>
<p>“The sanctions today are a grievous disappointment and fall far short of what is needed to respond to that attack on our democracy let alone deter Russia’s escalating aggression, which now includes a chemical weapons attack on the soil of our closest ally,” said Adam Schiff, top Democrat on the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee.</p>
<p>“Today’s action, using authorities provided by Congress, is an important step by the administration. But more must be done,” Republican House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce added.</p>
<p>Trump has faced fierce criticism in the United States for doing too little to punish Russia for the election meddling and other actions, and Special Counsel Robert Mueller is looking into whether Trump’s campaign colluded with the Russians, an allegation the president denies.</p>
<p>Sixteen of the Russian individuals and entities sanctioned were indicted on Feb. 16 as part of Mueller’s criminal investigation.</p>
<p>“They didn’t hit Putin’s power structure and they didn’t team up with Europe,” Brian O’Toole, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council think tank and a former senior adviser at the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, said of the administration’s actions.</p>
<p>A senior administration official told Reuters that Trump, who campaigned on warmer ties with Putin, has grown exasperated with Russian activity. “A classic bully,” the official said of Putin.</p>
<p>White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders, asked if Russia is a friend or foe, told reporters, “Russia is going to have to make that determination. They’re going to have to decide whether they want to be a good actor or a bad actor.”</p>
<p>In Moscow, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Russia was preparing retaliatory measures, as U.S.-Russian relations plunged again.</p>
<p>Thursday’s announcement marked the first time that the U.S. government stated publicly that Russia had attempted to break into the American energy grid, which U.S. security officials have longed warned may be vulnerable to debilitating cyber attacks from hostile adversaries.</p> FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin discusses the Trump administration's tax reform proposal in the White House briefing room in Washington, U.S, April 26, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File photo
<p>The Treasury Department said the sanctions were also meant to counter cyber attacks including the NotPetya attack that cost billions of dollars in damage across Europe, Asia and the United States. The United States and Britain last month blamed Russian military for that attack.</p>
<p>Trump has frequently questioned a January 2017 finding by U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia interfered in the 2016 campaign using hacking and propaganda in an effort eventually aimed at tilting the race in Trump’s favor. Russia denies interfering in the election.</p>
<p>But Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin was unequivocal in saying that Thursday’s action by his department “counters Russia’s continuing destabilizing activities, ranging from interference in the 2016 election to conducting destructive cyber-attacks.”</p> ‘GET SMART’
<p>“Putin constantly attacks our friends. So, President Trump, are you going to get smart about the threat Russia poses to the United States and our allies?” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer asked.</p> FILE PHOTO: Voters cast their votes during the U.S. presidential election in Elyria, Ohio, U.S. November 8, 2016. REUTERS/Aaron Josefczyk/File Photo
<p>Mnuchin said there would be additional sanctions against Russian government officials and oligarchs “for their destabilizing activities.” Mnuchin did not give a time frame for those sanctions, which he said would sever the individuals’ access to the U.S. financial system.</p>
<p>Democratic Senator Robert Menendez said he was glad to see the administration act but noted that Democratic former President Barack Obama’s administration had already imposed sanctions on many of the people and entities targeted on Thursday.</p>
<p>Russian government hackers since at least March 2016 “have also targeted U.S. government entities and multiple U.S. critical infrastructure sectors, including the energy, nuclear, commercial facilities, water, aviation, and critical manufacturing sectors,” a Treasury Department statement said.</p>
<p>A senior administration told reporters on a conference call that Russian actors infiltrated parts of the U.S. energy sector.</p>
<p>“We were able to identify where they were located within those business systems and remove them from those business systems,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.</p> Related Coverage
<a href="/article/us-usa-russia-sanctions-whitehouse/white-house-will-remain-tough-on-russia-until-its-behavior-changes-idUSKCN1GR313" type="external">White House: will remain tough on Russia until its behavior changes</a>
<a href="/article/us-usa-russia-sanctions-energygrid/in-a-first-u-s-blames-russia-for-cyber-attacks-on-energy-grid-idUSKCN1GR2G3" type="external">In a first, U.S. blames Russia for cyber attacks on energy grid</a>
<a href="/article/us-usa-russia-sanctions-prigozhin/russian-businessman-prigozhin-dismisses-new-u-s-sanctions-ria-idUSKCN1GR2G7" type="external">Russian businessman Prigozhin dismisses new U.S. sanctions: RIA</a>
<p>Trump told reporters during a White House event with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar that “it certainly looks like the Russians were behind” the use of a nerve agent to attack Sergei Skripal, a former Russian double agent in England. Trump called it “something that should never, ever happen, and we’re taking it very seriously, as I think are many others.”</p>
<p>The new sanctions include Russian intelligence services, the Federal Security Service (FSB) and Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), and six individuals working on behalf of the GRU.</p>
<p>Thursday’s action blocks all property of those targeted that is subject to U.S. jurisdiction and prohibits American citizens from engaging in transactions with them.</p>
<p>Russian businessman Evgeny Prigozhin, one of those indicted by Mueller and hit with sanctions on Thursday, said in comments cited by RIA news agency that he already had been hit with U.S. sanctions “maybe three or four times - I’m tired of counting.”</p>
<p>“I’m not worried by this,” Prigozhin was quoted as saying. “Except that now I will stop going to McDonald’s.”</p>
<p>Reporting by Steve Holland and Doina Chiacu; Additional reporting by Dustin Volz, Timothy Gardner, Lesley Wroughton, Warren Strobel and James Oliphant in Washington, Guy Faulconbridge and Estelle Shirbon in London and Polina Ivanova in Moscow; Editing by Mary Milliken and Will Dunham</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller has subpoenaed the Trump Organization for documents, including some related to Russia, the New York Times reported on Thursday, citing two people briefed on the matter.</p> FILE PHOTO: Special Counsel Robert Mueller departs after briefing members of the U.S. Senate on his investigation into potential collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, U.S., June 21, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/File Photo
<p>Details of the subpoena were not available, the newspaper said. The Trump Organization, which U.S. President Donald Trump ran with his family before he entered the White House, played down the significance of any subpoena, a lawyer saying on Thursday that the company has told the public since July that it is being cooperative with the special counsel’s investigation.</p>
<p>Mueller is investigating Russian attempts to influence the 2016 U.S. election, and potential collusion by Trump aides. Russia has denied U.S. intelligence agencies’ conclusion that it meddled in the election and Trump has said there was no collusion between his campaign and Moscow officials.</p>
<p>Mueller has charged several Trump associates and more than a dozen Russians.</p>
<p>Peter Carr, a spokesman for Mueller, declined to comment on the Times report about a subpoena, which was the first known time Mueller had demanded materials directly related to Trump’s businesses.</p>
<p>The S&amp;P 500 ended slightly lower on Thursday in choppy trade as strong jobs and manufacturing data was balanced by the Times report on Mueller’s subpoena.</p>
<p>“This is old news and our assistance and cooperation with the various investigations remains the same today,” New York lawyer Alan Futerfas, who represents the Trump Organization in the Russia probe, said in a statement.</p>
<p>Futerfas also represents Donald Trump Jr. and other Trump Organization officers and employees.</p>
<p>Congressional committees also have been investigating Russia and the 2016 election and possible collusion with the Trump campaign.</p> Related Video
<p>The White House declined to comment specifically on the report and referred questions to the Trump Organization.</p>
<p>“We’re going to continue to fully cooperate. Out of respect for the special counsel, we’re not going to comment,” White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said.</p>
<p>Reporting by Karen Freifeld, Doina Chiacu and James Oliphant; editing by Grant McCool</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>(Reuters) - The special election in Pennsylvania’s 18th Congressional District was still too close to call on Wednesday but the winner could soon have to start campaigning all over again - in a different district against a different opponent for the November congressional elections.</p> Supporters of U.S. Democratic congressional candidate Conor Lamb react to the results coming in during Lamb's election night rally in Pennsylvania's 18th U.S. Congressional district special election against Republican candidate and State Rep. Rick Saccone in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S., March 13, 2018. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
<p>That is because the 18th District, as currently drawn in southwestern Pennsylvania, will cease to exist because of a recent court order that set new boundaries for every district in the state.</p>
<p>Democrat Conor Lamb, who was slightly ahead in the race for the seat in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, likely will start campaigning in the new 17th District. Republican Rick Saccone, should he still have a political future after failing to handily win a district Donald Trump carried by 20 points in 2016, might try for the seat in the newly drawn 14th District.</p>
<p>The political game of musical chairs could once again make western Pennsylvania hard-fought ground. Districts that were once considered solidly Republican and that voted for Trump in the 2016 presidential election now look winnable by Democrats.</p>
<p>Pennsylvania’s top court ruled in January that the state had been unfairly gerrymandered by Republican legislators, with districts shaped in order to include voters apt to favor their party. Pennsylvania Republicans, including eight U.S. congressmen, have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the new map.</p>
<p>“It’s a much more competitive map,” said Eric McGhee, a political scientist at the Public Policy Institute of California who helped craft an analysis of the new districts by PlanScore.org.</p>
<p>Saccone, a conservative four-term state representative from Elizabeth Township, lives in the newly drawn 18th District that will skew Democrat because it includes the strongly Democratic city of Pittsburgh.</p>
<p>But Saccone has already said he intends to run in the new 14th District, which will include much of the current 18th and strongly Republican communities to the west of it.</p>
<p>Political analysts label the new 14th District safely Republican. It has a higher share of people who have not studied past high school and its median household income, at about $55,000, is lower than the old 18th District’s $65,000, according to PlanScore’s analysis. Saccone might want to move to the new district, although Pennsylvania law does not require candidates to run in the districts where they live.</p> Graphic: Pennsylvania's new look ‘I WILL BE RUNNING LATER’
<p>Lamb has not said which seat he would seek in November but was clear during the campaign that he intended to compete.</p>
<p>Political analysts and Pennsylvania Democratic strategists such as Mike Mikus believe the moderate Democrat would be a strong candidate in the new 17th.</p>
<p>Compared with the old 18th, the new 17th District will have a larger share of black residents and will be slightly more educated - segments of the electorate that skew Democratic.</p>
<p>Should Lamb run in the 17th, it could set up an incumbent-versus-incumbent showdown against Keith Rothfus, the Republican now representing the 12th District, a hammer-shaped district stretching from the Ohio border north of Pittsburgh to the Allegheny Mountains. Trump won that district over Democrat Hillary Clinton by 21 points.</p>
<p>Rothfus has said he will run in the new 17th, which takes in the western portion of his current district.</p>
<p>The newly drawn 17th District could be an easier district to win for a Democrat than Pennsylvania’s 18th. Trump’s vote tally in the new 17th would have barely won him the district. It includes the suburbs southwest, west and north of Pittsburgh where a large numbers of suburban Democrats might find Rothfus too conservative.</p>
<p>The new 17th District does include a swath of Republican strongholds stretching to the Ohio border. But Lamb could make inroads in the blue-collar Trump strongholds of traditionally Democratic Beaver County, where voters could be attracted by his pro-gun, pro-military and pro-union positions as well as his opposition to abortion rights.</p>
<p>“I would put Lamb or another Democrat as a favorite over Rothfus,” Mikus said. “Rothfus raises a lot of money but he is very conservative and probably too conservative for this district.”</p>
<p>Political analysts at the University of Virginia Center for Politics considered the new 17th District as leaning in Rothfus’ favor until last week, when they moved it to a toss-up in anticipation of a possible Lamb candidacy.</p>
<p>Graphic: Pennsylvania's new look, click <a href="http://tmsnrt.rs/2GquDcL" type="external">tmsnrt.rs/2GquDcL</a></p>
<p>Reporting by David Morgan in Mount Lebanon, Pa., and Jason Lange in Washington; Editing by Damon Darlin, Peter Cooney and Bill Trott</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
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istanbul reuters statement issued white house regarding turkish president tayyip erdogans phone call us president donald trump accurately reflect content conversation turkish source said thursday smoke rises syrias afrin region pictured near turkish town hassa turkishsyrian border hatay province turkey reutersosman orsal president trump share concerns escalating violence regard ongoing military operation afrin source said referring one comment white house summary phone call two leaders discussion operation olive branch limited exchange views source said writing daren butler editing david dolan standards thomson reuters trust principles washington reuters trump administration thursday blamed russian government campaign cyber attacks stretching back least two years targeted us power grid marking first time united states publicly accused moscow hacking american energy infrastructure beginning march 2016 possibly earlier russian government hackers sought penetrate multiple us critical infrastructure sectors including energy nuclear commercial facilities water aviation manufacturing according us security alert published thursday department homeland security fbi said alert multistage intrusion campaign russian government cyber actors targeted networks small commercial facilities staged malware conducted spear phishing gained remote access energy sector networks alert name facilities companies targeted direct condemnation moscow represented escalation trump administrations attempts deter russias aggression cyberspace senior us intelligence officials said recent weeks kremlin feels launch hacking operations west impunity coincided decision thursday us treasury department impose sanctions 19 russian people five groups including moscows intelligence services meddling 2016 us presidential election malicious cyber attacks russia past denied tried hack countries infrastructure vowed thursday retaliate new sanctions unprecedented extraordinary us security officials long warned united states may vulnerable debilitating cyber attacks hostile adversaries clear impact attacks firms targeted thursdays alert provided link analysis us cyber security firm symantec last fall said group dubbed dragonfly targeted energy companies united states europe cases broke core systems control companies operations malicious email campaigns dating back late 2015 used gain entry organizations united states turkey switzerland likely countries symantec said time though name russia culprit decision united states publicly attribute hacking attempts american critical infrastructure unprecedented extraordinary said amit yoran former us official founded dhss computer emergency response team never seen anything like said yoran chief executive cyber firm tenable said white house national security council spokesman respond asked specifically prompted public blaming russia us officials historically reluctant call activity part united states also spies infrastructure parts world news hacking campaign targeting us power companies first surfaced june confidential alert industry described attacks industrial firms including nuclear plants attribute blame people sort suspected russia behind todays statement us government carries lot weight read said said ben read manager cyber espionage analysis cyber security company fireeye inc engineers targeted campaign targeted engineers technical staff access industrial controls suggesting hackers interested disrupting operations though fireeye seen evidence actually took step read said clear russias motive many cyber security experts former us officials say behavior generally espionageoriented potential needed sabotage russia shown willingness leverage access energy networks damaging effect past kremlinlinked hackers widely blamed two attacks ukrainian energy grid 2015 2016 caused temporary blackouts hundreds thousands customers considered firstoftheirkind assaults attacks included sabotaging power distribution equipment complicated attempts restore power senator maria cantwell top democrat senate energy natural resources committee asked trump administration earlier month provide threat assessment gauging russian capabilities breach us electric grid third time cantwell senators asked review administration yet responded spokesman cantwells office said thursday last july news reports wolf creek nuclear operating corp operates nuclear plant kansas targeted hackers unknown origin spokeswoman jenny hageman declined say time plant hacked said operational impact plant operational computer systems separate corporate network hageman thursday said company comment security matters john keeley spokesman industry group nuclear energy institute said successful cyber attack us nuclear facility including wolf creek said whether corporate networks nuclear plants hacked question us government reporting dustin volz timothy gardner additional reporting jim finkle editing tom brown alistair bell standards thomson reuters trust principles washington reuters united states slapped sanctions russian individuals entities us election meddling cyber attacks put targeting oligarchs government officials close president vladimir putin prompting lawmakers parties say president donald trump needs much united states pressure act steps announced us treasury department represented significant taken moscow since trump assumed office january 2017 along imposing sanctions 19 individuals five entities including russian intelligence services trumps administration blamed moscow campaign cyber attacks stretching back least two years targeted us power grid including nuclear facilities united states also joined britain germany france demanding russia explain militarygrade nerve toxin attack england former russian double agent trump said certainly looks like russians behind incident congressional critics called administrations action woefully inadequate retaliation russia interference 2016 us election actions sanctions today grievous disappointment fall far short needed respond attack democracy let alone deter russias escalating aggression includes chemical weapons attack soil closest ally said adam schiff top democrat house representatives intelligence committee todays action using authorities provided congress important step administration must done republican house foreign affairs committee chairman ed royce added trump faced fierce criticism united states little punish russia election meddling actions special counsel robert mueller looking whether trumps campaign colluded russians allegation president denies sixteen russian individuals entities sanctioned indicted feb 16 part muellers criminal investigation didnt hit putins power structure didnt team europe brian otoole senior fellow atlantic council think tank former senior adviser treasury departments office foreign assets control said administrations actions senior administration official told reuters trump campaigned warmer ties putin grown exasperated russian activity classic bully official said putin white house spokeswoman sarah sanders asked russia friend foe told reporters russia going make determination theyre going decide whether want good actor bad actor moscow deputy foreign minister sergei ryabkov said russia preparing retaliatory measures usrussian relations plunged thursdays announcement marked first time us government stated publicly russia attempted break american energy grid us security officials longed warned may vulnerable debilitating cyber attacks hostile adversaries file photo us secretary treasury steven mnuchin discusses trump administrations tax reform proposal white house briefing room washington us april 26 2017 reuterscarlos barriafile photo treasury department said sanctions also meant counter cyber attacks including notpetya attack cost billions dollars damage across europe asia united states united states britain last month blamed russian military attack trump frequently questioned january 2017 finding us intelligence agencies russia interfered 2016 campaign using hacking propaganda effort eventually aimed tilting race trumps favor russia denies interfering election treasury secretary steven mnuchin unequivocal saying thursdays action department counters russias continuing destabilizing activities ranging interference 2016 election conducting destructive cyberattacks get smart putin constantly attacks friends president trump going get smart threat russia poses united states allies senate democratic leader chuck schumer asked file photo voters cast votes us presidential election elyria ohio us november 8 2016 reutersaaron josefczykfile photo mnuchin said would additional sanctions russian government officials oligarchs destabilizing activities mnuchin give time frame sanctions said would sever individuals access us financial system democratic senator robert menendez said glad see administration act noted democratic former president barack obamas administration already imposed sanctions many people entities targeted thursday russian government hackers since least march 2016 also targeted us government entities multiple us critical infrastructure sectors including energy nuclear commercial facilities water aviation critical manufacturing sectors treasury department statement said senior administration told reporters conference call russian actors infiltrated parts us energy sector able identify located within business systems remove business systems official said speaking condition anonymity related coverage white house remain tough russia behavior changes first us blames russia cyber attacks energy grid russian businessman prigozhin dismisses new us sanctions ria trump told reporters white house event irish prime minister leo varadkar certainly looks like russians behind use nerve agent attack sergei skripal former russian double agent england trump called something never ever happen taking seriously think many others new sanctions include russian intelligence services federal security service fsb main intelligence directorate gru six individuals working behalf gru thursdays action blocks property targeted subject us jurisdiction prohibits american citizens engaging transactions russian businessman evgeny prigozhin one indicted mueller hit sanctions thursday said comments cited ria news agency already hit us sanctions maybe three four times im tired counting im worried prigozhin quoted saying except stop going mcdonalds reporting steve holland doina chiacu additional reporting dustin volz timothy gardner lesley wroughton warren strobel james oliphant washington guy faulconbridge estelle shirbon london polina ivanova moscow editing mary milliken dunham standards thomson reuters trust principles washington reuters us special counsel robert mueller subpoenaed trump organization documents including related russia new york times reported thursday citing two people briefed matter file photo special counsel robert mueller departs briefing members us senate investigation potential collusion russia trump campaign capitol hill washington dc us june 21 2017 reutersjoshua robertsfile photo details subpoena available newspaper said trump organization us president donald trump ran family entered white house played significance subpoena lawyer saying thursday company told public since july cooperative special counsels investigation mueller investigating russian attempts influence 2016 us election potential collusion trump aides russia denied us intelligence agencies conclusion meddled election trump said collusion campaign moscow officials mueller charged several trump associates dozen russians peter carr spokesman mueller declined comment times report subpoena first known time mueller demanded materials directly related trumps businesses sampp 500 ended slightly lower thursday choppy trade strong jobs manufacturing data balanced times report muellers subpoena old news assistance cooperation various investigations remains today new york lawyer alan futerfas represents trump organization russia probe said statement futerfas also represents donald trump jr trump organization officers employees congressional committees also investigating russia 2016 election possible collusion trump campaign related video white house declined comment specifically report referred questions trump organization going continue fully cooperate respect special counsel going comment white house spokeswoman sarah sanders said reporting karen freifeld doina chiacu james oliphant editing grant mccool standards thomson reuters trust principles reuters special election pennsylvanias 18th congressional district still close call wednesday winner could soon start campaigning different district different opponent november congressional elections supporters us democratic congressional candidate conor lamb react results coming lambs election night rally pennsylvanias 18th us congressional district special election republican candidate state rep rick saccone canonsburg pennsylvania us march 13 2018 reutersbrendan mcdermid 18th district currently drawn southwestern pennsylvania cease exist recent court order set new boundaries every district state democrat conor lamb slightly ahead race seat us house representatives wednesday likely start campaigning new 17th district republican rick saccone still political future failing handily win district donald trump carried 20 points 2016 might try seat newly drawn 14th district political game musical chairs could make western pennsylvania hardfought ground districts considered solidly republican voted trump 2016 presidential election look winnable democrats pennsylvanias top court ruled january state unfairly gerrymandered republican legislators districts shaped order include voters apt favor party pennsylvania republicans including eight us congressmen filed federal lawsuit challenging new map much competitive map said eric mcghee political scientist public policy institute california helped craft analysis new districts planscoreorg saccone conservative fourterm state representative elizabeth township lives newly drawn 18th district skew democrat includes strongly democratic city pittsburgh saccone already said intends run new 14th district include much current 18th strongly republican communities west political analysts label new 14th district safely republican higher share people studied past high school median household income 55000 lower old 18th districts 65000 according planscores analysis saccone might want move new district although pennsylvania law require candidates run districts live graphic pennsylvanias new look running later lamb said seat would seek november clear campaign intended compete political analysts pennsylvania democratic strategists mike mikus believe moderate democrat would strong candidate new 17th compared old 18th new 17th district larger share black residents slightly educated segments electorate skew democratic lamb run 17th could set incumbentversusincumbent showdown keith rothfus republican representing 12th district hammershaped district stretching ohio border north pittsburgh allegheny mountains trump district democrat hillary clinton 21 points rothfus said run new 17th takes western portion current district newly drawn 17th district could easier district win democrat pennsylvanias 18th trumps vote tally new 17th would barely district includes suburbs southwest west north pittsburgh large numbers suburban democrats might find rothfus conservative new 17th district include swath republican strongholds stretching ohio border lamb could make inroads bluecollar trump strongholds traditionally democratic beaver county voters could attracted progun promilitary prounion positions well opposition abortion rights would put lamb another democrat favorite rothfus mikus said rothfus raises lot money conservative probably conservative district political analysts university virginia center politics considered new 17th district leaning rothfus favor last week moved tossup anticipation possible lamb candidacy graphic pennsylvanias new look click tmsnrtrs2gqudcl reporting david morgan mount lebanon pa jason lange washington editing damon darlin peter cooney bill trott standards thomson reuters trust principles
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<p>BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona has broken its curse at Anoeta Stadium.</p>
<p>Luis Suarez scored twice before Lionel Messi completed Barcelona’s 4-2 comeback win at Real Sociedad on Sunday, giving the Catalan club its first league win at the Basque Country team since 2007.</p>
<p>Barcelona was behind by two goals when Suarez set up Paulinho before halftime. The Uruguayan then scored twice in the second half to put the visitors ahead as heavy rain fell over the northern city of San Sebastian.</p>
<p>Messi secured the three points when he scored from a free kick with five minutes remaining.</p>
<p>Barcelona reached the halfway point of the league season unbeaten and with a nine-point lead over second-place Atletico Madrid. Valencia trails by 11, and defending champion Real Madrid faces a massive 19-point deficit with a game in hand.</p>
<p>“Our bad run here in the league is finally over,” Suarez said. “This is the best way to finish the first half of the season, winning and doing so by turning around a match we were losing.”</p>
<p>The fightback ended Barcelona’s run of five losses and two draws in La Liga at Sociedad, a team that has consistently played at its best against the powerhouse.</p>
<p>Barcelona also extended its undefeated streak across all competitions this season to 29 straight games since losing the Spanish Super Cup to Madrid in August.</p>
<p>“What can I say? The numbers speak for themselves. We are happy with the season we are having, after the difficult start we had,” said Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde. “Now we have the second half of the season. We don’t rule out our rivals, but we only need to worry about what we will do. That’s the advantage of being in the lead.”</p>
<p>Sociedad got off to an ideal start in the 11th when Xabi Prieto swung in a long cross from the left to Willian Jose, who headed the ball off the turf and over the reach of goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.</p>
<p>Sociedad went forward in attack and got a second goal when Juanmi Jimenez was played clear by Sergio Canales in the 31st. His strike took a deflection off Sergi Roberto to leave Ter Stegen too out of position to try to make a save.</p>
<p>But Barcelona pulled one back against the flow of play in the 39th when Paulinho pushed forward from midfield and was alone to tap in Suarez’s pass after Jordi Alba had met his run behind the defense.</p>
<p>Suarez leveled the score at 2-2 five minutes after halftime when he scored with an exquisite single touch of his right boot after a pass by Messi from near the corner of the box.</p>
<p>Suarez completed the turnaround in the 71st when Thomas Vermaelen jumped highest to head the ball forward where Suarez was alone to fire a right-footed strike past goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.</p>
<p>Rulli was again left flatfooted when Messi dipped his free kick over the defensive barrier and inside the post.</p>
<p>Messi took his league-leading tally to 17 goals. Suarez has 13.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>SEVILLA SLUMP</p>
<p>Sevilla’s winless streak reached five straight rounds after losing 1-0 at Alaves.</p>
<p>It was Sevilla’s second consecutive loss in the league under Vincenzo Montella, the Italian coach who replaced the fired Eduardo Berizzo late last month.</p>
<p>“We are very disappointed. I am sorry for the result,” Montella said. “We can see some improvement, but in other aspects we still have a lot of work to do.”</p>
<p>Sevilla was left in sixth place after Villarreal moved ahead in the standings on Saturday.</p>
<p>Manu Garcia scored Alaves’ winner in the 52nd after a poorly cleared corner kick.</p>
<p>Alaves moved out of the relegation zone after its fourth win in six rounds since the arrival of manager Abelardo Fernandez.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>ALLEGED RACIAL ABUSE</p>
<p>Celta’s 1-0 win at Levante from Pione Sisto’s first-half goal was marred by an alleged incident of racial abuse between players.</p>
<p>Levante midfielder Jefferson Lerma accused Celta Vigo striker Iago Aspas of using a racist slur to insult him during the match.</p>
<p>Aspas, who is a Spain international, denies racially abusing Lerma.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>STAYING PUT</p>
<p>Espanyol drew 1-1 at home with Athletic Bilbao a day after coach Quique Sanchez Flores quashed speculation of a move to struggling Premier League team Stoke.</p>
<p>Sanchez Flores said on Saturday that he “is and will be Espanyol’s coach” amid rumors of his possible departure for England.</p>
<p>BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona has broken its curse at Anoeta Stadium.</p>
<p>Luis Suarez scored twice before Lionel Messi completed Barcelona’s 4-2 comeback win at Real Sociedad on Sunday, giving the Catalan club its first league win at the Basque Country team since 2007.</p>
<p>Barcelona was behind by two goals when Suarez set up Paulinho before halftime. The Uruguayan then scored twice in the second half to put the visitors ahead as heavy rain fell over the northern city of San Sebastian.</p>
<p>Messi secured the three points when he scored from a free kick with five minutes remaining.</p>
<p>Barcelona reached the halfway point of the league season unbeaten and with a nine-point lead over second-place Atletico Madrid. Valencia trails by 11, and defending champion Real Madrid faces a massive 19-point deficit with a game in hand.</p>
<p>“Our bad run here in the league is finally over,” Suarez said. “This is the best way to finish the first half of the season, winning and doing so by turning around a match we were losing.”</p>
<p>The fightback ended Barcelona’s run of five losses and two draws in La Liga at Sociedad, a team that has consistently played at its best against the powerhouse.</p>
<p>Barcelona also extended its undefeated streak across all competitions this season to 29 straight games since losing the Spanish Super Cup to Madrid in August.</p>
<p>“What can I say? The numbers speak for themselves. We are happy with the season we are having, after the difficult start we had,” said Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde. “Now we have the second half of the season. We don’t rule out our rivals, but we only need to worry about what we will do. That’s the advantage of being in the lead.”</p>
<p>Sociedad got off to an ideal start in the 11th when Xabi Prieto swung in a long cross from the left to Willian Jose, who headed the ball off the turf and over the reach of goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.</p>
<p>Sociedad went forward in attack and got a second goal when Juanmi Jimenez was played clear by Sergio Canales in the 31st. His strike took a deflection off Sergi Roberto to leave Ter Stegen too out of position to try to make a save.</p>
<p>But Barcelona pulled one back against the flow of play in the 39th when Paulinho pushed forward from midfield and was alone to tap in Suarez’s pass after Jordi Alba had met his run behind the defense.</p>
<p>Suarez leveled the score at 2-2 five minutes after halftime when he scored with an exquisite single touch of his right boot after a pass by Messi from near the corner of the box.</p>
<p>Suarez completed the turnaround in the 71st when Thomas Vermaelen jumped highest to head the ball forward where Suarez was alone to fire a right-footed strike past goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.</p>
<p>Rulli was again left flatfooted when Messi dipped his free kick over the defensive barrier and inside the post.</p>
<p>Messi took his league-leading tally to 17 goals. Suarez has 13.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>SEVILLA SLUMP</p>
<p>Sevilla’s winless streak reached five straight rounds after losing 1-0 at Alaves.</p>
<p>It was Sevilla’s second consecutive loss in the league under Vincenzo Montella, the Italian coach who replaced the fired Eduardo Berizzo late last month.</p>
<p>“We are very disappointed. I am sorry for the result,” Montella said. “We can see some improvement, but in other aspects we still have a lot of work to do.”</p>
<p>Sevilla was left in sixth place after Villarreal moved ahead in the standings on Saturday.</p>
<p>Manu Garcia scored Alaves’ winner in the 52nd after a poorly cleared corner kick.</p>
<p>Alaves moved out of the relegation zone after its fourth win in six rounds since the arrival of manager Abelardo Fernandez.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>ALLEGED RACIAL ABUSE</p>
<p>Celta’s 1-0 win at Levante from Pione Sisto’s first-half goal was marred by an alleged incident of racial abuse between players.</p>
<p>Levante midfielder Jefferson Lerma accused Celta Vigo striker Iago Aspas of using a racist slur to insult him during the match.</p>
<p>Aspas, who is a Spain international, denies racially abusing Lerma.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>STAYING PUT</p>
<p>Espanyol drew 1-1 at home with Athletic Bilbao a day after coach Quique Sanchez Flores quashed speculation of a move to struggling Premier League team Stoke.</p>
<p>Sanchez Flores said on Saturday that he “is and will be Espanyol’s coach” amid rumors of his possible departure for England.</p>
| false | 2 |
barcelona spain ap barcelona broken curse anoeta stadium luis suarez scored twice lionel messi completed barcelonas 42 comeback win real sociedad sunday giving catalan club first league win basque country team since 2007 barcelona behind two goals suarez set paulinho halftime uruguayan scored twice second half put visitors ahead heavy rain fell northern city san sebastian messi secured three points scored free kick five minutes remaining barcelona reached halfway point league season unbeaten ninepoint lead secondplace atletico madrid valencia trails 11 defending champion real madrid faces massive 19point deficit game hand bad run league finally suarez said best way finish first half season winning turning around match losing fightback ended barcelonas run five losses two draws la liga sociedad team consistently played best powerhouse barcelona also extended undefeated streak across competitions season 29 straight games since losing spanish super cup madrid august say numbers speak happy season difficult start said barcelona coach ernesto valverde second half season dont rule rivals need worry thats advantage lead sociedad got ideal start 11th xabi prieto swung long cross left willian jose headed ball turf reach goalkeeper marcandre ter stegen sociedad went forward attack got second goal juanmi jimenez played clear sergio canales 31st strike took deflection sergi roberto leave ter stegen position try make save barcelona pulled one back flow play 39th paulinho pushed forward midfield alone tap suarezs pass jordi alba met run behind defense suarez leveled score 22 five minutes halftime scored exquisite single touch right boot pass messi near corner box suarez completed turnaround 71st thomas vermaelen jumped highest head ball forward suarez alone fire rightfooted strike past goalkeeper geronimo rulli rulli left flatfooted messi dipped free kick defensive barrier inside post messi took leagueleading tally 17 goals suarez 13 ___ sevilla slump sevillas winless streak reached five straight rounds losing 10 alaves sevillas second consecutive loss league vincenzo montella italian coach replaced fired eduardo berizzo late last month disappointed sorry result montella said see improvement aspects still lot work sevilla left sixth place villarreal moved ahead standings saturday manu garcia scored alaves winner 52nd poorly cleared corner kick alaves moved relegation zone fourth win six rounds since arrival manager abelardo fernandez ___ alleged racial abuse celtas 10 win levante pione sistos firsthalf goal marred alleged incident racial abuse players levante midfielder jefferson lerma accused celta vigo striker iago aspas using racist slur insult match aspas spain international denies racially abusing lerma ___ staying put espanyol drew 11 home athletic bilbao day coach quique sanchez flores quashed speculation move struggling premier league team stoke sanchez flores said saturday espanyols coach amid rumors possible departure england barcelona spain ap barcelona broken curse anoeta stadium luis suarez scored twice lionel messi completed barcelonas 42 comeback win real sociedad sunday giving catalan club first league win basque country team since 2007 barcelona behind two goals suarez set paulinho halftime uruguayan scored twice second half put visitors ahead heavy rain fell northern city san sebastian messi secured three points scored free kick five minutes remaining barcelona reached halfway point league season unbeaten ninepoint lead secondplace atletico madrid valencia trails 11 defending champion real madrid faces massive 19point deficit game hand bad run league finally suarez said best way finish first half season winning turning around match losing fightback ended barcelonas run five losses two draws la liga sociedad team consistently played best powerhouse barcelona also extended undefeated streak across competitions season 29 straight games since losing spanish super cup madrid august say numbers speak happy season difficult start said barcelona coach ernesto valverde second half season dont rule rivals need worry thats advantage lead sociedad got ideal start 11th xabi prieto swung long cross left willian jose headed ball turf reach goalkeeper marcandre ter stegen sociedad went forward attack got second goal juanmi jimenez played clear sergio canales 31st strike took deflection sergi roberto leave ter stegen position try make save barcelona pulled one back flow play 39th paulinho pushed forward midfield alone tap suarezs pass jordi alba met run behind defense suarez leveled score 22 five minutes halftime scored exquisite single touch right boot pass messi near corner box suarez completed turnaround 71st thomas vermaelen jumped highest head ball forward suarez alone fire rightfooted strike past goalkeeper geronimo rulli rulli left flatfooted messi dipped free kick defensive barrier inside post messi took leagueleading tally 17 goals suarez 13 ___ sevilla slump sevillas winless streak reached five straight rounds losing 10 alaves sevillas second consecutive loss league vincenzo montella italian coach replaced fired eduardo berizzo late last month disappointed sorry result montella said see improvement aspects still lot work sevilla left sixth place villarreal moved ahead standings saturday manu garcia scored alaves winner 52nd poorly cleared corner kick alaves moved relegation zone fourth win six rounds since arrival manager abelardo fernandez ___ alleged racial abuse celtas 10 win levante pione sistos firsthalf goal marred alleged incident racial abuse players levante midfielder jefferson lerma accused celta vigo striker iago aspas using racist slur insult match aspas spain international denies racially abusing lerma ___ staying put espanyol drew 11 home athletic bilbao day coach quique sanchez flores quashed speculation move struggling premier league team stoke sanchez flores said saturday espanyols coach amid rumors possible departure england
| 870 |
<p>(Repeats with no changes to text. The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters.)</p>
<p>* GRAPHIC: China seaborne coal imports vs Newcastle price: <a href="http://reut.rs/2DVJUkH" type="external">reut.rs/2DVJUkH</a></p>
<a href="http://reut.rs/2DVJUkH" type="external" />
<p>By Clyde Russell</p>
<p>LAUNCESTON, Australia, Jan 22 (Reuters) - It’s getting to the time of year when a seasonal decline in thermal coal prices in Asia is to be expected as winter’s demand peak passes - but so far the power station fuel is defying gravity.</p>
<p>The price of spot cargoes of thermal coal from Australia’s Newcastle port, a regional benchmark, ended at $108.75 a tonne on Jan. 19, within touching distance of the $109.50 reached on Jan. 17, which was the highest in a year.</p>
<p>The price has rallied 5.8 percent since the end of last year and by 18 percent since the most recent trough of $92.20 a tonne on Nov. 23.</p>
<p>The first port of call when looking at moves in thermal coal prices in the seaborne market is China, given its status as the largest importer of the fuel.</p>
<p>While China’s demand from the seaborne market does appear to have picked up in January, it also seems that Asia’s other top importers have been taking more cargoes.</p>
<p>Vessel-tracking and port data compiled by Thomson Reuters Supply Chain and Commodity Forecasts suggest China will import around 20.9 million tonnes of coal, both thermal and coking, in January, up from 17.2 million in December and 19.1 million in November.</p>
<p>The January estimate accounts only for vessels that have already discharged their cargoes, are currently discharging or awaiting discharge, or are under way and expected to arrive prior to the end of the month.</p>
<p>If the January estimate is accurate, it would represent China’s biggest monthly seaborne imports since September last year.</p>
<p>Japan, the third-largest coal importer in Asia, is also ramping up imports, with 18.2 million tonnes expected to arrive in January, up from 16.3 million in December and November’s 15.2 million.</p>
<p>Imports by fourth-ranked South Korea are also likely to stay at elevated levels in January, with 11.1 million tonnes expected from the seaborne market, just lower than December’s 11.8 million but well up on November’s 9.7 million.</p>
<p>India’s January figure of 16.1 million tonnes looks like a softer outcome in the world’s second-biggest coal importer when compared to December’s 18 million. But it’s worth noting that last month’s figure was the highest since June 2016.</p> AUSTRALIA EXPORTS SURGE
<p>On the supply side, vessel-tracking figures show top exporter Australia on track for a record month in January, with shipment of 38.5 million tonnes of both thermal and coking coal, the highest in shipping data records going back to January 2015.</p>
<p>The January number is up from 31.3 million tonnes in December and 28.1 million in November.</p>
<p>Number two exporter Indonesia also looks to be having a strong start to 2018, with January shipments estimated at 27.7 million tonnes, up from December’s 26.1 million and level with November’s 27.8 million.</p>
<p>Overall, the picture that emerges is one of strength in Asia’s seaborne coal markets for not only this month, but also December and November.</p>
<p>It’s little surprise, then, that the Newcastle thermal coal price hasn’t yet started a post-winter correction, given the strength of demand in Asia’s top importers.</p>
<p>In 2016, which was the first year coal prices rallied after five consecutive years of decline, the Newcastle spot contracts peaked in November, before retreating about 38 percent to a low in May of 2017.</p>
<p>While the current market dynamics aren’t a mirror of what prevailed last year, it would be logical to expect thermal coal prices to drop once peak winter demand passes.</p>
<p>The question is by how much should they decline? The forward curve of Newcastle futures traded on the Intercontinental Exchange suggests a mild correction, with all contracts currently above $100 a tonne until June.</p>
<p>This may prove optimistic as there seem to be more bearish factors than bullish for Asian coal demand currently.</p>
<p>China’s ongoing battle against air pollution is likely to result in continued curbs on coal use, and demand for imported coal may also suffer as domestic output recovers, with production rising 3.2 percent to 3.45 billion tonnes in 2017 from a year earlier.</p>
<p>India is also maintaining a policy of lowering coal imports to an eventual zero while simultaneously boosting domestic output - as well as increasing the installation of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.</p>
<p>Japan has boosted coal use given its ongoing nuclear shutdowns, but there does appear to be mounting opposition to replacing unpopular nuclear power with polluting coal.</p>
<p>While coal has enjoyed a stellar start to 2018, with strong demand growth, the key will become the extent of any pullbacks in the seaborne markets once the bumper January ends.</p>
<p>Editing by Kenneth Maxwell</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>BEIJING (Reuters) - Growth in China’s manufacturing sector picked up more than expected in March as authorities lifted winter pollution restrictions and steel mills cranked up production as construction activity swings back into high gear.</p> FILE PHOTO: A worker polishes steel pipes at a factory of Dongbei Special Steel Group Co Ltd in Dalian, Liaoning province, China March 27, 2018. REUTERS/Stringer
<p>The official Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) released on Saturday rose to 51.5 in March, from 50.3 in February, and was well above the 50-point mark that separates growth from contraction on a monthly basis.</p>
<p>Analysts surveyed by Reuters had forecast the reading would pick up only slightly to 50.5.</p>
<p>The findings add to a growing amount of data which suggest that China’s economy has carried more momentum into the first quarter from last year than analysts had expected, which should keep synchronized global growth on track for a while longer even as trade tensions build.</p>
<p>February’s print had been the lowest in 1-1/2 years, but many analysts suspected it was due to disruptions related to the long Lunar New Year holidays, not a sharp drop in consumption.</p>
<p>Indeed, the March survey showed manufacturers shifted into higher gear as usual as seasonal demand picked up at home and abroad. The sub-index for output jumped to 53.1 from 50.3 in February, while total new orders rose to 53.3 from 51.0 and export orders climbed to 51.3 from 49.0.</p>
<p>The China Logistics Information Centre, in a commentary on the PMI figures, said it expected first-quarter economic growth to be about 6.8 percent. Early this year, economists polled by Reuters were penciling in a fade to around 6.6 percent.</p> Related Coverage
<a href="/article/us-china-economy-pmi-services-official/china-march-official-services-pmi-edges-up-to-54-6-idUSKBN1H701G" type="external">China March official services PMI edges up to 54.6</a>
<p>Large companies saw a modest pickup in growth, while small firms’ activity expanded marginally after shrinking in February.</p>
<p>Helping drive positive sentiment, exports have been better than expected in the first two months of the year, particularly for tech products, the fastest-growing segment of China’s industrial sector. Though a sub PMI for hi-tech manufacturing eased in March, growth remained solid.</p>
<p>However, a sharp escalation in trade tensions with the United States is clouding the outlook for both China’s “old economy” heavy industries and “new economy” tech firms.</p>
<p>The Trump administration slapped hefty tariffs on steel and aluminum imports last week and then targeted China specifically with plans for additional tariffs of up to $60 billion of its goods, likely focusing on tech and telecommunications products.</p>
<p>“Stress tests have shown the new U.S. tariffs will have a relatively small impact on Chinese steel. Chinese steel firms should not be overly worried and should focus on guaranteeing demand from the domestic market and our major exporters,” the China Steel Logistics Professional Committee said.</p>
<p>“But it’s worth noting that the amount of steel products we supply to U.S. consumers through the global supply chain may well exceed China’s direct exports to the United States,” it added. “China should proactively oppose U.S. unilateral trade protectionism to maintain the global supply chain.”</p> SPRING FORWARD OR FALL BACK?
<p>This spring could see a major test of Chinese manufacturers’ surprising 1-1/2-year run.</p>
<p>In the first quarter, China’s steel companies defied expectations for a winter lull and continued to ramp up output in response to strong sales, while boosting borrowing, capital expenditure and hiring, a survey from the China Beige Book showed on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Production increased further after winter smog controls expired on March 15 in many areas. A separate PMI on the steel sector rose to 50.6 in March from 49.5 in February, the China Logistics Information Centre (CLIC) said.</p>
<p>But the burst in output has pushed steel inventories to multi-year highs, sending prices sharply lower and reducing mills’ profit margins.</p>
<p>At the same time, growth in property sales and new construction starts appears to be slowing, and Beijing has hit the brakes on some local governments’ infrastructure spending due to concerns over high debt levels.</p>
<p>Those factors, along with rising borrowing costs, should weigh on activity eventually, with economists sticking to forecasts that China’s growth will cool to around 6.5 percent by the end of the year.</p>
<p>Boosted by government infrastructure spending, a resilient housing market and unexpected strength in exports, China’s manufacturing and industrial firms helped the economy produce better-than-expected growth of 6.9 percent in 2017.</p> SERVICES GROWTH ALSO ACCELERATES
<p>A sister survey showed growth in China’s service sector also kicked up a notch in March, with the official non-manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rising to 54.6 from 54.4.</p>
<p>A sub-reading for construction activity stood at 60.7 in March, up from 57.5 in February.</p>
<p>Chinese policymakers are counting on growth in services and consumption to rebalance their economic growth model from its heavy reliance on investment and exports. The services sector now accounts for over half of the economy, with rising wages giving Chinese consumers more spending clout.</p>
<p>China is aiming for economic growth of around 6.5 percent this year, the same target as in 2017, while pressing ahead with its campaign to reduce risks in the financial system, Premier Li Keqiang said earlier this month.</p>
<p>A composite PMI covering both the manufacturing and services activity rose to 54.0 in March, from February’s 52.9.</p>
<p>Reporting by Ben Blanchard and Stella Qiu; Editing by Kim Coghill</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>(Reuters) -</p> Shopping carts are seen outside a new Wal-Mart Express store in Chicago July 26, 2011. REUTERS/John Gress/Files
<p>U.S. retailer Walmart Inc is in early-stage talks with health insurer Humana Inc about developing closer ties, with the acquisition of Humana being discussed as one possibility, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday.</p>
<p>Should the talks lead to a tieup, it would be the latest deal to bring together a retail chain and a health insurer in the last few months, following CVS Health Corp’s $69 billion deal to acquire Aetna Inc and Cigna Corp’s $54 billion deal to buy Express Scripts Holding Co.</p>
<p>Walmart approached Humana earlier this month and the deliberations are preliminary, two of the sources said. While the conversations have focused on new partnerships, an acquisition of Humana by Walmart is also something being discussed, the sources added.</p>
<p>The sources asked not to be identified because the deliberations are confidential. Humana and Walmart declined to comment.</p>
<p>Walmart and Humana have market capitalizations of $264 billion and $37 billion, respectively.</p>
<p>An acquisition of Humana would represent a significant strategic shift for Walmart, which is the world’s largest retailer and has been focused on fending off Amazon.com Inc in online shopping.</p>
<p>Amazon has also been looking at entering the healthcare sector. Earlier this year, Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway Inc and JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co, said they would form a company aimed at cutting healthcare costs for their U.S. employees.</p>
<p>“The risks (for Walmart) of becoming entangled in the complex U.S. healthcare industry are considerable, especially at a time when Walmart is grappling with the competitive challenges of a rapidly shifting retail market,” Neil Saunders, managing director of retail consultancy GlobalData Retail, wrote in a note.</p>
<p>“The hammering out of any agreement, which would be Walmart’s largest ever corporate deal, would, of itself, be an enormous distraction,” Saunders added.</p>
<p>Walmart currently has a co-branded Medicare drug plan with Humana that steers patients to Walmart stores. The partnership offers a prescription drug plan that can save up to 20 percent in drug costs for customers.</p>
<p>Closer ties between the two companies could allow Walmart to tap into Humana’s patient population, expanding low-level medical services in its pharmacies to avoid ER visits. They could allow it to better manage prescription drug use though access to medical records.</p>
<p>Humana’s biggest business is managing Medicare Advantage health plans for older and disabled people, a heavily regulated business that Walmart would have to take on in an acquisition.</p>
<p>Memberships in retail Medicare Advantage plans - where individuals sign up directly with Humana - rose about 1 percent to 2.86 million, as of Dec. 31. Employer or other group-based Medicare Advantage membership climbed 24 percent to 441,400.</p>
<p>Last month, Walmart reported a sharp drop in profit and online sales growth during the critical holiday period and forecast annual profit at the lower end of expectations.</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany’s finance ministry expects interest rates to rise in coming years, causing new Minster Olaf Scholz to take steps to cushion additional costs to meet budget goals, Der Spiegel weekly reported on Saturday.</p> Germany's Finance Minister Olaf Scholz leaves a news conference during the 2018 G20 Conference entitled "The G20 Agenda Under the Argentine Presidency", in Buenos Aires, Argentina, March 18, 2018. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian
<p>“The financial planning up to 2022 (envisages) a necessary normalization of the capital market environment,” Spiegel cited an internal document as saying.</p>
<p>Experts usually see interest rates of between 3 percent and 4 percent as “normal”, compared to below zero percent now, reported Der Spiegel.</p>
<p>The European Central Bank’s deposit facility is at -0.40 percent while its benchmark refinancing rate is at a record low of 0.0 percent.</p>
<p>German 10-year bond yields, which indicate the country’s likely cost of borrowing, fell in March but remain at around 0.5 percent DE10YT=RR.</p>
<p>Der Spiegel reported that a one percent increase in average interest rates in Europe’s biggest economy would mean an additional 10 billion euros in costs which could complicate the new government’s efforts to maintain a balanced budget.</p>
<p>A spokesman for the finance ministry declined to comment on the report.</p>
<p>Money markets are pricing in the ECB’s first interest rate rise since 2011 next year and the euro zone central bank is also considering how and when to end its 2.55 trillion euro bond purchase scheme aimed at stimulating inflation and growth.</p>
<p>A possible trade war with the United States is a possible dampener on the outlook but German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier told Spiegel he was confident the EU and Washington would “find a sensible compromise by the summer” in trade talks.</p>
<p>Last week U.S. President Donald Trump temporarily excluded the EU, the United States’ biggest trading partner, and six other non-European countries from higher U.S. import duties on steel and aluminum.</p>
<p>The higher tariffs are aimed at curbing imports from China. Altmaier said Germany agreed with the United States in wanting to tackle overcapacity in the global steel market, partly caused by China.</p>
<p>“We are looking for a common line in the fight against price dumping and intellectual property theft. We want to find solutions that are compatible with international trade rules,” he told Der Spiegel.</p>
<p>Reporting by Madeline Chambers; Editing by Catherine Evans</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>(Reuters) - Intercontinental Exchange Inc’s ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=ICE.N" type="external">ICE.N</a>) New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is in talks to buy the Chicago Stock Exchange (CHX), the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, a month-and-a-half after U.S. regulators blocked the sale of CHX to China-based investors.</p> Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, U.S., March 26, 2018. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
<a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=ICE.N" type="external">Intercontinental Exchange Inc</a> 72.52 ICE.N New York Stock Exchange +1.07 (+1.50%) ICE.N
<p>NYSE may pay about $70 million for CHX, the Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.</p>
<p>CHX declined to comment while NYSE did not respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours.</p>
<p>CHX said earlier in March it was looking for new potential buyers after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission killed a roughly $25 million deal in February, ending a two-year effort by the exchange to sell itself to a consortium led by China’s Chongqing Casin Enterprise Group and its U.S. affiliate North American Casin Holdings.</p>
<p>The politically sensitive deal was originally approved by the SEC staff, but the agency’s commissioners, led by Jay Clayton, an appointee of U.S. President Donald Trump, stayed the decision pending their own review nL2N1QO1D0.</p>
<p>Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Amrutha Gayathri and Sandra Maler</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
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repeats changes text opinions expressed author columnist reuters graphic china seaborne coal imports vs newcastle price reutrs2dvjukh clyde russell launceston australia jan 22 reuters getting time year seasonal decline thermal coal prices asia expected winters demand peak passes far power station fuel defying gravity price spot cargoes thermal coal australias newcastle port regional benchmark ended 10875 tonne jan 19 within touching distance 10950 reached jan 17 highest year price rallied 58 percent since end last year 18 percent since recent trough 9220 tonne nov 23 first port call looking moves thermal coal prices seaborne market china given status largest importer fuel chinas demand seaborne market appear picked january also seems asias top importers taking cargoes vesseltracking port data compiled thomson reuters supply chain commodity forecasts suggest china import around 209 million tonnes coal thermal coking january 172 million december 191 million november january estimate accounts vessels already discharged cargoes currently discharging awaiting discharge way expected arrive prior end month january estimate accurate would represent chinas biggest monthly seaborne imports since september last year japan thirdlargest coal importer asia also ramping imports 182 million tonnes expected arrive january 163 million december novembers 152 million imports fourthranked south korea also likely stay elevated levels january 111 million tonnes expected seaborne market lower decembers 118 million well novembers 97 million indias january figure 161 million tonnes looks like softer outcome worlds secondbiggest coal importer compared decembers 18 million worth noting last months figure highest since june 2016 australia exports surge supply side vesseltracking figures show top exporter australia track record month january shipment 385 million tonnes thermal coking coal highest shipping data records going back january 2015 january number 313 million tonnes december 281 million november number two exporter indonesia also looks strong start 2018 january shipments estimated 277 million tonnes decembers 261 million level novembers 278 million overall picture emerges one strength asias seaborne coal markets month also december november little surprise newcastle thermal coal price hasnt yet started postwinter correction given strength demand asias top importers 2016 first year coal prices rallied five consecutive years decline newcastle spot contracts peaked november retreating 38 percent low may 2017 current market dynamics arent mirror prevailed last year would logical expect thermal coal prices drop peak winter demand passes question much decline forward curve newcastle futures traded intercontinental exchange suggests mild correction contracts currently 100 tonne june may prove optimistic seem bearish factors bullish asian coal demand currently chinas ongoing battle air pollution likely result continued curbs coal use demand imported coal may also suffer domestic output recovers production rising 32 percent 345 billion tonnes 2017 year earlier india also maintaining policy lowering coal imports eventual zero simultaneously boosting domestic output well increasing installation renewable energy sources wind solar japan boosted coal use given ongoing nuclear shutdowns appear mounting opposition replacing unpopular nuclear power polluting coal coal enjoyed stellar start 2018 strong demand growth key become extent pullbacks seaborne markets bumper january ends editing kenneth maxwell standards thomson reuters trust principles beijing reuters growth chinas manufacturing sector picked expected march authorities lifted winter pollution restrictions steel mills cranked production construction activity swings back high gear file photo worker polishes steel pipes factory dongbei special steel group co ltd dalian liaoning province china march 27 2018 reutersstringer official purchasing managers index pmi released saturday rose 515 march 503 february well 50point mark separates growth contraction monthly basis analysts surveyed reuters forecast reading would pick slightly 505 findings add growing amount data suggest chinas economy carried momentum first quarter last year analysts expected keep synchronized global growth track longer even trade tensions build februarys print lowest 112 years many analysts suspected due disruptions related long lunar new year holidays sharp drop consumption indeed march survey showed manufacturers shifted higher gear usual seasonal demand picked home abroad subindex output jumped 531 503 february total new orders rose 533 510 export orders climbed 513 490 china logistics information centre commentary pmi figures said expected firstquarter economic growth 68 percent early year economists polled reuters penciling fade around 66 percent related coverage china march official services pmi edges 546 large companies saw modest pickup growth small firms activity expanded marginally shrinking february helping drive positive sentiment exports better expected first two months year particularly tech products fastestgrowing segment chinas industrial sector though sub pmi hitech manufacturing eased march growth remained solid however sharp escalation trade tensions united states clouding outlook chinas old economy heavy industries new economy tech firms trump administration slapped hefty tariffs steel aluminum imports last week targeted china specifically plans additional tariffs 60 billion goods likely focusing tech telecommunications products stress tests shown new us tariffs relatively small impact chinese steel chinese steel firms overly worried focus guaranteeing demand domestic market major exporters china steel logistics professional committee said worth noting amount steel products supply us consumers global supply chain may well exceed chinas direct exports united states added china proactively oppose us unilateral trade protectionism maintain global supply chain spring forward fall back spring could see major test chinese manufacturers surprising 112year run first quarter chinas steel companies defied expectations winter lull continued ramp output response strong sales boosting borrowing capital expenditure hiring survey china beige book showed wednesday production increased winter smog controls expired march 15 many areas separate pmi steel sector rose 506 march 495 february china logistics information centre clic said burst output pushed steel inventories multiyear highs sending prices sharply lower reducing mills profit margins time growth property sales new construction starts appears slowing beijing hit brakes local governments infrastructure spending due concerns high debt levels factors along rising borrowing costs weigh activity eventually economists sticking forecasts chinas growth cool around 65 percent end year boosted government infrastructure spending resilient housing market unexpected strength exports chinas manufacturing industrial firms helped economy produce betterthanexpected growth 69 percent 2017 services growth also accelerates sister survey showed growth chinas service sector also kicked notch march official nonmanufacturing purchasing managers index pmi rising 546 544 subreading construction activity stood 607 march 575 february chinese policymakers counting growth services consumption rebalance economic growth model heavy reliance investment exports services sector accounts half economy rising wages giving chinese consumers spending clout china aiming economic growth around 65 percent year target 2017 pressing ahead campaign reduce risks financial system premier li keqiang said earlier month composite pmi covering manufacturing services activity rose 540 march februarys 529 reporting ben blanchard stella qiu editing kim coghill standards thomson reuters trust principles reuters shopping carts seen outside new walmart express store chicago july 26 2011 reutersjohn gressfiles us retailer walmart inc earlystage talks health insurer humana inc developing closer ties acquisition humana discussed one possibility people familiar matter said thursday talks lead tieup would latest deal bring together retail chain health insurer last months following cvs health corps 69 billion deal acquire aetna inc cigna corps 54 billion deal buy express scripts holding co walmart approached humana earlier month deliberations preliminary two sources said conversations focused new partnerships acquisition humana walmart also something discussed sources added sources asked identified deliberations confidential humana walmart declined comment walmart humana market capitalizations 264 billion 37 billion respectively acquisition humana would represent significant strategic shift walmart worlds largest retailer focused fending amazoncom inc online shopping amazon also looking entering healthcare sector earlier year amazon berkshire hathaway inc jpmorgan chase amp co said would form company aimed cutting healthcare costs us employees risks walmart becoming entangled complex us healthcare industry considerable especially time walmart grappling competitive challenges rapidly shifting retail market neil saunders managing director retail consultancy globaldata retail wrote note hammering agreement would walmarts largest ever corporate deal would enormous distraction saunders added walmart currently cobranded medicare drug plan humana steers patients walmart stores partnership offers prescription drug plan save 20 percent drug costs customers closer ties two companies could allow walmart tap humanas patient population expanding lowlevel medical services pharmacies avoid er visits could allow better manage prescription drug use though access medical records humanas biggest business managing medicare advantage health plans older disabled people heavily regulated business walmart would take acquisition memberships retail medicare advantage plans individuals sign directly humana rose 1 percent 286 million dec 31 employer groupbased medicare advantage membership climbed 24 percent 441400 last month walmart reported sharp drop profit online sales growth critical holiday period forecast annual profit lower end expectations standards thomson reuters trust principles berlin reuters germanys finance ministry expects interest rates rise coming years causing new minster olaf scholz take steps cushion additional costs meet budget goals der spiegel weekly reported saturday germanys finance minister olaf scholz leaves news conference 2018 g20 conference entitled g20 agenda argentine presidency buenos aires argentina march 18 2018 reutersagustin marcarian financial planning 2022 envisages necessary normalization capital market environment spiegel cited internal document saying experts usually see interest rates 3 percent 4 percent normal compared zero percent reported der spiegel european central banks deposit facility 040 percent benchmark refinancing rate record low 00 percent german 10year bond yields indicate countrys likely cost borrowing fell march remain around 05 percent de10ytrr der spiegel reported one percent increase average interest rates europes biggest economy would mean additional 10 billion euros costs could complicate new governments efforts maintain balanced budget spokesman finance ministry declined comment report money markets pricing ecbs first interest rate rise since 2011 next year euro zone central bank also considering end 255 trillion euro bond purchase scheme aimed stimulating inflation growth possible trade war united states possible dampener outlook german economy minister peter altmaier told spiegel confident eu washington would find sensible compromise summer trade talks last week us president donald trump temporarily excluded eu united states biggest trading partner six noneuropean countries higher us import duties steel aluminum higher tariffs aimed curbing imports china altmaier said germany agreed united states wanting tackle overcapacity global steel market partly caused china looking common line fight price dumping intellectual property theft want find solutions compatible international trade rules told der spiegel reporting madeline chambers editing catherine evans standards thomson reuters trust principles reuters intercontinental exchange incs icen new york stock exchange nyse talks buy chicago stock exchange chx wall street journal reported friday monthandahalf us regulators blocked sale chx chinabased investors traders work floor new york stock exchange nyse new york us march 26 2018 reutersbrendan mcdermid intercontinental exchange inc 7252 icen new york stock exchange 107 150 icen nyse may pay 70 million chx journal reported citing people familiar matter chx declined comment nyse respond request comment outside regular business hours chx said earlier march looking new potential buyers us securities exchange commission killed roughly 25 million deal february ending twoyear effort exchange sell consortium led chinas chongqing casin enterprise group us affiliate north american casin holdings politically sensitive deal originally approved sec staff agencys commissioners led jay clayton appointee us president donald trump stayed decision pending review nl2n1qo1d0 reporting kanishka singh bengaluru editing amrutha gayathri sandra maler standards thomson reuters trust principles
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<p>Jan 22 (Reuters) - Domain Holdings Australia Ltd:</p>
<p>* ‍ ACCEPTED RESIGNATION OF ANTONY CATALANO AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER​</p> * NICK FALLOON WILL ACT AS EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
<p>* EXPECTED TO REPORT FY18 DIGITAL REVENUE GROWTH OF 22% AGAINST SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR AND FY18 TOTAL REVENUE GROWTH OF 13%​ Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage:</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Migrants forming a caravan in southern Mexico are subject to an administrative migratory procedure, the Mexican foreign ministry said on Monday, after the caravan drew the ire of U.S. President Donald Trump.</p> Central American migrants participating in a caravan heading to the U.S. take a pause from the journey in Matias Romero, Oaxaca, Mexico April 2, 2018. REUTERS/Jose de Jesus Cortes
<p>In a statement, the ministry said that the U.S. government must determine whether it would allow any of the migrants from the caravan into the United States.</p>
<p>“It is not up to this government to make migration decisions for the United States or for any other nation,” the ministry said.</p>
<p>The ministry also said it did not foster illegal migration “under any circumstances”.</p>
<p>Reporting by Dave Graham; writing by Julia Love</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>IXTEPEC, Mexico/EDINBURG, Texas (Reuters) - In some of the Mexican towns playing host to a “caravan” of more than 1,200 Central American migrants heading to the U.S. border, the welcome mat has been rolled out despite President Donald Trump’s call for Mexican authorities to stop them.</p> Central American migrants participating in a caravan heading to the U.S. take a pause from their journey in Matias Romero, Oaxaca, Mexico April 2, 2018. REUTERS/Jose de Jesus Cortes
<p>Local officials have offered lodging in town squares and empty warehouses or arranged transport for the migrants, participants in a journey organized by the immigrant advocacy group Pueblo San Fronteras. The officials have conscripted buses, cars, ambulances and police trucks. But the help may not be entirely altruistic.</p>
<p>“The authorities want us to leave their cities,” said Rodrigo Abeja, an organizer from Pueblo San Fronteras. “They’ve been helping us, in part to speed the massive group out of their jurisdictions.”</p> Related Coverage
<a href="/article/us-usa-immigration-caravan-mexico/mexico-says-migrants-in-caravan-face-administrative-procedure-idUSKCN1HA06W" type="external">Mexico says migrants in caravan face administrative procedure</a>
<p>At some point this spring, the caravan’s 2,000-mile (3,200-km) journey that began at Tapachula near the Guatemalan border on March 25 will end at the U.S. border, where some of its members will apply for asylum, while others will attempt to sneak into the United States.</p>
<p>So far the Mexican federal government has provided little guidance on how to handle the migrants but Abeja worries that local reactions will change.</p>
<p>“There’s a lot of pressure from authorities to stop the caravan because of Donald Trump’s reaction,” he said.</p>
<p>Trump railed on Twitter against the caravan on Monday, accusing Mexico of “doing very little, if not NOTHING” to stop the flow of immigrants crossing the U.S. border illegally. “They must stop the big drug and people flows, or I will stop their cash cow, NAFTA,” he concluded.</p> Central American migrants participating in a caravan heading to the U.S. hold bags with food in Matias Romero, Oaxaca, Mexico April 2, 2018. REUTERS/Jose de Jesus Cortes
<p>Mexico’s interior minister Alfonso Navarrete did not directly address the caravan, but he wrote on Twitter that he spoke to the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen on Monday, and that the two had “agreed to analyze the best ways to attend to the flows of migrants in accordance with the laws of each country.”</p>
<p>Mexico must walk a delicate line with the United States as the countries are in the midst of renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) along with Canada. At the same time, Mexican left-wing presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has an 18-point lead ahead of the July 1 election, according to a poll published on Monday.</p>
<p>A Lopez Obrador victory could usher in a Mexican government less accommodating toward the United States on both trade and immigration issues.</p>
<p>Mexican Senator Angelica de la Pena, who presides over the Senate’s human rights commission, told Reuters that Mexico should protect migrants’ rights despite the pressure from Trump. &#160;</p>
<p>Former President Vicente Fox called for Mexican officials to take a stand against Trump’s attacks.&#160;Trump keeps “blackmailing, offending and denigrating Mexico and Mexicans,” he wrote on Twitter on Monday.</p>
<p>Under Mexican law, Central Americans who enter Mexico legally are generally allowed to move freely through the country, even if their goal is to cross illegally into the United States.</p> Slideshow (2 Images) ‘WE’RE SUFFERING’
<p>Migrants in the caravan cite a variety of reasons for joining it. Its members are disproportionately from Honduras, which has high levels of violence and has been rocked by political upheaval in recent months following the re-election of U.S.-backed president, Juan Orlando Hernández in an intensely disputed election.</p>
<p>Maria Elena Colindres Ortega, a member of caravan and, until January, a member of Congress in Honduras, said she is fleeing the political upheaval at home. “We’ve had to live through fraudulent electoral process,” she said. “We’re suffering a progressive militarization and lack of institutions, and … they’re criminalizing those who protested.”</p>
<p>Colindres Ortega, who opposed the ruling party in Honduras, said she spiraled into debt, after serving without pay for the last 18 months of her four-year term. She decided to head north after a fellow congressman from her party put out word on Facebook that a caravan of migrants was gathering in southern Mexico, leaving home with a small bag with necessities and photos of her children.</p>
<p>Pueblo Sin Fronteras has helped coordinate migrant caravans for the last several years, though previously they had a maximum of several hundred participants. During the journey members of the organization instruct the migrants about their rights.</p>
<p>“We accompany at least those who want to request asylum,” said Alex Mensing, Pueblo Sin Fronteras’ program director. “We help prepare them for the detention process and asylum process before they cross the border, because it’s so difficult for people to have success if they don’t have the information.”</p>
<p>Typically, Central Americans have not fared well with U.S. asylum claims, particularly those from Honduras. A Reuters analysis of immigration court data found that Hondurans who come before the court receive deportation orders in more than 83 percent of cases, the highest rate of any nationality. Hondurans also face deportation in Mexico, where immigration data shows that 5,000 Hondurans were deported from Mexico in February alone, the highest number since May 2016.</p>
<p>Maunel Padilla, chief of the border patrol’s Rio Grande Valley sector, one of the busiest crossing points on the U.S. Mexico border, said in an interview with Reuters that he worries the caravan could “generate interest for other groups to do the same thing,” but he was not terribly nervous about coping with the group currently traveling.</p>
<p>“Not to be flippant,” Padilla said, “but it’s similar numbers to what we are seeing every day pretty much.”</p>
<p>Reporting by Delphine Schrank and Mica Rosenberg; Additional reporting by Dave Graham, Lizbeth Diaz, Diego Ore and Daina Beth Solomon; Editing by Sue Horton and Lisa Shumaker</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>SYDNEY (Reuters) - Asian stocks extended a global selloff and the yen rose on Tuesday as investors fled for safety as an escalating trade spat between the United States and China and a renewed slump in tech shares such as Amazon.com sapped investor confidence.</p> FILE PHOTO: A visitor is seen as market prices are reflected in a glass window at the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) in Tokyo, Japan, February 6, 2018. REUTERS/Toru Hanai/File Photo
<p>MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.28 percent pressured by the tech sector.</p>
<p>Japan’s Nikkei slipped 1.1 percent while South Korea’s KOSPI index skidded about 1 percent with Samsung Electronics down more than 1 percent. Australian shares were off 0.3 percent.</p>
<p>The losses in tech shares came after U.S. President Donald Trump attacked Amazon.com over the pricing of its deliveries through the United States Postal Service and promised unspecified changes.</p>
<p>Investors were also on the backfoot as China imposed extra tariffs on 128 U.S. products, deepening a dispute between the world’s two biggest economies and stoking concerns about the impact on global growth.</p>
<p>Fears of a full blown trade war became a clear focus in a U.S. manufacturing activity report for March which showed new orders index at its lowest since August.</p>
<p>“The China tariffs didn’t seem too bad but combined with editorials in the state press they do suggest China is ready to escalate if negotiations fail,” said Greg McKenna, chief market strategist at AxiTrader.</p>
<p>“And of course, the U.S. President’s tweets about Amazon just added fuel to the fire started by a recognition maybe the ‘FANGS’, and thus the overall market, had got ahead of themselves.”</p>
<p>So called FANG stocks - Facebook, Amazon, Netflix and Google - have been largely responsible for a multi-year bull run in world shares, although the threat of government regulation has raised worries about their outlook.</p>
<p>Facebook, Apple and some of their peers had a woeful last quarter as investors reassessed the high U.S. stock valuations in light of the cocktail of negative factors.</p>
<p>The tech-heavy Nasdaq declined 2.4 percent on Monday, wiping out all of its gains this year while the S&amp;P 500 crashed through its 200-day moving average, a closely watched technical indicator. [.N]</p>
<p>China’s tit-for-tat tariffs also hurt the U.S. dollar which fell for a fourth straight day against the Japanese yen.</p>
<p>The dollar index was stable around recent ranges against a basket of currencies.</p>
<p>U.S. Treasury prices rose, with yields on benchmark 10-year notes near the lowest since early February.</p>
<p>Oil prices were left licking their wounds after falling more than 3.7 percent on Monday weighed by higher Russian output, the escalating U.S.-China trade dispute and expectations Saudi Arabia will cut prices of crude.</p>
<p>Brent crude inched 14 cents higher to $ 67.78 a barrel. U.S. crude rose 13 cents to $63.14.</p>
<p>Gold, which is often seen as a store of value during times of financial or political uncertainty, rose.</p>
<p>Spot gold ticked up to $1,341.38.</p>
<p>(This version of the story has been refiled to fixes typographical error in headline)</p>
<p>Editing by Shri Navaratnam</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Trump administration on Monday rejected an Obama-era plan to make automobiles more fuel efficient, opening up a long process to weaken current standards and putting California and the federal government on a collision course over vehicle emissions.</p> FILE PHOTO: EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt speaks during a meeting held by U.S. President Donald Trump on infrastructure at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 12, 2018. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo
<p>Scott Pruitt, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, said in a statement that the standards on model year 2022 to 2025 vehicles were not appropriate and should be revised.</p>
<p>The Obama administration set the average fleet-wide fuel efficiency standards “too high” and “made assumptions about the standards that didn’t comport with reality,” Pruitt said. He did not offer specifics on revising them.</p>
<p>The standards called for roughly doubling by 2025 the average fuel efficiency of new vehicles sold in the United States to about 50 miles (80 km) per gallon. Proponents said they could help spur innovation in clean technologies.</p>
<p>California has long been allowed by an EPA waiver to impose stricter standards than Washington does on vehicle emissions of some pollutants. And 12 other states, including New York, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, follow California’s lead on cleaner cars.</p>
<p>That has set up a battle on vehicle efficiency between California, the most populous U.S. state and a massive car market, and the administration of President Donald Trump.</p>
<p>Pruitt is a big proponent of states’ rights to regulate themselves, but opposes California’s push for greener cars. California’s waiver to impose its own efficiency standards is being re-examined, the EPA said.</p>
<p>It is in “America’s best interest to have a national standard,” Pruitt said in the release.</p>
<p>California Governor Jerry Brown blasted the EPA’s action. “This cynical and meretricious abuse of power will poison our air and jeopardize the health of all Americans,” Brown said.</p>
<p>Mary Nichols, the head of the California Air Resources Board, said her state “will vigorously defend the existing clean vehicle standards.”</p> PATCHWORK OF RULES
<p>Auto industry executives have not publicly sought specific reductions in the requirements negotiated with the Obama administration in 2011 as part of a bailout deal. But they have urged Pruitt and Trump to revise the Obama standards so it becomes easier and less costly to meet complex targets, which vary depending on the size of vehicles and whether they are classified as cars or trucks.</p>
<p>Automakers also want to avoid a patchwork of rules that would add costs to engine manufacturing.</p>
<p>“The best way to achieve our collective goals is under a single national program that provides an aggressive but achievable pathway, a variety of compliance tools, and factors in the role of customers,” said John Bozzella, president and chief executive officer of the Association of Global Automakers.</p>
<p>Gloria Bergquist, a spokeswoman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, said Pruitt made the right decision and that the administration was working on a way to both increase fuel economy and “keep new vehicles affordable to more Americans.”</p>
<p>Changes to the standards could affect car manufacturers, including Ford Motor Co, General Motors Co and Tesla Inc</p>
<p>Auto suppliers were cautiously optimistic about the creation of a national fuel efficiency plan. Steve Handschuh, head of the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association, said while his group supports adjustments and flexibilities “we do not support significant changes to the standards.”</p>
<p>Environmentalists decried Pruitt’s decision, saying stricter standards would slash emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. Proponents of the corporate average fuel economy standards, or CAFE, say they have led to big gains in auto technology and that relaxing them could eventually hurt sales of U.S. cars in European and Asian countries that are moving toward mandates for electric cars.</p>
<p>It would “take America backward by jeopardizing successful safeguards that are working to clean our air, save drivers money at the pump, and drive technological innovation that creates jobs,” said Luke Tonachel, a clean vehicles advocate at the Natural Resources Defense Council.</p>
<p>Reporting by Timothy Gardner; Additional reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Leslie Adler, David Gregorio and Lisa Shumaker</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
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jan 22 reuters domain holdings australia ltd accepted resignation antony catalano chief executive officer nick falloon act executive chairman expected report fy18 digital revenue growth 22 period last year fy18 total revenue growth 13 source text eikon company coverage standards thomson reuters trust principles mexico city reuters migrants forming caravan southern mexico subject administrative migratory procedure mexican foreign ministry said monday caravan drew ire us president donald trump central american migrants participating caravan heading us take pause journey matias romero oaxaca mexico april 2 2018 reutersjose de jesus cortes statement ministry said us government must determine whether would allow migrants caravan united states government make migration decisions united states nation ministry said ministry also said foster illegal migration circumstances reporting dave graham writing julia love standards thomson reuters trust principles ixtepec mexicoedinburg texas reuters mexican towns playing host caravan 1200 central american migrants heading us border welcome mat rolled despite president donald trumps call mexican authorities stop central american migrants participating caravan heading us take pause journey matias romero oaxaca mexico april 2 2018 reutersjose de jesus cortes local officials offered lodging town squares empty warehouses arranged transport migrants participants journey organized immigrant advocacy group pueblo san fronteras officials conscripted buses cars ambulances police trucks help may entirely altruistic authorities want us leave cities said rodrigo abeja organizer pueblo san fronteras theyve helping us part speed massive group jurisdictions related coverage mexico says migrants caravan face administrative procedure point spring caravans 2000mile 3200km journey began tapachula near guatemalan border march 25 end us border members apply asylum others attempt sneak united states far mexican federal government provided little guidance handle migrants abeja worries local reactions change theres lot pressure authorities stop caravan donald trumps reaction said trump railed twitter caravan monday accusing mexico little nothing stop flow immigrants crossing us border illegally must stop big drug people flows stop cash cow nafta concluded central american migrants participating caravan heading us hold bags food matias romero oaxaca mexico april 2 2018 reutersjose de jesus cortes mexicos interior minister alfonso navarrete directly address caravan wrote twitter spoke us homeland security secretary kirstjen nielsen monday two agreed analyze best ways attend flows migrants accordance laws country mexico must walk delicate line united states countries midst renegotiating north american free trade agreement nafta along canada time mexican leftwing presidential candidate andres manuel lopez obrador 18point lead ahead july 1 election according poll published monday lopez obrador victory could usher mexican government less accommodating toward united states trade immigration issues mexican senator angelica de la pena presides senates human rights commission told reuters mexico protect migrants rights despite pressure trump 160 former president vicente fox called mexican officials take stand trumps attacks160trump keeps blackmailing offending denigrating mexico mexicans wrote twitter monday mexican law central americans enter mexico legally generally allowed move freely country even goal cross illegally united states slideshow 2 images suffering migrants caravan cite variety reasons joining members disproportionately honduras high levels violence rocked political upheaval recent months following reelection usbacked president juan orlando hernández intensely disputed election maria elena colindres ortega member caravan january member congress honduras said fleeing political upheaval home weve live fraudulent electoral process said suffering progressive militarization lack institutions theyre criminalizing protested colindres ortega opposed ruling party honduras said spiraled debt serving without pay last 18 months fouryear term decided head north fellow congressman party put word facebook caravan migrants gathering southern mexico leaving home small bag necessities photos children pueblo sin fronteras helped coordinate migrant caravans last several years though previously maximum several hundred participants journey members organization instruct migrants rights accompany least want request asylum said alex mensing pueblo sin fronteras program director help prepare detention process asylum process cross border difficult people success dont information typically central americans fared well us asylum claims particularly honduras reuters analysis immigration court data found hondurans come court receive deportation orders 83 percent cases highest rate nationality hondurans also face deportation mexico immigration data shows 5000 hondurans deported mexico february alone highest number since may 2016 maunel padilla chief border patrols rio grande valley sector one busiest crossing points us mexico border said interview reuters worries caravan could generate interest groups thing terribly nervous coping group currently traveling flippant padilla said similar numbers seeing every day pretty much reporting delphine schrank mica rosenberg additional reporting dave graham lizbeth diaz diego ore daina beth solomon editing sue horton lisa shumaker standards thomson reuters trust principles sydney reuters asian stocks extended global selloff yen rose tuesday investors fled safety escalating trade spat united states china renewed slump tech shares amazoncom sapped investor confidence file photo visitor seen market prices reflected glass window tokyo stock exchange tse tokyo japan february 6 2018 reuterstoru hanaifile photo mscis broadest index asiapacific shares outside japan fell 028 percent pressured tech sector japans nikkei slipped 11 percent south koreas kospi index skidded 1 percent samsung electronics 1 percent australian shares 03 percent losses tech shares came us president donald trump attacked amazoncom pricing deliveries united states postal service promised unspecified changes investors also backfoot china imposed extra tariffs 128 us products deepening dispute worlds two biggest economies stoking concerns impact global growth fears full blown trade war became clear focus us manufacturing activity report march showed new orders index lowest since august china tariffs didnt seem bad combined editorials state press suggest china ready escalate negotiations fail said greg mckenna chief market strategist axitrader course us presidents tweets amazon added fuel fire started recognition maybe fangs thus overall market got ahead called fang stocks facebook amazon netflix google largely responsible multiyear bull run world shares although threat government regulation raised worries outlook facebook apple peers woeful last quarter investors reassessed high us stock valuations light cocktail negative factors techheavy nasdaq declined 24 percent monday wiping gains year sampp 500 crashed 200day moving average closely watched technical indicator n chinas titfortat tariffs also hurt us dollar fell fourth straight day japanese yen dollar index stable around recent ranges basket currencies us treasury prices rose yields benchmark 10year notes near lowest since early february oil prices left licking wounds falling 37 percent monday weighed higher russian output escalating uschina trade dispute expectations saudi arabia cut prices crude brent crude inched 14 cents higher 6778 barrel us crude rose 13 cents 6314 gold often seen store value times financial political uncertainty rose spot gold ticked 134138 version story refiled fixes typographical error headline editing shri navaratnam standards thomson reuters trust principles washington reuters trump administration monday rejected obamaera plan make automobiles fuel efficient opening long process weaken current standards putting california federal government collision course vehicle emissions file photo epa administrator scott pruitt speaks meeting held us president donald trump infrastructure white house washington us february 12 2018 reuterskevin lamarquefile photo scott pruitt administrator environmental protection agency said statement standards model year 2022 2025 vehicles appropriate revised obama administration set average fleetwide fuel efficiency standards high made assumptions standards didnt comport reality pruitt said offer specifics revising standards called roughly doubling 2025 average fuel efficiency new vehicles sold united states 50 miles 80 km per gallon proponents said could help spur innovation clean technologies california long allowed epa waiver impose stricter standards washington vehicle emissions pollutants 12 states including new york pennsylvania massachusetts follow californias lead cleaner cars set battle vehicle efficiency california populous us state massive car market administration president donald trump pruitt big proponent states rights regulate opposes californias push greener cars californias waiver impose efficiency standards reexamined epa said americas best interest national standard pruitt said release california governor jerry brown blasted epas action cynical meretricious abuse power poison air jeopardize health americans brown said mary nichols head california air resources board said state vigorously defend existing clean vehicle standards patchwork rules auto industry executives publicly sought specific reductions requirements negotiated obama administration 2011 part bailout deal urged pruitt trump revise obama standards becomes easier less costly meet complex targets vary depending size vehicles whether classified cars trucks automakers also want avoid patchwork rules would add costs engine manufacturing best way achieve collective goals single national program provides aggressive achievable pathway variety compliance tools factors role customers said john bozzella president chief executive officer association global automakers gloria bergquist spokeswoman alliance automobile manufacturers said pruitt made right decision administration working way increase fuel economy keep new vehicles affordable americans changes standards could affect car manufacturers including ford motor co general motors co tesla inc auto suppliers cautiously optimistic creation national fuel efficiency plan steve handschuh head motor equipment manufacturers association said group supports adjustments flexibilities support significant changes standards environmentalists decried pruitts decision saying stricter standards would slash emissions greenhouse gas carbon dioxide proponents corporate average fuel economy standards cafe say led big gains auto technology relaxing could eventually hurt sales us cars european asian countries moving toward mandates electric cars would take america backward jeopardizing successful safeguards working clean air save drivers money pump drive technological innovation creates jobs said luke tonachel clean vehicles advocate natural resources defense council reporting timothy gardner additional reporting david shepardson editing leslie adler david gregorio lisa shumaker standards thomson reuters trust principles
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<p>“I’ll be damned” and “Tilt! What are we doing here?” are two ways Polk describes his reaction.</p>
<p>Polk owns property at another northern New Mexico reservoir, Heron Lake, which is running out of water.</p>
<p>The lake near Tierra Amarilla was holding more than 350,000 acre-feet during summers in the late 1990s, making it a popular recreation site for boating, camping, fishing and weekend homes. Postcards of the era described Heron and its scenic high desert shores as the Acapulco of New Mexico.</p>
<p>The New Mexico Sailing Club’s marina at Heron Lake now has grass and weeds growing around the docks, as water levels have dropped in recent years. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)</p>
<p>By July 2013, the lake was down to about 100,000 acre-feet (it’s at about 114,000 acre-feet now). Heron’s water storage is expected to go below 80,000 acre-feet by the end of 2014, with a 5-foot drop in the water level over the year. A campground that used to sit on the shoreline is now a hike away from water. What was a sailboat marina has become a mud bog.</p>
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<p>“I’m looking at an almost-drained Heron Lake, and they want to spend money to put more water in a lake (Abiquiu) at lower elevation with a higher evaporation rate?” Polk said. “It makes no sense to me.”</p>
<p>Polk and others have formed a group called Save Our Water New Mexico to push for changes. They are up against a crazy quilt of jurisdictions, acts of Congress, contracts and operating rules that control and restrict the uses of New Mexico water reservoirs, including Heron.</p>
<p>Heron was completed in 1970 under authorization to hold only so-called San Juan-Chama water piped across the Continental Divide to Heron from the Colorado River drainage and is under the authority of the federal Bureau of Reclamation. Abiquiu Lake was built earlier for flood control but has since been authorized for San Juan-Chama storage and is under the Army Corps of Engineers.</p>
<p>Not working in favor of the Heron Lake group, which includes members of a sailing club, is the fact that in a high desert, water-scarce state, recreational uses like boating, fishing or just providing a scenic spot for a weekend home aren’t a priority for reservoirs. As one expert said this week, there is no endangered species act for sailboaters.</p>
<p>So far, water managers aren’t offering the Heron Lake group much hope.</p>
<p>“Folks at Heron got used to a time that was outside the long-term purposes of the lake,” said Mike Hamman, area manager for the Bureau of Reclamation. Through the 1990s, the lake was relatively full on and off thanks to wet weather years and the fact that users like Albuquerque and Santa Fe weren’t taking the San Juan-Chama water for which they’d paid.</p>
<p>Now, the cities are taking their water from Heron, at downstream diversion points on the Rio Grande. New Mexico is in long-term drought, with the endangered silvery minnow in the river that must be protected.</p>
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<p>Recreational use of Heron Lake is only secondary. “It’s a nice benefit, but it’s not a purpose of the reservoir,” Hamman said.</p>
<p>Albuquerque is the big kahuna of San Juan-Chama contractors, with 56 percent, or 48,200 acre-feet. The Santa Fe area gets 5,605 acre-feet.</p>
<p>Polk and Giles Pennington, a retired teacher with homes in Albuquerque and at Heron, believe there are ways to keep more water in the lake while meeting the commitments to San Juan-Chama water users.</p>
<p>As Heron is currently managed, based on its congressional authorization, contractors like Albuquerque and Santa Fe can’t “carry over” holding their San Juan-Chama water at Heron from year to year. If that were allowed, a big water contractor like Albuquerque could easily have more allocations stacked up in the lake than there is water to cover them. If levels drop, contractors risk losing their water.</p>
<p>Polk and Pennington want the Bureau of Reclamation to grant longer “waivers” that would allow holding water in Heron Lake longer and help keep the water levels up. Polk also believes administrative waivers and simply more cooperation between agencies could create more common-sense management of the reservoirs. Pennington said the Heron group wants the feds “to use the waiver system more creatively.”</p>
<p>But Hamman said, “The reality is that over time there isn’t going to be any excess water for carryover or waiver purposes.”</p>
<p>Some waivers are allowed now – for carryovers of up to nine months, through the September past the end of a contracted allotment year. That has allowed for releases of Albuquerque’s San Juan-Chama water through the summer, a boost for river rafters. (At least one legal scholar has raised the question of whether any carryover waivers at Heron are legal, and that if the short waivers now allowed are in fact OK, why carryover storage isn’t allowed as general rule.)</p>
<p>What once was a lakeside campsite at Heron Lake is now far from the water. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)</p>
<p>Losing water?</p>
<p>Polk for one is backing away from making an argument for holding more water in Heron for recreation. His pitch is that Albuquerque is losing water to evaporation by using Abiquiu Lake instead of Heron, hence the “Save Our Water” name for the Heron advocates.</p>
<p>“I can’t sit here and say, ‘Give me more water because I want to go swimming,’ ” he said. But as a resident of Albuquerque and a “John Q. Citizen,” Polk said, “I can say, ‘Why are you wasting water?’ ”</p>
<p>A report prepared for a congressional subcommittee in 2003 estimated annual surface evaporation at 17,850 acre-feet per year at Heron and 53,967 acre-feet annually at Abiquiu. Heron is deeper and, at an altitude of about 7,180 feet, it is more than 900 feet higher than Abiquiu.</p>
<p>“This is a pure waste to put the water in Abiquiu,” said Polk. “Albuquerque is going to lose thousands of acre-feet.”</p>
<p>Others involved say there are other issues to consider, such as the loss of water along the Chama and Rio Grande as it travels downstream, with Heron Lake being the more distant reservoir. Using the closer Abiquiu also allows managers to better time water releases for when they are needed.</p>
<p>Journal efforts to engage the Albuquerque-Bernalillo Water Utility Authority on the Heron Lake issue produced a couple of short email responses.</p>
<p>The authority wants to expand storage in Abiquiu Lake to hold “native” water, from the Rio Grande basin. “Heron was created specifically as a storage reservoir for San Juan-Chama water,” said David Morris, the water authority’s public affairs manager. “Using it to hold native water would literally require an act of Congress. So our hands are tied.”</p>
<p>As far as seeking a congressional change to allow native water in Heron, in lieu of spending potentially millions to expand storage at Abiquiu, Morris said, “Given the vagaries of the legislative process, which could take many years and is ultimately unpredictable in terms of outcome, from our standpoint it makes more sense to work within existing parameters.”</p>
<p>In fact, New Mexico’s two U.S. senators this week introduced broad water management legislation that, among other things, calls for a National Academy of Sciences study of how New Mexico’s federal reservoirs are operated, to help move water more efficiently down the Rio Grande to meet farm, municipal and environmental needs.</p>
<p>Sen. Tom Udall said in a statement provided by his staff, “It’s time to examine the role that our dams and reservoirs can play in maximizing this scarce resource across all of our needs,” adding that “we shouldn’t move forward without a detailed picture of the ramifications of changes on the full system” in addressing needs that vary from recreation at Heron to sustaining municipal and economic growth.</p>
<p>Sen. Martin Heinrich said he realizes “how difficult this drought has been for local communities – water shortages impact everyone, from city residents, to farmers and ranchers, to small businesses that depend on recreation and tourism for their customers.” He said that “we need to make sure water managers have the tools they need to make the most of the water that we have.”</p>
<p>Polk does see good news in the senators’ new legislative effort. “Maybe the senators can pour oil on troubled water and get everybody together,” he said. [photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000hx.02NC2Nhc” g_name=”Heron-Lake-06-02-2014″ width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]</p>
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ill damned tilt two ways polk describes reaction polk owns property another northern new mexico reservoir heron lake running water lake near tierra amarilla holding 350000 acrefeet summers late 1990s making popular recreation site boating camping fishing weekend homes postcards era described heron scenic high desert shores acapulco new mexico new mexico sailing clubs marina heron lake grass weeds growing around docks water levels dropped recent years eddie moorealbuquerque journal july 2013 lake 100000 acrefeet 114000 acrefeet herons water storage expected go 80000 acrefeet end 2014 5foot drop water level year campground used sit shoreline hike away water sailboat marina become mud bog advertisement im looking almostdrained heron lake want spend money put water lake abiquiu lower elevation higher evaporation rate polk said makes sense polk others formed group called save water new mexico push changes crazy quilt jurisdictions acts congress contracts operating rules control restrict uses new mexico water reservoirs including heron heron completed 1970 authorization hold socalled san juanchama water piped across continental divide heron colorado river drainage authority federal bureau reclamation abiquiu lake built earlier flood control since authorized san juanchama storage army corps engineers working favor heron lake group includes members sailing club fact high desert waterscarce state recreational uses like boating fishing providing scenic spot weekend home arent priority reservoirs one expert said week endangered species act sailboaters far water managers arent offering heron lake group much hope folks heron got used time outside longterm purposes lake said mike hamman area manager bureau reclamation 1990s lake relatively full thanks wet weather years fact users like albuquerque santa fe werent taking san juanchama water theyd paid cities taking water heron downstream diversion points rio grande new mexico longterm drought endangered silvery minnow river must protected advertisement recreational use heron lake secondary nice benefit purpose reservoir hamman said albuquerque big kahuna san juanchama contractors 56 percent 48200 acrefeet santa fe area gets 5605 acrefeet polk giles pennington retired teacher homes albuquerque heron believe ways keep water lake meeting commitments san juanchama water users heron currently managed based congressional authorization contractors like albuquerque santa fe cant carry holding san juanchama water heron year year allowed big water contractor like albuquerque could easily allocations stacked lake water cover levels drop contractors risk losing water polk pennington want bureau reclamation grant longer waivers would allow holding water heron lake longer help keep water levels polk also believes administrative waivers simply cooperation agencies could create commonsense management reservoirs pennington said heron group wants feds use waiver system creatively hamman said reality time isnt going excess water carryover waiver purposes waivers allowed carryovers nine months september past end contracted allotment year allowed releases albuquerques san juanchama water summer boost river rafters least one legal scholar raised question whether carryover waivers heron legal short waivers allowed fact ok carryover storage isnt allowed general rule lakeside campsite heron lake far water eddie moorealbuquerque journal losing water polk one backing away making argument holding water heron recreation pitch albuquerque losing water evaporation using abiquiu lake instead heron hence save water name heron advocates cant sit say give water want go swimming said resident albuquerque john q citizen polk said say wasting water report prepared congressional subcommittee 2003 estimated annual surface evaporation 17850 acrefeet per year heron 53967 acrefeet annually abiquiu heron deeper altitude 7180 feet 900 feet higher abiquiu pure waste put water abiquiu said polk albuquerque going lose thousands acrefeet others involved say issues consider loss water along chama rio grande travels downstream heron lake distant reservoir using closer abiquiu also allows managers better time water releases needed journal efforts engage albuquerquebernalillo water utility authority heron lake issue produced couple short email responses authority wants expand storage abiquiu lake hold native water rio grande basin heron created specifically storage reservoir san juanchama water said david morris water authoritys public affairs manager using hold native water would literally require act congress hands tied far seeking congressional change allow native water heron lieu spending potentially millions expand storage abiquiu morris said given vagaries legislative process could take many years ultimately unpredictable terms outcome standpoint makes sense work within existing parameters fact new mexicos two us senators week introduced broad water management legislation among things calls national academy sciences study new mexicos federal reservoirs operated help move water efficiently rio grande meet farm municipal environmental needs sen tom udall said statement provided staff time examine role dams reservoirs play maximizing scarce resource across needs adding shouldnt move forward without detailed picture ramifications changes full system addressing needs vary recreation heron sustaining municipal economic growth sen martin heinrich said realizes difficult drought local communities water shortages impact everyone city residents farmers ranchers small businesses depend recreation tourism customers said need make sure water managers tools need make water polk see good news senators new legislative effort maybe senators pour oil troubled water get everybody together said photosheltergallery g_idg0000hx02nc2nhc g_nameheronlake06022014 width600 f_fullscreent bgtranst pho_creditiptc twoupf f_bbart f_bbarbigf fsvisf f_show_captiont cropf f_enable_embed_btnt f_htmllinkst f_lt f_send_to_friend_btnf f_show_slidenumt f_topbarf f_show_watermarkt img_titlecasc linkdestc transxfade target_self tbs5000 f_linkt f_smoothf f_mtrxt f_apt f_upf height400 btypeold bcolorcccccc
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<p>ATHENS, Ohio (AP) — With Donald Trump's remaining rivals bowing out of the race, clearing his path to the nomination, Hillary Clinton is looking for ways to woo Republicans turned off by the brash billionaire.</p>
<p>The Democratic front-runner's campaign believes Trump's historically high unfavorable ratings and penchant for controversy may be enough to persuade a slice of GOP voters to get behind her bid, in much the same way so-called Reagan Democrats sided with the Republican president in the 1980s.</p>
<p>As Trump stood alone on Wednesday after Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich ended their bids, there were some early signs that a sliver of the party might see Clinton as the only option.</p>
<p>"I'm with her," tweeted Mark Salter, a top campaign aide to 2008 Republican nominee John McCain.</p>
<p>Democrats caution their effort to win over Clinton Republicans — or Hilla-cans — is in its earliest stages, but could grow to include ads and other outreach targeted in particular at suburban women in battleground states. Already, aides say, a number of Republicans have privately told Clinton and her team they plan to break party ranks and support her.</p>
<p>"Let's get on the American team," Clinton said, making an explicit appeal to independents and Republicans, in an interview with CNN on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Hoping to hasten any move to her side, her campaign on Wednesday released a list of Republicans vowing never to vote for Trump along with a web ad featuring clips of prominent GOPers, including his former rivals, bashing the New York billionaire in every possibly way.</p>
<p>"He needs therapy," says former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, at the end of the spot.</p>
<p>While such bipartisan support would expand Clinton's base of potential voters, a series of high-profile endorsements from Republican officials could dampen enthusiasm among some in her own party.</p>
<p>For months, primary rival Bernie Sanders has criticized Clinton's record from the left, highlighting her 2002 vote in favor of the war in Iraq and support from Wall Street. The Vermont senator won the Indiana primary Tuesday, demonstrating her lingering weaknesses within her own party.</p>
<p>Trump's campaign has also made a conscious effort to target Independents and Democrats in the primary. He's said he expects to win a portion of Sanders' support thanks to their shared positions on trade and outsourcing.</p>
<p>"We have tremendous numbers of Democrats that have voted for me," he said, in a Tuesday morning interview on MSNBC. "Hundreds and hundreds of people were coming in that were registered Democrats that wanted to vote for Donald Trump."</p>
<p>Clinton has begun casting her candidacy as an effort to unify a divided country. After a series of victories last week, which all but ensured she will capture her party's nomination, Clinton called on Democrats, independents and what she called "thoughtful Republicans" to back her bid.vs</p>
<p>But even though a vocal segment of the Republican Party has denounced Trump, so far few have been willing to go as far as saying they would back Clinton in the fall.</p>
<p>Ben Howe, a Republican strategist who has worked for Cruz, said he'd be actively working against Trump — a decision he recognizes means backing Clinton.</p>
<p>"Anything right now that would allow Donald Trump to become president is the wrong move, so the de facto result is that Hillary would win," he said.</p>
<p>Endorsements from prominent GOP backers could potentially pave the way for Republican voters to back Clinton, particularly woman.</p>
<p>"Educated, suburban white women are turned off en masse and there will be more of that," Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Clinton backer, said of Trump. "In the Columbus suburbs, she's going to do very well."</p>
<p>A February poll of likely Republican voters commissioned by a Democratic firm led by Stan Greenberg, a former pollster for former President Bill Clinton, found that 20 percent of Republicans are "uncertain" whether they would back Trump or Clinton in a head-to-head match-up.</p>
<p>There is some irony in Clinton playing the role of a unifier: She's long been one of the most divisive figures in American politics.</p>
<p>For some voters, that leaves them feeling like they have few good options.</p>
<p>Amy Bishop, 42, a stay-at-home mom from Indianola, Iowa, said she wasn't sure how she would vote. She said she would "most likely" go for Clinton over Trump, but stressed that she wasn't "100 percent."</p>
<p>"I don't feel like she's honest and upfront," said the self-identified independent. Of Trump, she said, "I think he's very reactive."</p>
<p>Tracey Kingery, a Republican from Des Moines, Iowa, said she, too, was unsure about how to vote.</p>
<p>"I think he seriously would go half-cocked on everything. He's a little too hot-headed for me," she said. But, said the 47-year-old, "there's been too much negative stuff about her."</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Lucey reported from Indianola, Iowa.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow Lisa Lerer and Catherine Lucey on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/llerer and http://twitter.com/catherine_lucey</p>
<p>ATHENS, Ohio (AP) — With Donald Trump's remaining rivals bowing out of the race, clearing his path to the nomination, Hillary Clinton is looking for ways to woo Republicans turned off by the brash billionaire.</p>
<p>The Democratic front-runner's campaign believes Trump's historically high unfavorable ratings and penchant for controversy may be enough to persuade a slice of GOP voters to get behind her bid, in much the same way so-called Reagan Democrats sided with the Republican president in the 1980s.</p>
<p>As Trump stood alone on Wednesday after Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich ended their bids, there were some early signs that a sliver of the party might see Clinton as the only option.</p>
<p>"I'm with her," tweeted Mark Salter, a top campaign aide to 2008 Republican nominee John McCain.</p>
<p>Democrats caution their effort to win over Clinton Republicans — or Hilla-cans — is in its earliest stages, but could grow to include ads and other outreach targeted in particular at suburban women in battleground states. Already, aides say, a number of Republicans have privately told Clinton and her team they plan to break party ranks and support her.</p>
<p>"Let's get on the American team," Clinton said, making an explicit appeal to independents and Republicans, in an interview with CNN on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Hoping to hasten any move to her side, her campaign on Wednesday released a list of Republicans vowing never to vote for Trump along with a web ad featuring clips of prominent GOPers, including his former rivals, bashing the New York billionaire in every possibly way.</p>
<p>"He needs therapy," says former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, at the end of the spot.</p>
<p>While such bipartisan support would expand Clinton's base of potential voters, a series of high-profile endorsements from Republican officials could dampen enthusiasm among some in her own party.</p>
<p>For months, primary rival Bernie Sanders has criticized Clinton's record from the left, highlighting her 2002 vote in favor of the war in Iraq and support from Wall Street. The Vermont senator won the Indiana primary Tuesday, demonstrating her lingering weaknesses within her own party.</p>
<p>Trump's campaign has also made a conscious effort to target Independents and Democrats in the primary. He's said he expects to win a portion of Sanders' support thanks to their shared positions on trade and outsourcing.</p>
<p>"We have tremendous numbers of Democrats that have voted for me," he said, in a Tuesday morning interview on MSNBC. "Hundreds and hundreds of people were coming in that were registered Democrats that wanted to vote for Donald Trump."</p>
<p>Clinton has begun casting her candidacy as an effort to unify a divided country. After a series of victories last week, which all but ensured she will capture her party's nomination, Clinton called on Democrats, independents and what she called "thoughtful Republicans" to back her bid.vs</p>
<p>But even though a vocal segment of the Republican Party has denounced Trump, so far few have been willing to go as far as saying they would back Clinton in the fall.</p>
<p>Ben Howe, a Republican strategist who has worked for Cruz, said he'd be actively working against Trump — a decision he recognizes means backing Clinton.</p>
<p>"Anything right now that would allow Donald Trump to become president is the wrong move, so the de facto result is that Hillary would win," he said.</p>
<p>Endorsements from prominent GOP backers could potentially pave the way for Republican voters to back Clinton, particularly woman.</p>
<p>"Educated, suburban white women are turned off en masse and there will be more of that," Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Clinton backer, said of Trump. "In the Columbus suburbs, she's going to do very well."</p>
<p>A February poll of likely Republican voters commissioned by a Democratic firm led by Stan Greenberg, a former pollster for former President Bill Clinton, found that 20 percent of Republicans are "uncertain" whether they would back Trump or Clinton in a head-to-head match-up.</p>
<p>There is some irony in Clinton playing the role of a unifier: She's long been one of the most divisive figures in American politics.</p>
<p>For some voters, that leaves them feeling like they have few good options.</p>
<p>Amy Bishop, 42, a stay-at-home mom from Indianola, Iowa, said she wasn't sure how she would vote. She said she would "most likely" go for Clinton over Trump, but stressed that she wasn't "100 percent."</p>
<p>"I don't feel like she's honest and upfront," said the self-identified independent. Of Trump, she said, "I think he's very reactive."</p>
<p>Tracey Kingery, a Republican from Des Moines, Iowa, said she, too, was unsure about how to vote.</p>
<p>"I think he seriously would go half-cocked on everything. He's a little too hot-headed for me," she said. But, said the 47-year-old, "there's been too much negative stuff about her."</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Lucey reported from Indianola, Iowa.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow Lisa Lerer and Catherine Lucey on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/llerer and http://twitter.com/catherine_lucey</p>
| false | 2 |
athens ohio ap donald trumps remaining rivals bowing race clearing path nomination hillary clinton looking ways woo republicans turned brash billionaire democratic frontrunners campaign believes trumps historically high unfavorable ratings penchant controversy may enough persuade slice gop voters get behind bid much way socalled reagan democrats sided republican president 1980s trump stood alone wednesday texas sen ted cruz ohio gov john kasich ended bids early signs sliver party might see clinton option im tweeted mark salter top campaign aide 2008 republican nominee john mccain democrats caution effort win clinton republicans hillacans earliest stages could grow include ads outreach targeted particular suburban women battleground states already aides say number republicans privately told clinton team plan break party ranks support lets get american team clinton said making explicit appeal independents republicans interview cnn wednesday hoping hasten move side campaign wednesday released list republicans vowing never vote trump along web ad featuring clips prominent gopers including former rivals bashing new york billionaire every possibly way needs therapy says former florida gov jeb bush end spot bipartisan support would expand clintons base potential voters series highprofile endorsements republican officials could dampen enthusiasm among party months primary rival bernie sanders criticized clintons record left highlighting 2002 vote favor war iraq support wall street vermont senator indiana primary tuesday demonstrating lingering weaknesses within party trumps campaign also made conscious effort target independents democrats primary hes said expects win portion sanders support thanks shared positions trade outsourcing tremendous numbers democrats voted said tuesday morning interview msnbc hundreds hundreds people coming registered democrats wanted vote donald trump clinton begun casting candidacy effort unify divided country series victories last week ensured capture partys nomination clinton called democrats independents called thoughtful republicans back bidvs even though vocal segment republican party denounced trump far willing go far saying would back clinton fall ben howe republican strategist worked cruz said hed actively working trump decision recognizes means backing clinton anything right would allow donald trump become president wrong move de facto result hillary would win said endorsements prominent gop backers could potentially pave way republican voters back clinton particularly woman educated suburban white women turned en masse ohio sen sherrod brown clinton backer said trump columbus suburbs shes going well february poll likely republican voters commissioned democratic firm led stan greenberg former pollster former president bill clinton found 20 percent republicans uncertain whether would back trump clinton headtohead matchup irony clinton playing role unifier shes long one divisive figures american politics voters leaves feeling like good options amy bishop 42 stayathome mom indianola iowa said wasnt sure would vote said would likely go clinton trump stressed wasnt 100 percent dont feel like shes honest upfront said selfidentified independent trump said think hes reactive tracey kingery republican des moines iowa said unsure vote think seriously would go halfcocked everything hes little hotheaded said said 47yearold theres much negative stuff ___ lucey reported indianola iowa ___ follow lisa lerer catherine lucey twitter httptwittercomllerer httptwittercomcatherine_lucey athens ohio ap donald trumps remaining rivals bowing race clearing path nomination hillary clinton looking ways woo republicans turned brash billionaire democratic frontrunners campaign believes trumps historically high unfavorable ratings penchant controversy may enough persuade slice gop voters get behind bid much way socalled reagan democrats sided republican president 1980s trump stood alone wednesday texas sen ted cruz ohio gov john kasich ended bids early signs sliver party might see clinton option im tweeted mark salter top campaign aide 2008 republican nominee john mccain democrats caution effort win clinton republicans hillacans earliest stages could grow include ads outreach targeted particular suburban women battleground states already aides say number republicans privately told clinton team plan break party ranks support lets get american team clinton said making explicit appeal independents republicans interview cnn wednesday hoping hasten move side campaign wednesday released list republicans vowing never vote trump along web ad featuring clips prominent gopers including former rivals bashing new york billionaire every possibly way needs therapy says former florida gov jeb bush end spot bipartisan support would expand clintons base potential voters series highprofile endorsements republican officials could dampen enthusiasm among party months primary rival bernie sanders criticized clintons record left highlighting 2002 vote favor war iraq support wall street vermont senator indiana primary tuesday demonstrating lingering weaknesses within party trumps campaign also made conscious effort target independents democrats primary hes said expects win portion sanders support thanks shared positions trade outsourcing tremendous numbers democrats voted said tuesday morning interview msnbc hundreds hundreds people coming registered democrats wanted vote donald trump clinton begun casting candidacy effort unify divided country series victories last week ensured capture partys nomination clinton called democrats independents called thoughtful republicans back bidvs even though vocal segment republican party denounced trump far willing go far saying would back clinton fall ben howe republican strategist worked cruz said hed actively working trump decision recognizes means backing clinton anything right would allow donald trump become president wrong move de facto result hillary would win said endorsements prominent gop backers could potentially pave way republican voters back clinton particularly woman educated suburban white women turned en masse ohio sen sherrod brown clinton backer said trump columbus suburbs shes going well february poll likely republican voters commissioned democratic firm led stan greenberg former pollster former president bill clinton found 20 percent republicans uncertain whether would back trump clinton headtohead matchup irony clinton playing role unifier shes long one divisive figures american politics voters leaves feeling like good options amy bishop 42 stayathome mom indianola iowa said wasnt sure would vote said would likely go clinton trump stressed wasnt 100 percent dont feel like shes honest upfront said selfidentified independent trump said think hes reactive tracey kingery republican des moines iowa said unsure vote think seriously would go halfcocked everything hes little hotheaded said said 47yearold theres much negative stuff ___ lucey reported indianola iowa ___ follow lisa lerer catherine lucey twitter httptwittercomllerer httptwittercomcatherine_lucey
| 980 |
<p>Adrian Lenawee Christian, Mich. 78, Tol. Christian 59</p>
<p>Akr. Manchester 90, Mansfield Temple Christian 56</p>
<p>Ansonia 93, Union City, Ind. 61</p>
<p>Bellville Clear Fork 73, Loudonville 41</p>
<p>Berea-Midpark 59, Avon Lake 56, 2OT</p>
<p>Bloomdale Elmwood 64, Liberty Center 50</p>
<p>Bucyrus Wynford 61, Bucyrus 49</p>
<p>Can. McKinley 72, Can. Glenoak 48</p>
<p>Chardon 85, Gates Mills Hawken 68</p>
<p>Cin. Anderson 39, Cin. Turpin 30</p>
<p>Cin. Elder 79, St. Mary’s, N.Y. 43</p>
<p>Cin. Hughes 70, Cin. Shroder 69</p>
<p>Cin. Moeller 75, Cin. St. Xavier 52</p>
<p>Cin. NW 59, Trenton Edgewood 53</p>
<p>Cin. Oak Hills 52, W. Chester Lakota W. 37</p>
<p>Cin. Taft 80, Cin. Western Hills 55</p>
<p>Cin. Wyoming 70, Cin. Clark Montessori 51</p>
<p>Clarksville Clinton-Massie 51, New Richmond 50</p>
<p>Coldwater 80, Celina 61</p>
<p>Cols. Bexley 49, Worthington Christian 33</p>
<p>Columbia Station Columbia 59, Oberlin 52</p>
<p>Columbus Grove 63, Leipsic 53</p>
<p>Convoy Crestview 76, Arlington 36</p>
<p>Cortland Lakeview 71, Struthers 54</p>
<p>Defiance Ayersville 47, Continental 41</p>
<p>Delta 61, Stryker 50</p>
<p>Dublin Coffman 76, Tol. Scott 44</p>
<p>Elida 59, Piqua 40</p>
<p>Elmore Woodmore 46, Castalia Margaretta 42</p>
<p>Fairport Harbor Harding 70, Southington Chalker 49</p>
<p>Ft. Jennings 44, Bluffton 42</p>
<p>Gahanna Cols. Academy 77, Hudson WRA 49</p>
<p>Genoa Area 75, Tiffin Columbian 48</p>
<p>Greenville 63, New Madison Tri-Village 58</p>
<p>Hamilton Badin 55, Cin. Mariemont 41</p>
<p>Haviland Wayne Trace 68, Delphos Jefferson 54</p>
<p>Huber Hts. Wayne 68, Akr. SVSM 57</p>
<p>Hudson 45, Youngs. Boardman 42</p>
<p>Jackson Center 46, New Knoxville 28</p>
<p>Kalida 41, Defiance Tinora 33</p>
<p>Kenton 78, Findlay Liberty-Benton 71</p>
<p>LaGrange Keystone 48, Elyria 47</p>
<p>Lewistown Indian Lake 71, Waynesfield-Goshen 57</p>
<p>Lexington 65, Upper Sandusky 52</p>
<p>Lima Bath 51, Spencerville 44</p>
<p>Lima Shawnee 55, Delphos St. John’s 48</p>
<p>Mansfield Sr. 62, Mansfield Madison 47</p>
<p>Mansfield St. Peter’s 81, Cle. Lincoln W. 40</p>
<p>Maria Stein Marion Local 55, Van Wert 52</p>
<p>Marion Pleasant 51, Van Buren 46</p>
<p>Mason 85, Cin. Colerain 42</p>
<p>McGuffey Upper Scioto Valley 43, Ada 40</p>
<p>Metamora Evergreen 64, Edon 31</p>
<p>Middletown Fenwick 69, Reading 65</p>
<p>Miller City 72, Van Wert Lincolnview 58</p>
<p>Mineral Ridge 67, Sebring McKinley 62</p>
<p>Morrow Little Miami 60, Cin. Mt. Healthy 51</p>
<p>N. Olmsted 56, Amherst Steele 52</p>
<p>New Bremen 55, Covington 40</p>
<p>Newton Falls 77, Brookfield 60</p>
<p>Newton Local 76, Houston 66</p>
<p>Oak Harbor 74, Sandusky St. Mary 39</p>
<p>Old Fort 54, Bascom Hopewell-Loudon 42</p>
<p>Ottawa-Glandorf 78, Findlay 69</p>
<p>Pandora-Gilboa 59, Ottoville 51</p>
<p>Paulding 77, Sherwood Fairview 68</p>
<p>Pettisville 43, Edgerton 36</p>
<p>Ridgeway Ridgemont 69, Mt. Blanchard Riverdale 57</p>
<p>Sandusky Perkins 63, Huron 54</p>
<p>St. Henry 62, Anna 59</p>
<p>Sycamore Mohawk 34, New Washington Buckeye Cent. 30</p>
<p>Sylvania Northview 69, Bryan 58</p>
<p>Sylvania Southview 44, Tol. Whitmer 35</p>
<p>Tipp City Bethel 65, Arcanum 38</p>
<p>Tol. St. John’s 59, Lakewood St. Edward 45</p>
<p>Tol. Start 57, Fremont Ross 37</p>
<p>Troy 62, Riverside Stebbins 53</p>
<p>Troy Christian 39, Casstown Miami E. 26</p>
<p>Vandalia Butler 48, Bellefontaine 44</p>
<p>Warren Champion 64, Cortland Maplewood 45</p>
<p>Wauseon 51, Defiance 31</p>
<p>Westerville N. 67, Cols. Watterson 50</p>
<p>Westerville S. 59, Westerville Cent. 45</p>
<p>Windham 74, Newbury 45</p>
<p>Worthington Kilbourne 55, Ft. Recovery 54</p>
<p>Youngs. Mooney 48, Youngs. Valley Christian 47, OT</p>
<p>Adrian Lenawee Christian, Mich. 78, Tol. Christian 59</p>
<p>Akr. Manchester 90, Mansfield Temple Christian 56</p>
<p>Ansonia 93, Union City, Ind. 61</p>
<p>Bellville Clear Fork 73, Loudonville 41</p>
<p>Berea-Midpark 59, Avon Lake 56, 2OT</p>
<p>Bloomdale Elmwood 64, Liberty Center 50</p>
<p>Bucyrus Wynford 61, Bucyrus 49</p>
<p>Can. McKinley 72, Can. Glenoak 48</p>
<p>Chardon 85, Gates Mills Hawken 68</p>
<p>Cin. Anderson 39, Cin. Turpin 30</p>
<p>Cin. Elder 79, St. Mary’s, N.Y. 43</p>
<p>Cin. Hughes 70, Cin. Shroder 69</p>
<p>Cin. Moeller 75, Cin. St. Xavier 52</p>
<p>Cin. NW 59, Trenton Edgewood 53</p>
<p>Cin. Oak Hills 52, W. Chester Lakota W. 37</p>
<p>Cin. Taft 80, Cin. Western Hills 55</p>
<p>Cin. Wyoming 70, Cin. Clark Montessori 51</p>
<p>Clarksville Clinton-Massie 51, New Richmond 50</p>
<p>Coldwater 80, Celina 61</p>
<p>Cols. Bexley 49, Worthington Christian 33</p>
<p>Columbia Station Columbia 59, Oberlin 52</p>
<p>Columbus Grove 63, Leipsic 53</p>
<p>Convoy Crestview 76, Arlington 36</p>
<p>Cortland Lakeview 71, Struthers 54</p>
<p>Defiance Ayersville 47, Continental 41</p>
<p>Delta 61, Stryker 50</p>
<p>Dublin Coffman 76, Tol. Scott 44</p>
<p>Elida 59, Piqua 40</p>
<p>Elmore Woodmore 46, Castalia Margaretta 42</p>
<p>Fairport Harbor Harding 70, Southington Chalker 49</p>
<p>Ft. Jennings 44, Bluffton 42</p>
<p>Gahanna Cols. Academy 77, Hudson WRA 49</p>
<p>Genoa Area 75, Tiffin Columbian 48</p>
<p>Greenville 63, New Madison Tri-Village 58</p>
<p>Hamilton Badin 55, Cin. Mariemont 41</p>
<p>Haviland Wayne Trace 68, Delphos Jefferson 54</p>
<p>Huber Hts. Wayne 68, Akr. SVSM 57</p>
<p>Hudson 45, Youngs. Boardman 42</p>
<p>Jackson Center 46, New Knoxville 28</p>
<p>Kalida 41, Defiance Tinora 33</p>
<p>Kenton 78, Findlay Liberty-Benton 71</p>
<p>LaGrange Keystone 48, Elyria 47</p>
<p>Lewistown Indian Lake 71, Waynesfield-Goshen 57</p>
<p>Lexington 65, Upper Sandusky 52</p>
<p>Lima Bath 51, Spencerville 44</p>
<p>Lima Shawnee 55, Delphos St. John’s 48</p>
<p>Mansfield Sr. 62, Mansfield Madison 47</p>
<p>Mansfield St. Peter’s 81, Cle. Lincoln W. 40</p>
<p>Maria Stein Marion Local 55, Van Wert 52</p>
<p>Marion Pleasant 51, Van Buren 46</p>
<p>Mason 85, Cin. Colerain 42</p>
<p>McGuffey Upper Scioto Valley 43, Ada 40</p>
<p>Metamora Evergreen 64, Edon 31</p>
<p>Middletown Fenwick 69, Reading 65</p>
<p>Miller City 72, Van Wert Lincolnview 58</p>
<p>Mineral Ridge 67, Sebring McKinley 62</p>
<p>Morrow Little Miami 60, Cin. Mt. Healthy 51</p>
<p>N. Olmsted 56, Amherst Steele 52</p>
<p>New Bremen 55, Covington 40</p>
<p>Newton Falls 77, Brookfield 60</p>
<p>Newton Local 76, Houston 66</p>
<p>Oak Harbor 74, Sandusky St. Mary 39</p>
<p>Old Fort 54, Bascom Hopewell-Loudon 42</p>
<p>Ottawa-Glandorf 78, Findlay 69</p>
<p>Pandora-Gilboa 59, Ottoville 51</p>
<p>Paulding 77, Sherwood Fairview 68</p>
<p>Pettisville 43, Edgerton 36</p>
<p>Ridgeway Ridgemont 69, Mt. Blanchard Riverdale 57</p>
<p>Sandusky Perkins 63, Huron 54</p>
<p>St. Henry 62, Anna 59</p>
<p>Sycamore Mohawk 34, New Washington Buckeye Cent. 30</p>
<p>Sylvania Northview 69, Bryan 58</p>
<p>Sylvania Southview 44, Tol. Whitmer 35</p>
<p>Tipp City Bethel 65, Arcanum 38</p>
<p>Tol. St. John’s 59, Lakewood St. Edward 45</p>
<p>Tol. Start 57, Fremont Ross 37</p>
<p>Troy 62, Riverside Stebbins 53</p>
<p>Troy Christian 39, Casstown Miami E. 26</p>
<p>Vandalia Butler 48, Bellefontaine 44</p>
<p>Warren Champion 64, Cortland Maplewood 45</p>
<p>Wauseon 51, Defiance 31</p>
<p>Westerville N. 67, Cols. Watterson 50</p>
<p>Westerville S. 59, Westerville Cent. 45</p>
<p>Windham 74, Newbury 45</p>
<p>Worthington Kilbourne 55, Ft. Recovery 54</p>
<p>Youngs. Mooney 48, Youngs. Valley Christian 47, OT</p>
| false | 2 |
adrian lenawee christian mich 78 tol christian 59 akr manchester 90 mansfield temple christian 56 ansonia 93 union city ind 61 bellville clear fork 73 loudonville 41 bereamidpark 59 avon lake 56 2ot bloomdale elmwood 64 liberty center 50 bucyrus wynford 61 bucyrus 49 mckinley 72 glenoak 48 chardon 85 gates mills hawken 68 cin anderson 39 cin turpin 30 cin elder 79 st marys ny 43 cin hughes 70 cin shroder 69 cin moeller 75 cin st xavier 52 cin nw 59 trenton edgewood 53 cin oak hills 52 w chester lakota w 37 cin taft 80 cin western hills 55 cin wyoming 70 cin clark montessori 51 clarksville clintonmassie 51 new richmond 50 coldwater 80 celina 61 cols bexley 49 worthington christian 33 columbia station columbia 59 oberlin 52 columbus grove 63 leipsic 53 convoy crestview 76 arlington 36 cortland lakeview 71 struthers 54 defiance ayersville 47 continental 41 delta 61 stryker 50 dublin coffman 76 tol scott 44 elida 59 piqua 40 elmore woodmore 46 castalia margaretta 42 fairport harbor harding 70 southington chalker 49 ft jennings 44 bluffton 42 gahanna cols academy 77 hudson wra 49 genoa area 75 tiffin columbian 48 greenville 63 new madison trivillage 58 hamilton badin 55 cin mariemont 41 haviland wayne trace 68 delphos jefferson 54 huber hts wayne 68 akr svsm 57 hudson 45 youngs boardman 42 jackson center 46 new knoxville 28 kalida 41 defiance tinora 33 kenton 78 findlay libertybenton 71 lagrange keystone 48 elyria 47 lewistown indian lake 71 waynesfieldgoshen 57 lexington 65 upper sandusky 52 lima bath 51 spencerville 44 lima shawnee 55 delphos st johns 48 mansfield sr 62 mansfield madison 47 mansfield st peters 81 cle lincoln w 40 maria stein marion local 55 van wert 52 marion pleasant 51 van buren 46 mason 85 cin colerain 42 mcguffey upper scioto valley 43 ada 40 metamora evergreen 64 edon 31 middletown fenwick 69 reading 65 miller city 72 van wert lincolnview 58 mineral ridge 67 sebring mckinley 62 morrow little miami 60 cin mt healthy 51 n olmsted 56 amherst steele 52 new bremen 55 covington 40 newton falls 77 brookfield 60 newton local 76 houston 66 oak harbor 74 sandusky st mary 39 old fort 54 bascom hopewellloudon 42 ottawaglandorf 78 findlay 69 pandoragilboa 59 ottoville 51 paulding 77 sherwood fairview 68 pettisville 43 edgerton 36 ridgeway ridgemont 69 mt blanchard riverdale 57 sandusky perkins 63 huron 54 st henry 62 anna 59 sycamore mohawk 34 new washington buckeye cent 30 sylvania northview 69 bryan 58 sylvania southview 44 tol whitmer 35 tipp city bethel 65 arcanum 38 tol st johns 59 lakewood st edward 45 tol start 57 fremont ross 37 troy 62 riverside stebbins 53 troy christian 39 casstown miami e 26 vandalia butler 48 bellefontaine 44 warren champion 64 cortland maplewood 45 wauseon 51 defiance 31 westerville n 67 cols watterson 50 westerville 59 westerville cent 45 windham 74 newbury 45 worthington kilbourne 55 ft recovery 54 youngs mooney 48 youngs valley christian 47 ot adrian lenawee christian mich 78 tol christian 59 akr manchester 90 mansfield temple christian 56 ansonia 93 union city ind 61 bellville clear fork 73 loudonville 41 bereamidpark 59 avon lake 56 2ot bloomdale elmwood 64 liberty center 50 bucyrus wynford 61 bucyrus 49 mckinley 72 glenoak 48 chardon 85 gates mills hawken 68 cin anderson 39 cin turpin 30 cin elder 79 st marys ny 43 cin hughes 70 cin shroder 69 cin moeller 75 cin st xavier 52 cin nw 59 trenton edgewood 53 cin oak hills 52 w chester lakota w 37 cin taft 80 cin western hills 55 cin wyoming 70 cin clark montessori 51 clarksville clintonmassie 51 new richmond 50 coldwater 80 celina 61 cols bexley 49 worthington christian 33 columbia station columbia 59 oberlin 52 columbus grove 63 leipsic 53 convoy crestview 76 arlington 36 cortland lakeview 71 struthers 54 defiance ayersville 47 continental 41 delta 61 stryker 50 dublin coffman 76 tol scott 44 elida 59 piqua 40 elmore woodmore 46 castalia margaretta 42 fairport harbor harding 70 southington chalker 49 ft jennings 44 bluffton 42 gahanna cols academy 77 hudson wra 49 genoa area 75 tiffin columbian 48 greenville 63 new madison trivillage 58 hamilton badin 55 cin mariemont 41 haviland wayne trace 68 delphos jefferson 54 huber hts wayne 68 akr svsm 57 hudson 45 youngs boardman 42 jackson center 46 new knoxville 28 kalida 41 defiance tinora 33 kenton 78 findlay libertybenton 71 lagrange keystone 48 elyria 47 lewistown indian lake 71 waynesfieldgoshen 57 lexington 65 upper sandusky 52 lima bath 51 spencerville 44 lima shawnee 55 delphos st johns 48 mansfield sr 62 mansfield madison 47 mansfield st peters 81 cle lincoln w 40 maria stein marion local 55 van wert 52 marion pleasant 51 van buren 46 mason 85 cin colerain 42 mcguffey upper scioto valley 43 ada 40 metamora evergreen 64 edon 31 middletown fenwick 69 reading 65 miller city 72 van wert lincolnview 58 mineral ridge 67 sebring mckinley 62 morrow little miami 60 cin mt healthy 51 n olmsted 56 amherst steele 52 new bremen 55 covington 40 newton falls 77 brookfield 60 newton local 76 houston 66 oak harbor 74 sandusky st mary 39 old fort 54 bascom hopewellloudon 42 ottawaglandorf 78 findlay 69 pandoragilboa 59 ottoville 51 paulding 77 sherwood fairview 68 pettisville 43 edgerton 36 ridgeway ridgemont 69 mt blanchard riverdale 57 sandusky perkins 63 huron 54 st henry 62 anna 59 sycamore mohawk 34 new washington buckeye cent 30 sylvania northview 69 bryan 58 sylvania southview 44 tol whitmer 35 tipp city bethel 65 arcanum 38 tol st johns 59 lakewood st edward 45 tol start 57 fremont ross 37 troy 62 riverside stebbins 53 troy christian 39 casstown miami e 26 vandalia butler 48 bellefontaine 44 warren champion 64 cortland maplewood 45 wauseon 51 defiance 31 westerville n 67 cols watterson 50 westerville 59 westerville cent 45 windham 74 newbury 45 worthington kilbourne 55 ft recovery 54 youngs mooney 48 youngs valley christian 47 ot
| 1,010 |
<p>SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Aylsa Torres sighed in relief when she received a letter from her bank two weeks after Hurricane Maria hit. She was among the hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans awarded a three-month moratorium on their mortgage payments as the U.S. territory reeled from the storm's destruction.</p>
<p>Believing she was temporarily freed from those financial obligations, the 46-year-old government worker drained her savings to pay for a $750 generator and $786 worth of repairs for storm damage. But when Torres visited her bank in December, she says, she was shocked to hear that she was behind on payments and that officials threatened to foreclose on her apartment and ruin her credit rating.</p>
<p>Confusion and panic is spreading across this U.S. territory as the majority of moratorium agreements expire this month, with many people discovering they never qualified for the moratorium in the first place or struggling to obtain extensions because they cannot pay what is owed to the banks.</p>
<p>"It's incredibly frustrating," Torres said. "You feel like everyone is closing a door in your face. No one has a genuine interest in helping you."</p>
<p>Legal experts say it is a scene that will repeat itself in the coming weeks and months on an island that already was seeing a sharp rise in foreclosures before the hurricane as a result of an 11-year-old recession that has forced government austerity measures.</p>
<p>Even worse, experts say, many Puerto Ricans stopped making payments on their mortgages after the Sept. 20 storm because they thought the moratorium was automatic, when it was not. The storm knocked out power across the island, the largest blackout in U.S. history, preventing many from learning that they had to contact their bank to request a moratorium, said Ariadna Godreau, a professor and human rights lawyer.</p>
<p>"The big concern now is that mortgage foreclosures are going to spike," she said. "We're going to see more homeless people, more homes foreclosed."</p>
<p>Over almost a decade, the number of repossessed homes in Puerto Rico grew from more than 2,300 in 2008 to above 5,400 in 2016 and an estimated 6,200 or more last year.</p>
<p>After the storm, foreclosures were temporarily suspended, and banks in the U.S. territory offered a moratorium on mortgages for those who qualified, as did the federal government. Moratoriums offered by the U.S. government have been extended to March, but banks have ended theirs.</p>
<p>Banco Popular, which is Puerto Rico's largest bank, said more than 20,500 clients received moratoriums that expired in December and January. Bank executives say they are working with their clients, but stress that they still need to collect what is owed.</p>
<p>"Those clients that truly are not responding to the bank's letters are those who really will be at risk of facing a foreclosure," said Jose Teruel, first vice president of the consumer credit services division at Banco Popular.</p>
<p>Other large Puerto Rico banks declined to provide specific numbers. Oriental said only that 69 percent of its home loans were under moratorium by the end of November, while First Bank said about half of its clients were given moratoriums. Santander said 123,000 of its accounts, including both mortgages and personal and commercial loans, received moratoriums expiring in December and January.</p>
<p>"The three-month moratorium might have seemed generous at first, but in reality, it's not," said Maria Jimenez, director of the legal services clinic at the University of Puerto Rico. "There are still people without power, so the ability to generate revenue is not there."</p>
<p>More than 30,000 jobs were lost after Hurricane Maria, and some 30 percent of small and medium-size businesses remain closed more than four months after the storm, according to the island's Treasury Department. Meanwhile, more than 30 percent of power customers remain in the dark and many struggle to pay rising utility bills.</p>
<p>Jimenez especially worries about people who cannot afford an attorney but make enough money to be disqualified from free legal services.</p>
<p>"A lot of times these people just freeze," she said. "There are many who don't even open the (bank) letters because they have no way to solve the situation."</p>
<p>Torres has hired a lawyer to handle her case, not an easy decision since most of her salary goes toward costly medication to treat her multiple sclerosis. She owes the bank more than $1,500 and is at a loss over how to pay.</p>
<p>Puerto Rico's Office of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions said it is collecting more information to better understand the situation. It recently extended a deadline for all banks on the island to submit data, including exactly how many moratoriums were awarded.</p>
<p>It is unclear how banks will handle the mortgages, said Rafael Rodriguez, who oversees a legal aid project involving foreclosures for the nonprofit Legal Services of Puerto Rico. "The expectation we have is that once the moratoriums expire, the massive wave of foreclosures on the island will continue," he said.</p>
<p>Another woman caught in the mortgage crunch said she doesn't have the money to make all three payments she owes her bank this month. The woman, who asked to be identified only by her first name, Lillian, because she is embarrassed by her situation, said she used all her savings after the hurricane to get up to date on her mortgage payments so she could qualify for the moratorium. But those payments have left her dependent entirely on her parents for now.</p>
<p>She fears she will have to give up her apartment. "I am incredibly worried," she said.</p>
<p>SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Aylsa Torres sighed in relief when she received a letter from her bank two weeks after Hurricane Maria hit. She was among the hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans awarded a three-month moratorium on their mortgage payments as the U.S. territory reeled from the storm's destruction.</p>
<p>Believing she was temporarily freed from those financial obligations, the 46-year-old government worker drained her savings to pay for a $750 generator and $786 worth of repairs for storm damage. But when Torres visited her bank in December, she says, she was shocked to hear that she was behind on payments and that officials threatened to foreclose on her apartment and ruin her credit rating.</p>
<p>Confusion and panic is spreading across this U.S. territory as the majority of moratorium agreements expire this month, with many people discovering they never qualified for the moratorium in the first place or struggling to obtain extensions because they cannot pay what is owed to the banks.</p>
<p>"It's incredibly frustrating," Torres said. "You feel like everyone is closing a door in your face. No one has a genuine interest in helping you."</p>
<p>Legal experts say it is a scene that will repeat itself in the coming weeks and months on an island that already was seeing a sharp rise in foreclosures before the hurricane as a result of an 11-year-old recession that has forced government austerity measures.</p>
<p>Even worse, experts say, many Puerto Ricans stopped making payments on their mortgages after the Sept. 20 storm because they thought the moratorium was automatic, when it was not. The storm knocked out power across the island, the largest blackout in U.S. history, preventing many from learning that they had to contact their bank to request a moratorium, said Ariadna Godreau, a professor and human rights lawyer.</p>
<p>"The big concern now is that mortgage foreclosures are going to spike," she said. "We're going to see more homeless people, more homes foreclosed."</p>
<p>Over almost a decade, the number of repossessed homes in Puerto Rico grew from more than 2,300 in 2008 to above 5,400 in 2016 and an estimated 6,200 or more last year.</p>
<p>After the storm, foreclosures were temporarily suspended, and banks in the U.S. territory offered a moratorium on mortgages for those who qualified, as did the federal government. Moratoriums offered by the U.S. government have been extended to March, but banks have ended theirs.</p>
<p>Banco Popular, which is Puerto Rico's largest bank, said more than 20,500 clients received moratoriums that expired in December and January. Bank executives say they are working with their clients, but stress that they still need to collect what is owed.</p>
<p>"Those clients that truly are not responding to the bank's letters are those who really will be at risk of facing a foreclosure," said Jose Teruel, first vice president of the consumer credit services division at Banco Popular.</p>
<p>Other large Puerto Rico banks declined to provide specific numbers. Oriental said only that 69 percent of its home loans were under moratorium by the end of November, while First Bank said about half of its clients were given moratoriums. Santander said 123,000 of its accounts, including both mortgages and personal and commercial loans, received moratoriums expiring in December and January.</p>
<p>"The three-month moratorium might have seemed generous at first, but in reality, it's not," said Maria Jimenez, director of the legal services clinic at the University of Puerto Rico. "There are still people without power, so the ability to generate revenue is not there."</p>
<p>More than 30,000 jobs were lost after Hurricane Maria, and some 30 percent of small and medium-size businesses remain closed more than four months after the storm, according to the island's Treasury Department. Meanwhile, more than 30 percent of power customers remain in the dark and many struggle to pay rising utility bills.</p>
<p>Jimenez especially worries about people who cannot afford an attorney but make enough money to be disqualified from free legal services.</p>
<p>"A lot of times these people just freeze," she said. "There are many who don't even open the (bank) letters because they have no way to solve the situation."</p>
<p>Torres has hired a lawyer to handle her case, not an easy decision since most of her salary goes toward costly medication to treat her multiple sclerosis. She owes the bank more than $1,500 and is at a loss over how to pay.</p>
<p>Puerto Rico's Office of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions said it is collecting more information to better understand the situation. It recently extended a deadline for all banks on the island to submit data, including exactly how many moratoriums were awarded.</p>
<p>It is unclear how banks will handle the mortgages, said Rafael Rodriguez, who oversees a legal aid project involving foreclosures for the nonprofit Legal Services of Puerto Rico. "The expectation we have is that once the moratoriums expire, the massive wave of foreclosures on the island will continue," he said.</p>
<p>Another woman caught in the mortgage crunch said she doesn't have the money to make all three payments she owes her bank this month. The woman, who asked to be identified only by her first name, Lillian, because she is embarrassed by her situation, said she used all her savings after the hurricane to get up to date on her mortgage payments so she could qualify for the moratorium. But those payments have left her dependent entirely on her parents for now.</p>
<p>She fears she will have to give up her apartment. "I am incredibly worried," she said.</p>
| false | 2 |
san juan puerto rico ap aylsa torres sighed relief received letter bank two weeks hurricane maria hit among hundreds thousands puerto ricans awarded threemonth moratorium mortgage payments us territory reeled storms destruction believing temporarily freed financial obligations 46yearold government worker drained savings pay 750 generator 786 worth repairs storm damage torres visited bank december says shocked hear behind payments officials threatened foreclose apartment ruin credit rating confusion panic spreading across us territory majority moratorium agreements expire month many people discovering never qualified moratorium first place struggling obtain extensions pay owed banks incredibly frustrating torres said feel like everyone closing door face one genuine interest helping legal experts say scene repeat coming weeks months island already seeing sharp rise foreclosures hurricane result 11yearold recession forced government austerity measures even worse experts say many puerto ricans stopped making payments mortgages sept 20 storm thought moratorium automatic storm knocked power across island largest blackout us history preventing many learning contact bank request moratorium said ariadna godreau professor human rights lawyer big concern mortgage foreclosures going spike said going see homeless people homes foreclosed almost decade number repossessed homes puerto rico grew 2300 2008 5400 2016 estimated 6200 last year storm foreclosures temporarily suspended banks us territory offered moratorium mortgages qualified federal government moratoriums offered us government extended march banks ended banco popular puerto ricos largest bank said 20500 clients received moratoriums expired december january bank executives say working clients stress still need collect owed clients truly responding banks letters really risk facing foreclosure said jose teruel first vice president consumer credit services division banco popular large puerto rico banks declined provide specific numbers oriental said 69 percent home loans moratorium end november first bank said half clients given moratoriums santander said 123000 accounts including mortgages personal commercial loans received moratoriums expiring december january threemonth moratorium might seemed generous first reality said maria jimenez director legal services clinic university puerto rico still people without power ability generate revenue 30000 jobs lost hurricane maria 30 percent small mediumsize businesses remain closed four months storm according islands treasury department meanwhile 30 percent power customers remain dark many struggle pay rising utility bills jimenez especially worries people afford attorney make enough money disqualified free legal services lot times people freeze said many dont even open bank letters way solve situation torres hired lawyer handle case easy decision since salary goes toward costly medication treat multiple sclerosis owes bank 1500 loss pay puerto ricos office commissioner financial institutions said collecting information better understand situation recently extended deadline banks island submit data including exactly many moratoriums awarded unclear banks handle mortgages said rafael rodriguez oversees legal aid project involving foreclosures nonprofit legal services puerto rico expectation moratoriums expire massive wave foreclosures island continue said another woman caught mortgage crunch said doesnt money make three payments owes bank month woman asked identified first name lillian embarrassed situation said used savings hurricane get date mortgage payments could qualify moratorium payments left dependent entirely parents fears give apartment incredibly worried said san juan puerto rico ap aylsa torres sighed relief received letter bank two weeks hurricane maria hit among hundreds thousands puerto ricans awarded threemonth moratorium mortgage payments us territory reeled storms destruction believing temporarily freed financial obligations 46yearold government worker drained savings pay 750 generator 786 worth repairs storm damage torres visited bank december says shocked hear behind payments officials threatened foreclose apartment ruin credit rating confusion panic spreading across us territory majority moratorium agreements expire month many people discovering never qualified moratorium first place struggling obtain extensions pay owed banks incredibly frustrating torres said feel like everyone closing door face one genuine interest helping legal experts say scene repeat coming weeks months island already seeing sharp rise foreclosures hurricane result 11yearold recession forced government austerity measures even worse experts say many puerto ricans stopped making payments mortgages sept 20 storm thought moratorium automatic storm knocked power across island largest blackout us history preventing many learning contact bank request moratorium said ariadna godreau professor human rights lawyer big concern mortgage foreclosures going spike said going see homeless people homes foreclosed almost decade number repossessed homes puerto rico grew 2300 2008 5400 2016 estimated 6200 last year storm foreclosures temporarily suspended banks us territory offered moratorium mortgages qualified federal government moratoriums offered us government extended march banks ended banco popular puerto ricos largest bank said 20500 clients received moratoriums expired december january bank executives say working clients stress still need collect owed clients truly responding banks letters really risk facing foreclosure said jose teruel first vice president consumer credit services division banco popular large puerto rico banks declined provide specific numbers oriental said 69 percent home loans moratorium end november first bank said half clients given moratoriums santander said 123000 accounts including mortgages personal commercial loans received moratoriums expiring december january threemonth moratorium might seemed generous first reality said maria jimenez director legal services clinic university puerto rico still people without power ability generate revenue 30000 jobs lost hurricane maria 30 percent small mediumsize businesses remain closed four months storm according islands treasury department meanwhile 30 percent power customers remain dark many struggle pay rising utility bills jimenez especially worries people afford attorney make enough money disqualified free legal services lot times people freeze said many dont even open bank letters way solve situation torres hired lawyer handle case easy decision since salary goes toward costly medication treat multiple sclerosis owes bank 1500 loss pay puerto ricos office commissioner financial institutions said collecting information better understand situation recently extended deadline banks island submit data including exactly many moratoriums awarded unclear banks handle mortgages said rafael rodriguez oversees legal aid project involving foreclosures nonprofit legal services puerto rico expectation moratoriums expire massive wave foreclosures island continue said another woman caught mortgage crunch said doesnt money make three payments owes bank month woman asked identified first name lillian embarrassed situation said used savings hurricane get date mortgage payments could qualify moratorium payments left dependent entirely parents fears give apartment incredibly worried said
| 998 |
<p>Jan 17 (Reuters) - ORASCOM DEVELOPMENT EGYPT:</p>
<p>* FY NET SALES EGP 1.46 BILLION, UP 87.5 PERCENT YEAR-ON-YEAR</p>
<p>* SAYS WILL CONTINUE TO SEEK OPTIMAL BALANCE SHEET STRUCTURE AND WILL CONTINUE ITS PLANS TO REDUCE, RESTRUCTURE ITS DEBT</p>
<p>* TO REDUCE DEBT BALANCE IN 2018 BY FURTHER EGP 800 MILLION TO EGP 1 BILLION VIA SALE OF NON-CORE ASSETS AND EXCESS CASH FROM OPERATIONS?? Source:( <a href="http://bit.ly/2BaFVxK" type="external">bit.ly/2BaFVxK</a>) Further company coverage:</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>(Reuters) - Procter &amp; Gamble Co (P&amp;G) has agreed to acquire Merck KGaA's consumer health unit for 3.4 billion euros ($4.2 billion), giving it vitamin brands such as Seven Seas and greater exposure to Latin American and Asian markets.</p> FILE PHOTO: A display of Pampers diapers are seen on sale in Denver, Colorado February 16, 2017. REUTERS/Rick Wilking/File Photo
<p>The maker of Pampers diapers and Gillette razors said the deal would help it expand its portfolio of consumer healthcare products which includes Vicks cold relief.</p>
<p>The Merck unit includes vitamin brands Femibion and Neurobion.</p>
<p>The deal follows GlaxoSmithKline agreeing to buy Novartis out of their consumer healthcare joint venture for $13 billion after dropping its pursuit of Pfizer's consumer unit.</p>
<p>Pfizer has struggled to divest the business for as much as $20 billion, after Reckitt Benckiser dropped out last month and Johnson &amp; Johnson stepped away in January.</p>
<p>Prescription-free remedies offer stable sales due to customers' brand loyalty, albeit at lower margins than pharmaceuticals.</p>
<p>But intense price competition online, mainly from Amazon, as well as cheaper store-brand products have weighed on profits in the U.S. and other Western markets.</p>
<p>U.S.-based P&amp;G derived 12 percent of group sales, or $7.5 billion, from health care products last year, including Oral-B toothbrushes and toothpastes.</p>
<p>The purchase price for Merck's business suggests that the German company climbed down from price demands of as much as 4 billion euros, which sources told Reuters had deterred initial suitors such as Nestle, Perrigo and Stada owners Bain and Cinven.</p>
<p>Morgan Stanley analyst Vincent Meunier said the price still implied a valuation of 4.7 times sales and around 19 times operating profit (EBITDA) for the business, at the high end of recent deals in the sector.</p>
<p>"This will help (Merck) focus on its pharma unit and refurbish its pipeline," he said.</p>
<p>Merck shares were up 0.5 percent higher at 0833 GMT, among top gainers in the German blue-chip DAX index, having risen 1.2 percent earlier.</p>
<p>Merck said that it fetched a multiple of about 19.5, above recent industry transactions and based on an adjusted "economically transferred" EBITDA of 173 million euros in 2017.</p>
<p>The proceeds would allow it to reduce debt faster, giving its businesses, which include chemicals, pharmaceuticals and lab equipment, more flexibility, although it ruled out acquisitions worth more than 500 million euros this year.P&amp;G also announced it will split up its consumer care joint venture with Teva, PGT Healthcare, on July 1, saying strategies were no longer aligned.</p>
<p>PGT accounts for nearly all of P&amp;G's personal health care sales outside of the United States.</p>
<p>Teva said the terms of the agreement to terminate the JV with P&amp;G would not be disclosed and that the dissolution was amicable.</p> FILE PHOTO - The logo of Dow Jones Industrial Average stock market index listed company Procter &amp; Gamble (PG) is seen on a tube of toothpaste in Los Angeles, California, United States, April 25, 2016. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson
<p>Merck said the divestment of its consumer health business did not change its goal of keeping net sales of its established prescription drugs, such as Erbitux against cancer and multiple sclerosis treatment Rebif, organically stable until 2022.</p>
<p>It will issue guidance for 2018 to reflect the sale of the consumer healthcare business with it publishes first-quarter financial results on May 15, it said.</p> INDIA BUSINESS
<p>About 3,300 Merck employees could move to P&amp;G upon completion of the transaction, which is expected by the fourth quarter.</p>
<p>As part of the deal, P&amp;G will buy a majority stake in the German company's Indian consumer health business, Merck Ltd, and subsequently make a mandatory tender offer to minority shareholders.</p>
<p>A final agreement with P&amp;G on Merck's French consumer health business has yet to be worked out with labor representatives but that will not change the overall price agreed with P&amp;G.</p>
<p>JP Morgan acted as financial adviser to Merck on the transaction, and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer was legal adviser.</p>
<p>Additional reporting by Shalini Nagarajan in Bengaluru; Maria Sheahan in Frankfurt; Tova Cohen in Tel Aviv; editing by Susan Fenton and Jason Neely</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil futures jumped nearly 3 percent on Wednesday on a decline in U.S. crude inventories and after sources signaled top exporter Saudi Arabia wants to see the crude price closer to $100 a barrel.</p> FILE PHOTO: An oil well is seen near Denver, Colorado February 2, 2015. REUTERS/Rick Wilking
<p>OPEC's new price hawk Saudi Arabia would be happy for crude to rise to $80 or even $100, three industry sources said, a sign Riyadh will seek no changes to a supply-cutting deal even though the agreement's original target is within sight.</p>
<p>Brent crude futures LCOc1 settled at $73.48 a barrel, up $1.90, or 2.7 percent. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures CLc1 gained $1.95, or 2.9 percent, to settle at $68.47 a barrel, their highest since late 2014.</p>
<p>Prices were supported as U.S. oil stockpiles fell across the board last week with gasoline and distillates drawing down more than expected on stronger demand, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.</p>
<p>Crude inventories dropped by 1.1 million barrels as a result of a decline of 1.3 million barrels per day in net crude imports.</p>
<p>"This may be one of the most bullish reports in some time, with the across-the-board declines in inventories," said John Kilduff, a partner at Again Capital Management in New York.</p>
<p>"Beyond the headlines, gasoline demand was very strong, virtually summer-like, and crude oil exports are climbed back toward 2 million bpd at 1.75 million."</p>
<p>Buying in anticipation of the report started late Tuesday, said Brian LaRose, a technical analyst with United-ICAP.</p>
<p>The market also found support in expectation that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries' production cuts will be sustained. OPEC and 10 rival producers have curbed output by a joint 1.8 million bpd since January 2017 and pledged to do so until the end of this year.</p>
<p>OPEC's ministerial committee tasked with monitoring the group's supply-cutting deal with non-OPEC countries, led by Russia, meets in the Saudi city of Jeddah on Friday.</p>
<p>"Despite an oil price of over $70 per barrel and the fact that the oversupply has been eliminated, a phase-out of the production cuts will not be on the agenda," Commerzbank oil analyst Carsten Fritsch said.</p>
<p>Oil has been supported by the perception among investors that tensions in the Middle East could lead to supply disruptions, including renewed U.S. sanctions against Iran, as well as falling output in crisis-hit Venezuela.</p>
<p>Dutch bank ING said in a note to clients that Brent had risen back above $70 in April "due to geopolitical risks along with some fundamentally bullish developments in the market".</p>
<p>It raised its average 2018 price forecast for Brent to $66.50 from $60.25, and its 2018 WTI forecast to $62.50 from $57.75.</p>
<p>For next year, however, ING expects lower prices due to rising U.S. crude output, which has jumped by a quarter since mid-2016.</p>
<p>(GRAPHIC: Brent, WTI crude futures price curve - <a href="https://reut.rs/2vnKJCe" type="external">reut.rs/2vnKJCe</a>)</p>
<a href="https://reut.rs/2vnKJCe" type="external" />
<p>(GRAPHIC: OPEC members' compliance with crude output cut - <a href="https://reut.rs/2J6lmGZ" type="external">reut.rs/2J6lmGZ</a>)</p>
<a href="https://reut.rs/2J6lmGZ" type="external" />
<p>Additional reporting by Henning Gloystein in SINGAPORE and Amanda Cooper in LONDON; Editing by Marguerita Choy and David Evans</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>NEW YORK/LONDON (Reuters) - Rare disease drug maker Shire Plc ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=SHP.L" type="external">SHP.L</a>) said on Thursday it had rejected a $63 billion cash-and-stock acquisition offer by Japan's Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=4502.T" type="external">4502.T</a>), while Allergan Plc ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=AGN.N" type="external">AGN.N</a>) reversed course on pursuing a rival bid.</p> FILE PHOTO: Takeda Pharmaceutical's signboard is seen on its headquarters building in Tokyo, Japan January 30, 2018. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo
<p>The high-stakes drama underscores the surge in dealmaking this year in the pharmaceutical sector, as large players look for promising assets to improve their pipelines. An acquisition of Shire by Takeda would be by far the biggest acquisition of a drug company year-to-date.</p>
<p>Botox-maker Allergan confirmed on Thursday it was considering an offer for Shire after Reuters reported on its interest, sending its shares down 7 percent.</p>
<p>Later on Thursday, Allergan Chief Executive Brent Saunders decided to drop his pursuit of London-listed Shire after receiving pushback from some of his shareholders, who were concerned about the company overstretching its resources, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not be identified discussing confidential talks. Allergan then issued a second announcement stating it did not intend to make an offer for Shire.</p>
<p>Dublin-based Allergan, which has a market capitalization of $52 billion, had $30 billion in debt as of the end of December, the legacy of a string of acquisitions. This has weighed on Allergan's ability to carry out big acquisitions.</p>
<p>Allergan's exploration of a bid for Shire was part of its wider strategic review, Allergan said in a statement. This review is currently unlikely to lead either to a major acquisition or a breakup of the company, one of the sources said.</p>
<p>Reuters also first reported on Thursday that Takeda had made a cash-and-stock offer of 46.50 pounds ($66.20) a share for Shire. This prompted both companies to confirm the move and announce that Shire had rejected it, although their negotiations are continuing.</p>
<p>Buying Shire would be the largest ever overseas acquisition by a Japanese company and propel Takeda, led by Frenchman Christophe Weber, into the top ranks of global drugmakers.</p>
<p>It would be Weber's boldest move by far, significantly boosting Takeda's position in rare diseases, including a blockbuster hemophilia franchise, gastrointestinal disorders and neuroscience, where Shire is a leader in drugs to treat hyperactivity.</p>
<p>But it would be a big financial stretch since Shire, with a market value of more than 34 billion pounds ($48.3 billion), is worth a lot more than Japan's biggest drugmaker, which has a market capitalization of 4.1 trillion yen ($31 billion).</p>
<p>An acquisition of Shire would have given Allergan heft in the rare diseases space at a time when Saunders is seeking to cement its status as a purveyor of innovative drugs. Saunders' plans to sell Allergan to Pfizer for $160 billion were scuppered two years ago after the U.S. Treasury changed the rules on corporate tax inversions.</p>
<p>Saunders "was a huge deal guy and everyone was kind of waiting for the next big deal," said Kevin Kedra, an analyst with Gabelli &amp; Co, which holds shares of both Allergan and Shire.</p>
<p>If there was to be a big share component to a deal it would have to come before a vote of shareholders, he noted. "Shareholders seem to be voting this morning," Kedra said.</p> FILE PHOTO: Vitamins made by Shire are displayed at a chemist's in northwest London, Britain, July 11, 2014. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett/File Photo
<p>Takeda said it would remain disciplined in its approach and intended to maintain its dividend policy and investment-grade credit rating, adding that: "Discussions between the parties regarding a potential offer are ongoing."</p> MORE CASH WANTED
<p>Shire confirmed it had received three conditional proposals from Takeda, but said they significantly undervalued the company's growth prospects and drugs in development.</p>
<p>Takeda's latest 46.50 pounds offer was made on April 12 and comprised 17.75 pounds in cash, which would be paid in U.S. dollars, and 28.75 pounds worth of new Takeda shares. Shire said that valued it at approximately 44 billion pounds ($62.6 billion), based on total issued and to be issued share capital.</p>
<p>The two earlier cash-and-share offers were worth 44 and 45.50 pounds per share, respectively.</p>
<a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=SHP.L" type="external">Shire PLC</a> 3975.0 SHP.L London Stock Exchange +221.00 (+5.89%) SHP.L 4502.T AGN.N
<p>Under UK takeover rules, Takeda has until April 25 to make a firm offer or walk away, after it said last month it was considering a bid.</p>
<p>Based on Takeda's market capitalization, Shire shareholders would end up owning approximately 51 percent of the enlarged group, Shire noted.</p>
<p>Bernstein analyst Wimal Kapadia said Shire was likely to be pushing for a larger cash component in current talks but Takeda was already stretched, suggesting the chances of a deal being consummated were still "reasonably risky."</p>
<p>Shire has been under pressure in the past 12 months, with its shares down by a third before Takeda's interest was made public, due to greater competition from generic drugs and debts from its $32 billion acquisition of Baxalta in 2016.</p>
<p>Shire said in January it would run its attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) business, which consists mainly of its blockbuster drug Vyvanse, separately and possibly seek a separate listing.</p>
<p>Earlier this week it struck a deal to sell its cancer drugs for $2.4 billion to unlisted French group Servier.</p>
<p>Reporting by Greg Roumeliotis in New York and Ben Martin and Ben Hirschler; Additional reporting by Paul Sandle, Carl O'Donnell and Bill Berkrot; editing by Bill Trott and Lisa Shumaker</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>(Reuters) - U.S. stocks fell on Thursday, as technology stocks from Apple to chipmakers declined following a weak forecast on smartphone demand, while a sharp drop in Philip Morris's ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=PM.N" type="external">PM.N</a>) shares after results weighed on the consumer staples sector.</p> Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., April 19, 2018. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
<p>A warning from Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=2330.TW" type="external">2330.TW</a>), the world's largest contract chipmaker and Apple supplier, on soft demand for smartphones and on the semiconductor industry's growth this year sparked a tumble in chip stocks.</p>
<p>Apple's ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=AAPL.O" type="external">AAPL.O</a>) shares also fell 2.4 percent, with analysts telling Reuters that TSMC's warning was related to the iPhone maker. Apple was the biggest drag on the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq.</p>
<p>TSMC's ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=TSM.N" type="external">TSM.N</a>) U.S.-listed shares fell 5.8 percent. Intel ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=INTC.O" type="external">INTC.O</a>) declined 3.1 percent, falling the most on the Dow. All the stocks on the Philadelphia SE semiconductor index .SOX were in the red, with the index itself tumbling 3.9 percent.</p>
<p>"The broader tech weakness that you're seeing is out of weak guidance that's impacting Apple and the semiconductor space," said Michael Hans, chief investment officer at New York City-based Clarfeld Financial Advisors.</p>
<p>The only bright spot was the financial sector .SPSY, which was up 1.2 percent, supported by American Express ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=AXP.N" type="external">AXP.N</a>) shares and a rise in 10-year Treasury yields to a near two-month high. [US/]</p>
<p>"We've seen considerable rise in rates and a steepening of the yield curve and that's been really benefiting the financials," Hans said.</p> Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., April 19, 2018. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
<p>The S&amp;P consumer staples sector .SPLRCS declined 3.5 percent as Philip Morris plunged 16.5 percent after the tobacco company's weak results and forecast.</p>
<p>Philip Morris was the biggest drag on the S&amp;P 500 and also dragged Altria ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=MO.N" type="external">MO.N</a>) down 7.8 percent.</p>
<p>Procter &amp; Gamble ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=PG.N" type="external">PG.N</a>) also dropped 3.2 percent after the Dow component said shrinking retailer inventories and higher commodities and transportation costs squeezed its margins.</p>
<a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=PM.N" type="external">Philip Morris International Inc</a> 85.55 PM.N New York Stock Exchange -15.89 (-15.66%) PM.N 2330.TW AAPL.O TSM.N INTC.O
<p>At 12:42 p.m. ET, the Dow <a href="/finance/markets/index?symbol=.DJI" type="external">.DJI</a> was down 0.50 percent, at 24,623.67. The S&amp;P 500 <a href="/finance/markets/index?symbol=.SPX" type="external">.SPX</a> fell 0.79 percent to 2,687.12 and the Nasdaq Composite <a href="/finance/markets/index?symbol=.IXIC" type="external">.IXIC</a> dropped 0.87 percent to 7,231.51.</p>
<p>AmEx ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=AXP.N" type="external">AXP.N</a>) jumped 6.2 percent after the credit card issuer topped Wall Street profit estimates.</p>
<p>"What's happening in this season is even if you meet (profit expectations), that's not good enough, you've got to beat convincingly," said JJ Kinahan, chief market strategist at TD Ameritrade in Chicago.</p>
<p>Of the 52 companies among the S&amp;P 500 that have reported first-quarter earnings through Wednesday, 78.8 percent topped profit expectations, according to Thomson Reuters data.</p>
<p>Declining issues outnumbered advancers by a 2.56-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 1.70-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq.</p>
<p>The S&amp;P index recorded 23 new 52-week highs and 14 new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 82 new highs and 40 new lows.</p>
<p>(This story has been refiled to remove extraneous words from quotes in paragraph 5 and 7)</p>
<p>Reporting by Sruthi Shankar in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
| false | 2 |
jan 17 reuters orascom development egypt fy net sales egp 146 billion 875 percent yearonyear says continue seek optimal balance sheet structure continue plans reduce restructure debt reduce debt balance 2018 egp 800 million egp 1 billion via sale noncore assets excess cash operations source bitly2bafvxk company coverage standards thomson reuters trust principles reuters procter amp gamble co pampg agreed acquire merck kgaas consumer health unit 34 billion euros 42 billion giving vitamin brands seven seas greater exposure latin american asian markets file photo display pampers diapers seen sale denver colorado february 16 2017 reutersrick wilkingfile photo maker pampers diapers gillette razors said deal would help expand portfolio consumer healthcare products includes vicks cold relief merck unit includes vitamin brands femibion neurobion deal follows glaxosmithkline agreeing buy novartis consumer healthcare joint venture 13 billion dropping pursuit pfizers consumer unit pfizer struggled divest business much 20 billion reckitt benckiser dropped last month johnson amp johnson stepped away january prescriptionfree remedies offer stable sales due customers brand loyalty albeit lower margins pharmaceuticals intense price competition online mainly amazon well cheaper storebrand products weighed profits us western markets usbased pampg derived 12 percent group sales 75 billion health care products last year including oralb toothbrushes toothpastes purchase price mercks business suggests german company climbed price demands much 4 billion euros sources told reuters deterred initial suitors nestle perrigo stada owners bain cinven morgan stanley analyst vincent meunier said price still implied valuation 47 times sales around 19 times operating profit ebitda business high end recent deals sector help merck focus pharma unit refurbish pipeline said merck shares 05 percent higher 0833 gmt among top gainers german bluechip dax index risen 12 percent earlier merck said fetched multiple 195 recent industry transactions based adjusted economically transferred ebitda 173 million euros 2017 proceeds would allow reduce debt faster giving businesses include chemicals pharmaceuticals lab equipment flexibility although ruled acquisitions worth 500 million euros yearpampg also announced split consumer care joint venture teva pgt healthcare july 1 saying strategies longer aligned pgt accounts nearly pampgs personal health care sales outside united states teva said terms agreement terminate jv pampg would disclosed dissolution amicable file photo logo dow jones industrial average stock market index listed company procter amp gamble pg seen tube toothpaste los angeles california united states april 25 2016 reuterslucy nicholson merck said divestment consumer health business change goal keeping net sales established prescription drugs erbitux cancer multiple sclerosis treatment rebif organically stable 2022 issue guidance 2018 reflect sale consumer healthcare business publishes firstquarter financial results may 15 said india business 3300 merck employees could move pampg upon completion transaction expected fourth quarter part deal pampg buy majority stake german companys indian consumer health business merck ltd subsequently make mandatory tender offer minority shareholders final agreement pampg mercks french consumer health business yet worked labor representatives change overall price agreed pampg jp morgan acted financial adviser merck transaction freshfields bruckhaus deringer legal adviser additional reporting shalini nagarajan bengaluru maria sheahan frankfurt tova cohen tel aviv editing susan fenton jason neely standards thomson reuters trust principles new york reuters oil futures jumped nearly 3 percent wednesday decline us crude inventories sources signaled top exporter saudi arabia wants see crude price closer 100 barrel file photo oil well seen near denver colorado february 2 2015 reutersrick wilking opecs new price hawk saudi arabia would happy crude rise 80 even 100 three industry sources said sign riyadh seek changes supplycutting deal even though agreements original target within sight brent crude futures lcoc1 settled 7348 barrel 190 27 percent us west texas intermediate crude futures clc1 gained 195 29 percent settle 6847 barrel highest since late 2014 prices supported us oil stockpiles fell across board last week gasoline distillates drawing expected stronger demand according data us energy information administration crude inventories dropped 11 million barrels result decline 13 million barrels per day net crude imports may one bullish reports time acrosstheboard declines inventories said john kilduff partner capital management new york beyond headlines gasoline demand strong virtually summerlike crude oil exports climbed back toward 2 million bpd 175 million buying anticipation report started late tuesday said brian larose technical analyst unitedicap market also found support expectation organization petroleum exporting countries production cuts sustained opec 10 rival producers curbed output joint 18 million bpd since january 2017 pledged end year opecs ministerial committee tasked monitoring groups supplycutting deal nonopec countries led russia meets saudi city jeddah friday despite oil price 70 per barrel fact oversupply eliminated phaseout production cuts agenda commerzbank oil analyst carsten fritsch said oil supported perception among investors tensions middle east could lead supply disruptions including renewed us sanctions iran well falling output crisishit venezuela dutch bank ing said note clients brent risen back 70 april due geopolitical risks along fundamentally bullish developments market raised average 2018 price forecast brent 6650 6025 2018 wti forecast 6250 5775 next year however ing expects lower prices due rising us crude output jumped quarter since mid2016 graphic brent wti crude futures price curve reutrs2vnkjce graphic opec members compliance crude output cut reutrs2j6lmgz additional reporting henning gloystein singapore amanda cooper london editing marguerita choy david evans standards thomson reuters trust principles new yorklondon reuters rare disease drug maker shire plc shpl said thursday rejected 63 billion cashandstock acquisition offer japans takeda pharmaceutical co ltd 4502t allergan plc agnn reversed course pursuing rival bid file photo takeda pharmaceuticals signboard seen headquarters building tokyo japan january 30 2018 reuterskim kyunghoonfile photo highstakes drama underscores surge dealmaking year pharmaceutical sector large players look promising assets improve pipelines acquisition shire takeda would far biggest acquisition drug company yeartodate botoxmaker allergan confirmed thursday considering offer shire reuters reported interest sending shares 7 percent later thursday allergan chief executive brent saunders decided drop pursuit londonlisted shire receiving pushback shareholders concerned company overstretching resources according people familiar matter asked identified discussing confidential talks allergan issued second announcement stating intend make offer shire dublinbased allergan market capitalization 52 billion 30 billion debt end december legacy string acquisitions weighed allergans ability carry big acquisitions allergans exploration bid shire part wider strategic review allergan said statement review currently unlikely lead either major acquisition breakup company one sources said reuters also first reported thursday takeda made cashandstock offer 4650 pounds 6620 share shire prompted companies confirm move announce shire rejected although negotiations continuing buying shire would largest ever overseas acquisition japanese company propel takeda led frenchman christophe weber top ranks global drugmakers would webers boldest move far significantly boosting takedas position rare diseases including blockbuster hemophilia franchise gastrointestinal disorders neuroscience shire leader drugs treat hyperactivity would big financial stretch since shire market value 34 billion pounds 483 billion worth lot japans biggest drugmaker market capitalization 41 trillion yen 31 billion acquisition shire would given allergan heft rare diseases space time saunders seeking cement status purveyor innovative drugs saunders plans sell allergan pfizer 160 billion scuppered two years ago us treasury changed rules corporate tax inversions saunders huge deal guy everyone kind waiting next big deal said kevin kedra analyst gabelli amp co holds shares allergan shire big share component deal would come vote shareholders noted shareholders seem voting morning kedra said file photo vitamins made shire displayed chemists northwest london britain july 11 2014 reuterssuzanne plunkettfile photo takeda said would remain disciplined approach intended maintain dividend policy investmentgrade credit rating adding discussions parties regarding potential offer ongoing cash wanted shire confirmed received three conditional proposals takeda said significantly undervalued companys growth prospects drugs development takedas latest 4650 pounds offer made april 12 comprised 1775 pounds cash would paid us dollars 2875 pounds worth new takeda shares shire said valued approximately 44 billion pounds 626 billion based total issued issued share capital two earlier cashandshare offers worth 44 4550 pounds per share respectively shire plc 39750 shpl london stock exchange 22100 589 shpl 4502t agnn uk takeover rules takeda april 25 make firm offer walk away said last month considering bid based takedas market capitalization shire shareholders would end owning approximately 51 percent enlarged group shire noted bernstein analyst wimal kapadia said shire likely pushing larger cash component current talks takeda already stretched suggesting chances deal consummated still reasonably risky shire pressure past 12 months shares third takedas interest made public due greater competition generic drugs debts 32 billion acquisition baxalta 2016 shire said january would run attention deficit hyperactivity disorder adhd business consists mainly blockbuster drug vyvanse separately possibly seek separate listing earlier week struck deal sell cancer drugs 24 billion unlisted french group servier reporting greg roumeliotis new york ben martin ben hirschler additional reporting paul sandle carl odonnell bill berkrot editing bill trott lisa shumaker standards thomson reuters trust principles reuters us stocks fell thursday technology stocks apple chipmakers declined following weak forecast smartphone demand sharp drop philip morriss pmn shares results weighed consumer staples sector traders work floor new york stock exchange manhattan borough new york city new york us april 19 2018 reutersbrendan mcdermid warning taiwan semiconductor tsmc 2330tw worlds largest contract chipmaker apple supplier soft demand smartphones semiconductor industrys growth year sparked tumble chip stocks apples aaplo shares also fell 24 percent analysts telling reuters tsmcs warning related iphone maker apple biggest drag dow jones industrial average nasdaq tsmcs tsmn uslisted shares fell 58 percent intel intco declined 31 percent falling dow stocks philadelphia se semiconductor index sox red index tumbling 39 percent broader tech weakness youre seeing weak guidance thats impacting apple semiconductor space said michael hans chief investment officer new york citybased clarfeld financial advisors bright spot financial sector spsy 12 percent supported american express axpn shares rise 10year treasury yields near twomonth high us weve seen considerable rise rates steepening yield curve thats really benefiting financials hans said traders work floor new york stock exchange manhattan borough new york city new york us april 19 2018 reutersbrendan mcdermid sampp consumer staples sector splrcs declined 35 percent philip morris plunged 165 percent tobacco companys weak results forecast philip morris biggest drag sampp 500 also dragged altria mon 78 percent procter amp gamble pgn also dropped 32 percent dow component said shrinking retailer inventories higher commodities transportation costs squeezed margins philip morris international inc 8555 pmn new york stock exchange 1589 1566 pmn 2330tw aaplo tsmn intco 1242 pm et dow dji 050 percent 2462367 sampp 500 spx fell 079 percent 268712 nasdaq composite ixic dropped 087 percent 723151 amex axpn jumped 62 percent credit card issuer topped wall street profit estimates whats happening season even meet profit expectations thats good enough youve got beat convincingly said jj kinahan chief market strategist td ameritrade chicago 52 companies among sampp 500 reported firstquarter earnings wednesday 788 percent topped profit expectations according thomson reuters data declining issues outnumbered advancers 256to1 ratio nyse 170to1 ratio nasdaq sampp index recorded 23 new 52week highs 14 new lows nasdaq recorded 82 new highs 40 new lows story refiled remove extraneous words quotes paragraph 5 7 reporting sruthi shankar bengaluru editing shounak dasgupta standards thomson reuters trust principles
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<p>A recent memo from the United States Golf Association and The Royal &amp; Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews suggests that using a belly putter is, well, gutless.</p>
<p>The two golf organizations didn’t really say that in so many words. But they recently ruled that belly putters – which are anchored against the body – go against the integrity of the golf swing.</p>
<p>Anchoring the putter against the body creates a pendulum motion and eliminates wrist action in the stroke.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Four of the past six major championship winners – including Adam Scott, the world’s third-ranked player, at this year’s Masters – have used anchored putters. Nos. 1 and 2, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, are firmly aligned with the USGA and Royal &amp; Ancient.</p>
<p>“I just believe that the art of putting is swinging the club and controlling nerves,” Woods told the Los Angeles Times recently.</p>
<p>But under rule 14-1b, the USGA and R&amp;A will ban anchoring beginning in 2016.</p>
<p>They state: “Freely swinging the entire club is the essence of the traditional method of stroke, and … anchoring is a substantially different form of stroke that may alter and diminish the fundamental challenges of the game.”</p>
<p>The PGA of America – and potentially the PGA Tour – disagrees. That soon could lead to plenty of head-butting.</p>
<p>The ruling, meanwhile, is a tad confusing because it doesn’t ban long putters – just anchoring them to your body. Your arm, however, is OK. PGA Tour veteran Matt Kuchar has used that method this season with enormous success.</p>
<p>Guy Wimberly, a 2011 inductee of the PGA Hall of Fame, sees why.</p>
<p>“Matt’s putter is approximately 4 to 6 inches longer (than traditional putters),” said Wimberly, golf director emeritus at Sierra del Rio at Elephant Butte. “He places the grip end of the putter against his left forearm, giving him a perfect extension from the left shoulder to the putter head. No pendulum, but a very true putting stroke.”</p>
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<p>With his victory Sunday at the Memorial, Kuchar moved from ninth to a career-best fourth in the world rankings.</p>
<p>But is there a major difference between his stroke and anchoring?</p>
<p>“That’s a good question,” said Tom Nielsen, a longtime member of the Sun Country PGA. “I think the Kuchar thing is going to become a big deal. I’m really not sure how it’s any different.”</p>
<p>Nielsen knows a thing or two about long putters. He is credited with being the first in New Mexico, maybe in the country, to use one.</p>
<p>“You might say Tom came up with the idea,” Wimberly said. “He was the head professional at the Paradise Hills Country Club at the time, now known as Desert Greens. He and some friends worked hard to get the head position of the putter correct, changing the loft a bit and rotating the club head to the left so it was easily aligned with the direction one would want the ball to roll.”</p>
<p>Nielsen became one of the top players in the section and qualified for multiple national PGA senior events. In the mid-1980s, he made a run at the top of the leaderboard on the final day of the former Charley Pride Senior Golf Classic Senior Tour event at Four Hills Country Club.</p>
<p>“I don’t think I invented it,” Nielsen, 76, said of his belly putter. “But I never saw anyone else do it before. Not in New Mexico, for sure.</p>
<p>“I came up with it out of desperation. I got the yips and had to do something or quit the game. That got me over the hump.”</p>
<p>The yips is twitching, or having the jitters and shakes, on short putts. Nielsen says he experimented with different techniques, then had an idea.</p>
<p>“I found that my left wrist was breaking down,” the right-handed Nielsen said. “I couldn’t hold it steady. I was playing with all kinds of crap trying to overcome it. One day, I reached down the shaft on a short putter, and noticed how firm it was holding against my arm. It just spun off from that.”</p>
<p>There was no controversy about it then, just hilarity.</p>
<p>But the laughter started even before he went to the odd-looking stick.</p>
<p>“He was my partner in a tournament,” said Sam Zimmerly, the director of golf at Ladera. “We all knew what he was going through with the yips. He had this 2-foot putt and he couldn’t even draw the putter back. He just kept standing over it. (Former local pro) Don Klein was in the same group, and we were in stitches laughing.</p>
<p>“Eventually, he comes up with this crazy, cockeyed, lengthened putter. He made it out of a Ben Hogan radial model, which was a regular putter. You lay it down, and it didn’t look usable. It was really funny looking.”</p>
<p>Nielsen gets a chuckle out of their chuckles.</p>
<p>“But then it started to work a little bit, and they changed their tune,” he said. “I’ve always been amazed that more people haven’t used it.”</p>
<p>Another local who did, about 20 years ago, is Tony Hidalgo, director of golf at Arroyo del Oso.</p>
<p>“The guy who inspired me was (former Senior Tour standout) Orville Moody,” said Hidalgo, who won the section’s player of the year award in the mid-1990s.</p>
<p>“I was doing radio commentary for the Charley Pride at Four Hills, and I saw the guy shaking so much he could barely hold a cup of coffee without spilling it. I thought, ‘If it works for him that well, imagine what it could do for someone without the shakes?’</p>
<p>“I never used it because of a physical or mental handicap. I just realized it was easier.”</p>
<p>Hidalgo said nobody thought he had an advantage by using a belly putter, and he took plenty of ribbing for using one.</p>
<p>“There was always this stigma that you only used them if you were a senior player and had the yips,” Hidalgo said. “But I always thought that if the younger players coming up had tried it, it would become huge on the PGA Tour.”</p>
<p>While the ruling doesn’t affect recreational golfers, Hidalgo believes it still will affect sales of belly putters down the road.</p>
<p>“For a while, people will still buy them. But golfers pretty much follow what the guys on tour are doing. Once more and more tour guys stop, most everyone else will. Eventually, I think pro shops will basically stop carrying them.”</p>
<p>In the meantime, Nielsen is still using his. But who knows? Even that could change.</p>
<p>“I believe the USGA did the right thing,” Nielsen said. “Golf is meant to be played with two hands. I’m one of the few who agrees, but it’s a good ruling.”</p>
<p />
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recent memo united states golf association royal amp ancient golf club st andrews suggests using belly putter well gutless two golf organizations didnt really say many words recently ruled belly putters anchored body go integrity golf swing anchoring putter body creates pendulum motion eliminates wrist action stroke advertisement four past six major championship winners including adam scott worlds thirdranked player years masters used anchored putters nos 1 2 tiger woods rory mcilroy firmly aligned usga royal amp ancient believe art putting swinging club controlling nerves woods told los angeles times recently rule 141b usga rampa ban anchoring beginning 2016 state freely swinging entire club essence traditional method stroke anchoring substantially different form stroke may alter diminish fundamental challenges game pga america potentially pga tour disagrees soon could lead plenty headbutting ruling meanwhile tad confusing doesnt ban long putters anchoring body arm however ok pga tour veteran matt kuchar used method season enormous success guy wimberly 2011 inductee pga hall fame sees matts putter approximately 4 6 inches longer traditional putters said wimberly golf director emeritus sierra del rio elephant butte places grip end putter left forearm giving perfect extension left shoulder putter head pendulum true putting stroke advertisement victory sunday memorial kuchar moved ninth careerbest fourth world rankings major difference stroke anchoring thats good question said tom nielsen longtime member sun country pga think kuchar thing going become big deal im really sure different nielsen knows thing two long putters credited first new mexico maybe country use one might say tom came idea wimberly said head professional paradise hills country club time known desert greens friends worked hard get head position putter correct changing loft bit rotating club head left easily aligned direction one would want ball roll nielsen became one top players section qualified multiple national pga senior events mid1980s made run top leaderboard final day former charley pride senior golf classic senior tour event four hills country club dont think invented nielsen 76 said belly putter never saw anyone else new mexico sure came desperation got yips something quit game got hump yips twitching jitters shakes short putts nielsen says experimented different techniques idea found left wrist breaking righthanded nielsen said couldnt hold steady playing kinds crap trying overcome one day reached shaft short putter noticed firm holding arm spun controversy hilarity laughter started even went oddlooking stick partner tournament said sam zimmerly director golf ladera knew going yips 2foot putt couldnt even draw putter back kept standing former local pro klein group stitches laughing eventually comes crazy cockeyed lengthened putter made ben hogan radial model regular putter lay didnt look usable really funny looking nielsen gets chuckle chuckles started work little bit changed tune said ive always amazed people havent used another local 20 years ago tony hidalgo director golf arroyo del oso guy inspired former senior tour standout orville moody said hidalgo sections player year award mid1990s radio commentary charley pride four hills saw guy shaking much could barely hold cup coffee without spilling thought works well imagine could someone without shakes never used physical mental handicap realized easier hidalgo said nobody thought advantage using belly putter took plenty ribbing using one always stigma used senior player yips hidalgo said always thought younger players coming tried would become huge pga tour ruling doesnt affect recreational golfers hidalgo believes still affect sales belly putters road people still buy golfers pretty much follow guys tour tour guys stop everyone else eventually think pro shops basically stop carrying meantime nielsen still using knows even could change believe usga right thing nielsen said golf meant played two hands im one agrees good ruling
| 603 |
<p>It began as The Year of the Comeback.</p>
<p>In college football, where Clemson got the last laugh in a wild fourth quarter in which the lead changed hands three times.</p>
<p>And in pro football, where the New England Patriots rallied from 25 points down to send the Super Bowl to overtime for the first time in its history, then cruised to a quick touchdown for the franchise's fifth title.</p>
<p>The rest of 2017 might have been called The Year of the Unexpected. From Sergio Garcia's long-overdue green jacket to Roger Federer's late-in-the-game return to the top to Usain Bolt losing not one, but two races in his finale, the year's best games, races and rounds certainly kept us all guessing.</p>
<p>A look at some of the best games of 2017:</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>BACK AND FORTH: Clemson and Alabama met for the second straight year with the national title on the line and one question to answer: How would they top the 45-40 thriller from the year before? Alabama won that game and appeared to be on track for a repeat, leading 24-14 after three quarters that were more or less a snoozefest. The fourth quarter was a much different story. It included four touchdowns, three lead changes over the final 4:38, and ultimately, the game-winner — a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs_qWs-Us3w" type="external">2-yard throw</a> from Deshaun Watson to Hunter Renfrow with 1 second left that gave Clemson the 35-31 win and its first title since 1981. "That has to be one of the greatest games of all time," Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>SUPER COMEBACK: The debate lingers: Did the Falcons choke this game away or did the Patriots wrest it away? Either way, it was a comeback for the history books. Atlanta took a 28-3 lead with 8:31 left in the third quarter. From there, Atlanta's prevent defense and questionable calls on offense combined with New England's refusal to give up turned it into an all-timer. The Patriots' tying drive was highlighted by a remarkable catch by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SiUNdkIwzQ" type="external">Julian Edelman</a> . New England tied the game at 28, won the overtime coin toss and Atlanta's shocked defense offered no resistance. The <a href="https://pro32.ap.org/node/706685" type="external">Patriots won 34-28</a> . "No panic," Patriots special teams captain Matthew Slater said in explaining the comeback. "Our bodies and minds were ready, and we just kept believing in one another."</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>ONLY A NUMBER: He was 35, coming off a knee injury and much closer to the end of his career than his prime. Nobody could be blamed for overlooking Roger Federer. Yet the father of four, playing his first big tournament after sitting out for six months, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPIp8aQTjMg" type="external">came back in classic fashion</a> , turning back the clock to top his longtime rival, Rafael Nadal, in a memorable Australian Open final. Federer overcame a break in the fifth set <a href="" type="internal">to capture his 18th Grand Slam title</a> with a 4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 victory. It was Federer's first major since Wimbledon in 2012. (And he would go on to take No. 19 later this year at Wimbledon). "For me it's all about the comeback, about an epic match with Rafa again," Federer said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>SEEING GREEN: Two shots behind with six holes to play, the Masters looked like another in an unbearably long string of major disappointments for Sergio Garcia. But <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEA_j26Deww" type="external">Garcia did not fade</a> . He saved par after hitting his drive into an azalea bush on No. 13, then made eagle on No. 15 to set up a playoff with Justin Rose that Garcia won. Garcia could've won it with a 5-foot birdie putt on No. 18, but it rolled out. Garcia persisted. Rose hit his drive into the trees on the playoff hole and couldn't scramble to save par. The result: Garcia wearing the green jacket and <a href="" type="internal">capturing his first major</a> . No one had ever played more majors as a pro (70) before winning one for the first time.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>SOME FAREWELL: World championships were supposed to be a stroll down the straightaway followed by an oversized going-away party for track's biggest star, Usain Bolt. Not even close. Bolt finished third in the final 100-meter race of his career, unable to find the overdrive that had sparked him to all those Olympic medals. Then, in his curtain call, the 6-foot-5 sensation <a href="" type="internal">pulled up lame</a> in the anchor leg of the 4x100 relay. The crowd gasped. Bolt was placed in a wheelchair and later limped off the track. It was proof, yet again, that nobody commands the spotlight quite like Bolt — even on those rare occasions when he doesn't run away with the win.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>LONG BALL: Ten innings. Seven home runs. 5 hours, 17 minutes. 25 runs. The Astros topped the Dodgers <a href="" type="internal">13-12 in Game 5 of the World Series</a> , a game in which no lead, or pitcher, was safe. The teams combined for 28 hits and used 14 pitchers. In a game in which the long ball reigned, it was a simple single off the bat of Alex Bregman that brought home Carlos Correa for the winning run. "The best game ever, for sure," Correa said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>BEST OF THE REST: Who says a 6-1 soccer game can't be a thriller? Paris Saint-Germain had beaten Barcelona 4-0 in the first part of a two-leg Champions League matchup. An impossible hill to climb? Not quite. Barcelona won the second leg by scoring three times over the final eight minutes to advance. ... Even if the fight wasn't the greatest, the spectacle certainly was. Floyd Mayweather Jr. slowly wore down Conor McGregor in the showdown between boxer and UFC champion. Ringside seats went for $10,000 and 4 million people bought the fight on pay-per-view. ... On the 13th hole in the closing round of the British Open, Jordan Spieth made arguably the best bogey in major-championship history on the way to the <a href="" type="internal">capturing the third leg of the career Grand Slam</a> .</p>
<p>It began as The Year of the Comeback.</p>
<p>In college football, where Clemson got the last laugh in a wild fourth quarter in which the lead changed hands three times.</p>
<p>And in pro football, where the New England Patriots rallied from 25 points down to send the Super Bowl to overtime for the first time in its history, then cruised to a quick touchdown for the franchise's fifth title.</p>
<p>The rest of 2017 might have been called The Year of the Unexpected. From Sergio Garcia's long-overdue green jacket to Roger Federer's late-in-the-game return to the top to Usain Bolt losing not one, but two races in his finale, the year's best games, races and rounds certainly kept us all guessing.</p>
<p>A look at some of the best games of 2017:</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>BACK AND FORTH: Clemson and Alabama met for the second straight year with the national title on the line and one question to answer: How would they top the 45-40 thriller from the year before? Alabama won that game and appeared to be on track for a repeat, leading 24-14 after three quarters that were more or less a snoozefest. The fourth quarter was a much different story. It included four touchdowns, three lead changes over the final 4:38, and ultimately, the game-winner — a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs_qWs-Us3w" type="external">2-yard throw</a> from Deshaun Watson to Hunter Renfrow with 1 second left that gave Clemson the 35-31 win and its first title since 1981. "That has to be one of the greatest games of all time," Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>SUPER COMEBACK: The debate lingers: Did the Falcons choke this game away or did the Patriots wrest it away? Either way, it was a comeback for the history books. Atlanta took a 28-3 lead with 8:31 left in the third quarter. From there, Atlanta's prevent defense and questionable calls on offense combined with New England's refusal to give up turned it into an all-timer. The Patriots' tying drive was highlighted by a remarkable catch by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SiUNdkIwzQ" type="external">Julian Edelman</a> . New England tied the game at 28, won the overtime coin toss and Atlanta's shocked defense offered no resistance. The <a href="https://pro32.ap.org/node/706685" type="external">Patriots won 34-28</a> . "No panic," Patriots special teams captain Matthew Slater said in explaining the comeback. "Our bodies and minds were ready, and we just kept believing in one another."</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>ONLY A NUMBER: He was 35, coming off a knee injury and much closer to the end of his career than his prime. Nobody could be blamed for overlooking Roger Federer. Yet the father of four, playing his first big tournament after sitting out for six months, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPIp8aQTjMg" type="external">came back in classic fashion</a> , turning back the clock to top his longtime rival, Rafael Nadal, in a memorable Australian Open final. Federer overcame a break in the fifth set <a href="" type="internal">to capture his 18th Grand Slam title</a> with a 4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 victory. It was Federer's first major since Wimbledon in 2012. (And he would go on to take No. 19 later this year at Wimbledon). "For me it's all about the comeback, about an epic match with Rafa again," Federer said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>SEEING GREEN: Two shots behind with six holes to play, the Masters looked like another in an unbearably long string of major disappointments for Sergio Garcia. But <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEA_j26Deww" type="external">Garcia did not fade</a> . He saved par after hitting his drive into an azalea bush on No. 13, then made eagle on No. 15 to set up a playoff with Justin Rose that Garcia won. Garcia could've won it with a 5-foot birdie putt on No. 18, but it rolled out. Garcia persisted. Rose hit his drive into the trees on the playoff hole and couldn't scramble to save par. The result: Garcia wearing the green jacket and <a href="" type="internal">capturing his first major</a> . No one had ever played more majors as a pro (70) before winning one for the first time.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>SOME FAREWELL: World championships were supposed to be a stroll down the straightaway followed by an oversized going-away party for track's biggest star, Usain Bolt. Not even close. Bolt finished third in the final 100-meter race of his career, unable to find the overdrive that had sparked him to all those Olympic medals. Then, in his curtain call, the 6-foot-5 sensation <a href="" type="internal">pulled up lame</a> in the anchor leg of the 4x100 relay. The crowd gasped. Bolt was placed in a wheelchair and later limped off the track. It was proof, yet again, that nobody commands the spotlight quite like Bolt — even on those rare occasions when he doesn't run away with the win.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>LONG BALL: Ten innings. Seven home runs. 5 hours, 17 minutes. 25 runs. The Astros topped the Dodgers <a href="" type="internal">13-12 in Game 5 of the World Series</a> , a game in which no lead, or pitcher, was safe. The teams combined for 28 hits and used 14 pitchers. In a game in which the long ball reigned, it was a simple single off the bat of Alex Bregman that brought home Carlos Correa for the winning run. "The best game ever, for sure," Correa said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>BEST OF THE REST: Who says a 6-1 soccer game can't be a thriller? Paris Saint-Germain had beaten Barcelona 4-0 in the first part of a two-leg Champions League matchup. An impossible hill to climb? Not quite. Barcelona won the second leg by scoring three times over the final eight minutes to advance. ... Even if the fight wasn't the greatest, the spectacle certainly was. Floyd Mayweather Jr. slowly wore down Conor McGregor in the showdown between boxer and UFC champion. Ringside seats went for $10,000 and 4 million people bought the fight on pay-per-view. ... On the 13th hole in the closing round of the British Open, Jordan Spieth made arguably the best bogey in major-championship history on the way to the <a href="" type="internal">capturing the third leg of the career Grand Slam</a> .</p>
| false | 2 |
began year comeback college football clemson got last laugh wild fourth quarter lead changed hands three times pro football new england patriots rallied 25 points send super bowl overtime first time history cruised quick touchdown franchises fifth title rest 2017 might called year unexpected sergio garcias longoverdue green jacket roger federers lateinthegame return top usain bolt losing one two races finale years best games races rounds certainly kept us guessing look best games 2017 ___ back forth clemson alabama met second straight year national title line one question answer would top 4540 thriller year alabama game appeared track repeat leading 2414 three quarters less snoozefest fourth quarter much different story included four touchdowns three lead changes final 438 ultimately gamewinner 2yard throw deshaun watson hunter renfrow 1 second left gave clemson 3531 win first title since 1981 one greatest games time clemson coach dabo swinney said ___ super comeback debate lingers falcons choke game away patriots wrest away either way comeback history books atlanta took 283 lead 831 left third quarter atlantas prevent defense questionable calls offense combined new englands refusal give turned alltimer patriots tying drive highlighted remarkable catch julian edelman new england tied game 28 overtime coin toss atlantas shocked defense offered resistance patriots 3428 panic patriots special teams captain matthew slater said explaining comeback bodies minds ready kept believing one another ___ number 35 coming knee injury much closer end career prime nobody could blamed overlooking roger federer yet father four playing first big tournament sitting six months came back classic fashion turning back clock top longtime rival rafael nadal memorable australian open final federer overcame break fifth set capture 18th grand slam title 4 36 61 36 63 victory federers first major since wimbledon 2012 would go take 19 later year wimbledon comeback epic match rafa federer said ___ seeing green two shots behind six holes play masters looked like another unbearably long string major disappointments sergio garcia garcia fade saved par hitting drive azalea bush 13 made eagle 15 set playoff justin rose garcia garcia couldve 5foot birdie putt 18 rolled garcia persisted rose hit drive trees playoff hole couldnt scramble save par result garcia wearing green jacket capturing first major one ever played majors pro 70 winning one first time ___ farewell world championships supposed stroll straightaway followed oversized goingaway party tracks biggest star usain bolt even close bolt finished third final 100meter race career unable find overdrive sparked olympic medals curtain call 6foot5 sensation pulled lame anchor leg 4x100 relay crowd gasped bolt placed wheelchair later limped track proof yet nobody commands spotlight quite like bolt even rare occasions doesnt run away win ___ long ball ten innings seven home runs 5 hours 17 minutes 25 runs astros topped dodgers 1312 game 5 world series game lead pitcher safe teams combined 28 hits used 14 pitchers game long ball reigned simple single bat alex bregman brought home carlos correa winning run best game ever sure correa said ___ best rest says 61 soccer game cant thriller paris saintgermain beaten barcelona 40 first part twoleg champions league matchup impossible hill climb quite barcelona second leg scoring three times final eight minutes advance even fight wasnt greatest spectacle certainly floyd mayweather jr slowly wore conor mcgregor showdown boxer ufc champion ringside seats went 10000 4 million people bought fight payperview 13th hole closing round british open jordan spieth made arguably best bogey majorchampionship history way capturing third leg career grand slam began year comeback college football clemson got last laugh wild fourth quarter lead changed hands three times pro football new england patriots rallied 25 points send super bowl overtime first time history cruised quick touchdown franchises fifth title rest 2017 might called year unexpected sergio garcias longoverdue green jacket roger federers lateinthegame return top usain bolt losing one two races finale years best games races rounds certainly kept us guessing look best games 2017 ___ back forth clemson alabama met second straight year national title line one question answer would top 4540 thriller year alabama game appeared track repeat leading 2414 three quarters less snoozefest fourth quarter much different story included four touchdowns three lead changes final 438 ultimately gamewinner 2yard throw deshaun watson hunter renfrow 1 second left gave clemson 3531 win first title since 1981 one greatest games time clemson coach dabo swinney said ___ super comeback debate lingers falcons choke game away patriots wrest away either way comeback history books atlanta took 283 lead 831 left third quarter atlantas prevent defense questionable calls offense combined new englands refusal give turned alltimer patriots tying drive highlighted remarkable catch julian edelman new england tied game 28 overtime coin toss atlantas shocked defense offered resistance patriots 3428 panic patriots special teams captain matthew slater said explaining comeback bodies minds ready kept believing one another ___ number 35 coming knee injury much closer end career prime nobody could blamed overlooking roger federer yet father four playing first big tournament sitting six months came back classic fashion turning back clock top longtime rival rafael nadal memorable australian open final federer overcame break fifth set capture 18th grand slam title 4 36 61 36 63 victory federers first major since wimbledon 2012 would go take 19 later year wimbledon comeback epic match rafa federer said ___ seeing green two shots behind six holes play masters looked like another unbearably long string major disappointments sergio garcia garcia fade saved par hitting drive azalea bush 13 made eagle 15 set playoff justin rose garcia garcia couldve 5foot birdie putt 18 rolled garcia persisted rose hit drive trees playoff hole couldnt scramble save par result garcia wearing green jacket capturing first major one ever played majors pro 70 winning one first time ___ farewell world championships supposed stroll straightaway followed oversized goingaway party tracks biggest star usain bolt even close bolt finished third final 100meter race career unable find overdrive sparked olympic medals curtain call 6foot5 sensation pulled lame anchor leg 4x100 relay crowd gasped bolt placed wheelchair later limped track proof yet nobody commands spotlight quite like bolt even rare occasions doesnt run away win ___ long ball ten innings seven home runs 5 hours 17 minutes 25 runs astros topped dodgers 1312 game 5 world series game lead pitcher safe teams combined 28 hits used 14 pitchers game long ball reigned simple single bat alex bregman brought home carlos correa winning run best game ever sure correa said ___ best rest says 61 soccer game cant thriller paris saintgermain beaten barcelona 40 first part twoleg champions league matchup impossible hill climb quite barcelona second leg scoring three times final eight minutes advance even fight wasnt greatest spectacle certainly floyd mayweather jr slowly wore conor mcgregor showdown boxer ufc champion ringside seats went 10000 4 million people bought fight payperview 13th hole closing round british open jordan spieth made arguably best bogey majorchampionship history way capturing third leg career grand slam
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<p>Same story, different gender.</p>
<p>The University of New Mexico women’s basketball team tuned up its reserves and its offense Wednesday night with a 107-66 romp over Northern New Mexico at the Pit.</p>
<p>The Lobos (3-0) set a school record for points, eclipsing the mark of 106 set in 1979 against Northern Arizona.</p>
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<p>Sound familiar? It should.</p>
<p>UNM’s men set a single-game scoring record four days earlier in a 147-76 victory over the same foe,&#160; NAIA’s Northern New Mexico Eagles.</p>
<p>“That’s awesome,” Lobo senior Laneah Bryan said of the scoring record. “I didn’t know about that until just a minute ago. We don’t really think about those things but it feels good to break it.”</p>
<p>Freshman Madi Washington stole the show Wednesday, coming off the bench to score 27 points in 20 minutes of action. Washington hit 5 of 8 from 3-point range and went 8 for 8 from the foul line after not playing against Western Michigan or No. 16 Marquette.</p>
<p>To a large degree, Wednesday’s game was a polar opposite of UNM’s thrilling 88-87 win over Marquette on Monday, when five players logged the lion’s share of the home team’s playing time. This time all 13 Lobos in uniform played at least 10 minutes.</p>
<p>Jaisa Nunn, who scored a school-record 39 points against Marquette, scored just two in a team-low 10 minutes this time. Nunn suffered a season-ending knee injury against Northern New Mexico last season, but Lobo coach Mike Bradbury said that was not a factor in her playing time.</p>
<p>“We had this one scripted,” he said, “as long as we did what we were supposed to do. We played a different defense every quarter and the starters were going to play less than 15 minutes. We just wanted to get everyone else some extended minutes.”</p>
<p>Bryan finished with 13 points, and Emily Lines added 10 as UNM rolled up a 74-23 advantage in bench points. Cherise Beynon was the lone starter to reach double figures in points with 11, but she added five assists and three steals in 14 efficient minutes.</p>
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<p>The star of the moment was clearly Washington, whose 27 points were the second-highest total ever for a UNM player coming off the bench. Jordan Adams scored 30 in a rare non-start in 2000.</p>
<p>“She was aggressive,” Bradbury said of Washington. “We’ve been tinkering with her a little bit to get more out of her, but she’s really talented.”</p>
<p>After an early 8-8 deadlock, Northern New Mexico (2-5) was unable to stay with the Lobos. Washington, Jaedyn De La Cerda and Mykiel Burleson hit 3-pointers during a 25-3 UNM run that gave the home team a 41-15 lead and effectively decided the issue.</p>
<p>Still, the Eagles seemed to enjoy playing in front of the announced 4,314 fans and had more than a few good moments. Santa Fe Indian School alum RanDee Toya scored 15 points and hit three 3-pointers, while Pojoaque Valley grad Cheyenne Cordova and Española Valley’s Alexis Lovato scored 12 points each.</p>
<p>“I have a lot of respect for (NNMC coach Tony Gallegos),” Bradbury said. “They’ll go play anybody and they always play hard. They’re building it the right way.”</p>
<p>Bradbury conceded that a lower stress level was nice after Monday’s nail-biter against Marquette. He also felt Wednesday’s game served its purpose.</p>
<p>“It’s hard to develop players without getting them in games,” he said, “but you’re paid to win.”</p>
<p>LOBOS 107, EAGLES 66</p>
<p>FG&#160;&#160; &#160;FT&#160;&#160; &#160;Reb</p>
<p>NNMC&#160;&#160; &#160;Min&#160;&#160; &#160;M-A&#160;&#160; &#160;M-A&#160;&#160; &#160;O-T&#160;&#160; &#160;A&#160;&#160; &#160;F&#160;&#160; &#160;Pts</p>
<p>Deaguero&#160;&#160; &#160;22&#160;&#160; &#160;2-4&#160;&#160; &#160;0-2&#160;&#160; &#160;0-2&#160;&#160; &#160;2&#160;&#160; &#160;4&#160;&#160; &#160;6</p>
<p>Cordova&#160;&#160; &#160;28&#160;&#160; &#160;5-8&#160;&#160; &#160;1-1&#160;&#160; &#160;0-4&#160;&#160; &#160;5&#160;&#160; &#160;4&#160;&#160; &#160;12</p>
<p>Lovato&#160;&#160; &#160;18&#160;&#160; &#160;5-10&#160;&#160; &#160;2-2&#160;&#160; &#160;4-6&#160;&#160; &#160;1&#160;&#160; &#160;2&#160;&#160; &#160;12</p>
<p>Hill&#160;&#160; &#160;22&#160;&#160; &#160;1-10&#160;&#160; &#160;3-6&#160;&#160; &#160;5-10&#160;&#160; &#160;0&#160;&#160; &#160;3&#160;&#160; &#160;5</p>
<p>John&#160;&#160; &#160;33&#160;&#160; &#160;2-10&#160;&#160; &#160;3-5&#160;&#160; &#160;1-8&#160;&#160; &#160;7&#160;&#160; &#160;1&#160;&#160; &#160;8</p>
<p>Woodbury&#160;&#160; &#160;4&#160;&#160; &#160;0-0&#160;&#160; &#160;0-0&#160;&#160; &#160;0-0&#160;&#160; &#160;0&#160;&#160; &#160;1&#160;&#160; &#160;0</p>
<p>Ruff&#160;&#160; &#160;15&#160;&#160; &#160;1-1&#160;&#160; &#160;0-0&#160;&#160; &#160;1-3&#160;&#160; &#160;0&#160;&#160; &#160;5&#160;&#160; &#160;2</p>
<p>Pena&#160;&#160; &#160;2&#160;&#160; &#160;0-0&#160;&#160; &#160;0-0&#160;&#160; &#160;0-0&#160;&#160; &#160;0&#160;&#160; &#160;0&#160;&#160; &#160;0</p>
<p>Secody&#160;&#160; &#160;3&#160;&#160; &#160;1-2&#160;&#160; &#160;0-0&#160;&#160; &#160;0-1&#160;&#160; &#160;0&#160;&#160; &#160;0&#160;&#160; &#160;3</p>
<p>Salazar&#160;&#160; &#160;5&#160;&#160; &#160;0-2&#160;&#160; &#160;0-0&#160;&#160; &#160;0-1&#160;&#160; &#160;0&#160;&#160; &#160;1&#160;&#160; &#160;0</p>
<p>Kowatch&#160;&#160; &#160;17&#160;&#160; &#160;1-7&#160;&#160; &#160;0-0&#160;&#160; &#160;0-3&#160;&#160; &#160;1&#160;&#160; &#160;3&#160;&#160; &#160;3</p>
<p>Yuzos&#160;&#160; &#160;4&#160;&#160; &#160;0-1&#160;&#160; &#160;0-0&#160;&#160; &#160;0-0&#160;&#160; &#160;1&#160;&#160; &#160;1&#160;&#160; &#160;0</p>
<p>Toya&#160;&#160; &#160;23&#160;&#160; &#160;6-9&#160;&#160; &#160;0-0&#160;&#160; &#160;0-2&#160;&#160; &#160;0&#160;&#160; &#160;0&#160;&#160; &#160;15</p>
<p>Lucas&#160;&#160; &#160;4&#160;&#160; &#160;0-0&#160;&#160; &#160;0-0&#160;&#160; &#160;0-0&#160;&#160; &#160;0&#160;&#160; &#160;0&#160;&#160; &#160;0</p>
<p>Totals&#160;&#160; &#160;200&#160;&#160; &#160;24-64&#160;&#160; &#160;9-16&#160;&#160; &#160;13-47&#160;&#160; &#160;17&#160;&#160; &#160;25&#160;&#160; &#160;66</p>
<p>Percentages: FG .375, FT .563.</p>
<p>3-Point Goals: 9-28, .321 (Deaguero 2-4, Cordova 1-4, John 1-6, Secody 1-2, Salazar 0-2, Kowatch 1-7, Yuzos 0-1, Toya 6-9).</p>
<p>Team Rebounds: 7 (2 offensive).</p>
<p>Blocked Shots: 5 (Cordova, Lovato, Hill, Toya 2).</p>
<p>Turnovers: 30.</p>
<p>Steals: 2 (Deaguero, Cordova).</p>
<p>Technical Fouls: None.</p>
<p>FG&#160;&#160; &#160;FT&#160;&#160; &#160;Reb</p>
<p>UNM&#160;&#160; &#160;Min&#160;&#160; &#160;M-A&#160;&#160; &#160;M-A&#160;&#160; &#160;O-T&#160;&#160; &#160;A&#160;&#160; &#160;F&#160;&#160; &#160;Pts</p>
<p>Beynon&#160;&#160; &#160;14&#160;&#160; &#160;5-8&#160;&#160; &#160;0-1&#160;&#160; &#160;0-1&#160;&#160; &#160;5&#160;&#160; &#160;0&#160;&#160; &#160;11</p>
<p>Buck&#160;&#160; &#160;13&#160;&#160; &#160;1-6&#160;&#160; &#160;3-4&#160;&#160; &#160;0-0&#160;&#160; &#160;2&#160;&#160; &#160;1&#160;&#160; &#160;5</p>
<p>Flye&#160;&#160; &#160;15&#160;&#160; &#160;3-5&#160;&#160; &#160;3-4&#160;&#160; &#160;1-4&#160;&#160; &#160;2&#160;&#160; &#160;1&#160;&#160; &#160;9</p>
<p>Lapeyrolerie&#160;&#160; &#160;11&#160;&#160; &#160;2-5&#160;&#160; &#160;2-4&#160;&#160; &#160;3-3&#160;&#160; &#160;1&#160;&#160; &#160;2&#160;&#160; &#160;6</p>
<p>Nunn&#160;&#160; &#160;10&#160;&#160; &#160;1-5&#160;&#160; &#160;0-0&#160;&#160; &#160;4-6&#160;&#160; &#160;1&#160;&#160; &#160;0&#160;&#160; &#160;2</p>
<p>Smith&#160;&#160; &#160;16&#160;&#160; &#160;2-5&#160;&#160; &#160;0-0&#160;&#160; &#160;2-3&#160;&#160; &#160;0&#160;&#160; &#160;0&#160;&#160; &#160;4</p>
<p>Lines&#160;&#160; &#160;18&#160;&#160; &#160;3-4&#160;&#160; &#160;2-3&#160;&#160; &#160;1-3&#160;&#160; &#160;2&#160;&#160; &#160;0&#160;&#160; &#160;10</p>
<p>Burleson&#160;&#160; &#160;21&#160;&#160; &#160;2-9&#160;&#160; &#160;1-1&#160;&#160; &#160;2-7&#160;&#160; &#160;1&#160;&#160; &#160;2&#160;&#160; &#160;6</p>
<p>De La Cerda&#160;&#160; &#160;11&#160;&#160; &#160;2-8&#160;&#160; &#160;2-3&#160;&#160; &#160;1-3&#160;&#160; &#160;0&#160;&#160; &#160;3&#160;&#160; &#160;7</p>
<p>Moore&#160;&#160; &#160;11&#160;&#160; &#160;0-0&#160;&#160; &#160;0-0&#160;&#160; &#160;0-3&#160;&#160; &#160;0&#160;&#160; &#160;1&#160;&#160; &#160;0</p>
<p>Bryan&#160;&#160; &#160;21&#160;&#160; &#160;5-9&#160;&#160; &#160;2-5&#160;&#160; &#160;1-2&#160;&#160; &#160;3&#160;&#160; &#160;0&#160;&#160; &#160;13</p>
<p>Anderson&#160;&#160; &#160;19&#160;&#160; &#160;3-6&#160;&#160; &#160;1-2&#160;&#160; &#160;1-6&#160;&#160; &#160;0&#160;&#160; &#160;4&#160;&#160; &#160;7</p>
<p>Washington&#160;&#160; &#160;20&#160;&#160; &#160;7-15&#160;&#160; &#160;8-8&#160;&#160; &#160;1-3&#160;&#160; &#160;0&#160;&#160; &#160;0&#160;&#160; &#160;27</p>
<p>Totals&#160;&#160; &#160;200&#160;&#160; &#160;36-85&#160;&#160; &#160;24-35&#160;&#160; &#160;20-51&#160;&#160; &#160;17&#160;&#160; &#160;14&#160;&#160; &#160;107</p>
<p>Percentages: FG .424, FT .686.</p>
<p>3-Point Goals: 11-28, .393 (Beynon 1-2, Buck 0-4, Lapeyrolerie 0-1, Lines 2-3, Burleson 1-3, De La Cerda 1-4, Bryan 1-2, Anderson 0-1, Washington 5-8).</p>
<p>Team Rebounds: 7 (3 offensive).</p>
<p>Blocked Shots: 8 (Beynon, Nunn 2, De La Cerda, Moore 2, Anderson 2).</p>
<p>Turnovers: 8.</p>
<p>Steals: 18 (Beynon 3, Buck, Flye 4, Lapeyrolerie 4, Nunn, Burleson, De La Cerda 2, Bryan, Washington).</p>
<p>Technical Fouls: None.</p>
<p>NNMC&#160;&#160; &#160;12&#160;&#160; &#160;&#160; 14&#160; 19&#160; 21—66</p>
<p>New Mexico&#160;&#160; &#160;23&#160;&#160; &#160;&#160; 27&#160; 28&#160; 29—107</p>
<p>A—4,314.</p>
<p>Saturday</p>
<p>New Mexico State at UNM</p>
<p>2 p.m., 610 AM</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
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story different gender university new mexico womens basketball team tuned reserves offense wednesday night 10766 romp northern new mexico pit lobos 30 set school record points eclipsing mark 106 set 1979 northern arizona advertisement sound familiar unms men set singlegame scoring record four days earlier 14776 victory foe160 naias northern new mexico eagles thats awesome lobo senior laneah bryan said scoring record didnt know minute ago dont really think things feels good break freshman madi washington stole show wednesday coming bench score 27 points 20 minutes action washington hit 5 8 3point range went 8 8 foul line playing western michigan 16 marquette large degree wednesdays game polar opposite unms thrilling 8887 win marquette monday five players logged lions share home teams playing time time 13 lobos uniform played least 10 minutes jaisa nunn scored schoolrecord 39 points marquette scored two teamlow 10 minutes time nunn suffered seasonending knee injury northern new mexico last season lobo coach mike bradbury said factor playing time one scripted said long supposed played different defense every quarter starters going play less 15 minutes wanted get everyone else extended minutes bryan finished 13 points emily lines added 10 unm rolled 7423 advantage bench points cherise beynon lone starter reach double figures points 11 added five assists three steals 14 efficient minutes advertisement star moment clearly washington whose 27 points secondhighest total ever unm player coming bench jordan adams scored 30 rare nonstart 2000 aggressive bradbury said washington weve tinkering little bit get shes really talented early 88 deadlock northern new mexico 25 unable stay lobos washington jaedyn de la cerda mykiel burleson hit 3pointers 253 unm run gave home team 4115 lead effectively decided issue still eagles seemed enjoy playing front announced 4314 fans good moments santa fe indian school alum randee toya scored 15 points hit three 3pointers pojoaque valley grad cheyenne cordova española valleys alexis lovato scored 12 points lot respect nnmc coach tony gallegos bradbury said theyll go play anybody always play hard theyre building right way bradbury conceded lower stress level nice mondays nailbiter marquette also felt wednesdays game served purpose hard develop players without getting games said youre paid win lobos 107 eagles 66 fg160160 160ft160160 160reb nnmc160160 160min160160 160ma160160 160ma160160 160ot160160 160a160160 160f160160 160pts deaguero160160 16022160160 16024160160 16002160160 16002160160 1602160160 1604160160 1606 cordova160160 16028160160 16058160160 16011160160 16004160160 1605160160 1604160160 16012 lovato160160 16018160160 160510160160 16022160160 16046160160 1601160160 1602160160 16012 hill160160 16022160160 160110160160 16036160160 160510160160 1600160160 1603160160 1605 john160160 16033160160 160210160160 16035160160 16018160160 1607160160 1601160160 1608 woodbury160160 1604160160 16000160160 16000160160 16000160160 1600160160 1601160160 1600 ruff160160 16015160160 16011160160 16000160160 16013160160 1600160160 1605160160 1602 pena160160 1602160160 16000160160 16000160160 16000160160 1600160160 1600160160 1600 secody160160 1603160160 16012160160 16000160160 16001160160 1600160160 1600160160 1603 salazar160160 1605160160 16002160160 16000160160 16001160160 1600160160 1601160160 1600 kowatch160160 16017160160 16017160160 16000160160 16003160160 1601160160 1603160160 1603 yuzos160160 1604160160 16001160160 16000160160 16000160160 1601160160 1601160160 1600 toya160160 16023160160 16069160160 16000160160 16002160160 1600160160 1600160160 16015 lucas160160 1604160160 16000160160 16000160160 16000160160 1600160160 1600160160 1600 totals160160 160200160160 1602464160160 160916160160 1601347160160 16017160160 16025160160 16066 percentages fg 375 ft 563 3point goals 928 321 deaguero 24 cordova 14 john 16 secody 12 salazar 02 kowatch 17 yuzos 01 toya 69 team rebounds 7 2 offensive blocked shots 5 cordova lovato hill toya 2 turnovers 30 steals 2 deaguero cordova technical fouls none fg160160 160ft160160 160reb unm160160 160min160160 160ma160160 160ma160160 160ot160160 160a160160 160f160160 160pts beynon160160 16014160160 16058160160 16001160160 16001160160 1605160160 1600160160 16011 buck160160 16013160160 16016160160 16034160160 16000160160 1602160160 1601160160 1605 flye160160 16015160160 16035160160 16034160160 16014160160 1602160160 1601160160 1609 lapeyrolerie160160 16011160160 16025160160 16024160160 16033160160 1601160160 1602160160 1606 nunn160160 16010160160 16015160160 16000160160 16046160160 1601160160 1600160160 1602 smith160160 16016160160 16025160160 16000160160 16023160160 1600160160 1600160160 1604 lines160160 16018160160 16034160160 16023160160 16013160160 1602160160 1600160160 16010 burleson160160 16021160160 16029160160 16011160160 16027160160 1601160160 1602160160 1606 de la cerda160160 16011160160 16028160160 16023160160 16013160160 1600160160 1603160160 1607 moore160160 16011160160 16000160160 16000160160 16003160160 1600160160 1601160160 1600 bryan160160 16021160160 16059160160 16025160160 16012160160 1603160160 1600160160 16013 anderson160160 16019160160 16036160160 16012160160 16016160160 1600160160 1604160160 1607 washington160160 16020160160 160715160160 16088160160 16013160160 1600160160 1600160160 16027 totals160160 160200160160 1603685160160 1602435160160 1602051160160 16017160160 16014160160 160107 percentages fg 424 ft 686 3point goals 1128 393 beynon 12 buck 04 lapeyrolerie 01 lines 23 burleson 13 de la cerda 14 bryan 12 anderson 01 washington 58 team rebounds 7 3 offensive blocked shots 8 beynon nunn 2 de la cerda moore 2 anderson 2 turnovers 8 steals 18 beynon 3 buck flye 4 lapeyrolerie 4 nunn burleson de la cerda 2 bryan washington technical fouls none nnmc160160 16012160160 160160 14160 19160 2166 new mexico160160 16023160160 160160 27160 28160 29107 a4314 saturday new mexico state unm 2 pm 610 160 160 160
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<p>AMONA, West Bank — Israel’s prime minister vowed Thursday to establish the first new West Bank settlement in over two decades “as soon as possible,” promising to make up for the court-ordered demolition of an illegal settler outpost.</p>
<p>Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement was his latest step to expand Israeli settlement construction in the wake of President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Trump has been perceived as more sympathetic to settlements, which are considered illegal by most of the international community, but the U.S. leader urged caution on the Israelis following Netanyahu’s comments.</p>
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<p>“While we don’t believe the existence of settlements is an impediment to peace, the construction of new settlements or the expansion of existing settlements beyond their current borders may not be helpful in achieving that goal,” a White House statement said.</p>
<p>The statement said the Trump administration hasn’t taken an official position on settlements and the president looks forward to continued discussions on the issue, including when he meets with Netanyahu at the White House on Feb. 15.</p>
<p>The Israeli leader, who clashed for years with the Obama administration, has announced plans to build over 6,000 new settlement homes since the new U.S. president was sworn in two weeks ago.</p>
<p>Netanyahu spoke Thursday just as Israeli security forces were completing the evacuation of Amona, where they broke into a synagogue earlier on Thursday to remove dozens of Israeli protesters who had barricaded themselves inside.</p>
<p>Netanyahu’s pro-settler government had unsuccessfully tried to block the evacuation of Amona. But Israel’s Supreme Court rejected all appeals after determining the outpost was built illegally two decades ago on private Palestinian land.</p>
<p>Speaking at a ceremony in the West Bank settlement of Ariel, Netanyahu expressed “great pain” over the removal of Amona.</p>
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<p>“We all understand the depth of the pain and therefore we will establish a new settlement on state land,” he said. “Already yesterday I formed a team that will determine the settlement location and get everything ready. And we will act so that it happens as soon as possible.”</p>
<p>According to the Israeli anti-settlement watchdog Peace Now, Israel has not officially broken ground on a new settlement since 1992.</p>
<p>Since that time, however, it has greatly expanded its existing settlements and allowed dozens of unauthorized outposts to sprout up, in some case subsequently legalizing them. In all, some 400,000 Israelis now live in West Bank settlements, in addition to 200,000 others living in east Jerusalem.</p>
<p>The Palestinians claim both areas, captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war, as parts of a future independent state. The international community has opposed the settlements, built on occupied lands sought by the Palestinians, as obstacles to peace.</p>
<p>Britain and Germany, close Israeli allies, as well as the European Union criticized Netanyahu’s approval this week of 3,000 new settlement homes in the West Bank.</p>
<p>“This spike in settlement activity undermines trust and makes a two state solution — with an Israel that is safe from terrorism and a Palestinian state that is viable and sovereign — much harder to achieve,” said Britain’s minister for the Middle East, Tobias Ellwood.</p>
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<p>Amona has emerged as a symbol of settler defiance. On Thursday, Israeli police completed the evacuation of the wind-swept community, where hundreds of Jewish activists joined residents in resisting the pullout.</p>
<p>Police began the evacuation on Wednesday, but dozens of activists remained holed up in the synagogue. Initially, police said 200 had barricaded themselves inside but later revised the number to about 100.</p>
<p>On Thursday, several hundred Israeli forces surrounded the building, and officers wearing goggles and wielding plastic shields broke through the doors and sprayed water to push back defiant protesters.</p>
<p>“The officers faced especially tough and violent resistance,” police said in a statement. Protesters sprayed fire extinguishers at police and threw rocks, paint bottles and wooden planks, police said.</p>
<p>Slogans including “Death to Zionists” and a swastika comparing the Israeli police to Nazis were scrawled on the synagogue walls. The police later began dragging young protesters out of the building.</p>
<p>Speaking to Israel Radio from inside the synagogue, the rabbi of Amona said the protesters were peacefully resisting the uprooting of the outpost. He spoke above loud noises and shouting in the background. Earlier Thursday, police removed protesters holed up in a small home nearby.</p>
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<p>Police said 24 officers were lightly injured throughout the evacuation, and 13 young protesters were arrested.</p>
<p>Amona is the largest of about 100 unauthorized outposts erected in the West Bank without formal permission but with tacit Israeli government support. It witnessed violent clashes 11 years ago when police demolished nine homes found to have been built on private Palestinian land.</p>
<p>The Supreme Court last year determined that the entire outpost was built illegally and ordered it demolished.</p>
<p>On Thursday evening, the Israeli military said a Palestinian woman intentionally rammed her vehicle into a police car at the entrance to a West Bank settlement near Jerusalem, lightly injuring three people.</p>
<p>Since 2015, Palestinian attackers have carried out numerous stabbings, shootings and assaults using cars, killing 41 Israelis and two visiting Americans. During the same time, Israeli forces have killed 235 Palestinians. Israel says most of the Palestinians killed were attackers while other died in clashes with Israeli forces.</p>
<p>Israel says the bloodshed is fueled by a Palestinian campaign of incitement, compounded by social media sites glorifying attackers and encouraging violence. Palestinians say it stems from frustration over decades of Israeli rule in territory they claim for a state.</p>
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amona west bank israels prime minister vowed thursday establish first new west bank settlement two decades soon possible promising make courtordered demolition illegal settler outpost benjamin netanyahus announcement latest step expand israeli settlement construction wake president donald trumps inauguration trump perceived sympathetic settlements considered illegal international community us leader urged caution israelis following netanyahus comments advertisement dont believe existence settlements impediment peace construction new settlements expansion existing settlements beyond current borders may helpful achieving goal white house statement said statement said trump administration hasnt taken official position settlements president looks forward continued discussions issue including meets netanyahu white house feb 15 israeli leader clashed years obama administration announced plans build 6000 new settlement homes since new us president sworn two weeks ago netanyahu spoke thursday israeli security forces completing evacuation amona broke synagogue earlier thursday remove dozens israeli protesters barricaded inside netanyahus prosettler government unsuccessfully tried block evacuation amona israels supreme court rejected appeals determining outpost built illegally two decades ago private palestinian land speaking ceremony west bank settlement ariel netanyahu expressed great pain removal amona advertisement understand depth pain therefore establish new settlement state land said already yesterday formed team determine settlement location get everything ready act happens soon possible according israeli antisettlement watchdog peace israel officially broken ground new settlement since 1992 since time however greatly expanded existing settlements allowed dozens unauthorized outposts sprout case subsequently legalizing 400000 israelis live west bank settlements addition 200000 others living east jerusalem palestinians claim areas captured israel 1967 mideast war parts future independent state international community opposed settlements built occupied lands sought palestinians obstacles peace britain germany close israeli allies well european union criticized netanyahus approval week 3000 new settlement homes west bank spike settlement activity undermines trust makes two state solution israel safe terrorism palestinian state viable sovereign much harder achieve said britains minister middle east tobias ellwood advertisement amona emerged symbol settler defiance thursday israeli police completed evacuation windswept community hundreds jewish activists joined residents resisting pullout police began evacuation wednesday dozens activists remained holed synagogue initially police said 200 barricaded inside later revised number 100 thursday several hundred israeli forces surrounded building officers wearing goggles wielding plastic shields broke doors sprayed water push back defiant protesters officers faced especially tough violent resistance police said statement protesters sprayed fire extinguishers police threw rocks paint bottles wooden planks police said slogans including death zionists swastika comparing israeli police nazis scrawled synagogue walls police later began dragging young protesters building speaking israel radio inside synagogue rabbi amona said protesters peacefully resisting uprooting outpost spoke loud noises shouting background earlier thursday police removed protesters holed small home nearby advertisement police said 24 officers lightly injured throughout evacuation 13 young protesters arrested amona largest 100 unauthorized outposts erected west bank without formal permission tacit israeli government support witnessed violent clashes 11 years ago police demolished nine homes found built private palestinian land supreme court last year determined entire outpost built illegally ordered demolished thursday evening israeli military said palestinian woman intentionally rammed vehicle police car entrance west bank settlement near jerusalem lightly injuring three people since 2015 palestinian attackers carried numerous stabbings shootings assaults using cars killing 41 israelis two visiting americans time israeli forces killed 235 palestinians israel says palestinians killed attackers died clashes israeli forces israel says bloodshed fueled palestinian campaign incitement compounded social media sites glorifying attackers encouraging violence palestinians say stems frustration decades israeli rule territory claim state
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<p>MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Novak Djokovic has rejected reports that leading men could potentially boycott future Grand Slams over prize money, though he did confirm that players held an hour-long private meeting on the eve of the Australian Open to discuss issues pertinent to the ATP Tour.</p>
<p>Djokovic, who is president of the ATP Player Council, didn’t specify what issues were raised at the meeting, but said media reports stating that he proposed forming a tennis players’ union to push for a greater share of revenue generated by tournaments were exaggerated or largely incorrect.</p>
<p>“I saw that you’ve portrayed me as someone who is very greedy, asks for more money and wants to boycott,” Djokovic told a news conference following his first-round win over Donald Young on Tuesday. “What happened is that we, players, just wanted to have us players talk about certain topics. I don’t think there is anything unhealthy about that.”</p>
<p>Most other players have declined to talk about what was discussed at the meeting, though Kevin Anderson, the player council vice president, told British media on Monday that the topic of prize money was raised.</p>
<p>No. 4-ranked Alexander Zverev said Djokovic did most of the talking at the meeting, which was attended by all of the top male players at the season’s first major.</p>
<p>“I don’t really have a position (on the subject) because that was the first time it was mentioned,” he said. “Everybody listened to it. That’s about it.”</p>
<p>According to the Daily Mail newspaper, which first reported the meeting on Monday, Djokovic was said to have asked all non-players to leave the room and then gave a lengthy speech from the stage about forming a players’ union, accompanied by an Australian lawyer.</p>
<p>On Tuesday, however, Djokovic denied that any lawyer was present or that he raised other issues related to equal prize money for men and women or the prospect of boycotting future Grand Slams if player demands weren’t met.</p>
<p>“I know that you guys are trying to take this forward several steps,” said Djokovic, who was returning from six months on the sidelines with a right elbow injury. “Obviously you’re talking about union, you’re talking about boycott, you’re talking about radical decisions to make ... so we can get financial compensations the way we deserve it. But there was no talks about that.”</p>
<p>Total prize money for the Australian Open reached 55 million Australian dollars ($42 million) this year, a 10 percent increase over 2017. The men’s and women’s singles champions will both take home AU$4 million ($3 million), while first-round losers will make AU$60,000 ($45,700).</p>
<p>While players at the top of the sport are making more at the Grand Slams, those ranked below 100 who play primarily on the lower-tier Challenger Tour and don’t automatically qualify for the majors still struggle to get by.</p>
<p>Six years ago, when Federer was president of the ATP Player Council, the top male players put pressure on the Grand Slams to dramatically increase prize money — and the tournaments responded. The total purse at the 2013 Australian Open rose significantly, with the biggest jumps going to early-round losers. First-round losers that year earned AU$27,600, a 32 percent increase from the year before.</p>
<p>While players at this year’s Australian Open were staying quiet on talk of starting a players’ union, others connected with the sport weighed in on social media. Former No. 1-ranked Andy Roddick tweeted that “it’s been a good idea for a long time,” while Andy Murray’s mother, Judy, said she “totally agreed.”</p>
<p>“What about an umbrella union that represents men and women? That would give the players a much stronger voice to challenge the Slams and the joint ATP/WTA events. Better together,” she wrote.</p>
<p>Djokovic acknowledged the sport is moving in the right direction on issues related to prize money, though work remains to be done.</p>
<p>“I’m part of the council, but I don’t sit on these negotiation tables,” he said. “I’m just glad that I’m part of it, that I can contribute to a better sport today, and the future.”</p>
<p>MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Novak Djokovic has rejected reports that leading men could potentially boycott future Grand Slams over prize money, though he did confirm that players held an hour-long private meeting on the eve of the Australian Open to discuss issues pertinent to the ATP Tour.</p>
<p>Djokovic, who is president of the ATP Player Council, didn’t specify what issues were raised at the meeting, but said media reports stating that he proposed forming a tennis players’ union to push for a greater share of revenue generated by tournaments were exaggerated or largely incorrect.</p>
<p>“I saw that you’ve portrayed me as someone who is very greedy, asks for more money and wants to boycott,” Djokovic told a news conference following his first-round win over Donald Young on Tuesday. “What happened is that we, players, just wanted to have us players talk about certain topics. I don’t think there is anything unhealthy about that.”</p>
<p>Most other players have declined to talk about what was discussed at the meeting, though Kevin Anderson, the player council vice president, told British media on Monday that the topic of prize money was raised.</p>
<p>No. 4-ranked Alexander Zverev said Djokovic did most of the talking at the meeting, which was attended by all of the top male players at the season’s first major.</p>
<p>“I don’t really have a position (on the subject) because that was the first time it was mentioned,” he said. “Everybody listened to it. That’s about it.”</p>
<p>According to the Daily Mail newspaper, which first reported the meeting on Monday, Djokovic was said to have asked all non-players to leave the room and then gave a lengthy speech from the stage about forming a players’ union, accompanied by an Australian lawyer.</p>
<p>On Tuesday, however, Djokovic denied that any lawyer was present or that he raised other issues related to equal prize money for men and women or the prospect of boycotting future Grand Slams if player demands weren’t met.</p>
<p>“I know that you guys are trying to take this forward several steps,” said Djokovic, who was returning from six months on the sidelines with a right elbow injury. “Obviously you’re talking about union, you’re talking about boycott, you’re talking about radical decisions to make ... so we can get financial compensations the way we deserve it. But there was no talks about that.”</p>
<p>Total prize money for the Australian Open reached 55 million Australian dollars ($42 million) this year, a 10 percent increase over 2017. The men’s and women’s singles champions will both take home AU$4 million ($3 million), while first-round losers will make AU$60,000 ($45,700).</p>
<p>While players at the top of the sport are making more at the Grand Slams, those ranked below 100 who play primarily on the lower-tier Challenger Tour and don’t automatically qualify for the majors still struggle to get by.</p>
<p>Six years ago, when Federer was president of the ATP Player Council, the top male players put pressure on the Grand Slams to dramatically increase prize money — and the tournaments responded. The total purse at the 2013 Australian Open rose significantly, with the biggest jumps going to early-round losers. First-round losers that year earned AU$27,600, a 32 percent increase from the year before.</p>
<p>While players at this year’s Australian Open were staying quiet on talk of starting a players’ union, others connected with the sport weighed in on social media. Former No. 1-ranked Andy Roddick tweeted that “it’s been a good idea for a long time,” while Andy Murray’s mother, Judy, said she “totally agreed.”</p>
<p>“What about an umbrella union that represents men and women? That would give the players a much stronger voice to challenge the Slams and the joint ATP/WTA events. Better together,” she wrote.</p>
<p>Djokovic acknowledged the sport is moving in the right direction on issues related to prize money, though work remains to be done.</p>
<p>“I’m part of the council, but I don’t sit on these negotiation tables,” he said. “I’m just glad that I’m part of it, that I can contribute to a better sport today, and the future.”</p>
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melbourne australia ap novak djokovic rejected reports leading men could potentially boycott future grand slams prize money though confirm players held hourlong private meeting eve australian open discuss issues pertinent atp tour djokovic president atp player council didnt specify issues raised meeting said media reports stating proposed forming tennis players union push greater share revenue generated tournaments exaggerated largely incorrect saw youve portrayed someone greedy asks money wants boycott djokovic told news conference following firstround win donald young tuesday happened players wanted us players talk certain topics dont think anything unhealthy players declined talk discussed meeting though kevin anderson player council vice president told british media monday topic prize money raised 4ranked alexander zverev said djokovic talking meeting attended top male players seasons first major dont really position subject first time mentioned said everybody listened thats according daily mail newspaper first reported meeting monday djokovic said asked nonplayers leave room gave lengthy speech stage forming players union accompanied australian lawyer tuesday however djokovic denied lawyer present raised issues related equal prize money men women prospect boycotting future grand slams player demands werent met know guys trying take forward several steps said djokovic returning six months sidelines right elbow injury obviously youre talking union youre talking boycott youre talking radical decisions make get financial compensations way deserve talks total prize money australian open reached 55 million australian dollars 42 million year 10 percent increase 2017 mens womens singles champions take home au4 million 3 million firstround losers make au60000 45700 players top sport making grand slams ranked 100 play primarily lowertier challenger tour dont automatically qualify majors still struggle get six years ago federer president atp player council top male players put pressure grand slams dramatically increase prize money tournaments responded total purse 2013 australian open rose significantly biggest jumps going earlyround losers firstround losers year earned au27600 32 percent increase year players years australian open staying quiet talk starting players union others connected sport weighed social media former 1ranked andy roddick tweeted good idea long time andy murrays mother judy said totally agreed umbrella union represents men women would give players much stronger voice challenge slams joint atpwta events better together wrote djokovic acknowledged sport moving right direction issues related prize money though work remains done im part council dont sit negotiation tables said im glad im part contribute better sport today future melbourne australia ap novak djokovic rejected reports leading men could potentially boycott future grand slams prize money though confirm players held hourlong private meeting eve australian open discuss issues pertinent atp tour djokovic president atp player council didnt specify issues raised meeting said media reports stating proposed forming tennis players union push greater share revenue generated tournaments exaggerated largely incorrect saw youve portrayed someone greedy asks money wants boycott djokovic told news conference following firstround win donald young tuesday happened players wanted us players talk certain topics dont think anything unhealthy players declined talk discussed meeting though kevin anderson player council vice president told british media monday topic prize money raised 4ranked alexander zverev said djokovic talking meeting attended top male players seasons first major dont really position subject first time mentioned said everybody listened thats according daily mail newspaper first reported meeting monday djokovic said asked nonplayers leave room gave lengthy speech stage forming players union accompanied australian lawyer tuesday however djokovic denied lawyer present raised issues related equal prize money men women prospect boycotting future grand slams player demands werent met know guys trying take forward several steps said djokovic returning six months sidelines right elbow injury obviously youre talking union youre talking boycott youre talking radical decisions make get financial compensations way deserve talks total prize money australian open reached 55 million australian dollars 42 million year 10 percent increase 2017 mens womens singles champions take home au4 million 3 million firstround losers make au60000 45700 players top sport making grand slams ranked 100 play primarily lowertier challenger tour dont automatically qualify majors still struggle get six years ago federer president atp player council top male players put pressure grand slams dramatically increase prize money tournaments responded total purse 2013 australian open rose significantly biggest jumps going earlyround losers firstround losers year earned au27600 32 percent increase year players years australian open staying quiet talk starting players union others connected sport weighed social media former 1ranked andy roddick tweeted good idea long time andy murrays mother judy said totally agreed umbrella union represents men women would give players much stronger voice challenge slams joint atpwta events better together wrote djokovic acknowledged sport moving right direction issues related prize money though work remains done im part council dont sit negotiation tables said im glad im part contribute better sport today future
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<p>(Reuters) - - Saudi Arabia’s energy minister, Khalid al-Falih, tells CNBC in Davos he’s not convinced that the oil market has returned to balance, despite rising prices.</p> FILE PHOTO: Saudi Arabia's Oil Minister Khalid al-Falih talks to journalists after a news conference after an OPEC meeting in Vienna, Austria, November 30, 2017. REUTERS/Heinz-Peter Bader
<p>- “While I’m still anxious about the fragility of the market ... by and large we think we’re on our way, but we’re not there yet,” he said.</p>
<p>- Oil prices have rallied to the highest since 2014 this year, trading above $70 a barrel, supported by an OPEC-led supply cut.</p>
<p>- There’s an acceptance that the OPEC-led deal should extend beyond 2018, Falih said.</p>
<p>Reporting by Alex Lawler; Editing by Adrian Croft</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>(Reuters) - The 23-year-old Texan blamed for a deadly Austin bombing spree described himself as a psychopath and showed no remorse in a confession he taped before blowing himself up as police closed in to arrest him, a U.S. congressman said on Saturday.</p> Law enforcement personnel investigate the home where Austin serial bomber Mark Anthony Conditt lived in Pflugerville, Texas, U.S., March 22, 2018. REUTERS/Loren Elliott
<p>Authorities had not previously disclosed details of the cellphone video in which Mark Conditt admitted being behind the string of bombings that began on March 2, killing two people and wounding five others, beyond saying that it showed a troubled young man.</p>
<p>“I think the best evidence we have at this point in time is the confession itself ... He did refer to himself as a psychopath. He did not show any remorse, in fact questioning himself for why he didn’t feel any remorse for what he did,” U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul told a news conference in Austin when asked about Conditt’s motive.</p>
<p>“It’s hard to imagine someone whose mind is so sick that they could commit bombings like this and feel absolutely no remorse,” he said.</p>
<p>McCaul said there did not appear to be anything in Conditt’s confession “that was sort of racially motivated, but I know that is still part of the ongoing investigation.”</p> Texas blast suspect Mark Anthony Conditt is seen in this undated handout photo released by Austin Community College in Austin, Texas, U.S. March 21, 2018. Austin Community College/Handout via REUTERS
<p>The first several bombing victims, including the two who died, were either African-American or Hispanic.</p>
<p>Federal investigators have been hunting clues about what drove Conditt, who was unemployed and lived with roommates in the Austin suburb of Pflugerville. They also want to know whether he had help building or planting the bombs.</p>
<p>Three of the devices were left as parcels outside victims’ homes, while another was placed on a sidewalk and attached to a trip-wire mechanism. Two more were shipped as FedEx parcels, which helped investigators unmask the bomber’s identity.</p>
<p>The second and third bombs went off while the Texas state capital was hosting its annual South by Southwest music, movies and tech festival, which draws about half a million people.</p>
<p>Conditt died after detonating a explosive device early on Wednesday as police ran toward his vehicle in an Austin suburb.</p>
<p>Reporting by Daniel Wallis in New York</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>SYDNEY (Reuters) - Almost a month after a deadly earthquake, Papua New Guinea is struggling to get aid to desperate survivors, having allocated just a fraction of its relief funds, while a rent dispute left disaster officials briefly locked out of their offices.</p> FILE PHOTO - A supplied image shows a landslide and damage to a road located near the township of Tabubil after an earthquake that struck Papua New Guinea's Southern Highlands, February 26, 2018. Jerome Kay/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo
<p>The scale of the emergency is testing the finances and capacity of one of the world’s poorest countries, disaster and relief officials say, after the magnitude 7.5 quake rocked its remote mountainous highlands on Feb. 26, killing 100 people.</p>
<p>(For a graphic on 'Papua New Guinea quake' click <a href="http://tmsnrt.rs/2ow1YLR" type="external">tmsnrt.rs/2ow1YLR</a>)</p>
<p>Thousands of survivors have walked to remote airstrips and jungle clearings, awaiting helicopters bringing supplies of food, water and medicines, aid agencies and authorities say.</p>
<p>“To date, we do not have any money to do all the necessary things,” Tom Edabe, the disaster coordinator for the hardest-hit province of Hela, said by telephone from Tari, its capital.</p>
<p>“(The) government is trying to assist and have budgeted some money, but to date we have not received anything...we have only been given food, and non-food items supplied by other NGOs.”</p>
<p>Continuing aftershocks rattle residents, who have to collect water brought by daily rainstorms to ensure adequate supplies, Edabe, the disaster coordinator, said.</p>
<p>“The biggest thing that people need, apart from food, is water,” said James Pima, a helicopter pilot and flight manager at aviation firm HeliSolutions in the Western Highlands capital of Mt. Hagen, about 170 km (100 miles) from the disaster zone.</p>
<p>“They don’t have clean water to cook or drink ... they are standing there staring. The expression on their faces is blank.”</p>
<p>His firm’s three helicopters fly relief missions “fully flat-out every day,” Pima added.</p>
<p>Destruction to roads and runways means authorities must rely on helicopters to fly in relief. But while nimble, the craft can only carry smaller loads than fixed-wing aircraft and cannot fly during the afternoon thunderstorms.</p>
<p>The logistics problems wind all the way to PNG’s disaster center, where officials told Reuters they had been locked out of their office in Port Moresby, the capital, for two days last week after the government missed a rental payment.</p>
<p>“That was correct, Monday and Tuesday,” a spokeswoman said.</p>
<p>In a joint report with the United Nations published on Friday, the agency cited “lack of quality data” about food shortages, limited aircraft assets and “significant gaps” in sanitation support as being the biggest problems it faced.</p> Damage caused by an earthquake in Papua New Guinea is seen in this handout image released March 7, 2018. MAF International/Handout via REUTERS.
<p>The office of Prime Minister Peter O’Neill did not respond to emailed questions from Reuters.</p>
<p>On his website, O’Neill has previously said, “There will be no quick fix, the damage from this disaster will take months and years to be repaired.”</p> ‘POLITICAL GAMES’
<p>The government had approved relief funds amounting to 450 million kina ($130 million), O’Neill said initially, but a later statement mentioned only 3 million kina in initial relief - or less than 1 percent - had been allocated to the worst-hit areas.</p>
<p>In its November budget, the government made plans to rein in spending and trim debt projected to stand at 25.8 billion kina in 2018.</p> FILE PHOTO - A supplied image shows locals inspecting a landslide and damage to a road located near the township of Tabubil after an earthquake that struck Papua New Guinea's Southern Highlands, February 26, 2018. Jerome Kay/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo
<p>The impoverished country is also missing its largest revenue earner, after the quake forced a shutdown of Exxon Mobil Corp’s liquefied natural gas project, which has annual sales of $3 billion at current LNG prices. The firm is still assessing quake damage at its facilities.</p>
<p>O’Neill last week hit out at critics of the aid effort for playing “political games,” while thanking Australia and New Zealand for military aircraft that provided assistance beyond the capacity of PNG’s own defense forces.</p>
<p>His political opponent, former Prime Minister Mekere Morauta, had called the government’s response “tardy” and inadequate.</p>
<p>“Relief sources say mobile medical centers and operating theaters are needed urgently, and that only international partners can supply them,” Morauta said last week.</p>
<p>Foreign aid pledges of about $49 million have come in from Australia, China, the European Union, Japan, New Zealand and the United States, says the United Nations, most of it provided by private companies.</p>
<p>Exxon and its partner, Oil Search Ltd, say they have provided $6 million in cash and kind for quake relief.</p>
<p>Local officials say the scale of destruction, with villages buried by landslides and provincial towns flattened, has overwhelmed authorities in Papua New Guinea, which straddles the geologically active Pacific Ring of Fire.</p>
<p>“Policemen are still struggling because there is no support flying in and out,” said Naring Bongi of the quake-damaged police station in the Southern Highlands capital of Mendi.</p>
<p>“There is not enough food to supply care centers, they need fresh water,” he added.</p>
<p>(For an interactive graphic on 'Aftermath of Papua New Guinea's earthquake' click <a href="http://tmsnrt.rs/2Fdu74B" type="external">tmsnrt.rs/2Fdu74B</a>)</p>
<p>Reporting by Tom Westbrook in SYDNEY; Editing by Clarence Fernandez</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Voter registration activists fanned out among young Americans who marched for tighter gun laws on Saturday, signing up thousands of first-time voters who vowed to eject lawmakers who oppose gun controls.</p> High school students carry a banner during a "March for Our Lives" demonstration demanding gun control in Seattle, Washington, U.S. March 24, 2018. REUTERS/Jason Redmond
<p>With mid-term Congressional elections eight months away, the activists flocked to some 800 marches across the country to enroll young voters likely to back Democratic and independent candidates who tend to favor tougher firearms laws.</p>
<p>In Washington, volunteers for the HeadCount voter-registration effort raised their fists and chanted “demonstration without registration leads to frustration” before heading out with clipboards to sign up some of the nation’s newest voters.</p>
<p>“Parkland’s Emma Gonzalez called for more Americans to vote and that is why Headcount is here today,” volunteer Aaron Ghitelman, 26, said of the student who along with classmates forged a national, youth gun control movement following the Feb. 14 massacre at her high school in Parkland, Florida.</p>
<p>Hugh Williams from Ypsilanti, Michigan, was among many 18-year-olds who answered her call.</p>
<p>“The more I see people marching and standing up for a cause I believe in, I want my voice to matter, too,” he said at the Washington march, adding that gun violence was a menace in his community.</p>
<p>A student survivor of the Parkland massacre had a simple message for lawmakers.</p>
<p>“If there is no assault weapons ban passed, then we will vote them out,” Delaney Tarr, a senior at the school, told marchers in Washington.</p>
<p>Organizers of the registration drive hoped to sign up at least 25,000 people on Saturday, a potential boost for Democrats who back stronger controls on assault-style weapons, bump stocks that let semiautomatic rifles fire like automatic weapons, and tighter access to guns for young people and the mentally ill.</p> People demonstrate during a "March For Our Lives" demonstration demanding gun control in Seattle, Washington, U.S. March 24, 2018. REUTERS/Jason Redmond
<p>By 8:30 p.m. ET (0030 GMT) they had signed up 4,000 nationwide, with the number climbing as groups across the country reported.</p>
<p>At a rally in Chicago, 17-year-old Kara Sharp from Island Lake, Illinois, carried a sign reading “Protect students not guns - 2020 Voter” after traveling to the event with her father, a 53-year-old machinist.</p>
<p>Volunteers from a local chapter of lobbying group Indivisible435, which backs progressive political candidates, told her how to register to vote once she got home, as she did not have her driver’s license with her.</p> Slideshow (2 Images)
<p>“It’s time to disarm hate. I’ll be looking at NRA ratings of politicians and also how they treat LGBQ issues,” said Sharp, a junior at Wauconda High School, referring to the grade the National Rife Association gives members of the U.S. Congress for their voting record on gun rights.</p> ‘TOOLS TO MAKE A CHANGE’
<p>Participation in U.S. elections by young voters is often low. Registration activists are targeting the four million Americans turning 18 this year, as well as many 19- to 21-year-olds who have never voted.</p>
<p>In Parkland, Florida, Sari Kaufman was among students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School — where the mass shooting took place — who urged peers to get involved in politics, register to vote and turf out lawmakers who did not protect them.</p>
<p>“With this movement, we will ensure record-breaking turnout not just in the next presidential election, not in the next midterm election, but in all elections,” Kaufman told a crowd of thousands at a rally in Parkland.</p>
<p>“We’re here today to give you the tools to make a change.”</p>
<p>Additional reporting by Robert Chiarito in Chicago and Zachary Fagenson in Parkland, Florida; Writing by Andrew Hay; Editing by Daniel Wallis, Nick Zieminski and Sandra Maler</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Chanting “never again,” hundreds of thousands of young Americans and their supporters answered a call to action from survivors of last month’s Florida high school massacre and rallied across the country on Saturday to demand tighter gun laws.</p>
<p>In some of the biggest U.S. youth demonstrations for decades, protesters in cities nationwide called on lawmakers and President Donald Trump to confront the issue. Voter registration activists fanned out in the crowds, signing up thousands of the nation’s newest voters.</p>
<p>At the largest March For Our Lives protest, demonstrators jammed Washington’s Pennsylvania Avenue where they listened to speeches from survivors of the Feb. 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.</p>
<p>There were sobs as one teenage survivor, Emma Gonzalez, read the names of the 17 victims and then stood in silence. Tears ran down her cheeks as she stared out over the crowd for the rest of a speech that lasted six minutes and 20 seconds, the time it took for the gunman to slaughter them.</p>
<p>The massive March For Our Lives rallies aimed to break legislative gridlock that has long stymied efforts to increase restrictions on firearms sales in a nation where mass shootings like the one in Parkland 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 Marjory Stoneman Douglas, told the crowd.</p>
<p>Another survivor, David Hogg, said it was a new day.</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 behind the stage.</p>
<p>Youthful marchers filled streets in cities 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, Stockholm and Sydney.</p> ‘TAKE THEIR LIBERTY AWAY’
<p>Underlining sharp differences among the American public over the issue, counter-demonstrators and supporters of gun rights were also in evidence in many U.S. cities.</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>
<p>Wearing a red “Make America Great Again” sweatshirt, 16-year-old Connor Humphrey of San Luis Obispo, California, said: “Guns don’t kill people. People kill people.”</p> Daisy Hernandez, age 22, joins students and gun control advocates for the "March for Our Lives" event demanding gun control after recent school shootings at a rally in Washington, U.S., March 24, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
<p>Humphrey, who was visiting Washington with his family for spring break, 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>In New York City, a handful of counter-demonstrators waved placards with messages such as “Keep America Armed” and “Re-elect Trump 2020.”</p> CELEBRITIES BACK STUDENTS
<p>Among those marching next to New York’s Central Park to call for tighter gun controls was pop star Paul McCartney, who said he had a personal stake in the debate.</p> Slideshow (30 Images)
<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>
<p>On stage in Washington, one of the Parkland students who was shot and survived, Samantha Fuentes, was so overcome with emotion that she vomited 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. Actor George Clooney and his human rights attorney wife, Amal, donated $500,000 and said they would be at the Washington rally.</p> Related Coverage
<a href="/article/us-usa-guns-voters/vote-them-out-thousands-register-to-vote-at-u-s-gun-control-marches-idUSKBN1H00RY" type="external">'Vote them out!': Thousands register to vote at U.S. gun-control marches</a>
<p>American football team the New England Patriots loaned its plane to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students and their families to travel to Washington for the march.</p>
<p>White House deputy press secretary Lindsay Walters said the administration applauded “the many courageous young Americans” who exercised their free-speech rights.</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>Also on Friday, Trump signed a $1.3-trillion spending bill including modest improvements to background checks for gun sales and grants to help schools prevent gun violence.</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, James Dalgleish and Nick Zieminski</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
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reuters saudi arabias energy minister khalid alfalih tells cnbc davos hes convinced oil market returned balance despite rising prices file photo saudi arabias oil minister khalid alfalih talks journalists news conference opec meeting vienna austria november 30 2017 reutersheinzpeter bader im still anxious fragility market large think way yet said oil prices rallied highest since 2014 year trading 70 barrel supported opecled supply cut theres acceptance opecled deal extend beyond 2018 falih said reporting alex lawler editing adrian croft standards thomson reuters trust principles reuters 23yearold texan blamed deadly austin bombing spree described psychopath showed remorse confession taped blowing police closed arrest us congressman said saturday law enforcement personnel investigate home austin serial bomber mark anthony conditt lived pflugerville texas us march 22 2018 reutersloren elliott authorities previously disclosed details cellphone video mark conditt admitted behind string bombings began march 2 killing two people wounding five others beyond saying showed troubled young man think best evidence point time confession refer psychopath show remorse fact questioning didnt feel remorse us rep michael mccaul told news conference austin asked conditts motive hard imagine someone whose mind sick could commit bombings like feel absolutely remorse said mccaul said appear anything conditts confession sort racially motivated know still part ongoing investigation texas blast suspect mark anthony conditt seen undated handout photo released austin community college austin texas us march 21 2018 austin community collegehandout via reuters first several bombing victims including two died either africanamerican hispanic federal investigators hunting clues drove conditt unemployed lived roommates austin suburb pflugerville also want know whether help building planting bombs three devices left parcels outside victims homes another placed sidewalk attached tripwire mechanism two shipped fedex parcels helped investigators unmask bombers identity second third bombs went texas state capital hosting annual south southwest music movies tech festival draws half million people conditt died detonating explosive device early wednesday police ran toward vehicle austin suburb reporting daniel wallis new york standards thomson reuters trust principles sydney reuters almost month deadly earthquake papua new guinea struggling get aid desperate survivors allocated fraction relief funds rent dispute left disaster officials briefly locked offices file photo supplied image shows landslide damage road located near township tabubil earthquake struck papua new guineas southern highlands february 26 2018 jerome kayhandout via reutersfile photo scale emergency testing finances capacity one worlds poorest countries disaster relief officials say magnitude 75 quake rocked remote mountainous highlands feb 26 killing 100 people graphic papua new guinea quake click tmsnrtrs2ow1ylr thousands survivors walked remote airstrips jungle clearings awaiting helicopters bringing supplies food water medicines aid agencies authorities say date money necessary things tom edabe disaster coordinator hardesthit province hela said telephone tari capital government trying assist budgeted money date received anythingwe given food nonfood items supplied ngos continuing aftershocks rattle residents collect water brought daily rainstorms ensure adequate supplies edabe disaster coordinator said biggest thing people need apart food water said james pima helicopter pilot flight manager aviation firm helisolutions western highlands capital mt hagen 170 km 100 miles disaster zone dont clean water cook drink standing staring expression faces blank firms three helicopters fly relief missions fully flatout every day pima added destruction roads runways means authorities must rely helicopters fly relief nimble craft carry smaller loads fixedwing aircraft fly afternoon thunderstorms logistics problems wind way pngs disaster center officials told reuters locked office port moresby capital two days last week government missed rental payment correct monday tuesday spokeswoman said joint report united nations published friday agency cited lack quality data food shortages limited aircraft assets significant gaps sanitation support biggest problems faced damage caused earthquake papua new guinea seen handout image released march 7 2018 maf internationalhandout via reuters office prime minister peter oneill respond emailed questions reuters website oneill previously said quick fix damage disaster take months years repaired political games government approved relief funds amounting 450 million kina 130 million oneill said initially later statement mentioned 3 million kina initial relief less 1 percent allocated worsthit areas november budget government made plans rein spending trim debt projected stand 258 billion kina 2018 file photo supplied image shows locals inspecting landslide damage road located near township tabubil earthquake struck papua new guineas southern highlands february 26 2018 jerome kayhandout via reutersfile photo impoverished country also missing largest revenue earner quake forced shutdown exxon mobil corps liquefied natural gas project annual sales 3 billion current lng prices firm still assessing quake damage facilities oneill last week hit critics aid effort playing political games thanking australia new zealand military aircraft provided assistance beyond capacity pngs defense forces political opponent former prime minister mekere morauta called governments response tardy inadequate relief sources say mobile medical centers operating theaters needed urgently international partners supply morauta said last week foreign aid pledges 49 million come australia china european union japan new zealand united states says united nations provided private companies exxon partner oil search ltd say provided 6 million cash kind quake relief local officials say scale destruction villages buried landslides provincial towns flattened overwhelmed authorities papua new guinea straddles geologically active pacific ring fire policemen still struggling support flying said naring bongi quakedamaged police station southern highlands capital mendi enough food supply care centers need fresh water added interactive graphic aftermath papua new guineas earthquake click tmsnrtrs2fdu74b reporting tom westbrook sydney editing clarence fernandez standards thomson reuters trust principles washington reuters voter registration activists fanned among young americans marched tighter gun laws saturday signing thousands firsttime voters vowed eject lawmakers oppose gun controls high school students carry banner march lives demonstration demanding gun control seattle washington us march 24 2018 reutersjason redmond midterm congressional elections eight months away activists flocked 800 marches across country enroll young voters likely back democratic independent candidates tend favor tougher firearms laws washington volunteers headcount voterregistration effort raised fists chanted demonstration without registration leads frustration heading clipboards sign nations newest voters parklands emma gonzalez called americans vote headcount today volunteer aaron ghitelman 26 said student along classmates forged national youth gun control movement following feb 14 massacre high school parkland florida hugh williams ypsilanti michigan among many 18yearolds answered call see people marching standing cause believe want voice matter said washington march adding gun violence menace community student survivor parkland massacre simple message lawmakers assault weapons ban passed vote delaney tarr senior school told marchers washington organizers registration drive hoped sign least 25000 people saturday potential boost democrats back stronger controls assaultstyle weapons bump stocks let semiautomatic rifles fire like automatic weapons tighter access guns young people mentally ill people demonstrate march lives demonstration demanding gun control seattle washington us march 24 2018 reutersjason redmond 830 pm et 0030 gmt signed 4000 nationwide number climbing groups across country reported rally chicago 17yearold kara sharp island lake illinois carried sign reading protect students guns 2020 voter traveling event father 53yearold machinist volunteers local chapter lobbying group indivisible435 backs progressive political candidates told register vote got home drivers license slideshow 2 images time disarm hate ill looking nra ratings politicians also treat lgbq issues said sharp junior wauconda high school referring grade national rife association gives members us congress voting record gun rights tools make change participation us elections young voters often low registration activists targeting four million americans turning 18 year well many 19 21yearolds never voted parkland florida sari kaufman among students marjory stoneman douglas high school mass shooting took place urged peers get involved politics register vote turf lawmakers protect movement ensure recordbreaking turnout next presidential election next midterm election elections kaufman told crowd thousands rally parkland today give tools make change additional reporting robert chiarito chicago zachary fagenson parkland florida writing andrew hay editing daniel wallis nick zieminski sandra maler standards thomson reuters trust principles washington reuters chanting never hundreds thousands young americans supporters answered call action survivors last months florida high school massacre rallied across country saturday demand tighter gun laws biggest us youth demonstrations decades protesters cities nationwide called lawmakers president donald trump confront issue voter registration activists fanned crowds signing thousands nations newest voters largest march lives protest demonstrators jammed washingtons pennsylvania avenue listened speeches survivors feb 14 mass shooting marjory stoneman douglas high school parkland florida sobs one teenage survivor emma gonzalez read names 17 victims stood silence tears ran cheeks stared crowd rest speech lasted six minutes 20 seconds time took gunman slaughter massive march lives rallies aimed break legislative gridlock long stymied efforts increase restrictions firearms sales nation mass shootings like one parkland become frighteningly common politicians either represent people get stand us beware voters coming cameron kasky 17yearold junior marjory stoneman douglas told crowd another survivor david hogg said new day going make sure best people get elections run politicians americans cutting said pointing whitedomed capitol behind stage youthful marchers filled streets cities 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 sydney take liberty away underlining sharp differences among american public issue counterdemonstrators supporters gun rights also evidence many us cities 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 wearing red make america great sweatshirt 16yearold connor humphrey san luis obispo california said guns dont kill people people kill people daisy hernandez age 22 joins students gun control advocates march lives event demanding gun control recent school shootings rally washington us march 24 2018 reutersjonathan ernst humphrey visiting washington family spring break said owns guns target shooting hunting uses responsibly school lockdown exercise last week think teachers guns said echoing proposal made trump parkland killings new york city handful counterdemonstrators waved placards messages keep america armed reelect trump 2020 celebrities back students among marching next new yorks central park call tighter gun controls pop star paul mccartney said personal stake debate slideshow 30 images 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 stage washington one parkland students shot survived samantha fuentes overcome emotion vomited 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 related coverage vote thousands register vote us guncontrol marches american football team new england patriots loaned plane marjory stoneman douglas high school students families travel washington march white house deputy press secretary lindsay walters said administration applauded many courageous young americans exercised freespeech rights 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 also friday trump signed 13trillion spending bill including modest improvements background checks gun sales grants help schools prevent gun violence 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 nick zieminski standards thomson reuters trust principles
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<p>Jim Zuber, left, a volunteer for the senior village Mount Vernon at Home, stops by to help Mary-Carroll Potter, 78, of Alexandria, Va., hang a picture in her home. The senior village has 85 volunteers assisting its elderly residents. (Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post)</p>
<p>Mary-Carroll Potter, 78, raised four children in Hollin Hills, a Virginia neighborhood in the Washington suburbs, but they are spread out across the world, from Portland, Ore., to Cape Town, South Africa.</p>
<p>Although she's been invited to move closer to them, she prefers to remain in the neighborhood that has been her home for 50 years, even if it means continuing to live alone.</p>
<p>Thanks to a phenomenon that has swept through the Washington area at an astonishing rate in recent years, she's been able to do so. Potter is a member of Mount Vernon at Home, a "senior village" that, for an annual fee of $700 per individual or $950 per couple, coordinates volunteers to provide older residents with services that help them live independently.</p>
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<p>"I've had a man come in to help change the light in the ceiling, I had another man do some caulking and another man change a lot of pictures in the house," Potter said. "It's not a total substitute for your child, but it's certainly a substitute for having a child who lives nearby."</p>
<p>A generation or two ago, many Americans assumed that when they grew older and more frail, they would go to a nursing home or assisted-living facility. But aging looks different now, and along with embracing dating sites and Zumba classes, today's older Americans - 88 percent of those 65 and up, according to a recent AARP study - prefer to stay in their residence for as long as possible.</p>
<p>They're also more assertive about getting what they want, with increasing numbers embracing the grass-roots movement of senior villages.</p>
<p>"The attitudes are changing. People don't want to just get old and sick and isolated, so I think they're looking for alternatives to that," said Debra Umberson, a professor of sociology at the University of Texas who studies aging and relationships. "The boomers want to stay independent - they want to stay more active and vibrant and connected - and that's being reflected in their housing choices."</p>
<p>The Washington area is leading the country in the surge of senior villages, going from about five in 2010 to 40 that are up and running or in development, according to Village to Village Network, a national umbrella organization.</p>
<p>Nationally, the number of villages registered with the network has increased from 50 in 2010 to 124 this year, with more in development. The first, in Boston, opened in 2002.</p>
<p>Senior villages are typically organized in neighborhoods to offer older residents a variety of volunteer services - including grocery delivery, lawn mowing and transportation - and to connect members with providers of paid services. Membership fees in the Washington area usually are several hundred dollars a year.</p>
<p>Volunteer Celeste Scott, left, listens to Liesbeth Boxman explain her grocery list at Bosman's Washington, D.C., apartment. Boxman pays annual dues to be part of a senior village. (Jared Soares/The Washington Post)</p>
<p>The village movement started mostly in urban areas but has increasingly spread to the suburbs and recently to rural places, said Natalie Galucia, Village to Village Network's member-services coordinator. As the movement matures, villages have added more complex services, such as social work, discounts with local merchants, trips, cultural activities and, at one Washington village, a program in which volunteers accompany members to doctor's appointments to take notes.</p>
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<p>That village, Northwest Neighbors, started the service in December with 16 trained volunteers.</p>
<p>"It has helped our members especially when they're facing critical illness - and members who have poor recall," said Marianna Blagburn, the village's executive director.</p>
<p>Ally Feldman, 92, a retired professor, said he appreciated the note-taker going to a recent appointment with his arthritis doctor.</p>
<p>"Her being with me was very helpful in that she took notes and she understood things that I didn't understand," he said. "You see, I'm old."</p>
<p>The Washington area may be particularly receptive to villages because it is a more transient place than many metropolitan areas, with close relatives often living far away, said Barbara Sullivan, Mount Vernon at Home's executive director. "We have a lot of members who raised their children here and the children have moved away."</p>
<p>But the concept also works particularly well here because the area attracts so many career government and nonprofit workers, said Andy Mollison, vice president of the Washington Area Villages Exchange and founder and former president of Palisades Village in the district.</p>
<p>"Washington has always been a hotbed of volunteer activity," he said. "People who've been running things all their lives, whether it's PTAs or local food drives."</p>
<p>Ed Missiaen, 72, is both a Capitol Hill Village member and volunteer. For him, the camaraderie of the village - which opened in 2007 and is the oldest in the area - echoes his stint as a Peace Corps volunteer in the 1960s.</p>
<p>"It's the idea of working together, trying to make things maybe a little bit better, which in a way was what we were trying to promote when we were in the Peace Corps."</p>
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jim zuber left volunteer senior village mount vernon home stops help marycarroll potter 78 alexandria va hang picture home senior village 85 volunteers assisting elderly residents nikki kahnthe washington post marycarroll potter 78 raised four children hollin hills virginia neighborhood washington suburbs spread across world portland ore cape town south africa although shes invited move closer prefers remain neighborhood home 50 years even means continuing live alone thanks phenomenon swept washington area astonishing rate recent years shes able potter member mount vernon home senior village annual fee 700 per individual 950 per couple coordinates volunteers provide older residents services help live independently advertisement ive man come help change light ceiling another man caulking another man change lot pictures house potter said total substitute child certainly substitute child lives nearby generation two ago many americans assumed grew older frail would go nursing home assistedliving facility aging looks different along embracing dating sites zumba classes todays older americans 88 percent 65 according recent aarp study prefer stay residence long possible theyre also assertive getting want increasing numbers embracing grassroots movement senior villages attitudes changing people dont want get old sick isolated think theyre looking alternatives said debra umberson professor sociology university texas studies aging relationships boomers want stay independent want stay active vibrant connected thats reflected housing choices washington area leading country surge senior villages going five 2010 40 running development according village village network national umbrella organization nationally number villages registered network increased 50 2010 124 year development first boston opened 2002 senior villages typically organized neighborhoods offer older residents variety volunteer services including grocery delivery lawn mowing transportation connect members providers paid services membership fees washington area usually several hundred dollars year volunteer celeste scott left listens liesbeth boxman explain grocery list bosmans washington dc apartment boxman pays annual dues part senior village jared soaresthe washington post village movement started mostly urban areas increasingly spread suburbs recently rural places said natalie galucia village village networks memberservices coordinator movement matures villages added complex services social work discounts local merchants trips cultural activities one washington village program volunteers accompany members doctors appointments take notes advertisement village northwest neighbors started service december 16 trained volunteers helped members especially theyre facing critical illness members poor recall said marianna blagburn villages executive director ally feldman 92 retired professor said appreciated notetaker going recent appointment arthritis doctor helpful took notes understood things didnt understand said see im old washington area may particularly receptive villages transient place many metropolitan areas close relatives often living far away said barbara sullivan mount vernon homes executive director lot members raised children children moved away concept also works particularly well area attracts many career government nonprofit workers said andy mollison vice president washington area villages exchange founder former president palisades village district washington always hotbed volunteer activity said people whove running things lives whether ptas local food drives ed missiaen 72 capitol hill village member volunteer camaraderie village opened 2007 oldest area echoes stint peace corps volunteer 1960s idea working together trying make things maybe little bit better way trying promote peace corps
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<p>Another woman worked at an Atlanta restaurant and says her boss did nothing when two dishwashers kept making vulgar comments, so she quit wearing makeup to look less attractive and hopefully end the verbal abuse.</p>
<p>In the wake of sexual misconduct allegations against several prominent men in entertainment, politics and journalism, accounts like the ones these women share quietly play out in restaurants, bars and hotels across the country and rarely get the headlines.</p>
<p>Court documents and interviews with the women and experts on the topic show hospitality industry workers are routinely subjected to sexual abuse and harassment from bosses, co-workers and customers that are largely unchecked. The nature of the work, which often has employees relying on tips, can make them especially vulnerable to abuse.</p>
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<p>“I was absolutely humiliated,” said Sharonda Fields, who said the abuse at the Atlanta restaurant began shortly after she started working there last year. “It was degrading. I felt embarrassed. I felt low. I just felt like nothing happened when those guys talked to me that way, and especially when the staff and the managers knew what was going on. It made me feel like dirt.”</p>
<p>She filed a lawsuit against the restaurant last spring. Calls to the restaurant from The Associated Press went unanswered.</p>
<p>Joyce Smithey, an Annapolis, Maryland, attorney who has handled several sexual harassment lawsuits, said those accused of misconduct “have a great sense of who the victims are, who the women are who will put up with this, who need the job, are so scared they don’t fight back.”</p>
<p>That’s especially true in an industry where immigrants are a large part of the workforce. In a 2014 federal lawsuit in New York that was ultimately settled, a woman alleged that the general manager of a fast-food restaurant where she worked asked about her immigration status regularly and knew that she was “even more vulnerable” partly because she had no family in the United States.</p>
<p>Many accusers think fighting back is futile. According to a survey in Chicago, not only had 49 percent of hotel workers reported incidents in which guests “exposed themselves, flashed them or answered the door naked,” but just 1 in 3 of the workers who had such experiences reported it to a boss.</p>
<p>Sarah Lyons, a research analyst with UNITE HERE Local 1, the union that conducted the survey last year and represents more than 15,000 hospitality workers in the Chicago area and northwestern Indiana, said the most common reason these workers didn’t come forward is because they knew someone who tried to report sexual misconduct and nothing changed as a result.</p>
<p>Often things can get worse for those who report misconduct. Attorneys and advocates for workers say waitresses who speak out risk facing retaliation: Their shifts can be taken away or they might be scheduled for slower business times when there are fewer opportunities to receive tips.</p>
<p>In a 2011 lawsuit against a Maryland yacht club, Victoria Tillbery reported that a boss had told her she would “never have to worry about your shifts” if she let him perform oral sex on her. She refused and after she reported her allegations to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, her job started making her do her prep duties during shifts and not before them. That took her away from waiting tables and earning tips.</p>
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<p>Attorneys say the goal in these situations is to prompt the employee to quit and, if that doesn’t work, the worker is often made the target of an effort to discredit her character.</p>
<p>After Fields, the Atlanta restaurant worker, refused to quit, “false and bogus reasons to terminate her” surfaced, her attorney said.</p>
<p>“They enlisted another employee to falsely state that she (Fields) had come up to her and said, ‘If you agree to back me up on my claim I’ll pay you $100,'” said Fields’ attorney, Brad Dozier.</p>
<p>The other worker, hoping to gain favor with the bosses and get a promotion, made the false claim and the restaurant used it to fire Fields, Dozier said.</p>
<p>The woman who recounted the story about the Calumet City, Illinois, restaurant general manager, who suggested he would edit security camera footage of him inappropriately touching her, said she rebuffed the man’s advances. After that, Vger Williams said, a job opportunity she was promised at one of the restaurant chain’s other locations never developed and she was fired.</p>
<p>Williams filed a lawsuit last month. Restaurant officials declined comment when reached by the AP.</p>
<p>Workers who are sexually harassed by customers are often under pressure to remain quiet, too.</p>
<p>David Craver, president of the National Bartenders Association, said companies don’t want to lose business so “they roll out the red carpet to every customer.”</p>
<p>“It’s just like if a family member said something inappropriate, you can’t get rid of family,” he said.</p>
<p>A lot of harassment occurs in situations in which the workers are underpaid, said Saru Jayaraman, co-founder of the Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, a national organization that works to improve industry conditions. She said managers often encourage waitresses to dress sexier to get more tips, which can lead to sexual misconduct. If the workers were paid more, they wouldn’t have to rely on tips and the misconduct would decrease, she said.</p>
<p>Improvements have shown up in other ways. In October, following the lead of voters in Seattle the year before, the Chicago City Council passed an ordinance requiring hotels to develop anti-harassment policies and to provide panic buttons to workers by next summer if they work alone in guest rooms.</p>
<p>Also in October, celebrity chef John Besh stepped down from the company he founded after 25 women alleged that male supervisors at Besh’s New Orleans restaurants sexually harassed them. One woman says Besh pressured her into a sexual relationship, but Besh has said he believes it was consensual.</p>
<p>While suing is one way victims of misconduct can fight back, most settlements contain nondisclosure clauses that prevent them from talking about what happened to them. So the incidents are not publicized.</p>
<p>“It fosters the problem we are seeing so much of (because) these serial harassers, bullies and predators aren’t talked about,” Boston employment attorney James Weliky said.</p>
| false | 2 |
another woman worked atlanta restaurant says boss nothing two dishwashers kept making vulgar comments quit wearing makeup look less attractive hopefully end verbal abuse wake sexual misconduct allegations several prominent men entertainment politics journalism accounts like ones women share quietly play restaurants bars hotels across country rarely get headlines court documents interviews women experts topic show hospitality industry workers routinely subjected sexual abuse harassment bosses coworkers customers largely unchecked nature work often employees relying tips make especially vulnerable abuse advertisement absolutely humiliated said sharonda fields said abuse atlanta restaurant began shortly started working last year degrading felt embarrassed felt low felt like nothing happened guys talked way especially staff managers knew going made feel like dirt filed lawsuit restaurant last spring calls restaurant associated press went unanswered joyce smithey annapolis maryland attorney handled several sexual harassment lawsuits said accused misconduct great sense victims women put need job scared dont fight back thats especially true industry immigrants large part workforce 2014 federal lawsuit new york ultimately settled woman alleged general manager fastfood restaurant worked asked immigration status regularly knew even vulnerable partly family united states many accusers think fighting back futile according survey chicago 49 percent hotel workers reported incidents guests exposed flashed answered door naked 1 3 workers experiences reported boss sarah lyons research analyst unite local 1 union conducted survey last year represents 15000 hospitality workers chicago area northwestern indiana said common reason workers didnt come forward knew someone tried report sexual misconduct nothing changed result often things get worse report misconduct attorneys advocates workers say waitresses speak risk facing retaliation shifts taken away might scheduled slower business times fewer opportunities receive tips 2011 lawsuit maryland yacht club victoria tillbery reported boss told would never worry shifts let perform oral sex refused reported allegations equal employment opportunity commission job started making prep duties shifts took away waiting tables earning tips advertisement attorneys say goal situations prompt employee quit doesnt work worker often made target effort discredit character fields atlanta restaurant worker refused quit false bogus reasons terminate surfaced attorney said enlisted another employee falsely state fields come said agree back claim ill pay 100 said fields attorney brad dozier worker hoping gain favor bosses get promotion made false claim restaurant used fire fields dozier said woman recounted story calumet city illinois restaurant general manager suggested would edit security camera footage inappropriately touching said rebuffed mans advances vger williams said job opportunity promised one restaurant chains locations never developed fired williams filed lawsuit last month restaurant officials declined comment reached ap workers sexually harassed customers often pressure remain quiet david craver president national bartenders association said companies dont want lose business roll red carpet every customer like family member said something inappropriate cant get rid family said lot harassment occurs situations workers underpaid said saru jayaraman cofounder restaurant opportunities centers united national organization works improve industry conditions said managers often encourage waitresses dress sexier get tips lead sexual misconduct workers paid wouldnt rely tips misconduct would decrease said improvements shown ways october following lead voters seattle year chicago city council passed ordinance requiring hotels develop antiharassment policies provide panic buttons workers next summer work alone guest rooms also october celebrity chef john besh stepped company founded 25 women alleged male supervisors beshs new orleans restaurants sexually harassed one woman says besh pressured sexual relationship besh said believes consensual suing one way victims misconduct fight back settlements contain nondisclosure clauses prevent talking happened incidents publicized fosters problem seeing much serial harassers bullies predators arent talked boston employment attorney james weliky said
| 590 |
<p>NEW YORK (AP) — We have a smiling pile of poop. What about one that’s sad?</p>
<p>There’s loaf of bread and a croissant. But where’s the sliced bagel?</p>
<p>How can our emotional vocabulary be complete without a teddy bear, a lobster, a petri dish or a tooth?</p>
<p>These are the kind of questions that trigger heated debates and verbal bomb tossing — or at least memos with bursts of capital letters — among members of the group burdened with deciding which new emojis make it onto our phones and computer screens each year.</p>
<p>And now more people are getting in on the act.</p>
<p>The Unicode Consortium is tasked with setting the global standard for the icons. It’s a heady responsibility and it can take years from inspiration — Hey, why isn’t there a dumpling? — to a new symbol being added to our phones.</p>
<p />
<p>That’s because deciding whether a googly-eyed turd should express a wider range of emotions is not the frivolous undertaking it might appear to be. Picking the newest additions to our roster of cartoonish glyphs, from deciding on their appearance to negotiating rules that allow vampires but bar Robert Pattinson’s or Dracula’s likeness, actually has consequences for modern communication.</p>
<p>Not since the printing press has something changed written language as much as emojis have, says Lauren Collister, a scholarly communications librarian at the University of Pittsburgh.</p>
<p>“Emoji is one way language is growing,” she says. “When it stops growing and adapting, that’s when a language dies.”</p>
<p>Growing and adapting doesn’t seem like an issue for emojis. The additions for 2017 included gender-neutral characters, a breastfeeding woman and a woman in a hijab.</p>
<p>For better or worse, the expanding vocabulary has given us an emoji movie, emoji short story contests and books written in emoji — someone translated “Moby Dick” into “Emoji Dick.” In 2015, Oxford Dictionaries declared the “face with tears of joy” emoji its word of the year. New York’s Museum of Modern art has added the original emoji set to its permanent collection. Apple’s pricey iPhone X lets you send animojis, animated emojis that mimic your facial expressions and speak in your voice.</p>
<p>HOW DID WE GET HERE?</p>
<p>These tiny pictographs became a part of our online language with the ascent of cellphones, getting their start in Japan in 1999 — “emoji” combines the Japanese words for “picture,” or “e″ (pronounced “eh”), and “letters,” or “moji” (moh-jee). At first, there were just 176: simplistic, highly pixelated icons such as a heart, a soccer ball and a rocking horse. Today there are more than a thousand. Because none are taken away, their number only keeps growing.</p>
<p>“Long after you and I are dust in the wind there will be a red wine emoji,” said Mark Davis, the co-founder and president of Unicode Consortium who also works at Google.</p>
<p>Anyone can propose an emoji. But for it to make it to phones and computers, it has to be approved by Unicode. The nonprofit group, mostly made up of people from large tech companies like Apple, Google and Facebook, translates emoji into one standard, so that a person in France, for example, can send an emoji or a text message to a person in the U.S. and it will look the same, no matter what brand of phone or operating system they use.</p>
<p>From the proposals to the design, a bevy of rules govern emojis. To submit a proposal to Unicode, you must follow a strict format, in writing, that includes your emoji’s expected usage level, whether it can be used as an archetype, a metaphor for a symbol (a pig face, for example, can mean more than the face of a pig and represent gluttony).</p>
<p>There are many reasons for exclusion, too. Emojis can’t be overly specific, logos or brands, specific people (living or dead) or deities. A swastika wouldn’t be approved either.</p>
<p>Each year, a new version of the Unicode Standard is released. This year we got Unicode 10.0, which adds 8,518 characters, for a total of 136,690. It added the bitcoin symbol, a set of 285 Hentaigana characters used in Japan and support for languages such as Masaram Gondi, used to write Gondi in Central and Southeast India.</p>
<p>And then there’s the dumpling.</p>
<p />
<p>AN EMOJI TAKES SHAPE</p>
<p>Back in August 2015, journalist and author Jennifer 8. Lee was texting with her friend Yiying Lu, the graphic designer behind the iconic “fail whale” illustration that used to pop up when Twitter’s network was down. It dawned on Lee that there was no dumpling emoji.</p>
<p>“There are so many weird Japanese food emoji,” she said, but she didn’t understand how there could be no dumpling. After all, dumplings are almost universal. Think about it — ravioli, empanada, pierogi, potsticker — all dumplings.</p>
<p>The process took almost two years, including research, many meetings and a written, illustrated proposal that reads a bit like an academic paper, complete with research on dumpling history and popularity.</p>
<p>But thanks largely to her efforts, the dumpling emoji was added to the Unicode Standard this year. And as part of her dumpling emoji lobbying, Lee decided to join the Unicode Consortium.</p>
<p>It was an eye-opener.</p>
<p>When she showed up at her first quarterly meeting of the Unicode Emoji Subcommittee, she expected a big auditorium. Instead, it was just a conference room. Most people there, she said, were “older, white male engineers,” from the big tech companies.</p>
<p>The debates are as esoteric as they are quirky. Should “milk” be in a glass or a carton or a bottle? Pancake or pancakes? Many of the emoji decision-makers are engineers or have linguistic backgrounds, she said, but very few are designers, which can mean limitations on how they think about the images.</p>
<p>As part of their efforts to diversify emojis, Lee and Lu founded Emojination, a group promoting “emoji by the people, for the people.” While it all started with a dumpling, the group also helped other food, clothing, science and animal emoji, including the woman in the hijab, the sandwich and the fortune cookie. Emojination has worked with companies like China’s Baidu, GE and the Finnish government to help them submit emoji proposals.</p>
<p />
<p>WHAT MAKES THE CUT</p>
<p>But when they proposed the frowning poop, they met with some resistance.</p>
<p>“Will we have a CRYING PILE OF POO next? PILE OF POO WITH TONGUE STICKING OUT? PILE OF POO WITH QUESTION MARKS FOR EYES? PILE OF POO WITH KARAOKE MIC? Will we have to encode a neutral FACELESS PILE OF POO? As an ordinary user, I don’t want this kind of crap on my phone,” <a href="http://www.unicode.org/L2/L2017/17393-wg2-emoji-feedback.pdf" type="external">wrote</a> Michael Everson, a linguist, typographer, in a memo to the Unicode Technical Committee.</p>
<p>Another member, typographer Andrew West, wasn’t happy with a proposal for a sliced bagel emoji.</p>
<p>“Why are we prioritizing bagel over other bread products?” he wrote. Clearly he is not a New Yorker.</p>
<p>Got an idea for an emoji and are willing to fight for it? It’s not too late to submit one for the class of 2019. As for 2018, stay tuned. We’ll know in a few months which ones made the cut. And while there’s a desire to be funny and quirky, the diversity of emojis is a real issue.</p>
<p>Amy Butcher, whose 2015 essay prompted Google to propose emojis to represent women as professionals— and not just brides and polished nails — thinks there’s more work to do. The Ohio Wesleyan University professor would like to see interracial couples and human in a wheelchair to represent a disabled person, rather than the wheelchair icon one might see on a bathroom door.</p>
<p>“These tiny, insignificant images begin to create an everyday narrative, and it’s deeply problematic that one might consistently find their identity or demographic lacking, or pigeonholed, or altogether absent,” she said.</p>
<p>NEW YORK (AP) — We have a smiling pile of poop. What about one that’s sad?</p>
<p>There’s loaf of bread and a croissant. But where’s the sliced bagel?</p>
<p>How can our emotional vocabulary be complete without a teddy bear, a lobster, a petri dish or a tooth?</p>
<p>These are the kind of questions that trigger heated debates and verbal bomb tossing — or at least memos with bursts of capital letters — among members of the group burdened with deciding which new emojis make it onto our phones and computer screens each year.</p>
<p>And now more people are getting in on the act.</p>
<p>The Unicode Consortium is tasked with setting the global standard for the icons. It’s a heady responsibility and it can take years from inspiration — Hey, why isn’t there a dumpling? — to a new symbol being added to our phones.</p>
<p />
<p>That’s because deciding whether a googly-eyed turd should express a wider range of emotions is not the frivolous undertaking it might appear to be. Picking the newest additions to our roster of cartoonish glyphs, from deciding on their appearance to negotiating rules that allow vampires but bar Robert Pattinson’s or Dracula’s likeness, actually has consequences for modern communication.</p>
<p>Not since the printing press has something changed written language as much as emojis have, says Lauren Collister, a scholarly communications librarian at the University of Pittsburgh.</p>
<p>“Emoji is one way language is growing,” she says. “When it stops growing and adapting, that’s when a language dies.”</p>
<p>Growing and adapting doesn’t seem like an issue for emojis. The additions for 2017 included gender-neutral characters, a breastfeeding woman and a woman in a hijab.</p>
<p>For better or worse, the expanding vocabulary has given us an emoji movie, emoji short story contests and books written in emoji — someone translated “Moby Dick” into “Emoji Dick.” In 2015, Oxford Dictionaries declared the “face with tears of joy” emoji its word of the year. New York’s Museum of Modern art has added the original emoji set to its permanent collection. Apple’s pricey iPhone X lets you send animojis, animated emojis that mimic your facial expressions and speak in your voice.</p>
<p>HOW DID WE GET HERE?</p>
<p>These tiny pictographs became a part of our online language with the ascent of cellphones, getting their start in Japan in 1999 — “emoji” combines the Japanese words for “picture,” or “e″ (pronounced “eh”), and “letters,” or “moji” (moh-jee). At first, there were just 176: simplistic, highly pixelated icons such as a heart, a soccer ball and a rocking horse. Today there are more than a thousand. Because none are taken away, their number only keeps growing.</p>
<p>“Long after you and I are dust in the wind there will be a red wine emoji,” said Mark Davis, the co-founder and president of Unicode Consortium who also works at Google.</p>
<p>Anyone can propose an emoji. But for it to make it to phones and computers, it has to be approved by Unicode. The nonprofit group, mostly made up of people from large tech companies like Apple, Google and Facebook, translates emoji into one standard, so that a person in France, for example, can send an emoji or a text message to a person in the U.S. and it will look the same, no matter what brand of phone or operating system they use.</p>
<p>From the proposals to the design, a bevy of rules govern emojis. To submit a proposal to Unicode, you must follow a strict format, in writing, that includes your emoji’s expected usage level, whether it can be used as an archetype, a metaphor for a symbol (a pig face, for example, can mean more than the face of a pig and represent gluttony).</p>
<p>There are many reasons for exclusion, too. Emojis can’t be overly specific, logos or brands, specific people (living or dead) or deities. A swastika wouldn’t be approved either.</p>
<p>Each year, a new version of the Unicode Standard is released. This year we got Unicode 10.0, which adds 8,518 characters, for a total of 136,690. It added the bitcoin symbol, a set of 285 Hentaigana characters used in Japan and support for languages such as Masaram Gondi, used to write Gondi in Central and Southeast India.</p>
<p>And then there’s the dumpling.</p>
<p />
<p>AN EMOJI TAKES SHAPE</p>
<p>Back in August 2015, journalist and author Jennifer 8. Lee was texting with her friend Yiying Lu, the graphic designer behind the iconic “fail whale” illustration that used to pop up when Twitter’s network was down. It dawned on Lee that there was no dumpling emoji.</p>
<p>“There are so many weird Japanese food emoji,” she said, but she didn’t understand how there could be no dumpling. After all, dumplings are almost universal. Think about it — ravioli, empanada, pierogi, potsticker — all dumplings.</p>
<p>The process took almost two years, including research, many meetings and a written, illustrated proposal that reads a bit like an academic paper, complete with research on dumpling history and popularity.</p>
<p>But thanks largely to her efforts, the dumpling emoji was added to the Unicode Standard this year. And as part of her dumpling emoji lobbying, Lee decided to join the Unicode Consortium.</p>
<p>It was an eye-opener.</p>
<p>When she showed up at her first quarterly meeting of the Unicode Emoji Subcommittee, she expected a big auditorium. Instead, it was just a conference room. Most people there, she said, were “older, white male engineers,” from the big tech companies.</p>
<p>The debates are as esoteric as they are quirky. Should “milk” be in a glass or a carton or a bottle? Pancake or pancakes? Many of the emoji decision-makers are engineers or have linguistic backgrounds, she said, but very few are designers, which can mean limitations on how they think about the images.</p>
<p>As part of their efforts to diversify emojis, Lee and Lu founded Emojination, a group promoting “emoji by the people, for the people.” While it all started with a dumpling, the group also helped other food, clothing, science and animal emoji, including the woman in the hijab, the sandwich and the fortune cookie. Emojination has worked with companies like China’s Baidu, GE and the Finnish government to help them submit emoji proposals.</p>
<p />
<p>WHAT MAKES THE CUT</p>
<p>But when they proposed the frowning poop, they met with some resistance.</p>
<p>“Will we have a CRYING PILE OF POO next? PILE OF POO WITH TONGUE STICKING OUT? PILE OF POO WITH QUESTION MARKS FOR EYES? PILE OF POO WITH KARAOKE MIC? Will we have to encode a neutral FACELESS PILE OF POO? As an ordinary user, I don’t want this kind of crap on my phone,” <a href="http://www.unicode.org/L2/L2017/17393-wg2-emoji-feedback.pdf" type="external">wrote</a> Michael Everson, a linguist, typographer, in a memo to the Unicode Technical Committee.</p>
<p>Another member, typographer Andrew West, wasn’t happy with a proposal for a sliced bagel emoji.</p>
<p>“Why are we prioritizing bagel over other bread products?” he wrote. Clearly he is not a New Yorker.</p>
<p>Got an idea for an emoji and are willing to fight for it? It’s not too late to submit one for the class of 2019. As for 2018, stay tuned. We’ll know in a few months which ones made the cut. And while there’s a desire to be funny and quirky, the diversity of emojis is a real issue.</p>
<p>Amy Butcher, whose 2015 essay prompted Google to propose emojis to represent women as professionals— and not just brides and polished nails — thinks there’s more work to do. The Ohio Wesleyan University professor would like to see interracial couples and human in a wheelchair to represent a disabled person, rather than the wheelchair icon one might see on a bathroom door.</p>
<p>“These tiny, insignificant images begin to create an everyday narrative, and it’s deeply problematic that one might consistently find their identity or demographic lacking, or pigeonholed, or altogether absent,” she said.</p>
| false | 2 |
new york ap smiling pile poop one thats sad theres loaf bread croissant wheres sliced bagel emotional vocabulary complete without teddy bear lobster petri dish tooth kind questions trigger heated debates verbal bomb tossing least memos bursts capital letters among members group burdened deciding new emojis make onto phones computer screens year people getting act unicode consortium tasked setting global standard icons heady responsibility take years inspiration hey isnt dumpling new symbol added phones thats deciding whether googlyeyed turd express wider range emotions frivolous undertaking might appear picking newest additions roster cartoonish glyphs deciding appearance negotiating rules allow vampires bar robert pattinsons draculas likeness actually consequences modern communication since printing press something changed written language much emojis says lauren collister scholarly communications librarian university pittsburgh emoji one way language growing says stops growing adapting thats language dies growing adapting doesnt seem like issue emojis additions 2017 included genderneutral characters breastfeeding woman woman hijab better worse expanding vocabulary given us emoji movie emoji short story contests books written emoji someone translated moby dick emoji dick 2015 oxford dictionaries declared face tears joy emoji word year new yorks museum modern art added original emoji set permanent collection apples pricey iphone x lets send animojis animated emojis mimic facial expressions speak voice get tiny pictographs became part online language ascent cellphones getting start japan 1999 emoji combines japanese words picture e pronounced eh letters moji mohjee first 176 simplistic highly pixelated icons heart soccer ball rocking horse today thousand none taken away number keeps growing long dust wind red wine emoji said mark davis cofounder president unicode consortium also works google anyone propose emoji make phones computers approved unicode nonprofit group mostly made people large tech companies like apple google facebook translates emoji one standard person france example send emoji text message person us look matter brand phone operating system use proposals design bevy rules govern emojis submit proposal unicode must follow strict format writing includes emojis expected usage level whether used archetype metaphor symbol pig face example mean face pig represent gluttony many reasons exclusion emojis cant overly specific logos brands specific people living dead deities swastika wouldnt approved either year new version unicode standard released year got unicode 100 adds 8518 characters total 136690 added bitcoin symbol set 285 hentaigana characters used japan support languages masaram gondi used write gondi central southeast india theres dumpling emoji takes shape back august 2015 journalist author jennifer 8 lee texting friend yiying lu graphic designer behind iconic fail whale illustration used pop twitters network dawned lee dumpling emoji many weird japanese food emoji said didnt understand could dumpling dumplings almost universal think ravioli empanada pierogi potsticker dumplings process took almost two years including research many meetings written illustrated proposal reads bit like academic paper complete research dumpling history popularity thanks largely efforts dumpling emoji added unicode standard year part dumpling emoji lobbying lee decided join unicode consortium eyeopener showed first quarterly meeting unicode emoji subcommittee expected big auditorium instead conference room people said older white male engineers big tech companies debates esoteric quirky milk glass carton bottle pancake pancakes many emoji decisionmakers engineers linguistic backgrounds said designers mean limitations think images part efforts diversify emojis lee lu founded emojination group promoting emoji people people started dumpling group also helped food clothing science animal emoji including woman hijab sandwich fortune cookie emojination worked companies like chinas baidu ge finnish government help submit emoji proposals makes cut proposed frowning poop met resistance crying pile poo next pile poo tongue sticking pile poo question marks eyes pile poo karaoke mic encode neutral faceless pile poo ordinary user dont want kind crap phone wrote michael everson linguist typographer memo unicode technical committee another member typographer andrew west wasnt happy proposal sliced bagel emoji prioritizing bagel bread products wrote clearly new yorker got idea emoji willing fight late submit one class 2019 2018 stay tuned well know months ones made cut theres desire funny quirky diversity emojis real issue amy butcher whose 2015 essay prompted google propose emojis represent women professionals brides polished nails thinks theres work ohio wesleyan university professor would like see interracial couples human wheelchair represent disabled person rather wheelchair icon one might see bathroom door tiny insignificant images begin create everyday narrative deeply problematic one might consistently find identity demographic lacking pigeonholed altogether absent said new york ap smiling pile poop one thats sad theres loaf bread croissant wheres sliced bagel emotional vocabulary complete without teddy bear lobster petri dish tooth kind questions trigger heated debates verbal bomb tossing least memos bursts capital letters among members group burdened deciding new emojis make onto phones computer screens year people getting act unicode consortium tasked setting global standard icons heady responsibility take years inspiration hey isnt dumpling new symbol added phones thats deciding whether googlyeyed turd express wider range emotions frivolous undertaking might appear picking newest additions roster cartoonish glyphs deciding appearance negotiating rules allow vampires bar robert pattinsons draculas likeness actually consequences modern communication since printing press something changed written language much emojis says lauren collister scholarly communications librarian university pittsburgh emoji one way language growing says stops growing adapting thats language dies growing adapting doesnt seem like issue emojis additions 2017 included genderneutral characters breastfeeding woman woman hijab better worse expanding vocabulary given us emoji movie emoji short story contests books written emoji someone translated moby dick emoji dick 2015 oxford dictionaries declared face tears joy emoji word year new yorks museum modern art added original emoji set permanent collection apples pricey iphone x lets send animojis animated emojis mimic facial expressions speak voice get tiny pictographs became part online language ascent cellphones getting start japan 1999 emoji combines japanese words picture e pronounced eh letters moji mohjee first 176 simplistic highly pixelated icons heart soccer ball rocking horse today thousand none taken away number keeps growing long dust wind red wine emoji said mark davis cofounder president unicode consortium also works google anyone propose emoji make phones computers approved unicode nonprofit group mostly made people large tech companies like apple google facebook translates emoji one standard person france example send emoji text message person us look matter brand phone operating system use proposals design bevy rules govern emojis submit proposal unicode must follow strict format writing includes emojis expected usage level whether used archetype metaphor symbol pig face example mean face pig represent gluttony many reasons exclusion emojis cant overly specific logos brands specific people living dead deities swastika wouldnt approved either year new version unicode standard released year got unicode 100 adds 8518 characters total 136690 added bitcoin symbol set 285 hentaigana characters used japan support languages masaram gondi used write gondi central southeast india theres dumpling emoji takes shape back august 2015 journalist author jennifer 8 lee texting friend yiying lu graphic designer behind iconic fail whale illustration used pop twitters network dawned lee dumpling emoji many weird japanese food emoji said didnt understand could dumpling dumplings almost universal think ravioli empanada pierogi potsticker dumplings process took almost two years including research many meetings written illustrated proposal reads bit like academic paper complete research dumpling history popularity thanks largely efforts dumpling emoji added unicode standard year part dumpling emoji lobbying lee decided join unicode consortium eyeopener showed first quarterly meeting unicode emoji subcommittee expected big auditorium instead conference room people said older white male engineers big tech companies debates esoteric quirky milk glass carton bottle pancake pancakes many emoji decisionmakers engineers linguistic backgrounds said designers mean limitations think images part efforts diversify emojis lee lu founded emojination group promoting emoji people people started dumpling group also helped food clothing science animal emoji including woman hijab sandwich fortune cookie emojination worked companies like chinas baidu ge finnish government help submit emoji proposals makes cut proposed frowning poop met resistance crying pile poo next pile poo tongue sticking pile poo question marks eyes pile poo karaoke mic encode neutral faceless pile poo ordinary user dont want kind crap phone wrote michael everson linguist typographer memo unicode technical committee another member typographer andrew west wasnt happy proposal sliced bagel emoji prioritizing bagel bread products wrote clearly new yorker got idea emoji willing fight late submit one class 2019 2018 stay tuned well know months ones made cut theres desire funny quirky diversity emojis real issue amy butcher whose 2015 essay prompted google propose emojis represent women professionals brides polished nails thinks theres work ohio wesleyan university professor would like see interracial couples human wheelchair represent disabled person rather wheelchair icon one might see bathroom door tiny insignificant images begin create everyday narrative deeply problematic one might consistently find identity demographic lacking pigeonholed altogether absent said
| 1,440 |
<p>This week, readers sent us comments on emergency health care for undocumented immigrants, proper citations, persistent falsehoods about ACORN&#160;and Muslim holidays.</p>
<p>In the FactCheck Mailbag we feature some of the e-mail we receive. Readers can send comments to <a href="javascript:location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(101,100,105,116,111,114,64,102,97,99,116,99,104,101,99,107,46,111,114,103)+'?'" type="external">[email protected]</a>. Letters may be edited for length.</p>
<p />
<p>Emergency Health Care Parity</p>
<p>On reading letters to FactCheck.org, I was struck by a total lack of proposed solutions on the part of critics who (erroneously) worry that health insurance reform would include illegal aliens.</p>
<p>But, as FactCheck has pointed out, no one who goes to an ER can be refused treatment, by law. Therefore, legislation separate from insurance reform would need to change this, if in fact it’s the wish of Americans that injured, sick or dying illegal immigrants (and those who cannot prove they are legal) be refused entry to ERs.</p>
<p>If this were to occur, what then should be the response of "legal" Americans to those men, women, elderly, children and infants bleeding, crying, or near death outside the entrance to hospitals in our cities? Aside from anything else, I’d like to remind those who advocate this tough-hate stance that medical professionals are ethically BOUND to help suffering people, as well as "to do no harm," something which surely applies to letting someone bleed to death. Let’s also consider the consequences of people, legal and illegal, interacting, when they have contagious diseases.</p>
<p>Aside from the fact that many illegals contribute a great deal to this country, working in dangerous jobs such as fire-fighting, and can be injured at work or in car accidents caused by drunk (but legal) Americans, etc.&#160;– and aside from how many of us owe our own heritage to illegals&#160;– do we really want to so brutally treat sick and injured people? And how would one explain this Dickensian treatment of some children to one’s own children?</p>
<p>An economy in which there is widespread unemployment on top of already deep levels of poverty breeds intolerance, blame and cruelty; it remains to be seen if our nation will rally as a generous and compassionate one or sink further into illogic and hatred.</p>
<p>I think the things that Fox (or any network) passes on to its listeners should be subject to challenge by FactCheck when they erroneously provide false information (actually I feel most of the time they knowingly pass on information they know is false … because they know their listeners will believe it).</p>
<p>Thank you for the service you provide.</p>
<p>Charles Harvell Woodland Park, Colo.</p>
<p>FactCheck.org responds: Media criticism is for the most part beyond our purview. But it’s true that $8.5 billion is a significant inflation from the $5.2 billion claim about ACORN that we addressed <a href="" type="internal">back in February</a>. Even then, as we wrote, that was grant money ACORN&#160;would be eligible to compete for, along with hundreds of other groups — not money it would be guaranteed to receive by the stimulus legislation.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Unkillable E-mails</p>
<p>Just as an FYI, the e-mail referenced in this article [" <a href="" type="internal">Muslim Stamp</a>,"&#160;Sept. 14] was also circulated during the Eid season 2001. I received it at least once more; I believe it was 2005. Either way this rumor- and hate-inspired e-mail is one we can’t seem to shake. You may also want to check out any mention of the term EID being linked to how all Muslims want us to DIE. That e-mail always seems to follow the stamp one and is even worse in its attempt to smear the Muslim population.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your work, your website is an important resource for many people.</p>
<p>Kristen Werner Ann Arbor, Mich.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Seeking Sources</p>
<p>Basically, you guys do a fine job of debunking statements of partisan rhetoric in a mostly nonpartisan way. But I really wish the critiques were more thorough on providing source citations rather than mere unsupported references. For example, in the " <a href="" type="internal">RNC’s ‘Bill of Rights’</a>" article, I’d like to see a source citation for the statement "…which still covers 78 percent of the Medicare population." And for the statement in the Update, we really should have a source citation for "one independent expert"&#160;– we deserve to know who that is and where and when he/she/they claimed this. It makes a difference whether a claim was made in a private conversation with the critique’s author, in a published source, what source, where, when, and so forth.</p>
<p>I know there must be editorial consideration re: keeping critiques succinct, especially since it is likely some paragraphs could have one or more citations per sentence. But failing to cite claims specifically can make the critique appear no more reliable or believable than the original statements. After all, it’s lack of citation that is a salient characteristic of highly-spun (might one say "highly-twisted"?) partisan rhetoric in the first place.</p>
<p>Please don’t get me wrong here: I think you guys do a good job of shedding light on lots of partisan rhetoric. It’s just the light would be a lot brighter using more thorough source citations within the critiques.</p>
<p>Thanks for your work.</p>
<p>Stephen Sansom Austin, Texas</p>
<p>FactCheck.org responds:&#160;As always, we recommend reading the entire article, not just the Summary section. Every article lists sources at the end, and many points from the Summary are expanded upon in the body of the article. In this case, we explained in the Analysis section that our "independent expert" is Kenneth E. Thorpe, professor and chair of the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, and we said that we had contacted him. Also, our list of sources included a link to the Kaiser Family Foundation’s <a href="http://www.kff.org/medicare/upload/2052-12.pdf" type="external">fact sheet on Medicare Advantage</a>, which included the numbers on enrollment.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Kind Words for FactCheck</p>
<p>I cannot thank you enough for your outstanding service to the public interest with the information supplied on your site. I get e-mails from my friends every day that I know are wrong and falsely propagating information to people via these forwarded chain mails. People believe the content since it looks so professional and matter of fact. I then send the link from your site with your sources proving most of it bogus. I also appreciate that there have been some times I wish the facts were different but it shows that you are a truth site regardless of party or affiliation. Stay true and keep us informed with the facts.</p>
<p>Tony Talbert Orlando, Fla.</p>
| false | 2 |
week readers sent us comments emergency health care undocumented immigrants proper citations persistent falsehoods acorn160and muslim holidays factcheck mailbag feature email receive readers send comments editorfactcheckorg letters may edited length emergency health care parity reading letters factcheckorg struck total lack proposed solutions part critics erroneously worry health insurance reform would include illegal aliens factcheck pointed one goes er refused treatment law therefore legislation separate insurance reform would need change fact wish americans injured sick dying illegal immigrants prove legal refused entry ers occur response legal americans men women elderly children infants bleeding crying near death outside entrance hospitals cities aside anything else id like remind advocate toughhate stance medical professionals ethically bound help suffering people well harm something surely applies letting someone bleed death lets also consider consequences people legal illegal interacting contagious diseases aside fact many illegals contribute great deal country working dangerous jobs firefighting injured work car accidents caused drunk legal americans etc160 aside many us owe heritage illegals160 really want brutally treat sick injured people would one explain dickensian treatment children ones children economy widespread unemployment top already deep levels poverty breeds intolerance blame cruelty remains seen nation rally generous compassionate one sink illogic hatred think things fox network passes listeners subject challenge factcheck erroneously provide false information actually feel time knowingly pass information know false know listeners believe thank service provide charles harvell woodland park colo factcheckorg responds media criticism part beyond purview true 85 billion significant inflation 52 billion claim acorn addressed back february even wrote grant money acorn160would eligible compete along hundreds groups money would guaranteed receive stimulus legislation 160 unkillable emails fyi email referenced article muslim stamp160sept 14 also circulated eid season 2001 received least believe 2005 either way rumor hateinspired email one cant seem shake may also want check mention term eid linked muslims want us die email always seems follow stamp one even worse attempt smear muslim population thanks work website important resource many people kristen werner ann arbor mich 160 seeking sources basically guys fine job debunking statements partisan rhetoric mostly nonpartisan way really wish critiques thorough providing source citations rather mere unsupported references example rncs bill rights article id like see source citation statement still covers 78 percent medicare population statement update really source citation one independent expert160 deserve know heshethey claimed makes difference whether claim made private conversation critiques author published source source forth know must editorial consideration keeping critiques succinct especially since likely paragraphs could one citations per sentence failing cite claims specifically make critique appear reliable believable original statements lack citation salient characteristic highlyspun might one say highlytwisted partisan rhetoric first place please dont get wrong think guys good job shedding light lots partisan rhetoric light would lot brighter using thorough source citations within critiques thanks work stephen sansom austin texas factcheckorg responds160as always recommend reading entire article summary section every article lists sources end many points summary expanded upon body article case explained analysis section independent expert kenneth e thorpe professor chair rollins school public health emory university said contacted also list sources included link kaiser family foundations fact sheet medicare advantage included numbers enrollment 160 kind words factcheck thank enough outstanding service public interest information supplied site get emails friends every day know wrong falsely propagating information people via forwarded chain mails people believe content since looks professional matter fact send link site sources proving bogus also appreciate times wish facts different shows truth site regardless party affiliation stay true keep us informed facts tony talbert orlando fla
| 584 |
<p>WASHINGTON (AP) - Veterans Day prompted President Donald Trump and his administration to take stock of what's been done to fix health care for those in uniform. They claimed more progress than has been made.</p>
<p>That tendency to overreach extended to trade and the economy as Trump visited Japan, South Korea, Japan and then Vietnam, where he told U.S. veterans of the Vietnam War that the Department of Veterans Affairs has made "amazing" strides and already "is a whole new place."</p>
<p>His remarks and a White House account of progress at the VA did not acknowledge old problems that persist. For example, a key effort to improve waiting times by revamping the VA's electronic medical record system may not be completed for eight more years - when Trump will be out of office.</p>
<p>A look at some statements about the VA and other topics arising from his travels and over the past week:</p>
<p>WHITE HOUSE: "President Trump signed the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017, taking action to streamline the appeals process for disability compensation claims within the VA. More than 470,000 veterans are awaiting pending decisions regarding their appeals."</p>
<p>THE FACTS: Trump signed the bill in August, part of a bid to reduce a rapidly growing claims backlog, but its immediate impact is overstated, as it will have no effect on the 470,000 pending claims.</p>
<p>Under the legislation, veterans will be able to file "express" appeals if they waive their right to a hearing or the ability to submit new evidence.</p>
<p>While lawmakers hope the legislation ultimately could reduce average wait times to less than a year, it applies almost entirely to newly filed appeals.</p>
<p>Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin has said the VA would need Congress to approve an additional $800 million for "hiring surges" of additional appeals processors if the VA hoped to clear its current backlog within 10 years.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>TRUMP: "Right now, our trade with Japan is not fair and it's not open, but I know it will be, soon. We want free and reciprocal trade, but right now our trade with Japan is not free and it's not reciprocal." And: "Many millions of cars are sold by Japan into the United States, whereas virtually no cars go from the United States into Japan." - remarks to business leaders in Tokyo on Monday.</p>
<p>THE FACTS: When Trump calls for reciprocity in Japan-U.S. trade, he might want to be careful what he wishes for.</p>
<p>With autos, for example, Japan places no tariff on fully assembled vehicles that are imported. But the U.S. has a 2.5 percent tariff on most imported vehicles - 25 percent on pickup trucks. That imbalance - or lack of reciprocity - favors the U.S.</p>
<p>It's true U.S. vehicle sales in Japan pale in comparison with Japanese sales in the U.S. Detroit has long complained about regulations that stop U.S. carmakers from opening dealerships or selling cars in Japan. But there are other reasons for the disparity in the auto trade, as well. For example, Japan uses right-hand-drive vehicles; the U.S. mainly makes left-hand-drive vehicles in its domestic industry.</p>
<p>And Trump's point about Japanese vehicles pouring into the U.S. is somewhat off the mark. Made-in-Japan vehicles are a distinct minority of the vehicles sold in the U.S. by Japanese automakers.</p>
<p>More than half the vehicles sold in the U.S. by Japanese manufacturers are built in the U.S., says the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association. Three-quarters of them are built in North America.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>WHITE HOUSE statement Thursday: "President Trump announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs will adopt the same Electronic Health Record as the Department of Defense. VA's adoption ... will ultimately result in all patient data residing in one common system, enabling the immediate availability of service members' medical records and seamless care between the departments."</p>
<p>THE FACTS: While the administration did announce in June that it would overhaul the VA's aging information technology system, Shulkin admitted to Congress last month that the project to revamp electronic medical records won't be completed for seven to eight years. The full costs of the project also are not known and have yet to be budgeted.</p>
<p>An upgraded IT system is central to the VA's effort to reduce wait times for medical care as well as to fulfill Trump's promise of increasing private care options for veterans. Under Shulkin's plan to expand the Choice private-sector program, the VA would outsource more routine veterans' care to private providers including MinuteClinics while treating more complex injuries. Success of that plan requires a seamless sharing of medical records not only with the Pentagon but also with private physicians, a capability the VA does not currently have.</p>
<p>Shulkin also has yet to negotiate pricing for the no-bid contract with the company that designed the Pentagon's IT system, estimated to cost at least $16 billion. The big price tag has spurred bills in Congress to require regular updates from the VA on timeliness and cost projections, as well as risks such as breaches to patient privacy.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>WILBUR ROSS, U.S. commerce secretary: "Today's signings are a good example of how we can productively build up our bilateral trade." - remarks Thursday in Beijing.</p>
<p>XI JINPING, China's president: "During this visit, the two sides signed over $250 billion U.S. of commercial deals and two-way investment agreements." - remarks Thursday in Beijing.</p>
<p>THE FACTS: Papers signed in China during Trump's visit were largely a packaging of previously worked-out deals, tentative investments, statements of intent and extensions of business with existing Chinese customers, with some new orders. They do not point to a turnaround in deep-seated trade tensions between China and the U.S.</p>
<p>Such signing ceremonies in China are often just that, ceremonial. They typically represent purchases that Chinese customers already planned to make and held off on announcing. General Motors' $2.2 billion piece of the package, for example, consists mostly of selling parts to its existing joint venture with the Chinese government.</p>
<p>Alaska, however, welcomed an agreement that could spur construction of a long-sought pipeline to ship natural gas from the North Slope to a port for export to Asia. Oil companies backed away from the project, but the agreement with Chinese interests means all parties will work toward a decision by the end of next year on whether to proceed.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>WHITE HOUSE: "President Trump has ensured continued access to care in the Veterans Choice Program by signing the VA Choice and Quality Employment Act, authorizing $2.1 billion in additional funds for the Veterans Choice Program."</p>
<p>THE FACTS: This statement glosses over one of several budget shortfalls by the VA. Congress was forced in August to approve $2.1 billion in emergency money to keep Choice running after the VA had repeatedly understated costs of the program, assuring lawmakers for much of the year that money would last until January. Shulkin subsequently revealed an emergency shortfall in June that threatened medical care for tens of thousands of veterans.</p>
<p>The $2.1 billion was intended to last until February. But weeks after receiving the money, the VA acknowledged that money for Choice would again run out sooner than expected, requiring Congress to approve additional stopgap financing before the end of the year or face disruptions to veterans' health care.</p>
<p>Lawmakers have yet to act, in part as the Trump administration sorts out longer-term costs to the private-sector program.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>WHITE HOUSE: "The VA has launched its 'Access and Quality Tool,' allowing veterans to see online the wait times at VA locations."</p>
<p>THE FACTS: An effort started by Shulkin when he was VA undersecretary of health in President Barack Obama's administration, the VA website www.accesstocare.va.gov provides data on wait times as well as on veterans' satisfaction ratings in getting timely appointments, something that no other health care system in the country does.</p>
<p>Still, major veterans groups such as Veterans of Foreign Wars have faulted the data for being misleading and not depicting wait times the way a typical person would view it.</p>
<p>The Government Accountability Office, for instance, has noted that the data for returning patients do not include the amount of wait time from when a veteran initially asks for care and when a scheduler reaches out to set an appointment, which it said could be lengthy. In addition, GAO earlier this year continued to find evidence that VA data can be unreliable because of schedulers recording wrong dates or changing dates outright, though the VA says it is implementing new checks and training to help identify "outliers" in scheduling.</p>
<p>Veterans of Foreign Wars told Congress last month that its survey found only 67 percent of veterans said they had obtained a VA appointment within 30 days, less than the 93 percent that VA reports.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>WHITE HOUSE: "The White House has opened a brand new VA Hotline staffed principally by veterans and direct family members of veterans to ensure that no complaint goes unaddressed."</p>
<p>THE FACTS: It opened, but it did not get off to a smooth start. Trump pledged during the presidential campaign to create a "private White House hotline" answered by a real person 24 hours a day to take complaints from veterans, leading the VA to create a hotline beginning in June. Originally scheduled to be fully operational by Aug. 15, it has encountered some delays. In a letter to the VA last month, Sen. Jon Tester, the top Democrat on the Veterans Affairs Committee, complained, "The White House is frequently routing these calls back to local VA offices, which are often understaffed and do not have the ability to address the additional casework in a timely manner."</p>
<p>Tester noted the VA already had several existing options for receiving complaints from veterans and urged better coordination to make sure no one falls through the cracks.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>TRUMP: "Numbers are phenomenal over the last - since November 8th, Election Day. Our unemployment is at a 17-year low. We've gotten almost 2 million more people in the workforce in just that short period of time. I've reduced regulations terrifically, frankly, if I do say so myself." - remarks to business leaders in Tokyo, Monday. Tweet from previous weekend: "Unemployment is down to 4.1%, lowest in 17 years. 1.5 million new jobs created since I took office. Highest stock Market ever, up $5.4 trill."</p>
<p>THE FACTS: His numbers are close to the mark. Trump can rightfully brag about the U.S. economy, but it's not quite as exceptional as he says, and he can't yet legitimately claim that his record on job creation is vastly superior to Obama's. Many of the economic figures he cites are advancing a recovery from the Great Recession that dates back to the middle of 2009.</p>
<p>The unemployment rate did slip to 4.1 percent in October. But that was in part because many Americans gave up searching for work - one of the criticisms Trump made of Obama's record during the 2016 campaign.</p>
<p>Trump also takes credit for helping create on average 168,500 jobs a month, but Obama in 2016 averaged about 187,000 jobs a month. Of course, hiring should slow as the unemployment rate declines because fewer people are searching for work. When someone stops seeking a job and drops out of the labor force, this person is no longer counted among the officially unemployed.</p>
<p>As for the stock market, the Dow Jones Industrial Average returned to its previous peak in March 2013 and has been setting records ever since. The promise of corporate tax cuts by Trump has helped the stock market, but many of the gains rest on the foundations of an economic recovery that saw corporate profits climb.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Associated Press writers David Koenig in Dallas, Tom Krisher in Detroit and Joe McDonald in Beijing contributed to this report.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Find AP Fact Checks at https://apnews.com/tag/APFactCheck</p>
<p>WASHINGTON (AP) - Veterans Day prompted President Donald Trump and his administration to take stock of what's been done to fix health care for those in uniform. They claimed more progress than has been made.</p>
<p>That tendency to overreach extended to trade and the economy as Trump visited Japan, South Korea, Japan and then Vietnam, where he told U.S. veterans of the Vietnam War that the Department of Veterans Affairs has made "amazing" strides and already "is a whole new place."</p>
<p>His remarks and a White House account of progress at the VA did not acknowledge old problems that persist. For example, a key effort to improve waiting times by revamping the VA's electronic medical record system may not be completed for eight more years - when Trump will be out of office.</p>
<p>A look at some statements about the VA and other topics arising from his travels and over the past week:</p>
<p>WHITE HOUSE: "President Trump signed the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017, taking action to streamline the appeals process for disability compensation claims within the VA. More than 470,000 veterans are awaiting pending decisions regarding their appeals."</p>
<p>THE FACTS: Trump signed the bill in August, part of a bid to reduce a rapidly growing claims backlog, but its immediate impact is overstated, as it will have no effect on the 470,000 pending claims.</p>
<p>Under the legislation, veterans will be able to file "express" appeals if they waive their right to a hearing or the ability to submit new evidence.</p>
<p>While lawmakers hope the legislation ultimately could reduce average wait times to less than a year, it applies almost entirely to newly filed appeals.</p>
<p>Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin has said the VA would need Congress to approve an additional $800 million for "hiring surges" of additional appeals processors if the VA hoped to clear its current backlog within 10 years.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>TRUMP: "Right now, our trade with Japan is not fair and it's not open, but I know it will be, soon. We want free and reciprocal trade, but right now our trade with Japan is not free and it's not reciprocal." And: "Many millions of cars are sold by Japan into the United States, whereas virtually no cars go from the United States into Japan." - remarks to business leaders in Tokyo on Monday.</p>
<p>THE FACTS: When Trump calls for reciprocity in Japan-U.S. trade, he might want to be careful what he wishes for.</p>
<p>With autos, for example, Japan places no tariff on fully assembled vehicles that are imported. But the U.S. has a 2.5 percent tariff on most imported vehicles - 25 percent on pickup trucks. That imbalance - or lack of reciprocity - favors the U.S.</p>
<p>It's true U.S. vehicle sales in Japan pale in comparison with Japanese sales in the U.S. Detroit has long complained about regulations that stop U.S. carmakers from opening dealerships or selling cars in Japan. But there are other reasons for the disparity in the auto trade, as well. For example, Japan uses right-hand-drive vehicles; the U.S. mainly makes left-hand-drive vehicles in its domestic industry.</p>
<p>And Trump's point about Japanese vehicles pouring into the U.S. is somewhat off the mark. Made-in-Japan vehicles are a distinct minority of the vehicles sold in the U.S. by Japanese automakers.</p>
<p>More than half the vehicles sold in the U.S. by Japanese manufacturers are built in the U.S., says the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association. Three-quarters of them are built in North America.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>WHITE HOUSE statement Thursday: "President Trump announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs will adopt the same Electronic Health Record as the Department of Defense. VA's adoption ... will ultimately result in all patient data residing in one common system, enabling the immediate availability of service members' medical records and seamless care between the departments."</p>
<p>THE FACTS: While the administration did announce in June that it would overhaul the VA's aging information technology system, Shulkin admitted to Congress last month that the project to revamp electronic medical records won't be completed for seven to eight years. The full costs of the project also are not known and have yet to be budgeted.</p>
<p>An upgraded IT system is central to the VA's effort to reduce wait times for medical care as well as to fulfill Trump's promise of increasing private care options for veterans. Under Shulkin's plan to expand the Choice private-sector program, the VA would outsource more routine veterans' care to private providers including MinuteClinics while treating more complex injuries. Success of that plan requires a seamless sharing of medical records not only with the Pentagon but also with private physicians, a capability the VA does not currently have.</p>
<p>Shulkin also has yet to negotiate pricing for the no-bid contract with the company that designed the Pentagon's IT system, estimated to cost at least $16 billion. The big price tag has spurred bills in Congress to require regular updates from the VA on timeliness and cost projections, as well as risks such as breaches to patient privacy.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>WILBUR ROSS, U.S. commerce secretary: "Today's signings are a good example of how we can productively build up our bilateral trade." - remarks Thursday in Beijing.</p>
<p>XI JINPING, China's president: "During this visit, the two sides signed over $250 billion U.S. of commercial deals and two-way investment agreements." - remarks Thursday in Beijing.</p>
<p>THE FACTS: Papers signed in China during Trump's visit were largely a packaging of previously worked-out deals, tentative investments, statements of intent and extensions of business with existing Chinese customers, with some new orders. They do not point to a turnaround in deep-seated trade tensions between China and the U.S.</p>
<p>Such signing ceremonies in China are often just that, ceremonial. They typically represent purchases that Chinese customers already planned to make and held off on announcing. General Motors' $2.2 billion piece of the package, for example, consists mostly of selling parts to its existing joint venture with the Chinese government.</p>
<p>Alaska, however, welcomed an agreement that could spur construction of a long-sought pipeline to ship natural gas from the North Slope to a port for export to Asia. Oil companies backed away from the project, but the agreement with Chinese interests means all parties will work toward a decision by the end of next year on whether to proceed.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>WHITE HOUSE: "President Trump has ensured continued access to care in the Veterans Choice Program by signing the VA Choice and Quality Employment Act, authorizing $2.1 billion in additional funds for the Veterans Choice Program."</p>
<p>THE FACTS: This statement glosses over one of several budget shortfalls by the VA. Congress was forced in August to approve $2.1 billion in emergency money to keep Choice running after the VA had repeatedly understated costs of the program, assuring lawmakers for much of the year that money would last until January. Shulkin subsequently revealed an emergency shortfall in June that threatened medical care for tens of thousands of veterans.</p>
<p>The $2.1 billion was intended to last until February. But weeks after receiving the money, the VA acknowledged that money for Choice would again run out sooner than expected, requiring Congress to approve additional stopgap financing before the end of the year or face disruptions to veterans' health care.</p>
<p>Lawmakers have yet to act, in part as the Trump administration sorts out longer-term costs to the private-sector program.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>WHITE HOUSE: "The VA has launched its 'Access and Quality Tool,' allowing veterans to see online the wait times at VA locations."</p>
<p>THE FACTS: An effort started by Shulkin when he was VA undersecretary of health in President Barack Obama's administration, the VA website www.accesstocare.va.gov provides data on wait times as well as on veterans' satisfaction ratings in getting timely appointments, something that no other health care system in the country does.</p>
<p>Still, major veterans groups such as Veterans of Foreign Wars have faulted the data for being misleading and not depicting wait times the way a typical person would view it.</p>
<p>The Government Accountability Office, for instance, has noted that the data for returning patients do not include the amount of wait time from when a veteran initially asks for care and when a scheduler reaches out to set an appointment, which it said could be lengthy. In addition, GAO earlier this year continued to find evidence that VA data can be unreliable because of schedulers recording wrong dates or changing dates outright, though the VA says it is implementing new checks and training to help identify "outliers" in scheduling.</p>
<p>Veterans of Foreign Wars told Congress last month that its survey found only 67 percent of veterans said they had obtained a VA appointment within 30 days, less than the 93 percent that VA reports.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>WHITE HOUSE: "The White House has opened a brand new VA Hotline staffed principally by veterans and direct family members of veterans to ensure that no complaint goes unaddressed."</p>
<p>THE FACTS: It opened, but it did not get off to a smooth start. Trump pledged during the presidential campaign to create a "private White House hotline" answered by a real person 24 hours a day to take complaints from veterans, leading the VA to create a hotline beginning in June. Originally scheduled to be fully operational by Aug. 15, it has encountered some delays. In a letter to the VA last month, Sen. Jon Tester, the top Democrat on the Veterans Affairs Committee, complained, "The White House is frequently routing these calls back to local VA offices, which are often understaffed and do not have the ability to address the additional casework in a timely manner."</p>
<p>Tester noted the VA already had several existing options for receiving complaints from veterans and urged better coordination to make sure no one falls through the cracks.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>TRUMP: "Numbers are phenomenal over the last - since November 8th, Election Day. Our unemployment is at a 17-year low. We've gotten almost 2 million more people in the workforce in just that short period of time. I've reduced regulations terrifically, frankly, if I do say so myself." - remarks to business leaders in Tokyo, Monday. Tweet from previous weekend: "Unemployment is down to 4.1%, lowest in 17 years. 1.5 million new jobs created since I took office. Highest stock Market ever, up $5.4 trill."</p>
<p>THE FACTS: His numbers are close to the mark. Trump can rightfully brag about the U.S. economy, but it's not quite as exceptional as he says, and he can't yet legitimately claim that his record on job creation is vastly superior to Obama's. Many of the economic figures he cites are advancing a recovery from the Great Recession that dates back to the middle of 2009.</p>
<p>The unemployment rate did slip to 4.1 percent in October. But that was in part because many Americans gave up searching for work - one of the criticisms Trump made of Obama's record during the 2016 campaign.</p>
<p>Trump also takes credit for helping create on average 168,500 jobs a month, but Obama in 2016 averaged about 187,000 jobs a month. Of course, hiring should slow as the unemployment rate declines because fewer people are searching for work. When someone stops seeking a job and drops out of the labor force, this person is no longer counted among the officially unemployed.</p>
<p>As for the stock market, the Dow Jones Industrial Average returned to its previous peak in March 2013 and has been setting records ever since. The promise of corporate tax cuts by Trump has helped the stock market, but many of the gains rest on the foundations of an economic recovery that saw corporate profits climb.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Associated Press writers David Koenig in Dallas, Tom Krisher in Detroit and Joe McDonald in Beijing contributed to this report.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Find AP Fact Checks at https://apnews.com/tag/APFactCheck</p>
| false | 2 |
washington ap veterans day prompted president donald trump administration take stock whats done fix health care uniform claimed progress made tendency overreach extended trade economy trump visited japan south korea japan vietnam told us veterans vietnam war department veterans affairs made amazing strides already whole new place remarks white house account progress va acknowledge old problems persist example key effort improve waiting times revamping vas electronic medical record system may completed eight years trump office look statements va topics arising travels past week white house president trump signed veterans appeals improvement modernization act 2017 taking action streamline appeals process disability compensation claims within va 470000 veterans awaiting pending decisions regarding appeals facts trump signed bill august part bid reduce rapidly growing claims backlog immediate impact overstated effect 470000 pending claims legislation veterans able file express appeals waive right hearing ability submit new evidence lawmakers hope legislation ultimately could reduce average wait times less year applies almost entirely newly filed appeals veterans affairs secretary david shulkin said va would need congress approve additional 800 million hiring surges additional appeals processors va hoped clear current backlog within 10 years ___ trump right trade japan fair open know soon want free reciprocal trade right trade japan free reciprocal many millions cars sold japan united states whereas virtually cars go united states japan remarks business leaders tokyo monday facts trump calls reciprocity japanus trade might want careful wishes autos example japan places tariff fully assembled vehicles imported us 25 percent tariff imported vehicles 25 percent pickup trucks imbalance lack reciprocity favors us true us vehicle sales japan pale comparison japanese sales us detroit long complained regulations stop us carmakers opening dealerships selling cars japan reasons disparity auto trade well example japan uses righthanddrive vehicles us mainly makes lefthanddrive vehicles domestic industry trumps point japanese vehicles pouring us somewhat mark madeinjapan vehicles distinct minority vehicles sold us japanese automakers half vehicles sold us japanese manufacturers built us says japan automobile manufacturers association threequarters built north america ___ white house statement thursday president trump announced department veterans affairs adopt electronic health record department defense vas adoption ultimately result patient data residing one common system enabling immediate availability service members medical records seamless care departments facts administration announce june would overhaul vas aging information technology system shulkin admitted congress last month project revamp electronic medical records wont completed seven eight years full costs project also known yet budgeted upgraded system central vas effort reduce wait times medical care well fulfill trumps promise increasing private care options veterans shulkins plan expand choice privatesector program va would outsource routine veterans care private providers including minuteclinics treating complex injuries success plan requires seamless sharing medical records pentagon also private physicians capability va currently shulkin also yet negotiate pricing nobid contract company designed pentagons system estimated cost least 16 billion big price tag spurred bills congress require regular updates va timeliness cost projections well risks breaches patient privacy ___ wilbur ross us commerce secretary todays signings good example productively build bilateral trade remarks thursday beijing xi jinping chinas president visit two sides signed 250 billion us commercial deals twoway investment agreements remarks thursday beijing facts papers signed china trumps visit largely packaging previously workedout deals tentative investments statements intent extensions business existing chinese customers new orders point turnaround deepseated trade tensions china us signing ceremonies china often ceremonial typically represent purchases chinese customers already planned make held announcing general motors 22 billion piece package example consists mostly selling parts existing joint venture chinese government alaska however welcomed agreement could spur construction longsought pipeline ship natural gas north slope port export asia oil companies backed away project agreement chinese interests means parties work toward decision end next year whether proceed ___ white house president trump ensured continued access care veterans choice program signing va choice quality employment act authorizing 21 billion additional funds veterans choice program facts statement glosses one several budget shortfalls va congress forced august approve 21 billion emergency money keep choice running va repeatedly understated costs program assuring lawmakers much year money would last january shulkin subsequently revealed emergency shortfall june threatened medical care tens thousands veterans 21 billion intended last february weeks receiving money va acknowledged money choice would run sooner expected requiring congress approve additional stopgap financing end year face disruptions veterans health care lawmakers yet act part trump administration sorts longerterm costs privatesector program ___ white house va launched access quality tool allowing veterans see online wait times va locations facts effort started shulkin va undersecretary health president barack obamas administration va website wwwaccesstocarevagov provides data wait times well veterans satisfaction ratings getting timely appointments something health care system country still major veterans groups veterans foreign wars faulted data misleading depicting wait times way typical person would view government accountability office instance noted data returning patients include amount wait time veteran initially asks care scheduler reaches set appointment said could lengthy addition gao earlier year continued find evidence va data unreliable schedulers recording wrong dates changing dates outright though va says implementing new checks training help identify outliers scheduling veterans foreign wars told congress last month survey found 67 percent veterans said obtained va appointment within 30 days less 93 percent va reports ___ white house white house opened brand new va hotline staffed principally veterans direct family members veterans ensure complaint goes unaddressed facts opened get smooth start trump pledged presidential campaign create private white house hotline answered real person 24 hours day take complaints veterans leading va create hotline beginning june originally scheduled fully operational aug 15 encountered delays letter va last month sen jon tester top democrat veterans affairs committee complained white house frequently routing calls back local va offices often understaffed ability address additional casework timely manner tester noted va already several existing options receiving complaints veterans urged better coordination make sure one falls cracks ___ trump numbers phenomenal last since november 8th election day unemployment 17year low weve gotten almost 2 million people workforce short period time ive reduced regulations terrifically frankly say remarks business leaders tokyo monday tweet previous weekend unemployment 41 lowest 17 years 15 million new jobs created since took office highest stock market ever 54 trill facts numbers close mark trump rightfully brag us economy quite exceptional says cant yet legitimately claim record job creation vastly superior obamas many economic figures cites advancing recovery great recession dates back middle 2009 unemployment rate slip 41 percent october part many americans gave searching work one criticisms trump made obamas record 2016 campaign trump also takes credit helping create average 168500 jobs month obama 2016 averaged 187000 jobs month course hiring slow unemployment rate declines fewer people searching work someone stops seeking job drops labor force person longer counted among officially unemployed stock market dow jones industrial average returned previous peak march 2013 setting records ever since promise corporate tax cuts trump helped stock market many gains rest foundations economic recovery saw corporate profits climb ___ associated press writers david koenig dallas tom krisher detroit joe mcdonald beijing contributed report ___ find ap fact checks httpsapnewscomtagapfactcheck washington ap veterans day prompted president donald trump administration take stock whats done fix health care uniform claimed progress made tendency overreach extended trade economy trump visited japan south korea japan vietnam told us veterans vietnam war department veterans affairs made amazing strides already whole new place remarks white house account progress va acknowledge old problems persist example key effort improve waiting times revamping vas electronic medical record system may completed eight years trump office look statements va topics arising travels past week white house president trump signed veterans appeals improvement modernization act 2017 taking action streamline appeals process disability compensation claims within va 470000 veterans awaiting pending decisions regarding appeals facts trump signed bill august part bid reduce rapidly growing claims backlog immediate impact overstated effect 470000 pending claims legislation veterans able file express appeals waive right hearing ability submit new evidence lawmakers hope legislation ultimately could reduce average wait times less year applies almost entirely newly filed appeals veterans affairs secretary david shulkin said va would need congress approve additional 800 million hiring surges additional appeals processors va hoped clear current backlog within 10 years ___ trump right trade japan fair open know soon want free reciprocal trade right trade japan free reciprocal many millions cars sold japan united states whereas virtually cars go united states japan remarks business leaders tokyo monday facts trump calls reciprocity japanus trade might want careful wishes autos example japan places tariff fully assembled vehicles imported us 25 percent tariff imported vehicles 25 percent pickup trucks imbalance lack reciprocity favors us true us vehicle sales japan pale comparison japanese sales us detroit long complained regulations stop us carmakers opening dealerships selling cars japan reasons disparity auto trade well example japan uses righthanddrive vehicles us mainly makes lefthanddrive vehicles domestic industry trumps point japanese vehicles pouring us somewhat mark madeinjapan vehicles distinct minority vehicles sold us japanese automakers half vehicles sold us japanese manufacturers built us says japan automobile manufacturers association threequarters built north america ___ white house statement thursday president trump announced department veterans affairs adopt electronic health record department defense vas adoption ultimately result patient data residing one common system enabling immediate availability service members medical records seamless care departments facts administration announce june would overhaul vas aging information technology system shulkin admitted congress last month project revamp electronic medical records wont completed seven eight years full costs project also known yet budgeted upgraded system central vas effort reduce wait times medical care well fulfill trumps promise increasing private care options veterans shulkins plan expand choice privatesector program va would outsource routine veterans care private providers including minuteclinics treating complex injuries success plan requires seamless sharing medical records pentagon also private physicians capability va currently shulkin also yet negotiate pricing nobid contract company designed pentagons system estimated cost least 16 billion big price tag spurred bills congress require regular updates va timeliness cost projections well risks breaches patient privacy ___ wilbur ross us commerce secretary todays signings good example productively build bilateral trade remarks thursday beijing xi jinping chinas president visit two sides signed 250 billion us commercial deals twoway investment agreements remarks thursday beijing facts papers signed china trumps visit largely packaging previously workedout deals tentative investments statements intent extensions business existing chinese customers new orders point turnaround deepseated trade tensions china us signing ceremonies china often ceremonial typically represent purchases chinese customers already planned make held announcing general motors 22 billion piece package example consists mostly selling parts existing joint venture chinese government alaska however welcomed agreement could spur construction longsought pipeline ship natural gas north slope port export asia oil companies backed away project agreement chinese interests means parties work toward decision end next year whether proceed ___ white house president trump ensured continued access care veterans choice program signing va choice quality employment act authorizing 21 billion additional funds veterans choice program facts statement glosses one several budget shortfalls va congress forced august approve 21 billion emergency money keep choice running va repeatedly understated costs program assuring lawmakers much year money would last january shulkin subsequently revealed emergency shortfall june threatened medical care tens thousands veterans 21 billion intended last february weeks receiving money va acknowledged money choice would run sooner expected requiring congress approve additional stopgap financing end year face disruptions veterans health care lawmakers yet act part trump administration sorts longerterm costs privatesector program ___ white house va launched access quality tool allowing veterans see online wait times va locations facts effort started shulkin va undersecretary health president barack obamas administration va website wwwaccesstocarevagov provides data wait times well veterans satisfaction ratings getting timely appointments something health care system country still major veterans groups veterans foreign wars faulted data misleading depicting wait times way typical person would view government accountability office instance noted data returning patients include amount wait time veteran initially asks care scheduler reaches set appointment said could lengthy addition gao earlier year continued find evidence va data unreliable schedulers recording wrong dates changing dates outright though va says implementing new checks training help identify outliers scheduling veterans foreign wars told congress last month survey found 67 percent veterans said obtained va appointment within 30 days less 93 percent va reports ___ white house white house opened brand new va hotline staffed principally veterans direct family members veterans ensure complaint goes unaddressed facts opened get smooth start trump pledged presidential campaign create private white house hotline answered real person 24 hours day take complaints veterans leading va create hotline beginning june originally scheduled fully operational aug 15 encountered delays letter va last month sen jon tester top democrat veterans affairs committee complained white house frequently routing calls back local va offices often understaffed ability address additional casework timely manner tester noted va already several existing options receiving complaints veterans urged better coordination make sure one falls cracks ___ trump numbers phenomenal last since november 8th election day unemployment 17year low weve gotten almost 2 million people workforce short period time ive reduced regulations terrifically frankly say remarks business leaders tokyo monday tweet previous weekend unemployment 41 lowest 17 years 15 million new jobs created since took office highest stock market ever 54 trill facts numbers close mark trump rightfully brag us economy quite exceptional says cant yet legitimately claim record job creation vastly superior obamas many economic figures cites advancing recovery great recession dates back middle 2009 unemployment rate slip 41 percent october part many americans gave searching work one criticisms trump made obamas record 2016 campaign trump also takes credit helping create average 168500 jobs month obama 2016 averaged 187000 jobs month course hiring slow unemployment rate declines fewer people searching work someone stops seeking job drops labor force person longer counted among officially unemployed stock market dow jones industrial average returned previous peak march 2013 setting records ever since promise corporate tax cuts trump helped stock market many gains rest foundations economic recovery saw corporate profits climb ___ associated press writers david koenig dallas tom krisher detroit joe mcdonald beijing contributed report ___ find ap fact checks httpsapnewscomtagapfactcheck
| 2,352 |
<p>NEW YORK (AP) — The top 10 songs of the year by Associated Press Music Editor Mesfin Fekadu.</p>
<p>1. SZA, “The Weekend”: Firstly, it samples Justin Timberlake’s masterpiece, “Set the Mood (Prelude)/Until the End of Time.” Secondly, SZA is singing vulnerable lyrics about sharing her man with another woman, or women (dating is a struggle, people!) And thirdly, SZA paints the picture vividly with her crisp vocals matched to a smooth beat. This is storytelling. It’s also creative, realistic and addictive. I listened to it Monday through Friday, and on the weekends.</p>
<p>2. Bruno Mars, “That’s What I Like”: Bruno Mars is perfect. That is all.</p>
<p>3. Remy Ma, “Shether”: The best seven minutes I’ve spent all year was listening to Remy Ma’s scorching, blazing, punchy and hard-hitting diss track toward Nicki Minaj. Over the beat of Nas’ incomparable “Ether” diss on Jay-Z, Remy’s rhymes remind you that female rappers shouldn’t be the only ones worried about her — her male peers need to be nervous, too.</p>
<p>Childish Gambino.</p>
<p>4. Childish Gambino, “Redbone”: Donald Glover’s “Redbone” — reminiscent of George Clinton — is funky, trippy and groovy, and easily one of the year’s best tunes.</p>
<p>5. Cardi B, “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)“: “I don’t dance now, I make money moves,” Cardi B raps on her breakthrough hit, proving that her past as a stripper and reality TV star didn’t stop her from becoming music’s breakout star of the year. “Bodak Yellow” was just as addictive as Cardi B’s funny, silly and likable personality. But she’s also a serious rapper: She made money moves in 2017, and here’s to hoping she makes major grooves in 2018.</p>
<p />
<p>6. Dua Lipa, “New Rules”: When you need a reminder to leave that jerk you’re dating, put on Dua Lipa’s “New Rules.” And if you want to learn how to throw the ultimate slumber party, watch Dua Lipa’s awesome “New Rules” music video.</p>
<p>7. 2 Chainz featuring Jhene Aiko, Ty Dolla $ign and Trey Songz, “It’s a Vibe”: Issa vibe! No, really, it is, a vibe, indeed. A chill, head-bopping one.</p>
<p>8. Bleachers, “Don’t Take the Money”: Jack Antonoff continues to show he’s an epic music-maker: Whether it’s producing for Taylor Swift or writing with Lorde and Sara Barellies, he knows how to make the perfect pop song. And the best one he crafted this year was one you might have missed — “Don’t Take the Money,” from his Bleachers project, is a tasty upbeat tune best heard while dancing at a club or in front of the mirror.</p>
<p />
<p>9. Kesha, “Praying”: Coming after a tumultuous time in Kesha’s life, “Praying” showcases a side of the singer that is lyrically vulnerable, vocally capable, and overall exceptional. The song, deservingly, earned the pop singer her first Grammy nomination. If only she wasn’t competing with Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You.”</p>
<p>10. Sam Hunt, “Body Like a Back Road”: Sam Hunt continues to bring swag to country music with his calm vocals and cool songwriting. “Body Like a Back Road” rode to the beat of 2017.</p>
<p>Honorable mentions: Kendrick Lamar, “Humble”; J Balvin and Willy William featuring Beyonce, “Mi Gente Remix”; Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, “Despacito”; Logic featuring Alessia Cara and Khalid, “1-800-273-8255"; Miguel featuring Travis Scott, “Sky Walker”; DJ Khaled featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller, “Wild Thoughts”; Little Big Town, “Better Man”; Maroon 5 featuring SZA, “What Lovers Do”; Niall Horan, “Too Much to Ask”; Fifth Harmony, “He Like That”; Jorja Smith, “Teenage Fantasy.”</p>
<p>Sam Hunt.</p>
<p>NEW YORK (AP) — The top 10 songs of the year by Associated Press Music Editor Mesfin Fekadu.</p>
<p>1. SZA, “The Weekend”: Firstly, it samples Justin Timberlake’s masterpiece, “Set the Mood (Prelude)/Until the End of Time.” Secondly, SZA is singing vulnerable lyrics about sharing her man with another woman, or women (dating is a struggle, people!) And thirdly, SZA paints the picture vividly with her crisp vocals matched to a smooth beat. This is storytelling. It’s also creative, realistic and addictive. I listened to it Monday through Friday, and on the weekends.</p>
<p>2. Bruno Mars, “That’s What I Like”: Bruno Mars is perfect. That is all.</p>
<p>3. Remy Ma, “Shether”: The best seven minutes I’ve spent all year was listening to Remy Ma’s scorching, blazing, punchy and hard-hitting diss track toward Nicki Minaj. Over the beat of Nas’ incomparable “Ether” diss on Jay-Z, Remy’s rhymes remind you that female rappers shouldn’t be the only ones worried about her — her male peers need to be nervous, too.</p>
<p>Childish Gambino.</p>
<p>4. Childish Gambino, “Redbone”: Donald Glover’s “Redbone” — reminiscent of George Clinton — is funky, trippy and groovy, and easily one of the year’s best tunes.</p>
<p>5. Cardi B, “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)“: “I don’t dance now, I make money moves,” Cardi B raps on her breakthrough hit, proving that her past as a stripper and reality TV star didn’t stop her from becoming music’s breakout star of the year. “Bodak Yellow” was just as addictive as Cardi B’s funny, silly and likable personality. But she’s also a serious rapper: She made money moves in 2017, and here’s to hoping she makes major grooves in 2018.</p>
<p />
<p>6. Dua Lipa, “New Rules”: When you need a reminder to leave that jerk you’re dating, put on Dua Lipa’s “New Rules.” And if you want to learn how to throw the ultimate slumber party, watch Dua Lipa’s awesome “New Rules” music video.</p>
<p>7. 2 Chainz featuring Jhene Aiko, Ty Dolla $ign and Trey Songz, “It’s a Vibe”: Issa vibe! No, really, it is, a vibe, indeed. A chill, head-bopping one.</p>
<p>8. Bleachers, “Don’t Take the Money”: Jack Antonoff continues to show he’s an epic music-maker: Whether it’s producing for Taylor Swift or writing with Lorde and Sara Barellies, he knows how to make the perfect pop song. And the best one he crafted this year was one you might have missed — “Don’t Take the Money,” from his Bleachers project, is a tasty upbeat tune best heard while dancing at a club or in front of the mirror.</p>
<p />
<p>9. Kesha, “Praying”: Coming after a tumultuous time in Kesha’s life, “Praying” showcases a side of the singer that is lyrically vulnerable, vocally capable, and overall exceptional. The song, deservingly, earned the pop singer her first Grammy nomination. If only she wasn’t competing with Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You.”</p>
<p>10. Sam Hunt, “Body Like a Back Road”: Sam Hunt continues to bring swag to country music with his calm vocals and cool songwriting. “Body Like a Back Road” rode to the beat of 2017.</p>
<p>Honorable mentions: Kendrick Lamar, “Humble”; J Balvin and Willy William featuring Beyonce, “Mi Gente Remix”; Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, “Despacito”; Logic featuring Alessia Cara and Khalid, “1-800-273-8255"; Miguel featuring Travis Scott, “Sky Walker”; DJ Khaled featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller, “Wild Thoughts”; Little Big Town, “Better Man”; Maroon 5 featuring SZA, “What Lovers Do”; Niall Horan, “Too Much to Ask”; Fifth Harmony, “He Like That”; Jorja Smith, “Teenage Fantasy.”</p>
<p>Sam Hunt.</p>
| false | 2 |
new york ap top 10 songs year associated press music editor mesfin fekadu 1 sza weekend firstly samples justin timberlakes masterpiece set mood preludeuntil end time secondly sza singing vulnerable lyrics sharing man another woman women dating struggle people thirdly sza paints picture vividly crisp vocals matched smooth beat storytelling also creative realistic addictive listened monday friday weekends 2 bruno mars thats like bruno mars perfect 3 remy shether best seven minutes ive spent year listening remy mas scorching blazing punchy hardhitting diss track toward nicki minaj beat nas incomparable ether diss jayz remys rhymes remind female rappers shouldnt ones worried male peers need nervous childish gambino 4 childish gambino redbone donald glovers redbone reminiscent george clinton funky trippy groovy easily one years best tunes 5 cardi b bodak yellow money moves dont dance make money moves cardi b raps breakthrough hit proving past stripper reality tv star didnt stop becoming musics breakout star year bodak yellow addictive cardi bs funny silly likable personality shes also serious rapper made money moves 2017 heres hoping makes major grooves 2018 6 dua lipa new rules need reminder leave jerk youre dating put dua lipas new rules want learn throw ultimate slumber party watch dua lipas awesome new rules music video 7 2 chainz featuring jhene aiko ty dolla ign trey songz vibe issa vibe really vibe indeed chill headbopping one 8 bleachers dont take money jack antonoff continues show hes epic musicmaker whether producing taylor swift writing lorde sara barellies knows make perfect pop song best one crafted year one might missed dont take money bleachers project tasty upbeat tune best heard dancing club front mirror 9 kesha praying coming tumultuous time keshas life praying showcases side singer lyrically vulnerable vocally capable overall exceptional song deservingly earned pop singer first grammy nomination wasnt competing ed sheerans shape 10 sam hunt body like back road sam hunt continues bring swag country music calm vocals cool songwriting body like back road rode beat 2017 honorable mentions kendrick lamar humble j balvin willy william featuring beyonce mi gente remix luis fonsi daddy yankee despacito logic featuring alessia cara khalid 18002738255 miguel featuring travis scott sky walker dj khaled featuring rihanna bryson tiller wild thoughts little big town better man maroon 5 featuring sza lovers niall horan much ask fifth harmony like jorja smith teenage fantasy sam hunt new york ap top 10 songs year associated press music editor mesfin fekadu 1 sza weekend firstly samples justin timberlakes masterpiece set mood preludeuntil end time secondly sza singing vulnerable lyrics sharing man another woman women dating struggle people thirdly sza paints picture vividly crisp vocals matched smooth beat storytelling also creative realistic addictive listened monday friday weekends 2 bruno mars thats like bruno mars perfect 3 remy shether best seven minutes ive spent year listening remy mas scorching blazing punchy hardhitting diss track toward nicki minaj beat nas incomparable ether diss jayz remys rhymes remind female rappers shouldnt ones worried male peers need nervous childish gambino 4 childish gambino redbone donald glovers redbone reminiscent george clinton funky trippy groovy easily one years best tunes 5 cardi b bodak yellow money moves dont dance make money moves cardi b raps breakthrough hit proving past stripper reality tv star didnt stop becoming musics breakout star year bodak yellow addictive cardi bs funny silly likable personality shes also serious rapper made money moves 2017 heres hoping makes major grooves 2018 6 dua lipa new rules need reminder leave jerk youre dating put dua lipas new rules want learn throw ultimate slumber party watch dua lipas awesome new rules music video 7 2 chainz featuring jhene aiko ty dolla ign trey songz vibe issa vibe really vibe indeed chill headbopping one 8 bleachers dont take money jack antonoff continues show hes epic musicmaker whether producing taylor swift writing lorde sara barellies knows make perfect pop song best one crafted year one might missed dont take money bleachers project tasty upbeat tune best heard dancing club front mirror 9 kesha praying coming tumultuous time keshas life praying showcases side singer lyrically vulnerable vocally capable overall exceptional song deservingly earned pop singer first grammy nomination wasnt competing ed sheerans shape 10 sam hunt body like back road sam hunt continues bring swag country music calm vocals cool songwriting body like back road rode beat 2017 honorable mentions kendrick lamar humble j balvin willy william featuring beyonce mi gente remix luis fonsi daddy yankee despacito logic featuring alessia cara khalid 18002738255 miguel featuring travis scott sky walker dj khaled featuring rihanna bryson tiller wild thoughts little big town better man maroon 5 featuring sza lovers niall horan much ask fifth harmony like jorja smith teenage fantasy sam hunt
| 784 |
<p>TRIPP, S.D. (AP) - As he walks his soybean fields near Tripp, Marc Reiner thinks about his ancestors who toiled the same soil when it was still Dakota Territory.</p>
<p>"My farm has been in the family since the 1880s. I'm the fifth generation, and I'm now farming it with my dad," he said. "I've been fortunate that my ancestors, including my parents and grandparents, have been able to keep the farm in operation for the next generation."</p>
<p>But Reiner knows his livelihood - and those of farmers across the nation - depends on factors far beyond his own operation. He has served on the South Dakota Soybean Research &amp; Promotion Council, working to improve the industry for the Rushmore State.</p>
<p>Now, he's taking his knowledge and passion to the national level.</p>
<p>U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue recently appointed Reiner as a United Soybean Board (USB) director. Perdue appointed seven new members and 12 returning members as directors. They were sworn into office during the annual meeting held last month in St. Louis, the <a href="https://www.yankton.net/article_67c8324c-dc9a-11e7-afe6-87b6ecefb620.html" type="external">Yankton Daily Press &amp; Dakotan reported</a> .</p>
<p>After returning from the annual meeting, Reiner was excited to see the possibilities for soybean farmers.</p>
<p>"It was really neat to see some of the issues and questions that we worked on for our state's farmers now played out on a national level," he said. "Different areas of our country have different concerns. We're also very interested to see how the different areas of the country approach production and marketing issues."</p>
<p>Whereas Reiner is a new USB director, Mike Korth of Randolph, Nebraska, is returning to the board. Directors can serve three 3-year terms.</p>
<p>"I truly appreciate the time and expertise that these individuals have agreed to provide, and know U.S. soybean producers will be well served by these men and women," Perdue said in a news release.</p>
<p>The USB is composed of 73 members representing 29 states and Eastern and Western regions. To become a member, the person must be a soybean producer and be nominated by a qualified state soybean board.</p>
<p>For Reiner, the timing was right for taking a national leadership position.</p>
<p>"I just finished my final term on the state soybean board of directors. I served as chair of the state board for three years and served with some great people," he said.</p>
<p>"I had the opportunities this year to be nominated by some fellow South Dakota soybean farmers. I put together my application, and we submitted it. I was fortunate to get selected for the United Soybean Board."</p>
<p>Under the USB regulations, the 73 directors work on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers to achieve maximum value for their soy checkoff investments. The checkoff program collects funds from farmers of a particular agricultural commodity - in this case, soybeans - for promotion and research of that commodity.</p>
<p>Under federal law, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service holds oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.</p>
<p>The soybean checkoff dollars give producers the ability to help chart their industry's future, Reiner said.</p>
<p>"Soybeans producers are using their own dollars," he said. "It's a wonderful opportunity for farmers to pool their dollars and lead the discussion on what they want to do."</p>
<p>The USB directors steer clear of national politics, Reiner said.</p>
<p>"We discuss what we can do for research, market development and trade," he said. "We also work on what we can do for communication and education."</p>
<p>Reiner isn't a stranger to the soybean industry and promoting it at home and abroad. He has traveled to China and Europe as part of agricultural groups. Those trips provided valuable contacts and information on biotechnology, sustainability and trade, he said.</p>
<p>Foreign trade represents a crucial market that could grow much larger, Reiner said.</p>
<p>"Nationally, we export 40 percent of our beans. The figure is even bigger for South Dakota - something like 60 percent," he said. "If you look at the markets right now, China is the big one for exports. They're a huge market."</p>
<p>China is a rapidly-growing nation, with an estimated 1.4 billion people out of the global population of 7.5 billion. In addition, Chinese consumers are demanding more and better food.</p>
<p>"China raises a lot of soybeans, but all of those soybeans are for themselves," Reiner said. "Most of their imported beans come from the United States. They use it for livestock diets - areas like pork production, poultry processing and aquaculture."</p>
<p>Reiner pointed to changing Chinese nutritional needs as fueling the demand.</p>
<p>"They're moving from the lower class to the middle class, and they're improving their diet," he said. "They want more protein. They want fish, poultry and pork. They want more animal production, and our soybean meal is going over to feed their folks."</p>
<p>The U.S. also holds agreements with major trade partners such as Mexico, Canada, Japan and South Korea, he said.</p>
<p>At home, American agriculture seeks to improve the beans' quality, Reiner said. Researchers are studying genetics, including the amino acid profile and the protein and oil levels, he said. The research also looks at fertilization and other farming practices.</p>
<p>Reiner has seen the benefits of research through his work with the South Dakota soybean council. The state board has committed research funds to South Dakota State University in Brookings. The researchers are working more with genetics and production practices on entire fields rather than the past use of small plots, he said.</p>
<p>"SDSU has been a great partner to work with, and we try to use our checkoff dollars as a tool for work in those fields," he said.</p>
<p>Besides improving their commodities, American producers are looking at ways of better moving and marketing their crops, Reiner said.</p>
<p>"What does it cost us to take beans in the central part of the U.S. and transport them to the Gulf Coast or Pacific Northwest?" he asked. "It comes down to keeping our transportation costs low. A lot of it has to do with the rail system and our locks and dams (on waterways)."</p>
<p>When it comes to exports, the U.S. also sends nutritionists overseas to help nations improve their diets, Reiner said. Commodity groups aren't the only ones marketing to foreign nations, as promotions are also made for American livestock and meat exports.</p>
<p>In addition, marketing efforts are targeted toward U.S. consumers, Reiner said. Exports play an important role, but producers aren't neglecting the domestic customer, he said.</p>
<p>"With the checkoff, we're working with educational efforts," he said. "The markets are always changing. We can't just take for granted that people are informed on what we're doing (in agriculture) and what we offer them."</p>
<p>In turn, farmers are learning the changing needs and preferences of consumers, grocery stores and other outlets, Reiner said. Consumers are looking at nutrition, taste, ease of preparation, cost and food safety.</p>
<p>"Those are all really important qualities to us," he said. "We raise products that are wholesome, good tasting and reasonably priced. It's all part of our obligation to the folks that we serve."</p>
<p>But agriculture isn't all about the bottom line, Reiner said. Producers are practicing sustainability as good stewards of the land, water and air, he said.</p>
<p>"We're continuously trying to do things more efficiently," he said. "We can be progressive by adapting new technology. We can raise more with less, thanks to the wonders of science."</p>
<p>As a result, Reiner sees great potential for value-added agriculture. In turn, smaller communities and surrounding rural areas can create more jobs and income.</p>
<p>As USB director, Reiner also sees tremendous learning opportunities.</p>
<p>"I learn so much talking to the people in the field. It's really rewarding, and I gain a deeper understanding of agriculture, particularly soybeans," he said. "It's really enjoyable to know I'm going to work on something that represents farmers in South Dakota and across the nation."</p>
<p>And much as his ancestors handed down the family farm, Reiner wants his current work at the state and national levels to create a legacy for his descendants.</p>
<p>"One of the most important things to me is making sure my children, if they so choose, have the chance to operate the family farm," he said.</p>
<p>"In that way, I want them to enjoy the same things that were open for me to enjoy."</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Information from: Yankton Press and Dakotan, <a href="http://www.yankton.net/" type="external">http://www.yankton.net/</a></p>
<p>TRIPP, S.D. (AP) - As he walks his soybean fields near Tripp, Marc Reiner thinks about his ancestors who toiled the same soil when it was still Dakota Territory.</p>
<p>"My farm has been in the family since the 1880s. I'm the fifth generation, and I'm now farming it with my dad," he said. "I've been fortunate that my ancestors, including my parents and grandparents, have been able to keep the farm in operation for the next generation."</p>
<p>But Reiner knows his livelihood - and those of farmers across the nation - depends on factors far beyond his own operation. He has served on the South Dakota Soybean Research &amp; Promotion Council, working to improve the industry for the Rushmore State.</p>
<p>Now, he's taking his knowledge and passion to the national level.</p>
<p>U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue recently appointed Reiner as a United Soybean Board (USB) director. Perdue appointed seven new members and 12 returning members as directors. They were sworn into office during the annual meeting held last month in St. Louis, the <a href="https://www.yankton.net/article_67c8324c-dc9a-11e7-afe6-87b6ecefb620.html" type="external">Yankton Daily Press &amp; Dakotan reported</a> .</p>
<p>After returning from the annual meeting, Reiner was excited to see the possibilities for soybean farmers.</p>
<p>"It was really neat to see some of the issues and questions that we worked on for our state's farmers now played out on a national level," he said. "Different areas of our country have different concerns. We're also very interested to see how the different areas of the country approach production and marketing issues."</p>
<p>Whereas Reiner is a new USB director, Mike Korth of Randolph, Nebraska, is returning to the board. Directors can serve three 3-year terms.</p>
<p>"I truly appreciate the time and expertise that these individuals have agreed to provide, and know U.S. soybean producers will be well served by these men and women," Perdue said in a news release.</p>
<p>The USB is composed of 73 members representing 29 states and Eastern and Western regions. To become a member, the person must be a soybean producer and be nominated by a qualified state soybean board.</p>
<p>For Reiner, the timing was right for taking a national leadership position.</p>
<p>"I just finished my final term on the state soybean board of directors. I served as chair of the state board for three years and served with some great people," he said.</p>
<p>"I had the opportunities this year to be nominated by some fellow South Dakota soybean farmers. I put together my application, and we submitted it. I was fortunate to get selected for the United Soybean Board."</p>
<p>Under the USB regulations, the 73 directors work on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers to achieve maximum value for their soy checkoff investments. The checkoff program collects funds from farmers of a particular agricultural commodity - in this case, soybeans - for promotion and research of that commodity.</p>
<p>Under federal law, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service holds oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.</p>
<p>The soybean checkoff dollars give producers the ability to help chart their industry's future, Reiner said.</p>
<p>"Soybeans producers are using their own dollars," he said. "It's a wonderful opportunity for farmers to pool their dollars and lead the discussion on what they want to do."</p>
<p>The USB directors steer clear of national politics, Reiner said.</p>
<p>"We discuss what we can do for research, market development and trade," he said. "We also work on what we can do for communication and education."</p>
<p>Reiner isn't a stranger to the soybean industry and promoting it at home and abroad. He has traveled to China and Europe as part of agricultural groups. Those trips provided valuable contacts and information on biotechnology, sustainability and trade, he said.</p>
<p>Foreign trade represents a crucial market that could grow much larger, Reiner said.</p>
<p>"Nationally, we export 40 percent of our beans. The figure is even bigger for South Dakota - something like 60 percent," he said. "If you look at the markets right now, China is the big one for exports. They're a huge market."</p>
<p>China is a rapidly-growing nation, with an estimated 1.4 billion people out of the global population of 7.5 billion. In addition, Chinese consumers are demanding more and better food.</p>
<p>"China raises a lot of soybeans, but all of those soybeans are for themselves," Reiner said. "Most of their imported beans come from the United States. They use it for livestock diets - areas like pork production, poultry processing and aquaculture."</p>
<p>Reiner pointed to changing Chinese nutritional needs as fueling the demand.</p>
<p>"They're moving from the lower class to the middle class, and they're improving their diet," he said. "They want more protein. They want fish, poultry and pork. They want more animal production, and our soybean meal is going over to feed their folks."</p>
<p>The U.S. also holds agreements with major trade partners such as Mexico, Canada, Japan and South Korea, he said.</p>
<p>At home, American agriculture seeks to improve the beans' quality, Reiner said. Researchers are studying genetics, including the amino acid profile and the protein and oil levels, he said. The research also looks at fertilization and other farming practices.</p>
<p>Reiner has seen the benefits of research through his work with the South Dakota soybean council. The state board has committed research funds to South Dakota State University in Brookings. The researchers are working more with genetics and production practices on entire fields rather than the past use of small plots, he said.</p>
<p>"SDSU has been a great partner to work with, and we try to use our checkoff dollars as a tool for work in those fields," he said.</p>
<p>Besides improving their commodities, American producers are looking at ways of better moving and marketing their crops, Reiner said.</p>
<p>"What does it cost us to take beans in the central part of the U.S. and transport them to the Gulf Coast or Pacific Northwest?" he asked. "It comes down to keeping our transportation costs low. A lot of it has to do with the rail system and our locks and dams (on waterways)."</p>
<p>When it comes to exports, the U.S. also sends nutritionists overseas to help nations improve their diets, Reiner said. Commodity groups aren't the only ones marketing to foreign nations, as promotions are also made for American livestock and meat exports.</p>
<p>In addition, marketing efforts are targeted toward U.S. consumers, Reiner said. Exports play an important role, but producers aren't neglecting the domestic customer, he said.</p>
<p>"With the checkoff, we're working with educational efforts," he said. "The markets are always changing. We can't just take for granted that people are informed on what we're doing (in agriculture) and what we offer them."</p>
<p>In turn, farmers are learning the changing needs and preferences of consumers, grocery stores and other outlets, Reiner said. Consumers are looking at nutrition, taste, ease of preparation, cost and food safety.</p>
<p>"Those are all really important qualities to us," he said. "We raise products that are wholesome, good tasting and reasonably priced. It's all part of our obligation to the folks that we serve."</p>
<p>But agriculture isn't all about the bottom line, Reiner said. Producers are practicing sustainability as good stewards of the land, water and air, he said.</p>
<p>"We're continuously trying to do things more efficiently," he said. "We can be progressive by adapting new technology. We can raise more with less, thanks to the wonders of science."</p>
<p>As a result, Reiner sees great potential for value-added agriculture. In turn, smaller communities and surrounding rural areas can create more jobs and income.</p>
<p>As USB director, Reiner also sees tremendous learning opportunities.</p>
<p>"I learn so much talking to the people in the field. It's really rewarding, and I gain a deeper understanding of agriculture, particularly soybeans," he said. "It's really enjoyable to know I'm going to work on something that represents farmers in South Dakota and across the nation."</p>
<p>And much as his ancestors handed down the family farm, Reiner wants his current work at the state and national levels to create a legacy for his descendants.</p>
<p>"One of the most important things to me is making sure my children, if they so choose, have the chance to operate the family farm," he said.</p>
<p>"In that way, I want them to enjoy the same things that were open for me to enjoy."</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Information from: Yankton Press and Dakotan, <a href="http://www.yankton.net/" type="external">http://www.yankton.net/</a></p>
| false | 2 |
tripp sd ap walks soybean fields near tripp marc reiner thinks ancestors toiled soil still dakota territory farm family since 1880s im fifth generation im farming dad said ive fortunate ancestors including parents grandparents able keep farm operation next generation reiner knows livelihood farmers across nation depends factors far beyond operation served south dakota soybean research amp promotion council working improve industry rushmore state hes taking knowledge passion national level us agriculture secretary sonny perdue recently appointed reiner united soybean board usb director perdue appointed seven new members 12 returning members directors sworn office annual meeting held last month st louis yankton daily press amp dakotan reported returning annual meeting reiner excited see possibilities soybean farmers really neat see issues questions worked states farmers played national level said different areas country different concerns also interested see different areas country approach production marketing issues whereas reiner new usb director mike korth randolph nebraska returning board directors serve three 3year terms truly appreciate time expertise individuals agreed provide know us soybean producers well served men women perdue said news release usb composed 73 members representing 29 states eastern western regions become member person must soybean producer nominated qualified state soybean board reiner timing right taking national leadership position finished final term state soybean board directors served chair state board three years served great people said opportunities year nominated fellow south dakota soybean farmers put together application submitted fortunate get selected united soybean board usb regulations 73 directors work behalf us soybean farmers achieve maximum value soy checkoff investments checkoff program collects funds farmers particular agricultural commodity case soybeans promotion research commodity federal law us department agriculture usda agricultural marketing service holds oversight responsibilities usb soy checkoff soybean checkoff dollars give producers ability help chart industrys future reiner said soybeans producers using dollars said wonderful opportunity farmers pool dollars lead discussion want usb directors steer clear national politics reiner said discuss research market development trade said also work communication education reiner isnt stranger soybean industry promoting home abroad traveled china europe part agricultural groups trips provided valuable contacts information biotechnology sustainability trade said foreign trade represents crucial market could grow much larger reiner said nationally export 40 percent beans figure even bigger south dakota something like 60 percent said look markets right china big one exports theyre huge market china rapidlygrowing nation estimated 14 billion people global population 75 billion addition chinese consumers demanding better food china raises lot soybeans soybeans reiner said imported beans come united states use livestock diets areas like pork production poultry processing aquaculture reiner pointed changing chinese nutritional needs fueling demand theyre moving lower class middle class theyre improving diet said want protein want fish poultry pork want animal production soybean meal going feed folks us also holds agreements major trade partners mexico canada japan south korea said home american agriculture seeks improve beans quality reiner said researchers studying genetics including amino acid profile protein oil levels said research also looks fertilization farming practices reiner seen benefits research work south dakota soybean council state board committed research funds south dakota state university brookings researchers working genetics production practices entire fields rather past use small plots said sdsu great partner work try use checkoff dollars tool work fields said besides improving commodities american producers looking ways better moving marketing crops reiner said cost us take beans central part us transport gulf coast pacific northwest asked comes keeping transportation costs low lot rail system locks dams waterways comes exports us also sends nutritionists overseas help nations improve diets reiner said commodity groups arent ones marketing foreign nations promotions also made american livestock meat exports addition marketing efforts targeted toward us consumers reiner said exports play important role producers arent neglecting domestic customer said checkoff working educational efforts said markets always changing cant take granted people informed agriculture offer turn farmers learning changing needs preferences consumers grocery stores outlets reiner said consumers looking nutrition taste ease preparation cost food safety really important qualities us said raise products wholesome good tasting reasonably priced part obligation folks serve agriculture isnt bottom line reiner said producers practicing sustainability good stewards land water air said continuously trying things efficiently said progressive adapting new technology raise less thanks wonders science result reiner sees great potential valueadded agriculture turn smaller communities surrounding rural areas create jobs income usb director reiner also sees tremendous learning opportunities learn much talking people field really rewarding gain deeper understanding agriculture particularly soybeans said really enjoyable know im going work something represents farmers south dakota across nation much ancestors handed family farm reiner wants current work state national levels create legacy descendants one important things making sure children choose chance operate family farm said way want enjoy things open enjoy ___ information yankton press dakotan httpwwwyanktonnet tripp sd ap walks soybean fields near tripp marc reiner thinks ancestors toiled soil still dakota territory farm family since 1880s im fifth generation im farming dad said ive fortunate ancestors including parents grandparents able keep farm operation next generation reiner knows livelihood farmers across nation depends factors far beyond operation served south dakota soybean research amp promotion council working improve industry rushmore state hes taking knowledge passion national level us agriculture secretary sonny perdue recently appointed reiner united soybean board usb director perdue appointed seven new members 12 returning members directors sworn office annual meeting held last month st louis yankton daily press amp dakotan reported returning annual meeting reiner excited see possibilities soybean farmers really neat see issues questions worked states farmers played national level said different areas country different concerns also interested see different areas country approach production marketing issues whereas reiner new usb director mike korth randolph nebraska returning board directors serve three 3year terms truly appreciate time expertise individuals agreed provide know us soybean producers well served men women perdue said news release usb composed 73 members representing 29 states eastern western regions become member person must soybean producer nominated qualified state soybean board reiner timing right taking national leadership position finished final term state soybean board directors served chair state board three years served great people said opportunities year nominated fellow south dakota soybean farmers put together application submitted fortunate get selected united soybean board usb regulations 73 directors work behalf us soybean farmers achieve maximum value soy checkoff investments checkoff program collects funds farmers particular agricultural commodity case soybeans promotion research commodity federal law us department agriculture usda agricultural marketing service holds oversight responsibilities usb soy checkoff soybean checkoff dollars give producers ability help chart industrys future reiner said soybeans producers using dollars said wonderful opportunity farmers pool dollars lead discussion want usb directors steer clear national politics reiner said discuss research market development trade said also work communication education reiner isnt stranger soybean industry promoting home abroad traveled china europe part agricultural groups trips provided valuable contacts information biotechnology sustainability trade said foreign trade represents crucial market could grow much larger reiner said nationally export 40 percent beans figure even bigger south dakota something like 60 percent said look markets right china big one exports theyre huge market china rapidlygrowing nation estimated 14 billion people global population 75 billion addition chinese consumers demanding better food china raises lot soybeans soybeans reiner said imported beans come united states use livestock diets areas like pork production poultry processing aquaculture reiner pointed changing chinese nutritional needs fueling demand theyre moving lower class middle class theyre improving diet said want protein want fish poultry pork want animal production soybean meal going feed folks us also holds agreements major trade partners mexico canada japan south korea said home american agriculture seeks improve beans quality reiner said researchers studying genetics including amino acid profile protein oil levels said research also looks fertilization farming practices reiner seen benefits research work south dakota soybean council state board committed research funds south dakota state university brookings researchers working genetics production practices entire fields rather past use small plots said sdsu great partner work try use checkoff dollars tool work fields said besides improving commodities american producers looking ways better moving marketing crops reiner said cost us take beans central part us transport gulf coast pacific northwest asked comes keeping transportation costs low lot rail system locks dams waterways comes exports us also sends nutritionists overseas help nations improve diets reiner said commodity groups arent ones marketing foreign nations promotions also made american livestock meat exports addition marketing efforts targeted toward us consumers reiner said exports play important role producers arent neglecting domestic customer said checkoff working educational efforts said markets always changing cant take granted people informed agriculture offer turn farmers learning changing needs preferences consumers grocery stores outlets reiner said consumers looking nutrition taste ease preparation cost food safety really important qualities us said raise products wholesome good tasting reasonably priced part obligation folks serve agriculture isnt bottom line reiner said producers practicing sustainability good stewards land water air said continuously trying things efficiently said progressive adapting new technology raise less thanks wonders science result reiner sees great potential valueadded agriculture turn smaller communities surrounding rural areas create jobs income usb director reiner also sees tremendous learning opportunities learn much talking people field really rewarding gain deeper understanding agriculture particularly soybeans said really enjoyable know im going work something represents farmers south dakota across nation much ancestors handed family farm reiner wants current work state national levels create legacy descendants one important things making sure children choose chance operate family farm said way want enjoy things open enjoy ___ information yankton press dakotan httpwwwyanktonnet
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<p>It’s not what he may have imagined as he drove the 1,000 miles between Parkston, S.D., and Tucson. It’s not Alabama football. It’s not Duke basketball.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>But for Joe Behrend, KNML-610 AM’s play-by-play announcer for UNM women’s basketball, it is where he is supposed to be. That’s the way he looks at it.</p>
<p>He’s let go of the ego of a young University of Arizona broadcasting major. He’s sold advertising and office equipment, all while trying to maintain a life in broadcasting.</p>
<p>And in the process, he learned what he really needed.</p>
<p>“I’ve seen some old pros kind of put out to pasture,” says Behrend, 53. “I’ve seen a good friend of mine, (the Journal’s) Mike Hall, pass away doing what he loved to do.”</p>
<p>So now, when he speaks of his life in a voice deep but measured, he does so with a perspective he did not have even 10 years ago.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>The early days</p>
<p>While still in high school in southeastern South Dakota, Behrend’s deep voice was first noticed as he did the readings at Mass. It was pointed out that he had an uncle in the radio business, and since he had no idea what he wanted out of life, he took his voice to Brown Institute, a vocational school in Minneapolis, and studied broadcasting.</p>
<p>His first job was working graveyard at an automated radio station, but making sure music reels were cued up in the middle of the night grew tiresome after a year.</p>
<p>After a brief stint at South Dakota State (and much to his parents’ chagrin), he dropped out and took his first play-by-play job, calling games for Oregon Tech.</p>
<p>After a couple of years at that, he was on the move again.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>“I decided to go back to college with the intention of getting my degree, and not just being there,” Behrend says. “So being a warm-weather guy, I applied at the University of Arizona and the University of Texas.”</p>
<p>Arizona accepted him.</p>
<p>“It was overwhelming,” Behrend says of his first three days on campus. “The town I grew up in was 1,500 people, and the campus at U of A was about 35,000 coeds.”</p>
<p>In one broadcasting class, the professor told his 40 students that only 25 percent of them would be in broadcasting a year or two after graduating.</p>
<p>“I’m going to be one of those 25 percent,” Behrend remembers thinking.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>But he wasn’t.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, his parents had moved to Phoenix, and he crashed at their place, sending out resumes with no results, until his father told him: “Joe, you can’t be here anymore.”</p>
<p>It was on his drives between South Dakota and Arizona that Behrend encountered Albuquerque.</p>
<p>“The first time I came through here was in 1983,” he says. “There was something about Albuquerque. I sensed this is where I was supposed to be.”</p>
<p>It was while tuning his radio in Arizona that he discovered KKOB-AM’s signal and the tones of Mike Roberts. So, after his father’s edict, he decided to test his notion about Albuquerque and called Roberts. He secured a gig as spotter for Lobo football games.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>“I learned a lot in the booth, just watching,” Behrend says of his time with Roberts that 1989 season. “I have a lot of respect for him.”</p>
<p>Meanwhile, former Lobo Randy Rich (briefly Roberts’ color commentator) became involved in KLYT AM and hired Behrend to call high school games, which he did for 10 years.</p>
<p>“At a certain point, after you’ve called enough games,” he says, “you question why it is you do what you do.”</p>
<p>He decided he did it because it was a way of contributing to a community he loved.</p>
<p>“After a while, the ego goes out the door,” Behrend says.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>By the time he took over the UNM women’s basketball broadcasts in 2003, he had established his own business as a personal fitness trainer and a buyer and seller of fitness equipment.</p>
<p>It allows him the freedom for his labor of love. And he takes this labor seriously. He air-checks his broadcasts and takes notes.</p>
<p>“I try to listen as a listener would,” he says. “Who’s ahead? Are you being descriptive with what you’re saying? Are you repeating yourself?”</p>
<p>During a recent game at UTEP, at a point when the Miners had attempted 25 free throws and UNM had not attempted one, Behrend said the Lobos were being served Tex-Mex. Everyone in New Mexico knows Tex-Mex is not real chile. Every Lobo fan understood he was saying UNM was being hometowned.</p>
<p>“I try not to get too much into the criticism of officials,” Behrend says. “But I felt in that game, in order to be honest about what was happening, that was a way to describe it.”</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Behrend’s voice will betray the score. It’s brimmed with excitement when the Lobos are doing well. It dips when the Lobos are crumbling.</p>
<p>“That’s the objective,” he says. “That’s the objective.”</p>
<p>At the end of an excruciating, buzzer-beating loss to Utah in 2011, he moaned, “Oh, God.”</p>
<p>Yes, Behrend uses “we” when talking about the Lobos, something that causes some to bristle. But, more than anything, he hopes he is honest.</p>
<p>“If a player is outhustled, or if we have 10 turnovers in the first 10 minutes, things need to be said,” Behrend says. “Hopefully, without being derogatory, but just being factual.”</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>He loves the preparation, believing he owes it to his audience. He is not the “Voice of the Lobos,” he says. The fans are.</p>
<p>“It’s not what I think is going to happen,” he says. “It’s ‘this is happening.’ It’s not what I think could happen. It’s what is actually happening.”</p>
<p>What’s happened to the kid from South Dakota is that he’s grown older, grown content. When the game is done, he says, the game is done. He’s got an 11-year-old daughter who is becoming a pretty good tennis player. He’s getting married in May.</p>
<p>“I’ve become more balanced in life,” Behrend says.</p>
<p>He’s gotten other broadcasting offers, but so far has passed.</p>
<p>“I love Albuquerque,” Behrend says. “I love New Mexico. I feel this is where I’m supposed to be.” — This article appeared on page D1 of the Albuquerque Journal</p>
| false | 2 |
may imagined drove 1000 miles parkston sd tucson alabama football duke basketball advertisement joe behrend knml610 ams playbyplay announcer unm womens basketball supposed thats way looks hes let go ego young university arizona broadcasting major hes sold advertising office equipment trying maintain life broadcasting process learned really needed ive seen old pros kind put pasture says behrend 53 ive seen good friend mine journals mike hall pass away loved speaks life voice deep measured perspective even 10 years ago advertisement early days still high school southeastern south dakota behrends deep voice first noticed readings mass pointed uncle radio business since idea wanted life took voice brown institute vocational school minneapolis studied broadcasting first job working graveyard automated radio station making sure music reels cued middle night grew tiresome year brief stint south dakota state much parents chagrin dropped took first playbyplay job calling games oregon tech couple years move advertisement decided go back college intention getting degree behrend says warmweather guy applied university arizona university texas arizona accepted overwhelming behrend says first three days campus town grew 1500 people campus u 35000 coeds one broadcasting class professor told 40 students 25 percent would broadcasting year two graduating im going one 25 percent behrend remembers thinking advertisement wasnt meanwhile parents moved phoenix crashed place sending resumes results father told joe cant anymore drives south dakota arizona behrend encountered albuquerque first time came 1983 says something albuquerque sensed supposed tuning radio arizona discovered kkobams signal tones mike roberts fathers edict decided test notion albuquerque called roberts secured gig spotter lobo football games advertisement learned lot booth watching behrend says time roberts 1989 season lot respect meanwhile former lobo randy rich briefly roberts color commentator became involved klyt hired behrend call high school games 10 years certain point youve called enough games says question decided way contributing community loved ego goes door behrend says advertisement time took unm womens basketball broadcasts 2003 established business personal fitness trainer buyer seller fitness equipment allows freedom labor love takes labor seriously airchecks broadcasts takes notes try listen listener would says whos ahead descriptive youre saying repeating recent game utep point miners attempted 25 free throws unm attempted one behrend said lobos served texmex everyone new mexico knows texmex real chile every lobo fan understood saying unm hometowned try get much criticism officials behrend says felt game order honest happening way describe advertisement behrends voice betray score brimmed excitement lobos well dips lobos crumbling thats objective says thats objective end excruciating buzzerbeating loss utah 2011 moaned oh god yes behrend uses talking lobos something causes bristle anything hopes honest player outhustled 10 turnovers first 10 minutes things need said behrend says hopefully without derogatory factual advertisement loves preparation believing owes audience voice lobos says fans think going happen says happening think could happen actually happening whats happened kid south dakota hes grown older grown content game done says game done hes got 11yearold daughter becoming pretty good tennis player hes getting married may ive become balanced life behrend says hes gotten broadcasting offers far passed love albuquerque behrend says love new mexico feel im supposed article appeared page d1 albuquerque journal
| 524 |
<p>MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — While baseball’s offseason crawls along waiting for a logjam of free agents to clear, Minnesota Twins chief baseball officer Derek Falvey remains fluid in trying to improve the team’s pitching staff.</p>
<p>Waiting out decisions by the top starters on the market, Falvey turned his sights to the bullpen, where Minnesota was tied for 20th in the majors in relief ERA (4.40) last season while making its surprise run to the American League wild-card game.</p>
<p>As one of the more active teams in free agency, the Twins signed three relievers for a total of $23.4 million guaranteed in closer Fernando Rodney, left-hander Zach Duke and right-hander Addison Reed over the past month.</p>
<p>“You don’t know, really, where things are going to go sometimes,” Falvey said Friday as Minnesota began its annual fan festival at Target Field, with Rodney and Duke in attendance. “So, the way we looked at it was, let’s find a way to augment our pitching. Ultimately, that could come in the starting rotation, that could come in the bullpen, but we knew we could upgrade.”</p>
<p>Minnesota made Rodney its closer in mid-December with a $4.5 million, one-year contract that includes a $4.25 million team option for 2019. Just 10 days later, Duke agreed to a one-year deal worth $2.15 million. This week, Reed became the third and most-expensive piece on a $16.75 million, two-year contract.</p>
<p>“Rodney’s done it for a long time,” Duke said. “Addison Reed, he’s another one. When he’s locked in, he’s as good as they come. That cutter-slider combo he throws is tough.</p>
<p>“I think the opportunity right now is there for us to really match up well and lock down some games. That’s the key for us. Get the ball to the closer. Make sure that the score stays the same, so that the closer can do his job.”</p>
<p>Twins manager Paul Molitor has a bullpen filled with experience after a season in which he mixed and matched veteran Matt Belisle — who is a free agent — with 26-year-olds in Taylor Rogers, Trevor Hildenberger, Alan Busenitz and Tyler Duffey.</p>
<p>“It definitely changes the dynamic of how we can go about our business,” Molitor said. “People talk a lot about winning the games you’re supposed to win, and hopefully at a very high percentage. I think a lot of teams and the movement in the market this winter all attest to the fact that people are trying to protect games that are going your way.”</p>
<p>Even after signing Reed, who has 125 saves in seven major league seasons, Rodney will be the closer to start his 16th season. Rodney, who turns 41 on March 18, had 39 saves in 45 chances last season for Arizona.</p>
<p>Rodney found what he was looking for in Minnesota, particularly the chance to keep closing.</p>
<p>“Come to Minnesota, they say they’re looking for a closer, a guy who can help the bullpen in the ninth inning,” he said.</p>
<p>Falvey said he’s still hoping to sign a starter and he sees “between five and 10 starting pitchers out there maybe that could still impact us.”</p>
<p>The Twins are investing in pitching, with the support of owner Jim Pohlad. Falvey said he doesn’t see any salary limitations if he was to approach Pohlad with a possible deal.</p>
<p>“It’s definitely continuing and even more so because when they come with that recommendation, it’s so much more of a deep recommendation because of the additions that they’ve made to their staff,” Pohlad said of his continued commitment.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>More AP baseball: <a href="" type="internal" /> <a href="" type="internal">https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball</a></p>
<p>MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — While baseball’s offseason crawls along waiting for a logjam of free agents to clear, Minnesota Twins chief baseball officer Derek Falvey remains fluid in trying to improve the team’s pitching staff.</p>
<p>Waiting out decisions by the top starters on the market, Falvey turned his sights to the bullpen, where Minnesota was tied for 20th in the majors in relief ERA (4.40) last season while making its surprise run to the American League wild-card game.</p>
<p>As one of the more active teams in free agency, the Twins signed three relievers for a total of $23.4 million guaranteed in closer Fernando Rodney, left-hander Zach Duke and right-hander Addison Reed over the past month.</p>
<p>“You don’t know, really, where things are going to go sometimes,” Falvey said Friday as Minnesota began its annual fan festival at Target Field, with Rodney and Duke in attendance. “So, the way we looked at it was, let’s find a way to augment our pitching. Ultimately, that could come in the starting rotation, that could come in the bullpen, but we knew we could upgrade.”</p>
<p>Minnesota made Rodney its closer in mid-December with a $4.5 million, one-year contract that includes a $4.25 million team option for 2019. Just 10 days later, Duke agreed to a one-year deal worth $2.15 million. This week, Reed became the third and most-expensive piece on a $16.75 million, two-year contract.</p>
<p>“Rodney’s done it for a long time,” Duke said. “Addison Reed, he’s another one. When he’s locked in, he’s as good as they come. That cutter-slider combo he throws is tough.</p>
<p>“I think the opportunity right now is there for us to really match up well and lock down some games. That’s the key for us. Get the ball to the closer. Make sure that the score stays the same, so that the closer can do his job.”</p>
<p>Twins manager Paul Molitor has a bullpen filled with experience after a season in which he mixed and matched veteran Matt Belisle — who is a free agent — with 26-year-olds in Taylor Rogers, Trevor Hildenberger, Alan Busenitz and Tyler Duffey.</p>
<p>“It definitely changes the dynamic of how we can go about our business,” Molitor said. “People talk a lot about winning the games you’re supposed to win, and hopefully at a very high percentage. I think a lot of teams and the movement in the market this winter all attest to the fact that people are trying to protect games that are going your way.”</p>
<p>Even after signing Reed, who has 125 saves in seven major league seasons, Rodney will be the closer to start his 16th season. Rodney, who turns 41 on March 18, had 39 saves in 45 chances last season for Arizona.</p>
<p>Rodney found what he was looking for in Minnesota, particularly the chance to keep closing.</p>
<p>“Come to Minnesota, they say they’re looking for a closer, a guy who can help the bullpen in the ninth inning,” he said.</p>
<p>Falvey said he’s still hoping to sign a starter and he sees “between five and 10 starting pitchers out there maybe that could still impact us.”</p>
<p>The Twins are investing in pitching, with the support of owner Jim Pohlad. Falvey said he doesn’t see any salary limitations if he was to approach Pohlad with a possible deal.</p>
<p>“It’s definitely continuing and even more so because when they come with that recommendation, it’s so much more of a deep recommendation because of the additions that they’ve made to their staff,” Pohlad said of his continued commitment.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>More AP baseball: <a href="" type="internal" /> <a href="" type="internal">https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball</a></p>
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minneapolis ap baseballs offseason crawls along waiting logjam free agents clear minnesota twins chief baseball officer derek falvey remains fluid trying improve teams pitching staff waiting decisions top starters market falvey turned sights bullpen minnesota tied 20th majors relief era 440 last season making surprise run american league wildcard game one active teams free agency twins signed three relievers total 234 million guaranteed closer fernando rodney lefthander zach duke righthander addison reed past month dont know really things going go sometimes falvey said friday minnesota began annual fan festival target field rodney duke attendance way looked lets find way augment pitching ultimately could come starting rotation could come bullpen knew could upgrade minnesota made rodney closer middecember 45 million oneyear contract includes 425 million team option 2019 10 days later duke agreed oneyear deal worth 215 million week reed became third mostexpensive piece 1675 million twoyear contract rodneys done long time duke said addison reed hes another one hes locked hes good come cutterslider combo throws tough think opportunity right us really match well lock games thats key us get ball closer make sure score stays closer job twins manager paul molitor bullpen filled experience season mixed matched veteran matt belisle free agent 26yearolds taylor rogers trevor hildenberger alan busenitz tyler duffey definitely changes dynamic go business molitor said people talk lot winning games youre supposed win hopefully high percentage think lot teams movement market winter attest fact people trying protect games going way even signing reed 125 saves seven major league seasons rodney closer start 16th season rodney turns 41 march 18 39 saves 45 chances last season arizona rodney found looking minnesota particularly chance keep closing come minnesota say theyre looking closer guy help bullpen ninth inning said falvey said hes still hoping sign starter sees five 10 starting pitchers maybe could still impact us twins investing pitching support owner jim pohlad falvey said doesnt see salary limitations approach pohlad possible deal definitely continuing even come recommendation much deep recommendation additions theyve made staff pohlad said continued commitment ___ ap baseball httpsapnewscomtagmlbbaseball minneapolis ap baseballs offseason crawls along waiting logjam free agents clear minnesota twins chief baseball officer derek falvey remains fluid trying improve teams pitching staff waiting decisions top starters market falvey turned sights bullpen minnesota tied 20th majors relief era 440 last season making surprise run american league wildcard game one active teams free agency twins signed three relievers total 234 million guaranteed closer fernando rodney lefthander zach duke righthander addison reed past month dont know really things going go sometimes falvey said friday minnesota began annual fan festival target field rodney duke attendance way looked lets find way augment pitching ultimately could come starting rotation could come bullpen knew could upgrade minnesota made rodney closer middecember 45 million oneyear contract includes 425 million team option 2019 10 days later duke agreed oneyear deal worth 215 million week reed became third mostexpensive piece 1675 million twoyear contract rodneys done long time duke said addison reed hes another one hes locked hes good come cutterslider combo throws tough think opportunity right us really match well lock games thats key us get ball closer make sure score stays closer job twins manager paul molitor bullpen filled experience season mixed matched veteran matt belisle free agent 26yearolds taylor rogers trevor hildenberger alan busenitz tyler duffey definitely changes dynamic go business molitor said people talk lot winning games youre supposed win hopefully high percentage think lot teams movement market winter attest fact people trying protect games going way even signing reed 125 saves seven major league seasons rodney closer start 16th season rodney turns 41 march 18 39 saves 45 chances last season arizona rodney found looking minnesota particularly chance keep closing come minnesota say theyre looking closer guy help bullpen ninth inning said falvey said hes still hoping sign starter sees five 10 starting pitchers maybe could still impact us twins investing pitching support owner jim pohlad falvey said doesnt see salary limitations approach pohlad possible deal definitely continuing even come recommendation much deep recommendation additions theyve made staff pohlad said continued commitment ___ ap baseball httpsapnewscomtagmlbbaseball
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<p />
<p>But in recent years, the annual tech show, held earlier this month, has had a palpable sense of anxiety as much as excitement.</p>
<p>Products that have gotten lots of hype in recent years as the Next Big Thing, from 3-D television to 3-D Printers to smartwatches to virtual reality headsets, have either been busts or have struggled to catch on. And no one in the industry seems to have a clue about what new tech gadget will find more than a niche audience among consumers. Instead, many seem to be throwing out a bunch of stuff to see what sticks.</p>
<p>But amid all the angst and noise and silly products — a smart hairbrush, really? — you can find intriguing innovations. Many of these take advantage of the huge number of smartphones in use — or use the chips, wireless radios and powerful processors developed for them.</p>
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<p>Take Pico, a startup with operations in San Francisco and China. It’s come up with a standalone virtual reality headset called the Neo CV that tracks users as they move around a room — no external sensors needed. The headset also incorporates a processor and screen, so you don’t need to connect it to a smartphone, a PC or game console.</p>
<p>The Pico addresses many of the shortcomings of the first generation of VR headsets, both of the high-end systems like Facebook’s Oculus Rift and the low-end ones, like Samsung’s Gear VR. With Pico, you wouldn’t need to be tethered to a PC or game console, but could still experience so-called “room-scale” VR. And you wouldn’t have to worry about burning through your smartphone’s battery or having to choose between experiencing VR or taking a call.</p>
<p>Pico isn’t saying how much the system will cost or when it will be available. But the Neo CV isn’t just some pie-in-the-sky concept. I played a game on it where I was something like a spy trying to make my way through laser trip wires to a target. The system tracked me as a crouched and leaned, moved forward and stepped from side to side.</p>
<p>Bringing digital technologies to the realm of health and fitness has become a major focus of the electronics industry in recent years. One startup I met with has a gadget that’s designed to help those trying to lose weight. Levl’s eponymously named gadget can tell you in real time how much fat you are burning, whether you are in the middle of a workout or going about your daily life. You blow into a tube and a sensor in the toaster-shaped device detects the concentration of acetone in your breath.</p>
<p>Because acetone levels have been shown to correlate with fat loss, you can instantly get a sense of how well you might be working off excess pounds. Via a related smartphone app, you can track your progress over time as you change your workout regimen or diet.</p>
<p>Not all the cool innovations I saw at the show were so weighty. FoldiMate, for example, was showing off an invention that might make doing the laundry fun. Its self-named robotic device promises to fold your cleaned clothes for you, automatically, as long as they’re not too big.</p>
<p>You just clip them to the machine, they go into a feeder and mechanical arms inside the machine neatly fold and steam them. Due out next year, the device is expected to cost from $700 to $850, which may be a bargain if you hate folding clothes, even if it won’t do your fitted sheets.</p>
<p>Hulu is offering fun of a different kind. Later this year, it’s planning to launch an online streamed multi-channel pay TV service similar to DirecTV Now and Sling TV. If you’re used to the traditional grid of programs and channels, it will seem confusing, but it’s much more streamlined and potentially, much easier to use.</p>
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<p>The company is hoping cool features will help set it apart. Users will be able to pause a show they’re watching on their living room TV and instantly resume watching it on their smartphone or tablet. Additionally, they will potentially get alerts when the score of a game they care about is close and instantly be able to record the closing minutes. The company plans for the service to include a DVR service at launch as well as access to Hulu’s traditional streaming video offerings.</p>
<p>Speaking of TVs, LG and its subsidiary LG Display had some stunning ones on view at the show and in meeting rooms off the show floor. Unlike many of its rivals, it is betting on OLED technology as the future of televisions and displays. OLEDs don’t require backlights; instead, an OLED screen itself emits light. That means they can be thinner and offer a much broader range between lights and darks than traditional LCD displays, which typically have at least some back lights on even when the screen is supposed to be black.</p>
<p>The company showed off a stunningly thin television that’s supposed to hit stores later this year. The W models are as little as one-tenth of an inch thick and light enough that they can be hung with magnetic holders that are thin enough that the screen looks nearly flush with the wall. And the colors the screen could display were — at least to my eye — magnificent.</p>
<p>But perhaps the coolest technology I saw was presented by a company I wrote about last year, Vayyar. That company is using wall-penetrating ultra wideband radio waves for a variety of scanning applications.</p>
<p>Its first product, the Walabot, which went on sale last August, is a new-age kind of stud finder. Instead of beeping when it comes across a wire or wooden beam, it shows you on a smartphone screen a visual depiction of what it’s seeing.</p>
<p>More products using its technology are on the way, including camera-like scanning devices that could be used to monitor elderly patients and alert their caregivers when they fall, track users’ sleep patterns for signs of sleep apnea or in place of a traditional security camera to monitor multiple rooms at once for signs of a break-in.</p>
<p>So, while the electronics industry may be struggling, innovation isn’t dead. There’s a lot of cool stuff in the works. And who knows, some things might just become big hits .</p>
<p>——</p>
<p>ABOUT THE WRITER</p>
<p>Troy Wolverton is a technology columnist for The Mercury News. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @troywolv.</p>
<p>——</p>
<p>©2017 The Mercury News (San Jose, Calif.)</p>
<p>Visit The Mercury News (San Jose, Calif.) at <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com." type="external">www.mercurynews.com.</a></p>
<p>Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.</p>
<p>_____</p>
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recent years annual tech show held earlier month palpable sense anxiety much excitement products gotten lots hype recent years next big thing 3d television 3d printers smartwatches virtual reality headsets either busts struggled catch one industry seems clue new tech gadget find niche audience among consumers instead many seem throwing bunch stuff see sticks amid angst noise silly products smart hairbrush really find intriguing innovations many take advantage huge number smartphones use use chips wireless radios powerful processors developed advertisement take pico startup operations san francisco china come standalone virtual reality headset called neo cv tracks users move around room external sensors needed headset also incorporates processor screen dont need connect smartphone pc game console pico addresses many shortcomings first generation vr headsets highend systems like facebooks oculus rift lowend ones like samsungs gear vr pico wouldnt need tethered pc game console could still experience socalled roomscale vr wouldnt worry burning smartphones battery choose experiencing vr taking call pico isnt saying much system cost available neo cv isnt pieinthesky concept played game something like spy trying make way laser trip wires target system tracked crouched leaned moved forward stepped side side bringing digital technologies realm health fitness become major focus electronics industry recent years one startup met gadget thats designed help trying lose weight levls eponymously named gadget tell real time much fat burning whether middle workout going daily life blow tube sensor toastershaped device detects concentration acetone breath acetone levels shown correlate fat loss instantly get sense well might working excess pounds via related smartphone app track progress time change workout regimen diet cool innovations saw show weighty foldimate example showing invention might make laundry fun selfnamed robotic device promises fold cleaned clothes automatically long theyre big clip machine go feeder mechanical arms inside machine neatly fold steam due next year device expected cost 700 850 may bargain hate folding clothes even wont fitted sheets hulu offering fun different kind later year planning launch online streamed multichannel pay tv service similar directv sling tv youre used traditional grid programs channels seem confusing much streamlined potentially much easier use advertisement company hoping cool features help set apart users able pause show theyre watching living room tv instantly resume watching smartphone tablet additionally potentially get alerts score game care close instantly able record closing minutes company plans service include dvr service launch well access hulus traditional streaming video offerings speaking tvs lg subsidiary lg display stunning ones view show meeting rooms show floor unlike many rivals betting oled technology future televisions displays oleds dont require backlights instead oled screen emits light means thinner offer much broader range lights darks traditional lcd displays typically least back lights even screen supposed black company showed stunningly thin television thats supposed hit stores later year w models little onetenth inch thick light enough hung magnetic holders thin enough screen looks nearly flush wall colors screen could display least eye magnificent perhaps coolest technology saw presented company wrote last year vayyar company using wallpenetrating ultra wideband radio waves variety scanning applications first product walabot went sale last august newage kind stud finder instead beeping comes across wire wooden beam shows smartphone screen visual depiction seeing products using technology way including cameralike scanning devices could used monitor elderly patients alert caregivers fall track users sleep patterns signs sleep apnea place traditional security camera monitor multiple rooms signs breakin electronics industry may struggling innovation isnt dead theres lot cool stuff works knows things might become big hits writer troy wolverton technology columnist mercury news reach twolvertonmercurynewscom follow twitter troywolv 2017 mercury news san jose calif visit mercury news san jose calif wwwmercurynewscom distributed tribune content agency llc _____
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<p>Jan 19 (Reuters) - Shanxi Zhendong Pharmaceutical Co Ltd :</p>
<p>* SAYS CHAIRMAN AND PARTIES ACTING IN CONCERT PLAN TO CUT UP TO 4 PERCENT STAKE IN THE COMPANY WITHIN SIX MTHS Source text in Chinese: <a href="http://bit.ly/2BcsDk1" type="external">bit.ly/2BcsDk1</a> Further company coverage: (Reporting by Hong Kong newsroom)</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>BEIRUT (Reuters) - A chemical attack on a rebel-held town in eastern Ghouta killed dozens of people, a medical relief organization and a rescue service said, and Washington said the reports - if confirmed - would demand an immediate international response.</p>
<p>Medical relief organization Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) said 41 people had been killed, with other reports putting the death toll much higher. The civil defense rescue service, which operates in rebel-held areas of Syria, put it as high as 150 in a report on one of its Twitter feeds.</p>
<p>The Russian-backed Syrian state denied government forces had launched any chemical attack as the reports began circulating on Saturday night and said rebels in the eastern Ghouta town of Douma were in a state of collapse and spreading false news.</p>
<p>Reuters could not independently verify the reports.</p>
<p>The lifeless bodies of around a dozen children, women and men, some of them with foam at the mouth, were shown in one video circulated by activists. “Douma city, April 7 ... there is a strong smell here,” a voice can be heard saying.</p> Related Coverage
<a href="/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-attack-usa/u-s-says-reports-of-chemical-attack-in-syria-horrifying-if-confirmed-calls-for-response-idUSKBN1HF02N" type="external">U.S. says reports of chemical attack in Syria 'horrifying' if confirmed, calls for response</a>
<p>The U.S. State Department said reports of mass casualties from an alleged chemical weapons attack in Douma were “horrifying” and would, if confirmed, “demand an immediate response by the international community”.</p>
<p>President Bashar al-Assad has won back control of nearly all of eastern Ghouta in a Russian-backed military campaign that began in February, leaving just Douma in rebel hands. After a lull of days, government forces began bombarding Douma again on Friday.</p>
<p>The offensive in Ghouta has been one of the deadliest of the seven-year-long war, killing more than 1,600 civilians according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.</p>
<p>The Observatory said it could not confirm if chemical weapons had been used in the attack on Saturday.</p>
<p>Observatory Director Rami Abdulrahman said 11 people had died in Douma as a result of suffocation caused by the smoke from conventional weapons being dropped by the government. It said a total of 70 people suffered breathing difficulties.</p>
<p>Medical relief organization SAMS said a chlorine bomb hit Douma hospital, killing six people, and a second attack with “mixed agents” including nerve agents had hit a nearby building.</p>
<p>Basel Termanini, the U.S.-based vice president of SAMS, told Reuters another 35 people had been killed at the nearby apartment building, most of them women and children.</p>
<p>SAMS operates 139 medical facilities in Syria where it supports 1,880 medical personnel, according to its website.</p>
<p>“We are contacting the U.N. and the U.S. government and the European governments,” he said by telephone.</p>
<p>Syrian state news agency SANA said the rebel group in Douma, Jaish al-Islam, was making “chemical attack fabrications in an exposed and failed attempt to obstruct advances by the Syrian Arab army,” citing an official source.</p>
<p>U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauret recalled a 2017 sarin gas attack in northwestern Syria that the West and the United Nations blamed on Assad’s government.</p>
<p>“The Assad regime and its backers must be held accountable and any further attacks prevented immediately,” she said.</p>
<p>“The United States calls on Russia to end this unmitigated support immediately and work with the international community to prevent further, barbaric chemical weapons attacks,” Nauert said in a statement.</p>
<p>The Syrian government has repeatedly denied using chemical weapons during the conflict.</p>
<p>Reporting by Dahlia Nehme and Mustafa Hashem; Additional reporting by Patrick Rucker and Tim Ahmann in Washington; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Sandra Maler</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>BEIRUT (Reuters) - The Syrian government will start negotiations with the rebel group Jaish al-Islam later on Sunday after the group requested talks, state television reported, citing an official source.</p>
<p>“Jaish al-Islam terrorists have requested negotiations with the Syrian state, which will start the talks within two hours from now (local time),” the source said.</p>
<p>There was no immediate comment from Jaish al-Islam, which controls the last rebel-held enclave in eastern Ghouta, the town of Douma.</p>
<p>Reporting by Dahlia Nehme; editing by Tom Perry, Larry King</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>BERLIN (Reuters) - German investigators were trying to work out why a man drove a camper van into a group of people sitting outside a restaurant in the western university city of Muenster on Saturday, killing two people before shooting himself dead.</p>
<p>The vehicle ploughed into people seated at tables outside the Grosser Kiepenkerl eatery, a popular destination for tourists in the city’s old town.</p> Related Coverage
<a href="/article/us-germany-crash-timeline-factbox/factbox-deadly-attacks-in-western-europe-idUSKBN1HE0ND" type="external">Factbox: Deadly attacks in Western Europe</a>
<p>Forensic police combed the scene on Sunday after investigators named the victims as a 51-year-old woman from the Lueneburg area in northern Germany and a 65-year-old man from the Borken area near Muenster.</p>
<p>“According to the current state of the investigation, the driver is probably a 48-year-old man from Munich,” senior public prosecutor Martin Botzenhardt said in a joint statement with Muenster police.</p>
<p>“So far there are no indications of a possible background for the crime. The investigations are being conducted at full speed and on all fronts,” he added.</p>
<p>The perpetrator shot himself after crashing the silver-grey coloured van into the outside area of the restaurant, police said.</p> Police stands guard in a street near a place where a man drove a van into a group of people sitting outside a popular restaurant in the old city centre of Muenster, Germany, April 7, 2018. REUTERS/Leon Kuegeler
<p>The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reported in its online edition that the perpetrator was Jens R., 48, who resided some 2 km (1.2 miles) from the crime scene.</p>
<p>Broadcaster ZDF said police were searching his apartment and that he had contact with far-right extremists, but there was no evidence thus far that he was a far-right extremist himself.</p> Slideshow (17 Images)
<p>The Sueddeutsche Zeitung said the man had psychological problems. The Interior Ministry in North Rhine-Westphalia would neither confirm nor deny the report.</p>
<p>Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a statement she was “deeply shaken”. On Saturday evening, the White House issued a statement sending U.S. President Donald Trump’s “thoughts and prayers” to the families of those killed.</p>
<p>French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted: “All my thoughts are with the victims of the attack in Muenster. France shares in Germany’s suffering”.</p>
<p>Writing by Paul Carrel; Editing by Susan Fenton</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>SAO BERNARDO DO CAMPO, Brazil (Reuters) - Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva turned himself in to police on Saturday, ending a day-long standoff to begin serving a 12-year prison sentence for corruption that derails his bid to return to power.</p> Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is carried by supporters in front of the metallurgic trade union in Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, April 7, 2018. REUTERS/Francisco Proer
<p>Lula was flown by police to the southern city of Curitiba, where he was tried and convicted late last year, and taken to the federal police headquarters there to serve his sentence. Protesters supporting Lula clashed with police outside the walls of the building. Officers used stun grenades, tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.</p>
<p>In a fiery speech hours earlier to a crowd of supporters of his Workers Party outside the union building in Sao Paulo, Brazil’s first working class president insisted on his innocence and called his bribery conviction a political crime, but said he would turn himself in.</p>
<p>“I will comply with the order,” he told the cheering crowd. “I’m not above the law. If I didn’t believe in the law, I wouldn’t have started a political party. I would have started a revolution.”</p> Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva walks to enter a Federal Police plane in Sao Paulo, Brazil, April 7, 2018. REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker
<p>Lula, who faces six more trials on corruption charges, finally ended the standoff when he moved out in a convoy of black police SUVs after pushing his way out of the steel workers union headquarters where he had taken refuge. He entered police custody more than 24 hours after a court deadline on Friday afternoon.</p>
<p>Lula’s imprisonment removes Brazil’s most influential political figure and front-runner from this year’s presidential campaign, throwing the race wide open and strengthening the odds of a more centrist candidate prevailing, according to analysts and political foes.</p>
<p>It also marks the end of an era for Brazil’s left, which was out in force in the streets outside of the union headquarters in the industrial suburb of Sao Paulo where Lula’s political career began four decades ago as a union organizer.</p>
<p>The throngs of supporters, which began gathering when he arrived late on Thursday night, dissuaded police from trying to take him into custody and heightened concerns about a violent showdown.</p>
<p>Supporters blocked Lula’s first attempt to leave the union building on Saturday afternoon, pushing back against fellow party members trying to open the gate for his car to leave. Workers Party chief Gleisi Hoffmann pleaded with supporters to let him exit.</p>
<p>Lula was convicted of taking bribes, including renovation of a three-story seaside apartment that he denies ever owning, from an engineering firm in return for help landing public contracts.</p> Slideshow (15 Images)
<p>“I’m the only person being prosecuted over an apartment that isn’t mine,” insisted Lula, standing on a sound truck alongside his impeached handpicked successor Dilma Rousseff and leaders of other left-wing parties.</p>
<p>A Brazilian Supreme Court justice on Saturday rejected the latest plea by Lula’s legal team, which argued they had not exhausted procedural appeals when a judge issued the order to turn himself in.</p>
<p>Under Brazilian electoral law, a candidate is forbidden from running for office for eight years after being found guilty of a crime. Rare exceptions have been made in the past, and the final decision would be made by the top electoral court if and when Lula officially files to be a candidate.</p>
<p>The union where Lula, 72, sought refuge was the launch pad for his career in the late 1970s leading nationwide strikes that helped to end Brazil’s 1964-85 military dictatorship.</p>
<p>Lula’s everyman style and unvarnished speeches electrified masses and eventually won him two terms as president, from 2003 to 2011, when he oversaw robust economic growth and falling inequality amid a commodities boom.</p>
<p>“Those who condemn me without proof know that I am innocent and I governed honestly,” Lula said in a video message to his supporters. “Those who persecute me can do what they want to me, but they will never imprison our dreams.”</p>
<p>Additional reporting by Lisandra Paraguassú, Ricardo Brito and Jake Spring in Brasilia, and Brad Brooks in Sao Paulo; Writing by Anthony Boadle and Jake Spring; Editing by Sandra Maler</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
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jan 19 reuters shanxi zhendong pharmaceutical co ltd says chairman parties acting concert plan cut 4 percent stake company within six mths source text chinese bitly2bcsdk1 company coverage reporting hong kong newsroom standards thomson reuters trust principles beirut reuters chemical attack rebelheld town eastern ghouta killed dozens people medical relief organization rescue service said washington said reports confirmed would demand immediate international response medical relief organization syrian american medical society sams said 41 people killed reports putting death toll much higher civil defense rescue service operates rebelheld areas syria put high 150 report one twitter feeds russianbacked syrian state denied government forces launched chemical attack reports began circulating saturday night said rebels eastern ghouta town douma state collapse spreading false news reuters could independently verify reports lifeless bodies around dozen children women men foam mouth shown one video circulated activists douma city april 7 strong smell voice heard saying related coverage us says reports chemical attack syria horrifying confirmed calls response us state department said reports mass casualties alleged chemical weapons attack douma horrifying would confirmed demand immediate response international community president bashar alassad back control nearly eastern ghouta russianbacked military campaign began february leaving douma rebel hands lull days government forces began bombarding douma friday offensive ghouta one deadliest sevenyearlong war killing 1600 civilians according syrian observatory human rights observatory said could confirm chemical weapons used attack saturday observatory director rami abdulrahman said 11 people died douma result suffocation caused smoke conventional weapons dropped government said total 70 people suffered breathing difficulties medical relief organization sams said chlorine bomb hit douma hospital killing six people second attack mixed agents including nerve agents hit nearby building basel termanini usbased vice president sams told reuters another 35 people killed nearby apartment building women children sams operates 139 medical facilities syria supports 1880 medical personnel according website contacting un us government european governments said telephone syrian state news agency sana said rebel group douma jaish alislam making chemical attack fabrications exposed failed attempt obstruct advances syrian arab army citing official source us state department spokeswoman heather nauret recalled 2017 sarin gas attack northwestern syria west united nations blamed assads government assad regime backers must held accountable attacks prevented immediately said united states calls russia end unmitigated support immediately work international community prevent barbaric chemical weapons attacks nauert said statement syrian government repeatedly denied using chemical weapons conflict reporting dahlia nehme mustafa hashem additional reporting patrick rucker tim ahmann washington editing hugh lawson sandra maler standards thomson reuters trust principles beirut reuters syrian government start negotiations rebel group jaish alislam later sunday group requested talks state television reported citing official source jaish alislam terrorists requested negotiations syrian state start talks within two hours local time source said immediate comment jaish alislam controls last rebelheld enclave eastern ghouta town douma reporting dahlia nehme editing tom perry larry king standards thomson reuters trust principles berlin reuters german investigators trying work man drove camper van group people sitting outside restaurant western university city muenster saturday killing two people shooting dead vehicle ploughed people seated tables outside grosser kiepenkerl eatery popular destination tourists citys old town related coverage factbox deadly attacks western europe forensic police combed scene sunday investigators named victims 51yearold woman lueneburg area northern germany 65yearold man borken area near muenster according current state investigation driver probably 48yearold man munich senior public prosecutor martin botzenhardt said joint statement muenster police far indications possible background crime investigations conducted full speed fronts added perpetrator shot crashing silvergrey coloured van outside area restaurant police said police stands guard street near place man drove van group people sitting outside popular restaurant old city centre muenster germany april 7 2018 reutersleon kuegeler frankfurter allgemeine zeitung reported online edition perpetrator jens r 48 resided 2 km 12 miles crime scene broadcaster zdf said police searching apartment contact farright extremists evidence thus far farright extremist slideshow 17 images sueddeutsche zeitung said man psychological problems interior ministry north rhinewestphalia would neither confirm deny report chancellor angela merkel said statement deeply shaken saturday evening white house issued statement sending us president donald trumps thoughts prayers families killed french president emmanuel macron tweeted thoughts victims attack muenster france shares germanys suffering writing paul carrel editing susan fenton standards thomson reuters trust principles sao bernardo campo brazil reuters former brazilian president luiz inacio lula da silva turned police saturday ending daylong standoff begin serving 12year prison sentence corruption derails bid return power former brazilian president luiz inacio lula da silva carried supporters front metallurgic trade union sao bernardo campo brazil april 7 2018 reutersfrancisco proer lula flown police southern city curitiba tried convicted late last year taken federal police headquarters serve sentence protesters supporting lula clashed police outside walls building officers used stun grenades tear gas rubber bullets disperse crowd fiery speech hours earlier crowd supporters workers party outside union building sao paulo brazils first working class president insisted innocence called bribery conviction political crime said would turn comply order told cheering crowd im law didnt believe law wouldnt started political party would started revolution former brazilian president luiz inacio lula da silva walks enter federal police plane sao paulo brazil april 7 2018 reuterspaulo whitaker lula faces six trials corruption charges finally ended standoff moved convoy black police suvs pushing way steel workers union headquarters taken refuge entered police custody 24 hours court deadline friday afternoon lulas imprisonment removes brazils influential political figure frontrunner years presidential campaign throwing race wide open strengthening odds centrist candidate prevailing according analysts political foes also marks end era brazils left force streets outside union headquarters industrial suburb sao paulo lulas political career began four decades ago union organizer throngs supporters began gathering arrived late thursday night dissuaded police trying take custody heightened concerns violent showdown supporters blocked lulas first attempt leave union building saturday afternoon pushing back fellow party members trying open gate car leave workers party chief gleisi hoffmann pleaded supporters let exit lula convicted taking bribes including renovation threestory seaside apartment denies ever owning engineering firm return help landing public contracts slideshow 15 images im person prosecuted apartment isnt mine insisted lula standing sound truck alongside impeached handpicked successor dilma rousseff leaders leftwing parties brazilian supreme court justice saturday rejected latest plea lulas legal team argued exhausted procedural appeals judge issued order turn brazilian electoral law candidate forbidden running office eight years found guilty crime rare exceptions made past final decision would made top electoral court lula officially files candidate union lula 72 sought refuge launch pad career late 1970s leading nationwide strikes helped end brazils 196485 military dictatorship lulas everyman style unvarnished speeches electrified masses eventually two terms president 2003 2011 oversaw robust economic growth falling inequality amid commodities boom condemn without proof know innocent governed honestly lula said video message supporters persecute want never imprison dreams additional reporting lisandra paraguassú ricardo brito jake spring brasilia brad brooks sao paulo writing anthony boadle jake spring editing sandra maler standards thomson reuters trust principles
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<p>LOS ANGELES (AP) — It is a mathematical impossibility for a group of Oscar nominations to please everyone, but this year came pretty close with meaningful love for “Get Out,” ″Lady Bird” and “Phantom Thread,” and the history-making nomination of “Mudbound” director of photography Rachel Morrison, who became the first woman to ever be nominated for cinematography.</p>
<p>Still, there were some significant surprises and even a few outright snubs:</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>NO WONDER WOMAN</p>
<p>It was a good day for women, generally speaking, with the first ever nomination for a female cinematographer (Rachel Morrison for “Mudbound”) and Greta Gerwig becoming the fifth woman in history to get a best director nomination (for “Lady Bird”), but the love stopped short of one of the most populist female-driven projects of the year: “Wonder Woman.” The Patty Jenkins-directed blockbuster received zero nominations, even in a year that was surprisingly friendly to big budget hits (like “Logan” and “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.“)</p>
<p>DENZEL BREAKS THROUGH, FRANCO DOESN’T</p>
<p>James Franco in “The Disaster Artist” (Justina Mintz/A24)</p>
<p>You’d be forgiven if you weren’t aware there was a Denzel Washington film out this year. Dan Gilroy’s criminal court thriller “Roman J. Israel, Esq.” came and went without much fanfare, to middling reviews and box office. Washington’s performance as the activist lawyer was the one bright spot for many critics (although the New York Times said the film “doesn’t serve” him). Still, Washington has hardly been at the forefront of the awards race this year, especially when compared with, say Tom Hanks, who wasn’t nominated for playing Ben Bradlee in “The Post” (and hasn’t been nominated in 17 years). Washington also perhaps took the spot from James Franco for “The Disaster Artist.” This is Washington’s sixth lead actor nomination (he’s won twice).</p>
<p>NETFLIX FINDS A NARRATIVE WIN IN ‘MUDBOUND’</p>
<p>The streaming service has gambled big in the past few years with would-be Oscar nominees, but found their first successful non-documentary contender in a film it acquired at the Sundance Film Festival — Dee Rees’ American odyssey “Mudbound,” about two families, one black, and one white, in the post-WWII South. “Mudbound” was nominated for best adapted screenplay, best supporting actress (Mary J. Blige), best original song and best cinematography. For some, it’s been a question of whether the film academy had an anti-Netflix bias. Whatever the case was before, though, the times might be changing.</p>
<p>‘PHANTOM THREAD’ ECLIPSES HEAVYWEIGHTS</p>
<p>Paul Thomas Anderson’s moody period piece is a favorite among hardcore cinephiles, but many were surprised Tuesday when Anderson was nominated for best director over both Steven Spielberg (“The Post”) and Martin McDonagh (“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”). Anderson, an eight-time Oscar nominee (now twice for directing), didn’t even get a Director’s Guild or a Producer’s Guild nomination for “Phantom Thread.”</p>
<p>THE STEVE JAMES CURSE IS BROKEN</p>
<p>Snubs were almost becoming a way of life for documentary filmmaker Steve James who time and time again churns out excellent work to not much film Academy recognition. His “Hoop Dreams” was infamously only nominated for editing and then his sure bet, the Roger Ebert documentary “Life Itself,” was also passed over. This year, James finally got nominated for “Abacus: Small Enough to Jail,” about the family-owned community bank that was the only U.S. bank to face criminal charges following the 2008 subprime mortgage collapse.</p>
<p>RIDLEY’S BIG BET PAYS OFF</p>
<p>(Giles Keyte/Sony Pictures via AP)</p>
<p>By now, everyone knows how Ridley Scott replaced Kevin Spacey with Christopher Plummer as J. Paul Getty in “All the Money in the World” just six weeks before the film was set to hit theaters. That choice that was officially validated in the best possible way for the film — a supporting Oscar nomination for Plummer (his third).</p>
<p>DIVERSITY GETS A BOOST, BUT ONLY FOR SOME</p>
<p>The Oscars are not so white anymore, but one group that remains marginalized is Latino actors, who have not gotten an Oscar nomination since 2012. In fact, only three have won in the last 20 years (Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem, and Benicio Del Toro). This year, Salma Hayek had the best shot for her role in the dark satire “Beatriz at Dinner.”</p>
<p>‘JANE’ GETS CUT OUT</p>
<p>Three days after Brett Morgen’s highly acclaimed Jane Goodall documentary “Jane” picked up the Producers Guild Award in the documentary category, the film academy left it on the cutting room floor.</p>
<p>THE BABY CEO MOVIE IS AN OSCAR NOMINEE</p>
<p>(DreamWorks Animation via AP)</p>
<p>They can’t take it back. A film that has a 52 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes — “The Boss Baby,” in which Alec Baldwin voices a pint-sized, suit-wearing CEO — has been nominated for best animated feature.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>For full coverage of awards season, visit: <a href="" type="internal" /> <a href="" type="internal">https://apnews.com/tag/AwardsSeason</a></p>
<p>LOS ANGELES (AP) — It is a mathematical impossibility for a group of Oscar nominations to please everyone, but this year came pretty close with meaningful love for “Get Out,” ″Lady Bird” and “Phantom Thread,” and the history-making nomination of “Mudbound” director of photography Rachel Morrison, who became the first woman to ever be nominated for cinematography.</p>
<p>Still, there were some significant surprises and even a few outright snubs:</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>NO WONDER WOMAN</p>
<p>It was a good day for women, generally speaking, with the first ever nomination for a female cinematographer (Rachel Morrison for “Mudbound”) and Greta Gerwig becoming the fifth woman in history to get a best director nomination (for “Lady Bird”), but the love stopped short of one of the most populist female-driven projects of the year: “Wonder Woman.” The Patty Jenkins-directed blockbuster received zero nominations, even in a year that was surprisingly friendly to big budget hits (like “Logan” and “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.“)</p>
<p>DENZEL BREAKS THROUGH, FRANCO DOESN’T</p>
<p>James Franco in “The Disaster Artist” (Justina Mintz/A24)</p>
<p>You’d be forgiven if you weren’t aware there was a Denzel Washington film out this year. Dan Gilroy’s criminal court thriller “Roman J. Israel, Esq.” came and went without much fanfare, to middling reviews and box office. Washington’s performance as the activist lawyer was the one bright spot for many critics (although the New York Times said the film “doesn’t serve” him). Still, Washington has hardly been at the forefront of the awards race this year, especially when compared with, say Tom Hanks, who wasn’t nominated for playing Ben Bradlee in “The Post” (and hasn’t been nominated in 17 years). Washington also perhaps took the spot from James Franco for “The Disaster Artist.” This is Washington’s sixth lead actor nomination (he’s won twice).</p>
<p>NETFLIX FINDS A NARRATIVE WIN IN ‘MUDBOUND’</p>
<p>The streaming service has gambled big in the past few years with would-be Oscar nominees, but found their first successful non-documentary contender in a film it acquired at the Sundance Film Festival — Dee Rees’ American odyssey “Mudbound,” about two families, one black, and one white, in the post-WWII South. “Mudbound” was nominated for best adapted screenplay, best supporting actress (Mary J. Blige), best original song and best cinematography. For some, it’s been a question of whether the film academy had an anti-Netflix bias. Whatever the case was before, though, the times might be changing.</p>
<p>‘PHANTOM THREAD’ ECLIPSES HEAVYWEIGHTS</p>
<p>Paul Thomas Anderson’s moody period piece is a favorite among hardcore cinephiles, but many were surprised Tuesday when Anderson was nominated for best director over both Steven Spielberg (“The Post”) and Martin McDonagh (“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”). Anderson, an eight-time Oscar nominee (now twice for directing), didn’t even get a Director’s Guild or a Producer’s Guild nomination for “Phantom Thread.”</p>
<p>THE STEVE JAMES CURSE IS BROKEN</p>
<p>Snubs were almost becoming a way of life for documentary filmmaker Steve James who time and time again churns out excellent work to not much film Academy recognition. His “Hoop Dreams” was infamously only nominated for editing and then his sure bet, the Roger Ebert documentary “Life Itself,” was also passed over. This year, James finally got nominated for “Abacus: Small Enough to Jail,” about the family-owned community bank that was the only U.S. bank to face criminal charges following the 2008 subprime mortgage collapse.</p>
<p>RIDLEY’S BIG BET PAYS OFF</p>
<p>(Giles Keyte/Sony Pictures via AP)</p>
<p>By now, everyone knows how Ridley Scott replaced Kevin Spacey with Christopher Plummer as J. Paul Getty in “All the Money in the World” just six weeks before the film was set to hit theaters. That choice that was officially validated in the best possible way for the film — a supporting Oscar nomination for Plummer (his third).</p>
<p>DIVERSITY GETS A BOOST, BUT ONLY FOR SOME</p>
<p>The Oscars are not so white anymore, but one group that remains marginalized is Latino actors, who have not gotten an Oscar nomination since 2012. In fact, only three have won in the last 20 years (Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem, and Benicio Del Toro). This year, Salma Hayek had the best shot for her role in the dark satire “Beatriz at Dinner.”</p>
<p>‘JANE’ GETS CUT OUT</p>
<p>Three days after Brett Morgen’s highly acclaimed Jane Goodall documentary “Jane” picked up the Producers Guild Award in the documentary category, the film academy left it on the cutting room floor.</p>
<p>THE BABY CEO MOVIE IS AN OSCAR NOMINEE</p>
<p>(DreamWorks Animation via AP)</p>
<p>They can’t take it back. A film that has a 52 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes — “The Boss Baby,” in which Alec Baldwin voices a pint-sized, suit-wearing CEO — has been nominated for best animated feature.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>For full coverage of awards season, visit: <a href="" type="internal" /> <a href="" type="internal">https://apnews.com/tag/AwardsSeason</a></p>
| false | 2 |
los angeles ap mathematical impossibility group oscar nominations please everyone year came pretty close meaningful love get lady bird phantom thread historymaking nomination mudbound director photography rachel morrison became first woman ever nominated cinematography still significant surprises even outright snubs ___ wonder woman good day women generally speaking first ever nomination female cinematographer rachel morrison mudbound greta gerwig becoming fifth woman history get best director nomination lady bird love stopped short one populist femaledriven projects year wonder woman patty jenkinsdirected blockbuster received zero nominations even year surprisingly friendly big budget hits like logan star wars last jedi denzel breaks franco doesnt james franco disaster artist justina mintza24 youd forgiven werent aware denzel washington film year dan gilroys criminal court thriller roman j israel esq came went without much fanfare middling reviews box office washingtons performance activist lawyer one bright spot many critics although new york times said film doesnt serve still washington hardly forefront awards race year especially compared say tom hanks wasnt nominated playing ben bradlee post hasnt nominated 17 years washington also perhaps took spot james franco disaster artist washingtons sixth lead actor nomination hes twice netflix finds narrative win mudbound streaming service gambled big past years wouldbe oscar nominees found first successful nondocumentary contender film acquired sundance film festival dee rees american odyssey mudbound two families one black one white postwwii south mudbound nominated best adapted screenplay best supporting actress mary j blige best original song best cinematography question whether film academy antinetflix bias whatever case though times might changing phantom thread eclipses heavyweights paul thomas andersons moody period piece favorite among hardcore cinephiles many surprised tuesday anderson nominated best director steven spielberg post martin mcdonagh three billboards outside ebbing missouri anderson eighttime oscar nominee twice directing didnt even get directors guild producers guild nomination phantom thread steve james curse broken snubs almost becoming way life documentary filmmaker steve james time time churns excellent work much film academy recognition hoop dreams infamously nominated editing sure bet roger ebert documentary life also passed year james finally got nominated abacus small enough jail familyowned community bank us bank face criminal charges following 2008 subprime mortgage collapse ridleys big bet pays giles keytesony pictures via ap everyone knows ridley scott replaced kevin spacey christopher plummer j paul getty money world six weeks film set hit theaters choice officially validated best possible way film supporting oscar nomination plummer third diversity gets boost oscars white anymore one group remains marginalized latino actors gotten oscar nomination since 2012 fact three last 20 years penelope cruz javier bardem benicio del toro year salma hayek best shot role dark satire beatriz dinner jane gets cut three days brett morgens highly acclaimed jane goodall documentary jane picked producers guild award documentary category film academy left cutting room floor baby ceo movie oscar nominee dreamworks animation via ap cant take back film 52 percent rating rotten tomatoes boss baby alec baldwin voices pintsized suitwearing ceo nominated best animated feature ___ full coverage awards season visit httpsapnewscomtagawardsseason los angeles ap mathematical impossibility group oscar nominations please everyone year came pretty close meaningful love get lady bird phantom thread historymaking nomination mudbound director photography rachel morrison became first woman ever nominated cinematography still significant surprises even outright snubs ___ wonder woman good day women generally speaking first ever nomination female cinematographer rachel morrison mudbound greta gerwig becoming fifth woman history get best director nomination lady bird love stopped short one populist femaledriven projects year wonder woman patty jenkinsdirected blockbuster received zero nominations even year surprisingly friendly big budget hits like logan star wars last jedi denzel breaks franco doesnt james franco disaster artist justina mintza24 youd forgiven werent aware denzel washington film year dan gilroys criminal court thriller roman j israel esq came went without much fanfare middling reviews box office washingtons performance activist lawyer one bright spot many critics although new york times said film doesnt serve still washington hardly forefront awards race year especially compared say tom hanks wasnt nominated playing ben bradlee post hasnt nominated 17 years washington also perhaps took spot james franco disaster artist washingtons sixth lead actor nomination hes twice netflix finds narrative win mudbound streaming service gambled big past years wouldbe oscar nominees found first successful nondocumentary contender film acquired sundance film festival dee rees american odyssey mudbound two families one black one white postwwii south mudbound nominated best adapted screenplay best supporting actress mary j blige best original song best cinematography question whether film academy antinetflix bias whatever case though times might changing phantom thread eclipses heavyweights paul thomas andersons moody period piece favorite among hardcore cinephiles many surprised tuesday anderson nominated best director steven spielberg post martin mcdonagh three billboards outside ebbing missouri anderson eighttime oscar nominee twice directing didnt even get directors guild producers guild nomination phantom thread steve james curse broken snubs almost becoming way life documentary filmmaker steve james time time churns excellent work much film academy recognition hoop dreams infamously nominated editing sure bet roger ebert documentary life also passed year james finally got nominated abacus small enough jail familyowned community bank us bank face criminal charges following 2008 subprime mortgage collapse ridleys big bet pays giles keytesony pictures via ap everyone knows ridley scott replaced kevin spacey christopher plummer j paul getty money world six weeks film set hit theaters choice officially validated best possible way film supporting oscar nomination plummer third diversity gets boost oscars white anymore one group remains marginalized latino actors gotten oscar nomination since 2012 fact three last 20 years penelope cruz javier bardem benicio del toro year salma hayek best shot role dark satire beatriz dinner jane gets cut three days brett morgens highly acclaimed jane goodall documentary jane picked producers guild award documentary category film academy left cutting room floor baby ceo movie oscar nominee dreamworks animation via ap cant take back film 52 percent rating rotten tomatoes boss baby alec baldwin voices pintsized suitwearing ceo nominated best animated feature ___ full coverage awards season visit httpsapnewscomtagawardsseason
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<p>BOSTON — Tykeam Jackson’s soft voice and warm smile give little hint of how the 21-year-old spent his youth: in and out of juvenile detention and jails, leading a life in Boston’s mean streets centered on gangs and guns.</p>
<p>“I was always having guns to protect myself. I just kept getting caught,” he said. “I was hanging around the wrong crowd, being in the wrong areas, getting into the wrong activities.”</p>
<p>Over the past year, his outlook has changed. Even as a pending criminal case looms over him, he’s slowly gaining confidence that he can break the cycle that has entangled him — with the help of a unique organization called Roca.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>“They’ve gotten me in the right direction,” he said. “Since I’ve been with Roca, my whole life has done a 360.”</p>
<p>Roca is a nonprofit that seeks to steer hundreds of Massachusetts’ highest-risk young men away from a return behind bars, using a distinctive blend of relentlessness and patience. Even the most troublesome participants are exhorted to persist with its multi-year education and job programs; Roca is loath to give up on any of them.</p>
<p>If its unorthodox approach works — and private investors are betting millions of dollars it will — it might show a path forward for other states and cities grasping for ways to bring down stubbornly high rates of re-arrest and re-incarceration.</p>
<p>“It was hard staying out of jail before I got with Roca,” Jackson said. “It’s because I didn’t have a voice. I was just another kid going through the system who everybody just wanted to brush off.”</p>
<p>With more than 2.1 million people held in America’s prisons and jails and the annual bill around $80 billion, according to a Brookings Institution study, there has been bipartisan action on many criminal justice reforms, from scaling back some mandatory sentences to routing more nonviolent offenders to diversion programs.</p>
<p>But there’s been no breakthrough on recidivism.</p>
<p>Within five years, 77 percent of ex-prisoners in a 2014 federal study were arrested again, and more than half went back to prison. The study, by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, tracked outcomes for 405,000 inmates released from prisons in 30 states in 2005.</p>
<p>Recidivism rates were highest for inmates who were 24 or younger at release — the age range of the young men that Roca works with in the tough neighborhoods of greater Boston. Nearly all of them have arrest records; the vast majority are high school dropouts involved in street gangs.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>They are, in Roca’s own words, young men “not ready, willing or able to participate in any other program.”</p>
<p>“My guys are not going to be Boy Scouts,” said Jason Owens, a Roca assistant director. “It’s Last Chance University for them. It’s either Roca, or jail, or death.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Roca’s program, with its pledge to investors that they’ll be repaid for its success, is unusual in many ways, and yet it reflects changing attitudes in the U.S. penal system. Politicians and corrections officials are increasingly vocal about stopping the revolving door back to prison, whether for fiscal or humanitarian reasons.</p>
<p>“It used to be that public officials couldn’t even pronounce recidivism,” said Mike Thompson, director of the Council of State Governments’ Justice Center. “Now you’ll see governors include a whole plan to deal with it in their State of the State address.”</p>
<p>Many prison systems have intensified efforts to better prepare inmates for release. Innovative job-training and education programs have been launched behind bars, including college courses offered through a federally funded pilot program. Several Western prisons teach inmates to train wild horses; a program in some Florida prisons teaches poetry, play-writing and other skills.</p>
<p>“Gone are the days when prison folks didn’t care about how many times you came back through the front gate,” said Fred Patrick of the Vera Institute of Justice, a New York-based think tank.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, Patrick said, there are obstacles — from the reluctance of many legislators to pay for re-entry programs to the fact that ex-inmates face barriers to obtaining jobs, driver’s licenses and public housing.</p>
<p>“People say, ‘You did your time, come home, get a job and move on,'” he said. “And yet you can’t get a barber’s license, even if you did that in prison.”</p>
<p>Then there is the problem of “technical violations” of parole and probation terms; many former inmates go back to prison not because they committed a new criminal offense, but because of breaking a rule.</p>
<p>That’s what sent Scott Rich back to New York City’s Rikers Island prison. After two stints behind bars, he says he was on track to put that way of life behind him and succeed with a $15-an-hour job when he was apprehended for violating his parole-imposed curfew last year.</p>
<p>“My girlfriend was pregnant at the time, and I was out past curfew just moving her car from one space to another when I was pulled over,” he said. “In that instant, that’s when everything just crumbled — everything I was working for, obtaining this job, staying out of trouble all that time.”</p>
<p>Rich, 23, dropped out of school in ninth grade and was arrested at 16 for armed robbery. He served 23 months at Rikers, then was arrested again in 2013 and served nine months in prison.</p>
<p>His first post-prison employment earned him only $150 a week, he said, because two weekdays were taken up with parole-related appointments. Eventually, he landed the $15-an-hour landscaping job, only to lose it due to the curfew violation.</p>
<p>Looking ahead, Rich would like to be a self-employed entrepreneur, but he is realistic about challenges he’ll face after his release. And he’s grateful that programming at Rikers to assist inmates with re-entry is “10 times better” now than during his first stint.</p>
<p>“Just get me up to the point where I can get my foot in the door,” he said. “Don’t just throw me out to the wolves.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>How does Roca, which operates only in Massachusetts, help ex-offenders get their feet in the door to a new life?</p>
<p>It begins with dogged recruiting by its outreach workers, who sometimes make pests of themselves with a dozen or more face-to-face pitches at the homes and hangouts of their targets. Once a recruit agrees to give the program a try, there’s a phase called transitional employment. The newcomers are assigned to work crews and paid minimum wage for tasks such as landscaping and snow removal in parks. To advance to more sophisticated job-training, they must work 60 days without an absence — a goal that sometimes takes a year or more to achieve.</p>
<p>“Our guys come in with no skills — we have to show them how to work,” said Aaron Bray, the transitional employment coordinator. “We expect them to fail sometimes.”</p>
<p>This outlook contrasts with many other programs that are selective about whom they recruit and oust participants who are uncooperative.</p>
<p>“The cops hated us when we first started — they saw us as a ‘hug a thug’ program,” said Owens, the Roca assistant director, a burly extrovert who served prison time himself before joining the staff 10 years ago. He is a first-name basis with police and troublemakers alike in Chelsea, where Roca’s headquarters is based.</p>
<p>Chelsea Police Capt. David Batchelor said his department now views Roca as valuable ally.</p>
<p>“Most programs, if you violate the rules, you’re out,” Batchelor said. “Roca’s the only one I know of — if you break the rules, they’ll take you back. These kids have issues, and just yelling at them is not going to get it done.”</p>
<p>Jessica Iovanna, Chelsea’s assistant chief of probation, said Roca has made her job “a lot easier,” explaining that young men in the program are likely to get two-day jail stints, rather than months-long confinement, for common violations of probation. “There’s going to be slip-ups,” she said. “We try to take little steps to change their behavior.”</p>
<p>Behavioral therapy sessions help Roca participants with anger management and conflict resolution. And, given that virtually all are high school dropouts, they’re encouraged to take academic courses that could lead to a General Education Development diploma.</p>
<p>The GED classes are individually tailored and taught one-on-one by volunteers, often using a university library, a hospital cafeteria or the kitchen at the student’s home. In Boston, with its complex web of gang rivalries, it’s deemed too dangerous for large numbers to attend classes at the Roca building.</p>
<p>“Any rival might kill them on sight,” said Roca’s Boston director, Shannon McAuliffe. In fact, in February 2015, 21-year-old Kenny Lamour was working with a Roca snow-clearing crew when he was shot dead by an 18-year-old adversary.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>The scent of burning sage rose from a centerpiece as a group of young men gathered in one of Roca’s peacemaking circles, based on North American Indian rituals. Joined by staff members, they shared thoughts about the challenges they face and ideas for addressing them.</p>
<p>“The first time I saw someone shot, I was in the third grade,” Ray’shawn Mohammed confided. “I was forced to grow up quicker than usual.” He talked about getting shot in the leg last year in a gang-related incident and faces possible incarceration on a gun charge.</p>
<p>“This place teaches you patience — and to be humble,” he said.</p>
<p>Indeed, Roca’s staff — for all the pride they take in their program — know it’s not foolproof.</p>
<p>Back in January, they introduced a visiting journalist to Derrik Pannesi, a poised 22-year-old who credited Roca with getting him on track after an adolescence filled with gang activity and multiple stints behind bars. Although the message tattooed on the back of his hands read, “Trust No One,” he acknowledged Roca was beginning to gain his trust.</p>
<p>“A lot of people, when they see someone like us, they lock their door or roll up their window,” Pannesi said. “At Roca, they’re not going to turn their back and walk away.”</p>
<p>Pannesi grew up in Cambridge, home to Harvard University but also to some gritty neighborhoods and gang activity. When he was 7, his father was shot dead while “running the streets,” he said. Within five years, he was mixed up with a gang himself.</p>
<p>“It’s not too late,” he said in January. “I’m not in state prison; I’m not in a coffin like my dad. Now that I’ve got the chance, I’m going to take it.”</p>
<p>But in late February, Roca had dismaying news — Pannesi was back in jail, re-arrested after police lodged gun- and drug-related charges against him.</p>
<p>Tykeam Jackson’s relations with Roca also have been checkered. He’s been locked up twice since he first enrolled in January 2015, and he was ousted from his work crew at one point before being readmitted.</p>
<p>Yet Shannon McAuliffe is impressed that Jackson has stuck with the program despite facing charges in a carjacking case and despite being targeted recently by a volley of gunfire from a gang rival that left him with an injured leg</p>
<p>“He might go to jail, yet he’s still showing up. He still has the fire in him,” McAuliffe said. “I’ll say, ‘You don’t have to be here,’ and he’ll say, ‘If I’m not here, Shannon, I’m going to die.'”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>With its motto “Less jail, more future,” Roca aims not just to save young people from wasting their lives but to save taxpayers from wasting their money.</p>
<p>At the heart of the initiative is the high cost of incarceration compared to programs that curb recidivism. According to Roca, the annual cost of incarceration in Massachusetts is about $53,500 per person, while Roca’s program costs about $26,000 per person for four years.</p>
<p>“No business would be allowed to run as poorly as our prison systems are run in this country — the costs and the outcomes are abysmal,” said Molly Baldwin, Roca’s CEO and founder. “Some people maybe get to it for humanitarian reasons, but I think the country has begun to change over the past few years literally because of money.”</p>
<p>When Baldwin started the organization in 1988, it focused primarily on teen pregnancy prevention, then expanded into such areas as outreach to refugees and HIV/AIDS prevention. Over the past 10 years, its work has shifted heavily to a focus on reducing recidivism among high-risk young men.</p>
<p>“It’s not magic, it’s not 100 percent. But we’re on to something,” said Baldwin “We don’t really care if you like us or not. It’s about, how do we get to know you — how do we stay on it with you until you’re’ ready to make the changes that we believe you really want to make in your heart.”</p>
<p>Does Roca’s approach really work? So far, the signs are positive. Of the young men who’ve been with the program at least two years, 91 percent have not been re-arrested and 85 percent have held a job for at least six months.</p>
<p>But a more definitive judgment will come in about two years, when outside evaluators assess whether Roca has succeeded in saving taxpayers’ money by curtailing the amount of time that its participants are incarcerated. The outcomes of the roughly 1,000 Roca participants will be compared with those of a control group of other high-risk young men.</p>
<p>If Roca can reduce the number of prison bed days by 40 percent compared to the control group, the state — having saved on incarceration costs — will repay private investors who provided Roca with more than $18 million in grants and loans. If Roca reduces prison time by 60 percent, the state’s savings will be huge, and the investors will get “Pay for Success” bonus payments.</p>
<p>At best, according to Roca, the investors will get $27 million, and the state will spend $45 million less on incarceration. At worst, the state will pay out nothing.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, participants like Tykeam Jackson look toward their personal future. He’s completed a training course in forklift operation, but he’d like go to community college, maybe out of state, to study business and accounting.</p>
<p>“When I got to Roca, I felt, ‘Take the chance,’ because I messed up so much… I felt it was my last chance,” he said. “Now I feel this program just changed my life all around.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Associated Press writer Rodrique Ngowi in Boston contributed to this report.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow David Crary on Twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/CraryAP" type="external">http://twitter.com/CraryAP</a></p>
| false | 2 |
boston tykeam jacksons soft voice warm smile give little hint 21yearold spent youth juvenile detention jails leading life bostons mean streets centered gangs guns always guns protect kept getting caught said hanging around wrong crowd wrong areas getting wrong activities past year outlook changed even pending criminal case looms hes slowly gaining confidence break cycle entangled help unique organization called roca advertisement theyve gotten right direction said since ive roca whole life done 360 roca nonprofit seeks steer hundreds massachusetts highestrisk young men away return behind bars using distinctive blend relentlessness patience even troublesome participants exhorted persist multiyear education job programs roca loath give unorthodox approach works private investors betting millions dollars might show path forward states cities grasping ways bring stubbornly high rates rearrest reincarceration hard staying jail got roca jackson said didnt voice another kid going system everybody wanted brush 21 million people held americas prisons jails annual bill around 80 billion according brookings institution study bipartisan action many criminal justice reforms scaling back mandatory sentences routing nonviolent offenders diversion programs theres breakthrough recidivism within five years 77 percent exprisoners 2014 federal study arrested half went back prison study bureau justice statistics tracked outcomes 405000 inmates released prisons 30 states 2005 recidivism rates highest inmates 24 younger release age range young men roca works tough neighborhoods greater boston nearly arrest records vast majority high school dropouts involved street gangs advertisement rocas words young men ready willing able participate program guys going boy scouts said jason owens roca assistant director last chance university either roca jail death ___ rocas program pledge investors theyll repaid success unusual many ways yet reflects changing attitudes us penal system politicians corrections officials increasingly vocal stopping revolving door back prison whether fiscal humanitarian reasons used public officials couldnt even pronounce recidivism said mike thompson director council state governments justice center youll see governors include whole plan deal state state address many prison systems intensified efforts better prepare inmates release innovative jobtraining education programs launched behind bars including college courses offered federally funded pilot program several western prisons teach inmates train wild horses program florida prisons teaches poetry playwriting skills gone days prison folks didnt care many times came back front gate said fred patrick vera institute justice new yorkbased think tank nonetheless patrick said obstacles reluctance many legislators pay reentry programs fact exinmates face barriers obtaining jobs drivers licenses public housing people say time come home get job move said yet cant get barbers license even prison problem technical violations parole probation terms many former inmates go back prison committed new criminal offense breaking rule thats sent scott rich back new york citys rikers island prison two stints behind bars says track put way life behind succeed 15anhour job apprehended violating paroleimposed curfew last year girlfriend pregnant time past curfew moving car one space another pulled said instant thats everything crumbled everything working obtaining job staying trouble time rich 23 dropped school ninth grade arrested 16 armed robbery served 23 months rikers arrested 2013 served nine months prison first postprison employment earned 150 week said two weekdays taken parolerelated appointments eventually landed 15anhour landscaping job lose due curfew violation looking ahead rich would like selfemployed entrepreneur realistic challenges hell face release hes grateful programming rikers assist inmates reentry 10 times better first stint get point get foot door said dont throw wolves ___ roca operates massachusetts help exoffenders get feet door new life begins dogged recruiting outreach workers sometimes make pests dozen facetoface pitches homes hangouts targets recruit agrees give program try theres phase called transitional employment newcomers assigned work crews paid minimum wage tasks landscaping snow removal parks advance sophisticated jobtraining must work 60 days without absence goal sometimes takes year achieve guys come skills show work said aaron bray transitional employment coordinator expect fail sometimes outlook contrasts many programs selective recruit oust participants uncooperative cops hated us first started saw us hug thug program said owens roca assistant director burly extrovert served prison time joining staff 10 years ago firstname basis police troublemakers alike chelsea rocas headquarters based chelsea police capt david batchelor said department views roca valuable ally programs violate rules youre batchelor said rocas one know break rules theyll take back kids issues yelling going get done jessica iovanna chelseas assistant chief probation said roca made job lot easier explaining young men program likely get twoday jail stints rather monthslong confinement common violations probation theres going slipups said try take little steps change behavior behavioral therapy sessions help roca participants anger management conflict resolution given virtually high school dropouts theyre encouraged take academic courses could lead general education development diploma ged classes individually tailored taught oneonone volunteers often using university library hospital cafeteria kitchen students home boston complex web gang rivalries deemed dangerous large numbers attend classes roca building rival might kill sight said rocas boston director shannon mcauliffe fact february 2015 21yearold kenny lamour working roca snowclearing crew shot dead 18yearold adversary ___ scent burning sage rose centerpiece group young men gathered one rocas peacemaking circles based north american indian rituals joined staff members shared thoughts challenges face ideas addressing first time saw someone shot third grade rayshawn mohammed confided forced grow quicker usual talked getting shot leg last year gangrelated incident faces possible incarceration gun charge place teaches patience humble said indeed rocas staff pride take program know foolproof back january introduced visiting journalist derrik pannesi poised 22yearold credited roca getting track adolescence filled gang activity multiple stints behind bars although message tattooed back hands read trust one acknowledged roca beginning gain trust lot people see someone like us lock door roll window pannesi said roca theyre going turn back walk away pannesi grew cambridge home harvard university also gritty neighborhoods gang activity 7 father shot dead running streets said within five years mixed gang late said january im state prison im coffin like dad ive got chance im going take late february roca dismaying news pannesi back jail rearrested police lodged gun drugrelated charges tykeam jacksons relations roca also checkered hes locked twice since first enrolled january 2015 ousted work crew one point readmitted yet shannon mcauliffe impressed jackson stuck program despite facing charges carjacking case despite targeted recently volley gunfire gang rival left injured leg might go jail yet hes still showing still fire mcauliffe said ill say dont hell say im shannon im going die ___ motto less jail future roca aims save young people wasting lives save taxpayers wasting money heart initiative high cost incarceration compared programs curb recidivism according roca annual cost incarceration massachusetts 53500 per person rocas program costs 26000 per person four years business would allowed run poorly prison systems run country costs outcomes abysmal said molly baldwin rocas ceo founder people maybe get humanitarian reasons think country begun change past years literally money baldwin started organization 1988 focused primarily teen pregnancy prevention expanded areas outreach refugees hivaids prevention past 10 years work shifted heavily focus reducing recidivism among highrisk young men magic 100 percent something said baldwin dont really care like us get know stay youre ready make changes believe really want make heart rocas approach really work far signs positive young men whove program least two years 91 percent rearrested 85 percent held job least six months definitive judgment come two years outside evaluators assess whether roca succeeded saving taxpayers money curtailing amount time participants incarcerated outcomes roughly 1000 roca participants compared control group highrisk young men roca reduce number prison bed days 40 percent compared control group state saved incarceration costs repay private investors provided roca 18 million grants loans roca reduces prison time 60 percent states savings huge investors get pay success bonus payments best according roca investors get 27 million state spend 45 million less incarceration worst state pay nothing meanwhile participants like tykeam jackson look toward personal future hes completed training course forklift operation hed like go community college maybe state study business accounting got roca felt take chance messed much felt last chance said feel program changed life around ___ associated press writer rodrique ngowi boston contributed report ___ follow david crary twitter httptwittercomcraryap
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<p>SCHLADMING, Austria (AP) — When Marcel Hirscher goes after his elusive Olympic gold medal in Pyeongchang next month, a member of the Matt family could stand in his way once again.</p>
<p>In Sochi, Mario Matt beat his Austrian teammate to the slalom title. Four years later, Michael Matt, Mario's younger brother, has become one of Hirscher's main rivals.</p>
<p>"If I have two runs like in Kitzbuehel, Adelboden or Zagreb this month, then everything is possible," Michael Matt said Monday, the eve of the last World Cup slalom before the Olympic race in South Korea on Feb. 22.</p>
<p>Michael Matt and Norwegian rival Henrik Kristoffersen are regarded as Hirscher's main challengers when the six-time overall World Cup champion has another shot at the only major prize he is missing.</p>
<p>"They are both beatable, I have proven that several times this season," Matt said.</p>
<p>Brother Mario had 15 World Cup wins and two world titles to go with his Olympic gold medal when he retired at the age of 35 three years ago.</p>
<p>While the career of 24-year-old Michael Matt is still in its early stages with six podiums and one win, he is eager to step out of his brother's shadow.</p>
<p>In fact, he feels like he has already done so.</p>
<p>Michael understands that people will always compare the two, but slowly the questions about Mario are starting to annoy him.</p>
<p>After skiing an impressive race and trailing winner Hirscher by only 0.05 seconds in Zagreb a few weeks ago, journalists at a only asked him about his brother, who is running an apres-ski bar and breeding Arabian horses.</p>
<p>"I have to live with that," Michael said. "But by now, the reporters should know that it's me who is racing."</p>
<p>According to Austrian coach Marko Pfeifer, who has led the slalom team since 2013, the Matt brothers are very similar.</p>
<p>"The way they talk, their mentality, their style of racing, their stand on the skis, it's all nearly the same," Pfeifer said.</p>
<p>After making his debut in 2013, Michael Matt earned his first World Cup points in Wengen in 2015 when he finished 16th. He arrived in the elite of slalom racing by placing second in Levi at the start of last season, and followed with his sole victory so far in Kranjska Gora a few months later.</p>
<p>This year, he has racked up three consecutive second places in the first week of January.</p>
<p>"The beginning of the season wasn't great. But I am in good shape and since (December) it's all been going better," Michael said.</p>
<p>While Hirscher won five straight slaloms and Kristoffersen was on the podium every single race, Michael Matt is still looking for his first victory of the season.</p>
<p>He came close at Sunday's race in Kitzbuehel, leading Hirscher by 0.75 seconds when he passed a gate the wrong side, a seldom seen mistake.</p>
<p>"It felt like Klitschko is punching you in the face," Michael said about his blunder. "It was bitter as I know I was keeping up with the very best again but I didn't take my chance."</p>
<p>Next month, Michael will become the third Olympian in his family. Another brother, Andreas, is a former ski cross world champion who won silver at the 2010 Vancouver Games.</p>
<p>Pfeifer said Michael could become the third Matt with an Olympic medal.</p>
<p>"They stand out but beating Marcel or Kristoffersen is always tough," Pfeifer said. "On details, they are maybe still ahead of Michi a little bit. But on a super day with two super runs, Michi can beat them."</p>
<p>SCHLADMING, Austria (AP) — When Marcel Hirscher goes after his elusive Olympic gold medal in Pyeongchang next month, a member of the Matt family could stand in his way once again.</p>
<p>In Sochi, Mario Matt beat his Austrian teammate to the slalom title. Four years later, Michael Matt, Mario's younger brother, has become one of Hirscher's main rivals.</p>
<p>"If I have two runs like in Kitzbuehel, Adelboden or Zagreb this month, then everything is possible," Michael Matt said Monday, the eve of the last World Cup slalom before the Olympic race in South Korea on Feb. 22.</p>
<p>Michael Matt and Norwegian rival Henrik Kristoffersen are regarded as Hirscher's main challengers when the six-time overall World Cup champion has another shot at the only major prize he is missing.</p>
<p>"They are both beatable, I have proven that several times this season," Matt said.</p>
<p>Brother Mario had 15 World Cup wins and two world titles to go with his Olympic gold medal when he retired at the age of 35 three years ago.</p>
<p>While the career of 24-year-old Michael Matt is still in its early stages with six podiums and one win, he is eager to step out of his brother's shadow.</p>
<p>In fact, he feels like he has already done so.</p>
<p>Michael understands that people will always compare the two, but slowly the questions about Mario are starting to annoy him.</p>
<p>After skiing an impressive race and trailing winner Hirscher by only 0.05 seconds in Zagreb a few weeks ago, journalists at a only asked him about his brother, who is running an apres-ski bar and breeding Arabian horses.</p>
<p>"I have to live with that," Michael said. "But by now, the reporters should know that it's me who is racing."</p>
<p>According to Austrian coach Marko Pfeifer, who has led the slalom team since 2013, the Matt brothers are very similar.</p>
<p>"The way they talk, their mentality, their style of racing, their stand on the skis, it's all nearly the same," Pfeifer said.</p>
<p>After making his debut in 2013, Michael Matt earned his first World Cup points in Wengen in 2015 when he finished 16th. He arrived in the elite of slalom racing by placing second in Levi at the start of last season, and followed with his sole victory so far in Kranjska Gora a few months later.</p>
<p>This year, he has racked up three consecutive second places in the first week of January.</p>
<p>"The beginning of the season wasn't great. But I am in good shape and since (December) it's all been going better," Michael said.</p>
<p>While Hirscher won five straight slaloms and Kristoffersen was on the podium every single race, Michael Matt is still looking for his first victory of the season.</p>
<p>He came close at Sunday's race in Kitzbuehel, leading Hirscher by 0.75 seconds when he passed a gate the wrong side, a seldom seen mistake.</p>
<p>"It felt like Klitschko is punching you in the face," Michael said about his blunder. "It was bitter as I know I was keeping up with the very best again but I didn't take my chance."</p>
<p>Next month, Michael will become the third Olympian in his family. Another brother, Andreas, is a former ski cross world champion who won silver at the 2010 Vancouver Games.</p>
<p>Pfeifer said Michael could become the third Matt with an Olympic medal.</p>
<p>"They stand out but beating Marcel or Kristoffersen is always tough," Pfeifer said. "On details, they are maybe still ahead of Michi a little bit. But on a super day with two super runs, Michi can beat them."</p>
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schladming austria ap marcel hirscher goes elusive olympic gold medal pyeongchang next month member matt family could stand way sochi mario matt beat austrian teammate slalom title four years later michael matt marios younger brother become one hirschers main rivals two runs like kitzbuehel adelboden zagreb month everything possible michael matt said monday eve last world cup slalom olympic race south korea feb 22 michael matt norwegian rival henrik kristoffersen regarded hirschers main challengers sixtime overall world cup champion another shot major prize missing beatable proven several times season matt said brother mario 15 world cup wins two world titles go olympic gold medal retired age 35 three years ago career 24yearold michael matt still early stages six podiums one win eager step brothers shadow fact feels like already done michael understands people always compare two slowly questions mario starting annoy skiing impressive race trailing winner hirscher 005 seconds zagreb weeks ago journalists asked brother running apresski bar breeding arabian horses live michael said reporters know racing according austrian coach marko pfeifer led slalom team since 2013 matt brothers similar way talk mentality style racing stand skis nearly pfeifer said making debut 2013 michael matt earned first world cup points wengen 2015 finished 16th arrived elite slalom racing placing second levi start last season followed sole victory far kranjska gora months later year racked three consecutive second places first week january beginning season wasnt great good shape since december going better michael said hirscher five straight slaloms kristoffersen podium every single race michael matt still looking first victory season came close sundays race kitzbuehel leading hirscher 075 seconds passed gate wrong side seldom seen mistake felt like klitschko punching face michael said blunder bitter know keeping best didnt take chance next month michael become third olympian family another brother andreas former ski cross world champion silver 2010 vancouver games pfeifer said michael could become third matt olympic medal stand beating marcel kristoffersen always tough pfeifer said details maybe still ahead michi little bit super day two super runs michi beat schladming austria ap marcel hirscher goes elusive olympic gold medal pyeongchang next month member matt family could stand way sochi mario matt beat austrian teammate slalom title four years later michael matt marios younger brother become one hirschers main rivals two runs like kitzbuehel adelboden zagreb month everything possible michael matt said monday eve last world cup slalom olympic race south korea feb 22 michael matt norwegian rival henrik kristoffersen regarded hirschers main challengers sixtime overall world cup champion another shot major prize missing beatable proven several times season matt said brother mario 15 world cup wins two world titles go olympic gold medal retired age 35 three years ago career 24yearold michael matt still early stages six podiums one win eager step brothers shadow fact feels like already done michael understands people always compare two slowly questions mario starting annoy skiing impressive race trailing winner hirscher 005 seconds zagreb weeks ago journalists asked brother running apresski bar breeding arabian horses live michael said reporters know racing according austrian coach marko pfeifer led slalom team since 2013 matt brothers similar way talk mentality style racing stand skis nearly pfeifer said making debut 2013 michael matt earned first world cup points wengen 2015 finished 16th arrived elite slalom racing placing second levi start last season followed sole victory far kranjska gora months later year racked three consecutive second places first week january beginning season wasnt great good shape since december going better michael said hirscher five straight slaloms kristoffersen podium every single race michael matt still looking first victory season came close sundays race kitzbuehel leading hirscher 075 seconds passed gate wrong side seldom seen mistake felt like klitschko punching face michael said blunder bitter know keeping best didnt take chance next month michael become third olympian family another brother andreas former ski cross world champion silver 2010 vancouver games pfeifer said michael could become third matt olympic medal stand beating marcel kristoffersen always tough pfeifer said details maybe still ahead michi little bit super day two super runs michi beat
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<p>*Marks new listing.</p>
<p>MAY</p>
<p>3 l Chris Tomlin, 7:30 p.m., Santa Ana Star Center, Rio Rancho, $20-$36.50, plus fees. Tickets, visit comcasttix.com</p>
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<p>3 l Bill Cosby, 8 p.m., Route 66 Casino, $35-$75, plus fees. Tickets, visit holdmyticket.com</p>
<p>4 l Geoff Muldaur, 7:30 p.m., Outpost Performance Space, $25-$30. Tickets, visit outpostspace.org</p>
<p>*4 l Paul Rodriguez, 8 p.m., Buffalo Thunder Casino, Santa Fe, $25-$30, plus fees. Tickets, visit tickets.com</p>
<p>4 l Los Lonely Boys, 8 p.m., Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino, Mescalero, $25-$70, plus fees. Tickets, visit ticketmaster.com</p>
<p>5 l Los Lonely Boys, 7 p.m., San Felipe Casino Hollywood, $30-$35.50, plus fees. Tickets, visit holdmyticket.com</p>
<p>5 l Edgefest featuring The Killers, Minus The Bear, Bad Religion, 2 p.m., Isleta Amphitheater, $29-$65 plus fees. Tickets, visit ticketmaster.com</p>
<p>5 l New Mexico Symphonic Chorus and Orchestra: “Orff’s Other Carmina,” 3 p.m., National Hispanic Cultural Center, $18-$60. Tickets, call 724-4771 or visit nmschorus.org</p>
<p>5 l Paquita La Del Barrio, 7 p.m., Sandia Casino Amphitheater, $30-$40, plus fees. Tickets, visit ticketmaster.com</p>
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<p>7 l Edward Sharpe &amp; The Magnetic Zeros, 8 p.m., Sunshine Theater, $25. Tickets, visit holdmyticket.com</p>
<p>9 l Jason Moran &amp; the Bandwagon, 7:30 p.m., Outpost Performance Space, $25-$30. Tickets, visit outpostspace.org</p>
<p>9 l Suicidal Tendencies, Sick Of It All, Wake The Dead, 8 p.m., Sunshine Theater, $22. Tickets, visit holdmyticket.com</p>
<p>17 l Steve Miller Band, 8 p.m., Route 66 Casino, $48-$125, plus fees. Tickets, visit holdmyticket.com</p>
<p>17 l Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley, 7 p.m., Isleta Amphitheater, $21.95-$54, plus fees. Tickets, visit livenation.com</p>
<p>21 l Big Boi, 7 p.m., Sunshine Theater, $23.50. Tickets, visit holdmyticket.com</p>
<p>*22 l The Dillinger Escape Plan, The Faceless and Royal Thunder, 8 p.m., Launchpad, $20. Tickets, visit holdmyticket.com</p>
<p>22-June 2 l “Jersey Boys,” times vary, Popejoy Hall, $37.50-$135, plus fees. Tickets, call 505-925-5858 or 877-664-8661 or visit unmtickets.com</p>
<p>23 l Smokey Robinson, 8 p.m., Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino, Mescalero, $35-$85, plus fees. Tickets, visit ticketmaster.com</p>
<p>26 l Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen, 7 p.m., Santa Fe Opera, $27-$89. Tickets, call 505-986-5900 or 800-280-4654 or visit santafeopera.org</p>
<p>*26 l The Temptations, 8 p.m., Hard Rock Casino Albuquerque, $10-$25, plus fees. Tickets, visit holdmyticket.com</p>
<p>28 l Escape The Fate, The Color Morale, Glamour of the Kill, 7:30 p.m., Sunshine Theater, $16. Tickets, visit holdmyticket.com</p>
<p>30 l Dropkick Murphys, Old Man Markley and The Mahones, 8 p.m., Sunshine Theater, $25. Tickets, visit holdmyticket.com</p>
<p>31 l Juanes, 8 p.m., Sandia Casino Amphitheater, $35-$50, plus fees. Tickets, visit ticketmaster.com</p>
<p>JUNE</p>
<p>1 l Alice Cooper and Marilyn Manson: Monsters of Madness Tour, 7 p.m., Isleta Amphitheater, $25-$65, plus fees. Tickets, visit livenation.com</p>
<p>4 l David Francy, 7:30 p.m., Outpost Performance Space, $17-$22. Tickets, visit ampconcerts.org</p>
<p>6 l Birds of Chicago, 7:30 p.m., Outpost Performance Space, $17-$22. Tickets, visit ampconcerts.org</p>
<p>6 l Mumford &amp; Sons, 7 p.m., Kit Carson Park, Taos, $50, plus fees. Tickets, visit ticketmaster.com</p>
<p>6 l STRFKR, 8 p.m., Launchpad, $18. Tickets, visit holdmyticket.com</p>
<p>*8 l Dokken and Quiet Riot, 8 p.m., Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino, Mescalero, $25-$70, plus fees. Tickets, visit ticketmaster.com</p>
<p>*9 l Jewel, 7 p.m., Sandia Casino Amphitheater, $36-$100, plus fees. Tickets, visit ticketmaster.com</p>
<p>10 l Hillsong United, 7 p.m., Isleta Amphitheater, $20-$45, plus fees. Tickets, visit livenation.com</p>
<p>13 l Tim McGraw, Brantley Gilbert and Love and Theft, 7 p.m., Isleta Amphitheater, $44-$69, plus fees. Tickets, visit livenation.com</p>
<p>14 l The Sandra Wong, Dominick Leslie, Ty Burhoe Trio, 8 p.m., Outpost Performance Space, $17-$22. Tickets, visit ampconcerts.org</p>
<p>14 l Tedeschi Trucks Band, Grace Potter &amp; The Nocturnals, 7 p.m., Sandia Casino Amphitheater, $35-$100, plus fees. Tickets, visit ticketmaster.com</p>
<p>*15 l Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell, 7 p.m., The Downs of Santa Fe, $40-$70, $10 kids, plus fees. Tickets, call 505-988-1234 or visit ticketssantafe.org</p>
<p>*15 l George Jones, 8 p.m., Route 66 Casino, $35-$60, plus fees. Tickets, visit holdmyticket.com</p>
<p>*16 l Girl In A Coma, Pinata Protest and Irontom, 7:30 p.m., Launchpad, $12. Tickets, visit holdmyticket.com</p>
<p>19 l Vieux Farka Toure, 7:30 p.m., Dirty Bourbon Dance Hall and Saloon, $20-$25. Tickets, visit ampconcerts.org</p>
<p>20 l Pitbull and Ke$ha, 7:30 p.m., Isleta Amphitheater, $25-$75.50, plus fees. Tickets, visit livenation.com</p>
<p>*22 l Cheech and Chong, 8 p.m., Route 66 Casino, $28-$60, plus fees. Tickets, visit holdmyticket.com</p>
<p>26 l Van’s Warped Tour ’13 with Hawthorne Heights, The Early November, Allstar Weekend and many more, 11 a.m., NMSU Intramural Field, Las Cruces, $35, plus fees. Tickets, visit ticketmaster.com</p>
<p>*29 l Josh Turner, 8 p.m., Sandia Casino Amphitheater, $39-$100, plus fees. Tickets, visit ticketmaster.com</p>
<p>JULY</p>
<p>6 l Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival with Rob Zombie, Five Finger Death Punch and others, 1 p.m., Isleta Amphitheater, $33.50-$79, plus fees. Tickets, visit livenation.com</p>
<p>*10 l Slightly Stoopid and Atmosphere, 7 p.m., Sandia Casino Amphitheater, $45-$55, plus fees. Tickets, visit ticketmaster.com</p>
<p>*13 l Mariachi Spectacular, 7 p.m., Sandia Casino Amphitheater, $45-$55, plus fees. Tickets, visit ticketmaster.com</p>
<p>14 l TradiSon, 7:30 p.m., National Hispanic Cultural Center, $17-$20, $7 kids ages 12 and under. Tickets, visit ampconcerts.org</p>
<p>15 l Alabama Shakes, 7:30 p.m., Popejoy Hall, $35.50, plus fees. Tickets, visit alabamashakes.frontgatetickets.com</p>
<p>17 l Fanfare Ciocarlia, 7:30 p.m., Dirty Bourbon Dance Hall and Saloon, $17-$20. Tickets, visit ampconcerts.org</p>
<p>19 l Alan Jackson, 7 p.m., Isleta Amphitheater, $26-$81, plus fees. Tickets, visit livenation.com</p>
<p>*21 l Under the Influence of Music Tour: Wiz Khalifa, A$AP Rocky and more, 6 p.m., Isleta Amphitheater, $26-$65.50, plus fees. Tickets on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at livenation.com</p>
<p>23 l Kid Rock, Kool &amp; The Gang and Uncle Kracker, 7 p.m., Isleta Amphitheater, $24, plus fees. Tickets, visit livenation.com</p>
<p>AUGUST</p>
<p>6 l Train, The Script and Gavin DeGraw, 7 p.m. Isleta Amphitheater, $20-$75, plus fees. Tickets, livenation.com</p>
<p>23 l Steve Poltz, 8 p.m., Cooperage, $15-$20. Tickets, visit ampconcerts.org</p>
<p>28 l Keith Urban, Little Big Town and Dustin Lynch, 7 p.m., Sandia Casino Amphitheater, $65-$80, plus fees. Tickets, visit ticketmaster.com</p>
<p>29 l Jason Mraz, 7 p.m., Sandia Casino Amphitheater, $55-$65, plus fees. Tickets, visit ticketmaster.com</p>
<p>DECEMBER</p>
<p>*4 l Joe Bonamassa, 8 p.m., Kiva Auditorium, $79-$99, plus fees. Tickets, visit ticketmaster.com</p>
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marks new listing may 3 l chris tomlin 730 pm santa ana star center rio rancho 203650 plus fees tickets visit comcasttixcom advertisement 3 l bill cosby 8 pm route 66 casino 3575 plus fees tickets visit holdmyticketcom 4 l geoff muldaur 730 pm outpost performance space 2530 tickets visit outpostspaceorg 4 l paul rodriguez 8 pm buffalo thunder casino santa fe 2530 plus fees tickets visit ticketscom 4 l los lonely boys 8 pm inn mountain gods resort casino mescalero 2570 plus fees tickets visit ticketmastercom 5 l los lonely boys 7 pm san felipe casino hollywood 303550 plus fees tickets visit holdmyticketcom 5 l edgefest featuring killers minus bear bad religion 2 pm isleta amphitheater 2965 plus fees tickets visit ticketmastercom 5 l new mexico symphonic chorus orchestra orffs carmina 3 pm national hispanic cultural center 1860 tickets call 7244771 visit nmschorusorg 5 l paquita la del barrio 7 pm sandia casino amphitheater 3040 plus fees tickets visit ticketmastercom advertisement 7 l edward sharpe amp magnetic zeros 8 pm sunshine theater 25 tickets visit holdmyticketcom 9 l jason moran amp bandwagon 730 pm outpost performance space 2530 tickets visit outpostspaceorg 9 l suicidal tendencies sick wake dead 8 pm sunshine theater 22 tickets visit holdmyticketcom 17 l steve miller band 8 pm route 66 casino 48125 plus fees tickets visit holdmyticketcom 17 l miranda lambert dierks bentley 7 pm isleta amphitheater 219554 plus fees tickets visit livenationcom 21 l big boi 7 pm sunshine theater 2350 tickets visit holdmyticketcom 22 l dillinger escape plan faceless royal thunder 8 pm launchpad 20 tickets visit holdmyticketcom 22june 2 l jersey boys times vary popejoy hall 3750135 plus fees tickets call 5059255858 8776648661 visit unmticketscom 23 l smokey robinson 8 pm inn mountain gods resort casino mescalero 3585 plus fees tickets visit ticketmastercom 26 l lyle lovett robert earl keen 7 pm santa fe opera 2789 tickets call 5059865900 8002804654 visit santafeoperaorg 26 l temptations 8 pm hard rock casino albuquerque 1025 plus fees tickets visit holdmyticketcom 28 l escape fate color morale glamour kill 730 pm sunshine theater 16 tickets visit holdmyticketcom 30 l dropkick murphys old man markley mahones 8 pm sunshine theater 25 tickets visit holdmyticketcom 31 l juanes 8 pm sandia casino amphitheater 3550 plus fees tickets visit ticketmastercom june 1 l alice cooper marilyn manson monsters madness tour 7 pm isleta amphitheater 2565 plus fees tickets visit livenationcom 4 l david francy 730 pm outpost performance space 1722 tickets visit ampconcertsorg 6 l birds chicago 730 pm outpost performance space 1722 tickets visit ampconcertsorg 6 l mumford amp sons 7 pm kit carson park taos 50 plus fees tickets visit ticketmastercom 6 l strfkr 8 pm launchpad 18 tickets visit holdmyticketcom 8 l dokken quiet riot 8 pm inn mountain gods resort casino mescalero 2570 plus fees tickets visit ticketmastercom 9 l jewel 7 pm sandia casino amphitheater 36100 plus fees 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<p>Republican front-runner Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed, for months, that premiums under the Affordable Care Act are “going up 35, 45, 55 percent.” Trump cherry-picks insurers’ rate increases on the ACA marketplaces.&#160;The average premium increase was 8 percent for HealthCare.gov consumers between 2015 and 2016.</p>
<p>That figure, from <a href="https://aspe.hhs.gov/pdf-report/marketplace-premiums-after-shopping-switching-and-premium-tax-credits-2015-2016" type="external">the Department of Health and Human Services’ April analysis</a>, reflects the fact that 43 percent of returning customers shopped around, choosing a different plan for 2016. A Kaiser Family Foundation analysis <a href="http://kff.org/health-costs/issue-brief/potential-savings-from-actively-shopping-for-marketplace-coverage-in-2016/" type="external">estimated</a> that if those with the lowest cost silver plan in 2015 stuck with the same plans — even though in many cases a different plan in 2016 was now the lowest cost — their premiums would have gone up 15 percent on average. That’s still much lower than the figures Trump cites.</p>
<p>Tax credits for those earning <a href="https://www.irs.gov/Affordable-Care-Act/Individuals-and-Families/Eligibility-for-the-Premium-Tax-Credit" type="external">between 100 percent and&#160;400 percent</a> of the federal poverty level bring the actual premiums paid down. HHS reports that 85 percent of those buying a plan on the HealthCare.gov marketplaces in 2016 qualified for tax credits and saw a jump in premiums of 4 percent or $4 per month on average.</p>
<p>There was wide variation in premium changes for the ACA marketplace plans in 2016. Trump uses figures from increases on the high-end of the spectrum, but he could just as easily cherry-pick some of the large decreases in certain plan premiums — decreases of 10 percent, or more than 20 percent.</p>
<p>For instance, <a href="https://ratereview.healthcare.gov/#urrresults?U2FsdGVkX1%2BDY74Da6XwDvlvQ1eICPH9slVHPqArlL5tqjKEzvYS0OLQTyv%2F2wfokNDJoQ8tOaAyTdIe%2BJqd2t8kQG0uV2cn%2FVbOAa9IjX3O3cKba5c6WF9EBhV0XFt9MpTBfOue1ADf24IWUehZ3Q%3D%3D" type="external">insurance plans in Washington state</a> had approved rate increases for 2016 that ranged from a drop of 22 percent to an increase&#160;of 30 percent. <a href="https://ratereview.healthcare.gov/#urrresults?U2FsdGVkX1%2B1zzG8zc1wTeeUUxgzwPtC26C2LW28tWo9YhPgg8FCkX7vDcmZ149xxpSiciQtwvGrzOBb7DpoCu2Goik%2BjE%2FtiEm4jUkmkt911YAicfoLF0mQr0C6GNgjwoQTN5i3P8W2RtKmJLCVXQ%3D%3D" type="external">In Indiana</a>, one insurer’s plan lowered&#160;premiums by 18 percent, while another raised a plan’s premium by nearly 14 percent. The rate requests and approvals for insurer plans in state and federal marketplaces <a href="https://ratereview.healthcare.gov/#search" type="external">are available on the HealthCare.gov website</a>.</p>
<p>We <a href="" type="internal">checked this claim</a> from Trump way back in June 2015, when he made it during his speech announcing that he was running for president. Then, Trump said that “costs are going for people up 29, 39, 49 and even 55 percent.”</p>
<p>He <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/week-transcript-donald-trump/story?id=34706902" type="external">used similar figures</a>&#160;again in late October on ABC’s “This Week,” and recently <a href="https://youtu.be/-8hF1vh5k2Y?t=2m48s" type="external">made the claim</a> in an April 19&#160;speech after winning the New York primary (at the 2:48 mark).</p>
<p>Trump, April 19: We’re getting rid of Obamacare. It’s going to be repealed and replaced. It is a total disaster with premiums going up 35, 45, 55 percent. It’s going to probably end of its own volition. We’re getting rid of it.</p>
<p>When Trump made the claim originally in June, we wrote that he was talking about proposed rate increases for some plans on the ACA marketplaces, where individuals purchase their own insurance. (The same plans also could be purchased individually through insurance brokers, rather than going through the marketplace websites.) We noted that it was unclear whether the large increases Trump cited would be approved by state insurance regulators, and there were other proposed decreases or single-digit increases in plans that didn’t have to be submitted for review. The Affordable Care Act&#160; <a href="http://www.cms.gov/CCIIO/Resources/Fact-Sheets-and-FAQs/rate_review_fact_sheet.html" type="external">requires</a> insurers to submit any proposed premium&#160;increase above 10 percent to state and federal regulators for review, with an explanation of why the increases are necessary.</p>
<p>As we also noted, most of the insured&#160; <a href="http://kff.org/other/state-indicator/total-population/" type="external">get their coverage through their employer</a>, and employer-sponsored premiums have been rising at historically low rates for the past few years. Premiums for both single and family employer-sponsored plans increased by 4 percent on average from 2014 to 2015, “continuing a decade-long period of moderate growth,” according to the <a href="http://kff.org/health-costs/press-release/employer-family-health-premiums-rise-4-percent-to-17545-in-2015-extending-a-decade-long-trend-of-relatively-moderate-increases/" type="external">latest annual Kaiser Family Foundation/Health Research &amp; Educational Trust employer survey</a>. About 6&#160;percent of the U.S. population <a href="http://kff.org/other/state-indicator/total-population/" type="external">buys coverage on the individual market</a>.</p>
<p>Final rate increases for the state and federal exchanges for 2016 are now available. And there are still some individual plans with 2016 premium rate increases as high as the numbers Trump cites. But there are also some plans with sizable premium decreases, and more with a mix of decreases and increases in between.</p>
<p>For instance, a New Mexico Health Connections individual plan <a href="https://ratereview.healthcare.gov/#urrresults?U2FsdGVkX18qbttHO0UFd5WfRyzHlfuCKkZux28cC1DyReZEija1SycCdfPRdJ10wvpxgLhZjgWcrVJdoRb7ofHOLF%2BvJt0pXjZ9ocgOBvg0NS7GQYttnE6aObt5v6wn9nY2Y4baHkkB4Xi24%2FYcFw%3D%3D" type="external">had an approved increase of 37.6 percent</a>, while another plan in the state, from CHRISTUS Health Plan, had an approved decrease of 4.68 percent. Several Blue Cross Blue Shield rates in Minnesota <a href="https://ratereview.healthcare.gov/#urrresults?U2FsdGVkX1%2FJsQ1u3aefTPpp9jQI%2FdV%2FpafZy4SrvU%2BC1QZzW9WeZnTTkxVwlj7hse5TpTvXIpcaqyOzcHXPjyLN8LgGI233iCptfytsa9e8SAHbejPxy4hfkj%2Fmvrm5jgWy6Ae59Mt9qQeBQltSaQ%3D%3D" type="external">went up by about 50 percent</a>, while an individual plan from the insurer Gundersen went up by 8.63 percent.</p>
<p>Some people with a marketplace plan may well have paid sizable&#160;increases if they stayed with certain plans, but Trump’s implication that these types&#160;of increases were widespread or typical is incorrect.</p>
<p>“I would not say the typical experience was, say, a 30 or 40 or 50 percent increase,” Cynthia Cox, associate director for the Program for the Study of Health Reform and Private Insurance at the nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation, told us.</p>
<p>Cox and her colleagues&#160; <a href="http://kff.org/health-costs/issue-brief/potential-savings-from-actively-shopping-for-marketplace-coverage-in-2016/" type="external">analyzed</a> the premium rates in 36 states, and 2,365 counties, for a single 40-year-old for the lowest&#160;cost silver plans. (The ACA marketplace plans have different&#160;levels of benefit coverage — bronze, silver, gold and platinum.) KFF found that “consumers enrolled in the lowest cost silver plan in 2015 would see an average premium increase of 15% if they automatically enroll (or chose to stay) in the same plan in 2016, before any tax credit.”</p>
<p>But it pays to shop around, as the KFF analysis, published in November,&#160;made clear. In 73 percent of those counties, the lowest cost silver plan from 2015 was no longer the lowest cost silver plan for 2016. The lowest cost option went up 7 percent in 2016, so consumers could save money by switching plans.</p>
<p>And that’s what 43 percent (2.4 million people) of those returning to the HealthCare.gov marketplaces in 2016 did, <a href="https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/198636/MarketplaceRate.pdf" type="external">according to an HHS analysis released April 12</a>.&#160;“Compared to what they would have paid to remain in their 2015 plan, consumers that switched plans saved an average of $42 per month in premium costs, equivalent to over $500 in annual savings,” HHS said.</p>
<p>Factoring in this comparative shopping, the average premium increase was 8 percent, before taking into account tax credits, the analysis said. The HHS report covers the <a href="https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/187866/Finalenrollment2016.pdf" type="external">9.6 million individuals</a> who enrolled or were automatically reenrolled in plans in the 38 states using the HealthCare.gov site. All told, 12.7 million enrolled or reenrolled in marketplace plans in 2016 in all states.</p>
<p>The KFF analysis, titled “Potential Savings from Actively Shopping for Marketplace Coverage in 2016,” included an example of how some marketplace policyholders could save money by switching health plans.</p>
<p>KFF, Nov. 18, 2015:&#160;As an example, the lowest cost silver plan in Dallas, TX was offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas at $279 per month for an unsubsidized 40 year old in 2015. If the person in Dallas continued in his plan, he would have to pay $353 per month in 2016, or an increase of 27%. If he was willing to switch to the new lowest cost silver plan in 2016 offered by Molina, he would pay $260 per month, a decrease of 7% compared to what he paid in 2015.</p>
<p>Tax credits lower the premiums paid by most of those on marketplace plans. HHS said that 85 percent of HealthCare.gov consumers qualified for tax credits, and their&#160;average monthly net premium increase, taking the credits into account, was 4 percent (or $4 per month) from 2015 to 2016. The average premium for those receiving tax credits was $106 per month.</p>
<p>As we’ve noted, the premium changes for marketplace plans in 2016 varied widely — from double-digit increases to double-digit decreases and everything in between. An <a href="http://kff.org/health-reform/fact-sheet/analysis-of-2016-premium-changes-in-the-affordable-care-acts-health-insurance-marketplaces/" type="external">earlier KFF analysis</a> on the second lowest cost silver plan premiums in major cities in every state found they ranged from a decrease of&#160;10.6 percent in Seattle, Washington, to an increase of 38.4 percent in Nashville, Tennessee. The average premium change was an increase of 10.1 percent.</p>
<p>(These figures don’t include tax credits. A 40-year-old earning $30,000 a year would face an average premium decrease of 0.2 percent for the second lowest cost silver plan, once the credits are included, KFF found.)</p>
<p>An Urban Institute analysis of the lowest-cost silver plan premiums in 20 states and Washington, D.C., <a href="http://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/alfresco/publication-pdfs/2000526-2016-Premium-Increases-In-The-ACA-Marketplaces.pdf" type="external">found</a> a 4.3 percent average increase, but similar wide variation: The average premium dropped in six states and Washington, D.C., increased by up to&#160;10 percent in 10 states, and increased by more than that in four states.</p>
<p>There are different ways to look at how premiums changed. The&#160;Commonwealth Fund <a href="http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/blog/2016/jan/2016-health-insurance-marketplace-premiums" type="external">measured</a> the changes for all plans and the second lowest cost silver plans (or benchmark plans, used to determine tax subsidies), and weighted the premiums to reflect population, and found an average increase of 6 percent from 2015 to 2016. But, again, there was a variation — “ranging from premium increases of 37 percent in Tennessee to reductions of 8 percent in Texas,” and slower growth of premiums in higher-cost urban areas than suburban or rural areas.</p>
<p>Why the disparity, and overall larger increases for 2016? Cox told us that insurers may have priced too low&#160;initially, and are now reacting to having a full year’s experience with actual marketplace activity. The ACA marketplace plans were first available for coverage starting in January 2014, but insurers then submitted 2015 rates before that year was up.</p>
<p>Premiums for 2014 <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/premiums-on-obamacare-marketplaces-beat-expectations-report-shows/" type="external">came in lower</a> than the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has projected, Cox noted, and 2015 premium changes varied in some areas but were relatively flat&#160;on average&#160;(the second lowest-cost silver plan <a href="http://kff.org/health-reform/issue-brief/analysis-of-2015-premium-changes-in-the-affordable-care-acts-health-insurance-marketplaces/" type="external">went up 2 percent on average</a> across all U.S. counties in 2015).&#160;But 2016 was the&#160;“first year that insurers could actually use the data that they had gathered from the enrollees that had been in their plans” for a full year, Cox said. And people were “using more health care than the insurers had initially anticipated.” Premiums, therefore, increased more substantially.</p>
<p>The Urban Institute report made a similar observation.&#160;“With consumers having full transparency of plan options&#160;and premiums and seeking to pay no more than necessary,&#160;beginning in 2014, insurers had strong incentives to price&#160;aggressively. This is despite the fact that in the initial years they&#160;had limited information on the health care needs of those who&#160;would enroll. Insurers that choose to price high because of fear&#160;of high utilization risk losing market share; consequently, some&#160;appeared to have erred on the side of lower-than-necessary&#160;premiums and are now correcting for that as the health care&#160;profiles of their enrollees becomes clearer.” The authors wrote that it could take a few more years for insurers’ costs, and premiums, to stabilize.</p>
<p>As was the case before the ACA was passed, it’s difficult to make generalizations about consumers’&#160;experience buying their own health insurance. There’s a lot of churn in the individual market, as some <a href="http://kff.org/private-insurance/issue-brief/how-many-people-have-nongroup-health-insurance/" type="external">use it temporarily</a> while between jobs. And under the ACA, premiums can vary based on geographic location, age and whether an individual smokes. There’s also more freedom to switch plans, as consumers can’t be denied or charged more due to preexisting conditions.</p>
<p>“Premiums have been somewhat&#160;volatile from year to year,” Cox said, and the changes depend on where people live, as well as whether they shopped around or received a tax subsidy. “It’s hard to characterize how everyone is being affected by these premiums.”</p>
<p>But everyone is certainly not paying rate increases of “35, 45, 55 percent” — the figures cited by Trump. Some would have paid lower premiums by switching plans — or even sticking with the same plans in some cases — and average premium increases, according to several studies, range from 4.3 percent to 15 percent, not including tax credits.</p>
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republican frontrunner donald trump repeatedly claimed months premiums affordable care act going 35 45 55 percent trump cherrypicks insurers rate increases aca marketplaces160the average premium increase 8 percent healthcaregov consumers 2015 2016 figure department health human services april analysis reflects fact 43 percent returning customers shopped around choosing different plan 2016 kaiser family foundation analysis estimated lowest cost silver plan 2015 stuck plans even though many cases different plan 2016 lowest cost premiums would gone 15 percent average thats still much lower figures trump cites tax credits earning 100 percent and160400 percent federal poverty level bring actual premiums paid hhs reports 85 percent buying plan healthcaregov marketplaces 2016 qualified tax credits saw jump premiums 4 percent 4 per month average wide variation premium changes aca marketplace plans 2016 trump uses figures increases highend spectrum could easily cherrypick large decreases certain plan premiums decreases 10 percent 20 percent instance insurance plans washington state approved rate increases 2016 ranged drop 22 percent increase160of 30 percent indiana one insurers plan lowered160premiums 18 percent another raised plans premium nearly 14 percent rate requests approvals insurer plans state federal marketplaces available healthcaregov website checked claim trump way back june 2015 made speech announcing running president trump said costs going people 29 39 49 even 55 percent used similar figures160again late october abcs week recently made claim april 19160speech winning new york primary 248 mark trump april 19 getting rid obamacare going repealed replaced total disaster premiums going 35 45 55 percent going probably end volition getting rid trump made claim originally june wrote talking proposed rate increases plans aca marketplaces individuals purchase insurance plans also could purchased individually insurance brokers rather going marketplace websites noted unclear whether large increases trump cited would approved state insurance regulators proposed decreases singledigit increases plans didnt submitted review affordable care act160 requires insurers submit proposed premium160increase 10 percent state federal regulators review explanation increases necessary also noted insured160 get coverage employer employersponsored premiums rising historically low rates past years premiums single family employersponsored plans increased 4 percent average 2014 2015 continuing decadelong period moderate growth according latest annual kaiser family foundationhealth research amp educational trust employer survey 6160percent us population buys coverage individual market final rate increases state federal exchanges 2016 available still individual plans 2016 premium rate increases high numbers trump cites also plans sizable premium decreases mix decreases increases instance new mexico health connections individual plan approved increase 376 percent another plan state christus health plan approved decrease 468 percent several blue cross blue shield rates minnesota went 50 percent individual plan insurer gundersen went 863 percent people marketplace plan may well paid sizable160increases stayed certain plans trumps implication types160of increases widespread typical incorrect would say typical experience say 30 40 50 percent increase cynthia cox associate director program study health reform private insurance nonprofit kaiser family foundation told us cox colleagues160 analyzed premium rates 36 states 2365 counties single 40yearold lowest160cost silver plans aca marketplace plans different160levels benefit coverage bronze silver gold platinum kff found consumers enrolled lowest cost silver plan 2015 would see average premium increase 15 automatically enroll chose stay plan 2016 tax credit pays shop around kff analysis published november160made clear 73 percent counties lowest cost silver plan 2015 longer lowest cost silver plan 2016 lowest cost option went 7 percent 2016 consumers could save money switching plans thats 43 percent 24 million people returning healthcaregov marketplaces 2016 according hhs analysis released april 12160compared would paid remain 2015 plan consumers switched plans saved average 42 per month premium costs equivalent 500 annual savings hhs said factoring comparative shopping average premium increase 8 percent taking account tax credits analysis said hhs report covers 96 million individuals enrolled automatically reenrolled plans 38 states using healthcaregov site told 127 million enrolled reenrolled marketplace plans 2016 states kff analysis titled potential savings actively shopping marketplace coverage 2016 included example marketplace policyholders could save money switching health plans kff nov 18 2015160as example lowest cost silver plan dallas tx offered blue cross blue shield texas 279 per month unsubsidized 40 year old 2015 person dallas continued plan would pay 353 per month 2016 increase 27 willing switch new lowest cost silver plan 2016 offered molina would pay 260 per month decrease 7 compared paid 2015 tax credits lower premiums paid marketplace plans hhs said 85 percent healthcaregov consumers qualified tax credits their160average monthly net premium increase taking credits account 4 percent 4 per month 2015 2016 average premium receiving tax credits 106 per month weve noted premium changes marketplace plans 2016 varied widely doubledigit increases doubledigit decreases everything earlier kff analysis second lowest cost silver plan premiums major cities every state found ranged decrease of160106 percent seattle washington increase 384 percent nashville tennessee average premium change increase 101 percent figures dont include tax credits 40yearold earning 30000 year would face average premium decrease 02 percent second lowest cost silver plan credits included kff found urban institute analysis lowestcost silver plan premiums 20 states washington dc found 43 percent average increase similar wide variation average premium dropped six states washington dc increased to16010 percent 10 states increased four states different ways look premiums changed the160commonwealth fund measured changes plans second lowest cost silver plans benchmark plans used determine tax subsidies weighted premiums reflect population found average increase 6 percent 2015 2016 variation ranging premium increases 37 percent tennessee reductions 8 percent texas slower growth premiums highercost urban areas suburban rural areas disparity overall larger increases 2016 cox told us insurers may priced low160initially reacting full years experience actual marketplace activity aca marketplace plans first available coverage starting january 2014 insurers submitted 2015 rates year premiums 2014 came lower nonpartisan congressional budget office projected cox noted 2015 premium changes varied areas relatively flat160on average160the second lowestcost silver plan went 2 percent average across us counties 2015160but 2016 the160first year insurers could actually use data gathered enrollees plans full year cox said people using health care insurers initially anticipated premiums therefore increased substantially urban institute report made similar observation160with consumers full transparency plan options160and premiums seeking pay necessary160beginning 2014 insurers strong incentives price160aggressively despite fact initial years they160had limited information health care needs who160would enroll insurers choose price high fear160of high utilization risk losing market share consequently some160appeared erred side lowerthannecessary160premiums correcting health care160profiles enrollees becomes clearer authors wrote could take years insurers costs premiums stabilize case aca passed difficult make generalizations consumers160experience buying health insurance theres lot churn individual market use temporarily jobs aca premiums vary based geographic location age whether individual smokes theres also freedom switch plans consumers cant denied charged due preexisting conditions premiums somewhat160volatile year year cox said changes depend people live well whether shopped around received tax subsidy hard characterize everyone affected premiums everyone certainly paying rate increases 35 45 55 percent figures cited trump would paid lower premiums switching plans even sticking plans cases average premium increases according several studies range 43 percent 15 percent including tax credits
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<p>A dual-language magnet school where classes would be taught in both English and Spanish was one option that received a favorable response from school board members after a presentation on secondary school reform at Tuesday’s school board meeting.</p>
<p>Board member Steven Carrillo and board vice president Linda Trujillo expressed support for the idea after the presentation by Chief Academic Officer Almudena “Almi” Abeyta.</p>
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<p>“I’ve always supported that kind of concept,” said Trujillo, who added that it was part of her platform when she ran for the school board. “I can see the benefits.”</p>
<p>That was just one idea for a magnet school among several offered during the presentation that addressed how high school education will be shaped in the Santa Fe Public Schools in the coming years. The district plans to take the issue of secondary school reform to the community by sending out surveys to parents and holding a series of public forums during the early part of 2013.</p>
<p>“We’re looking to expand options for the community, so we want the community to determine what those options are,” Superintendent Joel Boyd said. “This is about getting feedback.”</p>
<p>Boyd said all the options presented are realistic, but whatever is decided won’t be fully implemented until the 2014-15 school year, after a full year of planning.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>The options Abeyta presented were devised by a task force consisting of 13 people, including school administrators and two representatives from Santa Fe Community College.</p>
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<p>Abeyta noted that the school district’s strategic plan now includes expansion of a ninthgrade academy and career pathways at the high schools and the launch of an alternative program for high school students.</p>
<p>Abeyta provided statistics that bear out the need for reform. She pointed to the school district’s graduation rate of 56.5 percent last school year and noted that 30 percent of elementary school students leave the district.</p>
<p>The committee identified several key aspects that contribute to the “ideal high school experience.” At the core are three Rs, but not the ones traditionally associated with education. In this case they are rigor, relevance and relationships, which research shows result in student success, Abeyta said.</p>
<p>She defined rigor as a challenging curriculum that meets high standards, relevance as how school work is linked to what students want to do with their lives after graduation, and relationships as meaningful personal contact with caring adults.</p>
<p>Abeyta said the committee came up with a three-pronged approach to options for redesigning secondary school structure within the district. They consisted of comprehensive high school redesign; magnet school options, including International Baccalaureate for grades 7-12, a dual language academy, an arts academy, an innovation school and another admissiononly school; and alternative pathways to be included in all options.</p>
<p>The alternative pathways could include a twilight or virtual school, credit recovery and behavior support school for grades 7-12, she said.</p>
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<p>The four options the committee presented for consideration were:</p>
<p>Strengthen and build the current programs at Santa Fe High, Capital High and the Academy of Larragoite with no additional school/ programming;</p>
<p>Strengthen and build the current program and add two magnet schools;</p>
<p>Establish career academies at both high schools, two magnet schools and a ninth-grade academy located at or close to a high school; and</p>
<p>Establish four career academies at one high school and International Baccalaureate 7-12, plus a magnet school at a high school and as a ninthgrade academy at or close to a high school</p>
<p>The next step in the process, Abeyta said, will be studentfacilitated community forums in January and February. Surveys also will be used to determine community preferences. The district would settle on a final selection of options in February or March.</p>
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<p>After the presentation, board members asked questions and commented on some of the things being proposed. Many of the remarks had to do with ideas for magnet schools, career academies, or alternative pathways.</p>
<p>Board members seemed to agree that an arts academy would be a natural for Santa Fe, but Glenn Wikle said that perhaps a distinction should be made between fine arts and performing arts.</p>
<p>Barbara Gudwin and Wikle said they some of the concepts, like a behavior support school, could be in place as early as next year. And though Gudwin said she liked the idea of an International Baccalaureate magnet school, she said one year of planning may not be enough time to train teachers and get the required certification for teachers.</p>
<p>“It’s also an expensive program,” she said. “I think I.B., as much as I like it, it may not be realistic to implement that soon.”</p>
<p>Gudwin also mentioned technology as a subject area that could be considered as an option for a magnet school or career pathway.</p>
<p>Trujillo offered several other suggestions, including journalism, public administration and political science.</p>
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<p>“You always hear about Santa Fe being an arts community, but we’re also the capital of New Mexico,” she said.</p>
<p>Carrillo offered the idea for a magnet school that focused on sustainability, especially green building. He said more kids would decide to stay in school if they had a magnet school that appealed to them.</p>
<p>Board President Frank Montaño was concerned about costs and asked Abeyta if that had been given consideration. She said there had been some preliminary examination of costs, but “until we know what the options are, we haven’t addressed that.”</p>
<p>Montaño also had questions about the student-facilitated public forums. Abeyta said the forums would be conducted in much the same way Boyd conducted public forums earlier this year and that she would attend each to help guide the discussion.</p>
<p>Boyd said he hoped to enlist the help of the three student representatives on the school board: Bree Hernandez from Santa Fe High, Jose Rodriguez from Capital High and Austin Tyra from Academy at Larragoite.</p>
<p>“We’re hoping the students will take a leadership role,” he said.</p>
<p>Boyd said the plan was to have options, including projected costs for programs, ready for the school board to act on in February or March.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
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duallanguage magnet school classes would taught english spanish one option received favorable response school board members presentation secondary school reform tuesdays school board meeting board member steven carrillo board vice president linda trujillo expressed support idea presentation chief academic officer almudena almi abeyta advertisement ive always supported kind concept said trujillo added part platform ran school board see benefits one idea magnet school among several offered presentation addressed high school education shaped santa fe public schools coming years district plans take issue secondary school reform community sending surveys parents holding series public forums early part 2013 looking expand options community want community determine options superintendent joel boyd said getting feedback boyd said options presented realistic whatever decided wont fully implemented 201415 school year full year planning 160 options abeyta presented devised task force consisting 13 people including school administrators two representatives santa fe community college advertisement abeyta noted school districts strategic plan includes expansion ninthgrade academy career pathways high schools launch alternative program high school students abeyta provided statistics bear need reform pointed school districts graduation rate 565 percent last school year noted 30 percent elementary school students leave district committee identified several key aspects contribute ideal high school experience core three rs ones traditionally associated education case rigor relevance relationships research shows result student success abeyta said defined rigor challenging curriculum meets high standards relevance school work linked students want lives graduation relationships meaningful personal contact caring adults abeyta said committee came threepronged approach options redesigning secondary school structure within district consisted comprehensive high school redesign magnet school options including international baccalaureate grades 712 dual language academy arts academy innovation school another admissiononly school alternative pathways included options alternative pathways could include twilight virtual school credit recovery behavior support school grades 712 said advertisement four options committee presented consideration strengthen build current programs santa fe high capital high academy larragoite additional school programming strengthen build current program add two magnet schools establish career academies high schools two magnet schools ninthgrade academy located close high school establish four career academies one high school international baccalaureate 712 plus magnet school high school ninthgrade academy close high school next step process abeyta said studentfacilitated community forums january february surveys also used determine community preferences district would settle final selection options february march advertisement presentation board members asked questions commented things proposed many remarks ideas magnet schools career academies alternative pathways board members seemed agree arts academy would natural santa fe glenn wikle said perhaps distinction made fine arts performing arts barbara gudwin wikle said concepts like behavior support school could place early next year though gudwin said liked idea international baccalaureate magnet school said one year planning may enough time train teachers get required certification teachers also expensive program said think ib much like may realistic implement soon gudwin also mentioned technology subject area could considered option magnet school career pathway trujillo offered several suggestions including journalism public administration political science advertisement always hear santa fe arts community also capital new mexico said carrillo offered idea magnet school focused sustainability especially green building said kids would decide stay school magnet school appealed board president frank montaño concerned costs asked abeyta given consideration said preliminary examination costs know options havent addressed montaño also questions studentfacilitated public forums abeyta said forums would conducted much way boyd conducted public forums earlier year would attend help guide discussion boyd said hoped enlist help three student representatives school board bree hernandez santa fe high jose rodriguez capital high austin tyra academy larragoite hoping students take leadership role said boyd said plan options including projected costs programs ready school board act february march 160
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<p>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Union Pacific reported $6.1 billion jump in fourth-quarter profit thanks to a sweeping change in U.S. tax laws, but the profit growth was a more modest $60 million when that one-time benefit is stripped away.</p>
<p>The Omaha, Nebraska, railroad on Thursday reported a profit of $7.28 billion, or $9.25 per share. Without the tax changes, Union Pacific estimated it made $1.2 billion, or $1.53 per share.</p>
<p>The results were just below the $1.54 per share that analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research expected.</p>
<p>Union Pacific said its revenue grew 5 percent to $5.45 billion in the quarter even though it only hauled 1 percent more freight. Six analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $5.41 billion revenue.</p>
<p>Union Pacific CEO Lance Fritz said he expects more volume growth in 2018 that will help the railroad deliver better results.</p>
<p>“We are optimistic the economy will favor a number of our market segments leading to another year of positive volume growth,” Fritz said.</p>
<p>Wall Street apparently was looking for more from UP. Its stock was down more than 5 percent at $133.26 in afternoon trading.</p>
<p>The future of the North American Free Trade Agreement remains a concern because about 11 percent of Union Pacific’s business involves shipments to or from Mexico. Fritz said he is watching the negotiations closely.</p>
<p>“While I still believe there is a good opportunity for the NAFTA agreement to be solidified — all three parties continue in it going forward — we have a strong eye on all of the what-ifs and contingency plans,” Fritz said.</p>
<p>One of the things that slowed some Union Pacific trains in the fourth quarter was the railroad’s installation of positive train control, which can automatically stop a train in an emergency. The railroad is in the process of installing the system ahead of a federal deadline at the end of 2018.</p>
<p>Fritz said most of the disruptions related to the braking system are temporary, but UP has to debug the system as it is installed because it is a new system.</p>
<p>Edward Jones analyst Dan Sherman said Union Pacific delivered a reasonably good quarter, and he’s confident the railroad will address the slowdowns it experienced.</p>
<p>For all of 2017, Union Pacific reported $10.7 billion net income, or $13.36 per share. Without the largely paper benefit of the tax cuts, Union Pacific reported $4.6 billion net income, or $5.79 per share.</p>
<p>The railroad operates 32,400 miles of track in 23 states.</p>
<p>_____</p>
<p>Elements of this story were generated by Automated Insights ( <a href="http://automatedinsights.com/ap)" type="external">http://automatedinsights.com/ap)</a> using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on UNP at <a href="https://www.zacks.com/ap/UNP" type="external">https://www.zacks.com/ap/UNP</a></p>
<p>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Union Pacific reported $6.1 billion jump in fourth-quarter profit thanks to a sweeping change in U.S. tax laws, but the profit growth was a more modest $60 million when that one-time benefit is stripped away.</p>
<p>The Omaha, Nebraska, railroad on Thursday reported a profit of $7.28 billion, or $9.25 per share. Without the tax changes, Union Pacific estimated it made $1.2 billion, or $1.53 per share.</p>
<p>The results were just below the $1.54 per share that analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research expected.</p>
<p>Union Pacific said its revenue grew 5 percent to $5.45 billion in the quarter even though it only hauled 1 percent more freight. Six analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $5.41 billion revenue.</p>
<p>Union Pacific CEO Lance Fritz said he expects more volume growth in 2018 that will help the railroad deliver better results.</p>
<p>“We are optimistic the economy will favor a number of our market segments leading to another year of positive volume growth,” Fritz said.</p>
<p>Wall Street apparently was looking for more from UP. Its stock was down more than 5 percent at $133.26 in afternoon trading.</p>
<p>The future of the North American Free Trade Agreement remains a concern because about 11 percent of Union Pacific’s business involves shipments to or from Mexico. Fritz said he is watching the negotiations closely.</p>
<p>“While I still believe there is a good opportunity for the NAFTA agreement to be solidified — all three parties continue in it going forward — we have a strong eye on all of the what-ifs and contingency plans,” Fritz said.</p>
<p>One of the things that slowed some Union Pacific trains in the fourth quarter was the railroad’s installation of positive train control, which can automatically stop a train in an emergency. The railroad is in the process of installing the system ahead of a federal deadline at the end of 2018.</p>
<p>Fritz said most of the disruptions related to the braking system are temporary, but UP has to debug the system as it is installed because it is a new system.</p>
<p>Edward Jones analyst Dan Sherman said Union Pacific delivered a reasonably good quarter, and he’s confident the railroad will address the slowdowns it experienced.</p>
<p>For all of 2017, Union Pacific reported $10.7 billion net income, or $13.36 per share. Without the largely paper benefit of the tax cuts, Union Pacific reported $4.6 billion net income, or $5.79 per share.</p>
<p>The railroad operates 32,400 miles of track in 23 states.</p>
<p>_____</p>
<p>Elements of this story were generated by Automated Insights ( <a href="http://automatedinsights.com/ap)" type="external">http://automatedinsights.com/ap)</a> using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on UNP at <a href="https://www.zacks.com/ap/UNP" type="external">https://www.zacks.com/ap/UNP</a></p>
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omaha neb ap union pacific reported 61 billion jump fourthquarter profit thanks sweeping change us tax laws profit growth modest 60 million onetime benefit stripped away omaha nebraska railroad thursday reported profit 728 billion 925 per share without tax changes union pacific estimated made 12 billion 153 per share results 154 per share analysts surveyed zacks investment research expected union pacific said revenue grew 5 percent 545 billion quarter even though hauled 1 percent freight six analysts surveyed zacks expected 541 billion revenue union pacific ceo lance fritz said expects volume growth 2018 help railroad deliver better results optimistic economy favor number market segments leading another year positive volume growth fritz said wall street apparently looking stock 5 percent 13326 afternoon trading future north american free trade agreement remains concern 11 percent union pacifics business involves shipments mexico fritz said watching negotiations closely still believe good opportunity nafta agreement solidified three parties continue going forward strong eye whatifs contingency plans fritz said one things slowed union pacific trains fourth quarter railroads installation positive train control automatically stop train emergency railroad process installing system ahead federal deadline end 2018 fritz said disruptions related braking system temporary debug system installed new system edward jones analyst dan sherman said union pacific delivered reasonably good quarter hes confident railroad address slowdowns experienced 2017 union pacific reported 107 billion net income 1336 per share without largely paper benefit tax cuts union pacific reported 46 billion net income 579 per share railroad operates 32400 miles track 23 states _____ elements story generated automated insights httpautomatedinsightscomap using data zacks investment research access zacks stock report unp httpswwwzackscomapunp omaha neb ap union pacific reported 61 billion jump fourthquarter profit thanks sweeping change us tax laws profit growth modest 60 million onetime benefit stripped away omaha nebraska railroad thursday reported profit 728 billion 925 per share without tax changes union pacific estimated made 12 billion 153 per share results 154 per share analysts surveyed zacks investment research expected union pacific said revenue grew 5 percent 545 billion quarter even though hauled 1 percent freight six analysts surveyed zacks expected 541 billion revenue union pacific ceo lance fritz said expects volume growth 2018 help railroad deliver better results optimistic economy favor number market segments leading another year positive volume growth fritz said wall street apparently looking stock 5 percent 13326 afternoon trading future north american free trade agreement remains concern 11 percent union pacifics business involves shipments mexico fritz said watching negotiations closely still believe good opportunity nafta agreement solidified three parties continue going forward strong eye whatifs contingency plans fritz said one things slowed union pacific trains fourth quarter railroads installation positive train control automatically stop train emergency railroad process installing system ahead federal deadline end 2018 fritz said disruptions related braking system temporary debug system installed new system edward jones analyst dan sherman said union pacific delivered reasonably good quarter hes confident railroad address slowdowns experienced 2017 union pacific reported 107 billion net income 1336 per share without largely paper benefit tax cuts union pacific reported 46 billion net income 579 per share railroad operates 32400 miles track 23 states _____ elements story generated automated insights httpautomatedinsightscomap using data zacks investment research access zacks stock report unp httpswwwzackscomapunp
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<p>CHICAGO — Chicago. Oklahoma City. London. Los Angeles.</p>
<p>Across the globe, cities big and small saw throngs of women, men and children take to the streets Saturday in a show of unity and support for women’s rights. The swarms of marchers came together in the sunshine and rain to rally against sexism, racism and hatred and to protest President Donald Trump.</p>
<p>The crowds were so large that some U.S. cities ground to a halt as demonstrators overwhelmed streets, train stations and parks. The more than 600 “sister marches” were held in conjunction with the Women’s March on Washington a day after Trump’s inauguration.</p>
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<p>Here’s a closer look at some of those marches around the world:</p>
<p>LOS ANGELES</p>
<p>Nazik Hasan was among the tens of thousands of demonstrators who filled downtown streets, waving posters and gay-pride flags and chanting in English and Spanish.</p>
<p>The 29-year-old attorney carried a sign that read, “Immigrants and refugees are America.”</p>
<p>Hasan’s family is originally from Palestine and came, she said, in pursuit of the American dream. One generation later, Hasan and her siblings are all college graduates.</p>
<p>Since the election, though, she said she has felt shocked and fearful and particularly worries about her mother, who wears a headscarf.</p>
<p>“If immigrants’ rights are violated and women’s rights are violated, I’ll be directly affected,” she said. “Our fulfillment of the American dream doesn’t take away from anyone else’s.”</p>
<p>Los Angeles police said well over 100,000 people packed several closed blocks. Several trains were added to the city’s jammed metro line in order to accommodate the large crowds.</p>
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<p>___</p>
<p>CHICAGO</p>
<p>Scores of protesters spilled into the streets after organizers canceled the city’s march for safety reasons because of a larger-than-expected turnout. The overflow crowd reached an estimated 250,000 people.</p>
<p>People flooded nearby streets, chanting and waving signs protesting Trump, after a rally concluded at Grant Park.</p>
<p>Demonstrator Dorothy DeCarlo, 69, burned her bra for women’s rights in college 50 years ago and said it was shameful Saturday’s marches and rallies were even necessary.</p>
<p>“I thought we took the bruises. I thought it was over,” she said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>OKLAHOMA CITY</p>
<p>After a presidential campaign that focused on women’s bodies, Katie Kastner made a sign that drew attention to hers: A circle cut through it focused eyes on her pregnant belly.</p>
<p>The 34-year-old said she drove two hours to Oklahoma City to set an example for her unborn son. She hopes one day the boy will see photos of her at the march and know she stood up to bullies she believes Trump has brought out of the shadows.</p>
<p>“It’s easy for people to sit and complain at their homes, behind a computer, but I just thought I didn’t want to do that,” said Kastner, of Cordell, Oklahoma.</p>
<p>She joined hundreds of others gathered at the state Capitol, in the shadow of working oil wells and statues honoring Oklahoma’s cowboy and Native American cultures.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>LONDON</p>
<p>Samantha Moyo looked out at the tens of thousands of marchers sardined into Trafalgar Square with a look of contentment.</p>
<p>The 30-year-old Londoner, originally from Zimbabwe, was overwhelmed by the size of the crowd, and its determination to challenge Trump’s world view.</p>
<p>“I’m a black, immigrant bisexual woman, and the fact that women all over the world are standing up for what they believe in, and that I was invited to be on the front line, feels like a huge privilege,” she said after helping to lead a march that snaked through central London, stopping traffic at times.</p>
<p>Moyo said she was initially worried about Trump’s policies but has come to believe he will inspire resistance.</p>
<p>Police described the event as peaceful with no arrests.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>ATLANTA</p>
<p>A crowd in Atlanta huddled under a blanket of umbrellas amid intermittent downpours. Among them was Diane Lent, 66, an educator from rural Habersham County who drove 90 miles to attend the rally.</p>
<p>“I’m a woman, I’m a mother, I’m a grandmother — and I believe in justice, and I think we need to stand up for what we believe in,” she said.</p>
<p>Lent said she’s concerned about how education will fare under a Trump administration, and she’s worried about his cabinet appointees.</p>
<p>During the campaign, she was stunned at the ways he referred to women.</p>
<p>“I was horrified, just horrified that we’ve come to that point in time again,” Lent said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>NEW YORK</p>
<p>Demonstrators crammed the streets outside Trump’s Manhattan home, saying the new leader might be from there, but he’s no New Yorker.</p>
<p>“New York is a community in itself, and people care about each other, and it’s diverse,” said Ashia Badi, 44, who brought her two daughters to the march. “He doesn’t feel like he has those New York values I see.”</p>
<p>Trump was born and raised in New York City, but the majority of the city and state voted for Hillary Clinton.</p>
<p>Tens of thousands of protesters carrying signs that read: “Women’s rights are human rights” and “A woman’s place is in the resistance” funneled past Trump Tower to thunderous cheers on tony Fifth Avenue, where he conducted nearly all of his postelection business. It’s also where first lady Melania Trump and the couple’s young son, Barron, will live.</p>
<p>Brooklyn resident Zakiyyah Woods, 32, said Trump doesn’t understand how the city’s working men and women struggle.</p>
<p>“He definitely represents that one percent of New Yorkers who built this city for themselves,” she said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>TRENTON, NEW JERSEY</p>
<p>Sarah Gospodar likened the chilly, damp rally at Trenton’s War Memorial to the civil rights marches of the 1960s, when people came together peacefully to effect change.</p>
<p>“As a middle-aged black woman, I’ve seen a lot in my life — things that divided this country and things that united it,” she said.</p>
<p>“These issues we address today are things that should unite us. How can anyone be against equal pay and fair and equal rights for all Americans?”</p>
<p>Gospodar, 53, acknowledged she’s no Trump fan but said she will give him the chance to “show he really does want to make America great.”</p>
<p>____</p>
<p>MIAMI</p>
<p>Roxana Viera and her family joined thousands at a rally hoping to demonstrate that the majority of Americans did not choose Trump.</p>
<p>“The values he presents are not the values of the nation,” said the 45-year-old doctor from Jupiter, Florida.</p>
<p>Thousands filed into an amphitheater under blazing sunshine and gave rousing cheers to speeches by community activists, interspersed with the thumping rhythms of a drum group and other musical acts.</p>
<p>Gay couple Gary Fuller, 29, a medical device salesman, and Kyle Merville, 28, a developer, said they feared a rollback of gay rights under Trump.</p>
<p>“He’s marginalized so many groups,” Fuller said.</p>
<p>____</p>
<p>SEATTLE</p>
<p>Amanda Guzman said Saturday’s march in Seattle gave her hope as her two young sons and husband joined thousands in</p>
<p>“What I’m seeing here is overwhelming, the solidarity and love,” she said, pushing her 18-month-old in a stroller.</p>
<p>She said it’s so easy to listen to Trump and see the only bad, but the throngs of protesters gave her hope. “It’s all reassuring that there’s still good, and we will fight this.”</p>
<p>Fathia Absie, a Muslim-American writer and filmmaker who lives in Seattle, said she marched to support women’s rights and all rights. As a woman who wears a hijab, she said she is more afraid now than after Sept. 11.</p>
<p>“We have to come together,” she said. “What makes this country beautiful and unique, unlike anywhere else in the world, is that we’re so diverse. Our differences make us beautiful.”</p>
<p>City officials declined to provide estimates but said the march grew into one contiguous mass of people filling an entire 3.6-mile route.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>PARK CITY, UTAH</p>
<p>Actress Charlize Theron and other celebrities led demonstrators in a chant of “Love, not hate, makes America great” through the snowy streets during the annual Sundance Film Festival.</p>
<p>The march was about unity and bringing people together, Theron told The Associated Press.</p>
<p>“None of us are here today to divide anyone. We’re already divided enough,” she said. “I think we are really here today to celebrate coming together and working together and hearing each other and being able to move forward instead of moving backward. That’s all we want.”</p>
<p>Comedian Chelsea Handler agreed.</p>
<p>“After that terrible day yesterday, we are going to unite,” she said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>MEXICO CITY</p>
<p>Several hundred demonstrators shut down four lanes of traffic on a central boulevard outside the U.S. embassy in Mexico City. They held up signs such as “Nasty women keep fighting” and “Girls just wanna have fundamental rights.”</p>
<p>The Mexican capital is home to a sizable population of U.S. citizens, and many in the crowd were Americans.</p>
<p>Laura Moodey, a 40-year-old nonprofit worker originally from Phoenix, said she was disappointed by Trump’s inaugural speech.</p>
<p>“I was hoping for something different. I was hoping to hear the change in tone that we normally hear after a long, bitter campaign,” she said.</p>
<p>Moodey brought her 3-year-old son, Joaquin Torres, to the march. He held a sign that read, in Spanish, “This is my world. I believe in science and respect.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Katz reported from London. Also contributing to this report were: Ian Mader in Miami: Phuong Le in Seattle; Dan Sewell in Cincinnati; Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, S.C.; Sylvie Corbet in Paris; Peter Orsi in Mexico City; Esther Htusan in Yangon, Myanmar; Adam Kealoha Causey in Oklahoma City; Don Schanche in Atlanta; Bruce Shipkowski in Trenton, N.J.; Lisa Rathke in Montpelier, Vermont; Ryan Pearson in Park City, Utah; Rachelle Blidner and Colleen Long in New York; and Christine Armario in Los Angeles; Don Schanche in Atlanta; Jim Suhr in Kansas City; Jeff Baenen in St. Paul, Minn.; John Hanna in Topeka, Kan.; Frank Bajak in Houston.</p>
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chicago chicago oklahoma city london los angeles across globe cities big small saw throngs women men children take streets saturday show unity support womens rights swarms marchers came together sunshine rain rally sexism racism hatred protest president donald trump crowds large us cities ground halt demonstrators overwhelmed streets train stations parks 600 sister marches held conjunction womens march washington day trumps inauguration advertisement heres closer look marches around world los angeles nazik hasan among tens thousands demonstrators filled downtown streets waving posters gaypride flags chanting english spanish 29yearold attorney carried sign read immigrants refugees america hasans family originally palestine came said pursuit american dream one generation later hasan siblings college graduates since election though said felt shocked fearful particularly worries mother wears headscarf immigrants rights violated womens rights violated ill directly affected said fulfillment american dream doesnt take away anyone elses los angeles police said well 100000 people packed several closed blocks several trains added citys jammed metro line order accommodate large crowds advertisement ___ chicago scores protesters spilled streets organizers canceled citys march safety reasons largerthanexpected turnout overflow crowd reached estimated 250000 people people flooded nearby streets chanting waving signs protesting trump rally concluded grant park demonstrator dorothy decarlo 69 burned bra womens rights college 50 years ago said shameful saturdays marches rallies even necessary thought took bruises thought said ___ oklahoma city presidential campaign focused womens bodies katie kastner made sign drew attention circle cut focused eyes pregnant belly 34yearold said drove two hours oklahoma city set example unborn son hopes one day boy see photos march know stood bullies believes trump brought shadows easy people sit complain homes behind computer thought didnt want said kastner cordell oklahoma joined hundreds others gathered state capitol shadow working oil wells statues honoring oklahomas cowboy native american cultures ___ london samantha moyo looked tens thousands marchers sardined trafalgar square look contentment 30yearold londoner originally zimbabwe overwhelmed size crowd determination challenge trumps world view im black immigrant bisexual woman fact women world standing believe invited front line feels like huge privilege said helping lead march snaked central london stopping traffic times moyo said initially worried trumps policies come believe inspire resistance police described event peaceful arrests ___ atlanta crowd atlanta huddled blanket umbrellas amid intermittent downpours among diane lent 66 educator rural habersham county drove 90 miles attend rally im woman im mother im grandmother believe justice think need stand believe said lent said shes concerned education fare trump administration shes worried cabinet appointees campaign stunned ways referred women horrified horrified weve come point time lent said ___ new york demonstrators crammed streets outside trumps manhattan home saying new leader might hes new yorker new york community people care diverse said ashia badi 44 brought two daughters march doesnt feel like new york values see trump born raised new york city majority city state voted hillary clinton tens thousands protesters carrying signs read womens rights human rights womans place resistance funneled past trump tower thunderous cheers tony fifth avenue conducted nearly postelection business also first lady melania trump couples young son barron live brooklyn resident zakiyyah woods 32 said trump doesnt understand citys working men women struggle definitely represents one percent new yorkers built city said ___ trenton new jersey sarah gospodar likened chilly damp rally trentons war memorial civil rights marches 1960s people came together peacefully effect change middleaged black woman ive seen lot life things divided country things united said issues address today things unite us anyone equal pay fair equal rights americans gospodar 53 acknowledged shes trump fan said give chance show really want make america great ____ miami roxana viera family joined thousands rally hoping demonstrate majority americans choose trump values presents values nation said 45yearold doctor jupiter florida thousands filed amphitheater blazing sunshine gave rousing cheers speeches community activists interspersed thumping rhythms drum group musical acts gay couple gary fuller 29 medical device salesman kyle merville 28 developer said feared rollback gay rights trump hes marginalized many groups fuller said ____ seattle amanda guzman said saturdays march seattle gave hope two young sons husband joined thousands im seeing overwhelming solidarity love said pushing 18monthold stroller said easy listen trump see bad throngs protesters gave hope reassuring theres still good fight fathia absie muslimamerican writer filmmaker lives seattle said marched support womens rights rights woman wears hijab said afraid sept 11 come together said makes country beautiful unique unlike anywhere else world diverse differences make us beautiful city officials declined provide estimates said march grew one contiguous mass people filling entire 36mile route ___ park city utah actress charlize theron celebrities led demonstrators chant love hate makes america great snowy streets annual sundance film festival march unity bringing people together theron told associated press none us today divide anyone already divided enough said think really today celebrate coming together working together hearing able move forward instead moving backward thats want comedian chelsea handler agreed terrible day yesterday going unite said ___ mexico city several hundred demonstrators shut four lanes traffic central boulevard outside us embassy mexico city held signs nasty women keep fighting girls wan na fundamental rights mexican capital home sizable population us citizens many crowd americans laura moodey 40yearold nonprofit worker originally phoenix said disappointed trumps inaugural speech hoping something different hoping hear change tone normally hear long bitter campaign said moodey brought 3yearold son joaquin torres march held sign read spanish world believe science respect ___ katz reported london also contributing report ian mader miami phuong le seattle dan sewell cincinnati jeffrey collins columbia sc sylvie corbet paris peter orsi mexico city esther htusan yangon myanmar adam kealoha causey oklahoma city schanche atlanta bruce shipkowski trenton nj lisa rathke montpelier vermont ryan pearson park city utah rachelle blidner colleen long new york christine armario los angeles schanche atlanta jim suhr kansas city jeff baenen st paul minn john hanna topeka kan frank bajak houston
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<p>WASHINGTON — The Latest on the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court (all times local):</p>
<p>4:40 p.m.</p>
<p>Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says Democrats’ planned filibuster of Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch is a “new low” but stopped short of saying he will change Senate rules to confirm him.</p>
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<p>McConnell has strongly indicated — but hasn’t said outright — that he will change Senate rules so that Gorsuch can be confirmed with a simple majority in the 100-seat chamber. Sixty votes are now required. McConnell has said Gorsuch will be confirmed, and how that happens depends on what Democrats do.</p>
<p>Forty-two Democrats say they will vote to block Gorsuch, one more than needed.</p>
<p>Speaking on the Senate floor Monday, McConnell said: “It’s not too late for our Democratic colleagues to make the right choice.”</p>
<p>The Judiciary Committee approved Gorsuch’s nomination Monday, sending it to the full Senate.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>4:10 p.m.</p>
<p>Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer says President Donald Trump should choose a new nominee to the Supreme Court.</p>
<p>Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has indicated that he will change Senate rules so that Trump’s nominee can be confirmed with a simple majority in the 100-seat chamber instead of the 60 votes now required.</p>
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<p>Schumer made the comments Monday after Democrats secured the votes to block the nominee. He dismissed the idea that Republicans have no choice but to change the rules as “a premise that no one should swallow.”</p>
<p>Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin is the latest Democrat to announce that he will vote with Democrats to block Gorsuch’s nomination, bringing the total to 42.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>2:35 p.m.</p>
<p>A divided Senate panel is backing Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch.</p>
<p>The Judiciary Committee voted 11-9 along party lines on Monday to favorably recommend Gorsuch to the full Senate. A confirmation vote is expected on Friday, but not before a partisan showdown over President Donald Trump’s choice.</p>
<p>Democrats have secured the 41 votes to block Gorsuch with a filibuster after Delaware Sen. Chris Coons said he would vote against the nominee. The opposition will prevent Republicans from reaching the 60 votes they need to move Gorsuch over procedural hurdles to a final Senate vote.</p>
<p>Determined to confirm him despite Democratic objections, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has signaled he will likely change Senate rules later this week to reduce the threshold from 60 to a simple majority to get Gorsuch confirmed.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>1:25 p.m.</p>
<p>Senate Democrats now have enough votes to try to block Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch with a filibuster, setting up a showdown with Republicans who plan to confirm him anyway.</p>
<p>The crucial 41st vote came from Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware who announced his decision Monday as the Senate Judiciary Committee met to vote on Gorsuch’s nomination.</p>
<p>Coons said that he had decided to oppose President Donald Trump’s nominee over concerns that include his vague answers in his hearing.</p>
<p>Coons’ opposition will prevent Republicans from reaching the 60 votes they need to move Gorsuch over procedural hurdles to a final Senate vote. Determined to confirm him despite Democratic objections, they will likely change Senate rules later this week to reduce the threshold from 60 to a simple majority.</p>
<p>__</p>
<p>11:45 a.m.</p>
<p>Senator Michael Bennet says he will not join Democratic efforts to block a full-Senate vote on the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court.</p>
<p>The Colorado Democrat has been under pressure to support Gorsuch in part because the nominee is also from Colorado. Bennet doesn’t say whether he will ultimately vote in favor of Gorsuch. But he says he will not try to block a vote.</p>
<p>If Democrats successfully block a vote on Gorsuch, Senate Republicans are threatening to change Senate rules to enable them to confirm a Supreme Court nominee with a simple majority of 51 votes.</p>
<p>Under current rules, the need 60 votes to end debate.</p>
<p>Bennet says, “Changing the Senate rules now will only further politicize the Supreme Court.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>11:35 a.m.</p>
<p>Senator Lindsay Graham says flatly that Republicans will change the Senate’s rules if Democrats use a filibuster to block the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court.</p>
<p>Under current rules, Supreme Court nominees need at least 60 votes to end debate and hold a vote on their confirmation. So far, 40 Democrats have publicly said they will try to block Gorsuch’s nomination.</p>
<p>That’s just one shy of the number needed to stop the nomination under current Senate rules.</p>
<p>The South Carolina Republican says his GOP colleagues will change the rules to enable them to confirm a Supreme Court nominee with a simple majority of 51 votes.</p>
<p>Graham says: “The Senate’s traditions are going to change over this man. This says more about the Senate than it does Judge Gorsuch.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>11:15 a.m.</p>
<p>Senators Mark Warner and Patrick Leahy say they will vote against the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court.</p>
<p>The two Democrats are the 39th and 40th senators to say they will try to block Gorsuch’s nomination. That’s just one shy of the number needed to stop the nomination under current Senate rules. The nomination needs 60 votes to succeed.</p>
<p>However, Senate Republicans are threatening to change Senate rules to enable them to confirm a Supreme Court nominee with a simple majority of 51 votes.</p>
<p>All 52 Republicans are expected to support the Gorsuch.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>10:45 a.m.</p>
<p>Senator Dianne Feinstein says she will vote against the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court.</p>
<p>The California Democrat cited two cases in which, she says, Gorsuch inserted his own view of what the law should be. In one case Gorsuch sided with a trucking company over a fired trucker who refused to drive a disabled truck in subzero weather. In the other case, Gorsuch sided with a school district that denied services to a student with autism.</p>
<p>Feinstein also says she is troubled that Gorsuch refused to say whether he supports the outcome of Brown v. Board of Education, the court decision that ended racial segregation in public schools.</p>
<p>Feinstein is the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is voting Monday on Gorsuch’s nomination.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>10:25 a.m.</p>
<p>Senate Judiciary Chairman Charles Grassley says Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch is a mainstream judge who will be independent from the president. The Iowa Republican is accusing Democrats of “moving the goal posts” in their assessment of Gorsuch.</p>
<p>Grassley opened a committee meeting on Gorsuch’s nomination by making the case in favor of President Donald Trump’s nominee for the high court. Republicans on the committee are expected to send Gorsuch’s nomination to the full Senate after a lengthy series of speeches.</p>
<p>Most Democrats are expected to oppose the nomination.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>3:30 a.m.</p>
<p>A Senate panel is opening a weeklong partisan showdown over President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee with Democrats steadily amassing the votes to block Neil Gorsuch and force Republicans to unilaterally change long-standing rules to confirm him.</p>
<p>The Republican-led Judiciary Committee meets Monday and is expected to back Gorsuch and send his nomination to the full Senate, most likely on a near-party line vote. Intent on getting Trump’s pick on the high court, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is likely to change Senate rules so that Gorsuch can be confirmed with a simple majority in the 100-seat chamber, instead of the 60-voter threshold.</p>
<p>So far, 36 Democrats and one independent have announced they will vote to block the nomination on a procedural cloture vote — a parliamentary step to advance a legislative issue — and oppose the choice. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., who faces a tough re-election in a state Trump won handily, announced his opposition on Sunday.</p>
| false | 2 |
washington latest nomination judge neil gorsuch supreme court times local 440 pm senate majority leader mitch mcconnell says democrats planned filibuster supreme court nominee neil gorsuch new low stopped short saying change senate rules confirm advertisement mcconnell strongly indicated hasnt said outright change senate rules gorsuch confirmed simple majority 100seat chamber sixty votes required mcconnell said gorsuch confirmed happens depends democrats fortytwo democrats say vote block gorsuch one needed speaking senate floor monday mcconnell said late democratic colleagues make right choice judiciary committee approved gorsuchs nomination monday sending full senate ___ 410 pm senate democratic leader chuck schumer says president donald trump choose new nominee supreme court majority leader mitch mcconnell indicated change senate rules trumps nominee confirmed simple majority 100seat chamber instead 60 votes required advertisement schumer made comments monday democrats secured votes block nominee dismissed idea republicans choice change rules premise one swallow maryland sen ben cardin latest democrat announce vote democrats block gorsuchs nomination bringing total 42 ___ 235 pm divided senate panel backing supreme court nominee neil gorsuch judiciary committee voted 119 along party lines monday favorably recommend gorsuch full senate confirmation vote expected friday partisan showdown president donald trumps choice democrats secured 41 votes block gorsuch filibuster delaware sen chris coons said would vote nominee opposition prevent republicans reaching 60 votes need move gorsuch procedural hurdles final senate vote determined confirm despite democratic objections majority leader mitch mcconnell signaled likely change senate rules later week reduce threshold 60 simple majority get gorsuch confirmed ___ 125 pm senate democrats enough votes try block supreme court nominee neil gorsuch filibuster setting showdown republicans plan confirm anyway crucial 41st vote came democratic sen chris coons delaware announced decision monday senate judiciary committee met vote gorsuchs nomination coons said decided oppose president donald trumps nominee concerns include vague answers hearing coons opposition prevent republicans reaching 60 votes need move gorsuch procedural hurdles final senate vote determined confirm despite democratic objections likely change senate rules later week reduce threshold 60 simple majority __ 1145 senator michael bennet says join democratic efforts block fullsenate vote nomination judge neil gorsuch supreme court colorado democrat pressure support gorsuch part nominee also colorado bennet doesnt say whether ultimately vote favor gorsuch says try block vote democrats successfully block vote gorsuch senate republicans threatening change senate rules enable confirm supreme court nominee simple majority 51 votes current rules need 60 votes end debate bennet says changing senate rules politicize supreme court ___ 1135 senator lindsay graham says flatly republicans change senates rules democrats use filibuster block nomination judge neil gorsuch supreme court current rules supreme court nominees need least 60 votes end debate hold vote confirmation far 40 democrats publicly said try block gorsuchs nomination thats one shy number needed stop nomination current senate rules south carolina republican says gop colleagues change rules enable confirm supreme court nominee simple majority 51 votes graham says senates traditions going change man says senate judge gorsuch ___ 1115 senators mark warner patrick leahy say vote nomination judge neil gorsuch supreme court two democrats 39th 40th senators say try block gorsuchs nomination thats one shy number needed stop nomination current senate rules nomination needs 60 votes succeed however senate republicans threatening change senate rules enable confirm supreme court nominee simple majority 51 votes 52 republicans expected support gorsuch ___ 1045 senator dianne feinstein says vote nomination judge neil gorsuch supreme court california democrat cited two cases says gorsuch inserted view law one case gorsuch sided trucking company fired trucker refused drive disabled truck subzero weather case gorsuch sided school district denied services student autism feinstein also says troubled gorsuch refused say whether supports outcome brown v board education court decision ended racial segregation public schools feinstein top democrat senate judiciary committee voting monday gorsuchs nomination ___ 1025 senate judiciary chairman charles grassley says supreme court nominee neil gorsuch mainstream judge independent president iowa republican accusing democrats moving goal posts assessment gorsuch grassley opened committee meeting gorsuchs nomination making case favor president donald trumps nominee high court republicans committee expected send gorsuchs nomination full senate lengthy series speeches democrats expected oppose nomination ___ 330 senate panel opening weeklong partisan showdown president donald trumps supreme court nominee democrats steadily amassing votes block neil gorsuch force republicans unilaterally change longstanding rules confirm republicanled judiciary committee meets monday expected back gorsuch send nomination full senate likely nearparty line vote intent getting trumps pick high court majority leader mitch mcconnell rky likely change senate rules gorsuch confirmed simple majority 100seat chamber instead 60voter threshold far 36 democrats one independent announced vote block nomination procedural cloture vote parliamentary step advance legislative issue oppose choice sen jon tester dmont faces tough reelection state trump handily announced opposition sunday
| 782 |
<p />
<p>By <a href="" type="internal">Margo Hammond</a> and <a href="" type="internal">Ellen Heltzel</a>Publishing insiders have watched nervously since Steven Erlanger became cultural editor at The New York Times and began altering the focus of the daily "Books of the Times." Well, they ain't seen nothin' yet. When we sat down with executive editor Bill Keller last week, he promised "dramatic changes" in the Sunday section now that head honcho Chip McGrath is stepping aside. He also indicated that the top brass is rethinking book coverage top to bottom.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p />
<p />
<p>And which way are the winds blowing?</p>
<p>Well, if you write non-fiction, review non-fiction, or prefer to read non-fiction, break out the champagne. "The most compelling ideas tend to be in the non-fiction world," Keller says. "Because we are a newspaper, we should be more skewed toward non-fiction."</p>
<p>What's more, if you're perplexed or simply bored with what passes for smart fiction these days, the Times&#160;feels your pain. More attention will be paid to the potboilers, we're told. After all, says Keller, somebody's got to tell you what book to choose at the airport.</p>
<p>And who will carry out this mandate? Regarding McGrath's replacement, Keller won't name names yet. But he did say that they're&#160;down to&#160;three&#160;or&#160;four finalists, none of them inside staffers. An announcement is just weeks away.</p>
<p>A big step in this process&#160;— and the one that may have sent the higher-ups into brainstorming mode&#160;— involved inviting about a dozen of the most promising candidates to write "diagnostic essays" on how the Sunday section ought to change. The consensus: Reviews need to be more varied in length, and more contentious. But that's just tinkering around the edges. The bigger news concerns what will be covered. Author interviews, a column on the publishing industry, a decrease in fiction reviews and more about mass market books&#160;— this appears to be the recipe for making the NYTBR less formulaic and more vital.</p>
<p>Although Keller's ascendancy has brought plenty of reshuffling at the Times, in the case of the Sunday book review, perceptions in and outside the paper seem to have meshed. Critics have dunned the section for dullness. Even while praising McGrath's exceptional editing skills, Keller made clear that he has different priorities.</p>
<p>"I love that Chip championed first novels," he says, then offers the rhetorical question: But why take up 800 words when a paragraph will do? Based on our interviews with Keller, McGrath, and Erlanger, top management thinks contemporary fiction has received more column inches than it deserves.</p>
<p>"Of course, some fiction needs to be done," Keller says. "We'll do the new Updike, the new Roth, the new Jonathan Franzen or Zadie Smith. But there are not a lot of them, it seems to me." He gets no argument from Erlanger. "To be honest, there's so much s---," the new leader of the daily arts section observes. "Most of the things we praise aren't very good."</p>
<p>Traditionally, chief critic Michiko Kakutani has handled most of the literary fiction for daily. Her star remains untarnished; Keller refers to her appreciatively as "queen of the hill." Former movie critic Janet Maslin has shown a predilection for commercial fiction, a taste the Times endorses. As with most newspapers, management is obsessed with attracting younger readers and sees mass market titles as one entry point&#160;— as long as they're done, Keller says, in a "witty" way appropriate to the Times' sophisticated reader.</p>
<p>Regarding daily coverage, under Erlanger the book review team has been reduced from three to two (book reviewer Richard Bernstein has been dispatched to Berlin, and his slot was given to a reporter). That leaves freelancers to handle most non-fiction. But instead of reducing coverage, Erlanger claims to be increasing it, using former Times staffer Robert Berkvist to vet titles. Erlanger reinstated the weekly review in his Saturday section Arts &amp; Ideas, with emphasis on the more topical releases from university presses. "We need to do more policy and history," he says. "We need to be more urgent and journalistic."</p>
<p>For him, this means assigning books with hopes of eliciting some sparks. Example: He asked Max Boot, a conservative on the Council of Foreign Relations, to review "Freedom on Fire: Human Rights Wars and America's Response," by Clinton Administration veteran John Shattuck. "I like to mix it up," Erlanger says. "If I could start another Mailer/Vidal fight, I'd gladly do it."</p>
<p>Some of the non-fiction books he reviews for "urgency" are poorly written, he admits, but for him this is less important than the book's contents. He and Keller, both prize-winning former foreign correspondents, see books as a launching pad for discussion. "Book reviews are partly a consumer service," Keller says, but they also "should be written for people who don't have any intention of buying the book."</p>
<p>So there's the recipe: Emphasize non-fiction books. Demote literary fiction. Promote (judiciously) commercial novels. Cover the book industry more and individual titles less (Keller says he intends to fill the long-empty book publishing industry slot in business, which -- as with other media beats -- requires "a thick skin to stand up to the spin and the whining.") Given its pivotal role in the marketing of books, the Times is likely to accelerate trends already apparent in book publishing. The potential implications are huge, suggesting bigger advances for blockbusters and celebrities, including those who wish to exploit their "public service" in the nation's capital, and scaled-down high-brow fiction lists, based on the assumption that if such books can't get ink in the toney Times, they won't have a prayer in USA Today or Entertainment Weekly.</p>
<p>Whether or not the Times' analysis of the market and&#160;its readers is correct, it's based on logical reasoning. In the views expressed by its decision-makers, too few works of fiction rise to the level of a "novel of ideas"&#160;— that is, stories that express the concerns and issues of the day as Dickens did. And given these odds, the Times would rather devote resources to fostering debate than discovering and nurturing imaginative writing.</p>
<p>We'd like to hear from feature editors and book editors about their views. <a href="" type="internal">Do you agree with the Times' direction? Are you in the process of reevaluating your own approach to book coverage? If so, what kind of changes do you anticipate?</a></p>
| false | 2 |
margo hammond ellen heltzelpublishing insiders watched nervously since steven erlanger became cultural editor new york times began altering focus daily books times well aint seen nothin yet sat executive editor bill keller last week promised dramatic changes sunday section head honcho chip mcgrath stepping aside also indicated top brass rethinking book coverage top bottom way winds blowing well write nonfiction review nonfiction prefer read nonfiction break champagne compelling ideas tend nonfiction world keller says newspaper skewed toward nonfiction whats youre perplexed simply bored passes smart fiction days times160feels pain attention paid potboilers told says keller somebodys got tell book choose airport carry mandate regarding mcgraths replacement keller wont name names yet say theyre160down to160three160or160four finalists none inside staffers announcement weeks away big step process160 one may sent higherups brainstorming mode160 involved inviting dozen promising candidates write diagnostic essays sunday section ought change consensus reviews need varied length contentious thats tinkering around edges bigger news concerns covered author interviews column publishing industry decrease fiction reviews mass market books160 appears recipe making nytbr less formulaic vital although kellers ascendancy brought plenty reshuffling times case sunday book review perceptions outside paper seem meshed critics dunned section dullness even praising mcgraths exceptional editing skills keller made clear different priorities love chip championed first novels says offers rhetorical question take 800 words paragraph based interviews keller mcgrath erlanger top management thinks contemporary fiction received column inches deserves course fiction needs done keller says well new updike new roth new jonathan franzen zadie smith lot seems gets argument erlanger honest theres much new leader daily arts section observes things praise arent good traditionally chief critic michiko kakutani handled literary fiction daily star remains untarnished keller refers appreciatively queen hill former movie critic janet maslin shown predilection commercial fiction taste times endorses newspapers management obsessed attracting younger readers sees mass market titles one entry point160 long theyre done keller says witty way appropriate times sophisticated reader regarding daily coverage erlanger book review team reduced three two book reviewer richard bernstein dispatched berlin slot given reporter leaves freelancers handle nonfiction instead reducing coverage erlanger claims increasing using former times staffer robert berkvist vet titles erlanger reinstated weekly review saturday section arts amp ideas emphasis topical releases university presses need policy history says need urgent journalistic means assigning books hopes eliciting sparks example asked max boot conservative council foreign relations review freedom fire human rights wars americas response clinton administration veteran john shattuck like mix erlanger says could start another mailervidal fight id gladly nonfiction books reviews urgency poorly written admits less important books contents keller prizewinning former foreign correspondents see books launching pad discussion book reviews partly consumer service keller says also written people dont intention buying book theres recipe emphasize nonfiction books demote literary fiction promote judiciously commercial novels cover book industry individual titles less keller says intends fill longempty book publishing industry slot business media beats requires thick skin stand spin whining given pivotal role marketing books times likely accelerate trends already apparent book publishing potential implications huge suggesting bigger advances blockbusters celebrities including wish exploit public service nations capital scaleddown highbrow fiction lists based assumption books cant get ink toney times wont prayer usa today entertainment weekly whether times analysis market and160its readers correct based logical reasoning views expressed decisionmakers works fiction rise level novel ideas160 stories express concerns issues day dickens given odds times would rather devote resources fostering debate discovering nurturing imaginative writing wed like hear feature editors book editors views agree times direction process reevaluating approach book coverage kind changes anticipate
| 589 |
<p>EL DORADO, Ark. (AP) - The Junction City School District's old gym hosted its first game in 1954, and after a 62-year run, the Grand Old Lady has been demolished to make room for a new facility.</p>
<p>Wayne Pumphrey is the go-to guy for all things Junction City athletic history. He's part of the Dragon Sports Network team and an advisory committee member for the Dragon Wall of Honor. He makes documentaries in his spare time.</p>
<p>To put in perspective how old the Grand Old Lady truly is, Pumphrey said, "Think about this. When it opened, there was segregation. Brown v. the Board of Education, the Supreme Court had just ruled. We didn't even have 50 states in the Union yet. The Korean War had just ended. Nobody knew anything about a place called Vietnam."</p>
<p>Because of ongoing safety concerns, the former brick-lined "bandbox style" gym will be replaced by a 9,000-square foot steel building that will house high school physical education, health, art and music classes. The project will cost over $1.5 million and is scheduled to open by the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.eldoradonews.com/news/2017/dec/31/junction-citys-grand-old-lady-gone-new-beginning/" type="external">The El Dorado News-Times reports</a> that there were procedures in place to salvage trophies dating back to 1919 and the vintage 16-square-foot Dragon logo in center court from the building, according to previous News-Times reports. Much of those trophies are Dual State Tournament trophies, Pumphrey said.</p>
<p>"There's a right way to do things. I'll say that. Even if we can't house them all, I'd love to see them at the Union County Sports Hall of Fame," he said. "It was hard to see them tear it down, but it was all for progress. Like I said in the video, notice the shape of it . They don't build them like that no more and there's not many of them left. She served her purpose well (for) 62 years. They got their money's worth."</p>
<p>The border town celebrated when the new gym opened last year, giving a new home to Dual State, what could be the country's oldest annual boys and girls high school basketball tournament.</p>
<p>"That one week in January, that's what that gym is known for because it used to be played right at the end of January before power rankings and consolidation ruined everything," Pumphrey said. "I've known people that set aside that week and said, 'I'm going to Dual State.' They were trying to make every session . It was like a holiday."</p>
<p>Despite enjoying a new, air-conditioned facility, Dragons young and old reflect on their time seeing and participating in athletic events at the old gym.</p>
<p>Classes used to be dismissed early so students could watch upwards to over 50 teams play in Dual State. That small thing "was special because . it helped promote school pride," Pumphrey said.</p>
<p>"My first memory of the old Junction City Gym was in 1969, I was nine years old and the school would let out early so the students could attend the Dual State Tournament," El Dorado resident Betty Davis Andrews said. "When I was old enough, I tried out for basketball in that gym and played there for about six years and the rest is history."</p>
<p>For over 80 years, the tournament has showcased the talents of athletes from both states like James Anderson, Bobby Joe Douglas, Erica Smith-Taylor, Sytia Messer and Karl Malone in a gym that could only hold about 2,500 people, Pumphrey said.</p>
<p>He said that one of his fondest memories was seeing two Louisiana basketball legends Bobby Joe Douglas of Marion and Karl Malone of Summerfield go head-to-head in the tournament.</p>
<p>"About three minutes left, Marion's getting beat by 12, 13 points. The game was over and Bobby Joe, he got hot. He started letting it fly. He got across half court, he started hitting it," he said. "Marion got the ball with a little under 10 seconds left, came hurrying down the court, down by one (point) . Heading north, (Douglas) went to the corner to take the shot. He was having to hurry and of course they're trying to block it. He let it go and the ball rimmed out."</p>
<p>Pumphrey recalled seeing in a TV special later that year where they interviewed Douglas. He said that he heard Douglas say that if he could have one shot back, it would be that one.</p>
<p>According to the Monroe News-Star, Douglas once scored 93 points in a game and went on the play for University of Louisiana-Monroe before a 10-year stint as an assistant coach for Sterlington High School. Malone, best known for his tenure with the Utah Jazz, is now enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.</p>
<p>Pumphrey said that former Dragon James Anderson was a "once in every 35, 40 years player." He also described Anderson's mother, Ira Williams, as a great all-around player.</p>
<p>"(My sons and I) all played in the old gym and for me to watch my boys (Anderson and Rodney Larry) play and dunk was so exciting. They both won Dual State in the old gym," Williams said.</p>
<p>Roderick Harrington of Springdale said that he remembers seeing Anderson "light up the scoreboard, also the likes of Keo Noble throwing down a slam dunk or the shooting of Gerad Henderson from Haynesville (Louisiana)."</p>
<p>"Halfway through his sophomore year, college coaches were sitting in the stands. He was that good," Pumphrey said.</p>
<p>He went to be a McDonald's All-American player who played at Oklahoma State University before being drafted in the first round to the San Antonio Spurs. He now plays for the EuroLeague Khimki team.</p>
<p>"I have many fun memories of the old Junction City gym. . I'm sad to see it go," Andrews said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Information from: El Dorado News-Times, <a href="http://www.eldoradonews.com" type="external">http://www.eldoradonews.com</a></p>
<p>EL DORADO, Ark. (AP) - The Junction City School District's old gym hosted its first game in 1954, and after a 62-year run, the Grand Old Lady has been demolished to make room for a new facility.</p>
<p>Wayne Pumphrey is the go-to guy for all things Junction City athletic history. He's part of the Dragon Sports Network team and an advisory committee member for the Dragon Wall of Honor. He makes documentaries in his spare time.</p>
<p>To put in perspective how old the Grand Old Lady truly is, Pumphrey said, "Think about this. When it opened, there was segregation. Brown v. the Board of Education, the Supreme Court had just ruled. We didn't even have 50 states in the Union yet. The Korean War had just ended. Nobody knew anything about a place called Vietnam."</p>
<p>Because of ongoing safety concerns, the former brick-lined "bandbox style" gym will be replaced by a 9,000-square foot steel building that will house high school physical education, health, art and music classes. The project will cost over $1.5 million and is scheduled to open by the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.eldoradonews.com/news/2017/dec/31/junction-citys-grand-old-lady-gone-new-beginning/" type="external">The El Dorado News-Times reports</a> that there were procedures in place to salvage trophies dating back to 1919 and the vintage 16-square-foot Dragon logo in center court from the building, according to previous News-Times reports. Much of those trophies are Dual State Tournament trophies, Pumphrey said.</p>
<p>"There's a right way to do things. I'll say that. Even if we can't house them all, I'd love to see them at the Union County Sports Hall of Fame," he said. "It was hard to see them tear it down, but it was all for progress. Like I said in the video, notice the shape of it . They don't build them like that no more and there's not many of them left. She served her purpose well (for) 62 years. They got their money's worth."</p>
<p>The border town celebrated when the new gym opened last year, giving a new home to Dual State, what could be the country's oldest annual boys and girls high school basketball tournament.</p>
<p>"That one week in January, that's what that gym is known for because it used to be played right at the end of January before power rankings and consolidation ruined everything," Pumphrey said. "I've known people that set aside that week and said, 'I'm going to Dual State.' They were trying to make every session . It was like a holiday."</p>
<p>Despite enjoying a new, air-conditioned facility, Dragons young and old reflect on their time seeing and participating in athletic events at the old gym.</p>
<p>Classes used to be dismissed early so students could watch upwards to over 50 teams play in Dual State. That small thing "was special because . it helped promote school pride," Pumphrey said.</p>
<p>"My first memory of the old Junction City Gym was in 1969, I was nine years old and the school would let out early so the students could attend the Dual State Tournament," El Dorado resident Betty Davis Andrews said. "When I was old enough, I tried out for basketball in that gym and played there for about six years and the rest is history."</p>
<p>For over 80 years, the tournament has showcased the talents of athletes from both states like James Anderson, Bobby Joe Douglas, Erica Smith-Taylor, Sytia Messer and Karl Malone in a gym that could only hold about 2,500 people, Pumphrey said.</p>
<p>He said that one of his fondest memories was seeing two Louisiana basketball legends Bobby Joe Douglas of Marion and Karl Malone of Summerfield go head-to-head in the tournament.</p>
<p>"About three minutes left, Marion's getting beat by 12, 13 points. The game was over and Bobby Joe, he got hot. He started letting it fly. He got across half court, he started hitting it," he said. "Marion got the ball with a little under 10 seconds left, came hurrying down the court, down by one (point) . Heading north, (Douglas) went to the corner to take the shot. He was having to hurry and of course they're trying to block it. He let it go and the ball rimmed out."</p>
<p>Pumphrey recalled seeing in a TV special later that year where they interviewed Douglas. He said that he heard Douglas say that if he could have one shot back, it would be that one.</p>
<p>According to the Monroe News-Star, Douglas once scored 93 points in a game and went on the play for University of Louisiana-Monroe before a 10-year stint as an assistant coach for Sterlington High School. Malone, best known for his tenure with the Utah Jazz, is now enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.</p>
<p>Pumphrey said that former Dragon James Anderson was a "once in every 35, 40 years player." He also described Anderson's mother, Ira Williams, as a great all-around player.</p>
<p>"(My sons and I) all played in the old gym and for me to watch my boys (Anderson and Rodney Larry) play and dunk was so exciting. They both won Dual State in the old gym," Williams said.</p>
<p>Roderick Harrington of Springdale said that he remembers seeing Anderson "light up the scoreboard, also the likes of Keo Noble throwing down a slam dunk or the shooting of Gerad Henderson from Haynesville (Louisiana)."</p>
<p>"Halfway through his sophomore year, college coaches were sitting in the stands. He was that good," Pumphrey said.</p>
<p>He went to be a McDonald's All-American player who played at Oklahoma State University before being drafted in the first round to the San Antonio Spurs. He now plays for the EuroLeague Khimki team.</p>
<p>"I have many fun memories of the old Junction City gym. . I'm sad to see it go," Andrews said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Information from: El Dorado News-Times, <a href="http://www.eldoradonews.com" type="external">http://www.eldoradonews.com</a></p>
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el dorado ark ap junction city school districts old gym hosted first game 1954 62year run grand old lady demolished make room new facility wayne pumphrey goto guy things junction city athletic history hes part dragon sports network team advisory committee member dragon wall honor makes documentaries spare time put perspective old grand old lady truly pumphrey said think opened segregation brown v board education supreme court ruled didnt even 50 states union yet korean war ended nobody knew anything place called vietnam ongoing safety concerns former bricklined bandbox style gym replaced 9000square foot steel building house high school physical education health art music classes project cost 15 million scheduled open beginning 20182019 school year el dorado newstimes reports procedures place salvage trophies dating back 1919 vintage 16squarefoot dragon logo center court building according previous newstimes reports much trophies dual state tournament trophies pumphrey said theres right way things ill say even cant house id love see union county sports hall fame said hard see tear progress like said video notice shape dont build like theres many left served purpose well 62 years got moneys worth border town celebrated new gym opened last year giving new home dual state could countrys oldest annual boys girls high school basketball tournament one week january thats gym known used played right end january power rankings consolidation ruined everything pumphrey said ive known people set aside week said im going dual state trying make every session like holiday despite enjoying new airconditioned facility dragons young old reflect time seeing participating athletic events old gym classes used dismissed early students could watch upwards 50 teams play dual state small thing special helped promote school pride pumphrey said first memory old junction city gym 1969 nine years old school would let early students could attend dual state tournament el dorado resident betty davis andrews said old enough tried basketball gym played six years rest history 80 years tournament showcased talents athletes states like james anderson bobby joe douglas erica smithtaylor sytia messer karl malone gym could hold 2500 people pumphrey said said one fondest memories seeing two louisiana basketball legends bobby joe douglas marion karl malone summerfield go headtohead tournament three minutes left marions getting beat 12 13 points game bobby joe got hot started letting fly got across half court started hitting said marion got ball little 10 seconds left came hurrying court one point heading north douglas went corner take shot hurry course theyre trying block let go ball rimmed pumphrey recalled seeing tv special later year interviewed douglas said heard douglas say could one shot back would one according monroe newsstar douglas scored 93 points game went play university louisianamonroe 10year stint assistant coach sterlington high school malone best known tenure utah jazz enshrined naismith memorial basketball hall fame pumphrey said former dragon james anderson every 35 40 years player also described andersons mother ira williams great allaround player sons played old gym watch boys anderson rodney larry play dunk exciting dual state old gym williams said roderick harrington springdale said remembers seeing anderson light scoreboard also likes keo noble throwing slam dunk shooting gerad henderson haynesville louisiana halfway sophomore year college coaches sitting stands good pumphrey said went mcdonalds allamerican player played oklahoma state university drafted first round san antonio spurs plays euroleague khimki team many fun memories old junction city gym im sad see go andrews said ___ information el dorado newstimes httpwwweldoradonewscom el dorado ark ap junction city school districts old gym hosted first game 1954 62year run grand old lady demolished make room new facility wayne pumphrey goto guy things junction city athletic history hes part dragon sports network team advisory committee member dragon wall honor makes documentaries spare time put perspective old grand old lady truly pumphrey said think opened segregation brown v board education supreme court ruled didnt even 50 states union yet korean war ended nobody knew anything place called vietnam ongoing safety concerns former bricklined bandbox style gym replaced 9000square foot steel building house high school physical education health art music classes project cost 15 million scheduled open beginning 20182019 school year el dorado newstimes reports procedures place salvage trophies dating back 1919 vintage 16squarefoot dragon logo center court building according previous newstimes reports much trophies dual state tournament trophies pumphrey said theres right way things ill say even cant house id love see union county sports hall fame said hard see tear progress like said video notice shape dont build like theres many left served purpose well 62 years got moneys worth border town celebrated new gym opened last year giving new home dual state could countrys oldest annual boys girls high school basketball tournament one week january thats gym known used played right end january power rankings consolidation ruined everything pumphrey said ive known people set aside week said im going dual state trying make every session like holiday despite enjoying new airconditioned facility dragons young old reflect time seeing participating athletic events old gym classes used dismissed early students could watch upwards 50 teams play dual state small thing special helped promote school pride pumphrey said first memory old junction city gym 1969 nine years old school would let early students could attend dual state tournament el dorado resident betty davis andrews said old enough tried basketball gym played six years rest history 80 years tournament showcased talents athletes states like james anderson bobby joe douglas erica smithtaylor sytia messer karl malone gym could hold 2500 people pumphrey said said one fondest memories seeing two louisiana basketball legends bobby joe douglas marion karl malone summerfield go headtohead tournament three minutes left marions getting beat 12 13 points game bobby joe got hot started letting fly got across half court started hitting said marion got ball little 10 seconds left came hurrying court one point heading north douglas went corner take shot hurry course theyre trying block let go ball rimmed pumphrey recalled seeing tv special later year interviewed douglas said heard douglas say could one shot back would one according monroe newsstar douglas scored 93 points game went play university louisianamonroe 10year stint assistant coach sterlington high school malone best known tenure utah jazz enshrined naismith memorial basketball hall fame pumphrey said former dragon james anderson every 35 40 years player also described andersons mother ira williams great allaround player sons played old gym watch boys anderson rodney larry play dunk exciting dual state old gym williams said roderick harrington springdale said remembers seeing anderson light scoreboard also likes keo noble throwing slam dunk shooting gerad henderson haynesville louisiana halfway sophomore year college coaches sitting stands good pumphrey said went mcdonalds allamerican player played oklahoma state university drafted first round san antonio spurs plays euroleague khimki team many fun memories old junction city gym im sad see go andrews said ___ information el dorado newstimes httpwwweldoradonewscom
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<p>DALLAS (AP) — The Trump administration on Friday proposed to rewrite or kill rules on offshore oil and gas drilling that were imposed after the deadly 2010 rig explosion and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.</p>
<p>The administration said the rules are an unnecessary burden on industry and rolling them back will encourage more energy production.</p>
<p>An offshore-drilling group welcomed the rollback, while environmentalists said President Donald Trump was raising the risk of more deadly oil spills.</p>
<p>A division of the Interior Department published the proposed change Friday in the Federal Register. The public will have until Jan. 29 to comment.</p>
<p>The Obama administration imposed tougher rules last year in response to the 2010 explosion on a drilling rig called the Deepwater Horizon and used by BP. The accident killed 11 workers and triggered a massive oil spill.</p>
<p>The Obama rules targeted blowout preventers, massive valve-like devices designed to prevent spills from wells on the ocean floor. The preventer used by BP failed. The rules required more frequent inspections of those and other devices and dictated that experts onshore monitor drilling of highly complex wells in real time.</p>
<p>In its notice Friday, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, an office of the Interior Department that regulates offshore oil and gas drilling, said some provisions in the rules created “potentially unduly burdensome requirements” on oil and gas operators “without significantly increasing safety of the workers or protection of the environment.”</p>
<p>The bureau said that, when practical, it would give industry flexibility to meet safety and equipment standards rather than insisting on specific compliance methods.</p>
<p>The agency estimated that revising some rules and removing others would save the energy industry at least $228 million over 10 years.</p>
<p>Oil industry groups have complained about the potential cost of complying with the rules and predicted they would threaten thousands of jobs.</p>
<p>Randall Luthi, president of the National Ocean Industries Association, said in a statement that the Trump administration’s rollback was a step toward regulatory reform. He said safety experts in the offshore energy industry would now have the chance to comment on the regulations and “assure the nation’s offshore energy resources are developed safely and expeditiously.”</p>
<p>But Miyoko Sakashita, ocean-program director for an environmental group, the Center for Biological Diversity, said rolling back drilling-safety standards was a recipe for disaster.</p>
<p>“By tossing aside the lessons from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Trump is putting our coasts and wildlife at risk of more deadly oil spills,” Sakashita said in a statement. “Reversing offshore safety rules isn’t just deregulation, it’s willful ignorance.”</p>
<p>DALLAS (AP) — The Trump administration on Friday proposed to rewrite or kill rules on offshore oil and gas drilling that were imposed after the deadly 2010 rig explosion and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.</p>
<p>The administration said the rules are an unnecessary burden on industry and rolling them back will encourage more energy production.</p>
<p>An offshore-drilling group welcomed the rollback, while environmentalists said President Donald Trump was raising the risk of more deadly oil spills.</p>
<p>A division of the Interior Department published the proposed change Friday in the Federal Register. The public will have until Jan. 29 to comment.</p>
<p>The Obama administration imposed tougher rules last year in response to the 2010 explosion on a drilling rig called the Deepwater Horizon and used by BP. The accident killed 11 workers and triggered a massive oil spill.</p>
<p>The Obama rules targeted blowout preventers, massive valve-like devices designed to prevent spills from wells on the ocean floor. The preventer used by BP failed. The rules required more frequent inspections of those and other devices and dictated that experts onshore monitor drilling of highly complex wells in real time.</p>
<p>In its notice Friday, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, an office of the Interior Department that regulates offshore oil and gas drilling, said some provisions in the rules created “potentially unduly burdensome requirements” on oil and gas operators “without significantly increasing safety of the workers or protection of the environment.”</p>
<p>The bureau said that, when practical, it would give industry flexibility to meet safety and equipment standards rather than insisting on specific compliance methods.</p>
<p>The agency estimated that revising some rules and removing others would save the energy industry at least $228 million over 10 years.</p>
<p>Oil industry groups have complained about the potential cost of complying with the rules and predicted they would threaten thousands of jobs.</p>
<p>Randall Luthi, president of the National Ocean Industries Association, said in a statement that the Trump administration’s rollback was a step toward regulatory reform. He said safety experts in the offshore energy industry would now have the chance to comment on the regulations and “assure the nation’s offshore energy resources are developed safely and expeditiously.”</p>
<p>But Miyoko Sakashita, ocean-program director for an environmental group, the Center for Biological Diversity, said rolling back drilling-safety standards was a recipe for disaster.</p>
<p>“By tossing aside the lessons from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Trump is putting our coasts and wildlife at risk of more deadly oil spills,” Sakashita said in a statement. “Reversing offshore safety rules isn’t just deregulation, it’s willful ignorance.”</p>
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dallas ap trump administration friday proposed rewrite kill rules offshore oil gas drilling imposed deadly 2010 rig explosion oil spill gulf mexico administration said rules unnecessary burden industry rolling back encourage energy production offshoredrilling group welcomed rollback environmentalists said president donald trump raising risk deadly oil spills division interior department published proposed change friday federal register public jan 29 comment obama administration imposed tougher rules last year response 2010 explosion drilling rig called deepwater horizon used bp accident killed 11 workers triggered massive oil spill obama rules targeted blowout preventers massive valvelike devices designed prevent spills wells ocean floor preventer used bp failed rules required frequent inspections devices dictated experts onshore monitor drilling highly complex wells real time notice friday bureau safety environmental enforcement office interior department regulates offshore oil gas drilling said provisions rules created potentially unduly burdensome requirements oil gas operators without significantly increasing safety workers protection environment bureau said practical would give industry flexibility meet safety equipment standards rather insisting specific compliance methods agency estimated revising rules removing others would save energy industry least 228 million 10 years oil industry groups complained potential cost complying rules predicted would threaten thousands jobs randall luthi president national ocean industries association said statement trump administrations rollback step toward regulatory reform said safety experts offshore energy industry would chance comment regulations assure nations offshore energy resources developed safely expeditiously miyoko sakashita oceanprogram director environmental group center biological diversity said rolling back drillingsafety standards recipe disaster tossing aside lessons deepwater horizon oil spill trump putting coasts wildlife risk deadly oil spills sakashita said statement reversing offshore safety rules isnt deregulation willful ignorance dallas ap trump administration friday proposed rewrite kill rules offshore oil gas drilling imposed deadly 2010 rig explosion oil spill gulf mexico administration said rules unnecessary burden industry rolling back encourage energy production offshoredrilling group welcomed rollback environmentalists said president donald trump raising risk deadly oil spills division interior department published proposed change friday federal register public jan 29 comment obama administration imposed tougher rules last year response 2010 explosion drilling rig called deepwater horizon used bp accident killed 11 workers triggered massive oil spill obama rules targeted blowout preventers massive valvelike devices designed prevent spills wells ocean floor preventer used bp failed rules required frequent inspections devices dictated experts onshore monitor drilling highly complex wells real time notice friday bureau safety environmental enforcement office interior department regulates offshore oil gas drilling said provisions rules created potentially unduly burdensome requirements oil gas operators without significantly increasing safety workers protection environment bureau said practical would give industry flexibility meet safety equipment standards rather insisting specific compliance methods agency estimated revising rules removing others would save energy industry least 228 million 10 years oil industry groups complained potential cost complying rules predicted would threaten thousands jobs randall luthi president national ocean industries association said statement trump administrations rollback step toward regulatory reform said safety experts offshore energy industry would chance comment regulations assure nations offshore energy resources developed safely expeditiously miyoko sakashita oceanprogram director environmental group center biological diversity said rolling back drillingsafety standards recipe disaster tossing aside lessons deepwater horizon oil spill trump putting coasts wildlife risk deadly oil spills sakashita said statement reversing offshore safety rules isnt deregulation willful ignorance
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<p>“Relations had undergone a period of difference of opinion,” a senior adviser to the crown prince said in a statement after Tuesday’s meeting. “However, today’s meeting has put things on the right track, and marked a significant shift in relations, across all political, military, security and economic fields.”</p>
<p>Sunni Arab leaders are embracing Trump with praise the president isn’t finding from other U.S. allies in the world, reflecting an eagerness to reset ties after feeling shunned by President Barack Obama, who crafted the 2015 nuclear deal with their Shiite rival Iran. The Saudi statement said Trump had a “great understanding” of the bilateral relationship. The president and the prince “share the same views on the gravity of the Iranian expansionist moves in the region,” the adviser said.</p>
<p>In a statement Wednesday, the White House said that Trump and the prince “directed their teams to explore additional steps across a broad range of political, military, security, economic, cultural, and social dimensions to further strengthen and elevate the United States-Saudi strategic relationship” and to confront “Iran’s destabilizing regional activities.”</p>
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<p>But while Trump has signaled his plans for a more aggressive policy against the Islamic Republic, political analysts say it’s unlikely he’d seek an open confrontation with Iran or deepen the U.S. role in Iraq, Syria and Yemen, which are serving as proxy battlegrounds between the regional rivals.</p>
<p>“The administration will give the Saudis the rhetoric they want on Iran — more confrontational, emphasize the threat,” said Gregory Gause, a professor of international affairs at Texas A&amp;M University and a Saudi specialist. “But in terms of specifics, I do not think that the Trump administration wants to get more deeply involved in Iraq, Syria or other places where the Saudis would want help in turning back Iranian influence.”</p>
<p>Saudi Arabia and its closest regional ally, the United Arab Emirates, are bogged down in a two-year war in Yemen against Shiite rebels they say are armed by Iran. Its leaders have openly complained about the rising Iranian influence in Iraq. In Syria, the Sunni rebels they have backed are losing ground against President Bashar al-Assad and Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Shiite militant group.</p>
<p>At home, the kingdom is grappling with the impact of low oil prices. Economic growth is forecast to slow to 0.9 percent in 2017, according to a Bloomberg survey, compared with 10 percent in 2011 when crude prices topped $100 a barrel.</p>
<p>The U.S. and the Al Saud monarchy have been strategic partners since King Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, Prince Mohammed’s grandfather and the founder of modern Saudi Arabia, met President Franklin D. Roosevelt aboard the USS Quincy in 1945. Oil for security has underpinned the relationship between the countries.</p>
<p>Prince Mohammed, 31, the son of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his country’s defense minister, is leading efforts to overhaul the economy and reduce its reliance on oil. The prince’s visit follows a trip he made to Washington in June after unveiling his post-oil blueprint, which includes a plan to create the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund and selling a stake in Saudi Arabian Oil Co., known as Aramco. Saudi officials have said they’re considering New York as a potential venue for a global listing.</p>
<p>Trump offered his support on Tuesday for developing a new U.S.-Saudi program in energy, industry, infrastructure and technology that could be valued at more than $200 billion in direct and indirect investments within the next four years, according to the White House statement.</p>
<p>The prince had lunch with Trump and aides at the White House on Tuesday. That’s a higher-profile meeting than an initially planned photo opportunity, according to Simon Henderson, a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and director of the institute’s Gulf and Energy Policy Program.</p>
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<p>The new administration sees Saudi Arabia “as a crucial part of the Middle East and an important country to have a positive relationship with — even if there are irritants in the relationship,” said Henderson. “This is at odds with the Obama administration, so they want to make that clear distinction.”</p>
<p>In return, Saudi Arabia and the other Sunni-led Gulf Arab states have had “positive anticipation” toward the Trump administration, especially when it comes to containing what they see as Shiite Iran’s malign influence in the region, according to Kristin Smith Diwan, senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. In February, the Trump administration said it was putting the Islamic Republic “on notice” after it carried out a missile test days earlier.</p>
<p>Providing a talking point likely to be welcomed by Trump’s administration, the Saudi statement said Saudi Arabia doesn’t believe that the U.S. president’s restriction on travel from six mostly Sunni nations “is targeting Muslim countries or the religion of Islam” and is aimed at “preventing terrorists” from entering the U.S.</p>
<p>In a further sign of outreach to the Gulf allies, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met at the State Department Tuesday with the foreign minister of the U.A.E., Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed.</p>
<p>After the frustrations with Obama, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states are now responding to Trump’s “more personalized foreign policy,” including his son-in-law Jared Kushner playing a prominent role with Gulf Arab allies, Diwan said during a speech in Washington.</p>
<p>Prince Mohammed’s visit is a sign that Gulf countries are “jumping on early in the boat to try to build those close ties that they think will serve them well,” Diwan said.</p>
<p>–With assistance from Margaret Talev</p>
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relations undergone period difference opinion senior adviser crown prince said statement tuesdays meeting however todays meeting put things right track marked significant shift relations across political military security economic fields sunni arab leaders embracing trump praise president isnt finding us allies world reflecting eagerness reset ties feeling shunned president barack obama crafted 2015 nuclear deal shiite rival iran saudi statement said trump great understanding bilateral relationship president prince share views gravity iranian expansionist moves region adviser said statement wednesday white house said trump prince directed teams explore additional steps across broad range political military security economic cultural social dimensions strengthen elevate united statessaudi strategic relationship confront irans destabilizing regional activities advertisement trump signaled plans aggressive policy islamic republic political analysts say unlikely hed seek open confrontation iran deepen us role iraq syria yemen serving proxy battlegrounds regional rivals administration give saudis rhetoric want iran confrontational emphasize threat said gregory gause professor international affairs texas aampm university saudi specialist terms specifics think trump administration wants get deeply involved iraq syria places saudis would want help turning back iranian influence saudi arabia closest regional ally united arab emirates bogged twoyear war yemen shiite rebels say armed iran leaders openly complained rising iranian influence iraq syria sunni rebels backed losing ground president bashar alassad hezbollah iranianbacked shiite militant group home kingdom grappling impact low oil prices economic growth forecast slow 09 percent 2017 according bloomberg survey compared 10 percent 2011 crude prices topped 100 barrel us al saud monarchy strategic partners since king abdulaziz al saud prince mohammeds grandfather founder modern saudi arabia met president franklin roosevelt aboard uss quincy 1945 oil security underpinned relationship countries prince mohammed 31 son king salman bin abdulaziz al saud countrys defense minister leading efforts overhaul economy reduce reliance oil princes visit follows trip made washington june unveiling postoil blueprint includes plan create worlds largest sovereign wealth fund selling stake saudi arabian oil co known aramco saudi officials said theyre considering new york potential venue global listing trump offered support tuesday developing new ussaudi program energy industry infrastructure technology could valued 200 billion direct indirect investments within next four years according white house statement prince lunch trump aides white house tuesday thats higherprofile meeting initially planned photo opportunity according simon henderson fellow washington institute near east policy director institutes gulf energy policy program advertisement new administration sees saudi arabia crucial part middle east important country positive relationship even irritants relationship said henderson odds obama administration want make clear distinction return saudi arabia sunniled gulf arab states positive anticipation toward trump administration especially comes containing see shiite irans malign influence region according kristin smith diwan senior resident scholar arab gulf states institute washington february trump administration said putting islamic republic notice carried missile test days earlier providing talking point likely welcomed trumps administration saudi statement said saudi arabia doesnt believe us presidents restriction travel six mostly sunni nations targeting muslim countries religion islam aimed preventing terrorists entering us sign outreach gulf allies secretary state rex tillerson met state department tuesday foreign minister uae sheikh abdullah bin zayed frustrations obama saudi arabia gulf states responding trumps personalized foreign policy including soninlaw jared kushner playing prominent role gulf arab allies diwan said speech washington prince mohammeds visit sign gulf countries jumping early boat try build close ties think serve well diwan said assistance margaret talev
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<p><a href="" type="internal" />A real dark horse has emerged this year as the top-performing submarket for office space in the Albuquerque metro area, according to the latest Office Trends Report from Colliers International.</p>
<p>Downtown, which chronically underperforms the office market as a whole, has shown more improvement through the first nine months of 2014 than any other office submarket, including the North I-25 corridor and Uptown.</p>
<p>“Vacancy has declined every quarter this year and Downtown has also posted the highest amount of space absorbed (or occupied),” the third-quarter Colliers report says, attributing the improvements to initiatives related to developing Albuquerque’s technology sector.</p>
<p>The CNM STEMulus Center’s move into the First Plaza Galeria earlier this year contributed to the brightening Downtown office scene. (Albuquerque Journal File)</p>
<p>Just over 20,000 square feet of office space were occupied in the second and third quarters by Fat Pipe ABQ, an incubator and collaborative for information-technology businesses at Old Albuquerque High, and Central New Mexico Community College’s STEMulus Center, a workforce training center at First Plaza Galeria.</p>
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<p>The upshot is that, since the end of 2013, the Downtown office submarket has registered a net gain of 120,000 square feet of space filling up, according to Colliers data. The vacancy rate dropped from 29.4 percent at the end of 2013 to 26.1 percent in the third quarter.</p>
<p>Over the same period, the metro’s overall office market languished. More space went vacant than filled up to the tune of 295,000 square feet. The metrowide vacancy rate climbed from 19.3 percent at the end of 2013 to 21.5 percent in the third quarter.</p>
<p>Downtown’s high vacancy rate – 26.1 percent versus 21.5 percent overall – is largely the function of one property: the eight-story, 246,853-square-foot Alvarado Square at 415 Silver SW. After leasing it for decades, PNM Resources moved out last year after selling off its natural gas distribution system.</p>
<p>If Alvarado Square were to disappear from its inventory of office buildings, the Downtown submarket would suddenly look relatively robust.</p>
<p>“Alvarado Square accounts for 30 percent of the total vacant space Downtown,” said Ken Schaefer of Collier’s Albuquerque office. “Without it, vacancy would be 18.4 percent Downtown and 19.7 percent overall, putting Downtown at 130 basis points better than the overall market.”</p>
<p>The silver lining to Alvarado Square’s dark cloud of vacancy is the fact that it’s not on the market to be leased, thus it’s not competing for tenants with other buildings Downtown, Schaefer noted. Alvarado is only on the market for sale by Colliers International at a price tag of $11.1 million.</p>
<p>As unlikely as it sounds, office buildings do indeed disappear from the inventory tracked by commercial real-estate services firms such as Colliers and CBRE.</p>
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<p>The reason is that, in simple terms, only leased buildings are tracked in the office market. If a vacant building is purchased and occupied by the new owner – a company, for example, or a government entity – then that building is removed from the inventory of leasable office buildings.</p>
<p>An example of a disappearing office building is the four-story, 62,287-square-foot Plaza Maya at 615 1st NW in Downtown, Schaefer said. Empty since 2004, Plaza Maya was alternately classified as vacant or off the market until early 2013, when the state of New Mexico bought it to house Department of Corrections offices.</p>
<p>The purchase by what’s called an “owner/user” resulted in Plaza Maya’s removal from the active office market once and for all.</p>
<p>Formerly leased by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Plaza Maya is also a poster child illustrating one of the chief reasons for Downtown’s past underperformance as an office submarket.</p>
<p>“Downtown’s challenges can be traced to when all those (federal agencies) – the BIA, FBI, Interior Department – were leaving for new offices outside the city center in the 2004 to 2006 time frame,” Schaefer said.</p>
<p>From 2006-10, Downtown’s vacancy rate ran on average 4.7 percentage points higher than the metro’s overall office market. The margin grew as high as 8 percentage points in 2007 then later shrunk to as little as 0.4 percentage points in 2010.</p>
<p>The Alvarado Square vacancy skewed the statistics, helping to inflate Downtown’s vacancy rate from 21.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012 to 31.5 percent in the first quarter of 2013, a full 10 percentage points higher than the overall office market.</p>
<p>Downtown’s office market achieved the dubious distinction of having the highest vacancy rate of any central business district in the country in 2013.</p>
<p>Some of the improvements in Downtown’s office market in 2014 will likely be offset by San Francisco-based retailer Gap Inc.’s planned relocation from about 100,000 square feet in First Plaza Galeria to 61,140 square feet in the North I-25 corridor, a submarket that straddles Interstate 25 north of the Big I.</p>
<p>Industrial vacancy rate dives</p>
<p>The vacancy rate for the metro’s industrial real-estate market plummeted to a six-year low in the third quarter, dropping to 7.1 percent from 7.9 percent in the preceding second quarter and 9.9 percent in the third quarter of 2012, Colliers reported.</p>
<p>Normally, such a significant drop in vacancy rate would signal something dramatic in the local economy, like work was gearing up for construction of a new Tesla plant in the metro or homebuilding kicking into overdrive. None of that is happening, of course.</p>
<p>The plunge in the industrial vacancy rate stems in part from the absence of construction of what’s called speculative or “spec” buildings, which contain space that hasn’t been preleased and is thus available.</p>
<p>“The last time any major new speculative projects were developed was in 2008,” the Colliers industrial report says.</p>
<p>The lack of spec construction means the existing supply of industrial space is continually picked over, driving the vacancy rate down. Most of the activity in the industrial market has been generated by relocations within the metro and by nontraditional users of industrial space like schools, churches and gyms.</p>
<p>One detail to note is that there’s more occupied industrial space in the metro now than there was back when the economy was booming in 2007.</p>
<p>The vacancy rate for the retail real-estate market dropped in the third quarter to 6.9 percent, down from 7.3 percent in the preceding second quarter and 8 percent in the third quarter of 2013. The third quarter vacancy rate is the lowest it’s been in at least 12 years.</p>
<p>Only shopping centers, stores and other retail properties 10,000 square feet in size or bigger are tracked in the retail market.</p>
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real dark horse emerged year topperforming submarket office space albuquerque metro area according latest office trends report colliers international downtown chronically underperforms office market whole shown improvement first nine months 2014 office submarket including north i25 corridor uptown vacancy declined every quarter year downtown also posted highest amount space absorbed occupied thirdquarter colliers report says attributing improvements initiatives related developing albuquerques technology sector cnm stemulus centers move first plaza galeria earlier year contributed brightening downtown office scene albuquerque journal file 20000 square feet office space occupied second third quarters fat pipe abq incubator collaborative informationtechnology businesses old albuquerque high central new mexico community colleges stemulus center workforce training center first plaza galeria advertisement upshot since end 2013 downtown office submarket registered net gain 120000 square feet space filling according colliers data vacancy rate dropped 294 percent end 2013 261 percent third quarter period metros overall office market languished space went vacant filled tune 295000 square feet metrowide vacancy rate climbed 193 percent end 2013 215 percent third quarter downtowns high vacancy rate 261 percent versus 215 percent overall largely function one property eightstory 246853squarefoot alvarado square 415 silver sw leasing decades pnm resources moved last year selling natural gas distribution system alvarado square disappear inventory office buildings downtown submarket would suddenly look relatively robust alvarado square accounts 30 percent total vacant space downtown said ken schaefer colliers albuquerque office without vacancy would 184 percent downtown 197 percent overall putting downtown 130 basis points better overall market silver lining alvarado squares dark cloud vacancy fact market leased thus competing tenants buildings downtown schaefer noted alvarado market sale colliers international price tag 111 million unlikely sounds office buildings indeed disappear inventory tracked commercial realestate services firms colliers cbre advertisement reason simple terms leased buildings tracked office market vacant building purchased occupied new owner company example government entity building removed inventory leasable office buildings example disappearing office building fourstory 62287squarefoot plaza maya 615 1st nw downtown schaefer said empty since 2004 plaza maya alternately classified vacant market early 2013 state new mexico bought house department corrections offices purchase whats called owneruser resulted plaza mayas removal active office market formerly leased bureau indian affairs plaza maya also poster child illustrating one chief reasons downtowns past underperformance office submarket downtowns challenges traced federal agencies bia fbi interior department leaving new offices outside city center 2004 2006 time frame schaefer said 200610 downtowns vacancy rate ran average 47 percentage points higher metros overall office market margin grew high 8 percentage points 2007 later shrunk little 04 percentage points 2010 alvarado square vacancy skewed statistics helping inflate downtowns vacancy rate 217 percent fourth quarter 2012 315 percent first quarter 2013 full 10 percentage points higher overall office market downtowns office market achieved dubious distinction highest vacancy rate central business district country 2013 improvements downtowns office market 2014 likely offset san franciscobased retailer gap incs planned relocation 100000 square feet first plaza galeria 61140 square feet north i25 corridor submarket straddles interstate 25 north big industrial vacancy rate dives vacancy rate metros industrial realestate market plummeted sixyear low third quarter dropping 71 percent 79 percent preceding second quarter 99 percent third quarter 2012 colliers reported normally significant drop vacancy rate would signal something dramatic local economy like work gearing construction new tesla plant metro homebuilding kicking overdrive none happening course plunge industrial vacancy rate stems part absence construction whats called speculative spec buildings contain space hasnt preleased thus available last time major new speculative projects developed 2008 colliers industrial report says lack spec construction means existing supply industrial space continually picked driving vacancy rate activity industrial market generated relocations within metro nontraditional users industrial space like schools churches gyms one detail note theres occupied industrial space metro back economy booming 2007 vacancy rate retail realestate market dropped third quarter 69 percent 73 percent preceding second quarter 8 percent third quarter 2013 third quarter vacancy rate lowest least 12 years shopping centers stores retail properties 10000 square feet size bigger tracked retail market
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<p>LOS ANGELES (AP) — Olivia Munn says hosting a Hollywood awards show is nothing compared to speaking out about sexual misconduct.</p>
<p>Munn is hosting the Critics’ Choice Awards on Thursday. But in an interview to discuss her preparations for the show, the 37-year-old actress instead addressed the ongoing sexual misconduct reckoning in the entertainment industry. Munn has publicly accused director Brett Ratner of misconduct and harassment and is an outspoken critic of a Hollywood power structure she says rewards abusers and silences victims.</p>
<p>“Hosting an awards show pales in comparison to the legal and illegal threats that I’ve had to (face) and that so many other women who have spoken out have had to go through,” Munn said in a telephone interview Wednesday. “It’s not as easy to name names as people think. And when you go out publicly and do that, as we know with one of Brett Ratner’s accusers, there’s defamation lawsuits that come forward.</p>
<p />
<p>“Naming names and calling out people — it’s not an easy thing to do, and it’s not something people can do flippantly... So I think the real hard part during this time is definitely not hosting an awards show. Although it is work, and you’re wanting to put on a good show and all that, but I’ve been through scarier things.”</p>
<p>The Broadcast Film Critics Association and Broadcast Television Journalists Association announced on Jan. 3 that Munn would host their annual gala.</p>
<p>Asked if being tapped to host the Critics’ Choice ceremony feels like an endorsement of her outspokenness, Munn said she’s felt the greatest support from the Hollywood community and the public.</p>
<p>“If it wasn’t for the public outrage that created the waves of shame that crashed down on all the abusers, we wouldn’t be in the position we are now where there’s actually change being made and consequences,” she said.</p>
<p>Munn wrote about her encounters with sexual misconduct in Hollywood in her 2010 book, “Suck it, Wonder Woman,” but she said, “nobody cared back then.”</p>
<p>The biggest shift is that now accusers are being believed, she said. But it’s too late for some victims whose experiences ultimately forced them from the industry.</p>
<p>“I understand why they’re pissed off,” Munn said.</p>
<p>So with such a conversation unfolding in the industry and across culture, do film and TV awards even matter?</p>
<p>Yes, Munn said, because awards often lead to raises for people who are excelling at the work they love.</p>
<p>“These awards are time for people to be celebrated for their work, and also these awards are kind of like promotions for people: everyone can get more money for having awards to their name,” she said. “I don’t think we stop the business because this is happening. What I really appreciate is the swift action that does take place when somebody is called out for their abuses — that means many people do care, and they hear it. For the most part, we all want to keep working and we all love the business.”</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>LOS ANGELES (AP) — Olivia Munn says hosting a Hollywood awards show is nothing compared to speaking out about sexual misconduct.</p>
<p>Munn is hosting the Critics’ Choice Awards on Thursday. But in an interview to discuss her preparations for the show, the 37-year-old actress instead addressed the ongoing sexual misconduct reckoning in the entertainment industry. Munn has publicly accused director Brett Ratner of misconduct and harassment and is an outspoken critic of a Hollywood power structure she says rewards abusers and silences victims.</p>
<p>“Hosting an awards show pales in comparison to the legal and illegal threats that I’ve had to (face) and that so many other women who have spoken out have had to go through,” Munn said in a telephone interview Wednesday. “It’s not as easy to name names as people think. And when you go out publicly and do that, as we know with one of Brett Ratner’s accusers, there’s defamation lawsuits that come forward.</p>
<p />
<p>“Naming names and calling out people — it’s not an easy thing to do, and it’s not something people can do flippantly... So I think the real hard part during this time is definitely not hosting an awards show. Although it is work, and you’re wanting to put on a good show and all that, but I’ve been through scarier things.”</p>
<p>The Broadcast Film Critics Association and Broadcast Television Journalists Association announced on Jan. 3 that Munn would host their annual gala.</p>
<p>Asked if being tapped to host the Critics’ Choice ceremony feels like an endorsement of her outspokenness, Munn said she’s felt the greatest support from the Hollywood community and the public.</p>
<p>“If it wasn’t for the public outrage that created the waves of shame that crashed down on all the abusers, we wouldn’t be in the position we are now where there’s actually change being made and consequences,” she said.</p>
<p>Munn wrote about her encounters with sexual misconduct in Hollywood in her 2010 book, “Suck it, Wonder Woman,” but she said, “nobody cared back then.”</p>
<p>The biggest shift is that now accusers are being believed, she said. But it’s too late for some victims whose experiences ultimately forced them from the industry.</p>
<p>“I understand why they’re pissed off,” Munn said.</p>
<p>So with such a conversation unfolding in the industry and across culture, do film and TV awards even matter?</p>
<p>Yes, Munn said, because awards often lead to raises for people who are excelling at the work they love.</p>
<p>“These awards are time for people to be celebrated for their work, and also these awards are kind of like promotions for people: everyone can get more money for having awards to their name,” she said. “I don’t think we stop the business because this is happening. What I really appreciate is the swift action that does take place when somebody is called out for their abuses — that means many people do care, and they hear it. For the most part, we all want to keep working and we all love the business.”</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>
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los angeles ap olivia munn says hosting hollywood awards show nothing compared speaking sexual misconduct munn hosting critics choice awards thursday interview discuss preparations show 37yearold actress instead addressed ongoing sexual misconduct reckoning entertainment industry munn publicly accused director brett ratner misconduct harassment outspoken critic hollywood power structure says rewards abusers silences victims hosting awards show pales comparison legal illegal threats ive face many women spoken go munn said telephone interview wednesday easy name names people think go publicly know one brett ratners accusers theres defamation lawsuits come forward naming names calling people easy thing something people flippantly think real hard part time definitely hosting awards show although work youre wanting put good show ive scarier things broadcast film critics association broadcast television journalists association announced jan 3 munn would host annual gala asked tapped host critics choice ceremony feels like endorsement outspokenness munn said shes felt greatest support hollywood community public wasnt public outrage created waves shame crashed abusers wouldnt position theres actually change made consequences said munn wrote encounters sexual misconduct hollywood 2010 book suck wonder woman said nobody cared back biggest shift accusers believed said late victims whose experiences ultimately forced industry understand theyre pissed munn said conversation unfolding industry across culture film tv awards even matter yes munn said awards often lead raises people excelling work love awards time people celebrated work also awards kind like promotions people everyone get money awards name said dont think stop business happening really appreciate swift action take place somebody called abuses means many people care hear part want keep working love business ___ follow ap entertainment writer sandy cohen wwwtwittercomapsandy los angeles ap olivia munn says hosting hollywood awards show nothing compared speaking sexual misconduct munn hosting critics choice awards thursday interview discuss preparations show 37yearold actress instead addressed ongoing sexual misconduct reckoning entertainment industry munn publicly accused director brett ratner misconduct harassment outspoken critic hollywood power structure says rewards abusers silences victims hosting awards show pales comparison legal illegal threats ive face many women spoken go munn said telephone interview wednesday easy name names people think go publicly know one brett ratners accusers theres defamation lawsuits come forward naming names calling people easy thing something people flippantly think real hard part time definitely hosting awards show although work youre wanting put good show ive scarier things broadcast film critics association broadcast television journalists association announced jan 3 munn would host annual gala asked tapped host critics choice ceremony feels like endorsement outspokenness munn said shes felt greatest support hollywood community public wasnt public outrage created waves shame crashed abusers wouldnt position theres actually change made consequences said munn wrote encounters sexual misconduct hollywood 2010 book suck wonder woman said nobody cared back biggest shift accusers believed said late victims whose experiences ultimately forced industry understand theyre pissed munn said conversation unfolding industry across culture film tv awards even matter yes munn said awards often lead raises people excelling work love awards time people celebrated work also awards kind like promotions people everyone get money awards name said dont think stop business happening really appreciate swift action take place somebody called abuses means many people care hear part want keep working love business ___ follow ap entertainment writer sandy cohen wwwtwittercomapsandy
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<p />
<p>Rickles, who would have been 91 on May 8, suffered kidney failure and died Thursday morning at his home, said Paul Shefrin, his longtime publicist and friend.</p>
<p>For more than half a century, Rickles headlined casinos and nightclubs from Las Vegas to Atlantic City, New Jersey, and livened up late-night talk shows. No one was exempt from Rickles’ insults, not fans or presidents or such fellow celebrities as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Johnny Carson.</p>
<p>Even volatile Sinatra let Rickles have his comedic way with him.</p>
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<p>“Hey, Frank, make yourself at home. Hit somebody,” Rickles snapped at the singer attending his show. Sinatra laughed.</p>
<p>Despite jokes that from other comics might have inspired boycotts, he was one of the most beloved people in show business, idolized by everyone from Joan Rivers and Louis CK to Chris Rock and Sarah Silverman.</p>
<p>Billy Crystal tweeted simply, “A giant loss.”</p>
<p>“We lost a great one. fast furious brilliant for decades the definition of genius,” Sandra Bernhard said on Twitter.</p>
<p>Some reaction to Rickles’ death matched his style.</p>
<p>“In lieu of flowers, Don Rickles’ family has requested that people drop their pants and fire a rocket,” Patton Oswald tweeted.</p>
<p>James Caan once said that Rickles helped inspire the blustering Sonny Corleone of “The Godfather.” An HBO special was directed by John Landis of “Animal House” fame and included tributes from Clint Eastwood, Sidney Poitier and Robert De Niro.</p>
<p>Carl Reiner would say he knew he had made it in Hollywood when Rickles made fun of him.</p>
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<p>Rickles patented a confrontational style that stand-up performers still emulate, but one that kept him on the right side of trouble. He emerged in the late 1950s, a time when comics such as Lenny Bruce and Mort Sahl were taking greater risks, becoming more politicized and more introspective.</p>
<p>Rickles managed to shock his audiences without cutting social commentary or truly personal self-criticism. He operated under a code as old the Borscht Belt: Go far — ethnic jokes, sex jokes, ribbing Carson for his many marriages — but make sure everyone knows it’s for fun.</p>
<p>“I think the reason that (my act) caught on and gave me a wonderful career is that I was never mean-spirited,” he once said. “Not that you had to like it, but you had to be under a rock somewhere not to get it.”</p>
<p>Rickles’ many friends returned the wisecracks, whether labeling him a man everyone loved to hate or, as his pal Bob Newhart once joked, as a man annoying to travel with. But the topper came, from all people, the radio host Casey Kasem, who dressed up as Hitler at a Martin roast in Rickles’ honor and told the comedian, “You are the only man I know who has bombed more places than I have.”</p>
<p>In 2008, he won the Emmy for best individual performance in a variety show for the Landis film, “Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project.” In 2012, he received the Johnny Carson Award for Comedic Excellence, a fitting tribute for a man whose big breakthrough came on “The Tonight Show” more than 40 years earlier.</p>
<p>Rickles was a stage comic and occasional movie actor when he sat down on the couch next to Carson’s desk and muttered, “Hello, dummy.” The studio audience was initially startled, but when the host began laughing uncontrollably, so did everyone else. He would appeared countless more times, haranguing Carson about not being invited more often or mocking his own love life.</p>
<p>“My wife just lays there, saying, ‘Help me with my jewelry,'” was a typical joke.</p>
<p>For his standup act, Rickles would begin a show by charging on stage and berating the people sitting down front. To an elderly lady he might say, “What are you doing up, Mom? Go lie down.” To a young man: “Look at this kid staring. That comes from locking yourself in the bathroom too much.” After kissing a woman’s hand: “What’d you have for dinner? Fish?”</p>
<p>His bald heading shining, he would gleefully croon his theme song, “I’m a Nice Guy,” and make fun of blacks and gays, the Irish and the Italians, with special attention for his own people, the Jews. A favorite epithet was the nonsensical “hockey puck,” as in, “You’re a real hockey puck.”</p>
<p>He recalled during a 2003 interview that he began using it on hecklers in the 1950s, although he couldn’t recall exactly why. As to why it caught on: “I guess it sounded like swearing,” said Rickles, who never used profanity in his act.</p>
<p>To his great disappointment, Rickles was never able to transfer his success to a long-running weekly situation comedy. “The Don Rickles Show” lasted just one season (1972). “C.P.O. Sharkey,” in which he played an acid-tongued Navy chief petty officer, fared slightly better, airing from 1976 to 1978. The show’s most notable moment was unplanned: Carson barged in the middle of a live taping to complain that Rickles had broken his cigarette box when the comedian had appeared on “The Tonight Show” the night before.</p>
<p>Rickles’ films ranged from comedies to dramas and included “Run Silent, Run Deep” (starring Clark Gable), “The Rat Race,” (Tony Curtis), “Kelly’s Heroes” (Eastwood) and Martin Scorsese’s “Casino” (De Niro). He also appeared in four “Beach Party” films in the 1960s and provided the voice of Mr. Potato Head in the animated “Toy Story” films.</p>
<p>“I did have somewhat of a career. I did some good movies,” he said in 2007. “On the whole, I think that (movies) and Broadway are the two things that I would have liked to have a little more of. But I’m happy with my career.”</p>
<p>Rickles set out to be a serious actor, enrolling in New York’s American Academy of Dramatic Arts, where one of his classmates was Jason Robards. He had little luck finding acting jobs, however, and supported himself by selling used cars, life insurance and cosmetics — badly, he said. (“I couldn’t sell air conditioners on a 98-degree day.”)</p>
<p>He finally decided to try comedy, appearing at small hotels in New York’s Catskill mountains and in rundown night clubs. The turning point came at a strip joint in Washington, D.C.</p>
<p>“The customers were right on top of you, always heckling, and I gave it right back to them,” he recalled in 1982.</p>
<p>The audience laughed and wanted more. In a style sometimes compared to an earlier insult comic, Jack E. Leonard, Rickles continued to hone his act, and, in 1957, his mockery of Sinatra from the stage gave him a boost.</p>
<p>Rickles became the unofficial court jester of Sinatra’s Rat Pack, ridiculing his singing, his love life and his alleged connections to organized crime. In a famous 1966 profile of Sinatra for Esquire magazine, Gay Talese described a Rickles performance in Las Vegas attended by the singer and his entourage.</p>
<p>“His humor is so rude, in such bad taste, that it offends no one — it is too offensive to be offensive. Spotting Eddie Fisher among the audience, Rickles proceeded to ridicule him as a lover, saying it was no wonder that he could not handle Elizabeth Taylor,” Talese wrote.</p>
<p>“Then he focused on Sinatra, not failing to mention (then-girlfriend) Mia Farrow, nor that he was wearing a toupee, nor to say that Sinatra was washed up as a singer, and when Sinatra laughed, everybody laughed.”</p>
<p>Donald Jay Rickles was born in 1926 in New York City’s borough of Queens. According to his mother, he began entertaining family members with his comedy when he was 6. Rickles jokingly called his mother the “Jewish General Patton,” but owed some of his success to her; she was friendly with Sinatra’s mother, who convinced the singer to check out Rickles’ act.</p>
<p>Rickles said he truly fell in love with acting when he appeared in high school plays. He often said that he used insults as a way of shielding his insecurity.</p>
<p>“I loved to perform, but I was really a very shy and frightened kid,” he recalled in 1980.</p>
<p>He married Barbara Sklar, his agent’s secretary, in 1965, and they had two children, actress Mindy Rickles and writer-producer Lawrence Rickles, who helped on the HBO film about his father. Lawrence Rickles died of complications from pneumonia in 2011.</p>
<p>In a 1993 Associated Press interview, Don Rickles’ brassy voice softened when he was asked how he wanted people to remember him.</p>
<p>“If people know me well, they know I’m an honest friend. I’m emotional; I’m caring; I’m loyal. Loyalty in this business is very important.”</p>
<p>Observed De Niro at a Spike TV roast in 2014: “Don is something rare, (a) true friend, a wonderful human being. If he weren’t, he would never be able to get away with being such an a–hole.”</p>
<p>Besides his wife, Rickles’ survivors include their daughter Mindy Mann, her husband Ed, and Rickles’ two grandchildren, Ethan and Harrison Mann. Funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that donations be made to the Larry Rickles Endowment Fund at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>The late AP entertainment writer Bob Thomas contributed biographical material to this report.</p>
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rickles would 91 may 8 suffered kidney failure died thursday morning home said paul shefrin longtime publicist friend half century rickles headlined casinos nightclubs las vegas atlantic city new jersey livened latenight talk shows one exempt rickles insults fans presidents fellow celebrities frank sinatra dean martin johnny carson even volatile sinatra let rickles comedic way advertisement hey frank make home hit somebody rickles snapped singer attending show sinatra laughed despite jokes comics might inspired boycotts one beloved people show business idolized everyone joan rivers louis ck chris rock sarah silverman billy crystal tweeted simply giant loss lost great one fast furious brilliant decades definition genius sandra bernhard said twitter reaction rickles death matched style lieu flowers rickles family requested people drop pants fire rocket patton oswald tweeted james caan said rickles helped inspire blustering sonny corleone godfather hbo special directed john landis animal house fame included tributes clint eastwood sidney poitier robert de niro carl reiner would say knew made hollywood rickles made fun advertisement rickles patented confrontational style standup performers still emulate one kept right side trouble emerged late 1950s time comics lenny bruce mort sahl taking greater risks becoming politicized introspective rickles managed shock audiences without cutting social commentary truly personal selfcriticism operated code old borscht belt go far ethnic jokes sex jokes ribbing carson many marriages make sure everyone knows fun think reason act caught gave wonderful career never meanspirited said like rock somewhere get rickles many friends returned wisecracks whether labeling man everyone loved hate pal bob newhart joked man annoying travel topper came people radio host casey kasem dressed hitler martin roast rickles honor told comedian man know bombed places 2008 emmy best individual performance variety show landis film mr warmth rickles project 2012 received johnny carson award comedic excellence fitting tribute man whose big breakthrough came tonight show 40 years earlier rickles stage comic occasional movie actor sat couch next carsons desk muttered hello dummy studio audience initially startled host began laughing uncontrollably everyone else would appeared countless times haranguing carson invited often mocking love life wife lays saying help jewelry typical joke standup act rickles would begin show charging stage berating people sitting front elderly lady might say mom go lie young man look kid staring comes locking bathroom much kissing womans hand whatd dinner fish bald heading shining would gleefully croon theme song im nice guy make fun blacks gays irish italians special attention people jews favorite epithet nonsensical hockey puck youre real hockey puck recalled 2003 interview began using hecklers 1950s although couldnt recall exactly caught guess sounded like swearing said rickles never used profanity act great disappointment rickles never able transfer success longrunning weekly situation comedy rickles show lasted one season 1972 cpo sharkey played acidtongued navy chief petty officer fared slightly better airing 1976 1978 shows notable moment unplanned carson barged middle live taping complain rickles broken cigarette box comedian appeared tonight show night rickles films ranged comedies dramas included run silent run deep starring clark gable rat race tony curtis kellys heroes eastwood martin scorseses casino de niro also appeared four beach party films 1960s provided voice mr potato head animated toy story films somewhat career good movies said 2007 whole think movies broadway two things would liked little im happy career rickles set serious actor enrolling new yorks american academy dramatic arts one classmates jason robards little luck finding acting jobs however supported selling used cars life insurance cosmetics badly said couldnt sell air conditioners 98degree day finally decided try comedy appearing small hotels new yorks catskill mountains rundown night clubs turning point came strip joint washington dc customers right top always heckling gave right back recalled 1982 audience laughed wanted style sometimes compared earlier insult comic jack e leonard rickles continued hone act 1957 mockery sinatra stage gave boost rickles became unofficial court jester sinatras rat pack ridiculing singing love life alleged connections organized crime famous 1966 profile sinatra esquire magazine gay talese described rickles performance las vegas attended singer entourage humor rude bad taste offends one offensive offensive spotting eddie fisher among audience rickles proceeded ridicule lover saying wonder could handle elizabeth taylor talese wrote focused sinatra failing mention thengirlfriend mia farrow wearing toupee say sinatra washed singer sinatra laughed everybody laughed donald jay rickles born 1926 new york citys borough queens according mother began entertaining family members comedy 6 rickles jokingly called mother jewish general patton owed success friendly sinatras mother convinced singer check rickles act rickles said truly fell love acting appeared high school plays often said used insults way shielding insecurity loved perform really shy frightened kid recalled 1980 married barbara sklar agents secretary 1965 two children actress mindy rickles writerproducer lawrence rickles helped hbo film father lawrence rickles died complications pneumonia 2011 1993 associated press interview rickles brassy voice softened asked wanted people remember people know well know im honest friend im emotional im caring im loyal loyalty business important observed de niro spike tv roast 2014 something rare true friend wonderful human werent would never able get away ahole besides wife rickles survivors include daughter mindy mann husband ed rickles two grandchildren ethan harrison mann funeral services private lieu flowers suggested donations made larry rickles endowment fund childrens hospital los angeles ___ late ap entertainment writer bob thomas contributed biographical material report
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<p>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Public utility regulators from Oklahoma to Massachusetts are considering lowering the rates that homeowners and businesses pay for electricity and natural gas after a federal tax overhaul signed into law by President Donald Trump reduced the corporate income tax rate by 14 percent.</p>
<p>The tax overhaul that went into effect Jan. 1 lowers the highest corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent. Now, regulators and consumer groups such as AARP are demanding that the rates consumers pay be rolled back.</p>
<p>Utilities are allowed to incorporate federal income tax obligations into the rates they charge customers. Exactly when and where consumers might see savings remains to be seen as regulators look into the matter.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>SAVINGS FOR UTILITIES IN THE MILLIONS</p>
<p>Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter estimates five public utilities operating in the state will save at least $100 million a year.</p>
<p>In Montana, regulators estimate utilities will save tens of millions of dollars a year in taxes.</p>
<p>In Maryland, where three utilities asked that state’s regulators reduce utility rates to reflect tax savings, Baltimore Gas &amp; Electric estimated that it alone will pass $82 million in tax savings on to customers.</p>
<p>Bob Anthony, a member of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, which regulates public utilities in the state, said consumers help pay a utility’s federal taxes every time they pay their electricity or natural gas bill.</p>
<p>“It’s not fair to over-collect for federal corporate income taxes,” Anthony said.</p>
<p>Montana Public Service Commission Chairman Brad Johnson said the agency “wants to ensure that this money is not simply captured by shareholders, but instead is directed in a way that provides a long-term benefit to the consumer.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>POTENTIAL CUSTOMER SAVINGS ON HOLD</p>
<p>But many regulators are allowing utilities to collect existing rates while they calculate changes in their tax liability.</p>
<p>The Oklahoma Corporation Commission, for example, voted to require utilities to track savings from the tax cut and report it to the commission within four months. The commission also instructed companies to create an account for the savings and refund those savings to customers later.</p>
<p>But regulators in other states have suggested the money could be used to help pay for capital projects and offset large, unusual expenses.</p>
<p>And some utilities are still seeking rate increases even with the tax savings.</p>
<p>Stan Whiteford, a spokesman for the Public Service of Oklahoma, an affiliate of American Electric Power that’s seeking a rate increase of $170 million, said the utility’s earnings are “far below the level that we are authorized to earn by the commission.” PSO favors “a more thoughtful and comprehensive approach” to dealing with the tax savings, he said.</p>
<p>“We look forward to the opportunity to provide the commission with information in context on all of our costs,” Whiteford said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>FEDERAL REGULATORS ASKED TO STEP IN</p>
<p>Attorneys general, consumer advocates and regulators in more than a dozen states — including New York, California, Illinois, Texas and Virginia — have asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to get involved in the issue to ensure customers benefit from any windfalls utilities receive from the tax overhaul. A letter from the coalition calls for an investigation into the “justness and reasonableness” of utility rates following reduction of utilities’ corporate tax rates.</p>
<p>AARP, which has supported a reduction of utility rates in Oklahoma and elsewhere, believes regulators “have an opportunity to save ratepayers a significant amount of money each month while still allowing utility companies the revenue necessary to provide reliable and affordable service to their customers,” said AARP Oklahoma State Director Sean Voskuhl.</p>
<p>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Public utility regulators from Oklahoma to Massachusetts are considering lowering the rates that homeowners and businesses pay for electricity and natural gas after a federal tax overhaul signed into law by President Donald Trump reduced the corporate income tax rate by 14 percent.</p>
<p>The tax overhaul that went into effect Jan. 1 lowers the highest corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent. Now, regulators and consumer groups such as AARP are demanding that the rates consumers pay be rolled back.</p>
<p>Utilities are allowed to incorporate federal income tax obligations into the rates they charge customers. Exactly when and where consumers might see savings remains to be seen as regulators look into the matter.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>SAVINGS FOR UTILITIES IN THE MILLIONS</p>
<p>Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter estimates five public utilities operating in the state will save at least $100 million a year.</p>
<p>In Montana, regulators estimate utilities will save tens of millions of dollars a year in taxes.</p>
<p>In Maryland, where three utilities asked that state’s regulators reduce utility rates to reflect tax savings, Baltimore Gas &amp; Electric estimated that it alone will pass $82 million in tax savings on to customers.</p>
<p>Bob Anthony, a member of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, which regulates public utilities in the state, said consumers help pay a utility’s federal taxes every time they pay their electricity or natural gas bill.</p>
<p>“It’s not fair to over-collect for federal corporate income taxes,” Anthony said.</p>
<p>Montana Public Service Commission Chairman Brad Johnson said the agency “wants to ensure that this money is not simply captured by shareholders, but instead is directed in a way that provides a long-term benefit to the consumer.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>POTENTIAL CUSTOMER SAVINGS ON HOLD</p>
<p>But many regulators are allowing utilities to collect existing rates while they calculate changes in their tax liability.</p>
<p>The Oklahoma Corporation Commission, for example, voted to require utilities to track savings from the tax cut and report it to the commission within four months. The commission also instructed companies to create an account for the savings and refund those savings to customers later.</p>
<p>But regulators in other states have suggested the money could be used to help pay for capital projects and offset large, unusual expenses.</p>
<p>And some utilities are still seeking rate increases even with the tax savings.</p>
<p>Stan Whiteford, a spokesman for the Public Service of Oklahoma, an affiliate of American Electric Power that’s seeking a rate increase of $170 million, said the utility’s earnings are “far below the level that we are authorized to earn by the commission.” PSO favors “a more thoughtful and comprehensive approach” to dealing with the tax savings, he said.</p>
<p>“We look forward to the opportunity to provide the commission with information in context on all of our costs,” Whiteford said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>FEDERAL REGULATORS ASKED TO STEP IN</p>
<p>Attorneys general, consumer advocates and regulators in more than a dozen states — including New York, California, Illinois, Texas and Virginia — have asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to get involved in the issue to ensure customers benefit from any windfalls utilities receive from the tax overhaul. A letter from the coalition calls for an investigation into the “justness and reasonableness” of utility rates following reduction of utilities’ corporate tax rates.</p>
<p>AARP, which has supported a reduction of utility rates in Oklahoma and elsewhere, believes regulators “have an opportunity to save ratepayers a significant amount of money each month while still allowing utility companies the revenue necessary to provide reliable and affordable service to their customers,” said AARP Oklahoma State Director Sean Voskuhl.</p>
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oklahoma city ap public utility regulators oklahoma massachusetts considering lowering rates homeowners businesses pay electricity natural gas federal tax overhaul signed law president donald trump reduced corporate income tax rate 14 percent tax overhaul went effect jan 1 lowers highest corporate income tax rate 35 percent 21 percent regulators consumer groups aarp demanding rates consumers pay rolled back utilities allowed incorporate federal income tax obligations rates charge customers exactly consumers might see savings remains seen regulators look matter ___ savings utilities millions oklahoma attorney general mike hunter estimates five public utilities operating state save least 100 million year montana regulators estimate utilities save tens millions dollars year taxes maryland three utilities asked states regulators reduce utility rates reflect tax savings baltimore gas amp electric estimated alone pass 82 million tax savings customers bob anthony member oklahoma corporation commission regulates public utilities state said consumers help pay utilitys federal taxes every time pay electricity natural gas bill fair overcollect federal corporate income taxes anthony said montana public service commission chairman brad johnson said agency wants ensure money simply captured shareholders instead directed way provides longterm benefit consumer ___ potential customer savings hold many regulators allowing utilities collect existing rates calculate changes tax liability oklahoma corporation commission example voted require utilities track savings tax cut report commission within four months commission also instructed companies create account savings refund savings customers later regulators states suggested money could used help pay capital projects offset large unusual expenses utilities still seeking rate increases even tax savings stan whiteford spokesman public service oklahoma affiliate american electric power thats seeking rate increase 170 million said utilitys earnings far level authorized earn commission pso favors thoughtful comprehensive approach dealing tax savings said look forward opportunity provide commission information context costs whiteford said ___ federal regulators asked step attorneys general consumer advocates regulators dozen states including new york california illinois texas virginia asked federal energy regulatory commission get involved issue ensure customers benefit windfalls utilities receive tax overhaul letter coalition calls investigation justness reasonableness utility rates following reduction utilities corporate tax rates aarp supported reduction utility rates oklahoma elsewhere believes regulators opportunity save ratepayers significant amount money month still allowing utility companies revenue necessary provide reliable affordable service customers said aarp oklahoma state director sean voskuhl oklahoma city ap public utility regulators oklahoma massachusetts considering lowering rates homeowners businesses pay electricity natural gas federal tax overhaul signed law president donald trump reduced corporate income tax rate 14 percent tax overhaul went effect jan 1 lowers highest corporate income tax rate 35 percent 21 percent regulators consumer groups aarp demanding rates consumers pay rolled back utilities allowed incorporate federal income tax obligations rates charge customers exactly consumers might see savings remains seen regulators look matter ___ savings utilities millions oklahoma attorney general mike hunter estimates five public utilities operating state save least 100 million year montana regulators estimate utilities save tens millions dollars year taxes maryland three utilities asked states regulators reduce utility rates reflect tax savings baltimore gas amp electric estimated alone pass 82 million tax savings customers bob anthony member oklahoma corporation commission regulates public utilities state said consumers help pay utilitys federal taxes every time pay electricity natural gas bill fair overcollect federal corporate income taxes anthony said montana public service commission chairman brad johnson said agency wants ensure money simply captured shareholders instead directed way provides longterm benefit consumer ___ potential customer savings hold many regulators allowing utilities collect existing rates calculate changes tax liability oklahoma corporation commission example voted require utilities track savings tax cut report commission within four months commission also instructed companies create account savings refund savings customers later regulators states suggested money could used help pay capital projects offset large unusual expenses utilities still seeking rate increases even tax savings stan whiteford spokesman public service oklahoma affiliate american electric power thats seeking rate increase 170 million said utilitys earnings far level authorized earn commission pso favors thoughtful comprehensive approach dealing tax savings said look forward opportunity provide commission information context costs whiteford said ___ federal regulators asked step attorneys general consumer advocates regulators dozen states including new york california illinois texas virginia asked federal energy regulatory commission get involved issue ensure customers benefit windfalls utilities receive tax overhaul letter coalition calls investigation justness reasonableness utility rates following reduction utilities corporate tax rates aarp supported reduction utility rates oklahoma elsewhere believes regulators opportunity save ratepayers significant amount money month still allowing utility companies revenue necessary provide reliable affordable service customers said aarp oklahoma state director sean voskuhl
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<p>BEIRUT — The Latest on the suspected chemical attack in Syria (all times local):</p>
<p>3:15 a.m.</p>
<p>The United Kingdom says there will be no vote on a U.N. Security Council resolution Thursday night to condemn the reported use of chemical weapons in a northern Syria town that killed more than 80 people.</p>
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<p>The British Mission’s political coordinator Stephen Hickey tweeted that the vote wouldn’t take place because council members are still negotiating the text.</p>
<p>Russia strongly objected to provisions in the original draft circulated by Britain, France and the United States which it said blamed President Bashar Assad’s forces for the attack before an investigation. It presented a short rival draft.</p>
<p>The 10 elected members of the Security Council presented what they hoped would be a compromise text on Thursday that addressed a key Russian objection — spelling out Syrian government obligations to investigators.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>2:35 a.m.</p>
<p>China’s U.N. Ambassador Liu Jieyi says he hopes the U.N. Security Council can reach consensus on a resolution condemning this week’s reported use of chemical weapons in northern Syria.</p>
<p>He spoke before heading into closed council consultations Thursday evening. The U.S. Mission said it was hoping for a vote late Thursday.</p>
<p>The latest text being discussed expresses “horror” at Tuesday’s attack in Khan Sheikhoun that caused “large-scale loss of life.” It demands that all parties provide “delay-free” and safe access to all sites that investigators from the international chemical weapons watchdog and the U.N. want to visit.</p>
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<p>A compromise text put forward by the 10 elected members of the council would drop five specific requirements for the Syrian government to provide investigators, including flight plans and logs for April 4th when Khan Sheikhoun was attacked, names of commanders of helicopter squadrons, and access to air bases where investigators believe attacks involving chemical weapons may have been launched.</p>
<p>Instead, that text would be replaced with exact language from the September 2013 resolution that condemned a Syrian chemical weapons attack the previous month in the Damascus suburb of Ghouta that killed hundreds of civilians.</p>
<p>The proposed new language would order the Syrian government to cooperate fully with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the U.N. and provide their investigators “immediate and unfettered access” and “the right to inspect … any and all sites.” It would also orders all parties in Syria to “cooperate fully.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>9:45 p.m.</p>
<p>German Chancellor Angela Merkel says the chemical attack in Syria was “barbaric” and a war crime.</p>
<p>Merkel said Thursday that everything must be done to urgently investigate the attack and Germany would be a part of that.</p>
<p>She added that there were indications President Bashar Assad’s government was behind the attack and the subsequent bombing of a hospital.</p>
<p>Merkel also criticized the failure of the U.N. Security Council to pass a resolution condemning the attack.</p>
<p>She said those who refused to back the resolution “should think about what responsibility they are shouldering.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>8:50 p.m.</p>
<p>Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he hopes U.S. President Donald Trump will take military action in Syria after this week’s chemical attack.</p>
<p>Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency quoted Erdogan as reacting to news reports Thursday that Trump was mulling military action after the assault in the northern Syrian town of Khan Sheikhoun, which killed more than 80 people.</p>
<p>It quoted Erdogan as saying Turkey would be prepared to do “whatever falls on us” to support possible military action. Turkey is a leading supporter of the rebels fighting to overthrow Syrian President Bashar Assad.</p>
<p>Earlier, Turkish officials said that autopsies of the victims from the assault, which happened 60 miles (95 kilometers) from the Turkish border, show they were subjected to chemical weapons.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>8:45 p.m.</p>
<p>The global chemical weapons watchdog says it has “initiated contact” with Syrian authorities as it investigates the suspected chemical attack earlier this week that killed more than 80 people.</p>
<p>The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons says in a statement it also has asked all members of the Chemical Weapons Convention to share “any information they may have regarding the allegations of chemical weapons use in the Khan Sheikhun area of Idlib province” in Syria.</p>
<p>The OPCW said Thursday that its Technical Secretariat has been “collecting and analyzing information” about the April 4 attack as part of its ongoing fact-finding mission which investigates allegations of the use of chemicals as weapons in Syria’s civil war.</p>
<p>The secretive organization has not said if it has staff or investigators on the ground in Syria.</p>
<p>The fact-finding mission gathers information from witnesses and analyzes samples gathered from the sites of alleged attacks and from victims. In the past it has concluded that chlorine and sulfur mustard almost certainly have been used as weapons.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>8:15 p.m.</p>
<p>The United States says it hopes for a vote late Thursday on a resolution that would condemn the chemical attack in northern Syria that killed dozens of people.</p>
<p>The U.S. currently holds the presidency of the U.N. Security Council and drafted a resolution along with Britain and France that condemns the use of chemical weapons, particularly in Tuesday’s attack on Khan Sheikhoun, “in the strongest terms.”</p>
<p>Russia objected to key provisions in the resolution and negotiations have been underway to try to bridge the differences.</p>
<p>A spokesman for the U.S. mission to the United Nations said “we’re hoping to get a vote done later today.”</p>
<p>France’s U.N. Ambassador Francois Delattre told reporters Thursday that “we need a robust text,” adding that “there are fundamentals we cannot compromise with when it’s about the barbaric murder of civilians, among them many children, with chemical weapons.”</p>
<p>Delattre told The Associated Press he thought there was “still a chance” for an agreement with Russia.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>7:40 p.m.</p>
<p>France is sending half a ton of medicine and equipment to Syria after a suspected chemical attack earlier this week killed more than 80 people.</p>
<p>The French Foreign Ministry said Thursday that it is sending medicine to treat the victims and equipment to protect first responders in future attacks via Turkey to be distributed by the aid group UOSSM.</p>
<p>France condemned Tuesday’s attack on the town of Khan Sheikhoun, which it blamed on President Bashar Assad’s government. The Trump administration and other Western officials have also blamed government forces, allegations denied by Damascus.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>7:15 p.m.</p>
<p>President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman tells The Associated Press that Russia’s support for Syrian President Bashar Assad is not unconditional.</p>
<p>Dmitry Peskov spoke two days after a suspected chemical weapons attack on a rebel-held province. Moscow, Assad’s key backer, has been supporting the Syrian government militarily since 2015.</p>
<p>Turkey said Thursday that autopsies of Syrian victims from this week’s assault in Idlib province, which happened 60 miles from the Turkish border, show they were subjected to chemical weapons.</p>
<p>The Syrian government maintains it didn’t use chemical weapons, instead blaming the rebels for stockpiling the deadly chemicals. Russia’s Defense Ministry says the toxic agents were released when a Syrian airstrike hit a rebel chemical weapons arsenal and munitions factory on the town’s eastern outskirts.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>6:45 p.m.</p>
<p>Israel’s former chief rabbi has compared the atrocities in neighboring Syria to the killing of Jews in World War II.</p>
<p>The comments by Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, who survived the Holocaust as a child, adds one of the country’s leading voices to a growing chorus of condemnations of the violence in Syria. This week, dozens of civilians were killed in a chemical attack in northern Syria.</p>
<p>Memories of the Holocaust are still fresh in Israel, and Israelis tend to refrain from comparing other conflicts to the Nazi genocide.</p>
<p>But in a radio interview Thursday, Lau broke that taboo and said Syrians are experiencing their own Holocaust.</p>
<p>“It did not start today. It has been six years since a Holocaust landed on them,” he said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>6:30 p.m.</p>
<p>The U.N. children’s agency says at least 27 children were among the more than 80 people killed in the suspected chemical attack in northern Syria.</p>
<p>UNICEF says another 546 people, including many children, were wounded in Tuesday’s attack on the town of Khan Sheikhoun, and that casualty figures are expected to rise.</p>
<p>UNICEF Regional Director Geert Cappelaere said Thursday that “the killing of children in Syria cannot be allowed to continue,” and called on all parties to the conflict to “immediately put an end to this horror.”</p>
<p>The U.N. aid agency said it is supporting three mobile clinics and four hospitals in northern Syria.</p>
<p>The Trump administration and other Western officials have blamed the chemical attack on Syrian government forces, allegations denied by Damascus.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>5:20 p.m.</p>
<p>Russian President Vladimir Putin is warning against apportioning blame for a chemical weapons attack in Syria until an investigation has been carried out.</p>
<p>In a phone call with Israel’s prime minister on Thursday, Putin “underlined that it’s unacceptable to make unfounded accusations against anyone until a thorough and unbiased international investigation,” according to the Kremlin.</p>
<p>Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, had earlier warned the West against rushing to blame Syrian President Bashar Assad for the attack on Khan Sheikhoun. He said the West lacks objective evidence against Assad, adding that materials presented by local activists can’t serve as a proof.</p>
<p>Russia has said the toxic gas was released when Syrian airstrikes hit a rebel arsenal containing chemical weapons. U.S. and other Western officials have blamed the attack on Syrian government forces.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>5 p.m.</p>
<p>Turkey says initial tests of samples from victims of a suspected chemical attack in northern Syria indicate they were exposed to sarin gas, a highly toxic nerve agent.</p>
<p>The Turkish Health Ministry said Thursday that “according to the results of the first analysis, there were findings suggesting that the patients were exposed to chemical substance (Sarin),” without elaborating.</p>
<p>The attack on Tuesday killed more than 80 people and sickened dozens more, many of whom are being treated across the border in Turkey.</p>
<p>The Trump administration and others have said the attack on the opposition-held town of Khan Sheikhoun was carried out by government forces, allegations denied by Damascus.</p>
<p>The Turkish Health Ministry said the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons would also test the samples.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>3:20 p.m.</p>
<p>Germany has welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump’s strong condemnation of a chemical attack in Syria.</p>
<p>Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel says Trump’s statement Wednesday criticizing Syrian President Bashar Assad’s government is “positive.”</p>
<p>He says European countries were worried about earlier U.S. comments suggesting that ensuring Assad leaves office was a lesser priority than fighting the Islamic State group.</p>
<p>Gabriel said Thursday those comments “irritated us in Europe at the time.”</p>
<p>He says “apart from the war on terror, it’s just as important to achieve a constitutional reform in Syria and free elections, and of course that can’t mean Assad staying in power permanently.”</p>
<p>Still, Gabriel warned against a military escalation and urged the U.S. to support U.N.-backed talks.</p>
<p>Germany has taken in 600,000 Syrian refugees in recent years.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>3 p.m.</p>
<p>Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Tugrul Turkes says he is unconvinced by Russia’s claim that Syrians killed in a northern town were the victims of toxic agents that were released by a Syrian airstrike hit a rebel chemical weapons arsenal.</p>
<p>Turkes spoke in an interview with Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency on Thursday. He described the Russian explanation as “unfulfilling.”</p>
<p>Turkes says that “if the Syrian regime knew that there were chemical weapons in the warehouse, it should have also known that it should not have attacked it.”</p>
<p>He added that there is “no excuse. To me, this is evidence that strengthens the fact that it was the work of the (Syrian) regime and that it was an attack against civilians.”</p>
<p>Earlier, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem said in Damascus toxic agents were released after the Syrian army bombed a warehouse belonging to the al-Qaida’s branch in Syria that contained chemical weapons</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>2:30 p.m.</p>
<p>The top humanitarian aid official with the U.N.’s Syria office says he believes an awareness of the need to protect civilians is “sinking in” after a deadly chemical weapons attack this week in Syria’s northern Idlib province.</p>
<p>Jan Egeland expressed hopes for a “watershed moment” with “all of these world leaders saying that say they have again woken up to the suffering of the civilians that we see every day.”</p>
<p>Egeland spoke to reporters on Thursday after a meeting of the U.N.’s humanitarian “task force” for Syria.</p>
<p>He said the world body needs a “green light” to reach 1 million people in hard-to-reach and besieged areas of the war-torn country. He also called for 72-hour cease fires in the key zones of fighting so aid can get in, and protection for hospitals and evacuees who choose to leave violent areas voluntarily</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>2:10 p.m.</p>
<p>The Kremlin says differences with Washington over the use of chemical weapons in Syria are unlikely to worsen U.S.-Russia relations.</p>
<p>President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned the West on Thursday against rushing to blame Syrian President Bashar Assad for the attack on the town of Khan Sheikhoun in northern Syria.</p>
<p>He says the West lacks objective evidence against Assad, and materials presented by Syrian activist White Helmets first-responder team cannot serve as a proof.</p>
<p>Peskov says that Russia believes “that the use of chemical weapons is absolutely inadmissible.” He added that the Syrian army must act to “prevent any chemical agents that can be used as weapons from falling into the terrorists’ hands.”</p>
<p>The Russian Defense Ministry has claimed that residents of Khan Sheikhoun have been exposed to chemicals contained in rebels’ chemical arsenal struck in a Syrian air raid.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>1:45 p.m.</p>
<p>Syria’s foreign minister says Damascus needs assurances that any fact- finding mission into Idlib’s attack would be impartial and not politicized.</p>
<p>Walid Moallem says Syria’s experience with past missions is “not encouraging.”</p>
<p>He told a press conference in the Syrian capital on Thursday that any investigative mission would need to take off from Damascus and be far from the sphere of Turkish influence.</p>
<p>Moallem was asked if Syria would accept an international investigation. He said that “when we are sure we have convincing answers to these questions, we will give you an answer.”</p>
<p>He also said that Syria provides the United Nations with intel about the transport of chemical weapons by “terrorists” between Iraq and Syria.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>1:35 p.m.</p>
<p>British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson says he cannot understand how anyone on the U.N. Security Council could fail to sign up to a resolution condemning the chemical weapons attack this week that killed dozens in northern Syria.</p>
<p>Johnson said on Thursday during a visit to Sarajevo that he “cannot understand how anybody on the U.N. Security Council could fail to sign up to a motion condemning the actions of the (Assad) regime that is almost certainly responsible for that crime.”</p>
<p>Johnson described the attack that killed more than 80 people in Syria’s Idlib province as “abominable and contemptible” and said “those who did it deserve international condemnation.”</p>
<p>He says “work is now going on in New York on the exact language (of the resolution) and I think we should have no hesitation in forcing it to a vote.”</p>
<p>Russia argued at a U.N. Security Council meeting on Wednesday against holding Assad’s government responsible, with Moscow insisting a Syrian air strike had hit a rebel ammunition store that held chemical weapons.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>1:25 p.m.</p>
<p>The Syrian foreign minister is categorically denying his government used chemical weapons in the attack this week in Idlib province or in any other attack.</p>
<p>Walid Moallem told reporters at a press conference in Damascus on Thursday that “the Syrian Arab Army has never used chemical weapons and will not use chemical weapons against Syrians and even against terrorists.”</p>
<p>He says the Syrian army bombed a warehouse for al-Qaida’s branch in Syria that contained chemical weapons, echoing the Russian defense ministry’s claim.</p>
<p>He denounced the “chorus” of accusations against Syria, which he says was launched by countries known for their hostility.</p>
<p>Moallem also says Israel is the “main beneficiary” of these accusations.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>11:45 a.m.</p>
<p>France’s foreign minister is urging for a resumption of Syria peace talks and wants President Bashar Assad’s government prosecuted over its alleged use of chemical weapons.</p>
<p>Jean-Marc Ayrault told CNews television on Thursday that a new U.N. resolution and Syrian peace negotiations should be a top priority — not rushing into new military interventions.</p>
<p>Ayrault says that “France is still seeking to talk with its partners on the Security Council … Russia in particular.”</p>
<p>Russia argued at a U.N. Security Council meeting on Wednesday against holding Assad’s government responsible for a chemical weapons attack this week that killed more than 80 people in Idlib province.</p>
<p>The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, warned that the Trump administration would take action if the Security Council did not.</p>
<p>Ayrault says “these crimes must not remain unpunished. … One day, international justice will rule on Assad.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>11:40 a.m.</p>
<p>Turkish media are quoting Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag as saying that results from autopsies conducted on three Syrians brought to Turkey after this week’s assault in Idlib province show they were subjected to a chemical weapons attack.</p>
<p>The private DHA news agency quotes Bozdag as saying on Thursday that “it was determined after the autopsy that a chemical weapon was used.”</p>
<p>More than 80 people were killed in the suspected chemical attack on Tuesday in the northern Syrian town of Khan Sheikhoun. Turkish officials say that close to 60 victims of the attack were brought to Turkey for treatment and three of them died.</p>
<p>Turkish media have also reported that World Health Organization experts had taken part in the autopsies conducted in a hospital in the Turkish city of Adana late on Wednesday on Syrian victims.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>10:45 a.m.</p>
<p>The head of Israel’s Holocaust memorial is urging world leaders to end to the atrocities in Syria following a chemical weapon attack that killed dozens of civilians this week.</p>
<p>Yad Vashem chairman Avner Shalev on Thursday said the international community must “end the human suffering and provide humanitarian aid to the victims.”</p>
<p>He noted that after World War II world leaders enacted universal principles and instituted organizations aimed at preventing future crimes against humanity. He said those tools should be utilized now to stop atrocities in Syria.</p>
<p>About 6 million Jews were murdered in the systematic Nazi effort to kill all the Jews of Europe during WWII.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>10:30 a.m.</p>
<p>Israel’s defense minister says he is “100 percent certain” that President Bashar Assad’s forces carried out the chemical attacks in Syria this week that killed dozens of civilians.</p>
<p>Avigdor Lieberman told the Yediot Ahronot newspaper on Thursday the attacks were conducted under Assad’s “direct and intentional order” and carried out with Syrian planes.</p>
<p>He gave no proof to support his position but his remarks mesh with earlier assessments from Israeli defense officials who said military intelligence believes Assad’s forces were behind the assault that killed 86.</p>
<p>The attacks in neighboring Syria have worried Israel, which has warned against “game-changing” weapons reaching Hezbollah in Lebanon from Syria, which along with Iran supports the militant group.</p>
<p>Channel 2 TV reported Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security Cabinet will convene later in the day to discuss the latest developments in Syria and their ramifications for Israel.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>5:15 a.m.</p>
<p>The United Nations humanitarian chief says that 41 donors have pledged $6 billion to help people in need in 2017 amid the Syrian crisis.</p>
<p>Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O’Brien said what is now needed is to see the pledges turned into “cash for action” as soon as possible.</p>
<p>O’Brien welcomed the pledges, which came at a regional conference in Brussels in Wednesday.</p>
<p>He says that “the needs have never been greater and the requirements have never been higher for the Syria crisis.”</p>
<p>He added that the conference was “a momentous opportunity for much of the world to come together to commit more support and solidarity for Syrians and those affected across the region.”</p>
<p>Another $3.7 billion was pledged for 2018 and beyond.</p>
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beirut latest suspected chemical attack syria times local 315 united kingdom says vote un security council resolution thursday night condemn reported use chemical weapons northern syria town killed 80 people advertisement british missions political coordinator stephen hickey tweeted vote wouldnt take place council members still negotiating text russia strongly objected provisions original draft circulated britain france united states said blamed president bashar assads forces attack investigation presented short rival draft 10 elected members security council presented hoped would compromise text thursday addressed key russian objection spelling syrian government obligations investigators ___ 235 chinas un ambassador liu jieyi says hopes un security council reach consensus resolution condemning weeks reported use chemical weapons northern syria spoke heading closed council consultations thursday evening us mission said hoping vote late thursday latest text discussed expresses horror tuesdays attack khan sheikhoun caused largescale loss life demands parties provide delayfree safe access sites investigators international chemical weapons watchdog un want visit advertisement compromise text put forward 10 elected members council would drop five specific requirements syrian government provide investigators including flight plans logs april 4th khan sheikhoun attacked names commanders helicopter squadrons access air bases investigators believe attacks involving chemical weapons may launched instead text would replaced exact language september 2013 resolution condemned syrian chemical weapons attack previous month damascus suburb ghouta killed hundreds civilians proposed new language would order syrian government cooperate fully organization prohibition chemical weapons un provide investigators immediate unfettered access right inspect sites would also orders parties syria cooperate fully ___ 945 pm german chancellor angela merkel says chemical attack syria barbaric war crime merkel said thursday everything must done urgently investigate attack germany would part added indications president bashar assads government behind attack subsequent bombing hospital merkel also criticized failure un security council pass resolution condemning attack said refused back resolution think responsibility shouldering ___ 850 pm turkish president recep tayyip erdogan said hopes us president donald trump take military action syria weeks chemical attack turkeys staterun anadolu agency quoted erdogan reacting news reports thursday trump mulling military action assault northern syrian town khan sheikhoun killed 80 people quoted erdogan saying turkey would prepared whatever falls us support possible military action turkey leading supporter rebels fighting overthrow syrian president bashar assad earlier turkish officials said autopsies victims assault happened 60 miles 95 kilometers turkish border show subjected chemical weapons ___ 845 pm global chemical weapons watchdog says initiated contact syrian authorities investigates suspected chemical attack earlier week killed 80 people organization prohibition chemical weapons says statement also asked members chemical weapons convention share information may regarding allegations chemical weapons use khan sheikhun area idlib province syria opcw said thursday technical secretariat collecting analyzing information april 4 attack part ongoing factfinding mission investigates allegations use chemicals weapons syrias civil war secretive organization said staff investigators ground syria factfinding mission gathers information witnesses analyzes samples gathered sites alleged attacks victims past concluded chlorine sulfur mustard almost certainly used weapons ___ 815 pm united states says hopes vote late thursday resolution would condemn chemical attack northern syria killed dozens people us currently holds presidency un security council drafted resolution along britain france condemns use chemical weapons particularly tuesdays attack khan sheikhoun strongest terms russia objected key provisions resolution negotiations underway try bridge differences spokesman us mission united nations said hoping get vote done later today frances un ambassador francois delattre told reporters thursday need robust text adding fundamentals compromise barbaric murder civilians among many children chemical weapons delattre told associated press thought still chance agreement russia ___ 740 pm france sending half ton medicine equipment syria suspected chemical attack earlier week killed 80 people french foreign ministry said thursday sending medicine treat victims equipment protect first responders future attacks via turkey distributed aid group uossm france condemned tuesdays attack town khan sheikhoun blamed president bashar assads government trump administration western officials also blamed government forces allegations denied damascus ___ 715 pm president vladimir putins spokesman tells associated press russias support syrian president bashar assad unconditional dmitry peskov spoke two days suspected chemical weapons attack rebelheld province moscow assads key backer supporting syrian government militarily since 2015 turkey said thursday autopsies syrian victims weeks assault idlib province happened 60 miles turkish border show subjected chemical weapons syrian government maintains didnt use chemical weapons instead blaming rebels stockpiling deadly chemicals russias defense ministry says toxic agents released syrian airstrike hit rebel chemical weapons arsenal munitions factory towns eastern outskirts ___ 645 pm israels former chief rabbi compared atrocities neighboring syria killing jews world war ii comments rabbi israel meir lau survived holocaust child adds one countrys leading voices growing chorus condemnations violence syria week dozens civilians killed chemical attack northern syria memories holocaust still fresh israel israelis tend refrain comparing conflicts nazi genocide radio interview thursday lau broke taboo said syrians experiencing holocaust start today six years since holocaust landed said ___ 630 pm un childrens agency says least 27 children among 80 people killed suspected chemical attack northern syria unicef says another 546 people including many children wounded tuesdays attack town khan sheikhoun casualty figures expected rise unicef regional director geert cappelaere said thursday killing children syria allowed continue called parties conflict immediately put end horror un aid agency said supporting three mobile clinics four hospitals northern syria trump administration western officials blamed chemical attack syrian government forces allegations denied damascus ___ 520 pm russian president vladimir putin warning apportioning blame chemical weapons attack syria investigation carried phone call israels prime minister thursday putin underlined unacceptable make unfounded accusations anyone thorough unbiased international investigation according kremlin putins spokesman dmitry peskov earlier warned west rushing blame syrian president bashar assad attack khan sheikhoun said west lacks objective evidence assad adding materials presented local activists cant serve proof russia said toxic gas released syrian airstrikes hit rebel arsenal containing chemical weapons us western officials blamed attack syrian government forces ___ 5 pm turkey says initial tests samples victims suspected chemical attack northern syria indicate exposed sarin gas highly toxic nerve agent turkish health ministry said thursday according results first analysis findings suggesting patients exposed chemical substance sarin without elaborating attack tuesday killed 80 people sickened dozens many treated across border turkey trump administration others said attack oppositionheld town khan sheikhoun carried government forces allegations denied damascus turkish health ministry said organization prohibition chemical weapons would also test samples ___ 320 pm germany welcomed us president donald trumps strong condemnation chemical attack syria foreign minister sigmar gabriel says trumps statement wednesday criticizing syrian president bashar assads government positive says european countries worried earlier us comments suggesting ensuring assad leaves office lesser priority fighting islamic state group gabriel said thursday comments irritated us europe time says apart war terror important achieve constitutional reform syria free elections course cant mean assad staying power permanently still gabriel warned military escalation urged us support unbacked talks germany taken 600000 syrian refugees recent years ___ 3 pm turkish deputy prime minister tugrul turkes says unconvinced russias claim syrians killed northern town victims toxic agents released syrian airstrike hit rebel chemical weapons arsenal turkes spoke interview turkeys staterun anadolu agency thursday described russian explanation unfulfilling turkes says syrian regime knew chemical weapons warehouse also known attacked added excuse evidence strengthens fact work syrian regime attack civilians earlier syrian foreign minister walid moallem said damascus toxic agents released syrian army bombed warehouse belonging alqaidas branch syria contained chemical weapons ___ 230 pm top humanitarian aid official uns syria office says believes awareness need protect civilians sinking deadly chemical weapons attack week syrias northern idlib province jan egeland expressed hopes watershed moment world leaders saying say woken suffering civilians see every day egeland spoke reporters thursday meeting uns humanitarian task force syria said world body needs green light reach 1 million people hardtoreach besieged areas wartorn country also called 72hour cease fires key zones fighting aid get protection hospitals evacuees choose leave violent areas voluntarily ___ 210 pm kremlin says differences washington use chemical weapons syria unlikely worsen usrussia relations president vladimir putins spokesman dmitry peskov warned west thursday rushing blame syrian president bashar assad attack town khan sheikhoun northern syria says west lacks objective evidence assad materials presented syrian activist white helmets firstresponder team serve proof peskov says russia believes use chemical weapons absolutely inadmissible added syrian army must act prevent chemical agents used weapons falling terrorists hands russian defense ministry claimed residents khan sheikhoun exposed chemicals contained rebels chemical arsenal struck syrian air raid ___ 145 pm syrias foreign minister says damascus needs assurances fact finding mission idlibs attack would impartial politicized walid moallem says syrias experience past missions encouraging told press conference syrian capital thursday investigative mission would need take damascus far sphere turkish influence moallem asked syria would accept international investigation said sure convincing answers questions give answer also said syria provides united nations intel transport chemical weapons terrorists iraq syria ___ 135 pm british foreign minister boris johnson says understand anyone un security council could fail sign resolution condemning chemical weapons attack week killed dozens northern syria johnson said thursday visit sarajevo understand anybody un security council could fail sign motion condemning actions assad regime almost certainly responsible crime johnson described attack killed 80 people syrias idlib province abominable contemptible said deserve international condemnation says work going new york exact language resolution think hesitation forcing vote russia argued un security council meeting wednesday holding assads government responsible moscow insisting syrian air strike hit rebel ammunition store held chemical weapons ___ 125 pm syrian foreign minister categorically denying government used chemical weapons attack week idlib province attack walid moallem told reporters press conference damascus thursday syrian arab army never used chemical weapons use chemical weapons syrians even terrorists says syrian army bombed warehouse alqaidas branch syria contained chemical weapons echoing russian defense ministrys claim denounced chorus accusations syria says launched countries known hostility moallem also says israel main beneficiary accusations ___ 1145 frances foreign minister urging resumption syria peace talks wants president bashar assads government prosecuted alleged use chemical weapons jeanmarc ayrault told cnews television thursday new un resolution syrian peace negotiations top priority rushing new military interventions ayrault says france still seeking talk partners security council russia particular russia argued un security council meeting wednesday holding assads government responsible chemical weapons attack week killed 80 people idlib province us ambassador united nations nikki haley warned trump administration would take action security council ayrault says crimes must remain unpunished one day international justice rule assad ___ 1140 turkish media quoting justice minister bekir bozdag saying results autopsies conducted three syrians brought turkey weeks assault idlib province show subjected chemical weapons attack private dha news agency quotes bozdag saying thursday determined autopsy chemical weapon used 80 people killed suspected chemical attack tuesday northern syrian town khan sheikhoun turkish officials say close 60 victims attack brought turkey treatment three died turkish media also reported world health organization experts taken part autopsies conducted hospital turkish city adana late wednesday syrian victims ___ 1045 head israels holocaust memorial urging world leaders end atrocities syria following chemical weapon attack killed dozens civilians week yad vashem chairman avner shalev thursday said international community must end human suffering provide humanitarian aid victims noted world war ii world leaders enacted universal principles instituted organizations aimed preventing future crimes humanity said tools utilized stop atrocities syria 6 million jews murdered systematic nazi effort kill jews europe wwii ___ 1030 israels defense minister says 100 percent certain president bashar assads forces carried chemical attacks syria week killed dozens civilians avigdor lieberman told yediot ahronot newspaper thursday attacks conducted assads direct intentional order carried syrian planes gave proof support position remarks mesh earlier assessments israeli defense officials said military intelligence believes assads forces behind assault killed 86 attacks neighboring syria worried israel warned gamechanging weapons reaching hezbollah lebanon syria along iran supports militant group channel 2 tv reported prime minister benjamin netanyahus security cabinet convene later day discuss latest developments syria ramifications israel ___ 515 united nations humanitarian chief says 41 donors pledged 6 billion help people need 2017 amid syrian crisis undersecretarygeneral humanitarian affairs emergency relief coordinator stephen obrien said needed see pledges turned cash action soon possible obrien welcomed pledges came regional conference brussels wednesday says needs never greater requirements never higher syria crisis added conference momentous opportunity much world come together commit support solidarity syrians affected across region another 37 billion pledged 2018 beyond
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<p>Jan 22 (Reuters) - M1 Ltd:</p>
<p>* SINGAPORE EXCHANGE ISSUES ‍QUERY REGARDING TRADING ACTIVITY ON M1 LTD Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage: ([email protected])</p> Our Standards:
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<p>GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel’s defense minister rejected on Sunday calls for an inquiry into the killing of 15 Palestinians by the military during a Palestinian demonstration that turned violent on Friday at the Gaza-Israel border.</p> A boy waves a Palestinian flag, at the Israel-Gaza border, during clashes with Israeli troops, at a protest where Palestinians demand the right to return to their homeland, east of Gaza City April 1, 2018. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
<p>Hamas, the dominant Palestinian group in Gaza, said five of the dead were members of its armed wing. Israel said eight of the 15 belonged to Hamas, designated a terrorist group by Israel and the West, and two others came from other militant factions.</p>
<p>A tense calm descended on Sunday on the border area, where hundreds of Palestinians, a fraction of the tens of thousands who initially turned out, remained in tent encampments along the fenced 65-km (40-mile) border.</p> Related Coverage
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<a href="/article/us-israel-palestinians-erdogan-netanyahu/erdogan-calls-netanyahu-terrorist-as-insults-fly-after-gaza-deaths-idUSKCN1H81AH" type="external">Erdogan calls Netanyahu 'terrorist' as insults fly after Gaza deaths</a>
<p>Organizers expect many to come back on Friday, when schools and businesses are closed for the Muslim sabbath, and rejoin the planned six-week protest pressing for right of return for refugees and their descendents to what is now Israel.</p>
<p>U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the European Union’s top diplomat, Federica Mogherini, have called for an independent investigation into Friday’s bloodshed.</p>
<p>Pope Francis, in an apparent reference to the events in Gaza in his Easter address, called for “reconciliation for the Holy Land, also experiencing in these days the wounds of ongoing conflict that do not spare the defenseless.”</p>
<p>Avigdor Lieberman, the Israeli defense minister, rejected criticism of Israel’s actions, saying soldiers along the Gaza frontier “deserve a medal” and did what was necessary to protect the border.</p> Palestinians ride a donkey as they pass by the Israel-Gaza border, east of Gaza City April 1, 2018. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
<p>“As for a commission of inquiry - there won’t be one,” he told Israeli Army Radio.</p>
<p>The United States blocked a Kuwait-drafted U.N. Security Council statement on Saturday, diplomats said, that would have called for an independent investigation and urged restraint by all sides.</p> WOUNDED
<p>In a Gaza hospital on Sunday, a 12-year-old Palestinian boy hit by Israeli gunfire on Friday said that when he approached the border fence with others in the crowd, he thought he would be safe as long as he did not touch the barrier or throw stones.</p>
<p>Hundreds had ignored calls by protest organizers and by the Israeli military to stay away from the frontier. The military said some of those who were shot had fired at soldiers, rolled burning tires and hurled rocks and fire bombs toward the border.</p>
<p>“I was just standing there when I felt something hit my leg and it pushed me to the ground,” the boy, Bashar Wahdan, told Reuters, estimating his distance from the fence at 30 meters (yards). The bullet cut through blood vessels and broke a bone.</p> Slideshow (18 Images)
<p>At his bedside, Bashar’s father said he had no idea his son had gone to the protest.</p>
<p>The Israeli military accused Hamas of “cynically exploiting women and children” by sending them to the fence. A Hamas spokesman called the allegations “lies aimed at justifying the massacres”.</p>
<p>On Saturday, Israeli troops using live ammunition and rubber bullets shot and wounded about 70 Palestinians among demonstrators at the border, Palestinian officials said. Witnesses said stones were thrown at the soldiers.</p>
<p>Doctors at Gaza’s crowded Shifa hospital said they were running out of medicine and other supplies.</p>
<p>The protest is scheduled to culminate on May 15, when Palestinians mark the “Nakba” or “Catastrophe” when hundreds of thousands fled or were driven out of their homes in 1948, when the state of Israel was created. Israel has long ruled out any right of return, fearing it would lose its Jewish majority.</p>
<p>Additional reporting by Michelle Nichols; Writing by Jeffrey Heller; Editing by Maayan Lubell and Mark Potter</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan called his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu a “terrorist” on Sunday, escalating an exchange of insults that started after he criticized Israel’s lethal military response to a demonstration on the Gazan border.</p>
<p>Israel has defended the killing of 15 Palestinians during Friday’s demonstration and Netanyahu tweeted that the Israeli army “will not be lectured by those who have indiscriminately bombed civilian populations for years”, referring to Turkey.</p>
<p>Erdogan told supporters on Sunday: “We don’t have the shame of invading on us, Netanyahu. You are an invader and right now are present in those lands as an invader. At the same time, you are a terrorist.”</p>
<p>In another speech he said: “You are a terrorist state. It is known what you have done in Gaza and what you have done in Jerusalem. You have no one that likes you in the world.”</p> FILE PHOTO: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan addresses members of parliament from his ruling AK Party (AKP) during a meeting at the Turkish parliament in Ankara, Turkey, March 6, 2018. REUTERS/Umit Bektas/File Photo
<p>In a later tweet, Netanyahu said: “Erdogan is not accustomed to being answered back to, but he should start getting used to it. He who occupies northern Cyprus, encroaches on Kurdish territory and massacres civilians in Afrin cannot preach to us on values and morals.”</p>
<p>Israel’s defense minister has rejected calls for an inquiry into Friday’s events.</p>
<p>Hamas, the dominant Palestinian group in Gaza, said five of the dead were members of its armed wing. Israel said eight of the 15 belonged to Hamas, designated a terrorist group by Israel and the West, and two others came from other militant factions.</p>
<p>Reporting by Ali Kucukgocmen and Ori Lewis in Jerusalem; Editing by Robin Pomeroy</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico (Reuters) - Mexico’s presidential front-runner launches his campaign close to the U.S. border on Sunday amid tension over U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to put up a wall between the countries.</p> FILE PHOTO: Leftist front-runner Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) addresses the audience during a conference organised by the Mexican Construction Industry Association in Guadalajara, Mexico March 23, 2018. REUTERS/Henry Romero
<p>If leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador wins the July 1 election, he is expected to be less accommodating toward Trump than the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), which has been lagging in polls because of anger over its failure to contain violence and graft.</p>
<p>His three-month campaign starts in Ciudad Juarez, a tribute to the city’s namesake Benito Juarez, the 19th century Mexican president from indigenous roots whose exiled government resisted a French colonialist intervention from the unruly border city.</p> Related Coverage
<a href="/article/us-mexico-election-candidates-factbox/factbox-mexicos-presidential-candidates-at-the-start-of-campaigning-idUSKCN1H80XL" type="external">Factbox: Mexico's presidential candidates at the start of campaigning</a>
<p>Lopez Obrador recently criticized President Enrique Pena Nieto for “governing with recipes sent from abroad,” but he has lately softened his opposition to the government’s policy of allowing foreign investment in the oil industry.</p>
<p>The ruling party candidate trailing in third place, former finance minister Jose Antonio Meade, launches his own campaign on Sunday at the other end of the country in the southeastern town of Merida.</p>
<p>Second-place Ricardo Anaya began campaigning on Friday.</p>
<p>Silver-haired leftist Lopez Obrador, a former Mexico City mayor, first ran for president in 2006. He would seek a meeting with Trump “as soon as possible” a senior advisor said, while indicating foreign policy would hew less closely to U.S. regional priorities if he wins.</p> Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) candidate Jose Antonio Meade poses for a photo during his kick-off presidential campaign in Merida, in Yucatan state, Mexico April 1, 2018. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido
<p>Trump’s tough trade policies, insults against Mexican migrants and demands for the border wall have angered ordinary Mexicans who see their country as a natural ally of the United States.</p>
<p>Lopez Obrador has made clear U.S.-Mexican relations will remain strong if he wins, while promising to throw Trump a “curve ball” and defend Mexican pride. His unconventional, and at times inconsistent, policy stances have sometimes led to comparisons with the U.S. president.</p>
<p>He supports the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada and the United States, but has called for talks started by Trump to renegotiate the deal to be suspended until after the election.</p>
<p>In a possible sign of the moderation Lopez Obrador is keen to project, Ciudad Juarez also harbored another of his heroes — Francisco I. Madero, a wealthy, U.S.-educated, moderate leader of the Mexican revolution who tried to unite conservatives and radicals.</p>
<p>However, the 64-year-old continues to play to his leftist base, attacking the current government over a $13 billion airport project he says is tainted by corruption.</p>
<p>He has promised to “consult the people” on reforms and plans to turn the presidential residence into a cultural center, sell the presidential plane and cut his salary in half.</p> Slideshow (8 Images)
<p>The candidate’s foreign policy advisor, Hector Vasconcelos, has said U.S. relations should be aimed at bolstering economic cooperation and that the current ties over-emphasize police and military relations.</p>
<p>Vasconcelos also said Mexico would not follow the United States in sanctioning socialist Venezuela, and would refrain from foreign interference to focus on critical problems at home such as violence.</p>
<p>As well as its storied history, in modern times Ciudad Juarez, opposite El Paso in Texas, has been the scene of the murders of hundreds of women, many of them low-salaried workers in export factories.</p>
<p>That horror, mirrored in towns across Mexico during a decade of extreme drug violence, is another reason Lopez Obrador chose the city to start campaigning, an advisor said.</p>
<p>“It is a symbol of the need to heal Mexican pain,” said senior campaign member Tatiana Clouthier.</p>
<p>Angel Perez, 29, a Mexican national who lives in El Paso, said he would attend Sunday’s campaign launch with his wife and two daughters, hopeful that Lopez Obrador will deliver on promises for change.</p>
<p>“I think he has what it takes to put Trump in his place,” he said.</p>
<p>Writing by Daina Beth Solomon; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel and Sandra Maler</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>WASHINGTON/IXTEPEC, Mexico (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Sunday that there will be no deal on legalizing the status on young adult immigrants known as Dreamers, declaring on Twitter that the U.S.-Mexico border is becoming more dangerous.</p> U.S. President Donald Trump arrives at Palm Beach International Airport, Florida, U.S. for the Easter weekend at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach March 29, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas
<p>After tweeting a “Happy Easter” message, Trump followed with: “Border Patrol Agents are not allowed to properly do their job at the Border because of ridiculous liberal (Democrat) laws like Catch &amp; Release. Getting more dangerous. ‘Caravans’ coming. Republicans must go to Nuclear Option to pass tough laws NOW. NO MORE DACA DEAL!”</p>
<p>He also threatened to kill the North American Free Trade Agreement, which is currently being renegotiated with Mexico and Canada.</p>
<p>DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) is the program created in 2012 under Democratic former President Barack Obama that Trump sought to rescind last autumn. Designed for individuals brought to the United States as children by parents who were undocumented immigrants, the program shielded the individuals from deportation and gave them work permits.</p>
<p>Trump had said he was open to brokering a deal with congressional Democrats who want to protect DACA in exchange for funding to build a U.S.-Mexico border wall, a frequent campaign trail promise. He insisted during his run for the White House that Mexico would pay for the wall.</p>
<p>Although Trump threatened a veto last month of an omnibus spending bill because it did not address the fate of Dreamers and did not fully fund his border wall, he did sign the bill.</p>
<p>In the months after Trump took office, the number of apprehensions of illegal crossers along the U.S.- Mexico border dropped dramatically, from more than 42,400 arrests in January 2017 to a low of around 15,700 in April, according to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Since then, the number of arrests has risen and in the first months of 2018 was above the levels seen during the Obama administration.</p>
<p>Trump is spending the Easter holiday at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.</p>
<p>“Mexico has got to help us at the border,” the president told reporters on his way into an Easter church service. “A lot of people are coming in because they want to take advantage of DACA. They had a great chance. The Democrats blew it.”</p>
<p>His DACA tweets came shortly after a report on the Fox New Channel’s Fox &amp; Friends program, one of Trump’s favorites, that a “caravan” of mostly Honduran migrants was crossing Mexico and headed to the United States, “either illegally or by asking for asylum.”</p>
<p>More than 1,000 would-be migrants have passed through Mexico’s southern states of Chiapas and Oaxaca in recent days in a so-called “refugee caravan” organized by U.S.-based immigrant advocacy group Pueblo Sin Fronteras.</p>
<p>In the town of Ixtepec, more than 1,500 men, women and children from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala waited in a sweltering warehouse on Saturday, mattresses rolled and bags packed, as local authorities and immigration officials from Mexico’s federal government organized 15 buses to take them to their next stop on the long journey north.</p>
<p>By traveling together, the immigrants hope to protect themselves from the crime and extortion that makes the route through Mexico dangerous. They say some but not all of them will seek asylum if they reach the United States.</p>
<p>A guest on Sunday’s Fox &amp; Friends show, Brandon Judd, head of the National Border Patrol Council union, said illegal immigrants benefit from the “catch and release” program that Trump referenced in his tweet. Under it, they can be freed while awaiting court hearings if detained in the United States.</p>
<p>If recent border crossers do not claim asylum, they can usually be deported quickly. But if they say they fear targeted violence or persecution in their home countries, they can begin the long process of petitioning for asylum in immigration court.</p>
<p>In such instances, the government can choose to release those individuals while their cases are processed. Trump and his attorney general, Jeff Sessions, have often criticized the Obama administration for routinely paroling asylum seekers.</p>
<p>That situation has changed: last month, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of nine plaintiffs alleging that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were now detaining almost all adults who seek asylum at a port of entry.</p>
<p>Trump said on Twitter on Sunday that Mexico is doing “very little, if not NOTHING,” to stop the flow of people across the southern border. “They must stop the big drug and people flows, or I will stop their cash cow, NAFTA. NEED WALL!”</p>
<p>Last week, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer expressed optimism that negotiations to modify NAFTA to terms more favorable to the United States were making progress and that a deal in principle could be reached quickly.</p>
<p>The thorniest issues in the NAFTA talks concern U.S. demands on automotive trade and dispute settlement systems. Linking the future of the 24-year-old trade deal to Trump’s border wall plan has never been among U.S. negotiating objectives.</p>
<p>Reporting by Valerie Volcovici in Washington and Delphine Schrank in Ixtepec, Mexico; Additional reporting by Mica Rosenberg, David Lawder and Steve Holland; Editing by Steve Orlofsky and Daniel Wallis</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
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jan 22 reuters m1 ltd singapore exchange issues query regarding trading activity m1 ltd source text eikon company coverage bangalorenewsroomthomsonreuterscom standards thomson reuters trust principles gazajerusalem reuters israels defense minister rejected sunday calls inquiry killing 15 palestinians military palestinian demonstration turned violent friday gazaisrael border boy waves palestinian flag israelgaza border clashes israeli troops protest palestinians demand right return homeland east gaza city april 1 2018 reutersmohammed salem hamas dominant palestinian group gaza said five dead members armed wing israel said eight 15 belonged hamas designated terrorist group israel west two others came militant factions tense calm descended sunday border area hundreds palestinians fraction tens thousands initially turned remained tent encampments along fenced 65km 40mile border related coverage pope gaza violence says defenseless killed holy land erdogan calls netanyahu terrorist insults fly gaza deaths organizers expect many come back friday schools businesses closed muslim sabbath rejoin planned sixweek protest pressing right return refugees descendents israel un secretarygeneral antonio guterres european unions top diplomat federica mogherini called independent investigation fridays bloodshed pope francis apparent reference events gaza easter address called reconciliation holy land also experiencing days wounds ongoing conflict spare defenseless avigdor lieberman israeli defense minister rejected criticism israels actions saying soldiers along gaza frontier deserve medal necessary protect border palestinians ride donkey pass israelgaza border east gaza city april 1 2018 reutersmohammed salem commission inquiry wont one told israeli army radio united states blocked kuwaitdrafted un security council statement saturday diplomats said would called independent investigation urged restraint sides wounded gaza hospital sunday 12yearold palestinian boy hit israeli gunfire friday said approached border fence others crowd thought would safe long touch barrier throw stones hundreds ignored calls protest organizers israeli military stay away frontier military said shot fired soldiers rolled burning tires hurled rocks fire bombs toward border standing felt something hit leg pushed ground boy bashar wahdan told reuters estimating distance fence 30 meters yards bullet cut blood vessels broke bone slideshow 18 images bedside bashars father said idea son gone protest israeli military accused hamas cynically exploiting women children sending fence hamas spokesman called allegations lies aimed justifying massacres saturday israeli troops using live ammunition rubber bullets shot wounded 70 palestinians among demonstrators border palestinian officials said witnesses said stones thrown soldiers doctors gazas crowded shifa hospital said running medicine supplies protest scheduled culminate may 15 palestinians mark nakba catastrophe hundreds thousands fled driven homes 1948 state israel created israel long ruled right return fearing would lose jewish majority additional reporting michelle nichols writing jeffrey heller editing maayan lubell mark potter standards thomson reuters trust principles istanbul reuters turkish president tayyip erdogan called israeli counterpart benjamin netanyahu terrorist sunday escalating exchange insults started criticized israels lethal military response demonstration gazan border israel defended killing 15 palestinians fridays demonstration netanyahu tweeted israeli army lectured indiscriminately bombed civilian populations years referring turkey erdogan told supporters sunday dont shame invading us netanyahu invader right present lands invader time terrorist another speech said terrorist state known done gaza done jerusalem one likes world file photo turkish president tayyip erdogan addresses members parliament ruling ak party akp meeting turkish parliament ankara turkey march 6 2018 reutersumit bektasfile photo later tweet netanyahu said erdogan accustomed answered back start getting used occupies northern cyprus encroaches kurdish territory massacres civilians afrin preach us values morals israels defense minister rejected calls inquiry fridays events hamas dominant palestinian group gaza said five dead members armed wing israel said eight 15 belonged hamas designated terrorist group israel west two others came militant factions reporting ali kucukgocmen ori lewis jerusalem editing robin pomeroy standards thomson reuters trust principles ciudad juarez mexico reuters mexicos presidential frontrunner launches campaign close us border sunday amid tension us president donald trumps plan put wall countries file photo leftist frontrunner andres manuel lopez obrador national regeneration movement morena addresses audience conference organised mexican construction industry association guadalajara mexico march 23 2018 reutershenry romero leftist andres manuel lopez obrador wins july 1 election expected less accommodating toward trump ruling institutional revolutionary party pri lagging polls anger failure contain violence graft threemonth campaign starts ciudad juarez tribute citys namesake benito juarez 19th century mexican president indigenous roots whose exiled government resisted french colonialist intervention unruly border city related coverage factbox mexicos presidential candidates start campaigning lopez obrador recently criticized president enrique pena nieto governing recipes sent abroad lately softened opposition governments policy allowing foreign investment oil industry ruling party candidate trailing third place former finance minister jose antonio meade launches campaign sunday end country southeastern town merida secondplace ricardo anaya began campaigning friday silverhaired leftist lopez obrador former mexico city mayor first ran president 2006 would seek meeting trump soon possible senior advisor said indicating foreign policy would hew less closely us regional priorities wins institutional revolutionary party pri candidate jose antonio meade poses photo kickoff presidential campaign merida yucatan state mexico april 1 2018 reutersedgard garrido trumps tough trade policies insults mexican migrants demands border wall angered ordinary mexicans see country natural ally united states lopez obrador made clear usmexican relations remain strong wins promising throw trump curve ball defend mexican pride unconventional times inconsistent policy stances sometimes led comparisons us president supports north american free trade agreement nafta canada united states called talks started trump renegotiate deal suspended election possible sign moderation lopez obrador keen project ciudad juarez also harbored another heroes francisco madero wealthy useducated moderate leader mexican revolution tried unite conservatives radicals however 64yearold continues play leftist base attacking current government 13 billion airport project says tainted corruption promised consult people reforms plans turn presidential residence cultural center sell presidential plane cut salary half slideshow 8 images candidates foreign policy advisor hector vasconcelos said us relations aimed bolstering economic cooperation current ties overemphasize police military relations vasconcelos also said mexico would follow united states sanctioning socialist venezuela would refrain foreign interference focus critical problems home violence well storied history modern times ciudad juarez opposite el paso texas scene murders hundreds women many lowsalaried workers export factories horror mirrored towns across mexico decade extreme drug violence another reason lopez obrador chose city start campaigning advisor said symbol need heal mexican pain said senior campaign member tatiana clouthier angel perez 29 mexican national lives el paso said would attend sundays campaign launch wife two daughters hopeful lopez obrador deliver promises change think takes put trump place said writing daina beth solomon editing frank jack daniel sandra maler standards thomson reuters trust principles washingtonixtepec mexico reuters president donald trump said sunday deal legalizing status young adult immigrants known dreamers declaring twitter usmexico border becoming dangerous us president donald trump arrives palm beach international airport florida us easter weekend maralago palm beach march 29 2018 reutersyuri gripas tweeting happy easter message trump followed border patrol agents allowed properly job border ridiculous liberal democrat laws like catch amp release getting dangerous caravans coming republicans must go nuclear option pass tough laws daca deal also threatened kill north american free trade agreement currently renegotiated mexico canada daca deferred action childhood arrivals program created 2012 democratic former president barack obama trump sought rescind last autumn designed individuals brought united states children parents undocumented immigrants program shielded individuals deportation gave work permits trump said open brokering deal congressional democrats want protect daca exchange funding build usmexico border wall frequent campaign trail promise insisted run white house mexico would pay wall although trump threatened veto last month omnibus spending bill address fate dreamers fully fund border wall sign bill months trump took office number apprehensions illegal crossers along us mexico border dropped dramatically 42400 arrests january 2017 low around 15700 april according data us customs border protection since number arrests risen first months 2018 levels seen obama administration trump spending easter holiday maralago resort palm beach florida mexico got help us border president told reporters way easter church service lot people coming want take advantage daca great chance democrats blew daca tweets came shortly report fox new channels fox amp friends program one trumps favorites caravan mostly honduran migrants crossing mexico headed united states either illegally asking asylum 1000 wouldbe migrants passed mexicos southern states chiapas oaxaca recent days socalled refugee caravan organized usbased immigrant advocacy group pueblo sin fronteras town ixtepec 1500 men women children honduras el salvador guatemala waited sweltering warehouse saturday mattresses rolled bags packed local authorities immigration officials mexicos federal government organized 15 buses take next stop long journey north traveling together immigrants hope protect crime extortion makes route mexico dangerous say seek asylum reach united states guest sundays fox amp friends show brandon judd head national border patrol council union said illegal immigrants benefit catch release program trump referenced tweet freed awaiting court hearings detained united states recent border crossers claim asylum usually deported quickly say fear targeted violence persecution home countries begin long process petitioning asylum immigration court instances government choose release individuals cases processed trump attorney general jeff sessions often criticized obama administration routinely paroling asylum seekers situation changed last month american civil liberties union filed classaction lawsuit behalf nine plaintiffs alleging us immigration customs enforcement officers detaining almost adults seek asylum port entry trump said twitter sunday mexico little nothing stop flow people across southern border must stop big drug people flows stop cash cow nafta need wall last week us trade representative robert lighthizer expressed optimism negotiations modify nafta terms favorable united states making progress deal principle could reached quickly thorniest issues nafta talks concern us demands automotive trade dispute settlement systems linking future 24yearold trade deal trumps border wall plan never among us negotiating objectives reporting valerie volcovici washington delphine schrank ixtepec mexico additional reporting mica rosenberg david lawder steve holland editing steve orlofsky daniel wallis standards thomson reuters trust principles
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<p>WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has set out to upend some of President Barack Obama’s regulations, which the White House says circumvented Congress in the first place and cost American businesses and the economy billions of dollars.</p>
<p>Without any major legislative accomplishments to point to despite the advantage of a Republican-controlled Congress, Trump on Monday was to give a speech in the White House East Room highlighting his own directives to agencies. The White House said the president is no longer attending the event following the mass killing of at least 50 people Sunday in Las Vegas. Vice President Mike Pence will lead it, but the White House closed the event to press coverage, an official there said.</p>
<p>There was no sign whether Pence will talk about gun regulations. During the presidential campaign, Trump cast himself as an ardent protector of the Second Amendment and proclaimed that if more “good guys” were armed with firearms there would be fewer gun tragedies. After the Orlando nightclub shooting, he suggested that if the club hadn’t been a gun-free zone, someone would have been able to stop the bloodshed.</p>
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<p>Executive orders are less enduring than legislation because a president can overturn a predecessor’s policy. Obama reversed some of President George W. Bush’s executive orders, and Trump’s will be reviewed by his successor.</p>
<p>Neomi Rao, administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, estimated that Trump’s regulations will save about $300 million annually, but she did not explain how Office of Management and Budget analysts came up with that number.</p>
<p>Critics of the effort say regulations exist to ensure safety and fairness in the workplace and elsewhere. Public Citizen, a watchdog group, says the rollback of government guidelines are Trump and the Republican Party’s “craven attempt at self-enrichment and payback to corporate donors. In fact, robust regulation and enforcement are essential to economic prosperity.”</p>
<p>Some of the major changes Trump has made since taking office in January:</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>YOUNG IMMIGRANTS</p>
<p>The latest Obama policy to fall is the program shielding from deportation hundreds of thousands of young people brought into the country as children and living here illegally. The Trump administration in September said the government would stop issuing new work permits while lawmakers debate whether the protections should be enshrined in law. In explaining his decision, Trump accused Obama of making “an end run around Congress” to protect those commonly referred to as “Dreamers.” Obama retorted that Trump’s action was a “cruel” and “self-defeating” decision tinged with politics. Democratic leaders and Trump said they have reached a deal to protect the immigrants, but Congress has since turned its focus to overhauling the tax code.</p>
<p>___</p>
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<p>CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT</p>
<p>Trump has vowed to pull the United States out of the landmark Paris climate agreement through which nearly 200 countries have committed to combat global warming by reducing polluting emissions. He’s scrapped an Obama administration policy that let national parks ban the sale of bottled water to fight littering. He’s moved to rip up Obama’s Clean Power Plan, regulations that sought to reduce emissions from coal-fired power plants. His executive order on regulatory reform has been cited by EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt as a reason to delay or roll back a raft of Obama-era environmental regulations, from cleaning up water pollution from coal mines to blunting limits on emissions of toxic mercury from power plant smokestacks. The EPA is not among the 10 agencies expected to hold public briefings after Trump’s speech on Monday.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>EDUCATION</p>
<p>The Trump administration in September scrapped Obama-era guidance on investigating campus sexual assault, replacing it with new instructions that allow universities to require higher standards of evidence when handling complaints. His administration also annulled Obama’s accountability rules that were used to identify and help troubled schools and to evaluate teachers.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>TRANSGENDER ISSUES</p>
<p>Trump’s Education Department has lifted the Obama-era guidance to schools to allow transgender students to use the bathroom of their choice. The president also tweeted out word that transgender people would no longer be allowed to serve openly in the military, reversing an Obama administration provision and sending the Pentagon scrambling to draft new rules. In the meantime, any transgender troops now serving in the military can re-enlist in the next several months, the Pentagon said in September.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>MUSLIM TRAVEL</p>
<p>His initial executive order temporarily banning travel to the U.S. from several Muslim-majority countries and suspending the U.S. refugee program hit roadblocks in the courts. On his second attempt, the Supreme Court allowed only a sharply scaled-back version of the order to go forward pending arguments scheduled for October. When that order expired on Sept. 24, Trump signed a measure imposing new restrictions on travelers from citizens of Chad, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen and North Korea. The Supreme Court then canceled the arguments and gave both sides time to explain whether the matter was now moot.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow Kellman on Twitter at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/APLaurieKellman" type="external">http://www.twitter.com/APLaurieKellman</a></p>
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washington trump administration set upend president barack obamas regulations white house says circumvented congress first place cost american businesses economy billions dollars without major legislative accomplishments point despite advantage republicancontrolled congress trump monday give speech white house east room highlighting directives agencies white house said president longer attending event following mass killing least 50 people sunday las vegas vice president mike pence lead white house closed event press coverage official said sign whether pence talk gun regulations presidential campaign trump cast ardent protector second amendment proclaimed good guys armed firearms would fewer gun tragedies orlando nightclub shooting suggested club hadnt gunfree zone someone would able stop bloodshed advertisement executive orders less enduring legislation president overturn predecessors policy obama reversed president george w bushs executive orders trumps reviewed successor neomi rao administrator office information regulatory affairs estimated trumps regulations save 300 million annually explain office management budget analysts came number critics effort say regulations exist ensure safety fairness workplace elsewhere public citizen watchdog group says rollback government guidelines trump republican partys craven attempt selfenrichment payback corporate donors fact robust regulation enforcement essential economic prosperity major changes trump made since taking office january ___ young immigrants latest obama policy fall program shielding deportation hundreds thousands young people brought country children living illegally trump administration september said government would stop issuing new work permits lawmakers debate whether protections enshrined law explaining decision trump accused obama making end run around congress protect commonly referred dreamers obama retorted trumps action cruel selfdefeating decision tinged politics democratic leaders trump said reached deal protect immigrants congress since turned focus overhauling tax code ___ advertisement climate environment trump vowed pull united states landmark paris climate agreement nearly 200 countries committed combat global warming reducing polluting emissions hes scrapped obama administration policy let national parks ban sale bottled water fight littering hes moved rip obamas clean power plan regulations sought reduce emissions coalfired power plants executive order regulatory reform cited epa administrator scott pruitt reason delay roll back raft obamaera environmental regulations cleaning water pollution coal mines blunting limits emissions toxic mercury power plant smokestacks epa among 10 agencies expected hold public briefings trumps speech monday ___ education trump administration september scrapped obamaera guidance investigating campus sexual assault replacing new instructions allow universities require higher standards evidence handling complaints administration also annulled obamas accountability rules used identify help troubled schools evaluate teachers ___ transgender issues trumps education department lifted obamaera guidance schools allow transgender students use bathroom choice president also tweeted word transgender people would longer allowed serve openly military reversing obama administration provision sending pentagon scrambling draft new rules meantime transgender troops serving military reenlist next several months pentagon said september ___ muslim travel initial executive order temporarily banning travel us several muslimmajority countries suspending us refugee program hit roadblocks courts second attempt supreme court allowed sharply scaledback version order go forward pending arguments scheduled october order expired sept 24 trump signed measure imposing new restrictions travelers citizens chad iran libya somalia syria yemen north korea supreme court canceled arguments gave sides time explain whether matter moot ___ follow kellman twitter httpwwwtwittercomaplauriekellman
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<p>A medical emergency leaves you with tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid hospital bills. Your health insurance company rejects coverage for an important medical test. An unexpected diagnosis requires you to find three new medical specialists.</p>
<p>In today's health care system, consumers are increasingly on their own when these complex -- and often costly -- medical problems arise. Primary care doctors once helped patients manage such situations, but many physicians now have 15 minutes or less for each appointment. It's in this high-pressure environment that a new industry of patient advocates -- sometimes called patient navigators -- has emerged, offering to help guide patients through knotty health situations.</p>
<p>Driven by an increasing number of baby boomers dealing with chronic medical problems, the field has mainly taken shape in the last 5 to 10 years, according to Professor Theresa Cronan of San Diego State University.</p>
<p>"People with chronic conditions use the health care system more. But the health care system has become so complex that it's really hard for people to navigate," said Cronan, who has studied the health advocacy industry.</p>
<p>Here are some questions and answers about these businesses and the services they offer:</p>
<p>WHAT DO PATIENT ADVOCATES DO?</p>
<p>Patient advocates are hired to help solve health care problems or help patients get the best care possible. Advocates can work for companies with hundreds of employees or operate as stand-alone consultants for a handful of clients. Some of the most common tasks health advocates work on include:</p>
<p>— Negotiating discounts and payment plans for large medical bills;</p>
<p>— Managing and filing insurance paperwork, especially appeals where companies deny coverage for expensive procedures or equipment;</p>
<p>— Helping patients find and schedule appointments with medical experts who specialize in rare or hard-to-treat diseases.</p>
<p>HOW CAN THESE BUSINESSES POTENTIALLY SAVE ME MONEY?</p>
<p>Many patient advocates highlight their ability to help reduce medical bills or cut through insurance red tape.</p>
<p>Health advocates can review patient records to spot billing errors that drive up costs. They can also coordinate care between a number of physicians, usually for patients with complex conditions, avoiding repeat billings and insurance payments.</p>
<p>In other cases, advocates will help patients find the best price for an expensive test or procedures. Prices for common tests, such as medical scans, can vary by hundreds or thousands of dollars, even among hospitals that are only a few miles apart, as demonstrated by payment records released by the government's Medicare program. With many patients in high-deductible insurance plans that require them to pay substantial out of pocket costs before coverage kicks in, the difference between a $300 MRI scan or a $1,300 MRI scan can be significant.</p>
<p>HOW MUCH DO THESE SERVICES COST?</p>
<p>Patient advocates typically aren't covered by insurance, so customers should expect to pay out of pocket.</p>
<p>Many charge an hourly rate, ranging from $50 to $250 depending on the nature of the work, their location and background. Advocates charging the highest fees usually have a medical degree. Other services may use alternative fee structures. For instance, the medical bill saver service offered by Health Advocate of Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania negotiates uncovered medical or dental bills of $400 or more at no upfront cost to the customer. Instead, the company takes a 25 percent cut of the recouped savings. So if the company negotiated a $10,000 medical bill down to $5,000 the company would earn a $1,250 fee. Health Advocate sells access to its bill saver service and other offerings through an annual membership fee of $25.95. About 10,000 companies also offer Health Advocate's services as a benefit to their employees.</p>
<p>WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO PATIENT ADVOCATES NEED TO HAVE?</p>
<p>Currently there are no professional credentials required to be a patient advocate, so be careful about choosing a service. Several universities offer specialized courses and degrees in patient advocacy, including Sarah Lawrence College, the University of Miami and the University of Wisconsin. Such programs often combine training in medicine, health policy, economics and law. Other health advocates have backgrounds in nursing, social work, medicine and the insurance industry.</p>
<p>Before hiring a health advocate be sure to ask for references and information on training and experience. Customers should also receive a written contract specifying the services to be delivered and the fees.</p>
<p>"If you're going to get a health care advocate you're probably feeling vulnerable already, so you want to make sure you look very carefully at the organization that is going to provide these services," Cronan said.</p>
<p>HOW CAN I FIND A PATIENT ADVOCATE?</p>
<p>Academic programs like University of Wisconsin's Center for Patient Partnerships can provide contact information for graduates in the field. There are also several professional groups that offer online search tools for finding patient advocates, including:</p>
<p>— National Association of Healthcare Advocacy, which requires members to sign a code of ethics: <a href="http://www.nahac.com" type="external">http://www.nahac.com</a></p>
<p>— Alliance of Professional Health Advocates, which requires participants to have professional liability insurance: <a href="http://www.advoconnection.com/" type="external">http://www.advoconnection.com/</a></p>
<p>A medical emergency leaves you with tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid hospital bills. Your health insurance company rejects coverage for an important medical test. An unexpected diagnosis requires you to find three new medical specialists.</p>
<p>In today's health care system, consumers are increasingly on their own when these complex -- and often costly -- medical problems arise. Primary care doctors once helped patients manage such situations, but many physicians now have 15 minutes or less for each appointment. It's in this high-pressure environment that a new industry of patient advocates -- sometimes called patient navigators -- has emerged, offering to help guide patients through knotty health situations.</p>
<p>Driven by an increasing number of baby boomers dealing with chronic medical problems, the field has mainly taken shape in the last 5 to 10 years, according to Professor Theresa Cronan of San Diego State University.</p>
<p>"People with chronic conditions use the health care system more. But the health care system has become so complex that it's really hard for people to navigate," said Cronan, who has studied the health advocacy industry.</p>
<p>Here are some questions and answers about these businesses and the services they offer:</p>
<p>WHAT DO PATIENT ADVOCATES DO?</p>
<p>Patient advocates are hired to help solve health care problems or help patients get the best care possible. Advocates can work for companies with hundreds of employees or operate as stand-alone consultants for a handful of clients. Some of the most common tasks health advocates work on include:</p>
<p>— Negotiating discounts and payment plans for large medical bills;</p>
<p>— Managing and filing insurance paperwork, especially appeals where companies deny coverage for expensive procedures or equipment;</p>
<p>— Helping patients find and schedule appointments with medical experts who specialize in rare or hard-to-treat diseases.</p>
<p>HOW CAN THESE BUSINESSES POTENTIALLY SAVE ME MONEY?</p>
<p>Many patient advocates highlight their ability to help reduce medical bills or cut through insurance red tape.</p>
<p>Health advocates can review patient records to spot billing errors that drive up costs. They can also coordinate care between a number of physicians, usually for patients with complex conditions, avoiding repeat billings and insurance payments.</p>
<p>In other cases, advocates will help patients find the best price for an expensive test or procedures. Prices for common tests, such as medical scans, can vary by hundreds or thousands of dollars, even among hospitals that are only a few miles apart, as demonstrated by payment records released by the government's Medicare program. With many patients in high-deductible insurance plans that require them to pay substantial out of pocket costs before coverage kicks in, the difference between a $300 MRI scan or a $1,300 MRI scan can be significant.</p>
<p>HOW MUCH DO THESE SERVICES COST?</p>
<p>Patient advocates typically aren't covered by insurance, so customers should expect to pay out of pocket.</p>
<p>Many charge an hourly rate, ranging from $50 to $250 depending on the nature of the work, their location and background. Advocates charging the highest fees usually have a medical degree. Other services may use alternative fee structures. For instance, the medical bill saver service offered by Health Advocate of Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania negotiates uncovered medical or dental bills of $400 or more at no upfront cost to the customer. Instead, the company takes a 25 percent cut of the recouped savings. So if the company negotiated a $10,000 medical bill down to $5,000 the company would earn a $1,250 fee. Health Advocate sells access to its bill saver service and other offerings through an annual membership fee of $25.95. About 10,000 companies also offer Health Advocate's services as a benefit to their employees.</p>
<p>WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO PATIENT ADVOCATES NEED TO HAVE?</p>
<p>Currently there are no professional credentials required to be a patient advocate, so be careful about choosing a service. Several universities offer specialized courses and degrees in patient advocacy, including Sarah Lawrence College, the University of Miami and the University of Wisconsin. Such programs often combine training in medicine, health policy, economics and law. Other health advocates have backgrounds in nursing, social work, medicine and the insurance industry.</p>
<p>Before hiring a health advocate be sure to ask for references and information on training and experience. Customers should also receive a written contract specifying the services to be delivered and the fees.</p>
<p>"If you're going to get a health care advocate you're probably feeling vulnerable already, so you want to make sure you look very carefully at the organization that is going to provide these services," Cronan said.</p>
<p>HOW CAN I FIND A PATIENT ADVOCATE?</p>
<p>Academic programs like University of Wisconsin's Center for Patient Partnerships can provide contact information for graduates in the field. There are also several professional groups that offer online search tools for finding patient advocates, including:</p>
<p>— National Association of Healthcare Advocacy, which requires members to sign a code of ethics: <a href="http://www.nahac.com" type="external">http://www.nahac.com</a></p>
<p>— Alliance of Professional Health Advocates, which requires participants to have professional liability insurance: <a href="http://www.advoconnection.com/" type="external">http://www.advoconnection.com/</a></p>
| false | 2 |
medical emergency leaves tens thousands dollars unpaid hospital bills health insurance company rejects coverage important medical test unexpected diagnosis requires find three new medical specialists todays health care system consumers increasingly complex often costly medical problems arise primary care doctors helped patients manage situations many physicians 15 minutes less appointment highpressure environment new industry patient advocates sometimes called patient navigators emerged offering help guide patients knotty health situations driven increasing number baby boomers dealing chronic medical problems field mainly taken shape last 5 10 years according professor theresa cronan san diego state university people chronic conditions use health care system health care system become complex really hard people navigate said cronan studied health advocacy industry questions answers businesses services offer patient advocates patient advocates hired help solve health care problems help patients get best care possible advocates work companies hundreds employees operate standalone consultants handful clients common tasks health advocates work include negotiating discounts payment plans large medical bills managing filing insurance paperwork especially appeals companies deny coverage expensive procedures equipment helping patients find schedule appointments medical experts specialize rare hardtotreat diseases businesses potentially save money many patient advocates highlight ability help reduce medical bills cut insurance red tape health advocates review patient records spot billing errors drive costs also coordinate care number physicians usually patients complex conditions avoiding repeat billings insurance payments cases advocates help patients find best price expensive test procedures prices common tests medical scans vary hundreds thousands dollars even among hospitals miles apart demonstrated payment records released governments medicare program many patients highdeductible insurance plans require pay substantial pocket costs coverage kicks difference 300 mri scan 1300 mri scan significant much services cost patient advocates typically arent covered insurance customers expect pay pocket many charge hourly rate ranging 50 250 depending nature work location background advocates charging highest fees usually medical degree services may use alternative fee structures instance medical bill saver service offered health advocate plymouth meeting pennsylvania negotiates uncovered medical dental bills 400 upfront cost customer instead company takes 25 percent cut recouped savings company negotiated 10000 medical bill 5000 company would earn 1250 fee health advocate sells access bill saver service offerings annual membership fee 2595 10000 companies also offer health advocates services benefit employees qualifications patient advocates need currently professional credentials required patient advocate careful choosing service several universities offer specialized courses degrees patient advocacy including sarah lawrence college university miami university wisconsin programs often combine training medicine health policy economics law health advocates backgrounds nursing social work medicine insurance industry hiring health advocate sure ask references information training experience customers also receive written contract specifying services delivered fees youre going get health care advocate youre probably feeling vulnerable already want make sure look carefully organization going provide services cronan said find patient advocate academic programs like university wisconsins center patient partnerships provide contact information graduates field also several professional groups offer online search tools finding patient advocates including national association healthcare advocacy requires members sign code ethics httpwwwnahaccom alliance professional health advocates requires participants professional liability insurance httpwwwadvoconnectioncom medical emergency leaves tens thousands dollars unpaid hospital bills health insurance company rejects coverage important medical test unexpected diagnosis requires find three new medical specialists todays health care system consumers increasingly complex often costly medical problems arise primary care doctors helped patients manage situations many physicians 15 minutes less appointment highpressure environment new industry patient advocates sometimes called patient navigators emerged offering help guide patients knotty health situations driven increasing number baby boomers dealing chronic medical problems field mainly taken shape last 5 10 years according professor theresa cronan san diego state university people chronic conditions use health care system health care system become complex really hard people navigate said cronan studied health advocacy industry questions answers businesses services offer patient advocates patient advocates hired help solve health care problems help patients get best care possible advocates work companies hundreds employees operate standalone consultants handful clients common tasks health advocates work include negotiating discounts payment plans large medical bills managing filing insurance paperwork especially appeals companies deny coverage expensive procedures equipment helping patients find schedule appointments medical experts specialize rare hardtotreat diseases businesses potentially save money many patient advocates highlight ability help reduce medical bills cut insurance red tape health advocates review patient records spot billing errors drive costs also coordinate care number physicians usually patients complex conditions avoiding repeat billings insurance payments cases advocates help patients find best price expensive test procedures prices common tests medical scans vary hundreds thousands dollars even among hospitals miles apart demonstrated payment records released governments medicare program many patients highdeductible insurance plans require pay substantial pocket costs coverage kicks difference 300 mri scan 1300 mri scan significant much services cost patient advocates typically arent covered insurance customers expect pay pocket many charge hourly rate ranging 50 250 depending nature work location background advocates charging highest fees usually medical degree services may use alternative fee structures instance medical bill saver service offered health advocate plymouth meeting pennsylvania negotiates uncovered medical dental bills 400 upfront cost customer instead company takes 25 percent cut recouped savings company negotiated 10000 medical bill 5000 company would earn 1250 fee health advocate sells access bill saver service offerings annual membership fee 2595 10000 companies also offer health advocates services benefit employees qualifications patient advocates need currently professional credentials required patient advocate careful choosing service several universities offer specialized courses degrees patient advocacy including sarah lawrence college university miami university wisconsin programs often combine training medicine health policy economics law health advocates backgrounds nursing social work medicine insurance industry hiring health advocate sure ask references information training experience customers also receive written contract specifying services delivered fees youre going get health care advocate youre probably feeling vulnerable already want make sure look carefully organization going provide services cronan said find patient advocate academic programs like university wisconsins center patient partnerships provide contact information graduates field also several professional groups offer online search tools finding patient advocates including national association healthcare advocacy requires members sign code ethics httpwwwnahaccom alliance professional health advocates requires participants professional liability insurance httpwwwadvoconnectioncom
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<p>Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at the Family Leadership Summit in Ames, Iowa. (Nati Harnik/The Associated Press)</p>
<p>ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's call for mass deportation of millions of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, as well as their American-born children, bears similarities to a large-scale removal that many Mexican-American families faced 85 years ago.</p>
<p>During the Great Depression, counties and cities in the American Southwest and Midwest forced Mexican immigrants and their families to leave the U.S. over concerns they were taking jobs away from whites, despite their legal right to stay.</p>
<p>The result: Around 500,000 to 1 million Mexican immigrants and Mexican Americans were pushed out of the country during the 1930s repatriation, as the removal is sometimes called.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>During that time, immigrants were rounded up and sent to Mexico, sometimes in public places and often without formal proceedings. Others, scared by the threat of violence, left voluntarily.</p>
<p>About 60 percent of those who left were American citizens, according to various studies on the 1930s repatriation. Later testimony showed families lost most of their possessions and some family members died trying to return. Neighborhoods in cities such as Houston, San Antonio and Los Angeles became empty.</p>
<p>The impact of the experience on Latinos remains evident today, experts and advocates say.</p>
<p>"It set the tone for later deportations," said Francisco Balderrama, a Chicano studies professor at California State University, Los Angeles.</p>
<p>Two weeks ago, Trump said that, if elected president, he would expand deportations and end "birthright citizenship" for children born to immigrants who are here illegally. Under his plan, American-born children of immigrants also would be deported with their parents, and Mexico would be asked to help build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.</p>
<p>"They're illegal," Trump said of U.S.-born children of people living in the country illegally. "You either have a country or not."</p>
<p>Amid his comments on immigration, polls show negative impressions of Trump among Latinos. A Gallup poll released Aug. 24 found that Hispanics were more likely to give Trump unfavorable ratings than favorable ones by 51 percentage points.</p>
<p>Some immigrant advocates pointed to the removal of prominent Latino journalist Jorge Ramos from an Iowa news conference last week as a metaphor for the candidate's desire to remove Latinos from the United States.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>"Mr. Trump should heed the following warning: Our Latino and immigrant communities are not going to forget the way he has treated them," the Washington, D.C.-based Fair Immigration Reform Movement said in a statement.</p>
<p>Ramos, an anchor for Univision, was escorted out by a Trump aide after Ramos, who had criticized Trump previously, tried to question Trump about his immigration plan. Trump interrupted Ramos, saying he hadn't been called on, and ultimately told Ramos: "Go back to Univision."</p>
<p>Ramos was saying: "You cannot deport 11 million people," as he was escorted away. He was later allowed to return.</p>
<p>Trump has provided few details on how his proposed deportation effort would be carried out. The conservative-leaning American Action Forum concluded in a report it would cost between $400 billion to $600 billion and take 20 years to remove an estimated 11.2 million immigrants living in the country illegally.</p>
<p>The large-scale deportation he envisions would be impractical to enact, due to the extent that Mexican immigrants have integrated into U.S. society, said Columbia University history professor Mae Ngai.</p>
<p>U.S.-born children of immigrants have been automatically considered American citizens since the adoption of the Constitution's 14th Amendment in 1868. A Supreme Court ruling in 1898 halted previous attempts to limit the birthright of Chinese-American citizens after the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act.</p>
<p>The ruling upheld the clause for all U.S.-born children, Ngai said, and there have been no successful challenges to the clause since.</p>
<p>In the 1930s, Chicano studies professor Balderrama said, officials skirted the issue of birthright citizenship by saying they did not want to break up families.</p>
<p>"But they did break up families and many children never saw their parents again," said Balderrama, co-author of a book about Mexican repatriation in the 1930s with the late historian Raymond Rodriguez, who testified before a California state committee about seeing his father for the last time at age 10, before the father left for Mexico.</p>
<p>That legacy lingers in songs, often played on Spanish-language radio stations, that allude to mass deportations and separation of loved ones, said Lilia Soto, an American studies professor at the University of Wyoming.</p>
<p>For example, the lyrics to "Ice El Hielo," by the Los Angeles-band La Santa Cecilia, speak of a community afraid that federal agents are about to arrive and launch deportations raids at any moment. The ballad "Volver, Volver," sung by Mexican ranchera performer Vicente "Chente" Fernandez, speaks of someone vowing to return to a lover despite all obstacles.</p>
<p>"They're about families being apart," Soto said. "The lyrics are all indirectly linked to this past."</p>
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republican presidential candidate donald trump speaks family leadership summit ames iowa nati harnikthe associated press albuquerque nm ap republican presidential candidate donald trumps call mass deportation millions immigrants living us illegally well americanborn children bears similarities largescale removal many mexicanamerican families faced 85 years ago great depression counties cities american southwest midwest forced mexican immigrants families leave us concerns taking jobs away whites despite legal right stay result around 500000 1 million mexican immigrants mexican americans pushed country 1930s repatriation removal sometimes called advertisement time immigrants rounded sent mexico sometimes public places often without formal proceedings others scared threat violence left voluntarily 60 percent left american citizens according various studies 1930s repatriation later testimony showed families lost possessions family members died trying return neighborhoods cities houston san antonio los angeles became empty impact experience latinos remains evident today experts advocates say set tone later deportations said francisco balderrama chicano studies professor california state university los angeles two weeks ago trump said elected president would expand deportations end birthright citizenship children born immigrants illegally plan americanborn children immigrants also would deported parents mexico would asked help build wall along usmexico border theyre illegal trump said usborn children people living country illegally either country amid comments immigration polls show negative impressions trump among latinos gallup poll released aug 24 found hispanics likely give trump unfavorable ratings favorable ones 51 percentage points immigrant advocates pointed removal prominent latino journalist jorge ramos iowa news conference last week metaphor candidates desire remove latinos united states advertisement mr trump heed following warning latino immigrant communities going forget way treated washington dcbased fair immigration reform movement said statement ramos anchor univision escorted trump aide ramos criticized trump previously tried question trump immigration plan trump interrupted ramos saying hadnt called ultimately told ramos go back univision ramos saying deport 11 million people escorted away later allowed return trump provided details proposed deportation effort would carried conservativeleaning american action forum concluded report would cost 400 billion 600 billion take 20 years remove estimated 112 million immigrants living country illegally largescale deportation envisions would impractical enact due extent mexican immigrants integrated us society said columbia university history professor mae ngai usborn children immigrants automatically considered american citizens since adoption constitutions 14th amendment 1868 supreme court ruling 1898 halted previous attempts limit birthright chineseamerican citizens passage chinese exclusion act ruling upheld clause usborn children ngai said successful challenges clause since 1930s chicano studies professor balderrama said officials skirted issue birthright citizenship saying want break families break families many children never saw parents said balderrama coauthor book mexican repatriation 1930s late historian raymond rodriguez testified california state committee seeing father last time age 10 father left mexico legacy lingers songs often played spanishlanguage radio stations allude mass deportations separation loved ones said lilia soto american studies professor university wyoming example lyrics ice el hielo los angelesband la santa cecilia speak community afraid federal agents arrive launch deportations raids moment ballad volver volver sung mexican ranchera performer vicente chente fernandez speaks someone vowing return lover despite obstacles theyre families apart soto said lyrics indirectly linked past
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<p>LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Third-ranked Louisville played well in many phases for one half before second-half stumbles on both ends of the floor allowed No. 17 Duke to threaten its unbeaten record.</p>
<p>The Cardinals didn't flinch and shut down the Blue Devils when it mattered to continue their best-ever start.</p>
<p>Asia Durr had 22 points and returned from a first-half ankle injury to grab a key rebound late that helped Louisville survive Duke's fourth-quarter rally for a 66-60 victory on Thursday night.</p>
<p>The Cardinals (17-0, 3-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) appeared in control with a 15-point lead midway through the third quarter. But the Cardinals made just 7 of 26 shots in the second half and broke down defensively, allowing Duke to get within 63-60 on Haley Gorecki's 3-pointer with 2:54 remaining.</p>
<p>Duke missed its final three shots, and Louisville's Sam Fuehring made two free throws with 22 seconds left before Durr added the final one six seconds later to seal the win in the Cardinals' ACC home opener.</p>
<p>"We're not satisfied," Fuehring said. "We're going to continue to do better. We know there's a target on our backs."</p>
<p>Louisville coach Jeff Walz was unhappy with the defensive mistakes that helped Duke get close at the end.</p>
<p>"We allowed wide open shots like we didn't even guard, and that wasn't the plan," he said. "If you want to try it once to try and psych somebody out, then fine, but when they make it, you might want to guard them after that and we never even made an attempt."</p>
<p>Durr made 8 of 14 shots but left the game for several minutes in the second quarter after twisting her right ankle. The junior guard returned to score the final three of a 17-point half that paced the Cardinals' 57-percent shooting and ultimately helped them withstand the Blue Devils' charge.</p>
<p>Myisha Hines-Allen had 13 points and 10 rebounds and Fuehring had 12 points.</p>
<p>Gorecki made 10 of 14 shots, including five 3s, for a career-high 25 points to lead Duke (11-4, 0-2), which outshot Louisville 49 percent to 43 percent.</p>
<p>"We had a kick and energy that we came out with and that momentum brought us back," Gorecki said. "My teammates kept giving me good looks."</p>
<p>NERVOUS MOMENTS</p>
<p>The crowd of 8,101 was anxious when Durr was carried by Louisville video coordinator LaMont Russell into the locker room after twisting her ankle. The junior jogged back to the bench to cheers and finished out the first half, though she looked gimpy for the rest of the game.</p>
<p>Teammates said they believed their top scorer would return, and Walz tried to lighten up the tense situation.</p>
<p>"(Durr) says, 'It's my ankle,' and I go, 'OK, we got two of them, let's get up, let's go,'" the coach said. "I wasn't sure if she'd come back or not, but that's part of the game. You could tell she was favoring it some, but she kept telling me, 'I'm fine.'"</p>
<p>BIG PICTURE</p>
<p>Duke: After shooting just 35 percent at Miami, the Blue Devils made 24 of 49, including 15 of 21 in the first half (71 percent). But by the time they finally shot a 3 in the second quarter, Louisville had four by then and created a hole for Duke to climb out of. Gorecki's perimeter shooting and Leaonna Odom's 14 points helped offset 2-of-12 shooting by leading scorer Lexie Brown (eight points), but Duke missed key shots down the stretch and committed 15 turnovers that led to 21 Cardinal points.</p>
<p>Louisville: The Cardinals had 15 assists in the first half and created good looks. Those shots weren't falling after halftime, though, especially in the fourth quarter. The defense faltered, too, though Louisville came up with timely rebounds down the stretch and made 13 of 20 free throws. Hines-Allen blamed herself for defensive lapses and noted, "I'm letting girls shoot shots on the scouting report that were there. I've got to stay focused and dialed in."</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Duke hosts North Carolina State on Sunday.</p>
<p>Louisville hosts Virginia Tech on Sunday in its final tune-up before hosting No. 2 Notre Dame on Jan. 11.</p>
<p>LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Third-ranked Louisville played well in many phases for one half before second-half stumbles on both ends of the floor allowed No. 17 Duke to threaten its unbeaten record.</p>
<p>The Cardinals didn't flinch and shut down the Blue Devils when it mattered to continue their best-ever start.</p>
<p>Asia Durr had 22 points and returned from a first-half ankle injury to grab a key rebound late that helped Louisville survive Duke's fourth-quarter rally for a 66-60 victory on Thursday night.</p>
<p>The Cardinals (17-0, 3-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) appeared in control with a 15-point lead midway through the third quarter. But the Cardinals made just 7 of 26 shots in the second half and broke down defensively, allowing Duke to get within 63-60 on Haley Gorecki's 3-pointer with 2:54 remaining.</p>
<p>Duke missed its final three shots, and Louisville's Sam Fuehring made two free throws with 22 seconds left before Durr added the final one six seconds later to seal the win in the Cardinals' ACC home opener.</p>
<p>"We're not satisfied," Fuehring said. "We're going to continue to do better. We know there's a target on our backs."</p>
<p>Louisville coach Jeff Walz was unhappy with the defensive mistakes that helped Duke get close at the end.</p>
<p>"We allowed wide open shots like we didn't even guard, and that wasn't the plan," he said. "If you want to try it once to try and psych somebody out, then fine, but when they make it, you might want to guard them after that and we never even made an attempt."</p>
<p>Durr made 8 of 14 shots but left the game for several minutes in the second quarter after twisting her right ankle. The junior guard returned to score the final three of a 17-point half that paced the Cardinals' 57-percent shooting and ultimately helped them withstand the Blue Devils' charge.</p>
<p>Myisha Hines-Allen had 13 points and 10 rebounds and Fuehring had 12 points.</p>
<p>Gorecki made 10 of 14 shots, including five 3s, for a career-high 25 points to lead Duke (11-4, 0-2), which outshot Louisville 49 percent to 43 percent.</p>
<p>"We had a kick and energy that we came out with and that momentum brought us back," Gorecki said. "My teammates kept giving me good looks."</p>
<p>NERVOUS MOMENTS</p>
<p>The crowd of 8,101 was anxious when Durr was carried by Louisville video coordinator LaMont Russell into the locker room after twisting her ankle. The junior jogged back to the bench to cheers and finished out the first half, though she looked gimpy for the rest of the game.</p>
<p>Teammates said they believed their top scorer would return, and Walz tried to lighten up the tense situation.</p>
<p>"(Durr) says, 'It's my ankle,' and I go, 'OK, we got two of them, let's get up, let's go,'" the coach said. "I wasn't sure if she'd come back or not, but that's part of the game. You could tell she was favoring it some, but she kept telling me, 'I'm fine.'"</p>
<p>BIG PICTURE</p>
<p>Duke: After shooting just 35 percent at Miami, the Blue Devils made 24 of 49, including 15 of 21 in the first half (71 percent). But by the time they finally shot a 3 in the second quarter, Louisville had four by then and created a hole for Duke to climb out of. Gorecki's perimeter shooting and Leaonna Odom's 14 points helped offset 2-of-12 shooting by leading scorer Lexie Brown (eight points), but Duke missed key shots down the stretch and committed 15 turnovers that led to 21 Cardinal points.</p>
<p>Louisville: The Cardinals had 15 assists in the first half and created good looks. Those shots weren't falling after halftime, though, especially in the fourth quarter. The defense faltered, too, though Louisville came up with timely rebounds down the stretch and made 13 of 20 free throws. Hines-Allen blamed herself for defensive lapses and noted, "I'm letting girls shoot shots on the scouting report that were there. I've got to stay focused and dialed in."</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Duke hosts North Carolina State on Sunday.</p>
<p>Louisville hosts Virginia Tech on Sunday in its final tune-up before hosting No. 2 Notre Dame on Jan. 11.</p>
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louisville ky ap thirdranked louisville played well many phases one half secondhalf stumbles ends floor allowed 17 duke threaten unbeaten record cardinals didnt flinch shut blue devils mattered continue bestever start asia durr 22 points returned firsthalf ankle injury grab key rebound late helped louisville survive dukes fourthquarter rally 6660 victory thursday night cardinals 170 30 atlantic coast conference appeared control 15point lead midway third quarter cardinals made 7 26 shots second half broke defensively allowing duke get within 6360 haley goreckis 3pointer 254 remaining duke missed final three shots louisvilles sam fuehring made two free throws 22 seconds left durr added final one six seconds later seal win cardinals acc home opener satisfied fuehring said going continue better know theres target backs louisville coach jeff walz unhappy defensive mistakes helped duke get close end allowed wide open shots like didnt even guard wasnt plan said want try try psych somebody fine make might want guard never even made attempt durr made 8 14 shots left game several minutes second quarter twisting right ankle junior guard returned score final three 17point half paced cardinals 57percent shooting ultimately helped withstand blue devils charge myisha hinesallen 13 points 10 rebounds fuehring 12 points gorecki made 10 14 shots including five 3s careerhigh 25 points lead duke 114 02 outshot louisville 49 percent 43 percent kick energy came momentum brought us back gorecki said teammates kept giving good looks nervous moments crowd 8101 anxious durr carried louisville video coordinator lamont russell locker room twisting ankle junior jogged back bench cheers finished first half though looked gimpy rest game teammates said believed top scorer would return walz tried lighten tense situation durr says ankle go ok got two lets get lets go coach said wasnt sure shed come back thats part game could tell favoring kept telling im fine big picture duke shooting 35 percent miami blue devils made 24 49 including 15 21 first half 71 percent time finally shot 3 second quarter louisville four created hole duke climb goreckis perimeter shooting leaonna odoms 14 points helped offset 2of12 shooting leading scorer lexie brown eight points duke missed key shots stretch committed 15 turnovers led 21 cardinal points louisville cardinals 15 assists first half created good looks shots werent falling halftime though especially fourth quarter defense faltered though louisville came timely rebounds stretch made 13 20 free throws hinesallen blamed defensive lapses noted im letting girls shoot shots scouting report ive got stay focused dialed next duke hosts north carolina state sunday louisville hosts virginia tech sunday final tuneup hosting 2 notre dame jan 11 louisville ky ap thirdranked louisville played well many phases one half secondhalf stumbles ends floor allowed 17 duke threaten unbeaten record cardinals didnt flinch shut blue devils mattered continue bestever start asia durr 22 points returned firsthalf ankle injury grab key rebound late helped louisville survive dukes fourthquarter rally 6660 victory thursday night cardinals 170 30 atlantic coast conference appeared control 15point lead midway third quarter cardinals made 7 26 shots second half broke defensively allowing duke get within 6360 haley goreckis 3pointer 254 remaining duke missed final three shots louisvilles sam fuehring made two free throws 22 seconds left durr added final one six seconds later seal win cardinals acc home opener satisfied fuehring said going continue better know theres target backs louisville coach jeff walz unhappy defensive mistakes helped duke get close end allowed wide open shots like didnt even guard wasnt plan said want try try psych somebody fine make might want guard never even made attempt durr made 8 14 shots left game several minutes second quarter twisting right ankle junior guard returned score final three 17point half paced cardinals 57percent shooting ultimately helped withstand blue devils charge myisha hinesallen 13 points 10 rebounds fuehring 12 points gorecki made 10 14 shots including five 3s careerhigh 25 points lead duke 114 02 outshot louisville 49 percent 43 percent kick energy came momentum brought us back gorecki said teammates kept giving good looks nervous moments crowd 8101 anxious durr carried louisville video coordinator lamont russell locker room twisting ankle junior jogged back bench cheers finished first half though looked gimpy rest game teammates said believed top scorer would return walz tried lighten tense situation durr says ankle go ok got two lets get lets go coach said wasnt sure shed come back thats part game could tell favoring kept telling im fine big picture duke shooting 35 percent miami blue devils made 24 49 including 15 21 first half 71 percent time finally shot 3 second quarter louisville four created hole duke climb goreckis perimeter shooting leaonna odoms 14 points helped offset 2of12 shooting leading scorer lexie brown eight points duke missed key shots stretch committed 15 turnovers led 21 cardinal points louisville cardinals 15 assists first half created good looks shots werent falling halftime though especially fourth quarter defense faltered though louisville came timely rebounds stretch made 13 20 free throws hinesallen blamed defensive lapses noted im letting girls shoot shots scouting report ive got stay focused dialed next duke hosts north carolina state sunday louisville hosts virginia tech sunday final tuneup hosting 2 notre dame jan 11
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<p>CARSON CITY, Nev. — Aiming to rein in soaring prescription drug prices, an unlikely Nevada coalition is trying to force pharmaceutical companies to disclose how they set insulin prices — and issue refunds to diabetics or their insurance companies if annual price hikes surpass inflation.</p>
<p>Las Vegas casino owners have banded together with their employees’ unions of cooks, servers and other resort workers to support the unprecedented legislation in their effort to control their own medical insurance costs.</p>
<p>The bill expected to face its first vote in early May would attempt to cap how much employers, insurers and corporate middle men pay for insulin, which is injected to manage blood sugar levels. Lawmakers also hope the bill would cap what diabetics pay out of their own pockets near their current cost levels — typically between $50 and $600 per month, depending on diabetics’ insurance coverage.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>It remains far from clear that the bill, if passed, would survive legal challenges or have the intended effect. But it would make Nevada the first U.S. state to force detailed release of drugmakers’ proprietary information and effectively establish a price control on prescription drugs via the refund plan.</p>
<p>The bill is expected to pass in both houses of Nevada’s Democratic-controlled Legislature. Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval, in an interview with The Associated Press, did not rule out signing it.</p>
<p>The move in Nevada illustrates public ire reaching critical mass over price hikes on insulin, epinephrine, antibiotics and other common prescription medicines, said Steve Brozak, president of the New Jersey-based WBB Securities investment banking firm, which focuses on health care.</p>
<p>Brozak and other industry experts warned against assuming government intervention would result in lower pharmacy bills, and said drugmakers would likely sue to block the law. They said price constraints could have unintended consequences.</p>
<p>“I don’t think this will work in the way people think it will, but this could be the shot across the bow,” Brozak said.</p>
<p>The bill would trigger reimbursements to insurers and others who pay for diabetes-related drugs when price increases outpace the national Consumer Price Index Medical Care Component, which rose between 2 percent and 5 percent each of the last 10 years.</p>
<p>“There is no question that lives are at stake and that, every day that people have to make the choice between their medicine and putting food on the table, we go further down the road to reaching a true public health crisis,” said bill sponsor Sen. Yvanna Cancela, former political director with the Culinary Union 226 lobbying for the bill’s passage.</p>
<p>The pharmaceutical industry argues that basing refunds on sticker prices would be ineffective because those rates constantly fluctuate and the market is much more complex than bill supporters say. Drugmakers also say prices reflect research costs and point a finger at insurance companies that have drastically increased co-pays and deductibles.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Nevada’s casino owners and unions representing casino workers have long opposed each other in wage proposals but formed their rare lobbying partnership after reviewing costs in their negotiated health care plans.</p>
<p>Insulin and other diabetes medications represent 21 percent of prescription costs for the casino unions’ 57,000 Nevada members, and increased 21 percent from 2015 to 2016, said Bobbette Bond, health policy director at Unite Here Health, which oversees Culinary Union 226 health plans.</p>
<p>About one in every 11 Nevada residents had diabetes in 2014, similar to the national average that year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.</p>
<p>Jacobo Perez-Jimenez, a Las Vegas cook who has diabetes, said a monthly bottle of insulin cost him $7 in 2011. Now he pays $75.</p>
<p>Perez-Jimenez, whose health insurance covers part of his medical costs, said insulin makers are “killing people with those prices.”</p>
<p>The Nevada effort comes less than a year after the pharmaceutical industry won a major victory against prescription drug price controls in California. Ohio voters will consider the same proposal in November.</p>
<p>Lawmakers in about half of U.S. states have made some attempt to curb prescription drug prices.</p>
<p>Vermont last year adopted a law asking drugmakers to justify certain price increases of 15 percent or more, and California legislators are now seeking notification of price hikes above 10 percent.</p>
<p>The Nevada bill would mark the first time drugmakers would be required to publicly detail business data about specific drugs including research costs and discounts they give insurers, pharmacy benefit managers and wholesalers.</p>
<p>Supporters claim disclosure will prompt manufacturers to lower prices, but market experts said there’s no guarantee the idea would work and the notion disappoints some consumers who want immediate action.</p>
<p>“Even if they cough up that information, what would it benefit me?” said Soila Solano, a diabetic resident of Las Vegas. “How would I know if they’re really, you know, giving you the right information?”</p>
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carson city nev aiming rein soaring prescription drug prices unlikely nevada coalition trying force pharmaceutical companies disclose set insulin prices issue refunds diabetics insurance companies annual price hikes surpass inflation las vegas casino owners banded together employees unions cooks servers resort workers support unprecedented legislation effort control medical insurance costs bill expected face first vote early may would attempt cap much employers insurers corporate middle men pay insulin injected manage blood sugar levels lawmakers also hope bill would cap diabetics pay pockets near current cost levels typically 50 600 per month depending diabetics insurance coverage advertisement remains far clear bill passed would survive legal challenges intended effect would make nevada first us state force detailed release drugmakers proprietary information effectively establish price control prescription drugs via refund plan bill expected pass houses nevadas democraticcontrolled legislature republican gov brian sandoval interview associated press rule signing move nevada illustrates public ire reaching critical mass price hikes insulin epinephrine antibiotics common prescription medicines said steve brozak president new jerseybased wbb securities investment banking firm focuses health care brozak industry experts warned assuming government intervention would result lower pharmacy bills said drugmakers would likely sue block law said price constraints could unintended consequences dont think work way people think could shot across bow brozak said bill would trigger reimbursements insurers others pay diabetesrelated drugs price increases outpace national consumer price index medical care component rose 2 percent 5 percent last 10 years question lives stake every day people make choice medicine putting food table go road reaching true public health crisis said bill sponsor sen yvanna cancela former political director culinary union 226 lobbying bills passage pharmaceutical industry argues basing refunds sticker prices would ineffective rates constantly fluctuate market much complex bill supporters say drugmakers also say prices reflect research costs point finger insurance companies drastically increased copays deductibles advertisement nevadas casino owners unions representing casino workers long opposed wage proposals formed rare lobbying partnership reviewing costs negotiated health care plans insulin diabetes medications represent 21 percent prescription costs casino unions 57000 nevada members increased 21 percent 2015 2016 said bobbette bond health policy director unite health oversees culinary union 226 health plans one every 11 nevada residents diabetes 2014 similar national average year according centers disease control prevention jacobo perezjimenez las vegas cook diabetes said monthly bottle insulin cost 7 2011 pays 75 perezjimenez whose health insurance covers part medical costs said insulin makers killing people prices nevada effort comes less year pharmaceutical industry major victory prescription drug price controls california ohio voters consider proposal november lawmakers half us states made attempt curb prescription drug prices vermont last year adopted law asking drugmakers justify certain price increases 15 percent california legislators seeking notification price hikes 10 percent nevada bill would mark first time drugmakers would required publicly detail business data specific drugs including research costs discounts give insurers pharmacy benefit managers wholesalers supporters claim disclosure prompt manufacturers lower prices market experts said theres guarantee idea would work notion disappoints consumers want immediate action even cough information would benefit said soila solano diabetic resident las vegas would know theyre really know giving right information
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<p>ST. LOUIS (AP) — Goalie Ryan Miller took the brunt of the blame for the St. Louis Blues' latest early playoff exit.</p>
<p>A franchise still looking for that breakthrough element is counting on more offense making the difference. Dynamic forward Paul Stastny is the key upgrade with the season coming up fast.</p>
<p>The Blues will still roll four lines but perhaps with less grinding and more pizazz.</p>
<p>"Obviously, his resume speaks for itself," general manager Doug Armstrong said of Stastny. "His playoff performance speaks for itself. Right in the prime of his career, we're getting him."</p>
<p>Coach Ken Hitchcock is excited about potential trickledown from the Stastny free agent signing from Colorado. Big bodies David Backes and Patrik Berglund can be used at center and on the wings, adding skill while clearing out space up the middle.</p>
<p>"We have so much size there right now," Hitchcock said. "We've got options. We've got real opportunities."</p>
<p>The 28-year-old Stastny was lured away from the Central Division rival Avalanche and back to his hometown with a four-year, $28 million deal. He has 18 points in 22 career playoff games. Stastny is from St. Louis and his father, Hall of Famer Peter Stastny, and brother, Yan Stastny, are both former Blues players.</p>
<p>The Blues have two other young playmakers. Vladimir Tarasenko was their top offensive threat as a rookie and they shelled out for speedy Jaden Schwartz, who ended a training camp holdout and agreed to a two-year contract.</p>
<p>"He was arguably one of our best players in the last half last year," Hitchcock said. "He's much stronger than he was last year and he was a strong enough player last year."</p>
<p>Hitchcock noted that Armstrong has done his job, also re-signing forward Alexander Steen and defenseman Jay Bouwmeester. Now it's up to everybody else to bridge the gap and challenge the top teams in the loaded Western Conference. The last two seasons, the Blues have been one and done, eliminated in four straight by the defending Stanley Cup champion after taking a 2-0 series lead. Last spring it was Chicago and before that it was Los Angeles.</p>
<p>"We need to get better and we need to find ways to get better," the coach said. "We need to find a different edge. We want to get to the next level."</p>
<p>Things to watch for from the Blues, who open at home Oct. 9 against the Eastern Conference champion New York Rangers:</p>
<p>ALL FOR ONE: During negotiations, Schwartz said teammates were understanding and welcoming. There were no complaints when he showed up late. "I kind of stayed in the loop with how camp was going, guys were checking in on me," Schwartz said. "It was a tough process, I wanted to be here more than anything. No one wants to miss part of camp, but both sides have a job to do." Schwartz said the parties discussed shorter and longer contract options, and added, "Hopefully I can sign for more years down the road with St. Louis."</p>
<p>GOALIE JOB SHARE: Veteran Brian Elliott and top prospect Jake Allen, 24, will split duties, at least at the outset. The Blues acquired Miller from Buffalo at the trade deadline at a heavy price — goalie Jaroslav Halak, forward Chris Stewart and a first-round pick in 2015 — and now Miller is with Vancouver.</p>
<p>HE'LL BE MISSED: Vladimir Sobotka, one of the team's best two-way forwards for several seasons and one of the best faceoff men in the league, called the Blues' bluff. When the sides couldn't agree on a new contract, Sobotka took a deal in the KHL.</p>
<p>ON THE RISE: First-round pick Robby Fabbri has had a strong camp. He's just 18 and coming on fast after putting up some huge numbers in juniors. "He won't go away," Hitchcock said. "We've got to reach a point where we say age is irrelevant here."</p>
<p>ST. LOUIS (AP) — Goalie Ryan Miller took the brunt of the blame for the St. Louis Blues' latest early playoff exit.</p>
<p>A franchise still looking for that breakthrough element is counting on more offense making the difference. Dynamic forward Paul Stastny is the key upgrade with the season coming up fast.</p>
<p>The Blues will still roll four lines but perhaps with less grinding and more pizazz.</p>
<p>"Obviously, his resume speaks for itself," general manager Doug Armstrong said of Stastny. "His playoff performance speaks for itself. Right in the prime of his career, we're getting him."</p>
<p>Coach Ken Hitchcock is excited about potential trickledown from the Stastny free agent signing from Colorado. Big bodies David Backes and Patrik Berglund can be used at center and on the wings, adding skill while clearing out space up the middle.</p>
<p>"We have so much size there right now," Hitchcock said. "We've got options. We've got real opportunities."</p>
<p>The 28-year-old Stastny was lured away from the Central Division rival Avalanche and back to his hometown with a four-year, $28 million deal. He has 18 points in 22 career playoff games. Stastny is from St. Louis and his father, Hall of Famer Peter Stastny, and brother, Yan Stastny, are both former Blues players.</p>
<p>The Blues have two other young playmakers. Vladimir Tarasenko was their top offensive threat as a rookie and they shelled out for speedy Jaden Schwartz, who ended a training camp holdout and agreed to a two-year contract.</p>
<p>"He was arguably one of our best players in the last half last year," Hitchcock said. "He's much stronger than he was last year and he was a strong enough player last year."</p>
<p>Hitchcock noted that Armstrong has done his job, also re-signing forward Alexander Steen and defenseman Jay Bouwmeester. Now it's up to everybody else to bridge the gap and challenge the top teams in the loaded Western Conference. The last two seasons, the Blues have been one and done, eliminated in four straight by the defending Stanley Cup champion after taking a 2-0 series lead. Last spring it was Chicago and before that it was Los Angeles.</p>
<p>"We need to get better and we need to find ways to get better," the coach said. "We need to find a different edge. We want to get to the next level."</p>
<p>Things to watch for from the Blues, who open at home Oct. 9 against the Eastern Conference champion New York Rangers:</p>
<p>ALL FOR ONE: During negotiations, Schwartz said teammates were understanding and welcoming. There were no complaints when he showed up late. "I kind of stayed in the loop with how camp was going, guys were checking in on me," Schwartz said. "It was a tough process, I wanted to be here more than anything. No one wants to miss part of camp, but both sides have a job to do." Schwartz said the parties discussed shorter and longer contract options, and added, "Hopefully I can sign for more years down the road with St. Louis."</p>
<p>GOALIE JOB SHARE: Veteran Brian Elliott and top prospect Jake Allen, 24, will split duties, at least at the outset. The Blues acquired Miller from Buffalo at the trade deadline at a heavy price — goalie Jaroslav Halak, forward Chris Stewart and a first-round pick in 2015 — and now Miller is with Vancouver.</p>
<p>HE'LL BE MISSED: Vladimir Sobotka, one of the team's best two-way forwards for several seasons and one of the best faceoff men in the league, called the Blues' bluff. When the sides couldn't agree on a new contract, Sobotka took a deal in the KHL.</p>
<p>ON THE RISE: First-round pick Robby Fabbri has had a strong camp. He's just 18 and coming on fast after putting up some huge numbers in juniors. "He won't go away," Hitchcock said. "We've got to reach a point where we say age is irrelevant here."</p>
| false | 2 |
st louis ap goalie ryan miller took brunt blame st louis blues latest early playoff exit franchise still looking breakthrough element counting offense making difference dynamic forward paul stastny key upgrade season coming fast blues still roll four lines perhaps less grinding pizazz obviously resume speaks general manager doug armstrong said stastny playoff performance speaks right prime career getting coach ken hitchcock excited potential trickledown stastny free agent signing colorado big bodies david backes patrik berglund used center wings adding skill clearing space middle much size right hitchcock said weve got options weve got real opportunities 28yearold stastny lured away central division rival avalanche back hometown fouryear 28 million deal 18 points 22 career playoff games stastny st louis father hall famer peter stastny brother yan stastny former blues players blues two young playmakers vladimir tarasenko top offensive threat rookie shelled speedy jaden schwartz ended training camp holdout agreed twoyear contract arguably one best players last half last year hitchcock said hes much stronger last year strong enough player last year hitchcock noted armstrong done job also resigning forward alexander steen defenseman jay bouwmeester everybody else bridge gap challenge top teams loaded western conference last two seasons blues one done eliminated four straight defending stanley cup champion taking 20 series lead last spring chicago los angeles need get better need find ways get better coach said need find different edge want get next level things watch blues open home oct 9 eastern conference champion new york rangers one negotiations schwartz said teammates understanding welcoming complaints showed late kind stayed loop camp going guys checking schwartz said tough process wanted anything one wants miss part camp sides job schwartz said parties discussed shorter longer contract options added hopefully sign years road st louis goalie job share veteran brian elliott top prospect jake allen 24 split duties least outset blues acquired miller buffalo trade deadline heavy price goalie jaroslav halak forward chris stewart firstround pick 2015 miller vancouver hell missed vladimir sobotka one teams best twoway forwards several seasons one best faceoff men league called blues bluff sides couldnt agree new contract sobotka took deal khl rise firstround pick robby fabbri strong camp hes 18 coming fast putting huge numbers juniors wont go away hitchcock said weve got reach point say age irrelevant st louis ap goalie ryan miller took brunt blame st louis blues latest early playoff exit franchise still looking breakthrough element counting offense making difference dynamic forward paul stastny key upgrade season coming fast blues still roll four lines perhaps less grinding pizazz obviously resume speaks general manager doug armstrong said stastny playoff performance speaks right prime career getting coach ken hitchcock excited potential trickledown stastny free agent signing colorado big bodies david backes patrik berglund used center wings adding skill clearing space middle much size right hitchcock said weve got options weve got real opportunities 28yearold stastny lured away central division rival avalanche back hometown fouryear 28 million deal 18 points 22 career playoff games stastny st louis father hall famer peter stastny brother yan stastny former blues players blues two young playmakers vladimir tarasenko top offensive threat rookie shelled speedy jaden schwartz ended training camp holdout agreed twoyear contract arguably one best players last half last year hitchcock said hes much stronger last year strong enough player last year hitchcock noted armstrong done job also resigning forward alexander steen defenseman jay bouwmeester everybody else bridge gap challenge top teams loaded western conference last two seasons blues one done eliminated four straight defending stanley cup champion taking 20 series lead last spring chicago los angeles need get better need find ways get better coach said need find different edge want get next level things watch blues open home oct 9 eastern conference champion new york rangers one negotiations schwartz said teammates understanding welcoming complaints showed late kind stayed loop camp going guys checking schwartz said tough process wanted anything one wants miss part camp sides job schwartz said parties discussed shorter longer contract options added hopefully sign years road st louis goalie job share veteran brian elliott top prospect jake allen 24 split duties least outset blues acquired miller buffalo trade deadline heavy price goalie jaroslav halak forward chris stewart firstround pick 2015 miller vancouver hell missed vladimir sobotka one teams best twoway forwards several seasons one best faceoff men league called blues bluff sides couldnt agree new contract sobotka took deal khl rise firstround pick robby fabbri strong camp hes 18 coming fast putting huge numbers juniors wont go away hitchcock said weve got reach point say age irrelevant
| 762 |
<p>DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — Jeff Buczkiewicz stood before the chair Abraham Lincoln was sitting in when he was assassinated 150 years ago. He peered silently into the glass-enclosed case at the rocking chair, then snapped pictures for posterity.</p>
<p>“You just get drawn into these things,” said Buczkiewicz, 47, who came from suburban Chicago with his family to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. “It is a tragic part of our history and our country. I think it’s important to take it all in.”</p>
<p>Taking in objects from the final hours of two important American lives is a major draw to the museum. In addition to the worn, red chair Lincoln was sitting in when he was shot in Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., in 1865, the Henry Ford also owns the limousine President John F. Kennedy was riding in when he was fatally shot in Dallas nearly a century later. Museum officials say the chair and car are among the most visited artifacts in the museum, along with the bus Rosa Parks rode in when she refused to give up her seat to a white rider and helped spark the civil rights movement.</p>
<p>Next week, visitors will get an even closer look at the Lincoln chair: It will be removed from its enclosure and displayed in an open plaza area as part of the museum’s observance of the assassination’s sesquicentennial on April 15 — a day of free admission. Two days earlier, it will be onstage when renowned historian and Lincoln expert Doris Kearns Goodwin delivers a sold-out lecture at The Henry Ford.</p>
<p>Goodwin, author of “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln,” told The Associated Press that the chair will offer an extra “dimension” to her words and the experience of those in the room.</p>
<p>“There’s an intimacy to it that catapults you back in time,” she said. “And hopefully, along with that, you’re not just thinking of the death but the life that made it worthwhile.”</p>
<p>Lincoln’s chair has been part of the museum started by pioneering automaker Henry Ford — no relation to the theater-owning Ford family — since its founding 85 years ago. The government removed it from the theater and held it as evidence, and it ended up at the Smithsonian Institution. The wife of a theater co-owner petitioned to reclaim it, then sold it at auction to an agent working for Henry Ford.</p>
<p>Henry Ford also bought the Logan County Courthouse where Lincoln practiced law in Illinois in the 1840s and moved it to the outdoor area next to his museum known as Greenfield Village. For decades, the theater chair was housed in that courthouse.</p>
<p>Around 1980, the chair was placed inside the museum, where it’s now part of the “With Liberty and Justice for All” exhibit.</p>
<p>“Lincoln was one of Henry Ford’s heroes — when he decided he wanted to have this village, he wanted to collect Lincoln stuff as an educational tool,” said curator Donna Braden. “The courthouse is pretty much the first thing Henry Ford acquired related to Lincoln and the chair came soon after.”</p>
<p>Many visitors wonder whether dark spots on the back of the chair are Lincoln’s blood. Not so, say museum workers: The stains are oil from other people’s heads who sat in the chair before that fateful night when Lincoln was shot by a pro-Confederacy actor, John Wilkes Booth.</p>
<p>Steve Harris, a historic presenter at the museum, tells passers-by that Lincoln’s head would have been positioned much higher than the stain because he was 6 feet 4 inches tall (1.93 meters).</p>
<p>Milestone anniversaries seem to add to the impact of objects like the chair and limo. About 8,000 people visited the limo on Nov. 22, 2013, a free-admission day marking the 50th anniversary of JFK’s assassination, so the chair is likely to draw plenty of visitors on the Lincoln anniversary.</p>
<p>“It really is about the power of the artifact,” said Patricia Mooradian, president of The Henry Ford, as the entire history attraction is known. “It’s less about the artifact itself than the symbolic nature of the artifact that represents a great paradigm change in the history of our country.”</p>
<p>Buskiewicz has also visited Dealey Plaza in Dallas where Kennedy was assassinated. “You just have to try to take it in when you’re in those areas,” he said, but he wonders “why we gravitate” toward places and things associated with these types of events.</p>
<p>Goodwin, whose book helped inspire Steven Spielberg’s movie, “Lincoln,” says that standing before iconic yet everyday objects provides a deep experience that transcends the moment that made them famous.</p>
<p>“In some ways, it’s more familiar when it’s a chair, a bus or a limo,” she said. “There’s something about the tangibility of these things.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>If You Go...</p>
<p>HENRY FORD MUSEUM: 20900 Oakwood Boulevard, Dearborn, Michigan; <a href="http://www.thehenryford.org/" type="external">http://www.thehenryford.org/</a> or 800-835-5237. Daily 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Adults, $20; children 5-12, $15.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow Jeff Karoub on Twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/jeffkaroub" type="external">http://twitter.com/jeffkaroub</a></p>
<p>DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — Jeff Buczkiewicz stood before the chair Abraham Lincoln was sitting in when he was assassinated 150 years ago. He peered silently into the glass-enclosed case at the rocking chair, then snapped pictures for posterity.</p>
<p>“You just get drawn into these things,” said Buczkiewicz, 47, who came from suburban Chicago with his family to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. “It is a tragic part of our history and our country. I think it’s important to take it all in.”</p>
<p>Taking in objects from the final hours of two important American lives is a major draw to the museum. In addition to the worn, red chair Lincoln was sitting in when he was shot in Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., in 1865, the Henry Ford also owns the limousine President John F. Kennedy was riding in when he was fatally shot in Dallas nearly a century later. Museum officials say the chair and car are among the most visited artifacts in the museum, along with the bus Rosa Parks rode in when she refused to give up her seat to a white rider and helped spark the civil rights movement.</p>
<p>Next week, visitors will get an even closer look at the Lincoln chair: It will be removed from its enclosure and displayed in an open plaza area as part of the museum’s observance of the assassination’s sesquicentennial on April 15 — a day of free admission. Two days earlier, it will be onstage when renowned historian and Lincoln expert Doris Kearns Goodwin delivers a sold-out lecture at The Henry Ford.</p>
<p>Goodwin, author of “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln,” told The Associated Press that the chair will offer an extra “dimension” to her words and the experience of those in the room.</p>
<p>“There’s an intimacy to it that catapults you back in time,” she said. “And hopefully, along with that, you’re not just thinking of the death but the life that made it worthwhile.”</p>
<p>Lincoln’s chair has been part of the museum started by pioneering automaker Henry Ford — no relation to the theater-owning Ford family — since its founding 85 years ago. The government removed it from the theater and held it as evidence, and it ended up at the Smithsonian Institution. The wife of a theater co-owner petitioned to reclaim it, then sold it at auction to an agent working for Henry Ford.</p>
<p>Henry Ford also bought the Logan County Courthouse where Lincoln practiced law in Illinois in the 1840s and moved it to the outdoor area next to his museum known as Greenfield Village. For decades, the theater chair was housed in that courthouse.</p>
<p>Around 1980, the chair was placed inside the museum, where it’s now part of the “With Liberty and Justice for All” exhibit.</p>
<p>“Lincoln was one of Henry Ford’s heroes — when he decided he wanted to have this village, he wanted to collect Lincoln stuff as an educational tool,” said curator Donna Braden. “The courthouse is pretty much the first thing Henry Ford acquired related to Lincoln and the chair came soon after.”</p>
<p>Many visitors wonder whether dark spots on the back of the chair are Lincoln’s blood. Not so, say museum workers: The stains are oil from other people’s heads who sat in the chair before that fateful night when Lincoln was shot by a pro-Confederacy actor, John Wilkes Booth.</p>
<p>Steve Harris, a historic presenter at the museum, tells passers-by that Lincoln’s head would have been positioned much higher than the stain because he was 6 feet 4 inches tall (1.93 meters).</p>
<p>Milestone anniversaries seem to add to the impact of objects like the chair and limo. About 8,000 people visited the limo on Nov. 22, 2013, a free-admission day marking the 50th anniversary of JFK’s assassination, so the chair is likely to draw plenty of visitors on the Lincoln anniversary.</p>
<p>“It really is about the power of the artifact,” said Patricia Mooradian, president of The Henry Ford, as the entire history attraction is known. “It’s less about the artifact itself than the symbolic nature of the artifact that represents a great paradigm change in the history of our country.”</p>
<p>Buskiewicz has also visited Dealey Plaza in Dallas where Kennedy was assassinated. “You just have to try to take it in when you’re in those areas,” he said, but he wonders “why we gravitate” toward places and things associated with these types of events.</p>
<p>Goodwin, whose book helped inspire Steven Spielberg’s movie, “Lincoln,” says that standing before iconic yet everyday objects provides a deep experience that transcends the moment that made them famous.</p>
<p>“In some ways, it’s more familiar when it’s a chair, a bus or a limo,” she said. “There’s something about the tangibility of these things.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>If You Go...</p>
<p>HENRY FORD MUSEUM: 20900 Oakwood Boulevard, Dearborn, Michigan; <a href="http://www.thehenryford.org/" type="external">http://www.thehenryford.org/</a> or 800-835-5237. Daily 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Adults, $20; children 5-12, $15.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow Jeff Karoub on Twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/jeffkaroub" type="external">http://twitter.com/jeffkaroub</a></p>
| false | 2 |
dearborn mich ap jeff buczkiewicz stood chair abraham lincoln sitting assassinated 150 years ago peered silently glassenclosed case rocking chair snapped pictures posterity get drawn things said buczkiewicz 47 came suburban chicago family henry ford museum dearborn michigan tragic part history country think important take taking objects final hours two important american lives major draw museum addition worn red chair lincoln sitting shot fords theatre washington dc 1865 henry ford also owns limousine president john f kennedy riding fatally shot dallas nearly century later museum officials say chair car among visited artifacts museum along bus rosa parks rode refused give seat white rider helped spark civil rights movement next week visitors get even closer look lincoln chair removed enclosure displayed open plaza area part museums observance assassinations sesquicentennial april 15 day free admission two days earlier onstage renowned historian lincoln expert doris kearns goodwin delivers soldout lecture henry ford goodwin author team rivals political genius abraham lincoln told associated press chair offer extra dimension words experience room theres intimacy catapults back time said hopefully along youre thinking death life made worthwhile lincolns chair part museum started pioneering automaker henry ford relation theaterowning ford family since founding 85 years ago government removed theater held evidence ended smithsonian institution wife theater coowner petitioned reclaim sold auction agent working henry ford henry ford also bought logan county courthouse lincoln practiced law illinois 1840s moved outdoor area next museum known greenfield village decades theater chair housed courthouse around 1980 chair placed inside museum part liberty justice exhibit lincoln one henry fords heroes decided wanted village wanted collect lincoln stuff educational tool said curator donna braden courthouse pretty much first thing henry ford acquired related lincoln chair came soon many visitors wonder whether dark spots back chair lincolns blood say museum workers stains oil peoples heads sat chair fateful night lincoln shot proconfederacy actor john wilkes booth steve harris historic presenter museum tells passersby lincolns head would positioned much higher stain 6 feet 4 inches tall 193 meters milestone anniversaries seem add impact objects like chair limo 8000 people visited limo nov 22 2013 freeadmission day marking 50th anniversary jfks assassination chair likely draw plenty visitors lincoln anniversary really power artifact said patricia mooradian president henry ford entire history attraction known less artifact symbolic nature artifact represents great paradigm change history country buskiewicz also visited dealey plaza dallas kennedy assassinated try take youre areas said wonders gravitate toward places things associated types events goodwin whose book helped inspire steven spielbergs movie lincoln says standing iconic yet everyday objects provides deep experience transcends moment made famous ways familiar chair bus limo said theres something tangibility things ___ go henry ford museum 20900 oakwood boulevard dearborn michigan httpwwwthehenryfordorg 8008355237 daily 930 am5 pm adults 20 children 512 15 ___ follow jeff karoub twitter httptwittercomjeffkaroub dearborn mich ap jeff buczkiewicz stood chair abraham lincoln sitting assassinated 150 years ago peered silently glassenclosed case rocking chair snapped pictures posterity get drawn things said buczkiewicz 47 came suburban chicago family henry ford museum dearborn michigan tragic part history country think important take taking objects final hours two important american lives major draw museum addition worn red chair lincoln sitting shot fords theatre washington dc 1865 henry ford also owns limousine president john f kennedy riding fatally shot dallas nearly century later museum officials say chair car among visited artifacts museum along bus rosa parks rode refused give seat white rider helped spark civil rights movement next week visitors get even closer look lincoln chair removed enclosure displayed open plaza area part museums observance assassinations sesquicentennial april 15 day free admission two days earlier onstage renowned historian lincoln expert doris kearns goodwin delivers soldout lecture henry ford goodwin author team rivals political genius abraham lincoln told associated press chair offer extra dimension words experience room theres intimacy catapults back time said hopefully along youre thinking death life made worthwhile lincolns chair part museum started pioneering automaker henry ford relation theaterowning ford family since founding 85 years ago government removed theater held evidence ended smithsonian institution wife theater coowner petitioned reclaim sold auction agent working henry ford henry ford also bought logan county courthouse lincoln practiced law illinois 1840s moved outdoor area next museum known greenfield village decades theater chair housed courthouse around 1980 chair placed inside museum part liberty justice exhibit lincoln one henry fords heroes decided wanted village wanted collect lincoln stuff educational tool said curator donna braden courthouse pretty much first thing henry ford acquired related lincoln chair came soon many visitors wonder whether dark spots back chair lincolns blood say museum workers stains oil peoples heads sat chair fateful night lincoln shot proconfederacy actor john wilkes booth steve harris historic presenter museum tells passersby lincolns head would positioned much higher stain 6 feet 4 inches tall 193 meters milestone anniversaries seem add impact objects like chair limo 8000 people visited limo nov 22 2013 freeadmission day marking 50th anniversary jfks assassination chair likely draw plenty visitors lincoln anniversary really power artifact said patricia mooradian president henry ford entire history attraction known less artifact symbolic nature artifact represents great paradigm change history country buskiewicz also visited dealey plaza dallas kennedy assassinated try take youre areas said wonders gravitate toward places things associated types events goodwin whose book helped inspire steven spielbergs movie lincoln says standing iconic yet everyday objects provides deep experience transcends moment made famous ways familiar chair bus limo said theres something tangibility things ___ go henry ford museum 20900 oakwood boulevard dearborn michigan httpwwwthehenryfordorg 8008355237 daily 930 am5 pm adults 20 children 512 15 ___ follow jeff karoub twitter httptwittercomjeffkaroub
| 934 |
<p>SAO TOME, Jan 23 (Reuters) - A consortium composed of BP and Kosmos Energy has won exploration rights to two offshore oil blocks in Sao Tome and Principe’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the national oil agency said late on Monday.</p>
<p>The two companies won blocks 10 and 13 in a restricted tender, the agency’s director Orlando Pontes said in a statement. They beat a second consortium of Portugal’s Galp Energia and Total, he said. (Reporting by Ricardo Neto; Writing by Joe Bavier; Editing by Louise Heavens)</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>DUBLIN (Reuters) - Ireland will take action against Russian in response to a nerve agent attack in neighboring England that the British government has blamed on Moscow, Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said on Monday.</p>
<p>“I’ve had a briefing this evening and I’ve made a decision in terms of what we’re going to do but I want to brief my colleagues on that tomorrow,” Coveney told national broadcaster RTE on Monday.</p>
<p>“Clearly you can expect that Ireland will take action tomorrow that’s appropriate and will show solidarity with our closest neighbor in terms of what’s happened.”</p>
<p>Governments across Europe, the United States and others announced plans on Monday to expel more than 100 Russian diplomats in retaliation for the attack on a former Russian spy and his daughter on March 4. Moscow has denied being behind it.</p>
<p>Russia’s Ambassador to Ireland, Yury Filatov, urged the Irish government to “use common sense” and in an interview with RTE said he did not see any evidence that would point to the need to ruin very positive relations between Moscow and Dublin.</p>
<p>Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Toni Reinhold</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>WASHINGTON/BEIJING (Reuters) - Top Trump administration officials are asking China to cut tariffs on imported cars, allow foreign majority ownership of financial services firms and buy more U.S.-made semiconductors in negotiations to avoid plans to slap tariffs on a host of Chinese goods and a potential trade war.</p> FILE PHOTO - U.S. President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping shake hands after making joint statements at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, November 9, 2017. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj/File Photo
<p>A person familiar with the discussions said these were among the asks from Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer as they pursue talks with Beijing.</p>
<p>The Wall Street Journal first reported the demands from U.S. officials, saying they came in a letter sent to Beijing last week.</p>
<p>White House trade adviser Peter Navarro confirmed that President Donald Trump asked Mnuchin and Lighthizer to try to resolve trade differences with China.</p>
<p>“We’re hopeful there that China will work with us to basically address some of these practices,” Navarro told CNBC television.</p>
<p>U.S. stocks surged on Monday on the news that the two sides were talking, after a massive rout last week when Trump announced plans to impose tariffs on up to $60 billion of Chinese imports over alleged misappropriation of U.S. intellectual property.</p>
<p>The Dow Jones Industrial Average <a href="/finance/markets/index?symbol=.DJI" type="external">.DJI</a> posted its third biggest point gain ever, rising 669.4 points, or 2.8 percent, to close at 24,202.6 while the broader S&amp;P 500 <a href="/finance/markets/index?symbol=.SPX" type="external">.SPX</a> rose 2.7 percent after a nearly 6 percent drop last week.</p>
<p>Chinese Premier Li Keqiang earlier on Monday said that China and the United States should maintain negotiations and repeated pledges to ease access for American businesses to China’s markets.</p>
<p>Li told a conference that included global chief executives that China would treat foreign and domestic firms equally, would not force foreign firms to transfer technology and would strengthen intellectual property rights, repeating promises that have failed to placate Washington.</p>
<p>Despite a steady stream of fierce rhetoric from Chinese state media lambasting the United States for being a “bully” and warning of retaliation, Chinese and U.S. officials are busy negotiating behind the scenes.</p> TARIFFS TO PROCEED WITHOUT AGREEMENT
<p>In an interview aired on Sunday, Mnuchin told Fox News that he was pursuing an agreement with the Chinese “for them to open up their markets, reduce their tariffs, stop forced technology transfer. These are all the things we want to do.”</p>
<p>“We are proceeding with these tariffs, we’re not putting them on hold unless we have an acceptable agreement that the president signs off on,” Mnuchin added.</p> Slideshow (2 Images)
<p>China has offered to buy more U.S. semiconductors by diverting some purchases from South Korea and Taiwan, the Financial Times reported, citing people briefed on the negotiations. China imported $2.6 billion of semiconductors from the United States last year.</p>
<p>Chinese officials are also working to finalize rules by May - instead of the end of June - to allow foreign financial groups to take majority stakes in Chinese securities firms, the Financial Times said.</p>
<p>“I anticipate that for political reasons it would be logical for China to respond, because countries do,” Blackstone Group ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=BX.N" type="external">BX.N</a>) Chief Executive Stephen Schwarzman told Reuters on Monday on the sidelines of the Beijing conference where Li spoke.</p>
<p>“That’s why I view this more as a skirmish, and I think the interests of both countries are served by resolving some of these matters.”</p>
<p>China called on World Trade Organization members on Monday to unite to oppose Trump’s proposed tariffs targeting alleged intellectual property theft, saying they should “lock this beast back into the cage of WTO rules.”</p>
<a href="/finance/markets/index?symbol=.DJI" type="external">Dow Jones &amp; Company Inc</a> 24202.6 .DJI Dow Jones Indexes +669.40 (+2.84%) .DJI .SPX BX.N AAPL.O MSFT.O
<p>On Friday, China responded to the U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum by declaring plans to levy additional duties on up to $3 billion of U.S. imports, including fruit, nuts and wine.</p>
<p>China could also inflict pain on U.S. multinationals that rely on China for a substantial - and growing - portion of their total revenues, said Alex Wolf, senior emerging markets economist at Aberdeen Standard Investments.</p>
<p>“This could put U.S. companies such as Apple ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=AAPL.O" type="external">AAPL.O</a>), Microsoft ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=MSFT.O" type="external">MSFT.O</a>), Starbucks ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=SBUX.O" type="external">SBUX.O</a>), GM ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=GM.N" type="external">GM.N</a>), Nike ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=NKE.N" type="external">NKE.N</a>), etc in the firing line,” Wolf said in a note.</p>
<p>China can increase the regulatory burden on U.S companies through new inspections and rules; ban travel; stop providing export licenses of key intermediate goods; raise the tax burden on U.S. multinationals in China; or block U.S. companies from the government procurement market, he said.</p> CAR TARIFF DIFFERENTIAL
<p>The Trump administration has demanded that China immediately cut its $375 billion trade surplus with the United States by $100 billion.</p>
<p>China has a 25 percent tariff on U.S. cars and has talked recently of lowering it, while Trump has often complained that the U.S. import tariff on passenger vehicles is only 2.5 percent. China’s imports of U.S.-built motor vehicles totaled $10.6 billion in 2017, about 8 percent of the country’s overall U.S. imports by value, according to U.S. government data.</p>
<p>On the reported offer to increase U.S. semiconductor imports, it is unclear how U.S. chips would replace South Korean and Taiwanese chips, since there is minimal overlap between U.S. chips and those of the two Asian producers.</p>
<p>China is heavily dependent on foreign semiconductors, one of its biggest import categories by value. That said, the United States accounted for just 1 percent of China’s total semiconductor imports last year by value, according to Reuters calculations based on Chinese customs data.</p>
<p>Additional reporting by Matthew Miller, Ben Blanchard, Elias Glenn and Stella Qiu in Beijing and Eric Beech in Washington; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and Leslie Adler</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>BEIJING (Reuters) - North Korea leader Kim Jong Un has visited China, Bloomberg reported on Monday citing three unnamed sources, in what would be his first known overseas trip since taking power in 2011 and ahead of a potential summit with U.S. President Donald Trump.</p>
<p>Details of his visit including its purpose and itinerary were not yet known, Bloomberg said. Japanese media reported earlier on Monday that a high-ranking Pyongyang official appeared to have arrived by train in Beijing.</p>
<p>Kyodo, citing sources close to the matter, said the visit of the official was intended to improve ties between Beijing and Pyongyang that have been frayed by North Korea’s pursuit of nuclear weapons and China’s backing of tough sanctions against North Korea at the United Nations Security Council.</p>
<p>The visit could not immediately be confirmed by Reuters.</p>
<p>Footage from Nippon News Network, owned by Nippon TV, showed what an announcer described as a green train carriage with yellow horizontal lines, part of a 21-car train, similar to the kind that Kim’s late father, Kim Jong Il, rode when he visited Beijing in 2011.</p>
<p>Beijing has traditionally been the closest ally of secretive and isolated North Korea. But Kim is due to hold summit meetings separately with China’s rivals, South Korea and the United States.</p>
<p>“Such a visit would reflect China’s effort to get back in the game,” said Scott Snyder, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations think tank. “Xi would not tolerate being third in line to meet Kim.”</p>
<p>Asked earlier at a daily news briefing about reports of an important North Korean visitor arriving at the Chinese border city of Dandong, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said she was unaware of the situation.</p>
<p>Nobody answered the telephone at the North Korean embassy in Beijing on Monday evening.</p>
<p>“The government is closely communicating with relevant countries and monitoring the situation,” South Korea’s presidential Blue House said in a statement via a messaging app earlier on Monday.</p>
<p>Asked about the report that Kim was in China, White House spokesman Raj Shah told reporters on Monday: “We can’t confirm those reports. We don’t know if they’re necessarily true.”</p>
<p>Kyodo, citing sources, reported that on Sunday, a special train that might have carried the official passed through Dandong. Two sources in northeastern China also told Reuters that a North Korean visitor had crossed into Dandong by train.</p> Policemen take position along Beijing's main east-west thoroughfare, Changan Avenue, near the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China March 26, 2018. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj
<p>The rail journey between Dandong and Beijing covers more than 1,100 km (680 miles). It takes at least 14 hours by ordinary service, according to Chinese railway timetables.</p> HEAVY SECURITY
<p>On Chinese social media some residents of Dandong said there had been high security around the train station there and said there were rumors that Kim was passing through.</p>
<p>Police tightened security along Beijing’s main east-west thoroughfare, Changan Avenue, mid-afternoon Monday, closing off the entrances to some of the buildings which face the road.</p> Policemen take position along Beijing's main east-west thoroughfare, Changan Avenue, near the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China March 26, 2018. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj
<p>Police also cleared out all tourists from Tiananmen Square around the same time, which normally only happens when important meetings are happening in the Great Hall of the People, where top Chinese leaders often meet visiting heads of state.</p>
<p>There was a large security presence outside the Great Hall on Monday evening. Reuters reporters saw a lengthy motorcade, including a limousine with dark tinted windows, heading down Changan Avenue in the direction of the Diaoyutai State Guest House and away from the Great Hall of the People, flanked by a police escort on motor-bikes.</p>
<p>Also on Monday evening, the Beijing railway bureau warned on its microblog, without giving a reason, of multiple train delays of up to two hours in the Beijing region.</p>
<p>A source with ties to the Chinese military told Reuters that it was “not possible to rule out the possibility” that Kim was visiting Beijing, but cautioned this was not confirmed.</p>
<p>A diplomatic source told Reuters that there was heavy security around the Diaoyutai State Guest House, where some high level foreign visitors stay during visits to the city. Other diplomatic sources said they were aware of the speculation that Kim was visiting but were not able to immediately confirm it.</p>
<p>Visits to China by Kim Jong Il were only confirmed by both China and North Korea once he had left the country.</p>
<p>Kim Jong Il traveled by private train during his rare visits to China or Russia under tight security. Diplomats and other sources have said Kim Jong Il avoided flying for overseas trips due to security concerns.</p>
<p>The younger Kim, who was educated in Switzerland, is not known to have any fear of flying and state media have shown pictures of him aboard a plane. However, he is not known to have traveled outside the country since assuming power in late 2011 after his father’s death.</p>
<p>Reporting by Ben Blanchard, Sue-Lin Wong, Philip Wen and Se Young Lee; Additional reporting by Christine Kim in Seoul, Malcolm Foster in Tokyo, Roberta Rampton, David Brunnstrom and Matt Spetalnick in Washington; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Tom Brown</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
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sao tome jan 23 reuters consortium composed bp kosmos energy exploration rights two offshore oil blocks sao tome principes exclusive economic zone eez national oil agency said late monday two companies blocks 10 13 restricted tender agencys director orlando pontes said statement beat second consortium portugals galp energia total said reporting ricardo neto writing joe bavier editing louise heavens 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 dublin reuters ireland take action russian response nerve agent attack neighboring england british government blamed moscow foreign minister simon coveney said monday ive briefing evening ive made decision terms going want brief colleagues tomorrow coveney told national broadcaster rte monday clearly expect ireland take action tomorrow thats appropriate show solidarity closest neighbor terms whats happened governments across europe united states others announced plans monday expel 100 russian diplomats retaliation attack former russian spy daughter march 4 moscow denied behind russias ambassador ireland yury filatov urged irish government use common sense interview rte said see evidence would point need ruin positive relations moscow dublin reporting padraic halpin editing toni reinhold standards thomson reuters trust principles washingtonbeijing reuters top trump administration officials asking china cut tariffs imported cars allow foreign majority ownership financial services firms buy usmade semiconductors negotiations avoid plans slap tariffs host chinese goods potential trade war file photo us president donald trump chinas president xi jinping shake hands making joint statements great hall people beijing china november 9 2017 reutersdamir sagoljfile photo person familiar discussions said among asks treasury secretary steven mnuchin us trade representative robert lighthizer pursue talks beijing wall street journal first reported demands us officials saying came letter sent beijing last week white house trade adviser peter navarro confirmed president donald trump asked mnuchin lighthizer try resolve trade differences china hopeful china work us basically address practices navarro told cnbc television us stocks surged monday news two sides talking massive rout last week trump announced plans impose tariffs 60 billion chinese imports alleged misappropriation us intellectual property dow jones industrial average dji posted third biggest point gain ever rising 6694 points 28 percent close 242026 broader sampp 500 spx rose 27 percent nearly 6 percent drop last week chinese premier li keqiang earlier monday said china united states maintain negotiations repeated pledges ease access american businesses chinas markets li told conference included global chief executives china would treat foreign domestic firms equally would force foreign firms transfer technology would strengthen intellectual property rights repeating promises failed placate washington despite steady stream fierce rhetoric chinese state media lambasting united states bully warning retaliation chinese us officials busy negotiating behind scenes tariffs proceed without agreement interview aired sunday mnuchin told fox news pursuing agreement chinese open markets reduce tariffs stop forced technology transfer things want proceeding tariffs putting hold unless acceptable agreement president signs mnuchin added slideshow 2 images china offered buy us semiconductors diverting purchases south korea taiwan financial times reported citing people briefed negotiations china imported 26 billion semiconductors united states last year chinese officials also working finalize rules may instead end june allow foreign financial groups take majority stakes chinese securities firms financial times said anticipate political reasons would logical china respond countries blackstone group bxn chief executive stephen schwarzman told reuters monday sidelines beijing conference li spoke thats view skirmish think interests countries served resolving matters china called world trade organization members monday unite oppose trumps proposed tariffs targeting alleged intellectual property theft saying lock beast back cage wto rules dow jones amp company inc 242026 dji dow jones indexes 66940 284 dji spx bxn aaplo msfto friday china responded us tariffs steel aluminum declaring plans levy additional duties 3 billion us imports including fruit nuts wine china could also inflict pain us multinationals rely china substantial growing portion total revenues said alex wolf senior emerging markets economist aberdeen standard investments could put us companies apple aaplo microsoft msfto starbucks sbuxo gm gmn nike nken etc firing line wolf said note china increase regulatory burden us companies new inspections rules ban travel stop providing export licenses key intermediate goods raise tax burden us multinationals china block us companies government procurement market said car tariff differential trump administration demanded china immediately cut 375 billion trade surplus united states 100 billion china 25 percent tariff us cars talked recently lowering trump often complained us import tariff passenger vehicles 25 percent chinas imports usbuilt motor vehicles totaled 106 billion 2017 8 percent countrys overall us imports value according us government data reported offer increase us semiconductor imports unclear us chips would replace south korean taiwanese chips since minimal overlap us chips two asian producers china heavily dependent foreign semiconductors one biggest import categories value said united states accounted 1 percent chinas total semiconductor imports last year value according reuters calculations based chinese customs data additional reporting matthew miller ben blanchard elias glenn stella qiu beijing eric beech washington editing cynthia osterman leslie adler standards thomson reuters trust principles beijing reuters north korea leader kim jong un visited china bloomberg reported monday citing three unnamed sources would first known overseas trip since taking power 2011 ahead potential summit us president donald trump details visit including purpose itinerary yet known bloomberg said japanese media reported earlier monday highranking pyongyang official appeared arrived train beijing kyodo citing sources close matter said visit official intended improve ties beijing pyongyang frayed north koreas pursuit nuclear weapons chinas backing tough sanctions north korea united nations security council visit could immediately confirmed reuters footage nippon news network owned nippon tv showed announcer described green train carriage yellow horizontal lines part 21car train similar kind kims late father kim jong il rode visited beijing 2011 beijing traditionally closest ally secretive isolated north korea kim due hold summit meetings separately chinas rivals south korea united states visit would reflect chinas effort get back game said scott snyder senior fellow council foreign relations think tank xi would tolerate third line meet kim asked earlier daily news briefing reports important north korean visitor arriving chinese border city dandong chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman hua chunying said unaware situation nobody answered telephone north korean embassy beijing monday evening government closely communicating relevant countries monitoring situation south koreas presidential blue house said statement via messaging app earlier monday asked report kim china white house spokesman raj shah told reporters monday cant confirm reports dont know theyre necessarily true kyodo citing sources reported sunday special train might carried official passed dandong two sources northeastern china also told reuters north korean visitor crossed dandong train policemen take position along beijings main eastwest thoroughfare changan avenue near great hall people beijing china march 26 2018 reutersdamir sagolj rail journey dandong beijing covers 1100 km 680 miles takes least 14 hours ordinary service according chinese railway timetables heavy security chinese social media residents dandong said high security around train station said rumors kim passing police tightened security along beijings main eastwest thoroughfare changan avenue midafternoon monday closing entrances buildings face road policemen take position along beijings main eastwest thoroughfare changan avenue near great hall people beijing china march 26 2018 reutersdamir sagolj police also cleared tourists tiananmen square around time normally happens important meetings happening great hall people top chinese leaders often meet visiting heads state large security presence outside great hall monday evening reuters reporters saw lengthy motorcade including limousine dark tinted windows heading changan avenue direction diaoyutai state guest house away great hall people flanked police escort motorbikes also monday evening beijing railway bureau warned microblog without giving reason multiple train delays two hours beijing region source ties chinese military told reuters possible rule possibility kim visiting beijing cautioned confirmed diplomatic source told reuters heavy security around diaoyutai state guest house high level foreign visitors stay visits city diplomatic sources said aware speculation kim visiting able immediately confirm visits china kim jong il confirmed china north korea left country kim jong il traveled private train rare visits china russia tight security diplomats sources said kim jong il avoided flying overseas trips due security concerns younger kim educated switzerland known fear flying state media shown pictures aboard plane however known traveled outside country since assuming power late 2011 fathers death reporting ben blanchard suelin wong philip wen se young lee additional reporting christine kim seoul malcolm foster tokyo roberta rampton david brunnstrom matt spetalnick washington editing andrew heavens tom brown standards thomson reuters trust principles
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