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Harpers of Wetwang has 'Best Chippy Chips' KKK Wednesday was advertised at Krispy Kreme in Hull. Copy link to paste in your message UPDATED: Doughnuts chain Krispy Kreme has apologised after causing a stir on social media by branding its new kids' club "KKK". A billboard at the Hull branch, in St Stephen's Shopping Centre, dubbed its half-term Krispy Kreme Klub "KKK Wednesday". The acronym will remind most people of American right-wing hate group, the Ku Klux Klan. The robed and hooded group was known for violence against African Americans in the 19th and 20th centuries and still exists today. Krispy Kreme's Hull branch created KKK Wednesday as part of a calendar of activities designed to keep kids occupied during half term. But after posting the event on Facebook, readers were quick to point out the anomaly. A spokeswoman for the Hull branch said the advertisement had been taken down. She said: "We have now taken down the sign from our point of sale. “We don’t have a new name for the event yet but it is still going ahead this week.” The club will allow youngsters a chance to decorate their own doughnuts and will take place tomorrow from noon until 5pm. Other activities include Face Painting Thursday, Balloon Madness on Friday and Board Games Galore on Saturday. Krispy Kreme issued a formal apology this evening. Its statement read: "Krispy Kreme apologises unreservedly for the inappropriate name of a customer promotion at one of our stores. "This promotion was never intended to cause offence. All material has been withdrawn and an internal investigation is currently under way." ||||| LONDON — Doughnut-maker Krispy Kreme has apologized after scheduling an event called "KKK Wednesday" at a store in the UK. Krispy Kreme was due to host KKK Wednesday (KKK meaning "Krispy Kreme Klub") on Feb. 18, at its store in Hull, which it had promoted via a post on its Facebook page. However some of its 215,000 fans were quick to remind the company that as well as standing for Krispy Kreme Klub, the three Ks are more associated with hate group the Klu Klux Klan. The company has since removed the post from the page and issued an apology. "All material has been withdrawn and an internal investigation is currently underway," Krispy Kreme told the Mirror Online. A spokeswoman for the Hull branch of Krispy Kreme told the Hull Daily Mail: “This was sent from head office so it has been advertised at all the outlets. “But we have now taken down the sign from our point of sale," she said. “We don’t have a new name for the event yet but it is still going ahead this week.” The event, which is aimed at children on half-term holidays from school, lets them decorate their own donuts. Krispy Kreme opened its first branch in the UK in 2003 and currently has dozens of stores across key cities as well as partnerships with petrol stations and supermarkets. Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments. ||||| Get daily updates directly to your inbox + Subscribe Thank you for subscribing! Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email A branch of Krispy Kreme is promoting 'KKK Wednesday' as a half-term activity. The Hull branch of the doughnut peddler had created the abbreviation to stand for Krispy Kreme Klub, but most people will be reminded of American right-wing hate group Ku Klux Klan. The robed and hooded Klan was famous for violence against African Americans in the 19th century. However, recently the group has been trying to rebrand, opening its doors to Jewish, black and Hispanic people. Krispy Kreme created KKK Wednesday as part of a calendar of activities in the Hull store designed to keep kids occupied during half term - posted Krispy Kreme UK's Facebook page, which has more than 200,000 followers. Other activities include Funday Monday, Colouring Tuesday and Face Painting Thursday. 'Why not come and join us in our Hull store during the half term holiday with the children, for our fun activities..." said the sugary snack seller. Facebook followers were quick to point out the error of the company's ways, with one offering a succinct history lesson: "For those Brits who may not be familiar: the KKK was a society of American southern white male members of the Democrat Party who were wont to dress up like ghosts and dance around a burning cross before fanning out with torches (dipped in oil and burning, not flashlights) to commit unspeakable crimes." A Krispy Kreme spokeswoman told Mirror Online that the company apologises "unreservedly for the inappropriate name of a customer promotion at one of our stores". "All material has been withdrawn and an internal investigation is currently underway."

– A UK Krispy Kreme was determined to show kids on winter break a good time, so it promoted on Facebook a weeklong roster of activities that included Funday Monday, Colouring Tuesday, and … KKK Wednesday. The Hull branch of the doughnut purveyor has since taken down the ad, per Mashable, even though "KKK" in this case didn't stand for the hate group but for the decidedly more innocuous, yet unfortunately acronymed "Krispy Kreme Klub." After Facebook followers gave a quick history lesson to the company, Krispy Kreme issued an apology, telling the Daily Mirror it apologizes "unreservedly for the inappropriate name of a customer promotion at one of our stores" and that "all material has been withdrawn and an internal investigation is currently underway." A spokeswoman from the Hull store, meanwhile, tells the Hull Daily Mail that "this was sent from [the] head office, so it has been advertised at all the outlets" and that "we don't have a new name for the event yet but it is still going ahead this week."

File - In this Feb. 13, 2013 file photo, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, immigration rights activist and self-declared undocumented immigrant Jose Antonio Vargas testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington,... (Associated Press) File - In this Feb. 13, 2013 file photo, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, immigration rights activist and self-declared undocumented immigrant Jose Antonio Vargas testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington,... (Associated Press) McALLEN, Texas (AP) — Prominent immigration activist and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas, who has lived and worked in the U.S. illegally for years, was released by U.S. Border Patrol agents on Tuesday after they detained him at a South Texas airport. Border Patrol spokesman Omar Zamora said Vargas was stopped going through security at the airport in McAllen, only a few miles from the Mexico border. A spokeswoman for Define American, Vargas' advocacy group, confirmed his release Tuesday afternoon. It's common for the Border Patrol to release people on their own recognizances, with notices to appear in court later. With such notices, people can generally travel throughout the U.S. without being detained again. Vargas had been visiting the border city of McAllen for several days as part of a vigil to highlight the plight of unaccompanied immigrant children coming into the U.S. illegally who have overwhelmed Border Patrol facilities. But at McAllen/Miller International Airport, Vargas knew he could have problems. Border Patrol agents stand alongside Transportation Security Administration personnel to check documentation — even for domestic flights and he was carrying only a passport from the Philippines and a palm-size copy of the U.S. Constitution. On Tuesday morning, Vargas tweeted: "About to go thru security at McAllen Airport. I don't know what's going to happen." The security checks at the airport — and elsewhere in the Rio Grande Valley — are familiar to people living along the Texas-Mexico border. Along highways out of the area, drivers are stopped at Border Patrol checkpoints about an hour's drive north of the border. And it's not uncommon for children who entered the country illegally with their parents to grow up in the Rio Grande Valley to stay home when classmates go on field trips along those roadways to San Antonio. In recent years, some U.S. citizens who object to being asked about their citizenship at the interior checkpoints have taken to refusing to answer agents' questions or produce identification while recording video that is later uploaded to the Internet. Vargas, a native of the Philippines, was unaware he would have to pass through an immigration check prior to arriving in the city, said Ryan Eller, campaign director for Define American, the advocacy group founded by Vargas. "We had been to border towns before like San Diego and other places, but we didn't recognize until here the situation," Eller said while standing across the street from the Border Patrol station where Vargas was being held. "We tried to prepare for basically every scenario that we could." Vargas' last tweet Tuesday morning was a photograph of his Philippines passport and a palm-size copy of the U.S. Constitution. Eller confirmed that the only identification Vargas carried was that passport. He said Vargas was en route to Los Angeles and that he had consulted with attorneys before going to the airport. Eller said a "travel partner" was at the airport with Vargas, but that they were immediately separated in security. Vargas' attorney didn't return messages for comment. Vargas had flown to McAllen last Thursday to take part in the vigil. In an essay he wrote for Politico on Friday, Vargas said he has travelled in the U.S. for years without a problem but didn't realize that immigration checks are done on those driving or flying out of the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas. Vargas noted he doesn't have any government-issued U.S. identification. Vargas went public about his immigration status in a 2011 piece for the New York Times Magazine. He was part of the Washington Post team that won the Pulitzer Prize in 2008 for coverage of the Virginia Tech massacre. He also directed a documentary called "Documented," and founded the activist group "Define American." ||||| An exclusive look inside a refugee shelter housed at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in McAllen, Texas: Some 800 volunteers from the community work at the shelter, including Herminia Forshage of Catholic Charities, who is featured here. Information on where to send donations can be found at on.fb.me/1nqAKQb. (This video is a project of Jose Anotnio Vargas’ Define American project, directed by Paola Medoza and co-edited by Bryan Parras and Liana Lopez.) Jose Antonio Vargas was once well-known for being a star up-and-coming journalist at The Washington Post, a Pulitzer Prize winner before he hit the age of 30. Today, he’s best known for being America’s most prominent undocumented immigrant, after he wrote a “coming out” piece for The New York Times Magazine in 2011. Despite his high profile — or, more likely, because of it — he has avoided detention or deportation. He lives in the United States, runs a nonprofit that employs a dozen Americans and travels extensively using his valid Philippine passport. (Here’s a great op-ed Ralph De La Cruz wrote in September after Vargas spoke at UT-Arlington.) Two weeks ago, he was in the news when his documentary “Documented” aired on CNN. This week, he’s in the news because, after traveling to McAllen to document the experience of young migrants living in shelters there, he’s realized that the more stringent ID checks at the Texas border may have him stuck there. Here’s my Q&A with Vargas about the experience. Above, you’ll see a video he and a group of filmmakers created as part of his Define America project (directed by Paola Mendoza and co-edited by Bryan Parras and Liana Lopez). What drove you to visit McAllen, Texas? Like many Americans, I’ve been largely disturbed by the media coverage of the humanitarian crisis, especially on television. These children are not “illegal.” They are not figurines on a political game board. Many Republican leaders — especially Gov. Rick Perry — have used this crisis as an opportunity to talk tough about border security and score political points. Gov. Perry, for example, said that he wants to send the National Guard down here. For what? With all due respect, is the governor afraid of teddy bears and the kids? Three years ago, in defending in-state tuition for undocumented Texans during a primary presidential debate, Gov. Perry said, “If you say that we should not educate children who have come into our state for no other reason than they’ve been brought there by no fault of their own, I don’t think you have a heart.” When it comes to these refugee children, where is Gov. Perry’s heart? Sen. Tom Coburn, [R-Okla.], has suggested that we fly the refugee kids back to their home on first-class seats. When I first heard that, I thought it was an item in “The Onion.” I didn’t believe it. But then I found out that Coburn means it — he’s not joking. And what a grossly insensitive thing to say. It’s not like these children are picking between hotels, like between a Hilton or a Hyatt. They didn’t risk their lives to go to Disneyland. Above all, I flew to McAllen to join other undocumented youth from Minority Affairs Council, an affiliate of the undocumented-youth-led United We Dream network, to stand in solidarity with the refugee children from Central America. When I publicly revealed my undocumented status three years ago, we started a media and culture campaign, Define American, to elevate how we talk about immigration and citizenship. I wanted to capture what’s happening at the shelter, where the generosity oft the American people is in full display, as we’re seeing in towns like McAllen. We visited the shelter at Sacred Heart Church and we filmed. This video is a project of Define American. We are doing more videos from the ground here. Where you surprised by what you found in the shelters? What is the media getting wrong? We’ve heard so much about what happened at Murrieta in southern California, and we hear so little about the generosity in full display at shelters like Sacred Heart. The first thing that happens when refugees walk into the shelter here is that everyone — especially the volunteers — all applaud. They applaud. They recognize the harsh journey that’s been taken. The media has not told us enough about what’s happening inside the shelter and capturing the generosity of the volunteers at the shelter. If the American people were to see what what’s happening in these shelters and look at the eyes of these kids, they will not turn them away. What other uncomfortable truths have you uncovered on this trip to McAllen? Since outing myself three years ago, I’ve been traveling around the country for Define American and visiting 43 states. And I’ve been flying by using my Philippine passport — no visa in the passport, just for ID purposes. And it’s been fine. TSA accepts it. But though I’ve spent time in the California border, and I’ve flown out of the San Diego airport many times, I’ve been never to the Texas border. I’d heard about checkpoints and border patrol agents, but I didn’t realize just how much a militarized zone the Texas border is. I didn’t know that border patrol agents check IDs with airport security agents. I’ve spoken with a few undocumented people who live in the McAllen area, and they feel trapped. I don’t think the American public at large understands that reality for undocumented people in the border. And now you have a real fear of not being able to get out of the area. Can you explain why that is and how it feels? I’m the most privileged undocumented immigrant in the country. And with that privilege comes responsibility. The responsibility of tying my specific story to the story of 11 million undocumented people like me and using every skill and resources I have to tell stories and insist that we talk about this issue humanely and fairly. The feeling of being stuck and trapped by our broken immigration system is very familiar to undocumented people like me. But it’s even more pronounced for undocumented immigrants who live in the border. And now I’m trapped like they are: There are check-points and border patrol agents everywhere, including at the airport. I’ve always felt trapped as an undocumented person who’s lived here for almost 21 years. And you make the most of what you can do. You try to stay positive. On the other hand, there’s always the chance that you won’t be detained… I have no control over what the government chooses to do. But like the other 11 million undocumented immigrants whose lives are in limbo, I am not a threat to this country. Should people continue to be needlessly detained and deported while our government can’t come up with a compromise and provide a solution? There’s a certain irony in your high profile actually protecting your from deportation, rather than making you more vulnerable. How does that make you feel while in McAllen, surrounded by people who are in similar circumstances, with a much different result? I do not know what’s going to happen when I try to leave. But the reality is there are thousands in this region whose lives are confined to a 45-mile radius because of border agents and checkpoints. That’s why I am sharing this fear I have to underscore that shared circumstance. What’s next for Define American? This video, like the film I directed and aired on CNN, is a project of Define American. Our goal is to challenge and create media to change the way we talk about immigration and citizenship. We will continue to create and produce more content, and we will continue to challenge the media in how it portrays and contextualizes these issues and the people directly impacted by it. This humanitarian crisis begs the questions: Is this how we define American, turning away and deporting children? ||||| Story highlights Homeland Security says Jose Antonio Vargas has a notice to appear in court Officials say he was detained after telling authorities he was in the country illegally The journalist wrote last week that he suspected he might not get out of McAllen, Texas At 12, Vargas came to the U.S. illegally with a man he'd never met, he wrote in 2011 Jose Antonio Vargas trumpeted that he was an undocumented immigrant for years. But authorities never apprehended him. Until now. On Tuesday, U.S. Border Patrol agents detained the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist-turned-activist in McAllen, Texas, after he told them he was in the country illegally, officials said. He was released on his own recognizance with a notice to appear before an immigration judge, the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement. Vargas was detained Tuesday morning at the McAllen airport while trying to pass through security en route to Los Angeles, said Ryan Eller, campaign director for Define American , a group Vargas founded in 2011. Vargas became an outspoken advocate pushing for an overhaul of the nation's immigration laws in 2011, when he revealed he was undocumented in a column for The New York Times Magazine Recently, he detailed his life story in "Documented," a film about the U.S. immigration debate that he wrote and directed. CNN aired it on June 29. JUST WATCHED Outrage: Jose Antonio Vargas detained Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Outrage: Jose Antonio Vargas detained 01:35 JUST WATCHED 'Jose Antonio Vargas has been released' Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH 'Jose Antonio Vargas has been released' 01:10 JUST WATCHED What does it mean to be American? Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH What does it mean to be American? 01:25 JUST WATCHED 'Documented' reporter detained at airport Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH 'Documented' reporter detained at airport 02:34 Vargas said in a statement released by a spokesperson Tuesday evening that he had been released. "I want to thank everyone who stands by me and the undocumented immigrants of south Texas and across the country," he said. "Our daily lives are filled with fear in simple acts such as getting on an airplane to go home to our family." Even with his high profile and frequent speaking events about his immigration status, Vargas hadn't found himself in the cross hairs of authorities until his trip this month to the border region to support unaccompanied minors coming from Central America "Mr. Vargas has not previously been arrested by (Immigrations and Customs Enforcement) nor has the agency ever issued a detainer on him or encountered him," the Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday. "ICE is focused on smart, effective immigration enforcement that prioritizes the agency's resources to promote border security and to identify and remove criminal individuals who pose a threat to public safety and national security." Tania Chavez, an undocumented youth leader who met with Vargas recently and has accompanied him around the McAllen area, told CNN that he was detained because he did not have proper documentation. It was a possibility Vargas feared after he arrived in the region. "Because I don't have any ID besides my Filipino passport, it's going to be hard for me to actually get out of here at some point when I decide to get out of here in the next couple of days," he told CNN on Sunday. Early Tuesday, Vargas tweeted that he was about to go through security at McAllen-Miller International Airport. Since outing himself as an undocumented immigrant three years ago, he says he has traveled extensively, visiting 40 states. "I don't know what's going to happen," he tweeted, directing his followers to the Twitter handles for Define American and the University of Texas-Pan American's Minority Affairs Council. Within minutes, the latter retweeted a photo of Vargas in handcuffs with the caption: "Here's a photo of (Vargas) in handcuffs, because the Border Patrol has nothing more pressing to do apparently." In Politico last week, Vargas wrote a piece headlined "Trapped on the Border." The story documents how he went to McAllen to visit a shelter where undocumented immigrant children were being held. He also wanted to share his "story of coming to the United States as an unaccompanied minor from the Philippines," he wrote for Politico. Once in McAllen, he spoke to Chavez, who expressed concern that he might not make it through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection checkpoints about 45 minutes outside McAllen. "Even if you tell them you're a U.S. citizen, they will ask you follow-up questions if they don't believe you," Chavez told him, according to the Politico piece. "In the last 24 hours I realize that, for an undocumented immigrant like me, getting out of a border town in Texas -- by plane or by land -- won't be easy. It might, in fact, be impossible," he wrote Friday. Vargas, Define American and other groups traveled to McAllen to "stand in solidarity with and humanize the stories of the children and families fleeing the most dangerous regions of Central America," Eller told reporters Tuesday. Vargas told CNN on Sunday that he traveled to McAllen to document the plight of refugees. JUST WATCHED How do we define being 'American'? Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH How do we define being 'American'? 04:38 Before he went to bed Monday, Vargas told Eller, "Our America is better than this. We're more humane. We're more compassionate. And we're fighting for a better America, a country we love but has yet to recognize us," the Define American campaign director recalled Tuesday. At 12, Vargas came to the United States from the Philippines in 1993 with a man he'd never met but whom his aunt and a family friend introduced as his uncle, wrote in his 2011 New York Times Magazine column Once in the States, he lived with his grandfather, a security guard, and grandmother, a food server. Both were naturalized American citizens who had been supporting Vargas and his mother since Vargas was 3. He'd later learn that his grandfather had paid $4,500 for this purported uncle -- who was a coyote, or people smuggler -- to bring Vargas to the United States under a fake passport and name. "After I arrived in Mountain View, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area, I entered sixth grade and quickly grew to love my new home, family and culture. I discovered a passion for language, though it was hard to learn the difference between formal English and American slang," Vargas wrote for the magazine. One of his earliest memories, he wrote, was a schoolmate asking him, "What's up?" He replied, "The sky." Vargas says he didn't know he was in the country illegally until he was 16, when he applied for a driver's license and was told his green card was bogus. He went home and asked his grandfather whether that was true, according to the magazine story. "Lolo was a proud man, and I saw the shame on his face as he told me he purchased the card, along with other fake documents, for me. 'Don't show it to other people,' he warned," Vargas wrote. Vargas has written for numerous publications as a journalist, including The New Yorker. He interned for The Seattle Times and worked for The Huffington Post, the San Francisco Chronicle and the Philadelphia Daily News. In 2008, he was part of the Washington Post team that won the Pulitzer Prize for its breaking news coverage of the previous year's shooting rampage at Virginia Tech. Vargas got bylines on two of the nine stories the Pulitzer board cited. "Over the past 14 years, I've graduated from high school and college and built a career as a journalist, interviewing some of the most famous people in the country," he wrote in his 2011 magazine piece. "On the surface, I've created a good life. I've lived the American dream. But I am still an undocumented immigrant." ||||| Activists who were working with immigration reform advocate Jose Antonio Vargas near the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas released a statement Tuesday saying he was arrested while attempting to pass through security at McAllen-Miller International Airport. "Jose Antonio Vargas of Define American, has been detained by Border Patrol in McAllen after attempting to board a plane to Los Angeles," the immigrant youth-led organization United We Dream said in a statement on its website. Huffington Post reporter Ryan Grim subsequently tweeted a photo he described as Vargas "in handcuffs." Grim told Business Insider he obtained the picture from "a source." Here's a photo of @joseiswriting in handcuffs, because the Border Patrol has nothing more pressing to do apparently pic.twitter.com/dN8KewqeZr — Ryan Grim (@ryangrim) July 15, 2014 Vargas is perhaps America's most prominent undocumented immigrant. A former reporter who was part of the Washington Post team that won a 2008 Pulitzer Prize for reporting on the Virginia Tech shooting the prior year, Vargas revealed his undocumented status in a New York Times Magazine essay published June 22, 2011. He traveled to Texas last week to promote the efforts of UWD and other immigration-reform groups to stand in solidarity with the unaccompanied children, before realizing it was within a secure perimeter manned by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents where he might not be able to leave without documentation. Vargas tweeted Tuesday morning that he was going to attempt to pass through security at the airport. Cristina Jimenez, the managing director of United We Dream, told Business Insider that Vargas was attempting to fly to Los Angeles to attend a screening of his documentary that aired last month on CNN. He said he had no identification other than his "Philippine passport and my pocketbook US Constitution." "I don’t know what’s going to happen," Vargas wrote. He encouraged readers to follow the official account of Define American, the pro-immigration reform organization he founded, for further updates. Vargas has not sent out any other Twitter updates, but Define American sent a message saying he was "detained" and was "being taken to the mcallen border patrol station." They included a link to a donation page encouraging supporters to "stand with Jose and the #BorderChildren." Business Insider called the U.S. Customs and Border Protection station in McAllen to confirm Vargas was taken into custody. We were referred to sector headquarters in Edinburgh, Texas, where the person who answered the phone said they could not release any information about Vargas. "The federal government does not give any information on individual detainees over the phone, not even to attorneys," they said. In his original 2011 essay, Vargas said being undocumented meant living in "fear." "It means going about my day in fear of being found out. It means rarely trusting people, even those closest to me, with who I really am. It means keeping my family photos in a shoebox rather than displaying them on shelves in my home, so friends don’t ask about them. It means reluctantly, even painfully, doing things I know are wrong and unlawful," Vargas wrote at the time. After coming out as an undocumented immigrant, Vargas founded Define American and has discussed his experiences in pieces written for multiple news outlets and in a CNN documentary that debuted last month. Vargas originally traveled to the border in support the groups to highlight the stories of unaccompanied children who have fled countries in Central America because of increased levels of gang violence. The organizations have been volunteering in shelters that provide support to children and families. View the tweets from Vargas and Define American below. About to go thru security at McAllen Airport. I don’t know what’s going to happen. For updates follow @DefineAmerican & @MAC_UTPA — Jose Antonio Vargas (@joseiswriting) July 15, 2014 The only IDs I have for security: Philippine passport and my pocketbook US Constitution @DefineAmerican & @MAC_UTPA pic.twitter.com/IFH0Vb4oX7 — Jose Antonio Vargas (@joseiswriting) July 15, 2014 Here's a short video posted by South Texas newspaper The Monitor, which shows Vargas displaying his documents to airport security before being detained: This story was updated at 10:39 a.m.

– Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas, whose documentary on undocumented immigrants aired last month on CNN, was released by US Border Patrol agents after being detained earlier today at a Texas airport, the AP reports. Though it's not clear if this was the case with Vargas, the AP notes it's common for the Border Patrol to release people on their own recognizances, with notices to appear in court later. With such notices, people can generally travel throughout the US without being detained again. Vargas, who revealed his undocumented status in a 2011 essay, was at the border with Mexico to support child migrants; after arriving, he learned that he was in a specially-patrolled area and may not be allowed out without documentation, Business Insider reports. "I didn’t realize just how much a militarized zone the Texas border is," Vargas told the Dallas Morning News on Sunday. The journalist tweeted earlier today that he was "about to go thru security at McAllen Airport. I don’t know what’s going to happen." A Huffington Post reporter then tweeted a photo of Vargas being handcuffed an hour later. Vargas came to the US at age 12, CNN notes. His only IDs for airport security, he tweeted, are his "Philippine passport and my pocketbook US Constitution."

Russian President Vladimir Putin has slammed former Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin for ruining the Soviet Union and for metaphorically laying “an atomic bomb” underneath Russia, the country's independent news agency Interfax reports. Speaking at a meeting of the Presidential Council for Science and Education in Moscow on the anniversary of Lenin’s death on Thursday, Putin was asked about his opinion of Lenin and the Communist Revolution of 1917, by the head of Moscow’s Kurchatov institute. The Russian President was asked to respond to a poem by Boris Pasternak where it is alleged Lenin’s focus was too set on ensuring everyone’s ideas were Communist before doing his duty as a statesman. “Ruling with your ideas as a guide is correct, but that is only the case when that idea leads to the right results, not like it did with Vladimir Ilyich (Lenin),” Putin said using Lenin’s middle name. “In the end that idea led to the ruin of the Soviet Union,” he added. “There were many of these ideas such as providing regions with autonomy, and so on. They planted an atomic bomb under the building that is called Russia and which would later explode,” said Putin. “We did not need a global revolution either.” The term “Lenin” has since become a top trend on Twitter in Russia as users have been discussing Putin’s comments. Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov has urged people not to take the President’s comments so personally. “Anyone, including the President has the right to have an opinion on the role of this or any other historical figure,” Peskov told Interfax . Keep up with this story and more by subscribing now ||||| As Russia’s military escalation in eastern Ukraine continued last week, Vladimir Putin found time to visit the Seliger National Youth Forum, a summer camp for pro-Kremlin young people some two hundred miles northwest of Moscow. Among the many subjects discussed was history: he spoke about the Bolsheviks, the masterminds of the 1917 October revolution and the founders of the Soviet state. To many in Russia, Putin’s interpretation of the revolution would sound odd. He accused the Bolsheviks of treachery because they undermined the country’s military effort against the Germans in the First World War. Russia had entered the conflict as an ally of France and Britain. Three years later, the imperial regime fell, exhausted by the war and undermined by broad public unrest**.** The country was in disarray; soldiers defected. Several months after the collapse of the Russian empire, the Bolsheviks seized power. Lenin, their leader, who had called for “turning the imperialistic war into a civil one,” withdrew Russia from the alliance and made peace with Germany. His plan was to pitthe disenfranchised (soldiers, peasants, workers) against the nobility and the propertied class, to radically destroy the _ancien régime _and consolidate Bolshevik power. He launched the Red Terror, a merciless extermination of the Whites, the “hostile classes”; the officers of the imperial Army who had fought against Germany were among the primary targets. After several years of a horrific, fratricidal war, the Reds prevailed, and Lenin became the glorious leader of the world’s first “state of workers and peasants,” as it was known. For more than six decades after his death, in 1924, he was a worshipped founding father, his embalmed body kept on display in the Mausoleum in the Moscow’s Red Square. Cities, streets, industrial plants, collective farms, Naval vessels, universities, and libraries came to bear his name. His slogans, portraits, and statues were everywhere. Generations of Soviet citizens revered his memory, including Vladimir Putin, who was born in 1952. By the nineteen-seventies, the cult was wearing out, and Lenin became the butt of political jokes. But the Communist Party, which referred to itself as the party of Lenin, still had a firm grip on power and full control over the historical narrative. The Soviet people dutifully celebrated the Bolshevik revolution and the Red victors of the civil war, and worshipped Lenin, who was said to be “forever alive,” “forever with you.” During the years of Mikhail Gorbachev’s perestroika_,_ and the eventual unveiling of the crimes of the Soviet Communism, the figure of Lenin remained untouched long after other Communist heroes had been uncrowned. Even after the Soviet Union fell apart, in 1991, Lenin was not formally denounced. Russia’s first President, Boris Yeltsin, tried to build his regime on anti-Communism, but that effort ended in a spectacular failure. The Communists enjoyed broad public support. When Putin came to power, in 2000, he made peace with the Communists; he expanded his electoral base, reduced theirs, and gently subdued them into loyalty. All through that decade, he preferred to avoid divisive ideological questions. Lenin was not seen as a national hero, and the official discourse was mostly silent about him, but the Mausoleum remained open to visitors, and every Russian city has a Lenin Street or Lenin Square. In Moscow, a gigantic Lenin monument marks the beginning of city’s longest avenue, Leninsky Prospekt. The Communist Party of the Russian Federation, a “systemic” opposition party (that is, opposition only in name), which has a sizable faction in the Duma, regards Lenin as a man of genius, a “great philosopher and economist, a political genius of international renown,” as Vladimir Kashin, the Party’s deputy chairman, put it earlier this year. When Putin returned to the Kremlin, in 2012, he became increasingly ideological. He now professes a state nationalism that draws on a besieged-fortress mentality, a hard-line anti-Western stance, and faux traditionalism. His platform includes a new, uniform concept of history, to be taught in schools. But, his emphasis on ideology notwithstanding, a shared national narrative of the formative event of the twentieth century is still missing: Was the 1917 Bolshevik revolution a national disaster that destroyed the imperial Russian statehood? Or was it the beginning of the Soviet state of which today’s Russia is a successor? In other words, since the Russian civil war did not end in a reconciliation, do we identify with the defeated Whites or with the Reds, led by Lenin, who exterminated them? Speaking to the young people at Camp Seliger, Putin remembered the events of 1917 as a time when “some were shaking Russia from within, and shook it to the point that Russia as a state collapsed and declared itself defeated.” He likely meant it as a warning to those who might try to “shake” today’s Russia. But he also spoke of the Bolsheviks’ “betrayal of the Russian national interests.” It was the Bolsheviks, after all, who “wished to see their fatherland defeated while Russian heroic soldiers and officers shed blood on the fronts of the First World War.” More than half of the Russian people still view Lenin as a positive figure . Now Putin, with his signature evasiveness—and careful not to mention him by name—has called him a traitor. With streets and statues honoring Lenin all over Russia, Putin’s interpretation hardly contributes to a uniform version of history.

– Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday criticized Soviet founder Vladimir Lenin, accusing him of placing a "time bomb" under the state and sharply denouncing brutal repressions by the Bolshevik government. The harsh criticism of Lenin, who's still revered by communists and many others in Russia, is unusual (though not unheard of) for Putin, who in the past carefully weighed his comments about the nation's history to avoid alienating some voters. Putin's assessment of Lenin's role in Russian history during Monday's meeting with pro-Kremlin activists in Stavropol follows on attacks last week on the anniversary of Lenin's death, notes Newsweek. He denounced Lenin and his government for brutally executing Russia's last czar along with his family and servants, killing thousands of priests, and placing a "time bomb" under the Russian state by drawing administrative borders along ethnic lines. As an example of Lenin's destructive legacy, Putin pointed at Donbass, the industrial region in eastern Ukraine where a pro-Russia separatist rebellion flared up weeks after Russia's March 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula. He said that Lenin and his government whimsically drew borders between parts of the USSR, placing Donbass under Ukrainian jurisdiction in order to "increase the percentage of proletariat" in a move Putin called "delirious." Putin also blasted the Bolsheviks for losing World War I in their quest for power. Putin's recent criticism of Lenin could be part of his attempts to justify Moscow's policy in the Ukrainian crisis, but it also may reflect the Kremlin's concern about possible separatist sentiments in some Russian provinces. Despite his remarks, Putin signaled that the government has no intention of taking Lenin's body out of his Red Square tomb, warning against "any steps that would divide the society."

In a series of stories, Berkeleyside examines the building where six people died and seven were seriously injured Tuesday after a balcony collapsed. Part 1 looks at a history of complaints by residents, Part 2 examines potential issues surrounding the balcony construction, and Part 3, below, looks at some of the issues faced by the company that built the apartment complex where Tuesday’s tragedy took place. The construction company that built the apartment complex in downtown Berkeley where a fifth-floor balcony collapsed Tuesday during a birthday party, killing six and injuring seven, has been fined and sued in connection with its work in other locations, according to documents reviewed by Berkeleyside. But Sam Singer, a spokesman for Pleasanton-based Segue Construction Inc., said Wednesday that the company has a long track record of safety and quality, and that lawsuits are “commonplace” in the construction industry. Read complete balcony collapse coverage on Berkeleyside. Singer also said safety-related fines assessed of Segue have been minimal, and that the company has been sued just once in relation to balcony work and water issues. That lawsuit, which related to a San Jose apartment complex, involved balconies Singer described as very different in design from the Berkeley balcony, at the 176-unit Library Gardens apartment complex, that collapsed Tuesday, with deadly consequences. Segue reportedly settled that case for $3 million. As it turns out, however, there was also a $3.5 million settlement after a neighborhood association filed a lawsuit in Millbrae in 2013 related to waterproofing and wood rot. And, that same year, Trestle Glen Associates, in Colma, filed a breach of contract lawsuit, still underway, against Segue related to “water intrusion causing tangible property damage.” Segue, which previously was based in Richmond, California, has built more than 6,000 multifamily units in the Bay Area since the company formed in 1992. It has about 30 employees. “Segue has an excellent reputation in the construction industry,” Singer said. “Segue has never had a balcony collapse or had anyone injured in one of its working apartment buildings.” The company did settle a lawsuit after developer the Irvine Company LLC sued in 2010 over work Segue did at North Park Apartments in San Jose. According to the lawsuit, Irvine alleged that faulty work by Segue led to water damage on elevated decks and windows. The documents also reference defects related to the waterproofing of breezeways and private balconies. (See the initial complaint.) Last year, the parties settled for $3 million, according to court documents. As part of that settlement, it was noted that Segue was the general contractor for the project but did not itself complete the disputed work. In addition, the company was named in a $3.5 million settlement agreement after a neighborhood association filed suit, in 2013, against the owners of a 109-unit complex completed three years earlier in Millbrae. In that case, too, waterproofing is alleged to have failed, damaging wood used for balconies and other construction. Segue, the general contractor on that job, was one of six parties named in that settlement agreement, according to Tom Miller, CEO of The Miller Law Firm, which represented the Park Broadway neighborhood association in that case. (Singer did not comment on the Millbrae or Colma cases Wednesday afternoon, when he said the San Jose lawsuit was the only one of which he was aware.) Singer said the Berkeley balconies, at 2020 Kittredge St., were of a cantilever design, which sticks straight out of the building. The San Jose balconies were a “catwalk design,” he said, supported by wood or metal from the ground up. He said that the company had not otherwise been sued in relation to its balconies, decks or water-related issues. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has fined Segue about $11,000 since 2006 for worksite-related safety violations linked to 13 different investigations. (One of those fines was reduced from $900 to $75 after a settlement.) Serious violations were listed in 2013 and 2008, though the nature of those violations was not specified. Singer said, given the amount of work Segue has done, those fines were “pretty minimal,” and related to issues he described as minor: “The company prides itself on both the quality of its work as well as ensuring the safety of the people who work for it.” Singer said Segue contacted the city of Berkeley immediately upon hearing of the balcony collapse Tuesday to offer its assistance. The city is completing its own investigation into what caused the accident, and has ordered the removal of both the balcony that failed, as well as a balcony that was directly beneath it. “We do not know what caused this incident, but we will do everything we can to be helpful to investigators,” Singer said. The city of Berkeley has had inspectors on-site since shortly after the Tuesday morning collapse. They determined that the second balcony “was structurally unsafe and posed a collapse hazard that endangered public safety.” Two other balconies at 2020 Kittredge St. have also been red-tagged, according to the city, meaning access is prohibited, and those balconies will also be scrutinized. The city of Berkeley, as part of its investigation, has been working to make public documents accessible to those who are interested: “The documentation is extensive on the building, whose plans were first submitted in 2002 and which completed construction in 2007. The City will push to digitize as many records as possible to allow access from anywhere in the world and to as many people as possible at one time.” The city plans to make those records available Thursday, and will post instructions online for how to access them. Singer disputed the contention that the balcony that failed in Berkeley had been meant for decorative purposes only, which was reported by other Bay Area media outlets. He said the balconies were “designed to be used as decks” for the units that had access to them. (The city has said the complex had four balconies.) Singer said representatives from Segue visited Library Gardens on Tuesday and is in discussions with the city of Berkeley to provide whatever information the city needs for its investigation. “We’re trying to focus on that right now,” Singer said Wednesday. “But our hearts and souls go out to the deceased and their families, and the injured: to all of Berkeley and all of Ireland.” This is Part 3 in a series of stories, in which Berkeleyside examines the Berkeley building where six people died and seven were seriously injured Tuesday. Part 1 looked at a history of complaints by building residents, and Part 2 examined the possibility of problems with the property’s balcony construction. Don’t miss complete Berkeleyside coverage of the balcony collapse. This story was updated after publication to include information about the Millbrae and Colma lawsuits. Related: Support springs up for families, friends of deceased (06.17.15) As Berkeley orders removal of second balcony, questions over quality of construction (06.17.15) Berkeley building under scrutiny before balcony collapse (06.17.15) Mayor, consul general, lay wreaths to honor 6 killed in Berkeley balcony collapse (06.16.15) Six who died in Berkeley: Young students in their prime (06.16.15) Six students killed in Berkeley balcony collapse identified (06.16.15) Berkeley orders balcony removal after tragedy kills 6 (06.16.15) Berkeley balcony collapse leaves 6 students dead (06.16.15) Get the latest Berkeley news in your inbox with Berkeleyside’s free Daily Briefing. And make sure to bookmark Berkeleyside’s pages on Facebook and Twitter. You don’t need an account on those sites to view important information. [Editor’s Note: This story was updated June 30 after Segue released a statement disputing earlier reports that it had been sued in connection with the Millbrae case. The Miller Law Firm sued the developer of the Millbrae apartment complex but Segue — as the general contractor — was named in the $3.5 million settlement agreement that resulted from that case. The story has been updated to reflect this.] ||||| Builder of Berkeley apartments has paid millions in balcony suits The investigation into the cause of the Berkeley apartment balcony collapse that killed six people and injured seven focused Wednesday on the company that constructed the building — a firm that has paid more than $6 million in the past two years to settle lawsuits claiming its work caused balconies to rot prematurely and fail. Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates said there was “high probability” that water had penetrated and rotted the wooden underpinnings of the balcony that broke away early Tuesday in downtown Berkeley during a 21st birthday party for an Irish student visiting the Bay Area for the summer. Officials ordered a second balcony removed from the same building Wednesday because it was “structurally unsafe,” and Bates said its problems were similar to those suspected in the collapse. Court documents show that Segue Construction Inc., the Pleasanton company that built the Library Gardens apartment complex at 2020 Kittredge St., site of Tuesday’s tragedy, has paid $6.5 million since 2013 to settle a pair of lawsuits alleging problems like those apparently at the center of the Berkeley probe. Bates said city investigators have not completed their work on the collapse, which killed five Irish nationals and a woman from Rohnert Park who held dual U.S.-Irish citizenship. “We are waiting for the real report,” Bates said in an interview. “I am not an engineer, but it could turn out” that the wood underpinning the balcony had rotted from exposure to water. “In my view, there is a high probability” that was the problem, Bates said. “We’ll know very shortly.” Dry rot’s rapid effect Independent experts who viewed the damage in person or through photographs have told The Chronicle it appeared that rainwater had penetrated the balcony’s wood structure, causing dry rot. Such rot, they said, can happen in just a few years. The Library Gardens, a five-story complex with four residential floors atop a retail level, was completed in 2007. City inspectors have not yet commented on their investigation. However, on Wednesday they ordered the property owner, the New York investment company BlackRock, to remove a second balcony that the city deemed structurally unsafe and a potential “collapse hazard.” That balcony, at apartment 305, is directly below the one on the fourth residential floor that broke off at 12:40 a.m. Tuesday, hurling victims to the street. The upper balcony landed upside down on the one below. LATEST NEWS VIDEOS “A field investigation revealed the third-floor exterior balcony to unit 305 is structurally unsafe and presents a collapse hazard endangering public safety,” the removal order said. Bates said, “Evidently, it was not structurally sound to hold people out on the deck. ... It obviously had to do with the wood.” The mayor indicated that the problems with the balcony had not been caused by the one landing on it. In addition, balconies at two other apartments in the 177-unit complex have been red-tagged, restricting access to them. The balconies are accessible by French doors, and are supposed to hold at least 60 pounds per square foot under city and state codes. City officials said the balcony that collapsed was 8 feet 10 inches long and 4 feet 5 inches wide, meaning it should have been able to hold roughly 2,100 pounds. Authorities have said about 13 people were on it when it gave way. Representatives of Greystar, the South Carolina company that manages Library Gardens, did not return a telephone call Wednesday. In an earlier statement, Greystar said it would work with authorities and an independent structural engineer to learn what went wrong. A similar statement was released by BlackRock, which bought the complex in 2007. The architecture firm that designed the complex, TCA Architects of Irvine, did not return calls. San Jose problems Court filings show that Segue Construction, the firm that constructed the building, paid $3 million in 2014 to settle a lawsuit over “water penetration” problems on dozens of balconies on a San Jose apartment complex. In a lawsuit filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court in 2010, the owners of the 245-unit Pines at North Park Apartments at 70 Descanso Drive accused Segue of “failing to design the breezeways, private balconies and stairwells at the project in substantial compliance with all applicable local and state codes and according to industry standard.” Segue blamed the problems on a subcontractor before settling with the apartment building’s owner, Irvine Co. LLC. One of the lawyers for Irvine, Eric McAllister, said he could not comment on the case because it had been settled out of court. Sam Singer, a spokesman for Segue, said the suit amounted to a “standard contract dispute.” He said the balconies in San Jose were “substantially different” from the one that collapsed in Berkeley. In the San Jose case, the building had long balconies, supported from below, that connected several units. The Berkeley balcony was much smaller and extended from the building without substructure supports. Singer called the case “a typical post-construction lawsuit” and said Segue had “a very good reputation.” “They have constructed 6,000 apartments,” Singer said. “They have never had an incident like this before.” The San Jose case wasn’t the only lawsuit claiming Segue botched balcony construction. In 2013, Segue paid $3.5 million to settle a case brought by the owners of a 109-unit condominium complex that had been completed just three years earlier on El Camino Real in Millbrae. “It was the exact same mechanism of failure as in Library Gardens,” said Thomas Miller, the attorney who represented the plaintiffs in the case, the Park Broadway Homeowners Association. “The waterproofing system failed. Water got into the structural wood framing for the balconies and dry-rotted out the wood members.” Thirty-six balconies were deemed unusable and are being rebuilt, Miller said. “There are good contractors out there and bad contractors,” Miller said. “In our case and in Berkeley, you have to assume they are not playing by the rules.” Singer said Segue “designs apartment buildings to the specifications of its clients and their architects. In a number of cases, there are design and specification issues that create water intrusion problems. Maintenance is also an issue. Whether a building is one year old or 10 years old, it has to be properly maintained.” The Berkeley tragedy also raised questions about whether laws governing balconies are tough enough. Bates suggested that they aren’t. “We need to look at that going forward,” he said. California’s rules are based on standards developed by the International Code Council. “The code provides the bare minimum level that has been determined necessary for public safety and occupancy standards,” said Derrick Hom, president of the Structural Engineers Association of Northern California. Developers or builders can choose to make a balcony stronger or stiffer — but there’s no incentive to do so with regard to marketing a building or making it appear more attractive, elements that tend to drive extra investment. “Code revision is one of those things where the squeaky wheel gets the grease,” Hom said. “Now balconies might get more scrutiny.” San Francisco Chronicle staff writer John King contributed to this report. Jaxon Van Derbeken is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: jvanderbeken@sfchronicle.com

– A spokesman for the Bay Area contractor that built the Berkeley apartments where a balcony collapsed Tuesday, killing six, says the company has "a very good reputation" and has "never had an incident like this before," but a series of recent lawsuits suggests otherwise, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Segue Construction paid out $3 million in 2014 in a settlement dealing with "water penetration" issues on balconies in a San Jose apartment complex, the paper notes—issues that Segue blamed on a subcontractor before settling. Segue spokesman Sam Singer tells the Chronicle the San Jose balconies were "substantially different" in design from the Berkeley balcony. But a second suit Segue settled in 2013 ended with a $3.5 million payout to the owners of a Millbrae condo complex, with a lawyer for the plaintiffs telling the paper "water got into the structural wood framing for the balconies and dry-rotted out the wood members," as suspected in the Berkeley collapse. And Berkleyside.com has uncovered yet another lawsuit, still in litigation, accusing Segue of "water intrusion causing tangible property damage" in Colma, though balconies weren't specifically mentioned. The website also details $11,000 in OSHA fines Segue has racked up since 2006 for work-site safety violations; Singer says the fines were "pretty minimal" considering how much work Segue has done over the years. But back in Berkeley, Singer tells the Chronicle building maintenance needs priority, and Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates says state balcony codes may need to be scrutinized. Meanwhile, hundreds attended a Mass and separate candlelight vigil for the victims last night, and pointing fingers wasn't on the agenda. "We may ... want to lash out and talk about the balcony and who built it," said Father Aidan McAleenan at the Oakland cathedral Mass, per the AP. "But at the end of the day what [families] want the most is to see their loved ones."

NEW YORK, Nov. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Euro RSCG Worldwide launches its largest-ever trend tome, discussing what to expect in 2012. "The Big Little Book of Nexts: Trendspotting for 2012" features trend sightings for the new year in areas ranging from advertising and parenting to home furnishings, men, lifestage marketing, and politics. Marian Salzman, CEO of Euro RSCG Worldwide PR, North America, and one of the world's leading trendspotters, curates this annual exercise that's intended to flag shifts in attitudes, beliefs, values, and media preferences, as well as the broader geopolitical shifts that together are rewriting the landscape for brands, business, and newsmaking. "We're in the business of generating awareness for our clients—to promote good will, consumption, and, ultimately, loyalty—and the best way to serve them most effectively is by anticipating the density and velocity of the changes on the near horizon," Salzman explains. "When a multinational brand gets ahead of a trend and can own it, and ride its wave, the benefits are long-lasting—recognizing, of course, that one of the trends in recent years is the speed of change, as well as the fickleness of leading-edge consumers who embrace what's new one day and move on to another new the next." Here's a sneak peek at 12 trends for 2012 from Euro RSCG Worldwide's new report on what's next, now: The U.S. State of Mind. We will see big business leaders speak out against the way things are going and pave the way for the future, as our confidence in politicians and their ilk falters amid the constant partisan fight-club atmosphere. Politics will reach a boiling point with more protests, most likely organized and cross-promoted on social media. The Prime Crisis/Education Correlation. Studies have tied home equity gains to dramatic increases in college attendance, meaning today's reduced housing prices and sinking home equity will finally affect the college roster. As a result, panicked universities will go to greater lengths to attract students, offering outside-the-classroom options in the form of online classes. Out-of-work boomers will join the new student body, as they supplement their skill sets by going back to school, albeit digitally. Re-feathering the Empty Nest. More empty nests are full once again as recent college grads, the biggest casualty of the dire job market, look for Mom and Dad to come to the rescue. Likewise, senior citizens reluctant to retreat to a rocking chair at the senior center will choose instead to move in with their grown children. The Always-Ticking Millennial. Generation Y (which we call millennials) will upend the traditional workday, as the digital generation works anywhere, anytime. Look for 2012 to be the beginning of an era in which notions of time are divided differently, especially when we all know work nowadays is a 24/7/365 proposition. All hands on deck, but at different times. Transportation in Tip-Top Shape. During the Great Depression, Americans broke their backs building roads and train tracks. With all this talk about our collapsing infrastructure, look for champions of improvement to step forward and propose a way to get America working again, among fears of the rapid deterioration of our highways, bridges and tunnels. Hyperlocal vs. Universal. Although there's certainly something to the hyperlocal movement, clever brands will transcend geography and home in on universal truths when looking to market to the (global) masses; especially as we try to swallow the collective lump in our throats, it makes sense to speak to all of us, as one world. Be Private, Be Present. Experiencing full-blown information overload, many will rediscover their need for privacy. We will still expect our leaders and businesses to be transparent, but in our personal lives look for a retreat en masse from TMI. Also speaking to our overtaxed lives is the "in the moment" movement, which for many people will be the only way to stomach the harsh realities of life in 2012. iWars. With Steve Jobs gone, Apple will be looking over its iShoulder. From new music-sharing superstar Spotify, which has partnered with Facebook, to Amazon, whose new tablet, the Kindle Fire, has set the tablet wars raging, competitors are gunning for one of the most valuable brands on the planet. Double-Dip Frugality. Look for 2012 to be the year of essentials only. As numerous institutions heralded the end of the recession, wallets opened, but some people now regret buying unnecessary items. Pop-up stores will continue to soothe by offering one-off items without the sticker shock, and with the success of Missoni at Target and a new zigzag zeitgeist, other brands will look to partner up and co-produce products and lines that give a one-two punch in what is shaping up to be a tepid holiday season. The Focused Foodie. Organic and artisanal foods will dominate the dinner plate as GMO madness seizes conversations at tables from Tallahassee to Topeka. This relates to the economy, too, as we continue to shop local to support our communities. Likewise, our obsession with farmers markets and farm-to-table will endure. Semi-Scientific Voodoo Medicine. Instead of the communicable diseases of yesteryear, people will grapple with excess weight and its related ailments, as well as cancers and cardiovascular, autoimmune and degenerative diseases. As the Internet provides access to medical information, the effect across markets is a fragmented mix of semi-scientific voodoo, full of contradictory and complementary elements—folk remedies (e.g., gargling with salt water) and alternative beliefs (e.g., homeopathy) alongside pharmaceuticals and supplements. Look for wellness to be the buzzword du jour. Retreat from Reality. With reality TV falling out of favor and viewers looking for new ways to escape, you'll find TV fans embracing the next generation of scripted shows. Standouts include "Modern Family," "The Middle," "Up All Night," and Zooey Deschanel 's "New Girl." Next year welcomes a full-on push for TV on the Internet. YouTube will launch scheduled programming in 2012, with shows on everything from fashion to sports, while Google TV will debut as well, surely redefining the realm of the couch potato. To review and download the full report, please go to www.eurorscg.com. For more information and some of Salzman's past annual forecasts, please go to the Brainfood tab at www.eurorscgpr.com. About Euro RSCG Worldwide Euro RSCG Worldwide is a leading integrated marketing communications agency and was the first agency to be named Global Agency of the Year by both Advertising Age and Campaign in the same year. Euro RSCG is made up of 233 offices in 75 countries and provides advertising, marketing, corporate communications, and digital and social media solutions to clients including Air France, Charles Schwab, Citigroup, Danone Group, IBM, Kraft Foods, Lacoste, L'Oreal, Merck, PSA Peugeot Citroen, Reckitt Benckiser, Sanofi and Volvo. Euro RSCG Worldwide is the largest unit of Havas, a world leader in communications (Euronext: HAV.PA) (Paris: HAV.PA). About Euro RSCG Worldwide PR We call ourselves @erwwpr; we're the North American earned-media and buzz boutique (#bethenews) within French holding company Havas. Headquartered in New York City, with Pittsburgh and Chicago offices, we've seen 25 percent growth in the last two years and become one of the most-awarded PR agencies of our size for work including #wyclefforpresident (global scope), @theywinulose (Campaign Money Watch; against big money in elections), the first-ever teenage girl SoMe lab (The Sisterhood; industry innovation) and Ford's Warriors in Pink (#welovecause). We're grounded in media, strategy, client service and community to ensure we message in straight talk and real time. For more information: www.eurorscgpr.com. Contact: Lisa Gruber Global Communications Manager Euro RSCG Worldwide 212-886-2018 lisa.gruber@eurorscg.com SOURCE Euro RSCG Worldwide ||||| The traditional eight-hour workday may soon be the exception rather than the rule. New evidence shows that we’re reaching a tipping point in terms of workplace flexibility, with businesses seeing the wisdom of allowing employees — young ones especially — to work odd hours, telecommute and otherwise tweak the usual 9-to-5 grind. One of the top 12 trends for 2012 as named by the communications firm Euro RSCG Worldwide is that employees in the Gen Y, or millennial, demographic — those born between roughly 1982 and 1993 — are overturning the traditional workday. The Business and Professional Women’s Foundation estimates that by 2025, 75% of the global workforce will be Gen Y. As early as next year, this group of younger Americans will comprise 60% of the employees at companies like Ernst & Young. And increasingly, companies are creating workplace-flexibility programs because it makes good business sense, not in the least because that’s what their employees are demanding. (GALLERY: 9 Jobs of of the (Near) Future) Gen Y-ers are spearheading this change because they don’t want the same work environment their parents had. Between new technology and global workplace dynamics, companies are implementing flexible work arrangements for everyone, inclusive of Gen Y. A recent Vodafone U.K. survey illustrates that 90% of employers enable work flexibility instead of sticking to traditional hours. Leading the charge in the shift toward allowing employees to work anywhere around the world, at any time they want, are companies such as Ernst & Young, Aflac and MITRE, which all realize that they need to accommodate employees’ personal lives if they want to retain them. “This notion of an eight-hour day is rapidly disappearing, simply because we work so virtually and globally,” says Maryella Gockel, Ernst & Young’s flexibility-strategy leader. By understanding Gen Y-ers’ need for workplace flexibility, companies are better able to recruit and grow young talent for the future. Aside from the early adopters of workplace-flexibility programs, many other companies are hesitant because of the traditional “command and control” approach laid out for older generations. The challenge these companies face is letting go and trusting their young employees — even when they are telecommuting or using Facebook regularly at work. (LIST: 10 Money Moves to Make Before 2012) Many companies fear that, without structure, employees will be distracted, not as engaged and less productive. In fact, the opposite is often true. A trusting work environment breeds more-loyal employees and increases efficiency. Here are three reasons for companies to embrace workplace-flexibility programs: 1. Gen Y workers won’t accept jobs where they can’t access Facebook. Cisco’s “Connected World Technology” report shows that more than half of Gen Y employees prioritize social-media freedom over a higher salary when evaluating a job offer. Furthermore, more than half say the Internet is an integral part of their lives. Gen Y-ers wants to be connected to their friends and families, not just their co-workers, throughout the day. Although some companies ban social media at work, other companies have embraced it as long as employees use it professionally. “We do want people to use social networks in order to keep in touch with their colleagues and contacts,” explains Gockel, whose company has no formal social-media guidelines or policies. (MORE: The Blackberry Moral, Or: The Trouble With Too Many Options) 2. Gen Y-ers value workplace flexibility over more money. More than one-third (37%) of Gen Y workers would take a pay cut if it meant more flexibility on the job, reports a study by Mom Corps. Flexibility motivates these workers to be more productive and loyal to their companies because they feel like they are respected. An employer that allows flexibility in the workplace also demonstrates that it understands the evolving modern-day work environment, which bodes well for the future. 3. Gen Y workers are always connected to jobs through technology. Technology has made the traditional 9-to-5 model blurry — for all workers, of all generations, really. No one is ever out of touch or off the clock. When workers go home, they’re still working because who they are personally and professionally have become one and the same. Workers are always representing the company, and more and more, it seems, work e-mail doesn’t stop for anything or anyone. By no means does time away from the office equal less work getting done. Schawbel is the managing partner of Millennial Branding LLC, a full-service personal-branding agency. He is the author of Me 2.0: 4 Steps to Building Your Future, founder of the blog Personal Branding and publisher of Personal Branding magazine.

– Show of hands, how many people are still clocking in at 9 and out at 5 every day? Well, you might be in the minority soon. In its annual list of top trends, communications firm Euro RSCG Worldwide is predicting that “Generation Y will upend the traditional workday, as the digital generation works anywhere, anytime.” Time agrees, predicting that telecommuting and flexible schedules with strange hours could soon be the norm. For backup, Time cites this study, which shows that young professionals demand Internet access, and another showing that some 37% of them would take a pay cut in exchange for workplace flexibility. It also points out that technology is blurring the line between home and work—thanks to email, “no one is ever out of touch or off the clock.”

Research suggests effects of sunlight produce the color of Jupiter's Great Red Spot. The feature's clouds are much higher than those elsewhere on the planet, and its vortex nature confines the reddish particles once they form. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ Space Science Institute (Phys.org) —The ruddy color of Jupiter's Great Red Spot is likely a product of simple chemicals being broken apart by sunlight in the planet's upper atmosphere, according to a new analysis of data from NASA's Cassini mission. The results contradict the other leading theory for the origin of the spot's striking color—that the reddish chemicals come from beneath Jupiter's clouds. The results are being presented this week by Kevin Baines, a Cassini team scientist based at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, at the American Astronomical Society's Division for Planetary Science Meeting in Tucson, Arizona. Baines and JPL colleagues Bob Carlson and Tom Momary arrived at their conclusions using a combination of data from Cassini's December 2000 Jupiter flyby and laboratory experiments. In the lab, the researchers blasted ammonia and acetylene gases—chemicals known to exist on Jupiter—with ultraviolet light, to simulate the Sun's effects on these materials at the extreme heights of clouds in the Great Red Spot. This produced a reddish material, which the team compared to the Great Red Spot as observed by Cassini's Visible and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS). They found that the light-scattering properties of their red concoction nicely matched a model of the Great Red Spot in which the red-colored material is confined to the uppermost reaches of the giant cyclone-like feature. "Our models suggest most of the Great Red Spot is actually pretty bland in color, beneath the upper cloud layer of reddish material," said Baines. "Under the reddish 'sunburn' the clouds are probably whitish or grayish." A coloring agent confined to the top of the clouds would be inconsistent with the competing theory, which posits that the spot's red color is due to upwelling chemicals formed deep beneath the visible cloud layers, he said. If red material were being transported from below, it should be present at other altitudes as well, which would make the red spot redder still. Jupiter is composed almost entirely of hydrogen and helium, with just a sprinkling of other elements. Scientists are interested in understanding what combinations of elements are responsible for the hues seen in Jupiter's clouds, as this would provide insights into the giant planet's make-up. Baines and colleagues initially set out to determine if the Great Red Spot's color might derive from Sun-induced breakdown of a more complex molecule, ammonium hydrosulfide, which makes up one of Jupiter's main cloud layers. They quickly found that instead of a red color, the products their experiment produced were a brilliant shade of green. This surprising negative result prompted the researchers to try simple combinations of ammonia with hydrocarbons that are common at Jupiter's high altitudes. Breaking down ammonia and acetylene with ultraviolet light turned out to best fit the data collected by Cassini. The Great Red Spot is a long-lived feature in Jupiter's atmosphere that is as wide as two Earths. Jupiter possesses three main cloud layers, which occupy specific altitudes in its skies; from highest to lowest they are: ammonia, ammonium hydrosulfide and water clouds. As for why the intense red color is seen only in the Great Red Spot and a few much smaller spots on the planet, the researchers think altitude plays a key role. "The Great Red Spot is extremely tall," Baines said. "It reaches much higher altitudes than clouds elsewhere on Jupiter." The team thinks the spot's great heights both enable and enhance the reddening. Its winds transport ammonia ice particles higher into the atmosphere than usual, where they are exposed to much more of the Sun's ultraviolet light. In addition, the vortex nature of the spot confines particles, preventing them from escaping. This causes the redness of the spot's cloud tops to increase beyond what might otherwise be expected. Other areas of Jupiter display a mixed palette of oranges, browns and even shades of red. Baines says these are places where high, bright clouds are known to be much thinner, allowing views to depths in the atmosphere where more colorful substances exist. Explore further: Space image: Jupiter-Io montage ||||| The mystery of Jupiter's Great Red Spot solved: Astronomers find planet's 'pimple' is simply sunburn Colour product of simple chemicals being broken apart by sunlight Researchers previously though odd phenomenon came from under clouds The Great Red Spot is as wide as two Earths It has baffled astronomers for years - just what causes the 'red spot' on the surface of Jupiter? Now they have an unlikely answer - sunburn. Nasa experts believe it is likely a product of simple chemicals being broken apart by sunlight in the planet's upper atmosphere. Experts believe the 'spot' is a product of simple chemicals being broken apart by sunlight in the planet's upper atmosphere. HOW THEY RECREATED THE SPOT In the lab, the researchers blasted ammonia and acetylene gases - chemicals known to exist on Jupiter - with ultraviolet light, to simulate the sun's effects on these materials at the extreme heights of clouds in the Great Red Spot. This produced a reddish material, which the team compared to the Great Red Spot as observed by Cassini's Visible and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS). The results contradict the other leading theory for the origin of the spot's striking color - that the reddish chemicals come from beneath Jupiter's clouds. 'Our models suggest most of the Great Red Spot is actually pretty bland in color, beneath the upper cloud layer of reddish material,' said Kevin Baines, a Cassini team scientist based at Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California. 'Under the reddish 'sunburn' the clouds are probably whitish or grayish.' Baines and JPL colleagues Bob Carlson and Tom Momary arrived at their conclusions using a combination of data from Cassini's December 2000 Jupiter flyby and laboratory experiments. In the lab, the researchers blasted ammonia and acetylene gases - chemicals known to exist on Jupiter - with ultraviolet light, to simulate the sun's effects on these materials at the extreme heights of clouds in the Great Red Spot. This produced a reddish material, which the team compared to the Great Red Spot as observed by Cassini's Visible and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS). They found that the light-scattering properties of their red concoction nicely matched a model of the Great Red Spot in which the red-colored material is confined to the uppermost reaches of the giant cyclone-like feature. A coloring agent confined to the top of the clouds would be inconsistent with the competing theory, which posits that the spot's red color is due to upwelling chemicals formed deep beneath the visible cloud layers, he said. North america superimposed onto the spot, which is as wide as two Earths. WHAT IS IT? The spot is actually a violent storm. The biggest in the solar system, it appears as a deep red orb surrounded by layers of pale yellow, orange and white. Winds inside the storm have been measured at several hundreds of miles per hour, Nasa astronomers said. If red material were being transported from below, it should be present at other altitudes as well, which would make the red spot redder still. Jupiter is composed almost entirely of hydrogen and helium, with just a sprinkling of other elements. Scientists are interested in understanding what combinations of elements are responsible for the hues seen in Jupiter's clouds, as this would provide insights into the giant planet's make-up. Jupiter possesses three main cloud layers, which occupy specific altitudes in its skies; from highest to lowest they are: ammonia, ammonium hydrosulfide and water clouds. As for why the intense red color is seen only in the Great Red Spot and a few much smaller spots on the planet, the researchers think altitude plays a key role. 'The Great Red Spot is extremely tall,' Baines said. 'It reaches much higher altitudes than clouds elsewhere on Jupiter.' The team thinks the spot's great heights both enable and enhance the reddening. Its winds transport ammonia ice particles higher into the atmosphere than usual, where they are exposed to much more of the sun's ultraviolet light. In addition, the vortex nature of the spot confines particles, preventing them from escaping. This causes the redness of the spot's cloud tops to increase beyond what might otherwise be expected. Other areas of Jupiter display a mixed palette of oranges, browns and even shades of red. ||||| These crawls are part of an effort to archive pages as they are created and archive the pages that they refer to. That way, as the pages that are referenced are changed or taken from the web, a link to the version that was live when the page was written will be preserved.Then the Internet Archive hopes that references to these archived pages will be put in place of a link that would be otherwise be broken, or a companion link to allow people to see what was originally intended by a page's authors.The goal is to fix all broken links on the web . Crawls of supported "No More 404" sites.

– Scientists have made their own version of Jupiter's Great Red Spot in a lab, and it suggests that the spot's cause is very different from what's been postulated. An existing theory holds that the spot is the result of chemicals underneath the planet's clouds. But following the new research, experts say that the sun is responsible for the color: Sunlight may break up chemicals in Jupiter's atmosphere, Phys.org reports. Scientists in Pasadena, Calif., came to the conclusion after re-creating the effects at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. They were able to get a Spot-like red effect by directing ultraviolet light at ammonia and acetylene, gases that are both found on the planet. Their new theory: "Most of the Great Red Spot is actually pretty bland in color, beneath the upper cloud layer of reddish material," says a researcher. "Under the reddish 'sunburn' the clouds are probably whitish or grayish." So why is it confined to just one spot? "The Great Red Spot … reaches much higher altitudes than clouds elsewhere on Jupiter," the expert notes. The Spot is actually a storm with winds of up to hundreds of miles per hour, the Daily Mail reports. Wind in the area brings ammonia particles higher in the atmosphere where they can be exposed to more sunlight, and a vortex keeps them there, the researchers say. The Spot, by the way, is a lot smaller than it used to be.

Romney also lags among Latinos, voters under 35, and women. Poll: 0 percent of blacks for Romney President Barack Obama continues to beat Mitt Romney among African American voters with a staggering 94 percent to 0 percent lead, according to a poll released Tuesday. The NBC/Wall Street Journal poll — which gives Obama and Vice President Joe Biden a small lead over Romney and his running mate Paul Ryan — shows Obama has a massive lead over his Republican rival in the key political base of African-American voters, NBCNews.com reported. Story Continued Below Obama also beats Romney among Latinos, voters under 35 and women, while Romney does better than Obama with whites, rural voters and seniors. The poll surveyed 1,000 registered voters Aug. 16-20. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. ||||| Matt Sullivan / Getty Images President Barack Obama speaks at Capital University on August 21, 2012 in Columbus, Ohio. After Mitt Romney selected his vice presidential running mate, and just days before the political conventions kick off next week, President Barack Obama maintains his advantage in the race for the White House, according to the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll. A Democratic ticket featuring Obama and Vice President Joe Biden gets support from 48 percent of registered voters, and a Republican ticket of Romney and new running mate Paul Ryan gets 44 percent. These numbers are only slightly changed from July, when Obama led Romney by six points in the survey, 49 percent to 43 percent, suggesting a minimal bounce for Romney (if at all) after this month’s Ryan pick. Read full poll here (.pdf) While the state of the U.S. economy and the nation’s direction continue to pose significant obstacles for the president, the poll points to even steeper challenges for Romney, including concerns about his tax returns and a lack of support for his plans to overhaul Medicare. “The election has moved from a referendum to a choice,” says Democratic pollster Peter D. Hart, who conducted this survey with Republican pollster Bill McInturff. “Mitt Romney is starting to accumulate a number of negatives on the personal front and issues front.” Looking ahead to next week’s Republican convention, which begins on Monday in Tampa, Fla., Hart adds: “Mitt Romney has a lot of repair work to do with his image.” NBC's Chuck Todd and the National Journal's Major Garrett discuss the latest NBC News/WSJ poll. But McInturff argues that there’s still a path to victory for Romney, especially with Obama’s numbers below that all-important 50 percent threshold for an incumbent. “When a guy gets stuck at 48 percent, it doesn’t mean they are out of the clear,” he says. “It means they are in an incredibly competitive campaign.” The swing states, the demographics and the Ryan pick In a smaller sample of voters living in 12 key battleground states – Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin – Obama leads Romney by three points, 49 percent to 46 percent. That’s a narrower edge in these battlegrounds than the eight-point lead the president enjoyed in the June and July NBC/WSJ polls. Looking inside the numbers, Obama continues to lead Romney among key parts of his political base, including African Americans (94 percent to 0 percent), Latinos (by a 2-to-1 margin), voters under 35-years-old (52 percent to 41 percent) and women (51 percent to 41 percent). Romney is ahead with whites (53 percent to 40 percent), rural voters (47 percent to 38 percent) and seniors (49 percent to 41 percent). And the two presidential candidates are essentially even when it comes to the swing groups of suburban voters, Midwest residents and political independents. As for Romney’s selection of Ryan as his running mate, which was made on Aug. 11, the poll suggests that – so far – the pick has had less of an impact on voters than previous running mates have had. President Obama touts his education policy, contrasting his budget proposal to GOP vice presidential pick Paul Ryan. Watch his entire speech. Twenty-two percent say Ryan makes them more likely to vote for the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, while 23 percent say he makes them less likely to vote for Romney; 54 percent say the pick doesn’t affect their vote either way. That margin (-1) is compared with Joe Biden’s in 2008 (+8), Sarah Palin’s in 2008 (+9 percent), John Edwards’ in 2004 (+21), and Joe Lieberman’s in 2000 (+13). Ryan’s numbers come closest to Dick Cheney’s in 2000 (+2). Moreover, in the poll’s feeling thermometer, Ryan’s favorable/unfavorable score stands at 33 percent/32 percent. Hart, the Democratic pollster, attributes Ryan’s mixed numbers to today’s increasingly partisan divide, with Republicans backing him, Democrats opposing him and independents fairly divided. Romney’s two challenges According to the poll, Mitt Romney has two challenges heading into next week’s Republican convention in Florida: repairing his image and selling his proposal to overhaul Medicare. NBC/WSJ poll: Voters split on Ryan For starters, Romney continues to have a net-negative favorable/unfavorable score (38percent/44 percent) – which no other modern Republican presumptive presidential nominee has had. What’s more, Obama bests Romney by 35 points (58 percent to 23 percent) on the question of which candidate is more likeable, and by 22 points (52 percent to 30 percent) on caring about average people. In addition, a majority of voters (51 percent) view the former Massachusetts governor’s approach to issues as being “out of step” with most Americans’ thinking. By comparison, 54 percent say Obama’s positions are “in the mainstream.” And by a 36 percent to 6 percent difference, voters say what they have seen, heard and read about Romney’s tax returns – he has refused to release returns prior to 2010 – has given them a more negative impression of the Republican candidate. Forty-one percent say it doesn’t make much of a difference. Problematically for Romney, similar negative margins exist with swing voters like independents, suburban voters and Midwest residents. “That is as much negative as anything that comes out in this poll,” Hart says of Romney’s tax returns. Testing the Medicare debate Another negative for Romney in the poll is his plan to make substantial changes to Medicare, the government health-insurance program for seniors. When voters are given a description of the Romney-Ryan plan – that future seniors would receive a guaranteed payment that some call a voucher, and that these seniors could use it to purchase either private insurance or to have access in the traditional Medicare program – twice as many call it a bad idea (30 percent) versus good idea (15 percent). However, 51 percent of voters said they have no opinion. In a separate question, 34 percent of voters say they agree with the statement that Romney believes this Medicare proposal “is a good idea because it would strengthen Medicare and reduce government costs … by giving future seniors more control over their own health-care dollars.” NBC/WSJ poll: Approval of Congress hits bottom In contrast, 50 percent say they agree with the statement that Obama believes this proposal “is a bad idea because it would end Medicare as we know it by turning it into a voucher system giving seniors a set amount of money to pay for their health-care costs and leaving them to personally cover costs above this amount.” What’s more, a plurality (39 percent) say that Medicare needs only minor modifications, versus 15 percent who believe it needs a complete overhaul, another 15 percent who think it’s OK the way it is and 27 percent who say it needs major changes. And when asked which candidate is better on issues affecting seniors, 46 percent pick Obama and 34 percent choose Romney. Obama’s own challenge: the economy Yet Obama has challenges, too, and they’re the same ones that have dogged his campaign over the past year. More than six in 10 believe the country is headed in the wrong direction, which is essentially unchanged from last month. And just 36 percent believe the economy will improve in the next 12 months, though that’s up nine points since July’s poll. Not surprisingly, Romney holds a six-point advantage over Obama (44 percent to 38 percent) on which candidate has better ideas on how to improve the economy. Read full poll here (.pdf) That said, 50 percent of voters in the poll believe the economy is recovering, and they’re split (46 percent to 46 percent) on whether the recent news about the economy has made them more optimistic or less optimistic. The president’s overall job approval rating stands at 48 percent, and approval of his handling of the economy is at 44 percent. The NBC/WSJ poll was conducted of 1,000 registered voters (300 reached by cell phone) from Aug. 16-20, and it has an overall margin of error of plus-minus 3.1 percentage points.

– Ever wonder how many black voters support Mitt Romney? The simple answer is: 0%. A new NBC/Wall Street Journal poll has found that 94% of blacks back President Obama, compared to zilch for Romney. The poll also found that Obama is doing better among Latinos, voters under 35, and women. Romney fares better with whites, rural voters, and seniors. Overall, the news isn't good for Romney as he's about to head to the GOP convention. A Romney-Paul Ryan ticket rates 4 points behind an Obama-Joe Biden ticket, the poll finds. Fears about the economy continue to create problems for the president, but voter concerns about Romney's tax returns and Medicare plans present even bigger obstacles for Mitt, notes NBC. Observers point out, however, that Obama isn't out of the woods until he passes the 50% mark in polling. “When a guy gets stuck at 48%, it doesn’t mean they are out in the clear,” says GOP pollster Republican pollster Bill McInturff. “It means they are in an incredibly competitive campaign.”

Songs Of Survival And Reflection: 'At The Cut' Enlarge this image toggle caption Sandlin Gaither Sandlin Gaither At the age of 18, singer/songwriter Vic Chesnutt was in a car accident that changed his life. He became paraplegic, but also began to invest more time in his music. Michael Stipe of R.E.M. discovered Chesnutt playing at a club in Athens, Ga. and went on to produce Chesnutt's first two albums, Little and West of Rome. After a PBS documentary broadcast his story, celebrated musicians — including Nanci Griffith, Garbage, Madonna and Sparklehorse — came together to record a tribute album in 1996 entitled Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation. Chesnutt has recorded over fifteen albums and is known for his "Southern Gothic" storytelling style. He's collaborated with several artists, from the blues fusion band Widespread Panic to alt-country group Lambchop to — most recently — Guy Picciotto, of the band Fugazi. Chesnutt and Picciotto join host Terry Gross to discuss their latest album together, At The Cut. Chesnutt also spoke about learning (and re-learning) the guitar, his health situation and flirting with death. Click here to read the full transcript. ||||| Chad Batka for The New York Times Vic Chesnutt, a singer-songwriter whose music dealt with mortality and black humor, died on Friday in a hospital in Athens, Ga., a spokesman for his family said. He was 45 and lived in Athens. He had been in a coma after taking an overdose of muscle relaxants earlier this week, said the family spokesman, Jem Cohen. In a two-decade career, Mr. Chesnutt sang darkly comic and often disarmingly candid songs about death, vulnerability, and life’s simple joys. A car accident when he was 18 left him partly paralyzed, but he has said that the accident focused him as a musician and a poet. “It was only after I broke my neck and even like maybe a year later that I really started realizing that I had something to say,” he said in a recent radio interview with Terry Gross. Discovered in the late 1980s by Michael Stipe of R.E.M., who produced his first two albums, Mr. Chesnutt has been a mainstay in independent music, collaborating with the bands Lambchop and Widespread Panic. In 1996 his songs were performed by Madonna, the Indigo Girls, Smashing Pumpkins, R.E.M. and others for “Sweet Relief II: The Gravity of the Situation,” an album that benefited the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, a nonprofit group that offers medical support for musicians. His survivors include his wife, Tina Whatley Chesnutt; a sister, Lorinda Crane; and nine nieces and nephews. Recently Mr. Chesnutt had had a burst of creativity, releasing two 2009 albums, “At the Cut” and “Skitter on Take-Off.” In the song, “Flirted With You All My Life,” from “At the Cut,” Mr. Chesnutt sings about suicide, which he had attempted several times. Written as a breakup song with death, it expresses a wish to live: “When you touched a friend of mine I thought I would lose my mind But I found out with time that really, I was not ready, no no, cold death Oh death, I’m really not ready.”

– Vic Chesnutt, who blossomed as a singer-songwriter after a car wreck at 18 left him confined to a wheelchair, died today at 45 after several days in a coma following a drug overdose. His record label announced his death, but not the cause, and some reports say the overdose of muscle relaxants was a suicide attempt. Chesnutt, who was married and lived in Athens, Ga., was discovered by REM frontman Michael Stipe, who produced his first two folk-rock albums in the 1990s, the New York Times reports. “You know, I’ve attempted suicide three or four times. It didn’t take,” Chesnutt told NPR earlier this month. “I’ve flirted with death my whole life.”

A top women's surfer wants Orange County surf clothing company Roxy to stop using sexy images of its sponsored female surfers and instead focus on their athleticism. Three-time world champion surfer Cori Schumacher hoped to send a message by delivering to the Huntington Beach company more than 20,000 signatures from people upset about what they said is the ads' focus on women's bodies instead of their graceful skills in the water. Schumacher said she was upset by what she described as a recent "all sex, no surf" Roxy ad that showed Australian surfer Stephanie Gilmore partially clothed in bed, then showering, as a promotion for a Roxy-sponsored surf contest. "As a lifelong surfer, I've seen the sexism and objectification women face on a daily basis in this sport," Schumacher said in a news release. "Roxy's recent ad ... reinforces the inequalities women face in surfing and other sports. "Surfing should be a place where women can show they're strong and powerful. Ads like Roxy's ads prove women are still navigating gender bias that reinforces harmful stereotypes." A spokesman for Roxy's Huntington Beach based parent, Quiksilver Inc., did not respond to a request for comment. Schumacher launched her campaign through the website change.org and collected signatures from male and female surfers, parents and fans of Roxy products. Several people who signed the online petition left critical comments about Roxy's ads. "I have a daughter who really pays attention to this stuff," said a mother from Virginia who identified herself as Isabel M. "I believe in supporting athleticism. I do not want to buy products that encourage girls to become sex objects." Shares of Quiksilver fell 11 cents, or 1.7%, to $6.56 on Thursday. stuart.pfeifer@latimes.com ||||| I discovered Roxy swimwear a number of years ago when I was looking for fun, really cute swimsuits that you could actually, you know, swim in. I'm a real swimmer, and while I had worn those old Speedos for a number of years, but honestly, I found them boring. When I went looking for suits, I found plenty of cute prints and even great, green manufacturing, but few suits stood up to the 'romping in the serious ocean waves without coming off' test that I hold all my swimwear to. Until Roxy. Seriously, this brand makes some amazingly well-designed bikinis and one-pieces that are great-looking, feel secure and don't come off without a fight. When I was shopping for my new bathing suits, I remember trying them out for the first time, figuring that they probably had to wear well, since the company made gear for women surfers, and I'm guessing that connection to surfing as a sport has made their swimwear awesome. Unfortunately, though, some recent advertising by Roxy flies in the face of what I thought they were about. It's all about being hot in a bikini and not about what amazing things you get to DO in said bikinis. In a Change.org petition that has already garnered more than 20,000 signatures, pro-surfer Cori Schumacher writes: Roxy’s recent advertisement for a surf competition features a 5-time World Champion surfer suggestively undressing without showing us her face, and never actually shows her surfing! This tells young girls it’s more important to be sexy than to be strong or a good surfer. In the past, Roxy has portrayed itself as a fun, youthful brand and are at the core of women’s surfing culture. Roxy should make young girls feel empowered to surf -- not self-conscious about their bodies. It's true. The surfer, Stephanie Gilmore, is a serious champion at one of the world's toughest sports, but you wouldn't know that from the way the camera lingers on her butt. I get it, the whole point of the vid is to get watchers to guess who the surfer is — so I'm OK with the fact that they don't show her face — but why don't we get to see her, you know, surfing? It's a simple test, Roxy. If the same video you made of a woman, would seem really, really weird if you made it with a male surfer (just try that thought experiment) — it's probably stupid and sexist. This one is a perfect example of that. Why does this matter? I think one of the female surfer commenters on the petition page put it best: "Last week I paddled out into an all male lineup. I was cat called and one guy had the nerve to say. 'You know, I'd probably yield and give you more waves if you surfed in a bikini.' Women have to "fight" for our fair share of space in the waves, and in the world. Roxy should help empower us, not degrade us. I'm totally disgusted by this trailer ... and my experience in the line up shows that the guys eat this sh*t up, and feel legitimized when they degrade female surfers." At 3 p.m. today, Cori will be delivering the change.org signatures to Roxy's offices and having a chat with them. We'll see if they listen. Related on MNN: The opinions expressed by MNN Bloggers and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of MNN.com. While we have reviewed their content to make sure it complies with our Terms and Conditions, MNN is not responsible for the accuracy of any of their information. ||||| Starting in 1996, Alexa Internet has been donating their crawl data to the Internet Archive. Flowing in every day, these data are added to the Wayback Machine after an embargo period.

– A California company that makes clothes for surfers has a new ad featuring pro surfer Stephanie Gilmore. That part's not controversial. What is rankling critics, however, is that Roxy's ad shows Gilmore in bed and in the shower, but never actually, you know, surfing. As a result, three-time world champ Cori Schumacher has collected more than 21,000 signatures on Change.org demanding that Roxy pull the "all sex, no surf" ad, reports the Los Angeles Times. It's an example of the sexism rampant in the sport, Schumacher argues. "Surfing should be a place where women can show they're strong and powerful. Ads like Roxy's ads prove women are still navigating gender bias that reinforces harmful stereotypes." An over-reaction? Nope, writes Starre Vartan at Mother Nature Network, who happens to be a fan of Roxy swimwear. "It's a simple test, Roxy. If the same video you made of a woman, would seem really, really weird if you made it with a male surfer (just try that thought experiment)—it's probably stupid and sexist," she writes. "This one is a perfect example of that." Schumacher delivered the petition and its signatures this week, but so far no word from Roxy.

Who are the people currently holding deferments? They are young men and women like Antonio Cisnero, born in Acapulco and now living in Pomona, who is studying at Cal State L.A. (while working full time to pay for his education) for a career in biomedical engineering. Maria Lizeth Ruiz was born in Mexico City and now lives in Costa Mesa; she wants to become a court interpreter. Eunsoo Jeong, who came from South Korea to California as a 13-year-old, used DACA status to graduate from college and get a job in a Burbank animation lab. Jesus Contreras arrived in the U.S. from Mexico when he was 6, and he spent the last week doing his job in Houston — as a paramedic helping save people from flooding associated with Hurricane Harvey. ||||| President Trump is taking flak from all sides for ending his predecessor’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy, thus putting some 800,000 young immigrants—so-called Dreamers—in legal limbo. Though the President and Barack Obama share responsibility for instigating the crisis, Mr. Trump and Congress now have an obligation to fix it and spare these productive young adults from harm they don’t deserve. *** Mr. Trump was at his worst during the campaign when he assailed DACA as an “unconstitutional executive amnesty,”... ||||| The Trump administration announced the end of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, on a delayed, rolling basis. The decision is the right one. DACA is an extralegal amnesty at odds with our constitutional system. It has to go. But the delayed fuse gives Congress an opportunity to pass legislation dealing with this sub-set of the illegal population. Instituted in 2012 by President Obama, DACA provided a functional amnesty to illegal immigrants under the age of 37 who applied to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for deferred status. The program was Obama’s response to Congress repeatedly rejecting the DREAM Act, under the novel theory that the president can in effect impose legislation if Congress declines to pass it. The administration justified DACA as a mere exercise of prosecutorial discretion, the same absurd cover story that the courts rejected in the case of Obama’s other unilateral amnesty, known as DAPA. Candidate Trump had promised to rescind DACA on Day One. But the president hesitated to follow through. Its beneficiaries are sympathetic, some having grown up here and having known no other country. That Trump initially balked at ending DACA is therefore understandable. He tried to strike a prudent balance, given the circumstances. Currently pending applications for deferred status will still be considered, and existing work permits due to expire between now and March 5, 2018, can still be renewed for a two-year period. But no new applications will be accepted after today and no renewals considered for permits expiring after March 5 of next year. Trump is, appropriately, putting the onus on Congress for passing a legal version of the program. In theory, there should be a deal to be had, a DREAM Act–style amnesty in exchange for tightening in the rest of the immigration system. But Democrats may, cynically, conclude that they don’t need to negotiate, instead insisting on a simple codification of DACA and daring the Trump administration to really bring an end to the program. They also may figure they can divide congressional Republicans on the issue. Those in the party who favored the Gang of Eight immigration bill haven’t gone away, and they appear to be in a panic over DACA and eager for any deal, even a fig leaf. Merely getting some funding for Trump’s border wall falls into that category. Trading a permanent amnesty for a one-time appropriation for a border wall that is mostly symbolism would be deal-making that conforms to the worst stereotype of feckless congressional Republicans. Unfortunately, the White House might be willing to go along with such a deal because the wall is Trump’s idée fixe, even though it is considerably less important than other enforcement measures. Republicans should aim to trade a version of the DREAM Act for mandatory E-Verify for new hires on a nationwide basis and, ideally, for a significant piece of the RAISE Act, a bill recently introduced by Senators Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) and David Perdue (R., Ga.). Most relevant is the Cotton-Perdue provision to curtail chain migration, wherein recent immigrants sponsor their relatives, who sponsor their relatives, and so on. Congress should want to avoid making DACA recipients the next link in chain migration. To get anything like this, Republicans will have to be stalwart and adroit, and the Trump White House will have to have a clear legislative strategy. We hope today wasn’t simply the beginning of the process of codifying DACA, with no meaningful enforcement in exchange. READ MORE: To End DACA, Follow the Constitution The Politics of the DACA Fix A DACA Deal — Get insight from the best conservative writers delivered to your inbox; sign up for National Review Online’s newsletters today. ||||| President Trump didn’t even have the guts to do the job himself. Instead, he hid in the shadows and sent his attorney general, Jeff Sessions, to do the dirty work of telling the country that the administration would no longer shield from deportation 800,000 young undocumented immigrants brought to this country as children. Mr. Sessions, a longtime anti-immigrant hard-liner, was more than up to the task. In a short, disingenuous speech, he said a program set up by President Barack Obama in 2012 — known as DACA, for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals — was a lawless policy that “yielded terrible humanitarian consequences” and denied jobs to hundreds of thousands of American citizens. (Mr. Trump echoed these claims in a statement released by the White House.) Mr. Sessions called DACA “an unconstitutional exercise of authority” and said “failure to enforce the laws in the past has put our nation at risk of crime, violence and terrorism.” False, false, false and false. DACA recipients are not threats to public safety or national security; to the contrary, they must have a nearly spotless record to be eligible in the first place. They do not receive legal status in this country, only a two-year, renewable deferral of deportation along with a work permit and eligibility for other government benefits down the road. And they are not taking jobs from native-born Americans, whose declining levels of employment can be chalked up to other factors. As for the policy’s legality, there’s no question that the president has the authority to set immigration-enforcement priorities. Presidents of both parties have done that for decades, and President Obama did it by focusing on people with criminal records and not on those brought to this country as children. For most of this latter group, the United States is the only home they’ve ever known. About 9 in 10 are working taxpayers, and deporting them could reduce the gross domestic product by over $400 billion over the next decade. ||||| PRESIDENT TRUMP found a facile way to deflect blame for his decision to terminate the program that provides safe harbor for the "dreamers," some 800,000 young immigrants brought illegally to this country as minors. Lacking any policy conviction — as a candidate, Mr. Trump vowed to end the program, then once in office said the "incredible" young dreamers should breathe easy — he ducked, dodged and shunted the issue to Congress. Agreed: Congress should have dealt with the dreamers years ago, and several times tried to do so. It failed, which is why President Barack Obama established Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which grants two-year renewable reprieves from deportation, along with work permits. Mr. Trump did not kill the program outright, which may have disappointed some of his hardcore supporters. But he handed it a slow-motion death sentence, unless Congress can break its long-standing deadlock on the issue. The president didn't have the spine to announce his decision himself. He shuffled it to Attorney General Jeff Sessions, an anti-immigration extremist who seemed to relish sticking a knife in DACA. Mr. Trump told reporters Tuesday that he hoped "Congress will be able to help" the dreamers "and do it properly." But his written statement — "young Americans have dreams too" — was a study in ambiguity. While saying the dreamers wouldn't be first in line for deportation, Mr. Trump put them on a path to lose jobs, educational opportunities, and the ability to lead open and unafraid lives. Tossing red meat to the administration's hardcore nativist base, Mr. Sessions falsely asserted that DACA amounts to unconstitutional "amnesty." In fact, DACA is a stopgap that conferred no legal status on its recipients. And despite the administration's contention that it is legally indefensible, predicting how the Supreme Court would rule on it is a guessing game. Presidents have long exercised broad discretion over the enforcement of immigration law and deportations — a matter of necessity given finite resources. By calling attention to the plight of a sympathetic group of generally hard-working, law-abiding young people, DACA has clarified for many Americans just how senseless it would be to deport hundreds of thousands of them. That's one reason Congress should act to extend their protections. Another is that the dreamers are a boon to the U.S. economy. They are English speakers; nearly all are in school, college or the workforce; and tens of thousands of them are working toward a bachelor's degree or higher. Most own cars and pay taxes. Many have bought houses and apartments; several thousand have even started businesses. Mr. Sessions is wrong to claim that the dreamers take jobs from Americans. In fact, the unemployment rate has plummeted in the five years since the dreamers have been eligible for work permits. Mr. Trump's order is an assault on economic logic. By subverting the employment and educational prospects of so many promising young people, Mr. Trump has sapped their earnings and purchasing power, withdrawn their college prospects and imperiled their jobs. That's why more than 300 top executives of some of the largest U.S. corporations asked him not to rescind DACA. Now, unless Congress acts, the United States will suffer along with the dreamers. ||||| President Donald Trump tweeted Tuesday evening that he expected Congress to “legalize” the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) that he had just rescinded Tuesday morning, or he would “revisit” the issue. Congress now has 6 months to legalize DACA (something the Obama Administration was unable to do). If they can’t, I will revisit this issue! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 6, 2017 Earlier in the day, shortly before he made the official announcement that DACA would end after a six-month delay, President Trump tweeted that Congress should “get ready to do [its] job,” leaving the outcome of that process ambiguous. As things stood then, if Congress failed to pass legislation to protect the so-called “Dreamers” — illegal aliens who were brought to the U.S. as children — then DACA would simply end, and its beneficiaries would be potentially subject to deportation. That gave Trump maximum leverage to demand concessions — border wall funding, for example — in exchange for any legalization that Congress would offer, and to limit the extent of that legalization. Trump was aided, ironically, by Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), who said of Trump’s decision on DACA: “We are now in a countdown toward deportation.” That was almost certainly hyperbole — the Trump administration does not want to deport the “Dreamers,” at least not most of them — but in creating alarm for the sake of the 24-hour news cycle, Durbin foolishly gave Trump the upper hand in the negotiations to follow. And then, somehow, Trump gave it back. By tweeting that he expects Congress to legalize DACA, he risks alienating those of his supporters who want him to end the program. Trump’s base might be willing to accept a compromise on DACA at the end of six months, but not at the start. Furthermore, Trump may have backed himself into signing whatever form of DACA Congress passes, even if it is more generous than the original DACA policy. Trump can still extricate himself from his blunder by setting out clear conditions under which he would veto a DACA bill. First, Congress would have to fund the border wall — and potentially tax remittances by foreign workers so that Mexico pays for it. Second, there can be no offer of legal permanent residency to DACA recipients until the border is fully secure. Third, there could be no “path to citizenship,” pending broader immigration reform. Without clear limits to what the president will accept, Congress’s debate over DACA will slouch towards amnesty — prodded by media hysteria, Democrats’ lust for votes, and GOP fear of the donor class. That is doubly true if Trump is seen to be cheering for a DACA-like outcome. Whatever caused Tuesday evening’s DACA tweet — perhaps a loss of nerve in a Bannon-less West Wing — it was an error from which Trump must extricate himself, and soon. Joel B. Pollak is Senior Editor-at-Large at Breitbart News. He was named one of the “most influential” people in news media in 2016. He is the co-author of How Trump Won: The Inside Story of a Revolution, is available from Regnery. Follow him on Twitter at @joelpollak.

– President Trump's DACA decision—to end protection for young immigrants brought to the country illegally as kids and punt the issue back to Congress—is a hot topic on the nation's editorial pages. Here's a sampling: Wall Street Journal: The newspaper complains that Trump was "at his worst" when he went after Dreamers in the campaign but thinks that Obama was "at his most cynical" when he instituted DACA on iffy legal grounds. The editors see Obama's action as a calculated political decision, one that "teed up this moral crisis." Also at its "worst"? The GOP for making this issue a priority now. Regardless of all that, it's now up to Congress to protect these young immigrants, and to do so without using them as political weapons. New York Times: Its editorial accuses Trump of "cowardice" for sending Jeff Sessions out to do the "dirty work" of announcing the move and suggests Trump doesn't even understand the implications of the decision. "DACA is morally right, legally sound and fiscally smart policy," the editors write. "It was also the only humane choice Mr. Obama had in the face of Congress’s failure to pass any meaningful immigration reform in the last two decades." National Review: Trump made the right move because "DACA is an extralegal amnesty at odds with our constitutional system," write the editors. They urge Republican lawmakers to use the next six months wisely to win border-security measures from Democrats (such as E-verify for all hires nationwide) in exchange for codifying DACA. Washington Post: The editors call the move "heartless" in terms of the Dreamers but says it could hurt the US economy, too. "By subverting the employment and educational prospects of so many promising young people, Mr. Trump has sapped their earnings and purchasing power, withdrawn their college prospects and imperiled their jobs," they write. No wonder so many corporate execs are in opposition. "Now, unless Congress acts, the United States will suffer along with the dreamers." Breitbart: It's not an editorial, but a post at the site suggests that Trump blew it when he tweeted Tuesday night that he would "revisit" the issue if Congress failed to legalize DACA. Trump just gave away his leverage and ticked off supporters who would be happy to see DACA end, period. "Trump’s base might be willing to accept a compromise on DACA at the end of six months, but not at the start," writes Joel Pollak. Los Angeles Times: "Pure cruelty" declares the editorial's headline. "What public good is achieved by yanking such people from their homes, families and communities and sending them to countries where they are strangers and often don’t even speak the language?" The fix: Congress must resurrect the DREAM Act and give these youths a path to citizenship.

... l. I'm confident he's going to get it done. https://www.breitbart.com/…/gaetz-tru…/… Our President is committed to securing our border and building a wal ||||| Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., had a non-Kodak moment Tuesday after a sixth-grade girl was snapped giving the lawmaker the middle finger during a school visit. Gaetz met with students at Shoal River Middle School in Crestview, Fla., to lecture them on civics when he decided to take a selfie with the sixth graders. Many students struck a pose or smiled for the photo except for one girl in the front row who flipped the bird directly at Gaetz. The congressman posted the photo on his Facebook page. The congressman laughed off the gesture to reporters Tuesday. “It’s certain to occur again,” Gaetz told NWF Daily News. PELOSI ENDORSES CUOMO AS DEMS GO INCREASINGLY BICOASTAL Angela Marie, who identified herself as girl’s mother, commented on Gaetz’s photo apologizing for her daughter’s “unacceptable” gesture. “As the mother of the little girl very disrespectfully flipping the ‘bird,’ I will be dealing with her at home tonight! I absolutely have raised her better than this, and I promise this will never happen again! I have been dealing with her wanting to ‘fit in’ and I promise you, I am livid. Political views aside, this is completely unacceptable. Mr. Gaetz, I apologized on behalf of my daughter. I am very sorry this occurred,” she wrote. Gaetz replied that he understood and had an “occasional lapse of judgement as a middle schooler.” FRANKEN, DEMS RAISE ALARM ABOUT CYBER-MEDDLING IN MIDTERMS “Teaching moments like this are a good thing. I had a lovely time with the students,” he said. The congressman said he would not take down the photo, calling the snap a “good teaching moment.” “You never know what’s going to happen on Open Gaetz Day,” he said, referring to his district tours. ||||| CRESTVIEW — During his Monday tour through Crestview, Congressman Matt Gaetz, R-1st, met with sixth-graders at Shoal River Middle School to give them a brief civics lesson. And at least one young girl learned about her First Amendment right. After meeting with students, Gaetz took a selfie with the audience and quickly shared it to his Facebook page. Kids were smiling and waving their hands — and one young lady in the front was clearly extending her middle finger. To the congressman, it's just another day in politics. "It's certain to occur again," Gaetz said with a laugh. The mother of the girl commented on the photo — which had 500 shares at this writing — saying she was very sorry about the photo and would "deal with her daughter." "Political views aside, this is completely unacceptable. Mr. Gates (sic), I apologize on behalf of my daughter," she wrote. "I am very sorry this occurred." Dozens of commenters said the girl was simply exercising her First Amendment rights. Gaetz replied back saying he had a lovely time with the students. "As a middle school student I'm sure I had plenty of lapses in judgment that were far more severe than this one," Gaetz said Tuesday afternoon. "We've all been middle schoolers, we all know what the wonder years are like. I don't know if she would choose that particular method in the future, but I'm not really someone who criticizes how they express themselves." Gaetz said he has no intention of taking the photo down. In fact, the photo is a good teaching moment, he said. "You never know what's going to happen on Open Gaetz Day," he said, referring to the name of his district tours.

– It's probably not a photo that mom is going to frame. Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida made a stop at Shoal River Middle School in Crestview on Tuesday to talk civics, but things concluded with some not-exactly-civil behavior. Gaetz posed for a selfie with sixth graders and posted it to Facebook, where it shows a smiling Gaetz in the lower left—and a girl with her middle finger raised in the lower right. (See the photo here.) Fox News reports the GOP congressman took it in stride, saying he had an "occasional lapse of judgement" at that age. Northwest Florida Daily News reports that one of the commenters on the photo identified herself as the girl's mother, offered an apology for the "unacceptable move," and wrote that she would "be dealing with her at home tonight! I absolutely have raised her better than this, and I promise this will NEVER happen again! I have been dealing with her wanting to 'fit in' and I promise you, I am livid." Gaetz says he'll keep the photo up. "I'm not really someone who criticizes how they express themselves." (This driver flipped off police, and then found himself in trouble.)

If you suffer from a fear of sheep you might want to skip this video showing 1,300 sheep running on the loose and basically taking over a town as if they were in New Zealand horror movie Black Sheep. The freakish incident occurred just after 4 a.m. in the northeastern Spanish city of Huesca, south of the Pyrenees mountains, on the French border, after a shepherd fell asleep, according to local police. SEE ALSO: A little town is being ruled by hundreds of crazy goats Alerted by several phone calls from residents, Huesca police were forced to round up the flock, which had already taken over the city centre, and deliver them back to the shepherd. Two police cars were sent to the scene and five officers spent about 45 minutes trying to round up all the sheep and return them to their pen. A video posted by Huesca police on their Facebook page shows a police car with it lights on pulling up in front of the flock. The shepherd had dozed off instead of guiding the sheep onto the pastures of the Pyrenees, where they'll spend the summer. Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments. ||||| Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later.

– A YouTube video proves why you should never fall asleep on the job—particularly if you have 1,300 sheep in your care. A resident in the Spanish city of Huesca called police around 4:30am Tuesday to report a herd of sheep making its way through the city streets, per the Telegraph. And what a herd it was. About five officers spent 45 minutes rounding up the animals before delivering them to their shepherd, who was fast asleep, reports Mashable. The shepherd—who was apparently waiting to begin an age-old tradition of migrating the sheep through the city to summer grazing grounds in the Pyrenees mountains—hadn't even realized the sheep were missing.

President Trump took to Twitter Tuesday with a cryptic missive about authors who write about him even though they “know nothing” about their subject, but he may not have been simply referring to his old campaign rival. “Fascinating to watch people writing books and major articles about me and yet they know nothing about me & have zero access," Trump tweeted. "FAKE NEWS!” Hillary Clinton’s widely publicized “What Happened” was released on Tuesday, but closer analysis shows Trump probably wasn’t only referring to her when he sent his book-bashing tweet. NBC News reporter Katy Tur, who also released a book on Tuesday, titled, “Unbelievable: My front-row seat to the craziest campaign in American history,” is just as likely a target of the commander-in-chief's latest 140-word broadside. Tur was embedded with the Trump campaign throughout 2016 and it’s safe to assume the president wasn’t her biggest fan. He specifically called her out during numerous rallies, referring to her as “little Katy” and a “third-rate reporter.” Trump appeared to enjoy targeting Tur as an example of what he considered biased media and "fake news." “At first he was very charming and when he realized that his charm wasn’t going to change my reporting, he would go on the attack, but he switched back and forth like that throughout the entire campaign." - Katy Tur Tur’s new book details her time on the campaign trail, including being reprimanded by then-campaign spokeswoman Hope Hicks and then-campaign manager Corey Lewandowski for a perceived lack of respect during an interview with Trump. Tur also claims that a Trump aide told her, off the record, that ‘Mr. Trump wants you to go f--- yourself.’” Clinton’s book is also packed with disparaging stories about the president, but Tur’s is more likely to be what Trump was talking about when he wrote “FAKE NEWS” in the early morning tweet. In an appearance on NBC’s “Today” show to promote her book, Tur took more shots at Trump. She reminded viewers that most political watchdogs considered a reality TV star running for president “hilarious” and said that he has “mood swings,” characterizations sure to rankle Trump. “At first he was very charming and when he realized that his charm wasn’t going to change my reporting, he would go on the attack, but he switched back and forth like that throughout the entire campaign,” Tur told Matt Lauer. At campaign rallies, Tur said, Trump would fire up crowds by mocking the media in ways she feared could inspire a supporter to act on. She also told Lauer that it was “jarring” and “scary” when Trump singled her out at campaign rallies. “It was one of those feelings that I don’t think I’ll ever be able to shake,” said Tur said, who was long linked romantically to GQ web host Keith Olbermann, one of Trump's most vocal critics in the media. Tur also appeared on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on Tuesday, although the president has proclaimed he doesn’t watch his former allies anymore. Axios recently reported that he “hate” watches the program on occasion – so perhaps he was tuned in when the NBC News correspondent implied Trump tried to intimidate her with his campaign rhetoric. Or when she basically called him a liar. “He did not tell the truth on the campaign,” Tur told the MSNBC morning show. ||||| PROLOGUE __________________________________________________________________________ Trump Victory Party New York Hilton Midtown 10:59 p.m., Election Day I’m about to throw up. I’m standing on the press riser at Donald Trump’s New York City Election Night headquarters. Fox News is playing on two big-screen televisions, framing a stage covered with American flags and punctuated by two glass cases, each containing a make america great again hat. At the center, there’s an empty podium gathering historical significance by the second. “We have a big call to make right now,” says Megyn Kelly, on the screen alongside Bret Baier. As the clock strikes 11 p.m., the Fox camera pans across the studio to a jumbotron to reveal an oversized yellow check mark next to Donald Trump’s grinning portrait and a picture of the state of Florida. Trump has just won it, along with all twenty-nine of its electoral votes. The ballroom crowd of staffers, super supporters, and volunteers goes absolutely wild. The journalists in the room fall silent. If the future is a blank sheet of paper, this news rips it in two. My phone vibrates. And vibrates again. It doesn’t stop. “Holy shit, you called it!” flashes a text from a friend who had been insisting, like nearly all the polls on Planet Earth, that Hillary was a lock. I pick up my phone and check the New York Timeselection forecast. After predicting a Clinton victory for months, it has flipped. Trump has a 95[i] percent chance of winning the election, it says. Only two hours ago, Hillary Clinton had an 85 percent chance. Holy shit. I did call it. In the seventeen months before now, I visited more than forty states, filing more than thirty-eight hundred live TV reports. I did all that as the Trump correspondent for NBC News and MSNBC, and I did it with one audience in mind: the American voter. My goal was to explain what Trump believed in and how he would govern if elected. The job came with all the usual hardships of the campaign trail plus a few new ones, such as death threats and a gazillion loops of Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer,” a staple of Trump’s campaign rallies. I am proud of the work I’ve done but also quite ready for it to be over, thank you very much. Ali Vitali weaves her way over to me on the crowded riser. She’s been NBC’s Trump embed since early on, a job that means not only attending virtually every campaign event, but also recording it for posterity. “Katy!” she says, with desperation in her voice. I am not prepared for the news she’s about to deliver. “Katy!” she says again. “He’s going to keep doing rallies.” At first I don’t understand her. He’s going to be president—why would he keep doing campaign rallies? “Trump,” Ali says. “He’s already planning victory rallies.” My head is a helium balloon. Breathe. The panic mounts. More rallies? I am nearly falling over. More taunting crowds, more around-the-clock live shots, more airports, more earsplitting Pavarotti . . . I can’t. I just can’t. The room goes wavy. My stomach churns. Lights flash in my eyes. I’m never going on vacation. I’m never seeing my friends. I’m never getting my bed back. My brutal, crazy, exasperating year with Trump is going to end—by not ending at all. Trump will be president. The most powerful person in the world. And I will be locked in a press pen for the rest of my life. Does anyone really believe he’ll respect term limits? I have a vision of myself at sixty, Trump at a hundred, in some midwestern convention hall. The children of his 2016 supporters are spitting on me, and he is calling my name: “She’s back there, Little Katy! She’s back there.” Anthony Terrell, my producer, taps me on the shoulder. “They want you,” he says. I put in my earpiece and hear Brian Williams and Rachel Maddow digesting the news. In seconds, I’ll be live in millions of homes. I can feel the bile in the back of my throat, but before I can swallow, I hear Brian building to a toss. “Katy Tur is just up the block from us after a 510-day Trump campaign,” he says. “What are you learning from there?” Well, I’ve learned that Trump insists that he has “the world’s greatest memory,” but his vision of the future got him this far. I’ve learned that Trump has his own version of reality, which is a polite way of saying he can’t always be trusted. He also brings his own sense of political decorum. I’ve heard him insult a war hero, brag about grabbing women by the pussy, denigrate the judicial system, demonize immigrants, fight with the pope, doubt the democratic process, advocate torture and war crimes, tout the size of his junk in a presidential debate, trash the media, and endanger my life. I’ve learned that none of this matters to an Electoral College majority of American voters. They’ve decided that this menacing, indecent, post-truth landscape is where they want to live for the next four years. Look, I get it. You can’t tell a joke without worrying you’ll lose your job. Your twenty-something can’t find work. Your town is boarded up. Patriotism gets called racism. Your food is full of chemicals. Your body is full of pills. You call tech support and reach someone in India. Bills are spiking but your paycheck is not. And you can’t send your kid to school with peanut butter. On top of it all, no one seems to care. You feel like you’re screaming at the top of your lungs in a room full of people wearing earplugs. I get it. What I don’t get are the little old ladies in powder-pink Trump hats calling me a liar. I don’t get the men in hillary sucks—but not like monica T-shirts. I don’t get why protesting a broken political system also means you need to protest the very notion of objective truth. Because of Trump’s war on the media, networks have required a traveling security detail except for Fox News (which hasn’t been as demonized) and CBS (whose main correspondent is a guy who looks like he might be named Major—and is). A couple of weeks ago an advance staffer at a rally told me not to worry. “Save for Trump,” he said, “you’re the most watched person in the room. The Secret Service always has eyes on you.” I worry. I also know enough not to mention it. “The Trump campaign is feeling really good,” I tell Brian, detailing what my sources are describing as the crazy, jubilant behavior inside Trump Tower at the moment. Trump himself has supposedly left. “He is upstairs spending some time with his family as the prospect of him becoming”—smallest of pauses—”president of the United States is suddenly a little more real than it was even earlier today.” I make it through the hit and the nausea passes. I have work to do, and nobody cares how tired I am. But that wave of whoa lingers. It is unbelievable, I think. All of it. Utterly. Inescapably. Completely. Unbelievable. *** I’m writing these words on the eve of Trump’s inauguration, seventy-seven days and at least seventy-seven thousand think pieces after Election Night. I’ve read countless articles about the 2016 election. Some have been insightful. Some have been absurd. As the very first national TV news reporter to cover the Trump juggernaut, I was there from the beginning—covering it every day for nearly two years, until the shocking end—and I’ve reached just one conclusion. Actually, two conclusions. First, no one can make perfect sense of it. Second, I’m smart enough not to try. The Trump campaign was the most unlikely, exciting, ugly, trying, and all-around bizarre campaign in American history. It roiled America and with it, my little life. I won’t pretend to explain it. I will tell you what I saw. From UNBELIEVABLE: My Front-Row Seat to the Craziest Campaign in American History, by Katy Tur, published by Dey Street. Copyright © 2017 by Katy Tur. Reprinted courtesy of HarperCollinsPublishers https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062684929/unbelievable ||||| Fascinating to watch people writing books and major articles about me and yet they know nothing about me & have zero access. # FAKE NEWS! ||||| “Fascinating to watch people writing books and major articles about me and yet they know nothing about me & have zero access. #FAKE NEWS!” the president wrote on Twitter. | Chris Kleponis/Getty Images Trump: Some people who write about me 'know nothing about me & have zero access' President Donald Trump lashed out Tuesday morning at authors who write about him, posting on Twitter that their books and articles amount to “fake news” because “they know nothing about me.” “Fascinating to watch people writing books and major articles about me and yet they know nothing about me & have zero access. #FAKE NEWS!” the president wrote on Twitter. Story Continued Below Trump did not make clear which authors, books or articles he was referring to, although he has been a regular critic of the news media, which he has often complained cover him unfairly. The president’s tweet coincided with the release of two prominent books related to the 2016 election, Hillary Clinton’s campaign memoir, titled “What Happened,” and NBC political reporter Katy Tur’s “Unbelievable: My Front-Row Seat to the Craziest Campaign in American History.” Trump has sparred in the past with Tur, whom he has characterized as a “third-rate journalist” and singled out by name at rallies, sparking the ire of attendees. The president has referred diminutively to Tur as “little Katy,” and at a July 2016 news conference, he told her to “be quiet” as she sought to ask a follow-up question about his invitation to the Russian government to find emails deleted from the personal email server Clinton maintained as secretary of state. The most reliable politics newsletter. Sign up for POLITICO Playbook and get the latest news, every morning — in your inbox. Email Sign Up By signing up you agree to receive email newsletters or alerts from POLITICO. You can unsubscribe at any time.

– "Fascinating to watch people writing books and major articles about me and yet they know nothing about me & have zero access. #FAKE NEWS!" President Trump tweeted Tuesday. But who was the target of the president's online ire? Politico notes Hillary Clinton is a possibility, having released her new book, What Happened, on Tuesday. But Fox News believes there's a likelier candidate: NBC political reporter Katy Tur, who also released a new book, Unbelievable: My Front-Row Seat to the Craziest Campaign in American History, on Tuesday. To mark the occasion, Tur gave interviews on NBC's Today and MSNBC's Morning Joe, where it's entirely possible the morning-show-loving Trump saw her. Tur spent 2016 traveling with the Trump campaign, and the president "wasn't her biggest fan," in the words of Fox News. He called her "little Katy" and a "third-rate reporter." And Tur claims a Trump aide told her off the record that "Mr. Trump wants you to go f--- yourself." So what in Tur's new book could have set off the president? MSNBC has an excerpt: "I've learned that Trump has his own version of reality, which is a polite way of saying he can't always be trusted. He also brings his own sense of political decorum. I've heard him insult a war hero, brag about grabbing women by the pussy, denigrate the judicial system, demonize immigrants, fight with the pope, doubt the democratic process, advocate torture and war crimes, tout the size of his junk in a presidential debate, trash the media, and endanger my life."

Rebel leaders based in the east are heading to Tripoli to strengthen their claim as the legitimate government of Libya. But their credibility has been shaken by inaccurate statements about rebel achievements. Rebel fighters react as they advance to the frontline during a fighting in Tripoli, Libya, Tuesday, Aug. 23. Rebels say they control most of Tripoli, but they faced pockets of fierce resistance from regime loyalists firing mortars and anti-aircraft guns. Libya's rebel leaders are moving to establish political control in Tripoli in anticipation of Muammar Qaddafi's fall, seeking to prevent a power vacuum and establish themselves as the sovereign government of a new Libya. “We have to be there at the moment of liberation,” says Joma Sayehi Eltayef, who has been coordinating preparations for securing Tripoli from the eastern city of Benghazi. “We can’t leave any opportunities for remnants of the regime, or a vacuum. We need a strong grip so that we don’t have chaos. As soon as the regime falls, we have an alternative ready to take over.” The move poses a major test of the leadership's coordination as it prepares to expand its responsibility from the rebel-controlled east to the entire nation, and make the transition from the battlefield to the task of running a vast, oil-rich country. Rebel leaders flying to Tripoli today After rebels' swift takeover of the capital on Sunday night, Qaddafi loyalists began fighting back intensely today, indicating that the push to take the capital may yet be a bloody and drawn-out battle. The rebels' National Transition Council, as well as local councils under its umbrella, is now activating plans it has been preparing for months. The NTC is sending government ministers to Tripoli today to begin coordinating executive control as well as security, and aims to implement its transition plan as soon as possible. Mr. Eltayef, a Tripoli native from a prominent family and leader of the local Tripoli council, says he will try to fly to the capital today. Once there, he plans to activate what he calls an extensive network of Tripoli residents he has been preparing over the past few months to secure the capital once rebel fighters took control. He plans to ensure the security of the capital by deploying his network to man checkpoints, secure government buildings, commercial centers, bakeries, and streets, and allow civil services to continue, he says. The hundreds of people he has cultivated over recent months, first in person and then via satellite phone after he fled to Benghazi early in the uprising, have already begun to step into their roles as their neighborhoods have been freed. When Qaddafi falls, they will be in full force, he says. “This is of course in harmony with what the NTC is doing, under the National Transitional Council umbrella,” says Eltayef, whose brother is an NTC minister. Credibility concerns in Benghazi Yet even as the council begins to extend its reach to the capital, it is facing doubts in Benghazi. Initial reports that rebels captured two of Qaddafi’s sons fell apart when one was reported to have escaped and the other appeared at a hotel where foreign journalists are staying in the capital. The leader of the NTC “has lost his credibility by repeatedly lying to the press,” said a woman who asked to remain anonymous while criticizing the rebel leader because she came from a prominent family in Benghazi. A spokesman for the council refused to talk when contacted by phone today and then turned off his phone. These latest developments have compounded local doubts about the NTC in the wake of the July 29 assassination of rebel military commander Abdel Fatah Younis. "These things have been happening because the basic foundation of the council is not well organized because they have a lack of experience about how to deal with national matters," says Mohamed El Obeidi, a political science professor at Garyounis University in Benghazi. "They're not that politically experienced in these things. On this basis there have been gaps on the NTC, the biggest and hardest is the assassination of Younis." Qaddafi forces retreating from Brega The rebels’ military spokesman in Benghazi, Ahmed Bani, said in the early morning hours of Tuesday that 95 percent of Tripoli was under rebel control, but that pockets of resistance were fighting back fiercely. Qaddafi’s forces are barricaded in his compound of Bab Al Aziziyah and are using their position to indiscriminately bomb neighborhoods, he said. He added that Qaddafi was using Grad missiles to bomb civilian areas, and said Qaddafi’s son Khamis, commander of a feared military brigade, was likely inside Bab Al Aziziyah. In the east, rebels were still fighting for the oil refinery in the city of Brega, Mr. Bani said, though some of Qaddafi’s forces are retreating from the area and heading to his hometown, Sirte. Rebels have been fighting for months for the oil facilities, which under normal operation bring in $35 million per day. They have been wary of allowing the facilities to be bombed, and he said that was why the rebels have still not taken control of them. Al Jazeera also reported that the oil town of Ras Lanuf had fallen to rebels as well. Qaddafi himself is still on the loose, his whereabouts a mystery, and Sirte still under control of his troops. Bani said rebel troops will not attack Sirte, but will wait for residents to rise up against the colonel. Electricity to the city has been cut for more than a week. ||||| Benghazi has seen many dark days in the six-month battle for Libya . The sense of relief was obvious last night as opposition supporters — who had once prepared to defend their homes with knives or handguns — paraded through the streets carrying their red, green and black flag. “Thank you Nato, thank you Cameron, thank you Sarkhozy,” shouted one man, before firing several rounds in the air from a 9mm pistol. Families crammed into cars to share the evening fun. Children carried toy guns as they joined the throng. But the battle is not over yet. Pockets of resistance remain in Tripoli and the rebels in Benghazi know that their road to the capital is blocked by Sirte, Gaddafi’s home city which is still firmly in the hands of regime loyalists. Plenty of questions remain about the opposition’s plan for government. Ahmed Bani, military spokesman for the opposition, cautioned against premature celebrations. “We have to control the whole of Baba al-Aziziya and then we need to get the big rat — Colonel Gaddafi- and his sons. Now is not the time for celebration.” The rebels must also resolve their political problems if they are to assume control of the country. Their cabinet in waiting was dissolved earlier this month and the portfolios have not yet been reassigned. However, senior figures were last night preparing to travel to Tripoli in order to avoid a power vacuum. “They will go just as soon as they possibly can do and when it is safe,” said a rebel source. Thoughts in Benghazi also turned to hunting down Colonel Gaddafi. General Omar el-Hariri, the military representative on the rebel National Transitional Council, said he did not expect Colonel Gaddafi to surrender. As a young army officer General el-Hariri had been close to Gaddafi, but was later sentenced to death for plotting against the dictator. “I don’t think Gaddafi will give himself. But he won’t fight either. He has nothing left now.” Even in their moment of triumph, however, doubts remain about the rebels’ military expertise. Some senior commanders fear that regime fighters could still inflict damage on their rag tag volunteer force of teachers, students, the unemployed and Islamist militias in Tripoli. “If they were proper soldiers they would have secured their entry points to Tripoli, not wasted all their ammunition celebrating,” said a senior rebel air force officer speaking on condition of anonymity. “They have moved straight through the city without thinking about whether they can hold on to anything. But these are civilians. What do you expect?” But last night was a night predominantly for celebration. As darkness descended families returned home to break their Ramadan fast before the party continued in the recently renamed Martyrs Square, beneath booming homemade fireworks that sent red sparks across the sky.

– Aiming to prevent a “vacuum” in Libyan leadership, rebel leaders from the Transitional National Council are traveling from the country’s east to Tripoli, the Christian Science Monitor reports. "We have to be there at the moment of liberation. We can’t leave any opportunities for remnants of the regime," notes one rebel official. "As soon as the regime falls, we have an alternative ready to take over." Meanwhile, the rebel capital of Benghazi is awash in celebration. Celebratory gunfire, fireworks, and car horns filled the city’s air, the Telegraph reports. "Thank you NATO, thank you Cameron, thank you Sarkozy," cheered one man. But a rebel leader warned that "now is not the time for celebration." First, "we have to control the whole of Baba al-Aziziya"—Moammar Gadhafi’s compound—"and then we need to get the big rat—Colonel Gadhafi, and his sons." The US has offered similar advice to the Libyan rebels (minus the rat part).

The first page of the Book of Abraham. A portion of the papyri used by Joseph Smith as the source of the Book of Abraham. The difference between Egyptologists' translation and Joseph Smith's interpretations has caused considerable controversy. The Book of Abraham is a work produced in 1835 by Joseph Smith[1] based, he said, on Egyptian papyri purchased from a traveling mummy exhibition. According to Smith, the book was "a translation of some ancient records [...] purporting to be the writings of Abraham, while he was in Egypt, called the Book of Abraham, written by his own hand, upon papyrus".[2] Smith said the papyri describe Abraham's early life, his travels to Canaan and Egypt, and his vision of the cosmos and its creation. The work was canonized in 1880 by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) as part of its Pearl of Great Price. It thus forms a doctrinal foundation for the LDS Church and Mormon fundamentalist denominations of the Latter Day Saint movement though is not considered a religious text by the Community of Christ. Other groups in the Latter Day Saint movement have differing opinions regarding the Book of Abraham, some rejecting and some accepting the text as inspired scripture. The book contains several doctrines that are unique to Mormonism such as the idea that God organized eternal elements to create the universe (instead of creating it ex nihilo), the exaltation of humanity, a pre-mortal existence, the first and second estates, and the plurality of gods. The Book of Abraham papyri were thought to have been lost in the 1871 Great Chicago Fire. However, in 1966 several fragments of the papyri were found in the archives of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and in the LDS Church archives. They are now referred to as the Joseph Smith Papyri. Upon examination by professional Mormon and non-Mormon Egyptologists, these fragments were identified as Egyptian funerary texts, including the "Breathing Permit of Hôr"[nb 1] and the "Book of the Dead", among others. As a result, the Book of Abraham has been the source of significant controversy. Critics say it is a work of fiction created by Smith, while some Mormon apologists defend its authenticity.[3] Origin [ edit ] The Book of Abraham was purportedly translated by Joseph Smith from Egyptian papyri. Eleven mummies and several papyri were discovered near the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes by Antonio Lebolo between 1818 and 1822. Following Lebolo's death in 1830, the mummies and assorted objects were sent to New York with instructions that they should be sold in order to benefit the bereft heirs of Lebolo.[4] Michael H. Chandler eventually purchased the mummies and artifacts and began displaying them, starting in Philadelphia.[5] Over the next two years Chandler toured the eastern United States, displaying and selling some of the mummies as he traveled.[6][7] On June 30, 1835, Chandler exhibited his collection in Kirtland, Ohio. A promotional flyer created by Chandler states that the mummies "may have lived in the days of Jacob, Moses, or David".[8] At the time, Kirtland was the home of the Latter Day Saints, led by Joseph Smith. Smith – who had claimed to have translated the Book of Mormon from golden plates that had been inscribed with "reformed Egyptian" text – took an immediate interest in the papyri and soon offered Chandler a preliminary translation of the scrolls.[9] Smith claimed that the scrolls contained the writings of Abraham and Joseph, as well as the tale of an Egyptian princess named "Katumin".[10] He wrote: [W]ith W. W. Phelps and Oliver Cowdery as scribes, I commenced the translation of some of the characters or hieroglyphics, and much to our joy found that one of the [scrolls] contained the writings of Abraham, another the writings of Joseph of Egypt, etc. – a more full account of which will appear in its place, as I proceed to examine or unfold them.[7] Smith, Joseph Coe, and Simeon Andrews soon purchased the four mummies and at least five papyrus documents for $2,400 (equivalent to $58,000 in 2018).[9][11] In October 1835 he began "translating an alphabet to the Book of Abraham, and arranging a grammar of the Egyptian language as practiced by the ancients."[12] In so doing, Smith worked closely with Cowdery and Phelps.[13][14] The result of this attempted deciphering was a collection of documents and manuscripts now known as the Kirtland Egyptian papers. One of these manuscripts was a bound book titled simply "Grammar & A[l]phabet of the Egyptian Language", which contained Smith's interpretations of the Egyptian glyphs.[14][15] The first part of the book focuses almost entirely on deciphering Egyptian characters, and the second part deals with a form of astronomy that was supposedly practiced by the ancient Egyptians.[16] The majority of the pages in this tome were penned in July 1835. Most of the writing in the book was written not by Smith but rather by a scribe taking down what Smith said.[14] The "Egyptian Alphabet" manuscript is particularly important because it illustrates how Smith attempted to translate the papyri. First, the characters on the papyri were transcribed onto the left-hand side of the book. Next, a postulation as to what the symbols sounded like was devised. Finally, an English interpretation of the symbol was provided. Smith's subsequent translation of the papyri takes on the form of five "degrees" of interpretation, each degree representing a deeper and more complex level of interpretation.[16] Following the supposed deciphering of the Egyptian alphabet in July and October of 1835, Smith ostensibly translated the majority of the Book of Abraham in November 1835, followed by some minor revisions in March 1842.[17][18] In translating the book, Smith dictated, and Phelps, Warren Parrish, and Frederick G. Williams acted as scribes.[19] The complete work was first published serially in the Latter Day Saint movement newspaper Times and Seasons in 1842,[nb 2] and was later canonized in 1880 by the LDS Church as part of its Pearl of Great Price.[1] Content of the work [ edit ] Book of Abraham text [ edit ] Part of the text describes Abraham's journey from Ur to Canaan and Egypt The Book of Abraham tells a story of Abraham's life, travels to Canaan and Egypt, and a vision he received concerning the universe, a pre-mortal existence, and the creation of the world.[21] The book has five chapters. Chapter 1 recounts how Abraham's father Terah and his forefathers had turned to "the god of Elkenah, and the god of Libnah, and the god of Mahmackrah, and the god of Korash, and the god of Pharaoh, king of Egypt".[22][23] Chaldean priests then sacrifice three virgins to pagan gods of stone and wood, and one priest attempts to sacrifice Abraham himself before an angel comes to his rescue.[24][25] The text then examines the origins of Egypt and its government.[21][26] Chapter 2 includes information about God's covenant with Abraham and how it would be fulfilled; in this chapter, Abraham travels from Ur to Canaan, and then to Egypt.[21][27] In Chapter 3, Abraham learns about an Egyptian understanding of celestial objects via the Urim and Thummim.[21][28] It is in this chapter that Abraham also learns about the eternal nature of spirits [...] pre-earth life, foreordination, the Creation, the choosing of a Redeemer, and the second estate of man."[21] Chapters 4 and 5 contain expansions and modifications of the creation narrative in Genesis.[29] In Chapter 4, the gods (there are over 48 references to the plurality of the gods in Chapters 4 and 5[30]) plan the creation of the earth and life on the earth. In Chapter 5, the gods complete creation, and Adam names all living creatures.[21] Nearly half of the Book of Abraham shows a dependence on the King James Version of the Book of Genesis.[31] According to H. Michael Marquardt, "It seems clear that Smith had the Bible open to Genesis as he dictated this section [i.e., Chapter 2] of the 'Book of Abraham.'"[32] Smith explained the similarities by reasoning that when Moses penned Genesis, he used the Book of Abraham as a guide, abridging and condensing where he saw fit. As such, since Moses was recalling Abraham's lifetime, his version was in the third person, whereas the Book of Abraham, being written by its titular author, was composed in the first person.[32][33] Distinct doctrines [ edit ] The Book of Abraham text is a source of some distinct Latter Day Saint doctrines, which Mormon author Randal S. Chase calls "truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ that were previously unknown to Church members of Joseph Smith's day."[34] Examples include the nature of the priesthood,[35] an understanding of the cosmos,[36] the exaltation of humanity,[37] a pre-mortal existence, the first and second estates,[38] and the plurality of gods.[39] The Book of Abraham expands upon the nature of the priesthood in the Latter Day Saint movement, and it is suggested in the work that those who are foreordained to the priesthood earned this right by valor or nobility in the pre-mortal life.[40] In a similar vein, the Book explicitly denotes that Pharaoh was a descendant of Ham[41] and thus "of that lineage by which he could not have the right of Priesthood".[42] This passage is the only one found in any Mormon scripture that bars a particular lineage of people from holding the priesthood. Even though nothing in the Book of Abraham explicitly connects the line of Pharaoh and Ham to black Africans,[43] this passage was used as a scriptural basis for withholding the priesthood from black individuals.[44] Neither Joseph Smith nor Brigham Young used the Book of Abraham to justify the banning blacks from the priesthood. It wasn't until 1900 that George Q. Cannon, a member of the First Presidency, began using the story of Pharaoh as a scriptural basis for the ban.[45]:205 In 1912, the First Presidency responded to an inquiry about the priesthood ban by using the story of Pharaoh.[46] By the early 1900s, it became the foundation of church policy in regards to the priesthood ban.[45]:205 The 2002 Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual points to Abraham 1:21–27 as the reasoning behind the not giving black people the priesthood until 1978.[47] Chapter 3 of the Book of Abraham describes a unique (and purportedly Egyptian[28][48]) understanding of the hierarchy of heavenly bodies, each with different movements and measurements of time.[49] In regard to this chapter, Randal S. Chase notes, "With divine help, Abraham was able to gain greater comprehension of the order of the galaxies, stars, and planets than he could have obtained from earthly sources."[28] At the pinnacle of the cosmos is the slowest-rotating body, Kolob, which, according to the text, is the star closest to where God lives.[50] The Book of Abraham is the only work in the Latter Day Saint canon to mention the star Kolob.[51] According to the Book: [Abraham] saw the stars, that they were very great, and that one of them was nearest unto the throne of God; ... and the name of the great one is Kolob, because it is near unto me, for I am the Lord thy God: I have set this one to govern all those which belong to the same order as that upon which thou standest.[52] Based on this verse, the LDS Church claims that "Kolob is the star nearest to the presence of God [and] the governing star in all the universe."[53] Time moves slowly on the celestial body; one Kolob-day corresponds to 1,000 earth-years.[49] The Church also notes: "Kolob is also symbolic of Jesus Christ, the central figure in God's plan of salvation."[53] The Book of Abraham also explores pre-mortal existence. The LDS Church website explains: "Life did not begin at birth, as is commonly believed. Prior to coming to earth, individuals existed as spirits."[54] These spirits are eternal and of different intelligences.[55] Prior to mortal existence, spirits exist in the "first estate". Once certain spirits (i.e., those who choose to follow the plan of salvation offered by God the Father of their own accord) take on a mortal form, they enter into what is called the "second estate".[53][56] The doctrine of the second estate is explicitly named only in this book.[57] The purpose of earthly life, therefore, is for humans to prepare for a meeting with God; the Church, citing Abraham 3:26 notes: "All who accept and obey the saving principles and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ will receive eternal life, the greatest gift of God, and will have 'glory added upon their heads for ever and ever'."[53][54] Also notable is the Book of Abraham's insistence that there are many gods, and that "the gods"[nb 3] created the Earth, not ex nihilo, but rather from pre-existing, eternal matter.[54][30] This shift away from monotheism and towards polytheism occurred c. 1838–39, when Smith was imprisoned in the Liberty Jail in Clay County, Missouri (this was after the majority of the Book of Abraham had been supposedly translated, but prior to its publication).[59] Smith noted that there would be "a time come in the [sic] which nothing shall be with held [sic] whither [sic] there be one god or many gods they [sic] shall be manifest all thrones and dominions, principalities and powers shall be revealed and set forth upon all who have indured [sic] valiently [sic] for the gospel of Jesus Christ" and that all will be revealed "according to that which was ordained in the midst of the councyl [sic] of the eternal God of all other Gods before this world was."[60] Facsimiles [ edit ] Three images (facsimiles of vignettes on the papyri) and Joseph Smith's explanations of them were printed in the 1842 issues of the Times and Seasons.[61] These three illustrations were prepared by Smith and an engraver named Reuben Hedlock.[62] The facsimiles and their respective explanations were later included with the text of the Pearl of Great Price in a re-engraved format.[63] According to Smith's explanations, Facsimile No. 1 portrays Abraham fastened to an altar, with the idolatrous priest of Elkenah attempting to sacrifice him.[64] Facsimile No. 2 contains representations of celestial objects, including the heavens and earth, fifteen other planets or stars, the sun and moon, the number 1,000 and God revealing the grand key-words of the holy priesthood.[65] Facsimile No. 3 portrays Abraham in the court of Pharaoh "reasoning upon the principles of Astronomy".[66] Facsimile No. 1 from the Book of Abraham Facsimile No. 2 from the Book of Abraham Facsimile No. 3 from the Book of Abraham Interpretations and contributions to the Latter Day Saint movement [ edit ] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [ edit ] The Book of Abraham was canonized in 1880 by the LDS Church,[67] and it remains a part of the larger scriptural work, The Pearl of Great Price.[68] More recently the LDS Church has softened its position on the Book of Abraham. An essay on the church's website, titled "Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham," explains: "None of the characters on the papyrus fragments mentioned Abraham’s name or any of the events recorded in the book of Abraham. Mormon and non-Mormon Egyptologists agree that the characters on the fragments do not match the translation given in the book of Abraham, though there is not unanimity, even among non-Mormon scholars, about the proper interpretation of the vignettes on these fragments."[69] Community of Christ [ edit ] The Community of Christ, formerly known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, does not accept the Book of Abraham as canonical, although it was referenced in early church publications.[nb 4] Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite) [ edit ] The Strangite branch of the movement does not take an official position on the Book of Abraham. The branch notes, "We know that 'The Book of Abraham' was published in an early periodical as a text 'purporting to be the writings of Abraham' with no indication of its translation process (see Times and Seasons, March 1, 1842), and therefore have no authorized position on it."[71] Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints [ edit ] The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints holds to the canonicity of the Book of Abraham.[72] Loss and rediscovery of the papyrus [ edit ] For many years, it was believed that all the papyri that served as the basis for the Book of Abraham had been lost during the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 After Joseph Smith's death, the Egyptian artifacts were in the possession of his mother, Lucy Mack Smith, and she and her son William Smith continued to exhibit the four mummies and associated papyri to visitors.[63] Two weeks after Lucy's death in May of 1856, Smith's widow, Emma Hale Smith Bidamon, her second husband Lewis C. Bidamon,[nb 5] and her son Joseph Smith III, sold "four Egyptian mummies with the records with them" to Abel Combs on May 26, 1856.[63][74][75] Combs later sold two of the mummies, along with some papyri, to the St. Louis Museum in 1856.[73] Upon the closing of the St. Louis Museum, these artifacts were purchased by Joseph H. Wood and found their way to the Chicago Museum in about 1863, and were promptly put on display.[75] The museum and all its contents were burned in 1871 during the Great Chicago Fire. Today it is presumed that the papyri that formed the basis for Facsimiles 2 and 3 were lost in the conflagration.[73][76] After the fire, however, it was believed that all the sources for the book had been lost.[77] Despite this belief, Abel Combs still owned several papyri fragments and two mummies. While the fate of the mummies is unknown, the fragments were passed to Combs' nurse Charlotte Benecke Weaver, who gave them to her daughter, Alice Heusser. In 1918 Heusser approached the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art (MMA) about purchasing the items; at the time, the museum curators were not interested, but in 1947 they changed their mind, and the museum bought the papyri from Heusser's widower husband, Edward. In the 1960s the MMA decided to raise money by selling some of its items which were considered "less unique". Among these were the papyri that Heusser had sold to the museum several decades earlier.[78] In May of 1966, Aziz S. Atiya, a coptic scholar from the University of Utah, was looking through the MMA's collection when he came across the Heusser fragments; upon examining them, he recognized one as the vignette known as Facsmile 1 from The Pearl of Great Price.[78][79] He informed LDS Church leaders, and several months later, on November 27, 1967, the LDS Church was able to procure the fragments,[78] and according to Henry G. Fischer, curator of the Egyptian Collection at the MMA, an anonymous donation to the MMA made it possible for the LDS Church to acquire the papyri.[79] The subsequent transfer included eleven pieces of papyri, including the original of Facsimile 1.[80] Three of these fragments were designated Joseph Smith Papyrus (JSP) I, X, and XI.[81] Other fragments, designated JSP II, IV, V, VI, VII, and VIII, are thought by critics to be the Book of Joseph to which Smith had referred. Egyptologist John A. Wilson stated that the recovered fragments indicated the existence of at least six to eight separate documents.[82] The twelfth fragment was discovered in the LDS Church Historian's office and was dubbed the "Church Historian's Fragment". Disclosed by the church in 1968, the fragment was designated JSP IX.[83] Although there is some debate about how much of the papyrus collection is missing, there is broad agreement that the recovered papyri are portions of Smith's original purchase, partly based on the fact that they were pasted onto paper which had "drawings of a temple and maps of the Kirtland, Ohio area" on the back, as well as the fact that they were accompanied by an affidavit by Emma Smith stating that they had been in the possession of Joseph Smith.[84] Controversy and criticism [ edit ] In the late 19th century, French Egyptologist Théodule Devéria was one of the first to offer a scholarly critique of Joseph Smith's translation. Since its publication in 1842, the Book of Abraham has been a source of controversy. Non-Mormon Egyptologists, beginning in the late 19th century,[63] have disagreed with Joseph Smith's explanations of the facsimiles. They have also asserted that damaged portions of the papyri have been reconstructed incorrectly. In 1912, a letter about the Book of Abraham was published by Arthur Cruttenden Mace, Assistant Curator in the Department of Egyptian Art in New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. He wrote: I return herewith, under separate cover, the 'Pearl of Great Price.' The 'Book of Abraham,' it is hardly necessary to say, is a pure fabrication. Cuts 1 and 3 are inaccurate copies of well known scenes on funeral papyri, and cut 2 is a copy of one of the magical discs which in the late Egyptian period were placed under the heads of mummies. There were about forty of these latter known in museums and they are all very similar in character. Joseph Smith's interpretation of these cuts is a farrago of nonsense from beginning to end. Egyptian characters can now be read almost as easily as Greek, and five minutes' study in an Egyptian gallery of any museum should be enough to convince any educated man of the clumsiness of the imposture.[85] The controversy intensified in the late 1960s when portions of the Joseph Smith Papyri were located. The translation of the papyri by both Mormon and non-Mormon Egyptologists does not match the text of the Book of Abraham as purportedly translated by Joseph Smith.[86] Indeed, the transliterated text from the recovered papyri and facsimiles published in the Book of Abraham contain no direct references, either historical or textual, to Abraham,[77][87][76] and Abraham's name does not appear anywhere in the papyri or the facsimiles. Edward Ashment notes, "The sign that Smith identified with Abraham [...] is nothing more than the hieratic version of [...] a 'w' in Egyptian. It has no phonetic or semantic relationship to [Smith's] 'Ah-broam.'"[87] University of Chicago Egyptologist Robert K. Ritner concluded in 2014 that the source of the Book of Abraham "is the 'Breathing Permit of Hôr,' misunderstood and mistranslated by Joseph Smith",[88] and that the other papyri are common Egyptian funerary documents like the Book of the Dead.[80] Original manuscripts of the Book of Abraham, microfilmed in 1966 by Jerald Tanner, show portions of the Joseph Smith Papyri and their purported translations into the Book of Abraham. Ritner concludes, contrary to the LDS position, due to the microfilms being published prior to the rediscovery of the Joseph Smith Papyri, that "it is not true that 'no eyewitness account of the translation survives'", that the Book of Abraham is "confirmed as a perhaps well-meaning, but erroneous invention by Joseph Smith", and "despite its inauthenticity as a genuine historical narrative, the Book of Abraham remains a valuable witness to early American religious history and to the recourse to ancient texts as sources of modern religious faith and speculation".[88] Book of Joseph [ edit ] As noted above, a second untranslated work was identified by Joseph Smith after scrutinizing the original papyri. He said that one scroll contained "the writings of Joseph of Egypt". Based on descriptions by Oliver Cowdery, some, including Charles M. Larson, believe that the fragments Joseph Smith Papyri II, IV, V, VI, VII, and VIII are the source of this work.[89][nb 6] See also [ edit ] Notes [ edit ] References [ edit ] ||||| Mitt Romney, the front runner in the race for the Republican Presidential nomination for the White House, is a devout Mormon, but his cousin, Park Romney, also in the past a committed member of the church, now denounces it as a cult. "I became convinced that it's a fraud," Park Romney told the BBC, explaining his reason for leaving the Mormon fold. The two visions of Mormonism the Romney cousins present could not be more starkly opposed. Park Romney, 56, is a former Mormon high priest, who turned against the church. On the stump Mitt Romney, 65, has avoided mentioning Mormonism, instead talking generally about his faith, but he has been an active lifelong member of the church. "If that is what they believe, it's probably a good thing they leave, because we're not a cult Jeffrey Holland, Mormon Church Elder He was a Mormon missionary to France in the 1960s, studied at the almost-exclusively Mormon Brigham Young university and rose to become first bishop, then "Stake President" (diocesan leader) in his home state of Massachusetts. He led Sunday services, ran Bible classes for children and looked after a 4,000-strong congregation in Boston for five years in the 1980s. Like all Mormons, he is expected to give 10% of his annual income - no-one knows how much he is worth, but it is estimated at anywhere from $150 million to $1 billion - to the Church and not drink tea, coffee or alcohol. Committed Mormons wear special under-garments, and Romney is believed to follow this tenet of his faith too. Park Romney's criticisms of the church are fundamental. Along with other ex-Mormons, he questions founder Joseph Smith's prophecies - for example Smith's translation of an Egyptian scroll, part of the Mormon book of Abraham, which Egyptologists say is a fraud. The Mormon faith Official name is Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Founded in the 1820s in New York State before moving to Utah in 1860 Mormons believe their founder Joseph Smith found golden scripture plates buried by an angel The church is estimated to have 14 million followers and to be worth $30bn (£18.9bn) A recent poll said one in four Americans would be less likely to vote for a Mormon candidate BBC Religion: Mormonism Is the US ready for a Mormon president? "There's compelling evidence that the Mormon Church leaders knowingly and wilfully misrepresent the historical truth of their origins and of the Church for the purpose of deceiving their members into a state of mind that renders them exploitable," says Park. Such accusations are rarely heard in the US, a nation founded on the principle of freedom of religion. "It's not something you're supposed to talk about," says Prof Robert Putnam of Harvard Kennedy School. "Whenever the issue of Romney's Mormonism has come to the surface, there's been lots of condemnation across the political spectrum for raising the issue of his religion," says Putnam. "I'm not saying it's not relevant, but it's not talked about in polite company." Mitt Romney's biographer, Scott Helman, agrees. Find out more The Mormon Candidateis part of the latest series of This World, broadcast on Tuesday 27 March at 19:00 BST on BBC Two Watch again on iPlayer (UK only) using the link above Special report: US 2012 "There are plenty of ways in which people try to cause alarm among some voters over it, but it's not something you're allowed to say explicitly," he says. "But a certain function of reminding voters who might have some predisposed notion about Mormonism that maybe it is strange, maybe it's weird." Ex-Mormons tend to be the church's most outspoken critics. One thing that particularly agitates them is "shunning" - allegations that former church members are denied access to family members who remain in the church. Park claims this has happened to him. "I am alienated from my family," he told the BBC. "Their doctrine, their protocol and their culture as enforced by bishops encourages the families to disassociate themselves from the apostate." Image caption Mormon headquarters are in Salt Lake City, Utah Mormon Church elder Jeffrey Holland denies shunning occurs. "We don't use that word and we don't know that practice. "If I had a son or a daughter who left the Church or was alienated or had a problem, I can tell you I would not cut that child out of family life," he states. The Mormon Church maintains that it does a great deal of good. Its leaders say they have given more than $1bn in aid around the world since 1985. The allegation that the Church is a cult, made by Park Romney and other ex-Mormons, is denied by Elder Holland. "If that is what they believe, it's probably a good thing they leave, because we're not a cult. "I have chosen this church because of the faith that I feel and the inspiration that comes, but if people want to call us a cult, you can call us a cult," Elder Holland says from behind his desk. "But we are 14 million and growing."

– Not all Romneys are as enamored of Mormonism as Mitt. Take Park Romney, Mitt's cousin. He used to be a Mormon high priest, but finally left the religion. "I became convinced that it's a fraud," he tells the BBC. He doubts many aspects of the religion, such as founder Joseph Smith's prophecies, including those based on Smith's translation of an Egyptian scroll he said he purchased from a traveling mummy exhibit. The translation, which became part of the Mormon book of Abraham, has been discredited by Egyptologists. "There's compelling evidence that the Mormon Church leaders knowingly and willfully misrepresent the historical truth of their origins and of the church for the purpose of deceiving their members into a state of mind that renders them exploitable," says Park Romney, 56. Mitt Romney, a devout Mormon, doesn't discuss his religion on the stump, and it's generally not considered kosher to challenge him on it, according to Professor Robert Putnam of the Harvard Kennedy School. "Whenever the issue of Romney's Mormonism has come to the surface, there's been lots of condemnation across the political spectrum for raising the issue of his religion," Putnam tells the BBC. "I'm not saying it's not relevant, but it's not talked about in polite company." Park Romney says he's been the victim of the Mormon practice of "shunning" for criticizing the religion. "I'm alienated from my family," he says.

Image copyright AFP Image caption A worker collects ashes after cremation. File photo The ashes of cremated Catholics cannot be kept at home, scattered or divided among family members, the Vatican has announced in new guidelines. The two-page instruction by the Vatican's department on doctrine said ashes of the dead must be kept in "sacred places" such as cemeteries. It also stressed that the Roman Catholic Church still preferred burials over cremations. The Vatican allowed cremation in 1963 but has always frowned on the practice. It also stressed at the time that cremation must not suggest a denial of faith about resurrection. Countering 'new ideas' "It is not permitted to scatter the ashes of the faithful departed in the air, on land, at sea or in some other way, nor may they be preserved in mementos, pieces of jewellery or other objects," said the instruction by the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. "These courses of action cannot be legitimised by an appeal to the sanitary, social, or economic motives that may have occasioned the choice of cremation." The Vatican said it was issuing the new guidelines to counter "new ideas contrary to the Church's faith" that had become widespread since 1963. It said the Church could not "condone attitudes or permit rites that involve erroneous ideas about death, such as considering death as the definitive annihilation of the person, or the moment of fusion with Mother Nature or the universe, or as a stage in the cycle of regeneration, or as the definitive liberation from the 'prison' of the body". The guidelines reiterated that Catholics who chose to be cremated "for reasons contrary to the Christian faith" must be denied a Christian funeral. The Vatican also stressed that "the Church continues to prefer the practice of burying the bodies of the deceased, because this shows a greater esteem towards the deceased". Pope Francis had already approved the guidelines, the Vatican said. Shortage of burial land fears - BBC's Religious Affairs correspondent Martin Bashir Fearing the impact of naturalistic ideas about the circle of life, where the body is regarded as no different to other physical matter, the Vatican has decided to clarify its position on what should happen to the remains of the dead. Cardinal Gerhard Muller, the head of the Church's powerful Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, said ashes of those cremated should be committed to a cemetery or another consecrated place. But Britain and some other western countries face a shortage of land in which to bury bodies. There are concerns this announcement will not only place financial burdens on Catholic families but also increase the pressure on cemeteries, half of which are expected to run out of space within the next 20 years. ||||| CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH Instruction Ad resurgendum cum Christo regarding the burial of the deceased and the conservation of the ashes in the case of cremation 1. To rise with Christ, we must die with Christ: we must “be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Cor 5:8). With the Instruction Piam et Constantem of 5 July 1963, the then Holy Office established that “all necessary measures must be taken to preserve the practice of reverently burying the faithful departed”, adding however that cremation is not “opposed per se to the Christian religion” and that no longer should the sacraments and funeral rites be denied to those who have asked that they be cremated, under the condition that this choice has not been made through “a denial of Christian dogmas, the animosity of a secret society, or hatred of the Catholic religion and the Church”.[1] Later this change in ecclesiastical discipline was incorporated into the Code of Canon Law (1983) and the Code of Canons of Oriental Churches (1990). During the intervening years, the practice of cremation has notably increased in many countries, but simultaneously new ideas contrary to the Church’s faith have also become widespread. Having consulted the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts and numerous Episcopal Conferences and Synods of Bishops of the Oriental Churches, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has deemed opportune the publication of a new Instruction, with the intention of underlining the doctrinal and pastoral reasons for the preference of the burial of the remains of the faithful and to set out norms pertaining to the conservation of ashes in the case of cremation. 2. The resurrection of Jesus is the culminating truth of the Christian faith, preached as an essential part of the Paschal Mystery from the very beginnings of Christianity: “For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures; that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures; that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve” (1 Cor 15:3-5). Through his death and resurrection, Christ freed us from sin and gave us access to a new life, “so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Rm 6:4). Furthermore, the risen Christ is the principle and source of our future resurrection: “Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep […] For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Cor 15:20-22). It is true that Christ will raise us up on the last day; but it is also true that, in a certain way, we have already risen with Christ. In Baptism, actually, we are immersed in the death and resurrection of Christ and sacramentally assimilated to him: “You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead” (Col 2:12). United with Christ by Baptism, we already truly participate in the life of the risen Christ (cf. Eph 2:6). Because of Christ, Christian death has a positive meaning. The Christian vision of death receives privileged expression in the liturgy of the Church: “Indeed for your faithful, Lord, life is changed not ended, and, when this earthly dwelling turns to dust, an eternal dwelling is made ready for them in heaven”.[2] By death the soul is separated from the body, but in the resurrection God will give incorruptible life to our body, transformed by reunion with our soul. In our own day also, the Church is called to proclaim her faith in the resurrection: “The confidence of Christians is the resurrection of the dead; believing this we live”.[3] 3. Following the most ancient Christian tradition, the Church insistently recommends that the bodies of the deceased be buried in cemeteries or other sacred places.[4] In memory of the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord, the mystery that illumines the Christian meaning of death,[5] burial is above all the most fitting way to express faith and hope in the resurrection of the body.[6] The Church who, as Mother, has accompanied the Christian during his earthly pilgrimage, offers to the Father, in Christ, the child of her grace, and she commits to the earth, in hope, the seed of the body that will rise in glory.[7] By burying the bodies of the faithful, the Church confirms her faith in the resurrection of the body,[8] and intends to show the great dignity of the human body as an integral part of the human person whose body forms part of their identity.[9] She cannot, therefore, condone attitudes or permit rites that involve erroneous ideas about death, such as considering death as the definitive annihilation of the person, or the moment of fusion with Mother Nature or the universe, or as a stage in the cycle of regeneration, or as the definitive liberation from the “prison” of the body. Furthermore, burial in a cemetery or another sacred place adequately corresponds to the piety and respect owed to the bodies of the faithful departed who through Baptism have become temples of the Holy Spirit and in which “as instruments and vessels the Spirit has carried out so many good works”.[10] Tobias, the just, was praised for the merits he acquired in the sight of God for having buried the dead,[11] and the Church considers the burial of dead one of the corporal works of mercy.[12] Finally, the burial of the faithful departed in cemeteries or other sacred places encourages family members and the whole Christian community to pray for and remember the dead, while at the same time fostering the veneration of martyrs and saints. Through the practice of burying the dead in cemeteries, in churches or their environs, Christian tradition has upheld the relationship between the living and the dead and has opposed any tendency to minimize, or relegate to the purely private sphere, the event of death and the meaning it has for Christians. 4. In circumstances when cremation is chosen because of sanitary, economic or social considerations, this choice must never violate the explicitly-stated or the reasonably inferable wishes of the deceased faithful. The Church raises no doctrinal objections to this practice, since cremation of the deceased’s body does not affect his or her soul, nor does it prevent God, in his omnipotence, from raising up the deceased body to new life. Thus cremation, in and of itself, objectively negates neither the Christian doctrine of the soul’s immortality nor that of the resurrection of the body.[13] The Church continues to prefer the practice of burying the bodies of the deceased, because this shows a greater esteem towards the deceased. Nevertheless, cremation is not prohibited, “unless it was chosen for reasons contrary to Christian doctrine”.[14] In the absence of motives contrary to Christian doctrine, the Church, after the celebration of the funeral rite, accompanies the choice of cremation, providing the relevant liturgical and pastoral directives, and taking particular care to avoid every form of scandal or the appearance of religious indifferentism. 5. When, for legitimate motives, cremation of the body has been chosen, the ashes of the faithful must be laid to rest in a sacred place, that is, in a cemetery or, in certain cases, in a church or an area, which has been set aside for this purpose, and so dedicated by the competent ecclesial authority. From the earliest times, Christians have desired that the faithful departed become the objects of the Christian community’s prayers and remembrance. Their tombs have become places of prayer, remembrance and reflection. The faithful departed remain part of the Church who believes “in the communion of all the faithful of Christ, those who are pilgrims on earth, the dead who are being purified, and the blessed in heaven, all together forming one Church”.[15] The reservation of the ashes of the departed in a sacred place ensures that they are not excluded from the prayers and remembrance of their family or the Christian community. It prevents the faithful departed from being forgotten, or their remains from being shown a lack of respect, which eventuality is possible, most especially once the immediately subsequent generation has too passed away. Also it prevents any unfitting or superstitious practices. 6. For the reasons given above, the conservation of the ashes of the departed in a domestic residence is not permitted. Only in grave and exceptional cases dependent on cultural conditions of a localized nature, may the Ordinary, in agreement with the Episcopal Conference or the Synod of Bishops of the Oriental Churches, concede permission for the conservation of the ashes of the departed in a domestic residence. Nonetheless, the ashes may not be divided among various family members and due respect must be maintained regarding the circumstances of such a conservation. 7. In order that every appearance of pantheism, naturalism or nihilism be avoided, it is not permitted to scatter the ashes of the faithful departed in the air, on land, at sea or in some other way, nor may they be preserved in mementos, pieces of jewelry or other objects. These courses of action cannot be legitimized by an appeal to the sanitary, social, or economic motives that may have occasioned the choice of cremation. 8. When the deceased notoriously has requested cremation and the scattering of their ashes for reasons contrary to the Christian faith, a Christian funeral must be denied to that person according to the norms of the law.[16] The Sovereign Pontiff Francis, in the Audience granted to the undersigned Cardinal Prefect on 18 March 2016, approved the present Instruction, adopted in the Ordinary Session of this Congregation on 2 March 2016, and ordered its publication. Rome, from the Offices of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 15 August 2016, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Gerhard Card. Müller Prefect + Luis F. Ladaria, S.I. Titular Archbishop of Thibica Secretary

– Keeping the cremated ashes of a loved one in an urn on your mantel is officially against the rules for Catholics. New guidelines from the Vatican state that ashes must never be scattered or kept by family members, but held in a "sacred place" like a cemetery, reports the BBC. This "prevents the faithful departed from being forgotten, or their remains from being shown a lack of respect," as well as "any unfitting or superstitious practices," the Catholic Church says. It adds it cannot "condone attitudes or permit rites that involve erroneous ideas about death, such as considering death as the definitive annihilation of the person … or as a stage in the cycle of regeneration." If a person requests "cremation and the scattering of their ashes for reasons contrary to the Christian faith, a Christian funeral must be denied," the Vatican adds, noting a burial is preferred "to express faith and hope in the resurrection of the body."

Celine Dion poses in the press room at the Billboard Music Awards at the T-Mobile Arena on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in Las Vegas. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) (Associated Press) Hello, Drake has surpassed Adele's record at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards on Sunday, picking up 13 awards. Adele set a record at the show in 2012 with 12 wins. The rapper, who walked into the show Sunday with 22 nominations, won top artist, top male artist and top Billboard 200 album ("Views"), among others, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. "I got my whole family up here," said Drake, who stood onstage with nearly two dozen people, including his father, Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj. Drake was presented the top artist award by Prince Jackson, the late Michael Jackson's eldest son. Drake beat out Beyonce, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Adele, Ariana Grande, the Weeknd, twenty one pilots, Shawn Mendes and the Chainsmokers for the top prize. Of those nominees, only Drake and the Chainsmokers attended the Billboard Awards. But other big names showed up. Cher, who received the Icon award, sang her dance anthem "Believe" in a glittery number that included pasties and blonde hair with pink tips. She later changed to a huge, curly black 'do — and wore a black sheer bodysuit and leather jacket for "If I Could Turn Back Time." Her performance had the audience on its feet, singing and dancing. "I wanted to do what I do since I was 4 years old and I've been doing it for 53 years," said Cher, who turned 71 on Saturday. "And I can do a five-minute plank. Just saying." "I think luck has so much to do with my success with a little bit of something thrown in," she added. Korean boy band BTS, who won top social artist, earned one of the night's loudest ovations. Another highlight was Celine Dion. In a beautiful, Met Gala-ready white gown, she belted out "My Heart Will Go On," the Oscar-winning song from "Titanic." The film is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. John Legend and Florida Georgia Line also had a shining moment when they sang a duet version of the country duo's soft hit, "H.O.L.Y." Dan Reynolds of the rock band Imagine Dragons led a moment of silence for Chris Cornell, who died Thursday. He called the Soundgarden and Audioslave singer "a true innovator," ''a musical architect," ''a prolific songwriting" and "a legendary performer" — as a large photo of Cornell singing with his eyes closed was displayed behind him. "We send our respects as well as our love to Chris' family at this time," Reynolds said. Miley Cyrus sang her breezy new single, "Malibu," delivering a sound and muted style that marked a departure from the hits that made her a pop star years ago. She was teary eyed at the end of the performance. "And for the first time in years with pants on," Noah Cyrus, standing next to father Billy Ray Cyrus, introduced her older sister, who was wearing white shorts and a cowboy hat. Minaj kicked off the show with an explosive nine-minute performance of her hit songs alongside her mentor Lil Wayne and frequent collaborator David Guetta. She recently broke Aretha Franklin's record for most songs placed on the Billboard Hot 100 chart by a female artist. Co-host Vanessa Hudgens impersonated Minaj's rap style at the top of the show, and it was the first of the many good moments for the actress and singer Sunday night. Hudgens, who hosted with Ludacris, also sang Dion's "I'm Your Lady" and wowed with her fashion choices. Even Drake noticed her, saying she looked "incredible." Beyonce and twenty one pilots each won five awards, while the Chainsmokers — who tied Drake with 22 nominations — won four awards, including top Hot 100 song for "Closer" with Halsey. "This feels good but it feels so wrong because I love Drake so much," said Halsey (Drake's "One Dance" was also nominated for top Hot 100 song). The Chainsmokers performed "Young" with Andrew Taggart on vocals and Alex Pall behind the board (they were also backed by a drummer), and Drake performed from the Fountains of Bellagio. Ed Sheeran sang "Castle on the Hill" from Santiago, Chile, while Bruno Mars performed his silky new single, "Versace on the Floor," from Amsterdam. Other performers include Lorde, Sam Hunt, Halsey, Camila Cabello and Julia Michaels. At the show, Diddy honored his former friend and artist Notorious B.I.G, who would have turned 45 on Sunday. Diddy also introduced CJ Wallace, B.I.G's son, who spoke about his father's legacy. Then Diddy showed the trailer of the documentary, "Can't Stop, Won't Stop: A Bad Boy Story," which will be available on Apple Music on June 25. Former One Direction singer Zayn was named best new artist, while Justin Timberlake's Oscar-nominated "Can't Stop the Feeling!" won top radio song and top selling song. Blake Shelton won top country artist and showed love for his beau and fellow singer Gwen Stefani. "I felt like the luckiest guy in the room 'cause Gwen was here with me anyway," he said. _______ Online: https://www.billboardmusicawards.com/

– Drake surpassed Adele's record at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards on Sunday, picking up 13 awards. The rapper, who walked into the show Sunday with 22 nominations, won top artist, top male artist, and top Billboard 200 album ("Views"), among others, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the AP reports. Adele set a record in 2012 with 12 wins. "I got my whole family up here," said Drake, who stood onstage with his father and nearly two dozen other people, including Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj. Drake was presented the top artist award by Prince Jackson, the late Michael Jackson's eldest son. Beyonce and twenty one pilots each won five awards, while the Chainsmokers—who tied Drake with 22 nominations—won four awards, including top Hot 100 song for "Closer" with Halsey. Cher, who received the Icon award, sang her dance anthem "Believe." Miley Cyrus sang her new single, "Malibu," delivering a sound and muted style that marked a departure from the hits that made her a pop star. Dan Reynolds of the rock band Imagine Dragons led a moment of silence for Chris Cornell, who died Thursday. He called the Soundgarden and Audioslave singer "a true innovator" and "a legendary performer." Click for a full list of winners.

Victim believes downtown Savannah attack Saturday was a hate crime Two Marines were jailed Saturday on misdemeanor battery charges after they beat up a gay man, according to Savannah-Chatham police. About 3:45 a.m., a metro police officer was patrolling when he saw two men running on Congress Lane. Moments later, the officer received a call about a man at Congress and Bull streets unconscious on the ground. The officer rushed to the intersection and found 26-year-old Kieran Daly motionless with friends performing first aid, a report stated. The officer caught up with the two men who were running away, identified as Keil Joseph Cronauer, 22, and Christopher Charles Stanzel, 23. Police records show both men are stationed at Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort, S.C. Cronauer and Stanzel told police they were being harassed by a gay man and wanted to get away from him. But witnesses painted a different picture, according to the report. They told police one of the men grew angry because he thought Daly was winking at him and struck Daly in the back of the head with his fist, knocking him unconscious. Saturday night, from his bed at Memorial University Medical Center, Daly insisted he tried to convince the Marines he was not winking at them. "The guy thought I was winking at him," Daly said. "I told him, 'I was squinting, man. ... I'm tired.'" Daly said one of the men told him he demanded respect because he served in Iraq. And at least one hurled slurs at him as he tried to walk away. "That's the last thing I remember is walking away," Daly said. Daly said after his friends performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation at the scene, he was taken to Memorial University Medical Center and diagnosed with bruises to his brain. He had two seizures immediately after the attack and was expected to remain at Memorial for several days. Meanwhile, Cronauer and Stanzel were booked into Chatham County jail on battery charges and later released to military police, according to jail and police records. Daly said he came out six months ago and since has only received a few negative looks and comments. But Saturday's incident left him wondering whether the misdemeanor charge against his suspected attackers was enough. "It leaves me wondering why Georgia is one of five states that doesn't have a hate crime law on the state level," he said. Metro police spokeswoman Gena Moore said the incident is being monitored by her department's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender liaison. Jesse Morgan, president of the Gay-Straight Alliance at Armstrong State Atlantic University, said the incident was only one example of what gay Savannahians experience every day. "We can't even walk on the street and be out and gay on the street," Morgan said. "Our punishment for that is anyone attacking us just for being who we are. This type of behavior has to stop." Go to savannahnow.com/crime to view some of CrimeStoppers Most Wanted. Search list of arrest reports Search list of crime reports ||||| SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Two Marines have been arrested for allegedly beating a gay man in Savannah, Georgia. Keil Cronauer and Christopher Stanzel are accused of attacking Kieran Daly so badly that he suffered bruises on his brain, reports the Savannah Morning News. In addition to the bruises, Daly suffered two seizures immediately after the attack. His friends performed CPR. The Marines were caught running from the scene in Savannah's Johnson Square early Saturday morning. While Cronauer and Stanzel told police that Daly was harrassing them, Daly explained that the two were mad because they thought that he had winked at one of them. The Morning News reports: "The guy thought I was winking at him," Daly said. "I told him, 'I was squinting, man. ... I'm tired.'" Daly said one of the men told him he demanded respect because he served in Iraq. And at least one hurled slurs at him as he tried to walk away. "That's the last thing I remember is walking away," Daly said. The FBI is investigating the incident to determine whether federal hate crime laws were broken, reports Savannah NBC affiliate WSAV. Georgia is one of just five states that does not have legislation requiring stiffer penalties for hate crimes. Others include Indiana, Wyoming, South Carolina, and Arkansas. The station reports that Cronauer and Stanzel are based at the Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort, S.C. and are currently restricted to the base.

– Two Marines in Savannah, Georgia, were arrested for allegedly beating up a gay man they thought had winked at them. The Marines, Keil Cronauer and Christopher Stanzel, say the victim, Kieran Daly, was harassing them, the Savannah Morning News reports. But Daly tells a different story. “The guy thought I was winking at him. I told him, ‘I was squinting, man,’” Daly said. Daly says the Marine told him he demanded respect because he’d served in Iraq, and then yelled a slur at him as he walked away. “That’s the last thing I remember is walking away,” he says. He was beaten so badly he sustained bruises on his brain, and suffered two seizures following the attack. The FBI is investigating whether hate crime laws apply, notes the Huffington Post.

President-elect Donald Trump Donald John TrumpAir Force awards 0M contract for initial Air Force One design US ambassador to UK: You’ll like Trump 'when you get to know him' Dems: Flynn did not disclose Middle East trip MORE on Wednesday named Carl Icahn to serve as a special adviser on issues relating to regulatory reform. In a statement, the president-elect praised Icahn as one of the "word's greatest businessmen." "He is not only a brilliant negotiator, but also someone who is innately able to predict the future especially having to do with finances and economies," Trump said in a statement. "His help on the strangling regulations that our country is faced with will be invaluable.” ADVERTISEMENT Icahn will be advising Trump "in his individual capacity and will not be serving as a federal employee or a Special Government Employee and will not have any specific duties," according to the release. That means he is free from conflict-of-interest rules and will not have to separate himself from his business interests, as he won't be paid. At one point or another, he's held substantial or controlling positions in RJR Nabisco, Texaco, Philips Petroleum, Western Union, Viacom, Revlon, Time Warner, Motorola, Dell, Netflix, Apple and eBay. Those ties may now raise conflict-of-interest questions — for example, the 80-year-old who controls an oil refiner and has fought with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) helped Trump vet candidates to run that agency, according to the Wall Street Journal. And Icahn is helping select the next chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Journal added. According to the report, candidates have reached out to him, and he is interviewing others per Trump's request. The billionaire investor was a strong supporter of the president-elect from the beginning of his presidential campaign and said Wednesday in a statement he's "proud" to serve under the president-elect. “Under President Obama, America’s business owners have been crippled by over $1 trillion in new regulations and over 750 billion hours dealing with paperwork," Icahn said. "It’s time to break free of excessive regulation and let our entrepreneurs do what they do best: create jobs and support communities. President-elect Trump is serious about helping American families, and regulatory reform will be a critical component of making America work again.” The Democratic National Committee panned the pick Wednesday evening, calling it "quid-pro-quo" and pointing out that Icahn will "be in charge of overseeing regulatory overhauls while simultaneously controlling or owning stock in companies that could benefit from the changes he makes." "It looks like Trump isn’t the only billionaire set to profit off of the presidency," DNC Deputy Communications Director Eric Walker said. “The corrupt nature of this arrangement cannot be understated. Voters who wanted Trump to drain the swamp just got another face full of mud.” Updated 5:51 p.m. ||||| WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald J. Trump on Wednesday named a strident China critic, Peter Navarro, to lead a new White House office overseeing American trade and industrial policy, in the latest sign that Mr. Trump is moving to reshape relations between the world’s two largest economies. Mr. Trump also said the billionaire investor Carl Icahn would serve as a special adviser on regulatory issues, another area of economic policy in which the president-elect wants big changes. The appointments reflect Mr. Trump’s ambition to increase economic growth by hammering at what he regards as critical roadblocks. He has promised to expand American manufacturing by reducing federal regulation and by preventing what he has described as unfair competition from Chinese manufacturers. The choices of Mr. Navarro and Mr. Icahn also reflect Mr. Trump’s manifest preference for advisers who are loyal, and who do not have government experience. ||||| Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Donald Trump's election is attracting a great deal of interest in China US President-elect Donald Trump has appointed economist Peter Navarro, a fierce critic of China, as the head of a new national trade body. He will lead the White House National Trade Council, and serve as director of trade and industrial policy. Mr Navarro advised Mr Trump during the campaign. His books include The Coming China Wars and Death by China. Mr Trump has also named billionaire investor Carl Icahn to become a special adviser on regulatory reform. Mr Icahn, who will not be a federal employee, has said that US businesses are being "crippled" by excessive regulations. A statement from Mr Trump's transition team said the appointment of Peter Navarro showed his "determination to make American manufacturing great again". During the election, the president-elect made trade issues a core campaign issue, criticising deals made with countries like China and Mexico. Mr Trump has already angered China by speaking to the Taiwanese president by phone, in apparent contradiction with America's "one China" policy. He has also criticised China on Twitter, recently accusing it of deliberately devaluing its currency, among other claims. The latest move came as Chinese online retailer Alibaba was placed back on the US list of "notorious markets" over counterfeit goods sales. Alibaba Group President Michael Evans questioned whether the move was "based on actual facts or influenced by the current political climate". Image copyright University of California, Irvine Image caption Mr Navarro is also an economics professor at the University of California, Irvine Mr Navarro adapted his book Death by China into a documentary film narrated by Martin Sheen. It is available to watch for free on YouTube. In its preamble, he urges viewers "help defend America and protect your family - don't buy 'Made in China'." The film highlights the sustained loss of American manufacturing jobs at a time of Chinese economic growth, as well as the environmental impact of Chinese industry. Many other economists, however, fear that aggressive moves against Chinese trade could prompt a trade war, with repercussions on both sides. Peter Navarro - in his own words In an article in March entitled "The Four Silver Bullets of Trumpnomics", he argued that China's "unfettered access" to US markets had cost the US economy more than 20 million new jobs In May he said there were "growing signs that the collapse of China... may soon be at hand" and accused Beijing of illegal export subsidies, currency manipulation, intellectual-property theft and "sweatshop labour" Writing in May, he said China's "military and civilian hackers seek to steal the obligatory blueprints and proprietary manufacturing processes of American businesses large and small", adding: "China's cyber spies will also vacuum up everything from emails, contact lists, and test results to pricing information" He and another Trump adviser, Alexander Gray, reiterated in November that allowing China into the World Trade Organization had weakened America's manufacturing base "and ability to defend ourselves and our allies" In another article, he accused China of "empire building" in the South China Sea by creating artificial islands as "fortress garrisons... in a coercive military machine". The view from China - by BBC Monitoring Chinese media highlight Mr Navarro's strongly held views and his earlier literature on China. Many mention his book, Death By China, which alleges that the US is threatened by China's economic dominance. Shanghai-based website Observer Net says Mr Navarro is well known as "an economist who advocates a tough stance on China". Phoenix News calls him a "Taiwan-friendly official". But media largely play down any major shake-ups between the two countries. Popular news site The Paper quotes trade official Bai Ming as saying that "appointing Navarro will of course increase the pressure on Sino-US trade" but says that "the United States' own national interests" will also be taken into account. ||||| Donald Trump selected two key figures for his economic team on Wednesday, both of whom could jolt Washington’s approach to trade and regulation. The president-elect announced the creation of a new National Trade Council inside the White House to facilitate industrial policy and named an ardent skeptic of trade with China, economist Peter Navarro, to head it. Later,...

– Donald Trump has chosen the author of Death by China and The Coming China Wars to lead a new national trade body, signaling that he isn't planning to budge on the anti-China rhetoric of the campaign trail. Economist Peter Navarro, a leading China hawk, has been appointed head of the White House National Trade Council, a move the transition team says shows Trump's "determination to make American manufacturing great again," the BBC reports. Navarro, 67, is a professor at the University of California-Irvine. He has long warned about globalization and was an adviser to the Trump campaign. The Wall Street Journal notes that labor groups will welcome the appointment, though some economists say Navarro is making elementary mistakes when he warns about China trade stifling US growth. In another controversial Trump appointment Wednesday, billionaire investor Carl Icahn was named as a special adviser on regulatory issues, which the Journal notes has major implications in light of Trump's promises to get rid of 90% of federal regulations. Critics say there are clearly conflicts of interest in appointing a leading corporate investor to rewrite regulations affecting corporations, the New York Times reports. "The corrupt nature of this arrangement cannot be understated," a DNC spokesman said. "Voters who wanted Trump to drain the swamp just got another face full of mud." The Hill reports that the transition team says Icahn will be advising "in his individual capacity and will not be serving as a federal employee," meaning he will be exempt from conflict-of-interest regulations.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — An Indianapolis man says he shouldn't have been ticketed for using a plastic bat to protect his 4-year-old son from an aggressive Canada goose. James McDaniel tells WXIN-TV (http://bit.ly/2qAh4SQ ) that the goose came across a field and chased his son, so he struck it with the bat. McDaniel says that the goose was "clearly attacking" the boy and he was only doing what he could to protect him. Marion County animal services ticketed McDaniel for animal cruelty. An incident report says witnesses reported that McDaniel hit the bird three times. A Monday court hearing is planned. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources says people are allowed to protect themselves or others from wildlife, but may only use a reasonable amount of force. ___ Information from: WXIN-TV, http://fox59.trb.com/news/ ||||| Please enable Javascript to watch this video INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.- A local dad is crying "fowl" after he says he got a ticket for protecting his son from an aggressive goose. But county law enforcement says he went too far. James McDaniel says he did what any parent would do if an aggressive animal was attacking their child. He admits to hitting a Canada goose with a plastic Wiffle ball bat after he says the bird started chasing his 4-year-old son, Ethan. “A goose actually came from the other side of the field… and proceeded to go full wing span and chase after my son,” said McDaniel. He says he grabbed the only thing around: his son’s plastic bat. “So I swing one time, he [the goose] kind of topples over, I grab my son… and I ran across the street,” said McDaniel. And that swing, it seems, got feathers flying after a witness called police. “It was clearly attacking my son,” said McDaniel, “if anyone else had seen the whole incident, they would have known I was trying to protect my son.” Marion County Animal Services showed up and issued McDaniel a ticket for animal cruelty. The agency was unable to comment on the case because of pending litigation, but according to the incident report witnesses say they saw McDaniel hit the bird three times. The report also states the officer did take the goose to a local veterinarian. McDaniel maintains that he was only protecting his child. “FOX59 has shown before that these birds are becoming more and more aggressive,” said McDaniel, citing a report that aired on FOX59 in April regarding aggressive geese and the Department of Natural Resources response to them. “This is very frustrating because why should I not be allowed to protect my child against wildlife anywhere?” DNR officials said a person is allowed to protect themselves or others from wildlife, but can only use a reasonable amount of force based on the amount of harm a particular animal could inflict. McDaniel will go before a judge on Monday.

– An Indianapolis man says he shouldn't have been ticketed for using a plastic bat to protect his 4-year-old son from an aggressive Canada goose, the AP reports. James McDaniel tells WXIN the goose came across a field and chased his son, so he struck it with the bat. McDaniel says that the goose was "clearly attacking" the boy and he was only doing what he could to protect him. Marion County animal services ticketed McDaniel for animal cruelty. An incident report says witnesses reported McDaniel hit the bird three times. A Monday court hearing is planned. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources says people are allowed to protect themselves or others from wildlife, but may only use a reasonable amount of force.

Popular doughnut joint Krispy Kreme will be closing their 24-hour 'Drive Thru' traffic after neighbours expressed their frustration over late-night noise and "honking cars". The new outlet, a branch of the US doughnut chain, opened last Wednesday and was operating on a 24/7 basis with a 'Drive-Thru' facility. VIDEO: Cars honk while queuing at Krispy Kreme drive-thru in Blanchardstown Residents in the area spoke to Independent.ie yesterday about the late-night noise pollution and shared extraordinary footage of dozens of cars beeping their horns in the shopping centre carpark in the middle of the night. "We’ve listened to our neighbours and we’re making changes," Krispy Kreme CEO Richard Cheshire said in a statement issued today. They said they will be closing the late-night 'Drive Thru' facility from tonight and are now involved in discussions with the council for a long-term solution to the issue. The store will remain open and the in-store queue time has been estimated at 10-12 minutes. "We anticipated a warm welcome for Krispy Kreme in Ireland and have long wanted to open a store here, but the response has been way ahead of our most optimistic expectations. "For the customers coming into our store in Blanchardstown, the smiles and joy have been great to see. For the most part too, our drive thru has been a success. "But we know that the late-night noise has been an upset for our neighbours," they continued. "Some customers have been beeping their horns and disturbing families in nearby apartment complexes. "Most importantly, we are saying to our neighbours, we’ve listened and we’re making changes immediately." The 'Drive Thru' will now be open between the hours of 6am and 11.30pm. The doughnut crew also said they are involved in ongoing discussions with Fingal County Council, Blanchardstown Centre Management, local Garda Traffic Corp and Community Liaison with regard to the late-night facility. They said they are committed to finding a long-term solution that works for everyone. Footage shared with Independent.ie showed cars beeping their horns as they joined the line for doughnuts after 11pm, with residents claiming it was keeping them up throughout the night. “Since the grand opening we haven’t had proper sleep at night. We have jobs, kids, schools, and so many elderly people living here as well,” one Grove Park resident told Independent.ie. “Every night the queue for doughnuts is unbelievable - lights, noises, pollution and horns. All streets blocked and all cars honking at once. All night, every night.” Another resident, Salim Sanehi added: “The noise has been happening every single night since the grand opening. “My apartment has another balcony that faces the entire car park, so our entire apartment gets hit with the noise.” Some locals joined together to create a Facebook group called to tackle the noise and called for the opening hours to be changed. "I’ve nothing against the company but it shouldn’t be open 24/7 if they can’t manage the traffic and noise," group member Ben Raymond from Blanchardstown told Independent.ie. "They should take the 24 hours away and put a traffic management system in place. I live down the road and it’s been waking children up in the area." Local councillor Ted Leddy said he was aware of complaints from residents, and said he wasn’t expecting the doughnut “phenomenon" to take over Blanchardstown. "I have heard reports, I was at the opening and I have to say I wasn’t prepared for the phenomenon it is," Mr Leddy told Independent.ie yesterday. "I don’t think the management in charge of traffic control were prepared either." Online Editors ||||| Krispy Kreme opened its first location in Ireland last week and it’s been a bit of a fiasco — a video shows drivers queuing in the wrong drive-thru line for nearly an hour, while residents complain about honking vehicles. Last week, the doughnut chain opened its first location in Dublin, and since then, it’s been nothing but traffic chaos, according to local residents. In one instance, customers waited over an hour without realizing they were in the wrong queue for the drive-thru. READ MORE: Florida man arrested on drug charges after doughnut flakes test positive for meth Giacomo Persichini posted a video on Facebook showing a long line of cars weaving through a parking lot, a line leading to a fence. “They are all queuing for a fence. A fence, just a fence,” Persichini said as he panned the camera around the parking lot. “It’s been like this for an hour. They are all queuing for a closed fence.” According to the Irish Examiner, residents who live within earshot of the doughnut shop have complained about the 24-hour drive-thru noise and traffic backlog around the area. On Tuesday, Krispy Kreme addressed the noise complaints, acknowledging that “a small number of customers using the drive thru service have been beeping their car horns late at night.” READ MORE: North Carolina man dies during Krispy Kreme Challenge The doughnut chain asked its drive-thru customers to be respectful to the nearby community. However, apparently customers didn’t listen. On Wednesday, Krispy Kreme said it will close its drive-thru before midnight. “We anticipated a warm welcome for Krispy Kreme in Ireland and have long wanted to open a store here, but the response has been way ahead of our most optimistic expectations so thank you for your patience,” the company said in a statement. ||||| To help personalize content, tailor and measure ads, and provide a safer experience, we use cookies. By clicking or navigating the site, you agree to allow our collection of information on and off Facebook through cookies. Learn more, including about available controls: Cookies Policy ||||| How excited would you be if a 24 hour doughnut drive-through opened in your neighbourhood? Would you drive there at all hours, queuing and honking your horn the whole time? That's exactly how excited the residents of the Irish capital Dublin were when Krispy Kreme opened up a 24 hour drive through. In fact, eager Dubliners with doughnut cravings caused so much noise pollution and traffic jams that Krispy Kreme had to stop the 24 hour service after just one week. SEE ALSO: 5 influencer tips for taking the perfect food photo for Instagram A video shared by The Irish Post shows an intense late night queue outside the doughnut drive-through. According to the Independant, the drive though will now close at 11:30 pm. Krispy Kreme CEO Richard Cheshire said in a statement that the Irish doughnut excitement was "way ahead of our most optimistic expectations." On social media, people were very amused by the Irish doughnut chaos. i come home to ireland for the first time in months and the whole country is at a standstill over a krispy kreme — The Chronic Project (@TheNapKween) October 3, 2018 So Ireland gets a Krispy Kreme and the country loses its shit, resulting in the 24-hour drive-thru having to be closed? Sounds about right. — Gianni (@giancarlomag) October 3, 2018 The entire Krispy Kreme situation really highlights why Ireland can’t have nice things — Claire 💬 (@Claire_Crowley_) October 3, 2018 I’m following the Great Irish Krispy Kreme Fiasco of 2018. Shaquille O’Neal, angry neighbors, county councils, overturned cars, traffic management teams...who knew donuts could cause such pandemonium? #krispykreme #ireland #dublin #greatirishkrispykremefiasco2018 — Aisling Mäki (@Aisling901) October 4, 2018 Krispy Kreme: hey ireland is it cool if we open a single store using the same business model we’ve had in the States for decades? Blanchardstown: pic.twitter.com/zfTWHz6IgT — 🎃 Gar Goyle 🎃 (@thegarydoyle) October 3, 2018 One of my favorite things about Ireland right now is how horny Dubs are for Krispy Kreme https://t.co/ZEzvbU20QI — Michael (@roadworst) October 3, 2018 Ireland got its first Krispy Kreme and it was supposed to be a 24hr drive-thru but they’ve already cut it down to 6am - 11:30pm because people were so excited in their cars they’d be shouting/beeping I love it — j (@oliviadotmp3) October 3, 2018 Doughnuts are very delicious, though. It's understandable. ||||| The new Krispy Kreme doughnut outlet in the Blanchardstown Centre is already a victim of its own success. The store, which only opened last Wednesday, will no longer operate its 24/7 drive thru operation because of multiple complaints from local residents. The opening of the store was accompanied by a mania not seen before in Ireland in relation to a food outlet. There was a queue of 300 people when it opened its doors at 7am on its first day of operation. Traffic jams, which resembled the Christmas rush hour, were blamed on customers trying to get access to the Krispy Kreme drive thru last weekend. Furthermore, local residents were disturbed by customers beeping their horns and disturbing people who lived in nearby apartment complexes. One resident, Salim Sanehi, recorded footage of cars beeping their horns at 2.30am on Sunday morning. He posted on his Facebook page: “This is what the people living right next to Krispy Kreme have to deal with now. It’s 2.30am and this sort of noise is what we’ve been dealing with since the grand opening. “This is still going on and now there seems to be people chanting and egging the cars to keep honking. Krispy Kreme hasn’t done anything about their customers’ behaviour. “Also for the people saying, ‘Well it’s your fault for living next to the centre’ have you seen the centre at this hour before? It’s a ghost town. This isn’t expected and it should never be expected, there’s literally no defending this sort of behaviour.” Others have been posting video footage on social media outlets showing long queues in the middle of the night. The company behind Krispy Kreme has concluded that enough is enough. “We are saying to our neighbours, we’ve listened and we’re making changes immediately,” said Krispy Kreme chief executive Richard Cheshire. “For the most part too, our drive thru has been a success. But we know that the late-night noise has been an upset for our neighbours.” The drive thru will be closed with immediate effect between 11.30pm and 6am. There will be a continuation of the traffic management action plan in the area which has sought to minimise the disruption caused by late night queuing. Krispy Kreme was founded in North Carolina in 1937. It has 1,300 stores in 31 countries and Blanchardstown is its first Irish outlet.

– Honking horns, bumper-to-bumper traffic, and tempers converged upon the Irish capital of Dublin over the past seven days—and it was all due to tasty fried dough. Mashable reports that the Sept. 26 grand opening of the city's first 24-hour Krispy Kreme drive-thru quickly resulted in long lines of sugar-seeking Irish (the Irish Post has video). Per the Irish Independent, the commotion went on deep into the night, irritating nearby residents. "Since the grand opening, we haven't had proper sleep at night," one local says. "We have jobs, kids, schools, and so many elderly people living here as well." It was so chaotic, per Global News, that one man videotaped cars that he says mistakenly waited for an hour in a second line that led straight to ... a fence. And so the doughnut chain—which the Irish Times notes had 300 people lined up outside when the doors opened on its first day in Dublin—has been forced to tweak things. "We've listened to our neighbors and we're making changes," Krispy Kreme UK CEO Richard Cheshire said in a statement, per the Independent. The main adjustment: shutting down the drive-thru each night at 11:30 and reopening at 6am. The store itself will remain open for walk-ins around the clock, with the wait time inside estimated to run around 10 minutes.

Tokyo (CNN) Under crisp blue skies, about 1,000 well-wishers turned out at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo Monday to catch a glimpse of Japan's Princess Ayako and her groom Kei Moriya on their wedding day. As the smiling couple entered the shrine, the crowd shouted their congratulations with the Japanese word "Banzai" -- meaning an auspicious wish for long life. Close family members and friends welcomed the bride and groom as they made their way to the ceremony hall. Princess Ayako was dressed in a light yellow-colored uchiki kimono embroidered with pink flowers and green leaves and a deep purple hakama -- wide-legged pleated trousers that fall to the ankles. She also carried a fan made of Japanese cypress, called a hiougi. Moriya wore a western-style black morning coat, gray pin-striped trousers and a silk hat that belonged to Ayako's late father, Prince Takamodo. Ayako's kimono is similar in style and design to that worn by her sister Princess Noriko when she married Kunimaro Senge in 2014. The 28-year-old Princess Ayako is the youngest child of Princess Hisako and the late Prince Takamodo, cousin of Emperor Akihito. According to Japan's imperial law, female members of the royal family forfeit their titles, status and allowance if they choose to marry someone who does not have royal or aristocratic family ties. The same rule does not apply to male members of the royal family. On marrying 32-year-old Moriya -- an employee of shipping company Nippon Yusen KK -- the princess will renounce her royal status and take a lump sum of $950,000 from the Japanese government for living expenses. Japanese Princess Ayako, dressed in traditional ceremonial gown, and Japanese businessman Kei Moriya, arrive at Meiji Shrine for their wedding ceremony in Tokyo, Oct. 29, 2018. Before the ceremony began, Ayako changed her kimono into a more formal Shinto-style robe. She wore a red kouchiki, a "small cloak" with long, wide sleeves, and a long divided brown skirt called a naga-bakama. The ceremony itself was a private affair, attended only by close family members. Inside, the couple would have performed several rituals that mark a Shinto-style wedding, including exchanging nuptial sake cups and presenting a sacred Tamagushi branch as an offering. The newlyweds would have also exchanged marriage vows and rings. After final prayers, the couple emerged from the shrine as husband and wife. Moriya said he thought his new wife looked "beautiful," as they took questions from reporters. "I would like to support her firmly and, hand in hand, build a happy family with lots of laughter," he said. "I am awed by how blessed I am," Ayako said. From a young age, Ayako said she was taught that being born into the imperial family meant her duty was to support the emperor and empress. "I will leave the imperial family today, but I will remain unchanged in my support for his majesty and her majesty," she said. Princess Ayako on her way to her wedding ceremony in Tokyo, Oct. 29, 2018. The shrine where the ceremony took place is of huge symbolic importance. Opened in 1920, the Meiji Shrine is dedicated to the deified souls of Ayako's great-great grandfather Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken. "I am very happy that we held the wedding at this Meiji Shrine where my great grandfather Meiji Emperor is worshiped," Ayako said. "I feel so happy." Ayoko's marriage and resignation from royal duties comes at a trying time for the world's oldest monarchy. The country's much-loved Emperor Akihitio announced that he will abdicate on April 30, 2019, passing the Chrysanthemum Throne to his son Crown Prince Naruhito. Imperial law states that the throne must be passed to male heirs, and as Naruhito has only one son, the 12-year-old Prince Hisahito could be left with the sole responsibility of carrying on the royal line. Akihitio's abdication and the forthcoming marriage of his granddaughter Princess Mako reignited debate about the role women play in Japan's monarchy and whether imperial law should change to allow women to inherit the throne. Newlyweds Princess Ayako and Kei Moriya speak to the reporters after their marriage ceremony at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, Oct. 29, 2018. "It is a sensible option and necessary in terms of managing risk but the elite conservatives that govern have resisted strongly despite robust public support for female succession," said Jeff Kingston, Director of Asian Studies at Temple University Japan and author of upcoming book Japan. Unlike in the United Kingdom, where Queen Elizabeth approved changes to the royal line of succession and gave equal rights to sons and daughters of British monarchs to inherit the throne, officials in Japan have ruled out a similar move. An abdication law that allows Akihitio to resign was passed without a proposed resolution that potentially questions whether women who marry outside the family have to rescind their royal rights. "Apparently they take no inspiration from Queen Elizabeth ... and instead take refuge behind fatuous patriarchal justifications for not doing so," Kingston said. "The law will change only if it absolutely must." ||||| Japanese Princess Ayako, right, dressed in traditional ceremonial robe, and groom Kei Moriya, left, speak to the reporters after their wedding ceremony at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, Monday, Oct. 29, 2018.... (Associated Press) Japanese Princess Ayako, right, dressed in traditional ceremonial robe, and groom Kei Moriya, left, speak to the reporters after their wedding ceremony at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, Monday, Oct. 29, 2018. Japan's Princess Ayako, the daughter of the emperor's cousin, has married Moriya, a commoner in a... (Associated Press) TOKYO (AP) — Japan's Princess Ayako married a commoner in a ritual-filled ceremony Monday at Tokyo's Meiji Shrine. Ayako and groom Kei Moriya were shown on national news walking slowly before guests at the shrine. The wedding took place in one of the pagoda-like buildings in the shrine complex and included an exchange of rings and a sharing of a cup of sake, according to Japanese media. Both rituals are relatively routine for Shinto-style weddings, including those of regular Japanese. Ayako, 28, is the daughter of the emperor's cousin, and Moriya, 32, works for major shipping company Nippon Yusen. She wore a Heian-era style hairdo, which is swept back into a ponytail, and a traditional robe splashed with red and green patterns, while Moriya wore coattails. She later changed into a red Japanese robe. "I am filled with happiness," she told reporters after the ceremony. Women who marry into the imperial family become members of the family, but those who marry commoners, like Ayako, must leave. Moriya said he hoped to help Ayako adjust to a commoner's life. "I want us to work together, hand in hand, to create a family filled with smiles," he said. Ayako bid farewell to Emperor Akihito last week. She said Monday she hoped to continue to help the emperor and empress as a former member of the imperial family. The eldest granddaughter of the emperor is set to marry a commoner in 2020. Akihito has said he will abdicate next year. His eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, will ascend to the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1. Ayako and Moriya said when they announced their wedding plans that they met because their mothers were friends and hit it off immediately. "It didn't feel as though we had met for the first time," Ayako told reporters at their engagement. Moriya said he had been attracted to her gentle spirit. "And I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her," he said. Ayako's father, Prince Takamado, who was active in supporting Japanese soccer, died in 2002. ___ Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter at https://twitter.com/yurikageyama On Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/yurikageyama/?hl=en ___ This story has been corrected to show the emperor's eldest granddaughter, not daughter, is set to marry in 2020.

– Princess Ayako of Japan on Monday wed Kei Moriya at Tokyo's Meiji Shrine—and became Princess Ayako no more. Per imperial law, in choosing not to marry a royal, the 28-year-old had to give up her royal status. She'll be given a parting sum of $950,000 from the Japanese government, CNN reports. Ayako is the daughter of the emperor's cousin, and Moriya, 32, works for major shipping company Nippon Yusen. She bid farewell to Emperor Akihito last week. After emerging from the shrine, she said, "I will leave the imperial family today, but I will remain unchanged in my support for his majesty and her majesty." The AP describes their wedding as a "ritual-filled ceremony" that involved sharing a cup of sake. She wore a Heian-era style hairdo, which is swept back into a ponytail, and a traditional robe splashed with red and green patterns, while Moriya wore coattails. She later changed into a red Japanese robe. "I am filled with happiness," she told reporters after the ceremony. Ayako and Moriya met because their mothers were friends and they hit it off immediately. Moriya said he had been attracted to her gentle spirit. "And I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her," he said. (The eldest granddaughter of the emperor is set to marry a commoner in 2020, and it's been a bit of a bumpy ride.)

Image copyright Reuters Image caption This file photo shows an identical coin from the same mintage A giant gold coin bearing the Queen's image, and worth $4m (£3.2m), has been stolen from a museum in Germany. The Canadian coin, nicknamed the "big maple leaf", has a face value of $1m - but because it is 100kg (220lb) of pure 24-carat gold, its value is much higher at today's price for gold bullion. It was taken during the night from the Bode Museum in Berlin. It is not clear how the thieves evaded the alarm system or carried the heavy, half-metre (20.9 in) coin away. The theft is believed to have happened at around 03:30 Monday morning (01:30 GMT). The coin is thought to be too heavy for a single person to carry, and police believe the thieves entered through a window. A ladder was found on the train tracks nearby. "Based on the information we have so far we believe that the thief, maybe thieves, broke open a window in the back of the museum next to the railway tracks," police spokesman Winfrid Wenzel told Reuters news agency. "They then managed to enter the building and went to the coin exhibition." Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption The stolen Canadian £1m coin was stolen from behind bulletproof glass "The coin was secured with bullet-proof glass inside the building. That much I can say," he added - but refused to discuss details about security staff or the alarm system. The coin was minted by the Royal Canadian Mint in 2007. It is 3cm (1.18in) thick, 53cm in diameter, and carries a likeness of Queen Elizabeth II on one side, as Canada's head of state. The other side shows the Canadian national symbol, the maple leaf. The coin cabinet at the Bode Museum holds more than 540,000 objects, but German media report only the "big maple leaf" was stolen. ||||| (CNN) A precious gold coin that's in the Guinness Book of Records for its unsurpassed purity was stolen early Monday from a museum in Germany. The coin, which weighs more than 200 pounds and has a diameter of more than 20 inches, was taken from the Bode Museum in Berlin after 2 a.m. local time. German media reports put the current value of the gold coin at 3.7 million euros, or slightly more than $4 million. Nicknamed "the "Big Maple Leaf," the coin was issued by the Royal Canadian Mint in 2007, ahead of Queen Elizabeth II's state visit to Germany. It has a face value of more than $1 million and a purity of 999.99/1000 gold. The coin had been in the Bode Museum collection since 2010. Read More ||||| A group of Berlin thieves pulled off an improbable heist early Monday morning, breaking into a German museum with a ladder and carting away a 100-kilogram gold coin named the “Big Maple Leaf” in a wheelbarrow. Between 3:20 and 3:45 on Monday morning, thieves entered the Bode Museum through a window and stole the coin, which was originally issued by the Royal Canadian Mint. It has a face value of $1-million but, according to current gold prices, could be worth at least $5-million. Thieves steal 100-kilogram gold coin worth millions (Reuters) Martin Halweg, a spokesman with the German police, told The Globe and Mail that the suspects are believed to have set up a three-metre-long ladder, which enabled them to enter at the back of the Bode next to a set of railway tracks. They then used a wheelbarrow to remove the valuable, which is one in a series of six certified by Guinness World Records because of its size and 999.99/1000 gold purity. Pictures taken before the burglary show that the coin, which is three centimetres thick and roughly as wide as a car tire, was displayed inside a glass-enclosed, bulletproof cabinet. Like all Canadian gold coins, it bears the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse side. The coin has been on display since 2010 and was part of the Munzkabinett collection, Berlin’s most important archive of coinage, which includes more than 540,000 objects. No other thefts have been announced. A Berlin police communiqué said a museum security staffer alerted police after 4 a.m. Quoting unnamed police sources, the German newspaper Bild said that the thieves took advantage of construction work at the museum and that the chances of its recovery are slim because the coin could be promptly melted. Police later had to interrupt service on the S-Bahn rapid-transit system after they discovered the ladder on rail tracks near the Bode, which is at the tip of an island on the Spree River, in the middle of the German capital. It is not clear how this seemingly old-hat operation eluded the museum’s high-tech alarm system. The police communiqué asked the public to report any occurrence where someone had offered to sell large, unusual volumes of gold. The big coin exhibited by the Berlin museum was on loan from an owner who had purchased it from the Royal Canadian Mint. The mint had made six of them in 2007 to promote a new line of high-purity bullion. A Royal Canadian Mint spokesman said five of the giant coins were sold while the sixth remains in a vault in Ottawa. When asked what the thieves could do with the coin, police spokesman Winfred Wenzel told the German newspaper Die Welt: “Either they were hired to do it by someone who wanted to have the coin, but it’s more likely that it will be melted down.” Report Typo/Error

– Thieves kept their eyes on the target in the early hours of Monday morning when they somehow circumvented a German museum's security system and made off with just one coin. But it's not just any old coin; the so-called "big maple leaf" Canadian coin is pure 24-carat gold, big and heavy, and valued at around $4 million, reports the BBC. Thieves carried away the 220-pound coin, which is more than 20 inches in diameter, sometime after 2am local time, reports CNN. It has a face value of $1 million, and while it would make investigators' job very easy if the crooks tried to spend it, police believe they will either melt the coin down or deliver it to a collector who hired them to steal it, the Globe and Mail reports. The Bode Museum in Berlin has housed the coin in its collection since 2010, reports the CBC. First issued by the Royal Canadian Mint in 2007 with an image of Queen Elizabeth II on one side and the country's symbolic maple leaf on the other, the coin made it into the Guinness Book of Records for its record-breaking gold purity of 99.999%. Authorities say the coin was secured behind bullet-proof glass in the building and that the bandits appear to have entered through a window, using a ladder that they left on nearby train tracks. The original coin is in Ottawa, while five others, including this one, were sold to private individuals. (Check out which day these thieves picked to pull off a jewelry heist.)

If there’s one thing that characterizes Sen. Ted Cruz, it’s discipline — it’s exceedingly rare to hear him utter a word out of place. But rival presidential campaigns, and even a key Cruz ally, believe he tripped up by uttering the phrase that’s followed him all week: “New York values.” Cruz attached the phrase to Donald Trump earlier this week and it carried it into Thursday night’s sixth Republican presidential debate, where he was pushed to explain just what “New York values” mean. His definition: “socially liberal, pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage and focus around money and the media.” Play Facebook Twitter Embed Donald Trump, Ted Cruz Clash Over ‘New York Values’ at GOP Debate 2:27 autoplay autoplay Copy this code to your website or blog That gave Trump a Lincoln Tunnel-sized opening and he took full advantage of it, abandoning his usual insult-comic style for a movingly earnest tribute to his city’s courage in the face of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Even Cruz clapped along during his response. “No place on Earth could have handled that more beautifully, more humanely than New York,” Trump said. RELATED: New York Daily News takes aim at Ted Cruz for ‘New York values’ insult How well did that sound bite play? Congressman Steve King, Cruz’s national co-chair and a legend in his own right when it comes to divisive rhetoric, sighed on CNN that his candidate had picked the wrong fight, even if invoking 9/11 was “below the belt.” “I didn’t think he went too far until I saw Donald Trump’s reaction,” King said. “Then I thought it would have been better on the part of Ted Cruz not to have had that exchange.” Rival campaigns were happy to join the pile-on. Even Hillary Clinton, who represented New York as a senator, tweeted, “Just this once, Trump’s right.” Mike DuHaime, a top strategist to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, made the case to MSNBC on Thursday that Cruz undermined his electability argument by pitting states against each other. “We shouldn’t do that, it’s not helpful, and it signals why we as a party have lost ground in general elections,” he said. Trump’s South Carolina campaign chair Ed McMullen predicted that the attack would fall flat even for its intended audience in the state, where there’s been significant population growth driven by northeast transplants. “We have a lot of in-migration from all over the country,” he said. “This is not your 1970s South Carolina. It’s a very different South Carolina.” Play Facebook Twitter Embed Cruz Pounces on Trump Over Birther Controversy 1:07 autoplay autoplay Copy this code to your website or blog Critics of Cruz’s approach also pointed out that he left fertile ground for attack on hypocrisy grounds. Sen. Marco Rubio in particular has tried to portray Cruz as a panderer rather than the most pure conservative in the race, and Cruz’s fundraising in New York (including a reception at the home of a married gay couple) and his wife’s work for Goldman Sachs, which also provided a seven-figure loan during his Senate campaign, could provide ammo for his case. At the same time, Cruz’s campaign can make a compelling pitch that the “New York values” fight is a net positive despite Thursday night’s negative reviews. Cruz’s campaign aides pointed out the obvious after the debate: The supposed backlash over “New York values” likely looks a lot more widespread than it is because the national news media is concentrated in New York. Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo, who moderated the debate, even mentioned her New York roots in her question to Cruz on the topic. “I understand why the New York media defends New York — that’s fine, I love New York,” Cruz spokesman Rick Tyler told reporters on Thursday. “They are a little sensitive.” RELATED: Three big takeaways from the raucous Republican debate in South Carolina Then there’s the question of what Cruz’s goals are in litigating the New York attack. Right now, Cruz’s most important strength is that he’s largely consolidated the social conservative vote in Iowa, which is critical to turning his narrow polling lead over Trump into success in the Feb. 1 caucus. He needs to keep Trump, who tends to draw support more easily from less religious and less ideological voters, from eating into his base at all costs. Starting a fight over abortion, marriage for same-sex couples, and secularism hardly seems like a crazy defensive play in that context. The question for Cruz is whether Trump is vulnerable to attack given that plenty of other campaigns have tried to go after him on similar grounds, minus the regionalism, with little success. The billionaire has hardly made a secret of his background; he’s a walking parody of a brash New Yorker. Nor has he pitched himself as particularly pious either: He once told a conference of Iowa social conservatives that he doesn’t like to pray to God for forgiveness. Voters have had plenty of time, and not just during the presidential campaign, to absorb these aspects of his personality. Cruz appears to be betting that his credibility with movement conservatives will give the same attacks more sting than past Trump critics. His strength in the polls means they won’t have the same air of desperation that, say, Rick Perry or Bobby Jindal suffered from when they pivoted hard against Trump. So far, betting against Cruz’s political instincts hasn’t paid off for anyone in the race. On that basis alone, it’s worth waiting before leaping to conclusions after the latest round of criticism. This article originally appeared on MSNBC.com. ||||| Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz issued a less-than-sincere “apology” Friday after outraging the 8.5 million residents of Gotham with his dismissive comments about “New York values.” The Canadian-born Texas senator used his “apology” to slam the Empire State’s elected leaders and asked his supporters to fill his coffers with cash because he was offended by the Daily News’ response to his slight. Ted Cruz needs to come up with some better zingers. (TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images) “You’re right, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton and Andrew Cuomo and Bill de Blasio have asked me to apologize,” Cruz said. “I apologize to the millions of New Yorkers who’ve been let down by liberal politicians.” TED CRUZ ASKS NEW YORKERS FOR DONATIONS AFTER INSULTING THEM Cruz touched on all his typical talking points in his latest diss as he apologized to those “denied jobs because Gov. Cuomo won’t allow fracking” and to the New Yorkers who are “pro-life and pro-marriage and pro-second amendment who were told by Gov. Cuomo they have no place in New York.” Ted Cruz — who complained that New Yorkers were all about the money — used the Daily News to raise some more of his own. TRUMP DEFENDS 'NEW YORK VALUES' AS CRUZ USES TERM AS INSULT Cruz launched the first volley at the Big Apple when he criticized fellow GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump for embodying “New York values” in an interview on a New Hampshire radio show. He continued to take aim at New York throughout the week on Fox News and on the stage of the Republican debate Thursday night hosted by the Fox Business Network. "Everybody understands that the values in New York City are socially liberal and pro-abortion and pro-gay marriage," Cruz said. GIULIANI: CRUZ'S VIEW OF NYC IGNORES CITY'S STRENGTH In his statement Friday, Cruz threw more shade at the city by blasting the mayor. He “apologized” to the “African American children who Mayor de Blasio tried to throw out of their charter schools that were providing a pipeline to American Dream.” He also apologized to New York law enforcement and first responders who he said de Blasio doesn't stand with and instead “stands with looters and criminals.” The mayor fired back earlier, labeling Cruz as a hypocrite who had no trouble soliciting campaign funds from New Yorkers in his run for the White House. Cruz also accepted a $1 million low-interest loan from Goldman Sachs, the Wall Street fiancial giant based in New York since 1869, to help finance his 2012 run for the Senate. On Friday, the Daily News stood up for the all New Yorkers by urging the trash-talking politician to “go back to Canada,” on its front page. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks during a news conference at the Mount Neboh Baptist Church on Sunday, January 10, 2016 in New York, N.Y. Gov. Cuomo proposed educational programs in the criminal justice system. (James Keivom / New York Daily News) (James Keivom/New York Daily News) New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio at a City Hall press conference on Thursday, February 12, 2015. He discussed the decision by the DNC not to hold their 2016 convention in Brooklyn and the impending bitter cold weather. (Jefferson Siegel/New York Daily News) (Jefferson Siegel/New York Daily News) Gov. Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio shot back at Ted Cruz for his comments about "New York values." Not one to miss an opportunity to ask for cash, Cruz used The News cover in a fundraising bid sent out Friday. “This is the lowest attack against Ted to date and the troubling fact is it’s not going to stop,” the plea for cash read. The conservative stalwart sought sympathy from his supporters and pulled a similar cash grab after he was offended by a Washington Post editorial cartoon that portrayed him as an organ grinder and his two daughters as dancing monkeys. ||||| Cruz 'apologizes' to people of New York (for bad government) (Photo: Timothy A. Clary, AFP/Getty Images) COLUMBIA, S.C. — Ted Cruz, under fire for saying Donald Trump represents "New York values," apologized to the people of the city and state on Friday — sort of. Speaking to reporters, Cruz repeatedly said "I apologize" to New Yorkers who have had to live with the consequences of liberal polices that have hurt their economy, but said his presidency would reverse those trends. "I apologize to the millions of New Yorkers who have been let down by liberal politicians in that state," Cruz said, reciting a list that included New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, and policies that ranged from business regulations to a ban on fracking. "Help is on the way," the Republican candidate said after an appearance in the South Carolina state capital. Trump and a variety of other New Yorkers — from Cuomo to The New York Daily News — spend the day condemning Cruz for criticizing their values. "His hit on New York was disgraceful, frankly," Trump said on MSNBC. The Daily News front page said "Drop Dead, Ted," and had a cartoon of the Statue of Liberty flipping the bird at the Texas senator. During a Thursday debate in South Carolina, Cruz said he was referring to the region's liberal politics when he decried New York values. Cruz addressed the flap after at a town hall hosted by South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson and sponsored by a group called the Conservative Leadership Project. During the event, Cruz criticized President Obama for excessive use of executive orders, the growth of federal regulations, the "power grab" of climate change actions, and anti-business "zealots" at the Environmental Protection Agency. "We need a president who will take on the EPA," Cruz said. Read or Share this story: http://usat.ly/1UVL3tg ||||| HOUSTON, Texas – Presidential candidate Ted Cruz today responded to demands from liberal politicians including Hillary Clinton, Andrew Cuomo and Bill de Blasio to apologize for his criticisms of the liberal progressive values embraced by the New York elites. Cruz’s comments are below, followed by a full statement. Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton and Andrew Cuomo and Bill de Blasio have all demanded an apology. I’m happy to apologize: I apologize to the millions of New Yorkers who have been let down by liberal politicians in that state. I apologize to the hard working men and women of the state of New York who have been denied jobs because Governor Cuomo won’t allow fracking. Even though there had been many high paying jobs just south in Pennsylvania, New Yorkers are denied the ability to provide for their families. I apologize to all the pro-life and pro-marriage and pro-second amendment New Yorkers who were told by Governor Cuomo that they have no place in New York because that’s not who New Yorkers are. I apologize to all the small businesses who have been driven out of New York city by crushing taxes and regulations. I apologize to the millions of unborn children, many African-American and Hispanic, whose lives have been taken by politicians who relentlessly promote abortion on demand with no limitations. I apologize to all of the African-American children who Mayor de Blasio tried to throw out of their charter schools that were providing a lifeline to the American Dream. I apologize to the people of New York who are offended when the New York Daily News lambastes anyone who prays for victims of violence. I apologize to the people of faith who are ridiculed and insulted by the New York media. And I apologize to all the cops and the firefighters and 9/11 heroes who had no choice but to stand and turn their backs on Mayor de Blasio, because Mayor de Blasio over and over again stands with the looters and criminals rather than the brave men and women of the law. And to the millions of conservatives–working men and women in New York, with common sense values, trapped by the failures of your political leaders–I am glad to tell you, help us on the way. 2016, like 1980, will bring America back. ### ||||| Photo TIGERVILLE, S.C. – Senator Ted Cruz of Texas stood onstage here with a mischievous smile, setting off on a stump speech he is typically loath to change. On this occasion, he could not help himself. “Now I’m curious,” Mr. Cruz told a nearly full auditorium at North Greenville University. “Do the people of South Carolina know what New York values are?” The crowd roared. Laughing off a swelling group of enemies 700 miles away — the New York residents and elected officials who chafed at his ominous dig that one of his rivals, Donald J. Trump, embodied “New York values” — Mr. Cruz appeared eager on Friday to spread the message. He issued a faux apology in remarks to reporters. And on Sean Hannity’s radio show. And in a news release and a post on Twitter. I’m happy to apologize to millions of New Yorkers… #NewYorkValues https://t.co/noaephBgbV — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) January 16, 2016 And by day’s end, apparently pleased with the delivery, he introduced the riff to voters. “So today, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton and Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York City all demanded I apologize,” he said theatrically, eliciting some grumbles. “Who am I to say no?” He went on: “I apologize to the millions of New Yorkers who’ve been abandoned for years by liberal politicians.” And on: “I apologize to all the hardworking men and women in New York who’d like to have jobs, but Gov. Cuomo has banned fracking.” And on: “I apologize to all the New Yorkers who are pro-life and pro-marriage and pro-Second Amendment.” And on: “I apologize to all the small businesses that are fleeing New York City because of the crushing taxes and regulations.” And so it went, with Mr. Cruz displaying an impressive handle on New York politics. (He also referenced Mr. de Blasio’s past clashes with his own Police Department and proponents of charter schools.) Wrapping up, Mr. Cruz said he hoped “that was the apology they were looking for.” The attendees, at least, seemed pleased. “He basically apologized to the rest of New York,” said Jim Clinton, 55, from Greer, S.C. “You know what I’m saying?”

– Ted Cruz, facing a huge backlash for his "New York values" comments, issued an "apology" to New Yorkers on Friday—not for anything he said, but for the liberal policies they have to live under. "I apologize to the millions of New Yorkers who have been let down by liberal politicians in that state," Cruz said at a South Carolina event, per USA Today, listing policies like Gov. Andrew Cuomo's ban on fracking and promising that "help is on the way." "I apologize to all the New Yorkers who are pro-life and pro-marriage and pro-Second Amendment," he said, per the New York Times, which notes that he also issued pseudo-apologies in a press release, showing "an impressive handle on New York politics." The New York Daily News—which had a Friday front page telling Cruz to "go back to Canada," with a picture of the Statue of Liberty giving him the finger—reports that Cruz used the cover in a fundraising email to supporters. "This is the lowest attack against Ted to date and the troubling fact is it’s not going to stop," the email said. Donald Trump robustly defended New York during Thursday night's GOP debate, winning praise even from Hillary Clinton, who tweeted: "Just this once, Trump's right," NBC reports.

President Donald Trump departs after speaking during a town hall with business leaders in the South Court Auditorium on the White House complex. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post) President Trump and his advisers, seeking to contain the escalating Russia crisis that threatens to consume his presidency, are considering a retooling of his senior staff and the creation of a “war room” within the White House, according to several aides and outside Trump allies. Following Trump’s return to Washington on Saturday night from a nine-day foreign trip that provided a respite from the controversy back home, the White House plans to far more aggressively combat the cascading revelations about contacts between Trump associates — including Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law and senior adviser — and Russia. White House officials also are trying to find ways to revive Trump’s stalled policy agenda in Congress and to more broadly overhaul the way the White House communicates with the public. That includes proposals for more travel and campaign-style rallies nationwide so that Trump can speak directly to his supporters, as well as changes in the pace and nature of news briefings, probably including a diminished role for embattled White House press secretary Sean Spicer. Although much remained fluid Saturday, the beefed-up operation could include the return of some of Trump’s more combative campaign aides, including Corey Lewandowski, who was fired as campaign manager nearly a year ago, and David N. Bossie, who was deputy campaign manager and made his name in politics by investigating Bill and Hillary Clinton for two decades. Both men have been part of ongoing discussions about how to build a war room that have been led in part by chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon. (Alice Li,McKenna Ewen/The Washington Post) Other Trump players who have drifted from his orbit in recent months, such as Sam Nunberg, are also being courted to play more active roles, either officially joining the White House or in an outside capacity, working through confidants of the president. “Go to the mattresses,” a line from the film “The Godfather” about turning to tough mercenaries during troubled times, has circulated among Trump’s friends, said two people close to the war room discussions. Kellyanne Conway, counselor to the president, has been involved in related talks, including with prominent Trump backers outside Washington and on Capitol Hill, and has contacted people from Trump’s campaign network, asking them to be more involved in supporting the president, said three GOP consultants working with the White House. Meanwhile, White House counsel Donald McGahn is considering expanding his office, and an outside legal team led by Marc E. Kasowitz is preparing to meet with Trump and guide him, including on whether he should continue to comment on the Russia investigations on Twitter. Kushner has played an active role in the effort to rethink and rearrange the communications team, improve the White House’s surrogate operation, and develop an internal group to respond to the influx of negative stories and revelations over the FBI’s Russia inquiry, said a person with knowledge of the coming changes. “The bottom line is they need fresh legs; they need more legs,” said Barry Bennett, who served as a political adviser to Trump during the general-election campaign. “They’re in full-scale war, and they’re thinly staffed.” As Trump has participated in meetings with world leaders in recent days, senior aides — including Bannon, Kushner and Chief of Staff Reince Priebus — have met in the White House to discuss a potential reshuffle. Kushner’s role has emerged as a particularly sensitive topic of discussion within the White House, as his actions have come under increasing scrutiny in the FBI investigation of Russian meddling in the presidential election. The Washington Post reported Friday night that Kushner and Russia’s ambassador to Washington discussed the possibility of setting up a secret and secure communications channel between Trump’s transition team and the Kremlin, using Russian diplomatic facilities in an apparent move to shield their pre-inauguration discussions from monitoring. Some White House aides have discreetly discussed among themselves whether Kushner should play a lesser role — or even take a leave — at least until the Russia-related issues calm, but they have been reluctant to discuss that view with Kushner, and Kushner’s network of allies within the West Wing has rallied behind him. Those close to Kushner said he has no plans to take a reduced role, although people who have spoken to him say that he is increasingly weary of the nonstop frenzy. In recent weeks, the White House brought on Josh Raffel as a spokesman to handle many of the issues in Kushner’s portfolio; Raffel works out of a shared office in the West Wing, although he also has space in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. During a lunch Friday, Kushner and Priebus talked about how Trump’s foreign trip had gone and began outlining what is coming up in the weeks ahead. Earlier in the day in Kushner’s office, the two briefly discussed the stories involving Kushner and Russia. The president’s lawyers have urged Trump not to write adversarial Twitter messages or make off-the-cuff comments about the Russia investigations, explaining that those utterances could further hurt him if it seems as though he’s trying to obstruct the inquiries. Underscoring the uncertainty of what lies ahead, some Trump associates said there have been conversations about dispatching Priebus to serve as ambassador to Greece — his mother is of Greek descent — as a face-saving way to remove him from the White House. A White House spokeswoman strongly denied that possibility Saturday. The president has expressed frustration — both publicly and privately — with his communications team, ahead of the expected overhaul. Although no final decisions have been made, one option being discussed is having Spicer — who has been parodied on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” — take a more behind-the-scenes role and give up his daily on-camera briefings. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the deputy White House press secretary, is being considered as a replacement behind the lectern. White House aides also have talked about having a rotating cast of staff brief the media, a group that could include officials such as national security adviser H.R. McMaster. Having several aides share the briefing responsibilities could help prevent Trump — who has a notoriously short attention span — from growing bored or angry with any one staff member. The White House already has been testing this strategy, sending Spicer to the lectern along with another top staff member to talk about the news of the day: Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney on budget issues, for instance, or McMaster on questions of national security. On Trump’s foreign tour, Spicer held only one briefing, an informal gaggle with the small, traveling press pool. Otherwise, he served more as an emcee, introducing other senior administration officials at more formal briefings. On Saturday, it was Gary Cohn, the National Economic Council director, and McMaster who headlined the U.S. news conference at the conclusion of the Group of Seven summit in Taormina, Italy. Spicer introduced them and then retired to the corner of the room to watch McMaster and Cohn parry questions from journalists. The episode highlighted how difficult it is to drive Trump’s agenda, with Russia so prominently in the news. The briefing grew testy after several questions related to Kushner’s activities were posed to McMaster, who largely deflected them. The expected revamp in White House operations comes at a key juncture in Trump’s presidency, as his job-approval ratings continue to sag and he presses for progress on several marquee campaign promises — including revamping the Affordable Care Act and restructuring the tax code — before Congress takes its August recess. A White House aide said Saturday that Trump also is considering pushing more modest initiatives in Congress that would stand a better chance of quick passage. The aide, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to talk more freely, said that could include measures on immigration or infrastructure-related initiatives that most Republicans favor. “They need accomplishments on issues that affect jobs,” one Trump adviser said. “If the White House and Congress have nothing in hand to tout by this summer, members of Congress are going to come back after their August recess freaking out.” Conversations about a war room have focused on a model similar to what emerged during President Bill Clinton’s tenure to cope with the Monica S. Lewinsky scandal and other crises. Clinton pulled together a team of lawyers and communication and political aides to deal with those issues apart from the regular White House structure, with the aim of letting other business proceed as normally as possible. Aides and allies of Trump say they now realize that unflattering stories about Russia will be part of the daily conversation for now and acknowledge that the White House has been ill-equipped to handle them. Christopher Ruddy, a longtime Trump friend, said the White House has been caught flat-footed on many of the Russia stories. “Because they did not believe there’s anything to it, they’re playing catch-up to get their side of the story out,” he said. “At first, I thought the president was fretting too much about this,” said Ruddy, who is chief executive of Newsmax Media and a member of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Fla. “But it keeps growing like a bad fungus, even though there’s nothing there.” “The deep state and the swamp and many in the media are never going to let up,” added Jason Miller, who served as Trump’s senior communications adviser during the campaign and remains close to the White House. He is not expected to come back in a formal role. The White House also has been pushing the Republican National Committee to defend the president more actively. Members of the Trump family outside the White House have been ramping up their engagement in the president’s political operation, eager to contribute and guide the party. On Thursday, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and Eric’s wife, Lara Trump, participated in a two-hour meeting at the RNC headquarters in Washington, according to three people familiar with the session who were not authorized to speak publicly. RNC spokesman Ryan Mahoney declined to address the specifics of the meeting but said the RNC is increasing its efforts to bolster Trump. “The RNC’s role is to support the president,” Mahoney said. “We’re focused on creating as much content as possible to ensure we’re messaging effectively and doing so quickly in order to promote and defend this administration. It’s our top priority.” Aides say they think Trump’s agenda will be boosted by making more targeted appearances around the country to tout it. And several advisers are pushing Trump to do more of the campaign-style rallies like the one he had planned in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Thursday night. It has been postponed but will be rescheduled soon, Trump’s campaign committee said. Being outside of Washington among his supporters, particularly in a state he won last year, energizes Trump and provides a way for him to communicate without the filter of the media, his advisers say. “The conventional ways of communicating are not working for them,” one adviser said, adding that Trump should consider Facebook Live sessions and get out on the road “as frequently as possible.” “They have to get the campaign brand back,” the adviser said. Several Trump advisers cited the president’s recent interview with NBC’s Lester Holt, in which Trump made clear it was his idea to fire FBI Director James B. Comey, as the kind of thing to avoid going forward. “I hope he’ll travel more and do these rallies once a week,” Bennett said. “You get to say whatever you want to say, and you don’t have to take questions.” As the White House tried to strengthen its operations, some staff members who once fell out of favor with Trump have been brought back into conversations. Lewandowski, who was fired from the campaign amid serious clashes with Kushner and the president’s daughter Ivanka Trump, has been suggested as an effective messenger — either from inside the administration or from his current perch outside — to push back against the Russia controversy. Nunberg, who was fired by the Trump campaign in 2015 and has been hostile to Lewandowski since, is now working with Ruddy. At a recent breakfast in Washington with Ruddy, Lewandowski and Alexandra Preate, a close ally of Bannon, the trio discussed whether Lewandowski and Nunberg could put aside their differences to again rally behind Trump, according to three people familiar with the conversation. Aides to Trump say that they are pleased with the substance and the optics of his nine-day foreign trip, the first time he has traveled abroad as president, and that they hope that it willgenerate momentum for his agenda back home. Others aren’t so sure. “He was given the chance to look presidential and change the pictures on our television screens,” said Timothy Naftali, a presidential historian at New York University. “But it will be harder for him to manage news back at home than abroad. . . . The worries he had when he left have not gone away. They’ve only gotten worse.” Philip Rucker in Italy contributed to this report. ||||| The White House is preparing a plan to restructure communications and possibly staffing for when President Trump returns from his overseas trip, CBS News has learned. It's unclear when exactly these proposals will be presented to Mr. Trump, but this is likely to take place shortly after he returns to Washington from his first foreign trip as president. Mr. Trump will be presented with proposals to set up messaging teams both inside and outside the White House to deal with rapid response on all fronts. These teams will also hone the messaging on the Russia investigation, CBS News' Steve Chaggaris reports. Mr. Trump will also be presented with a proposal to restructure his communications team, including the press office. There have been rumors around Washington that press secretary Sean Spicer's job is in danger, but the White House has denied these rumors. In an interview with Fox News' Jeanine Pirro earlier this month, Mr. Trump said Spicer has been "doing a good job but he gets beat up." White House says leaks are "coordinated" efforts to hurt Trump Lately, the White House has been on the defensive against recent leaks, with Trump administration officials saying last week the recent high-profile leaks of classified information are "coordinated and timed." CBS News has confirmed from two sources that three leakers of classified information at the White House have been identified and are expected to be fired. Officials within the Trump White House believe leaks of Mr. Trump's conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov are a "deliberate attempt" by officials who are holdovers from President Obama's administration and are trying to damage the Trump presidency. Last week, the Trump campaign released an email to supporters entitled "SABOTAGE," in which the campaign said, "There are people within our own unelected bureaucracy that want to sabotage President Trump and our entire America First movement." Editor's note: An earlier version of this story said the three leakers were being processed by the Office of Government Ethics (OGE). That information was incorrect, according to OGE Director Walter M. Shaub. He told CBS News, "That information is not true. OGE is not involved in anything like that." CBS News' Steve Chaggaris contributed to this report ||||| Stephen Miller, senior adviser to President Donald Trump, left, and National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster walk from Marine One across the South Lawn to White House in Washington, Saturday, May 27, 2017,... (Associated Press) Stephen Miller, senior adviser to President Donald Trump, left, and National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster walk from Marine One across the South Lawn to White House in Washington, Saturday, May 27, 2017, as they return from Sigonella, Italy, with President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump.... (Associated Press) WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is considering overhauling his White House staff and bringing back top campaign strategists, frustrated by what he views as his team's inability to contain the burgeoning crisis involving alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 election. Expanding teams of lawyers and experienced public relations hands are being recruited to deal with the drumbeat of new revelations about Moscow's interference and possible improper dealings with the Trump campaign and associates. The disclosures dogged the president during his first trip abroad since taking office and threaten to overwhelm and stall the agenda for his young administration. As he mulls outside reinforcements to his operation, Trump returned late Saturday from his nine-day journey to a White House seemingly in crisis mode, with a barrage of reports hitting close to the Oval Office and involving Jared Kushner, his son-in-law and influential adviser. A rally planned Thursday in Iowa was postponed due to "an unforeseen change" in Trump's schedule. On Sunday, Trump sought to downplay recent news reports portraying his administration in disarray, calling it "fake news" on Twitter. In a flurry of angry tweets, Trump said that "many of the leaks coming out of the White House are fabricated lies." He added that it is "very possible that those sources don't exist but are made up by fake news writers." The latest reports in the Russia matter said Kushner spoke with Russia's ambassador to the United States about setting up secret communications with Moscow during the presidential transition. While overseas, Trump's longtime lawyer, Marc Kasowitz, joined a still-forming legal team to help the president shoulder the intensifying investigations into Russian interference in the election and his associates' potential involvement. More attorneys with deep experience in Washington investigations are expected to be added, along with crisis communication experts, to help the White House in the weeks ahead. "They need to quarantine this stuff and put the investigations in a separate communications operation," said Jack Quinn, who served as White House counsel for President Bill Clinton. During the Monica Lewinsky investigation, the Clinton White House brought on a dedicated group of lawyers and a created a separate media operation to handle investigation-related inquiries so they didn't completely subsume the president's agenda. Trump, according to one person familiar with his thinking, believed he was facing more of a communications problem than a legal one, despite the intensifying inquiries. The person, like others, spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss private conversations. As he mulls changes, Trump has entertained bringing his former campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, and former deputy campaign manager, David Bossie, formally back into the fold. Both Lewandowski and Bossie discussed the prospect with the president before his trip, according to one person told of the conversations. Lewandowski's return would be a particularly notable development, given the fact that he was fired by Trump after clashing with staff and Trump's adult children. Nonetheless, Lewandowski has the trust of the president — an advantage that many of Trump's aides lack. Trump called his maiden trip abroad a "home run," but while the White House had hoped it would serve as a reset, attention on the Russia probe has only increased. Recently appointed special counsel Robert Mueller, a former FBI director, is starting off an investigation with a broad mandate that will allow him to probe both the possible Russian influence and whether Trump attempted to obstruct the investigation by firing FBI Director James Comey. Comey is expected to testify before Congress after Memorial Day about memos he kept on conversations with the president that pertained to the investigation. The White House also grappled with reports that Kushner proposed setting up a secret back channel between the Kremlin and the Trump transition team during a December meeting. Kushner spoke with Sergey Kislyak, the Russian ambassador to the U.S., about creating the secret line to make it easier to hold sensitive discussions about the conflict in Syria, according to a person familiar with the discussions. The back channel was meant to connect Michael Flynn, who later became Trump's first national security adviser, with Russian military leaders, said the person, who wasn't authorized to publicly discuss private policy considerations and spoke on condition of anonymity. Flynn was fired in February, officials saying he misled Vice President Mike Pence about whether he and the ambassador had discussed U.S. sanctions against Russia in a phone call. Before departing Italy for the U.S., White House officials refused to address the reports about Kushner. But they did not dismiss the idea that the administration would go outside normal U.S. government and diplomatic channels for communications with other countries. Other major issues await Trump at home. He has signaled he will make a decision on whether to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. And the search continues for an FBI director to replace Comey. On the policy front, he must defend his budget plan, and the Republican health care bill that narrowly passed the House faces an uncertain future in the Senate. Trump also has to decide soon on a Pentagon recommendation to add more U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan, as well as boosting reinforcement for the beleaguered Afghan military. __ Associated Press writers Julie Bykowicz, Vivian Salama and Darlene Superville contributed to this report. __ On Twitter, follow Thomas at https://twitter.com/KThomasDC and Colvin at https://twitter.com/colvinj ||||| Once the untouchable son-in-law in a White House where top aides jockey for the president’s ear, Jared Kushner has now been cast in a new role: reassuring people that he’s not going to resign, while colleagues question whether he can survive politically. Any victory lap Kushner hoped to enjoy after pulling off a successful presidential foreign trip to the Middle East was cut short after The Washington Post reported that during the transition he discussed setting up a secret back channel with the Russian ambassador. He also failed to disclose earlier phone calls with Russian officials, according to a Reuters report. Story Continued Below The back channel was never established. But the news puts Kushner squarely in the middle of a wide-ranging FBI investigation into whether Trump campaign advisers were working with Russian operatives to influence the results of the 2016 election. And it means that the main architect of Trump’s visit to the Middle East is now the lead distraction that will greet the president, who was flying home from nine days abroad on Saturday, returning from what was seen, overall, as a successful foreign trip. “It’s clear that Jared Kushner will be under intense scrutiny at a time when his father-in-law has named him everything but chief cook and bottle washer,” said Democratic strategist David Axelrod, a former top White House adviser to President Barack Obama. “It’s bad for the prospects of calm at the White House.” Kushner’s allies are quick to point out that he hasn’t been accused of any wrongdoing, and his lawyer, Jamie Gorelick, has said Kushner volunteered to share with Congress anything he knows about meetings with the Russians. People familiar with the matter also speculated that Sergey Kislyak may have exaggerated Kushner’s role in his version of events. A senior administration official said there was widespread concern, predating the foreign trip, that Kushner was in trouble — but “no one that I know has been asked to provide documents” and it wasn’t talked about openly in the White House or staff meetings. Morning Defense newsletter Sign up for Morning Defense, a daily briefing on Washington's national security apparatus. Email Sign Up By signing up you agree to receive email newsletters or alerts from POLITICO. You can unsubscribe at any time. “No one knows what to make of it because he’s there every day, making decisions, in the Oval,” this person said. “So everyone just tries to act normal.” A White House spokesman declined to comment. But outside of Kushner’s small circle of trust — a group that includes Kushner’s wife, Ivanka Trump, and advisers Hope Hicks, Josh Raffel, Dina Powell, Gary Cohn, Chris Liddell and Reed Cordish — many West Wing advisers are simultaneously rattled by the back-channel revelations and feeling a sense of schadenfreude. The focus on a family member also brings the Russia-related heat closer to Trump. Kushner has risen so quickly in the White House that his colleagues grumble about “principal confusion” — when a staffer thinks that the reflected spotlight of the boss is actually shining on him. Colleagues have rolled their eyes that Kushner has hired a communications adviser to work on his own portfolio. That aide, Raffel, traveled abroad with him to Riyadh, Jerusalem and Rome. Kushner, who some say has sealed himself off from the competing White House power centers, may now be in a position of needing allies. And the pool of people in New York City eager to come to his defense has shrunk. Internally at the White House, according to multiple sources, there is a feeling of resentment among people about Kushner’s special status as a family member, and a feeling that it’s about time for him to have a turn under the gun. There is also a sense of uncertainty about how long Kushner and Ivanka Trump — who associates say likes, but doesn’t love, Washington — are planning to stick it out. Some have noted that they rent their Kalorama mansion, which allows them to keep their options of moving back to Manhattan more open. But for now, according to a person familiar with the situation, Kushner isn’t going anywhere. On Friday, a White House official said, Kushner was back in his West Wing office and had a working lunch with chief of staff Reince Priebus to recap the trip. Kushner, who flew home from Rome commercial on Thursday with his wife after deciding a week earlier to cut his trip short, is not easily ruffled, this person said. His plan moving forward is to keep his head down and focus on his work, including turning his attention back to building his Office of American Innovation now that the foreign trip is behind him. The news about Kushner, whose face blanketed cable news on Saturday, overshadowed Trump’s foreign trip on its final day. At a press briefing in Taormina on Friday, White House officials were peppered with questions about Kushner’s role and tried to downplay the significance of the alleged back-channel plan. “We have back-channel communications with a number of countries,” national security adviser H.R. McMaster said. “What that allows you to do is communicate in a discreet manner, so I’m not concerned.” Chief economic adviser Gary Cohn, a close Kushner ally, added: “We’re not going to comment on Jared.” Another official noted that it was Kushner’s conversations with foreign officials during the transition that allowed him to form relationships with the Saudis and pull off a successful first foreign trip for Trump. They also pointed to the good relationships with China and Mexico, that they credited to “back-channel” style relationships Kushner developed with those countries during the campaign. But many outside observers pointed to Kushner’s naiveté in understanding the need for caution when it comes to handling relationships with Moscow. The spotlight on Kushner’s involvement with the Russians comes at a time when the powerful son-in-law has been telling associates that he is frustrated with his job. Two associates who have spoken to Kushner in recent weeks described him as “unhappy” and “miserable,” in part because he has not been able to make the changes he wants to under his father-in-law. Kushner, the source said, has recently seemed resigned to the fact that the internal dysfunction that has defined the first months of Trump’s administration is unlikely to pass. “He’s still trying to tell people it will improve, but he seems like he was trying to convince himself,” the source said. Others, however, said there’s a healthy recognition that this is what it’s like to be in the Trump White House: a successful foreign trip one week, drowned out by negative headlines the following. Meanwhile, Democrats said they are planning to make Kushner a focus in the coming weeks. “There is no way Jared Kushner should have a top-level security clearance right now,” said Brian Fallon, who served as press secretary to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign and before that as a spokesman for the Department of Justice. “In light of what we now know he discussed with Kislyak, it is impossible to believe Kushner’s omission of that secret meeting from his clearance application form was an accident. His clearance should be stripped at least until the FBI gets to the bottom of this.” He added: “If Republicans will not join in demanding this of the White House, Democrats would be more than justified in grinding the Senate to a halt and opposing any new Trump nominees.” And Senate Democrats said that they were planning to use the latest Russia-related crisis to increase pressure on attaching Russia sanctions to the Iran sanctions bill that passed the Foreign Relations Committee last week. One source on the Hill said many Democrats don’t want that bill to move without a Russia sanctions bill alongside it, and that pressure will now only increase. Kushner’s attorney, Gorelick, said she was not available to speak on Saturday. On Friday, she said in a statement that Kushner had “no recollection” of the calls reported by Reuters but did not respond directly to reports concerning the back-channel communications. Tara Palmeri contributed to this report. ||||| Tweet with a location You can add location information to your Tweets, such as your city or precise location, from the web and via third-party applications. You always have the option to delete your Tweet location history. Learn more

– President Trump is back from his foreign tour and has no shortage of items on his to-do list: Chief among them is containing the Russia crisis, and the Washington Post is reporting that the White House is looking to create a "war room" to do so and fill it with people it calls "some of Trump’s more combative campaign aides." That could include Corey Lewandowski, David Bossie, and Sam Nunberg. The White House is also lawyering up, notes the Post, with longtime Trump lawyer Marc Kasowitz expected to advise the president on the Russia situation as early as Sunday. And as fallout over reported backchannels to Russia grows, Politico notes that the future is uncertain for one key aide: Son-in-law Jared Kushner. "The bottom line is they need fresh legs; they need more legs," a former political adviser to the Trump campaign tells the Post. "They’re in full-scale war, and they’re thinly staffed." Kasowitz is expected to be bolstered by a legal team, as well as a crisis communications team, reports the AP. "They need to quarantine this stuff and put the investigations in a separate communications operation," a former Clinton White House counsel says. Citing two unnamed sources, CBS News reports that the White House has identified three people believed to be behind leaks who are soon to be out of a job. Meanwhile, Trump himself was playing defense on the leaks Sunday via Twitter: "It is my opinion that many of the leaks coming out of the White House are fabricated lies made up by the #FakeNews media."

A daily crawl of more than 200,000 home pages of news sites, including the pages linked from those home pages. Site list provided by The GDELT Project These crawls are part of an effort to archive pages as they are created and archive the pages that they refer to. That way, as the pages that are referenced are changed or taken from the web, a link to the version that was live when the page was written will be preserved.Then the Internet Archive hopes that references to these archived pages will be put in place of a link that would be otherwise be broken, or a companion link to allow people to see what was originally intended by a page's authors.The goal is to fix all broken links on the web . Crawls of supported "No More 404" sites. Back to previous page New Hampshire polls open in Dixville Notch — with nine votes By Ann Gerhart, DIXVILLE NOTCH, N.H. — The voters of this tiny hamlet, all nine of them, have spoken. Very briefly. The polls opened here at midnight and closed less than a minute later, and the tally was final by 12:05 a.m. On the Republican side, Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman tied, with two votes each. Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul each got one vote. President Obama received his very first live votes of confidence — three of them. In Hart’s Location, another village that traditionally votes minutes after Dixville Notch, Romney was a clear winner. There, the former Massachusetts governor took five votes to four votes for Paul. Huntsman took two votes, Texas Gov. Rick Perry took one and Gingrich took one. New Hampshire election law permits unincorporated towns of fewer than 100 residents to open for polling at midnight, and Dixville Notch has done so since 1960, at The Balsams Grand Resort Hotel high in the North Country, about 20 miles south of the Canadian border. There were nine votes cast that year, too, all for Richard Nixon. A crowd of about 200 media representatives chronicled the entire 2-minute affair. Tanner Tillotson, who is 23 and a grandson of the previous owner of The Balsams, obligingly offered his comments to a bank of TV cameras: “We’ve seen a tie in the Republican primary between Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman, and I think the voters should take that as a sign that they should vote for whom they want, rather than who might win. Dixville always has played this tiny but important role in the process.” He voted for Obama. While the results are expected to be certified by New Hampshire’s secretary of state, the whole affair was, with all due respect to a hospitable citizenry, a bit of a fraud. None of the voters actually live in Dixville Notch. The grand old resort closed in October for renovations, and the new owners gave the more than 300 employees a severance package. Tillotson and his parents, Thomas and Debra, do own a home on the property but spend much of their time in Boston. The others have moved away to find work in other places. The state allows residents to retain their most recent place of registration, and so the sturdy loyal nine all trooped here to do their duty. A local caterer set out vast trays of deviled eggs and chicken and ham salad sandwiches, and Ray Gorman, who worked at the resort for 33 years and now is hoping to draw unemployment, volunteered to come back and make sure there would be oil in the heating system to keep everyone comfortable in the large ballroom. He invited the protesters standing outside on ice in the 15-degree weather to come in and get warm. John Kennedy, who was the recreation and activity director for The Balsams for 19 years and met his wife here, fished the bunting out of a closet in the laundry room. The voter to cast a ballot first, selected from names on slips of paper in a bowl, was Jacques Couture, who worked in maintenance at The Balsams. When his name was announced, Couture looked startled as the flashes popped in his face and the reporters shouted questions. “Jacques, Jacques, do you consider it an honor?” “Is it scary?” “Jacques, why do you consider it an honor?” “Is that Couture like fashion?” “Yes,” Couture replied. “It is an honor.” ||||| Jacques Couture, 62, cast his vote in the first-in-the-nation presidential primary, at The Balsams Grand Resort, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012, in Dixville, N.H. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) (Associated Press) Voters in the tiny New Hampshire village famed for casting the first ballots in the nation's first presidential primary have found themselves in a tie between Republicans Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman. Nine ballots were cast in New Hampshire's Dixville Notch just after midnight. Romney and Huntsman received two votes each. Coming in second with one vote apiece were Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul. For the Democrats, President Barack Obama received three votes. The nine residents who cast their ballots include three registered Republicans and two registered Democrats. Four other voters haven't declared a party. Dixville Notch is an unincorporated village in northern New Hampshire just below the Canadian border. The town clerk, Rick Erwin, says that the nine registered voters make up the entire Dixville Notch population.

– The village of Dixville Notch is notable not just for the fact that it only has nine registered voters, but for the fact that those voters also are the first in New Hampshire to state their choice in today's primary. Their nine ballots were cast one minute after midnight—unincorporated towns that claim less than 100 residents can open the polls at 12am—and, according to this wee hamlet, Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman are the very, very early frontrunners, with two votes each. Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul both walked away with one; Barack Obama scooped up the remaining three, reports the AP. If may seem like a quaint and charming way to kick off today's primary, but the Washington Post would like to point out that it's a bit of a sham: It reports that those nine voters don't actually live in Dixville Notch, but are technically registered to vote there. They voted at the Balsams Grand Resort Hotel, which closed a few months ago for renovations, pushing the few residents to leave and seek work elsewhere. But just for one night, the heating system was cranked up, chicken and ham salad sandwiches were put out, and all eyes fell on Dixville Notch.

Jethro Soudant/istock Tables for one have gone up 62% in the last year, according reservations site OpenTable. One isn’t the loneliest number. People that enjoy dining alone are in good company. Tables for one have gone up 62% in the last two years nationwide, according to reservations site OpenTable. New York ranks fourth among cities experiencing the strongest growth in solo reservations. Dallas is number one, followed by Miami and Denver, with Philadelphia, Las Vegas and Chicago coming in behind New York. "Solo diners are taking every opportunity to visit top restaurants whenever they get the opportunity. From communal and counter seating to table service, restaurants are welcoming parties of one with open arms,”said Caroline Potter, a spokeswoman at OpenTable, in a statement. The website reveals the top 25 restaurants that get the most booked tables for one. Michelin-starred Aureole in Midtown and Wine 30 in Murray Hill made the cut. “Most of our people who eat alone sit at the bar, but we’ve had a few people who like to sit at the tables and order full meals,” says Jackson, a bartender at the Murray Hill restaurant and wine bar which gets around two solo reservations per night, not including walk-ins. For years, eating alone got a bad rap associated with being lonely and single. The 2004 classic “Mean Girls” showed us the fear of eating alone in the highschool cafeteria. But now, the tables are turning as diners become more comfortable — and confident with — the party of one. Ambiance, out door seating and good music make eating solo preferable for Astoria resident Kelly Maxwell, who favors Fanelli Cafe in Soho. “I used to call it the Steven Glansberg,” says Maxwell, referring to the character who eats alone in the cafeteria in “Superbad.” “Now I realize how relaxing and enjoyable it is — especially in nice weather outside. I do it once a week,” she adds. jsettembre@nydailynews.com ||||| SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- An analysis by OpenTable, the world's leading provider of online restaurant reservations and part of The Priceline Group (NASDAQ: PCLN), reveals that reservations for parties of one have grown nationally by 62 percent, making them the fastest growing table party size. The findings indicate that the stigma surrounding dining solo may be starting to lift and that consumers are eager to savor unique culinary experiences alone. OpenTable's analysis also showed that among major metropolitan areas, in rank order, Dallas, Miami, Denver, New York, Philadelphia, Las Vegas and Chicago have experienced the strongest growth in reservations for one. "As dining out has become one of our national pastimes, solo diners are taking every opportunity to visit top restaurants whenever they get the opportunity, much as they might attend a sporting event or show," said Caroline Potter, Chief Dining Officer at OpenTable. "Solo dining is about treating yourself to a delicious experience and savoring every bite. From communal and counter seating to doting table service, restaurants are welcoming parties of one with open arms." In celebration of solo dining and the restaurants that cater to them, OpenTable also released the Top 25 Restaurants for Solo Diners in U.S. The alphabetical list was generated based on the restaurants most booked for tables of one and the "overall" star-ratings associated with reviews submitted by verified diners as well as our restaurant experts' recommendations. Diners can read more about the solo dining trend by visiting the OpenTable blog. 2015 Top 25 Restaurants for Solo Diners in America 5Church – Charlotte, North Carolina Atlantic Fish – Boston, Massachusetts Aureole – New York, New York Blackbird – Chicago, Illinois Bimini Twist – Miami, Florida Church & State – Los Angeles, California Cinghiale – Baltimore, Maryland Founding Farmers – Washington, D.C. Giada- The Cromwell – Las Vegas, Nevada Gordon Ramsay Steak-Paris Las Vegas – Las Vegas, Nevada Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House – Chicago, Illinois Juniper & Ivy – San Diego, California La Chaumiere – Washington, D.C. Little Bird – Portland, Oregon Lola - A Michael Symon Restaurant – Cleveland, Ohio Lüke – New Orleans, Louisiana Mama's Fish House – Paia, Hawaii Mon Ami Gabi – Las Vegas, Nevada MUA – Oakland, California Parc – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Parkside Seafood House – Lafayette, Indiana Rioja – Denver, Colorado SkyCity – Seattle, Washington South City Kitchen Midtown – Atlanta, Georgia Wine 30 – New York, New York About OpenTable: OpenTable, part of The Priceline Group (NASDAQ: PCLN), is the world's leading provider of online restaurant reservations, seating more than 17 million diners per month via online bookings across more than 32,000 restaurants. The OpenTable network connects restaurants and diners, helping diners discover and book the perfect table and helping restaurants deliver personalized hospitality to keep guests coming back. The OpenTable service enables diners to see which restaurants have available tables, select a restaurant based on verified diner reviews, menus, and other helpful information, and easily book a reservation. In addition to the company's website and mobile apps, OpenTable powers online reservations for nearly 600 partners, including many of the Internet's most popular global and local brands. For restaurants, the OpenTable hospitality solutions enable them to manage their reservation book, streamline their operations, and enhance their service levels. Since its inception in 1998, OpenTable has seated more than 885 million diners around the world. OpenTable is headquartered in San Francisco and available throughout the United States, as well as in Canada, Germany, Japan, Mexico, and the UK. OpenTable, OpenTable.com, OpenTable logos, and other service names are the trademarks of OpenTable, Inc. and/or its affiliates. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150228/178602LOGO SOURCE OpenTable, Inc. ||||| Making a dinner reservation for one may be the healthiest choice a diner can make. If you're worried you'll be judged for eating alone, don't be: Over the last two years, online reservation service table OpenTable has seen a 62 percent increase in tables for one throughout America. "Solo diners are taking every opportunity to visit top restaurants whenever they get the opportunity," said Caroline Potter, a chief dining officer and spokeswoman at OpenTable, in a statement. "Solo dining is about treating yourself to a delicious experience and savoring every bite. From communal and counter seating to doting table service, restaurants are welcoming parties of one with open arms." Out of all 50 states, New Yorkers rank fourth on the cities with the greatest increase in lone diners, with Philadelphia, Las Vegas, and Chicago diners trailing behind. Meanwhile, Dallas, Miami, and Denver are the top three cities with the greatest growth in dinner reservations for one. A healthier dining experience? The lead esearcher at Cornell Food Brand Lab Brian Wansink describes a previous study in his book, Mindless Eating:Why We Eat More Than We Think, that was designed to test for the possible health benefits of eating alone. Researchers set up a series of lunches with pizza, cookies, and soda for a group of random participants. First, participants were asked to eat alone as they were being observed, and their food was weighed and measured by on-looking scientists. On a separate occasion, those same participants were giving the same lunch, but placed in groups of four or eight other people. When participants were eating alone, they either ate very little or a significant amount of food. But when they were placed in groups, the light eaters ate more and the heavy eaters ate less; Wansink calls this “the power of norms.” So for example, if you normally eat one slice of pizza, but the group you're with eats more than one slice, then this power suggests you’re more likely to nibble on a second slice. And if you normally eat a few slices pizza alone, then you might eat a couple slices less when eating in a group. People compare their eating habits to others, and tend to even mimic not only how much they eat, but also the speed at which they eat. In every group of diners, whether it’s a couple out on a date or a dinner party of twelve, Wansink said that each diner with and near you can become an undercover pacesetter. Wansink explained that the pacesetter subtly suggests to their unsuspecting dining partner the amount and speed that’s appropriate to eat. This, again, suggests heavy eaters may eat better with a group, whereas light eaters may eat best when they're alone. Yet, no matter what kind of eater you are, seeking solitude over a plate of pasta is beneficial for the mind. According to psychologist Dr. Sherrie Bourg Carter, being alone gives the brain a chance to “reboot,” or rest and replenish itself. There are less distractions, which gives you the chance to clear your mind, focus, and think more clearly (provided you put your phone on silent). “If you regularly go out to lunch, don't think that it always has to be with others,” Boug Carter told PsychologyToday. “Once a week or even just a couple of times a month, commit to spending lunch with yourself. Walk. Sit in the sun outside. Go to a park and eat. Enjoy the time you have alone.” Source: OpenTable, Inc. 2015.

– Dining by yourself used to get you seated with a pitying glance and free refills on your self-consciousness, but America, it seems, has largely gotten over itself on that count: Reservations for one have shot up by some 62% over the past two years, reports OpenTable in an analysis of reservations made online through its service. That suggests less stigma and more focus on "treating yourself to a delicious experience and savoring every bite," says an OpenTable exec. "Solo diners are taking every opportunity to visit top restaurants whenever they get the opportunity." Metro areas seeing the biggest increase, are, in order: Dallas, Miami, Denver, New York, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, and Chicago. Not only is dining alone on the rise, but it might actually be healthier for some of us, reports Medical Daily, citing research out of Cornell University. When eating in a group, we tend to pick up on "pacesetters"—cues from our dining companions as to how much and how quickly we eat. Researchers found that light eaters tend to eat more in groups, while heavy eaters eat less, making solo dining more ideal for the former and group dining better for the latter. Quantity of food or pace aside, eating alone is a good way to get a reboot, a psychologist tells Medical Daily. "I used to call it the Steven Glansberg," one diner tells the New York Daily News, referring to a Superbad character who eats lunch alone every day. "Now I realize how relaxing and enjoyable it is." (Now if only waiters would stop this rude practice.)

Syracuse, NY -- Jenna Hinman's two-month battle with a rare cancer captured the attention of thousands of people around the world who prayed for her recovery and are now mourning her death. Jenna Hinman died Monday afternoon after developing pneumonia on Sunday, according to the Prayers for Jenna Facebook page. She was 26. U.S. Army Sgt. Brandon Hinman and Jenna Hinman were thrilled when they learned that they were going to have twin daughters. The couple, who were married in December 2010, was stationed at Fort Drum. Brandon Hinman is from Weedsport and Jenna Hinman is from Port Byron. At 30-weeks pregnant, Jenna Hinman gave birth to Kinleigh Ann Hinman and Azlynn Mary Hinman by emergency C-section on March 3. Doctors immediately discovered she was battling stage 3 choriocarcinoma, a rare, life-threatening cancer. Jenna Hinman and her premature daughters were taken to Crouse Hospital. The babies were cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit and Jenna Hinman was placed in a medically-induced coma and on life support. She was placed on the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine, which worked as her lungs for 32 days. Doctors said Jenna Hinman's treatment was unprecedented and unorthodox. Doctors slowly turned down the ECMO in early April. It was turned off on April 6. Jenna Hinman continued to receive chemotherapy and her cancer count slowly decreased, but Jenna Hinman remained on life support and was in critical but stable condition. The twins remained in the neonatal intensive care unit for six weeks and were released from the hospital on April 17. The two-month-old girls are staying at Jenna Hinman's parent's home. Jenna Hinman's childhood bedroom has been turned into a nursery for the girls. With every milestone and setback, the public was updated by the Prayers for Jenna Facebook page. Two of Jenna Hinman's close friends updated the page with Brandon Hinman's permission. The page has 268,000 likes and features thousands of messages from people across the country and around the world. At 7:07 p.m. Monday, Jenna Hinman's followers received the update that Jenna Hinman had died. "To Jenna's many devoted followers, today our hearts are broken. We are devastated to inform you that Jenna has suddenly passed away after a courageous two month fight against cancer," according to the update that was posted at 7:07 p.m. Within one hour, 21,000 comments appeared on the post. Alicia Dullen Heneka wrote: I'm so very sorry for your loss. This page has proved that strangers can come together and prayers are so amazingly strong. Although Jenna wasn't able to beat this she and her family are so blessed to have had the past 2 months as a family. Prayers to all. Patty Genovese Wood wrote: So very very sorry for your loss. Our whole community, state and country has been saying so many prayers for you and your family Jenna. We will continue those prayers for your family and friends and your wonderful husband and those beautiful babies. RIP Jenna. We are all heartbroken More than $167,000 has been raised on the family's GoFundMe page since it was created on March 11 by Jenna Hinman's uncle, John Warter. The military insurance TriCare will pay for all the family's medical expenses, but the funds raised will help offset travel and food expenses, as well has help support the family's needs in the future. Thousands of the Hinman family's supporters took to Facebook Monday night to react to the news of Jenna Hinman's death. Kri Jensen wrote: "Although never having met this family, you have all become 'family' as we prayed and waited and hoped. Offering prayers for all of you. My heart breaks too ... so I can only imagine how tough this is for all of you. So thankful her family has had this time with her, including her precious girls. Love and payers to you all." Sarah Moses covers the northern suburbs of Onondaga County and Oswego County. Contact Sarah at smoses@syracuse.com or 470-2298. Follow @SarahMoses315 ||||| Jenna Hinman, a Syracuse, N.Y., mother who learned she had a rare placental cancer just after delivering twin girls last month, died Monday of complications of pneumonia, according to the hospital that treated her. "We are heartbroken and our hearts go out to her family," Crouse Hospital spokesman Bob Allen told ABCNews.com today. "She touched so many people from around the country." Hinman, 26, gave birth March 3 to Kinleigh Ann Hinman and Azlynn Mary Hinman by emergency C-section only to have doctors immediately discover she was battling stage 3 choriocarcinoma. The twins, who were delivered premature at 30 weeks (2 pounds, 9 ounces, and 3 pounds, 6 ounces, respectively), remained in the neonatal intensive care unit for six weeks, but today are thriving, according to her Facebook support page, Prayers for Jenna Courtesy of Sarah Born "Jenna did not lose her battle with cancer," her friends wrote on that page. "She beat the cancer in a way almost no one ever does. The type of cancer she had almost always claims the life of the child, not the parent. Jenna sacrificed herself to save her two children. She defeated the cancer before it ever hurt the two most beloved people to her in the world. She fulfilled her role as a mother in a way almost no one else could have. Her body took the blow and saved her children." Since being discharged from the hospital's Walter R.G. Baker Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the twins have been living with their maternal grandparents while their father serves his military duty. Mom fights for life with rare placenta cancer. Prayers for Jenna/Facebook Choriocarcinoma is a malignant form of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD), tumors that involve abnormal growth of cells inside a woman's uterus. This particular kind affects only about 2 to 7 of every 100,000 pregnancies in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. Choriocarcinoma is much more likely than other kinds of GTD to grow quickly and spread to organs away from the uterus. About one-quarter of women who develop this disease miscarry. Hinman had been fighting for her life in a medically induced coma for the past two months as the rare cancer filled her lungs with tumors. Dr. David Landsberg, chief of medicine for Crouse Hospital in Syracuse, told ABCNews.com in March that Hinman's cancer was serious but "curable." Her husband, U.S. Army Sgt. Brandon Hinman, told ABCNews.com at the time, "We're hanging in there," as his wife endured chemotherapy and ECMO, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy. Hinman is stationed at Fort Drum in Watertown, N.Y. "She's probably the most kind-hearted person I ever met," Hinman said of his wife. "She would go out of her way for anyone, give them the shirt off her back." The couple had difficulty getting pregnant because of his multiple deployments to Europe and Afghanistan. "We never had a solid amount of time together," he said. But just before another deployment, they got the good news. "I got to stay back," he said. "It was amazing." Just last weekend, Syracuse photographer Sarah Born did a photo shoot of the Hinman twins with their father and grandparents. Jenna Hinman was unable to attend, but helped Born select the theme for the shoot, choosing a pink backdrop for one, as it was her favorite color. Another photo incorporated peach, the color for choriocarcinoma, and a third was against the U.S. flag, a nod to the family's patriotism. Updates on Jenna Hinman's progress had been positive, but the family posted an urgent update to their Facebook page Sunday to say that her condition was deteriorating. Friends who are running the page called for an emergency prayer request. "Her vital signs have become unstable over the past 12 hours and her ventilator has been turned all the way up," they wrote. "There is speculation of infection and/or internal bleeding," according to the update posted at 10:53 a.m. Sunday. They posted that night that she had developed pneumonia. "Jenna is now on powerful medication to fight this infection and we will keep you updated as often as possible," the update stated. "Please continue to pray that Jenna's lungs will clear and heal quickly. Jenna's condition tonight is fragile and critical - she has fought valiantly thus far, and we truly believe she has a lot of fight left in her still." The Syracuse Post-Standard, in an editorial today, wrote, "Thousands upon thousands" of people around the country rallied for the Hinmans. "They sent messages of hope and inspiration," according to the piece. "They donated money. Many cried at Monday's news that Jenna had died. We didn't know her, but her story touched the essential fiber that makes us human, makes us care for those beset by troubles we can't imagine. Here, in the happiest moment of a family's life together, the birth of children, comes the saddest news of all." The family has a GoFundMe. fund set up to raise money for their expenses associated with the ordeal. ||||| So how does one take in the sad story of the death of Jenna Hinman? How does a wonderful story about the birth of twins become one of such anguish? How does one make sense of the senseless? Jenna Hinman was 26 when she died Monday afternoon, succumbing to pneumonia at Crouse Hospital in Syracuse. She died after a brief fight against a rare cancer, one linked to her pregnancy. She died after doctors performed cesarean section at 30 weeks to save the lives of two beautiful babies, who now are held in the arms of their loving father, U.S. Army Sgt. Brandon Hinman. It was during that procedure that the cancer was discovered. It was an aggressive beast, called choriocarcinoma, that grew in her uterus. Thousands upon thousands rallied for Jenna. They sent messages of hope and inspiration. They donated money. Many cried at Monday's news that Jenna had died. We didn't know her, but her story touched the essential fiber that makes us human, makes us care for those beset by troubles we can't imagine. Here, in the happiest moment of a family's life together, the birth of children, comes the saddest news of all. There are no words that will make the pain go away. Just the assurance that the girls will be cared for and loved and that, someday, Sgt. Hinman will gaze at his daughters and catch glimpses of Jenna's eyes, or her nose, or her hair, or her smile. He will one day hear them laugh and giggle and hear an echo of Jenna. We hope that Sgt. Hinman will take solace in that. Our sympathy joins the words of sympathy of thousands being extended to the Hinman family. And our hope extends to all people who fight the same brave fight day after day in hospital beds everywhere. Sgt. Hinman said something shortly after Jenna's cancer was detected that resonates today. "She's fighting," he said. "We're taking it minute-by-minute, hour-by-hour and day-by-day." That's all anyone can do, really. ||||| Jenna Leigh Hinman (Blaisdell), of Watertown, NY, died suddenly on May 5th 2014 after a heroic 2-month battle with cancer, which was discovered only days after she gave birth prematurely to twin girls. A typical morning turned into panic on March 3rd 2014 when Jenna had difficulty catching her breath and started experiencing labor pains. Jenna was in her 30th week of pregnancy and was rushed to the emergency room where her baby girls were born via emergency C-Section. Due to the babies' premature birth, they were whisked away to the NICU with Jenna only getting a quick glimpse of her newborns - Kinleigh Anne Hinman (2 pounds 9 ounces) and Azlynn Mary Hinman (3 pounds 6 ounces), both in good health. Soon after the delivery Jenna began having increased difficulty breathing and the situation quickly escalated from fear that she had pneumonia to a realization that she was fighting for her very life. Jenna was placed in a medically induced coma on March 6th 2014. It was then that the family learned that Jenna was suffering from a rare, pregnancy-related cancer called choriocarcinoma, which had filled her body with tumors and lesions. The cancer was complicated by a chest/lung infection, which caused her to bleed internally and her lungs' ability to function deteriorated to the point where they were rendered useless. To combat this cancer and infection combination Crouse Hospital ICU in Syracuse, NY formed a team of prestigious local and international medical professionals that flew in to treat her. Jenna received heavy doses of chemotherapy and her life was also supported by an ECMO machine, which essentially removed blood from her body, oxygenated it, and then pumped it back through her veins since her lungs could no longer do it. These lifesaving efforts were essential, though they came with their own set of risks. Jenna's infected lungs were bleeding, which was exacerbated by the chemo therapy, and for the ECMO machine to run properly there was a need for blood thinners to stop the tubes from filling with dangerous clots "“ which put Jenna at risk for uncontrolled bleeding. The intricate nature of these life support mechanisms resulted in many dramatic scares in which Jenna was nearly lost. Jenna remained in the medically induced coma for several weeks until her body started to show signs of improvement. Slowly Jenna was weaned off of the ECMO machine and eventually it was completely removed. Jenna continued to be supported by a ventilator but as the chemotherapy started to work, the medical team brought her slowly out of sedation. In Jenna's final few weeks, those who love her were filled with renewed hope for her survival as she began working hard in physical therapy when she had the strength, started to show her spunky personality again, and was able to interact with and recognize her family and friends. During this time, Jenna was able to bond with her precious baby girls. She didn't have the strength to hold them tight but she basked in the glory of being a new mommy when her babies rested on her chest. Jenna had come very close to completely beating cancer when complications arose, which ultimately took her life. Jenna's husband, US Army SGT Brandon Hinman of Fort Drum, NY, who stood by her side every day of her illness, has been left to care for and raise their beautiful daughters as a single father. Brandon has defended our country and our freedom multiple times in Afghanistan and had prepared himself mentally for the fact that his career could cost him his life "“ but he, nor anyone else, had prepared themselves to lose Jenna instead. Initially this fundraising page was created to raise funds to support and sustain the Hinman family during Jenna's long road through recovery, but now its purpose is to provide some form of financial safety net for this beautiful family that has suffered the unimaginable. All contributions will go to the incalculable costs that face this young family in the hard years ahead. Thank you for reading Jenna's story and for contributing. Please visit the Prayers for Jenna facebook page to continue following the Hinman Twins as they grow www.facebook.com/prayersforjenna PLEASE KEEP ALL COMMENTS POSITIVE ||||| For those who knew Jenna, it feels more than serendipitous that her ...

– A military mom whose rare form of cancer was discovered when she gave birth to twins has died, after two months of battling the illness and attracting a devoted online following. Jenna Hinman, 26, succumbed on Monday to a placental cancer that doctors found when she gave birth to Azlynn and Kinleigh on March 3, ABC News reports. The girls were delivered 30 weeks' premature (at 3 pounds, 6 ounces, and 2 pounds 9 ounces, respectively) and stayed in intensive care for 6 weeks, but are fine today. For Jenna, the battle was far more severe. Doctors had to invent treatments because Hinman's stage 3 choriocarcinoma—which originates in fast-growing placental tissue—is incredibly rare, the Post-Standard reports. Hinman was placed in a medically induced coma and given chemotherapy, but while her cancer count fell, she stayed in critical condition and eventually died of complications from pneumonia. "She's probably the most kind-hearted person I ever met," said her husband, Army Sgt. Brandon Hinman, back in March. "She would go out of her way for anyone, give them the shirt off her back." The outpouring has been tremendous, as thousands sent messages and donated money: "Many cried at Monday's news that Jenna had died," wrote the Post-Standard in an editorial. Click for more on her story.

A few weeks into sixth grade, Colman Chadam had to leave school because of his DNA. The situation, odd as it may sound, played out like this. Colman has genetic markers for cystic fibrosis, and kids with the inherited lung disease can’t be near each other because they’re vulnerable to contagious infections. Two siblings with cystic fibrosis also attended Colman’s middle school in Palo Alto, California in 2012. So Colman was out, even though he didn’t actually have the disease, according to a lawsuit that his parents filed against the school district. The allegation? Genetic discrimination. Yes, genetic discrimination. Get used to those two words together, because they’re likely to become a lot more common. With DNA tests now cheap and readily available, the number of people getting tests has gone way up—along with the potential for discrimination based on the results. When Colman’s school tried to transfer him based on his genetic status, the lawsuit alleges, the district violated the Americans With Disabilities Act and Colman’s First Amendment right to privacy. “This is the test case,” says the Chadam’s lawyer, Stephen Jaffe. When Colman was born in 2000, DNA analysis of newborns was still rare. But he had a congenital heart problem that led to extra tests. That, in turn, led doctors to discover that he carried some genetic markers associated with cystic fibrosis. His markers are no guarantee of a disease though, and Colman never developed any cystic fibrosis. Still, his parents disclosed the information when filling out a medical form to enroll Colman in school. That information made its way to teachers, who allegedly told the parents of the two other students with cystic fibrosis during a parent-teacher conference. Those parents allegedly demanded the Chadams remove their son from school. Eventually the the school district allowed Colman to return after missing a couple weeks. The Chadams have since moved away from Palo Alto—but the wheels of the legal system are still turning. When the family first sued the school district in 2013, a district court dismissed the case. The Chadams appeal the dismissal to the federal Ninth Circuit court in January. The Departments of Justice and Education have also written a brief in support of the Chadam’s case, which suggests the federal government has taken an interest in the case and its outcome. A Railroad Company and Carpal Tunnel To experts in genetics law, four letters are conspicuously missing from the legal wrangling: GINA, or the federal Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008. GINA bars genetic discrimination in just two cases: employment or health insurance. That obviously doesn’t include getting education and housing and plenty of other situation where discrimination might happen. “This case is an useful reminder about the limitations of the federal statute,” says Jennifer Wagner, a lawyer and contributing editor to Genomics Law Report. That’s why the Chadam’s case does not rest on GINA but the ADA, where its application to genetic discrimination is untested. There is, however, a one example of how the ADA and genetic information intersect. Back in 2001—before GINA passed—the railroad company Burlington Northern Santa Fe was looking for genetic markers for carpal tunnel syndrome in its workers who filed for worker’s comp. (The workers claimed their carpal tunnel syndrome came from operating BNSF machinery; the company was clearly looking for another excuse.) The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed suit on behalf of the workers, and they eventually reached a settlement in 2002. The workers got $2.2 million—but because the suit ended in a settlement rather than a court decision, it did not establish a legal precedent for the ADA covering discrimination based on genes. The outcome in Chadam’s case could, if a trial goes forward, spell out exactly who gets to access genetic information and what decisions can be made based on it. In the fifteen years since Colman got a DNA test as a baby, tests have only gotten cheaper and more popular. You have 23andMe’s $199 spit test, of course, but also the National Institutes of Health pumping $25 million into baby sequencing studies. “As we do more screening earlier and earlier in life, there’s potential for misuse of information in ways that are harmful, that could potentially discourage parents from seeking genetic testing even if it’s medically indicated,” says Michelle Lewis, a pediatrician, attorney, and research scholar at the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics. The genetic discrimination future is here. ||||| These crawls are part of an effort to archive pages as they are created and archive the pages that they refer to. That way, as the pages that are referenced are changed or taken from the web, a link to the version that was live when the page was written will be preserved.Then the Internet Archive hopes that references to these archived pages will be put in place of a link that would be otherwise be broken, or a companion link to allow people to see what was originally intended by a page's authors.The goal is to fix all broken links on the web . Crawls of supported "No More 404" sites. ||||| Colman Chadam carries genetic markers for cystic fibrosis, but doesn't have the disease itself, according to his parents. Inside their legal battle against the school district in Palo Alto, California. On Oct. 10, 2012, 11-year-old Colman Chadam was pulled out of class at his public middle school in Palo Alto, California, and asked if he wanted to say goodbye to his friends. According to Chadam’s parents, the teacher told him it was his last day at the school. Officials allegedly told the Chadams that the reason for their son's dismissal involved his DNA: Colman had genetic markers associated with the rare disease cystic fibrosis — even though, James and Jennifer Chadam say, he is healthy and has never had the actual disease. The Chadams say that a teacher revealed this confidential information to other parents, who then complained that Colman posed a health risk to their children, inciting the Palo Alto Unified School District to force Colman to transfer schools, according to their complaint. So they sued, alleging that the district violated the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and their son’s First Amendment rights to the privacy of his medical information. Their 2013 lawsuit, which sought to recoup legal fees and damages, was thrown out by a federal court that said there wasn’t enough evidence that the district denied Colman access to a service because it considered him disabled. But this month, the Chadams appealed to the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals — and attorneys for the U.S. Departments of Justice and Education are voicing support for the family. As DNA testing proliferates, this case raises broader issues about how genetic information should be protected and shared — not just in schools but also in workplaces and insurance companies. “The family would like a definitive and unequivocal statement from the Ninth Circuit that you can’t just do this to people based on genetic markers alone,” Stephen Jaffe, the family’s attorney, told BuzzFeed News in an interview. “The more people that get genetic testing done, either for medical reasons or recreationally, the more possibility this stuff gets out. … It’s not a great leap to be concerned about what happens to this information.” A spokesperson for the Palo Alto Unified School District said in an email, "The Palo Alto Unified School District cares about and is committed to the safety and well-being of its student population. That said, the case is on appeal because the Federal District Court found the claims insufficient to allege fault on the part of the District. PAUSD continues to agree with the ruling of the Federal District Court." Colman’s DNA was analyzed as part of a treatment he underwent after having emergency surgery to correct a heart defect at birth in 2000. From a DNA test, Colman’s parents learned he had genetic markers linked with cystic fibrosis — an inherited disease that creates thick, sticky mucus in the lungs and digestive system. Yet Colman has been monitored ever since and has never developed the illness, his parents alleged in court documents filed Jan. 14. Based on the complaint, Colman’s genes appear to contain a mutation or mutations that have been identified in people with — but are not necessarily proven to lead to — cystic fibrosis, Dr. Dennis Nielson, director of UC San Francisco’s Cystic Fibrosis Center, told BuzzFeed News. Out of 2,000 associated mutations, “there are 160 or more we know cause disease,” said Nielson, who does not have direct knowledge of the case. “There will be a bunch more that cause disease that we don’t know that much about. There are a whole bunch of genetic variations that cause minor problems that don’t ever lead to the kinds of problems we really define as cystic fibrosis.” Colman’s genetic makeup wasn’t an issue until summer 2012, the Chadams say, when they moved to Palo Alto. To enroll Colman at Jordan Middle School, Jennifer Chadam filled out district-requested paperwork with private medical information about him, according to the lawsuit. That September, one of Colman’s teachers told another set of parents that Colman “had the disease of cystic fibrosis,” according to the complaint. These parents, whom the lawsuit refers to as “Mr. and Mrs. X,” appeared to be alarmed by the news because their children had active cystic fibrosis. People with cystic fibrosis can cross-infect each other and spread germs that lead to lung infections, according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. (The organization recommends that such people keep at least 6 feet apart and use separate facilities.) School administrators told the Chadams that these other parents had “discovered” Colman’s condition, according to the lawsuit. Mr. and Mrs. X then allegedly asked the district to remove Colman from school, citing concerns about their children’s health — even though the Chadams explained that Colman was healthy. The Chadams’ doctor also defended Colman in a letter, saying that he wasn’t a health risk, according to the lawsuit. To diagnose cystic fibrosis, doctors look for not only genetic mutations, but also a positive sweat test (a high amount of salt in sweat) and a clear symptom like a lung infection. Only then does someone have cystic fibrosis, said Nielson of UCSF. “If he really doesn’t have clinical cystic fibrosis,” he said of Colman, “then he’s not a risk to anybody else.” In 2012, when Colman was told he would be transferred to another school, his family sought injunctive relief and settled that case, which ultimately kept him in school. The Chadams later sued in federal court; the district successfully sought to dismiss the lawsuit. The trial court ruled in 2014 that the district had reasonably believed, based on medical advice it had received, that Colman did pose a health risk, and therefore hadn’t violated the ADA. The Chadams didn’t show evidence that the district had denied Colman access to a service, program, or activity because it considered him disabled, the trial court ruled. It also ruled that under the First Amendment, the Chadams could sue only individual employees in the school district, not the school district as a whole. The district cited a letter from a Stanford University doctor recommending that the school remove Colman for the safety of Mr. and Mrs. X’s children, according to court documents. But the Chadams say in court filings they did not know who the doctor was, despite asking the district. Jaffe, the Chadams’ attorney, argued in the appeal that the trial court order suggests that “a school district’s real or imagined concern over potential safety issues overrides ... an individual’s First Amendment rights to the privacy of his medical and other information. That is a dangerous holding against which a strong public policy exists.” He cited a 1987 case in which the Supreme Court ruled against discrimination based on the contagious effects of a physical impairment. And he argued that the Chadams' case could have broad implications. “Affirming the district court’s ruling in this case will open a wide gap in the wall of privacy protection the law presently affords personal genetic information,” Jaffe continued. “It will implicitly permit unqualified non-medical persons such as school districts, insurance companies and employers to base life-altering decisions on private genetic information. It will cause the public to hesitate or refuse to get genetically screened when to do so may be in their best interests or would assist medical research.” He described one hypothetical scenario to BuzzFeed News: “An employer sees some of his employees has a genetic marker … and says ‘I’m going to fire you because you’re a danger to my other employees and I don’t want them getting sick.’ That’s not a great leap.” The Chadams now also have support from attorneys from the Departments of Justice and Education. In an amicus curiae brief filed this week, they argued that the trial court hadn’t had the legal grounds to throw out the case — so it should be revisited. “In view of these straightforward allegations,” they wrote, “the complaint cannot reasonably be construed to allege anything other than that defendant intentionally removed (Colman) from his school, and therefore denied him the benefit of attending his neighborhood school, because of his perceived disability.” Stephanie Lee is a senior technology reporter for BuzzFeed News and is based in San Francisco. Contact Stephanie M. Lee at stephanie.lee@buzzfeed.com. Got a confidential tip? Submit it here. ||||| Germs and CF Medical studies show that people with CF are at particular risk of spreading certain germs among others with the disease. This is known as cross-infection. In people with CF, thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs also allows germs to thrive and multiply. This buildup makes them more susceptible to developing lung infections. Despite significant progress in treating CF, infections remain a serious problem and can lead to worsening lung disease and death. However, there are steps you can take to lower the risk. Lowering the Risk of Cross Infection When there is more than one person with CF in your school, it is essential that they be kept a minimum of 6 feet (2 meters) apart from each other. Germs can spread as far as 6 feet through droplets released in the air when people cough or sneeze. If there is more than one person with CF in the same school or classroom, the following steps can help minimize the spread of germs between people with CF. These recommendations are based on recent research and have been reviewed by medical experts. 1. Minimize the time that two people with CF can spend in one place. A minimum 6-foot distance should be maintained at all times. Place people with CF in separate classrooms whenever possible. If they must be in the same classroom, make sure the individuals are assigned separate desks and or work stations as far away as possible (a minimum of 6 feet) from the assigned location of the other person with CF. Assign separate bathrooms and drinking fountains for students and staff members with CF. Schedule the students with CF to be in other common gathering areas, such as the gym, at different times. Assign lunch tables, lockers, etc. for all students with CF to be as far away as possible from the assigned locations of other students with CF. Assign different locations for people with CF to go for their medications, or have the school nurse visit each student in their separate classrooms to administer the medications. If a person with CF becomes ill while in school, one student can go to the health office, another to the principal's office and a third to the counselor's office. If a student with CF is ill or needs to go to another room or office to get medications, the staff in that office should be notified prior to sending the student to the office to ensure that another person with CF is not present. 2. Encourage everyone to wash or clean their hands Germs can spread when people touch something with germs already on it, like a doorknob or desk, and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth. Everyone should clean their hands after coughing, sneezing or blowing their nose and after using common equipment (e.g., a pencil sharpener, lab equipment, etc.). This is especially important during the cold and flu season. Make alcohol-based hand gel and or soap and water readily available for all students and staff to use in the classrooms. 3. Encourage everyone to cover their cough. Germs can remain in the air on tiny droplets -- ready to be breathed in. They can also remain on surfaces long after a person has coughed or sneezed on or near them. Make tissues readily available and encourage people to cough or sneeze into a tissue and throw it away immediately before washing or cleaning hands. If a tissue is not available, encourage everyone to cough or sneeze into their inner elbow. 4. Encourage everyone to get vaccinated.

– When Colman Chadam was born in 2000, he underwent extra medical tests after a congenital heart issue was discovered. Doctors learned that the infant carried genetic markers associated with cystic fibrosis, but he never went on to develop the disease. In fact, that test was the boy's only interaction with it—until 2012, when he was kicked out of middle school. His parents had offered up the information when they enrolled him at a school in Palo Alto, Calif., and somehow teachers found out, reports Wired. Those teachers allegedly told parents of two kids with cystic fibrosis during a parent-teacher conference, and suddenly those parents were demanding Colman's removal because their own kids would be more vulnerable to infection. (Per the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, people with CF are known to be able to spread "certain germs among others with the disease.") It all played out a bit like the medical version of thought crime—where potential (or in this case predisposition) is punished—but within a few weeks the school let Colman return, thanks to the family obtaining an injunctive relief; now the Chadams have relocated altogether. Still, their lawsuit accusing the district of violating both the Americans With Disabilities Act and privacy rights is still making its way through the courts, as they appealed to the US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals last month and got some support from the DoJ and Department of Education, per this amicus curiae brief. "The family would like a definitive and unequivocal statement from the Ninth Circuit that you can't just do this to people based on genetic markers alone," their attorney tells BuzzFeed. The implications could be broad, not only regarding how genetic information can be used, but who gets to make decisions based on the resulting "real or imagined" safety concerns, he adds. (Also, DNA testing can sometimes be too good.)

Some people frequently check and re-check their mobile phones. Once this impulse is triggered, it may be more a question of not being able to leave the device alone than actually hoping to gain some reward from it. These insights are drawn from a study1 by psychologists Henry Wilmer and Jason Chein of Temple University in the US and are published in Springer's journal Psychonomic Bulletin & Review. Their findings shed light on the reasons why some people are so attached to their smartphones and mobile technology, while others are less so. A better understanding of the impact of smartphone and mobile technology usage is needed to assess the potential problems associated with heavy use. Although these electronic devices are playing an increasingly pervasive role in our daily activities, little research has been done about a possible link between usage behaviour and specific mental processes and traits. Therefore, Wilmer and Chein set out to determine if people who report heavier mobile technology use might also have different tendencies towards delaying gratification than others, or might exhibit individual differences in impulse control and in responding to rewards. Ninety-one undergraduate students completed a battery of questionnaires and cognitive tests. They indicated how much time they spent using their phones for social media purposes, to post public status updates, and to simply check their devices. Each student's tendency to delay gratification in favour of larger, later rewards (their so-called intertemporal preference) was also assessed. They were given hypothetical choices between a smaller sum of money offered immediately or a larger sum to be received at a later time. Participants also completed tasks that assessed their ability to control their impulses. Finally, participants' tendencies to pursue rewarding stimuli were also assessed. The results provide evidence that people who constantly check and use their mobile devices throughout the day are less apt to delay gratification. "Mobile technology habits, such as frequent checking, seem to be driven most strongly by uncontrolled impulses and not by the desire to pursue rewards," says Wilmer, who adds that the findings provide correlational evidence that increased use of portable electronic devices is associated with poor impulse control and a tendency to devalue delayed rewards. "The findings provide important insights regarding the individual difference factors that relate to technology engagement," adds Chein. "These findings are consistent with the common perception that frequent smartphone use goes hand in hand with impatience and impulsivity." ||||| Are you the type to respond to every single text ASAP? Or are you capable of putting your smartphone down for hours and forget about its flashing blue light? A new study suggests that the more people check their devices, the more impulsive they are in their everyday lives. Two researchers from Temple University had 91 undergraduates fill out a questionnaire assessing how often they used their phones to update social media, browse the Internet, or interact with friends. Then they tested students' ability to delay gratification (aka wait) by asking them whether they'd prefer a small sum of money right now or a large sum anywhere from a few days to a year from the immediate moment. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below The researchers also assessed students' sensitivity to rewards by having them rate how greatly they identified with statements like, "I'll try anything once," and, "I like wild and uninhibited parties." Finally, they ranked students' impulsivity by placing them at a computer and asking them to press a button whenever an "x" popped up on the screen but resist pressing a button whenever they saw a "k." (The more participants hit buttons when they weren't supposed to, the less impulse control the researchers concluded they had.) Impatient undergrads — the ones least interested in waiting more than a day to get a hypothetical amount of money — were more likely to be preoccupied with their smartphones on a regular basis. Those who had a harder time controlling impulses to press buttons were also more tethered to their devices. Surprisingly, students' sensitivity to rewards didn't appear to be an influence on their phone-checking habits. The more compulsively you check your smartphone, the more impulsive and impatient you probably are. And not just when it comes to technology. (Other studies have found similar parallels between how compulsively people check their cellphones and how negatively it can impact their well-being.) If you're the type to never let a retweet remain un-liked or a friend request go unnoticed, take a peek at some other areas of your life. If you're having trouble reining in urges — to, say, eat the whole pint of ice cream, resist ordering one more round, or flip out at a coworker or friend — it may be time to take a break from your smartphone and start practicing some self-regulation. Follow Katherine on Twitter. ||||| Mobile electronic devices are playing an increasingly pervasive role in our daily activities. Yet, there has been very little empirical research investigating how mobile technology habits might relate to individual differences in cognition and affect. The research presented in this paper provides evidence that heavier investment in mobile devices is correlated with a relatively weaker tendency to delay gratification (as measured by a delay discounting task) and a greater inclination toward impulsive behavior (i.e., weaker impulse control, assessed behaviorally and through self-report) but is not related to individual differences in sensitivity to reward. Analyses further demonstrated that individual variation in impulse control mediates the relationship between mobile technology usage and delay of gratification. Although based on correlational results, these findings lend some backing to concerns that increased use of portable electronic devices could have negative impacts on impulse control and the ability to appropriately valuate delayed rewards. Keywords Cognitive and attentional control Impulse control Reward sensitivity Technology Electronic devices have become more and more portable and convenient, providing nearly constant (and ever more efficient) access to the Internet and a diverse range of software applications and digital media. With this ease of access, technology is playing an increasingly large role in our mental lives, serving as a form of “extended cognition” (Barr, Pennycook, Stolz, & Fugelsang, 2015; Clark & Chalmers, 2002; Clayton, Leshner, & Almond, 2015). This situation can be viewed as a double-edged sword: although it allows us to communicate, learn, and entertain ourselves, it also makes it difficult to avoid doing so—even when engaging with technology is likely to detract from other ongoing activities. Notifications built into smartphones and other e-devices can intrude on three of our five senses, with lights, tones, and vibrations each beckoning us to extricate ourselves from our current tasks and engage instead with the device. Even in the absence of notifications, internal and external cues (a thought about work or a social relationship, something brushing against your pocket, noticing others on their phones, etc.) provide regular reminders of the opportunity to engage with the digital world. These constant notifications and cues, and the relative immediacy with which we can acquire information and satisfy specific desires by responding to them, may alter our basic cognitive and affective functioning. Regular intrusions into ongoing cognition present a challenge to the self-regulatory, cognitive control processes that support the maintenance of goal-directed behaviors. And, by offering an often-gratifying escape from ongoing tasks, engagement with e-devices may occupy basic reward-related processes and even impact the fundamental mechanisms through which we valuate and process rewards (Atchley & Warden, 2012). Indeed, some have argued that today’s youth—referred to at times in the popular media as the “Now Generation” and “Generation C” (for “Connected”; “Introducing Generation C,” 2012), having grown up in an era in which mobile technology is omnipresent, possess an especially strong need for instant gratification, which has diminished their ability to plan effectively for the future (Muther, 2013). Such assertions are part of a larger movement generally espousing the ills of technology access and use (Bauerlein, 2008; Ellison, 2012; Greenfield, 2013; Sutter, 2012). Unfortunately, most of the relevant assertions (e.g., today’s youth are more immediacy oriented) are based principally on anecdote, while empirical evidence regarding any relationship between technology habits and delay of gratification (or other aspects of cognition) is still quite limited. Some foundational work, such as that of Atchley and Warden (2012), shows a close parallel between the willingness to delay the receipt of monetary rewards and to delay responding to informational prompts (to text or call someone back). These findings indicate that technology behaviors can be understood in terms of frequently researched decision-making processes (i.e., intertemporal preference), though the specific mechanisms that are most directly linked to regular technology use remain poorly understood. Prior research on intertemporal preference (Kalenscher & Pennartz, 2008; Peters & Büchel, 2011; van den Bos & McClure, 2013) has established that individual differences in the inclination to forego a smaller near-term reward in favor of a larger delayed reward (i.e., to delay gratification) relates to the behavior of two interacting systems: one governing the capacity to control impulses and the other influencing the individual’s sensitivity to immediately available rewards (McClure, Laibson, Loewenstein, & Cohen, 2004). Put differently, the tendency to seek immediate gratification can be explained either by weak impulse control (i.e., the inability to withhold a reactive or reflexive response in favor of more deliberative actions; Ainslie, 1975) or greater immediate reward sensitivity (i.e., the tendency to seek out novel or rewarding sensations and to experience greater sensation upon acquiring a reward; Carver & White, 1994). As the opportunities for technology use have grown, so too has a body of literature investigating the resultant cognitive and behavioral impacts (cf. Baumgartner, Weeda, van der Heijden, & Huizinga, 2014; Minear, Brasher, McCurdy, Lewis, & Younggren, 2013; Ralph, Thomson, Seli, Carriere, & Smilek, 2014; Wang & Tchernev, 2012). Understandably, a significant area of focus in recent research is the safety implications of using a cellphone while driving (e.g. Atchley, Atwood, & Boulton, 2011; Strayer & Drews, 2007). For example, work in this field has demonstrated that individuals who have a tendency to text on their cellphones while driving show a steeper discounting function compared to those who do not (Hayashi, Russo, & Wirth, 2015). That is, those who more frequently engage in this dangerous behavior are also generally less inclined to delay gratification in favor of a larger, later reward. This work shows that at least one technology-related habit—texting while driving—is related to variation in intertemporal preference. Whether this relationship arises from individual differences in impulse control or reward sensitivity (or some other correlated variable), and whether it generalizes to other mobile technology habits, remains undetermined. Additional clues come from work by Pearson, Murphy, and Doane (2013) and Sanbonmatsu, Strayer, Medeiros-Ward, and Watson (2013). As in the aforementioned studies, Pearson and colleagues examined cell-phone use while driving, and explored possible relationships with individual traits that are related to impulse control and reward sensitivity (using the Urgency Premeditation Perseverance Sensation Seeking Impulsive Behavior Scale [UPPS]; Whiteside & Lynam, 2001). Likewise, Sanbonmatsu et al. (2013) asked participants to report how often they used their cellphones while driving, assessed a broader facet of technology engagement captured by the Media Multitasking Index (Ophir, Nass, & Wagner, 2009), and also examined trait impulsivity (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, Version 11; Patton, Stanford, & Barratt, 1995) and sensation seeking (Sensation Seeking Scale; Zuckerman, Eysenck, & Eysenck, 1978). In both studies, a significant relationship was found between the assessed technology habits and the individual trait questionnaires. These findings encourage the conclusion that personality variables related to both impulsivity and reward processing are relevant factors in mobile technology use. Still, some concern has been raised about the specificity, utility, and reliability of the particular questionnaires used in those studies (Gray & Wilson, 2007; Zuckerman, 2007). For instance, as noted by Zuckerman (1996; see also Zuckerman, 2007) the original Sensation Seeking Scale contains a number of “anachronistic” questions and may be too narrowly focused on specific contextualized activities; limitations also adopted (in revised form) into the UPPS. Zuckerman and colleagues have since constructed a revised scale meant to better capture overall sensation seeking (Zuckerman, Kuhlman, Joireman, Teta, & Kraft, 1993). Subsequently, Steinberg et al. (2008) introduced the use of only a carefully selected subset of questions from the revised scale to disentangle impulsivity and reward/sensation seeking. In our pursuit of the question of what motivates smartphone usage, we hoped to delineate in a single study the interrelationships between smartphone usage, delay of gratification, impulse control, and reward sensitivity. In so doing, we first sought to develop a survey instrument with a focus on smartphone usage. Researchers have already developed a large number of self-report indices of technology use (Alloway & Alloway, 2012; Jacobsen & Forste, 2011; Junco, 2012; Ophir et al., 2009), but there exists little consensus on which instruments most aptly capture relevant individual differences. One recent, and already widely deployed, measure of technology usage is the aforementioned Media Multitasking Index. While media multitasking is certainly an important aspect of technology use, this instrument focuses on only this facet of technology-related behavior (multitasking with technology) and does not isolate the type of usage that differentiates smartphones from other technology (short, frequent usage throughout the day). Thus, we sought to develop an ecumenical, but still targeted, assessment of personal mobile technology device usage. With this assessment, we sought to determine if individuals who reported heavier mobile technology use also exhibit a differential tendency to delay gratification, as measured by performance on a “delay discounting” task. Merely establishing a relationship between technology habits and delay of gratification would not be sufficient to clarify the factors that drive this relationship, whether differences in impulse control or differences in reward processing. So, we further assessed individual differences in both impulse control and reward sensitivity to determine which, if either, of these variables mediates the relationship between technology engagement and delay of gratification. To avoid the pitfalls of relying on individual, and potentially conflated, questionnaire instruments, we followed Steinberg et al. (2008) in using a validated subset of questions from existing questionnaires (as explained in the Method section), and additionally collected responses from secondary measures of both impulse control and reward sensitivity in order to develop construct-level estimates of each variable. Method Participants Participants were 91 undergraduate students (71.4 % female; age M = 20.05, SD = 2.19) who completed a battery of questionnaires and cognitive tests. The sample was racially (59.3 % self-identified as Caucasian or white, 15.4 % as African American or black, 14.3 % as Asian, 1.1 % as American Indian or Alaskan Native, 3.3 % as more than one race, and 6.6 % declined to respond) and ethnically (4.4 % self-identified as Hispanic) diverse. All procedures were approved by the Institutional Review Board at Temple University, and participants were given course credit for participation. Measures Technology engagement We created a technology engagement scale with the purpose of indexing mobile technology usage.1 By assessing self-reported behaviors regarding different facets of mobile technology, we hoped to create an index that could characterize individual technology engagement patterns while not being overly biased by any one technology-related habit. The three components of this scale were brief self-report questionnaires assessing (1) phone-based social media use, (2) frequency of public status updating, and (3) phone-checking behavior. Phone-based social media use was determined by the participants’ responses to three Likert-style questions about their daily usage of various mobile social media applications (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vine, Snapchat). Frequency of posting public status updates was determined by the participants’ response to a single question, “How often do you post public status updates?” Phone-checking behavior was determined by the average response of participants’ answers to three Likert-style questions: “How often do you check your phone for new activity?”, “How often do you find yourself checking your phone when you have a few moments to spare?”, and “How often do you find yourself checking your phone during conversations or when hanging around with friends?” The study sample indicated acceptable internal reliability for this construct (α = .65). To further explore the validity of this technology engagement scale, we also gathered, from a subset of our participants, information regarding their technology multitasking habits using the Media Multitasking Index (MMI; Ophir et al., 2009) and examined correlations between the Technology Engagement scale and the MMI. The MMI provides an estimate of the amount of time one spends multitasking with various forms of media. In the standard form, participants are asked to estimate the total number of hours they spend engaging in 12 different forms of media (e.g., watching television, playing video games, talking on the phone, instant messaging) and to specify, across a series of pages (one for each media type), the degree to which they use each media technology concurrently with each of the other media formats (i.e., engage in media multitasking). The MMI score is an aggregated score based on the sum total of multitasking habits (specific calculation is described in Ophir et al., 2009). For expediency, in the present study we created a matrix-style version of the MMI (see supplemental online information), which allowed participants to detail their media multitasking habits on a single computerized form rather than across a series of repeated forms pertaining to each media type. Intertemporal preference We assessed individual differences in the tendency to delay gratification in favor of larger, later, rewards using a delay discounting task (O’Brien, Albert, Chein, & Steinberg, 2011). In the delay discounting task, participants were asked to make hypothetical choices between a smaller sum of money offered now versus a larger sum of money (always $1,000) offered at six different delays, ranging from 1 day to 1 year. The smaller sum of money offered was varied systematically, until the participant reached an indifference point—the value at which the subjective value of the smaller immediate offer matched the subjective value of the larger ($1,000) delayed offer (Ohmura, Takahashi, Kitamura, & Wehr, 2006). Participants completed 10 trials at each delay interval. Using this data, we calculated each individual’s discount rate (k) as well as their indifference points at each delay. As is commonly done, a natural log transformation was applied to all k values in order to reduce skewness to an acceptable level. While we investigated indifference points at each delay, based on previous experience with this task (O’Brien et al., 2011; Weigard, Chein, Albert, Smith, & Steinberg, 2014) we expected the responses to the longer delays to have the greatest individual subject variance. Thus, the longest two delays (6 months and 1 year) were averaged and taken as a more sensitive index of individual variation in immediacy orientation. Reward sensitivity Two instruments were used to create a reward sensitivity construct: a subset of questions from Zuckerman’s revised Impulsive Sensation Seeking scale and a subscale of the BIS/BAS questionnaire. The Impulsive Sensation Seeking measure (Zuckerman et al., 1993) is a 19-item self-report questionnaire that intentionally conflates impulsive and sensation-seeking behaviors in order to broadly characterize these personality traits. To isolate sensation seeking, Steinberg et al. (2008) identified a subset of six items from the updated Zuckerman scale that most purely related to this construct (“I like to have new and exciting experiences and sensations, even if they are a little frightening,” “I like doing things just for the thrill of it,” “I sometimes like to do things that are a little frightening,” “I’ll try anything once,” “I sometimes do ‘crazy’ things just for fun,” and “I like wild and uninhibited parties”). These items were answered as either true (coded 1) or false (coded 0), and item scores were averaged to create a mean Sensation Seeking score. This subset of items has been shown to exhibit good internal consistency (α = .70; Steinberg et al., 2008). In the current sample, the internal consistency was similarly good (α =.73). The BIS/BAS scales are measures of behavioral inhibition and behavioral approach (Carver & White, 1994). For the purposes of the present study, we were primarily concerned with the behavioral approach component (BAS), which is itself comprised three subscales: Fun Seeking, Reward Responsiveness, and Drive. Because we were specifically focused on targeting individual reward sensitivity, only the Reward Responsiveness subscale was used in our analyses. This subscale has been shown to have good internal consistency (α = .73; Carver & White, 1994). The present sample indicated acceptable internal consistency (α = .68) with this subscale. Impulse control An Impulse Control construct was calculated by taking the average score from two measures, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale and false alarm rate on a go/no-go task. The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale is a widely used self-report measure of impulsivity (Patton et al., 1995). Again, based on the findings of Steinberg et al. (2008), we elected to use only 18 items of the full 30-item questionnaire having specificity with respect to impulsive behavior (rather than to sensation seeking). Each item was answered on a 4-point scale (rarely/never, occasionally, often, almost always) and scores were averaged, with higher scores indicative of greater impulsivity. Steinberg et al. (2008) showed that this subset of questions has good internal consistency (α = .73). In the current sample, the internal consistency was similarly good (α = .75). The go/no-go task used in the current study involved the rapid presentation of a series of go (x) and no-go (k) stimuli. Participants were instructed to give a button press response following each x, but to withhold responding whenever they saw a k stimulus. The stimuli were presented for 250 ms each, followed by an unpredictable ITI ranging between 750 ms and 1,750 ms. In total, 333 stimuli were presented, of which only 50 were no-go trials (ks). These no-go trials were pseudo-randomly interspersed into the series so that a no-go trial was equally often preceded by 1 to 10 prior go trials (five occurrences of each). The entire task lasted just over 8.5 minutes. Normalized scores from both the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale and go/no-go measures were inverted so as to reflect impulse control rather than impulsivity (i.e., a higher score on the construct indicated a stronger tendency to control impulsive responses). Results Descriptive statistics and bivariate correlations 1 2 Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Deviation MMI 0.01 7.31 3.22 1.61 Technology engagement Phone-based social media use 4 25 12.32 4.76 Phone-checking behavior -2.72 1.59 -0.03 0.78 Frequency of posting public status updates 1 7 2.36 1.15 Intertemporal Preference (ITP) Mean indifference point 57.43 970.13 489.41 249.03 Impulse control Go /No-Go false alarms 2 44 19.95 8.88 Barratt Impulsiveness Scale 1.22 2.93 2.03 0.37 Reward sensitivity Zuckerman’s Impulsive Sensation Seeking scale 0 1 0.68 0.29 BAS-reward 13 20 16.57 1.86 Open image in new window Basic descriptive statistics for each measure are provided in Table, and correlations between individual measures are shown in Table. To verify the validity of our Technology Engagement scale, we first examined the bivariate correlation between normalized scores on this scale and the MMI scores obtained from a subset of our participants (n = 50). The significant correlation (r = .310, p = .028) indicates that, despite focusing on different aspects of technology use, the two measures explain overlapping variance with respect to general technology habits. Relationship between technology engagement and intertemporal preference 1a Open image in new window A primary aim of the present study was to determine whether there is a relationship between technology use and intertemporal preference. Indeed, we found a significant correlation between individuals’ discounting rate (logk) and their self-reported technology engagement (r = .240, p = .023). Next, we confirmed that the correlation was driven by participants’ responses at the longest 2 delays. As expected, technology engagement scores were highly correlated with the mean indifference points for 6-month and 1-year delays (r = -.286, p = .006; see Fig.), but not for any of the shorter delays (all ps > .05, for the average of indifference points at the shorter delays: r = -.020, p = .849). Relationship between technology engagement, impulse control, and reward sensitivity We next sought to determine whether there was also a relationship between technology engagement and either impulse control or reward sensitivity. Bivariate correlations revealed a significant negative relationship between technology engagement and impulse control (r = -.234, p = .025; see Fig. 1b), indicating that individuals who report more engagement with e-devices tend to exhibit a lack of impulse control. Meanwhile, no such relationship existed between technology engagement and reward sensitivity (r = .052, p = .627; see Fig. 1c). Mediation of the relationship between technology engagement and delay of gratification 2004 2013 2004 2 Open image in new window The pattern of correlations we obtained suggested the possibility that the relationship between technology engagement and intertemporal preference might be specifically mediated by individual variation in impulse control, and not in reward sensitivity. To test this possibility we conducted mediation analyses using the bootstrapping methods delineated by Preacher and Hayes () and utilizing Hayes’ PROCESS Model (Hayes,; Preacher & Hayes,). Each analysis was performed using 10,000 bootstrap resamples to estimate the indirect effect of the proposed mediator variables. The bootstrapping method yields 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) for each proposed mediator and its indirect effect. If zero is not included within an estimated 95 % CI, the indirect effect is taken to be significantly different from zero. In an initial mediation analysis we tested whether impulse control plays a mediating role in the relationship between technology engagement and intertemporal preference. The indirect effect of technology engagement through impulse control yielded a bootstrapped CI that did not include zero (b = .059, 95 % CI [0.005, 0.187]), indicating that impulse control is indeed a significant mediator of the relationship. That is, as shown in Fig., while higher levels of technology engagement are related to a tendency toward accepting a smaller immediate reward, this relationship is due in part to the relationship between technology engagement and impulse control. A further mediation analysis sought to determine whether reward sensitivity mediates the relationship between technology engagement and intertemporal preference. This mediation analysis yielded a bootstrapped CI that included zero, indicating that reward sensitivity is not a mediator in this relationship (b = .012, 95 % CI [-0.037, 0.116]). ||||| An article published by TIME in 2015 reported that on average Americans check their phone 48 times a day, with 18- to 24-year-olds averaging the most at 74 checks a day. Prompted by our growing dependence on technology, a new study published in the Psychonomic Bulletin & Review seeks to find out why some people are more addicted to their phones than others. I admit it — I am guilty of being one of the frequent checkers. Every time there is a Facebook or a Twitter notification I feel a burst of satisfaction. Sometimes, I even click the screen without being prompted by the soft “ding” that signals an update. Me and my phone are best buds, and if anything happened to it, I’d be devastated (and that's not just because I can’t afford to replace it). But it seems checking my phone is due to more than seeking a reward or just a modern tic. Psychologists Henry Wilmer and Jason Chein of Temple University believe that frequent phone use is a telling behavior that might say something vital about our impulse control and behavior. The study, which examined what is driving the impulse to check and recheck our mobile devices, assessed if heavy usage is tied to certain mental functions and traits, such as delayed gratification and impulse control. To do so, 91 college undergrads were put through a volley of cognitive tests and questionnaires. These methods collected data on how much the students checked their phones and posted to social media on a daily basis. [Embed] The students were also tested on their ability to delay gratification by answering hypothetical questions about their preference towards receiving a large amount of money in the future or a smaller sum instantly. Tasks which tested their ability to control their impulses, as well as tests which measured their reaction to reward stimuli were also administered. The evidence from the study suggests that the people who obsessively check their phones are less likely to delay gratification. The tendency to devalue rewards that are not immediate and subpar impulse control are connected to the growing use of portable electronics as well. So, if you're wondering why you are having a hard time editing yourself on social media, perhaps our phone scanning compulsion is partly to blame. Wilmer described the findings to Springer, "Mobile technology habits, such as frequent checking, seem to be driven most strongly by uncontrolled impulses and not by the desire to pursue rewards." I mean, if you asked if I wanted a small cookie now or a big cookie later, I would DEFINITELY choose the cookie now. Great, now I've made myself hungry again. [Embed] With these always accessible devices we have the world at our fingertips. Dr. Chein, who led the study, warned that there may be a downside to our growing dependence on this technology. "The findings provide important insights regarding the individual difference factors that relate to technology engagement," says Chein. "These findings are consistent with the common perception that frequent smartphone use goes hand in hand with impatience and impulsivity." Perhaps it's finally time to fight my smartphone addiction with a little digital detox? [Embed] Images: Pexels; Giphy

– There's no denying that humans are mad for their cellphones, but some are clearly more attached than others—and scientists now have a clearer understanding of why. Generally speaking, people who constantly check their phones have a problem controlling impulses, period, and they're not so great at delayed gratification, either, reports Bustle. Once a person of this nature checks their phone, it triggers the impulse to keep checking it again and again, even if the reward will be a paltry one, say psychologists Henry Wilmer and Jason Chein of Temple University in a post at Science Daily. They drew the conclusion after putting 91 undergrads through a series of tests that measured how often they checked their phones, how well they controlled their impulses, and whether they'd prefer to receive a small amount of money immediately or a larger sum if they waited a few days to a year. Among other things, Wilmer and Chein found that students who were least interested in waiting for that hypothetical sum of money—in other words, they were impatient—were more likely to check their phones frequently. "Mobile technology habits, such as frequent checking, seem to be driven most strongly by uncontrolled impulses and not by the desire to pursue rewards," Wilmer concludes in Psychonomic Bulletin & Review. A post at Cosmopolitan draws a lesson from the research: "If you're the type to never let a retweet remain un-liked or a friend request go unnoticed, take a peek at some other areas of your life," writes Katherine Schreiber. "If you're having trouble reining in urges—to, say, eat the whole pint of ice cream, resist ordering one more round, or flip out at a coworker or friend—it may be time to take a break from your smartphone and start practicing some self-regulation." (Some people have "ringxiety.")

TheWashingtonPost Two Americans to compete for YouTube festival prize at Venice Film Festival The athletes at the Olympics aren’t the only international competitors in a high-profile race this summer. Over on YouTube, 15,000 filmmakers from around the globe submitted short films in the Your Film Festival in an effort to be included in a select group who will vie for a top prize at the Venice Film Festival in August. Three million YouTube viewers voted, culling the entries to 50 semi-finalists and 10 finalists. The lucky 10 filmmakers were announced Wednesday, with two American films making the cut: “88:88,” Joey Ciccoline and Sean Wilson’s atmospheric thriller about a young woman with an interesting way of getting ready for bed; and “The Drought,” Kevin Slack’s affecting character study of an elderly gentleman enduring a long, hot New York summer with the help of his memories. Other competing films were made in Lebanon, Egypt, Australia, Bolivia, Spain, Brazil and the United Kingdom. All ten finalists will be screened at a special sidebar in Venice. A jury including director Ridley Scott and actor Michael Fassbender will select the big winner, who will receive $500,000 in assistance from Scott’s production company to create original online content, with Scott and Fassbender executive producing. “Your Film Festival” continues YouTube’s recent push to broaden the scope of the online video channel, with such programs as the “Life In a Day” documentary and the “YouTube Symphony Orchestra.” Watch the ten finalists here and start rooting for your favorites! ||||| YouTube's inaugural film festival has selected 10 short films that it will send to the Venice Film Festival. The Google video site announced Wednesday the finalists of its Your Film Festival. The contest was overseen by director Ridley Scott, whose production company helped winnow the 15,000 submissions down to 10. All 10 films will be screened at the Venice Film Festival on Sept. 2. A winner will then be chosen by a jury including Scott and Michael Fassbender and awarded a grant of $500,000. The finalists hail from around the globe, with entries from the U.S., Australia, Brazil, Bolivia, Spain, the U.K., Lebanon and Egypt. ___ Online: http://www.youtube.com/user/yourfilmfestival

– The Venice Film Festival is truly coming into the 21st century: This year's festival will include screenings of 10 short films submitted by YouTube. The films were chosen as part of the site's first Your Film Festival contest, overseen by Ridley Scott, the AP reports. Finalists, which included two Americans as well as filmmakers from around the world, were announced today; 15,000 films had been submitted. After all are screened at the Venice Film Festival, a jury will choose the final winner Sept. 2. In addition to glory, the winning filmmaker gets a $500,000 grant to create original online content with the help of Scott's production company, the Washington Post reports. Watch all 10 films here.

Palestinians carry the body of 16-year-old Mohammed Abu Khudair during his funeral in Shuafat, an Arab suburb of Jerusalem July 4, 2014.. RAMALLAH West Bank Violent protests sparked by the abduction and killing of a Palestinian teenager spread to Arab villages in Israel on Saturday, presenting a new challenge to the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel has stayed silent on the investigation into the death of an East Jerusalem youth who Palestinians believe was kidnapped and killed by far-right Jews, but the Palestinian attorney-general was reported as saying he had been burned alive. "The direct cause of death was burns as a result of fire and its complications," Mohammed Al-A'wewy was quoted as saying by the official Palestinian news agency Wafa late on Friday. Israeli-Palestinian tensions have risen sharply since three Israeli teens were kidnapped on June 12 and later found dead in the occupied West Bank. This was followed on Wednesday by the kidnapping of Mohammed Abu Khudair, 16, in his neighbourhood in East Jerusalem. His charred body was found hours later in a forest on the edge of the city. Saber Al-Aloul, the director of the Palestinian forensic institute, attended the autopsy, which was carried out by Israeli doctors. Al-A'wewy said Al-Aloul had reported soot had been found in Khudair's respiratory canal, which meant that "the boy had inhaled this material while he was burnt alive." Burns covered 90 percent of the body and there was a cut to the head. Samples such as fluids and tissue were taken for more lab examinations to complete the legal medical report. At Khudair's funeral on Friday, furious Palestinians chanted "Intifada! Intifada," calling for a new uprising against Israel. Stones thrown at Israeli police were met by tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets in one of the most highly charged displays of enmity in Jerusalem in years. At least one Palestinian was hurt in confrontations in the city of Nablus overnight, medical staff said. STONE AND FIREBOMB ATTACKS The protests spread on Saturday to normally calm Israeli Arab areas, mainly along roads in the centre and north of the country where protesters threw stones and firebombs at passing cars. Dozens were arrested in these clashes, a police spokeswoman said. A Jewish driver was forced from his vehicle and told to flee before his car was burned at one location while at another, a woman suffered light injuries from rocks thrown at her car. Palestinian officials trying to calm tensions have said they would prevent any intifada, or uprising, and seek a solution to the crisis that began when the three Israeli teens were kidnapped. The discovery of the bodies of the three Jewish seminary students on Monday prompted an outpouring of national grief in Israel. Many Palestinians, including President Mahmoud Abbas, assert that Khudair was the victim of far-right Jews incensed at the Israeli deaths. Netanyahu has called Abu Khudair's killing "loathsome" and ordered a swift police investigation. Israeli authorities said they did not yet know whether Abu Khudair was indeed the victim of a hate crime. Tensions also persisted on Saturday along the frontier with the Gaza Strip, where Israeli warplanes bombed three Hamas targets in response to mortar and rocket fire at Israel. Two Palestinian policemen were hurt in a later air strike, Gaza hospital officials said. There were no reported casualties in the air raids or from the 15 rockets fired at Israel, one of which was shot down by Israel's Iron Dome interceptor system over Beersheba, the first time a rocket has been launched at the major city since 2012. Israel mobilised ground forces on Thursday along the Gaza frontier in a threat to invade if rocket fire from the enclave did not stop. Egypt, a bordering country, has tried to mediate a truce to prevent an escalation of these hostilities. (Additional reporting by Ori Lewis in Jerusalem and Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza; Editing by Lisa Shumaker) ||||| Story highlights Israeli military: 10 sites targeted in Gaza "following constant rocket fire" 16-year-old Palestinian Mohammed Abu Khedair was burned alive, prosecutor says Spokesman for Israeli PM says Israel is aggressively investigating the killing His U.S. cousin was beaten a day later by uniformed men, relatives say Mohammed Abu Khedair , a Palestinian teenager who was abducted and killed in Jerusalem this week, died from being burned alive and hit on the head with a blunt object, according to Palestinian General Prosecutor Mohammed al-Auwewy, citing a medical autopsy. Al-Auwewy said the autopsy discovered traces of smoke inside the lungs of the 16-year-old, indicating that it was inhaled while the fire was burning. Mark Regev, spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said his country is aggressively investigating the killing. "We'll get to the bottom of it and catch those responsible," he told CNN on Saturday. The teenager's death sparked widespread outrage among Palestinians, many of whom believe he was killed in retaliation for the abduction and killing of three Israeli teens . Israeli authorities are investigating who killed Khedair and why, said Netanyahu After the Palestinian teen's funeral on Friday, more than 60 people were injured in clashes with Israeli security forces in parts of Jerusalem, according to the Palestinian Medical Relief Society, a group that said it was involved in evacuating injured Palestinians. It said the injuries mostly involved rubber bullets fired at the upper body and chest. JUST WATCHED Clashes follow Palestinian teen's funeral Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Clashes follow Palestinian teen's funeral 01:43 Israeli police said 13 of their officers were slightly injured in clashes in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Shuafat, where Palestinian protesters were throwing rocks at police, who responded by firing rubber bullets and tear gas. Photos: Israel mourns 3 dead teenagers Photos: Israel mourns 3 dead teenagers Israel mourns 3 dead teenagers – Mourners of Eyal Yifrach, 19, attend his funeral outside his house in Elad, Israel, on Tuesday, July 1. The bodies of Yifrach and two other Israeli teenagers, Naftali Frankel and Gilad Shaar, were found a day earlier after they were abducted last month on their way home from school in the West Bank. Hide Caption 1 of 6 Photos: Israel mourns 3 dead teenagers Israel mourns 3 dead teenagers – Avi and Rachel Frankel attend the funeral of their son, Naftali, in the West Bank settlement of Nof Ayalon on July 1. He was 16. Hide Caption 2 of 6 Photos: Israel mourns 3 dead teenagers Israel mourns 3 dead teenagers – Friends of Naftali Frankel attend his funeral service. Hide Caption 3 of 6 Photos: Israel mourns 3 dead teenagers Israel mourns 3 dead teenagers – Mourners gather around the body of Gilad Shaar, 16, during his funeral ceremony July 1 in Talmon, West Bank. Hide Caption 4 of 6 Photos: Israel mourns 3 dead teenagers Israel mourns 3 dead teenagers – A young man grieves during Shaar's funeral. Hide Caption 5 of 6 Photos: Israel mourns 3 dead teenagers Israel mourns 3 dead teenagers – People hold Israeli flags during Shaar's funeral procession in Hashmonaim, West Bank. Hide Caption 6 of 6 JUST WATCHED Palestinian teen's killing sparks outrage Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Palestinian teen's killing sparks outrage 03:36 JUST WATCHED Tensions high after Palestinian teen's death Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Tensions high after Palestinian teen's death 03:54 JUST WATCHED Israeli teen's chilling emergency call Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Israeli teen's chilling emergency call 05:49 Meanwhile, a 15-year-old cousin of Khedair is at the center of a new controversy that's become an international incident. Tariq Khdeir, 15, a high school sophomore in Tampa, was visiting his Palestinian relatives in Jerusalem when he was attacked and detained, relatives told CNN. The family claims that Khdeir is seen in separate videos being held down and pummeled by men in the uniform of Israeli security forces. Israel's Justice Ministry is investigating an incident that U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki called "troubling." Rockets from Gaza get Israeli response Khedair's death has raised the ire of many Palestinians in Jerusalem. But that city is hardly the only place in the region that's fraught with tension. Gaza and Israeli communities within rocket's reach have seen plenty of intermittent violence in recent weeks. This comes after Israeli authorities blamed Hamas -- the Islamist militant group that controls Gaza -- for the kidnapping and killing of the three Israel teens whose bodies were found earlier this week. Hamas has praised the kidnappings of the Israelis but denied that it was responsible for what happened. It also warned if Netanyahu "brings a war on Gaza, the gates of hell will open to him." While it could still ratchet up significantly, the dangerous back-and-forth between the two sides continued this weekend. That includes more Israeli warplanes striking targets in Gaza, as well as more rockets being fired across the border into Israel early Sunday morning. Israel Defense Forces said in a press release that "following constant rocket fire at (southern) Israeli communities," its aircraft targeted 10 "terror sites" in central and southern Gaza. The targets included "concealed rocket launchers and a weapon manufacturing facility," the military said. And on Saturday, Israeli military aircraft targeted a militant in southern Gaza who earlier in the day fired rockets at the town of Ofakim in southern Israel, IDF said in a statement. Initial indications suggest that three rockets were intercepted above the area of Ashkelon, the military said. At least 14 rockets have been fired at Israel since midnight Saturday with one being intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome above Be'er Sheva, according to IDF. Twelve rockets landed in Israeli territory and another fell in Palestinian territory.

– The autopsy of the 16-year-old Palestinian boy murdered in Jerusalem this week reveals a grim detail: Mohammed Abu Khdeir had smoke and soot in his lungs, indicating that his body was set on fire while he was still alive, reports CNN and the New York Times. He also suffered a head injury from a blunt object, according to the autopsy, which was conducted by Israeli doctors and attended by the chief Palestinian coroner, reports Reuters. “It was obvious through autopsy that there was black smoke on the breathing airways, windpipes and in the two lungs,” says a post on the Palestinian attorney general's website. “This is proof of inhalation of this material during the torch, while he was alive.” The killing is widely presumed to be a revenge attack by far-right Jewish settlers for the murder of three Israeli teenagers who had been kidnapped, and the new finding could raise tensions even more. At Khdeir's funeral in Jerusalem yesterday, Palestinians threw stones at Israeli police, who responded with tear gas and stun grenades. A police spokesperson says there have been "no breakthroughs" yet in Khdeir's case. "We'll get to the bottom of it and catch those responsible," says a spokesperson for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (Khdeir's American cousin was beaten and arrested during a demonstration, say relatives.)

.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A mechanic working on a rental car near the Albuquerque International Sunport early Sunday called police when he discovered an unusual device attached to the vehicle’s undercarriage, according to Albuquerque police. Officer Simon Drobik said that the mechanic called police around 8:30 a.m., and the department dispatched its bomb squad, which sent in a robot for a closer look. The discovery sparked the evacuation of the rental car hub, home to several rental car companies and located on University, about a mile and a half from the Sunport. Drobik said he was not sure which company had rented the vehicle, nor what type of vehicle it was. ADVERTISEMENTSkip Though it was near the Sunport, flights were not disrupted and the airport was not affected, though some nearby roads were shut down for short time. People attempting to rent or return cars were directed to a nearby parking lot. A line of customers formed along the sidewalk while people checked their cellphones to understand why they weren’t allowed to the car rental center. A rental company employee said Sunday evening that they were still trying to track down cars that had been returned during the incident. He said the event left him and his colleagues on edge. “We’ve had threats from hostile customers, but I’ve never heard of a bomb threat,” he said. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is handling the investigation into the device, while the FBI will manage the investigation into who had the vehicle last and where it came from, Drobik said. It was not clear Sunday if the device could have exploded. ||||| Story highlights Police: There was no explosives associated with the device Employees found the device when rental car was being inspected No flights were affected (CNN) New Mexico authorities said Monday that what appeared to be a "credible explosive device" -- found on a rental car at Albuquerque International Sunport airport on Sunday -- is a hoax. There were "no explosives associated with the device," said Thomas Mangan, spokesman for the Arizona Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms. It posed "no danger whatsoever to the public." Employees at a rental facility discovered the device after the car was put on a lift to be inspected. They immediately notified police. "We are conducting an investigation to determine who constructed this hoax device," Mangan said. "We're moving forward and trying to make a determination. We take that matter very seriously." No flights were affected by the investigation, according to police, while rental car drop-offs and pick-ups resumed after the scene was cleared, the airport tweeted on Sunday. Read More ||||| The FBI is now trying to figure out who put a bomb on a rental car returned to Avis Budget Rental on 3400 University Sunday. The discovery of the bomb, by an Avis employee, brought operations to a halt and now investigators are trying to figure out how it got there. Judie Miranda got to the Sunport early Sunday morning to pick up a friend, only to be greeted by police and road blocks. Law enforcement swarmed the airport’ rental car complex “For an airport it's very scary,” Miranda said. “Oh my god the streets…were police everywhere.” Albuquerque police confirm a rental car mechanic made the terrifying discovery of an explosive device fixed to the bottom of a rental car return Sunday morning. Avis Budget employee Susan Russell says the car was one of theirs -- a recently returned Ford Edge. “We knew right around 8:30 that they found something suspicious under one of our Avis Budget returns,” Russell said. APD's Bomb Squad is tasked with neutralizing the explosive as FBI and ATF agents take the lead on investigating how it got here. Miranda says she spent hours consoling rental car workers who were told to stay at their posts. “I can see the fear that they were having,” she said. “Here you get a bomb threat and they keep them in there. Its sad America has to have this fear. “

– The FBI and the ATF are on the case in New Mexico for a Breaking Bad-like scenario: a "credible explosive device" found underneath a rental car that was returned Sunday to the Albuquerque International Sunport, CNN reports. Police say the vehicle had been rented elsewhere (cops aren't saying where) and then dropped off at the Albuquerque Avis center, per NBC News. The device was found by employees who had the car up on a lift to inspect it; they immediately called authorities upon their discovery. The device was eventually disarmed and the center's operations went back to normal—but even though the situation ended with no one hurt, there were related issues to the investigation. The airport itself wasn't shut down (the main terminal isn't attached to the car rental center), but travelers who needed to rent from or return cars to Avis were forced to wait in a long line in a nearby parking lot while the situation was resolved, per the Albuquerque Journal. A woman who went to pick up a friend at the airport says she "spent hours consoling" Avis workers, who were reportedly told they had to stay put during the incident, KOB-TV reports. "I can see the fear that they were having," she tells the station. "Here you get a bomb threat and they keep them in there. [It's] sad America has to have this fear." One of the center's employees tells the Journal that "we've had threats from hostile customers, but I've never heard of a bomb threat." (An alleged car bomber was injured because he likely didn't set the timer correctly.)

The best-protected car in the world... defeated by an Irish ramp: Obama's armour-plated limo gets stuck at U.S. Embassy It's designed to protect the President from terror attacks but Barack Obama was left red-faced after one of his armour-plated Cadillacs was brought to a halt as it left the U.S. Embassy in Dublin. The gigantic bomb-proof General Motors vehicle, with eight-inch thick steel on its door, didn't even make it as far as the road outside the consulate. The car had to be abandoned after the collision in front of waving crowds while Mr Obama and his wife were en route to his ancestral home in County Offaly. Scroll down to watch video... Embarrassing: One of Barack Obama's fleet of armoured cars gets stuck on the ramp of the exit of the U.S embassy in Ballsbridge Co.Dublin Luckily, the vehicle that broke down was the spare limo used by the President's Secret Service protection team. Mechanics rushed in to rescue the vehicle which was lodged helplessly on the ramp, while onlookers stood and watched - some of whom took video footage and photos. The cars, worth over $1million, is 18ft in length, weighs 8 tons and 8in thick armour plating on its doors. When the President is riding in one, the vehicle is officially known as Cadillac One. However, it's more apt nickname is 'The Beast'. Specially built for Mr Obama, the General Motors GM.N vehiclse boasts its own oxygen supply in case of chemical attack and puncture resistant, run-flat tyres reinforced with kevlar. However none of this, it appears, could overcome the might of a lowly speed hump. Secret Service spokesman Robert Novy said: 'A Secret Service spare limousine, carrying staff and support personnel only, bottomed out at the top of the driveway rendering the vehicle inoperable. 'Occupants were relocated into other vehicles and the motorcade departed out another exit without further incident. There were no injuries. 'The size of our vehicles is always an issue and taken into consideration during the advance process. However, it only takes a slight miscalculation for problem like this to occur.' The incident will bring Obama's security into question. His aides have gone to great lengths to ensure the President's safety while he's visiting the UK. Such is the emphasis on security that Mr Obama’s team has even asked to fit bomb-proof double glazing to the windows of his guest suite at Buckingham Palace. Stuck: The 'terror-proof' Cadillac fails to even make it on to the road outside the U.S. Embassy in Dublin The moves to increase the First Couple’s safety come in the wake of the killing of Osama Bin Laden three weeks ago. Also joining the President on the trip will be one military officer carrying a suitcase containing America’s nuclear missile launch codes, plus representatives of six departments of state. Mr Obama himself will fly on Air Force One, which doubles as a flying luxury hotel and command post complete with an operating theatre and gym. The customised Boeing 747-200B, which is accompanied by a decoy aircraft, is said to cost around £110,000 an hour to run. After dumping The Beast Barack and his wife finally made their way to in County Offaly, the small Irish village where his great-great-great grandfather once lived and worked as a shoemaker. He walked the thronged Main Street of Moneygall, where his thrice-removed grandfather on his Kansas-born mother's side, Falmouth Kearney, lived until leaving for the United States in 1850 at the height of Ireland's Great Famine. Visit: President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama pose with Taoiseach Enda Kenny and his wife Fionnuala at Farmleigh House in Dublin Obama's roots in the town were discovered during the 2008 presidential campaign. Along with first lady Michelle Obama, the president even got to hug a distant relative: Henry Healy, a 26-year-old accountant for a plumbing firm who discovered four years ago he was one of Obama's closest Irish relatives. The first couple spent extended time greeting the people who had withstood soaking rain earlier to see them. The thrilled villagers, who had been preparing for the moment for weeks, responded rapturously, waving American and Irish flags. Obama and his wife even had a sip of Guinness each. Tomorrow they will fly to London, where they'll visit the Queen at Buckingham Palace and no doubt be hoping to avoid further mishaps. Again, security preparations have been underway for months. The President’s security team have raised eyebrows at Buckingham Palace after they insisted on bringing their own bottled water. Obamamobile White House staff told the Queen’s household that they could not risk Mr Obama touching a drop of London tap water – or even the palace’s own bottled mineral water. According to sources, when one staff member asked why, they were told that ‘they didn’t want to risk a change in water in case it gave Mr President a stomach upset’. The President and his wife are due to arrive at Buckingham Palace tomorrow morning after landing at Stanstead Airport where they will be greeted by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. The couple will lunch with the Queen before a glittering state banquet in the evening. The Mail revealed yesterday that White House staff have brought along their own portable double-glazing style glass to cover up the 1820s glazed windows in his bedroom in case of a mortar attack Staff have also revealed that they have been barred from using their mobile phones while the president is in residence due to the communication hardware his security team have brought with them. ||||| A dense ash cloud from an Icelandic volcano blew toward Scotland on Monday, causing airlines to cancel flights, forcing President Barack Obama to shorten a visit to Ireland, and raising fears of a repeat of last year's huge travel disruptions in Europe that stranded millions of passengers. This satellite image provided by NASA and acquired Sunday May 22, 2011 shows a plume of dense ash from the Grimsvotn volcano in Iceland towards the upper center of the frame. The plume from the volcano... (Associated Press) An SAS Boeing 737 aircraft takes off behind Icelandair's stranded Boeing 757 aircraft named after the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull is parked at a remote stand at Arlanda airport north of Stockholm,... (Associated Press) Icelandair's stranded Boeing 757 aircraft named after the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull is parked at a remote stand at Arlanda airport north of Stockholm, Monday May 23, 2011. The Eyjafjallajokull... (Associated Press) Sunset is seen over Kensington Palace in London, Monday, May, 23, 2011. A dense cloud of ash from an Icelandic volcano was being blown toward Scotland Monday, forcing two airlines to cancel their flights,... (Associated Press) Icelandair's stranded Boeing 757 aircraft named after the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull is parked at a remote stand at Arlanda airport north of Stockholm, Monday May 23, 2011. The Eyjafjallajokull... (Associated Press) CORRECTS PHOTOG NAME FROM KRISTEN TO KRISTIN Smoke rises from the Grimsvotn volcano, Saturday, May 21, 2011 in Reykjavik, Iceland. Iceland's most active volcano has started erupting, scientists said Saturday... (Associated Press) This satellite image provided by NASA and acquired Sunday May 22, 2011 shows the plume of dense ash from the Grimsvotn volcano in Iceland as it casts a shadow to the west. The plume from the volcano... (Associated Press) A plane is seen against a sunset over Kensington Palace in London, Monday, May, 23, 2011. A dense cloud of ash from an Icelandic volcano was being blown toward Scotland Monday, forcing two airlines to... (Associated Press) Britain's Civil Aviation Authority said it appears that ash from the Grimsvotn (GREEMSH-votn) volcano could reach Scottish airspace early Tuesday and affect other parts of the U.K. and Ireland later in the week. British Airways suspended all its flights for Tuesday morning between London and Scotland, while Dutch carrier KLM and Easyjet canceled flights to and from Scotland and northern England at the same time. Two domestic airlines also announced flight disruptions. Still, authorities say they don't expect the kind of massive grounding of flights that followed last year's eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland because systems and procedures have been improved since then and the cloud is currently not expected to move over continental Europe. Pilots unions, however, expressed concerns that the ash could still be dangerous. Obama, who had been scheduled to spend Monday night in Ireland, was forced to fly to London early because of the ash cloud _ he landed at the capital's Stansted Airport late Monday. Last year's Icelandic eruption also forced a change in his schedule then, causing him to cancel a trip to Poland. Glasgow-based regional airline Loganair canceled 36 Scottish flights scheduled for Tuesday morning, as well as some flights to Birmingham and Belfast. It said its flights between Scottish islands would be unaffected. Another small airline, Eastern Airways, which is based in northern England, also canceled all flights to and from Scotland on Tuesday. "Our No. 1 priority is to ensure the safety of people both onboard aircraft and on the ground," said Andrew Haines, chief executive of the CAA. "We can't rule out disruption, but the new arrangements that have been put in place since last year's ash cloud mean the aviation sector is better prepared and will help to reduce any disruption in the event that volcanic ash affects U.K. airspace." Many airlines said authorities last year overestimated the danger to planes and overreacted by closing airspace for five days amid fears that the abrasive ash could cause engines to stall. CAA spokesman Jonathan Nicholson said authorities this time would give airlines information about the location and density of ash clouds. Any airline that wanted to fly would have to present a safety report to aviation authorities in order to be allowed to fly. He said most British airlines had permission to fly through medium-density ash clouds, but none had asked for permission to fly through high-density clouds, classified as having over 4,000 micrograms of ash per cubic meter. Even at that concentration of volcanic ash, experts said the air would not look much different from airspace unaffected by the ash, but officials say the tiny particles in the ash can sandblast windows and stop jet engines. The international pilots' federation warned that it believed the cloud still presented a potential danger to commercial aircraft despite developments since last year. "It remains our view that when there is an unknown then it is always better to err on the side of caution," said Gideon Ewers, spokesman for the International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations. Thurai Rahulan, a senior lecturer in aeronautics at Salford University in northwest England, said the technology on how to measure and monitor ash has improved, but aircraft's ability to cope with ash has not changed. "Aircraft manufacturers have made more resources available to conduct studies on tolerating higher concentrations of ash, but as far as I know, no possible improvements have yet made it to front line operations yet," he said. The disruption in Scotland is being caused by the smaller of two ash clouds from the volcano. The main cloud was causing minor disruptions around Scandinavia. Iceland's main airport, Keflavik, and domestic airport Reykjavik both reopened Monday after being closed for almost 36 hours. Grimsvotn began erupting Saturday. Hjordis Gudmundsdottir, spokeswoman for the airport administrator Isavia, said the first flight to take off would be an Icelandair flight to London Heathrow. "The outlook is good for Keflavik and other Icelandic airports in the coming 24 hours," said Gudmundsdottir. "We don't have a forecast for after that so we wait and see." The Met Office, Britain's weather forecasters, said there has been no major changes in the forecast _ that some ash will drift across U.K. airspace, mostly in Scotland and Northern Ireland, by Tuesday morning. But the weather in the U.K. has been very unsettled in the past two days and will continue to be that way in the days ahead, making predictions difficult. "When it's all over the place, it's a bit trickier to predict where things may go," said forecaster Charlie Powell. An Icelandic meteorological official said the eruption already appeared to be getting smaller, but Thierry Mariani, France's transport minister, said it was too early to tell whether air travel over Europe would be affected by the eruption. Mariani told Europe 1 radio that the composition of the cloud will be examined in the coming days and if the ash is found to be harmful to airplanes, countries may take a joint decision to close part of Europe's airspace. "The priority must always remain to ensure security," he said. U.K. Transport Secretary Phillip Hammond told the BBC that Britain had equipment in Iceland analyzing the ash as it comes out of the volcano, and equipment in the UK that analyses the density of the ash. "We won't see a blanket closing of airspace," he said. The plume was drifting mostly southward at a height of 5 kilometers to 9 kilometers (16,404 feet to 29,528 feet), the Icelandic Meteorological Office said in a report late Monday. Those are the normal altitudes for passenger airliners, and the plume was down from a maximum height of 50,000 feet Sunday, said Steinunn Jakobsdottir, a geophysicist at the forecaster. The eruption has abated slightly since Sunday and no earthquakes have been recorded at the site since then, the forecaster said. The European air traffic control agency's models showed the main plume of ash gradually extending northward from Iceland in the next two days. The cloud is predicted to arch its way north of Scandinavia and possibly touch the islands off the northern Russian coastline within the next two days. Eurocontrol said the smaller ash plume was not expected to move farther east than the west coast of Scotland. Some airline chiefs complained that regulators had overreacted by shutting much of Europe's airspace last year, stranding millions of passengers and causing big losses to airlines. But a study last month in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences concluded the shutdown had been justified. The possibility of disruption appeared to be affecting airline shares, which fell more than the market average. IAG, the parent company of British Airways and Iberia, closed down 5.1 percent on the day while Lufthansa shed 3.5 percent and Air France KLM fell 4.5 percent. ___ Lekic reported from Brussels. Sylvia Hui in London, Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark; Gabriele Steinhauser and Raf Casert in Brussels; and Sylvia Hui and Maria Cheng in London contributed to this report. ___ Map of projected ash movement: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/volcano/public/eurasia.html

– President Obama's "Beast" limousine is built to withstand assassins' bullets, bombs, and terrorist attacks—but apparently not Irish speed bumps. The 18-foot-long, 8-ton Cadillac was leaving the US Embassy for Moneygall today when it bottomed out on a ramp that the low-rider couldn't clear, reports the Daily Mail, and guffaws emerged from the cheering crowd as the president had to make a car-swap. But that wasn't the end of the president's transportation woes: A dense cloud of volcanic ash blowing from Iceland forced Obama to leave Ireland ahead of schedule, reports the AP. Instead of staying the night in Ireland, the president flew to London's Stansted Airport late today.

President Barack Obama will visit Ground Zero in New York City on Thursday for the first time as president, a trip that comes just days after the U.S. military operation that killed 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden. Work continues at the World Trade Center site and the Freedom Tower, center left, in New York on Monday, May 2, 2011. At right is 4 World Trade Center. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) Mr. Obama last visited the site of the terrorist attack that brought down the World Trade Center during his 2008 campaign. On Thursday, he will meet with families of the victims of the attack, White House officials said. Americans, including some of those family members, have been celebrating at the site since the president announced Mr. bin Laden’s death late Sunday night. Mr. Obama has been a controversial figure in what many consider hallowed ground. Just weeks before last year’s ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, the president declared his support for the construction of a mosque and a Muslim community center near Ground Zero. The issue opened fresh wounds for some New Yorkers and 9/11 families who opposed the project, and ignited a passionate debate across the country. The president, who has marked 9/11 anniversaries in Washington since taking office, later appeared to tone down his support. ||||| (CNN) -- Online chatter about the death of Osama bin Laden was so intense on Sunday night that Twitter set a new record. During President Barack Obama's address, Twitter users posted messages at an average rate of 3,440 tweets per second, according to the company's official public relations news feed. "Last night saw the highest sustained rate of tweets ever. From 10:45 p.m. - 2:20 a.m. ET, there was an average of 3,000 tweets per second," the company wrote, before updating that number to 3,440. It's unclear what events Sunday's news beat out to claim that record. At the peak of this online conversation, Twitter users posted 5,106 tweets per second, according to the company. The fastest rate of tweeting ever occurred on New Years Eve in Japan, when users posted 6,939 tweets per second, a measure of online conversation that Twitter refers to, in all seriousness, as "TPS." "At 11 p.m. ET, there were 5,106 Tweets per second. At 11:45 p.m. ET, when Pres. Obama finished his remarks, there were 5,008 TPS," the company wrote. Many people reported hearing about the news of bin Laden's death via social media sites and mobile gadgets. Alerts went off on iPads; Facebook friends shared the news; and some claim Twitter users "broke" the story. Some of @CNNTech's Twitter followers remarked on this trend. "I heard about it via twitter while in the middle of doing my podcast about video games-- needless to say it derailed the PSN (PlayStation Network) talk," one Twitter user wrote. "I was going through airport security in LAS and was told by a TSA agent," said another. "I got on Twitter to confirm, during Obama's speech." "Heard it on Twitter, where else ;)," wrote another. And one more: "While watching a show on the Tivo, my son was checking twitter on his phone and told us to put on live TV." I also asked my Facebook friends where they found out about bin Laden's death. Several of them wrote back saying some sort of gadget or social media site alerted them to the news. "The same place I get most of my news at night and on the weekends...the facebook," one of my friends wrote. Another said: "Saw a post on FB, verified it on NYT, and then yelled for my fiance to turn on the news." And one more: "I saw comments on Facebook, and then read about it on my NPR News App on my phone, and then turned on the TV." Feel free to share your stories in the comments section. ||||| Note: this story has been updated to include the New York Times' response. The New York Times' coverage of Osama Bin Laden's death raised eyebrows on Monday due to the fact that the paper did not refer to him as "Mr." But, in a memo, the paper said that the omission is not the precedent-shattering move it appears to be. Romenesko reported on a memo sent to staffers by associate managing editor Tom Jolly. "At Jill and Bill's request, we dropped the honorific for Bin Laden," the memo said in part, referring to Jill Abramson, the paper's managing editor, and Bill Keller, its executive editor. And, indeed, Bin Laden is referred to as simply "Bin Laden" in the Times' coverage. It is a common tradition of the Times that everyone--from the worst criminals to the most revered heroes--is referred to with some kind of honorific (whether "Mr." or "Ms." or "Dr." or many others) in its hard news pages. The parameters of the rule (it used to not be bestowed on criminals, for instance) have shifted somewhat, but when Bin Laden was not referred to as "Mr.," many in the media made note of the fact. However, in another memo—this time from Phil Corbett, the keeper of the Times' stylebook flame—the paper said that it drops the honorific for the dead all of the time, and not, as some had speculated, when the subject is especially distasteful: We pretty typically omit courtesy titles for "historic" figures who are dead -- i.e., we don't say Mr. Roosevelt, Mr. Hitler, Mr. Einstein. Even more recent figures like Kennedy or Reagan are frequently used without a courtesy title and treated as historic rather than news figures. There's no hard-and-fast rule for when we do it. In this case, with a big package in the works, the decision was made to go ahead and make the change right away. Part of the consideration may have been the overall tone of the coverage -- nor was anyone likely to make the argument that we were being "disrespectful" to Bin Laden. This would seem to sew the matter up, but it still leaves the question of why, exactly, the rule is practiced so inconsistently, especially when public figures as varied as Elizabeth Taylor, Saddam Hussein, Ronald Reagan and Michael Jackson were all given honorifics in the coverage of their death. ||||| Final Bin Laden doomsday tape may be released by Al Qaeda disciples; U.S. officials fear backlash Authorities believe there may be one more video released featuring Bin Laden. Take our Poll Osama Bin Laden dead What word best describes your reaction to the news of Bin Laden's death? Joy Pride Shock Hope Fear Confusion Anger A doomsday tape made by Osama Bin Laden was poised to be released Monday by his Al Qaeda disciples. U.S. officials feared the recording would be akin to a voice from the grave calling for a do-or-die jihad against the West, a final order of a terrorist madman. Just a day after U.S. Navy SEALs raided Bin Laden's luxury hideout in Pakistan and snuffed him out, media outlets were weighing whether to air a tape that could boost his legacy as a martyr. CNN's Wolf Blitzer said he was getting bombarded with Twitter messages from viewers pleading with the network not to air Bin Laden's propaganda. Blitzer's colleague Anderson Cooper said he sided with those who had no desire to hear from a hater. "Bin Laden a mass murderer who should never be heard from again," Cooper said Monday. It was unclear whether the tape is audio or video, but a U.S. official said intelligence indicates Bin Laden ordered it to be released in the event of his death. MORE: OSAMA BIN LADEN KILLED It's been 14 months since Bin Laden released his last tape to claim responsibility for Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab's Christmas Day 2009 attempt to ignite an underwear bomb on a Michigan-bound plane. "The United States will not dream of enjoying safety until we live it in reality in Palestine," Bin Laden said in the January 2010 tape. "It is not fair to enjoy that kind of life while our brothers in Gaza live in the worst of miseries," he said. bhutchinson@nydailynews.com ||||| The assault force of Navy SEALs snatched a trove of computer drives and disks during their weekend raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound, yielding what a U.S. official called “the mother lode of intelligence.” The special operations forces grabbed personal computers, thumb drives and electronic equipment during the lightning raid that killed bin Laden, officials told POLITICO. Text Size - + reset VIDEO: How America reacted EARLIER: Brennan briefing POLITICO 44 “They cleaned it out,” one official said. “Can you imagine what’s on Osama bin Laden’s hard drive?” U.S. officials are about to find out. The material is being examined at a secret location in Afghanistan. “Hundreds of people are going through it now,” an official said, adding that intelligence operatives back in Washington are very excited to find out what they have. “It’s going to be great even if only 10 percent of it is actionable,” the official said. Savoring the military and intelligence triumph, officials late Monday described new details about how the mission unfolded: The SEALs took fire on their way to the compound’s third floor, where bin Laden had been sleeping, officials said. The encounter with bin Laden lasted only seconds, and ended with a kill shot to his face. The team’s photos of bin Laden are gruesome, complicating officials’ deliberations about whether to release them. Officials also have images of bin Laden in a white shroud before his burial at sea. The raid was not supposed to last more than 30 minutes. The forces finished in 38 minutes, even though they lost one of their choppers and had to go to a back-up plan. Four helicopters were used in the raid. Two went in, and two were in reserve. Hovering above the compound on the way in, one of the choppers developed a mechanical problem that caused it to lose lift, officials said. The pilot made a controlled landing, according to the officials. When he couldn’t get the bird airborne again, the SEALs blew it up and left in one of the reserves. Officials described the reaction of the special operators when they were told a number of weeks ago that they had been chosen to train for the mission. “They were told, ‘We think we found Osama bin Laden, and your job is to kill him,’” an official recalled. The SEALs started to cheer. Radioing a commander on Sunday, the team reported the capture with a pre-arranged signal: “Geronimo!”

– The raid on Osama bin Laden's Abbottabad compound may turn out to be an intelligence triumph as well as a military one: The Navy SEALs who took Osama down also took his computers with them, seizing drives, disks, PCs, thumb drives, and other electronic equipment. An official tells Politico that "hundreds of people" are reviewing the material at a secret Afghanistan location. "They cleaned it out," said the official. "Can you imagine what’s on Osama bin Laden’s hard drive? It’s going to be great even if only 10% of it is actionable." And because with this story, no detail is too small, other Osama-related bits: The New York Times is no longer inserting "Mr." before bin Laden's name—but is it an F-you move or standard practice? According to one memo, "We pretty typically omit courtesy titles for 'historic' figures who are dead—ie, we don't say Mr. Roosevelt, Mr. Hitler, Mr. Einstein." But, notes the Huffington Post, Elizabeth Taylor, Saddam Hussein, and Ronald Reagan did get the honorific after death. President Obama will visit Ground Zero on Thursday. It's his first trip as president, though he did stop at the site during his 2008 campaign, notes the Wall Street Journal. A final message from beyond the grave? The New York Daily News reports that bin Laden's al-Qaeda followers are in possession of a tape made by bin Laden that he ordered be released in the event of his death. Bin Laden's death set a Twitter record on Sunday night, reports CNN. Between 10:45pm and 2:20am ET there were an average of 3,440 tweets posted each second, the No. 1 rate of "sustained" tweeting ever. The peak, 5,106 tweets at one point, wasn't as high as New Year's Eve tweeting in Japan, which saw 6,939 tweets per second.

Washington (CNN) The state lawmaker who received an expletive-laced voicemail from Maine Gov. Paul LePage said Friday he did not call LePage a racist, as the governor claims. "I've never received a voicemail like that before," Democratic State Rep. Drew Gattine told CNN's Jim Scuitto on "OutFront." "Every time you think he's crossed a line -- you think he can't go any further -- but then he draws a different line, and he crosses it." LePage left a message goading Gattine to "prove that I'm a racist" after a series of controversial comments once again put the governor in the news, according to the Portland Press Herald, which also was the first to obtain audio of the voicemail. The uncensored audio message, also shared with CNN, contains several explicit phrases. The bombastic Republican governor is known for his loose style, which sometimes draws criticism. He is a strong supporter of Donald Trump, and Trump's campaign recently hired his daughter to work on the race in Maine. Earlier this week, LePage had doubled down on comments he has made in the past about the racial background of drug dealers in his state, saying that "90-plus percent ... are black and Hispanic people." According to the Press Herald, Gattine was identified by local media as having called LePage racist, though Gattine denies doing so. "I'm not a name-caller. I'm not going to play that game with the governor," Gattine told Sciutto. "Calling somebody a racist is one of the worst things you can ever call somebody. And it's not something that I've ever called anybody." LePage, however, was adamant in the recording. "Mr. Gattine, this is Gov. Paul Richard LePage," the audio recording says. "I would like to talk to you about your comments about my being a racist, you (obscene term). I want to talk to you. I want you to prove that I'm a racist. I've spent my life helping black people and you little (obscene term), socialist (obscene term). You -- I need you to -- just friggin'. I want you to record this and make it public because I am after you. Thank you." LePage apologized for the voicemail in a statement on Friday, but justified his reaction saying the label of racist is "the absolute worst, most vile thing you can call a person." "I didn't know Drew Gattine from a hole in the wall until yesterday," LePage said. "It made me enormously angry when a TV reporter asked me for my reaction about Gattine calling me a racist. ... So I called Gattine and used the worst word I could think of. I apologize for that to the people of Maine, but I make no apology for trying to end the drug epidemic that is ravaging our state." Gattine told CNN he had not heard from LePage since. Challenges Gattine to a duel On Thursday, the governor took credit for leaving the voicemail in a later interview at his home with local media, and said he would like to challenge Gattine to a duel. "When a snot-nosed little guy from Westbrook calls me a racist, now I'd like him to come up here because, tell you right now, I wish it were 1825," LePage said, according to the Press Herald. "And we would have a duel, that's how angry I am, and I would not put my gun in the air, I guarantee you, I would not be (Alexander) Hamilton. I would point it right between his eyes, because he is a snot-nosed little runt and he has not done a damn thing since he's been in this Legislature to help move the state forward." Friday, LePage walked back that rhetoric, saying he was purely making a historical reference. "Obviously, it is illegal today; it was simply a metaphor and I meant no physical harm to Gattine," LePage said. Maine Democratic Party Chairman Phil Bartlett called LePage's remarks a "threat." "Gov. LePage's direct threat against Rep. Gattine is both erratic and disturbing, and he is clearly unfit to lead our state," Bartlett said in a statement. "Not only did the governor blatantly say he would take violent action against a sitting lawmaker, he also twice invoked a homophobic slur to drive home his point. Those reckless remarks may incite others to violence. ... Paul LePage is an increasingly menacing figure who does not reflect the values of our state." ||||| Gov. Paul LePage left a state lawmaker from Westbrook an expletive-laden phone message Thursday in which he accused the legislator of calling him a racist, encouraged him to make the message public and said, “I’m after you.” LePage sent the message Thursday morning after a television reporter appeared to suggest that Democratic Rep. Drew Gattine was among several people who had called the governor a racist, which Gattine later denied. The exchange followed remarks the governor made in North Berwick on Wednesday night about the racial makeup of suspects arrested on drug trafficking charges in Maine. “Mr. Gattine, this is Gov. Paul Richard LePage,” a recording of the governor’s phone message says. “I would like to talk to you about your comments about my being a racist, you (expletive). I want to talk to you. I want you to prove that I’m a racist. I’ve spent my life helping black people and you little son-of-a-bitch, socialist (expletive). You … I need you to, just friggin. I want you to record this and make it public because I am after you. Thank you.” Gov. LePage’s message to Rep. Drew Gattine. Warning: This audio contains obscenities. LePage later invited a Portland Press Herald reporter and a two-person television crew from WMTW to the Blaine House, where during a 30-minute interview the governor described his anger with Gattine and others, told them he had left the phone message and said he wished he and the lawmaker could engage in an armed duel to settle the matter. “When a snot-nosed little guy from Westbrook calls me a racist, now I’d like him to come up here because, tell you right now, I wish it were 1825,” LePage said. “And we would have a duel, that’s how angry I am, and I would not put my gun in the air, I guarantee you, I would not be (Alexander) Hamilton. I would point it right between his eyes, because he is a snot-nosed little runt and he has not done a damn thing since he’s been in this Legislature to help move the state forward.” Gattine is the House chair of the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee, which has opposed some of LePage’s welfare, drug enforcement and other reforms. He said the governor’s phone message was uncalled for. “Obviously that message is upsetting, inappropriate and uncalled for,” Gattine said Thursday night. “It’s hard to believe it’s from the governor of the state of Maine, but again, we need to stay focused on the drug problem we are facing here in Maine and cannot allow this story to be about the governor’s inappropriate and vulgar behaviors.” REPORTER’S QUESTION ENRAGES GOVERNOR LePage left the message after a television reporter asked the governor what he would say to people who are calling him a racist. LePage asked who had called him that and the reporter said he had talked to Gattine, but didn’t say Gattine had called the governor a racist. LePage then reacted, told the reporters “you make me so sick,” and stormed off. He later called the same reporters to the Blaine House for an interview, told them he had called Gattine and said he hoped the lawmaker would make the governor’s phone message public. The Press Herald made a Freedom of Access Act request for the phone message, and Gattine provided a copy to the Press Herald around 8:50 p.m. Gattine has been a longstanding critic of many of LePage’s proposals to reform the state’s welfare system and has blocked efforts by Mary Mayhew, commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services, to change eligibility requirements for a variety of programs that help individuals and families with developmental disabilities. Gattine is running for re-election in House District 34, which includes the city of Westbrook. He is unopposed. Gattine said Thursday that he never called LePage a racist. “What I said to the television reporter today is that the kind of racially charged comments the governor made are not at all helpful in solving what the real problem is,” Gattine said. “And that is, we have a crisis in the state of Maine of people overdosing on heroin and prescription drugs and we are not doing enough with respect to treatment and prevention.” GATTINE: MORE EMPHASIS ON TREATMENT Gattine said he essentially agrees with LePage that drug traffickers must be stopped from coming into the state. “The law enforcement piece is incredibly important,” Gattine said. “And I don’t really care what the color is of the people that are importing drugs into this state. I think law enforcement needs to be in a position where it can do its job, but in an area where we are really failing is not funding treatment and prevention as much as we should be.” Gattine noted that a record number of people, 272, died of drug overdoses in Maine last year and the state is on pace to break that record this year. “And this administration continues to pursue policies that make treatment less available … and I think that’s a huge part of the problem,” Gattine said. Over the years, Gattine and LePage have butted heads on several issues. Gattine was among the Democratic lawmakers who earlier this year sparred with LePage over how to manage patients sent by the courts to the state’s Riverview Psychiatric Center. LePage threatened to stop accepting federal money unless the Legislature could figure out how to manage patients. Gattine replied, saying, “It shouldn’t be this hard. If the department (of Health and Human Services) is serious about this, they should be able to answer these questions.” A HISTORY OF DISAGREEMENTS After the federal government accused Maine in 2015 of processing food stamp applications slower than any other state, Gattine said the federal warning – the government said Maine’s “chronically poor performance” doesn’t meet federal standards – ripped the state, claiming it was part of a pattern in which the LePage administration repeatedly failed to adhere to federal guidelines. Gattine said people were not getting the services they need. In a March 2015 guest column published by the Press Herald, Gattine slammed the LePage administration for proposed cuts to seniors’ health care. Gattine said the cuts would force elderly Mainers to choose between paying medical bills and buying groceries. “It’s infuriating that people who contributed so much to Maine have to show up in Augusta to beg their government not to cut the health care benefits that they have worked on for their entire lives,” he said in the column. LePage also has criticized Gattine and other lawmakers for opposing a measure that would have made possession of small amounts of heroin a felony. LePage has said the threat of a felony-level crime is necessary to force people to get into drug treatment programs. “The primary lever for getting people into treatment shouldn’t be to get them into the criminal justice system,” Gattine said. “To me, if we let the problem get that far it’s just another sign of our failure.” Share < Previous Next > filed under:

– The governor of Maine left what TPM calls a "bizarre and threatening"—not to mention foul-mouthed—voicemail for a Democratic state lawmaker he believes called him a racist. "I’ve spent my life helping black people and you little son-of-a-bitch, socialist cocksucker," Gov. Paul LePage said in the message to Rep. Drew Gattine on Thursday. He also demanded Gattine "prove" he's a racist. The Portland Press Herald reports Gattine denies calling LePage a racist and says the voicemail was "inappropriate and uncalled for." The issue arose after LePage said more than 90% of drug dealers in Maine are black or Hispanic earlier this week, according to CNN. LePage later invited reporters over and proceeded to long for an armed duel with Gattine. "I wish it were 1825," he said, claiming he would point his gun "right between his eyes." While the state's Democratic Party chair calls that a "threat," LePage claims otherwise. "Obviously, it is illegal today," CNN quotes the governor as saying. "It was simply a metaphor." LePage apologized for the voicemail but says he was justified in reacting that way after being called a racist. It's not the first time LePage has dealt with such accusations. Earlier this year, critics called him out for saying dealers with names like "D-Money" would come to Maine to sell drugs and "impregnate a young white girl."

Sub-title: Trend "has flipped" says researcher Picture: It used to be that the kids out in the bushes smoking marijuana were the trouble makers, but new research shows that this group academically outperforms their peers who smoke both marijuana and tobacco. In one of the largest, long-term studies of substance co-use among teens, Dalla Lana School of Public Health researchers examined trends of tobacco and marijuana use from 1981 to 2011 and found that marijuana smokers receive higher grades than those who smoke both substances. “In the past, cannabis use was associated with more problematic behaviours, but this trend has flipped,” said Michael Chaiton, assistant professor in epidemiology and public health policy at U of T’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health. “Youth tobacco users are likely to have poor academic performance and engage in socially deviant behaviours, like vandalism, theft or assault.” The study, published in the Journal of School Health’s March issue, analyzed self-report survey data from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health’s Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey, including a total of 38,331 students in grades 7, 9 and 11. A user and/or co-user are defined as someone reporting daily tobacco and/or marijuana use in the past month. Poor academic performance, which is linked to increased risk of tobacco, marijuana and a variety of other risky behaviours, was measured as an indicator of problem behaviour to see if it was related to substance use or co-use. Marijuana use peaked about a decade ago, but overall attitudes towards the drug have become more normalized, so many teens see it as safer than tobacco, although this is not inherently true, researchers say. Smoking rates have declined by about six per cent among school-aged youth in the last decade, but researchers believe smoking cigarettes has become a new signal of social deviation in this group. “Youth smokers are becoming a more vulnerable population with high levels of substance use and mental health comorbidities,” said Chaiton, who is also a scientist at the Ontario Tobacco Research Unit. Other interesting study insights include: 92 per cent of teen cigarette smokers also use marijuana; 25 per cent of teen marijuana users also smoke cigarettes; In 1999, co-use was at an all-time high at 12 per cent, with boys in lower grades most likely to be a part of this group; Students with lower academic performance were more likely to be co-users than users of either substance alone; There’s a growing “straight edge” cohort, with 90 per cent of Ontario students not using either substance. “Drug prevention programs should be aligned with student realities, which means acknowledging and addressing patterns of co-use,” said Maritt Kirst, co-author of the study and assistant professor in social and behavioural health sciences at U of T’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health. “This study identifies which youth are most at risk and can help public health professionals tailor prevention programs accordingly.” Study authors also suggest that marijuana prevention programs may take a renewed focus on the drug’s harmful effects instead of underscoring the drug’s illegal status – the traditional approach of such programs. Nicole Bodnar is a writer with the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. ||||| Andrea Janus, CTVNews.ca Students who only smoke marijuana do better at school than classmates who smoke just tobacco, or who smoke both tobacco and pot, says a new study, which tracked substance use among teens over 30 years. Researchers from the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health analyzed data from a survey administered to nearly 39,000 Ontario students between 1981 and 2011. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health asked students in Grades 7, 9 and 11 about their tobacco and marijuana use, and their academic performance. The study found that marijuana-only users did better at school than their counterparts who smoked only cigarettes or who smoked both cigarettes and marijuana. However, the findings reflect the fact that fewer students smoke tobacco today compared to 30 years ago, and those that do make up a very “marginalized, vulnerable” population, says lead study author Michael Chaiton, assistant professor in epidemiology and public health policy. About 92 per cent of tobacco users also use marijuana, the study found. However, only 25 per cent of marijuana uses also smoke tobacco. “It’s better relatively,” Chaiton says of marijuana-only users’ academic performance. Marijuana users don’t outperform non-users, Chaiton says. “Now there is a distinction between marijuana use and co-use with other substances, and it’s an indication of the changing social norms. So it’s not an absolute that they do better; it’s that social norms have changed and the population of people who use marijuana are more like the general population.” The study was published in the March edition of the Journal of School Health. In the 1980s, when the study began, there was less marijuana use among students. And those who did smoke pot also smoked tobacco. At the time, pot use among tobacco smokers was very low. Thirty years later, that had switched, the researchers found. As tobacco use declined, marijuana use shot up. And among the remaining tobacco users, marijuana use is now very high. One reason for the statistical switch, Chaiton says, is the effectiveness of anti-tobacco messaging in recent years. “The population of youth smokers right now is one that is a fairly marginalized population, quite a vulnerable population, so they are at high rates of cannabis use but also of other drugs and other behaviours,” Chaiton says. “So the change in trends is that this is a social phenomenon. This is not that tobacco is causing this, it is something that has changed socially in the role of tobacco in society.” Now that marijuana smoking has become more of a social norm, Chaiton says, programs aimed at keeping youth from risky behaviours such as drug abuse must take into account two factors: that more students now smoke marijuana compared to 30 years ago, and that students who smoke tobacco are more likely to use marijuana or other drugs and engage in at-risk behaviours such as vandalism and theft. As marijuana use becomes more prevalent and socially acceptable, Chaiton says, the focus must turn to developing programs for youth that properly educate them on the risks. Tobacco and marijuana are “similar drugs in many different ways,” Chaiton notes, and “people dramatically underestimate the risks associated with cannabis use, particularly among youth.” “I would argue that we need to start talking about them in the same way and start addressing them in the same types of interventions,” he says, particularly given the growing public discussions about decriminalizing or legalizing marijuana. “If we do legalize or change the regulations in dramatic ways, that does change the social environment again and that can, as we’ve seen a number of times, cause big shifts in youth and we could see another big shift in marijuana use among youth.”

– A little more ammo for the pro-marijuana crowd: A major study out of Canada finds that students who smoke pot do better in school than those who smoke tobacco or indulge in both, reports CTV. But, no, it's not about marijuana making kids smarter. In fact, kids who abstain from smoking of any kind do best of all. Chalk it up instead to the growing acceptance of pot. "It’s an indication of the changing social norms," says the lead author of the study from the University of Toronto's Dalla Lana School of Public Health. "So it’s not an absolute that they do better; it’s that social norms have changed, and the population of people who use marijuana are more like the general population.” The study looked at data over the last 30 years and compared kids in grades 7, 9, and 11 in 1981 with their counterparts in 2011. As the U of T News puts it, "it used to be that the kids out in the bushes smoking marijuana were the trouble makers," but the trend seems to have reversed itself. Now the kids smoking tobacco exclusively are the "marginalized" ones. The study found that 92% of students who smoke cigarettes also smoke pot, but only 25% of pot smokers also smoke tobacco. The biggest group was the 90% who reported smoking neither, and researchers say that's the way to go. "People dramatically underestimate the risks associated with cannabis use, particularly among youth," says the UT scientist.

First it offered sleeping with sharks , and then it was an overnight in Hamlet's castle . Now, Airbnb is at it again. This Memorial Day weekend, two lucky guests can win every foodie's dream : one free night in Julia Child's Provence home, "La Pitchoune." This is not just a chance to sleep where Child once slept, however—guests who win the stay in the famed chef's small cottage are encouraged to cook using Child's own pots and pans, while channeling the likes of authors M.F.K. Fisher and James Beard, who frequented the home. Those who wish to enter the contest will need to answer a simple question : How would you make the most of your time living like a chef in Provence? The trick: answer in less than 500 characters with a smart (and sassy) response Julia herself would be proud of by midnight PST on May 22. Then, for the night of May 29, one winner and one guest will be flown for free to France and enjoy the quality company and cooking that Child was known for. With the help of restaurateur Erwan Huessaff and Luke Barr, author of Provence, 1970 , visitors to the Childs's home will also shop in nearby markets, forage for herbs in the chef's garden, and prepare a meal together. Throughout it all, guests will have to play by the house rules, which include "whack the hell out of that chicken" and "if you run out of butter, use cream." Courtesy Airbnb Late last year, Sotheby’s put the house on the market, and the recent buyers have plans to turn the home and surrounding area into a culinary retreat , complete with a cooking school and yoga studio, set to be open in 2017. Until then, it's up for rent on Airbnb for $610 per night. Worried you won't win the contest? Fear not: There are still a few dates open in July and October to rent the iconic home. Vote for your favorite hotels, cities, airlines and more in the 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards survey . ||||| La Peetch is a space for magic... La Pitchoune or 'La Peetch' was the summer home of Paul and Julia Child for nearly 3 decades. Built on the homestead of Simone Beck, known as Bramafam, La Pitchoune was the house 'Built on Friendship'. Julia Child, after the death of her beloved, left La Pitchoune back with the Beck family. Soon after, Kathie Alex moved in and rented from Simone Beck. In the early 1990's, she purchased La Pitchoune, and turned into a beloved cooking school and experience, Cooking With Friends. After a near decade hiatus, La Peetch returned to her roots as a center for culture, food, and community in 2016 after a bright eyed young Smith graduate (just like Julia) bought La Pitchoune from Kathie Alex. Pitchounians, as they have been called for decades (although we've taken to calling them Pitchunicorns), return year after year and already we've had return visitors ourselves. They are drawn by the magic of the countryside, the good company, the fabulous food, and of course...the wine. Rosé especially. La Pitchoune is a country home in rural-ish Provence–far enough from reality, but close enough everything you need is just minutes away. It is charming and quaint and comes with all the loveliness that is rural France. The ambiance of La Pitchoune, as Provence 1970 author Luke Barr said, is a bit "freewheeling and a little tipsy". La Peetch is by no means 'fancy' it an unfussy space for Courageous Cooking™, deep conversations about food/culture/art, and a place to make or deepen relationships. It's rural, it's petite (La Pitchoune literally means 'the little one'), and it is a pseudo museum that lauds times long past. We turn timid home cooks into courageous chefs, melt tension into magic through food & wine, and create new friendships through impeccable service. When you're at La Pitchoune, you're family. We hope you join ours. There are three ways to visit the magic of La Pitchoune... ||||| Makenna Held is a women's leadership coach, the CEO of the courageous cooking school at La Peetch (Julia Child's former summer home in France), the CEO of ALo Records (one of the very few women-owned record labels in the country) and hails from Colorado. She lives mostly in … Read more ||||| Turn Javascript on so Airbnb can work its magic. In the meantime, here are some popular places to explore.

– If you inhale deeply enough, perhaps you'll still smell her beef bourguignon. The French cottage that Julia Child built with funds from the second volume of Mastering the Art of French Cooking is up for rent on Airbnb in what Bloomberg calls "one of the company's most special offerings." The Provence home where Child spent her summers for three decades is now owned by Americans Evie and Makenna Johnston, who are, in a way, keeping up with tradition. The culinary legend often opened up her home to friends. She even had a little black book full of recommendations for the best butchers and fishmongers, as well as careful instructions on how to use her erratic oven. The book, like everything else in the kitchen, is just as Child left it—except for the oven, which has been replaced with a new, state-of-the-art one. The cottage—built on land then-owned by Child’s co-author, Simone Beck—is currently renting for $628 per night for a minimum of five nights, but the Johnstons also plan to introduce week-long, six-person culinary and yoga retreats next year. While a stay might be pricey for some, two lucky winners of an Airbnb contest got the chance to visit the cottage on Sunday, prepare a meal in the kitchen, forage for herbs in the garden, and shop the nearby markets, per Conde Nast Traveler. (This Airbnb rental came with a crime scene.)

Image copyright Reuters Image caption Air China is one of the country's main carriers A co-pilot smoking an e-cigarette on an Air China flight caused the plane to start a rapid emergency descent, investigators have said. They say he tried to hide the fact that he was smoking but accidentally shut off the air-conditioning, causing oxygen levels to fall. The crew on Tuesday's flight from Hong Kong to the city of Dalian released oxygen masks and brought the plane more than 6,500m (21,000ft) lower. It later returned to cruising altitude. An initial probe by China's Civil Aviation Administration in China has shown that the co-pilot tried to turn off a fan to stop smoke reaching the passenger cabin without telling the captain, but turned off the air-conditioning unit instead. Passengers say they were told to fasten their seat belts as the plane had to descend. Image copyright Weibo Image caption People posted images online of the dropped oxygen masks on the flight The regulator's safety officer Qiao Yibin said the crew had to perform emergency measures, dropping oxygen masks until they could figure out the problem. If a plane loses cabin pressure, the pilot has to bring the aircraft to a lower altitude to keep crew and passengers safe. Once they saw that the air conditioning had been turned off, they reactivated it and brought the flight back to its normal altitude. Authorities are reportedly investigating the cause "in greater detail", examining both the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder to determine precisely what caused the incident. You may also be interested in: The airline promised a "zero-tolerance" approach to crew misbehaviour on Chinese social media site Weibo. Chinese flight regulations prohibit all flight crew from smoking, and banned passengers from using e-cigarettes on board in 2006. But there have been accusations of pilots smoking on board other Chinese flights, including in 2015 when the state-run radio spoke to passengers on a Hong Kong-Beijing flight who claimed to smell strong smoke coming from the cockpit. ||||| THE pilots of a flight that dropped 21,000 feet in 10 minutes are being investigated over claims they were smoking in the cockpit at the time, sparking the incident. The oxygen masks on Air China flight CA106 from Hong Kong to Dalian, China, were deployed approximately half an hour into the Tuesday night trip when it began to lose altitude. Data from flight tracking site FlightAware shows the plane falling from 35,000 feet to 14,000 feet before levelling off. Passengers shared images from on-board the plane onto local blogging site Weibo, showing what appears to be a relatively calm cabin. One flyer said of the incident: “The announcement from the cockpit said the ability to increase oxygen in the cabin malfunctioned so the plane lost pressure.” The plane landed without incident. According to local reports, there are suspicions the crew caused the incident by smoking in the cockpit, resulting in the plane losing pressure and, as a result, altitude. The airline has vowed for “zero tolerance” if crew members are found guilty of wrongdoing. It has cancelled some scheduled flights following the incident. Passengers Evacuated From Southwest Plane at Atlanta Airport Over 'Fear of Fire' 0:36 A Southwest Airlines plane bound for Fort Myers, Florida, was evacuated at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport over fears of a fire on Tuesday, July 3. Passengers were forced to leave flight 1847 after the pilot turned back to Atlanta shortly after takeoff when an “atypical odor” was smelled in the cockpit, a Southwest Airlines spokesman told Storyful. They were delayed for about three hours before a new aircraft took them to their destination, he said. In a statement, the spokesman said that passengers were safely evacuated from the plane. “After a by-the-book landing, the pilots turned off their active runway and taxied to an area where airport responders could inspect the full exterior of the aircraft, per protocol,” the spokesman said. “To minimize their wait in the summer heat, the airport provided buses and air stairs so we could get the 141 customers and the crew into the concourse to be reunited with their bags and move onto a new aircraft and get down to Southwest Florida ultimately, about three hours behind schedule.” “We apologized to them for the inconvenience created by the return to Atlanta to ensure the safest operation of the flight,” he said. This video of fire crews on the runway at the airport was captured by a passenger, Jimmy Link. Storyful has contacted Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport for comment. Credit: Jimmy Link via Storyful ||||| Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. ||||| Beijing (CNN) A co-pilot smoking an electronic cigarette in the cockpit of an Air China flight caused the plane to suddenly drop 6,000 meters (19,600 feet) when he mistakenly turned off its air conditioning system. A senior official from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) told reporters Friday that, without notifying the pilot, the unnamed co-pilot was trying to turn off air recycling fans to prevent the vapor from spreading into the passenger cabin. Instead, he toggled the wrong switches, which were close to his intended target, leading to a drop in oxygen levels that triggered altitude warnings. Qiao Yibin, the CAAC official, promised to hand down "severe punishment in accordance with laws and regulations," if the regulator's final conclusion on the incident matches its initial finding. Air China fired the entire flight deck crew and suggested CAAC revoke their pilot's licenses upon completing its investigation, the country's flag carrier said Friday night in a statement. Read More

– An Air China co-pilot apparently forced his plane to descend about 20,000 feet when he flicked the wrong switch to hide his vaping from passengers, CNN reports. Chinese aviation officials say the co-pilot, who remains unnamed, tried to shut off air recycling fans to prevent smoke from spreading to the passenger cabin on the Tuesday run from Hong Kong to Dalian, China, but flicked off the air conditioning by mistake. That lowered oxygen levels and set off altitude warnings, forcing pilots to descend immediately. Oxygen masks were also deployed during the emergency descent—photos of which later popped up on Chinese social media and can be seen at Australia's News Network. (Or see this passenger video on YouTube.) After descending 19,600 feet in under nine minutes, pilots realized the mistake, re-activated air conditioning, and brought the flight to its regular altitude—but oxygen levels remained subpar for the rest of the flight, the BBC reports. Air China fired the whole flight deck crew and suggested the Civil Aviation Administration of China strip their licenses. For its part, the CAAC is investigating. On the upside, a passenger on flight CA106 says all 153 passengers appeared calm throughout: "I didn't think too much of it at the time—we didn't know what was going on, nor did the flight attendants it seemed," Hoby Sun tells CNN. "I'm not physically hurt, but the psychological impact lingers. When I close my eyes, I see the oxygen masks dangling in front of me."

Turkish FM Ahmet Davutoglu congratulates new Syrian National Coalition head Mouaz al-Khatib during the Meeting of the General Assembly of the Syrian National Council in Doha, Qatar, November 11, 2012. x Turkish FM Ahmet Davutoglu congratulates new Syrian National Coalition head Mouaz al-Khatib during the Meeting of the General Assembly of the Syrian National Council in Doha, Qatar, November 11, 2012. The newly formed coalition of Syrian opposition groups is getting another boost, this time from Turkey.Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu Thursday recognized the Syrian National Coalition "as the sole legitimate representative of the people of Syria."His comments came at a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Djibouti, one day after France became the first Western power to recognize the newly formed coalition.Turkey on Thursday received backing from U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta who says he favors giving Turkey anti-missile defense systems to place near its border with Syria.Turkey, a member of the NATO, has asked the defense alliance to give protection to fend off missiles coming from Syria. Panetta said Turkey is facing a difficult situation because of the instability in Syria and the flow of refugees across the border.Panetta made the comments Thursday in an exclusive interview with VOA Pentagon correspondent Luis Ramirez.Also Thursday, France said it will bring up excluding defensive weapons from the current arms embargo on Syria in order to help rebels fighting against the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said in an interview Thursday his country would work toward a coordinated plan for Syria with its European allies."For the moment, there is an embargo, so there are no arms being from the European side. The issue can be raised, it will no doubt be raised for defensive arms," he said. "And this is something that we can only do in coordination with the Europeans.''​French President Francois Hollande will meet leaders of the Syrian opposition coalition in Paris on Saturday.The six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council has also recognized the rebel group.The United States has declined to fully recognize the opposition coalition, saying the group must first prove its worth after its predecessor was dogged by feuding and accusations of Islamist domination.U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday the formation of the coalition, which supersedes the widely discredited Syrian National Council, was an important step, but did not offer it full recognition or arms.Syria denounced the organization, which it said had closed the door to a negotiated solution with President Bashar al-Assad.The fifth meeting of the Friends of the Syria will be held on November 30 in Tokyo. Japan will chair the meeting.Gunfire from Syria struck near an Israeli military outpost in the Golan Heights early Thursday. The Israeli military said no one was injured by the incident. Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters. ||||| Two days after recognizing new Syrian opposition group, France said it would float giving rebels defensive weapons. But even with the French push, such arms shipments look far from imminent. • A daily summary of global reports on security issues. Just two days after becoming the first nation to recognize Syria's new opposition group, the French government has said it will begin discussions with its partners in Europe to end the European Union's embargo against arming the rebels. But while France appears willing to step up its involvement in the Syrian civil war, its Western allies, including the United States, still seem cool to the idea. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told Europe's RTL radio today that while France is wary of escalating the Syrian conflict, it does not want rebel-controlled regions to fall for lack of self-defense, reports Agence France-Presse. "For the moment, there is an embargo, so there are no arms being delivered from the European side. The issue ... will no doubt be raised for defensive arms," he told RTL radio. "The issue will be raised because the (opposition) coalition has asked us to do so," he said, adding that "this is something that we can only do in coordination with the Europeans." "France's position for the moment is to say that we must not militarise the conflict, but it is evidently unacceptable that there are liberated zones and that they be bombarded by Bashar's planes." Mr. Fabius's comments come amid a strong showing of support from France for the Syrian rebels. France announced Tuesday that it would recognize the new Syrian opposition group – formed over the weekend to unite the disparate rebel and exile groups under a single organization – as the Syrian people's sole representative. And French President François Hollande, who like Mr. Fabius also said recently that the question of arming the rebels would now "have to be necessarily reviewed," is set to meet with the group's leader, Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib, in Paris on Saturday, according to a second AFP report. But even with the French push, arms shipments to the rebels look far from imminent. The Wall Street Journal reports that an EU diplomat speaking anonymously said that while France would likely bring up the arms embargo during a EU foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels on Monday, a European consensus on lifting the ban is a long way off. The official ... said it would take time for the EU to make any decision on changing the blanket arms embargo, and that some member states would likely take a lot of convincing to do so. Any change would require the agreement of all 27 member states. "You know some of our member states may have in principle some difficulty in accepting the sheer principle of delivering arms to the opposition. So I will guess we will need to have long discussions before any agreement could be reached," said the official, who chose to remain unnamed. The US also remains disinclined to arm the rebels, in large part due to fears that weapons could end up in the hands of jihadists – a situation that the US faced in the 1980s, when it armed Afghan militants who went on to form Al Qaeda and the Taliban, reports the Los Angeles Times. "We have seen extremist elements insinuate themselves into the opposition," [President] Obama responded to a sole question about Syria in his postelection news conference. "One of the things that we have to be on guard about, particularly when we start talking about arming opposition figures, is that we're not indirectly putting arms in the hands of folks who would do Americans harm or do Israelis harm or otherwise engage in ... actions that are detrimental to our national security." ... "One of the questions that we are going to continue to press is making sure that the opposition is committed to a democratic Syria, an inclusive Syria, a moderate Syria," he said. "The more engaged we are, the more we'll be in a position to make sure ... that we are encouraging the most moderate, thoughtful elements of the opposition that are committed to inclusion, observance of human rights and working cooperatively with us over the long term."

– The newly formed rebel coalition in Syria got another major boost today: Turkey announced its formal support, days after France became the first Western nation to do so, reports the Voice of America. The Syrian National Coalition is "the sole legitimate representative of the people of Syria," said Turkey's foreign minister. The big question remains, though: Will these words of support translate into weapons and military help? The answer seems to be, maybe, but it's still a long ways off, reports the Christian Science Monitor. France is expected to raise the subject with the EU next week, but arms shipment look doubtful. One huge hurdle: The US isn't on board.

After its acquisition of satellite television service DirecTV, telephone giant AT&T Inc. might be setting its sights on an even bigger prize, Time Warner Inc. Bloomberg News reported Thursday afternoon that AT&T and Time Warner executives have engaged in preliminary talks about a potential merger or other partnerships. Time Warner shares jumped on news of the talks, closing up $3.75, or 4.7%, to $82.99. The New York media company owns HBO, CNN, Cartoon Network, TBS and Hollywood’s largest film and TV studio, Warner Bros. Representatives of AT&T and Time Warner declined to comment. Such a combination would transform AT&T, based in Dallas, into a communications and entertainment colossus with multiple distribution outlets — including one of the nation’s largest mobile phone networks — and some of the most prestigious television channels in the business. Warner Bros. also has a rich library of characters, including DC Comics and such cartoon characters as Scooby-Doo and the Looney Tunes zoo, including Bugs Bunny and Sylvester the Cat. In some ways, AT&T-Time Warner would resemble cable giant Comcast, which owns NBCUniversal — but AT&T would be even bigger with its mobile phone operations. AT&T already operates the nation’s largest pay-TV service with more than 25 million customers. Like other telecommunications companies, AT&T has been eager to expand into the entertainment business as its mobile phone market matures. Owning content has become more valuable as more consumers, especially younger ones, watch entertainment on their phones. AT&T completed its $49-billion acquisition of DirecTV, based in El Segundo, in July 2015. Later this year the company plans to roll out a streaming service of TV channels to compete with traditional TV operators. AT&T has been working with an executive with considerable chops in Hollywood, former News Corp. President Peter Chernin, who now runs his own entertainment company. He and AT&T have partnered on several ventures, including Otter Media, suggesting that Chernin might play a role in the talks with Time Warner. Such a massive merger, however, would probably trigger significant antitrust concerns. It would come during a changing of the guard in Washington and it’s unclear whether regulators within a Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton administration would consent to such a dramatic consolidation. The discussions come two years after Time Warner warded off a hostile takeover bid from Rupert Murdoch and his sons at 21st Century Fox. That deal valued Time Warner at more than $75 billion, but it collapsed amid resistance from Chairman and Chief Executive Jeffrey Bewkes and Time Warner’s board. In addition, Fox investors got nervous about the acquisition, sending its shares down. Time Warner is currently valued at $65 billion. AT&T’s market capitalization is $238 billion. Time Warner, in recent years, has accelerated its push into digital media, launching HBO Now nearly 18 months ago. This summer, Time Warner took a 10% stake in the streaming service Hulu, which is owned by NBCUniversal, 21st Century Fox and Walt Disney. AT&T shares closed down 73 cents, or 1.8%, to $38.65 in Thursday trading. See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour » CAPTION Justin Chang and Glenn Whipp talk about the top contenders of the awards season, including "Call Me by Your Name" and "The Florida Project." Justin Chang and Glenn Whipp talk about the top contenders of the awards season, including "Call Me by Your Name" and "The Florida Project." CAPTION Justin Chang and Glenn Whipp talk about the top contenders of the awards season, including "Call Me by Your Name" and "The Florida Project." Justin Chang and Glenn Whipp talk about the top contenders of the awards season, including "Call Me by Your Name" and "The Florida Project." CAPTION Justin Chang and Glenn Whipp on what critics awards mean for the Oscars, factoring in the academy's expanding membership. Justin Chang and Glenn Whipp on what critics awards mean for the Oscars, factoring in the academy's expanding membership. CAPTION Two men return home from World War II to work on a farm, where they struggle to deal with racism and adjusting to life after war in "Mudbound." Video by Jason H. Neubert Two men return home from World War II to work on a farm, where they struggle to deal with racism and adjusting to life after war in "Mudbound." Video by Jason H. Neubert CAPTION It's quite the challenge trying to interview the energetic child stars of "The Florida Project." It's quite the challenge trying to interview the energetic child stars of "The Florida Project." CAPTION Director Dee Rees talks about casting Mary J. Blige, Carey Mulligan and Jason Mitchell for her film "Mudbound." After loving Mitchell's performance in "Straight Outta Compton," Rees said, "I'd be so lucky to get him in my film." Director Dee Rees talks about casting Mary J. Blige, Carey Mulligan and Jason Mitchell for her film "Mudbound." After loving Mitchell's performance in "Straight Outta Compton," Rees said, "I'd be so lucky to get him in my film." meg.james@latimes.com @MegJamesLAT ALSO Final Trump-Clinton face-off draws 71.6 million viewers, third-most-watched presidential debate in history Verizon says it'll take a while to figure out how the Yahoo hack affects their deal New Teslas will have all the hardware to be driverless cars, Elon Musk says UPDATES: 3:30 p.m. This article was updated with additional information about AT&T’s business ventures. This article was first published at 2:35 p.m. ||||| (Reuters) - Senior executives of telecommunications company AT&T; Inc (T.N) and media conglomerate Time Warner Inc TWX.N have discussed various business strategies including a possible merger in recent weeks, Bloomberg reported on Thursday, citing people it said were familiar with the matter. An AT&T; Logo is pictured on the side of a building in Pasadena, California, January 26, 2015. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni A deal would be one of the largest in recent years in the sector as telecom companies make a land grab for media firms in order to get hold of valuable content. Time Warner shares jumped 4.7 percent in regular trading and slightly extended gains after hours. AT&T; shares slipped 1.8 percent. Neither side has yet hired a financial adviser, Bloomberg said. (bloom.bg/2enqBF9) AT&T; and Time Warner declined to comment. Time Warner is attractive because of its premium cable channel HBO, the CNN news network, film studio Warner Bros and other media assets. AT&T;, which sells wireless phone and broadband services, may be looking to emulate cable company Comcast Corp (CMCSA.O), which acquired NBCUniversal and DreamWorks Animation in a bid to become a massive force that controls how television shows and movies are made and how they are delivered to viewers. Owning more content gives cable and telecom companies more leverage as customers demand smaller, hand-picked cable offerings or are cutting the cord altogether and watching online. AT&T; has already made moves to turn itself into a media powerhouse, buying satellite TV provider DIRECTV last year for $48.5 billion. Time Warner Chief Executive Jeff Bewkes has not been willing to sell in the past. The company rejected an $80 billion offer from Twenty-First Century Fox Inc (FOXA.O) in 2014. While Bewkes, 64, was not open to a deal two years ago, the pace of consolidation in the media sector may urge him to reconsider, especially as two competitors, Viacom Inc (VIAB.O) and CBS Corp (CBS.N) have been exploring a potential merger at the request of controlling shareholder Sumner Redstone. Talk of a deal comes as another potential bidder, Verizon Communications Inc (VZ.N), is busy with its purchase of internet company Yahoo Inc YHOO.O, which has been set back by news of a massive hacking breach into Yahoo customers’ email accounts. Time Warner has a market value of about $65 billion. AT&T; has a market value of about $238 billion. Any merger of that size in a sensitive market would get a close look from regulators, analysts said, but that would not necessarily derail a deal. “Whoever the next president’s pick for the Federal Communications Commission is will have a significant say,” said Recon Analytics analyst Roger Entner. Entner said Comcast’s purchase of NBCUniversal set a precedent and there is “a strong argument to say the FCC should approve” a deal between AT&T; and Time Warner. ||||| LISTEN TO ARTICLE 3:43 SHARE THIS ARTICLE Share Tweet Post Email Senior executives at AT&T Inc. and Time Warner Inc. have met in recent weeks to discuss various business strategies including a possible merger, according to people familiar with the matter. The talks, which at this stage are informal, have focused on building relations between the companies rather than establishing the terms of a specific transaction, the people said, asking not to be identified as the deliberations are private. Neither side has yet hired a financial adviser, the people said. Acquiring Time Warner would give AT&T, one of the biggest providers of pay-TV and of wireless and home internet service in the U.S., a collection of popular programming to offer to subscribers, from HBO to NBA basketball to the Cartoon Network. AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson has been looking to add more content and original programming as part of his plan to transform the Dallas-based telecommunications company into a media and entertainment giant. “There’s a lot that’s attractive about Time Warner,” media industry veteran Peter Chernin, who runs an online video joint venture with AT&T, said in an interview Thursday on CNBC. “I think they’re both great companies.” He said he didn’t know anything about a deal. Time Warner Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bewkes is a willing seller if he gets an offer he thinks is fair, said one of the people. Bewkes and his board rejected an $85-a-share approach in 2014 from Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox Inc., which valued Time Warner at more than $75 billion. For a Gadfly take on AT&T’s media ambitions, click here Time Warner rose 4.7 percent to $82.99, valuing the company at about $64.5 billion. AT&T fell 1.9 percent to $38.65. Representatives for AT&T and Time Warner declined to comment. Telecom Powerhouse Time Warner shares had gained about 23 percent this year through Wednesday, boosted by sales gains at both its HBO premium channel and Turner cable-TV unit. AT&T is up 12 percent in 2016, valuing the Dallas-based company at about $238 billion. AT&T has transformed itself over the last decade from a regional phone company to a national telecommunications powerhouse. Its plan to focus on media and entertainment targets include companies worth $2 billion to $50 billion, people familiar with the plans said earlier this month. Last year, AT&T paid $48.5 billion to acquire satellite-TV provider DirecTV, its biggest deal in at least 10 years, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. AT&T has been developing an internet-based version of the pay-TV service, called DirecTV Now. “With the pending launch of the DirecTV Now OTT app, it might make sense to move onto content ownership, but Time-Warner is an awfully big first step into the content world,” said John Butler, an analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, in an e-mail. The results are mixed with blockbuster deals that bring outsiders into the media industry. Comcast Corp. has had a largely successful run since acquiring control of NBCUniversal in 2009. But Time Warner itself had one of the most disastrous mergers of all time when it combined with America Online Inc. in 2000. With $7.2 billion of cash on hand, AT&T doesn’t have enough firepower to make a big deal with cash alone. In the wake of the DirecTV purchase and the $18 billion it spent in the federal airwave auction last year, AT&T’s net debt was $120 billion at the end of June. Moody’s Investors Service calculates the company’s adjusted leverage at 3.1 times earnings and says the company’s rating, three levels above junk, could be downgraded if it doesn’t stay on track to fall below 3 times. — With assistance by Lucas Shaw, Gerry Smith, and Scott Moritz

– A new communications behemoth may be emerging soon: Insiders tell Bloomberg that over the last few weeks, senior execs from AT&T and Time Warner have been discussing strategies including a possible merger. Reuters notes that telecom companies like AT&T have been making a "land grab" for media companies in recent years, and a merger would give AT&T assets including HBO, CNN, and Warner Bros. studios. The Los Angeles Times reports that Time Warner is valued at $65 billion and AT&T at $238 billion. A merger of the two would create an entity big enough to create major antitrust concerns, and it's not clear whether a Clinton or Trump administration would allow the deal. Time Warner shares jumped 4.7% after merger rumors surfaced Thursday, while AT&T shares fell 1.8%. (Verizon's deal to buy Yahoo has run into difficulties.)

A vigorous post-Labor Day Democratic offensive has failed to diminish the resurgent Republicans' lead among likely voters, leaving the GOP poised for major gains in congressional elections two weeks away, according to a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll. A Democratic offensive failed to diminish the lead among Republicans among likely voters, leaving the GOP poised for major gains in November elections, according to a new WSJ/NBC News poll. Jonathan Weisman and Evan Newmark discuss. Also, David Reilly discusses Bank of America's continuing foreclosure battle. Among likely voters, Republicans hold a 50% to 43% edge, up from a three-percentage-point lead a month ago. In the broader category of registered voters, 46% favor a Democratic-controlled Congress, compared with 44% who want Republican control. But in the 92 House districts considered most competitive, the GOP's lead among registered voters is 14 points, underscoring the Democrats' challenge in maintaining their hold on the House. The poll of 1,000 registered voters was taken Oct. 14-18. Pulse of the Poll View Graphics See results from The Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll, including Obama's approval rating since the start of his term. {if djIsFlashPossible} The version of Adobe Flash Player required to view this interactive has not been found. To enjoy our complete interactive experience, please download a free copy of the latest version of Adobe Flash Player here {else} {else} This content can not be displayed because your browser does not support the Adobe Flash player required to view it. {/if} {/if} See poll questions and results. "It's hard to say Democrats are facing anything less than a category four hurricane," said Peter Hart, the Democratic pollster who conducts the Journal poll with Republican pollster Bill McInturff. "And it's unlikely the Democratic House will be left standing." Mr. McInturff said the Republican lead among likely voters, if it stood, probably would yield a pickup of 52 or 53 House seats, surpassing the net gain of 39 seats the GOP needs to claim control of the chamber. The heightened energy among Republican-leaning voters has been a feature of public opinion for months, with many voters anxious about the economy and unhappy with the Democratic-led Congress. Alan Murray and Jerry Seib discuss why 69% of likely voters say they plan to "send a signal" to President Obama on election day, according to a new WSJ/NBC News poll. Plus, can President Obama help save his old Senate seat in Illinois? "A good chunk of [the Democrats'] base is disillusioned by what they've done, and Republicans believe the policies have taken us in the wrong direction," said Scott Jennings, a former Bush White House political aide now monitoring campaigns in Kentucky. "They've spawned a great conservative awakening." Some Democrats say the numbers may overstate the GOP's potential gains. Democratic leaders accept that the "enthusiasm gap" between the parties is real, but are trying to counter it with tens of millions of dollars aimed at getting out the vote, said Celinda Lake, a Democratic pollster working on a number of House races. "Generic Republicans in these broad polls are more popular than individual Republicans,'' Ms. Lake said, citing policy positions of some GOP candidates, such as modifying Social Security by adding private accounts, which she said are unpopular. Five percent of registered voters told the Journal they had already voted. While the poll showed overarching trends that favor Republicans, Democratic attacks on the GOP in recent weeks have solidified the party's hold on President Barack Obama's core supporters, especially African Americans and young women, while softening up the Republican advantage among senior citizens, the poll found. In the battleground Midwest, Democrats now lead 47% to 42% among registered voters who were asked which party they want to control Congress, a reversal of fortune since August. Mr. Obama taped a radio advertisement, released Tuesday by the Democratic National Committee, aimed at bringing core Democratic supporters to the polls. The ad will run largely on nationally syndicated talk shows aimed at black audiences, and in the battleground states of Ohio, Florida, Missouri, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. "We can't let this country fall backward because the rest of us didn't care to fight," the president said in the ad, ahead of a campaign swing through Oregon, Washington state, California, Nevada and Minnesota that begins Wednesday. Mr. Obama will hold a backyard town-hall style meeting, for women only, Thursday in Seattle. Such efforts come as views of the president are hardening. In August, 27% of respondents said their vote would be a signal of support for the president, while 29% said their vote signaled opposition. Associated Press Republican Rep. John Boehner, joined by fellow Republicans Rep. Kevin McCarthy and Rep. Mike Pence on September 23. Now, 35% say their vote is a signal of support for Mr. Obama, while 34% say it's a signal against him. Those numbers show Mr. Obama is having a large impact on the campaign. In all, 69% of voters are saying their vote is a signal to the president, compared with 59% who said so in 2006 about then-President George W. Bush, the year Democrats took control of Congress. The numbers of voters in 2006 who said they were motivated by feelings for or against Mr. Bush "are dwarfed by how Obama impacts the political stage," Mr. McInturff said. Voters this year are evenly divided between showing their support for, or opposition to, the president, while voters in 2006 were more likely to be signaling their opposition to Mr. Bush—with 37% saying they wanted to register opposition, and 22% signaling support. The Republican edge in intensity of support, after falling from a 19-point lead in August to a 14-point lead in September, is now at 20 percentage points. "After seven weeks of a powerful counteroffensive, the dynamics haven't changed," Mr. McInturff said of Democratic efforts to diminish GOP momentum. Former Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie talks to Jerry Seib about the Republicans' strategy this campaign season as the party tries to take control of the House and Senate. Democratic pollster Mark Mellman talks to Jerry Seib about what the Democrats' campaign message is and how the party can fend off strong opposition from not only the Republicans but also the Tea Party. Tea-party supporters now make up 35% of the voters likely to turn out Nov. 2. Among that group, Republicans lead 84% to 10%. Just 56% of voters who supported Mr. Obama in 2008 say they are very interested in the midterm elections, compared with 77% of those who voted for Republican presidential candidate John McCain. For Democratic candidates, the poll holds some glimmers of hope. Democratic campaigns in their home districts appear to be having an impact. In August, 46% of respondents said their member of Congress's position on national issues was most important to their vote, compared with 41% who were swayed by their member's performance in the district—an ominous number when 60% at the time believed the nation was on the wrong track. Now, 52% said performance in the district is most important. Moreover, 52% said their representative is part of the solution to the problems facing the country, while 35% said their representative is part of the problem. Findings From the Latest WSJ/NBC News Poll Enlarge Image Close "The Democrats may be making a good pitch on performance in their districts," Mr. Hart said. There is some optimism about the economy, as well: 37% of respondents say the economy will get better over the next 12 months, up from 32% in September, while the number saying the economy will get worse fell from 25% to 20%. Write to Jonathan Weisman at jonathan.weisman@wsj.com ||||| This weekend’s announcement by the former governor of Montana, Brian Schweitzer, that he would not seek that state’s Democratic nomination for Senate represents the latest in a series of favorable developments for Republicans as they seek control of the chamber. The G.O.P.’s task will not be easy: the party holds 46 seats in the Senate, and the number will very probably be cut to 45 after a special election in New Jersey later this year. That means that they would need to win a net of six contests from Democrats in order to control 51 seats and overcome Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s tiebreaking vote. Two years ago at this time, Republicans faced what seemed to be a promising environment and could have won the Senate by gaining a net of three seats from Democrats and winning the presidency. Instead, Mitt Romney lost to President Obama, and the G.O.P. lost a net of two Senate seats. But Montana along with West Virginia and South Dakota — two other red states where an incumbent Democrat has retired and where the Democrats have not identified a strong candidate to replace them – gives Republicans a running start. Republicans could then win three more seats from among red states like Louisiana and Arkansas, where vulnerable Democratic incumbents are on the ballot, or they could take aim at two purple states, Iowa and Michigan, where Democrats have retired. More opportunities could also come into play if the national environment becomes more favorable to Republicans (such as because of a further slide in Mr. Obama’s approval ratings). Meanwhile, while Kentucky and Georgia are possibly vulnerable, Republicans have few seats of their own to defend; unlike in 2012, they can focus almost entirely on playing offense. A race-by-race analysis of the Senate, in fact, suggests that Republicans might now be close to even-money to win control of the chamber after next year’s elections. Read more…

– Republicans are in the driver’s seat as the 2010 election winds down, despite a vigorous last-ditch push from Democrats, according to a new Wall Street Journal poll. Overall, registered voters narrowly prefer a Democratic-controlled Congress to a Republican-controlled one, but among likely voters, Republicans hold a 50%-43% edge. In the 92 races considered most competitive, that gap yawns to 14 points. “It's hard to say Democrats are facing anything less than a category four hurricane,” says one Democratic pollster, who conducted the poll alongside a Republican pollster. They predict that the GOP will pick up 52-53 seats, easily surpassing the 39 it needs to take over. The New York Times’ FiveThirtyEight blog gives Republicans a 73% chance of taking the House.

Apparel maker Gap on Tuesday has apologized for an image used in an ad that some critics said was racially insensitive. The ad in question depicts four young girls that are part of Le Petit Cirque, a traveling circus company that features boys and girls between the ages of 5 to 14. In the image, an African-American girl is posing next to a taller Caucasian girl that is propping her arm on the younger girl’s head. “As a brand with a proud 46 year history of championing diversity and inclusivity, we appreciate the conversation that has taken place and are sorry to anyone we’ve offended,” said Gap spokeswoman Debbie Felix in a statement to Fortune. Gap says it intends to remove the one image that consumers found offensive. But it isn’t planning to back away from the broader themes of that campaign. It Twitter commenters had been quick to bounce on the image, with many claiming the ad cast the black child as “an armrest.” And an added twist to this story: the two girls in the image are reportedly sisters. Here’s an example of some of the feedback the image generated on social media. @GapKids proving girls can do anything… unless she's Black. Then all she can do is bear the weight of White girls. #EpicFail — Fatima La'Juan Muse (@TheTherapyDiva) April 2, 2016 Gap (gps) was quick to issue an apology and is moving to replace the image with a different photo that was taken from the same photo shoot. The new image can be seen in this screenshot. Courtesy of Gap Big brands are having to increasingly navigate the turbulent nature of social media, where ad campaigns, new products, and tweets can be harshly criticized in a matter of hours. Often times, brands are quick to react to this feedback by pulling the offensive material and issuing a swift apology, as Gap did in this instance. The GapKids campaign is part of a broader initiative by Gap to promote the empowerment of girls. The campaign, which first launched last year for the company’s fall collection, features girls that are drummers, skateboarders, entrepreneurs and inventors. Although it’s removing that one image, it isn’t planning to back away from the broader themes of that campaign. “This GapKids campaign highlights true stories of talented girls who are celebrating creative self-expression and sharing their messages of empowerment,” Felix said. ||||| Published on Mar 31, 2016 For Le PeTiT CiRqUe, kindness comes first. This talented cirque troupe doesn’t just want to empower girls — they want to empower everyone. Shop their looks and more at http://www.gap.com/ED. ||||| Tweet with a location You can add location information to your Tweets, such as your city or precise location, from the web and via third-party applications. You always have the option to delete your Tweet location history. Learn more ||||| The ad for Gap’s latest collaboration with Ellen DeGeneres is awash with pleasing blue hues, from the kid models’ navy outfits to the talk show host’s denim jacket. But the shades that really caught people’s attention were on the children’s skin. The commercial’s stars were three white girls and a black girl. That, in itself, wasn’t a problem. In the days following the campaign’s launch last week, what drew ire from commentators online was the seeming passivity of the African American girl. While the other girls eagerly fielded DeGeneres’s questions about their troupe “Le Petite Cirque,” she sat silent. While the white girls were highlighted performing solo acrobatic tricks, she seemed to appear only in reference to the others — balancing on someone’s knees or with her arm wrapped around someone’s waist. At least, this was the interpretation of those who were angered by the ad. And they were angered, most of all, by a photograph that showed the white girls standing in all manner of complex poses while the black girl’s arms dangled idly at her sides, her head a cushion upon which another white girl rested an elbow. This imagery sparked the usual chain of reactions online. Those who were offended minced no words in expressing their outrage, and they were promptly reprimanded by those who thought they were overreacting. Many critics zeroed in on the caption Gap had used to introduce the campaign: “Meet the kids who are proving that girls can do anything.” So @Gap decides to use the only Black girl in this campaign as a prop…..we see you! pic.twitter.com/widB8Axk5U — Introverted Bama (@Sneaker1984) April 3, 2016 That ad certainly isn't suggesting that *black* girls "can do anything," @GapKids. It's incredibly distasteful to your black consumer base. — stacia l. brown (@slb79) April 3, 2016 The Root’s Kirsten West Savali articulated the essence of the distress: “While all of the girls are adorable, and indeed, all of them should grow up to be and do anything, it becomes problematic when the black child is positioned to be a white child’s prop.” The company apologized Tuesday. “As a brand with a proud 46 year history of championing diversity and inclusivity, we appreciate the conversation that has taken place and are sorry to anyone we’ve offended,” Gap spokeswoman Debbie Felix said in a statement to Fortune. The offensive image will be removed, but the campaign will move forward, the company said. Was seeing the black child as a prop too far-reaching a conclusion to draw? Not so, Savali argued, when there is a history of “‘passive racism’ masquerading as cosmetic diversity” in advertising. She pointed to a 2014 story about Russian art gallery owner Dasha Zhukova that pictured Zhukova sitting in a chair realistically sculpted to look like a half-naked black woman with her legs in the air. While the chair itself was designed to be a commentary on gender and racial politics, the image of Zhukova sitting atop the black woman, without any context, was troubling. With Zhukova clad in a white blouse and framed by creamy light, the photo seemed to reinforce the notion that black women were sexually depraved. Savali pointed out that the Gap ad “shows how early that positioning begins.” Other African Americans disagreed with this interpretation. “There is so much more in the community to be worried about,” said one Twitter user. Matthew Cherry, a black filmmaker, invited people to consider an ad from last year’s campaign for the same line, which shows the racial composition of the controversial pose reversed — with a black girl resting her arm atop of the head of a white girl. Does the @GapKids pic on the left make the pic on the right okay? Let's debate pic.twitter.com/rCFbK4uG5y — Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) April 3, 2016 As Zeba Blay wrote in The Huffington Post, this kind of discussion is always “tricky.” “I found the pose to be pretty harmless,” Blay said. “And yet, it’s unfair to say that the people who do take issue with the photo are simply overreacting. Because it’s not the pose itself that is the problem, but the context in which it is delivered. The context being: an advertisement, with all the conscious and unconscious messaging that images used to sell an idea tend to entail.” To add one final twist to the controversy, it turns out that the black girl and the white girl in question are sisters. They are the daughters of actress Brooke Smith, of “Grey’s Anatomy” and “The Silence of the Lambs” fame. The white girl, 12-year-old Fanny Grace Lubensky, is Smith’s biological child. Smith and her husband, Russian cinematographer Steve Lubensky, adopted 9-year-old Lucy Dinknesh Lubensky from Ethiopia in 2008. The actress seemed weary of the scrutiny when addressing it on Twitter. Lucy didn’t talk in the video because she was “too shy,” Smith said. “Everyone needs to calm down.” @TheRoot girl with arm resting on her shoulder is her sister She didn't talk in video because she was 2 shy. everyone needs to calm down. — Brooke Smith (@Iam_BrookeSmith) April 3, 2016 The snafu is just one example of companies inadvertently producing their own public relations calamities. During the last holiday season, Bloomingdale’s had to apologize for an ad that seemed to encourage date rape. “Spike your best friend’s egg nog when they’re not looking,” read the caption on an image of a suited man leering at woman turned away from him. It recalled a similarly distasteful Bud Light bottle label from April of last year: “The perfect beer for removing ‘No’ from your vocabulary for the night. #UpForWhatever.” More from Morning Mix LA Police: ‘Dad killed mom and then killed his son to cover it up’ ||||| Over the weekend, Gap launched its latest collaboration with Ellen Degeneres’ lifestyle brand ED, featuring ads starring a dance group of young girls called Le Petit Cirque. The members of the group, aged eight to 12, were three Caucasian girls and one African-American girl. In one of the photos, the eldest girl is seen resting her arm on top of the younger African-American girl’s head, and many on social media took exception to the image. The Root’s Kirsten West Savali wrote, “While all of the girls are adorable and, indeed, all of them should grow up to be and do anything, it becomes problematic when the black child is positioned to be a white child’s prop.” On Monday afternoon, Gap spokesperson Debbie Felix issued a statement to Co.Create. “As a brand with a proud 46-year history of championing diversity and inclusivity, we appreciate the conversation that has taken place and are sorry to anyone we’ve offended. This GapKids campaign highlights true stories of talented girls who are celebrating creative self-expression and sharing their messages of empowerment. We are replacing the image with a different shot from the campaign, which encourages girls (and boys) everywhere to be themselves and feel pride in what makes them unique.” It’s the right move in an unfortunate and complicated situation. As filmmaker Matthew A. Cherry pointed out, it’s not the first time a child has been used as a armrest in a Gap ad. Further, it turns out the two girls in the controversial pose are adopted sisters. Their mother is actor Brooke Smith (Ray Donovan, Grey’s Anatomy), who also went public on social media to provide some context. The campaign follows last year’s popular spotlight on the Pink Helmet Posse, a group of young girl skateboarders. ||||| Grey's Anatomy's Brooke Smith Adopts Baby Girl Like this story? Click on the Yahoo Buzz! button below to Buzz it up! Grey's Anatomy actress Brooke Smith has adopted a baby girl from Ethiopia, her rep confirms to PEOPLE.It is the second daughter for Smith, 40, who has a 5-year-old daughter, Fanny, with her cinematographer husband Stephen Lubensky.Smith, who is best known for her role in Silence of the Lambs, told PEOPLE in October that she and her husband were considering adopting."You know, why not?" Smith sad, adding that she and Lubensky have traveled to Africa several times, and filmed a documentary on conservationists in Zimbabwe together. "We still might end up there some time," she said.The news was first reported by TV Guide. ||||| GapKids x ED via Twitter Ava, 8, Lucy, 8, Fanny, 12, and Angelina, 12—known collectively as Le Petit Cirque, “the only all-kid humanitarian cirque company in the world”—are the new faces of Gap’s GapKids x ED lifestyle brand, comfortable cottonwear for active girls. Editor’s note: This article contains social media posts that some may find offensive. There is a moment in Underground, WGN America’s exceptional new series chronicling the escape of seven enslaved black people from a plantation in Macon, Ga., where the white mistress—envious of the gratitude her daughter has shown to the head house servant, a black woman who has given birth to several of the master’s children—sends the enslaved black woman’s daughter to confront an angry white man, leading to a vicious lashing. It was heart-wrenching to watch for several reasons, the obvious one being the horrifying visual of the young black woman’s skin breaking and bleeding with each lash. But it was the scene in its entirety that, perhaps, troubled me the most. The degrading pain being inflicted upon the young black woman while everyone looked on, unwilling to interfere, serves as a prescient illustration of how black women and girls in a white supremacist society continue to be both invisibilized, endangered and exploited for the benefit of white women and capitalism, more specifically King Cotton. It was with these thoughts in mind that I saw the Ellen DeGeneres-fronted GapKids x ED ad featuring Ava, 8; Lucy, 8; Fanny, 12; and Angelina, 12, known collectively as Le Petit Cirque, “the only all-kid humanitarian cirque company in the world.” The image of these girls, three white and one black, was socialized with the tweet “Meet the kids who are proving that girls can do anything”—preferably in Gap cotton. While all of the girls are adorable, and indeed, all of them should grow up to be and do anything, it becomes problematic when the black child is positioned to be a white child’s prop. And this isn’t the first time a similarly dehumanizing editorial choice was made. In 2014, online magazine Buro 247 published a story about Dasha Zhukova, the editor-in-chief of Garage magazine. Its feature image was of Zhukova sitting regally in a mannequin chair in the form of a half-naked black woman. BURO 247 Dasha Zhukova, the editor-in-chief of Garage magazine Of course, it could be argued that these images are vastly different, but the intense feelings they both evoke are not—the feeling that our black bodies are undervalued and positioned to serve as props upon which white bodies can be better appreciated and admired. If anything, the Gap ad shows how early that positioning begins. @GapKids Thanks for perfectly illustrating what ’passive racism’ looks like in mainstream media. #DiversiryFail She is NOT your arm rest. 😑 — Jasmine Wow (@Jmo120) April 3, 2016 @GapKids What is the message for Black girls? Are they meant to be seen as subordinate? Shame on you, Gap! pic.twitter.com/7U41B8lFI5 — nightshade (@VeganWhileBlack) April 3, 2016 @GapKids who thought it was okay to present the ONE black girl as static / armrest FIRE THEM — tesseract (@A10110110) April 2, 2016 That ad certainly isn’t suggesting that *black* girls "can do anything," @GapKids. It’s incredibly distasteful to your black consumer base. — stacia l. brown (@slb79) April 3, 2016 The media can & should play a role in letting @GapKids know this ad is disgusting by covering outraged consumers. pic.twitter.com/wwvCJEdtSS — Rachael Perrotta (@plussone) April 2, 2016 Who the fuck approved this for an ad? Fuck y’all and this white feminist shit. https://t.co/HWmpdyx3lx — Bae Guevara (@Thug_Scholar) April 3, 2016 These reactions are valid and come from a deep place of understanding that this “passive racism” masquerading as cosmetic diversity is often used as a tactic to manipulate black women and girls into silence despite the oppressive conditions that we still face. We are living in a time where black consumerism is vastly outpacing black wealth and our dollars, like our votes, are still being taken for granted. We are also living in a time when pop artists from Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus to Katy Perry are using black women and girls to serve as props, their perceived lesser humanity used to distract from the mediocre white women seeking validation from the very black communities that birthed them. And while we are fighting against these things, we are also fighting for our lives, addressing how black girls are criminalized and pushed out of schools, overpoliced on the streets, and underprotected in their homes and communities. So, yes, seeing a black girl child irresponsibly used as a prop in an ad claiming that girls “can do anything” matters. It’s not about seeking validation from the white gaze or ignoring the critical need for us to buy black. It matters that black women and girls are still being subjected to the lashes of microaggressions and, at times, outright violence in the service of capitalism. It matters that this kind of obliviousness to historical context and intergenerational trauma is being etched onto the bodies of black children, who will become black adults forced to navigate a society that willfully confuses cultural visibility with institutional and systemic equity. And still we are told, as that beautiful brown girl’s shirt says, to “love” through it all. Contrary to popular opinion, popular culture and politics, black women and girls are neither armrests, backdrops nor firewalls, despite white supremacy literally placing its burdensome weight on our heads.

– A new Gap ad is causing a stir on social media for what critics say is a racist depiction of a young black girl, Fortune reports. The photo features the child and three white girls. While the two girls bookending the photo strike acrobatic poses, the white girl in the middle stands next to the black girl with her elbow on the smaller girl's head—making it appear, some say, like the child is an "armrest." The Washington Post reports the promo is part of a larger GapKids campaign in collaboration with Ellen DeGeneres, meant to showcase "girls can do anything," but the paper notes that in the campaign's commercial, the black child is also on display with "seeming passivity," sitting reticently while the other girls chat with DeGeneres. "While all of the girls are adorable ... it becomes problematic when the black child is positioned to be a white child's prop," Kirsten West Savali writes for the Root. There's a bit of a twist to the story: The two girls in question are sisters, the daughters of Ray Donovan actress Brooke Smith, reports Co.Create. The white girl, Fanny, 12, is the biological daughter of Smith and husband Steve Lubensky, and the black girl is 9-year-old Lucy, adopted from Ethiopia by the couple in 2008, per People. Smith tweeted: "girl with arm resting on her shoulder is her sister She didn't talk in video because she was 2 shy. everyone needs to calm down." Some replies to her tweet softened after hearing that news, but others said the relationship shouldn't matter. "She deserved better. That is our point," one commenter wrote. A Gap spokeswoman apologized: "We appreciate the conversation that has taken place and are sorry to anyone we've offended." (The Gap has been trying to boost drooping sales.)

Feds Call Band Name Racist, Refuse Trademark A Portland band is fighting to clear its name, literally. The Slants, an Asian-American rock group with a growing following, decided the time had come to trademark their band name. So they filed paperwork with the government’s patent office to do so says the Oregonian. Except, the patent office turned down their request, saying the band name is racist. According to Section 2(a) of the 1946 Trademark Act: A trademark can be rejected if it “consists of or comprises immoral, deceptive, or scandalous matter; or matter which may disparage ...” The paper points out several other questionable names—Washington Redskins, NWA—that have been OKed by the government. Band members say the ruling is particularly ridiculous because they are all Asian-American, as is most of their fan base. Below is a video of the Slant’s “How the Wicked Live”: ||||| As a Portland-based rock band with a growing fan base and national ambitions, the Slants figured it wouldn't hurt to take care of some business interests. On the advice of their attorney, they decided to register their name through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office . Protect the brand. It seemed simple enough. "It didn't occur to us at the time that there would be an issue with the name," says Simon Tam, the band's manager and bass player, who performs under the name Simon Young. As a band of Asian Americans who play to a fan base with a high percentage of Asian Americans why would they anticipate a problem? One year, two rejections and a case file closing in on 200 pages later, it's clear there is an issue with the name. That issue is Section 2(a) of the 1946 Trademark Act. It says, in part, that a trademark can be rejected if it "consists of or comprises immoral, deceptive, or scandalous matter; or matter which may disparage ..." Trademark basics What is a trademark? A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol or design, or a combination thereof, that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one party from those of others. Must a trademark be registered? No. You can establish rights in a mark based on use of the mark in commerce, without a registration. However, owning a federal trademark registration provides protected benefits. Benefits: Owning a federal trademark registration provides several advantages, including: Legal presumption of your ownership of the mark and your exclusive right to use the mark nationwide The ability to bring an action concerning the mark in federal court The right to use the federal registration symbol ® Listing in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's online databases Source: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office In the estimation of the trademark office's examining attorney, the band name Slants fits the description. But it's a complicated issue with a history of conflicting outcomes: The Washington Redskins have been able to hold on to their trademark despite lawsuits from Native American groups; the rap group N.W.A has a trademark. But, like the Slants, Heeb Media was denied a trademark on the grounds of Section 2(a). "We deserve the right to protect our name," Tam says. "In the larger sense, minorities should have the right to label themselves." The band can still call themselves the Slants. What the band can't get are the legal protections of a federally registered trademark. Michael Ratoza, a trademark lawyer at the Portland firm Bullivant Houser Bailey, which isn't involved with the Slants' case, says that, in granting a trademark, the government essentially hands a monopoly to the owner. "If you want that monopoly -- and it's an absolute, lawful monopoly," he says, "you have to jump through hoops. With regard to scandalous matter -- that's one of those hoops." The Patent and Trademark Office doesn't comment on specific cases, but Cynthia Lynch, administrator for trademark policy and procedure, explained that more than 400 examining attorneys wade through hundreds of thousands (280,000 in 2010) of requests each year and that Section 2(a) rejections are "relatively uncommon." Listen to "Who Shot The Radio?" from the Slants "Pageantry": The Slants' initial rejection arrived last June. As evidence, examining attorney Mark Shriner included stories of the Spanish national basketball team and pop star Miley Cyrus involved in separate controversies over photos where they were seen "slanting" their eyes. Definitions of the word "slant" from UrbanDictionary.com and Wikipedia's list of ethnic slurs were also cited. In their appeal, the band included statements of support from Asian American community leaders Rev. Joseph Santos-Lyons, a coordinator for the Asian Pacific Network of Oregon and Mari Watanabe, executive director of the Oregon Nikkei Endowment. "This does not disparage Asian identity; it celebrates it," Watanabe wrote. Listen to "Every Chance I Get" from the Slants' "Pageantry": That's Tam's position, and one that has been used as a defense of historically offensive language by African American hip-hop artists. In fact, pioneering gangster rap group N.W.A. -- an acronym that includes a word many consider a slur -- has a live trademark. The Slants What: First stop on national tour When: 9:30 p.m. Saturday Where: Dante's, 1 S.W. Third Ave. Tickets: $5 at the door Website: theslants.com Heeb Media, publisher of Heeb magazine, written by and for Jews, was denied a trademark in 2008 under Section 2(a). The most famous case involves the NFL's Washington Redskins -- one of a handful of sports team nicknames The Oregonian chooses not to routinely print. In 1999, seven years after a group of Native Americans filed suit against the team, the trademark office canceled Washington's trademark; the team regained it in court, arguing the Native American groups waited too long to file suit after the trademark was granted in 1967. Appeals courts upheld that ruling and, in 2009, the Supreme Court refused to hear the case. The Slants filed their appeal of the examiner's decision on Dec. 3. On Dec. 23 they got a response: "Applicant's arguments have been considered but are found unpersuasive." Shriner cited stories about the Slants that refer to the controversial nature of the name, as well as the instance in 2009 when Tam was removed as keynote speaker at the Asian American Youth Conference in Portland because organizers had received complaints about the name. "I felt like we put up all this evidence that made clear the reference group -- people of Asian descent -- like these guys," says Spencer Trowbridge, the McNamer and Company lawyer representing the band. So Trowbridge and Tam ready the next appeal. As they do, the Slants begin a national tour -- national exposure being exactly why they wanted the trademark. The tour starts Saturday night in Portland. The one thing the band won't do is change their name. "It's just this huge ordeal," Tam says of the process. "But it's an important one." -- Ryan White

– Hoping to break through to the national scene, a Portland rock band figured it should trademark its name—but its application has been rejected, twice, on the grounds the name is racist, the Oregonian reports in a story picked up by Pat's Papers. The Slants are an Asian-American band with a large Asian-American fan base, and “in the larger sense, minorities should have the right to label themselves,” says the band’s manager and bassist. “We deserve the right to protect our name.” The US Trademark Act says the feds can refuse a trademark if it "consists of or comprises immoral, deceptive, or scandalous matter; or matter which may disparage"; officials cited the section when denying the application, and pointed to uproars surrounding separate photos of Miley Cyrus and Spain’s basketball team with their eyes “slanted.” In an appeal that was rejected, the band got supporting statements from leaders in the Asian-American community. “This does not disparage Asian identity; it celebrates it,” noted one. The band is readying another appeal. The paper points out that both the Washington Redskins and rap group NWA have trademarks, while Jewish magazine Heeb was also denied.

Emoji are wonderful way for us to communicate all that might otherwise go unsaid: brewing rage, feeling as busy as a bumblebee, a desire for hamburgers, sexual frustration. But there is one emoji so universally applicable that it stands above the rest: the wide-eyed, grimacing emoji 😬. Grimacing emoji as it appears on Apple products. (Quartz/Leah Fessler) According to Emojipedia, the grimacing emoji—approved as part of Unicode 6.1 in 2012 and added to Emoji 1.0 in 2015—is “generally used when a mistake or unfavorable situation has arisen—aka ‘eek’”! But this explanation, while accurate, underestimates the versatility, and sheer human poetry, contained in a simple cartoon grimace. In these awkward, uncomfortable times, we all feel like gritting our teeth in a straight line sometimes. Here are just a few reasons why the grimacing emoji is the best. It lets us acknowledge how anxious we are From awkwardly misspelt Slack messages to meetings you’re unprepared to lead, and performance reviews you’d rather skip to assignments you should’ve completed yesterday, the grimace emoji allows us to succinctly acknowledge the stress and anxiety we all feel every day—in a low-key way. As my colleague Sarah said, “It’s a way to say ‘Oh god, I hope we don’t all die today,'” and laugh at our own neuroticism. In this way, the grimace emoji also works to help us be a little more authentic with each other. In professional and personal communication, the pressure to veil anxiety, stress, and grumpiness with fake enthusiasm is paramount—especially for women. But as Meredith Bennett-Smith recently wrote for Quartz, “Research shows that forcing workers to appear more pleasant and more cheerful than they actually feel can lead to a whole host of negative consequences—from emotional exhaustion to withdrawal.” A simple 😬 may not seem like much, but it’s a small way to dispense with unnecessary facades. It helps people navigate the awkwardness of asking for favors All of us have to ask for things sometimes—especially at work. But we don’t want to seem demanding, entitled, or oblivious. Those of us on the receiving end of the request may be willing to do the favor itself, but would rather not do it with false enthusiasm. Enter the gift of the 😬. Including the emoji after an ask—or in response to it—is a light-hearted way to acknowledge the burden being imposed. That’s humbling for the favor-requester, and gratifying for the favor-recipient, as it shows respect for the time and effort involved. It makes it easier to give honest feedback Tough love can be useful to receive—but scary to give. Worried we’ll offend our friends or seem mean, we too often hold back truths that others might not want to hear. But if your colleague is taking way too long to finish an assignment, your overly dramatic friend needs a reality check, or if you simply want to declare your love for The Bachelor to a Twitter feed full of high-brow writers, nothing says “sorry not sorry” like 😬. It takes the edge off honesty with a dose of playfulness and self-deprecation. Said simply, we are all the awkward, anxious, shameless grimace emoji. It’s time we start admitting it. Learn how to write for Quartz Ideas. We welcome your comments at ideas@qz.com. ||||| A yellow face with simple open eyes showing clenched teeth. May represent a range of negative or tense emotions, especially nervousness, embarrassment, or awkwardness (e.g., Eek!). Resembled 😁 Beaming Face With Smiling Eyes on Apple iOS prior to 2017. Apple’s design for 🥶 Cold Face features the same mouth. Samsung's design previously featured more puckered-looking lips. On Snapchat, this emoji next to a contact denotes that you send the most snaps to the same person that they do., i.e., you share a #1 Best Friend. Grimacing Face was approved as part of Unicode 6.1 in 2012 and added to Emoji 1.0 in 2015. Copy and paste this emoji: Copy 🚩 Appearance differs greatly cross-platform. Use with caution.

– "We all feel like gritting our teeth in a straight line sometimes," writes Leah Fessler at Quartz, which is exactly why she has deemed one emoji above all others "the best." The "grimace"—which Emojipedia also lists under the labels of "eek," "foot in mouth," and "awkward"—was added to the Emoji 1.0 list of approved emoji in 2015, and since then, Fessler has been impressed with its "versatility" and its status as "sheer human poetry." Not only does this particular facial expression allow us to mitigate stress by venting our anxiety "in a low-key way," it tamps down annoying Pollyanna-ish levels of enthusiasm that many (especially women) feel pressured to exude. The grimace is "a small way to dispense with unnecessary facades," Fessler writes. Other advantages of the grimace: It can accompany requests for favors—it's a "light-hearted way to acknowledge the burden being imposed," she notes—as well as offer a nonconfrontational way to say "sorry not sorry," enabling one to be truthful "with a dose of playfulness and self-deprecation." In the end, though, the emoji's appeal may be much more meta. "We are all the awkward, anxious, shameless grimace emoji," Fessler writes. "It's time we start admitting it." More effusing on the emoji here. (The David Bowie emoji is pretty cool, too, though.)

For the latest GDP data for the following countries please check the "Projected % Change" on the individual country pages, in the At A Glance section : The World Economic Outlook (WEO) database contains selected macroeconomic data series from the statistical appendix of the World Economic Outlook report, which presents the IMF staff's analysis and projections of economic developments at the global level, in major country groups and in many individual countries. The WEO is released in April and September/October each year. Use this database to find data on national accounts, inflation, unemployment rates, balance of payments, fiscal indicators, trade for countries and country groups (aggregates), and commodity prices whose data are reported by the IMF. Data are available from 1980 to the present, and projections are given for the next two years. Additionally, medium-term projections are available for selected indicators. For some countries, data are incomplete or unavailable for certain years. The World Economic Outlook (WEO) database is now available in SDMX format from our Entire Dataset page. For more information about SDMX, please visit SDMX.org Changes to the April 2018 Database In the April 2018 WEO, there has been a similar exercise as of October 2017 to improve the net debt data to bring the data into better alignment with the definition of net debt in the IMF GFS Manual 2014 (GFSM 2014). ||||| LISTEN TO ARTICLE 1:46 SHARE THIS ARTICLE Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Qatar is on track to lose its status as the richest place in the world to the Chinese gambling enclave of Macau. The global casino hub’s economy will reach the equivalent of about $143,116 per person by 2020, according to projections from the International Monetary Fund. That will put Macau ahead of the current No. 1 Qatar, which will reach $139,151 in the same time frame. A former Portuguese outpost on the southern tip of China, Macau has become a gambling mecca since returning to Chinese control almost two decades ago. It’s the only place in China where casinos are legal, turning it into a magnet for high-rollers from the mainland. Macau’s gross domestic product has more than tripled from about $34,500 per capita in 2001, the IMF data shows. Rich Getting Richer By 2020 these will be the richest places on earth, the IMF says Source: IMF World Economic Outlook database, as of April 2018. The wealth gap between the two places is also expected to widen beyond 2020, with Macau’s GDP per capita set to reach about $172,681 by 2023, according to data compiled from the April edition of the IMF’s Global Economic Outlook database. Qatar’s, meanwhile, will grow to just $158,117. Elsewhere, financial hub Singapore’s GDP per capita is expected to top six digits by next year and is on track to grow to about $117,535 by 2023, while Hong Kong -- across the water from Macau -- will touch almost $80,000 by that time, the IMF projections show. Three European countries -- Luxembourg, Ireland, and Norway -- made the top 10 places expected to be the world’s wealthiest by 2020, while the U.S. came in at No. 12. ||||| Just when you thought it was safe to store away the superlatives to describe its meteoric rise to the top of world gaming, Macau is set to outdo itself by becoming the richest place on the planet. Fresh data from the Inter­national Monetary Fund (IMF) ­predicted that by 2020, the city would overtake oil-rich Qatar with the highest per-capita gross domestic product of any country or jurisdiction on earth. The IMF’s World Economic Outlook Update – published at the end of last month – expected ­continuing economic growth in the casino hub would see it leapfrog Qatar by 2020. This year the IMF ranked ­Macau, with a US$122,489 per capita GDP, second behind Qatar, for which it said the equivalent ­figure was US$128,702. Singapore was ranked fourth with US$98,014, just behind Luxembourg with US$110,870 while Hong Kong took 10th place with a per capita GDP of US$64,533. However, by 2020, Hong Kong’s sister SAR – which outstripped Las Vegas to become the world’s richest casino destination several years ago – would become the richest place in the world with a per capita GDP of US$143,116, leaving Qatar, with a paltry US$139,151, in its wake. The IMF forecast assumed a period of sustained growth which would see Macau continue to open up a gap on its rivals until 2023. However, Macau lawyer and social commentator Sérgio ­Almeida Correia, wrote in his blog: “In terms of quality of life, green areas, pollution, education, health, sport, renewable energies, recycling of urban waste, hygiene and cleanliness of public spaces, accessibility for disabled people, road cycling, public transport might not rank quite as high by any means.” With a population of just over 650,000, packed into just 30.8 sq km, Macau also holds top spot as the most densely populated place on Earth, according to the United Nations. The tight squeeze means the casino city has 21,322 people per square kilometre packed into its bustling streets. Hong Kong, the fourth most densely populated place on the planet behind Monaco and Singapore, packs in 6,490 people per square kilometre. However, within its most dense areas, such as Mong Kok, the population density is more than 120,000 people per square kilometre, according to the Population Division of the United ­Nations Department of ­Economic and Social Affairs.

– A "gambling mecca" is set to oust Qatar as the richest place on Earth, per the International Monetary Fund's newest stats. Bloomberg reports that the IMF's World Economic Outlook database has pegged Macau as the planet's wealthiest place, with its economy on track to reach the equivalent of $143,116 by 2020. Qatar, meanwhile, will come in at $139,151 by then. Macau, an autonomous region that holds the only legal casinos in China, is also set to even further outpace Qatar by 2023, with an expected GDP per capita of $172,681 to Qatar's $158,117. The South China Morning Post describes Macau's "meteoric rise to the top of world gaming" as the reason behind its newfound status, though a Macau social commentator and attorney says the region has a lot to improve on in many areas, including quality of life, education, health, and pollution. Luxembourg, Singapore, and Brunei Darussalam round out the IMF's top five, while the US takes the No. 12 spot in the rankings.

The highly watched Gu verdict arrives just as Beijing is set to begin a once-a-decade leadership change. Jeremy Page reports on The News Hub. Photo: AFP/GettyImages. BEIJING—Gu Kailai, the wife of ousted Communist Party official Bo Xilai, was found guilty and given a suspended death sentence on Monday for the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood in the southwestern city of Chongqing last year, according to observers in the courtroom. Now that a Chinese court has handed down a suspended death penalty for Gu Kailai, attention is turning toward what this means for her husband, ousted official Bo Xilai. The WSJ's Jeremy Page on the next chapter of China's murder trial of the century. They said the Intermediate People's Court in the eastern city of Hefei gave Ms. Gu a death sentence with a two-year reprieve—a penalty that had been widely expected and is normally commuted to a life sentence in prison after two years of good behavior. Zhang Xiaojun, a Bo family aide, was also found guilty but given a lighter sentence of nine years in prison for his role in the murder, the observers said. Neither plans to appeal, the state-run Xinhua news agency said on Monday. Read More China Real Time: Internet Users React to Verdict The judgment is a key step in the party leadership's efforts to conclude its worst political scandal in more than two decades and paves the way for an announcement on how it plans to deal with Mr. Bo, the former Chongqing Party chief, according to analysts and Party insiders. But party leaders are facing mounting public skepticism over the trial after friends of Mr. Heywood and prominent public figures in China pointed out omissions, ambiguities and contradictions in the official account of how and why Mr. Heywood was killed. The Wall Street Journal was first to report earlier this year that U.K. officials had asked the Chinese government to launch an inquiry into the death of Mr. Heywood, a business consultant with close ties to the Bo family whose body was found in a hotel room in November in Chongqing, where Mr. Bo was party chief at the time. Ms. Gu had been widely expected to escape the death penalty because of her family's status in the party, her history of mental health problems and her claim that Mr. Heywood threatened her son, analysts and party insiders said. A Chinese court has handed a suspended death sentence to Gu Kailai, the wife of former Communist Party Chief Bo Xilai, for the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood. The WSJ's Deborah Kan speaks to China Editor Andrew Browne about what's behind the ruling. "If she had been actually executed, the political consequences could have been quite serious, because Bo is not just an ordinary person: He has his own group and family connections," said He Weifang, a law professor at Peking University. "I think this outcome was negotiated before the trial even began. But I still think there are still some differences over how to handle Bo Xilai." Mr. Zhang's lighter sentence was also expected because prosecutors said he was an accomplice, and Ms. Gu the main culprit, according observers during the trial. At their trial on Aug. 9, Ms. Gu and Mr. Zhang didn't contest charges that they murdered Mr. Heywood in his hotel room by pouring cyanide into his mouth after he became drunk, vomited and sought a drink of water. Ms. Gu told the court that she had suffered a "mental breakdown" because she believed that Mr. Heywood had threatened the safety of her son, Bo Guagua, after they became embroiled in a business dispute over a failed property deal. Bo Guagua, the son of Ms. Gu and the elder Mr. Bo, hasn't commented publicly since the trial and didn't immediately respond to a fresh request for comment Monday. "We respect the court's judgment," He Zhengsheng, a lawyer for the Heywood family who attended Monday's hearing, told The Wall Street Journal. The British Embassy, which sent two diplomats to observe the trial and the announcement of the verdict and sentence, said in a statement: "We welcome the fact that the Chinese authorities have investigated the death of Neil Heywood, and tried those they identified as responsible." The statement added: "We consistently made clear to the Chinese authorities that we wanted to see the trials in this case conform to international human rights standards and for the death penalty not to be applied." William Hague, the British Foreign Secretary, called publicly in April for a thorough investigation free from political interference, but an Embassy spokesman said he could not comment on process of the investigation or the trial. Public attention in China will now turn to the even more politically sensitive question of how the party deals with Mr. Bo, who until he was removed as party chief of Chongqing earlier this year was seen as a candidate for promotion in a once-a-decade leadership transition this fall. Party leaders are understood to be keen to announce a decision on that question ahead of the leadership change but have had difficulty reaching a consensus, in part because of residual party support for Mr. Bo, according to analysts and party insiders. Those people say the decision is also complicated by party leaders' desire to avoid drawing more public attention to some of the issues raised by the Bo scandal, notably the private wealth of many top leaders' families. Chinese authorities announced in April that Mr. Bo had been sacked from his party posts and placed under investigation for unspecified "serious disciplinary violations," but they have yet to declare whether he too will face criminal charges. Nor have they said how they plan to deal with Wang Lijun, the former Chongqing police chief who in February sought refuge in a U.S. consulate in China, where he told diplomats he had evidence that Ms. Gu was involved in the death of Mr. Heywood. The next step toward concluding the scandal is widely expected to be the trial of Mr. Wang, most likely on treason charges related to what authorities have called his "unauthorized" consulate visit. Mr. Wang, who was detained by Chinese security officers and placed under investigation after leaving the consulate, stepped down in June as a member of the national Parliament—a resignation that stripped him of immunity from prosecution. Mr. Bo, however, is still a member both of the national Parliament and of the party—official exclusion from which is usually a necessary precursor to criminal charges, according to experts on Chinese politics and law. Those experts also noted that Mr. Bo's name hadn't been mentioned at his wife's trial or the trial in Hefei the next day of four former Chongqing police officers charged with covering up Mr. Heywood's murder—which they didn't dispute. The Intermediate People's Court in Hefei found all four guilty on Monday and sentenced them to prison terms ranging from five to 11 years, according to Xinhua. It said they don't plan to appeal. Some observers said the omission of Mr. Bo's name from the two trials suggests he won't be accused of direct involvement either in Mr. Heywood's alleged murder, or the subsequent alleged coverup. But others said it suggests the party leadership has yet to make a decision on Mr. Bo and is simply allowing itself leeway to define his wrongdoing later on. Most analysts, however, agree that the party leadership will make a political decision in time for a full meeting—known as a plenum—of the roughly 300-strong Central Committee, which is expected shortly before the leadership transition. Mr. Bo is thought to be in the hands of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, a party organization that investigates members' conduct and decides whether they should be dealt with internally or also face criminal charges. It typically interrogates those in its grasp at a secret location, and forms a special group comprising police, prosecutors, state security officers and any other relevant officials to gather evidence. It is a highly politicized process, with individual party leaders able to use personal relations or formal powers over the agencies involved to influence decisions on which evidence is selected, and how it is interpreted. The commission itself is headed by He Guoqiang, one of nine members of the Politburo Standing Committee, China's top decision-making body. Himself a former party chief of Chongqing, like Mr. Bo, he is thought by many party insiders, political analysts and diplomats to favor harsher treatment. But the police, prosecutors, courts and intelligence services are overseen by fellow Standing Committee member Zhou Yongkang, said by some party insiders to have a more sympathetic view of Mr. Bo. Once the investigation group has completed its work, the commission compiles the evidence and submits a report to the party leadership advising whether to pursue criminal charges. If the leadership decides to refer the case to the courts, the commission also makes recommendations on the verdict and sentence, but may withhold actual evidence and instead summarize its findings. Enlarge Image Close Reuters Gu Kailai and Zhang Xiaojun being escorted into the courtroom for their Aug. 9 trial. The process can be slow, judging by the two previous Politburo members to be sacked. In the 1990s, it was three years between the ouster of Beijing's mayor, Chen Xitong, and his trial. Shanghai's Chen Liangyu was brought into court 18 months after his downfall as the city's party secretary. If Mr. Bo is dealt with internally by the party, a final decision on his fate could be announced by the autumn, but if he is turned over to the courts, many observers do not expect a trial until next year at the earliest. "In the cases of the two Chens, each man was subsequently turned over for criminal prosecution, resulting in lengthy prison terms," wrote Alice Miller, a research fellow and expert on Chinese politics at the Hoover Institution, in a paper this month on the Bo affair. "A comparable fate likely awaits Bo Xilai." She continued: "Bo's removal in that respect therefore does not indicate a departure from the 'rules of the game' as played in the last two decades. The reform era initiated by Deng Xiaoping has seen the emergence of a more legalistic exit mechanism for removing high party leaders." —James T. Areddy in Shanghai contributed to this article. Write to Jeremy Page at jeremy.page@wsj.com A version of this article appeared August 20, 2012, on page A1 in the U.S. edition of The Wall Street Journal, with the headline: With China Trial Over, Focus Turns To Fate Of Official. ||||| FILE - In this Jan. 17, 2007 file photo, then Chinaese Commerce Minister Bo Xilai, right, and his wife Gu Kailai attend a memorial ceremony for Bo's father Bo Yibo, a late revolutionary leader considered... (Associated Press) The wife of a fallen Chinese politician has been given a suspended death sentence after confessing to killing a British businessman in a case that has rocked the country's political leadership. A suspended sentence is usually commuted to life in prison after several years. He Zhengsheng, a lawyer for the victim Neil Heywood, said Monday that Gu Kailai was given the suspended death sentence and a family aide was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment for killing the former Bo family associate. But even with the verdict, questions remain over the fate of Gu's husband, Bo Xilai, who was dismissed in March as party secretary of the major city of Chongqing. The murder trial comes at a sensitive time in China with a handover soon of power to younger leaders. ||||| Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption The moment Gu Kailai and her aide, Zhang Xiaojun, were sentenced The wife of disgraced Chinese politician Bo Xilai has been given a suspended death sentence for the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood. Gu Kailai did not contest charges at her one-day trial that she poisoned Mr Heywood in November 2011. Suspended death sentences are usually commuted to life imprisonment in China. Mr Bo, the former party chief in Chongqing, was once seen as a contender for a national leadership position in a top-level reshuffle later this year. But he has not been seen in public since the investigation into Gu was announced. Gu's aide, Zhang Xiaojun, was jailed for nine years for his part in the murder. 'Special respect' The verdict in China's most high-profile trial for years came early on Monday, inside a court ringed by security personnel. Analysis The outcome of the case is a neat one for the Communist Party. It pins the blame for Neil Heywood's death on Gu Kailai, but she escapes the full death penalty. Her suspended sentence is sign of leniency. Murderers in China often face the firing squad. Gu Kailai admitted premeditated murder. She confessed she lured Neil Heywood to Chongqing, procured cyanide, got him drunk, then poured the poison into his mouth. But she claimed she'd had a mental breakdown. The court said it accepted she was not in full control of her actions. Many will believe it is her political connections that have won her this reprieve. And the trial has conveniently avoided the most sensitive questions. Did her husband, the once powerful Bo Xilai, have any link to the crime or the cover-up by police under his control in Chongqing? How did the family become so rich? Were the business deals that led to Neil Heywood's murder corrupt? They're uncomfortable questions for the Communist Party to face. Chinese state media reported that during the 9 August trial - which was not open to all - Gu admitted she poisoned Neil Heywood in a hotel room in Chongqing, helped by her aide. She said she had suffered a mental breakdown and that Mr Heywood had threatened her son amid a row over a property deal, state media said. Images shown on Chinese state television showed Gu responding to the verdict. "This verdict is just. It shows special respect for the law, reality and life," she said. Speaking after the sentence was announced, court spokesman Tang Yigan said the court believed Mr Heywood had threatened Gu's son but not acted on the threats. It also found Gu had been suffering from "psychological impairment", he said. A spokesman for British Prime Minister David Cameron said the UK had made it clear to Beijing that the case must be properly investigated, but that the outcome was "a matter for the Chinese authorities". A lawyer for the Heywood family said they respected the court's decision. Image caption Mr Heywood was found dead in a hotel room in November 2011 The sentence of death with a two-year suspension means that if Gu commits no crimes while in prison, her sentence will be commuted after two years to life imprisonment and could be further reduced for good behaviour, Chinese legal expert Professor Donald Clarke writes in his blog. Chinese internet users reacted immediately to the verdict on Twitter-like microblogging platforms. With key names connected to the case still apparently censored, most used the phrase "suspended death sentence". Within two hours, there were at least two million posts. Many users expressed dissatisfaction, saying most murderers in China would be executed. Some attributed it to Gu's background, others suggested she could eventually be freed under medical parole. Leadership change At a separate trial on 10 August, four senior police officers from Chongqing admitted charges of covering up evidence linking Gu to the murder. A court official said they had been given terms of between five and 11 years in prison, AFP reported. TIMELINE: BO XILAI SCANDAL 6 Feb: Chongqing police chief Wang Lijun flees to the US consulate in Chengdu Chongqing police chief Wang Lijun flees to the US consulate in Chengdu 15 Mar: Bo Xilai is removed from his post in Chongqing Bo Xilai is removed from his post in Chongqing 20 Mar: Rumours suggest Mr Bo could be linked to the death of British businessman Neil Heywood Rumours suggest Mr Bo could be linked to the death of British businessman Neil Heywood 10 Apr: Bo Xilai is suspended from party posts and his wife, Gu Kailai, is investigated over Mr Heywood's death Bo Xilai is suspended from party posts and his wife, Gu Kailai, is investigated over Mr Heywood's death 26 July: Gu Kailai and Bo family employee Zhang Xiaojun are charged with killing Mr Heywood Gu Kailai and Bo family employee Zhang Xiaojun are charged with killing Mr Heywood 9 Aug: Gu Kailai goes on trial for murder Gu Kailai goes on trial for murder 20 Aug: Gu Kailai given suspended death sentence Netizens criticise Gu's sentence Bo Xilai scandal: Timeline Mr Heywood's death was initially recorded as a heart attack. The case came to light when Bo Xilai's deputy, police chief Wang Lijun, fled to the US consulate in February, reportedly with information connected to the case. He has not been seen in public since then and state media say he is being investigated. It is not yet known how the Communist Party plans to deal with Mr Bo, once seen as a powerful and ambitious high-flier. Many analysts expected him to be promoted to the nine-strong politburo Standing Committee later in the year. Seven committee members are due to retire, with a new generation of leaders to take their place at a party congress expected later this year. But Mr Bo has been stripped of his official posts and is being investigated for "discipline violations", state media reports say. A lengthy Xinhua news agency write-up of Gu's trial, however, made no mention of Mr Bo.

– The murderous wife of fallen Chinese politician Bo Xilai has been given a suspended death sentence. Gu Kailai did not contest charges that she poisoned former Bo family associate and British businessman Neil Heywood, and was convicted of his murder in a one-day trial earlier this month. A suspended death sentence in China is typically commuted to life in prison after two years, notes AP. Gu is expected to serve at least 14 years, reports the BBC. It's unclear what will happen to Bo, who was booted earlier this year as Communist Party secretary of the key city of Chongqing amid the biggest scandal to rock the Chinese leadership in decades; he hasn't been seen in public for several months. Most observers expected that Gu would dodge the death penalty because of her family's status, her record of mental illness, and her claim that Heywood threatened her son, reports the Wall Street Journal. Others speculated that authorities rejected a death sentence because they were concerned it would elicit sympathy for her. Gu argued that she was driven to murder because she suffered a metal breakdown over fear for her son's safety after a business battle with Heywood. A Bo family associate was also handed a nine-year sentence for his role in the murder.

A defining trend in human intelligence tests that saw people steadily obtaining higher IQ scores through the 20th century has abruptly ended, a new study shows. The Flynn effect – named after the work of Kiwi intelligence researcher James Flynn – observed rapid rises in intelligence quotient at a rate of about 3 IQ points per decade in the 20th century, but new research suggests these heady boom days are long gone. An analysis of some 730,000 IQ test results by researchers from the Ragnar Frisch Centre for Economic Research in Norway reveals the Flynn effect hit its peak for people born during the mid-1970s, and has significantly declined ever since. "This is the most convincing evidence yet of a reversal of the Flynn effect," psychologist Stuart Ritchie from the University of Edinburgh, who was not involved in the study, told The Times. "If you assume their model is correct, the results are impressive, and pretty worrying." The researchers sourced their data from the IQ test scores of 18- to 19-year-old Norwegian men who took the tests as part of their national, compulsory military service. Between the years 1970 to 2009, three decades of these young men (born between 1962 to 1991) were conscripted, resulting in over 730,000 IQ test results. What the results show is that a turning point for the Flynn effect occurred for the post-1975 birth cohorts, equivalent to 7 fewer IQ score points per generation. It's not the first time we've seen this kind of dip. Research by Flynn himself that looked at the IQs of British teenagers almost a decade ago observed a similar fall in test scores. "It looks like there is something screwy among British teenagers," Flynn told The Telegraph at the time. "While we have enriched the cognitive environment of children before their teenage years, the cognitive environment of the teenagers has not been enriched." Although that kind of environmental attribution remains hypothetical, it's a possibility that's supported by the latest research – which, it's worth emphasising, comes from just one Norwegian sample (albeit a particularly huge one). In the new study, the researchers observed IQ drops occurring within actual families, between brothers and sons – meaning the effect likely isn't due to shifting demographic factors as some have suggested, such as the dysgenic accumulation of disadvantageous genes across areas of society. Instead, it suggests changes in lifestyle could be what's behind these lower IQs, perhaps due to the way children are educated, the way they're brought up, and the things they spend time doing more and less (the types of play they engage in, whether they read books, and so on). Another possibility is that IQ tests haven't adapted to accurately quantify an estimate of modern people's intelligence – favouring forms of formally taught reasoning that may be less emphasised in contemporary education and young people's lifestyles. "Intelligence researchers make a distinction between fluid and crystallised intelligence," one of the study's authors, research economist Ole Rogeberg explained to The Times. "Crystallised intelligence is stuff you have been taught and trained in, and fluid intelligence is your ability to see new patterns and use logic to solve novel problems." The implication here is that it's not us that is at fault: it's IQ tests. But until scientists exploit some of their fluid intelligence to make a major breakthrough in what's really going on here, we – and our lower IQs – may never know for sure. The findings are reported in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. ||||| (CNN) IQ scores have been steadily falling for the past few decades, and environmental factors are to blame, a new study says. The research suggests that genes aren't what's driving the decline in IQ scores, according to the study, published Monday. Norwegian researchers analyzed the IQ scores of Norwegian men born between 1962 and 1991 and found that scores increased by almost 3 percentage points each decade for those born between 1962 to 1975 -- but then saw a steady decline among those born after 1975. Similar studies in Denmark, Britain, France, the Netherlands, Finland and Estonia have demonstrated a similar downward trend in IQ scores, said Ole Rogeberg, a senior research fellow at the Ragnar Frisch Center for Economic Research in Norway and co-author of the new study. "The causes in IQ increases over time and now the decline is due to environmental factors," said Rogeburg, who believes the change is not due to genetics. "It's not that dumb people are having more kids than smart people, to put it crudely. It's something to do with the environment, because we're seeing the same differences within families," he said. These environmental factors could include changes in the education system and media environment, nutrition, reading less and being online more, Rogeberg said. The earlier rise in IQ scores follows the "Flynn effect," a term for the long-term increase in intelligence levels that occurred during the 20th century, arguably the result of better access to education, according to Stuart Ritchie, a postdoctoral fellow in cognitive ageing at the University of Edinburgh whose research explores IQ scores and intelligence and who was not involved in the new study. An intelligence or IQ test. Researchers have long preferred to use genes to explain variations in intelligence over environmental factors. However, the new study turns this thinking on its head. Intelligence is heritable, and for a long time, researchers assumed that people with high IQ scores would have kids who also scored above average. Moreover, it was thought that people with lower scores would have more kids than people with high IQ scores, which would contribute to a decline in IQ scores over time and a "dumbing down" of the general population, according to Rogeberg. Anyone who has seen the film "Idiocracy" might already be familiar with these ideas. In the scientific community, the idea of unintelligent parents having more kids and dumbing-down the population is known as the dysgenic fertility theory, according to Ritchie. The study looked at the IQ scores of brothers who were born in different years. Researchers found that, instead of being similar as suggested by a genetic explanation, IQ scores often differed significantly between the siblings. "The main exciting finding isn't that there was a decline in IQ," Ritchie said. "The interesting thing about this paper is that they were able to show a difference in IQ scores within the same families." The study not only showed IQ variance between children the same parents, but because the authors had the IQ scores of various parents, it demonstrated that parents with higher IQs tended to have more kids, ruling out the dysgenic fertility theory as a driver of falling IQ scores and highlighting the role of environmental factors instead. What specific environmental factors cause changes in intelligence remains relatively unexplored. Follow CNN Health on Facebook and Twitter See the latest news and share your comments with CNN Health on Facebook and Twitter. Access to education is currently the most conclusive factor explaining disparities in intelligence, according to Ritchie. In a separate study that has not been released, he and his colleagues looked at existing research in an effort to demonstrate that staying in school longer directly equates to higher IQ scores. But more research is needed to better understand other environmental factors thought to be linked to intelligence. Robin Morris, a professor of psychology at Kings College in London who was not involved in Ritchie's research, suggests that traditional measures of intelligence, such as the IQ test, might be outmoded in today's fast-paced world of constant technological change. "In my view, we need to recognize that as time changes and people are exposed to different intellectual experiences, such as changes in the use of technology, for example social media, the way intelligence is expressed also changes. Educational methods need to adapt to such changes," Morris said. ||||| Critics of video gamers, Netflix fanatics and social media mavens, rejoice: There’s mounting evidence that Western IQ scores are on the decline, and media exposure might be to blame. A Norwegian study published Monday found a seven-point dip in IQ test scores per generation among men born from 1962 to 1991. The results suggest a reversal in the Flynn effect, an observed increase in IQ scores throughout the 20th century in developed countries. Researchers Bernt Bratsberg and Ole Rogeberg took test results from Norwegian men entering the country’s military draft born between 1962 and 1991. Boys born in the first observation period, 1962 to 1975, gained almost 0.3 IQ points per year, but those in the cohort born after 1975 saw a steady decline in scores. Martin Bureau/AFP/Getty Images The study attributed the decline to changes in quality of education, increased exposure to media and poor nutrition. Because they couldn’t find consistent trends among families, Bratsberg and Rogeberg argued that environmental family factors—such as parental educational attainment and family size, increased immigration and dysgenic fertility—were not significant causes. They aren’t the first to suggest a global dip in intelligence. In 2009, James Flynn, for whom the Flynn effect is named, studied Piagetian test scores of British teenagers and found that the average 14-year-old’s IQ dropped by two points over 28 years, while the average middle-class child’s IQ dropped six points during the test period. “It looks like there is something screwy among British teenagers,” he told the Telegraph. “What we know is that the youth culture is more visually oriented around computer games than they are in terms of reading and holding conversations.” Keep up with this story and more by subscribing now While brain-training games like Lumosity are advertised as scientifically-proven ways to improve cognitive performance, one study suggests users experience placebo effects: Consumers expect to boost their IQ, so while participants performed well on intelligence tests after just one hour of training, the results were likely self-induced, researchers claimed. The good news? There’s evidence IQ is most malleable at adolescence. In 2011, British professor Cathy Price tested a small group of teenagers twice, four years apart, and found their scores jumped or dropped up to 20 points between test periods. The brain’s plasticity in youth could spell trouble or success for future educational attainment and employment, she said. “[These results] are encouraging to those whose intellectual potential may improve, and a warning that early achievers may not maintain their potential,” Price wrote. ||||| Using administrative register data with information on family relationships and cognitive ability for three decades of Norwegian male birth cohorts, we show that the increase, turning point, and decline of the Flynn effect can be recovered from within-family variation in intelligence scores. This establishes that the large changes in average cohort intelligence reflect environmental factors and not changing composition of parents, which in turn rules out several prominent hypotheses for retrograde Flynn effects. Abstract Population intelligence quotients increased throughout the 20th century—a phenomenon known as the Flynn effect—although recent years have seen a slowdown or reversal of this trend in several countries. To distinguish between the large set of proposed explanations, we categorize hypothesized causal factors by whether they accommodate the existence of within-family Flynn effects. Using administrative register data and cognitive ability scores from military conscription data covering three decades of Norwegian birth cohorts (1962–1991), we show that the observed Flynn effect, its turning point, and subsequent decline can all be fully recovered from within-family variation. The analysis controls for all factors shared by siblings and finds no evidence for prominent causal hypotheses of the decline implicating genes and environmental factors that vary between, but not within, families.

– It's official: We're not getting any smarter. Worse, media exposure might be to blame. Researchers analyzed 730,000 IQ scores of Norwegian men entering the country's military draft who were born between 1962 and 1991, per ScienceAlert. They found that IQ scores rose almost 0.3 points per year among men born between 1962 and 1975, then declined for men born after 1975. Overall there was a 7-point dip per generation, reports Newsweek. And the Norway study is no outlier: Other studies by European and Scandinavian researchers have noted a similar trend, notes CNN. The investigators believe the environment, rather than genetics, is responsible because they saw the same IQ drop within families, between brothers and sons. Parental education and family size did not seem to play a role in the decline. For most of the 20th century, IQ scores had been increasing, presumably because of better access to education. The researchers suggest the trend could be due to lifestyle factors, including changes in nutrition, how children are educated, media exposure, and how kids spend their free time. It's also possible that IQ tests, which tend to emphasize formally taught critical thinking, simply haven't been adapted to capture changes in the ways people think. As one psychology professor told CNN: "We need to recognize that as time changes and people are exposed to different intellectual experiences, such as changes in the use of technology, for example, social media, the way intelligence is expressed also changes. Educational methods need to adapt to such changes."

On Saturday when introducing his new running mate, Mitt Romney initially referred to Paul D. Ryan as the “next president of the United States.” Mr. Romney quickly apologized for the slip-up, saying that he hoped that Mr. Ryan would become the next vice president instead. (Apparently, the stress of a vice presidential rollout can take its toll even on relatively unflappable candidates like Mr. Romney; Barack Obama made a similar slip when introducing Joe Biden four years ago.) Of course, it’s not literally impossible that Mr. Ryan could turn out to be the 45th American president precisely (Mr. Obama is the 44th). It just couldn’t be through a sequence of events that Mr. Romney would be rooting for. Either the Republican ticket would have to win this year’s election — but with Mr. Ryan, not Mr. Romney, at the top of the ticket. Or, the more likely case: Mr. Obama would need to win the election and serve out his remaining four years, and Mr. Ryan would have to run for and win the presidency in 2016. What, exactly, are the odds of one of these scenarios transpiring? For that matter, what are Mr. Ryan’s odds of someday becoming president — whether he’s the 45th, 46th, 47th, or some later number in the sequence of people to hold the office? Even more broadly, what does the future hold for running mates on winning tickets? And what about those on losing ones? There are too many variables to compute these chances exactly, but we can make some reasonable guesses based on the historical record. First, let’s consider the case that Mr. Romney would be most pleased with: that he and Mr. Ryan are the winning ticket in November, and Republicans re-capture the White House. Twenty-eight men have been elected vice president since 1900, double-counting those (like George Herbert Walker Bush in 1980 and 1984) who were elected twice. Let’s give Mr. Biden a mulligan, since he hasn’t yet had a chance to seek an open nomination. That leaves us with 27 cases. In the chart that follows, I’ve sorted the 27 winning vice presidents by the margin by which their ticket won the popular vote. Then I documented whether they sought the presidency in some subsequent election, whether they won a party nomination, and whether they were actually elected to the Oval Office. The clear majority of winning vice presidential nominees — 21 of 27, again counting cases like Mr. Bush twice — ran for president themselves at some point. One qualification: the definition of what counts as “running” for president is a little fuzzy, especially in the era before presidential primaries were common. But I’ve applied a relatively liberal standard. For instance, the winning vice president under Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1940, Henry A. Wallace, gets credit for both running for and winning a party nomination in 1948 — although it was with the Progressive Party, and not the Democrats. The elected vice presidents who failed to eventually seek the presidency had pretty good reasons for it. James S. Sherman, elected vice president to William Howard Taft in 1908, died during the course of the 1912 election when he and Mr. Taft were seeking another term. Spiro T. Agnew, the winning vice president in 1968 and 1972, resigned from office before his second term was completed. Charles Curtis, who was Herbert Hoover’s vice president in 1928, saw his ticket lose disastrously in the landslide of 1932. And Dick Cheney was exceptionally unpopular by the time that Republicans were planning for the 2008 election cycle. Of the winning vice presidents who did run for the presidency, 13 eventually won their party’s nomination. This includes cases, like Lyndon Baines Johnson, of men who had ascended to the presidency before doing so, and ran for re-election as incumbents. Even if you exclude those instances, however, you wind up with a batting average of close to 50 percent when former vice presidents sought their party nomination. That’s pretty impressive, considering that there might typically be a half-dozen viable candidates seeking an open nomination. Sitting vice presidents are, literally and figuratively, the “next in line” in their parties, and they can sometimes clear their fields of competition. Finally, there were eight cases (counting Richard Nixon and the elder Mr. Bush twice each) in which the winning vice-presidential nominee was later a winning presidential candidate — or about 30 percent of the total. Incidentally, there have been no cases since 1900 in which someone was elected vice president, and then ascended to the presidency after a death or resignation, without later being elected to another presidential term themselves. What about Gerald Ford? He succeeded Mr. Nixon in 1974, but then lost his bid for re-election in 1976. But Mr. Ford had also never been elected vice president; instead, he succeeded Mr. Agnew. So he’s excused on a technicality. Put these bits of trivia aside. A very obvious (and intuitive) fact emerges from this data. Mr. Ryan is much more likely to eventually become president if he and Mr. Romney win this year’s election. In fact, the track record of losing vice-presidential candidates is quite underwhelming. There are 28 of these cases since 1900. (We will count Sarah Palin even though we didn’t count Mr. Biden, since she had an open nomination this year but declined to seek it.) Of these 28 men and women who lost their vice-presidential bids, only nine later ran for president. Only three of them later won their party’s nomination, and just one — Franklin D. Roosevelt — later won the presidency. The losing candidates who later ran for president generally had one of two things in common. First, if their loss was very close, it did not seem to harm their reputations nearly as much. Of the eight vice presidential candidates whose tickets lost the election by 5 or fewer percentage points, seven actually did run for president at some later point. (The exception was Charles W. Fairbanks, who unsuccessfully sought the Republican presidential nomination in 1916, but did not seek the office again after his vice presidential bid also failed that November.) The other circumstance is when a vice president on a losing ticket had previously been on a winning one. Walter Mondale and Dan Quayle, who later sought the presidency (although Mr. Quayle’s bid in 2000 was a flop), had won the vice presidency in 1976 and 1988, respectively, before losing it four years later. The exceptional case is Mr. Roosevelt. He and the Democratic nominee for president, James M. Cox of Ohio, were decimated in the 1920 election, losing to Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge by more than 26 percentage points. But Mr. Roosevelt later came back to be elected president four times. So nothing can be ruled out. Still, if Mr. Ryan fails to win the vice presidency this year, his political future should be aided substantially if he and Mr. Romney at least keep the margin respectable. If the Republicans lose the election by about 3 points — around what their deficit to Mr. Obama appears to be now — then Mr. Ryan will be able to claim that he at least did not do the ticket any harm. A narrow defeat for Mr. Romney and Mr. Ryan, also, would still leave Republicans with decent-to-good chances to retain the House of Representatives. And it’s not impossible that they could take over the Senate, since there are quite a lot of seats in play, and since a good half-dozen of them are idiosyncratic cases that may come down more to local factors than the overall partisan tide. If Republicans do reasonably well in these Congressional races but fail to win the presidency, some in the party may even claim — and it’s a logical enough case — that the problem was with the top of the ticket and not with Mr. Ryan. A decisive loss, however — if Mr. Obama wins re-election by 5 percentage points more, potentially coming close to his margin of victory in 2008 — could substantially tarnish Mr. Ryan’s reputation. At that point, Mr. Romney will have gotten a worse result than his standing in the polls before he selected Mr. Ryan. Furthermore, such a loss would be suggestive that there was something fundamentally wrong with the Republican candidates. Somewhat contrary to the conventional wisdom, most of the forecasting models put together by economists and political scientists predict either an essentially tied election, or a narrow win for Mr. Obama. (Why? Incumbents have historically gotten a lot of credit from voters. And voters have historically had short economic memories. If a case can be made that the economy is improving, the incumbent’s odds are decent, even if it is clearly not firing on all cylinders.) But few of these models call for a decisive win for Mr. Obama. If he wins by 7 points or so with this economy, and with only break-even approval ratings, that will be more than getting the benefit of the doubt from voters. Instead, it would suggest that many voters felt they had no other choice, given an uncharacteristically poor Republican alternative. With a margin in the mid-to-high single digits, also, Democrats would be clear favorites to retain the Senate, and the House of Representatives would be in play. Mr. Ryan would undoubtedly retain pockets of support within his party, but unless there were some other excuse for the loss (an unexpectedly good series of jobs reports, or an unexpected scandal involving Mr. Romney), he would be remembered as being part of a hugely disappointing election. We can systematize this knowledge by performing a regression analysis on the historical data. For our technically-inclined readers: what I’ll be using here is a type of regression called ordered logit, which is appropriate when there is a hierarchy of categorical outcomes (running for president; winning the nomination; becoming president). The independent variables are the ticket’s margin of victory or defeat in the popular vote, a variable indicating whether they won the Electoral College and ascended to the White House, an interaction term between the two, and a time trend. The interaction term serves to capture the asymmetry in the data. If you are elected vice president, it doesn’t seem to matter much what your ticket’s margin of victory was. Once you’re in office, you’re in, and it’s hard to predict what will transpire from there other than that your chances of someday becoming president have gone way up. But if you lost the election as the vice-presidential candidate, keeping it close seems to make quite a bit of difference to your fortunes. That way, you can make a more credible claim that the problems with the campaign were isolated to a few issues or bouts of misfortune — none of them implicating your role in it, of course — rather than the whole thing having been a debacle and everyone associated with it being inherently suspect. The inclusion of the time trend is more debatable. Over the past century or so, there has been a very modest tendency toward vice presidents remaining more active in presidential politics after they ran for the office. The variable isn’t statistically significant, but it coincides with a general increase in stature for the vice-presidential slot, so I think there is a theoretical basis for including it. But it only has an impact around the margin, raising Mr. Ryan’s odds just slightly. The figure below reflects the actuarial odds of Mr. Ryan running for president, winning his nomination, and winning the election in some future November, conditional upon different margins of victory or defeat for him and Mr. Romney this year. You will notice that there is a kink in the graph. This is when Mr. Ryan and Mr. Romney go from losing this year’s election to winning it, and Mr. Ryan’s odds of becoming president some day increase sharply. If Mr. Ryan and Mr. Romney lose the election by a single point, the equation estimates that Mr. Ryan still has better-than-even odds — 63 percent — of someday running for president. His chances of winning the nomination are 28 percent under this analysis, and he has a 14 percent chance of winning a general election as the presidential candidate. But what if they lose in a 7-point blowout, and Mr. Obama matches his winning margin from 2008? Then Mr. Ryan’s chances of running for president are down to 44 percent. And his probability of actually becoming president are cut in half, to 7 percent. The best case, of course, is if Mr. Ryan and Mr. Romney win. Suppose, for instance, that they do win, but by a single point (and also win the Electoral College). Then, Mr. Ryan’s chances of running for president are calculated at 84 percent. His probability of winning a future party nomination is 53 percent, and of becoming president, 33 percent — about one in three. When I average these results across the entire range of scenarios that our forecast model articulates — substantial losses for Mr. Romney and Mr. Ryan, narrow losses, and wins by various plausible margins — I come up with about a 15 percent chance of Mr. Ryan someday becoming president. His odds of becoming the 45th president are slimmer, however. For that to happen, he first needs Mr. Obama to win re-election. Unfortunately for Mr. Ryan, that’s the “easy” part. Our forecast now gives Mr. Obama about a 72 percent chance of winning another term. Next, he needs Mr. Obama to finish out his entire second term. If Mr. Obama resigns sometime in mid-2014 after a major scandal, Republican odds of re-claiming the White House will look very good in 2016 — but someone (probably Mr. Biden) will have become the 45th president first, before Mr. Ryan or another Republican could become the 46th. Without considering any factors specific to Mr. Obama, historically 83 percent of presidents have completed their four-year term. Then Mr. Ryan needs to win the general election in 2016. Conditional upon he and Mr. Romney having lost this year’s election, the model does not evaluate his chances of this as being all that good. Specifically, the model gives Mr. Ryan a 9 percent chance of eventually becoming president conditional upon losing this year’s election. Moreover, some of those cases involve instances where Mr. Ryan would become president in 2020 (or 2024 or 2028, and so on) after someone else — Hillary Rodham Clinton or Marco Rubio, for instance — succeeds Mr. Obama as the 45th president. If you correct for that, it lowers Mr. Ryan’s odds to about 7 percent of becoming president after the 2016 election specifically, after having lost this one. Finally, we consider the entire parlay of events: that Mr. Obama wins in 2012, that he serves out all four years, and that Mr. Ryan runs and wins in 2016. The chances of this are only about 4 percent. We can also account for the alternate means by which Mr. Ryan could become the 45th president: if, for some reason, Mr. Romney is unable to complete his bid this year — and then Mr. Ryan replaces him, and wins the election. Historically, of the roughly 100 major-party tickets in the history of the nation, only one presidential nominee (Horace Greeley in 1872) died, or resigned the nomination, between the party conventions and Inauguration Day. Accounting for this oddball case, Mr. Ryan’s probability of becoming the 45th president increases only to about 4.5 percent. So Mr. Romney’s misstatement will probably not turn out to be ironically prescient: the odds that Paul Ryan literally becomes the next president of the United States are about 20-to-1 against. But his odds of someday becoming president are much higher than that, and they’ll increase to about 1-in-3 if he and Mr. Romney win this November. Of course, this is a one-size-fits all calculation, which doesn’t consider anything about Mr. Ryan specifically. The fact that he is quite young, that the Republican Party lacks an obvious successor other than him, and that he commands the respect of both the party base and the party establishment, all work in his favor in terms of running for and winning future nominations. Whatever happens this year, he is likely to be a major part of the American political landscape for a long time to come. ||||| Immediate reaction on par with reaction to Biden PRINCETON, NJ -- The initial reaction of the American public to John McCain's surprise selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate is muted, similar to the reaction of Joe Biden being named Barack Obama's running mate. Perhaps the most significant finding about Palin in the Aug. 29 USA Today/Gallup poll is that she is largely unknown to most Americans. A substantial majority of Americans don't know enough about her yet to have an opinion, and her name identification is lower than that of any other recent vice presidential candidate when measured immediately after selection. Among those who do know her, her image is significantly more positive than negative, and her 3-to-1 positive-to-negative ratio is better than the 2-to-1 ratio measured for Biden a week ago. A large majority say that at this point her selection will not have an impact on their presidential vote either way. However, almost as many Americans say that she is not qualified to serve as president as say she is qualified, giving her a more negative reading on this measure than most other recent vice presidential selectees, with the exception of Dan Quayle. The sections that follow outline the data measured in USA Today/Gallup interviewing conducted Friday, August 29. 1. Overall Reaction to Palin's Selection Similar to Biden Selection Americans' overall reaction to the McCain selection of Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate is very similar to last week's reaction to Obama's selection of Biden. A little less than half of Americans rate the selection of Palin as excellent or pretty good, while 37% rate it as only fair or poor (the rest have no opinion). Gallup's measure of reaction to Biden's selection on August 23 was only slightly different, even though many more Americans were familiar with the Delaware senator when he was named. In turn, the Palin and Biden assessments are well below the positive reaction the public had to John Kerry's selection of John Edwards in 2004, and slightly less positive than Al Gore's selection of Joe Lieberman and George W. Bush's selection of Dick Cheney in 2000. All recent V.P. selections are more positive compared to George H. W. Bush's selection of Quayle in 1988, the only selection to be reviewed more negatively than positively by the public. As was the case for Biden a week ago and all vice presidential selections of the last two decades, the substantial majority of Americans say that the selection of Palin will not have much impact on their vote for president this year. Of those who do have a reaction, the impact is more positive than negative for both Palin and Biden, though the reaction to Palin's selection is the more positive of the two, by a modest margin. These reactions to the 2008 vice presidential running mates are similar to those that greeted both 2000 vice presidential selections, but slightly less positive than other recent selections such as Edwards in 2004, Jack Kemp in 1996, Gore in 1992, and Lloyd Bentsen in 1988. Even among Republicans, the reaction is muted. Thirty percent of Republicans say that Palin's selection makes them more likely to vote for McCain, while just 5% say they are less likely to vote for McCain, leaving the rest saying that her selection, at least so far, has no impact on their vote. Still, this is a slightly stronger partisan reaction than Democrats had to Biden, as just 21% of Democrats said they were more likely to vote for Obama because Biden was his running mate. Among the crucial bloc of independents, the impact of Palin's selection is mixed, with the majority saying "no impact," and about as many of the rest saying that it made them less likely to want to vote for her as more likely to vote for her. Importantly, there is no sign yet of a vehemently negative reaction from Democrats. Just 14% say they are less likely to vote for McCain as a result of the Palin selection, while 6% say they are more likely to vote for McCain. 2. Palin a Mystery to Majority of Americans One reason for the lack of a self-reported impact of Palin's selection may be the fact that she is a mystery to many Americans at this early point. More than 7 out of 10 Americans interviewed on Friday night said they had never heard of Palin, or didn't know enough about her to have an opinion. This is a much higher "don't know" than measured by Gallup immediately after the initial vice presidential announcement of Biden a week ago, or Edwards, Lieberman, Cheney, Kemp, or Gore in previous years' elections. This finding is not surprising. The other vice presidential picks in recent years have actively sought their party's presidential nomination in the year they were selected or in previous years, or had well-established careers in Congress or the federal government. Palin has been governor of a small state for less than two years and has no national political experience. Of interest is the fact that almost 6 out of 10 Republicans say they have never heard of Palin or don't know enough to have an opinion about her. These data underscore that the degree to which Palin is featured at the Republican convention in St. Paul, Minn., next week will be critical in the establishment of her overall image in the minds of many members of her own party, as well as independents and other potential swing voters. Even at this point, however, Palin has a positive image among those who know enough to have an opinion of her, with more than a 3-to-1 ratio of favorable to unfavorable ratings, more positive than Biden's ratio measured last weekend. By comparison, Edwards, Lieberman, Cheney, Kemp, and Gore all had much more positive favorable-to-unfavorable ratios than either of this year's vice presidential selections. All in all, Gallup's initial reads of the recognition and image of both Biden and Palin after their selections this year are more muted than has been the case for other recent vice presidential selections. 3. Potential Problem for Palin: Perceived Qualifications to Serve as President Palin rates substantially below other recent vice presidential selectees in terms of perceptions that she is qualified to serve as president. Asked if from what they know about Sarah Palin, they believe she is "qualified to serve as president it if becomes necessary," only 39% of Americans say yes, while almost as many, 33%, say no. These results are highly partisan in nature -- 63% of Republicans say she is qualified, but 53% of Democrats say she is not. Independents are more likely to say she is qualified (41%) than not (31%). Taken as a whole, the reaction of Americans to Palin's qualifications is much more negative than was given to Biden a week ago after his selection by Obama, when 57% said Biden was qualified to serve, and only 18% said he was not. In terms of the ratio of "yes" to "no" responses, the perception of Palin's qualifications is more negative than the "qualification" affirmations given to any other recent selection with the exception of Quayle in 1992. The rating of Quayle's qualifications, however, was at a time in which he had already served for four years as vice president, and thus not directly comparable to these initial reactions to the other selectees. Bottom Line The initial reaction of the American public to McCain's surprise selection of Palin as his vice presidential running mate is muted. A substantial majority of Americans don't know enough about her yet to have an opinion, and a large majority says that at this point her selection will not have an impact on their presidential vote either way. The good news for McCain and Palin is that among those who do know her, her image is significantly more positive than negative, and in fact more positive on a ratio basis than the image of Biden when his was measured a week ago. On the negative side of the ledger for the Republicans is that almost as many Americans say she is not qualified to serve as president as say she is qualified, giving her a more negative reading on this measure than any other recent vice presidential selection with the exception of Quayle in 1992. Given the fact that so many Americans profess at this point to know nothing about Palin, the next several weeks may be critical to her success as a vice presidential nominee as her image is shaped and formed in the harsh spotlight of national media attention. The data suggest that one major task of the Republican convention in particular will be to convince a skeptical public that she would be able to serve as president if needed. Survey Methods Results are based on telephone interviews with 898 registered voters, aged 18 and older, conducted August 29, 2008. For results based on the total sample of registered voters, one can say with 95% confidence that the maximum margin of sampling error is ±3 percentage points. Polls conducted entirely in one day, such as this one, are subject to additional error or bias not found in polls conducted over several days. Interviews are conducted with respondents on land-line telephones (for respondents with a land-line telephone) and cellular phones (for respondents who are cell-phone only). In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion polls. To provide feedback or suggestions about how to improve Gallup.com, please e-mail feedback@gallup.com. ||||| Rep. Paul Ryan starts his vice presidential campaign in not-so-great territory, with Americans rating his selection more unfavorably than any pick since at least 2000, according to a new poll. The USA Today/Gallup poll shows 42 percent rate Mitt Romney’s selection of Ryan (R-Wis.) as “fair” or “poor,” while 39 percent rate it as “excellent” or “pretty good.” Those numbers are worse than the initial reactions to both Dick Cheney in 2000 and Sarah Palin in 2008. And they appear to be the worst since Dan Quayle in 1988 (according to a different pollster). All three Republicans wound up being very unpopular in the following years. Romney’s campaign quickly moved to point out that initial reactions are hardly the be-all, end-all in campaigns. And they say Ryan probably suffers from the fact that most people don’t know who he is. “All these numbers indicate is the simple fact that Rep. Paul Ryan was not a nationally known figure prior to being named as Gov. Romney’s vice-presidential pick,” Romney pollster Neil Newhouse said in a statement. In addition, multiple other national polls have shown views of Ryan are generally more positive than negative. A CNN/Opinion Research poll released last week showed 27 percent of Americans rated him favorably, while 19 percent rated him unfavorably, and a new Washington Post-ABC News poll shows Ryan’s favorability rising significantly after his selection, from 23 percent beforehand to 38 percent now. (Notably, his unfavorable rating ticked up just one point, from 32 percent to 33 percent.) These polls and the Gallup poll would seem to contradict each other, but they are actually asking different things. The Gallup poll asks whether Ryan is a good pick, which is a little different than asking whether you like someone. President Obama, for instance, had a long stretch in recent years where his personal favorability numbers were significantly higher than his job approval ratings. People liked Obama personally, even if they didn’t necessarily think he was doing a good job. In this case, people may like Ryan personally, even if they are uncertain about his Medicare plan, for example. And much of the media coverage over the weekend focused on whether that Medicare plan would be a problem for Romney, which may be why people don’t necessarily see Ryan as a good pick, politically speaking. (Other vice presidential picks, meanwhile, probably had more of a honeymoon period, since their name wasn’t so synonymous with an already-simmering political issue.) The difference in polls could also simply be a reflection of the fact that most people simply don’t know Ryan. It’s clear that there is plenty of work to do — for both sides — in defining him, particularly over the next three-plus weeks, when opinions of him will begin to solidify. Ryan’s controversial proposal to turn Medicare into a voucher program will be Topic No. 1 in that debate. Quayle was the only somewhat-recent vice presidential candidate to have more poll respondents rate worse than Ryan; 52 percent of likely votes in a Harris Poll rated him as a “fair” or “poor” choice. (The polls aren’t completely analogous, though, because the Ryan poll tested all adults, not just likely voters.) At the same time, the Gallup poll shows Ryan is seen as presidential, with 48 percent saying he is qualified to be president if the situation arose and just 29 percent saying he is not. Palin’s marks on that measure were lower. Updated at 12:37 p.m. to reflect new Washington Post-ABC News poll results. ||||| Updated 6:40 p.m. ET This story has been updated to specify the views of registered voters in the USA TODAY/Gallup Poll about Paul Ryan. It will also appear in Tuesday's editions. Our original post begins here: Americans don't believe GOP presidential contender Mitt Romney hit a home run with his choice of Paul Ryan as a running mate, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll finds, with more of the public giving him lower marks than high ones. Ryan, a Wisconsin congressman, is seen as only a "fair" or "poor" choice by 42% of Americans vs. 39% who think he is an "excellent" or "pretty good" vice presidential choice. STORY: GOP ticket opens door to young voters PHOTOS: Romney running mate Paul Ryan Romney pollster Neil Newhouse said in a statement that the findings reflect the fact that Ryan, a House member since 1999, isn't widely known. USA TODAY/Gallup polls of registered voters after the announcements of running mates since Dick Cheney in 2000 all showed more positive reactions. Only Dan Quayle in a 1988 Harris Poll of likely voters was viewed less positively than Ryan, with 52% rating Quayle as a "fair" or "poor" vice presidential choice. The Ryan poll includes all adults, not just registered voters. Since Romney introduced Ryan as his running mate on Saturday, Democrats have set out to portray the House Budget Committee chairman as an extremist for his plans to revamp Medicare. President Obama called Ryan an "articulate spokesman" for "a vision I fundamentally disagree with." "All these numbers indicate is the simple fact that congressman Paul Ryan was not a nationally known figure prior to being named as Gov. Romney's vice presidential pick," Newhouse said. "Congressman Ryan's selection reinforces the seriousness of the issues that will be debated in this election and President Obama's failure to get Americans back to work and his inability to strengthen the middle class." The poll also finds 17% of adults say they are more likely to vote for Romney in November because Ryan is his running mate -- about the same impact Sarah Palin had for John McCain four years ago among registered voters. Republicans, however, see the appeal in Ryan, who was hailed this weekend as a bold, innovative thinker by party stalwarts. The poll finds 36% of Republicans are now more likely to vote for Romney. In 2008, only three in 10 Republicans said the choice of Palin made them more likely to vote for McCain. The USA TODAY/Gallup survey also finds 48% of Americans view Ryan as qualified to be president if something should happen to Romney, while 29% do not and 23% were undecided. Only Palin, then the governor of Alaska, and Quayle, a two-term senator from Indiana, were rated lower than Ryan. The poll of 1,006 adults was taken Sunday. It has a margin of error of +/-4 percentage points.

– Mitt Romney didn't exactly wow the public by picking Paul Ryan as his VP—at least according to one poll. Just 39% think Ryan is an "excellent" or "pretty good" pick, compared to 42% who think he's a "fair" or "poor" one, according to a new USA Today/Gallup poll. To put that in perspective, that's worse than both Sarah Palin (who got a thumbs-up from 46% of respondents) and Dick Cheney (55%). Indeed, Ryan is the least-popular pick from either party since Dan Quayle, the Washington Post points out. Of course, the Romney campaign has been quick to downplay the result. "All these numbers indicate is … that Rep. Paul Ryan was not a nationally known figure," says a campaign pollster. And there is some good news: Polls from last week show that, prior to being named VP, more people had a favorable view of Ryan than an unfavorable one. For more poll fun, check out Nate Silver's piece calculating how likely it is Ryan will be, as Mitt Romney accidentally dubbed him, the next president.

A Texas man got caught trying to leave his mark on history with a car key. Police say a tour guide at San Antonio’s Alamo spotted Julio Perez, 22, carving his name into a 250-year-old limestone wall inside the former Spanish mission’s church on Thursday afternoon, the San Antonio Express-News reported. Perez tried to get away, but Alamo Rangers captured him and turned him over to the San Antonio police, authorities said. The monks’ burial room of the church sustained $250,000 worth of damage and Perez faces second-degree felony criminal mischief charges, police told KENS-TV. Staff have closed the area and tapped preservation experts to get rid of the 3- by 1-inch etching of the name "Julio" in the wall. The act of vandalism marks at least the third time someone has defaced the revered site of an 1836 battle between forces from Texas and Mexico. UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee placed the Alamo and four other 18th century Franciscan missions on its World Heritage List in July. Police say Julio Perez, 22, used a car key to carve his name inside the monks burial room of the church at San Antonio's Alamo on Thursday afternoon. (Bexar County Sheriff's Office) “In Texas we take our history seriously and consider the Alamo to be sacred ground,” Alamo Rangers Chief Mark Adkins said in a statement. “Desecration of any part of these hallowed grounds, especially the walls of the Alamo Chapel, will not be tolerated and we will support prosecution to the furthest extent of the law.” British rocker Ozzy Osbourne urinated on a monument at the Alamo in 1982 but later donated $10,000 for its upkeep. A 23-year-old El Paso man also peed at the historic site in 2012 and pleaded guilty to felony criminal mischief two years later. “The message is, 'don't whiz on the Alamo,’ ” Bexar County District Attorney Susan Reed said at the time. Mexican troops led by General Antonio López de Santa Anna took the Alamo on March 6, 1836, after frontiersman Davy Crockett and other defenders held out for 13 days, according to the Alamo’s official website. The Alamo dates to the 18th century, when Franciscan monks established it as a mission during the Spanish rule of Texas. The historic site has now been defaced at least three times in recent years. (Gary Miller/Getty Images) Texas won its independence the following month with soldiers rallying around the cry “Remember the Alamo.” Movies like the 1960 epic, “The Alamo,” starring John Wayne as Crockett, and 10 other films about the battle have added to its legend. "This is something that has a flavor of what this country was born on," a woman visiting the site told KENS. UNESCO also cited the missions of San Antonio as a meeting point for European and native cultures when they joined sites like Yellowstone National Park and the Statue of Liberty as the 23rd place in America on the World Heritage List earlier this year. The UN’s cultural body said the missions “illustrate the Spanish Crown’s efforts to colonize, evangelize and defend the northern frontier of New Spain.” Police say Perez was caught vandalizing a wall inside this room and tried to flee when a tour guide spotted him. (KENS) Follow on Twitter @tobysalkc ON A MOBILE DEVICE? WATCH THE VIDEO HERE. ||||| Julio Perez (Photo: BCSO) SAN ANTONIO - The shrine of Texas liberty became the target of a vandal this week. A man is accused of using a car key to carve his name inside the Alamo. On Thursday, San Antonio police said Julio Perez, 22, scratched his name inside the Monks' Burial Room, damaging the newly designated World Heritage Site. "Many Texans died here fighting for the independence of Texas. We don't take it lightly when someone comes and desecrates this area," Chief Mark Adkins with the Alamo Rangers said. The Alamo is more than 250 years old. The Monks' Burial Room is cordoned off for the investigation. The three inch by one inch carving left around $250,000 of damage, according to the police report. The Alamo was open when the wall was damaged, which is how investigators believe Perez got inside. According to the police report, a tour guide spotted Perez and alerted the Alamo Rangers, who are in charge of security. They held Perez until San Antonio Police arrested him. Perez is now facing charges of second degree felony criminal mischief. Preservation experts are working on a plan to fix the damage. Read or Share this story: http://on.kens5.com/1UxoPwN ||||| Photo: San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 22 Caption Close Image 1 of 22 The Alamo is one of the top iconic destinations of the South, but of course it's much more than that. Here are 20 unique facts that often slip through the history books and guided tours. The Alamo is one of the top iconic destinations of the South, but of course it's much more than that. Here are 20 unique facts that often slip through the history books and guided tours. Photo: San Antonio Express-News Image 2 of 22 The Bexar County Appraisal District prices the Alamo at $200 million. The Bexar County Appraisal District prices the Alamo at $200 million. Photo: LISA KRANTZ, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS Image 3 of 22 Former District Attorney Susan Reed once issued a press release titled “Don’t Whizz on the Alamo.” It’s made from limestone and urine is highly corrosive. Former District Attorney Susan Reed once issued a press release titled “Don’t Whizz on the Alamo.” It’s made from limestone and urine is highly corrosive. Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS Image 4 of 22 Ozzy Osbourne did not actually urinate on the Alamo shrine. In 1982, city council banned the metal head from San Antonio for defiling the Alamo Cenotaph. Ozzy Osbourne did not actually urinate on the Alamo shrine. In 1982, city council banned the metal head from San Antonio for defiling the Alamo Cenotaph. Photo: LEFT: San Antonio Express-News File Photo, RIGHT: William Luther / San Antonio Express-News Image 5 of 22 Photo: Singer Phil Collins stands on the set of John Wayne's "The Alamo" in Brackettville. Phil Collins, the 1980s pop star and celebrated Alamo patron, first visited the Alamo in 1973 while on tour with Genesis. Forty-one years later, Collins donated a massive collection of Alamo artifacts to the Texas General Land Office. Plans for a Phil Collins museum are underway at the Alamo. Phil Collins, the 1980s pop star and celebrated Alamo patron, first visited the Alamo in 1973 while on tour with Genesis. Forty-one years later, Collins donated a massive collection of Alamo artifacts to the ... more Photo: Courtesy Photo / State House Press Image 6 of 22 The best view of the Alamo is from a suite atop San Antonio’s Hyatt Regency on the River Walk, according to a Texas Monthly interview with Phil Collins The best view of the Alamo is from a suite atop San Antonio’s Hyatt Regency on the River Walk, according to a Texas Monthly interview with Phil Collins Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT / JOHN DAVENPORT / San Antonio Express-News Image 7 of 22 Erected in 1724, the Alamo was the first of five missions in the area. It was originally named Misión San Antonio de Valero. (Remember that the next time you get gas.) Erected in 1724, the Alamo was the first of five missions in the area. It was originally named Misión San Antonio de Valero. (Remember that the next time you get gas.) Photo: BILLY CALZADA, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS Image 8 of 22 After Spanish officials secularized the mission, they stationed a cavalry unit there in the early 1800s. Alamo is the Spanish word for “cottonwood,” and cavalry soldiers adopted the nickname in homage to their hometown: Alamo de Parras, Coahuila. After Spanish officials secularized the mission, they stationed a cavalry unit there in the early 1800s. Alamo is the Spanish word for “cottonwood,” and cavalry soldiers adopted the nickname in homage to ... more Photo: Danita Delimont, Getty Images Image 9 of 22 The Long Barrack, now the Alamo Museum, was the first recorded hospital in Spanish Texas. It was established in 1805 to care for soldiers fighting on the frontier. The Long Barrack, now the Alamo Museum, was the first recorded hospital in Spanish Texas. It was established in 1805 to care for soldiers fighting on the frontier. Photo: Brian Nutsch, Courtesy, General Land Office Image 10 of 22 A lock of Davy Crockett’s hair is encased in a glass locket on display in the Long Barrack Museum. A lock of Davy Crockett’s hair is encased in a glass locket on display in the Long Barrack Museum. Photo: GLORIA FERNIZ, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS Image 11 of 22 Photo: The Texas Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans re-enact the surrender of all Federal installations in Texas by Major General David Twiggs in February in 1861. Confederate forces used the Alamo during the Civil War. Photo: The Texas Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans re-enact the surrender of all Federal installations in Texas by Major General David Twiggs ... more Confederate forces used the Alamo during the Civil War. Photo: ROBERT MCLEROY, San Antonio Express-News Image 12 of 22 The Alamo was used as a warehouse in the 1870s, and hog carcasses hung in the cool, dark stone church. At this time, a French merchant ran a general store in the Long Barrack. The Alamo was used as a warehouse in the 1870s, and hog carcasses hung in the cool, dark stone church. At this time, a French merchant ran a general store in the Long Barrack. Photo: Jowdy Photography, Courtesy, General Land Office Image 13 of 22 Photo: screengrab from the Virtual Tour at www.thealamo.org Small stones in the shape of Texas are discreetly embedded throughout the building. Photo: screengrab from the Virtual Tour at www.thealamo.org Small stones in the shape of Texas are discreetly embedded throughout the building. Photo: Texas General Land Office Image 14 of 22 Photo: screengrab from the Virtual Tour at www.thealamo.org Etchings dating back to the 1730s – 1750s can be found on a wall in the Alamo Church Sacristy. Photo: screengrab from the Virtual Tour at www.thealamo.org Etchings dating back to the 1730s – 1750s can be found on a wall in the Alamo Church Sacristy. Photo: Texas General Land Office Image 15 of 22 Photo: screengrab from the Virtual Tour at www.thealamo.org Broken glass from bottles and handles from beer mugs can be seen jutting through the walls here and there. When the U.S. Army reinforced the walls, they used dirt near a garbage dump. Photo: screengrab from ... more Broken glass from bottles and handles from beer mugs can be seen jutting through the walls here and there. When the U.S. Army reinforced the walls, they used dirt near a garbage dump. Photo: Texas General Land Office Image 16 of 22 "Viva Max," a 1969 comedy starring Peter Ustinov and Jonathan Winters, infuriated the Daughters of the Republic so much that they protested by covering the Alamo’s gate in black plastic during the filming. "Viva Max," a 1969 comedy starring Peter Ustinov and Jonathan Winters, infuriated the Daughters of the Republic so much that they protested by covering the Alamo’s gate in black plastic during the filming. Photo: Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images Image 17 of 22 Alamo horticulturalist Mark Nauschutz says this oak tree was planted on the Alamo grounds when it was 40 years old in 1912. Alamo horticulturalist Mark Nauschutz says this oak tree was planted on the Alamo grounds when it was 40 years old in 1912. Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT, Jdavenport@express-news.net Image 18 of 22 Photo: screengrab from the Virtual Tour at www.thealamo.org The original walls around the Alamo are long gone. The stone walls and arches there today were built in the 1920s. Photo: screengrab from the Virtual Tour at www.thealamo.org The original walls around the Alamo are long gone. The stone walls and arches there today were built in the 1920s. Photo: Texas General Land Office Image 19 of 22 The shrine’s private police force is the Alamo Rangers. A former security chief of the Alamo Rangers has claimed to have seen ghosts at the shrine. The shrine’s private police force is the Alamo Rangers. A former security chief of the Alamo Rangers has claimed to have seen ghosts at the shrine. Photo: HELEN L. MONTOYA, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS Image 20 of 22 Martin Leal is owner of Alamo City Paranormal and a local ghost hunter. There is a legend that spirits of mission friars, American Indians, Mexican soldiers and Alamo defenders haunt the area. Martin Leal is owner of Alamo City Paranormal and a local ghost hunter. There is a legend that spirits of mission friars, American Indians, Mexican soldiers and Alamo defenders haunt the area. Photo: HELEN L. MONTOYA, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS Image 21 of 22 Photo: A video showing indigenous and mestizo people of Texas is projected on the Alamo shrine during "Luminaria: Arts Night in San Antonio," on Saturday, March 14, 2009. The video was part of an artistic piece entitled "Enlight Tent" by Vaago Weiland and Laura Varela. A city ordinance now prohibits demonstrations with digital projection screening on the Alamo Plaza. Photo: A video showing indigenous and mestizo people of Texas is projected on the Alamo shrine during ... more A city ordinance now prohibits demonstrations with digital projection screening on the Alamo Plaza. Photo: BILLY CALZADA, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

– Julio Perez will likely remember the Alamo for a long time to come, mainly because he's being accused of damaging it to the tune of $250,000, KENS 5 reports. Police say the 22-year-old Texas man tried to carve his name with a car key into a 250-year-old wall in the Monks' Burial Room, creating a 3-by-1-inch gash in the recently designated World Heritage site. Per the police report, a tour guide reportedly spotted Perez notching "Julio" into the limestone and told him to stop, and an Alamo security guard nabbed him and a female companion when they tried to escape, the San Antonio Express-News notes. "In Texas we take our history seriously and consider the Alamo to be sacred ground," the Alamo Rangers chief said in a statement, per the New York Daily News. "Desecration of any part of these hallowed grounds, especially the walls of the Alamo Chapel, will not be tolerated." Perez has been charged with second-degree felony criminal mischief, and the damaged room has been closed to the public as preservation experts try to figure out how to how to fix the carving. (Cops are still questioning girls named Destiny to see who defaced the Black Cliffs of Idaho.)

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption The BBC's Jonathan Head: “There are scenes of the most appalling carnage" A bomb has exploded close to a shrine in the centre of Thailand's capital, Bangkok, killing at least 19 people and injuring more than 120. The Erawan Shrine, which was crowded at the time, is a major tourist attraction and foreigners, including Chinese, are among the casualties. No-one has yet said they carried out the attack. Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said the bombers had "targeted foreigners... to damage tourism and the economy". "We will hunt them down," he said. Bangkok blast: The events of the day Images from the scene The Nation TV channel quoted Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha as saying the government would set up a "war room" to co-ordinate its response. National police chief Somyot Poompummuang said that 10 Thais had been confirmed dead, along with one Chinese and one Filipino. Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption CCTV footage shows the moment of the explosion in the centre of Bangkok Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Dashcam footage captures the moment the bomb exploded near a shrine He said: "Whoever planted this bomb is cruel and aimed to kill. Planting a bomb there means they want to see a lot of people dead." Thai police said 123 people had been injured. The government in Hong Kong said three of its residents were among those wounded. The explosion occurred at about 19:00 local time (12:00 GMT). The Bangkok Post quoted police as saying that 3kg of TNT had been stuffed in a pipe inside the shrine and that an electronic circuit suspected to have been used in the attack was found 30 metres from the scene. Police checked the area for other devices but no further bombs have been found, the paper said. 'Really graphic' The BBC's Jonathan Head, who was one of the first journalists at the scene, said there was a huge amount of chaos, with body parts scattered everywhere. He says this is a very well-known shrine, next to a five-star hotel, and that people around it were hit by the full force of the blast. Analysis: Jonathan Marcus, BBC defence and diplomatic correspondent There is no previous history of attacks in the Thai capital on this scale or with such murderous intent. One possibility is that they might be the work of Malay-Muslim insurgents in the south who have been fighting Thai rule for more than a decade. However, they have never targeted Bangkok before and casualties from their attacks have been falling. National political turmoil has prompted some low-level bomb attacks by rival factions in the past - but again, nothing on this scale. There also seem to be few, if any, links between Thai militants and groups like the so-called Islamic State. The shrine is popular with Chinese tourists and this raises at least the possibility of a connection to the Uighurs - a Turkic-speaking Muslim minority in the far west of China. They complain of cultural and religious persecution at the hands of the Beijing authorities. Last month more than 100 Uighurs were deported from Thailand to China - a move that prompted widespread condemnation. But while there are violent elements in the Uighur movement, an attack on this scale outside China would be unusual to say the least. One bystander, Alessandro Ursic, told the BBC: "When I arrived they had already cleared the bodies from the ground outside the Erawan shrine but there were and there are still pieces of human flesh strewn around the intersection; it's really graphic." Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption The BBC's James Sales: "As I walked in there were lots and lots of dead bodies" Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Barry Newhouse: "There were three motorcycles... there was a real acrid smell in the air" The BBC's James Sales said: "I went into where the shrine is, where there were lots of bodies. I saw at least nine people unfortunately who looked like they had died and lots of Chinese tourists as well. "I tried to administer CPR to one particular guy who was in his 40s... he was Chinese... but I doubt he made it." Bangkok explosion Bangkok Bangkok Bangkok Gaysorn Plaza shopping centre Erawan Shrine Erawan Shrine BTS Skytrain Approximate blast area Ratchaprasong Junction 200m Google Reuters 500 feet THAILAND Eyewitness accounts of the blast - "There was total chaos" CCTV footage - captures the moment of the explosion The Erawan Shrine - popular with locals and tourists Mobile phone footage captures the blast 'I gave one man CPR' says BBC man The shrine is dedicated to the Hindu god Brahma, but is also visited by thousands of Buddhists each day. There are also three major shopping centres nearby. The explosion was on the Ratchaprasong intersection, which has been the centre of political demonstrations in recent years. Image copyright AFP Image caption Police say 3kg of TNT was used in the blast Image copyright AFP Image caption Dozens were injured in the explosion Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Police chief Somyot Poompummuang said the bombers wanted "to see a lot of people dead" Image copyright AFP Image caption Some reports say foreign tourists are among the casualties Image copyright EPA Image caption Relatives arrived at the scene to try to find missing loved ones Our correspondent, Jonathan Head, says bomb attacks in Bangkok are extremely rare. There has been a Muslim insurgency, but this has been largely confined to the south of the country and attacks rarely take place elsewhere. But Bangkok has seen a decade of sometimes violent rivalry between political factions. The military took over ruling the country in May last year, removing an elected government following months of unrest. The capital has been relatively calm since then. Analysts say one flashpoint could be within the military government itself. The annual promotion list is due out next month and it is thought to be a source of tension among the various cliques. ||||| Prayuth Chan-o-cha, the prime minister and junta leader, urged the chief suspect to surrender or risk death at the hands of accomplices keen to silence him as the manhunt for continued for the bomber and support network responsible for the worst atrocity in Bangkok’s history. And that's it for the Telegraph's live coverage, thank you for following. 16.38 Photo: REUTERS 15.40 Amid all the pain and heartbreak inflicted by the Bangkok shrine bombing, the grief of one Malaysian family stands out in its horror, writes Philip Sherwell in Bangkok. Seven close relatives went to seek the blessing of the Brahma deity at the Erawan shrine on Monday evening on the last night of their Thai holiday. Only Neoh Hock Guan and his pregnant daughter Ee Ling survived. Ms Ee, 33, escaped the blast because the smoke from the incense sticks was so strong that she walked away from the shrine. Mr Neoh, 55, a pastry shop owner, followed to check on his daughter just seconds before the bomb detonated and suffered minor injuries to his legs. In the chaos, he lost track of his wife, son, son-in-law, sister-in-law and four-year-old grand-daughter. He later made several heart-breaking trips to Bangkok hospitals treating the casualties, hoping that they were among the injured, only to have to identify their bodies in the growing death toll. His grand-daughter was the youngest victim of the atrocity. “What was supposed to be a happy holiday has turned into a nightmare," said Mr Neoh's brother, Hock Bee. "I pray the Thai police will capture those behind the attack. They should be punished severely." Photo: REUTERS 14.41 Police spokesman Prawut Thawornsiri described the bomber as "having white skin and must have been a European or have mixed blood, perhaps with Middle Eastern blood", but he did not explain why he made those assumptions. 13.36 Philip Sherwell in Bangkok has fresh details about the suspect’s movements after he left his backpack behind at the bomb-site from the police spokesman in this Khaosod English language news report. Police have tracked down and spoken to the motorbike taxi driver who drove “yellow shirt guy”, as the suspect is being called, away from the scene (motorbike taxis are an extremely common form of transport in Bangkok). The composite sketch of the suspect – which seems much clearer than the images in the grainy video we have seen – is apparently based on the witness testimony from the driver as well as a clear photo taken from another security camera. Photo: EPA/NARONG SANGNAK “This witness is also a part of why we can have the sketch, because he saw the suspect at close range,’” said Prawuth Thawornsiri, police spokesman. His boss, Somyot Pumpanmuang, the national police chief, has speculated that the mop-haired suspect might have been wearing a wig at the time of the attack. In terms of other suspects, Prawuth said that the video showed “another person saving the spot” at the bomb-site for him who “could be a target spotter”. I’ve just watched the video again and while it shows a young man or male teen getting up from the bench where the suspect then sat down, I don’t see any indication in the footage that it was an arranged swap. They don’t seem to interact. But we also know that the police have a lot more surveillance video than they have released so far. Photo: EPA/NARONG SANGNAK The police spokesman was also asked if reports were true that the motorcycle taxi operator said the suspect could not speak Thai. I'm not sure his answer as reported here made things any clearer. “I cannot answer that,” the police spokesman said. “If the suspect disguised himself, wore a wig, put on fake nose and spoke Arabic, we wouldn’t know if he’s really [a foreigner] anyway.” 13.00 The warrant is the first major step towards identifying a suspect revealed to the public after he was seen on CCTV calmly leaving a backpack at the Erawan shrine moments before the bomb went off. 12.32 A Thai court issued an arrest warrant for an unnamed foreign man. The warrant, issued by Bangkok's Southern Criminal Court, accuses an "unnamed foreigner" of conspiracy to commit "premeditated murder" among other charges, linked to the bomb that killed 20 people on Monday. Breakthru in #BangkokBlast manhunt. Arrest warrant issued. Don't know who he is/where he's from, but he's "foreign" https://t.co/rEIJAnapxE — Philip Sherwell (@philipsherwell) August 19, 2015 12.12 From Philip Sherwell in Bangkok, who has just attended a press conference with Hong Kong officials at the Police General Hospital: The parents of Vivian Chan Wing-Yan, the British-Hong Kong student killed in the blast, have gone through the traumatic process of formally identifying their daughter’s body. Her mother and father arrived in Bangkok from Hong Kong and are now going through the paperwork for her body to be released and flown back to the former British territory for her funeral. Hong Kong officials who are helping the family told me that their Thai counterparts are being “extremely helpful” and they hope that the arrangements will be completed soon. They declined to give any more details and Miss Chan’s parents have asked for privacy. But the identification process took place at the forensic medicine unit of the Police General Hospital, which is just a few hundred yards from the shrine where their 19-year-old daughter died. A Hong Kong clinical psychologist gave the parents counselling before and after they saw their daughter’s body. The parents of Miss Chan's friend and travelling companion Arcadia Pang Wan-Chee, who died along side her, have also identified their daughter. 12.00 BREAKING: Two other men seen in CCTV footage at the site of the blast are also suspects, says Thai police. 10.57 In the aftermath of the bomb blast, experts in Bangkok have warned the Thai tourism industry - which accounts for 9 per cent of its economy and employs millions - will be "severley impacted." "In previous events in Thailand, at least in recent years, tourists have never been really the target. What's different this time is that it was a prime tourist area that was affected," Mario Hardy, Bangkok-based chief executive of the Pacific Asia Travel Association, told Reuters. 10.43 Thai police have issued this poster as part of their efforts to track down the suspected bomber. There were also reports of a false alarm after a suspected bomb package turned out to be a cardboard box. Do you have any information or pictures about the Erawan Shrine bombing? Do you recognize the suspect? Call 1599 now pic.twitter.com/aVZzmCFTAz — Richard Barrow (@RichardBarrow) August 19, 2015 10.12 Thai police on Wednesday released a detailed sketch of the suspected Bangkok bomber seen on security footage leaving a backpack at a shrine moments before a bomb detonated, killing 20 people and wounding scores more. The unidentified man, who has a light complexion, some stubble, black hair and glasses, "might be foreign or Thai", according to national police spokesman Prawut Thavornsiri. Photo: Thai Police Associated Press report that Thai police say they have called two or three people, mostly foreigners, for questioning as they search for the main suspect seen in security video carrying a backpack at the Erawan shrine shortly before the Monday evening explosion that killed 20 people. Police spokesman Lt Gen Prawut Thavornsiri says an arrest warrant for the unidentified suspect would be issued soon. He says "hopefully, he is still in Thailand." 08.57 As the police intensified their search for the accomplices, they also offered a reward of 1 million baht (£18,000) for information leading to the bomber. "We are also looking for other suspects in connection with the blast," said police spokesman Prawut Thawornsiri. "These types of attacks are not usually planned by one person alone." 08.32 The Erawan shrine has reopened. Among the tributes left at the Hindu shrine on Wednesday morning were bundles of clothes and money to honour a Malaysian family that suffered a terrible price in the attack, writes Philip Sherwell in Bangkok. Of seven close relatives who visited the shrine on Monday evening, four were killed and one is missing, feared to be among the dead whose bodies were too badly damaged to be quickly identified. On Wednesday morning, Thais and Asian visitors paid their respects in what could have seemed like a regular scene at the shrine to Brahma, a Hindu deity also worshipped by Buddhists. The Erawan shrine in Bangkok re-opened this morning. Lord Brahma still bears the scars #BangkokBlast pic.twitter.com/orW7NOEVf9 — Philip Sherwell (@philipsherwell) August 19, 2015 08.16 Thai investigators have not been able to establish the nationality of the man suspected of bombing a Bangkok shrine, or whether he is still in the country, police chief Somyot Poompanmoung has said. I don't suspect one person, I suspect many people. I am confident that there are Thais involved but I am not saying it is just Thais or that there are foreigners." He said it was not clear yet if a small second explosion in Bangkok, on Tuesday, was linked to the first. "The wrong-doer could not have been alone... we believe there must be people helping hiim, Thai people. It's a network," he said. Thai police chief says the nationality of suspected #Bangkok shrine bomber not yet identified and it is not known if he is still in Thailand — Sky News Newsdesk (@SkyNewsBreak) August 19, 2015 07.43 Hello and welcome to the Telegraph's live coverage of the aftermath of Monday's explosion near the Hindu Erawan shrine in Bangkok. Some worrying news has been reported by our Asia Editor, Philip Sherwell in Bangkok: Thailand’s police chief has said that the Bangkok shrine bomber who planted the home-made device that killed at least 20 people “didn’t do it alone” and was part of a “network”. As the police manhunt continued for the young man who was seen in security camera footage apparently leaving the lethal pipe bomb, the holy site that he targetted for the slaughter re-opened. With prayers chanted by Buddhist monks and floral garlands and incense sticks laid by devotees, the gates to the open-air Erawan shrine were open again barely 36 hours after the horrors witnessed there at rush hour on Monday evening. “He didn't do it alone for sure,” Somyot Poompanmoung, the national police chief said when asked about the man pictured in the CCTV footage leaving a back-pack at the location where the bomb exploded. “It's a network." What happened yesterday? A British-Hong Kong victim was named as Vivian Chan Wing-Yan was born in Hong Kong and attended Harrow International School before she began studying law in London. Miss Chan had been on holiday in Thailand with her friend Arcadia Pang Wan-Chee, 24, when the bomb exploded, killing them both. The dramatic events for Thailand continued yesterday when another pipe bomb exploded in a river near a central railway station in the capital. No one was killed or injured, fortunately. What has happened in the last two days? On Monday evening (afternoon in the UK as Thailand is six hours ahead), an explosion ripped through the heart of Bangkok, killing at least 20 people and left more than 120 injured. Some media sources in Thailand say the death could be as high as 28. The scene of carnage was depicted vividly online with body parts and police struggling to immediately identify some victims as they sought to confirm what body part belonged to who. The device, a pipe bomb, went off and it is not currently known who was responsible or what group may have been responsible for the attack. Yesterday, CCTV footage was released showing a suspected individual with a backpack later removing it at the blast site. You can watch the video above. ||||| BANGKOK A bomb planted at one of the Thai capital's most renowned shrines on Monday killed 19 people, including three foreign tourists, and wounded scores in an attack the government called a bid to destroy the economy. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast at the Erawan shrine at a major city-centre intersection. Thai forces are fighting a low-level Muslim insurgency in the predominantly Buddhist country's south, but those rebels have rarely launched attacks outside their heartland. "The perpetrators intended to destroy the economy and tourism, because the incident occurred in the heart of the tourism district," Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan told Reuters. The Bangkok Post, citing the Royal Thai Police, put the death toll at 19, with 123 injured, as of 11:20 pm (1720 GMT). National police chief Somyot Poompanmuang told reporters the attack was unprecedented in Thailand. "It was a pipe bomb," Somyot said. "It was placed inside the Erawan shrine." The shrine, on a busy corner near top hotels, shopping centres, offices and a hospital, is a major attraction, especially for visitors from East Asia, including China. Many ordinary Thais also worship there. The government would set up a "war room" to coordinate the response to the blast, the Nation television channel quoted Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha as saying. Two people from China and one from the Philippines were among the dead, a tourist police officer said. Media said most of the wounded were from China and Taiwan. "It was like a meat market," said Marko Cunningham, a New Zealand paramedic working with a Bangkok ambulance service, who said the blast had left a two-metre-wide (6-foot-) crater. "There were bodies everywhere. Some were shredded. There were legs where heads were supposed to be. It was horrific," Cunningham said, adding that people several hundred metres away had been injured. POLITICAL TENSION At the scene lay burnt out motorcycles, with rubble from the shrine's wall and pools of blood on the street. Earlier, authorities had ordered onlookers back, saying they were checking for a second bomb but police later said no other explosive devices were found. Authorities stepped up security checks at some major city intersections and in tourist areas. The city's elevated railway, which passes over the scene, was operating normally. While initial suspicion might fall on Muslim separatists in the south, Thailand has been riven for a decade by an intense and sometimes violent struggle for power between political factions in Bangkok. Occasional small blasts have been blamed on one side or the other. Two pipe bombs exploded outside a luxury shopping mall in the same area in February, but caused little damage. Police said that attack was aimed at raising tension when the city was under martial law. The army has ruled Thailand since May 2014, when it ousted an elected government after months of at times violent anti-government protests. In Washington, the U.S. State Department said it was too soon to tell if a blast was a terrorist attack. Spokesman John Kirby said authorities in Thailand were investigating and had not requested U.S. help so far. He said U.S. officials were working with Thai authorities to determine if any U.S. citizens were affected by the blast. The shrine intersection was the site of months of anti-government protests in 2010 by supporters of ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Dozens were killed in a military crackdown and a shopping centre was set ablaze. (Reporting by Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Andrew R.C. Marshall; Additional reporting by Khettiya Jittapong, Martin Petty, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Arshad Mohammed and David Brunnstrom; Writing by Robert Birsel; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Ken Wills) ||||| Replying to @tijaaz @tijaaz Hi, Florian, for the national French TV "France 2". Same as everyone, can we use your video ? We will credit you.

– The area around a Thai shrine visited by thousands of Buddhists each day is now the site of "appalling carnage" after at least one bomb went off in the heart of Bangkok today around 7pm local time. The BBC and Telegraph report body parts littered the ground near the Erawan Shrine, where at least 12 people were killed—foreign tourists possibly among them—and 78 were injured. "All I can say now is there has been an explosion in central Bangkok involving a motorcycle bomb," a police rep tells Reuters. Another adds, "There could be another explosion, so we have blocked off the crime scene and are asking bystanders to move back." A BBC correspondent says burnt motorbikes were seen near the blast site. No person or group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, though the country's defense minister claims "the perpetrators intended to destroy the economy and tourism because the incident occurred in the heart of the tourism district." Police say they were searching for two or three other bombs; the Bangkok Post reports via Twitter that police have safely detonated at least one other bomb in the Ratchaprasong area, which also includes three shopping malls and a five-star hotel. The Telegraph reports two small blasts near the entrance of one of those malls left one person hurt back in February. In 2012, several explosions in Bangkok injured five in what police say was an attempt by Iranians to assassinate Israeli diplomats.

J. Vespa/WireImage.com A man can only take so much. Particularly when that man is Charlie Sheen's publicist. Stan Rosenfield, the ever put-upon flack responsible for gifting the world with such well-intentioned if wholly unbelieved doozies as blaming Sheen's hooker-assisted hospitalization on "an allergic reaction to some medication," calling his rehab a "preventative measure" and otherwise assuring the public that Chuck Sheen is always A-OK has resigned. Guess the Sheen-anigans finally got to him. So, did he go out in a blaze of glory? Spill all of Charlie's dirty secrets? (Or whatever's left of them?) VIDEO: Charlie's issued a new list of demands for Two and a Half Men's Chuck Lorre. Hear them now! Nah, he's too much of a pro for that. "I have worked with Charlie Sheen for a long time and I care about him very much," Rosenfield announced today (and not long after Sheen blasted the PR man for making excuses for his behavior—aka doing his job). "However, at this time, I'm unable to work effectively as his publicist and have respectfully resigned." Our only question for Stan now: what took you so long? Incidentally, Rosenfield was working with Sheen right up until the bitter end, this morning issuing a pair of denials about his now-former client. "Somebody I've never heard of by the name of Ian Fortey has sent out an email under my company's name that Charlie Sheen has retired," he told E! News. "THAT IS A HOAX. "It was reported by X17 that Charlie Sheen is in rehab. This is NOT true." This, however, is. VIDEO: Watch the interview that sent Stan over the edge! ||||| 'Two and a Half Men' Creator Chuck Lorre: 'I Am So Outta Here!' Email This Chuck Lorre, creator and executive producer of 'Two and a Half Men,' posted a "vanity card" after last night's episode of 'Mike & Molly', one of the other shows he helms, that answered his thoughts on the recent According to He continues, "I believe that consciousness creates the illusion of individuation, the false feeling of being separate. In other words, I am aware, ergo I am alone. I further believe that this existential misunderstanding is the prime motivating force for the neurotic compulsion to blot out consciousness. This explains the paradox of our culture, which celebrates the ego while simultaneously promoting its evisceration with drugs and alcohol." Chuck Lorre, creator and executive producer of 'Two and a Half Men,' posted a "vanity card" after last night's episode of 'Mike & Molly', one of the other shows he helms, that answered his thoughts on the recent Charlie Sheen debacle and the possible future of 'Two and a Half Men.'According to EW , on the card Lorre says, "I understand that I'm under a lot of pressure to respond to certain statements made about me recently. The following are my uncensored thoughts. I hope this will put an end to any further speculation."He continues, "I believe that consciousness creates the illusion of individuation, the false feeling of being separate. In other words, I am aware, ergo I am alone. I further believe that this existential misunderstanding is the prime motivating force for the neurotic compulsion to blot out consciousness. This explains the paradox of our culture, which celebrates the ego while simultaneously promoting its evisceration with drugs and alcohol." He goes on, "It also clarifies our deep-seated fear of monolithic, one-minded systems like communism, religious fundamentalism, zombies and invaders from Mars. Each one is a dark echo of an oceanic state of unifying transcendence from which consciousness must, by nature, flee. The Fall from Grace is, in fact, a Sprint from Grace. Or perhaps more accurately, 'Screw Grace, I am so outta here!'Questions?"It looks like Lorre is done with the show and could possibly be packing it in. TMZ also notes Lorre's statement is long and rambling, possibly mocking Sheen's recent statements Lorre's vanity cards came into play two weeks ago when he finally broke his silence regarding the trouble caused by Sheen being in the news for all the wrong reasons.The card talked about how Lorre lead a healthy lifestyle and finally said, "If Charlie Sheen outlives me, I'm gonna be really pissed." ||||| Tomsfeet Productions Tomsfeet Productions "It was epic," he told GMA correspondent Andrea Canning. "The run I was on made [Frank] Sinatra, [Errol] Flynn, [Mick] Jagger, [Keith] Richards -- all of them -- look like droopy-eyed, armless children."Those comments probably won't cause Mick Jagger or Keith Richards to lose much sleep, but they definitely offend San Diego-based motivational speaker Tom Willis. That's because they hit him right where it hurts. You see, Willis was born without any arms, just a small left hand with two fingers that aren't very strong.But that hasn't stopped him from a successful life, first as a producer of educational films and currently as a motivational speaker who has made it his goal to throw out the first ball at every Major League Baseball stadium -- with his feet. Over the years, Willis has tried to change people's hearts and minds about disabled Americans, but he says Sheen's shunning of the disabled shows how little has changed -- and how much work he has to do."Sheen's comments -- the way he said them so matter-of-factly -- made me feel like he might say it any day of the week, that this was normal for him. I had to back up my DVR over and over again because I couldn't believe he said it. Then I had to transcribe it and send it to others."One of the people he sent it to was the mother of an 8-year-old girl with no arms."I had to send it to her so that she would know what her daughter will experience as she grows up," Willis said.Willis has every right to get mad, but hopes he can instead turn the situation into a "teachable moment.""[The comments] reinforce why I do my speeches," he told AOL News. "When you see a person without limbs, it doesn't mean you can't do anything."Willis is the perfect example to prove his own point. When he speaks to groups, he comes onstage throwing Frisbees and balls with his feet. In fact, he can throw a baseball forcefully at least 60 feet, 6 inches, the distance from the pitcher's mound to home plate, something that should impress Sheen, who has appeared in baseball-themed movies like "Eight Men Out" and "Major League."However, Willis is not impressed with Sheen, or the context in which he used the term "armless children.""He compares himself to iconic figures and calls them 'armless children' because he's better at sex and drugs?'" Willis asked rhetorically. "I don't know what to say to a person like this. It was strange that this was the one reference that was an insult. He didn't put anyone else down."It isn't the words that offend me -- there are armless children -- but it's the way he presented it, as if it's the worst thing in the world."Willis realizes there is a long line of people ahead of him waiting for a Charlie Sheen apology."I wouldn't expect anything, because he has his own issues. But I wish him well," Willis said. "I hope he can find his own peace and happiness. Maybe even with a porn star."On the other hand, he hopes that raising attention to the offensiveness of Sheen's comments can also help others realize that he's wrong in at least one respect."Christopher Reeve showed that in one snap of the finger your life can change," Willis said. "However, he also showed that a disability is not the end of the world." ||||| Is John Stamos Replacing Charlie Sheen on 'Two and a Half Men'? Email This Last week, According to "They were at the bar talking, and Les asked John if he'd be interested in replacing Charlie," a source told E! "It wouldn't be to play Charlie's character, but they talked more about introducing a new character." On Friday, though, Stamos Last week, John Stamos shot down rumors that he was in talks to replace Charlie Sheen on 'Two and a Half Men.' But those rumors have rekindled, and there might be some more truth to them this time.According to E! Online , CBS chief Les Moonves chatted with Stamos on Saturday about possibly joining the network's hit sitcom."They were at the bar talking, and Les asked John if he'd be interested in replacing Charlie," a source told E! "It wouldn't be to play Charlie's character, but they talked more about introducing a new character."On Friday, though, Stamos tweeted , "Contrary to the rumors, I am not replacing Charlie Sheen on 'Two and a Half Men.' However, Martin Sheen has asked me to be his son." Sheen responded to rumors that the studio was angling to bring in Stamos as a replacement for him."If they do that then they deserve their failures and the follies," he told TMZ Stamos has been sorely underused in his 'Glee' guest spot as the dentist husband of guidance counselor Emma, so maybe there's something to this rumor. E! reports that Stamos' conversation with Moonves lasted about 15 minutes, but more formal talks haven't taken place.See more at TV Squad ||||| Five days ago, we closed a profile built around an interview with Charlie Sheen that will appear in the April issue of GQ. Since then, Sheen has continued doing what the article describes—texting and emailing the media (on Friday, he sent images of his new "Death from Above" tattoo to Entertainment Tonight) and calling in live to radio shows. But Sheen also did something new: lobbed insults at his employers, specifically Chuck Lorre, the co-creator of Two and a Half Men, the top-rated sitcom on which Sheen stars. In a choice of words many saw as anti-Semitic, the actor referred to Lorre, who was born Charles Levine, as "Chaim Levine"—a name that Lorre himself has sometimes used. Sheen also called his hit show a "puke fest that everybody worships" and called the bosses who'd urged him to clean up his act "AA Nazis" and "blatant hypocrites." Sheen's spewing of vitriol appears to have pushed CBS and Warner Bros. Television to act. In a joint statement, the two companies suspended production of Two and a Half Men for the season, leaving at least 200 people out of work and canceling four planned episodes. While there has been no word yet about whether the show will be canceled for good, Sheen himself has been voluble—if contradictory—on the topic. One minute, the 45- year-old actor has said he plans to show up to work even though the show's sets are shut down ("I'm going back to work," he texted Good Morning America from an island in the Bahamas, where he was vacationing with three women—a model, one of his ex-wives, and a porn star—on Thursday). The next minute, he has said that he can't imagine working with the "turds" who run the show ever again. "Can you imagine going back... with those knuckleheads?" he told Pat O'Brien later that same day. "It would go bad quickly... We're pretty much done." Whatever his plan, Sheen seems determined to engage his corporate overlords in full-scale combat. On Friday, in a Fox Sports Radio interview with Pat O'Brien, he suggested CBS and Warners were in "absolute breach" and appeared to be gearing up for a legal battle. "We are at war," he said. "It's about to get really gnarly." So wacky and self-destructive have Sheen's comments been that it's hard to imagine he's telling the truth when he repeatedly says that he has cured his addiction "with my mind," leaving him "100 percent clean" of drugs and alcohol (though on Saturday, RadarOnline.com posted results–and photos—of a preliminary urine test the site said it had conducted in his home; Sheen passed). On Alex Jones' show, for example, he interspersed his zingers about Lorre with references to trolls, F-18 fighter pilots and Vatican assassins. He reportedly texted RadarOnline.com that he was in talks with HBO about a new show—Sheen's Corner—that would pay him $5 million an episode (an assertion promptly denied by HBO, which like Warner Bros. Television, is owned by Time Warner). On Saturday came another grandiose claim: Sheen reportedly told TMZ.com that he's writing a tell-all book to be titled When the Laughter Stopped. He wants the bidding for the publication rights to start at $10 million. So what's driving Sheen? One answer is Apocalypse Now, the 1979 war epic that starred his father, Martin Sheen. As he told GQ, the movie—whose set he visited as a child—is nearly always in his thoughts (an assertion he only amplified with that new tattoo, which quotes the death card that Robert Duvall's character, Kilgore, throws on his victims in the film). "I'm not just my dad," Sheen said this week in one radio rant. "I'm putting up the river to kill another part of me, which is Kurtz. I'm every character in between, save for that little weirdo with his guts strapped in, begging for water. That's not me. But there are parts of me that are Dennis Hopper." Sean Penn, the actor who grew up making Super 8 movies with Sheen, told GQ that he's always seen his friend as something of a performance artist, raising the odd possibility that Sheen's behavior is his own weird form of agitprop. Is the man who started life as Carlos Irwin Estevez mocking the Hollywood celebrity meltdown by staging the Mother of All Meltdowns? Is he bi-polar? Or is he just an addict who's circling the drain? What follows is the full story on how Sheen became Sheen. · · · People are always asking Charlie Sheen, "What are you thinking?" The drugs, the drink, the porn stars, the alleged violence, the trashed hotel rooms... why? "Here's a peek into my insanity," he tells me one afternoon in February. "People say, 'What are you thinking?' and here's the truth. It's generally a quote from Apocalypse Now or Jaws." It's Sheen's fourteenth day of sobriety (this time around), and he's calling from a baseball diamond on the west side of Los Angeles. Batting practice is like therapy for the former star athlete, people who know him say, and he's spent the past few hours hitting balls with his friend Tony Todd, whom he met in Little League when they were 8 years old. This has been "the best day ever," says Sheen, 45. His voice is relaxed and fluid. He sounds like he's on the mend. But when I say as much, he's quick to correct me. "We're past 'on the mend,' " he says. "We're not dealing with normal DNA here, you know what I'm saying? All those other sissies and amateurs, they can take their fucking time." But not Charlie Sheen, the star of CBS's Two and a Half Men, the top-rated comedy on television. He needs to get back to the set. "I heal as fast as I unravel. It's a blessing and a curse. I feel I have to. There's families out of jobs. There's work to do." As we talk, he addresses his latest binge only obliquely at first. "In regards to this whole recent odyssey, I'll just say this: It was epic," he says. "There are two rules at my house right now: You park your judgment at the door, and you enjoy every moment. People can interpret that however they want. Enjoy every sober moment. Enjoy every loaded moment. Just enjoy every moment. It's not a rehearsal, you know?" ||||| >> new interview with charlie sheen . jeff rossen is in los angeles with details. jeff, what are we going to get this morning? >> reporter: oh, a lot more. charlie sheen called us and said, come back to the house. i have more to say. we went and got a glimpse into his life behind closed doors , including a rare interview with the new women in his life, women helping to raise his children every day. charlie calls them his goddesses. >> how long have we owned this? >> reporter: it's charlie sheen 's version of domestic bliss at home with the new loves of his life. one, a self-described porn star he calls rach, the other a modelle he calls natty. >> we run errands, eat, play with the kids. >> we have fun. >> we watch movies. i watch a lot of "two and a half me men". >> do you love his kids? >> are you kidding? >> i wish i was with them now. i didn't want to put them down. bob was like, they're calling you. he's saying bye! >> if you say dad's busy he says, okay, dada busy. he knows. he's fine with it. >> is this normal? >> aside from the days we sit around with the gold pom-pons and everything. >> don't run with that. >> i'm joking. >> charlie said you can put him in his place. when he's wrong you put him in his place -- >> i don't -- >> let her answer. >> i don't generally have to. i respect charlie as a man and as head of the household and trust him completely. if there is something i think is a bad idea i might say, hey, babe, let's think about it this way and, you know, it works. the system works for us. >> reporter: the goddesses now live with charlie , almost always around at his los angeles mansion. >> it's a good day at the silver valley lodge -- >> reporter: his nickname for in-home rehab. we took him outside for a candid conversation about his history with women . what do these women do for you other women haven't? >> these women don'tle jud judge me, lead with opinions, lead with their own needs all the time. they are honest to say, park your nonsense. help me solve this and we solve it. what i tell them is don't live in the middle. get away from your ego and emotions. therein lies the solution. >> reporter: are these women allowed to say, charlie , you're being a jerk. can they talk back? >> oh, yeah. those are the best jokes of the day. we have an open dialogue. >> reporter: do they put you in your place ? >> everybody's vote has equal importance. when we are approaching crisis, i remind them, look, i'm 22 years further down the road. trust me. most of the time -- well in the last few days, all the time my plan is the best. everybody will win and everybody's needs will be taken care of. >> reporter: including, he says, his young children. charlie 's twin boys spend a lot of time at his house. there are nannies but charlie 's angels play a role, too. >> reporter: are the goddesses with your kids? >> if i'm not there, everybody helps out. i don't know. there's nothing broken here. >> reporter: some would say everything is broken. >> wait. i'm still in pain. >> hang in there. >> reporter: his hit sit-com "two and a half men" has been shut down for the rest of the season based, according to cbs and warner brothers on sheen's statement, conduct and condition. your lawyers wrote a letter to warner brothers saying you want to be paid for eight episodes. >> of course. >> reporter: why? >> that's what i agreed to do. >> reporter: you want to move forward? >> god yeah. there is work to do, shows to be delivers. the clock is ticking. >> reporter: warner brothers agreed to pay the crew for four episodes. >> that's a start. i want eight. i will worry about the cast and myself last. >> reporter: you think because of the pressure you're applying they are getting paid? >> well, yeah. who else is applying pressure? jon cryer ? no. just sitting around. >> reporter: warner brothers denies sheen's pressure had anything to do with paying the crew. sheen's publicist quit after years on the job saying he's unable to work effectively as his publicist. what happened? >> i don't know. maybe he felt he wasn't respected. again, i'm just guessing. there is something epic about that that it got so gnarly that stan said, okay, i'm out. that's how i roll. bye-bye. there's the door. same one you came in. >> reporter: in the first interview that aired monday, charlie promised he's clean now. >> look at me, duh. drug tests don't lie. >> reporter: when was the last time you did drugs? >> i don't know. i don't care. >> reporter: in the new interview he brought the proof. these are results of the drug test you just took. >> the word negative is printed like 18 trillion times. >> reporter: his family isn't convinced. in a rare interview his father martin spoke about it. >> he's an extraordinary man. if he had cancer, how would we treat him? the disease of addiction is a form of cancer. you have to have an equal measure of concern and love and lift them up. so that's what we do for him. >> reporter: has your father or brothers came to you and said, time to get back on track? >> i said, i'm not ready. i'm not interested in your rhetoric now. i appreciate your love and compassion if that's what you call it. but i'm 45 years old. i'm not interested in people treating me like a 12-year-old. >> reporter: even your own father? >> yeah. my own dad. come on captain bullard, greatest film ever made. he's entitled. but i have evolved beyond it. >> reporter: devolving some say into a dangerous spiral for our viewers who saw this monday morning. duh, winning. tiger blood. adonis dna. i'm tired of pretending i'm not a total rock star from mars. he's saying war lock, tiger's blood. what do you say when you see it? >> i'm entertained as hell. i'm laughing with my goddesses, with my friends. everyone's like, did they expect a normal, conventional, boring interview? no, man. we're shaking the tree. we're shaking all the trees. >> reporter: someone asked me is he delusional, crazy, a nars cyst, a nice guy , how would you describe yourself? >> i am grandiose because i live a grandiose life. i'm tired of being aw shucks. that's not me. b.s., that is me. thanks for recognizing it. i support it. what's wrong with that? for years there were actors i thought were so arrogant. i look back and go, wow, they were just uber confident. they were just projecting the image they believed to be true. now i get it. >> reporter: what do you want to say to the fans? there are a lot of fans worried about you. >> don't be worried. celebrate this movement. i love and i'm so grateful that you have supported me and the show for so long. i will not let you down. trust me. >> reporter: charlie sheen didn't hold back at all. as soon as the interview aired on "today" people started tweeting me. charlie seems manic, i'm sad for his kids. wow, i couldn't sit there like you did. i'd have to pop that ego of his. >> wow. i don't come from a place of ego. >> reporter: somebody said, what did charlie smell like? he sounds like he smokes a carton a day. >> whatever. >> reporter: does that hurt you? >> no. it's sad for them. get a job. charlie seems manic, i'm sad for his kids. i'm sad you have time to write about this and you may not ever have kids because you're obviously -- i don't want to get into it. one woman wrote, i agree with him. >> well, she's awake. the others -- [ snoring ] >> reporter: charlie says he's happy and feeling better than ever. >> that's nice. >> reporter: playing basketball with friends, working out and spending more time with the goddesses. >> our life is awesome. >> reporter: confident all the free time is temporary saying he'll return to the show soon as the star. do you support charlie and his master plan to go back to work? do you agree with everything he's done? >> completely. i'm behind charlie 100% in whatever he would like to do. >> i told charlie i'm on the bus. i don't care where the bus is going. that's how we live. what do you want to do today? done. let's do it. >> i keep pressing the truth. that will flush everybody into the light and we'll have a dialogue and fix it. it's going to be good. everybody's going to win. because they followed guess who's plan. mine. >> reporter: for the second straight day we called cbs for reaction. they had no comment. today would have been the first day back at work for the crew of "two and a half men" on the warner brothers lot just a couple of blocks from here. instead they are home waiti iing see what happens like charlie sheen . i spent a lot of time with him. no question he's not normal, but he likes it that way. the question is what's next. he assured me drugs and alcohol are out of his life for now and for good but addiction experts say it's not that easy to go cold turkey , matt and to stay in it. that's the challenge for charlie sheen . maybe not even he realizes how difficult it is to sustain going forward. >> i guess a lot of us will stay tuned . jeff, thank you very much. let's ||||| Despite being suspended from his job and engaging in a public war of words with CBS and the producers of "Two and a Half Men," Charlie Sheen said he loves his life, surrounded by his twin boys and two 24-year-old girlfriends. "It's perfect. It's awesome. Every day is just filled with just wins. All we do is put wins in the record books," the 45-year-old actor said. "We win so radically in our underwear before our first cup of coffee, it's scary. People say it's lonely at the top, but I sure like the view." Sheen, who has long had a penchant for prostitutes and porn stars, lives with two women whom he calls his "goddesses": Natalie Kenly, a graphic designer and Rachel Oberlin, a porn star. "You've read about the goddesses, come on. They're an international sensation. These are my girlfriends. These are the women that I love that have completed the three parts of my heart," Sheen said. "It seems crazy to everybody else, but for us it works," Kenly said about their abnormal arrangement. "Natty and Charlie have their own special connection, I have my own connection with Charlie and then Natty and I also have our own relationship," said Oberlin, who is also known as adult film star Bree Olson. The embattled actor opened up his Beverly Hills home, which he now shares with his two girlfriends and his twin sons with soon-to-be ex-wife Brooke Mueller, to ABC News this weekend. On Thursday, CBS announced that it had canceled the rest of the season of the hit comedy because of Sheen's "statements, conduct and condition," after the actor's scathing rant against Chuck Lorre on the radio program "Alex Jones Show." CLICK HERE to watch the full "20/20" special -- "Charlie Sheen: In His Own Words." Sheen Jokes About Polygamy Kenly, who started dating Sheen around October, said she "fell in love with his brain" and can't see her life without him; Oberlin said she would love to marry the star. Sheen said it was "too soon to tell," but that today he has no plans to marry again. "I tried marriage. I'm 0 for 3 with the marriage thing. So, being a ballplayer -- I believe in numbers. I'm not going 0 for 4. I'm not wearing a golden sombrero," he said. Flanked by two blondes, Sheen called Hugh Hefner "an amateur" and joked about starting a polygamous marriage with the "wedge," his nickname for himself, Oberlin and Kenly. "Maybe the three of us will get married. I don't know," he said sarcastically. "I'm gonna say this. It's a polygamy story. All my guy friends are gonna like throw tomatoes at me. It's like an organic union of the hearts." Sheen's current arrangement with the "goddesses" is far from traditional. Oberlin said they don't always sleep in the same bed together, but "land wherever we land." Sheen said the unorthodox setup is even better than a marriage. "We have a few rules here. Nobody panics. There's no judgment. You park your judgment at the door. Nobody dies. And -- enjoy every moment. What did I miss? Drink chocolate milk," Sheen said. "We just have fun. There's a ton of laughter in this house. A ton of love in this house. There's a ton of nobility in this house." "It's not a wild scene with jealous girls and ex-wives and all this kind of stuff. It all very ... we love Charlie," Kenly said. In a wide-ranging interview with ABC News, Sheen responded to all his recent headline-making actions, including his public feud with CBS, his feelings about Chuck Lorre and his future. Sheen said he's now clean and the star passed a series of drug tests, conducted by RadarOnline.com, proving there was no marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines or alcohol in his blood or urine. Sheen did not hold back on any front. He was forthcoming on his affinity for porn stars, saying "it's exciting" and "you already know what you're getting before you meet them." "They're the best at what they do and I'm the best at what I do," he said. "And together it's like, it's on. Sorry, Middle America. Yeah, I said it." CLICK HERE to see photos of Sheen through the years On his penchant for prostitutes, Sheen said it allows him to simplify things. "Who wants to deal with all the small talk and nonsense? And you're paying for something that eliminates that. And I don't know. It makes sense to me," he said. "As long as you're not lying to anybody. As long as you're not lying to people, I think whatever you're doing, there's no children involved in, then you're OK. But people are going to judge it, because they're so jealous." Kenly on Sheen's Twin Boys: 'I Would Take a Bullet for Them' "The wedge" told ABC News that their partying days were a thing of the past and that Sheen's nearly 2-year-old twin boys Max and Bob, are the priority. "We've got the kids here. They take precedence over anything else," said Kenly, who was once a nanny. She said she enjoys helping Sheen care for the boys while mom Brooke Mueller is not around: "I love those boys. I would take a bullet for them." Sheen said he would unleash a violent side that was "unlike anything you'll ever see" to "protect his family." Despite his love for his children, Sheen said he was not worried about his kids being negatively affected by his lifestyle choices or recent headline-making actions. "I'm not gonna worry about it, or I can say, 'Hey, kids, your dad's a rockstar. Look at his experiences. Look at what he survived.' Bang. There are some of your lessons, but the real lessons are gonna be in the future," Sheen said. Sheen is a father to five children -- 26-year old daughter Cassandra, who was recently married, and four kids who are minors, including the twin boys and two daughters, Sam and Lola. who are under custody of his ex-wife Denise Richards. Sheen said he doesn't spend enough time with his daughters, who are ages 5 and 6, to have his more controversial behaviors, like a highly-publicized weekend bender, have an impact on them. "I don't see them enough to have that influence, but that was yesterday and today it could be different. I don't know," he said. "They'll wake up one day and realize how cool dad is. And, you know, signs all the checks on the front, not the back. And you know, we need him and we need his wisdom and his bitchin'-ness." Sheen on CBS Battle, Feud With Chuck Lorre After eight successful seasons of "Two and Half Men," Sheen said he felt underappreciated and unloved, especially when CBS executives and the show's creator Chuck Lorre arrived on set. "We have an expression down there that the fun stops at 1:00. That's when they roll in. And they just puke all over it. And it's all about judgment and there's no real gratitude. And that has to change," Sheen said. "If they can't change that, they're not welcome in my perfect work environment," he said. "And they're not welcome to be in the presence of what I'm delivering. Because they just need to take a step back and say, 'Wow, wow, look what this guy's doing for us, for all of us.'" With the show puling in an estimated $160 million in advertising revenue this season alone, Sheen, who reportedly made $1.8 million per episode, said he made CBS and Lorre, very rich. "The numbers don't lie. Chuck [Lorre] was on his way back. He had a $48 million, four-year deal or something. He had three failed pilots. And they were ready to just like write him that final check and just be like, 'Thanks, dude, we tried. But it didn't work out.' And then I walk in and deliver the lottery," Sheen said. Sheen told ABC News that from the start, he did not get along with Lorre. "It was a fake friendship. I never felt respected in a way that I should have been. ... I showed up and this dude won the lottery. And so I always felt like, 'Why am I being treated like an unwelcome relative and being given cold coffee at, like 8 PM in the middle of the fourth inning?'" In one of Sheen's outbursts on the radio program "Alex Jones Show" that ultimately led to the show's suspension for the rest of the season, he took aim at Lorre, saying that he must have embarrassed him "in front of his children and the world by healing at a pace that his un-evolved mind cannot process." Later, he also challenged Lorre to a fight, saying, "If he wins, then he can leave MY show," according to TMZ. Sheen told ABC News he issued Lorre this "challenge" because the producer was trying to destroy his family. "If you destroy my family then I will deal with you with violent hatred. Sorry, it's my code. And it's not like it has to be delivered in a way that's, like, you know, all obvious and -- and like, you know, radio speak. But yeah, there's some wrongs to be righted," Sheen said. Monday, Warner Bros. agreed to pay the "Two and Half Men" crew for the four weeks of work they will miss due to the show's cancellation, according to TMZ.com. Crew members reportedly told TMZ that it was Lorre who prompted Warner Bros. to take these steps. Despite his hatred for Lorre, Sheen said he does want to resume work on the show and may be prepared to talk to Lorre to get the show back. "I don't know if Chuck and I can ever work together again. But maybe guys just sit in a room and just go, 'Look, we hate each other. Let's continue to make some great television.' Maybe that's possible. I don't know," Sheen said. "I'm not gonna get violent on the guy. I'm not stupid. I go to jail, I lose all my power." CBS and Lorre had no comment. Even after Sheen's fall from grace, the public opinion on Sheen -- in the form of ratings -- still seems high. Almost as high, perhaps, as his own opinion of himself. Sheen told ABC News that he had "billions" -- not "millions" -- of fans that tune in and rally around him because he is so honest. "I think the honesty not only shines through in my work, but also my personal life. And I get in trouble for being honest," he said. "I'm extremely old-fashioned. I'm a nobleman. I'm chivalrous." CLICK HERE to watch the full "20/20" special -- "Charlie Sheen: In His Own Words."

– Another day, another absolute glut of Charlie Sheen stories. The latest: In a just-published interview given to GQ last month—before he went on a rant against his boss, but after he trashed his hotel room—Sheen explains his philosophy on life (and, apparently, partying): "You enjoy every moment. ... Enjoy every sober moment. Enjoy every loaded moment. Just enjoy every moment. It's not a rehearsal, you know?" GQ also talked to those who know Sheen; porn star Kacey Jordan talks about the night they smoked $20,000 worth of cocaine. "That night I knew: This is the most self-destructive person I have ever met," she says. Longtime friend Sean Penn has a more optimistic view of Sheen: He tells GQ, "I think to a large degree he's saying, 'Guys, we're only going to be here once, so lighten the f*** up.'" But another good friend says, "The people closest to him wish we had a solution. Charlie apparently is in his own downward spiral." One person is apparently tired of all this: Sheen's publicist, who once blamed a Sheen hospitalization on an "allergic reaction," has resigned, E! reports. More of Sheen's recent interviews were on TV today. On Good Morning America he talked about the two girlfriends he lives with, calling it "a polygamy story" and saying Hugh Hefner is "an amateur"—presumably when it comes to dating multiple women at once. On Today, he said he loves his live-in "goddesses" because "these women don't judge me." Videos in the gallery. Believe it or not, that's still not all. Click for: The person who might replace Sheen on Two and a Half Men, boss Chuck Lorre's "uncensored thoughts" in response to the situation, and how Sheen offended armless people.

Tweet with a location You can add location information to your Tweets, such as your city or precise location, from the web and via third-party applications. You always have the option to delete your Tweet location history. Learn more ||||| GasBuddy is reporting several stations in Houghton Lake, Michigan with gas prices under $1. GasBuddy said, "It appears these stations are currently the first stations in the country to see prices under $1 per gallon in years. As the situation unfolds, it's possible these stations re-raise prices back over $1/gallon." Patrick DeHann reported seeing prices as low as $.47 a gallon Sunday January 17, 2016. NBC 25's Dave Bondy talked to someone who is in Houghton Lake and says police are directing traffic. We are told this appears to be a "gas war" between several gas stations in Houghton Lake. GasBuddy says, prices were verified by GasBuddy after a review of photographs uploaded to GasBuddy's app. ||||| <meta itemprop="width" content="1170"> <meta itemprop="height" content="1170"> Cars.com photo by Evan Sears CARS.COM — American motorists are benefiting from shrinking oil prices as the cost of gasoline and diesel fuel continues to edge downward in all but a handful of areas in the country. The AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report said on Thursday that the national average for regular gas was down 6 cents from a week ago to $1.94, while diesel and premium gas each were down 5 cents to $2.18 and $2.45, respectively. Related: More Fuel-Efficiency News Oil prices briefly slipped below $30 a barrel in early-morning trading, the lowest in more than a decade and a continuing sign that the global supply of crude is greater than demand. AAA said oil prices could remain depressed, noting that despite growing tensions among neighbors in the Middle East, oil production there has continued at high levels, helping to maintain the global oil glut. Average prices for regular gas were less than $2 in 36 states, according to AAA, with Missouri posting the lowest average at $1.66. Oklahoma was close behind at $1.67, followed by Arkansas and South Carolina at $1.70. California had the most expensive gas with an average price of $2.82 for regular. Prices were highest in Southern California, and GasBuddy.com listed stations in the Los Angeles and San Diego areas as selling regular for more $3 a gallon and a handful of Los Angeles stations at more than $4. For months California motorists have experienced price spikes brought on by unscheduled refinery outages and supply issues that were exacerbated by the state's strict emissions rules requiring specific gasoline blends. Prices have declined in California the past two weeks, but the average for regular is still 25 cents higher than a year ago. Gas in neighboring Nevada is 15 cents higher than a year ago at $2.46. In contrast, Hawaiians are paying 73 cents less than at this time in 2015, with the statewide average at $2.67. California and Hawaii were the only two states that averaged more than $2.50 as of Thursday morning. Alaska, New York, Vermont and the District of Columbia also are among the big losers, and motorists are saving more than 40 cents a gallon compared with a year ago. At this time last year gas prices were nearing the end of a record 123 straight daily declines before regular bottomed out at the end of January at $2.03 per gallon. At $1.94 for a national average, regular is 16 cents lower than a year ago, while at $2.18 diesel is 79 cents cheaper. Gas prices usually fall during the winter due to lower demand, and diesel prices rise because some of the heavier oil used for diesel is diverted to make home-heating oil. Mild winter weather and the glut of oil have put that pattern on hold, and diesel prices have continued to decline along with gas. ||||| HOUGHTON LAKE, MI - An apparent price war in a Northern Michigan town drove gas at several stations to under $1 per gallon on Sunday, according to GasBuddy.com. Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst at the gas price-tracking site, said a handful of stations in Houghton Lake lowered their per-gallon price to under a buck - the first stations in the country to hit that mark in years. A price of 78 cents per gallon was recorded at Beacon & Bridge Market, while DeHaan said the nearby Marathon station was selling gas for 95 cents per gallon. By later Sunday, those prices had risen to around $1.50 per gallon.

– It didn't last long, but some residents in Northern Michigan saw gas prices drop below $1 on Sunday. The site GasBuddy.com first picked up on the news at several stations in Houghton Lake, where an apparent price war temporarily drove prices below the milestone level, reports WXYZ. "It appears these stations are currently the first stations in the country to see prices under $1 per gallon in years," says GasBuddy. Prices of 95 cents, 78 cents, and, incredibly, 47 cents a gallon, were reportedly spotted, and NBC 25 reports that police were directing traffic as a result. However, prices at the stations rose back up to levels of about $1.50 later Sunday, reports MLive. The price of gas is falling quickly all across the US, with the national average dropping to $1.94 last week, down 6 cents from the previous week, reports cars.com. The price plunge comes amid a backdrop of falling oil prices—a barrel is now below $29, the lowest level in more than a decade.

A museum exhibition in Doha that was supposed to open a “bridge of friendship” between Greece and Qatar ended in embarrassment for both after a Greek cultural minister refused to let Qatari officials cover the genitalia of two traditional Greek nudes. Qatar Museums Authority’s “Olympics: Past and Present” exhibition at the Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum opened March 27 with what it has been described as the largest showcase of its kind tracing the ancient and modern Olympic Games. The statues in question, dating to between the sixth and second centuries B.C., were to be the centerpiece of the “Olympia: Myth – Cult – Games” section, which takes visitors through the history of ancient Olympia with more than 600 original objects on loan from the National Archeological Museum, the Numismatic Museum and the Museum of Olympia, birthplace of the games. The cultural exchange was widely regarded as a way for cash-strapped Greece to woo investors from the energy-rich Persian Gulf emirate, which has filed two unsuccessful bids in recent years to host the Olympic Games. In January, Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras announced that Qatar would invest as much as €1 billion ($1.3 billion) in a joint fund with Athens. Shortly afterward, the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, bought six isles in the Ionian Sea for his three wives and 24 children. Then, in March, Greece’s junior minister for culture, Costas Tzavaras, traveled to Doha on a bridge-building mission to tour the then-forthcoming Olympics exhibit, and that’s when relations between the two nations soured. “Organizers in Qatar wanted to cover up the statues’ members with black cloth,” a culture ministry source told Agence France-Presse. “So they were never put on display. They went back into storage and returned [to Greece] on April 19.” The statues, a Classical Greek youth and a Roman-era copy of an athlete, are now back on display at the National Archeological Museum. Like the Olympic competitors of antiquity they depict, both are shown sporting in the nude. Qatari officials insisted the drapes were a precautionary measure to avoid “scandalizing” female visitors, but, in the end, Greece objected, saying the statues should be displayed in all their anatomical glory. A representative of the Qatar Museums Authority, or QMA, told Doha News that initial AFP reports last week were false, and that the statues’ removal was “not due to censorship.” “The decision to remove the objects was based on the flow of the exhibition, awareness of the outreach to all schools and families in Qatar, and desire to be sensitive to community needs and standards,” the QMA representative said. Doha News explained that residents of the Middle East hold conflicting views on the arts, citing a survey last year showing that six out of 10 Arabs expressed support for government censorship of the arts. Respondents said regulatory bodies and state-affiliated institutions were necessary, given that art could be “inappropriate” and offend “religious beliefs.” Interestingly, while QMA authorities reportedly deemed the male genitalia too tantalizing for female visitors, they seemed to have had no problem with female breasts scandalizing the males. Statues like the partially bare-breasted Nike remain intact and on view in Doha through the end of June. ||||| It was a spat that nobody wanted – neither the Greeks, the Qataris nor, say officials, the two nude statues that sparked the furore. But in a classic clash of cultures, Greece has found itself at odds with the oil-rich state – a nation it is keen to woo financially – over the presentation of masterworks depicting athletes in an exhibition dedicated to the Olympic games. "The statues are now back at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens," said a culture ministry official. The dispute, though authorities are not calling it that, broke when Greece's culture minister, Costas Tzavaras, arrived in Doha last month to discover the "anatomically challenging" treasures cloaked in cloth for fear of offending female spectators. "In a society where there are certain laws and traditions authorities felt women would be scandalised by seeing such things, even on statues," added the official who was present at the time. "The minister, of course, said while he totally respected local customs he couldn't accept the antiquities not being exhibited in their natural state," she told the Guardian. "They were great works of art and aesthetically it was wrong." The statues, an archaic-era Greek youth and a Roman-era copy of a classical athlete, were to be the centrepiece of an exhibition entitled Olympic Games: Past and Present. Bankrupt Greece was delighted to facilitate when organisers in Doha got in touch. Mired in its worst economic crisis in modern times, the debt-stricken country is eager for investment from the Gulf state, which this year promised to pour €1bn into a joint investment fund. In another hopeful sign, the emir of Qatar, Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, recently bought six isles in the Ionian sea with a view to building palaces on them for his three wives and 24 children. Visiting the Qatari capital for the opening of the show, Tzavaras seized the opportunity to describe the exhibition as "opening a bridge of friendship" between the countries. The discovery of the covered-up antiquities was a setback few had envisaged. "We don't want to portray it as a row, and we certainly didn't want it to overshadow the exhibition," explained the official. "It was all very friendly. When they turned down our request (to remove the cloth) the statues were boxed up again and sent back to Athens." Mystery, nonetheless, shrouds the affair. The show, which had previously been hosted in Berlin, features more than 700 artworks from around Greece, including numerous nude statues. It remains unclear why Qatari authorities had taken such umbrage over the antiquities in question, although officials in Athens described the young athletes – both from Eleusis – as being especially beautiful.

– A pair of stone penises have gotten in the way of a museum exhibition billed as a "bridge of friendship" between Qatar and Greece. Two statues of nude male athletes were among 600 Greek archaeological treasures on loan to Qatar for an Olympic-themed exhibition, but Greece's culture minister kicked up a fuss when he visited the Gulf nation and found the statues' private parts covered up, the Guardian reports. Officials in Qatar said the statues were covered up to avoid offending female visitors, but the culture minister said he "couldn't accept the antiquities not being exhibited in their natural state," a Greek official says. "They were great works of art and aesthetically it was wrong." After the two sides failed to reach agreement, Qatar returned the offending statues to Greece. The exhibition has gone ahead with the remaining artworks—including some statues of bare-breasted women that Qatari officials don't seem to mind, the International Business Times notes.

U.S. and Cuba to reopen embassies The two countries are working to reestablish relations after 50 years of estrangement. It’s happening: The United States and Cuba will re-establish embassies in each other’s capitals, possibly by the end of the month — a milestone in the two nations’ efforts to normalize diplomatic relations after decades of bitter estrangement. President Barack Obama will make the announcement on Wednesday, senior administration officials said. They did not provide a date for the reopening, but a source familiar with the administration’s deliberations said officials are aiming for the end of July. Secretary of State John Kerry, who is currently in Vienna for nuclear talks with Iran, is expected to attend the opening ceremony in Havana. Story Continued Below Obama announced in December that his administration would reestablish ties with the communist-led island nation after more than 50 years, a legacy-shaping move that has already further warmed U.S. relations with other nations in Latin America. The administration has gone ahead and lifted some travel and trade restrictions and removed Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. The rapprochement with Cuba has plenty of critics, however, including many Republicans in Congress who warn against appeasing a regime known for human rights violations. Two of the leading opponents are GOP presidential candidates Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida and Ted Cruz of Texas. Other Republicans running for president, such as former Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida, have also voiced misgivings. The U.S. and Cuba already operate what are called “interests sections” in each other’s capitals, and those missions, which operate under the umbrella of Switzerland, are expected to be upgraded to embassies. Negotiations over the restoration of full-fledged diplomatic ties have lasted months, longer than many had anticipated. A high-profile round of talks in May yielded no agreement. Among the sticking points in the negotiations were how free U.S. diplomats would be to travel across Cuban territory and how much access they would have to the general public. Cuban leaders have reportedly been particularly concerned about U.S. journalism and democracy-promotion programs they fear could undermine the government of Raul Castro. U.S. officials have already noted that American diplomats work under a range of restrictions in other communist-led and authoritarian countries, and that arrangements with the Cubans are likely to follow those precedents. Administration officials on Tuesday, however, offered no details about what specific terms had been reached. Obama himself has also said the U.S. will continue to raise its concerns about human rights and other challenges in Cuba despite the new détente between the countries. The Obama administration is required to give Congress a 15-day notice of intent to reestablish its embassy in Havana. State Department officials have said that, partly because there are no budgetary implications, there’s virtually nothing U.S. lawmakers can do to prevent the upgrading of the existing mission to an embassy. One area where opponents of the renewed ties could pose headaches is the appointment of an ambassador to Cuba. Rubio and Cruz, who as senators could slow down the approval of an ambassador’s nomination, have already indicated they will block any nominee offered up by the White House. Observers have said, however, that Obama may choose to avoid the fight over an ambassador altogether, and that an embassy can function fine without one. (The current “chief of mission” for the U.S. in Cuba, Jeffrey DeLaurentis, is considered a top contender for the ambassador’s job if Obama chooses to name one.) One outstanding question is whether Obama himself will visit Cuba before he leaves office; he already held a historic meeting with Castro in April while both were in Panama. Earlier this year, White House spokesman Josh Earnest told a Cuban journalist visiting Washington that the president “would relish the opportunity to visit the island of Cuba and Havana in particular.” Another possibility being floated is a Castro visit to the United States. Administration officials declined to comment Tuesday on either Obama or Castro’s travel plans. Edward-Isaac Dovere contributed to this report. ||||| President Obama announced Wednesday the U.S. and Cuba have reached a deal to re-establish full diplomatic ties and open embassies that were shuttered five decades ago. "This is a historic step in our efforts to normalize relations with the Cuban government and the Cuban people," said Obama, who added that, when the embassy was shuttered a half-century ago, few would have thought it would have remained closed for so long. ADVERTISEMENT Obama said Secretary of State John Kerry will be in Cuba to open the U.S. Embassy later this summer. The Cuban government said the two embassies would be reopened on July 20, though Obama did not mention a date in his remarks from the White House. “This is a historic step forward in our efforts to normalize relations with the Cuban government and people," Obama said. “We don’t have to be imprisoned by the past. When something isn’t working, we can and will change.” The move is the biggest step yet in Obama’s push to end hostilities with Havana that date back to the Cold War, which he announced in December with Cuban President Raúl Castro. The Obama administration cleared the biggest obstacle to the shift, after it formally dropped Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism in May. But U.S. and Cuban negotiators still had to work through thorny issues, such as freedom of movement for American diplomats in Cuba and their ability to speak with people outside of the government. Several Republicans, including former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, blasted the decision. “I oppose the decision to further embrace the Castro regime by opening an embassy in Havana," Bush said in a statement. The Republican presidential candidate cast the announcement as an attempt by Obama to burnish his legacy and questioned whether improved relations would lead to better human rights in Cuba. Ending the policy of isolation against Cuba is a major foreign policy goal for Obama, who was elected president promising to use diplomacy to change the U.S. relationship with its allies and enemies alike. But many obstacles still stand in the way of bridging the divide. Leaders in Congress staunchly oppose lifting the U.S.’s trade embargo with Cuba, arguing it would reward a Castro government that continues to oppress its people. The president and his allies say the 55-year-old embargo has failed to bring down the Castros, and it’s time to take a new approach. “Nobody expects Cuba to be changed overnight, but I believe that American engagement through our embassy, our businesses and most of all through our people is the best way to advance our interests in support for democracy and human rights,” Obama said. Wednesday’s announcement could bring renewed attention a bipartisan push to lift the embargo in Congress, led by Sens. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) “I am confident that this move will lead to increased travel and contact between U.S. citizens and everyday Cubans, to the benefit of both,” Flake said Tuesday. Progress in the talks, however, could also be slowed by ongoing concerns about Cuba's human-rights record. The announcement drew criticism from Cuban-American lawmakers in Congress who favor a hard-line approach toward the Castros. “Opening the American Embassy in Cuba will do nothing to help the Cuban people and is just another trivial attempt for President Obama to go legacy shopping,” Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) said in a statement. Obama could also encounter heavy resistance if he decides to appoint an ambassador to Havana. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), a 2016 presidential candidate, has said he would block the confirmation of any nominee Obama puts forth until Cuba takes steps to end human-rights abuses and guarantees more political freedoms for its citizens. “I intend to oppose the confirmation of an ambassador to Cuba until these issues are addressed,” the Cuban-American lawmaker said in a statement Wednesday. “It is time for our unilateral concessions to this odious regime to end.” A senior administration official indicated Obama might dodge a contentious confirmation battle by leaving in place the current top U.S. diplomat to Cuba, Jeffrey DeLaurentis. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not rule out the appointment of another ambassador but said the administration has not selected a nominee. He said the administration is “very comfortable” keeping DeLaurentis, a seasoned diplomat, in Cuba. Obama is “very interested” in visiting Cuba while he is president, the official added, but a trip is unlikely to happen this year. “We will want to see that the conditions are right in Cuba,” the official said. “If things continue to move forward on a positive trajectory, it’s certainly something the president is very interested in.” — This story was updated at 12:22 p.m.

– It's another step toward normal relations between the US and Cuba, and it's a big one: The two countries will reopen embassies in each other's capitals this summer. Cuba says the move will happen July 20, though President Obama didn't provide a specific date in his announcement today, reports the Hill. "We don't have to be imprisoned by the past," said the president. "When something isn't working, we can and will change." The countries currently operate lesser missions called "interests" in the capitals, and Politico notes that Congress has no power to block an upgrade to embassy status. Still, expect candidates such as Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz to be vocal in their opposition to the move. Similarly, the two senators could gum up the confirmation of any ambassador to Havana. The US continues to impose a trade embargo on Cuba, though the reopening of the embassies could give momentum to a bipartisan effort in Congress to lift it, notes the Hill.

Dylann Roof Asks To Fire Legal Team Of 'Biological Enemies' Enlarge this image toggle caption AP AP Dylann Roof, on federal death row for gunning down nine people two years ago at a historically black church in Charleston, S.C., wants his legal team dismissed because of the lawyers' ethnicity as he seeks to have his conviction and death sentence overturned. "My two currently appointed attorneys, Alexandra Yates and Sapna Mirchandani, are Jewish and Indian respectively," Roof wrote in a letter filed Monday with the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. "It is therefore quite literally impossible that they and I could have the same interests relating to my case." The handwritten note goes on to state, "Because of my political views, which are arguably religious, it will be impossible for me to trust two attorneys that are my political and biological enemies." Roof, who represented himself at the sentencing portion of his trial, targeted African-Americans in what federal prosecutors said was a bid to start a race war. On the evening of June 17, 2015, worshippers welcomed Roof at a prayer meeting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. After sitting among them for nearly an hour, Roof opened fire as people closed their eyes in prayer. Roof confessed to the crime during a taped interrogation. But at Roof's federal trial, defense attorney David Bruck argued that his client was influenced by hateful online rhetoric. The Post and Courier reported that Bruck wanted to present evidence of Roof's mental illness in a bid to spare his life, but Roof opposed it. In his letter, Roof says that Bruck is Jewish and that it "was a constant source of conflict even with my constant efforts to look past it." "My intentions are to have the appeals process for my case go as smoothly as possible," Roof writes, "the appeals should be worked on and written by lawyers with my best interests in mind." The Post and Courier reports that Yates and Mirchandani were appointed to represent Roof after he was sentenced to death in January. A federal jury found him guilty of hate crimes and murder late last year, and he later pleaded guilty to murder charges in South Carolina state court. ||||| Close Get email notifications on Jennifer Hawes daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. Whenever Jennifer Hawes posts new content, you'll get an email delivered to your inbox with a link. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. ||||| A federal court rejected a request by Dylann Roof, the unabashed white supremacist who killed nine black parishioners at a South Carolina church two years ago, to dismiss his attorneys because they’re Jewish and Indian. Roof, who was sent to death row for the June 2015 massacre at a historically black church in Charleston, requested that the two public defenders appointed to handle his appeal be removed from his case, saying their ethnicities are “a barrier to effective communication.” “Because of my political views, which are arguably religious, it will be impossible for me to trust two attorneys that are my political and biological enemies,” the 23-year-old said in a handwritten, three-page motion filed Monday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit. The court denied the request in a one-sentence ruling Tuesday. His attorneys, Alexandra Yates and Sapna Mirchandani, did not respond to requests for comment. Rishi Bagga, president of the South Asian Bar Association of North America, said that requesting an attorney’s removal should be based on legal abilities. He said Roof’s comments highlight a challenge among public defenders, who often have to represent clients who don’t reflect their own views. “It’s really part of a lawyer’s oath to represent someone to the best of their ability regardless of their own beliefs, religion or background or origin,” Bagga said. [‘Well, I killed them, I guess’: Jury watches Dylann Roof’s confession to church massacre] Roof has been on death row since a jury convicted him of dozens of charges, including federal hate crimes, for the deaths of nine parishioners who had invited him into their Bible study at Charleston’s Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Federal prosecutors said Roof committed the massacre to try to start a race war, and they presented as evidence his videotaped confession, in which Roof made no effort to deny the killings. The two-hour video, played during the third day of Roof’s trial in December, showed him calm — laughing at times — as he confessed to the deadly shooting. He was nonchalant when he explained to FBI agents why he chose to gun down six women and three men. With a few swift motions of his right arm, he demonstrated how he pulled out his .45-caliber Glock and opened fire — taking 77 total shots. “Well yeah, I mean, I just went to that church in Charleston and, uh, I did it,” Roof told agents when they asked him to explain what happened. Roof wavered briefly when the agents asked him to describe exactly what he had done. “Well, I killed them, I guess,” he said. He also tried to justify the killings, saying what he did was “so minuscule” to what black people are “doing to white people every day all the time.” An image of Dylann Roof’s motion asking a judge to remove his court-appointed attorneys from his case. “I had to do it because somebody had to do something,” he told the agents. “Black people are killing white people every day on the street, and they are raping white women.” Prosecutors also introduced Roof’s jailhouse journal, in which he wrote that he does not regret what he did. “I have not shed a tear for the innocent people I killed,” he said. Roof’s new court filing isn’t the first time he has complained about his attorneys. During his trial, he sought to drop his defense attorney, David Isaac Bruck, whom Roof threatened to kill if he got out of jail. Bruck is also Jewish. Roof sought to argue on his own behalf during the trial’s sentencing phase, a portion of a capital murder case during which defense attorneys argue for a more lenient sentence. A judge later determined that Roof was competent to represent himself as long as his legal team was on standby. In the handwritten motion filed Monday, Roof said Bruck’s Jewish heritage “was a constant source of conflict” despite Roof’s efforts to “look past it.” [‘I’m just a sociopath,’ Dylann Roof declared after deadly church shooting rampage, court records say] The “difficulties” at his trial, Roof argued, should justify removal of his public defenders serving as his appellate attorneys. He said his appeal “should be worked on and written by lawyers with my best interests in mind.” Roof was also charged at the state level. He avoided a second death penalty trial after pleading guilty in March to nine counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder and a related weapons charge. He was given nine consecutive life sentences in April. Court records unsealed in May provided a glimpse into Roof’s mind. Experts who examined him said he was less concerned over his own fate and worried more about whether certain family members were eating together, how his cats were doing without him, what was written on his Wikipedia page and what he was going to wear in court. He also resisted the autism diagnosis from a psychologist hired by his defense team, saying autism was for “nerds” and “losers,” according to court records. The “state psychiatrist told me there is nothing wrong with me,” according to court records paraphrasing Roof’s statements. “I don’t have autism. I’m just a sociopath.” As Roof sits in a federal prison in Terre Haute, Ind., a mural in Ann Arbor, Mich., was vandalized with racist graffiti supporting Roof. “Free Dylann Roof, I Hate N——,” it said, according to the Michigan Daily. Lindsey Bever contributed to this report. Read more: Charleston church shooter: ‘I would like to make it crystal clear, I do not regret what I did’ Dylann Roof says it’s ‘not fair’ he has to hear so much from his victims’ families. They all had to endure his racist screed. Dylann Roof has been sentenced to death. Will the government ever be able to execute him?

– Dylann Roof, the convicted white supremacist murderer of nine black churchgoers in Charleston, SC, wants to dismiss and replace his legal team because they are his "political and biological enemies," he says in a handwritten letter filed with the 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals Monday. Roof, who's appealing his conviction and death sentence, says in the letter that his attorneys, Alexandra Yates and Sapna Mirchandani, "are Jewish and Indian respectively. It is therefore quite literally impossible that they and I could have the same interests relating to my case," the Post and Courier reports. "Because of my political views, which are arguably religious, it will be impossible for me to trust two attorneys that are my political and biological enemies," he continues. He also notes that his defense attorney at his federal trial was Jewish, and "his ethnicity was a constant source of conflict even with my constant efforts to look past it." (In fact, the defense team alleged Roof threatened to kill the lawyer if he was ever freed.) Roof represented himself during the sentencing phase of his trial. Federal prosecutors say his 2015 rampage at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church was an attempt to start a race war. Per the Washington Post, the court will review Roof's request and make a decision. The attorneys haven't commented. NPR has Roof's letter in full.

Detroit's emergency financial manager Kevyn Orr talks to members of the media outside the Detroit Newspapers building about the report he delivered to the State of Michigan about Detroit's finances, in Detroit, Michigan May 13, 2013. HONOLULU The city of Detroit may be facing a deepening financial crisis but that hasn't stopped four trustees of its public pension funds from spending $22,000 of retirement system funds to attend a conference in Hawaii this week. The trip 4,500 miles west to a four-star resort on the world-famous Waikiki Beach in Honolulu doesn't sit well with the top officials now running Detroit's finances under an emergency order from the state of Michigan. Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr has not ruled out a bankruptcy as the city struggles under a $15 billion debt burden, which is being strained further by its hefty pension obligations. "It especially doesn't look good when you have city employees, police, firefighters having taken pay cuts," said Bill Nowling, spokesman for Orr. "Middle-class, blue-collar workers, their dream vacation when they retire may be a two-week trip to Hawaii - they don't associate Hawaii with a place you go to work." The four trustees from Detroit were among hundreds of pension officials from around the country who traveled in the past week to Honolulu for the annual convention of the National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems. Nowling said that Orr's team did not think they had the power to prevent the trip. John Riehl, a senior sewage plant operator and 34-year Detroit employee, is one of the four. The cost fell within continuing education guidelines set by the legislature, he said. "It's one of these things we trustees must do to stay on top of the field," Riehl said. "It's important that we participate in these conferences. The stakes are too high." Of the three other trustees from Detroit, one declined to comment and two others could not be reached for comment. NOT A VACATION The two delegates from the Detroit Police and Fire Retirement System attended for business, not pleasure, the fund's spokesman Bruce Babiarz told Reuters. "These are intelligent folks there to do a job, not there to vacation." The two trustees from Detroit's General Retirement System, including Riehl, attended because the knowledge gained "will assist them in prudently executing their fiduciary responsibilities/obligations," spokeswoman Andrea Kenski said in a statement. Usually the conference captures little outside attention. This year, though, it has faced criticism for its choice of venue, the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort with its five-acre salt-water lagoon, five swimming pools, and flamingos, penguins and turtles. Some funds boycotted the event, saying it sent the wrong message, particularly at a time when many pension systems face funding shortfalls and the finances of the cities and states that sponsor them remain on shaky ground. BOOKED BEFORE THE CRISIS The criticism irks Hank Kim, the conference organizer's executive director. "It was completely unfair," Kim said. "The coverage was, 'It's Hawaii.' It's blatantly inappropriate." The decision to hold it in Hawaii was made before the financial crisis thrashed the portfolios of the nation's public pensions and raised continuing concerns about their long-term obligations, how to meet them and who should pay. Last year, the group held the conference in New York, where room costs were nearly twice the Honolulu rate, Kim said. Among those attending is Shawn Curry, a homicide detective and trustee for the $144 million Peoria Police Pension Fund in Illinois, who said it was cheaper than New York. "Our fund decided last year not to send anyone because the costs in New York were so high. When we looked at this year, there was so much of a cost savings we decided to come." "The only negative is the airfare," said George Mitchell, chairman of Florida's Pompano Beach General Employees' Retirement System, with $139 million in assets. "The hotel is very reasonable and has everything you need, so you don't have rent a car and get everywhere in taxis." MINDING APPEARANCES Not everyone came on their fund's dime. Michael Grodi, chairman of Michigan's $183 million Monroe County Employees Retirement System, attended thanks to a grant from the organizers because the fund would not cover the cost. "The appearance was just not good," Monroe County Administrator Michael Bosanac said of the decision not to send Grodi at the fund's expense. "It doesn't conjure up the image of a hard-working conference." "These are not junkets," Grodi countered. "We are getting educated to make decisions and have huge responsibilities." Among the conference's sessions were panels to help reframe the pension funding debate and justify the assumptions that dictate funding levels, which have come under increasing scrutiny in recent years. One well-attended session covered how to avoid front-page scandals. According to presenter Lydia Lee, a pension attorney from Oklahoma, the session touched on a topic familiar back in Detroit: The indictment this spring of two former city pension officials for an alleged $200 million bribery and kickback scheme, in a case that will come to trial next March. (Writing additional reporting by Jim Christie in San Francisco; Editing by Dan Burns, Martin Howell and Claudia Parsons) ||||| Organizers of an annual conference for people who manage more than $3 trillion in public sector pension funds in the U.S. and Canada say a significant number of administrators are skipping this year's meeting in Hawaii to avoid the perception they're wasting money by heading to the island paradise. Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie speaks at the National Conference of Public Employee Retirement Systems in Honolulu on Monday, May 20, 2013. Organizers of an annual conference for people who manage more... (Associated Press) Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie poses for photos with Hank Kim, executive director of the National Conference of Public Employee Retirement Systems, after giving a speech to open the conference in Honolulu... (Associated Press) Roughly 650 people are coming to this year's weeklong National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems, compared with about 1,000 attendees at last year's meeting in New York, executive director Hank Kim said Monday. Kim says trustees and others from around the country are thinking about "headline risk" _ how the trip may be perceived back home. "They know that economically it makes sense. They realize that this headline risk is silly, but it's something that if they felt they could avoid it, they would avoid the headline risk," Kim told reporters Monday after the conference opened in a ballroom at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki, the most popular area for tourists in the state. The conference represents more than 550 funds in the United States and Canada. Funds throughout the country have received close scrutiny and criticism from some public officials and news outlets for considering a Hawaii trip at a time when public pension systems are greatly underfunded. Among those who skipped this year's conference are administrators of the Los Angeles Fire and Police Pensions and the School Employees Retirement System of Ohio. Beverly Woolridge, chairwoman of the Ohio school pension system's board of trustees, said in a statement last month that the travel issue had become a "major distraction." The Detroit Free Press reported last week that records obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request showed four trustees from two funds planned to spend $22,000 to take the trip. In response, Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr is researching whether some of the pension trustees should be fired, the newspaper reported. Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie defended Hawaii in remarks to open the conference, saying Honolulu is as legitimate a host as any other U.S. city. "Unfunded liabilities are crippling state and local governments across the country," Abercrombie said. "This is serious business, and Hawaii is a place where serious business is being done, will be done and has been done. I can assure you that." Abercrombie took on the issue directly during this year's legislative session in Hawaii, asking for at least $200 million over the next two years to draw down the state's unfunded liabilities for employee and retiree health benefits. Lawmakers exceeded his request and set aside $217 million over two years. The governor told reporters after his speech Monday that Honolulu is economically competitive and that the criticism over the gathering has more to do with Hawaii's reputation as a beach destination than cost comparisons with meetings in other cities. "It's kind of ironic that because people like the location of Hawaii so much that it becomes an opportunity for some people to say, `You shouldn't go there,'" Abercrombie said. "I don't think it carries much weight." Kim said the organization received no criticism last year for holding its meeting in New York, where he said the conference hotel-room rate was significantly higher than this year. Kim said last year's conference cost roughly $1.5 million, while this year's is less than $1 million. Average hotel prices in Honolulu were $209 per night in 2012, according to an annual Hotel Price Index by Hotels.com that ranked Honolulu as the second most expensive U.S. city for hotels in the country behind New York. Mel Aaronson, the conference's president, said the meeting is designed to educate trustees and others on new investment strategies, the potential effects of globalization and fiduciary responsibility. ___ Oskar Garcia can be reached at http://twitter.com/oskargarcia ___ Associated Press writer Anita Hofschneider contributed to this report. ||||| Detroit emergency manager Kevyn Orr is researching whether he can fire some of the city’s public pension trustees as four of them head to Hawaii this weekend for an all-expenses-paid trip to a conference. “Kevyn Orr is very concerned,” spokesman Bill Nowling said in a statement. “This trip shows a monumental lack of judgment, and it raises serious questions about how the board is exercising its fiduciary responsibility to manage the funds prudently. We are researching all of the emergency manager’s legal options regarding the boards, including the removal of individual members.” Four trustees of Detroit’s two public pension funds are heading to the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort in Honolulu. The taxpayer-backed pension funds are covering their $22,000 travel tab at a time when the funds are facing claims of mismanagement and said to be at least $600 million underfunded. Trustees say the conference provides the education they need to manage complex investments for the funds’ retirees and beneficiaries. But other major public pension systems, including the Los Angeles Fire and Police Pensions, avoided sending their officials to Hawaii because of concerns the exotic locale sends the wrong message at a time when pensions nationwide are contemplating or implementing reduced benefits to cope with rising retirement costs and shaky investment returns. Records obtained by the Free Press under the Freedom of Information Act and first reported today show the expenses cover airfare — including a first-class flight for one trustee — lodging, registration fees, meals and a per diem for miscellaneous expenses. The city’s two public pension funds — the General Retirement System and the Police and Fire Retirement System — each are sending two trustees to the six-day National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems (NCPERS) conference, which starts Saturday. The retirement systems, funded by contributions from workers and the city, have combined assets valued at more than $5 billion and provide benefits to about 20,000 retirees and beneficiaries. Orr is the state-appointed emergency manager who is trying to solve Detroit’s financial crisis — an accumulated budget deficit expected to reach $380 million this summer and long-term liabilities of $15 billion. Orr already had targeted the funds for close scrutiny before learning of the trustees’ travel plans. In a comprehensive financial report he sent to the state on Monday, he warned that the funds were underfunded by at least $600 million. Orr’s analysis of the funds’ financial health is ongoing, but he cautioned pensioners that changes to future benefits are on the table. The state’s new emergency manager law gives Orr the power to remove the city’s pension board members if a fund is not funded at a level of 80% or more. Both of Detroit’s funds have said their funding levels exceed 80%, but the results of Orr’s analysis could change that. The conference’s location at an oceanfront resort has brought criticism, despite claims that pension officials need to attend for educational purposes. Ohio state Rep. Lynn Wachtmann, a Republican who serves on the Ohio Retirement Study Council, which advises state lawmakers on public pension policy, objected when he found out some representatives from the School Employees Retirement System of Ohio planned to go to Hawaii for the conference. “There are plenty of other opportunities — both actually attending a meeting close to home and webinars,” Wachtmann said. The Ohio pension officials who had intended to go to Honolulu withdrew their travel reimbursement requests in late April as criticism mounted. But a pension manager in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., agreed with Detroit trustees that the travel is valuable. David Desmond, plan administrator for the Ft. Lauderdale General Employees’ Retirement System, said three of its trustees will be at the Hawaii conference. Desmond said the fund usually sends officials to the NCPERS conference, adding that the Hawaii hotel costs were cheaper than last year’s conference in New York City. “As far as Ft. Lauderdale’s concerned, it’s very important, and we usually send some trustees,” Desmond said. From the General Retirement System, elected Trustees John Riehl and Cedric Cook are scheduled to attend, along with Police and Fire Retirement System Trustees Angela James and Edsel Jenkins, both of whom are mayoral appointees. Jenkins, a deputy fire commissioner, was scheduled to depart for Hawaii on Thursday, according to records. James, who is flying first-class, as permitted by the fund’s travel policy, and Riehl were scheduled to leave today. Cook’s date of departure could not be determined. Detroit’s pension fund boards have a combined 25 trustees — nine for the general system and 16 on the police and fire board. The General Retirement System’s elected and appointed citizen trustees are eligible for a weekly meeting stipend between $67 and $200, and elected active employee trustees are eligible for a quarterly service stipend between $833 and $2,500. The general system’s ex officio trustees are not eligible for the stipend, and the Police and Fire Retirement System trustees are not paid a stipend.

– Detroit is $15 billion in debt, but that hasn't stopped some officials from visiting a resort in Hawaii on the public dime. Four city public pension fund trustees used $22,000 of retirement system funds to attend a conference at a four-star resort in Honolulu this week, reports Reuters. Detroit's emergency manager Kevyn Orr is not impressed. "It especially doesn't look good when you have city employees, police, firefighters having taken pay cuts," said his spokesman. "Middle-class, blue-collar workers, their dream vacation when they retire may be a two-week trip to Hawaii—they don't associate Hawaii with a place you go to work." Orr is now considering removing the trustees from their posts, reports the Detroit Free Press. Many other funds from around the country boycotted the conference due to its location, the AP reports. Only 650 people attended this year's National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems, down from 1,000 last year, because of what organizers say is a "headline risk." But the Detroit attendees stand behind their trip. "It's one of these things we trustees must do to stay on top of the field," says one. "It's important that we participate in these conferences. The stakes are too high."

Close Get email notifications on Erin Andersen daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. Whenever Erin Andersen posts new content, you'll get an email delivered to your inbox with a link. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. ||||| CLOSE Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and Kathryn Hahn join forces to rebel against their so-called motherly duties. VPC A group of 50 friends were excited to have a ladies night out Friday when a manager at Regal Cinemas in Fort Myers insisted company policy dictated a 7-month=old breastfeeding baby wasn't allowed at the R-rated movie. Many of the women walked out of the theater in solidarity. (Photo: Courtesy photo) All new mom Brookynn Cahill wanted was a night out with friends, but her fears were realized when she was asked to leave a movie theater. Cahill and fellow breastfeeding mom Juliana Valverde, both of Fort Myers, had looked forward to meeting up Friday with friends at the trendy tapas restaurant Cru and the just-released R-rated movie "Bad Moms" starring Mila Kunis at Regal Cinemas at Bell Tower Shops in Fort Myers. Through Facebook, a few friends had started an event to meet and to go out with their friends. Those friends kept inviting other friends until the group grew to more than 50 women. Forty-six of the women, including Cahill and Valverde, bought the tickets presale and chatted all week about their excitement of getting out of the house for fun. That all went bad in an instant. "No one had communicated that children under 6 were not allowed in R-rated movies," said Amber Cebull, of Fort Myers, whose group had the cost of their tickets refunded. "We had breast-feeding moms with infants, one 4 weeks and one 7 months, and they refused them entry." An R-rated movie means it's restricted – and younger than 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. The rating is given for strong language and violence, nudity for sexual purposes and drug abuse. Regal Cinemas adds the restriction that no children younger than 6 may attend an R-rated movie after 6 p.m. The women were going to the 7:45 p.m. showing. Listed phone numbers for the local cinema are directed to a answering service with no way to connect to a person. Regal Entertainment Group, in Knoxville, Tennessee, is closed Saturday and calls were not answered. Cahill and Valverde, the only women in the group with infants, were singled out after they picked up their tickets and in front of lines of moviegoers.. "All day I had anxiety and was so nervous how she was going to be," first-time mom Cahill said of her daughter. "I was coming up with ways to say I couldn’t make it, but I need to get out. I have to do this and trust that she is going to be an awesome baby." The employee told Cahill where to find the movie, then mentioned she needed to go to customer service because her daughter wasn't allowed in the show. They directed her and Valverde to "Ice Age: Collision Course," which had been playing for an hour. "They made me feel like a terrible person for bringing my child," Cahill said. They slipped back into "Bad Moms," the babies sleeping. She said the manager caught up to them again and told them to leave. "I think that they have a right to have their rules for their theater," she said. "But I think it needs to be a little different with the age limit. Young babies are sleeping and being perfectly fine. If our babies are going to make a noise, we know how to handle this situation." Lawyer Gerry Olivo of Wilbur Smith Law Firm, and a friend Cebull, said it appears the company hasn't participated in any discrimination, in part because breastfeeding mothers aren't a protected class. Valverde said, however, other patrons not with the group were accompanied by children who appeared to be between 3 and 5. She said she and Cahill took precautions, sitting on aisle seats, ready to head to the lobby if the children started acting up. "They can't leave their child because the child doesn't take a bottle," Cebull said. "The option is to miss out, which is unfortunate. We were hoping he would be more flexible on that." Florida is among states that allow women to breastfeed in any public or private place and exempts breastfeeding from public indecency laws. Cebull and Valverde said the man they identified as the manager was unmoving, and once he realized Valverde was breast-feeding while talking to him, demanded she cover up. They said he also refused to let them talk to anyone higher in management. "I am very modest about breastfeeding and, because of the fact I was doing it, I was even more embarrassed. I always have a blanket to cover," Valverde said. Regal CEO Amy Miles told the trade publication CinemaBlend in March: At Regal, it's our job to provide the best moviegoing experience for our patrons, and we want to make sure there are minimal interruptions during R-rated movies. We best achieve this through controlling the number of children in these films. "This is the type of the thing why policies need to be flexible," Cebull said. "When they are written, they don't cover every situation." She said with the power of the 50 women in their group, they had hoped their purchases and willingness to monitor themselves would be enough to sway the manager. As the conversation went nowhere, Valverde said she began to cry. That's when the other women took notice. "I said, OK then, we're going to get our people out of the theater and leave,and you're going to refund our tickets?," Cebull said. "And he said 'OK'. "And one by one, then four, five six, seven, eight started walking away," Valverde said. Cahill said that's when she realized she was part of a "super awesome" group. "I feel so loved by all of them and couldn't thank them enough," she said. "...We didn't just leave each other, we went and enjoyed our night in a different way." Cebull said more than 35 members of the group walked out of the theater, and two-thirds of them continued the fun at Cantina Laredo. Read or Share this story: http://newspr.es/2aoxSBg ||||| Skip in Skip x Embed x Share 'Bad Moms' stars Mila Kunis, Christina Applegate, Kathryn Hahn, Jada Pinkett Smith and Annie Mumolo share some of their worst parenting experiences. USA TODAY Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn live large in the grocery aisles in 'Bad Moms." (Photo: Michele K. Short) Is it cool to be a quirky mom yet? Bad Moms (written and directed by The Hangover's Jon Lucas and Scott Moore) raced Star Trek Beyond for No. 2 at the box office, opening just behind the sci-fi spectacle with $23.8 million. In the R-rated comedy, Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn break with the idea of being perfect helicopter parents. They stop making breakfast. They curse in PTA meetings. They’re late to pick up their kids. “That’s why this movie was so awesome," Hahn says. "It felt like a cathartic roar to just defy that insane expectation that’s put on mothers." While Hollywood is no stranger to troubled matriarchs in movies, lackluster mothers get a worse rap than their male counterparts. "Traditionally, bad moms have been portrayed as mentally unbalanced, selfish, criminal and even evil, whereas bad dads have been portrayed as perhaps incompetent but benign and often comical,” says Martha Lauzen, a professor of TV, film and new media at San Diego State University's Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film. (Photo: Cathy Kanavy, Bleecker Street) In Captain Fantastic (in theaters now), Viggo Mortensen plays a no-nonsense liberal raising his six children far from capitalism in the rigors of the Pacific Northwest wild. But he’s not a bad dad. He’s principled. And sincere. There’s an art to the bad dad in film — so much so that a new book, Bad Dads: Art Inspired By the Films of Wes Anderson, arrives Aug. 9. It's a collection of roughly 400 artworks based on Anderson's films. Ken Harman, who authored Bad Dads, says the concept was inspired by the “unforgettable fathers” in Anderson’s films, “this figure who is a bit of a rascal but still somehow finds a way to be endearing.” (Photo: Abrams Books) Such stereotypes weren’t created in a black hole. “We can trace Hollywood's obsession with bad moms to the 1940s, when women moved into the workforce in large numbers,” Lauzen says. "Many films made a point of punishing mothers who were thought to be too independent,” she says, citing Joan Crawford's Mildred Pierce. But let's not get too hasty celebrating Bad Moms as a harbinger of change, cautions film historian Leonard Maltin. “I can think of lots of lousy and thoughtless fathers” in film, says Maltin, throwing out Robert Duvall in The Great Santini. “It’s not that we’re more forgiving. We’re just more aware of fathers who take no responsibility — in real life, let alone movies," Maltin says. "So it’s less shocking or incongruous.” (Photo: Hopper Stone, Warner Bros. Pictures) Still, it's becoming trendier to reverse gender roles, says IMDb.com senior film editor Keith Simanton, citing Christina Applegate's partying mom and her staid husband (Ed Helms) in last year's Vacation reboot. "Which is the exact opposite of the original Vacation," he says. In the past year at the multiplex, a multitude of mothers have emerged. Rose Byrne was equally unfit as Seth Rogen in Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, while Kate Beckinsale proved a deliciously awful parent in Love & Friendship and Jennifer Saunders is an uproariously selfish mum in Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie. So even if Bad Moms isn’t a marked shift, it's a breath of fresh air, fueled by an 82% female audience. "That’s a big opening for a female-empowered film, which there haven’t been a lot of this summer," says Jeff Bock, senior box-office analyst for Exhibitor Relations. “This is a movie about these women who (say), 'I can’t be perfect anymore,' ” says Bad Moms co-star Applegate. "I’m doing the best I can and that’s all I can do.” Skip in Skip x Embed x Share Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and Kathryn Hahn join forces to rebel against their so-called motherly duties. VPC Read or Share this story: http://usat.ly/2axMdLA ||||| Image via screenshot/STX Entertainment Here’s what I knew about Bad Moms before heading to the movie theater this weekend: that it’s called Bad Moms, that the poster has some ladies on it raising the roof and that those ladies are actresses I don’t actively dislike: Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn and Kristen Bell. Now, having seen the movie, I also know that the men who wrote it probably don’t like their wives very much. Before we get to that, let me tell you what happens in this movie: nothing. Here is every single one of the notes I took in my phone as I sat in the theater trying to understand why other people in the same room I was in kept laughing out loud: A group of moms drops kids off at school. One criticizes another for having a job and “leaving her kids all day to go to work” but aren’t they ALL leaving their kids all day... at school? drops kids off at school. One criticizes another for having a job and “leaving her kids all day to go to work” but aren’t they ALL leaving their kids all day... at school? Some moms drink alcohol A mom makes her kids’ lunches, takes them to school, goes to work, picks them up, takes them to extracurriculars, makes dinner A mom tells her 12-year-old to make his own breakfast A mom drives a hot rod A mom quits the PTA A mom tells her boss to pay her what he owes her A mom takes her daughter to the spa instead of Mandarin lessons Some moms put on makeup and go out for the evening Some moms go to dinner and talk shit about their kids A mom brings store-bought food to the bake sale A mom gets fired and then immediately rehired for double her pay A mom runs for PTA president on the platform of being a bad mom and wins That last one is actually the central plot of the whole film: PTA drama. There’s a mean PTA president played by Christina Applegate and she gets overthrown. Other points of tension include the time one mom has sex, and another time that same mom has a tiny hangover and eats leftover nachos for breakfast, and another time she drives erratically. I’m not kidding that these are the most dramatic moments in the movie, aside from the part where a dad is jerking off on the internet with another woman who is not his wife. There were also supposedly jokes in this movie but I guess I didn’t get them. The primary condescending thing about this film is that it looks at motherhood as a feat of superhuman strength, and it’s not. Motherhood is unpaid labor, yes. And that sucks. But rather than make jokes about how ridiculous that is, the writers instead thought the funny part was that mothers are in competition with each other for who can be the best mom, and wouldn’t it be CRAZY if a mom just acted like a normal person and had a night out with friends and didn’t make her family a salad for dinner. Ha ha ha? Ladies, amirite!? Always trying to outdo each other. Why can’t they just relax and be themselves? Advertisement Advertisement Well, we can, and we do, and that’s why this movie is so fucking dumb. Nothing in the above list is “bad” or even funny or extraordinary or difficult or dramatic. It is a confluence of upper middle class, white people problems. Dumber still is that it was written by two men (of course): the guys who wrote The Hangover, Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, in tribute to their wives. “Jon and I are both married, and we both have two kids,” says Scott Moore. “We’re sitting at home…racking our brains, and just watching our wives in this stressed-out life trying to be a great parent…so the inspiration was basically our wives.” Good lord. Advertisement If a man I loved wrote a movie for me and the plot of that movie was that being a mom is kind of hard sometimes so I have his permission to chill out and not worry about spending a little “me” time with my friends and a bottle of wine, I would leave him and take the children. (I know a really great divorce lawyer here in Los Angeles, ladies.) Like, fuck you dude? I’m fine? I know how to go get a massage. I know how to dial up a therapist. I know how to order pizza if I don’t have time to make dinner. Look, motherhood is hard. It is also the most basic-ass job on the planet that nearly half of all humans have managed to perform for the last 200,000 years. We are all just trying our best to keep these tiny parasites alive long enough for them to safely leave the host and hopefully not become someone like Peter Thiel. Being stereotypically perfect at that job is not a premise for a movie, it is boring as fuck. Advertisement You know what’s not boring, though? My kid. She’s hilarious. Jane Marie is a writer and the music supervisor at This American Life. ||||| It is REG’s policy to support the MPAA ratings system to the fullest extent possible. For films rated “R” by the MPAA: REG will not sell tickets to any person under the age of 17 (18 where applicable). A person must be at least 21 years old in order to purchase multiple tickets without providing additional photo I.D. for additional tickets. The purchaser must also attend the movie for which the additional tickets are purchased. Patrons 17 to 20 years of age may only purchase more than one ticket if they are able to provide photo I.D. for proof of age for each additional ticket being purchased. Children 6 and under are not allowed to attend Rated R features. Managers may empower Ushers to check for photo identification if a guest appears to be underage and is holding a ticket for an “R” rated feature. Kiosk ticket sales are an important service for our guests. Tickets can be purchased online and picked up at the theatre, or an individual may purchase tickets directly from the kiosk. It is important to remember that the admittance procedures still apply to those individuals that make purchases or redeem on-line ticket purchases from a ticketing kiosk. Theatre Employees may be stationed at the entrance to theatre(s) playing MPAA rated “R” films to check tickets and photo identification for all who enter to prevent minors from improperly entering. REG reserves the right to refuse entrance to anyone that cannot present valid photo identification along with a ticket for the proper show time of the “R” rated film. Note: Admission policies may vary by location due to state or local ordinances. Contact your local theatre if you have questions regarding any state or local requirements. For films rated “NC17” by the MPAA: No one under the age of 18 is allowed admittance to the feature, regardless of accompaniment or consent. A patron desiring to purchase multiple tickets must provide a valid photo I.D. for each ticket they purchase. Ushers may conduct additional photo I.D. checks for MPAA guideline adherence at the doorman’s post and theatre checks. Kiosk ticket sales are an important service for our guests. Tickets can be purchased online and picked up at the theatre, or an individual may purchase tickets directly from the kiosk. It is important to remember that the admittance procedures still apply to those individuals that make purchases or redeem on-line ticket purchases from a ticketing kiosk. Theatre Employees may be stationed at the entrance to theatre(s) playing MPAA rated “NC17” films to check tickets and photo identification for all who enter to prevent minors from improperly entering. REG reserves the right to refuse entrance to anyone that cannot present valid photo identification along with a ticket for the proper show time for the “NC17” rated film. 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Guests attending our theatres in an assistant/companion role for one of our guests with disabilities may be passed in by management. If you need assistance for any reason, please ask one of our theatre personnel for assistance. Costumes with Masks and Props: Protecting the safety of our clientele and cast members is always top priority at Regal Entertainment Group. Therefore, REG does not allow admission to our locations for guests of any age wearing a mask, face paint or face-obscuring hood; or possessing weapons, props or fake weapons. Backpacks/Packages/Bags: Security issues have become a daily part of our lives in America. Regal Entertainment Group wants our customers and staff to feel comfortable and safe when visiting or working in our theatres. In that regard, as a general rule all backpacks, packages and large bags of any kind are subject to inspection. However, our admission policies may be modified periodically as necessary to ensure, to the extent possible, the safety of our guests. We acknowledge that this procedure can cause some inconvenience and that it is not without flaws, but hope these are minor in comparison to increased safety. Skateboards and Hoverboards: In the interest of safety in the lobby and auditoriums, guests should not be allowed to bring skateboards or even the electric two-wheeled "hover boards" onto theatre property. These recreational transportation boards can be a slip/trip/fall hazard when introduced into the theatre environment. In addition, management and employees should never hold any such items for the guest and should ask the guest to remove them from the theatre entirely. Lost and Found: Regal Entertainment is not responsible for lost, stolen, or recovered personal items. Before leaving the auditorium, please check around your seat for any personal belongings. 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– Bad Moms is doing…just OK on Rotten Tomatoes, but moms going to see the Mila Kunis flick went a little meta in Fort Myers, Fla. More than 50 moms who organized through Facebook to see the movie gained their own "bad mom" rep at a Regal Cinemas when two breastfeeding mothers brought their infants, the News-Press reports. Regal's admittance policy dictates kids 6 and under aren't allowed into R-rated movies, even with their parents, which led to baby-toting moms Brookynn Cahill and Juliana Valverde being told they couldn't see the film. Marcus Theatres has a similar policy, as a group of moms found out in Lincoln, Neb., when a mom with a 9-month-old was also asked to leave by security because "they were concerned with the content my child would be viewing," per the Lincoln Journal Star. The two Fort Myers moms snuck back into Bad Moms after being redirected to see the new Ice Age film, but they were busted by the manager, who seemed thrown by Valverde breastfeeding her baby and asked her to cover up, she tells the News-Press. Valverde eventually started to cry, and 35 or so of the moms demanded refunds and left the theater with her in solidarity. In other news: At USA Today, Andrea Mandell ponders why less-than-stellar moms in the movies get "a bad rap" compared to bumbling dads. Meanwhile, Jane Marie writes at Jezebel that she thinks the guys who wrote the screenplay "probably don't like their wives very much" and that the "condescending" film is nothing but "PTA drama" amid a "confluence of upper middle class, white people problems."

Betsy DeVos, the secretary of education. Bethune–Cookman University Betsy DeVos was met with raucous boos as she reached the lectern to deliver her commencement remarks at Bethune-Cookman University on Wednesday. For nearly the entire time the secretary of education spoke, she was booed, shouted at, and met with calls of "Go home!" from students and audience members. About two minutes into DeVos' speech, the university's president, Edison Jackson, stopped her to address the students disrupting it. Jackson said degrees would be mailed to students if their behavior continued. "Choose which way you want to go," he said. DeVos restarted her speech, but the threat went unheeded as boos picked up again. DeVos powered on, sticking to prepared remarks. She addressed some of the opposition to her speaking at the historically black university in Daytona Beach, Florida, asking for those critical of her to hear her out and voicing her support for historically black colleges and universities, or HBCUs. "We support you, and we will continue to support you," she said. DeVos released a statement after the speech addressing BCU graduates. "I was grateful for the opportunity to speak with and honor the graduates of Bethune-Cookman University...I have respect for all those who attended, including those who demonstrated their disagreement with me," the statement read. The weeks leading up to her speech were marked by vocal opposition from students, civil-rights organizations, and Florida education groups, who say she does not understand the history and significance of HBCUs. President Donald Trump met with leaders of HBCUs in February. AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais On Tuesday, petitions were delivered to university leaders urging them to disinvite DeVos from the commencement ceremony. "Secretary DeVos has no understanding of the importance, contributions, and significance of HBCUs," said a Change.org petition signed by more than 8,000 people. Both DeVos and the Trump administration have endeavored to engage HBCUs in conversations about higher education, meeting with leaders of HBCUs and voicing support for their contributions. But their efforts have been marked by gaffes and uncertainty about the administration's plans to help better serve the institutions. After meeting with leaders of HBCUs in February, DeVos ignited controversy with a statement that called HBCUs "real pioneers when it comes to school choice." She implied that HBCUs and school vouchers, of which DeVos is a fierce supporter, similarly afforded students better options. HBCUs "are living proof that when more options are provided to students, they are afforded greater access and greater quality," she said. "Their success has shown that more options help students flourish." She failed to acknowledge that many HBCUs were created because black students could not attend white segregated schools. In other words, they weren't providing better options — they were the only options for black students. DeVos later posted a series of tweets clarifying the racist history that necessitated the emergence of HBCUs. In a statement last week, President Donald Trump seemed to indicate that key funding for HBCUs might be unconstitutional and therefore scrapped. Experts saw his comments as a signal that certain funding for HBCUs was at risk. Trump later pledged his "unwavering support" for the schools. Watch video of the speech: ||||| poster="http://v.politico.com/images/1155968404/201705/1543/1155968404_5429250881001_5429002569001-vs.jpg?pubId=1155968404" true Graduating seniors boo Betsy DeVos at commencement in Florida DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Hundreds of graduating seniors of a historically black university here booed and turned their backs on Education Secretary Betsy DeVos as she struggled to deliver her commencement address over the raucous crowd. "Let's choose to hear each other out," DeVos said, straining to be heard at Bethune-Cookman University's graduation. "We can choose to listen, be respectful and continue to learn from each other's experience." Story Continued Below But most of the students at the private university remained with their backs turned as the crowd applauded. A man pumped his fist in the air while he was escorted out by security, soliciting more cheers. University President Edison O. Jackson took back the lectern and tried to quiet the crowd, threatening to end the graduation. "Your degrees will be mailed to you. Choose which way you want to go." Many — although not all of the students — eventually took their seats. DeVos stressed she was eager to engage especially with those who disagreed with her. She pledged the Trump administration's commitment to historically black colleges and universities, citing a recent proposal to restore funding for year-round Pell grants as one example. “I am at the table fighting on your behalf, and on behalf of all students across this great nation,” she said. DeVos also noted she planned to visit the home and grave of the university's revered founder, Mary McLeod Bethune, to pay her respects — a comment that drew especially loud boos. Before DeVos spoke, Jackson had recognized another Trump administration attendee, senior policy director Omarosa Manigault, who also got catcalls. Jackson warned attendees: “Ladies and gentleman, please, you don’t know her, nor do you know her story." But few relented. The university's invitation to DeVos has snowballed into a major controversy for the college administration, with the NAACP in Florida calling on Jackson to resign and teachers unions gathering thousands of signatures in opposition. It didn't help that the ceremony came just days after the Trump administration seemed to question the constitutionality of a federal financing program for HBCUs in his signing statement on the budget. Trump on Sunday walked back that challenge and restated his “unwavering support” for the colleges. While the NAACP and unions organized a small protest outside the downtown convention center ahead of the noon graduation, it was the students and their families inside the venue who made the biggest statements. Students and alumni returned over and over to their sense that DeVos had little understanding of their life experiences. Several said they believed she would make it harder for them and other students to get financial aid or to pay back their college loans. Some stressed they had attended traditional public schools, which they feared would be undermined by DeVos’ promotion of charter schools and vouchers. “I just feel like she cannot relate," said Jasmine Smith, a 21-year-old incoming junior from Fort Lauderdale. Brent Franklin, who traveled from Los Angeles to attend his daughter’s graduation, said DeVos “knows nothing about HBCUs and how they were founded.” For their part, university officials defended their invitation to her, saying their intention was to endear HBCUs to her in hopes of generating greater understanding and financial support. Answering the NAACP's criticisms during a news conference, Trustee Chairman Joe Petrock said, “I challenge them to do what we’re doing: Raise dollars. Make a difference in the lives of students. Help them accomplish their dreams and their goals.” Asked how courting DeVos helped the school “raise dollars,” Jackson interjected: “We are always about the business of making new friends, and if you don’t have friends, it’s very difficult to raise money,” he said, adding that DeVos’ agency is in charge of billions in federal grants. Jackson said he met DeVos during a gathering of HBCU leaders in February — the same event at which she alienated the HBCU community by characterizing the institutions as “pioneers” of school choice. Leaders and advocates of the schools accused her of whitewashing the country’s history of racial segregation, during which black students’ options for higher education were few or nonexistent. Morning Education A daily dose of education policy news — weekday mornings, in your inbox. Email Sign Up By signing up you agree to receive email newsletters or alerts from POLITICO. You can unsubscribe at any time. Albert Mosley, the school’s chief operating officer, said the school’s invitation should be seen as an attempt to enlighten her, rather than endorse her comments. “We are very aware of the statement — the misstatement — that was made several months ago, and this is for Bethune-Cookman University an opportunity to engage the secretary, to engage and to educate the secretary about historically black institutions,” he said. Administrators worked hard to control the message. Reporters were asked to arrive early, and then sequestered in a room within the convention center and instructed to wait briefly for the president to arrive at a news conference. He didn’t come for an hour and a half. As POLITICO attempted to interview a man wearing academic garb, a university staff member interrupted, asking the professor if he preferred to go into a private breakfast. He said no. The staff member then asserted, “faculty aren’t being interviewed,” before signaling to another staffer, who insisted the reporter stay inside the room designated for media. DeVos held her own, stressing the importance of listening as she sometimes struggled to project over the noisy, hostile crowd. “The natural instinct is to join in the chorus of conflict, to make your voice louder, your point bigger and your position stronger,” she said. “We must first listen, then speak — with humility — to genuinely hear the perspectives of those with whom we don’t immediately or instinctively agree.” This article tagged under: Betsy DeVos

– Betsy DeVos was drowned out by boos when the education secretary attempted to deliver the commencement speech Wednesday at Florida's Bethune-Cookman University, Politico reports. According to Business Insider, students and audience members at the historically black university booed DeVos for nearly the entirety of her speech, even continuing to shout at her after university president Edison Jackson threatened to simply mail students' degrees to them. DeVos largely stuck to her prepared speech, saying the Trump administration will "continue to support" historically black colleges and universities. DeVos drew ire in the past when she suggested such institutions are historic examples of "more options ... provided to students," instead of the only option for black students barred from white schools. And last week, President Trump implied he may cut all funding for historically black colleges and universities.

Mufid A. Elfgeeh (Photo: Provided) Story Highlights The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force Saturday arrested Elfgeeh Saturday Elfgeeh appeared before a federal magistrate judge Monday On his Twitter account, Elfgeeh expressed support for various terrorist organizations Records show that Elfgeeh operates a convenience store, MoJoe's Famous Pizza and Chicken Through the 140 characters allowed on Twitter, Mufid Elfgeeh spelled out again and again his ideological hatred toward the United States, federal authorities allege. In one Tweet, he announced his allegiance with al-Qaida, writing, "al-Qaida said it loud and clear; we are fighting the American invasion and their hegemony over the earth and the people," authorities say. Other Tweets encouraged the donation of money for jihadists, and, while advocating martyrdom, Elfgeeh claimed al-Qaida and jihadists are the world's true Muslims. On Saturday afternoon, FBI agents and members of the agency's Joint Terrorism Task Force arrested Elfgeeh in the parking lot of the Walmart at 1490 Hudson Ave. They allege that he'd planned to buy firearms and he wanted to use them to kill returning American troops as well as Shi'a Muslims living in the region. Elfgeeh is a naturalized U.S. citizen from Yemen who managed a convenience store on North Clinton Avenue. At the Walmart, Elfgeeh, 30, met with an FBI informant who provided him firearms and silencers, according to an affidavit from FBI Special Agent Albert Zenner. A swarm of law enforcement officials arrested Elfgeeh around 3 p.m. as shoppers wandered in and out of the store. The weapons the informant gave Elfgeeh immediately before the arrest had been rendered inoperable beforehand, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett Harvey, a prosecutor in the case. "At no time was there a risk to the public this weekend," FBI Special Agent Brian Boetig, who heads the agency's western New York region, said about the large show of force for the arrest. Elfgeeh is charged with two counts of illegally receiving and possessing unregistered firearm silencers, but the investigation is continuing, U.S. Attorney William Hochul Jr. said at a news conference Monday. At a court appearance Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan Feldman, Elfgeeh was appointed lawyers from the Federal Public Defender's Office. A bail hearing is scheduled for June 16. Federal prosecutors have requested that Elfgeeh stay jailed pending trial. Using confidential informants, the FBI has been investigating Elfgeeh since early 2013, according to the affidavit from Zenner. In early 2013, an individual who has occasionally worked as an informant for the FBI "first reported information about Elfgeeh." The informant, records show, has helped the FBI since around 2000. He has been paid about $21,700 by the agency, and the FBI assisted him in receiving visas for family members. CLOSE A press conference Monday outlined some of the details surrounding the arrest of Mufid A. Elfgeeh. Video by Tina Yee A second informant, who also has been paid by the FBI, began a series of conversations with Elfgeeh in late 2013. Those broad talks about terrorism in the Middle East and American politics morphed into Elfgeeh's stated intent to do harm to Americans, authorities allege. In the aftermath of the December terrorist attack on a mall in Kenya, Elfgeeh told the second informant that, "I'm thinking about just go buy a big automatic gun from off the street ... and just put on a vest or whatever and just go around and start shooting," the affidavit states. Elfgeeh indicated he already had a bulletproof vest. Elfgeeh discussed buying weapons from that informant, saying "I don't have ... no plan whatsoever," the affidavit alleges. He said he wanted weapons "for personal use." He also allegedly said he would "try to do as much as we could before we get, get captured," and that he wanted to do video messages after the attacks. In March, Elfgeeh apparently narrowed his plans to killing returning soldiers, authorities allege. He noted how a French-Algerian man had killed three French military members. Elfgeeh told the informant, who'd indicated he could buy him firearms, that he could figure out who returning military members were from online searches. Negotiations over possible weapons purchases continued into April and May. The conversations were recorded. Elfgeeh also inquired about prices for hand grenades, "the type that one would throw at someone as you are driving a car." On Saturday, the FBI gave the informant a "Walther PPK .32-caliber handgun with a functional silencer affixed to the barrel, a Glock 26, 9-millimeter handgun with a functional silencer affixed to the barrel, two boxes of .32-caliber ammunition, and two boxes of 9-millimeter ammunition," the affidavit states. The informant gave Elfgeeh the box carrying the weapons in the Walmart lot, moments before the arrest. After the arrest, police and FBI agents executed a search warrant at Elfgeeh's home and a convenience store, MoJoe's, that he runs at 1193 N. Clinton Ave. The store, decorated in candy stripe red and white, advertises pizza, chicken and groceries, and fronts the residence where Elfgeeh lived. Neighbors said agents searched the store and house for two hours or more Saturday evening. GCRAIG@DemocratandChronicle.com Twitter.com/gcraig1 Read or Share this story: http://on.rocne.ws/1h0FsD5 ||||| ROCHESTER, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) — A Rochester man was indicted Tuesday on charges that he tried to help three people go to Syria and fight for Islamic State. As CBS 2’s Jessica Schneider reported, Mufid A. Elfgeeh, 30, was indicted on three counts of attempting to provide material support and resources to the group known as ISIS or ISIL. He was also charged with one count of attempted murder of current and former U.S. military members, and possessing firearms with silencers. The indictment was announced Tuesday by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Carlin, and U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. for the Western District of New York. “We will remain aggressive in identifying and disrupting those who seek to provide support to ISIL and other terrorist groups that are bent on inflicting harm upon Americans,” Holder said in the release. “As this case shows, our agents and prosecutors are using all the investigative tools at our disposal to break up these plots before individuals can put their plans into action. We are focused on breaking up these activities on the front end, before supporters of ISIL can make good on plans to travel to the region or recruit sympathizers to this cause.” Prosecutors claimed Elfgeeh tried to help three people go to Syria to join and fight on behalf of ISIS. Those three people have all decided to cooperate with the FBI, the release said. In 2013 and into early 2014, Elfgeeh allegedly encouraged two confidential sources to go to Syria to fight for ISIS, and took several steps to prepare them for the plan, prosecutors said. He also allegedly sent $600 to a third person in Yemen, so that person could also go to Syria and fight for ISIS, prosecutors said. Court documents also claimed that Elfgeeh in December 2013 first talked about shooting current and former military members who had come back from Iraq, and told one of the informants he was planning to send to Yemen that he was considering getting a gun and ammunition, donning a bulletproof vest, and “just go(ing) around and start shooting,” prosecutors said. Elfgeeh allegedly gave the informant $1,050 in cash to buy two handguns with silencers and ammunition. The guns were made inoperable by the FBI before Elfgeeh got them, and he was arrested by the Rochester Joint Terrorism Task Force soon afterward, the release said. CBS affiliate WROC-TV in Rochester reported that Elfgeeh was born in Yemen, but is a U.S. citizen. He was the owner of MoJoe’s Store and Food Mart on North Clinton Avenue in Rochester, which was hit by an overnight fire in July, the station reported. When Elfgeeh was first arrested in June, a former employee, Victor Montalvo, told WROC that Elfgeeh was unpredictable and full of anger and rage. “He’s a crazy guy, should be in prison,” Montalvo told the station in June. Montalvo said he began working for Elfgeeh at MoJoe’s in March 2011, and told WROC that Elfgeeh would fire shotguns into the air in the middle of the street without warning. “There was a fight in the middle, so he came with a shotgun outside and started to shoot to the air like crazy,” Montalvo said. The announcement of Elfgeeh’s indictment upstate came the same day authorities warned of a threat to Times Square from ISIS militants. A post on an online message board for ISIS sympathizers encourages would-be terrorists to attack tourist hot spots in the United States, — and Times Square is the top target. The post is titled “To the Lone Wolves in America: How to Make a Bomb in Your Kitchen, to Create Scenes of Horror in Tourist Spots and Other Targets.” It includes bomb-making instructions and a list of ingredients, even how to pack it with shrapnel, WCBS 880’s Rich Lamb reported. Other American tourist spots are also on the threat list, including the Las Vegas Strip. “This is a new world, if you will, or the evolving world of terrorism, and we’re staying ahead of it,” NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton said Tuesday. “We’ve been focused on it, and I believe that we are as prepared as any entity could be to deal with the threats.” As CBS 2 Political Reporter Marcia Kramer reported, the threat now has the NYPD more worried than they ever were about al Qaeda. “We are quite concerned, as you would expect, with the capabilities of ISIS much more so than al Qaeda,” Bratton said. Meanwhile, the nation’s top military officials testified Tuesday about President Barack Obama’s plan to stamp out ISIS fighters in Iraq and Syria. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Martin Dempsey told lawmakers that U.S. troops could be called to the battlefield if air strikes fail. “If we reach the point where I believe our advisers should accompany Iraq troops on attacks against specific ISIL targets, I’ll recommend that to the president,” Martin said. Elfgeeh remained in custody in Rochester Tuesday night. You May Also Be Interested In These Stories (TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.) ||||| Attorney General Eric Holder, Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Carlin and U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. for the Western District of New York announced today that a federal grand jury in Rochester has returned a seven-count indictment charging Mufid A. Elfgeeh, 30, of Rochester, with three counts of attempting to provide material support and resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), aka the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization. In addition, Elfgeeh is also charged with one count of attempted murder of current and former members of the United States military, one count of possessing firearms equipped with silencers in furtherance of a crime of violence, and two counts of receipt and possession of unregistered firearm silencers. “We will remain aggressive in identifying and disrupting those who seek to provide support to ISIL and other terrorist groups that are bent on inflicting harm upon Americans,” said Attorney General Holder. “As this case shows, our agents and prosecutors are using all the investigative tools at our disposal to break up these plots before individuals can put their plans into action. We are focused on breaking up these activities on the front end, before supporters of ISIL can make good on plans to travel to the region or recruit sympathizers to this cause.” “Disrupting and holding accountable those who seek to provide material support to foreign terrorist organizations is and shall remain a critical national security priority,” said Assistant Attorney General Carlin. “I want to thank the agents, analysts and prosecutors who are responsible for the arrest and charges in this case.” “With today's indictment of Mufid Elfgeehr, the government demonstrates that it will use all available tools to disrupt and defeat ISIS,” said U.S. Attorney Hochul. “The case also demonstrates that by working with the community, law enforcement is able to identify those who would harm our country or our returning soldiers.” The material support charges each carry a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, the attempted murder charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, the firearms possession charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years and a maximum of life in prison, and the firearm silencer charges each carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. According to court records, Elfgeeh attempted to provide material support to ISIS in the form of personnel, namely three individuals, two of whom were cooperating with the FBI. Elfgeeh attempted to assist all three individuals in traveling to Syria to join and fight on behalf of ISIS. Elfgeeh also plotted to shoot and kill members of the United States military who had returned from Iraq. As part of the plan to kill soldiers, Elfgeeh purchased two handguns equipped with firearm silencers and ammunition from a confidential source. The handguns were made inoperable by the FBI before the confidential source gave them to Elfgeeh. According to court documents, in 2013 and into early 2014, Elfgeeh encouraged the two confidential sources (CS-1 and CS-2) to travel overseas to engage in violent jihad. After CS-1 and CS-2 agreed to travel to Syria to join ISIS, Elfgeeh took several steps to prepare them for the trip. Elfgeeh also sent $600 to an individual in Yemen for the purpose of assisting that individual in traveling from Yemen to Syria for the purpose of joining and fighting on behalf of ISIS. Court documents also indicate that Elfgeeh first discussed the idea of shooting United States military members in December 2013 when he told CS-2 that he was thinking about getting a gun and ammunition, putting on a bulletproof vest, and “just go[ing] around and start shooting.” In February 2014, Elfgeeh told CS-2 that he needed a handgun and silencer. Elfgeeh later gave CS-2 $1,050 in cash to purchase two handguns equipped with silencers and ammunition. On May 31, 2014, CS-2 delivered the two handguns equipped with silencers and ammunition to Elfgeeh. After Elfgeeh took possession of the items, he was arrested by members of the Rochester Joint Terrorism Task Force. Elfgeeh is currently being held in custody. The indictment is the result of an investigation on the part of the Rochester Joint Terrorism Task Force of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The defendant is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Brett A. Harvey and Frank H. Sherman, with the assistance of Trial Attorney Steven P. Ward of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. ||||| Rochester Man Indicted For Attempting to Provide Support to ISIS Video - A Rochester man is the face of America's fight against terrorism. Mufid A. Elfgeeh, age 30, owns a corner store in the city. The U.S. Attorney General says he recruited Americans to fight for the Islamic State in Syria. Elfgeeh is one of the first Americans to be charged in the U.S. battle against ISIS. Elfgeeh was first taken into custody in May. In the parking lot outside Walmart on Hudson Avenue, he allegedly bought handguns and ammunition from an FBI informant. Prosecutors said he was planning to kill members of the U.S. military returning from Iraq. Now, they say, he was trying to help three people go to Syria, to join and fight on behalf of ISIS. They say he first discussed engaging in jihad late last year, then took several steps to prepare those people for the trip. They say he sent money to Yemen, to help them travel to Syria. The plot was foiled when those people decided to cooperate with the FBI. As News 8 first reported in June, Elfgeeh was born in Yemen, but is a U.S. citizen. He owned Mojoe's store on North Clinton and lived above the store. A man who once worked for him, said he was full of anger and rage. In a statement Tuesday, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said, "As this case shows, our agents and prosecutors are using all the investigative tools at our disposal, to break up these plots before individuals can put their plans into action." Elfgeeh was indicted on federal charges of providing material support to ISIS, attempted murder of U.S. military members, and possessing firearms with silencers. Elfgeeh is currently in custody. If he's convicted, he could face up to life in prison. ||||| His plan began in late 2013 and continued into 2014, authorities said. The three people were under instruction from Elfgeeh to travel to Syria to join Islamic State, where they would aid in conducting jihad, the news release said. A person in Yemen was also allegedly sent money by Elfgeeh in order to aid Islamic State, authorities said.

– A man from Rochester, NY, was indicted yesterday on charges of attempting to help three people (two of them FBI informants) travel to Syria to take up arms with ISIS, reports the LA Times. The Justice Department statement further alleges that Mufid Elfgeeh sent $600 to a potential recruit in Yemen, with the funds designed to enable the individual to head to Syria and join ISIS. Elfgeeh was also charged with scheming to kill US troops who had returned from Iraq, going so far as to buy two silenced (but inoperable) pistols from a source working with the FBI. The naturalized US citizen was born in Yemen, WROC reports. Before his arrest in May, Elfgeeh was already known for his volatile behavior and incendiary Twitter updates, once tweeting that al-Qaeda "said it loud and clear; we are fighting the American invasion and their hegemony over the earth and the people," the Democrat and Chronicle reports. A man who used to work for Elfgeeh at his convenience store called him "a crazy guy [who] should be in prison." He said Elfgeeh would sometimes suddenly start shooting off his guns in the street, CBS New York reports. "We will remain aggressive in identifying and disrupting those who seek to provide support to ISIL and other terrorist groups that are bent on inflicting harm upon Americans," Attorney General Eric Holder says in the statement. (ISIS recruiters are now targeting American women.)

Several girls were forced to jump for their lives when a blaze at a New Jersey restaurant spread to the dance studio above, video shows. (Published Tuesday, April 10, 2018) What to Know Girls at a New Jersey dance studio had to jump from a second-floor balcony after a fire broke out in the building Monday No one was seriously injured in the Edgewater blaze A cause of the blaze has yet to be revealed Several girls were forced to drop from the second-floor balcony of a New Jersey building to escape a roaring fire that ripped through their dance studio Monday. In a video posted to YouTube, a few of the girls can be seen trapped on the balcony as several people on the ground rush over with ladders to mount a rescue effort. At least one girl makes it down a ladder before it tips over. These Countries Have the Highest Threat Levels for Traveling Video shows one girl clinging to the side of the balcony, legs dangling, as the men below yell "jump!" The clip ends with several of the kids piled on the ground, many walking away from the scene without apparent major injuries. "Just gotta get the girls out, couldn't do it quick enough," said Edgewater police Sgt. James Dalton, recounting the rescue. Edgewater Mayor Michael McPartland said 10 to 15 girls suffered minor injuries in the harrowing escape but no one was seriously injured. "It was one of the bravest things I've ever seen," said McPartland. The flames at the building, which also contained a car was and auto body shop, had been knocked down by Monday evening. Smoke from the fire could be seen as far as upper Manhattan at the height of the blaze. The cause of the blaze was not immediately clear, but officials believed it may have started in the restaurant. Chilling Images Take You Inside Abandoned Maryland Mall ||||| EDGEWATER, N.J. (AP) — Several girls have jumped for their lives from a balcony at a New Jersey dance studio to escape a raging fire. Business owner Tony Nehmi told NJ.com he and a police officer helped some of the girls down before the ladders fell during the fire that broke out around 7 p.m. Monday. The rest of the girls leaped from the balcony and were pulled away from the high flames. Edgewater Mayor Michel Joseph McPartland says that about 15 girls were treated for minor injuries and told NBC New York it was "one of the bravest things I've ever seen." The cause of the fire at the building that also houses a hookah lounge and auto body shop wasn't immediately clear. The fire was contained about two hours later. ||||| Watch Queue Queue Watch Queue Queue Remove all Disconnect

– A terrifying video shows several girls jumping for their lives from a balcony at a New Jersey dance studio Monday as flames rage only inches away. A business owner and a police officer helped some of the girls down ladders before they fell during the fire that broke out around 7pm, per the AP. A video shows the aftermath, with girls falling or dangling from the second-floor balcony, a few witnesses below trying to catch them. It was "one of the bravest things I've ever seen," Edgewater Mayor Michael McPartland tells NBC New York, noting 10 to 15 girls were treated for minor injuries. The cause of the fire at the building that also houses a hookah lounge and auto body shop wasn't immediately clear.

The father of a mentally ill homeless man who died after a violent confrontation with Fullerton, Calif., police says his son had been a normal teen who aspired to be a wildland firefighter until he began to exhibit symptoms of schizophrenia in his early 20s. The death of 37-year-old Kelly Thomas has outraged some citizens of the Orange County college town, bringing calls for the ouster of the police chief. On Wednesday, a small group of protesters marched outside the police station with posters depicting Thomas' bloodied and swollen face after the altercation. Officers confronted Thomas on July 5 while investigating car burglaries near a bus station. Thomas suffered severe head and neck injuries and was taken off life support on July 10. Five officers have been put on leave. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below. The parents of a homeless man have demanded the release of a 911 tape and possible surveillance video from a California city, hoping the material will shed more light on what led to a physical altercation last month between police officers and their son, who later died. The request at a raucous Fullerton City Council meeting late Tuesday came a day after a separate surveillance video was made public, showing witnesses telling a bus driver that officers had used a stun gun and beat the man. In the video taken aboard an Orange County Transportation Authority bus, passengers say officers pounded 37-year-old Kelly Thomas' face and hogtied him as he cried out for his father. The video was obtained through a public records request by the blog Friends for Fullerton's Future. "Where did my son's rights go as a citizen? What were his rights?" asked the man's father, Ron Thomas, at the meeting. "Listen to my son beg those officers, `Please God, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.'" Hours before the meeting, Police Chief Michael Sellers decided to put five officers involved in the confrontation on paid administrative leave. Sgt. Andrew Goodrich, a department spokesman, said he didn't know what prompted the chief's decision. One officer was placed on leave days after the incident. The other five were reassigned to nonpatrol duty and then placed on leave Tuesday. Officers on July 5 confronted Thomas, who suffered from schizophrenia, while investigating reports of a man burglarizing cars near the Fullerton Transportation Center. Police have said Thomas ran away as officers tried to search his backpack, triggering the altercation. Thomas suffered severe head and neck injuries and was taken off life support on July 10. Goodrich said the investigation has been turned over to the Orange County district attorney's office and the officers will remain on leave pending the outcome of the investigation. He declined to comment on the videotape and declined to say if the city had its own surveillance tape showing the incident. The 911 recording Thomas' parents and several others say they want released came from a call that had led police to the transportation center. District attorney investigators have interviewed more than 80 witnesses and are awaiting the results of toxicology tests before deciding whether to file criminal charges, said Susan Schroeder, the agency's chief of staff. "We're doing it as quickly as possible and putting a lot of resources into it," she said of the investigation. An autopsy conducted last month was inconclusive about the cause of death. Further tests are pending. The FBI has also launched an investigation into whether officers violated Thomas' civil rights, said Laura Eimiller, FBI spokeswoman. Sellers has said it's in the best interest of everyone to have a thorough and independent investigation conducted by an outside agency. On the bus surveillance video, passengers boarding a bus that arrived minutes after the confrontation tell the driver what they saw. A woman who appears upset tells the driver: "The cops are kicking this poor guy over there. ... He's almost halfway dead." A male witness says the man, later identified as Thomas, was sitting on a bench when he was approached by two officers and ran from them. The man says police used a stun gun on Thomas six times. "They caught him, pound his face, pound his face against the curb ... and they beat him up," the man said. "They beat him up, and then all the cops came and they hogtied him, and he was like, `Please God! Please Dad!'" The unidentified bus driver urges his passengers to go public with what they saw and, at the end of the clip, announces the date and time of the recording. He tells the passengers that he pressed a button so that what is recorded on the surveillance tape will be marked and saved. On July 27, the Thomas family released another video, this one shot by a bystander, which shows witnesses milling around as the confrontation unfolds a short distance away. The video shows a cluster of police squad cars with their lights flashing but the fight isn't visible. A man's voice can be heard screaming, as well as a fast-paced clicking sound. A female bystander says, "They've Tased him five times already. That's enough!" Another man says, a moment later, "I don't know why they don't just put cuffs on him and call it a night, instead of hitting him." Thomas' father, a former Orange County sheriff's deputy, said the bus surveillance video dovetailed with the bystander's cell phone video because at least one woman who is seen in the cell phone video is also shown on the bus video talking to the bus driver. ||||| An attorney for the six Fullerton officers placed on leave as authorities investigate the death of a homeless man during a confrontation last month defended the actions of the police. Michael D. Schwartz said Kelly Thomas was combative with officers. And contrary to the statements of at least one witness, the officers did not use a flashlight as a weapon, he said. Schwartz also said there was “no excessive use" by the officer of a Taser on Thomas -- rebuffing claims made by several witnesses. PHOTOS: Homeless man dies after run-in with Fullerton police At a Fullerton City Council meeting, scores of angry speakers criticized the incident, with some calling on the police chief to resign. The six officers fought with Thomas and used a Taser on him several times, leaving him bloody, beaten and in a coma. Thomas died five days later after being removed from life support. Photos of Thomas at a hospital show his face grotesquely swollen. Schwartz, whose law firm represents the officers, said he could not discuss specifics because of the ongoing criminal and administrative investigation. “Unfortunately, public perception of officer's trying to control a combative, resistive suspect rarely conforms to those officers' training, experience, what those officers were experiencing at the time or reality,” he said. “This seems to be a case in point.” ||||| Six police officers have been placed on leave after a surveillance video surfaced of witnesses expressing horror moments after seeing a homeless man beaten to death, allegedly by the officers. Kelly Thomas, 37, died five days after an altercation with Fullerton, Calif., officers at the Fullerton Transportation Center. His father, Ron Thomas, made an emotional appearance at a Fullerton City Council meeting Tuesday evening along with more than 200 community members who demanded answers, NBC Los Angeles reported. When speaking to the City Council, Thomas referred to audio of the alleged altercation that was posted online on You Tube, NBC Los Angeles said. "Listen to my son beg those officers, 'Please, please, please God, I'm sorry, I'm sorry,'" said Thomas. "And, then, the last words of his life — 'Dad, dad.' I want you to hear that for the rest of your life like I will." Thomas said his son had been a normal teen who aspired to be a wildland firefighter until he began to exhibit symptoms of schizophrenia in his early 20s. The police officers involved in the altercation were placed on paid administrative leave Tuesday and given desk duty in a decision made after new surveillance video surfaced, NBC Los Angeles reported. The new video shows witnesses telling a bus driver that the officers had used a stun gun and beaten the man. In the video taken aboard an Orange County Transportation Authority bus, passengers say officers pounded Kelly Thomas' face and hog-tied him as he cried out for his father. The video, first made public on Monday, was obtained through a public records request by the blog Friends for Fullerton's Future. Officers confronted Thomas, who suffered from schizophrenia, on July 5 while investigating reports of a man burglarizing cars near the Fullerton Transportation Center. An emotional public outcry Angry members of the public expressed their frustration over Thomas' death at the three hour-plus meeting and demanded answers from city officials. As the meeting started, City Attorney Richard Jones said the City Council and not the police chief will make the final decision regarding any further disciplinary action taken against the involved officers, the Orange County Register reported. Ron Thomas, father of Kelly Thomas, 37, asks the Fullerton City Council on Tuesday night to answer questions about the death of his son. At the standing room only meeting, more than 70 people spoke in front of the council, while another 50 people who couldn't get into the meeting watched the proceedings from a TV in the lobby of the City Hall. Some of the speakers called for the resignation of Fullerton Police Chief Michael Sellers, according to the Register. On the bus surveillance video, passengers boarding a bus that arrived minutes after the confrontation tell the driver what they saw. A woman who appears upset tells the driver: "The cops are kicking this poor guy over there. ... He's almost halfway dead." A male witness says the man, later identified as Thomas, was sitting on a bench when he was approached by two officers and ran from them. The man says police used a stun gun on Thomas six times. Incident under investigation Police have said Thomas ran away as officers tried to search his backpack, triggering an altercation that eventually involved six officers whose names have not been released. One officer was initially placed on paid administrative leave. Sellers decided to do the same for the other five officers on Tuesday, Sgt. Andrew Goodrich, a department spokesman, told the Associated Press. He said he didn't know what prompted the chief's decision. Thomas suffered severe head and neck injuries and was taken off life support on July 10. On Wednesday, a small group of protesters marched outside the police station with posters depicting Thomas' bloodied and swollen face after the altercation. Goodrich said the investigation has been turned over to the Orange County district attorney's office and the officers will remain on leave pending the outcome of the investigation. "This is what we've called for from the moment this occurred on July 5," Goodrich said. "We're waiting for the investigation to be completed as much as anybody else is." Goodrich declined to comment on the videotape and declined to say if the city had its own surveillance tape showing the incident. District attorney investigators have interviewed more than 80 witnesses and are awaiting the results of toxicology tests before deciding whether to file criminal charges, said Susan Schroeder, the agency's chief of staff. "It's very important that if there is a trial, that the witnesses can testify what they saw as a witness, not what they saw on television or in the media," said Schroeder, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. An autopsy conducted last month was inconclusive about the cause of death. Further tests are pending. The FBI has also launched an investigation into whether officers violated Thomas' civil rights, said Laura Eimiller, FBI spokeswoman.

– Six officers involved in the fatal beating of a homeless man in Fullerton, California, have been placed on leave as the FBI and the local DA investigate. An attorney for the officers defended their actions today, saying that 37-year-old Kelly Thomas has been "combative" and "resistant" when officers stopped him on suspicion of breaking into cars, reports the Los Angeles Times. The case has triggered outrage in the community because of witness accounts that police used excessive force. One YouTube video catches the beating from a distance as bystanders complain about the repeated use of a Taser. In another, passengers get on a nearby bus and tell the driver that police "killed him." At a packed city council hearing last night, Thomas' father, Ron, demanded a thorough investigation, reports MSNBC. "Listen to my son beg those officers, 'Please, please, please God, I'm sorry, I'm sorry,'" he said. "And, then, the last words of his life—'Dad, dad.' I want you to hear that for the rest of your life like I will." Protesters marched outside the police station today with posters showing Thomas' beaten and swollen face in the hospital. He died after five days in a coma. Ron Thomas told AP that his son began showing symptoms of schizophrenia in his 20s.

FaceOf: Dr. Abdul Aziz Alsebail, secretary-general of the King Faisal Prize Dr. Abdul Aziz Alsebail is the secretary-general of the King Faisal Prize. The prize was launched by the King Faisal Foundation, and granted for the first time in 1979. The prize recognizes the outstanding work of individuals and institutions in five major categories: Service to Islam, Islamic studies, Arabic language and literature, medicine, and science. Its aim is to benefit Muslims in the present and future, to inspire them to participate in all aspects of civilization, to enrich human knowledge and develop mankind. Alsebail reiterated how globally revered the award is because of the high standard it applies for the evaluation of nominees and selection of winners. “International prizes are key in promoting and localizing knowledge through immense contributions that strengthen innovation and creativity. This year holds particular significance as the award celebrates its 40th anniversary.” He received his bachelor’s degree with first-class honors in Arabic language and literature from King Abdul Aziz University (KAU) in 1979. After working as a radio announcer and programmer for Jeddah Radio, as well as an assistant instructor at KAU, he furthered his education, earning his master’s degree in near-eastern languages and cultures in 1983, as well as his Ph.D. in modern Arabic literature, both from Indiana University Bloomington. In 1991, Alsebail became an assistant professor at KAU, a post he would hold for eight years. He then became deputy editor-in-chief of Saudi Gazette until 2004. In 2005, he became deputy minister of culture until 2010. ||||| Saudi police said on Tuesday they had detained a 14-year-old boy who was filmed dancing to the 1990s hit song Macarena at a street crossing in the coastal city of Jeddah, in a clip that was widely shared on social media. The teenager, whose name and nationality were not given, was being questioned because he had shown “improper public behaviour” and disrupted traffic, a statement from Mecca police said. It was not clear whether he would be formally charged. Ahmed Al Omran (@ahmed) Jeddah boy dancing in the middle of Tahlia Street is the hero we need pic.twitter.com/fui9v2UuDF Saudi woman arrested for wearing a skirt is released without charge Read more In the 45-second video, a teenager wearing a striped T-shirt, grey sports shorts and brightly coloured shoes strides to the middle of the crossing. He starts dancing to the catchy tune in front of five lanes of cars stopped at a traffic light. Earlier this month police arrested and released a Saudi singer for using the “dab” move in an onstage dance – touching his face to the crook of his elbow. Abdallah Al Shahani appeared on a viral video performing the dance at a music festival in the city of Taif in south-western Saudi Arabia. The dance had been banned in the Kingdom on the grounds that it advocated or encouraged drug abuse, according to Saudi media. Saudis are among the most active users of social media in the Arab world, using the internet as an outlet for debate and interaction in their deeply conservative society. ||||| Saudi police announce arrest on Tuesday after year-old video of boy dancing in the street is shared on social media The 14-year-old boy dancing in the street at a crossing in Riyadh (screengrab) Saudi police announced on Tuesday that they had arrested a 14-year-old boy who appeared in a viral video dancing on a main road in Saudi Arabia's Riyadh. Police spokesman colonel Ati bin Atiya al-Qarshi said that the "accused" had been arrested after relevant evidence had been gathered and "confidential investigations" had been completed. The video appears to show the boy doing the Macarena, a mid-1990s' dance phenomenon, while standing in front of a row of cars on a crossing on Riyadh's Prince Mohamed bin Abdulaziz Road. The boy is seen dancing in the middle of a four-lane road and appearing to stop traffic. The video first appeared online in 2016, but was later removed. Social media users had taken the video, which resurfaced on social media last week, in good humour. https://t.co/QCdjZHWSFm This video is so funny I loved it 😂😂👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 https://t.co/rkzPdnMKCq — فاطمة المحميد⚡️ (@Toosha_mahmeed) August 22, 2017 https://t.co/iCDJ8Kyfdk https://t.co/cevSu23pox Translation: He's like a dancing marshmallow I love him https://t.co/Joa5BHdkvJ — آيمي روكو (@AmyRoko) August 22, 2017 As the news of his arrest was revealed, users expressed their surprise https://t.co/QDEoeKHRyb Surprised they didn't decapitate him already https://t.co/3tXoiePAg7 — Ahmad AlMot (@AhmadAlmot) August 21, 2017 A couple of users agreed with his arrest This boy was later arrested... Deserved to be arrested for being a nuisance https://t.co/pgbQY58wnz — Cherry Analysts 🍒 (@CherryAnalysts) August 22, 2017 Earlier this month, a Saudi entertainer was arrested by Saudi authorities for "dabbing," a popular dance move, at a concert in the country's western city of Taif. This article is available in French on Middle East Eye French edition. ||||| Jeddah boy dancing in the middle of Tahlia Street is the hero we need pic.twitter.com/fui9v2UuDF — Ahmed Al Omran (@ahmed) August 19, 2017 Looks like the Saudis have been watching a little too much Footloose. A 14-year-old boy in Saudi Arabia was detained and grilled by cops for filming a video at a street crossing — in which he dances to the “Macarena.” The teen, whose name and nationality were not released, was being questioned Tuesday in the coastal city of Jeddah just days after the jovial clip went viral on social media. While the footage first appeared online in 2016, it was later removed and didn’t resurface online until last week, the Middle East Eye reports. Saudi police said they detained the 14-year-old for “improper public behavior” and disrupting traffic following a “confidential investigation.” It was not clear, though, if he will be formally charged. In the 45-second video, the teen can be seen doing the Macarena — yes, the catchy 1990s dance craze that took the world by storm — while standing in front of a row of cars. The vehicles all appear to be stopped at a red light as the boy busts each and every move with ease — all while decked out in a striped t-shirt, gray Nike sports shorts, and Crocs. “Apparently, being happy is considered a crime nowadays,” joked a Twitter user. “That’s the kind of son I wanna have,” another wrote. Earlier this month, Saudi police arrested a local singer for busting the “dab” move during an onstage performance. Abdallah al-Shahani, who was later released, was caught on camera performing the dance at a music festival in the city of Taif in southwestern Saudi Arabia. While it’s become a pop culture phenomenon in America, the move had been banned in the country by the National Committee for Drug Control, under the claim that it promoted drug use. With Post wires

– Doing the "Macarena" in traffic is a no-no in Saudi Arabia. That's what one hip-swirling teen learned after being caught on a video since gone viral, jamming to the hit tune from the mid-'90s. Saudi police said they arrested the 14-year-old on Tuesday for "improper public behavior" after he busted a few moves to the Spanish song in the middle of a Jeddah intersection, Reuters reports. In the 45-second clip, the Ricky Martin wannabe, wearing headphones, Nike shorts, and Crocs, performs for several lanes of cars stopped at a light. The clip first appeared online in 2016 but was later removed, the Middle East Eye notes, via the New York Post. It reappeared last week, apparently attracting the eye of authorities. Arab News reports cops detained the boy after analyzing the video, and they'll decide after questioning him whether to refer the matter to prosecutors. Saudis flocked to social media to weigh in on the spectacle. While some found it "discourteous," others say cops should back off. "He is just a kid who wanted to enjoy his time. Don't make a big fuss about it," someone tweeted. It's not the first time a Saudi singer has broken the rules in the strict religious state. Cops there this month arrested a singer for doing the "dab"—touching his face to his bent elbow—onstage at a music festival, per Reuters. The move is banned because it's said to encourage drug use. (Saudi cops freed a young woman who appeared in a viral miniskirt video.)

MORRISON, Colo. (AP) — Law enforcement officers were searching for a gunman Friday after three people were shot and wounded at the end of a rap concert at the popular Red Rocks outdoor amphitheater in the foothills west of Denver. The victims' injuries were not life-threatening, Jefferson County sheriff's spokesman Mark Techmeyer said. Their names were not released. No arrests had been made. The shootings did not appear to be random, Techmeyer said. Deputies were investigating a report that a man was seen with a rifle, but Techmeyer called that information "pretty sketchy." The shootings occurred about 10:30 p.m. Thursday near the end of a performance by Nas, Schoolboy Q and Flying Lotus. The injured people were in a white sport-utility vehicle and drove themselves from Red Rocks to a Denver intersection about 15 miles away, but it was not clear why, Techmeyer said. They were eventually stopped by Denver police and taken to a hospital. Investigators did not know if more people had been in the SUV before police stopped it, he said. Techmeyer didn't know how many people were at the concert, but he said investigators stopped and questioned each car as it was leaving. Traffic was chaotic and slow, but "we had a shooter out there," he said. Witnesses were being interviewed until the early morning hours Friday. The Red Rocks amphitheater and surrounding park are popular with joggers and sightseers. Most of the park had reopened Friday morning, but the area of the shooting remained sealed off. ||||| Police put this man in handcuffs during an investigation into a shooting that occurred at Red Rocks Amphitheater Thursday night, June 19, 2014. Three individuals in a Chevy Suburban stopped by police at 7th Avenue and Kalamath Street were taken to a hospital with gunshot wounds. (Karl Gehring, The Denver Post) The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office was investigating a triple shooting late Thursday night that happened following a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Jefferson County Sheriff's Office spokesman Mark Techmeyer said three victims were found at 6th Avenue and Kalamath Street at about 11 p.m. by Denver police. Red Rocks was shut down afterwards, with no one being allowed in or out of the park. "We're trying to figure out what happened," Techmeyer said. The Sheriff's Office said the three victims were transported to Denver Health, adding that all were alive. Two other passengers were in the car, with the Sheriff's Office saying they were helping with the investigation. Police search a parking lot at Red Rocks Amphitheatre after a shooting Thursday night, June 19, 2014. (Glen Ross, Special to The Denver Post) No arrests have been made in the shooting, which occured in a parking lot after the concert. The show featured Nas, Schoolboy Q and Flying Lotus. Jefferson County Sheriff's officers were searching the cars of all concertgoers. Almost two hours after the conclusion of the concert, there were still many people on the scene. "I'm backstage; we're on lockdown waiting to leave," said Faithon Lucas, the promoter of the concert, which, among other causes, was a benefit for GRASP, a gang-rescue and support project sponsored by the Metro Denver Partners. After the shooting, the victims apparently drove a vehicle into Denver. The vehicle, a white SUV, stopped at 6th Avenue and Kalamath Street, where Denver Police was called to the scene. Advertisement According to police officials, Denver Police has jurisdiction during concerts at Red Rocks unless a felony offense is involved, in which case it comes under the auspices of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. Besides the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and Denver Police, the Lakewood and Morrison Police Departments and the Colorado State Patrol were involved in the investigation. The Red Rocks Visitors Center and amphitheatre were reopened Friday morning and the Skrillex show is scheduled to go on as planned Friday night, Red Rocks said on its Twitter account. The Trading Post and south parking lots remain closed while deputies investigate. The office asks for anyone with information on the shooting to call its tip line at 303-271-5612.

– Three people were shot in the parking lot of Colorado's Red Rocks Amphitheatre last night after a concert featuring Nas, Schoolboy Q, and Flying Lotus, authorities say. The victims, all of whom survived, were found in nearby Denver, where they apparently drove after the shooting, the Denver Post reports; it's unclear why they did so. Two other passengers were in the SUV, and are cooperating with the investigation. Red Rocks was put on lockdown after the shooting; concertgoers' cars were searched; and as of this reporting, no suspects had yet been arrested. The concert was, in part, a benefit for a local gang-rescue and support project. The shootings did not appear random, an official tells the AP.

The seed for Wide00014 was: - Slash pages from every domain on the web: -- a ranking of all URLs that have more than one incoming inter-domain link (rank was determined by number of incoming links using Wide00012 inter domain links) -- up to a maximum of 100 most highly ranked URLs per domain - Top ranked pages (up to a max of 100) from every linked-to domain using the Wide00012 inter-domain navigational link graph ||||| 15-Year-Old Eli Reimer Becomes First Person with Down Syndrome to Reach Mt. Everest's Base Camp Eli Reimer is anything but average.After 10 days, 17,000 feet and 70 miles, the Oregon teenager became the first person with Down syndrome to reach Mt. Everest's base camp in Nepal after climbing alongside his father Justin."It was humbling, it was inspiring, just an amazing moment," Justin told HLN in an interview Sunday Recalling the trek, Justin says it was Eli, 15, who lead the group."He was actually leading us on the trail and we were the ones feeling our own sense of disability," he said. "It was no big deal to him, the rest of us were sucking wind."As for what Eli and Justin hope to accomplish with their climb, Justin says it's about understanding."I think the number one thing is for anybody who has a child with a disability or who is impacted by disability in some way to really understand that it's not outside of the scope of really God's goodness," Justin explained. "Eli's life and the lives of those with disability have infinite worth and they can do great things."Watch the interview with Eli and Justin on HLN below:

– Talk about a high achievement: Oregon teenager Eli Reimer became the first person with Down syndrome to reach the base camp of Mt. Everest, People reports. Reimer made the 10-day, 70-mile trek alongside his father and even led their group: "It was humbling, it was inspiring, just an amazing moment," father Justin tells HLN. "We were the ones feeling our own sense of disability. It was no big deal to him; the rest of us were sucking wind." Justin says he hopes Eli's accomplishment will inspire others with disabilities. "I think the number one thing is for anybody who has a child with a disability ... [is] to really understand that it's not outside of the scope of really God's goodness," he says. "Eli's life and the lives of those with disability have infinite worth and they can do great things."

CHICAGO As many as 32,000 children worldwide become sick each year with a drug-resistant "superbug" strain of tuberculosis, according to new estimates by U.S. researchers that for the first time quantify rates of this difficult-to-treat form of TB. Overall, as many as 1 million children become sick with TB each year, about twice the number previously thought, and of these, only a third of the cases are ever diagnosed, the study found. "A huge proportion (of children) are suffering and dying from TB unnecessarily," said Helen Jenkins of Brigham and Women's Hospital's Division of Global Health Equity, the lead statistician on the study published on Sunday in the Lancet. The findings, published as part of a special theme issue of Lancet to commemorate World TB Day on March 24, offer the clearest picture yet of the global burden of tuberculosis among its youngest victims, and for the first time estimate the burden of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis or MDR-TB. "Despite children comprising approximately one quarter of the world's population, there have been no previous estimates of how many suffer from MDR-TB disease," said Dr Ted Cohen, also of the Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital, and a co-author on the paper. For decades, researchers had largely ignored tuberculosis infections in young children, in part because children are less likely to transmit the disease than adults. TB infections are especially hard to diagnose in children because the infection looks different in children than adults. The disease is caused by bacteria that typically attacks the lungs and is often spread through the air when people who have an active infection cough. Tuberculosis typically attacks the lungs and is spread through the air when people who have an active infection cough. "In kids, you are much more likely to have TB disease in other parts of the body, not necessarily in the lungs," Jenkins said. Even when children do have TB in their lungs, there are fewer TB pathogens present, "making kids with TB invisible" to current diagnostic methods, she said. To arrive at their estimates, Jenkins and colleagues scoured publicly available databases and devised a way to correct for chronic underreporting of TB in children. "What we found was that whereas previous estimates for the total number of TB cases in kids were about half a million, when you account for (underreporting) in your estimates, it's more like 1 million children develop active TB disease every year," she said. The World Health Organization estimates that 8.6 million people developed TB in 2012 and 1.3 million died from the disease. According to the WHO, half a million people became sick with dangerous superbug strains of tuberculosis in 2012, it estimates that up to 2 million people worldwide may be infected with drug-resistant TB by 2015. Keeping track of TB rates in children is important for two reasons, Jenkins said. First, children with drug-sensitive forms of TB generally respond very well to treatment. Second, because TB disease develops very quickly in children, often within weeks of exposure, finding an infected child can offer key clues about TB transmission within a community. "That's telling you you've got some kind of system failure going on there," Jenkins said. She said the findings illustrate the need for better methods of collecting data on childhood TB, including better diagnostics and more systematic data collection. (Reporting by Julie Steenhuysen; editing by Andrew Hay) ||||| About one million children world-wide under 15 years old contract tuberculosis every year, twice as many as previously thought, according to a new study from researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School. About 32,000 of those children have drug-resistant strains of the airborne disease, according to the study, published Sunday night in the Lancet journal. TB experts have struggled to pinpoint the...

– Today is World TB Day, and its arrival is met with some gloomy new estimates about the presence of tuberculosis among the world's kids. A study published in Lancet has found that as many as 1 million children under age 15 are hit with TB each year, reports the Wall Street Journal. That's double the previously established estimate, and some two-thirds of all cases go undiagnosed. The Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School researchers were also able to for the first time put a number on the instances of what Reuters terms a "drug-resistant 'superbug' strain" of TB: MDR-TB. As many as 32,000 kids across the globe become sick with that form each year. Reuters notes that researchers have historically focused more on TB in adults, for a duo of reasons: Adults are more likely to pass on the disease; and the diagnosis methods used on adults don't always work on kids, in part because up to 30% of children who develop TB do so somewhere other than their lungs. But the attention is shifting to children in part because of what they can reveal about the transmission of the disease among adults: TB develops much more rapidly in children, signalling the presence of the disease in their adult family members or community. "These 1 million children are missed opportunities for preventing TB every year," says the co-senior author of the study.

Billy Ray Cyrus dropped another bombshell today. Miley's daddy taped an interview in New York with The Views co-hosts and said he has decided to try to patch things up with wife Tish. "I dropped the divorce," he says in the interview set to air Friday (ABC, 11 a.m. ET) on The View. "I wanted to put my family back together." In October, Billy Rya and Tish issued a joint statement announcing plans to end their 17-year marriage. When asked how things are going with Tish now, he said, "You know what? Communication I think is one of the biggest problems that we as human beings have in this whole world, and I think for the first time me and my entire family are finally communicating with each other in a way that, it's been quite some time… and to answer your question, things are really the best they've ever been." And his relationship with Miley is good, too, he said. "I feel like I kind of got my Miley back in a way. I feel like we are the daddy and the daughter that we were before Hannah Montana happened. Cyrus told Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Sherri Shepherd that he also wanted to set the record straight about remarks he made that Disney and Hannah Montana had destroyed his family. "I love Hannah Montana. I love Disney. That didn't tear my family apart," said Cyrus. "Now fame, fame is a different animal, you've got to be careful with that thing because it can… (pause)… all things considered, hey, it's all good." Cyrus also performs his new song Runway Lights from upcoming album I'm An American, due out June 28. ||||| Billy Ray Cyrus Calls Off His Divorce Email This wants to get his family back together. Though he filed for divorce from his wife, Tish, in October of last year, it seems he's had a change of heart. "I've dropped the divorce," Cyrus, 49, told the ladies on 'The View' (via "I feel like I got my Just last month, in a "I hate to say it, but yes, I do. I'd take it back in a second," he said of the show, which shot Miley to stardom. Billy Ray Cyrus wants to get his family back together. Though he filed for divorce from his wife, Tish, in October of last year, it seems he's had a change of heart."I've dropped the divorce," Cyrus, 49, told the ladies on 'The View' (via PEOPLE ). "I want to put my family back together ... Things are the best they've ever been." His full interview will air on Friday."I feel like I got my Miley back," he added during Thursday's taping. "I feel like we're the daddy and daughter we were before 'Hannah Montana.'"Just last month, in a lengthy profile for GQ , Cyrus blamed the Disney show 'Hannah Montana' for the current trouble in his family, which includes his divorce from wife of 17 years."I hate to say it, but yes, I do. I'd take it back in a second," he said of the show, which shot Miley to stardom. http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=762708&pid=762707&uts=1273853626 http://www.popeater.com/mm_track/popeater/movies/?s_channel=us.moviespop&s_account=aolpopeater,aolsvc&omni=1&ke=1 http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf Celebrity Splitsville Halle Berry and Gabriel Aubry Split Halle Berry called it quits with her boyfriend, Gabriel Aubry, ending their five-year relationship. The couple has a 2-year-old daughter, Nahla Ariel Aubry. Evan Agostini, AP Evan Agostini, AP Celebrity Splits He also claimed he'd been made the "fall guy" for whenever negative news surrounds his family, referencing his daughter's Vanity Fair cover shoot controversy, in which the teenage star was photographed with just a sheet covering her."Every time the train went off the track ... her people, or as they say in today's news, her handlers, every time they'd put [the blame on] me ... I took it because I'm her daddy ... OK, nail me to the cross," he told GQ.But now he's focusing on fixing his family. "'Hannah Montana' didn't ruin my family," he said during the 'View' taping. "Fame did.""Sometimes when you get in this ride," he said, "you feel like you're strapped to a rocket."

– Things are finally looking up for Billy Ray Cyrus: In an interview on The View airing today, he reveals he’s halted divorce proceedings with wife Tish, USA Today reports. “I wanted to put my family back together,” he says. So how is that going? “I think for the first time me and my entire family are finally communicating with each other in a way that, it's been quite some time … and to answer your question, things are really the best they've ever been.” Click for more from the interview, including Billy Ray's comments about Miley.

MIAMI (AP) — A former South Florida man has been arrested in Mexico 37 years after failing to surrender for a 10-month prison sentence. Miami U.S. Attorney's officials say Robert Anton Woodring was indicted in 1984 for failing to surrender in 1977 to start his sentence for removing a yacht so that authorities couldn't seize it. Woodring had also been sentenced in a related case to seven years in prison after a jury found him guilty of mail fraud and conspiracy to commit mail fraud. U.S. Marshals apprehended Woodring in Guadalajara, Mexico, last month. Woodring agreed to be transported to Miami for further proceedings and is set to be arraigned Wednesday. ||||| It began nearly four decades ago when a British-flagged yacht fled police during a night chase at sea. At the helm: A man hinted to be a federal drug informant. It ended last month in Mexico, where the fleeing skipper was run to ground by a lucky tip. Now, Robert Woodring is serving the prison term he artfully avoided for so many years — at age 81. Woodring, who used to live in Fort Lauderdale, Boynton Beach and Pompano Beach, was supposed to start serving a federal prison sentence in 1977 for crimes committed earlier that decade. But he escaped to live free — until authorities tracked him down last month in Mexico, federal prosecutors said Friday. His capture was a lucky break. FBI agents were seeking another fugitive in the Guadalajara area and received a tip that Woodring was a wanted man and living in the region, U.S. Marshals spokesman Barry Golden said. Robert Woodring captured poster Sun Sentinel Robert Woodring, 82, was a South Florida fugitive who hid out for 37 years, authorities said. He was caught in Mexico in December 2014. Robert Woodring, 82, was a South Florida fugitive who hid out for 37 years, authorities said. He was caught in Mexico in December 2014. (Sun Sentinel) (Sun Sentinel) Mexican authorities questioned Woodring and turned him over to the feds after concluding he had no legal right to remain in Mexico. It was unclear Friday how long Woodring had been there or what he was doing, but Golden said Woodring lived with a Nicaraguan woman there. "For someone to be on the run for 37 years, I can only imagine that guy was bragging that he eluded capture for more than three decades because, after all this time, how would anyone in Guadalajara have known anything about this?" Golden said. Woodring first tried to elude authorities on Jan. 14, 1975, when U.S. Customs Service agents went to Haulover Inlet to seize the Gemini, Woodring's 60-foot Pacemaker twin-screw motor yacht, appeals court records show. But as the agents, accompanied by Dade County police officers, arrived on an unmarked boat, Woodring headed south, not stopping his British-registered vessel, records show. Officials chased him into the Atlantic Ocean. Two police helicopters and a Coast Guard cutter joined the pursuit. They made radio contact with Woodring and told him to "heave to" and let them board. He refused to stop. "He [later] testified that he believed that he was not required to do so because he was by then in international waters … did not know the identity of his pursuers or that they were officers and … was fearful of harm to his vessel or his person," the appellate judges wrote. Woodring cut off radio contact and the chase was abandoned at nightfall. He was arrested in South Florida three days later, without the boat. He was later convicted of removing a yacht to prevent authorized government seizure and was sentenced to 10 months in prison in October 1975. For reasons that were unclear Friday, Woodring remained free and was later found guilty of mail fraud and mail fraud conspiracy for a scam involving the yacht. He was sentenced to serve a total of 7 1/2 years for the 1975 and 1977 convictions and ordered to surrender in September 1977. A Sun Sentinel newspaper article from 1986 identified Woodring as a Drug Enforcement Administration informant who was caught on surveillance tapes from 1977 making incriminating statements to another man about Fort Lauderdale lawyer Ray Sandstrom. Sandstrom, who was never charged, called Woodring a "con man" at the time and said he did nothing wrong. Authorities charged Woodring — in his absence in 1984 — with bond-jumping and failing to surrender to prison. He was recently transferred from Los Angeles to the federal detention center in Miami and is due in court Jan. 14 to tell a judge if he plans to fight the bond-jumping case. He has already begun serving the 7 1/2 year prison term for his convictions from the 1970s. pmcmahon@tribune.com, 954-356-4533 or Twitter @SentinelPaula

– The law has caught up with a former Florida resident a mere 37 years after he failed to surrender for a 10-month prison sentence. Robert Woodring, now 81, was ordered to surrender in October 1977 after being found guilty of moving a yacht so federal authorities couldn't seize it, the AP reports. He also had a seven-year sentence to serve in a related mail fraud case. The former DEA informant was found living in Guadalajara, Mexico, where he had apparently made some enemies: He was caught after FBI agents looking for another fugitive in the area were tipped off, reports the Sun Sentinel. He was brought back to the US last month to start serving his sentence and will appear in court this week on charges of bond-jumping and failing to surrender for a prison sentence.

How the other half fear: Super-rich worry that their wealth is killing drive and ambition in their children Survey looked at top fears of 4,500 of the world's wealthiest families Found wealthiest worried about their fortunes killing children's drive Fear ranked above worries over investments and marital breakdown Sting said today that his children will not inherit any of his £180million With millions of pounds in the bank, you might have thought the world's super-rich wouldn't have a care in the world. But a new survey has revealed the top fears of the world's wealthiest people, and one of the most common is that their money is their children's ambition and drive to do well. For the most successful - defined as those with fortunes of $10million (£5.9million) and above - worries about children's motivation came second only to worries about their own health. Sting said his kids will not inherit his £180million fortune as the money will be an 'albatross around their necks' According to the study, by law firm Withersworldwide, fears over children's ambition come above worries about investments failing, inability to provide for the family, and even divorce. Among those with a fortune of less than $10million the fear still ranked highly, but came in fourth place, behind health troubles and worries over income. The study found that, wealthy families have the most to fear from third generation family members when it comes to losing the family millions. Sara Cormack, a partner at Wither's, said: 'If the first generation are wealth creators then the second generation tend to be wealth preservers, but it is the third generation that families are most worried about. 'If they have had everything put on a plate for them without seeing any of the hard graft that goes into creating that wealth, then they can lose track of how best to use that wealth and how ifficult it was to build up in the first place.' Former Police lead singer and musician Sting has today said he will not be passing on any of his £180million fortune to his children because he wants them to earn their money themselves. He said: ‘I told them there won’t be much money left because we are spending it! We have a lot of commitments. What comes in, we spend, and there isn’t much left. Nigella Lawson previously said that not having to earn their own money 'ruins people' while Brooklyn Beckham was encouraged to get a job earning £2.68 an hour in a coffee shop by David and Victoria ‘I certainly don’t want to leave them trust funds that are albatrosses round their necks. ‘They have to work. All my kids know that and they rarely ask me for anything, which I really respect and appreciate. ‘Obviously, if they were in trouble I would help them, but I’ve never really had to do that. They have the work ethic that makes them want to succeed on their own merit.’ Celebrity chef Nigella Lawson also said that her children will not be passed any of her own fortune, adding that 'it ruins people not having to earn their own money.' According to reports, Brooklyn Beckham recently got a job in a West London coffee shop earning £2.68 an hour after being encouraged to do it by parents David and Victoria, who are worth an estimated £165million. The data, a rare insight into the minds of the world's most powerful, was based on surveys of more than 4,500 and interviews with 16 very wealthy families from Europe, Asia and North America. Families interviewed said they were using charitable donations or setting up a new business to give the family a renewed sense of direction. Some even said they had drawn up a family statement, similar to a business statement, in order to give the next generation a purpose and something to achieve. ||||| Why my children will not be inheriting my £180million fortune: Sting wants his sons and daughters to earn their way (and says he's spending all his money anyway) As one of the world’s most successful rock stars, he has risen from an impoverished childhood to amass a huge fortune. Now Sting has made it clear that his children will also have to earn their own way and should not expect to benefit from his £180 million earnings. In a frank interview in today’s Mail on Sunday Event magazine, the former Police frontman said he expected his three sons and three daughters to work, and added that there would not be much left to inherit anyway. Sting, 62, who still has more than 100 people on his payroll, said: ‘I told them there won’t be much money left because we are spending it! We have a lot of commitments. What comes in, we spend, and there isn’t much left.’ He added: ‘I certainly don’t want to leave them trust funds that are albatrosses round their necks. ‘They have to work. All my kids know that and they rarely ask me for anything, which I really respect and appreciate. ‘Obviously, if they were in trouble I would help them, but I’ve never really had to do that. They have the work ethic that makes them want to succeed on their own merit.’ Sting is not the only celebrity who expects their children to stand on their own feet. Celebrity chef Nigella Lawson said a few years ago: ‘I am determined that my children should have no financial security. It ruins people not having to earn money.’ READ THE FULL INTERVIEW BELOW Sting had to escape his family and abandon his North East roots. 'It was a pretty violent wrench. I didn't feel I belonged there and the family was pretty dysfunctional in many ways,' he said It’s not exactly rock ’n’ roll, but the woman who really changed Sting’s life – sorry, Trudie – was the Queen Mother. Young Gordon Sumner, dressed in his Sunday best almost 50 years ago, was mesmerised as her Rolls-Royce swished past the front door of his street in Wallsend, North Tyneside. The Sumners were poor, working-class Geordies; his parents Audrey, a hairdresser, and Ernie, a milkman. The Royal visitor was there to launch a ship built at the end of his street at the Swan Hunter shipyard. Sting’s grandfather had been a shipwright and the young Sumner was expected to go into a manual job, too. 'I've never hidden my age. I am a father and now a grandfather,' said Sting The biggest vessels on the planet were hammered, welded and built there long before Gordon became Sting (named for wearing a black-and-yellow jersey, like a wasp). ‘The Queen Mum waved and looked at me, and I looked back at her and that was it,’ he says. ‘There and then I thought, I am going to be rich, famous, successful and drive a Rolls-Royce like her.’ He decided he would use his voice and guitar to get a big house in the country, great wealth and acclaim. And so it all came to pass. Now aged 62, the rock star, eco-warrior, father of six and grandfather laughs as he tells of the inspiration for his aspiration, all courtesy of the House of Windsor. This is just one of a torrent of revealing anecdotes in a candid and wide-ranging interview, in which he tells Event about his complicated family background, his politics, children, death, drugs, Botox, the secrets of his long and happy marriage – and why his children won’t be getting their hands on his fortune. Today it’s his own childhood that’s playing on the mind of the boy from Wallsend who went on to buy seven homes across Britain, Italy and the U.S., sell more than 100 million records and earn an estimated £180 million. Because to get all that, Sting tells me, he had to escape his family and abandon his North East roots. ‘It was a pretty violent wrench. I didn’t feel I belonged there and the family was pretty dysfunctional in many ways. My parents were not happy together. 'They loved their kids but it was a toxic environment. I needed to escape and I am glad I did.’ His mother was unfaithful, which eventually led to the breakdown of the marriage, and divorce. Sting pursued his dream, which his father dismissed as delusional. And, at times, fame and fortune did look like fantasy, as Sting struggled through a series of jobs before finally becoming a teacher, his musical talents unrecognised. 'I demand a citizen's life - I really do. Walking the street; going to a bar on my own,' Sting said He moved to London and began hurtling up and down the M1 to play gigs in pubs. It was all small beer until 1979, when with his band, The Police, he exploded into the charts with Roxanne and everything changed. And so the rest – five No 1 records with The Police, huge success as a solo artist, starring roles in movies, rainforest crusades, 16 Grammy awards and the most enduring marriage in rock ’n’ roll (not to mention fending off 1,000 questions about tantric sex) – is well-rehearsed history. Less well known is the acutely personal inspiration for his latest project, a compulsively toe-tapping, heart-rending musical called The Last Ship. The musical, which had its world premiere in Chicago last week, draws upon his early life growing up around the harsh shipyard docks. Sitting in his 20th-floor penthouse in a Chicago hotel after overseeing final preparations for The Last Ship’s maiden voyage, Sting talks with boyish wonder that his musical, four years in the making, is finally on stage. Next stop, Broadway. ‘The irony is that I’m going back to Wallsend, from where I had done everything in my power to escape,’ he says. ‘But we have to go back to where we came from and reassess, give thanks for it and honour it. I want to celebrate where I came from; that town, what they did, and the hardship.’ In The Last Ship, a young man runs away from home, returning 15 years later to discover he had fathered a child before he left, only to abandon his home town again, on a ship after the shipyard goes bust. The songs, he says, came in a rush of inspiration following a period of writer’s block. He knew it should be a musical, and from the off knew that one of his oldest pals from the North East, Jimmy Nail, would star in it. (The actor and sometime musician is the one person on the planet who gets to call Sting Gordon.) The music is as addictive as his most potent songs – all are written by Sting – and after Broadway he would be happy to see it open in London. 'I am married to an extraordinary, gifted woman,' said Sting of wife Trudie Styler The story draws on Sting’s ruptured relationship with his father. ‘A father’s love can sometimes be misconstrued,’ he says. ‘It can be about control; it comes from anxiety. 'A father wants to dictate to a son what he should or should not be doing. And to my father the ambition I had seemed like bulls***, pie in the sky. And he wasn’t wrong. I wanted to be a successful musician; the chances of that coming off were millions to one. He thought it was ridiculous. “Get a proper job!” ‘Once I had become successful he was proud of me, but he never really understood it. 'I passed the 11-plus to get into a grammar school with a scholarship but he had wanted me to go to a technical school. Engineering was what he knew and did.’ Sting’s aim was more fanciful. ‘I had some vague idea I wanted to study the classics, speak French and Latin.’ His goal was always to escape. Such aspirations were more encouraged by his mother. ‘She initiated me in the dark arts of music and dreaming. She lived her life through me and encouraged me to do all the things my dad did not understand. 'Did I have to divorce my dad? As much as any son has to do so to individuate. You have to. It’s part of growing up. You have to leave the nest. Sometimes it’s painful. It is necessary.’ Sting did not attend either of his parents’ funerals, because he felt the inevitable media intrusion would be disrespectful, but he did pay his dad a final farewell as he lay dying of cancer. As he sat beside him, Sting suddenly realised ‘with the jolt of an electrical shock’ that for all their differences, their hands were identical. “We have the same hands, Dad, look!” I was a child again, desperately trying to get his attention.’ Sting held his father’s hand next to his own, but little was said by these two strong Tyneside men. One sentence, however, stayed in Sting’s memory. ‘Aye, son, but you used yours better than I used mine.’ It was the first time Sting could recall ever hearing a compliment from his dad, or being acknowledged for what he had achieved. His father, just 59, closed his eyes in exhaustion, Sting kissed him softly in the centre of his forehead and whispered that he was a good man and that he loved him. They never saw each other again. On his children: 'They have this work ethic that makes them want to succeed on their own merit. People make assumptions, that they were born with a silver spoon in their mouth, but they have not been given a lot' For years Sting felt unable to grieve properly for the loss of his parents. He dedicated his 2005 memoir, Broken Music, to his parents but his new musical is obliquely a tribute as well. His voice lowers to just above a whisper as he recalls his dad. It is still a tender subject, 27 years after his death. When I ask Sting when he last cried, there is a silence before he says: ‘Just now.’ And he clearly is moved. He does not do public tears. The musical ends with a funeral, a joyous and celebratory one, at sea, and he feels as if many wounds are being unconsciously healed, many unsaid words being heard. ‘Last night [at the theatre] I just thought back to my dad,’ he says, ‘and I think other members of the crew also did to theirs.’ Mortality is on Sting’s mind, as he is now three years shy of 65, but he says he is relaxed about growing old. ‘I’ve never hidden my age. I am a father and now a grandfather and I am proud of that [his youngest son, Giacomo, is 18 and his eldest, Joseph, 37]. ‘I have a story still to tell and part of that is I am facing the end of my life. 'I have lived more of my life than is to come: that is an interesting place for an artist – more interesting than writing about your first girlfriend. It is kind of serious. 'I have lived more of my life than is to come: that is an interesting place for an artist - more interesting than writing about your first girlfriend. It is kind of serious,' said Sting 'In our 60s, how do we face this imponderable idea that we are not going to exist any more? We make art. We tell stories. We have to face it, to tell it. I am certainly not ready for death. Do I fear it? Well, I fear sudden death. I want to die consciously. I want to see the process. I suppose I already do. 'My eyesight is not as good as it used to be, nor my hearing. I am still extremely fit but have to work hard. But we decay. I love what Christopher Hitchens said about death – you have been asked to leave the party and the problem is the party will carry on without you. Very eloquent. 'But I am interested in the future. What will happen to the planet and us? I want to use every minute to enjoy it.’ While Sting outshone his parents, the challenge now for his own children is competing with the success he’s achieved through what he modestly calls his ‘singing and rhyming couplets’. 'I passed the 11-plus to get into a grammar school with a scholarship,' said Sting ‘My generation all assumed we would have a better standard of living. The one that we spawned cannot assume that. 'With my children there is great wealth, success – a great shadow over them – so it’s no picnic at all being my child. I discuss that with them; it’s tough for them.’ Sting does not believe they will inherit great riches. ‘I told them there won’t be much money left because we are spending it! We have a lot of commitments. What comes in we spend, and there isn’t much left. 'I certainly don’t want to leave them trust funds that are albatrosses round their necks. They have to work. All my kids know that and they rarely ask me for anything, which I really respect and appreciate. 'Obviously, if they were in trouble I would help them, but I’ve never really had to do that. 'They have this work ethic that makes them want to succeed on their own merit. People make assumptions, that they were born with a silver spoon in their mouth, but they have not been given a lot.’ Sting has more than 100 people on his payroll. ‘I keep a community of people going. My crew, my band, my staff... it’s a corporation!’ Who runs it? ‘Trudie! Well, a large aspect of it is Trudie, but I have a very good team of managers and lawyers. They all need paying, too.’ Selling the family home in London should raise some extra funds, then. The nine-bedroom townhouse, a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace, is currently on the market for more than £15 million. ‘It’s just too big,’ he says. ‘The kids have all gone and there are just so many empty bedrooms. We’re just rattling around. But we are not leaving. I love England. I’m still English.’ Sting is not afraid to speak his mind and has stuck his neck out by campaigning for the decriminalisation of drugs. Does he really believe they help the creative process? 'Did I have to divorce my dad? As much as any son has to do so to individuate,' he said ‘I think if they’re used specifically as tools for a stated purpose. As in, “I’ll now smoke this joint and I’ll write a song... or I will write a piece of poetry.” 'Then I think it’s perfectly acceptable. But if you’re just taking stuff to get out of it, then you’ll just get out of it. 'If I’m feeling stuck on a lyric or an idea isn’t quite gelling, sometimes a puff of weed will free it up. 'I rarely smoke it socially. It’s a tool, just as a pen is. I’m not alone. Several artists have used drugs to make great art. ‘I certainly wouldn’t advocate that you have to take drugs to make art, but then you can’t nullify the work of The Beatles. They took LSD and they made fantastic albums. 'Miles Davies made the most extraordinary music on heroin. 'Some people can cope with it perfectly well. I’m not here to make rules, or even state that there should be any rules. Drugs are dangerous, without a doubt. 'At the same time they can be useful tools but they need to be thought about as tools.’ So where does he stand on the legalisation of drugs? ‘Legalising is a very complex issue. Decriminalisation is a first step, because I don’t think it [criminalisation] helps. I don’t think the social problems related to drugs are helped by the legal system or the police. 'Social problems and mental problems are best dealt with by psychiatrists.’ And what about when you see casualties of drugs, like Whitney Houston or Amy Winehouse? ‘There are laws in place right now and they haven’t protected Amy, they haven’t protected anyone. I tell my children to be extremely careful. Luckily, they’re not particularly prone to drug-taking, to my knowledge. But they’re smart and they’re careful. ‘The drug laws aren’t helping. We need a really honest debate in society. People will tend to want to make life richer. Life seems flat a lot of the time. Chemicals, alcohol, marijuana can help. It’s almost a spiritual need to re-enchant life. 'I think that people are disenchanted with modern living and the drug culture is an attempt to re-enchant the world. It can, and it can fail.’ Sting's childhood home in Wallsend on Tyneside Sting has a ferocious fitness regime and a healthy diet. He drinks. He does not smoke. He has tried Botox twice, to relax a wrinkle on his forehead, but has no plans to try it again. ‘I don’t want to go down that path. I am not that vain.’ He has lived the rock ’n’ roll life to the full and is candid about it. In fact, he seems a man of few secrets. He emails a close coterie of friends on a regular basis and that almost acts as his diary. Have there been failures? He hesitates. He divorced his first wife, the mother of his two eldest children, and his memoir hints of other sadnesses. ‘Relationships could have been better. No names. I’m still learning. When you’re young you make mistakes. But were they failures? It’s not a word I like.’ What has certainly worked is his marriage. He is passionate about Trudie. ‘I am married to an extraordinary, gifted woman who surprises me every day with her intelligence, her compassion and her talent. 'Above all else, I like her. She walks into a room and my world lights up. She is sunshine. 'I am very fortunate. I like what she says, the way she laughs. Her sense of humour. 'We share the same nostalgia, we come from the same working-class homes in the North of England. We remember the same TV shows, same commercials, same daft jokes that tickled us as kids. ‘We have a lot in common. Both of us went to grammar school. I was educated with kids like me but also lawyers’ and doctors’ sons learning eclectic things with sons of miners, every sort. It gave you a sense of the world, a bigger world. ‘But marriage is a daily negotiation, a daily compromise, a daily debate, a reassessment. 'I make all the big decisions, but luckily in the past 30 years there haven’t been any! 'I don’t want to jinx it by saying we have a secret formula. We appreciate our time together. I miss her when I am touring and we are apart.’ 'I came up in an era of playing pubs for ten quid each and going back night after night,' he said. The Police exploded into the charts with Roxanne in 1979 and went on to have five No 1 records When it comes to overnight stars like Justin Bieber, he says he’s glad he had to work from the ground up to get his rewards. ‘I came up in an era of playing pubs for ten quid each and going back night after night. I served on the shop floor. It builds a resilience and a toughness. 'If it had all been handed to me on a plate, I’m not sure I would appreciate it or have survived. ‘These days you can become an international superstar overnight with a video aged 18 or 19, but I don’t envy them. 'I don’t know how you cope with that without another life with which to compare it. I had a job, a mortgage and children. I was a tax worker! It’s not about fame – anyone who wants fame needs their head examined – it is about happiness. ‘But the shop floor I have described has disappeared. Pub rock became stadium rock, so there aren’t places for people to play. It’s hard for young musicians. You can make a killing, but it’s hard to make a living.’ Does he feel guilty about his wealth? ‘Why would I feel guilty? It’s not a useful emotion. I use my houses and love having them. I am grateful I have made money. 'I appreciate it because I spent much time without it. I use my money well. I am not a billionaire. I am very well off and I am certainly not complaining. I was not given it. I earned it through hard work and it was hard work. You try singing for two hours, getting on a plane every day. It’s hard, but I love it.’ Despite the fame, he tries to live as normal a life as possible. ‘I demand a citizen’s life – I really do. Walking the street; going to a bar on my own. But there is also a bit of the school master in me.’ When he was mobbed at the airport, he firmly told fans it was inappropriate to be chasing autographs when he was trying to get his luggage. ‘I want to be able to pick up my bags from the carousel and walk to the car. There are times when I don’t want or need attention.’ The Last Ship, which had its world premiere in Chicago last week, draws upon Sting's early life growing up around the harsh shipyard docks Sting is not interested in party politics, but instead takes a philosophical view on events, including the war on terror. ‘It’s a very odd phrase this “war on terror”,’ he says. ‘Let’s try to understand it a bit before we declare war on it. I think most of our problems are a lack of consciousness about things, a low level of understanding of reality. 'For me, jihad is a metaphor – you are fighting your own demons in your own mind. The Promised Land is another metaphor. The Virgin Birth, Adam and Eve is a metaphor. They are beautiful metaphors but when you accept them as literally true then you are in very dangerous territory. 'This is happening in all religions. I don’t have a religion. They have a right to believe but they can’t foist that on everyone else. We are not blameless. We created Iraq, Jordan, Syria. 'We just drew arbitrary lines on a map to control resources and people, disregarding tribal affinities, and that is always going to cause problems. No belief or region has a monopoly on stupidity.’ And on that note it is time to head back to the theatre. He is happy to spend a 12-hour day making sure his new baby gets better and better. ‘The play continues to grow and it is exciting but there is still much to do. I’m utterly exhausted but seriously happy.’ The show must go on. It is a piece of musical theatre as compelling on the head, the heart – and the toe. Singing, rhyming couplets – and spending. It’s what Sting does.

– Sting may be worth more than $306 million, but his six children will have to make their own way, he tells the Daily Mail's Sunday magazine. First of all, "I told them there won’t be much money left because we are spending it!" he explains. "We have a lot of commitments. What comes in, we spend, and there isn’t much left." But beyond that, he says, "I certainly don’t want to leave them trust funds that are albatrosses round their necks. They have to work. All my kids know that and they rarely ask me for anything, which I really respect and appreciate." He adds that he would help them if they were in trouble, but so far he hasn't really had to. "They have this work ethic that makes them want to succeed on their own merit," he says. "People make assumptions, that they were born with a silver spoon in their mouth, but they have not been given a lot." The revelation came as a new survey revealed that many of the ultra-wealthy worry that if they give their kids too much, it will ruin their ambition, the Mail notes. Anderson Cooper said earlier this year that's the reason he won't be inheriting any of his mom's $200 million fortune.

Police have quizzed 26-year-old Chanelle Coutts about her links to Christopher Panayiotou, who is due to appear in court tomorrow. Coutts, who managed a supermarket owned by Panayiotou, is strikingly similar in looks to the murdered Jayde Panayiotou. Eyewitnesses said the businessman and Coutts were often seen together in and around the shopping complex where they worked. They were said to be "very affectionate". Panayiotou's arrest - and the revelations that there was another woman in his life - are in direct contrast to his tender words at her funeral. "You were the salt in my sea, the stars in my sky and my sand on earth. You have always been and will forever be beautiful in my eyes," he said. As rumours of motives for the murder swirled around Port Elizabeth this week, it emerged that police launched a huge sting operation to nab the 28-year-old businessman. As he was bidding a tearful farewell to Jayde at her funeral on Tuesday, undercover policemen pretending to be mourners were monitoring his every move. At the same time, a bouncer from his pub was concluding a plea deal with police that involved the operation to catch Panayiotou for orchestrating his wife's killing. Bouncer Thando Siyoli, who was arrested by police acting on a tip-off, gave detectives a step-by-step recap of the plot. He claimed Panayiotou had paid him to have Jayde killed. nbsp; Jayde, who taught Grades 4 to 7 at Riebeek College Girls' High School in Uitenhage, was abducted by two men from outside her Kabega Park home at about 6.30am on April 21 while she was waiting for a lift. Money was withdrawn from her bank account at an ATM in KwaNobuhle. Her body was found 40km away the next day, lying on open ground. After agreeing to turn state witness and set up the sting, Siyoli is said to have contacted Panayiotou, demanding more money due to the "hype" around the murder. A meeting was set up in Uitenhage on Wednesday and the money was paid over to Siyoli, witnessed by undercover police. Panayiotou was arrested at his parents' home in Uitenhage at about 11 that night after the National Prosecuting Authority had confirmed the sting operation was solid. A source said the prosecuting authority had given the go-ahead for the arrest based on evidence that had been obtained. The Sunday Times has established that Siyoli has been moved out of Port Elizabeth. 'Devastated and shocked' Panayiotou's uncle, Peter Becker - who originally offered a reward for Jayde's safe return or information leading to the arrest of the culprits - yesterday said the family were "devastated and shocked" by his arrest. "Everyone is very emotional and surprised, as one could imagine. We are all shocked more than anything else. From what I have heard from the family, he [Panayiotou] is maintaining his innocence. The police are also not telling us much, so we are not sure what evidence they are talking about. "This whole situation is just so unreal. When we got the news of his arrest, his father almost collapsed. "Chris is just such a nice guy and it is literally incomprehensible. I can say that the family wants to see the proof that the police say they have. This is just such a sad, traumatic incident for both families and it is almost like we have lost two people now, him and her. "We believe that whoever is responsible, regardless of who it is, needs to be dealt with by the justice system. The law must follow its course and whoever is guilty must pay." Becker said a R100 000 reward was offered for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the man believed to have pulled the trigger - who is still on the run. "Regardless of who is currently in custody, this man must not be allowed to run around free. He is very dangerous and needs to be taken off the streets," he said. Affair Several well-placed sources said Panayiotou had been having an affair with Coutts. Two eyewitnesses said they had seen Panayiotou and Coutts being "very affectionate" together in and around the shopping complex. In February, Coutts posted an image on her Facebook page with the words: "She was like the moon - part of her always hidden". A car guard at the complex, Ashwil Swart, claimed that after he had been beaten for shoplifting, he had warned Panayiotou that he would tell his wife about his skelm (mistress). "I used to see them together often, he would touch her and they would sit together in the car. She is very pretty and very young. The truth must come out," said Swart. A friend of Coutts, however, said the allegations of an affair were untrue. "She is a very relaxed girl. But I haven't seen her in a long time. She works with Chris and they only had a working relationship," said the friend, who did not want to be named. Approached at the store, Coutts (above) refused to speak to reporters. She hung up when phoned for comment. Jayde's sister, Toni Inggs, refused to speak to the media after Panayiotou's arrest. Cherise Swanepoel, who was supposed to give Jayde a lift to work that fateful day, was tight-lipped, too. "I'm sorry, after speaking to the family we've decided not to comment any more," she said. Police announced their breakthrough on Thursday morning, confirming that two men had been arrested. They said Panayiotou was arrested at 11 the night before, and 31-year-old Siyoli, who works as a bouncer at Panayiotou's Infinity Cocktail Bar and Eatery next door to his OK Foods store in Algoa Park, had quietly been taken into custody on Tuesday. Siyoli appeared in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate's Court on Thursday, charged with murder. Panayiotou is due to appear in court tomorrow. Panayiotou's lawyer, Alwyn Griebenow, confirmed that Panayiotou had been arrested in connection with murder. "I haven't consulted my client on the merits regarding everything. "Obviously he hasn't been formally charged yet, so we do not know what the allegations are against him except that he has been arrested in connection with murder. "He is obviously distraught. He doesn't know what to expect. He has never been in a situation like this, he has never been arrested before. So yes, he is not doing that well." Rumours Griebenow dispelled another rumour - that Panayiotou was in financial trouble - and said he was unaware of claims that his client had been having an affair. On the assault of Swart, Griebenow said his client denies this. Christopher, he said, explained that Swart was "apprehended" by a security guard who "beat him up". But Christopher was not present. He denied his client was arrested after a sting operation. "The arrest took place at his father's house with family members present. That was at 10:30 pm on Wednesday. "Earlier police sent Thando to him requesting money from him and they met each other. They parted but nobody was arrested at that time." Provincial police spokeswoman Brigadier Marinda Mills would not comment on claims about Panayiotou having had an affair. She confirmed that the task team was working around the clock to find a third suspect. It is believed this is the gunman, and that he may be linked to the hijacking and abduction of a pregnant woman at Greenacres shopping centre in Port Elizabeth two months ago. This week, it emerged that Panayiotou had plagiarised parts of the moving eulogy he delivered at Jayde's funeral. It was glaringly similar to a eulogy found online. On Friday afternoon there was a sombre mood at Panayiotou's bar as people trickled in. There was no music. Patrons sat quietly with their beers, the only sound coming from the slot machines. davidsn@sundaytimes.co.za ||||| Johannesburg - Jayde Panayiotou's husband has claimed that he is not good with words and that is why he googled his eulogy for her funeral, Netwerk24 reported on Monday. Christopher Panayiotou's lawyer Alwyn Griebenow asked him during the weekend about the eulogy after reports surfaced that parts of the eulogy he delivered at his wife's funeral relied heavily on another one available online. Griebenow said Christopher explained to him that he was not good with words and every time he had to talk in front of people, including at his wedding, he looked on the internet for the right words. The eulogy contains phrases used in a tribute written by Charles Atkins called "My Sweet Wife's Eulogy" and dated October 2010. Jayde Panayiotou was abducted outside her Kabega Park home on Tuesday, April 28, while waiting for her lift to the school where she worked. She was later found dead on the outskirts of a township in Uitenhage. Two people have been arrested in connection with her abduction and murder, which appeared to have been deliberate. One of them, Thando Siyoli, 31, appeared in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. Details had emerged that a substantial amount of money was paid to kill her. The other arrested man, aged 28, is a close family member known to News24. He cannot be named until he appears in court on Monday. ||||| Memorial Words, September 25, 2019 Good Afternoon, my name is Charles Atkins. I am Jennifer’s husband. Today I wish to be frank with you; can I be frank with you? On behalf of our family, I thank you all for coming here today to honor the life of Jennifer. Jennifer Michelle Dubois Mahannah Atkins. Jennifer was the most capable and wonderful woman I have ever known. I was honored to be her husband for the past ten years and I am staggered by her sudden passing. My pet name for her was “Smurfie,” because her eyes were smurf blue. And, as you know in cartoon lingo, Smurf means good. In Indiana, where she grew up, her name is pronounced Due Boise, but she preferred the French version that rolled off one’s lips in a romantic way, Jennifer DuBwa. So when I was kidding around with her as all married couples do, I used to call her Smurfie DuBois no-hyphen Atkins because she didn’t want DuBois stuck to my name, but to stand-alone. I loved that pride. She thought my pet name was cute and very silly. Jennifer loved silly. I still remember when she used to pin down her son Thomas and blow raspberries on his stomach or any open skin until Thomas was laughing and squirming so hard he almost cried. I mentioned that Jennifer was capable, and that is no empty euphemism. She was a master chef who taught culinary arts at Parkland College, she was a master baker who was so good; she could have made Mahatma Gandhi break a fast for some of her angel’s food cake or peach cobbler. She was a fabulous sketch artist and oil painter, a brilliant poet although if I were to read some verses she wrote, it might make you blush! She was a musician with total recall – once she heard a song, she could recall it note-for-note. Her signing voice could charm the birds from the trees. Jennifer was a master of beasts, so to speak, working with the ASPCA and the Champaign County Humane Society, nursing sick cats back to health. Critters of every type were naturally drawn to her. I saw her attract feral cats and hand feed feral cats in Georgia and Tennessee on one of her many road trips to Spring Hill, Florida, where her parents are retired. If you needed your taxes done, Jennifer was as good as a CPA. She was a computer wiz, and understood electronics and modern technology. I actually felt like a complete idiot at times, as she was so much smarter and more capable than I was. When I sat at the computer with a problem, she would come over and say “MOVE.” She must have really loved me. As all I could do was write, and I honesty think, she did that better than me, as well. Jennifer was incredibly versatile, capable, and deep. In fact, I can assure you she was the deepest spiritual savant you have ever met – not even knowing, that beneath the shy, silly, teacher, was a human being fully awakened to the world’s mythologies and spirituality. As a practicing Buddhist for the past 36 years, I’ve had occasion to receive training and meet the greatest so-called enlightened beings in the world. Jennifer, was the equal of any guru or realized being I have ever known. Didn’t know that, did you? She never let on that she was an awakened being because she just wanted to live quietly and enjoy life. Perhaps my favorite memory of her happened about five years ago. Let me explain: a friend of mine from Chicago had fallen on hard times. That day, the brakes on my car failed, and I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to visit him to bring him some much needed provisions and encouragement. She rolled up her sleeves, jacked up my car, found the bad part, looked it up on-line, called Auto-Zone, got the part, and then fixed my brakes. She then began to put together a little basket of goodies for my pal, and realized we had no jam for sandwiches, so she went onto the porch and plucked crab apples from the tree, and made him jam – right on the spot! When I told my friend what she did, he said, “You hit the jackpot, man!” Family was Jennifer’s heart and soul. The most important people in her life were her son Thomas, her parents, her sister Cynthia, her Grandma Porter, Sean Mahannah, and me. Her love for us was boundless. After the death of Jennifer’s biological father, Tom Dubois, Susan married Executive Chef, Marshall Huffman, who many of you know as the former director of the Parkland College culinary arts program. She told me countless times how much she loved, admired, and respected Marshall, calling him her “polished apple.” Over the ten years we were together, I witnessed a profound transformation and deepening of love and respect for Marshall as her father, and culinary mentor. She always felt that she could approach Marshall for advice, and told me on a number of occasions, that she loved him as much as her biological father, who was the most important human being in her life. It was through Marshall’s influence that Jennifer advanced her skills and became a master chef. Jennifer was not demonstrative so she may not have told him, but she sure told me on many occasions, she loved him that much. Let it be known that teaching culinary arts and running the Parkland HPI club was the greatest thrill of her working life. She literally donated hundreds upon hundreds of hours of her time to develop that program, working with Thomas Bickel, and so many others. She burned up tanks of gas and bought supplies with her own money when necessary, to develop the HPI Club. Her example should now become the gold standard on how that club should work. Some of you may not know that Jennifer was the weekend, night DJ for Oldies 92.5 in 1999-2000; a job that filled her with pride and great joy, but the radio job paled in comparison to the satisfaction she got out of teaching at Parkland College. I know she will be sorely missed. I must add that she loved her students as if they were her own kids. You guy’s are so lucky to have had her – but she thought she was the lucky one to have had you! Everyone has an interesting relationship with their mother. Jennifer loved her mother, Susan Huffman so much, that Jennifer would sometimes cry herself to sleep when she didn’t think she lived up to her mom’s expectation – but I have never seen a love so enduring. Based on my observation over the past 10 years, I believe that the reason Jennifer was so capable, was directly due to the incredible influence and teaching of her mother. Their bond was deep and true, beautiful at times, adversarial at times, but it was a mother-daughter bond of fathomless love, respect, and inspiration. Jennifer often told me how proud she was of her mother and what a lofty example of scholarship and success she had set. She confessed that her mother’s accomplishments were almost too much to measure up to, but by setting the bar so high for her; Jennifer told me that her mother’s example made her extremely proud. The one ironic twist of fate for Jennifer, the shy introvert, was becoming a teacher like her mother and father. They provided the ideal template for her new career, and no one was more surprised and happy than Jennifer was that she became a teacher. Thomas, her son, was the center of her life. Since I had already raised a child, I kept telling her that you shouldn’t try to be your kids best friend, you need to be their parent, which often means strictness and discipline. Of course, she told me that she was going to be his best friend and his parent! That kind-of put me in my place. I have never seen such selfless devotion of a mother to a child. He was the most important person in her life, and based on the way Thomas has grown up, she did all the right things, with just the right amount of love and guidance. In some respects, I may have known Jennifer best of all. The two greatest loves of her life were her first husband Sean and me, here two husbands. She made me feel like the luckiest man on earth. As you can see, there was a 23-year age difference between Jennifer and me. I’ve never quite figured out why she gave her heart to me, as I’m not rich or handsome. Regarding me, she liked the creative types, and someone who was big to make her feel secure. As best as I can figure out is that she loved me then became my wife, because she could have deep conversations with me, she instinctively knew that I truly loved her, and that I was secure and protective. Not to take away from our great love, the greatest love of Jennifer’s life was the father of her son, my friend, Sean Mahannah. Their love will endure forever. Yes, Jennifer loved me deeply, but I think I loved her more. Jennifer was a superb wife. She was a brilliant conversationalist with an off color, sometimes-silly sense of humor, as her student’s will attest. She preferred the company of men to women, because she thought men were more trustworthy and wouldn’t stab you in the back. Although she was extremely shy, and an introvert, whenever Jennifer spoke, people would take notice that someone of substance and character was speaking. I have known famous people, scholars, spiritual masters, artists, and captains of industry, in my unique capacity as a professional writer and author. In my 40 years as a writer, I have yet to meet any human being who could rival her, and for that reason, today should not be one of sadness – although her passing is truly tragic, it should be a celebration of life, for one of God’s finest creations. She was the most wonderful person I have ever known. Just last week I wrote her a love poem – although intimate, I would like to share it with you: Psalm of Smurfie Golden goddess from above Moonbeam skin Piscean love Sapphire eyes Lips of fire Soothing coo of the dove How I love thee My feline femme Passion raging like the sea Holy heart Mystic mind Allure from which I cannot flee Your True, Eternal Love, Chuckie Bear If we are to make any sense out of this tragedy, it is that life is both fleeting and precious. In my last face-to-face meeting with Jennifer, she told me she loved me, and then kissed me. That is the memory I shall cherish to the end. It can also be said that life is eternal. Jennifer and I often talked about life and death, religion and spirituality, the mystic nature of the universe, and the powers of the mind. As one who is considered an authority in the study of consciousness, I can say with absolute confidence that Jennifer is not gone: She is everywhere: Jennifer rides the wind like an elemental force. She can be experienced in the blooming of the flowers of the field. She is the pink-white blossoms of the cherry tree. She is the crest and spindrift of breaking gulf waves. She is the fertile soil of the woods. She is the enduring ember of your fire on a cold winter’s night. She is the quantum world and the dynamic energy of all life and consciousness at every moment. In short, Jennifer is everywhere there is love, light, and life. During our conversations about religion, Jennifer often said that she didn’t care for religion (she was not a joiner), but she believed in the essence of the Holy Spirit, and was open to God. She loved Egyptian mythology, Native American culture, Jesus, Buddha, and the other sages that brought people hope, but she wasn’t impressed with organized religion. She believed that heaven is not elsewhere, but inherent in life at every moment. She believed in forgiveness and lived by the Golden Rule. Based on her beliefs, Jennifer is here – now – among us, feeling the love in our hearts, and probably wondering what all the fuss is about. I can almost hear her saying, “Go home, make a cheeseburger, have a beer, enjoy the afternoon.” Today, I ask all of you to feel the joy and beauty of Jennifer’s boundless spirit as we celebrate her truly amazing life. I have never loved one as I do Jennifer. Together with Thomas, Sean, Cynthia, and her beloved parents, I thank you all for coming, and pray that you keep her in your heart always. ||||| A South African man is suspected of hiring hitmen to abduct and murder his wife, a teacher who was found shot to death a day after she disappeared. He also appears to have cut and pasted large chunks of the eulogy he delivered at his wife’s funeral, lifting it from another husband’s eulogy for his wife that’s available online. So: unfortunate coincidence or a screaming red flag? Jayde Panayiotou, 28, was standing outside her home in the town of Uitenhage around 7 a.m. on April 21, waiting for her daily ride to work, when two men reportedly kidnapped her. Her body was discovered a day later on the outskirts of town, after an extensive search by police. Two men were quickly arrested: Thando Siyoli, 31, and a second 28-year-old man who hasn’t yet been publicly identified. (The men accused in the kidnapping are black and the Panayioutous are white, an element which seems to have driven much of the early publicity in the case.) Advertisement Siyoli is a bouncer at a bar owned by Chris Panayioutou; he told police after his arrest that Panayioutou had paid him to have Jayde killed. According to Times Live, police organized a sting to arrest Panayioutou, even sending undercover officers to Jayde’s funeral posing as mourners. At the funeral, Panayioutu described his wife as “a master baker who was so good; she could have made Mahatma Gandhi break a fast,” adding, “Today should not be one of sadness, although her passing is truly tragic, it should be a celebration of life for one of God’s greatest creations.” Advertisement But News24 quickly realized that those loving and very Google-able phrases were lifted from another eulogy available online, one written by a man named Charles Atkins on a Buddhist blog called Fraught with Peril. It seems as though the Atkins eulogy, a loving list of his wife Jennifer’s attributes, might be more of a writing exercise—it’s dated “September 25, 2019.” (Correction: Atkins identifies himself on the blog as a widower. The eulogy is real, and seems to be misdated.) But he definitely lifted some of the most recognizable parts. From News 24: In his eulogy, Atkins said with “absolute confidence” that his wife Jennifer was not gone. “She is everywhere: Jennifer rides the wind like an elemental force. She can be experienced in the blooming of the flowers of the field. She is the pink-white blossoms of the cherry tree. She is the crest and spindrift of breaking gulf waves. She is the fertile soil of the woods. She is the enduring ember of your fire on a cold winter’s night.” Christopher Panayiotou said: “Jayde is not gone; she is everywhere. Jayde resides in the wind like an elemental force. She can be experienced in the blooming of flowers; she is the yellow in daffodils of her favourite flower. She is the crest in every breaking wave, she is the fertile soil; she is the enduring embers of the fire.” Panayioutou was arrested last week at his parent’s house, and appeared in court for the first time this morning. His attorney told a local news network he’d only Googled the eulogy because he’s “not good with words.” Advertisement Advertisement ||||| These crawls are part of an effort to archive pages as they are created and archive the pages that they refer to. That way, as the pages that are referenced are changed or taken from the web, a link to the version that was live when the page was written will be preserved.Then the Internet Archive hopes that references to these archived pages will be put in place of a link that would be otherwise be broken, or a companion link to allow people to see what was originally intended by a page's authors.The goal is to fix all broken links on the web . Crawls of supported "No More 404" sites.

– Plagiarizing a eulogy is one thing. Plagiarizing a eulogy at the funeral of the wife you're suspected of plotting to kill is plainly quite another. Schoolteacher Jayde Panayiotou, 28, was kidnapped outside her home in Uitenhage, South Africa, on April 21 as she waited for a ride to work and was found shot to death on the outskirts of town a day later, Jezebel reports. A suspect, Thando Siyoli, 31, was arrested shortly after and revealed to be a bouncer at a bar owned by the victim's husband, Chris Panayiotou. Siyoli told police Panayiotou paid him to kill Jayde and undercover officers attended her funeral dressed as mourners. There, they heard a seemingly moving eulogy, in which Panayiotou described his wife as "a master baker who was so good, she could have made Mahatma Gandhi break a fast." It turns out the words had been carefully crafted by a man who had lost his wife—but that man wasn't Chris Panayiotou. A quick Google search revealed entire sections of the eulogy were plucked from one Charles Atkins wrote about his late wife in 2010, then published online. His lawyers say an "obviously distraught" Panayiotou—whom Times Live reports had been spotted being "very affectionate" with another woman—used elements of the eulogy because he isn't good with words, not because of any alleged connection to his wife's murder, News24 reports. Panayiotou was arrested after police say they witnessed him hand over more cash to Siyoli as payment for Jayde's murder during a sting operation; a third suspect believed to have pulled the trigger is also now in custody, Times Live reports.

DENVER - A Colorado man was arrested Thursday on a first-degree murder charge two years after the death of his second wife in a fall that occurred as they celebrated their anniversary with a hike at Rocky Mountain National Park, authorities said. Suspect Harold Henthorn was the only witness to the 2012 death of Toni Henthorn as she fell at least 40 feet on the north side of Deer Mountain, authorities said. Harold Henthorn told friends that his wife was preparing to take a picture when she fell to her death, reports CBS Denver. The coroner's office ruled she either fell or was pushed down a cliff. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office said it was still investigating the death of Henthorn's first wife, 37-year-old Sandra Henthorn, who was crushed to death in 1995 when a car slipped off a jack while she and Harold Henthorn were changing a flat tire, the Denver Post reported. In the 2012 fatality, the resident of Highlands Ranch was arrested by the National Park Service and the FBI. His attorney, Craig Truman, declined comment on the arrest that came after Henthorn was indicted. If convicted, he could face a mandatory term of life in federal prison without the possibility of parole, as well as a fine of up to a $250,000. Todd Bertolet, Toni Henthorn's brother, told CBS Denver Thursday, "We've always had the utmost confidence in very talented people with the FBI and the National Park Service. We've always felt that justice would come one day and this is a satisfactory day in knowing that justice for Toni is proceeding along." Harold Henthorn is expected to appear in federal court later Thursday. ||||| A Highlands Ranch man arrested in the 2012 death of his second wife at Rocky Mountain National Park is also being investigated in connection with the 1995 death of his first wife, officials said Thursday. Harold Henthorn, 58, is accused by federal officials in the Sept. 29, 2012, death of his second wife, Toni Henthorn. An indictment on first-degree murder was filed Wednesday by Colorado's U.S. Attorney's Office in Denver federal court. Henthorn, who was arrested near his home by the National Park Service and the FBI, appeared in court Thursday afternoon for a first appearance. He wore a University of Kentucky pullover. Toni Henthorn (Courtesy of Remembered.com) Officials said Henthorn had just dropped his daughter off at school when law enforcement officers made a traffic stop and arrested him without incident Thursday morning. Authorities in 2012 found Henthorn's 50-year-old wife, an ophthalmologist, after she fell from steep, rocky terrain on the north side of Deer Mountain. Toni Henthorn fell 40 to 50 feet while hiking in the area with her husband. The Henthorns were married for 12 years, according to a 2012 obituary in The Denver Post. Harold Henthorn's first wife, 37-year-old Sandra Henthorn, was killed in 1995 when she was crushed to death after a car slipped off a jack while she and Harold Henthorn were changing a flat tire near Sedalia. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office said at the time that Sandra Henthorn apparently was reaching under the car to help her husband change a front tire on their Jeep Cherokee that went flat on Colorado 67. The car fell on her when the jack slipped. There is an "open and active investigation" into the first wife's death, said Deborah Sherman, an office spokeswoman. Sherman declined to comment further on the investigation. Henthorn is due back in federal court on Wednesday when more details in the case are expected to surface. Jesse Paul: 303-954-1733, jpaul@denverpost.com or twitter.com/JesseAPaul Denver Post librarian Vickie Makings and The Estes Park Trail Gazette contributed to this report. ||||| HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. (CBS4) – Harold Henthorn, a 58-year-old Highlands Ranch man charged with his wife’s mysterious death, smiled at his lawyer in court Thursday afternoon and said he understood why he had been arrested earlier in the day and the possible penalties he was facing if convicted of his wife’s 2012 death. “Yes your honor,” said Henthorn, who sat in handcuffs when Magistrate Judge Kathleen Tafoya asked him if he understood why he had been indicted and was being held by federal authorities. Thursday morning, after he dropped his daughter off at school, federal and local authorities arrested Henthorn on a single federal murder charge as he was returning to his home at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac. “It blows you away, that’s the last thing you suspect,” said neighbor AJ Simpson of the Henthorn arrest. “I was pretty surprised, shocked actually.” Henthorn, a self-described fund raiser for charities, churches and non-profits, had been under the federal microscope for more than two years. The scrutiny began not long after his wife, Toni Henthorn, fell from a cliff and died in Rocky Mountain National Park on Sept. 29, 2012. The well-liked ophthalmologist fell about 50 feet on Deer Mountain in RMNP. Harold Henthorn told authorities that his 50-year-old wife fell as she was taking a picture during a hike to celebrate their wedding anniversary. But the Larimer County coroner’s office wasn’t so sure what happened was an accident. The coroner’s office wrote that Toni Henthorn “fell or was pushed down a cliff… the manner of death is undetermined… homicide cannot be excluded.” On Wednesday, a federal grand jury indicted Henthorn in his wife’s death charging him with one count of first degree murder, saying that he “willfully, deliberately, maliciously, and with premeditation” killed his wife. Craig Truman, Henthorn’s lawyer, declined to discuss the case saying he did not discuss his cases outside of court. Toni Henthorn’s brother, Todd Bertolet, told CBS4 he was not surprised by the indictment. “We’ve always had the utmost confidence in very talented people with the FBI and the National Park Service. We’ve always felt that justice would come one day and this is a satisfactory day in knowing that justice for Toni is proceeding along,” he said. Bertolet had earlier told CBS4 he and his family never believed his sister’s death was an accident. “He had a hand in my sister’s death,” Bertolet told CBS4. Bertolet said that since his sister’s death, his family has learned Harold Henthorn fabricated information about his background, his employment and who he was. “The trophy of the family was tarnished by a loser who doesn’t pull his weight, has no job, is not a good person and is a liar. That’s not what my parents had envisioned for their daughter,” he said. The CBS4 Investigation had previously reported that Toni Henthorn was insured for $4.5 million, in the form of three policies for $1.5 million each, and that someone made a claim for part of that insurance money fewer than 36 hours after her death. It’s not clear who tried to file a claim on the policy so soon after Henthorn’s death. The attempted claim on the insurance policy came on the first business day after her death, before her body had been cremated and days before a memorial service was held for Dr. Henthorn. A second policy for $1.5 million names Harold Henthorn as the primary beneficiary and a third policy for $1.5 million names the Toni Henthorn Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust as the beneficiary. Sources say Harold Henthorn was also the beneficiary on a $300,000. Life insurance policy taken out on his first wife, Sandra Lynn , who also died in a freak accident. In that case, Henthorn was again the lone witness to his wife’s death, which occurred on a rural road, at night, in Douglas County in 1995. In that case, the married couple was returning late at night from a mountain outing when Henthorn told investigators he believed one of the tires on his Jeep Cherokee felt “mushy” and may have been going flat on Highway 67 about 8.5 miles west of Deckers. It’s unclear if the tire was actually flat. Henthorn explained to investigators that as he was changing the tire his wife somehow ended up under the car, possibly looking for a lug nut, when Henthorn said the jack slipped and the car fell on her. Henthorn told investigators he was placing something in the trunk when the jack slipped, so he didn’t see exactly what happened. Sandra Lynn Henthorn was pronounced dead the next day on May 7, 1995. In the case, the coroner ruled “that the cause of death is due to mechanical asphyxiation secondary to a vehicle slipping off the jack and falling on top of the decedent.” The Douglas County Sheriff’s Department investigated the incident and after seven days, concluded Sandra Lynn Henthorn’s death was accidental. However, Douglas County Sheriff’s investigators have now confirmed they have reopened their 18-year-old investigation into her death. “It warrants taking another look at,” said Douglas County Sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Ron Hanavan. We reopened it based on extraordinary circumstances.” He declined to provide additional details and his office refused to release the 18-year-old case file to CBS4. Henthorn will be held in federal custody until at least next Wednesday when he is scheduled to appear again for an arraignment and detention hearing. It’s expected that his attorney will argue for Henthorn to be released on bond, but government attorneys will attempt to prove that he is a flight risk and a danger to the community. Related Stories ||||| DENVER - A Highlands Ranch man indicted in the murder of his second wife, who plunged to her death in Rocky Mountain National Park in 2012, also faces an investigation into the 1995 death of his first wife. Harold Henthorn was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver Wednesday for the alleged premeditated murder of his second wife, 50-year-old Toni Henthorn, according to Jeff Dorschner, spokesman for the Department of Justice. He was arrested Thursday morning after dropping his daughter off at school. The National Park Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Douglas County Sheriff's Office participated in the arrest, Dorschner said. Toni Henthorn died on September 29, 2012. He and her husband were celebrating their 12th wedding anniversary in Rocky Mountain National Park. She was a successful ophthalmologist. He was a businessman. --Autopsy Report: Wife died after 'she fell or was pushed down a cliff'-- She and her husband had left a hiking trail on Deer Mountain and were walking along a ledge, according to an autopsy report. The wife "was reportedly sighting in a picture when she fell face forward over the ledge," and fell 40 to 50 feet. "Toni Henthorn ... died as the result of multiple blunt force injuries when she fell or was pushed down a cliff while hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park," the autopsy report states. "The manner of death is undetermined. The circumstances of death are under investigation at the time of this report. Homicide cannot be excluded." Toni Henthorn had three life insurance policies totaling $4.5 million, according to court records. The insurance companies, however, have not paid any money on the policies. "According to the indictment, on or about September 29, 2012, in the State and District of Colorado, and within the jurisdiction of the United States, namely the Rocky Mountain National Park, Henthorn willfully, deliberately, maliciously, and with premeditation and malice aforethought did unlawfully kill his wife, Toni Henthorn," Dorschner stated in a news release. While it's been two years since Toni Henthorn's death, a legal expert said there are many ways for prosecutors to build a murder case against her husband. "A lot of different things could be used to prove this was premeditated," University of Denver law professor Nancy Leong. "Whether it's emails, whether it's a diary entry, whether it's a witness who can testify to a conversation," Leong told 7NEWS reporter Marc Stewart. "It'll come down to the evidence and how strong the evidence is." --First wife crushed when Jeep fell on her as she, husband fixed flat-- Meanwhile, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office "has an active and open investigation into the death of his first wife," said sheriff's spokeswoman Deborah Sherman. That investigation has been going on for at least a year. In 1995, Harold Henthorn's first wife, Sandra Henthorn, was killed while reportedly helping her husband fix a flat tire on Colorado 67 near Sedalia. She was under their Jeep Cherokee, which was raised on a jack, when it fell and crushed her. Sandra Henthorn's death investigation "was reopened because of the death of his second wife…[which was] initially ruled an 'accidental death,'" Sherman said. Reaction to Henthorn's arrest ranged from relief to disbelief. --Toni's brother seeks 'justice for my sister'-- Toni Henthorn's brother, Todd Bertolet, issued this statement Thursday: "Today’s arrest of Harold Henthorn is a culmination and validation of the efforts of some exceptional people with the National Park Service and the FBI. This judicial process is not only warranted, but is deserved by a wonderful lady that was my sister, Toni Bertolet Henthorn. We obviously did not choose to be placed in the position that we find ourselves, but we fully support this process in effort to seek justice for my sister." A doctor at Toni Henthorn's former Denver ophthalmology practice, Associates in Eyecare, praised the long-awaited break in the case. "We're glad they made an arrest. Thumbs up!" the doctor told 7NEWS as she pointed her thumbs up. --Husband's attorney: 'Justice will be done'-- Harold Henthorn's attorney, Craig Truman, said in a statement, "I'm sure when all the facts are known in this difficult and complex case, justice will be done." Two housekeepers at Henthorn's Highlands Ranch home were shocked to hear their employer had been arrested. The women held out their arms to show their goose bumps to 7NEWS reporter Lance Hernandez. One housekeeper said Harold Henthorn once told her that his wife had died. "Did he tell you how she died?" Hernandez asked. "No, he never went into that," the housekeeper replied. Henthorn made his first appearance in federal court on Thursday afternoon. If he is convicted in Toni Henthorn's killing, he would face a mandatory term of life in federal prison without the possibility of parole. He could also be fined up to $250,000. He is being held without bond until a detention hearing on Nov. 12. More Local News:

– A Colorado man was arrested yesterday on suspicion of murdering his second wife, who fell to her death while the couple hiked during a 12th anniversary celebration in Rocky Mountain National Park in 2012, ABC 7 reports. Harold Henthorn was the only witness to his wife Toni Henthorn's 40-foot fall in a steep area of Deer Mountain; he says his wife fell to her death while trying to take a picture. If convicted, he could face life in prison without parole and a $250,000 fine, reports CBS News. "This is a satisfactory day in knowing that justice for Toni is proceeding along," says Toni's brother, who previously told CBS Denver that in the wake of the death, his family learned that Henthorn had lied about his job and his background. CBS Denver also notes that it previously reported Toni's life insurance policies were worth $4.5 million, and that someone (it's not clear who) filed a claim for part of that money less than a day and a half after her death. Meanwhile, authorities in Colorado's Douglas County say they're now actively investigating the death of Henthorn's first wife, Sandra, who was crushed to death in 1995 along a country road. The sheriff's office said she was reaching under the couple's Jeep Cherokee to help change what Henthorn says was a "mushy" tire when the jack slipped and the car fell on her, reports the Denver Post. Henthorn told authorities he was putting something in the trunk and didn't see the series of events that killed her. The death was ruled accidental, and Henthorn was the beneficiary on a $300,000 life insurance policy on Sandra. (This man is accused of having his wife killed during their honeymoon.)

Photo Advertisement Continue reading the main story For people throughout the Eastern United States who spent January slipping, sliding and shivering, here is a counterintuitive fact: For the earth as a whole, it was the fourth-warmest January on record. It was, in fact, the 347th consecutive month with temperatures above the 20th-century average, the government reported Thursday. That may feel plausible to Californians, whose state experienced temperatures 10 or 15 degrees above normal in some places last month, and especially to Alaskans, where the average temperature was almost 15 degrees above normal. But on a map of January temperatures released Thursday by government weather analysts, the Eastern United States stood out as one of the coldest areas on the planet, compared with seasonal norms. That is no surprise to anybody living east of the Mississippi River, of course — certainly not to the Atlantans who were caught up in two memorable ice storms that shut down the city, or the New Yorkers who are still picking their way through mounds of dirty snow. Photo But this might be another surprise: Despite all the weather drama, it was not a January for the record books. By the time analysts averaged the heat in the West and the cold in the East, the national temperature for the month fell only one-tenth of a degree below the 20th-century average for January. January 2011 was colder. No state set a monthly record for January cold. Alabama, also walloped by the ice storms, came closest, with the fourth-coldest January on its record books. The United States covers only 2 percent of the surface of the globe, so what happens in this country does not have much influence on overall global temperatures. Brazil, much of southern Africa, most of Europe, large parts of China and most of Australia were unseasonably warm in January, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported Thursday. That continues a pattern of unusual global warming that is believed to be a consequence of human-caused emissions of greenhouse gases. Even in the United States, more than a third of the country is in drought of varying intensity. Mountain snowpack in many parts of the West is only half of normal, portending a parched summer and a likelihood of severe wildfires. “Today’s snowpack is tomorrow’s water in the West,” said Deke Arndt, chief of climate monitoring for the National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C., in a briefing on Thursday. “If it does not recover, this will have consequences for months down the road.” The Arctic blasts of this winter do stand out in the weather records of this young century, even if they are pretty humdrum when compared with the 1970s and 1980s. Winters have been so mild over the past couple of decades — probably as a result of global warming, scientists say — that some young adults have never experienced cold waves quite so intense. Photo And the pain may not be over. Forecasters say the northern tier of the United States may face still more cold blasts, storms and heavy winds right up to the doorstep of spring, albeit interspersed with bursts of warmth in some areas. Advertisement Continue reading the main story Advertisement Continue reading the main story Over just the next few days, the Southeast may be hit by severe thunderstorms, high winds and even hail. The Midwest may have wind gusts up to 60 miles an hour. And the Northeast could see rain, snow or a mix of the two. Temperatures across the eastern Great Plains, the Great Lakes and the Mississippi Valley are expected to be below normal for the next month and into the spring. But the cold weather in the East is being balanced, in a sense, by the bizarrely warm temperatures in the West. And that trend, too, is likely to continue. The outlook over the next month is for continued above-normal temperatures in the West, the Southwest and parts of Alaska, as well as a continuation of the California drought, despite recent rains that have eased the situation slightly. The extremes in January were directly related, experts said, with the two regions falling on opposite sides of a big loop in the jet stream, a belt of high winds in the upper atmosphere that helps to regulate the climate. A dip of the jet stream into the Eastern United States allowed cold air to descend from the Arctic, while a corresponding ridge in the West allowed warm air to hover over California and to penetrate normally frigid regions to the north. For those ready for the warmth to dip in their direction, mark a calendar: March 20, at 12:57 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. That is when the tilt of the Earth causes the sun to pass over the Equator and re-enter the Northern Hemisphere, bringing spring with it. ||||| The seed for this crawl was a list of every host in the Wayback Machine This crawl was run at a level 1 (URLs including their embeds, plus the URLs of all outbound links including their embeds) The WARC files associated with this crawl are not currently available to the general public.

– This may be hard to believe if you live in the Eastern US, but that was the fourth-warmest January ever for the overall planet, the New York Times reports. The Goddard Institute for Space Studies actually pegs it as the third warmest since 1880, behind only 2002 and 2003, according to AccuWeather, which notes GISS data merges land and ocean surface temps. The perpetually storm-afflicted East Coast was indeed one of Earth's coldest areas compared with seasonal norms, but things were balmy elsewhere; California and Alaska saw temperatures as much as 15 degrees above normal. Besides, the US makes up just 2% of the surface of the world, so its experience paints a limited picture. It's been unseasonably warm in most of Europe, Africa, Australia, and China. Of course, unseasonable warmth is getting awfully routine; it was the 347th straight month with temperatures above 20th-century averages.

SANAA Embattled Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh told a huge rally of supporters on Friday that he would sacrifice everything for his country, suggesting he has no plans to step down yet. Weeks of protests across Yemen have brought Saleh's 32-year rule to the verge of collapse but the United States and neighboring oil giant Saudi Arabia, an important financial backer, are worried about who might succeed him in a country where al Qaeda militants flourish. Tens of thousands, both for and against Saleh, took to the streets of the capital Sanaa, as negotiators struggle to revive talks to decide his fate. "I swear to you I will sacrifice blood and soul and everything precious for the sake of this great people," he told supporters shouting "the people want Ali Abdullah Saleh." Saleh has lost support from tribal, military and political backers. Protests on Friday reached the thousands in provincial capitals from Taiz, 200 km (125 miles) south of Sanaa, to the southern port city of Aden, once capital of an independent south before Saleh united it with the north. "Saleh is going down with the ship," said Theodore Karasik, security analyst at the Dubai-based INEGMA group. "The only way he'll let himself get dislodged is if he loses even more supporters from his inner circle. "It seems like he's not ready to go. He's making statements saying he's going to do what's best for Yemen but really this is Saleh trying to do what's best for Saleh." Helicopters buzzed over protests in Sanaa. "Out traitor, the Yemeni people are in revolt. We, the army and the police are united under oppression," the crowds of anti-Saleh protesters shouted outside Sanaa University. One cleric said during morning prayers at the rally: "I say to you, Saleh, while you sit terrified in your palace, that the people are on to your tricks... You (protesters) represent the oppressed, the poor and the imprisoned." Tensions were high as equally large crowds came out in a show of support for Saleh in Sabyeen Square. That protest ended quietly as anti-Saleh protesters continued their sit-in near the university. Hundreds of security forces deployed at checkpoints across the city as tanks rolled through the streets. Anti-Saleh protesters named the day a "Friday of enough" while loyalists branded it a "Friday of brotherhood." "We send a message from the Yemeni majority to them (the opposition) and the whole world ... of our support for the nation and for our leader," former prime minister Ali Mohammed Megawar said at the pro-Saleh rally. TALKS STALLED Some Sanaa residents said they were paid to join protests. Government officials denied the ruling party had given any money to demonstrators, calling it an attempt by the opposition to diminish the significance of the large crowds they had drawn. Saleh is looking to stay on as president while new parliamentary and presidential elections are organized by the end of the year, an opposition source told Reuters on Tuesday. Talks over his exit have stalled and Saudi authorities have deflected Yemeni government efforts to involve them in mediation. Protesters camped outside Sanaa University since early February insist that Saleh, who has said he will not run for re-election when his term ends in 2013, should step down now. Rallies ended peacefully on Friday, but they could spiral into violence in the turbulent Arabian Peninsula state. Over half the 23 million population own a gun. Some 82 people have been killed so far, including 52 shot by snipers on March 18. Rows can often turn to bloodshed, from tribal clashes over dwindling water resources to army skirmishes with separatist militants in the south. On Friday, armed tribesmen kidnapped two soldiers and wounded another in the southern town of Lawdar. Residents said the tribesmen took the hostages to win concessions from the government after the army killed 5 fellow tribesmen and claimed they were from al Qaeda -- charges the tribe said were false. Washington has long regarded Saleh as a bulwark of stability who can keep al Qaeda from extending its foothold in Yemen, a country which many see as close to disintegration. Saleh has talked of civil war if he steps down without ensuring power passes to "safe hands" and has warned against a coup after senior generals turned against him in the past week. Opposition parties say they can handle the militant issue better than Saleh, who they say has made deals with militants in the past to avoid provoking Yemen's Islamists. (Additional reporting by Mohammed Mukhashaf in Aden, Writing by Erika Solomon and Nick Macfie; Editing by Janet Lawrence) ||||| Many thousands turn out for Yemen protests Huge rival demonstrations were held in the Yemeni capital Continue reading the main story Related Stories Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets in Yemen again as the country's political crisis deepens. In the capital, Sanaa, two rival demonstrations are being held - in support of and against President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Representatives from the government and the opposition are reported to have met and agreed to avoid confrontation. Protests in recent weeks have brought President Saleh's 32-year rule to the verge of collapse. He is under increasing pressure both at home and from abroad to resign immediately. The UK Foreign Office has urged Britons to leave Yemen as soon as possible, and warned of a "high possibility of violent demonstrations" on Friday. Transfer of power A BBC correspondent in Sanaa says tens of thousands of demonstrators marching in two different directions in the capital this morning. President Saleh has offered to step down in 2012, but the opposition wants him to go now The opposition said it would get one million people on to the streets. Anti-government protesters gathered in the renamed "Change Square" near the university. Supporters of the president congregated in the city's Tahrir Square some 2km (1.2 miles) away. Mr Saleh addressed supporters, thanking them. "I pledge to sacrifice myself for the people, with my blood and with everything I hold dear," Mr Saleh said. Reports say that the crowds started to disperse without incident. Our correspondent says only a political deal between the government and opposition will resolve this crisis, but for now all talks have stalled and neither side is willing to back down. President Saleh has agreed to resign by January 2012, but the opposition is calling for his immediate departure. Western diplomats in Sanaa say they are pushing for a transfer of power, our correspondent reports. For many years an ally of the West, President Saleh was seen as vital in the war against terror and for tackling al-Qaeda in the country. Mr Saleh says that without him al-Qaeda could still take over Yemen. But, increasingly, many people both at home and abroad are viewing him as the main source of instability, our correspondent adds.

– A pair of opposing demonstrations—one supporting the president, one calling for his resignation—brought tens of thousands to the streets today in Yemen. The demonstrations took place in squares about a mile apart. Government and opposition leaders reportedly met in advance, agreeing to prevent confrontation. Though the UK Foreign Office warned of a “high possibility” of violence, crowds have started to disperse peacefully, the BBC reports. In Tahrir Square, President Ali Abdullah Saleh told supporters that he pledged “to sacrifice myself for the people, with my blood and with everything I hold dear.” Saleh had initially offered to step down by 2012, but it now appears he's intent on "going down with the ship," an analyst tells Reuters. "The only way he'll let himself get dislodged is if he loses even more supporters from his inner circle."

Ben Sasse advocated canceling the Senate's planned monthlong break in August to work around the clock on a replacement plan. | AP Photo Repeal Obamacare with a delay in implementation, Sasse says Senate Republicans should repeal Obamacare with a delay on implementation that allows lawmakers to forge a new replacement for the sprawling health care law and should cancel a planned August break to do so, Sen. Ben Sasse said Sunday. In an interview on CNN's "State of the Union," the Nebraska Republican said if Republicans can't coalesce around a combined repeal-and-replace measure, "there's no reason to walk away," noting: "Republicans ran on repeal and on replace." Story Continued Below Sasse also advocated canceling the Senate's planned monthlong break in August to work around the clock on a replacement plan. "We should do a repeal with a delay," Sasse said. "Let's be clear, I don't want anyone thrown off the coverage they have now. I would want a delay, so that we could get straight to work. And then I think the president should call on the Senate to cancel our August state work period." "Let's bring everybody into the room. Let's do this full-time 18 hours a day, six days a week. Let's cancel the August state work period, and let's do it in full public view and have hearings and get to work on something that works better than Obamacare," Sasse argued. "We pledged that, and the American people deserve that." Sign up here for POLITICO Huddle A daily play-by-play of congressional news in your inbox. Email Sign Up By signing up you agree to receive email newsletters or alerts from POLITICO. You can unsubscribe at any time. The outspoken Republican recently said that if a replacement plan continues to flounder, Congress should repeal Obamacare first. The approach was endorsed by President Donald Trump in a tweet, and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has also advocated advancing separate bills to repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace the law. Sasse said he's "agnostic" about whether repeal and replacement measures should be paired or separate. He added he'd still support a replacement bill should Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) strike a deal when the Senate returns from its July 4 break. "If within the next week, he can get us the combined repeal and replace, again, a good replace, but if he can do that, I would like to support that," Sasse said. ||||| Republican senators on Sunday mulled over the possibility of first repealing and then replacing ObamaCare, an idea that the GOP originally rejected but seems to be warming to reluctantly. President Trump last week floated the idea. He tweeted that Republicans should repeal and then replace ObamaCare at a later date if they are not able to come to a consensus on their bill. As the Senate majority leadership struggles to obtain enough support to pass healthcare legislation, some senators on Sunday argued it might streamline the process to split the bill into two. ADVERTISEMENT Sen. Rand Paul Randal (Rand) Howard PaulDem wins Kentucky state House seat in district Trump won by 49 points GOP's tax reform bait-and-switch will widen inequality Pentagon budget euphoria could be short-lived MORE (R-Ky.), who has been a vocal critic of the Senate GOP's healthcare bill — largely because he does not believe it's a full repeal of former President Obama's signature healthcare law — suggested Sunday the ObamaCare repeal and replace bills be separated. "Let's do clean repeal like we've promised," he said on "Fox News Sunday." "You can have a simultaneous bill or a concurrent bill that they can call replace," he continued. Paul said he wants repeal to work. "And the way you do it is you separate it into two bills and you do it concurrently," he said. Paul said right now, Senate leadership is not doing that. Ten Republican senators sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Friday calling for him to cancel, or at least curtail, the August congressional recess. But Paul said, "I'd rather get it done even before [August]." Paul also said he doesn't think the Senate is "getting anywhere with the bill we have." He called the bill a "kitchen sink" trying to do everything and said the bill is bloated "like a Christmas tree full of billion-dollar ornaments." Sen. Mike Lee Michael (Mike) Shumway LeeThe 14 GOP senators who voted against Trump’s immigration framework Prison sentencing bill advances over Sessions objections Grassley ‘incensed’ by Sessions criticism of proposed sentencing reform legislation MORE (R-Utah) on Sunday also appeared open to pursuing a plan to repeal and then replace the former president's signature healthcare legislation. Similar to Paul's "kitchen sink" criticism, he warned that "when you lump too many things into one piece of legislation, you doom its likelihood of success." Lee said the government needs to "re-inject free market forces in this environment." "If we can't get this done ... what we ought to do is get back to what I’ve been suggesting for the last six months which is to push full repeal and then embark on an iterative step-by-step process to decide what comes next," he said on CBS's "Face The Nation." Lee argued that it would be "easier" to "put a delayed implementation" into an ObamaCare repeal bill and "undertake a step-by-step process of designing what comes next" later. His comments were echoed by Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), who first proposed a repeal of ObamaCare with a delayed implementation date. The proposal seems to be garnering support from his colleagues. “It needs to be a good replace,” Sasse told CNN’s “State of the Union.” Sasse said if the Senate does push through a clean repeal, lawmakers should remain in Washington, D.C. in August to work on repeal plans in “full public view.” “I’d like to say let’s do the repeal and then let’s try to get 60 out of 100 senators,” Sasse added. Sasse made similar comments last week during an interview on Fox News, noting he is urging the president to separate the process if progress isn't made by July 10. "If we don't get this resolved by the Monday of next week, July 10, if there isn't a combined repeal-and-replace plan, I'm writing a letter to the president this morning urging him to call on us to separate them," he told Fox News. The White House is open to splitting the bills. "If the replacement part is too difficult for Republicans to come together, then lets go back and take care of the first step and repeal," White House Director for Legislative Affairs Marc Short said on "Fox News Sunday." "That's an option, and then at that point, if you've repealed it, you can come back with a replacement effort that could be more bipartisan," he said. During the interview though, Short expressed confidence the healthcare bill would get a vote in the Senate soon. "We're getting close," he said. "We believe that our package will help to lower premium costs, it'll help provide better quality care for patients," he said. Staying on the White House message, he added that the new healthcare bill will return the relationship between patients and doctors without the government getting in between. "We hope that we come back the week after recess, we'll have a vote," he said. The comments come after Senate Republicans last week decided to delay a vote on their healthcare legislation after it became clear it lacked the votes for passage. McConnell said last week the Senate will continue to pursue a joint repeal and replace of ObamaCare, despite Trump's tweet regarding a clean repeal followed by a later replacement. "If Republican Senators are unable to pass what they are working on now, they should immediately REPEAL, and then REPLACE at a later date!" Trump tweeted Friday, a course of action that moderate Republicans rejected earlier this year. McConnell said he has no plans to abandon the current bill being considered by Senate Republicans, the Associated Press reported last week. "We are going to stick with that path," McConnell said. "Failure has to be possible or you can't have success." Others have also expressed reservations about repealing and then replacing ObamaCare, as some lawmakers push for Republicans to work with Democrats to produce a bipartisan healthcare bill. Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) spoke out against the proposal of repealing ObamaCare without having a replacement plan in a place. “I don’t know what that means,” Kasich told ABC’s Martha Raddatz on “This Week.” “You can’t get rid of this, you can’t leave people without what they need,” the governor continued. Governors, including Kasich, have been some of the harshest critics of the impact repealing ObamaCare would have on their states. Sen. Joe Manchin Joseph (Joe) ManchinPavlich: The claim Trump let the mentally ill get guns is a lie Toomey to introduce bill broadening background checks for firearms Scott Walker backs West Virginia attorney general in GOP Senate primary MORE (D-W.Va.) on Sunday urged Trump to work with Democrats who "are willing to meet in the middle." He said Trump is the president of all of America, whether or not people supported him during his presidential campaign. "Look at some of us, work with us Democrats who are willing to meet you in the middle," Manchin said. "Who have always been willing to meet you in the middle." Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) also said he wants the healthcare bill to be negotiated with both parties. "I wish we weren't doing it one party. But that said, if you can lower premiums, that is common ground," Cassidy said on NBC's "Meet The Press." McConnell has a steep hill to climb to get the Senate's version of the ObamaCare repeal passed. Republicans hold a slim 52-48 majority in the upper chamber and several GOP senators have already announced their opposition to the bill in its current form. No Democrat supports the current healthcare legislation, and Republicans don't yet have enough to support to pass it by themselves. Still, Senate leadership might not be as willing as some in the rank-and-file and the White House to consider new tactics on the legislation. We're "trying to figure out how to twist the dials to get to 50 to replace this with something better," McConnell told the AP. "It's not easy making America great again, is it." ||||| If Republican Senators are unable to pass what they are working on now, they should immediately REPEAL, and then REPLACE at a later date!

– Replacing ObamaCare swiftly has proven to be trickier than GOP leaders anticipated—and now some are calling for a new strategy: a straight-up repeal. Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska said as much on CNN's State of the Union Sunday, reports Politico, where he argued that "there's no reason to walk away” if Republicans can’t agree on an ACA replacement after the July 4th break. "We should do repeal with a delay." Sasse suggested canceling the Senate’s upcoming August break to work more transparently on a viable replacement plan. “Let's do this full-time, 18 hours a day, six days a week,” he said. “Let's cancel the August state work period, and let's do it in full public view." Sasse’s sentiments echo that of President Trump, who tweeted Friday, “If Republican Senators are unable to pass what they are working on now, they should immediately REPEAL, and then REPLACE at a later date!” (In fact, he tweeted that after Sasse said something similar earlier that day.) According to the Hill, Sens. Rand Paul and Mike Lee and are also in favor of streamlining the process by repealing ObamaCare first, while 10 more Republican senators issued a letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Friday urging him to cancel the August recess. But not everyone agrees. Per the Hill, Ohio Gov. John Kasich has come out against repealing ObamaCare without a solution in place, saying, “You can’t get rid of this. You can’t leave people without what they need.”

Not only did FiveThirtyEight's Silver pick all 50 state winners in the presidential race, he also beat out his polling aggregator rivals for sheer margin of accuracy. FiveThirtyEight blogger and statistician Nate Silver. (Credit: CBSNews.com) While there's already been whole swimming pools of ink devoted to the Election Day prediction performance of polling aggregators like FiveThirtyEight blogger Nate Silver, CNET is ready to hand out one more round of kudos to the king of the quants. By now, anyone following the presidential election knows that Silver successfully predicted the winner in the race between President Barack Obama and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in all 50 states. That performance was one for the ages, earning him worldwide admiration and validating a polling aggregation model that had drawn mockery and ire from many pundits. This CNET chart shows that, among polling aggregators, FiveThirtyEight's Nate Silver was more accurate than anyone on Election Day. (Credit: Data by Daniel Terdiman/CNET) But Silver wasn't the only one to do exceptionally well in the prediction department. In fact, each of the five aggregators that CNET surveyed yesterday -- FiveThirtyEight, TPM PollTracker, HuffPost Pollster, the RealClearPolitics Average, and the Princeton Election Consortium -- successfully called the election for Obama, and save for TPM PollTracker and RealClearPolitics handing Florida to Romney, the aggregators were spot on across the board when it came to picking swing state victors. Read: The post-election tech tally: Winners and losers Still, even within the club of those who used computational analysis of thousands of national and statewide polls to peg the outcome of the election, someone had to be the most accurate. And a CNET examination of each aggregator's performance reveals a single winner -- unsurprisingly, Silver. In addition to picking the winner in all 50 states -- besting his 49 out of 50 slate in 2008 -- Silver was also the closest among the aggregators to picking the two candidates' popular vote percentages. All told, he missed Obama's total of 50.8 percent by just four-tenths of a percentage point (50.4) and Romney's 48 percent by just three-tenths of a point (48.3) for an average miss of just 0.35 percentage points. HuffPo Pollster and RealClearPolitics tied for second with an average miss of 0.85 points. In preparing to make these comparisons, CNET surveyed 11 swing states. In the end, Silver was closest to the final margins among the candidates in seven of them and also had the best overall record, missing by an average of just 1.46 points in the 11 states. TPM PollTracker was second with the closest predicted margins in three states, and the second-best average margin, 1.80 points. It is worth noting that while Silver's final pre-election calculations showed a tie vote in Florida, he still predicted a 50.3 chance that the president would prevail in the Sunshine State. The performances by Silver and his fellow polling aggregators should be sounding alarm bells in the halls of long-venerated pollsters like Gallup -- which, by the way, predicted that Romney would win the national popular vote by a point. For the Nate-haters, here's the 538 prediction and actual results side by side twitter.com/cosentino/stat... -- Michael Cosentino (@cosentino) November 7, 2012 But the situation does create a bit of a chicken-and-egg problem. While the results of pollsters like Gallup and many of its competitors are looking increasingly suspect in the face of more accurate predictions by Silver and other aggregators, and while some may begin choosing to ignore those traditional polls, the aggregators could not do what they do without the standard polling systems. In the meantime, even Silver may need to tip his cap to someone who seems to have done an even better job at prognosticating the final presidential election results. In a blog post today, dailyKos founder Markos Moulitsas noted that he had predicted exactly the final Electoral College vote totals and reported an average margin in the swing states that was less than Silver's or that of any aggregator. Moulitsas' methodology? A savvy but seemingly manual reading of last-minute pre-election polls. Maybe the quants don't have all the answers after all. Correction, November 8, 4 p.m. PT: The above chart originally misreported the number of points by which TPM PollTracker was off in Florida. The correct figure is 1.7 points. ||||| Two more presidential elections, 2016 and 2020, will be contested under the current Electoral College configuration, which gave Barack Obama a second term on Tuesday. This year’s results suggest that this could put Republicans at a structural disadvantage. Based on a preliminary analysis of the returns, Mitt Romney may have had to win the national popular vote by three percentage points on Tuesday to be assured of winning the Electoral College. The last Republican to accomplish that was George H.W. Bush, in 1988. In the table below, I have arranged the 50 states and the District of Columbia from the most Democratic to the most Republican, based on their preliminary results from Tuesday. Along the way, I have counted up the number of electoral votes for the Democratic candidate, starting at zero and going up to 538 as he wins progressively more difficult states. This process resembles how the FiveThirtyEight tipping-point analysis was calculated. In the simulations we ran each day, we accounted for the range of possible outcomes in each state and then saw which states provided Mr. Obama with his easiest route to 270 electoral votes, the minimum winning number. The state that put Mr. Obama over the top to 270 electoral votes was the tipping-point state in that simulation. Photo Now that the actual returns are in, we don’t need the simulations or the forecast model. It turned out, in fact, that although the FiveThirtyEight model had a very strong night over all on Tuesday, it was wrong about the identity of the tipping-point state. Based on the polls, it appeared that Ohio was the state most likely to win Mr. Obama his 270th electoral vote. Instead, it was Colorado that provided him with his win – the same state that did so in 2008. The worry for Republicans is that Mr. Obama won Colorado by nearly five percentage points (4.7 points was his margin there, to the decimal place). In contrast, Mr. Obama’s margin in the national popular vote, as of this writing, is 2.4 percentage points. We estimate that it will grow to 2.5 percentage points once some remaining returns from states like Washington are accounted for, or perhaps slightly higher once provisional ballots in other states are counted. But it seems clear that Mr. Obama had some margin to spare in the Electoral College. Had the popular vote been a tie – assuming that the margin in each state shifted uniformly – he would still have won re-election with 285 electoral votes, carrying Colorado and Virginia, although losing Florida and Ohio. In fact, had Mr. Romney won the popular vote by two percentage points, Mr. Obama would still have won the Electoral College, losing Virginia but holding onto Colorado. Of course, the relative order of the states can shift a bit from election to election: in 2000, after all, it was Democrats who lost the Electoral College despite winning the popular vote. Ohio might be one of the Republicans’ lesser worries. Mr. Obama did win the state, but his margin is 1.9 percentage points based on the ballots in so far, slightly less than his margin of victory nationally, and he may have benefited there from the auto bailout, a one-off event. But Mr. Obama did not need Ohio to carry the Electoral College, it turned out. Instead, states where there have been demographic shifts, like Colorado, gave him enough of a cushion. Nor was Ohio the only formerly Republican-leaning state to move closer to the Electoral College tipping point. Mr. Obama’s margins in Virginia, Florida and North Carolina also held up well as compared to 2008. Virginia, in fact, was incrementally more Democratic-leaning than the country as a whole this year, voting for Mr. Obama by three percentage points. In Florida, Democrats now seem to have a real advantage with Hispanic voters. Non-Cuban Hispanics there voted for Mr. Obama by roughly the same two-to-one margins that they did in other states, and the Cuban-American vote, long considered Republican-leaning, is now divided about equally between the parties. Mr. Obama lost North Carolina on Tuesday, but he did so by only about two percentage points. By contrast, in 2000 Al Gore lost North Carolina by 13 points despite winning the national popular vote. If these states are becoming more Democratic-leaning, which ones are shifting toward Republicans? Missouri, once a tossup, is now solidly Republican. And West Virginia, which was once Democratic-leaning enough that Michael Dukakis carried it in 1988, voted for Mr. Romney by 27 points on Tuesday. The problem for Republicans is that in states like these, and others like Tennessee, Kentucky and Arkansas, they are now winning by such large margins there that their vote is distributed inefficiently in terms of the Electoral College. By contrast, a large number of electorally critical states – both traditional swing states like Iowa and Pennsylvania and newer ones like Colorado and Nevada – have been Democratic-leaning in the past two elections. If Democrats lose the election in a blowout, they would probably lose these states as well. But in a close election, they are favored in them. The Republican Party will have four years to adapt to the new reality. Republican gains among Hispanic voters could push Colorado and Nevada back toward the tipping point, for example. States like Wisconsin, New Hampshire and Iowa are overwhelmingly white – but also highly educated, with fairly progressive views on social policy. If Republicans moderated their tone on social issues, they might be more competitive in these states, while regaining ground in Northern Virginia and in the Philadelphia suburbs. Finally, some of the Democrats’ apparent advantage in the swing states may reflect Mr. Obama’s voter targeting and turnout operations – which were superior, by most accounts, to John McCain’s in 2008 and Mr. Romney’s in 2012. It is not my job to give advice, but the next Republican nominee might be well served to remember that the party won the Electoral College despite losing the popular vote in 2000, when George W. Bush and Karl Rove put more emphasis on the “ground game.” But the Republicans seemed to be at a disadvantage in the last two years when their candidates put less of an investment into it. If the parties continue down the same paths, however, this won’t be the last election when most of the swing states turn blue.

– Nate Silver has a right to gloat, but his first post-election blog post at the New York Times resists the urge. Well, mostly: He acknowledges a "very strong night" and links to a glowing CNET review. Silver does, however, admit to getting one thing wrong on election night: Turns out the "tipping point" state for President Obama as defined by his formula was Colorado, not Ohio as he forecast. Republicans might take heed that Silver thinks they face a "structural disadvantage" in coming elections given that crucial states are turning bluer. "The Republican Party will have four years to adapt to the new reality," he writes. "Republican gains among Hispanic voters could push Colorado and Nevada back toward the tipping point, for example." Read the full post here. Or read about the (fake) "drunk Nate Silver" Twitter meme here.

A vandal enraged by what he claimed is a misleading portrayal of Ivan the Terrible has badly damaged one of the most iconic paintings of the infamous Tsar. The attacker, who has not been named, used a metal pole to break the glass protecting Ilya Repin's Ivan the Terrible and His Son Ivan on November 16th, 1581, just before closing time at Moscow's Treyakov gallery on Friday. "The painting is badly damaged, the canvas is ripped in three places in the central part.... The falling glass also damaged the frame," the gallery said in a statement. "Luckily, the most valuable images, those of the faces and hands of the tsar and prince were not damaged," the statement said. A 37-year old man from the town of Voronezh was arrested at the scene, police said in a statement. The suspect told officers that he had acted because of what he called the "falsehood of the historical facts depicted on the canvas." ||||| One of Russia’s most famous and controversial paintings, which depicts Ivan the Terrible cradling his dying son, has been badly damaged after a man attacked it with a metal pole in a Moscow gallery. The canvas – Ivan the Terrible and His Son Ivan on November 16, 1581 – was completed by the Russian realist Ilya Repin in 1885 and portrays a grief-stricken tsar holding his son in his arms after dealing him a mortal blow, a historical incident the veracity of which some Russian nationalists dispute. In a video released by the interior ministry, the unnamed suspect appears to confess, saying he went to see the painting before drinking vodka and becoming “overwhelmed by something”. We cannot celebrate revolutionary Russian art – it is brutal propaganda Read more Ivan the Terrible is regarded as one of the cruellest rulers in Russia’s long history: a bloodthirsty and paranoid tyrant who killed his own son. But the figure of the 16th-century tsar has recently has undergone something of a rehabilitation in modern Russia, with some nationalists arguing that the painting in question was actually part of a foreign smear campaign. The State Tretyakov gallery in central Moscow said a man attacked the canvas just before closing time on Friday . It said he got past a group of gallery staff, picked up one of the metal security poles used to keep the public away from the painting and struck its protective glass covering several times. “As a result of the blows the thick glass ... was smashed,” the gallery said. “Serious damage was done to the painting. The canvas was pierced in three places in the central part of the work which depicts the figure of the tsarevich [the tsar’s son].” The frame was also badly damaged, the gallery said, but that “by a happy coincidence” the most precious elements of the painting – the depiction of the faces and hands of the tsar and his son – were not damaged. The attacker was detained and faces being charged with damaging a cultural artefact. Russian news agencies cited police sources saying he was a 37-year-old man from the city of Voronezh about 286 miles (460km) from Moscow. He faces up to three years in prison and a 3m ruble fine (£33,000), according to the RIA Novosti agency. In the interior ministry’s video, the man says he recognised the seriousness of his crime. “I came to look at the painting,” the man reportedly told police. “I wanted to leave, but then dropped into the [gallery’s] buffet and drank 100g of vodka. I don’t drink vodka and became overwhelmed by something.” Some Russian media cited him as saying he had attacked the painting because he thought the depiction was inaccurate. Russian nationalists who object to the painting and dispute the veracity of the scene have previously demanded the gallery remove it from display, which the Tretyakov has refused to do. Battles over historical narratives in Russia have become increasingly heated under Vladimir Putin as the Kremlin pushes a more positive, patriotic view of Russian history. Though these controversies have focused largely on Stalin’s legacy and the second world war, Ivan the Terrible has not been exempt. In 2013, a group of Orthodox Christian activists wrote an open letter to the Russian culture ministry alleging that the painting offended Russians and presented a distorted view of Russian history. Irina Lebedeva, then director of the Tretyakov gallery, said at the time that the gallery would not take the painting down. In 2016, the first monument to Ivan was unveiled in Oryol, about 200 miles south-west of Moscow, ostensibly to mark 450 years since he founded the town. At the time, Oryol’s governor, Vadim Potomsky, the project’s main cheerleader, said Ivan’s bad reputation was partly down to a foreign plot. “He was a great Russian tsar, the first real tsar,” he said. “People present him as a tyrant and psychological deviant. But if you take European leaders of his period, they were many times more bloodthirsty, but in Europe they have monuments, and nobody minds.” Ivan not so terrible? Cult of strongman leader sees tsar's popularity rise in Russia Read more Last year, Putin weighed in on history’s understanding of Ivan. “Many researchers think that he didn’t kill anyone at all,” Putin said, “and that this was concocted by a Papal emissary who came to Russia for negotiations and wanted to turn Orthodox Russia into Catholic Russia ... But after Ivan refused and told him to get lost, several legends began to spring up. They began to label him ‘Ivan the Terrible’.” The painting has a complicated history. Inspired by the assassination of Tsar Alexander II in 1881, Repin completed the work in 1885 and it was purchased by the Moscow merchant Pavel Tretyakov for display in his namesake gallery. But the painting offended Tsar Alexander III and it was temporarily banned from public display. The canvas was also attacked in 1913 by a mentally ill man who slashed it with a knife three times. Repin was still alive at the time and personally restored it. The Tretyakov gallery has said there is hope for it to be restored once again after the latest attack. The gallery said it was convening a special commission of leading Russian experts to plan a course of action and oversee its restoration, which will likely take several years, if previous restoration efforts are any indication. Olga Temerina, the deputy head of the Grabar Art Conservation Centre in Moscow, told RIA Novosti that the canvas may need to be replaced, but that the centre still had Repin’s notes from the previous restoration effort to help. “[The] situation now, if you believe the description, is not quite a tragedy,” she said.

– Maybe it was the vodka—or the crazy in Ivan the Terrible's eyes. Whatever, a drunk Russian has assaulted one of his of his country's most famous paintings, Ivan the Terrible and His Son Ivan on November 16, 1581, reports the Guardian. The government released video of the 37-year-old saying he went to the State Tretyakov gallery in central Moscow to see the work, of the 16th-century tsar cradling his son after mortally attacking him. "I wanted to leave, but then dropped into the [gallery’s] buffet and drank 100g of vodka," the man says. "I don't drink vodka and became overwhelmed by something." He then grabbed a metal pole used to keep people away from the art and attacked the painting three times. He managed to smash through the protective glass and cause "serious damage" to the painting, piercing it in three places, the gallery says. Luckily the work was undamaged in key areas around the subjects' hands and faces and may be fixable. Some Russian media outlets say the man attacked the painting for being inaccurate, a charge leveled in 2013 by Russian nationalists who wanted the painting taken down, the Telegraph reports. Generally speaking, nationalists including Vladimir Putin consider Ivan a great tsar who's been vilified by the West. Others say the 1885 painting by Ilya Repin so intensely depicts Ivan the Terrible's anguish that the look in his eyes "can drive viewers mad," per the Telegraph.

These crawls are part of an effort to archive pages as they are created and archive the pages that they refer to. That way, as the pages that are referenced are changed or taken from the web, a link to the version that was live when the page was written will be preserved.Then the Internet Archive hopes that references to these archived pages will be put in place of a link that would be otherwise be broken, or a companion link to allow people to see what was originally intended by a page's authors.The goal is to fix all broken links on the web . Crawls of supported "No More 404" sites. ||||| An Army veteran, Anthony Manfre paid for his associate’s and bachelor’s degrees mostly with his GI Bill benefits, although he also took out $4,000 worth of student loans. “At the time, I thought that was a lot,” he says. “And now I look back and wish I only owed that much.” That’s because Manfre went on to graduate school, picking up a master’s degree before setting off on the long road to a doctorate in marriage and family therapy while borrowing to also pay his living expenses. And now he’s $200,000 in debt. “In the back of my mind I was always thinking, this money is an investment — that later on, when I graduate and get a job, I’ll be able to pay it off,” says Manfre, who earns $61,500 a year working for the Veterans Administration. “But now I don’t think I’m going to get the return I thought I would.” Much of the concern about ballooning student debt has focused on undergrads taking out steep loans to pay for the rising cost of college. Largely overlooked are a principal source of the problem: graduate students like Manfre, who are less likely to have support from parents or other sources, and who face almost no limits on how much they borrow. Graduate students now collectively owe as much as 40 percent of the estimated $1.2 trillion in outstanding student debt, according to the New America Foundation, even though they make up only 14 percent of all university enrollment. “People focus on the undergraduates, because there are more of them and they’re younger and more naïve,” says Joel Best, a professor at the University of Delaware and coauthor of The Student Loan Mess. “They aren’t really paying attention to graduate students, but graduate students are really stacking up substantial student-loan debt.” This indifference helps graduate programs get away with continually increasing their prices, Best says. “They can charge whatever they want and say to themselves that they don’t need to worry about it, the students can get loans.” It has also freed lawmakers to raise interest rates on graduate and professional students, who are being charged rates nearly 50% more than those paid by undergrads. In 2012, to save about $1.8 billion a year, Congress also stopped subsidizing the interest that accumulates on federal student loans taken out by graduate students while they’re in school and for six months after they finish. And a proposal to streamline existing federal tax credits would reduce the deductions they will be able to take for educational expenses. Often past the point at which their parents help them pay for their tuition, room, and board, graduate students borrow an average of nearly three times more per year than undergraduates, according to the College Board. And while the average debt of undergraduates has more than doubled since 1989, according to the Brookings Institution, it has more than quadrupled during that time for graduate students. This comes at a time when the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the fastest-growing careers through 2022 will require workers to have graduate degrees. “We might have a philosophical discussion about, ‘Do you need a master’s degree for X, Y, and Z,’ but in a free and open marketplace employers are asking for them,” says Suzanne Ortega, president of the Council of Graduate Schools. ||||| The campus of Stanford University, where John Etchemendy is provost. (Paul Sakuma, AP file photo) The trillion-dollar student debt burden has spawned many debates about the value of college. Some argue that we educate too many young people. Indeed, average tuition costs have gone up faster than the rate of inflation. The cost of college today is, in inflation-adjusted terms, roughly double what it was in 1980. This creates legitimate concerns about the continued affordability of a college education. But the debaters often have their facts wrong. Very few Americans graduate with $100,000 in debt; college makes more sense today than ever; and no, our universities aren’t plundering their endowments to fund college dorms and football stadiums. 1. The financial return for going to college is less now than it used to be, because of the high cost of tuition and challenging employment prospects for recent graduates. If anything, the value of an investment in college is higher now than it’s ever been. The college premium (the difference between the earnings of college graduates and high school graduates) is at its highest level ever. It is true that in the years since the Great Recession, wages for recent college graduates have declined about 5 percent, but wages for those without a college degree have declined more than twice that, between 10 and 12 percent, increasing the college premium. Furthermore, the proportion of recent graduates who have gotten jobs coming out of college has been virtually unchanged from before the recession. In contrast, the employment rate for high school graduates and associate-degree holders has dropped by 8 to 10 percent. Similarly, throughout the recession, the overall unemployment rate for bachelor’s degree holders has consistently been half that of non-college graduates. 2. Colleges are not preparing students with the skills needed in the current workplace. All of the economic data suggests the exact opposite — that the productivity of U.S. college graduates in the workplace is increasing. The broadest measure of the productivity differential between high school graduates and college graduates is how much employers are willing to pay for the latter over the former. This is known as the college premium, and it has increased steadily since the 1970s. This is not due to a diminished supply of college graduates (indeed, the supply has risen over that period). The college premium is larger in the United States than in virtually any other economically developed country. Across the 34 countries that make up the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, employers on average are willing to pay 1.8 times as much for a college graduate as they are for an unskilled worker. But in the United States, employers pay 2.6 times as much for a college graduate. This, in spite of the fact that the supply of college graduates in the United States is among the highest in the OECD. A recent Milken Institute study found that for each additional year of college attained by the residents of a region, the per capita gross domestic product of the region increases a remarkable 17.4 percent. The authors argue that the increased regional productivity is largely the result of the increased productivity of a college-educated workforce. (Interestingly, they do not see a similar jump in productivity for additional education at the high school level.) 3. On average, students are now borrowing $______ to pay for their college education. This is a myth, or at the very least misleading, for almost any figure reported in the national press. (Though the reported figures vary, the amount is generally more than $25,000.) There are several reasons for this, principally that the data being reported are generally based on one or another report of outstanding student loan balances or average debt levels for those with loans. What most people are interested in, and what most people interpret these figures to represent, is how much a typical student must borrow to finance an undergraduate (bachelor’s) degree. Unfortunately, most figures reported lump together all student loan debt — for both undergraduate degrees and professional degrees. Furthermore, they report data on the average (mean) debt level among those who borrowed, not the median debt among all students, both those who borrowed and those who did not. Data on debt levels at time of graduation is far harder to obtain. The Department of Education periodically gathers this information, but its most recent report covers those who received bachelor’s degrees in 2008. This study showed the following debt levels among the graduating seniors nationwide. 34.4 percent graduated with no debt. 12.0 percent graduated with $1-$9,999 in debt. 18.2 percent graduated with $10,000-$19,999 in debt. 15.5 percent graduated with $20,000-$29,999 in debt. 8.9 percent graduated with $30,000-$39,999 in debt. 5.3 percent graduated with $40,000-$49,999 in debt. 5.3 percent graduated with $50,000-$99,999 in debt. 0.5 percent graduated with over $100,000 in debt. As you can see, the median debt (i.e., 50th percentile) level for all graduating seniors is slightly above $10,000 for those receiving a bachelor’s degree. This is probably less than an average new car loan. The report also breaks this down by sectors: median debt at public institutions is less than $10,000; at private nonprofit institutions it is in the $10,000-19,999 range; and at private for-profits it is in the $30,000-39,999 range. These levels have no doubt gone up since 2008, but they are nowhere near what is usually reported as the “average student indebtedness.” 4. College indebtedness — now at more than a trillion dollars and second only to mortgage debt — is at a crisis level. College debt now exceeds total credit-card debt and total auto loans, both of which have dropped since the beginning of the recession. It is in fact the only kind of household debt that continued to increase throughout the recession. There are three reasons for the increase. First, more students are going to college. Second, a higher percentage of them are borrowing to finance their education. And third, the amount they are borrowing has increased. Obviously, the first reason is to be applauded. It is in the interest of the students and the nation that more high school graduates go on to college. The fact that more students are borrowing more to attend college is the result of several different factors, only partly the increased cost of tuition. Another major factor is a marked decline in college savings. According to Moody’s, during the past three years, the proportion of families with any college savings dropped from 60 percent to 50 percent, and those who saved set aside an average of only $11,781, down from $21,615 three years ago (a 45 percent decline). What this means is that more families are substituting debt for college savings. But these are just alternative ways of spreading the cost of college over multiple years. This is certainly no more worrisome than the switch from buying refrigerators with debt rather than layaway plans. But even more important is the fact that college spending is an investment in human capital. The Hamilton Project estimates that a student’s spending on college has a financial return of over 15 percent, more than twice the average return of a stock market investment over the past 60 years. When corporate America increases its debt to invest in physical capital — new factories, etc. — we do not consider it a crisis. It is a positive investment in future productivity. Similarly, when individuals borrow to invest in their own human capital, this is an investment in future productivity. We should arguably celebrate the fact that college debt, an investment in the future, exceeds credit-card debt, which represents current consumption. 5. College costs are increasing faster than inflation largely because of wasteful spending on, for example, lavish dorms, recreation centers and sports facilities. In a university’s overall budget, capital costs for “amenities” (such as recreation centers) constitute a very small fraction of the budget. Amortized over the life of the asset, they may account for a few dollars of the annual tuition bill, but not much more. Ironically, one of the main factors pushing up costs at universities is the fact that the college premium — the wages paid to highly educated employees — is higher than ever. College costs are dominated by employee salaries, and most of these employees (whether faculty, staff or administrators) are themselves highly educated. So the same phenomenon that increases the financial return of going to college for students also increases the cost of attending college! John Etchemendy is Stanford University’s provost; he wrote this article with Vivek Wadhwa, who writes regularly for Innovations. ||||| According to today's employment report, the unemployment rate dropped to 7.8 percent in September, falling below 8 percent for the first time since January 2009. Furthermore, the share of working-age Americans who are employed increased to 58.7 percent, the highest level since May 2010. Employers added 114,000 jobs last month, and an average of more than 145,000 over the past three months, roughly the same pace of job growth experienced over 2011 and 2012. (These figures do not reflect the anticipated update to the payroll data, which will be official in February and is expected to show that the level of employment was 386,000 jobs higher in March 2012 than previously reported.) As America continues its recovery from the Great Recession, there is an ongoing debate in the media and among policymakers about the value of a college degree in today’s economic climate. One issue that is receiving a significant amount of attention is the rising cost of college. Indeed, tuition has increased by almost 50 percent in the last 30 years, prompting some people to ask whether college is still worth the price of admission. In this month’s analysis, The Hamilton Project confirms its previous findings that the returns to college attendance are much higher than other investments, such as stocks, bonds, and real estate. We also find that the returns to college have been largely constant over the last 35 years, indicating that the rising tuition costs have been offset by the increased earnings premium for college graduates. Finally, we continue to explore the nation’s “jobs gap,” or the number of jobs that the U.S. economy needs to create in order to return to pre-recession employment levels. The Value and Cost of a College Degree In most respects, a college degree has never been more valuable. As highlighted in a recent Hamilton Project piece, recent college graduates earn more money and have an easier time finding employment than their peers who only have a high school diploma. What may be less intuitive is that these gaps have been growing in recent years. As the graph below illustrates, a young college graduate earned about $4,000 more per year in the 1980s, adjusting for inflation, than someone of the same age who did not attend college (averaged across the entire population, not just those in the workforce). Over the last three decades, that figure has climbed to $12,000 per year. Differences in employment rates between college graduates and non-graduates have not demonstrated as clear of a trend over this period, with one key exception. In recent years—particularly in the aftermath of the Great Recession—college has become an increasingly important determinant of one’s employment status. Today, a college graduate is almost 20 percentage points more likely to be employed than someone with only a high school diploma. This “employment gap” between college and high school graduates is the largest in our nation’s history. What’s more, these figures include all individuals between the ages of 23 and 25, even those college graduates who are not employed because they are pursuing advanced degrees. If these individuals were excluded from the calculations, these differences would likely be even starker. While the evidence is clear about the lifelong value of more education, skeptics are increasingly pointing to rising tuition costs to claim that college is not as sound of an investment as it once was. And it is true that tuition has increased significantly over the past few decades. In 1980, it cost an average of about $56,000 (adjusting for inflation) to attend a university for four years. This figure includes tuition, fees, and the “opportunity cost,” or income one foregoes to attend school instead of holding a job. (This figure excludes room and board: one must eat and sleep whether she is in college or not.) In 2010, four years of college cost more than $82,000, a nearly 50 percent increase over that 30-year period. This increase in tuition is based on calculations from the National Center for Education Statistics but it may overstate the rise in the costs of college. First, this rise in tuition does not account for recent increases in financial aid. Thus, while the sticker price of college may have gone up, it is unclear to what extent the cost to students and their families has increased. Indeed, according to the College Board, the actual cost of a four-year degree has remained relatively constant over the last 15 years. Regardless of the magnitude of the exact increase in tuition, a sole focus on the cost of college is misleading because it only tells half of the story. Specifically, the monetary benefits of a college degree have increased dramatically over the last few decades. An individual who entered college in 1980 could expect to earn about $260,000 more over the course of her life compared to someone who received only a high school diploma. In contrast, for someone starting college in 2010, the expected lifetime increase in earnings relative to a high school graduate was more than $450,000. These estimates are adjusted both for inflation and the fact that most of this additional income will come much later in a graduate’s life, and the calculations are described in more detail here. Even if we assume that all students actually pay tuition at the published rates, the bottom line is this: while college may be 50 percent more expensive now than it was 30 years ago, the increase to lifetime earnings that a college degree brings is 75 percent higher. In short, the cost of college is growing, but the benefits of college—and, by extension, the cost of not going to college—are growing even faster. The returns to an investment in a college education, therefore, are high. In a previous post, The Hamilton Project estimated that investing in a four-year degree yields a return of above 15 percent. While this is down slightly from almost 18 percent in the late ’90s, attending college remains one of the best ways one can invest her money. The return to college is more than double the average return over the last 60 years experienced in the stock market (6.8 percent), and more than five times the return to investments in corporate bonds (2.9 percent), gold (2.3 percent), long-term government bonds (2.2 percent), or housing (0.4 percent). As the graph below demonstrates, the claim that college is no longer a sound investment is not rooted in fact. The rate of return has remained relatively constant over the last three decades. If attending college was a good idea in the ’80s, it’s still a good idea today. The cost of college can be daunting for many families, but it is precisely because college is such a sound investment that there is an important role for government to ensure that loan programs are plentiful and accessible. The nation and the economy are strengthened when college attendance is determined by students’ abilities, not their families’ financial background. Indeed, it is not just the direct recipients of these loans that benefit from the increased number of Americans who are able to go to college. One recent study showed that even individuals with only a high school diploma earn more when they live in cities populated with more college graduates. More education is not just good for individuals; it’s a good investment for the broader community. The September Jobs Gap As of September, our nation faces a “jobs gap” of 11.2 million jobs. The chart below shows how the jobs gap has evolved since the start of the Great Recession in December 2007, and how long it will take to close under different assumptions of job growth. The solid line shows the net number of jobs lost since the Great Recession began. The broken lines track how long it will take to close the jobs gap under alternative assumptions about the rate of job creation going forward. If the economy adds about 208,000 jobs per month, which was the average monthly rate for the best year of job creation in the 2000s, then it will take until August 2020—or eight years—to close the jobs gap. Given a more optimistic rate of 321,000 jobs per month, which was the average monthly rate of the best year of job creation in the 1990s, the economy will reach pre-recession employment levels by November 2016—not for another four years. Again, these figures do not reflect the anticipated update to the payroll data due in February, which may reduce the actual job gap. You can also try out our interactive jobs gap calculator by clicking here. Conclusion While rising student debt and payments to colleges are a cause for concern, we have found that college is still one of the best investments an individual can make. Ensuring that all students have access to this investment requires both a commitment to making it financially feasible at all income levels and a productive K-12 system that prepares students for the next level of education. A recent Hamilton Project event highlighted three new proposals for improving student attainment and achievement in our nation’s K-12 system. In the spring of 2013, The Hamilton Project will hold a forum to discuss policy proposals for improving access to post-secondary education for all Americans.

– Undergrads, don't worry too much about the loans you'll be saddled with after college—there's a group that might need to worry even more. Even though the National Center for Education Statistics shows that grad students accounted for just 14% of university enrollees in 2012, the New America Foundation finds that this group is responsible for about 40% of currently owed student debt. "People focus on the undergraduates, because there are more of them and they're younger and more naive," a University of Delaware professor tells Time. But grad students don't rely on their parents to pay for school as much as undergrads do, and their borrowing limits are often higher, leading to an ever-increasing cycle of owed money. In fact, they borrow three times more per year than undergrads on average. This leads to other issues, such as graduate programs increasing tuition (they figure students can just take out more loans to keep up). The government hasn't been much of an advocate for the grad student, having halted subsidies on interest racked up on federal student loans while grad students are in school and for a short period after graduation, notes Time. Although spending on a four-year college degree brings in a 15% return, according to the Hamilton Project via the Washington Post, some graduate students aren't sure anything beyond that is worth it. "In the back of my mind I was always thinking, this money is an investment," one doctoral student who has built up $200,000 in debt tells Time. "But now I don't think I'm going to get the return I thought I would."

A newspaper in the Mexican city of Monterrey has come under attack, after several armed men stormed into a branch office of the El Norte newspaper, poured gasoline and then set fire to the building. The attack on Sunday was the third such assault to occur in the last month. More than 15 people were working at the office in the municipality of San Pedro Garza Garcia at the time of the attack. No one was injured, the newspaper reported. Firemen who were called to the scene quickly extinguished the fire. "Some videos of the incident that we have in our possession show three vehicles in the headquarters located in San Pedro Avenue of the San Pedro Municipality where three people get out with a barrel of gasoline and enter the reception area and proceed to spill gasoline and light it," said Jorge Domene, a public security spokesperson. "Fortunately there were no injuries [...] and the fire was controlled quickly. Now we have some data on the vehicles and the people," he said. Policemen and soldiers inspected the scene to find clues in order to begin an investigation. Sierra Madre, the office which was attacked, published a weekly supplement covering the parties and social events of local residents. On July 10, assailants fired assault rifles and grenades at two other El Norte office in Monterrey. Pressure from cartels Experts say the attacks could be a sign of an escalation in efforts by drug traffickers to intimidate one of the few regional outlets that continues to cover the drug war and investigate official corruption linked to cartels, while others fall silent to intimidation. "There are parts of the country where criminal groups decide what gets published and what doesn't," said Jose Carreno, a media expert at Mexico City's Ibero-American University. "They're trying to extend the pressure." El Norte is owned by Reforma, one of Mexico's biggest newspaper chains. More than 80 Mexican journalists have been murdered since 2000, according to the National Human Rights Commission, with many of those killed reporting on crime and police. Vowing to bring to justice the culprits behind the brazen crime, the governor of Nuevo Leon state, Rodrigo Medina, said authorities will not tolerate any attacks that curtail freedom of expression and media in the drug-ravaged state. "We cannot allow an attack such as this on the media, whatever form of media. We cannot provoke fear for freedom of expression and freedom of the media in this case. We will get to the bottom of this to find those responsible and behind it," said Medina. Journalists under fire Last year, Mexico was the third deadliest country in the world for journalists after Pakistan and Iraq, according to Reporters Without Borders. There have been more than 55,000 drug related killings and more than 6,000 disappearances during President Felipe Calderon's six-year offensive against the cartels. President-elect Enrique Pena Nieto, who will replace Calderon in December, promises to dramatically reduce the homicide rate. Several press freedom groups urged Mexican authorities on Monday to investigate the latest attacks. "There is no journalist in Mexico who can feel safe when there are criminal groups who feel they can attack a national media outlet without any consequences," said Carlos Lauria, senior programme coordinator for the Americas for the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists. The federal Interior Department also issued a statement condemning the attack and said it has offered to help state authorities with the investigation. ||||| A gang of armed men has raided and set fire to a printing plant in northern Mexico used to print and distribute magazines. It is the second attack in less than a week against media facilities in the northern Mexico border state of Nuevo Leon. An official in the Nuevo Leon state prosecutors' office who was not authorized to speak on the record says the attack targeted a plant run by the DIPSA company in the city of Monterrey. It handles work for the Proceso news magazine as well as society and gossip publications. The official said no one was injured in the Tuesday attack, but five employees had their cell phones and wallets taken. On Sunday attackers set fire to an office of the El Norte newspaper in Monterrey.

– Gunmen in Mexico have raided and set fire to a printing plant in the fourth attack on Monterrey-area media facilities in the space of weeks. The plant was used to print and distribute magazines, including leading news magazine Proceso, which reports extensively on the country's drug war and has had several of its journalists murdered, reports the AP. Nobody was injured in the latest attack, and the fire was put out relatively quickly. Over the weekend, gunmen stormed a Monterrey branch office of the newspaper El Norte and set it on fire. Experts believe the cartels are trying to silence the few remaining outlets that report on the drug war and on official corruption. "There are parts of the country where criminal groups decide what gets published and what doesn't," a media expert at Mexico City's Ibero-American University tells al-Jazeera. "They're trying to extend the pressure."

CHARLESTON, S.C. A white man was arrested on Thursday on suspicions he killed nine people at a historic African-American church in South Carolina after sitting with them for an hour of Bible study in an attack U.S. officials are investigating as a hate crime. The mass shooting set off an intense 14-hour manhunt that ended when 21-year-old Dylann Roof was arrested in a traffic stop about 220 miles (350 km) north of Charleston, South Carolina, where the shooting occurred, officials said. Wednesday's mass shooting at the almost 200-year-old Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, comes after a year of turmoil and protests over race relations, policing and criminal justice in the United States. A series of police killings of unarmed black men has sparked a renewed civil rights movement under the "Black Lives Matter" banner. Four pastors, including Democratic state Senator Clementa Pinckney, 41, were among the six women and three men shot dead at the church nicknamed "Mother Emanuel," which was burned to the ground in the late 1820s after a slave revolt led by one of its founders. "The fact that this took place in a black church obviously raises questions about a dark part of our history," said U.S. President Barack Obama. "Once again, innocent people were killed in part because someone who wanted to inflict harm had no trouble getting their hands on a gun." The United States has seen a series of mass shootings in recent years, including the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, where a gunman killed 20 children and six adults. Democratic efforts to reform the nation's gun laws, protect by the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, failed after that incident. GIFT OF A GUN A man who identified himself as Carson Cowles, Roof's uncle, told Reuters that Roof's father had recently given him a .45-caliber handgun as a birthday present and that Roof had seemed adrift. "I don't have any words for it," Cowles, 56, said in a telephone interview. "Nobody in my family had seen anything like this coming." Roof was armed with a handgun but surrendered peacefully at his arrest, said Charleston Police Chief Greg Mullen. In a Facebook profile apparently belonging to Roof, a portrait showed him wearing a jacket emblazoned with the flags of apartheid-era South Africa and of the former Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, both formerly ruled by white minorities. Many of his Facebook friends were black. Roof was arrested on two separate occasions at a shopping mall earlier this year for a drug offense and trespassing, according to court documents. Roof's mother, Amy, declined to comment when reached by phone. "We will be doing no interviews, ever," she said before hanging up. Sylvia Johnson, a cousin of Pinckney, told MSNBC that a survivor told her the gunman reloaded five times during the attack despite pleas for him to stop. "He just said, 'I have to do it. You rape our women and you're taking over our country," Johnson said. U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said her office was investigating whether to charge Roof with a hate crime motivated by racial or other prejudice. Under federal and some state laws, such crimes typically carry harsher penalties, but South Carolina is one of just five U.S. states not to have a hate-crimes law. RISING RACIAL TENSIONS Demonstrations have rocked New York, Baltimore, Ferguson in Missouri and other U.S. cities following police killings of unarmed black men including Eric Garner, Freddie Gray and Michael Brown. A white police officer was charged with murder after he shot Walter Scott, an unarmed black man, in the back in April in neighbouring North Charleston. The Southern Poverty Law Center, which researches U.S. hate groups, said the attack illustrates the dangers that home-grown extremists pose. "Since 9/11, our country has been fixated on the threat of Jihadi terrorism. But the horrific tragedy at the Emanuel AME reminds us that the threat of homegrown domestic terrorism is very real," the group said in a statement, referring to the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. There have been 4,120 reported hate crimes across the United States, including 56 murders, since 2003, the centre said. Other victims included three church pastors: DePayne Middleton Doctor, 49, Sharonda Coleman Singleton, 45 and Reverend Daniel Simmons, 74; Cynthia Hurd, a 54-year-old employee of the Charleston County Public Library, and Susie Jackson, 87; Ethel Lance, 70, Tywanza Sanders, 26, and Myra Thompson 59, an associate pastor at the church, according to the county coroner. "This is going to put a lot of concern to every black church when guys have to worry about getting shot in the church," said Tamika Brown, who attended one of several overflow prayer vigils held at Charleston churches. Police in Charleston responded to multiple bomb threats around the city through the course of the day on Thursday. Three people survived the attack. "It is a very, very sad day in South Carolina," Governor Nikki Haley, a Republican, in a tearful statement. That grief rang hollow for some civil-rights activists, who noted that the state capital in Columbia still flies the Confederate flag, the rallying symbol of the pro-slavery South during the Civil War. "The reality that racism is alive and well and that we have a problem with guns," said Clayborne Carson, founding director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University. "People will throw up their hands and say 'how terrible' and the governor of South Carolina will put the Confederate flag of the state at half staff and then will get back to passing more laws that allow people to carry guns." (Additional reporting by David Bailey in Minneapolis; Brian Snyder in Charleston; Julia Edwards in Washington; Emily Flitter and Alana Wise in New York; David Adams in Miami; Letitia Stein in Tampa, Florida; Randall Hill in Charleston, South Carolina; Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles and Curtis Skinner in San Francisco; Writing by Scott Malone; Editing by James Dalgleish and Lisa Shumaker) ||||| Laquanda Moultrie, holding a stuffed bear she hopes to leave at Emanuel AME Church, stands with Surreace Cox near the police barrier. (Matthew Fortner/Staff) After a night of fear and grief in downtown Charleston, authorities in North Carolina arrested a young white man on charges that he gunned down nine people at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, ending a vast search but leaving the city and the nation reeling. Video To see a video of the Rev. Clementa Pinckney’s opening prayer at the Charleston YWCA’s April 24 “Requiem on Racism 2015,” go to https://vimeo.com/126710749 The Holy City struggled to comprehend why the gunman police identified as 21-year-old Dylann Storm Roof would sit down for an hour at a Bible study in the historic black church on Calhoun Street and then open fire, wiping out most of the clergy. The U.S. Justice Department is investigating the killings as a hate crime. The victims The nine people fatally shot at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church: Clementa Pinckney, 41, the primary pastor who also served as a state senator. Cynthia Hurd, 54, St. Andrews regional branch manager for the Charleston County Public Library system. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, 45, a church pastor, speech therapist and coach of the girls’ track and field team at Goose Creek High School. Tywanza Sanders, 26, who had a degree in business administration from Allen University, where Pinckney also attended. Ethel Lance, 70, a retired Gailliard Center employee who has worked recently as a church janitor. Susie Jackson, 87, Lance’s cousin who was a longtime church member. DePayne Middleton-Doctor, 49, a retired director of the local Community Development Block Grant Program who joined the church in March as a pastor. Myra Thompson, 59, a pastor at the church. Daniel Simmons Sr., 74, a pastor, who died in a hospital operating room. To President Barack Obama, the shooting stirred up “a dark part” of American history when racially motivated violence was more prevalent. U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch declared that such acts have “no place in a civilized society.” The emotional weight of the ordeal also brought local activists, Charleston’s police chief and South Carolina’s governor to tears as they fought to find words to ease community members who fear further violence in a city with a long and complicated history involving race. “We woke up today, and the heart and soul of South Carolina was broken,” Gov. Nikki Haley said, her voice trembling. “We have some grieving to do. ... Parents are having to explain to their kids how they can go to church and feel safe. That’s not something we ever thought we’d deal with.” After a massive manhunt, Roof, who has shown interest in racial segregation and the Confederacy, was caught during a traffic stop Thursday morning in Shelby, N.C., 250 miles north of Charleston. A motorist there recognized Roof’s 15-year-old Hyundai from wanted posters distributed by police. A resident of Eastover, a rural town near Columbia, Roof smiled at television cameras Thursday afternoon as Shelby officers led him to a waiting cruiser, his mop of blond hair hanging in his eyes and a ballistic vest covering his torso. He waived extradition, and South Carolina flew him back to Charleston County to face charges in what has been called one of worst hate crimes the United States has seen in decades. Meanwhile, the community mourned and searched for answers, with hundreds packing prayer vigils in a show of solidarity and support for the fallen and the families they left behind. In all, six women and three men died after gunfire sprayed through Emanuel’s basement. Among the dead were a state senator who served as the church’s primary pastor, a beloved county librarian, a dedicated girl’s track and field coach and a young college graduate. The victims ranged in age from 26 to 87. Their deaths marked the second fatal shooting in the past three months that has drawn the nation’s eyes to the Charleston area, roiling racial tensions and prompting federal investigations. The FBI has been examining potential civil rights violations in the April 4 killing of Walter Scott, a black man shot in the back by a white North Charleston police officer. FBI agents also are looking into what motivated Wednesday’s bloody attack in Emanuel AME Church, Columbia-based spokeswoman Denise Taiste confirmed. The tragedy also renewed politicians’ focus on reform of the nation’s gun laws. Obama said Thursday during a press briefing in Washington that the Charleston shooting should spark national introspection about the availability of guns. “I’ve had to make statements like this too many times,” Obama said. “Communities like this have had to endure tragedies like this too many times. Once again, innocent people were killed because someone who wanted to inflict harm had no trouble getting their hands on a gun.” The shooting The tragedy unfolded on a hot, steamy night after about a dozen clergy and church members gathered for a regular Bible study and prayer service. They met in the basement, a ground-level floor beneath the sanctuary that housed the pastor’s office and other rooms. They studied Mark 4 16:20. “Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy ...” A young white man, not part of the congregation, came in around 8:15 p.m. and sat down quietly. He stayed for 40 to 50 minutes as the session continued. “But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away ...” Suddenly, the young man rose, uttered remarks that betrayed his contempt for blacks and opened fire with a gun. A female trustee, who hid under a table, was among the survivors. The gunman told her he would let her live so that she could tell the story of what happened. Two other survivors, including a young girl, played dead, church members said. The search The gunman slipped out of the church as dozens of police officers descended on the area armed with military-style rifles, teams of police dogs and helicopters that circled overhead. Area residents locked the doors and bolted their gates, fearful after news spread that a gunman was on the loose. Activists from local black communities expressed fear of being targeted next. James Johnson, South Carolina president of the National Action Network, stood in the middle of Calhoun Street, where city leaders had announced the death toll moments earlier Thursday morning, and cried. Johnson has spoken out for years about civil rights concerns in Charleston-area policing. He had recently joined Clementa Pinckney, the slain AME church pastor, for a summit about the Scott shooting in North Charleston. But Johnson had never coped with anything like this, he said, and he worried that it would discourage people from talking about racially charged problems. “We feel that we’re not safe,” he said. “They could do the same thing when we speak out against this injustice. We must be mindful.” As Johnson and others grappled with such thoughts, the gunman, who had slipped out of Charleston, put distance between himself and the carnage he’d left behind. Investigators soon broadened their hunt, deploying local and statewide police agencies and top agents from the FBI and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. They also circulated surveillance camera images of a young man with a bowl haircut who appeared to be the gunman they were looking for. A bulletin included pictures of the gunman’s 2000 Hyundai Elantra and a telephone tip line for people to call if they saw the car or its driver. Tips started rolling in soon after the bulletin went out. By mid-morning, investigators named Roof as the suspected gunman and a call went out for his arrest. Shortly after 11 a.m., authorities announced he had been nabbed in North Carolina. “We had a number of tips that were coming in,” Mullen, the police chief, later said. “It was amazing. Whenever we got a lead ... we sent out teams. It was a tremendous effort. ... I am so pleased that we were able to resolve this case quickly ... so that nobody else is harmed by this individual.” A picture soon emerged of a troubled young high school dropout who had talked about blacks in racially inflammatory terms and had been arrested in recent months on drug and trespassing charges. He had been banned from a Columbia mall in February after employees of two stores alerted police that Roof, dressed in all black clothing, was asking odd questions about their operations and when workers left for the night, an incident report stated. He was arrested on a trespassing charge in April after returning to the mall, records show. Friends said something seemed to be bothering him, but he stayed out of trouble until he walked into Emanuel AME Church Wednesday night. The aftermath Obama and Vice President Joe Biden called Charleston Mayor Joe Riley on Thursday to relay their condolences. They praised the efforts to track down the suspect, Riley said. “It’s a wonderful sign that we don’t let these people get away with these dastardly deeds,” he said. But further rattling people as they mourned the losses, someone called in bomb threats to another downtown AME church where residents and leaders had gathered for a vigil and to the office building where Charleston County’s coroner announced the names of those who were slain. Emotions already were raw this week from the anniversary of another tragedy that also claimed nine lives. The shooting occurred on the eve of the eighth remembrance of the June 18, 2007, Sofa Super Store blaze in West Ashley that killed Charleston firefighters. County Coroner Rae Wooten said the anniversary made her team’s response to the shooting more difficult. “It all came back,” she said. “It was somewhat disbelief that we could ever face something that horrific again.” But people from local leaders to the president expressed resolve to overcome the latest carnage. U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., called it “absolutely despicable” for such violence to occur in a place where people come together to “laugh, love and rejoice in God’s name.” Obama said Emanuel AME and its congregation have risen before from flames, an earthquake and other dark times to give hope to Charleston, “and with our prayers and love and buoyancy, it will rise now as a place of peace.” “Acts like this have no place in our country and no place in a civilized society,” Lynch, the attorney general, added during a Thursday morning news conference in Washington. “I want everyone in Charleston and everyone who has been affected by this tragedy to know that we will do everything in our power to help heal this community and make it whole again.” Christina Elmore, Glenn Smith, Robert Behre, Melissa Boughton, Tony Bartelme, Schuyler Kropf and Jennifer Berry Hawes contributed to this report. ||||| Church Gunman Reportedly Said: 'I have to do it' 01:23 copied! Sylvia Johnson, a cousin of church shooting victim Pastor Clementa Pinckney says she spoke with one of the survivors "and she said that he had reloaded five different times... and he just said 'I have to do it. You rape our women and you're taking over our country. And you have to go.'" Read More

– The FBI has identified the suspect in the Charleston church shootings as Dylann Roof, a 21-year-old with an arrest record, the Post and Courier reports. According to the SC Law Enforcement Division: Roof was jailed March 1 on a drug charge and on April 26 after being accused of trespassing. The profile picture on a Facebook account belonging to a Dylann Roof of Columbia resembles the suspect shown in a video released by police. A man who claims he's Roof's uncle apparently suspected his nephew was the shooter after seeing images from a surveillance video released by Charleston police. "The more I look at him, the more I'm convinced, that's him," Carson Cowles told Reuters by phone. He adds that Roof had seemed "adrift," as Reuters puts it, and that he thinks Roof had received a .45-caliber gun for his birthday from his dad. "If it is him, and when they catch him, he's got to pay for this." A man outside of Medical University Hospital last night awaiting word on his grandmother, who was reportedly inside the church, told the Post and Courier, "What was this guy thinking? That dude shot a bunch of elderly people." When word came shortly after midnight about the victims' deaths, he fell to the ground and sobbed, the paper notes, saying, "Somebody better get that [expletive]." Meanwhile, a Justice Department spokesman speaking on condition of anonymity tells the paper a federal hate-crimes investigation has been opened. Sylvia Johnson, who says she's a cousin of state Sen. Clementa Pinckney, one of the victims, tells NBC News that one of the survivors told her the shooter reloaded five times and told her, "I have to do it. You rape our women and you're taking over our country. And you have to go." AME pastors are planning on holding a prayer vigil at noon EDT, with Gov. Nikki Haley and the Rev. Al Sharpton set to attend, per the paper.

Scratch that: Marks on Homo habilis teeth suggest which hand the early human used to cut its meat. Nearly 2 million years ago, an early human used a stone tool to carve hunks of meat held in its mouth, an activity that left behind wear marks in its teeth. And the direction of the grooves suggest that this individual had a dominant right hand. Right-handedness is significantly more common than left-handedness in modern humans, and the trait emerged early in the lineage's evolution, researchers have said. This discovery, which presents the oldest evidence of right-handedness, could prompt a deeper look into the fossil record, to determine when human ancestors first demonstrated right-handed dominance. [The 10 Biggest Mysteries of the First Humans] The fossil, a mostly intact upper jaw, was found in an archaeological dig site in northern Tanzania, in a location with stone tools and large mammal bones nearby. The jaw belonged to Homo habilis, a human ancestor that lived 2.4 million to 1.4 million years ago and is the oldest known ancestor in the Homo lineage. Homo habilis means "handy man," and though the newly discovered specimen's hands were nowhere to be found, its jaw and teeth provided researchers with unexpected evidence of whether it was a so-called "righty" or "lefty." The teeth were very well-preserved, with enamel still covering most of their surfaces. Close inspection of two central incisors in the jaw revealed concentrations of scratch marks; in one tooth in particular, they were primarily angled to the right side of the body. According to the scientists, these marks were created over time, as the "handy man" was cutting up his meat. He would have gripped a hunk of flesh in his mouth, steadied the meat by pulling on it with one of his hands and used the other hand — which was probably the dominant one — to saw pieces of meat with a stone tool, which would occasionally scrape against his teeth. a. A right-handed Homo habilis would have pulled at the meat with the left hand and cut with the right. b. A stereomicroscopic composite of the cast of one of the teeth used in the analysis. Credit: David W. Frayer The right-leaning direction of these scrapes — which have also been detected in fossil teeth belonging to Neanderthals and other human relatives — told the scientists that a tool held in the right hand had made the marks. Humans aren't the only mammal species that favors one hand over the other; this trait appears in animals "from kangaroos to chimpanzees," the study authors wrote. However, having a dominant hand that appears overwhelmingly across an entire species is uniquely human; 90 percent of people today are right-handed, the researchers estimated, compared with 50 percent of individuals in humans' primate relatives. But when did humans first develop a preference for using the right hand over the left? Fossil arm bones might hold clues, but researchers would need both arms from a single individual to tell which hand the individual used more often in life, and that's proven hard to find in the fossil record. However, this new discovery suggests that scientists could find the evidence preserved in fossil teeth, which are more plentiful than matched pairs of arm bones, the researchers said. While this is as yet the only example of dominant hand use in humans' early lineage, other fossils may provide the clues researchers need to trace the origins of "righty" vs. "lefty," the scientists said. The findings were published online in the November issue of the Journal of Evolution. Original article on Live Science. ||||| Fossils from the “handy man” of the human family tree have now provided the oldest known evidence of right-handedness in our lineage. The discovery comes from a 1.8-million-year-old upper jawbone of Homo habilis, a human ancestor who lived in eastern and southern Africa from 2.4 to 1.4 million years ago. Scientists suspect the species was a regular user of stone tools, which are found in abundance around the fossil discovery site. The jawbone’s teeth, still firmly in place, are covered in diagonal scratches that were most likely made when this Homo habilis individual, perhaps a female, accidentally nicked her teeth with a stone tool held in her right hand. While the Homo habilis jawbone is a sample size of one, its very existence says that scientists could use the species’ teeth to learn more about ancient humans’ brain organization. Today, about 90 percent of humans are right-handed, a skewed ratio that’s associated with how much the two hemispheres of our brain divide up processing different tasks. Intriguingly, the human brain’s left hemisphere not only controls the body’s right side, but it also contains the centers that control language. “There’s an association between right-handedness, cerebral lateral asymmetry, and language—all fit together in a package,” says anthropologist David Frayer of the University of Kansas. Frayer led the study of the Homo habilis jawbone, published online last week in the Journal of Human Evolution. This relationship seems to hold across primates: Neanderthal remains, for instance, show that they were also overwhelmingly right-handed, while chimpanzees are about three-fifths right-handed, by some estimates. Bonobos show no preference for either hand. Getting Into the Groove The Homo habilis fossil is from Tanzania’s Olduvai Gorge, one of the richest fossil sites containing ancient hominin remains. The specimen is more than 1.3 million years older than the next oldest evidence for handedness in humans, a set of Homo heidelbergensis jawbones and teeth first described in 2009. Counterintuitively, scientists often have to rely on ancient teeth to determine what ancient hominins were doing with their hands. Experiments with modern humans wearing mouth guards suggest that if a person holds an object taut between her mouth and nondominant hand—a large hunk of food, perhaps, or maybe a hide—and then cuts it with a stone tool in her dominant hand, the tool occasionally nicks the person’s teeth. If a person is right-handed, those grooves run from the upper left to the lower right of the tooth surface. Sure enough, when Frayer and his colleagues examined the Homo habilis jawbone, the teeth exhibited these diagonal grooves, suggesting that 1.8 million years ago, someone in what’s now Tanzania may well have been a right-hand woman—or a right-hand man. “Teeth are incredible because they preserve their chemistry, growth, and development,” says Debbie Guatelli-Steinberg, an anthropologist at the Ohio State University who wasn’t involved with the study. “You can extract a lot from them—no pun intended.” Frayer and Guatelli-Steinberg both point out, however, that one set of teeth cannot tell the whole story. “For this to really speak to the human trait—a predilection of right-handedness—we need to get some idea of the proportion of individuals who were using their right hands,” says Guatelli-Steinberg. Frayer says that he hopes the new study will help to solve that problem by inspiring other researchers to examine additional Homo habilis teeth for the telltale grooves. ||||| As any lefty knows well, our world is largely built for righties. Basic items from scissors and knives to cameras and computer mice are all designed to suit the roughly nine in 10 people who are right-handed. New evidence suggests this lopsided split may date back more than a millennia, according to an international team of anthropologists. Researchers said a 1.8-million-year-old fossilized jaw bears the scratches of a person who was right-handed. This finding could help scientists better understand how the human brain developed and when we first developed language. The Homo habilis fossil is more than four times older than what scientists previously believed was the oldest fossil evidence of our right-handed tendencies, according to the study published Oct. 20 in the Journal of Human Evolution. Three perspectives of the 1.8-million-year-old fossil. Image: David frayer The fossil discovery "may tell us something about when language first appeared," said David Frayer, the study's lead author and a professor of biological anthropology at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. "Language, handedness, brain laterality — the difference in function between the left and right side of the brain — are all interrelated," Frayer told Mashable. The study carries a big caveat. Frayer and his colleagues were only able to study one Homo habilis fossil. Few other fossils from this age have been discovered, and they largely reside in collections in Africa, where nobody on the team works, he said. If other scientists find evidence of a left-handed human ancestor from the same period, it would undermine this study's conclusions about when humans developed a common dominant hand. "This specimen is only one, but we're hoping that people will find more, or look at more specimens," Frayer said. Right v. Left The prevalence of righties is a defining characteristic of our species. Researchers estimate that about 90 percent of modern humans are right-handed. Neanderthals and pre-Neanderthals likely had a similar ratio of righties to lefties, according to fossil evidence dating back 430,000 years. Left-handedness is less rare among U.S. presidents, it turns out. President Barack Obama followed seven 20th-century left-handed presidents, including Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan. Image: Ron Sachs-Pool/Getty images Apes, by contrast, are closer to a 50-50 split when it comes to right- and left-handedness. The new study supports earlier evidence that Homo habilis were closer to modern humans than apes and that they had brain lateralization, meaning their right and left halves of the brain specialized in different functions. In humans, the left half of the brain controls the right side of the body. The left side also plays a primary role in speech production and language comprehension. That is partly why scientists believe that our right-handedness is associated with our brain functions and language capacity. "Neanderthals at least probably had language," Frayer said. He added that the Homo habilis fossil "is just the beginning to look for that kind of evidence in the earliest Homo [habilis]." Scratched teeth The 1.8-million-year-old upper jaw fossil was discovered in present-day Tanzania. Frayer and his colleagues determined the bone belonged to a righty by studying the scratch marks across six front teeth. Because the scratches appeared only on the front of the teeth — not the backs or sides — the anthropologists surmised the early human nicked his or her teeth during a pre-historic feast. Frayer described an individual clenching a strip of tough meat between her teeth. Her left hand pulled the other end tight, while her right hand used a sharp stone tool to scrape off easier-to-chew chunks. When her right hand slipped, the tool would have scraped her teeth, leaving diagonal grooves. A) A right-hander pulls with the left and cuts with the right. B) Dense concentrations of striations show that the tooth surface was repeatedly modified by a stone tool. Image: David Frayer The anthropologists tallied 559 total marks on the six front teeth. About 47 percent of the scratches were slanted in the direction of a right-handed cut. About 11 percent of the scratches slanted the opposite direction, reflecting a left-handed cutting motion. The remaining scratches were horizontal or vertical. "These teeth were used as platforms to process materials, and so there were lots of different scratches," Frayer said. But the right-handed scratches were disproportionately high and statistically significant, leading the researchers to conclude that the jaw's owner was most likely right-handed. It's possible that Frayer and his colleagues have misinterpreted these scratches. Bernard Wood, a paleoanthropologist at George Washington University who was not part of the study, told the Christian Science Monitor that Frayer and his colleagues might be jumping to conclusions. "My concern is that they really don't spend enough time on other explanations for these phenomena, the presence of these scratches and their directionality," Wood said. "It's a really interesting observation that only time will tell whether that observation has been over-interpreted." ||||| Labial striations on the anterior teeth have been documented in numerous European pre-Neandertal and Neandertal fossils and serve as evidence for handedness. OH-65, dated at 1.8 mya, shows a concentration of oblique striations on, especially, the left I1 and right I1, I2 and C1, which signal that it was right-handed. From these patterns we contend that OH-65 was habitually using the right hand, over the left, in manipulating objects during some kind of oral processing. In living humans right-handedness is generally correlated with brain lateralization, although the strength of the association is questioned by some. We propose that as more specimens are found, right-handedness, as seen in living Homo, will most probably be typical of these early hominins.

– A lot has changed over 1.8 million years, but perhaps not the tendency of hominids to favor their right hand. An upper jawbone belonging to a human relative who lived in what is now Tanzania almost 2 million years ago has been discovered with scratches on its still-intact teeth, and scientists have a clear idea about how they were made: by a stone tool held in the Homo habilis individual's right hand. Why is that significant? Well, it represents the earliest known evidence of right-handedness among human relatives. The next oldest comes from the 500,000-year-old teeth of a Homo heidelbergensis individual, per National Geographic. Evidence also suggests Neanderthals were predominantly right-handed. In the case of Homo habilis, archaeologists think the teeth nicks came about thusly: The individual would have a piece of meat clenched in his teeth, and while he stretched it out with one hand, he used the other, dominant, hand, to cut it with a stone, explains Live Science. (It provides a graphic of what this looks like.) Occasionally, the stone would slip, and the direction of the resulting nicks suggests the right hand was the one used, a theory backed up in modern experiments. Few studies have analyzed Homo habilis teeth for such marks, but study author David Frayer of the University of Kansas hopes his research will encourage others to do just that. The discovery may also offer insights about when language first appeared since "language, handedness, brain laterality ... are all interrelated," he tells Mashable. (This is the oldest evidence of human cancer.)

Baby Link was born extremely early at 23 weeks old, over 4 months before his due date. He's fighting for his life in the intensive care unit. But that's not the end of his story. Link is an identical twin. Due to a few complications, he was forced into delivery with little to no chance to live, but it was not in vain, he gave the doctors an option to do a rare procedure called Delayed Interval Delivery. This gave his smaller size brother a 2nd chance to stay in the his mothers womb to grow and have a chance at life. But despite all odds Link lived after the birth and through the night, and now a week. He's fighting for his life, waiting for the day he gets to meet his brother on the outside. We thank you and appreciate the donations which will go towards medical bills, medical equipment, and medical care. More about Link Born Tuesday, September 29th 2015. Link is super small. Born at only 500 grams (about 1lb 2oz) his mom's wedding ring could fit around his arms and legs. And her fingers are about the size of his arms. More about Logan Logan is still currently in his mother growing. Each day he says in there, he has a better chance of survival. He was much smaller then Link because of a complication called Twin to Twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), a condition that can lead to death of both babies if not taken care of. More About them Both Link and Logan had been given a week to live at 21 weeks unless surgery was performed for their TTTS. They had a very successful surgery that saved them, but then pPROM cause an early delivery, robbing them of a fair chance to continue growing. But because of the surgery, they no longer technically shared the same blood flow through the placenta. It was lasered to give them each a dedicated blood flow. A requirement of DID to work is that each baby needs their own placenta. ||||| Twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a disease of the placenta (or afterbirth) that affects identical twin pregnancies. TTTS affects identical twins (or higher multiple gestations), who share a common monochorionic placenta. The shared placenta contains abnormal blood vessels, which connect the umbilical cords and circulations of the twins. The common placenta may also be shared unequally by the twins, and one twin may have a share too small to provide the necessary nutrients to grow normally or even survive. The events in pregnancy that lead to TTTS - the timing of the twinning event, the number and type of connecting vessels, and the way the placenta is shared by the twins are all random events that have no primary prevention (see section on The Monochorionic Placenta), is not hereditary or genetic, nor is it caused by anything the parents did or did not do. TTTS can happen to anyone. The placenta is the only biologic structure that can cause the death or injury of more than one person at the same time. Depending on the number, type and direction of the connecting vessels, blood can be transfused disproportionately from one twin (the donor) to the other twin (the recipient). The transfusion causes the donor twin to have decreased blood volume. This in turn leads to slower than normal growth than its co-twin, and poor urinary output causing little to no amniotic fluid or oligohydramnios (the source of most of the amniotic fluid is urine from the baby). The recipient twin becomes overloaded with blood. This excess blood puts a strain on this baby’s heart to the point that it may develop heart failure, and also causes this baby to have too much amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios) from a greater than normal production of urine. TTTS can occur at any time during pregnancy, even while a mother is in labor at term. The placental abnormalities determine when and to what degree a transfusion occurs between the twins. Chronic TTTS describes those cases that appear early in pregnancy (12-26 weeks’ gestation). These cases are the most serious because the babies are immature and cannot be delivered. In addition, the twins will have a longer time during their development in the womb to be affected by the TTTS abnormalities. Without treatment, most of these babies would not survive and of the survivors, most would have handicaps or birth defects. Acute TTTS describes those cases that occur suddenly, whenever there is a major difference in the blood pressures between the twins. This may occur in labor at term, or during the last third of pregnancy whenever one twin becomes gravely ill or even passes away as a result of the abnormalities in their shared placenta. Acute TTTS twins may have a better chance to survive based on their gestational age, but may have a greater chance of surviving with handicaps. ||||| KIRKLAND, Wash. -- Identical twin brothers are off to a very unusual start in life. One is in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, born extremely prematurely. The other is still in the womb and hopefully won't be born until January. Baby Link weighed just 1 lb, 2 oz. when he was born 23 weeks into his mother's pregnancy. It's a gestational time considered to be on the cusp of viability. While Link has heart and lung issues, he is doing well considering his medical hurdles. The tiny baby is an identical twin, and doctors originally expected to have both newborns in the NICU at EvergreenHealth Medical Center. But instead, brother Logan is still in their mother's womb. "It's very surreal to be post partum and (pre) partum," mother Holli Gorveatt said. "Logan's good, so he's growing a lot and he's just kicking. He's got fluid, he can move around. He was stuck before." "No contractions," added her husband Nick Gorveatt. Dr. Martin Walker delivered Link, but first, he fixed a complication called Twin Twin Transfusion Syndrome. The babies shared a single placenta. "It's rather like having two plants growing out of the same pot," explained Dr. Walker. "They send their umbilical cords down into the placenta, the 'roots' go out through the placenta, these are the blood vessels. And where they touch each other, they join together and they allow blood to flow freely between babies. All identical twins sharing a placenta have these connections. About 20% of them get into a situation where one baby gives the other baby more blood than he gets back. So you have a situation where one baby becomes anemic and weak from blood loss and the other baby becomes over stuffed with blood, bloated and goes into heart failure." Dr. Walker was able to perform surgery, in utero, separating the babies blood vessels. It wound up saving their lives - twice. First, it solved the blood flow problem. And then, when Holli went into early labor a week later, the separation of the babies meant Link could be born and Logan could stay in. "So far so good," Dr. Walker said of Holli. "She remains pregnant just about a week and a half since that procedure. And it's a real big week and a half for that baby that's in there. During that time the baby has grown, looks healthy." Link is so fragile, his parents can't hold him. Their only contact is through the incubator where Link can reach out to touch he parent's finger, which dwarfs his tiny hands. But they can be with him, celebrating his September birth while waiting for what they hope will be his twin brother's January birthday. "I get emotional when I see him sometimes," Holli said. "Holding his hand, there's some times when it gets pretty tough in there. But you want to watch him and even sitting in the room with him is awesome." Holli is on bed rest while awaiting Logan's birth. His due date is January 26, 2016, and while Holli might not go full term, that is the hope. If the boys are born four months apart, Nick says they'll contact Guinness World Records. It might be the longest amount of time recorded between the births of twins. The delayed delivery is also particularly unusual since the boys are identical twins. Dr. Walker is only aware of it happening with fraternal twins in the past. The Gorveatt's are from Ferndale in Whatcom County, so they face mounting bills with Holli on bed rest in Kirkland and two other young children who need childcare. If you would like to help, visit their gofundme page ||||| Washington Couple Prepares for the Birth of Son – Months After His Identical Twin Brother Was Born Nick and Holli Gorveatt of Washington state are preparing for the birth of their second son, Logan, months after his identical twin brother, Link, was born.Link (born Sept. 29) and Logan showed signs of a condition in utero called "twin to twin" syndrome, in which one of them draws blood from their sibling, leaving both sick: One becomes bloated and the other becomes weak without enough blood.Dr. Martin Walker, director of fetal medicine at Evergreen Health Medical Center in Washington state, told ABC that the syndrome is fatal in 90 percent of cases. Though a surgery to treat the pair's condition was a success, complications forced Walker and the team to deliver Link at just 23 weeks.Link is so fragile that he cannot eat without specialized help. It's too dangerous for his parents to pick him up or hold him, so they're forced to view him in his incubator.But the good news is that the emergency delivery allowed Logan to remain healthy in utero and give him a better shot at avoiding complications when it came time to deliver him. The team hopes to deliver him at full term, but note that even if they don't, his odds for survival increase every day he stays in Holli's womb."Logan's good, so he's growing a lot and he's just kicking," Holli told ABC . "It's very surreal to be post-partum and pre-partum," she added. ||||| A Washington state couple is preparing for the birth of their second twin -- months after the first twin was born in September. Nick and Holli Gorveatt welcomed their son Link on Sept. 29, according to officials from the Evergreen Health Medical Center. Born at 23 weeks, the infant is so fragile that his parents are still unable to hold him. "It's very surreal to be post-partum and pre-partum," Holli Gorveatt told ABC's Seattle affiliate KOMO-TV. Holli Gorveatt originally arrived at the hospital in Kirkland, Washington, after the twins showed signs of a condition in utero called "twin to twin" syndrome. In that case, one twin draws blood from the other in utero. The condition can leave both twins sick, with one becoming bloated and the other becoming weakened without enough blood supply. Dr. Martin Walker, director of fetal medicine at Evergreen Health Medical Center, said that without treatment, the syndrome is fatal in 90 percent of cases. While the surgery went well, there was another complication days later. The pressure from the twins put too much pressure on Gorveatt's cervix, and the amniotic sac for Link was unable to be contained, Walker said. As a result of the pressure, Walker and his team were forced to deliver Link at 23 weeks, right at the edge of viability. "These tiny, tiny babies are very fragile," Walker told ABC News. Link is so small that he cannot eat without specialized help and cannot even be picked up by his parents, who have to view him in the incubator. After Link was born, Walker said he realized that the pressure had been relieved and that it was possible to stop Gorveatt from delivering her second son by manually closing the cervix. Due to the procedure to stop "twin to twin" syndrome, the second twin Logan could remain healthy in utero, Walker said. "If she had gone into ... full-on labor, there is not much we could have done," Walker explained. By stopping Gorveatt from delivering her second son, the team could give Logan a better chance at avoiding severe complications from premature birth, including bleeding in the brain. An infant born at 23 weeks has just a 10 percent chance at normal development, Walker noted. If Logan was delivered this week, now at 25 weeks, we would have a 50 percent chance at normal development. While the team hopes to have Logan delivered at full term, Walker said his odds for survival increase tremendously each day he remains in the womb. "He will be bigger [than his brother], growth in utero is so much better than growth in the [neonatal intensive care unit]," he said. Holli Gorveatt said she can already tell that Logan is doing well. "Logan's good, so he's growing a lot and he's just kicking. He's got fluid, he can move around. He was stuck before," she told KOMO-TV. Gorveatt will probably remain at the hospital until she delivers Logan, Walker said.

– Just 23 weeks into Holli Gorveatt's pregnancy, she gave birth to Link, who weighed in at 1 pound 2 ounces and, right on the edge of viability, stands a 10% chance of normal development. Just as astounding is that Link has an identical twin brother Logan who remains in utero and is growing normally. The unusual situation, which has left Gorveatt both pre- and post-partum at the same time, is the result of twin to twin syndrome, in which the developing fetuses share a placenta and one draws blood from the other, leaving one "bloated" and the other "weak," reports People. The syndrome is fatal 90% of the time, Martin Walker, their doctor and the director of fetal medicine at Evergreen Health Medical Center in Kirkland, Wash., tells ABC News. The twins underwent surgery at 21 weeks gestation in September to divide the placenta, but the pressure the twins put on Gorveatt's cervix led to complications with Link's amniotic sac; Walker was forced to deliver him on Sept. 29. Walker then manually closed her cervix to keep Logan in utero—which he would not have been able to do had he not previously divided the placenta. Link is so small—a "micro" preemie—that he cannot eat on his own or even be held by his parents, who must resort to touching his tiny hand through an incubator. KOMONews reports that Gorveatt is on bed rest, and could be for months: Logan's due date is Jan. 26. She and her husband Nick are almost halfway to their goal of $7,500 on GoFundMe to help cover their mounting bills. (There is new pressure to try to save babies born as early as 22 weeks.)

NEW YORK (AP) — TurboTax, the country's most popular do-it-yourself tax preparation software, said Friday that it has temporarily stopped processing state tax returns because of an increase in fraudulent filings. FILE - In this Jan. 24, 2013 file photo, a customer looks at a copy of TurboTax on sale at Costco in Mountain View, Calif. TurboTax says it has temporarily stopped processing state tax returns due to... (Associated Press) State agencies have reported a rise in filings with stolen personal information, said Intuit, the company behind TurboTax. Most victims found out that a fraudulent tax return was submitted in their name when they received a rejection notice after filing their returns, said Intuit spokeswoman Julie Miller. There haven't been issues with federal returns to date because the Internal Revenue Service has implemented stronger fraud detection policies, Miller said. Intuit is working with security company Palantir to investigate the problem. So far, there has been no security breach of its systems, the company said. Instead, it believes personal information was stolen elsewhere and used to file returns on TurboTax. Miller linked the problem to recent security breaches at large companies. Just this week, Blue Cross Blue Shield insurer Anthem Inc. said hackers gained access to the Social Security numbers, names, addresses and other personal information of about 80 million people. It follows other security breaches at JPMorgan Chase and several retailers, including Home Depot and Target. "You have a pretty rich pool of data out there in the world," said Miller. Intuit said state tax returns already filed when the halt began on Thursday will be transmitted as soon as possible. Consumers can still use TurboTax, and the company will file the state tax returns when the halt is lifted. The company expects to start processing state returns again on Friday with increased fraud protections, said Miller. TurboTax processed 30 million tax returns last year, Miller said. Rival H&R Block Inc., which also sells tax preparation software, did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. Shares of Intuit Inc., based in Mountain View, California, fell $3.03, or 3.3 percent, to $88.71 in midday trading Friday. ||||| TurboTax has turned off the ability of its software to e-file state tax returns across the U.S. after the company found "an increase in suspicious filings," the company said. (Photo: Paul Sakuma, AP) TurboTax late Friday restored the ability of its software to e-file state tax returns across the USA after the company turned it off Thursday finding "an increase in suspicious filings," the company said today. The tax-preparation software company has found an increase in criminal activity where stolen personal data are used to file fake state returns with state authorities. This illegal act allows fraudsters to claim tax refunds from state governments. TurboTax turned off the filing feature Thursday to stop any potential fraud. But e-filing was restored at about 6 p.m. eastern. "We are taking this issue very seriously and from the moment it emerged it has been all-hands-on-deck," says Brad Smith, CEO of TurboTax publisher Intuit. "I am more than pleased we were able to resume transmission for our customers within about 24 hours." An internal TurboTax investigation has found the breaches were not due to a problem with its own systems, but criminals digging up the personal information elsewhere. The company said the investigation is ongoing. Intuit says it's working with state tax officials to get the e-filing security back to where it needs to be to turn it back on. TurboTax customers who already e-filed their state returns don't have to do anything. The returns will be transmitted again when the problem is resolved, TurboTax says. The e-filing halt only affected state returns. Federal tax returns could still be filed electronically, says TurboTax and confirmed by Anthony Burkes, spokesman at the IRS. FREE UPGRADE: TurboTax sets Saturday for software upload PRICE HIKE OUTCRY: TurboTax caves to customers' complaints Intuit's move comes after Minnesota's Department of Revenue says it will no longer accept tax filings submitted electronically using TurboTax, according to a statement. The state says two taxpayers logged into TurboTax to file their tax forms but were told filings were already made, reports the StarTribune. The state is reviewing thousands of other state filings sent electronically. So far, the problem appears to be centered on TurboTax. H&R Block, which makes tax-preparation software that competes with TurboTax says "we have no indication this issue exists with H&R Block online state returns," in a statement issued by the compay. "H&R Block continues to file state and federal returns as usual." H&R Block says it has "sophisticated monitoring and quality assurance methods," to thwart this type of fraud. Additionally, H&R Block won't allow the transmission of a state e-filing until there's also an accepted federal return filed, too, the company says. States are currently looking for patterns in fraudulent returns, and sharing what they find with each other, says Gale Garriott, director of the Federation of Tax Administrators. This information - once added to systems - will help the states identify returns that are more likely fraudulent, he says. "States are taking this seriously and want to make sure legitimate taxpayers can file," he says. All the necessary personal information to fill out a fraudulent tax return is readily available for purchase in underground sites online, said Victor Searcy, IDT911, an identity management company based in Scottsdale, Ariz.. "It's almost like going to Amazon, you can buy just one or in bulk. And just like at Costco, if you buy in bulk it costs less," he said. This type of boiler room tax fraud operation isn't uncommon, although most previously uncovered fraudsters have focused on federal tax returns. A report by the Government Accountability Office released in 2014 found that the IRS paid $5.2 billion in refunds filed with fraudulent identities in 2013. GETTING PERSONAL: TurboTax keeps data such as Soc. Sec. numbers The criminals often simply set up shop in a hotel room somewhere "and start banging out refunds that they file online," said Searcy, who works with customers who are the victims of fraud. "Usually what happens is they go and file their own tax refund and when they get a notification from the IRS that there's already a return that's been submitted. They then discover that somebody has already filed, using their information," he said. The process is highly remunerative, in part because the IRS has made it so easy for citizens to get their refunds. Unfortunately, that "also makes it easier for the criminals. They can have checks mailed, they can have them deposited directly or they can have it put on a prepaid debit card," he said. The state e-file fiasco is just the latest headache for Intuit's TurboTax this tax season. This year, users of the software have been outraged by a stealth price hike that forced many investors and self-employed people to pay 50% more for the software. Intuit hopes to put an end to the controversy Saturday when anyone who buys the less expensive Deluxe version can upgrade to the Premier or Home & Business version for free. Shares of Intuit (INTU) closed down $3.88, or 4.2%, to $87.83 on the news. Read or Share this story: http://usat.ly/1D5Dqdb

– On the heels of Minnesota putting a halt on accepting returns filed using TurboTax over fraud concerns, the tax-preparation software company has disabled all state tax return e-filings as of yesterday. The company acknowledged that it has identified "an increase in suspicious filings," USA Today reports; the situations apparently involve stolen personal data (taken from someplace other than TurboTax's internal systems) that was then used to file the returns. The Wall Street Journal reports that Utah, Alabama, and Georgia have issued press releases related to suspicions of fraud, with Alabama officials having spotted up to 16,000 worrisome returns. What Intuit CEO Brad Smith has to say, per a press release: "We've identified specific patterns of behavior where fraud is more likely to occur. We're working with the states to share that information and remedy the situation quickly." If you've already filed with TurboTax, do nothing, says the company: The AP reports that state tax returns already filed when the halt began yesterday will be transmitted as soon as the halt is lifted; federal returns can still currently be processed via the software. Intuit expects to start processing state returns again today with increased fraud protections, per a rep.

President Barack Obama, left, is joined by former President Bill Clinton, right, and Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate from Virginia, former Gov. Tim Kaine, center, on stage at a rally at Jiffy... (Associated Press) Just two days from the finish, President Barack Obama's campaign is mobilizing a massive get-out-the-vote effort aimed at carrying the Democrat to victory, as Republican Mitt Romney makes a late play for votes in Democratic-leaning Pennsylvania. Both campaigns were predicting wins in Tuesday's election. Obama was closing out the campaign with an apparent edge in some key battleground states, including Ohio. But Romney's campaign was projecting momentum and banking on late-breaking voters to propel him to victory in the exceedingly close race. "Words are cheap and a record is real and it's earned with effort," Romney said Saturday, making a final appeal to voters in Colorado. The Republican was cutting away briefly Sunday from the nine or so competitive states that have dominated the candidates' travel itineraries this fall. Romney, along with running mate Paul Ryan, had an early evening event planned in Morrisville, Pa., his first rally in the state this fall. Romney's visit follows the decision by his campaign and its Republican allies to put millions of dollars in television advertising in Pennsylvania during the race's final weeks. Obama's team followed suit, making a late advertising buy of its own. The Republican ticket cast the late push into the Keystone State as a sign that Romney had momentum and a chance to pull away states that Obama's campaign assumed it would win handily. The president's team called the move a "Hail Mary" and a sign Romney still doesn't have a clear pathway to reaching the required 270 Electoral College votes. Democrats have a million-voter registration advantage in Pennsylvania. Obama senior adviser David Plouffe said that means Romney would have to win two-thirds of the state's independents, a prospect he called "an impossibility." The president caught a few hours of sleep back at the White House Saturday night before hitting the campaign trail again Sunday. After Marine One lifts off from the South Lawn Sunday morning, Obama won't return to the executive mansion again until after Election Day. Obama had a full schedule, with campaign stops Sunday in New Hampshire, Florida, Ohio and Colorado. The president's rallies are aimed at boosting Democratic enthusiasm and motivating as many supporters as possible to cast their votes, either in the final hours of early voting or on Tuesday, Election Day. Persuading undecided voters, now just a tiny sliver of the electorate in battleground states, has become a secondary priority. Obama and former President Bill Clinton drew 24,000 people to an outdoor rally in Bristow, Va., on a cold Saturday night. Clinton, his voice hoarse after a week of campaigning, said he had "given my voice in the service of my president." But that didn't stop him from launching into a 30-minute defense of Obama and his economic policies. He also slammed Romney for his shifting positions, saying "He could be the chief contortionist for Cirque de Soleil." Obama, who spoke second, embraced Clinton as he walked on stage. The president said at this stage of the campaign, he was largely "a prop" and the race was in the voters' hands. "The power is not with us anymore," he said. "It's all up to you." Obama's campaign said it had registered 1.8 million voters in key battleground states, nearly double the number of voters they registered in 2008. Campaign officials said volunteers had made 125 million personal phone calls or door knocks with voters. Romney has also attracted large crowds in the final weekend of campaigning. His rally in Ohio on Friday drew more than 20,000 people. The Republican nominee has been using teleprompters to deliver his final campaign speeches. He's claiming the mantle of change _ and highlighting what he says was a bipartisan record as governor of Massachusetts. In addition to Pennsylvania, Romney will campaign Sunday in Iowa, Ohio and Virginia. ___ Associated Press writer Kasie Hunt in Englewood, Colo., contributed to this report. ___ Follow Julie Pace at http://twitter.com/jpaceDC ||||| PPP's daily national tracking poll now finds Barack Obama leading Mitt Romney 50-47 based on interviews conducted between Thursday and Saturday. This is the first time either candidate has led by more than 2 points in the three weeks we've been doing this survey. Obama has led in 4 individual days of polling in a row since Wednesday, suggesting that he may be getting a bounce based on his leadership during Hurricane Sandy. Obama's approval is now on positive ground at 48/47. On our release last Saturday night he was at 44/52, so his net approval has improved 9 points in the last week. Obama's net favorability rating of +5 (51/46) is now 7 points better than Romney's is at -2 (47/49). There are a couple reasons Obama has pulled into this small lead. One is that he's turned what had been a persistent disadvantage with independents into a 49/44 advantage. The other is that he's reduced what had been a 20+ point deficit with white voters back down to a 57/40 spread. When you combine that with his 89/9 lead among African Americans and 67/28 edge with Hispanics it's the formula for a small overall lead. There are also indications that young voters might be renewing their enthusiasm for Obama in the closing stage of the campaign. He's leading 66/33 with respondents under 30, making up for his 49/47 deficit with the rest of the electorate. It's still a very close race but momentum seems to be on Obama's side in the closing stretch. Full results here ||||| Add a location to your Tweets When you tweet with a location, Twitter stores that location. You can switch location on/off before each Tweet and always have the option to delete your location history. Learn more ||||| The Saturday before the election produced a predictably large volume of polling in battleground states — but also some predictable-seeming results, with most of the polls coming close to the average of other polls. Because President Obama leads in the polling average in most of the swing states, this means that most of the polls there on Saturday showed him ahead as well. Among the 21 polls in battleground states on Saturday, 16 had Mr. Obama ahead as compared with just two leads for Mr. Romney; three other battleground state polls had the race tied. Photo Some of the consistency in these results may reflect a tendency of polls to converge or “herd” around the polling average close to Election Day. This may occur because some polling firms alter their turnout models or other aspects of the polls so as not to produce outliers — a dubious practice if the goal is to provide an objective take on the race. At the same time, Mr. Obama’s state polls continue to show more strength than they did just after the Denver debate. As we wrote on Saturday, we are at the point where the polls would have to be biased against Mr. Romney (in a statistical sense) in order for him to win the Electoral College. It is worth emphasizing the point once more that, for all the distractions caused by individual polls, the polling averages have been very reliable in the era of rich state polling. In the table below, I have listed every instance in the FiveThirtyEight database since 1988 in which at least three polling firms issued likely voter polls in the final two weeks before an election. I have taken a simple average of the last poll that each firm released, similar to the Real Clear Politics method for averaging polls. Photo Of the 77 states with at least three late polls, the winner was called correctly in 74 cases. (I exclude Missouri in 2000, where the polling average showed an exact tie.) There has been little tendency for the state polling averages to overrate either Democrats or Republicans, or either incumbents or challengers. The state polls also performed fairly well in two years, 1996 and 2000, when the national polls were somewhat off the mark. The chances of a miss are higher, of course, when the polls show a closer race. Even among the 33 cases where the final polling margin in a state was within five percentage points, however, the polling average identified the winner correctly in 30 cases. The FiveThirtyEight forecast model uses a more sophisticated method than this to estimate the chance of a polling miss. For instance, it looks at how much the polls have historically missed the final margin in the election, rather than simply whether they called the winner correctly. In Ohio in 2000, for example, George W. Bush was projected to win by eight points in the polling average, but carried the state by about three points instead. That is a reasonably large error, even if it did not reverse the outcome. Furthermore, the FiveThirtyEight estimates of the uncertainty in the polling averages are based partly on earlier years, like in 1980, in which there were few state polls but when the national polls performed poorly. There are other characteristics of this year’s polling that make upsets less likely. The polls tend to be more accurate when there are fewer undecideds in the race, and fewer voters who say they will vote for third-party candidates. The number of undecided voters is now very small in most states, and third-party candidates are not a major factor in the race (as they are in volatile polling years like 1980 and 1992). Instead, Mr. Obama is at about 50 percent of the vote in the polling average in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Nevada and Michigan; at close to 49 percent in Ohio; and at about 48 percent in Iowa, New Hampshire, Virginia and Colorado. There are not really any recent precedents in which a candidate has led by something like 49 percent to 46 percent in the final polling average, as Mr. Obama does now in Ohio, and has wound up losing the state. That does not mean such misses cannot or will not occur: there have only been a few elections when we have had as much state polling data as we do now, which is why the model allows for the possibility of a 1980-type error based on how the national polls performed that year. But the reasonably high level of confidence that the model expresses in Mr. Obama’s chances of winning Ohio and other states reflects the historical reality that the polling average normally does pretty well. That brings us to Pennsylvania — where the forecast model puts Mr. Obama’s chances at better than 95 percent. One poll of Pennsylvania on Saturday, from Susquehanna Polling and Research, showed a different result, with the two candidates tied at 47 percent. But in context, this is not such a great poll for Mr. Romney. The polling firm has had a very strong Republican lean this cycle — about five percentage points relative to the consensus, a much larger lean than firms like Rasmussen Reports and Public Policy Polling that are often criticized for having partisan results. Susquehanna is the only pollster to have shown Mr. Romney ahead in Pennsylvania at any point in the race, as they did on one occasion in February and another in October (Mr. Romney led by four points in their previous poll of the state). Perhaps they will be proven right, but it is usually a bad bet to bank on the one poll rather than the many. Still, Mr. Romney’s campaign is making a late play for Pennsylvania with advertising dollars and a visit there on Sunday. That is probably a reasonable strategy, even though Mr. Romney’s chances of pulling out a victory in Pennsylvania are slim. What makes it reasonable is that Mr. Romney’s alternative paths to an Electoral College victory are not looking all that much stronger. Wisconsin, for instance, is one of the states where Mr. Obama has shown the sharpest rebound in his polling. Another issue for Mr. Romney is that Wisconsin allows voters to register on Election Day, which may make it one case where the likely voter models that pollsters apply are too restrictive. Polls put out by two Wisconsin-based universities, St. Norbert College and Marquette University, show a larger lead for Mr. Obama than those produced by national polling firms, which may not account for these nuances. (Democrats slightly outperformed the polling average in Wisconsin in both 2004 and 2008.) Nevada is problematic for Mr. Romney because perhaps 65 or 70 percent of its vote has already been cast — and because Democrats have roughly a 50,000-ballot lead there based on the votes that have been collected so far. The better news for Mr. Romney is that Democratic margins in the early vote count are down from 2008. But Mr. Obama carried Nevada by more than 12 percentage points that year, so he could lose a significant amount from his margin and still win. Democrats also have about a 63,000-ballot lead in Iowa based on the early vote. That is down from an 87,000-ballot lead for Democrats in 2008. Still, as in Nevada, this is a state where Mr. Obama can afford to lose something from his 2008 margin, when he won Iowa by about 10 percentage points. Ohio is another early-voting state. The most recent figures in Democratic-leaning Cuyahoga County, home to Cleveland, suggest that about 236,000 votes have already been cast there, representing 35 percent of 2008 turnout. In Franklin County, where Columbus is the largest city and which is the Democrats’ next best county in the state, early votes represent 36 percent of 2008 turnout. By comparison, the early vote represents 21 percent of 2008 turnout in the other 86 counties in Ohio, combined. Unlike in Iowa and Nevada, where the early-voting numbers favor Democrats but are down from 2008, the statistics in Ohio could wind up being quite similar to those from 2008 once the last two days of early balloting are concluded on Sunday and Monday. In 2008, 39 percent of the vote was cast early in Cuyahoga County and 44 percent in Franklin County, compared with 22 percent elsewhere in the state. The early-voting figures in these states tell a story that seems to be consistent with the polling. In contrast to Iowa and Nevada, where Mr. Obama will almost certainly underperform his 2008 margins, the polls anticipate less of a decline for Mr. Obama in Ohio, which he won by five percentage points four years ago. My inference, then, is that Mr. Romney’s campaign may be thinking about a map like this one, in which he wins Pennsylvania in order to claim 273 electoral votes. If Mr. Romney did so, he could win the presidency despite losing Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa and Nevada. Photo Mr. Romney could not afford to lose Virginia, where he is narrowly behind in the polling average, or Florida, where he is narrowly ahead. He could also not afford to lose Colorado, unless he won New Hampshire. But Florida, Virginia and Colorado are traditionally slightly Republican-leaning. If Mr. Romney overperforms his state polls across the board — something he will need to do anyway to win the election — they may come along for the ride. Is Mr. Romney likely to flip enough votes in Pennsylvania to win? Probably not. Pennsylvania has historically had quite accurate polling, with the final polling average missing the eventual margin there by just one percentage point on average between 1996 and 2008. It is also a relatively “inelastic” state, meaning that there are relatively few swing voters who make up their minds at the last minute — perhaps part of the reason that the polling has normally been accurate. Given the number of unappealing options for Mr. Romney, however, it may be worth a try. Pennsylvania still ranks seventh on the FiveThirtyEight list of tipping-point states — and that is without considering the mechanics of early voting. Pennsylvania has little early voting, meaning that a larger share of the vote there is still in play. We will still be watching for more swing state polling later on Sunday and on Monday, but the final national polls will also deserve attention. On Sunday, Mr. Obama led by an average of about one percentage point among seven national surveys. That is not much of an edge, but better than had generally been the case for him just after the Denver debate. Photo What Mr. Romney will want to see are national polls showing him a point or so ahead in the race, as was the case just after Denver. If the national polls show a tie on average, then Mr. Romney will be more of an underdog than you might think, since that is when Mr. Obama’s Electoral College advantages will tend to give him their greatest benefit. In the FiveThirtyEight simulation on Saturday, Mr. Obama won the Electoral College about 80 percent of the time when the national popular vote was tied. ||||| President Obama and Republican nominee for president Mitt Romney campaign around the country in the weeks before Election Day. President Obama and Republican nominee for president Mitt Romney campaign around the country in the weeks before Election Day. President Obama and Republican nominee for president Mitt Romney campaign around the country in the weeks before Election Day. On the final weekend of a fiercely fought presidential campaign, President Obama holds a narrow advantage over Mitt Romney in the crucial contest for the electoral votes needed to win the White House, even as national polls continue to show the candidates in a virtual tie for the popular vote. In Congress, despite record levels of disapproval with the institution, voters seem likely to opt for the status quo — Democrats in charge of the Senate and Republicans in the House. Democrats are expected to gain seats in the House but not the 25 needed to recapture the majority lost in the Republican sweep of 2010. In the Senate, Democrats hold a 53-47 majority, including two independents who caucus with them. Although 10 or more races were considered too close to call through much of the fall, Democrats are now in a position to maintain their majority, although perhaps barely. This election assessment, along with reports on all the states, is based on interviews by a team of Washington Post reporters with strategists in the two parties and both presidential campaigns, as well as state and local officials and independent analysts. The assessment includes an analysis of polls on individual states and races that have poured forth over the final weeks before the election. In the presidential campaign, the biggest and most consequential unknowns at this point are the size and shape of the voting population. An electorate that resembles or even slightly exceeds 2008 in terms of the share of minority voters vs. white voters would clearly benefit Obama. A slight decline in the minority share of the electorate and a more even split between Democrats and Republicans — closer to the 2004 electorate than 2008 — would greatly help Romney. Obama, however, may do better among white voters in some of the battleground states than he will do nationally. View Graphic Explore the 2012 electoral map and view historical results and demographics The latest Washington Post-ABC News national poll shows a dead heat this weekend, with Obama and Romney both at 48 percent among likely voters. The survey has barely fluctuated. Obama spent part of this past week in his official capacity as commander in chief as Hurricane Sandy devastated the Atlantic Coast, pummeling New Jersey and New York the hardest. His attention to the cleanup earned praise from New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Romney supporter who delivered the keynote address at the Republican National Convention. Almost half of all Americans said Obama’s hurricane response would be a factor in their vote, according to the latest Post-ABC tracking poll. An earlier survey found that 79 percent rated his handling of the situation excellent or good. Another wild card is whether the latest jobs report will have a demonstrable effect on an electorate deeply polarized and with few undecided voters left. The report, released Friday, showed that 171,000 jobs were added while the unemployment rate ticked up to 7.9 percent. Presidential Through much of the fall campaign, nine states have defined the presidential battleground: Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin. Obama began the general-election race with a base of 18 states plus the District, totaling 237 electoral votes. Romney began with a base of 23 states, totaling 191 electoral votes. North Carolina is tipping toward Romney and Nevada toward Obama, putting the president at 243 and Romney at 206. Romney is making a late play in Pennsylvania and Minnesota and will campaign in the Keystone State on Sunday. Both states continue to lean toward the president, but Obama’s campaign has decided to send former president Bill Clinton to Pennsylvania on Sunday for extra measure. Assuming those states continue to stay in Obama’s column, the president would need only 27 of the remaining 89 electoral votes to win. Romney would need 64 of the 89, which explains why Obama still has an easier — but by no means certain — path to an Electoral College majority. For example, he could win a second term simply by winning Florida, which remains competitive. If the Sunshine State goes for Romney, then much will depend on Ohio, which is why it is the focus of so much campaign activity in the final days. Its 18 electoral votes represent the bulwark of Obama’s Midwestern line of defense against Romney. If the president were to carry Ohio — and he continues to hold a narrow lead in public polls there — he could win an electoral majority by adding Virginia (13 electoral votes) or Wisconsin (10) or Colorado (nine), or by winning Iowa (six) and New Hampshire (four). If Romney does not win Ohio, his path to victory would have to include Colorado, Florida, Virginia, Wisconsin and either Iowa or New Hampshire. But if he does capture the Buckeye State, he could become president by taking Florida and Virginia and then just one other contested state. Poll The Post-ABC tracking survey underscored the closeness of the race nationally. During two weeks of polling, the largest lead by either candidate was 50 percent to 47 percent, favoring Romney. Obama’s biggest was one point. Neither was statistically significant. Obama’s job approval rating continues to hold at 50 percent, with 34 percent saying they strongly approve and 39 percent saying they strongly disapprove. Romney holds a statistically insignificant three-point edge on who is trusted more to handle the economy. Obama has a six-point advantage on who better understands Americans’ economic problems. Through most of the campaign and as recently as October, more voters offered unfavorable than favorable impressions of Romney. Today a majority of likely voters has a favorable view. In fact, he and Obama are virtually tied on this measure: 54 percent say they have a favorable impression of the president, while 53 percent say the same of Romney. For the first time in the Post-ABC poll, independent voters are evenly split between the two candidates, at 46 percent each. Until now, Romney has held an advantage ranging from three to 20 points. Obama leads among women by six points, Romney among men by seven points. Obama is winning 38 percent of white voters and 78 percent of non-whites. He gets 33 percent of whites without college degrees and 44 percent of whites with college degrees. Campaign Obama’s hopes for a second term rest on his ability to reassemble and motivate a coalition of African Americans, Hispanics, young voters and women, despite disappointment and diminished enthusiasm since his historic 2008 victory. In Ohio, he is aided by the success of the auto-industry bailout and the campaign’s attacks on Romney’s business background, which have bolstered the president’s support among white working-class voters. Beyond that, Romney has been hammered in Ohio for an ad suggesting that Chrysler’s new owners plan to shift production of Jeeps to China, which the chief executive denied. Romney has a motivated base, with Republicans eager to defeat a president they think is taking the country in the wrong direction. But he needs both a turnout that is large enough to make the GOP share of the electorate almost equal to that of the Democrats. He also needs an edge among independent voters. For the past week, Obama’s advisers have expressed confidence that the race is theirs to lose and that they will not lose it. “The economic debate has crystallized,” campaign manager Jim Messina said Saturday. “We have picked up steam and now what we have to do is turn out our vote. We continue to lead or are tied in every battleground state and have the ability to get to 270 electoral votes in a variety of ways.” Romney advisers have said their polls show that the battlegrounds, particularly Ohio, are closer than public surveys suggest. They also say that an incumbent who is not above 50 percent in the polls in the final days is in a precarious position. “When you take a look at the big three — Florida, Virginia and Ohio — we feel very good,” said Romney senior adviser Russ Schriefer. “Ohio is tight but it’s tied and I think we’ve got some advantages there. I think then you look at the rest of the map that, in a million years, the Obama campaign never thought they would be campaigning in these states the weekend before the election.” He added: “We’re going to win this thing.” Senate Democrats appear poised to hold on to their narrow Senate majority on Tuesday, a prospect that as recently as a year ago seemed far more difficult, given the disparity in the number of seats Democrats (23) and Republicans (10) had to defend. The turning point for Democrats may have been the surprise decision by Republican Sen. Olympia J. Snowe (Maine) not to seek another term. Snowe was considered a shoo-in for reelection but in her absence, former governor Angus King, an independent who would caucus with Democrats, has emerged as a favorite. Then Republicans made a series of self-inflicted mistakes, two centering on the subject of rape. Indiana Treasurer Richard Mourdock, who ousted longtime Sen. Richard G. Lugar in the GOP primary, gave Democratic Rep. Joe Donnelly an opening. Then Mourdock’s comments at a late October debate — where he said a woman who becomes pregnant by rape is carrying a “gift from God” and therefore must have the child — turned the race from a tossup to one that favors Donnelly. In Missouri, Rep. Todd Akin won the GOP nomination and days later made a comment about “legitimate rape” rarely causing pregnancy that created a national firestorm. Much of the party establishment abandoned Akin, but he refused to drop out of the race. Sen. Claire McCaskill (D) is favored to win reelection. Democrats have growing confidence that former Obama administration official Elizabeth Warren, a Harvard law professor, will beat Sen. Scott Brown (R) in Massachusetts. The contest is the premier Senate race in the country for the seat long held by the late Edward M. Kennedy (D). Republicans have a number of opportunities to pick up seats held by retiring Democrats. Races in Nebraska and North Dakota, where Democrats are retiring, seem likely to fall for Republicans. Virginia has a very tight race between two former governors: Democrat Timothy M. Kaine and Republican George Allen. In Montana, Sen. Jon Tester (D) and Rep. Denny Rehberg (R) have been tied for months. Even if several of those races tip to Republicans in the final hours, it still seems unlikely that the GOP will add the four seats it would need to control the Senate if Obama is reelected or the three it would would need if Romney wins. The most likely outcome is no net change, or Republican gains of one or two seats. House In the battle for control of the House, it has become clear over the past few months that the wave of elections that roiled the chamber in 2006, 2008 and 2010 will not be repeated Tuesday. Democrats need 25 seats to regain the majority. Not even their most optimistic strategists think that is anything more than a remote possibility. Because of the decennial redistricting process, both parties will score heavy gains in certain states. Republicans look poised to pick up at least three and maybe four seats in North Carolina. Democrats could take five seats from Republicans in Illinois. After taking control of more governorships and state legislatures in 2010, Republicans had the political muscle to carve up new congressional districts to their advantage. They shored up some of their most vulnerable incumbents and drew difficult districts for Democrats. The result: Republicans are now likely to gain at least 10 Democratic seats simply because of the partisanship of redrawn districts, and Democrats are fighting from behind in their effort to win back the House. That is why overall Democratic gains may be held to the mid-single digits. Aaron Blake, Sean Sullivan, Jon Cohen and Scott Clement contributed to this report. ||||| Justin Martin family grateful for support locally and in Urbandale In a neighborhood surrounded by blue, Randy and Jayne Martin recently sat side-by-side on their couch in their home in Rockwell City. Their son Justin Martin was one of the victims of the ambush in November 2016. ||||| The final Dispatch Poll shows President Barack Obama leading 50 percent to 48 percent in the Buckeye State. However, that 2-point edge is within the survey's margin of sampling error, plus or minus 2.2 percentage points. Ohio remains the consensus top battlefield in the 2012 presidential election, and the campaigns are showing it: Both candidates and both running mates are here today, and three of the four are coming back on Monday. That will make 83 visits by presidential candidates to Ohio this year, a record at least in modern history. The �Ohio firewall� precariously stands for President Barack Obama, but a strong Republican turnout could enable Mitt Romney to tear it down on Election Day. The final Dispatch Poll shows Obama leading 50 percent to 48 percent in the Buckeye State. However, that 2-point edge is within the survey�s margin of sampling error, plus or minus 2.2 percentage points. Ohio remains the consensus top battlefield in the 2012 presidential election, and the campaigns are showing it: Both candidates and both running mates are here today, and three of the four are coming back on Monday. That will make 83 visits by presidential candidates to Ohio this year, a record at least in modern history. Many in the Obama camp have said if the president can build a �firewall� in bellwether Ohio � which has backed a loser only twice since 1900, the nation�s best record � Romney�s road to the White House will be all but blocked. A Republican has never won the presidency without carrying Ohio, and without the state this year, Romney�s electoral challenge becomes steep. One key to Obama�s lead: He is winning by more than 2-to-1 among the 11 percent of Ohio voters who say they didn�t cast a ballot in the 2010 governor�s race, which Republican John Kasich won by 2points. In general, the Obama campaign wants to avoid the Democratic underperformance of 2010 that brought sweeping GOP victories and instead return to a 2008 turnout model in Ohio when Obama won by 4.6 points. And the Romney team looks longingly at the high GOP turnout when George W. Bush took a second term by turning back John Kerry in 2004 � when a same-sex marriage issue also was on the Ohio ballot. The new poll also shows: Sen. Sherrod Brown is besting GOP state Treasurer Josh Mandel by 6 points, 51percent to 45 percent. State Issue 2, which would revamp how congressional and legislative districts are drawn in Ohio, is going down big, with opposition from 60percent. Two Supreme Court justices, Robert R. Cupp and Yvette McGee Brown, are in danger of losing their seats � although voting in such down-ticket races is often subject to late swings. Justice Terrence O�Donnell appears to be cruising to re-election. Obama leads by 15 points among the 40 percent-plus of voters who say they have or will cast an early ballot. Romney leads by 11 points with those who plan to vote on Election Day. Through Friday, more than 1.6 million Ohioans had cast an early ballot. More than a quarter of Ohio voters view their presidential vote this year as �the lesser of two evils.� About 21percent of Obama supporters agreed with that sentiment, as do 30 percent of those voting for Romney. �Obama has many flaws, but he is the better of the two candidates,� said poll participant Arlene Fine, 65, a journalist from Beachwood near Cleveland. �Romney and Ryan are scary, and I worry that Dick Cheney is sharpening his claws eagerly waiting in the wings for an encore appearance.� Cincinnati high-school history teacher Catherine Koch Schildknecht, 60, is backing the former Massachusetts governor despite saying, �I am not happy that Romney is the GOP candidate. My support falls under the category of that of the lesser of two evils. This is the second consecutive election in which I felt this to be the case.� Obama�s lead is built on a 10-point advantage in heavily Democratic northeastern Ohio and a 5-point margin in central Ohio, regarded as a swing area this year. Romney rolls to a 23-point bulge in heavily Republican southwestern Ohio, a 17-point lead in western Ohio and a 4-point edge in northwestern Ohio, which in past elections has proved a reliable barometer for the whole state. �I�m supporting President Obama because I believe he has begun to fix the economy without any help from the Republicans in Congress,� said Andrea Ramsey, 35, from Groveport, who is self-employed. �I believe Republicans in Congress have purposely impaired our recovery from this recession in (an attempt) to get back into the White House after the debacle of the Bush years, and I will not reinforce that behavior by voting for Mitt Romney.� Shirley Lassiter, 56, an executive secretary from Brookville near Dayton, said she is voting for Romney because of both his economic plan and his moral values. �After listening to both candidates, I am excited to support someone that believes in the America that I grew up loving. I am proud to be an American, and we should never apologize for America and what it stands for.� In the Senate race, Brown is winning by 14 points among women, while Mandel is taking men by 2 points. �I support Sherrod Brown because he stands with the middle class, veterans, women�s rights, the auto bailout that saved 1 in 8 jobs in Ohio, and his trade policies with China,� said Jessie Bigley of Marietta, a 70-year-old retiree. Cincinnati firefighter/paramedic Joe Mast, 37, prefers Mandel because �Sherrod Brown has voted for legislation and spending that I don't agree with. Also, the ability of Congress to vote for a raise for itself is wrong. Career politician is not what was intended by the founding fathers. Government service was designed to be a term of service then to return to the private sector.� In the races for three Ohio Supreme Court seats, the poll shows two challengers winning by 53 percent to 47 percent: former appeals court Judge William M. O�Neill topping incumbent Republican Cupp, and Republican Butler County Judge Sharon Kennedy over McGee Brown, the seven-member court�s sole Democrat. O�Donnell is easily besting Democratic state Sen. Michael Skindell, 73 percent to 27percent. The lack of party labels on the ballot for judicial races can render them especially volatile and difficult to forecast, often rendering them a last-minute name game. For instance, a quarter of Democrats say they are voting for Kennedy instead of their own party�s candidate. And nearly that share of Republicans is voting for the O�Neill, a Democrat. The first Dispatch Poll this year, conducted in August before the political conventions, had both the presidential and Senate races deadlocked. Just before the presidential debates, Obama had opened a 9-point lead and Brown was ahead by 10. The latest poll shows that those debates helped Romney more than Obama. While 52percent said they had little or no impact on their vote, 27percent said the face-offs moved them toward Romney, 20 percent said toward Obama. The mail poll of 1,501 likely Ohio voters Oct. 24 through yesterday has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.2 percentage points. The partisan breakdown of those who returned the poll: 40 percent Democrat, 36percent Republican, 21 percent independent, and the rest divided among the other four political parties recognized in Ohio. drowland@dispatch.com ||||| Sign up for one of our email newsletters. Can't view the attachment? Then download the latest version of the free, Adobe Acrobat reader here: President Obama and Republican Mitt Romney entered the final days of the presidential race tied in a state that the campaigns only recently began contesting, a Tribune-Review poll shows. The poll showed the race for Pennsylvania's 20 electoral votes locked up at 47 percent in its final week. Romney was scheduled to campaign in the Philadelphia area on Sunday, and former President Bill Clinton planned to stump for Obama on Monday. The campaigns have begun to saturate the airwaves with millions of dollars in presidential advertising. “They're both in here because of exactly what you're seeing” in this poll, said Jim Lee, president of Susquehanna Polling & Research, which surveyed 800 likely voters Oct. 29-31. Most of the interviews occurred after Hurricane Sandy inundated Eastern and Central Pennsylvania. The poll's error margin is 3.46 percentage points. Nearly 60 percent of people say the country is on the wrong track, and economic concerns continue to dominate. Almost half of likely voters say economic issues are the primary driver of their choice for president. “I'm concerned about all the young people graduating from college, whether they're finding jobs,” said Pauline Hoxie, 84, a Republican from Jersey Shore in Lycoming County. Her grandson graduated with a degree in graphic design but works a manual labor job because he can't find openings in his field, she said. Democrats shrugged off the Romney campaign's late play for Pennsylvania, sending emails to supporters and journalists showing past Republican presidential candidates doing the same thing. Pennsylvania hasn't given its electoral votes to the Republican candidate since 1988. The state's urban, suburban and rural voters usually give winners narrower victories than Obama's 10-point win in 2008. John Kerry won by 2.5 percentage points in 2004; Al Gore won by 4.2 in 2000. The state is a tempting target for candidates in close races. It has two more electoral votes than the 18 up for grabs in Ohio, the focus of more campaign activity in the past few weeks than any other state. “Some people call it fool's gold. Republicans come close but it just doesn't happen at the end of the day,” Lee said. It could be different for the GOP this year, Lee said. Pennsylvania's unemployment rate surpassed the national average in September after remaining below average throughout the recession. In Ohio, where both campaigns have spent far more time and money, the unemployment rate was 7 percent in September, more than a percentage point lower than Pennsylvania's 8.2 percent. “There is no president who only deals with what happens during his four years,” said Lorraine Gregor, 61, a Democrat from McKees Rocks. “I don't care who the president would've been when Barack Obama took office; we would be talking about the same thing today.” The national unemployment rate was 7.9 percent in October, when employers added 171,000 jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. “I just don't feel that President Obama is doing the job at all. What has he accomplished?” said Roger Briggs, 67, of Monongahela. He questioned why accused 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohamed and Fort Hood gunman Nidal Malik Hassan haven't been tried. “They're too lenient on these Muslims, these radical Muslims. He's bending over backwards.” Obama enjoyed wide leads in state polling during most of the race. That narrowed when Romney's image improved as a result of the October presidential debates. Susquehanna found 48 percent of voters view Romney favorably, the first time he tied Obama on that measure. A Trib poll in September found Obama with a 47 percent favorability rating, compared with Romney's 41 percent. “We've continued to show the president failing to hit the 50-percent mark. Pennsylvanians have pretty much split their perceptions of him. Those perceptions are hardened; they don't change,” Lee said. What changed, he said, is Romney's image among undecided voters: “Romney has given undecided a reason to vote for him.” Romney's image suffered among some voters because of comments he made at a fundraiser that 47 percent of people see themselves as victims entitled to government handouts. Romney has since called the remarks “completely wrong.” “I don't believe Romney is concerned with the working class. I just don't like how we're looked at these days,” said Gregory Lutz, 64, a Democrat from Mildred in Sullivan County. Attacks that highlighted Romney's foreign bank accounts sowed more doubt, he said. Because he's taken advantage of offshore tax benefits, “I don't trust what he says about keeping jobs in the U.S.” Pennsylvania's sudden emergence as a state up for grabs shouldn't surprise anyone, Lee said. Even when state polls showed a wide gap in Obama's favor, the president rarely registered more than 50 percent, he said. “I think it's always been here for the taking,” Lee said. The question, he said, is whether Romney's recent play for the state is “a day late and a dollar short.” Mike Wereschagin is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-320-7900 or mwereschagin@tribweb.com.

– With the hourglass blessedly running out on Election 2012, Team Obama is scrambling to get out the vote, while Team Romney is making a late move for Pennsylvania, as the AP reports that both campaigns are projecting confidence going into Tuesday's vote. A look around the landscape and the final poll numbers: The latest Washington Post/ABC News poll puts the candidates even at 48%, a number it says has "barely fluctuated." The incumbent appears to have a slight advantage in terms of electoral votes, and Republicans are likely to keep the House as Democrats should hang onto the Senate. Click for the lengthy report. According to NBC/WSJ, the race is neck-and-neck with President Obama at 48% among likely voters to Mitt Romney's 47%. That gives Obama a slight leg up from two weeks ago, when both candidates had 47%. Public Policy Polling gives Obama a 50% to 47% lead nationally, in what it says is the first time either candidate has opened up a lead of more than 2 points. In Iowa, the Des Moines Register gives Obama a 47% to 42% edge, though a scant majority trust him more with the economy. “If Romney can’t catch up here, he probably can’t catch up elsewhere," says a Dem pollster. "Without Iowa and Ohio, Romney’s path to victory is incredibly narrow.” In Ohio, the Columbus Dispatch gives Obama a 50% to 48% lead, though that's within the survey's 2.2% margin of error, and the paper notes that strong GOP turnout could sway the Buckeye State for Romney. In Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Tribune puts the race in a dead heat at 47% all, with a 3.46% margin of error. Some 60% of those surveyed remain negative about the economy. Nate Silver, meanwhile, is giving Obama a better than 80% chance of an electoral vote win in case of a tie in the popular vote. Click for his polling breakdown.

SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. What does President Obama's visit to California this week on behalf of embattled Sen. Barbara Boxer have to do with passage of the financial reform bill? Far more than you'd imagine. That Boxer is in any trouble says much of what you need to know about this year's election. California has become a Democratic bastion, and Boxer has been a liberal institution who never before faced a serious reelection challenge. Now she is seen as sufficiently vulnerable that Obama will come to the state for another fundraiser for her next month. The threat to Boxer is grim news for Democrats. Is this sense of the election about to be overtaken? That's where financial reform comes in. If health-care legislation had to fight uphill against a public mood that is skeptical of government's capacities, the financial reform bill that Democrats are pushing has the advantage of flowing with a public view devoutly critical of Wall Street, bankers and all their works. And for the first time in Obama's presidency, Republicans are uncertain as to whether resolute opposition to a Democratic idea is in their political interest. There are strong indications that the GOP would prefer to avoid an all-out confrontation over re-regulating the financial system, and several Republican senators are saying that they would like to negotiate with Democrats. Suddenly, it's Democrats -- and, in particular, the often conflict-averse Obama -- who are relishing a fight. This raises what might be the essential question for November: Can Democrats finally put the Republicans on the defensive? Obama is betting that they can. His speech at a fundraiser for Boxer in Los Angeles on Monday offered a template for a new Happy Warrior in the tradition of Al Smith. After a year in which he repeatedly and almost apologetically insisted that he was -- really, really -- trying as hard as he could to work with Republicans, he turned the beat around and asked why Republicans weren't willing to work with him. He used his praise of Boxer -- "she wants to cooperate with folks on the other side of the aisle where she can, but she's willing to fight where she has to" -- as a pivot to what he hopes will be a central theme of this year's national election campaign. His words about Boxer, he said, were "not a bad adage . . . for the Democratic Party. "In this entire year and a half of cleaning up the mess, it's been tough because the folks very responsible for a large portion of this mess decided to stand on the sidelines," Obama declared. "It was as if somebody had driven their car into the ditch and then just watched you as you had to yank it out, and asked you: 'Why didn't you do it faster -- and why do I have that scratch on the fender?' And you want to say: 'Why don't you put your shoulder up against that car and help to push?' That's what we need, is some help." In one paragraph, Obama did what many of the dispirited in his party have long been urging him to do: He linked the economic mess to past Republican policies -- much as Ronald Reagan blamed the economic downturn of the early 1980s on Democrats and liberals -- and turned the tables on bipartisanship by asserting that it is Republicans who are blocking concord. And then he connected this argument to the struggle over financial reform, aimed at changing "a situation where people are allowed to take wild risks and all the downsides are socialized even as the profits are privatized." Obama said that "some of the rhetoric that's coming out of the other side of the aisle" suggested that Republicans "so far, at least, don't seem to acknowledge that we're going to have to make some tough decisions and reform the system." Note the words "so far, at least." Democrats clearly see financial reform as a winner either way. With Republican cooperation, they have a bill. With Republican obstruction, they have an election issue. For once, Democrats are negotiating from strength. No one doubts the Democrats are in a deep electoral hole. But Obama has now joined the battle with a strategy to transform the election from a referendum on his own party into a contest with a Republican Party the public doesn't much like, either. Boxer's fate, but also the fate of a lot of other Democrats, hangs on its success. ejdionne@washpost.com ||||| The United States Senate. Feel the love. “... You have been great.” “... I am grateful, very grateful, for your friendship.” “... I want everyone to know how deeply committed you are to reform.” “... I also wanted to thank you for your hard work.” This was Wednesday at the Senate Agriculture Committee, which was considering the regulation of derivatives. These are extremely complicated financial instruments, and they are under the control of the agriculture committee because, really, when you get right down to it, everything is a crop. “Members of this committee check their partisan politics at the door,” boasted the chairwoman, Blanche Lincoln, a Democrat of Arkansas. Then, in between compliments, the members approved Lincoln’s bill on derivatives in a series of party-line votes. Except for Charles Grassley, a Republican of Iowa, who sided with Lincoln. Truly, this was a day for the record books. Somebody finally got a Republican to vote for something. And perhaps a sign of things to come. As President Obama prepared to make his big financial reform speech near Wall Street on Thursday, the G.O.P. seemed increasingly eager to find a way to work this one out. “We probably generally agree on 90 percent,” said the agriculture committee’s ranking minority member, Saxby (“I golf, therefore I am”) Chambliss. Mitch McConnell, the Senate minority leader, took credit for forcing bipartisan negotiations with his innovative threat-of-a-filibuster tactic. Chris Dodd, the chairman of the banking committee who has been negotiating with the Republicans for months, said it was like a rooster taking credit for the sunrise. The Republican leadership originally seemed to believe that financial reform could be a replay of health care reform, with a political payoff for total obstruction. They’re discovering that the only real similarity is that both are almost impossible to explain. People love their doctors, but they tend to hate their bankers. Nobody is going to scare voters by predicting that if the Democratic bill passes, they may not be able to keep seeing the same hedge fund manager. It’s a sign of the shift that Blanche Lincoln has gone to the front of the populist pack. She was one of the weakest reeds on the Democratic side of the health care reform debate. Before that, she was obsessed with trying to cut the estate tax. Before that — well, let’s be frank. We have no idea what she was up to. Given her record, people had expected a weak, boring package from her committee. But Lincoln came up with rules that were tougher than anyone had expected, requiring derivatives to be traded on public exchanges so investors could compare prices. The banks hate this idea, possibly because it will drive down their profits. For sure because it will drive down their profits. “The bridge of cooperation has been washed out,” said Republican Pat Roberts of Kansas crankily, as Lincoln nudged the bill through committee. He also warned that the senators were “smothering ourselves in the milk of human kindness and hoping it doesn’t curdle,” nailing down first place in the hotly contested Senate metaphor-making competition. It was the first time Lincoln seemed like an interesting political figure since 1998, when, at 38, she became the youngest woman ever elected to the United States Senate. Now her seat is in jeopardy. Conservatives smell blood. The left is backing her opponent in a primary next month. Bill Clinton expressed his support by saying, “I wouldn’t be surprised to see her coming back from the dead.” Which is really not what you want to hear from the former president while you’re out fund-raising. So it’s pretty easy to figure out what caused Lincoln’s hard line on financial reform. She is tacking to the left the same way John McCain, struggling in a hot primary in Arizona against a Tea Party-type opponent, is tacking to the right. But let’s give her credit for never having gotten desperate enough to claim that cars full of illegal immigrants were “intentionally causing crashes on the freeway.” Unlike some former mavericks we could mention. Americans are certainly in the market for some leadership on the subject of derivatives. It’s hard to even figure out how to worry about them, since we have no clue exactly what they are, beyond bets on whether prices will go up or down. Try to think of derivatives as being like the Tribbles in that classic “Star Trek” episode. For all of history, there was no such thing. Then somebody found the first ones, which looked cute and made soothing noises. We liked them fine, until the population grew to be worth about $600 trillion. When they got into the financial engine, all hell broke loose. And there is absolutely no political percentage in allowing them free run of the ship.

– EJ Dionne sees a newly aggressive Barack Obama recognizing that he can put Republicans on their heels with financial reform. Republicans for the first time "are uncertain as to whether resolute opposition to a Democratic idea is in their political interest," he writes in the Washington Post. "Suddenly, it's Democrats—and, in particular, the often conflict-averse Obama—who are relishing a fight." For them, it's a win-win: Either they get a bipartisan bill or an election issue. In a similar vein, Gail Collins thinks the GOP is fumbling: The "leadership originally seemed to believe that financial reform could be a replay of health care reform, with a political payoff for total obstruction," she writes in the New York Times. "They’re discovering that the only real similarity is that both are almost impossible to explain. People love their doctors, but they tend to hate their bankers. Nobody is going to scare voters by predicting that if the Democratic bill passes, they may not be able to keep seeing the same hedge fund manager."

Please enable Javascript to watch this video KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A Maryville Mo., teenager, who has been at the center of a rape case which made national headlines, was in a Kansas City hospital on Monday night after attempting to take her own life. Daisy Coleman is the teen who claimed to have been raped by a high school student when she was 14 years old. Her family has accused prosecutors of dismissing her claims. The rape accusations made by Daisy and her family subjected them to harassment from several Maryville community members, including both parents and students. The case eventually caught national attention. RELATED: Sexual assault case casts national spotlight on Maryville Melinda Coleman, who is the mother of Daisy Coleman, told FOX 4 that her daughter tried to take her own life Sunday evening. According to Melinda, Daisy had attended a party for about an hour Saturday night and had been attacked immediately afterward on a number of Twitter accounts. Melinda said her daughter is in stable condition at a children’s psychiatric hospital in Kansas City as of Monday night. A special prosecutor has been appointed to handle the new investigation. CLICK HERE to read related articles on Daisy Coleman. ||||| A Missouri teen at the center of a controversial rape investigation was rushed to a hospital after trying to kill herself on Sunday, according to her mother and a local report. Daisy Coleman, who accused an older boy in Maryville of raping her when she was 14, was at a Kansas City psychiatric hospital on Monday after the suicide attempt, local FOX 4 News reported. Her mother, Melinda Coleman, told the station Daisy was distraught after being bullied by teens on social media following a party she attended Saturday night. Her condition wasn't available Tuesday. Daisy, above, has been at the center of a heated rape investigation after she claimed a 17-year-old boy got her drunk and then raped her in 2012, when she was 14. (daisy.a.coleman/via Facebook) Writing on Facebook on Monday, Melinda Coleman said her daughter "had been terrorized to the point she tried to kill herself last night." "She may never be ok," the heartbroken mom wrote. A few hours later, another commenter who claimed to have seen the popular young cheerleader said she was "alive" and "out of physical danger." Melinda Coleman said Daisy tried to kill herself after she was tormented by bullies online following a party she attended over the weekend. (daisy.a.coleman via Facebook) News of the alleged suicide was another grim turn in a case that has cast a long shadow over Maryville, a quiet, tightknit town in rural northwest Missouri about 100 miles from Kansas City. In January 2012, Daisy accused a 17-year-old senior from a prominent local family of raping her while she was drunk and then leaving her on her family’s doorstep in the freezing cold. Her hair was frozen by the time she was discovered. Matthew Barnett, then 17, was arrested and charged with raping Daisy, but prosecutors later dropped the charges, citing a lack of evidence. Barnett has said the two had consensual sex. The story became national news in October after the Kansas City Star published a bombshell report about the alleged rape and a prosecutor's subsequent decision to drop the charges, citing a lack of evidence. Muddying the waters was the fact that the accused teen, Matthew Barnett, was the grandson of a former Missouri state representative. A special prosecutor was appointed in October to investigate allegations. Supporters attend a ‘Justice for Daisy’ rally in Maryville in October. The case has divided the tightknit town, which lies in rural northwest Missouri about 100 miles from Kansas City. (Sait Serkan Gurbuz/AP) Amid a series of nasty exchanges on Facebook on Monday, Melinda Coleman fumed about her daughter's bullying and struck out at her alleged tormenters. She also made a plea to the "hacktavist" organization Anonymous, whose members pledged support for Daisy after the case began making headlines. "Where are you and your super hacking skills and internet help now.......we really need them," she wrote. In October, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, who has been appointed to look into the case, promised to review the allegations "without fear and without favor." "Politics, connections, or any other reason you can think of, will not play a role in our review of this case. It will be the evidence," Baker said.

– A Missouri teenager whose allegations of rape against a popular football player and subsequent bullying became a national story is in the hospital after a suicide attempt, reports Fox4KC. Daisy Coleman, who says she was raped in 2012 at age 14 by a 17-year-old boy who got her drunk at a party, tried to take her own life on Sunday, her mother tells the local station. "She may never be OK," wrote Melinda Coleman on Facebook. She also implored Anonymous to take up her daughter's case again. Prosecutors in tiny Maryville dropped charges against the 17-year-old boy, citing a lack of evidence, recounts the Daily News. When the Kansas City Star wrote about the case, it became national news, and Daisy did TV interviews about the allegations. She says her friend was raped by another boy at the same party. After the story came to light, Daisy and her family were subjected to harassment and bullying from others in the community, reports the Fox station. Daisy attended a party briefly on Saturday, then was "terrorized" online about it, says her mother.

Park officials are investigating how and why a 68-year-old man fell to his death in Acadia National Park on Monday, the National Park Service said Tuesday. Mark Simon of Glen Ridge, New Jersey, fell from a bluff between Sand Beach and Thunder Hole. Simon was a summer resident of Southwest Harbor. He and his wife had stopped on the Park Loop Road so he could photograph the sunset from an area off the Ocean Path. Simon’s wife waited for him in the car, but became concerned after the sun had set, and waved down a passing park ranger. Rangers located Simon’s backpack, and then saw his body at the bottom of a 40-foot drop. He was lying motionless at the water’s edge. Because of the steep terrain, park rangers could not reach him, and the U.S. Coast Guard was called to assist in recovering Simon’s body, which was only reached once the rising tide carried it into the water. While the fall appears accidental, the National Park Service said it would continue to investigate the circumstances Tuesday. Share ||||| Bill Trotter | BDN Bill Trotter | BDN By Bill Trotter , BDN Staff • June 7, 2016 12:32 pm Updated: June 7, 2016 4:59 pm ACADIA NATIONAL PARK, Maine — A New Jersey man died Monday night after falling from a seaside cliff in Acadia, according to park officials. Mark Simon, 68, a resident of Glen Ridge, New Jersey, who spent summers on Mount Desert Island in Southwest Harbor, is believed to have fallen from a cliff near Thunder Hole after going out on the rocks to take photographs of the sunset, Acadia National Park spokesman John Kelly said Tuesday. Simon’s wife stayed in their car in a nearby parking lot when Simon walked to the shore shortly after 7 p.m. to take photographs, Kelly said. After her husband did not return, she waved down a park ranger, who was driving by a few minutes after 9:30 p.m., he added. About a half-hour later, rangers found Simon’s backpack at the top of the cliff, which is about 40 feet tall, Kelly said. They saw him lying at the bottom of the cliff, but he was unresponsive to their calls. Because of Simon’s location, rangers requested assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard and from Mount Desert Island Search & Rescue, but the incoming tide carried Simon’s body offshore, Kelly said. The Coast Guard, which sent two boats to assist in the search, located and pulled Simon’s body from the water around 11:30 p.m. Simon’s body was taken to the Bar Harbor town pier, then was taken to the state medical examiner’s office in Augusta, according to Kelly. Mark Belserene, spokesman for the medical examiner’s office, said Tuesday afternoon that an autopsy has been performed on Simon but the cause of death is not expected to be determined for at least a few weeks, pending the results of lab tests. Kelly said that though Simon’s fall appears to be accidental, the National Park Service is investigating the circumstances of the incident. Falls are not uncommon in Acadia and, according to Kelly, are the main cause of injury in the park, whether they result in a twisted ankle or a fatality. During the busy summer months, park rangers have been known to deal with multiple simultaneous calls about hikers who have fallen and injured themselves. Most of those instances in which rangers provide assistance involve injuries that are not life-threatening and are considered relatively minor, according to Kelly. The last time someone is known to have died after taking a serious fall in Acadia was in 2012, when a University of Maine student fell off Precipice Trail. It is the second fatality in the park this year. In January, Ellsworth resident Timothy Philpott went missing while hiking in Acadia, prompting several searches over the ensuing days and weeks as weather conditions allowed. His remains were found in mid-April. Belserene said Tuesday that the medical examiner’s office subsequently determined that Philpott’s cause of death was “acute intoxication” from multiple prescription medications. ||||| BAR HARBOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — A man from Glen Ridge, N.J., fell to his death Monday at Acadia National Park. Park officials said 68 year old Mark Simon, a summer resident of nearby Southwest Harbor, visited Acadia with his wife Monday night so he could photograph the sunset from a location off Ocean Path across from Old Soaker. Simon's wife waited for him in their vehicle parked along Park Loop Road and became concerned after more than two hours had passed since he had left. She flagged down a passing park ranger vehicle around 9:30 p.m. Park rangers located Simon's backpack at the top of a bluff and discovered that he had fallen approximately 40 feet to the edge of the water below. They were unable to reach him initially due to the steep terrain, and verbal contact was attempted but no response was returned. Simon's body was recovered around 11:30 p.m. by the U.S. Coast Guard within 50 yards of the shore into Newport Cove. It's now with the Chief Medical Examiners' office, which will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death. "Falls in Acadia are the number one source of injury for visitors. People should be sure to have the proper footwear, watch out for drop offs stay back from ledges be aware of wet spots or gravely spots that might be very slippery and just really pay attention," said John Kelly, Management Assistant at Acadia National Park. While officials said the fall appears accidental, an investigation has been launched. Copyright 2016 WCSH

– A 68-year-old New Jersey man appears to have fallen to his death Monday while trying to photograph the sunset, according to officials at Maine's Acadia National Park. The Bangor Daily News reports Mark Simon was visiting the park with his wife, who waited in the car in a nearby parking lot while he walked to a bluff to take photos. She got concerned when the sun went down and stopped a park ranger who was driving by, according to the Portland Press Herald. Her husband had been gone for more than two hours. The ranger found Simon's backpack at the top of a nearby cliff, WCSH reports. His body was 40 feet below at the water's edge. The tide carried Simon's body away from shore before rescuers could get to it, and the Coast Guard was called to pull it from the water. While Simon's death is believed to be accidental, the National Park Service is investigating and an autopsy is underway. Simon is the second person to die in Acadia National Park this year. A hiker was found dead of acute intoxication in January. And while falls are frequent in the park, there hasn't been a fatal one since 2012.

A Kenny Chesney look-a-like who was thrown out of the "Brothers of the Sun" concert last Saturday receives an apology from Chesney's record label and concert promoter. Nathan Blankenship was escorted out of L-P Field in Nashville during the show. Blankenship says he was taking pictures with a few fans who thought he was Chesney, when a security guard approached him. He claims the guard told him he was causing confusion and that he was told by "higher ups" to removed Blankenship. A news release by the concert promoter Monday stated it had nothing to do with Blankenship being kicked out of the concert. The Messina Group said it learned about the incident after seeing media reports. Late Monday afternoon, Chesney's record label, Sony, and the promoter apologized to Blankenship. They are giving Blankenship his money back for his ticket and sending him a gift basket with Sony merchandise. The label tells Fox 17 News that Kenny Chesney is on vacation and is not reachable. Kenny Chesney Look-A-Like Gets Apology and Refund Tennessee News Police: Tenn. man's death in NJ ruled a suicide July 17, 2012 20:22 GMT %reldate(2012-07-17T20:20:14 LINDEN, N.J. (AP) -- The death of a Tennessee man whose decomposing body was discovered in a pickup truck parked at a northern New Jersey shopping center this week has been ruled a suicide. Linden Police Lt. James Sarnicki tells The Star-Ledger (http://bit.ly/MG84wb) that an autopsy determined the man, identified only as a 39-year-old Memphis resident, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. But it's not yet known why the man was in New Jersey. Authorities found the body Monday at a Sam's Club in Linden. A store employee had called police after a shopper reported a foul odor in the parking lot. Police officers were seen pulling a handgun from the vehicle, a Dodge pickup that had a Tennessee specialty license plate with the word "PROTECT" on it. Information from: The Star-Ledger, http://www.nj.com/starledger ||||| Published on Nov 23, 2009 Kenny Chesney's official music video for 'She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy'. Click to listen to Kenny Chesney on Spotify: http://smarturl.it/KChSpotify?IQid=KC... As featured on Greatest Hits. Click to buy the track or album via iTunes: http://smarturl.it/KChGHiTunes?IQid=K... Google Play: http://smarturl.it/KChSTMTSplay?IQid=... Amazon: http://smarturl.it/KChGHAmz?IQid=KChS... More from Kenny Chesney Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven: https://youtu.be/u6MqUqtTlLI Pirate Flag: https://youtu.be/IqIRpnsUvP4 When I See This Bar: https://youtu.be/CWZe6YoHYIg More great Country Anthems videos here: http://smarturl.it/CountryAnthems?IQi... Follow Kenny Chesney Website: http://www.kennychesney.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KennyChesney/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kennychesney Instagram: https://instagram.com/kennychesney/ Subscribe to Kenny Chesney on YouTube: http://smarturl.it/KChSub?IQid=KChSTMTS --------- Lyrics: Plowin' these fields in the hot summer sun Over by the gate lordy here she comes With a basket full of chicken and a big cold jug of sweet tea I make a little room and she climbs on up Open up a throttle and stir a little dust Just look at her face she ain't a foolin' me She thinks my tractor's sexy It really turns her on She's always starin' at me While I'm chuggin' along She likes the way it's pullin' while we're tillin' up the land She's even kind of crazy 'bout my farmer's tan She's the only one who really understands what gets me She thinks my tractor's sexy We ride back and forth 'til we run out of light Take it to the barn put it up for the night Climb up in the loft sit and talk with the radio on She said she's got a dream and I asked what it is She wants a little farm and a yard full of kids One more teeny weeny ride before take her home She thinks my tractor's sexy It really turns her on She's always starin' at me While I'm chuggin' along She likes the way it's pullin' while we're tillin' up the land She's even kind of crazy 'bout my farmer's tan She's the only one who really understands what gets me She thinks my tractor's sexy Well she ain't into cars or pickup trucks But if it runs like a Deere man her eyes light up She thinks my tractor's She thinks my tractor's sexy It really turns her on She's always starin' at me While I'm chuggin' along She likes the way it's pullin' while we're tillin' up the land She's even kind of crazy 'bout my farmer's tan She's the only one who really understands what gets me She thinks my tractor's sexy She thinks my tractor's sexy She thinks my tractor's sexy

– Nathan Blankenship probably thought that his resemblance to Kenny Chesney was a blessing (some people do, after all, think his tractor's sexy). But that was before he found himself kicked out of a Chesney concert for precisely that reason. Of course, Blankenship happened to be imitating Chesney at the time, taking pictures with fans who mistook him for the country singer. He was then approached by a security guard who told him he was creating confusion and that "higher ups" wanted him tossed out of Nashville's L-P Field. Despite Blankenship's somewhat ill-advised prank, the concert promoter ended up apologizing to him and stating it had nothing to do with him being thrown out, WZTV reports. Sony, Chesney's record label, also apologized and is refunding Blankenship the ticket cost and sending him a basket of probably-lame Sony merchandise.

A new report found glyphosate, a weed-killing chemical that some health authorities link to cancer, in a number of popular breakfast foods and cereals marketed to children. The study by the non-profit Environmental Working Group (EWG) discovered trace amounts of the most widely used herbicide in the country in oats, granolas and snack bars. Thirty-one out of 45 tested products had levels higher than what some scientists consider safe for children. Recently, some scientists, doctors and activists around the world have worked to keep glyphosate out of crops due to concerns that it is a dangerous carcinogen. "We're very concerned that consumers are eating more glyphosate than they know," said Scott Faber, vice president of government affairs at EWG. He has been working to improve food safety standards for more than a decade. He said he and his team at EWG had a lab test involving "45 samples of products made with conventionally grown oats" and found glyphosate – the active ingredient in the Monsanto weed-killer Roundup – in all but two. "I was shocked," said Dr. Jennifer Lowry, who heads the Council on Environmental Health for the American Academy of Pediatrics and is a toxicologist at Children's Mercy Kansas City. "We don't know a lot about the effects of glyphosate on children," Lowry said. "And essentially we're just throwing it at them." EWG used its own, more stringent standards to conclude that products with excessive levels of the herbicide included Quaker Old Fashioned Oats, Cheerios, Quaker Dinosaur Egg Instant Oats, Great Value Instant Oats, and Back to Nature Classic Granola. Glyphosate was even found in a few organic products, though most had non-detectable levels. The World Health Organization says glyphosate is a "probable carcinogen," and California lists it as a chemical "known to the state to cause cancer." Monsanto disputes that, saying in a statement, "glyphosate does not cause cancer" and "has a more than 40-year history of safe use." Of EWG's study, Monsanto says "even at the highest level reported… an adult would have to eat 118 pounds of the food item every day for the rest of their life in order to reach the EPA's limit" for glyphosate residues. But just last week, a jury in California ordered Monsanto to pay one man $289 million in damages after he claimed the company's weed killers caused his cancer. EWG's Faber is skeptical of EPA's glyphosate limits. "We don't think it does enough in particular to protect children," Faber said. "It is time now for them to step up and do their jobs to ban glyphosate," said Zen Honeycutt, who heads Moms Across America, a group formed to raise awareness about toxic exposures. Her family switched to an organic-only diet after her three sons developed allergies and other health problems. "We want to trust that what is in the grocery store is safe and the shocking reality is that in many cases it's not," Honeycutt said. In a statement Quaker said: "We proudly stand by the safety and quality of our Quaker products. Any levels of glyphosate that may remain are significantly below any limits of the safety standards set by the EPA and the European Commission as safe for human consumption." General Mills told CBS News: "Our products are safe and without question they meet regulatory safety levels. The EPA has researched this issue and has set rules that we follow." ||||| Significant levels of the weedkilling chemical glyphosate have been found in an array of popular breakfast cereals, oats and snack bars marketed to US children, a new study has found. Tests revealed glyphosate, the active ingredient in the popular weedkiller brand Roundup, present in all but two of the 45 oat-derived products that were sampled by the Environmental Working Group, a public health organization. Nearly three in four of the products exceeded what the EWG classes safe for children to consume. Products with some of the highest levels of glyphosate include granola, oats and snack bars made by leading industry names Quaker, Kellogg’s and General Mills, which makes Cheerios. Sign up to receive the top US stories every morning One sample of Quaker Old Fashioned Oats measured at more than one part per million of glyphosate. This is still within safe levels deemed by the Environmental Protection Agency, although it is currently working on an updated assessment. The EWG said the federal limits are outdated and that most of the products it tested exceed a more stringent definition of safe glyphosate levels. “I grew up eating Cheerios and Quaker Oats long before they were tainted with glyphosate,” said EWG’s president, Ken Cook. “No one wants to eat a weedkiller for breakfast, and no one should have to do so.” Cook said the EWG will urge the EPA to limit the use of glyphosate on food crops but said companies should “step up” because of the “lawless” nature of the regulator under the Trump administration. “It is very troubling that cereals children like to eat contain glyphosate,” said Alexis Temkin, an EWG toxicologist and author of the report. “Parents shouldn’t worry about whether feeding their children heathy oat foods will also expose them to a chemical linked to cancer. The government must take steps to protect our most vulnerable populations.” The findings follow a landmark decision in a San Francisco court last week to order that Monsanto pay $289m in damages to Dewayne Johnson, a 46-year-old former groundskeeper. A jury deemed that Monsanto’s Roundup weedkiller caused Johnson’s cancer and that it had failed to warn him about the health risks of exposure. Monsanto, which said it will appeal against the verdict, has said glyphosate has been used safely for decades. In 2015, the EPA said that glyphosate has a low toxicity for people but could cause problems for some pets if they consume the chemical. However, the World Health Organization has called glyphosate a “probable carcinogen” and authorities in California list it as a chemical “known to the state to cause cancer”. In April, internal emails obtained from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) showed that scientists have found glyphosate on a wide range of commonly consumed food, to the point that they were finding it difficult to identify a food without the chemical on it. The FDA has yet to release any official results from this process. There was no indication that the claims related to products sold outside the US. US farmers spray about 200m pounds of Roundup each year on their crops, including corn, soybeans, wheat and oats. It can also be used on produce such as spinach and almonds. A General Mills spokeswoman said: “Our products are safe and without question they meet regulatory safety levels. The EPA has researched this issue and has set rules that we follow, as do farmers who grow crops including wheat and oats.” A Kellogg’s spokesman said: “Our food is safe. Providing safe, high-quality foods is one of the ways we earn the trust of millions of people around the world. The EPA sets strict standards for safe levels of these agricultural residues and the ingredients we purchase from suppliers for our foods fall under these limits.” Quaker Oats continues to “proudly stand by the safety and quality of our Quaker products”, a spokesman said. But Cook said that General Mills and Quaker Oats are “relying on outdated safety standards”. “Our view is that the government standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency pose real health risks to Americans ­– particularly children, who are more sensitive to the effects of toxic chemicals than adults,” he said. • This article was amended on 16-17 August because an earlier version said: “One sample of Quaker Old Fashioned Oats measured at more than 1,000 parts per billion of glyphosate. The Environmental Protection Agency has a range of safe levels for glyphosate on crops such as corn, soybeans, grains and some fruits, spanning 0.1 to 310 parts per million.” This has been corrected to make clear the 1,000 parts per billion is within the EPA range. ||||| (CNN) Some types of oat cereals, oatmeal, granola and snack bars contain higher levels of a chemical found in the weed killer Roundup than what the Environmental Working Group considers safe, according to a report released Wednesday by the advocacy group. Almost three-quarters of food samples tested showed higher glyphosate levels than what the group's scientists believe to be "protective of children's health," the report indicates. "We will appeal this decision and continue to vigorously defend this product, which has a 40-year history of safe use and continues to be a vital, effective and safe tool for farmers and others," Monsanto Vice President Scott Partridge said in a statement at the time. "More than 800 scientific studies, the US EPA, the National Institutes of Health and regulators around the world have concluded that glyphosate is safe for use and does not cause cancer," Partridge said. However, the human health effects of glyphosate remain uncertain, because the product has additional chemical ingredients that, individually or combined, might be carcinogenic, among other reasons. Many scientists and scientific organizations, including the US Environmental Protection Agency , state that in the amounts commonly consumed in food, glyphosate is not harmful to human health. However, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the cancer agency that falls under the World Health Organization, classifies it as "probably carcinogenic to humans." "Not every health agency in the world and not every spokesperson in the world has agreed that glyphosate can cause cancer," said Olga Naidenko, the Environmental Working Group's senior science adviser for children's health. However, Naidenko, who was not an author of the report, believes that there are "conflicts of interest standing behind some" of the positive opinions of glyphosate and that Monsanto has tried to influence the EPA so that it will continue to allow use of the chemical in the United States. products containing glyphosate are for sale in the United States, according to the Over 750 herbicideproducts containing glyphosate are for sale in the United States, according to the National Pesticide Information Center , a cooperative formed by Oregon State University and the EPA. A 'more protective' guideline Introduced to the American market in 1974, glyphosate is an herbicide that can kill both broadleaf plants and grasses. Glyphosate products are used on farms, industrial areas, public parks, residential lawns and gardens, and aquatic systems for agricultural and forestry purposes. For its new report, the Environmental Working Group conducted toxicology tests on dozens of oat-based foods sold across the country and used a health benchmark for glyphosate based on a cancer risk assessment that was developed by California state scientists, explained Alexis Temkin, author of the report and the group's toxicologist. "EWG used that level to then develop a guideline that was more protective for children's health," Temkin said. "It's 100-fold lower." The Environmental Working Group's guideline amount is 0.01 milligram per day, Naidenko said. Should this small amount be present in a single portion of food -- about 2 ounces, 60 grams or roughly two cups of cereal -- that would amount to a concentration of 160 parts per billion. In other words, the group says that a person eating two cups of cereal a day contaminated by 160 parts of glyphosate per billion would have a one in a million risk of cancer linked to the chemical, according to Naidenko. Of 45 samples of food products made with conventionally grown oats, two had no detectable glyphosate, 12 had levels of glyphosate that were lower than the group's acceptable health benchmark, and 31 had levels of glyphosate at or higher than the benchmark. The highest levels were detected in two samples of Quaker Old Fashioned Oats. "Quaker does not add glyphosate during any part of the milling process," the company said in a statement. "Glyphosate is commonly used by farmers across the industry who apply it pre-harvest. Once the oats are transported to us, we put them through our rigorous process that thoroughly cleanses them (de-hulled, cleaned, roasted and flaked). Any levels of glyphosate that may remain are significantly below any limits and well within compliance of the safety standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Commission as safe for human consumption." In the tests, glyphosate was also found at detectable concentrations in five of 16 organic oat food samples. The Environmental Working Group is focused on lifetime exposure to toxic herbicides, Naidenko said. Conflicting results "The concern about glyphosate is for long-term exposure," she said. "As most health agencies would say, a single portion would not cause deleterious effects. But think about eating popular foods such as oatmeal every day or almost every day -- that's when, according to scientific assessments, such amounts of glyphosate might pose health harm." Glyphosate does not easily pass through human skin, and when it is ingested, it passes through the body relatively quickly, according to the National Pesticide Information Center. The vast majority of glyphosate leaves the body in urine and feces without being changed into another chemical. In some studies , high doses given to laboratory animals suggests this chemical has carcinogenic potential. "Studies on cancer rates in people have provided conflicting results on whether the use of glyphosate containing products is associated with cancer," the center's website states . "Some studies have associated glyphosate use with non-Hodgkin lymphoma." Temkin said "That's correct that glyphosate is metabolized very quickly and eliminated in the urine," adding that other types of chemicals are metabolized very quickly yet are known to cause some harm. "Arguments that quick metabolism cannot result in harm from exposure to a chemical -- especially if it's a chemical that is very ubiquitous and something that somebody is exposed to on a daily basis -- does not mean that it can't have health effects." The glyphosate debate continues believes the new report is "absolutely atrocious." But Alex Berezow , senior fellow of biomedical science at the American Council on Science and Health, a nonprofit group that says it advocates for evidence-based science and medicine,believes the new report is "absolutely atrocious." "According to the EPA, people should avoid consuming more than 2 mg of glyphosate for every kilogram of body weight ," Berezow wrote in an email. "The good news is that nobody on Earth consumes anywhere near that amount of glyphosate," said Berezow. "The EWG fabricated its own safety standard so that they could promote organic food. They've been doing this for years -- ignoring the scientific literature in order to lobby for the organic industry." The European Food Safety Authority also rejects "the notion that glyphosate causes cancer," he said. Berezow said the chemical is "completely safe" to humans because it interferes with chemical reactions in plants that do not exist in humans. Because we lack this "metabolic pathway," he said, "it's not even hypothetically possible for glyphosate to be harmful." Dr. Paul Pharoah, professor of cancer epidemiology at the University of Cambridge, wrote in an email that "there have been multiple studies investigating the potential association between glyphosate exposure and cancer risk." "Some of these studies have serious flaws in their design," said Pharoah, who was not involved in the new report. "It is not scientifically possible to prove 'no association,' but the evidence from these studies is that if there is an association the effect is very small." Pharoah said he could not comment on the methods used by the Environmental Working Group or the accuracy of the results, since he is an epidemiologist and not a toxicologist. Still, he said he would not be "unduly concerned" about the health risks to children, given the lack of evidence linking the chemical to cancer in adults. "This is not to say that I do not think that public policy should limit the acceptable amount of these chemicals found in foods," Pharoah said. Naidenko believes that glyphosate won't be going anywhere anytime soon. Get CNN Health's weekly newsletter Sign up here to get The Results Are In with Dr. Sanjay Gupta every Tuesday from the CNN Health team. "This kind of chemical dependency is just not going to go overnight," she said. "We know it is possible to grow oats and other grains without herbicides. Companies do not need to wait for EPA; they can simply talk to their suppliers and say, 'please grow our oats without glyphosate, because our customers are complaining.' " Temkin added, "this type of use of glyphosate is a very small percentage of the overall use, yet it can have the greatest impact on human health, so we think this is the place to target reducing the use of glyphosate. "What we do know is that people don't want to have pesticides or herbicides in their foods, and families really shouldn't have to make a healthy choice that also comes with an additional risk," she said. ||||| Breakfast With a Dose of Roundup? Weed Killer in $289 Million Cancer Verdict Found in Oat Cereal and Granola Bars WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2018 Report by the numbers Conventional Organic Samples Tested 45 16 Glyphosate Detects 43 5 Detects Above EWG’s Health Benchmark (160 ppb) 31 0 UPDATE: A second round of tests commissioned by EWG, published on October 24, 2018, found the glyphosate in every sample of popular oat-based cereal and other oat-based food marketed to children that we tested. See the new results here. Popular oat cereals, oatmeal, granola and snack bars come with a hefty dose of the weed-killing poison in Roundup, according to independent laboratory tests commissioned by EWG. Glyphosate, an herbicide linked to cancer by California state scientists and the World Health Organization, was found in all but two of 45 samples of products made with conventionally grown oats. Almost three-fourths of those samples had glyphosate levels higher than what EWG scientists consider protective of children’s health with an adequate margin of safety. About one-third of 16 samples made with organically grown oats also had glyphosate, all at levels well below EWG’s health benchmark. Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup, the Monsanto weed killer that is the most heavily used pesticide in the U.S. Last week, a California jury ordered Monsanto to pay $289 million in damages to a man dying of cancer, which he says was caused by his repeated exposure to large quantities of Roundup and other glyphosate-based weed killers while working as a school groundskeeper. EWG tested more than a dozen brands of oat-based foods to give Americans information about dietary exposures that government regulators are keeping secret. In April, internal emails obtained by the nonprofit US Right to Know revealed that the Food and Drug Administration has been testing food for glyphosate for two years and has found “a fair amount,” but the FDA has not released its findings. Glyphosate Was Found on Most Samples of Oat-Based Foods Type of Food Product Name Glyphosate (ppb)* Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3 Granola Nature's Path Organic Honey Almond granola ND** ND Back to Nature Classic Granola 620 170 Quaker Simply Granola Oats, Honey, Raisins & Almonds 430 400 Back to Nature Banana Walnut Granola Clusters 30 30 340 Nature Valley Granola Protein Oats 'n Honey 220 170 KIND Vanilla, Blueberry Clusters with Flax Seeds 50 60 Instant Oats Giant Instant Oatmeal, Original Flavor 760 Simple Truth Organic Instant Oatmeal, Original ND ND Quaker Dinosaur Eggs, Brown Sugar, Instant Oatmeal 620 780 Great Value Original Instant Oatmeal 450 Umpqua Oats, Maple Pecan 220 220 Market Pantry Instant Oatmeal, Strawberries & Cream 120 520 Oat Breakfast Cereal Kashi Heart to Heart Organic Honey Toasted cereal ND ND Cheerios Toasted Whole Grain Oat Cereal 490 470 530 Lucky Charms**** 400 230 Barbara's Multigrain Spoonfuls, Original, Cereal 340 300 Kellogg’s Cracklin’ Oat Bran oat cereal 250 120 Snack Bar Cascadian Farm Organic Harvest Berry, granola bar ND ND KIND Oats & Honey with Toasted Coconut ND 120 Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars, Oats 'n Honey 340 120 Quaker Chewy Chocolate Chip granola bar 120 160 Kellogg’s Nutrigrain Soft Baked Breakfast Bars, Strawberry 30 80 Whole Oats 365 Organic Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats ND ND Quaker Steel Cut Oats 530 290 Quaker Old Fashioned Oats 390 1100 1300 Bob's Red Mill Steel Cut Oats 300 ND Nature's Path Organic Old Fashioned Organic Oats 30 20 Whole Foods Bulk Bin conventional rolled oats 10 40 Bob's Red Mill Organic Old Fashioned Rolled Oats (4 samples tested) ND 10 20, 20*** Source: EWG, from tests by Eurofin Analytical Laboratories *EWG's child-protective health benchmark for daily exposure to glyphosate in food is 160 ppb. ** ND = none detected *** Two product samples tested both had 20 ppb glyphosate concentration. **** Lucky Charms Frosted Toasted Oat Cereal with Marshmallows. Marshmallows were manually removed from the samples prior to shipping to the lab and testing for glyphosate. Each year, more than 250 million pounds of glyphosate are sprayed on American crops, primarily on “Roundup-ready” corn and soybeans genetically engineered to withstand the herbicide. But when it comes to the food we eat, the highest glyphosate levels are not found in products made with GMO corn. Increasingly, glyphosate is also sprayed just before harvest on wheat, barley, oats and beans that are not genetically engineered. Glyphosate kills the crop, drying it out so that it can be harvested sooner than if the plant were allowed to die naturally. Get Glyphosate Out of Our Food! Join EWG and tell General Mills, Quaker and Kellogg’s to get glyphosate out of their products! Optional Member Code Take Action! Roundup was produced for decades by Monsanto, which this year merged with the German pharmaceutical company Bayer AG. In the case decided last week, the jury found that Monsanto knew for decades of the product’s hazards and not only failed to warn customers, but schemed to publicly discredit the evidence. The California case that ended Friday was the first of reportedy thousands of lawsuits against Monsanto. These suits have been brought by farm workers and others who allege that they developed cancer from years of exposure to Roundup. In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization, reviewed extensive U.S., Canadian and Swedish epidemiological studies on glyphosate’s human health effects, as well as research on laboratory animals. The IARC classified the chemical as probably carcinogenic to humans, and has steadfastly defended that decision despite ongoing attacks by Monsanto. In 2017, California listed glyphosate in its Proposition 65 registry of chemicals known to cause cancer. The state’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, or OEHHA, has proposed a so-called No Significant Risk Level for glyphosate of 1.1 milligrams per day for an average adult of about 154 pounds. That level of exposure is more than 60 times lower than the safety level set by the Environmental Protection Agency. California’s level represents an increased lifetime risk of cancer of one in 100,000 for an average adult. But for many cancer-causing drinking water contaminants, OEHHA’s lifetime risk factor is set at one in 1 million. Additionally, because children and developing fetuses have increased susceptibility to carcinogens, the federal Food Quality Protection Act supports including an additional 10-fold margin of safety. With this additional children’s health safety factor, EWG calculated that a one-in-a-million cancer risk would be posed by ingestion of 0.01 milligrams of glyphosate per day. To reach this maximum dose, one would only have to eat a single 60-gram serving1 of food with a glyphosate level of 160 parts per billion, or ppb. The majority of samples of conventional oat products from EWG’s study exceeded 160ppb, meaning that a single serving of those products would exceed EWG’s health benchmark. As part of a glyphosate risk assessment, the EPA estimated potential highest dietary exposure levels for children and adults. The EPA has calculated that 1-to-2-year-old children are likely to have the highest exposure, at a level twice greater than California’s No Significant Risk Level and 230 times EWG’s health benchmark. Studies suggest that glyphosate-sprayed crops such as wheat and oats are a major contributor to glyphosate in the daily diet. In EWG lab tests, 31 of 45 samples made with conventionally grown oats had 160 ppb or more of glyphosate. Oat-Based Samples that Exceeded 400ppb on Average. Quaker Old Fashioned Oats 3 tests averaged 930 parts per billion. Product photos are not the actual products tested. Quaker Dinosaur Eggs, Brown Sugar, Instant Oatmeal 2 tests averaged 700 parts per billion. Product photos are not the actual products tested. Cheerios Toasted Whole Grain Oat Cereal 3 tests averaged 497 parts per billion. Product photos are not the actual products tested. Quaker Simply Granola Oats, Honey, Raisins & Almonds 2 tests averaged 415 parts per billion. Product photos are not the actual products tested. The highest levels, greater than 1,000 ppb, were detected in two samples of Quaker Old Fashioned Oats. Three samples of Cheerios had glyphosate levels ranging from 470 ppb to 530 ppb. Twelve of the food samples had levels of glyphosate lower than EWG’s health benchmark, ranging from 10 ppb to 120 ppb. Only two samples had no detectable glyphosate. Glyphosate was also detected at concentrations of 10 ppb to 30 ppb in five of 16 samples made with organic oats. The five samples came from two brands of organic rolled oats: Bob’s Red Mill and Nature’s Path. A third brand of organic rolled oats and all other organic oat products tested did not contain detectable concentrations of glyphosate. How does glyphosate get into organic foods? It could come from glyphosate drifting from nearby fields of conventionally grown crops, or by cross-contamination during processing at a facility that also handles non-organic crops. Nature's Path explains: While organic farming certifications prohibit the use of glyphosate, organic products do not always end up completely free of glyphosate residue. While this news may come as disappointing, it is not entirely surprising. Glyphosate use has skyrocketed in the past decade, and it maintains the ability to adhere to water and soil particles long enough to travel through the air or in a stream to nearby organic farms. The problem of glyphosate contamination of organic foods underscores the need to restrict pre-harvest uses of glyphosate and the need for more data on glyphosate levels in products, an area where U.S. federal agencies are falling short. Two years ago, under pressure from the Government Accountability Office, the FDA began testing for glyphosate in a limited number of foods. At the 2016 North American Chemical Residue Workshop, an FDA scientist presented data showing that glyphosate has been detected in several oat-based food products. After a Freedom of Information Act request by US Right to Know, earlier this year the FDA released documents that said the agency has found “a fair amount” of glyphosate in several processed foods. The results have not been released, but could be made public later this year or in early 2019. The EPA has calculated that 1-to-2-year-old children are likely to have the highest exposure, at a level 2x greater than California’s No Significant Risk Level and 230x EWG’s health benchmark. In 2016, the non-profit Food Democracy Now tested for glyphosate in single samples of a variety of popular foods. “Alarming levels” of glyphosate were found in a number of cereals and other products, including more than 1,000 ppb in Cheerios. More recently, the Center for Environmental Health tested single samples of 11 cereal brands and found glyphosate levels ranging from about 300 ppb to more than 2,000 ppb. EPA has denied that glyphosate may increase the risk of cancer, and documents introduced in the recent California trial showed how the agency and Monsanto worked together to promote the claim that the chemical is safe. EWG has been urging the EPA to review all evidence linking glyphosate to increased cancer risk and other adverse health effects in human and animal studies. The EPA should limit the use of glyphosate on food crops, including pre-harvest application. Oat-based foods are a healthy source of fiber and nutrients for children and adults, and oat consumption is linked to health benefits such as lowered cholesterol and decreased cardiovascular risk. Parents should not have to wonder whether feeding their children these heathy foods will also expose them to a pesticide that increases the risk of cancer. Glyphosate does not belong in cereal. Act and urge the EPA to restrict pre-harvest applications of glyphosate and tell companies to identify and use sources of glyphosate-free oats. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Methodology Glyphosate levels reported here represent a snapshot of glyphosate contamination in an exploratory set of of oat-based products sampling. All product samples were purchased and packed for shipping by EWG researchers located in Washington, D.C., Boulder, Colo., and San Francisco. Eurofins Analytical Laboratories, based in New Orleans, received and tested samples labeled only with EWG-assigned sample numbers. Glyphosate concentration was determined by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, using the extraction method published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.i According to the method description provided to EWG by Eurofins, samples are ground, extracted with water, and cleaned in a Dowex AG1-X8 200 mesh resin column. Eluent is derivatized in FMOC-CL and allowed to react overnight in a 40 degrees Celsius water bath. Sample cleanup is performed with an Oasis SPE HLB column, and the eluent is analyzed for glyphosate by LC-MS/MS. The method’s limit of quantification for glyphosate is 0.01 milligrams per kilogram. Fifty-four of 61 samples were also tested for aminomethylphosphonic acid, or AMPA, the primary degradation product of glyphosate. 12 samples had non-detectable levels of glyphosate or AMPA. Among 40 samples where both AMPA and glyphosate were detected, on average AMPA levels were within 11 percent of the combined glyphosate plus AMPA levels. For one sample, Back to Nature Banana Walnut Granola Clusters, AMPA levels were 84 percent of the combined glyphosate plus AMPA (1,800 ppb). Two other samples of this product had low levels of glyphosate (30 ppb) and no detectable levels of AMPA. When calculating the value for the level of glyphosate in tested foods that would exceed EWG’s children’s health benchmark for glyphosate, we used 60 grams as the estimated amount that people are likely to eat at one time. This is equivalent to roughly two cups of Cheerios, or ¾ cup of Quaker’s Old Fashioned Oats based on product nutrition facts. EWG’s health benchmark for glyphosate is 0.01 milligrams a day. If 0.01 mg of glyphosate is present in a 60-gram portion of a specific food product, then the concentration of glyphosate is 0.000166 mg glyphosate per 1 g of food. For the purposes of comparison in this study, EWG uses a glyphosate benchmark of 160 ppb. Above this concentration of glyphosate, eating a single 60-gram portion of food would exceed the EWG health benchmark. This study was designed by former EWG Senior Analyst Sonya Lunder. i Tseng, S et al. (2004). Simultaneous quantification of glyphosate, glufosinate, and their major metabolites in rice and soybean sprouts by gas chromatography with pulsed flame photometric detector. 52, 13, 4057-4063

– You could be ingesting the active ingredient in Monsanto's Roundup for breakfast, per a report identifying traces of the chemical glyphosate in Cheerios, Quaker Old Fashioned Oats, and Great Value Instant Oats, plus more products marketed to kids. The nonprofit Environmental Working Group tested 45 oat-based products like granolas and snack bars and found glyphosate in all but two, including organic products. Thirty-one exceeded 160 parts of glyphosate per billion, a level the EWG considers unsafe for children, per CNN, though the EPA's standard is far lower, with its range topping out at 310 parts per million. "Even at the highest level reported… an adult would have to eat 118 pounds of the food item every day for the rest of their life in order to reach the EPA's limit," Monsanto tells CBS News. EWG President Ken Cook has a political response, saying this shows the EPA's "lawless" nature under President Trump. Its standards "pose real health risks to Americans–particularly children," he tells the Guardian, which hints at a larger issue, noting internal emails show the FDA has had a hard time finding food without traces of the nation's most widely used herbicide, labeled a "probable carcinogen" by the World Health Organization. (Ice cream has it, too.) Cook says he'll push the EPA to limit glyphosate use on food crops but companies "relying on outdated safety standards" should also "step up." Quaker, Kellogg's and General Mills each maintain their products are safe, with glyphosate levels below EPA limits. (Monsanto was just dealt a heavy blow regarding the chemical.)

Newsletter signup Our daily newsletter contains a round-up of the stories published on our website, previews of exhibitions that are opening and more. On Fridays, we send our Editor’s picks of the top stories posted through the week. As a subscriber, you will also get live reports from leading art fairs and events, such as the Venice Biennale, plus special offers from The Art Newspaper. You may need to add the address newsletter@theartnewspaper.com to your safe list so it isn't automatically moved to your junk folder. You can remove yourself from the list at any time by clicking the “unsubscribe" link in the newsletter. ||||| The British artist has married a stone in her garden in France, which she calls ‘an anchor, something I can identify with’. It’s the latest act in a life that has prized intimacy and soulfulness over lust and the self over the body Tracey Emin’s new husband may not talk much or do the ironing, but when it comes to fidelity, he’s a rock. Really, he’s a rock. No, you don’t understand. Her husband actually is a large lump of rock. Tracey Emin: soundtrack of my life Read more As her latest exhibition I Cried Because I Love You opens in Hong Kong, the woman whose life is her art has revealed that last summer she married a venerable stone that stands in her garden in France. “Somewhere on a hill facing the sea, there is a very beautiful ancient stone, and it’s not going anywhere,” she has said. “It will be there, waiting for me.” In another interview she has called it “‘an anchor, something I can identify with”. She wore her father’s funeral shroud as a wedding dress. As Lou Reed says: “And no kinds of love / are better than others.” The ancient Roman poet Ovid says much the same thing at greater length in his Metamorphoses, the great poetic telling of myths in which a fleeing lover turns into a laurel tree, a young man adores his own reflection, and a woman called Echo who pines for him vanishes, leaving only her voice resonating in the olive groves. Love is strange, and Emin’s marriage is an exploration of its spiritual dimension. She told the Art Newspaper she has been reading the letters of Pope John Paul II. The late Polish pope’s letters to the philosopher Anna-Teresa Tymieniecka were revealed by the BBC in February to show an intense, long-term, apparently celibate relationship between one of the most revered modern popes and a fellow intellectual. In other words Emin has been thinking about relationships that transcend the carnal – about love that goes beyond lust. Pope John Paul II’s spiritual love affair was in a religious tradition that goes back to the Renaissance. It resembles the passionate friendship between the Catholic genius Michelangelo and the poet Vittoria Colonna in 16th-century Rome. Both were devout, and Michelangelo was gay, but they exchanged long and absorbing letters in their old age that see love as a spiritual journey. Facebook Twitter Pinterest ‘A monument to spiritual pain and solitude’... Tracey Emin’s My Bed. Photograph: Linda Nylind for the Guardian Michelangelo and Tracey Emin share a spiritual understanding of love, it seems. Many artists (Picasso leaps to mind) are ecstatically carnal. Others are fascinated by invisible dimensions of experience that go beyond the body. Michelangelo sculpted the human body more powerfully than any other artist, yet earthly gratification was never his theme. His heroic, struggling, superhuman nudes are physical expressions of the soul itself. Tracey Emin is still the real thing – and that's why we love her Read more Tracey Emin too is an artist of the inner life, not the outer body. This may seem surprising since her art is so pungently located in a material world of unmade beds and, more recently, drawings and paintings of her own naked body. But consider her early work Everyone I Have Ever Slept With 1963–1995. Its title sounds like a sexual boast but the 102 people she listed, including her gran, were not all sexual partners – and the form of the work, a small tent, speaks not of sensuality but intimacy. It is a record of emotional connections, not sexual conquests. Her bed, too, is an emotional image, a monument to spiritual pain and solitude; a kind of martyr’s relic. In her more recent art, in a time of her life she describes as celibate, Emin is still more preoccupied with the soul, the invisible self – and the kind of love that lets the spirit soar. Michelangelo never actually married a rock, but he did have a vivid relationship with his favourite sculptural material: stone. In one of his letters he claims that stones themselves cry out at political oppression. In his great unfinished sculptures of slaves, human forms struggle to emerge from raw stone like souls trying to be born from the chrysalis of carnality into the life of the spirit. Michelangelo had some funny ideas and so does Tracey Emin. That is because they are truly poetic artists. ||||| Tracey Emin has seared her mark on the art world with controversial, confrontational work. Ahead of the British artist's first Hong Kong exhibition, which opens this week, a flummoxed Fionnuala McHugh wonders if someone got out of the wrong side of… Tracey Emin's art is so famously confessional, so wincingly personal, that actually interviewing her seems slightly redundant. What is there to say? Everything's already out there - the bed, the tent stitched with names of sleeping partners, the (many) depictions of masturbation, the rape, the abortions. Nothing feels hidden: her entrance into the Great British Consciousness is generally agreed to have been the occasion in 1997 when she appeared, noisily drunk, on a live television show to discuss that year's Turner Prize, which had just been awarded to Gillian Wearing. (Wearing's work was titled 60 Minutes Silence; this aural irony was not lost on viewers.) Emin later wrote a piece about that night titled "My Booze Heaven". It starts with Wearing (or Wobbly, as Emin, who likes nicknames, calls her) ringing the morning after to say, with commendable generosity, that the highlight of her evening was Emin's performance. Emin, having no memory of the event, thinks this is a hilarious wind-up until she reads about her behaviour in The Guardian newspaper. The account, contained in her 2005 autobiography, Strangeland, is - like much of that book - vivid, funny, poignant. In another essay, titled "New Year in July", she imagines herself as a proud mother with the hangover from hell: "I'd be phoning round every friend, every bar, and asking the same question, 'Oh hi, Tracey here. Yes, Tracey Emin. This is a little embarrassing but I don't suppose I left my baby at your place last night?'" She's now 52, she rarely drinks and she doesn't have children. Anyone who's seen - or read the transcript of - her 2001 video, Conversation with My Mum, will know that her mother, Pamela Cashin, spent decades worrying about her daughter's fertility. "Because I think you're one of those people in life that don't need children around you," Cashin explains. "I wouldn't see it as a joy for you … I've gone through the years absolutely hoping that you'd never get pregnant." Cashin herself, having got pregnant by a Turkish-Cypriot married man, had booked in for an abortion and only at the last minute decided to keep the baby. She'd no idea she was carrying two - Tracey and her brother, Paul. (The conversation is sufficiently raw that you find yourself nodding when Cashin comments, at one point, "Actually, this is terrible, I hope nobody listens to this"; but it turns out she's concerned people will be able to calculate her age.) Perhaps the twin experience, as she's lived it, has contributed to a sense that Emin is having an ongoing conversation with someone within herself. She and her brother spoke their own language until they were five and shared a room until they were 12. Strangeland conveys their claustrophobic dependency; there's an extraordinary scene, straight out of Jane Eyre, in which Paul sets their joint childhood bed alight, as well as hints of sexual exploration and violence. Later, when he goes to prison - for fraud - she writes him "long, mad letters" that go unanswered: "But I didn't mind, it was like I was writing for the both of us." As a result, she seems to have grown up with an internal landscape simultaneously policed by a good cop and a bad cop. In The Interview, a video she did in 1999, the year My Bed was nominated for the Turner Prize, she sneers at herself: "I think your whole existence is a lie because I think you're evading the truth." In her 2001 video The Bailiff, Tracey 1 yells menacingly at a Tracey 2 trapped inside a locked wardrobe: "I think you understand what fear is. I think you know exactly what fear is …" Those days seem to have gone. She's a professor of drawing at the Royal Academy of Arts. In Britain's 2012 New Year Honours list, Emin was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for services to visual arts; true, the sound of rattling eyeballs could be heard from some artistic quarters but she has, indisputably, raised public awareness of British art. Now her first exhibition in Hong Kong opens this week. It's called "I Cried Because I Love You". Most unusually, it, too, is bifurcated, being shown by two galleries - White Cube and Lehmann Maupin - although Emin sees this as a sign of wholeness, not division. "It's about me being able to not have to define myself with a gallery, within a space, within a country," she tells the curator (and former boyfriend) Carl Freedman, in the exhibition catalogue. Of her past, she says, "I was not leading myself. Now I'm definitely leading myself … I can't believe how much I've fooled around. I just cannot believe I was like that." EMIN'S STUDIO IS IN AN AREA of east London called Tenter Ground. Normally, I'd hesitate to be so specific but people I mention her to - most of whom haven't set eyes on her works - seem surprisingly knowledgeable about the geography of her life, including the recent tussle she's been having over planning permission in the area. She's not (yet) a national treasure but she's certainly a national presence. Tenter Ground is where the Huguenots of 17th-century London dried newly woven silk on wooden frames called tenters. The nervousness involved in such unpredictable proceedings has given rise to the expression "on tenterhooks". By the end of our interview, I'll know how the Huguenots felt. The day started with the cancellation of this magazine's photo shoot, and the polite air of surprise among her helpful young assistants when I arrive doesn't bode well. Some checking ensues while I loiter in the hallway, next to an odd cluster of small chairs under a row of posters. One shows Emin in the bath, nipples soapily gleaming; another, from a 2002 show in Oxford, plaintively asks, "Have you seen Tracey?" After a while, someone takes me into the - mysteriously hot - main studio and brings tea. A photo of Emin, topless in black tights, is taped to a wall and a pile of nude selfies lies exposed on a table. A black-and-white photo of a couple having what looks like 1970s-sex-manual sex is taped to another wall; alongside are several large canvases in which their joyless, muscular exertion has been transmuted into something more ethereal, a blue flash of pure vigour. They're waiting to be transported to New York for her next Lehmann Maupin show, in May. There are more little chairs; on one of them - a tiny, child-sized seat - four stuffed toy lambs are swaddled within a towel. She arrives 45 minutes late, smaller and younger-looking than expected, a woman expressing apology in a high-pitched girl's voice with a distinctive lopsided smile. Within about two minutes this has curled into a frown when I mention (having had plenty of time to ponder this) that I'm interested in what she said - in a 2012 interview - about how women artists create work in an environment "like a sewing bee" whereas men's studios are like "the f***ing Sistine Chapel or something". The lynx eyes narrow. "Please don't do the Hong Kong thing on me and give me information from 20 years ago that I said," she says, tetchily. "Please keep it up to speed." Slightly flummoxed (the Hong Kong thing?), I say: Exactly - so how's the studio now? And she explains that she has seamstresses (for her various tapestries) and people in the office but that no one makes her work for her. Then she adds, "You know, what I said about the sewing-bee thing? My studio is predominantly female and has a really gentle attitude, it's not like a big, oooh-aaah, macho, working thing - it's very soft and easy and whatever. If you think of successful artists throughout history that have a working studio with staff, it's more like a factory. I don't have a factory, I have a house." In fact, she has two studios: one in London, one in France. The latter residence provided inspiration for some work in the Hong Kong exhibition featuring, as it does, a big stone in the garden. Reader, she married it. She told Freedman about this event when he went to France for the catalogue interview. "It was totally by accident, the whole thing wasn't intentional," she begins. But I'm a bit confused. Is she talking about the day she's telling Freedman? Or the day of her wedding to the stone? "Noooo," she cries in frustration (rightly so, I listened to the tape afterwards and sounded like a moron). "I was on my own." There's a pause, and the distinct feeling that upon this rocky moment hangs the future of our encounter. "The whole thing with the stone is - it's a big f***ing stone, right. It's in my garden, it's very nice and very impressive and I like it a lot. [Sigh.] The other thing about the stone is that it could be quite monstrous and scary. Instead I saw it as a protection thing as opposed to a fearful thing. The other thing with the stone is it's not going anywhere. Even if there's the biggest f***ing tsunami in the whole f***ing world, the stone will probably still stay there." After a longish silence, I suggest it signifies stability. "Yeah. And I recognise it. Maybe it's not a person. But maybe it's an anchor for me, something I can identify with. No matter how mad my life might be or what may happen that stone is stability and comfort." Rather touched by this, I murmur (as a placatory offering) that, yes, someone in one of the galleries told me how important France was to her; a sudden hush and further eye-narrowing heralds another tricky juncture. "Are you interviewing me or are you interviewing other people?" Other people? "Other people in reference to me." Well, no. "Brilliant. So what's your question?" This is probably not the moment to share that I interviewed one of her former boyfriends, the artist and writer Billy Childish, a couple of years ago in his Kent studio. He and Emin met at nearby Medway College of Design in the early 1980s. "Cruel relationship, destruction, resurrection of the soul, void, still friends with him today," is how she summed up that relationship in her 1997 work Tracey Emin's CV: Cunt Vernacular, although it seems to have gone downhill since then. (He'd refrained from comment when we met.) When she found out he'd married someone else, she jumped into Margate harbour. She's on record about his influence but the crucial difference is that Childish never left Kent whereas Emin has, very obviously, flung herself into society's mainstream. Such pressures have made her French retreat increasingly important. "I can't speak hardly any French - enough to be polite," she says. "In France what's happening is within me. I don't have a social life there at all, whereas in London, every day, every night, every lunchtime, you could be doing something." Couldn't she say no? "But if you've got something like … men's fashion week. I know it sounds pathetic but I've been working for GQ magazine for 15 years now, I'm really good friends with Dylan Jones [the editor] and when Dylan has a really important event, I want to go. There's this mutual kind of thing, it's not simple." I looked up that relationship afterwards and found photos of a private dinner party Jones and Emin had hosted for the men's 2014 London spring/summer collections plus coverage of the 2013 inaugural Serpentine Gallery GQ Art Award (winner: Ms T. Emin) so I could see what she meant. And two days after this interview, there she was in the British newspapers as a guest at the Rupert Murdoch-Jerry Hall wedding. (The bride is a fan.) Anyway, she's now decided to go to the other extreme, say no to absolutely everything and take a year's sabbatical in France - "a whole year just to work". This comes up after I ask her about the Hong Kong exhibition. After a little barney about the catalogue (she asks if I've seen it, I say yes, then scrupulously add that it was sent to me online, to which she states, crossly, "So you haven't seen it"), she says it's really difficult to talk about the show, apart from the fact that the colours in the work at Lehmann Maupin are darker than those at White Cube. "It's out of my studio. I'm working on the New York show now and I won't be thinking about Hong Kong until I'm actually in Hong Kong hanging the show. What I'm really thinking about is the middle of May - no shows, no charity work, no telephone, no interviews, no photographs, no meetings for a year." The odd thing is that she does talk, at great length, about one aspect of the Hong Kong show: the title. "This is really important," she says, vehemently. "In Chinese, the title says 'I Cried Only Because I Love You'. It's translated so wrong, I don't know how or why but it's so wrong. The title is 'I Cried Because I Love You'. David Tang told me and he would know. I'm really upset about that." The analysis goes on for so long, up and down prepositional byways ("It should be 'so', 'if', 'but' - not 'only'"), it reminds me of a distinction she makes in the catalogue between a stone and a rock. (A stone "is here forever"; a rock "has been made by things that cut it away".) Obviously, I understand the sensitivity when one's talking about one's husband but it's more than that. From her early days, words - and especially names - have held a terrific visual and incantatory force; hence the embroideries, the infamous tent, her neon handwritten phrases, one of which ("I felt you and I knew you loved me") shines pinkly above the west doors of Liverpool Cathedral. In 2007, Toby Forward, canon precentor of the cathedral, mused on this artistic contribution: "The Psalmist asks the question, 'What is man, that thou art mindful of him?' … Tracey's work travels the same ground, her journey is the same journey … Her question, though phrased rather more directly, is the same question: WHO THE F*** ARE YOU." Indeed. Let's just say it's been an unpredictable journey. Last autumn, My Bed went back on show at Tate Britain, in London, 16 years after its British unveiling. (Its first-ever public appearance was actually in Tokyo; Emin insists Japanese viewers were more shocked by the dirty slippers than the used condoms, tampon applicator, blood-stained sheets, etc.) As it happens, it's the Tate's artwork of the month so I went to see it a couple of times and attended a curatorial talk. In the catalogue for the Hong Kong exhibition, Emin states that the Tate's "full of people queuing to see the bed". I wouldn't exactly put it that way but there was certainly a persistent trickle; and about a dozen of us gathered for the short lecture. When I tell Emin that the curator told us about her visit to the staff, she gives one of her skewed smiles - half up, half down, a visual manifestation of an emotion that could jump either way. She says, "And I had a go at them because someone misunderstood something I said." But the curator didn't mention that. What she said was that Emin cried. "Yeah, I was crying because I couldn't believe I was standing there 16 years later, it was weird." I doubt that she cried because she loved it. Even as an outsider, you look at that dismaying bed and think, "What on Earth was going on in that young woman's life?" The most impressive artwork, by far, is the one she's created of herself ever since. When I decide, to mutual relief, that the interview's ended, she immediately says, "Cool. I'm so sorry I was late", and good-cop Tracey takes over. We do a tour of her beautiful, high-windowed building. I ask her where the toy lambs came from and she says, "Sainsbury's [the actual supermarket, not the art-loving family] - they were in this little basket last Bank Holiday Tuesday, a pound each, no one wanted them so I bought them, they're sweet, aren't they?" At the bottom of one of the staircases, there's a cradle with another toy stuffed into it and a Janet and John reading book. Perhaps the biggest surprise of all is the swimming pool in her basement. (This explains the stupendous heat in the studio upstairs.) She swims about four times a week; her costume's drying on a nearby rack. And that's the image that lingers outside in Tenter Ground - Emin, who grew up by the seaside, ferociously thrashing through the private pool her art bought, churning things up, alone. "I Cried Because I Love You" opens on Tuesday, at Lehmann Maupin, 4/F, Pedder Building, 12 Pedder Street, Central, and at White Cube, 50 Connaught Road, Central, and will continue until May 21.

– British artist Tracey Emin, known for work that is confessional and "so wincingly personal that actually interviewing her seems slightly redundant," as Post Magazine puts it, has announced that last summer, at her home in France, standing under an olive tree, and wearing her father's white funeral shroud, she married a rock. Well, more specifically she says she married a large, ancient stone, she tells the Art Newspaper. "It just means that at the moment I am not alone; somewhere on a hill facing the sea, there is a very beautiful ancient stone, and it’s not going anywhere. It will be there, waiting for me." But the 52-year-old, who has never married or had children and is still "trying to crack the code myself," may be engaging in an act that is more than merely literal, as the Guardian reports in its rather forgiving comparison of Emin's decision to Michelangelo's "vivid" relationship with stone: "In one of his letters [Michelangelo] claims that stones themselves cry out at political oppression. In his great unfinished sculptures of slaves, human forms struggle to emerge from raw stone like souls trying to be born from the chrysalis of carnality into the life of the spirit." Not getting it? The Guardian concedes that both Michelangelo and Emin "had some funny ideas," but concludes: "That is because they are truly poetic artists." (These people married inanimate objects.)

Hispanic middle school children, at high risk for being overweight or obese, reduced their Body Mass Index (BMI) when they adhered to a nutrition intervention that included a snack of peanuts, compared to those children who did not. The 12-week study was conducted by researchers at the University of Houston Department of Health and Human Performance (HHP), Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Woman's University. Their findings are published in the Journal of Applied Research on Children. "Obesity is the most pressing health issue facing us today," said Craig Johnston, HHP assistant professor. "We'd like to think it's preventable, but from where I sit right now, there hasn't been a lot shown to be very effective on a large scale." The study acknowledged that snacking is more common during the adolescent years and that the unhealthy eating habit can lead to an unhealthy weight. This is especially true if a student doesn't have access to other meals during the school day. "We have a lot of kids skipping meals for a whole bunch of reasons," he said. "What we found is that kids get home from school around 4 p.m. There's less supervision by parents and less structure. Kids are sitting down at the TV and eating, eating, eating because they really didn't eat at school." Instructors guided 257 Latino adolescents from three Houston-area charter schools through a program of physical activity and nutrition education. About half the students received a snack of peanuts or peanut butter three to four times a week, while the rest received the snack fewer than once a week. The snack was administered after school as students were boarding the school bus to go home. Peanuts were chosen because nuts are nutrient-dense snacks that promote a feeling of being full. Following the 12-week intervention, students spent 12 more weeks maintaining the healthy snacking habit. At the end of the period, those students who received the snack more regularly experienced a decrease in their overall BMI (-.7kg/m2) compared to those who did not receive the regular peanut snack (-.3kg/m2). The researchers conclude that afterschool programs and schools can replace energy dense, unhealthy snacks with peanuts to provide a healthier alternative for children (researchers in the study ensured students did not suffer from nut allergies). Johnston says the fight against obesity needs creative solutions that help people manage their weight, appetite and hunger by offering socially acceptable food choices. "Schools are doing a great job of teaching kids, getting them workforce ready, and a whole bunch of other things. We've just got to make sure that our kids are going to live long, happy lives with that kind of education," he said. Participants in the study were part of a larger longitudinal study on a school-based obesity intervention program. The Family Lifestyle Overweight (FLOW) Prevention Program is a school-based pediatric intervention for urban, low-income, minority students. ### ||||| “Obesity is the most pressing issue that we have facing us today,” “Obesity is the most pressing issue that we have facing us today,” said Assistant Professor Craig Johnston who studies obesity and school-based interventions. “We’d like to think it’s preventable, but where I sit right now, there hasn’t been a lot that we’ve shown that’s very effective on a large scale.” Johnston says intervention to help children change their lifestyle need to be ones that they’ll adhere to, and one answer may be in snacking. On peanuts to be specific. For 12 weeks, middle school students from three Houston schools participated in a health program that included a snacking intervention—eating peanuts to curb the after school, at home, out-of-control eating. “We have a lot of kids skipping meals for a whole bunch of reasons,” he said. “What we found is that kids get home around 4 p.m. There’s less supervision by parents and less structure. Kids are sitting down at the TV and eating, eating, eating because they really didn’t eat at school.” Johnston and his research colleagues found that students who regularly snacked on peanuts before they got on the bus home saw a decrease in their body mass index compared to those students who didn’t. And everyone likes peanuts, which is not the case with broccoli, carrots or other health food. “We don’t want our kids to get overly hungry, and we’ve got to find some creative ways to make sure that they’re not doing that,” Johnston said. “What are some socially acceptable ways that we can say, ‘here are some foods that you can eat to help manage your weight and manage satiety.’” The research is published in the Journal of Applied Research on Children. “Schools are doing a great job of teaching kids, getting them workforce ready, and a whole bunch of other things. We’ve just got to make sure that our kids are going to live long, happy lives with that kind of education.” Innovative research is part of what’s happening at the University of Houston. I’m Marisa Ramirez ||||| Eating fat makes you fat, right? If this is what you think, you're wrong. But it's not your fault -- it's probably what you were led to believe. Actually, unsaturated fats, like those found in plant-based oils, nuts and fatty fish, are good for you because they help protect you from heart disease, help you maintain a healthy weight and even have some superficial benefits for your skin and hair. But there’s a lot of confusion out there about the role dietary fat plays in our lives, and it's no wonder we're mixed up about it. The History Starting around 1980, top nutrition experts and the federal government advised all Americans to dramatically cut back on dietary fat to avoid heart disease and weight gain. Back in the day, notes NPR, these experts wanted us to replace dietary fats -- from olive oil to butter to nuts -- with healthy carbohydrates, like whole grains, vegetables and fruits. This was based on well-meaning but misleading research that showed a correlation between diets high in fat and people with high cholesterol levels in their blood. But of course, people didn't really replace big, juicy steaks with more vegetables. Instead, food companies co-opted this "low fat" message, creating high-sugar, low-nutrient snacks and foods that technically fit the low-fat bill but were anything but healthy. Anyone who recalls chowing down on Snackwell's fat-free Devil's Food Cookie Cakes will remember this era. The Message Today Now, more than three decades later, Americans are heavier and have more heart disease than ever before, and researchers suspect that when we replaced that fat in our diets with sugar and refined starch, it led to increased obesity and metabolic diseases like Type 2 diabetes. Both of these conditions can increase the risk for cardiovascular disease. "Actually, farmers have known for thousands of years that you can make animals fat by feeding them grains, as long as you don't let them run around too much, and it turns out that applies to humans," said Harvard University food researcher Walter Willett in a past interview with PBS. "We can very easily get fat from eating too many carbohydrates, and the public was really directed to only focus on fat calories, when we really have to keep an eye on calories no matter where they're coming from." Today, health experts and the federal government are trying to recalibrate the needle on dietary fat. With more complete, rigorously-conducted research about how unsaturated fats (like mono- and polyunsaturated fats) can actually protect people from heart disease, the nation's top nutritionists want to make sure that blanket, low-fat diet advice for the general audience is a thing of the past. How Fats Work One thing we do know now: Dietary fat isn’t evil, it’s simply a highly-concentrated source of calories that helps your body absorb essential vitamins like A, D, E and K. Fat helps keep your hair strong and glossy and your skin clear and youthful-looking. And contrary to what we’ve thought in the past, moderate amounts of healthy dietary fat can actually improve cardiovascular health, not harm it. Finally, for people who are trying to lose weight, foods with these fats can also help keep them satisfied for longer, which means they can eat less food to feel full. Polyunsaturated fats, which are found in fatty fish like salmon and trout, as well as sunflower oil, walnuts and sunflower seeds, help reduce levels of LDL cholesterol in the body, which can help lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. Nutritionists refer to polyunsaturated fats (omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids) as essential fatty acids, because your body needs them to function and can't produce them on its own. Monounsaturated fat, which is found in olive oil, avocados, peanut butter, nuts and seeds, can also have a similar effect on your body. In light of all this new research about the role healthy fats play in our bodies, the 2015 Dietary Guidelines, which are the U.S. government's food and nutrition recommendations through 2020, actually dispensed with a traditional upper limit on the amount of fat a person should eat every day. Instead of eating a low-fat diet, Americans should eat a low saturated fat diet, explained Harvard’s Frank Hu, who helped create the guidelines. A good serving size of healthy oils is around five teaspoons or 27 grams per day for someone eating a 2,000 calorie diet, according to the dietary guidelines. However, there are two kinds of fat that Americans should keep at bay. Saturated fat, which is mostly found in meat and dairy products, should make up no more than 10 percent of a person’s diet because of its “strong relationship” with cardiovascular disease risk, notes the guidelines. Replacing one percent of calories from saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat reduces the risk of coronary heart disease by two to three percent, said the researchers who helped create the guidelines. And there is no generally safe level of trans fat, which found mostly in pre-packaged, frozen and canned baked goods, because of its association with cardiovascular disease risk. That's why the Food and Drug Administration is phasing out the ingredient in the U.S. food supply. Whether you're trying to lose weight or help maintain a healthy weight, don't fear the fat. Use plant-based oils to make your foods more delicious, toss back a handful of nuts if you need a snack, and load up on rich, fatty foods like avocado and fish to give your body the nutrition it needs. To get some ideas about some healthy sources of dietary fat, check out the list below. Are you missing out on healthy fats in your diet? ||||| Abstract Objective: To examine the impact of adherence to a healthy snacking component of a 6 month school-based intervention program for overweight and obese children. Design: Randomized controlled intervention trial Methods: Mexican American children who were ≥ 85th percentile for body mass index (BMI) were recruited between 2005-2012 from three Houston schools. Children participated in a 12-week instructor led intensive intervention program that included nutrition education, physical activity, and a snacking component which consisted of a daily choice of peanuts and/or peanut butter snacks. Children (12±0.6 years) (n= 257) were divided into either low or high snacking adherence groups based on their responses on a peanut food frequency questionnaire. The low adherence group reported consuming peanuts or peanut butter ≤ once per week and the high adherence group > once per week over 6 months. Change of BMI, standardized BMI (zBMI), triceps skinfold, and weight were compared at six months of children reporting high and low levels of adherence to the snacking component. Analysis: T-tests were performed with SPSS version 22 with level of significance set at P <0.05. Results: Children in the high snacking adherence group demonstrated significantly greater decreases in BMI (P= 0.021) and zBMI (P = 0.005) at six months compared to the children in the low snacking adherence group. Although triceps skinfold did not significantly decrease, anthropometric measures trended towards significance. Conclusions and Implications: Peanuts provided an acceptable, healthy snack for children. Although peanuts were relatively high in fat, the weight loss intervention of replacing energy-dense and unhealthy snacks with peanuts and peanut butter helped children maintain a healthy body weight.

– Good news for those who like peanuts and aren't allergic: Snacking on them three to four times a week could help lower one's BMI, researchers report in the Journal of Applied Research on Children. Researchers from the University of Houston, Baylor College of Medicine, and Texas Woman's University followed 257 Latino adolescents—who were in the 85th percentile or greater for BMI—over a six-month period. During that time, about half the group snacked on peanuts or peanut butter right after school three to four times a week; their counterparts had the same snack less than once a week, and all children received nutrition education and engaged in physical activity. The researchers found the peanut-heavy group reduced their BMI more than twice as much as the other group over the course of the study. "Obesity is the most pressing health issue facing us today," study co-author Craig Johnston says in a press release. "We'd like to think it's preventable, but from where I sit right now, there hasn't been a lot shown to be very effective on a large scale." He says that snacking on peanuts offers a "creative" solution that can help people manage their weight, appetite, and hunger, and as Houston Public Media notes, peanuts are more universally liked than health foods like carrots. Meanwhile, Huffington Post reports that while just about any nut can make for a healthy, fat-filled snack (yes, peanuts are technically a legume...), almonds have the benefit of packing the fewest calories. (Scientists have just engineered an even healthier peanut.)

Gas prices are already topping $4 in Los Angeles, along with other parts of the country. NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Gas prices have gained 12 cents this week, as tensions over Iran heat up and oil prices keep moving higher. The price of unleaded gasoline shot up overnight by 3.5 cents to a nationwide average of $3.647, according to the motorist group AAA. That's the 17th consecutive day of increases. Since the start of the month, prices have gained nearly 6%. And they're up 11% from the start of the year. In many parts of the United States, including New York City and parts of California, gas prices are already above $4 per gallon. Part of the recent surge in gas prices is being blamed on stocks. The Dow Jones industrial average (INDU) is up 6% from the start of the year. The S&P 500 (SPX) has gained nearly 8%, and the Nasdaq (COMP) has jumped 13%. The unrest in Iran isn't helping, though that tends to have a more direct impact on oil prices. Oil prices have been steadily increasing, gaining 0.4% to $108.26 in early trading Friday. Gus Faucher, senior economist for PNC, said that events in Iran effect gasoline prices though that impact is typically delayed, trailing the effect on oil. "It shows up almost instantaneously with oil prices, and it doesn't take much longer to show up with gas prices, just a few days," he said. Iran recently cut off exports to France and the United Kingdom in response to sanctions from the United States and the European Union. Also, the Iranians blocked watchdogs from the International Atomic Energy Agency from inspecting a military base in Parchin, creating concerns that there might be nuclear weapons there. ||||| Geithner attributed the rise in crude prices, which have sent gasoline above $4 a gallon in some parts of the country to two factors: Better growth expectations,along with "saber rattling" from Iran over its desire to advance its nuclear program. Getting gas prices under control this year is critical for President Obama as he prepares for a contentious re-election campaign ahead. "There's no quick fix to this, no short-term fix," Geithner said. "The best strategy for the country is to continue to make some long-term investments, to expand production in the United States, to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, to encourage Americans to use more efficient clean sources of energy, to encourage Americans to be more efficient in how they use energy." At the same time, Geithner would not rule out tapping some of the U.S. strategic petroleum reserve to help bring down oil, which has surged past $105 a barrel. "There's a case for the use of the (reserves) in some circumstances and we'll continue to look at that and evaluate that carefully," he said. Rising oil prices are considered one of two key elements that could derail the U.S. economic recovery. The other is Europe, where a sovereign debt crisishas played havoc with markets during the past year over concerns that troubles in Greece, Portugal and elsewhere could spread through Europe and ultimately make their way to the U.S. banking system.

– The Obama administration is open to using the strategic petroleum reserve if necessary to deal with rising gas prices, Timothy Geithner said in a CNBC interview, though he didn't sound terribly enthusiastic about the prospect, and warned that there was "no quick fix" to the problem. Gas prices are up 12 cents this week, and indeed shot up 3.5 cents overnight to a national average of $3.65, CNN reports. Geithner attributed that to improved growth expectations in the US, "and also Iran is doing a little saber rattling." "The best strategy for the country is to continue to make long-term investments" to increase US oil production and encourage the use of more clean energy, Geithner said. But when asked about the strategic reserve he said, "There's a case for the use of the (reserve) in some circumstances, and we'll continue to look at that." The remarks come after President Obama mocked the GOP's consistent focus on expanding domestic drilling.

A Los Angeles jury on Tuesday awarded casino mogul Steve Wynn $20 million in punitive damages in his slander suit against "Girls Gone Wild" founder Joe Francis. That brings the total damages awarded to Wynn in the case to $40 million. In a statement, Wynn said: "Thank God for the justice system that finally sent a message: If you think you’re taking a cheap shot, it may be a lot more expensive than you had imagined. Therefore, think before you post; think before you speak; hesitate before you start to destroy someone’s character. There may be a day of reckoning." The jury found Francis knowingly made false statements when he told reporters and others that Wynn had threatened to kill him and bury his body in the desert amid a spat over a gambling debt. Because the jury found that Francis acted with malice, Wynn was able to seek additional punitive damages. The initial award surpassed the $12 million Wynn's attorneys had asked for and swelled Francis' already substantial debt to the Las Vegas billionaire. With the original $2 million gambling bill and a $7.5-million defamation judgment awarded by a Nevada judge this year, Francis owes Wynn close to $50 million. "The message has been sent," Francis attorney Aaron Aftergood told jurors Tuesday. The Wynn-Francis feud stretches over several years and multiple lawsuits. For those counting, Wynn is 3-0 in civil judgments. ALSO: Three arrested in fatal Long Beach kidnapping, shooting Person fatally shoots self on golf course at Camp Pendleton Officials hope bear that shut down 210 Freeway won’t come back -- Ashley Powers Photo: Joe Francis (left) and Steve Wynn Credit: Associated Press ||||| Joe Francis LOSES ANOTHER $20 MILLION breaking news just got hit with ANOTHER $20 million verdict in his defamation battle with casino mogulon top of the $20 million Wynn was awarded yesterday.The additional $20 million is for punitive damages in's defamation lawsuit against the "" honcho, in which Wynn claimed Francis made bogus claims that Wynn threatened to have him murdered over a gambling debt.Francis was hit with $20 million in compensatory damages yesterday -- for statements made to TMZ, "Good Morning America," and more.All told, Francis has to pay Wynn $40 million.Wynn has promised to donate the money to charity . Joe said he plans to contest the verdict and expects the decision to be overturned.Following the new verdict, Wynn released a statement, saying, "Joe Francis represents a new kind of criminal type: the digital assassin. He takes advantage of the protection afforded by the internet to issue intentionally destructive charges against someone’s reputation."He adds, "Thank God for the justice system that finally sent a message."

– Bad-mouthing casino mogul Steve Wynn has cost Joe Francis $20 million for the second day in a row. A jury awarded Wynn $20 million in punitive damages in his defamation lawsuit against the Girls Gone Wild founder yesterday, after awarding him $20 million in compensatory damages Monday, reports the Los Angeles Times. Wynn, who sued after Francis claimed he had threatened to have him killed over a gambling debt, plans to donate the money to charity, TMZ reports. "Joe Francis represents a new kind of criminal type: the digital assassin. He takes advantage of the protection afforded by the Internet to issue intentionally destructive charges against someone’s reputation," Wynn said in a statement. "Thank God for the justice system that finally sent a message: If you think you’re taking a cheap shot, it may be a lot more expensive than you had imagined."

SEOUL—Hours after U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillersonpraised him for exercising restraint, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appeared in state media visiting a missile-development factory and ordering the production of more warheads and rocket engines. Mr. Kim’s visit, the date of which wasn’t disclosed by Pyongyang in its report on Wednesday, underscores North Korea’s continued investment in its ability to threaten the continental U.S. with a nuclear-tipped long-range missile. ... ||||| These crawls are part of an effort to archive pages as they are created and archive the pages that they refer to. That way, as the pages that are referenced are changed or taken from the web, a link to the version that was live when the page was written will be preserved.Then the Internet Archive hopes that references to these archived pages will be put in place of a link that would be otherwise be broken, or a companion link to allow people to see what was originally intended by a page's authors.The goal is to fix all broken links on the web . Crawls of supported "No More 404" sites. ||||| (CNN) Newly released photos appear to reveal unexpected advances in North Korea's missile program, experts say, including a previously unseen type of projectile. On Wednesday, North Korean state media KCNA announced leader Kim Jong Un had visited the country's Chemical Material Institute of the Academy of Defense Sciences. "He instructed the institute to produce more solid-fuel rocket engines and rocket warhead tips by further expanding engine production process," the statement said. But it was the photos of the inspection released by state media which missile analysts seized upon immediately. "This is the North Koreans showing us, or at least portraying, that their solid-fuel missile program is improving at a steady rate," David Schmerler, research associate at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey's James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, told CNN. One photo of Kim reveals a poster on the wall clearly mentioning a missile called "Pukguksong-3," a potential successor to the previous two versions of the missile which were both solid-fuel, medium-range projectiles. North Korea's desire to build solid-fuel missiles is driven by their need for projectiles they can launch quickly and subtly, said Michael Duitsman, also a research associate at the James Martin Center. "Solid fuel missiles are much faster to deploy ... a solid fuel missile is always fueled so all they have to do is drive it to the place they want to launch it," he said. "It's much easier to put into action, much harder to catch before it launches because they're a lot less in terms of launch preparations that could be done." All ballistic missiles owned by the United States and Russia are solid-fuel models, according to Duitsman. In another, the North Korean leader stands next to a large copper-colored container, which experts said could be a wound-filament reinforced plastic rocket casing. "It's not a missile test but it's still very disconcerting for people who look at the North Korean ballistic missile program," Duitsman. "Seeing the casing ... is sooner than I expected." Both experts said the wound-filament casing seen in one photo would be lighter than previous metal versions, allowing North Korea's missiles to fly further. Left: fuel tank from Kim's visit to the Chemical Institute today. Right: Aramid fiber seized en route to DPRK by Russian customs last year. pic.twitter.com/vHPDNXFmlb — Michael Duitsman (@DuitsyWasHere) August 23, 2017 When the US Navy first switched to the lighter casing during the 1960s their missiles flew an additional 500 miles, an increase of about 50 per cent, Duitsman said. "They also switched the propellant (though)," he added. Schlermer said it was unlikely that either the revelation of the new missiles or the filament casing were a mistake by Pyongyang. "I don't think there's any accident about this, the shot clearly shows Pukguksong-3, this was the North Koreans showing us what we could possibly see soon," he said. 8/ Thus, the ability to produce large wound-filament casings was crucial to the development of Soviet road-mobile ICBMs & IRBMs. pic.twitter.com/zWQcWMjtg7 — Michael Duitsman (@DuitsyWasHere) April 21, 2017 Trump: Kim is 'starting to respect us' High-profile US leaders have praised Pyongyang for showing "restraint" in pulling back from its previous pledges to launch missiles into the sea around Guam. One week ago, US President Donald Trump sent a tweet saying Kim had made a "wise decision" not to launch a missile , adding the alternative would have been "both catastrophic and unacceptable." JUST WATCHED Trump believes Kim Jong Un respects US Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Trump believes Kim Jong Un respects US 00:43 Speaking at a rally in Arizona Wednesday, Trump claimed Kim was "starting to respect us." "I respect that fact very much. Respect that fact. And maybe probably not, but maybe, something positive could come about. (The media) won't tell you that. But maybe something positive could come about," he told supporters. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has also presented a more conciliatory face to North Korea in recent days, saying the US was open to dialogue with the rogue state This undated picture released from North Korean state media shows leader Kim Jong Un visiting the Chemical Material Institute of the Academy of Defense Science. "I think it is worth noting, we have had no missile launches or provocative acts on the part of, or provocative actions, on the part of North Korea since the UN Security Council resolution" sanctioning Pyongyang on August 5, Tillerson said Tuesday. "I am pleased to see that the regime in Pyongyang has demonstrated restraint. We hope this is the signal we have been looking for, that they are ready to restrain provocative acts. And perhaps we are seeing a pathway in the near future to having some dialogue"

– So much for restraint? North Korean state media published photos and a report Wednesday that show Kim Jong Un visiting a chemicals institute, and it was apparently more than a meet-and-greet. Yonhap reports that while there, Kim upped the production of rocket engines and warhead tips for ICBMs. The Wall Street Journal reports the timing of the visit to the Chemical Material Institute of the Academy of Defense Science wasn't given, but the timing of the release is notable: It comes one day after Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in a news briefing that he was "pleased to see that the regime in Pyongyang has certainly demonstrated some level of restraint that we have not seen in the past." It has been 26 days since the country's last missile launch. "A two-week adherence of North Korea to UN prohibitions against missile tests hardly counts as a significant indicator of benign intent by the regime," is the assessment of one expert on the region to the Journal. CNN spotted something potentially more worrisome: The photos released by the Korean Central News Agency show diagrams that seem to depict two unknown and potentially in development missiles. One, the Pukguksong-3, seems to be a solid-fueled missile, as its predecessors were. This type has an advantage over liquid-fueled ones in that it doesn't need to sit on a launchpad for a length of time—during which it would be exposed to a preemptive strike—to fuel. "This is the North Koreans showing us, or at least portraying, that their solid-fuel missile program is improving at a steady rate," a researcher tells CNN.

Slaying With Silver in 19th-Century South ‘Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter’ “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” is such a smashing title it’s too bad someone had to spoil things by making a movie to go with it. Then again, a big-screen version of Seth Grahame-Smith’s comic novel was doubtless inevitable, given the delectable absurdity of the 16th president of the United States’ going all Buffy on a vamp army, splitting heads like rails. That sounds funny, and for a while it plays like head-exploding gangbusters on screen, particularly when the young Mr. Lincoln (a solid Benjamin Walker), in his grasshopper stage, begins learning how to swing a silver-tipped ax like a kung fu master. (As the great man said : “Whatever you are, be a good one.”) Silver used to seem reserved for slaying werewolves, but these days anything goes when it comes to monsters. The newfangled vampires in “Abraham Lincoln” are largely felled with silver-tipped blades and, like the dead beauties in the “Twilight” movies (and the original “Dracula”), they also move about during the day. What really distinguishes them, though, is less their sun screen than a monstrosity that isn’t simply a matter of myth or the metaphysical anguish that can trouble a modern vampire. Rather, theirs is a historical evil: These vampires are white Southerners whose cause is the enslavement of human beings and not states’ rights. There’s no denying their villainy, a welcome alternative to those real-world celebrations that whitewash the period by ignoring slavery. Written by Mr. Grahame-Smith, the movie opens in 1820 with Abraham as a young boy proving his moral mettle by protecting another child, a black friend, Will (Anthony Mackie takes over the thankless adult role), from a slaver’s whip. The slaver is Jack Barts (Marton Csokas), who takes his revenge on Abraham by lethally nibbling Abe’s mother, Nancy. She’s soon out of the picture, as is his father. This clears the way for the orphan’s revenge, a life mission that, by the time Lincoln is tall enough to skim ceilings, has transformed him into a warrior whose skills are more 20th century than 19th, more reminiscent of the slow-motion cool of early Wachowski brothers than the slow-literature adventures of the earlier era. Nosed along by excerpts from Abraham’s purported journals about his slayer adventures, the story zips from Lincoln’s childhood to young adulthood, where, after a botched vampire hunt, he meets an agreeable enigma, Henry Sturgess (Dominic Cooper). Henry teaches Abraham the Way of the Vampire Kill, an extended, enjoyable lesson that allows the performers to engage with each other rather than serving as props, like most of the actors here. Once Henry leaves the scene, the movie quickly deflates, both because Mr. Cooper isn’t around to fan your interest and because the story’s fealty to its pulpy version of history (Mary Todd, etc.) drags it down. Once Abraham grows a beard, laying down his ax to take up politics, the movie is effectively over, if not done. And the Civil War has scarcely begun. From all the liquid, slo-mo action it’s clear that the Russian director Timur Bekmambetov still holds “The Matrix” close to his heart. He first popped up on American radar with a pair of supernatural diversions, “Night Watch” (2004) and “Day Watch” (2006), that are close to incomprehensible (I became bored trying) but are crammed with enough gloom and pyrotechnics that he soon went Hollywood. His first American studio effort, “Wanted” (2008), is a modestly diverting if finally tedious exercise in which the stylized violence almost upstages its star, Angelina Jolie. “Wanted” is the kind of contemporary studio fun that shows a bullet exiting a human head in slow motion, giving you time to marvel at how the skin around the wound stretches as the projectile leisurely rips through the skull. Mr. Bekmambetov has a knack for screen carnage and he has plenty to work with in “Abraham Lincoln,” which gives him untold bodies with which to paint the screen red. (The intentionally drab, at times duo-chromatic palette dulls the colorful spray.) Outside of Nazis and zombies or, better yet, Nazi zombies, nothing says easily disposable villains like slave-trading vampires. And there is, no question, something satisfying — as the pleasure of the story’s pop conceit hits your deep historical outrage — about watching Lincoln decapitate a slave-trading ghoul, at least the first few dozen times. If only Mr. Bekmambetov had a strong sense of narrative rhythm and proportion, and as great a commitment to life as he does to death and all the ways bodies can be digitally pulverized. “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” is rated R (Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian). Vampire and war violence. Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter Opens on Friday nationwide. Directed by Timur Bekmambetov; written by Seth Grahame-Smith, based on his novel; director of photography, Caleb Deschanel; edited by William Hoy; music by Henry Jackman; production design by François Audouy; costumes by Carlo Poggioli and Varya Avdyushko; produced by Mr. Bekmambetov, Tim Burton and Jim Lemley; released by 20th Century Fox. Running time: 2 hours. WITH: Benjamin Walker (Abraham Lincoln), Dominic Cooper (Henry Sturgess), Anthony Mackie (Will), Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Mary Lincoln), Rufus Sewell (Adam), Marton Csokas (Jack Barts) and Erin Wasson (Vadoma). ||||| Don’t let the stupid title dissuade you from seeing “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.” Let the stupid plot, the stupid history, the stupid action scenes, the stupid trivializing of slavery . . . On an unfortunate-ideas scale of one to 10, with one being “wearing white pants after Labor Day” and five being “Green Lantern,” this one rates about a fourscore and seven. Vampires, it turns out, were murdering American pioneers before an informal treaty saw them banished mostly to the South, where they were given the OK to feast on slaves and indirectly start the Civil War. This movie is loud, but I could barely hear it above the sound of jaws dropping on the floor. As a boy, young Abe defends a black kid who gets beaten by an evil employer, who also turns out to be a vampire and kills Abe’s mom. Local vampire-killing expert Henry (Dominic Cooper, failing to blend into 1820s Indiana with his British accent) agrees to train Abe as a master assassin, who chops off heads and limbs with his vampiricide, silver-tipped ax. As Abe uses up some screen time dispatching a list of easily slain subsidiary vampires, he awaits his big chance to get the one (Marton Csokas) who killed his mother, and a couple of assistant villains (Rufus Sewell, Erin Wasson). But he decides politics is a greater antimonster weapon. So: If vampires were Northerners, maybe Abe would have supported slavery? I didn’t know whether to be more offended as a moviegoer or as an American, but I do know I’d rather gargle nitroglycerine than watch this again, though given that the film looks like it were buried under a log cabin for a century, I barely saw it the first time. A dusty case in point: Lincoln’s chase of the lead vampire in a city suddenly, bizarrely turns into a murky CGI horse stampede across the prairie. During which a bad guy throws a horse at Lincoln. I realize vampires are hard to kill, but why is Abe uninjured after plummeting off a cliff at about 60 miles per hour? He’s not a superhero, just a guy with an ax twirling around fast-slow-fast. Who knew Honest Abe invented Matrix Time? Playing Lincoln is a guy named Benjamin Walker, who reminded me of one of the most notable Lincoln portrayers: Robo-Abe in Disney World’s Hall of Presidents. Nudged only slightly — Scruffy the Vampire Slayer? — this material could have acknowledged its absurdity and been a zany Mel Brooks-ian comedy, but all-American director Timur Bekmambetov (“Wanted”) maintains an Ed Wood-level earnestness throughout as he asks us to consider that Gettysburg might have been turned around by a secret shipment of vampire-killing silver projectiles. Wait — don’t you handle vamps with crosses and holy water? Shouldn’t they save the silver bullets for the sequel, “Mahatma Gandhi: Werewolf Butcher”? Never mind. Why is the story about Lincoln, anyway? Because if it were just a random backwoods monster-slaughtering yokel whose tiny girlfriend stands on his stovepipe hat to kiss him (is it reinforced with oak?), nobody would care. Lincoln is the random celebrity hook for a buzz-fed culture in which everyone you’ve heard of is essentially a guest at the same cocktail party of history. So: the Soup Nazi is kinda like Hitler, Nicole Richie equals Niccolo Machiavelli, Shakira is a peer of Shakespeare. Whatever, they’ve all been on Gawker, right? ||||| History remembers him as Honest Abe, Father Abraham, the Great Emancipator, even the Illinois Rail Splitter. But"Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter"? Who knew? Now, the secret life of the 16th president of the United States and his passion for ridding the world of "immortal blood sucking demons" is revealed for all to see. In 3-D, no less. It turns out that it wasn't just the lack of air-conditioning that made Lincoln miserable in the fetid air of 1860sWashington, D.C., it was all the undead he had to eradicate before the slaves could be freed and the Union made whole. That's enough to raise a sweat in any man. All this information comes courtesy of Seth Grahame-Smith, who wrote the original mash-up novel as well as the screenplay of the new film relentlessly directed by Timur Bekmambetov. Given the subject matter, an exercise in delicacy and restraint was unlikely, but it's too bad that the film's concept is way more entertaining than what has ended up on-screen. For the creative team behind this Abe endeavor has decided to take things completely seriously, to insist that these Lincoln vs. vampire shenanigans are, in the director's words, "a manifestation of the real drama, the real nightmare the country went through, which was slavery." Right. And though care was taken to make sure that the film's Civil War props were authentic, "Vampire Hunter's" tone is unapologetically savage. Even the occasional runaway train is not enough to hide the fact that a movie consisting of multiple vampire attacks quickly gets repetitive and exhausting. Not to mention very, very bloody. Bekmambetov, whose previous works include the Russian "Night Watch" and "Day Watch" and Angelina Jolie's "Wanted," is not one to shy away from the brutal. Although the film's use of 3-D is mostly pedestrian, it's at its most effective when those vampires and their grotesque dentures provide enough "open wide" moments to unnerve a team of Beverly Hills orthodontists. "Vampire Hunter's" dramatic intentions are way ahead of its ability to execute them, so even capable actors such as Dominic Cooper, Anthony Mackie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Rufus Sewell don't make much of an impression. And star Benjamin Walker, in his first significant film role, doesn't do much more than look appropriately lantern-jawed and determined. Before all these adults get their chance on-screen, back we go to Lincoln's childhood in Indiana, when he sees his best friend beaten for being black and watches in horror as local vampire Jack Barts (Marton Csokas) does in young Abe's beloved mother. Lincoln vows revenge, but, being already dead, vampires are difficult to kill. This and other pertinent information is passed on to the young man by Henry Sturges (Cooper), a determined vampire hunter who knows and tells all. Soon enough, the powerfully built former rail-splitter is swinging his custom-built silver-bladed ax like there was no tomorrow — which for the vampires who get in his way happens to be the truth. Lincoln also reveals himself to be perhaps the only master of slick Asian martial arts moves — the film's fight scenes were choreographed by the Acting School of Fighting Kun-Do in far-off Kazakhstan — to be raised in an Indiana log cabin. Go figure. Moving to Springfield, Ill., Lincoln disregards Sturges' advice to avoid personal entanglements by wooing the comely Mary Todd (Winstead) and re-establishing his childhood friendship with Will Johnson (Mackie). He also comes to the attention of the one-named vampire-in-chief Adam (Sewell), said to be 5,000 years old, give or take. A pre-"Twilight" advocate of vampire rights, he will stop at nothing — nothing! — until "the whole country is ours." We watch in increasing perplexity as the personal becomes political when our man in the White House discovers that Southern slavery is really all about providing healthy choices for hungry vampires. "We're all slaves to something," Adam tells him, which makes you wish all over again that vampire hunting involved more wit and less whacking. A whole lot less whacking. kenneth.turan@latimes.com ||||| 1.5 out of 4 stars Title Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter Written by Seth Grahame-Smith and Simon Kinberg Directed by Timur Berkmambetov Starring Benjamin Wallace, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Rufus Sewell, Dominic Cooper Genre Action Classification 14A Country USA Language English Year 2012 The trouble with the so-called high-concept film is that too often the concept is the best thing about it and the actual movie essentially a series of rather rote, progressively more tiresome variations on its premise. Think Snakes on a Plane,Twins with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny De Vito, Alien vs Predator, Dumb and Dumber or Hobo with a Shotgun: The biggest high comes from the images evoked by the title alone, or the title in tandem with the movie poster, doesn't it? Certainly this is true of Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter. Director Timur Berkmambetov (who had a hit a few years ago with Angelina Jolie in Wanted) piles on the CGI, the 3-D effects, the fangs and the phlegm and the gore. But finally the veins are drained in vain: with few exceptions, Berkmambetov's techno-strenuousness delivers no more kick than the simple, silly but nonetheless inspired gambit of mashing the name of the 16th president of the United States with the Buffy-esque job title "vampire hunter." Based on the best-selling 2010 novel of the same name by Seth Grahame-Smith (who also co-wrote the screenplay), the movie takes some of the touchstones of Lincoln's 56 years and warps them into a weave of the factual and the fantastic. It's well-known, for instance, that Nancy Hanks, Lincoln's mother, died in 1818 when Abe was only 9. The cause of death is generally ascribed to her having consumed poisoned milk, apparently a common phenomenon in rural America in the 19th century. But in Grahame-Smith's revisionist hysteria, Hanks' demise is the result of being bitten by a vampire named Jack Barts, a violation the young Abe just happens to witness from his attic perch and, of course, later vows to avenge. A dab hand with an axe in real life – one of Lincoln's many nicknames was "the rail splitter" –Grahame-Smith's young-adult Lincoln (Benjamin Wallace) crosses paths with a dissolute vampire hunter, Henry Sturges (Dominic Cooper), who steeps him in both vampire lore and a spew of axioms (e.g., "Real power comes not from hate but from truth;" "Only the living can kill the dead") while sharpening the lad's chops to lethal perfection. Soon it's chop, chop, Abraham Lincoln's silver axe hacking down upon their heads, whack, whack, Abe's silver axe making damn sure they are dead! Story continues below advertisement Berkmambetov shows real kinetic skill in these early encounters, which are all the more potent for their relative brevity. There are also flashes of droll humour: while picnicking with Mary Todd, the woman who will eventually be his wife (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), Lincoln apologizes for his weariness and distractedness by saying "I'm sorry; I've been working nights." Expanding upon that, he confesses: "I've killed six vampires," at which an amused Mary remarks: "And I thought you were an honest man. Really, Abe!" Would that Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter had more such playfulness. Instead, it gets more like a comic book; the set-pieces ever more (and numbingly) violent, longer, gimmick-laden and noisy, the story preposterous, cartoonish, impenetrable, the characters like cardboard cut-outs in dressup. Somewhere in all the murk, Lincoln decides to forsake hatchet jobs for marriage, family, an obviously fake beard that gives Wallace all the eminence of a whiskery Robin Williams, the presidency of the United States and the abolition of slavery. Of course, once a vampire killer, always a vampire killer, even if you're pushing 60: when in the course of the Civil War, Lincoln's desperate Confederate counterpart Jefferson Davis agrees to an unholy alliance with Adam, the 5,000-year-old King of the Vampires (Rufus Sewell), the prez realizes he has to come out of retirement and apply both his smarts about the undead and his axemanship to ensure that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth. Last time I looked the U.S.A. was still standing, but what likely could perish this weekend is this movie as Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter finds itself trading box-office blows with Pixar's mighty Brave. You can see the headline now: Vampire Sucks, Brave Success.

– Believe it or not, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is a film about Abraham Lincoln hunting vampires. And that's about all there is to it, critics say: "The trouble with the so-called high-concept film is that too often the concept is the best thing about it and the actual movie essentially a series of rather rote, progressively more tiresome variations on its premise," writes James Adams in the Globe and Mail. "The biggest high comes from the images evoked by the title alone." Indeed, it's "such a smashing title it’s too bad someone had to spoil things by making a movie to go with it," notes Manohla Dargis in the New York Times. "For a while it plays like head-exploding gangbusters on screen," but "the movie quickly deflates." "Don’t let the stupid title dissuade you from seeing Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter," warns Kyle Smith in the New York Post. "Let the stupid plot, the stupid history, the stupid action scenes, the stupid trivializing of slavery..." Let's face it, "a movie consisting of multiple vampire attacks quickly gets repetitive and exhausting," Kenneth Turan points out in the Los Angeles Times. It needs "more wit and less whacking."

R. Camilli, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution/Science Still images taken June 1 by a remote-operated camera descending through the Gulf of Mexico just southwest of the well site showed what scientists called a "highly turbid" layer of emulsified oil between 1,065 meters and 1,300 meters deep. Oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill formed an underwater plume of hydrocarbons the size of Manhattan, scientists said Thursday, raising fears of a lingering cloud of trace chemicals in the Gulf with an unknown long-term impact. The new findings from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution add to evidence from other research groups this week that the offshore spill—the largest in history—is confounding scientists' assumptions about how the Gulf waters are interacting with the mass of oil. Stefanie Ilgenfritz has details of a just-released-survey indicating the oil that spilled from the Deepwater Horizon produced drifting plume of hydrocarbons the size of Manhattan. The new data, based on measurements taken in June when oil was still gushing from BP PLC's Macondo well, also challenge government estimates that the vast majority of the 4.9 million barrels of spilled oil is already gone from the Gulf or being rapidly broken down by bacteria, several marine experts said. The Woods Hole scientists reported their preliminary findings Thursday online in the journal Science. Instead, some of that oil may persist deep under water—at levels thousands of times higher than those caused by the natural oil seeps that dot the Gulf sea floor—where it can elude conventional detection and cleanup efforts, scientists said. Up to 79% of the spilled oil may still be in the Gulf, researchers at the Georgia Sea Grant program and the University of Georgia said earlier this week. Oil is already settling into the sea floor in a prime spawning ground for fish called DeSoto Canyon east of the damaged well, according to University of South Florida scientists. "I think the imprint of the BP release, the discharge, will be detectable in the Gulf of Mexico for the rest of my life," oceanographer Ian MacDonald from Florida State University told a congressional hearing on the spill Thursday. {if djIsFlashPossible} The version of Adobe Flash Player required to view this interactive has not been found. To enjoy our complete interactive experience, please download a free copy of the latest version of Adobe Flash Player here {else} {else} This content can not be displayed because your browser does not support the Adobe Flash player required to view it. {/if} {/if} The Woods Hole researchers saw little evidence in June, two months after a wellhead explosion triggered the spill, that oil-eating microbes had reduced the cloud of chemicals. "It looks like the oil is degrading relatively slowly," said Woods Hole chemist Ben Van Mooy. Contrary to previous predictions by other researchers, however, the Woods Hole group found no evidence of "dead zones," in which bacteria feasting on oil can use up so much oxygen in the process that no fish or marine life can survive. They speculated that earlier oxygen readings might have been wrong because measuring devices can give artificially low readings when coated by oil. Renewed concerns over leftover oil in the Gulf of Mexico could deal a further blow to the region's battered fishing industry, which is eager to return to normal after big stretches of state and federal waters were reopened in recent weeks. The five Gulf Coast states had $10.54 billion in combined seafood sales and employed more than 200,000 people in 2008, according to government data. But demand for Gulf seafood has shrunk amid images of oil-slicked waters. That is despite heightened monitoring by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which says seafood from the parts of the Gulf open to fishing pose no health risks. So far, the chemicals in the deep plume aren't concentrated in these depths at levels high enough to be directly toxic to most marine life, several ocean experts who study the Gulf said. No one knows yet how long oil plumes will last or what their long-term impact will be. But experts are concerned that if the trace chemicals linger long enough, they could damage fish eggs and larvae, as well as the plankton on which many fish feed. Researchers suggest the plume may last for a year or more, but it isn't yet known whether it has dissipated since the Woods Hole researchers measured it, at the end of June. "These hydrocarbons may well show up somewhere else, running undetected below the surface," said Richard Camilli from the Massachusetts-based Woods Hole group, who was chief scientist on the June research. Enlarge Image Close C. McIntyre, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution The scientists made 57,000 measurements, mainly using sensors aboard a remote-controlled robot deployed from the ship. For 10 days in June, Dr. Camilli and his colleagues aboard a U.S. National Science Foundation research vessel explored the plume—22 miles long and more than a mile wide—as it snaked along 3,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf. Writing in the journal Science, the scientists confirmed that oil from the well had been caught below the surface of the Gulf in pools of microscopic oil drops and petroleum-based trace chemicals, which were degrading more slowly than many had expected. The plume resembled a mist of trace chemicals largely invisible to the eye, rather than a river of oil. In normal circumstances, crude oil floats to the surface, where it can be skimmed, burned off or evaporated. Floating on the waves, it can be churned into smaller drops readily digested by bacteria. But oil from the ruptured well, broken down by sprays of chemical dispersants and held at depth by water pressure, has formed microscopic droplets not buoyant enough to break through the transition layer that separates warm surface currents from the cold bottom water, several experts said. In their analysis, the Woods Hole researchers said they found high concentrations of benzene, toluene, xylene and other so-called BTEX petroleum compounds that could be traced to the leaking well. They calculated that the plume contained between 5% and 6% of the signature BTEX petroleum hydrocarbons released during the spill. "This is the first number that anybody has been able to put on how much of the stuff from the well is ending up in the plume," said University of Georgia oceanographer Samantha Joye, who is studying the Gulf spill but wasn't involved in the project. At the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a senior agency official said the new data would become part of the federal damage assessment used to help determine any penalties and fines that may be levied against BP and its contractors for damages from the spill. BP officials referred requests for comment on the new research to NOAA and the federal joint command overseeing the spill cleanup. Since the well was capped on July 15, there has been virtually no dispersant use—only 200 gallons total applied on July 19, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The question of how much oil is left in the Gulf, and where it has gone, is a contentious political issue in Washington. On Aug. 4, White House environmental policy czar Carol Browner and Jane Lubchenco, administrator of the NOAA, released a study that indicated that nearly 75% of the 4.9 million barrels spilled from BP's well in the Gulf had been dispersed, evaporated, or collected in cleanup operations. That report has since drawn criticism. Rep. Ed Markey (D., Mass.), chairman of a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee, used Thursday's hearing to criticize the Obama administration for "giving many people a false sense of confidence," and chided the administration for releasing the report. "We remain confident in our estimates," Ms. Lubchenco of NOAA said Thursday. —Mike Esterl, Siobhan Hughes and Stephen Power contributed to this article. Write to Robert Lee Hotz at sciencejournal@wsj.com ||||| Giant Oil Plume Found Below Surface Of Gulf i itoggle caption Dana Yoerger/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Dana Yoerger/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Scientists have mapped out, for the first time, the underwater path that some petrochemicals took after gushing from BP's oil well in the Gulf of Mexico. It's an important new piece in a huge scientific puzzle. Researchers are trying to figure out where as much as half of the spilled oil has gone. Christopher Reddy, a co-author of the study released Thursday by the journal Science, says it was a big surprise when scientists first reported that large amounts of oil and oil compounds were staying underwater rather than rising to the surface. "If you’d asked me — and I've been studying oil spills for 15 years — whether or not you would see oil in the subsurface, I would have said, 'No — doesn't oil float?' " he said at a news conference Thursday. The phenomenon is fascinating but also troublesome, he says, because if scientists don't know where the oil is, they also don't know what harm it may be causing. In June, Reddy and his colleagues from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution took a research ship to the scene of the spill. They lowered a sensor deep into the water and towed it in a large circle around the blown-out well, looking for particular hydrocarbons that are easy to detect. The sensor picked up a hydrocarbon signal southwest of the well, in a layer of water 3,000 feet below the surface. Richard Camilli, another researcher from WHOI, says they then sent down a new device — a small unmanned submarine called Sentry. "We had Sentry fly at a constant depth in kind of a zigzag pattern, moving out from the well site, tracking the plume," he said. If you’d asked me — and I've been studying oil spills for 15 years — whether or not you would see oil in the subsurface, I would have said, 'No — doesn't oil float?' The hydrocarbons, including benzene and toluene, were highly diluted in the water. They were coming from the gushing well, but they weren't spreading out in all directions. Instead, they followed an invisible underwater channel just over a mile wide and 650 feet thick. The researchers tracked that channel southwest for 22 miles, until bad weather forced them to stop. They looked for signs that microorganisms are feasting on those petroleum products and breaking them down, but they didn't see any. Reddy says they don't know exactly why. "Microbes are a lot like teenagers," he says. "They work on their own time, at their own scale. They do what they want when they want." There are many other unknowns. Reddy and his colleagues don't yet know how much of the oil from the well is in this plume. They hope to arrive at an estimate in a few months, after analyzing all of their water samples. They also don't know how toxic the plume may be to wildlife. Yet this is the best-documented case so far of oil flowing underwater. "This is a big piece of the puzzle," says Steven Murawski, science adviser for fisheries at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Murawski is trying to put the whole puzzle together. He is in touch with many of the research vessels — as many as seven on any given day — that are working in the Gulf of Mexico. Murawski says additional scientific reports about oil in the deep sea around the well will be released in the coming weeks. But he'd like to see more scientists working in other places, such as on the continental shelf, the wide shallow area close to shore where most fish live. Murawski says he's drafting plans to expand such research.

– Scientists have detected an underwater plume of oil the size of Manhattan, according to the Wall Street Journal. The findings, published yesterday, further undermine the Obama administration’s optimistic view that most of the Deepwater Horizon oil has already disappeared. The 22-mile-long underwater plume is also highly unusual. “If you’d asked me whether or not you would see oil in the subsurface, I would have said, 'No—doesn't oil float?'” one of the scientists who found it told NPR. Meanwhile, BP announced that it would delay popping the final plug into the well until at least mid-September, in part because of weather conditions, and in part so the blowout preventer could be repaired first, in case something goes wrong.

WASHINGTON — Saudi Arabia was preparing an alternative explanation of the fate of a dissident journalist on Monday, saying he died at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul two weeks ago in an interrogation gone wrong, according to a person familiar with the kingdom’s plans. In Washington, President Trump echoed the possibility that Jamal Khashoggi was the victim of “rogue killers.” The shifting story line defied earlier details that have emerged in the case, including signs that he was murdered and dismembered. Among other things, Turkish officials have said, an autopsy specialist carrying a bone saw was among 15 Saudi operatives who flew in and out of Istanbul the day Mr. Khashoggi disappeared. The new explanation, whatever its truth, seemed intended to ease the political crisis that Mr. Khashoggi’s disappearance has created for Saudi Arabia. The new story could also defuse some criticism of the Trump administration, which has refused to back down from billions of dollars in weapons sales to the kingdom and as of Monday was still planning to attend a glittering Saudi investment forum next week. [UPDATE: Jamal Khashoggi is dead. Here is everything we know so far.] And it could help Turkey, where a shaky economy would benefit from a financial infusion that low-interest loans from Riyadh could provide. ||||| Ankara, Turkey (CNN) Saudi Arabia is preparing a report that will acknowledge that Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's death was the result of an interrogation that went wrong, one that was intended to lead to his abduction from Turkey, according to two sources. One source says the report will likely conclude that the operation was carried out without clearance and transparency and that those involved will be held responsible. One of the sources acknowledged that the report is still being prepared and cautioned that things could change. The Washington Post columnist was last seen in public when he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in Turkey on October 2. Previously, Saudi authorities had maintained Khashoggi left the consulate the same afternoon of his visit, but provided no evidence to support the claim. CCTV footage shows Khashoggi entering the Saudi consulate on October 2. Khashoggi's fiancée, Hatice Cengiz, who was waiting outside the consulate, says she did not see him re-emerge. Read More ||||| Saudi Arabia is preparing an official account that will admit journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, according to multiple reports on Monday. It is not clear how much responsibility Saudi Arabia will take for the journalist's death, as reports indicate that while an official narrative is being prepared it is not complete. ADVERTISEMENT The kingdom will reportedly deflect responsibility for the death away from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman by saying Khashoggi's death was "unintentional" and the result of a "botched operation" by Saudi agents who were not authorized by the government's top authorities, two sources told CNN. "We are hearing from the sources at this stage that [the operation] was not carried out with the proper clearance," CNN's Clarissa Ward said on air. "There will be plenty of people who will have difficulty swallowing that narrative, [saying] it's hard to believe anything of this nature, of this sensitivity, could possibly take place without those in power in Saudi Arabia … being privy to it on some level," Ward noted. A source familiar with Saudi plans told The New York Times earlier Monday that Saudi Arabia was planning to indicate the killing was done by an incompetent intelligence official. The Wall Street Journal also reported Saudis are weighing admitting one of their intelligence officials killed Khashoggi by mistake. A joint team of Saudi and Turkish investigators on Monday began their search of the Saudi consulate in Turkey, where Khashoggi went missing on Oct. 2. Turkish reports have indicated Saudi agents were likely working on orders from Riyadh when they allegedly dismembered and killed Khashoggi. Turkey said they have unreleased video and audio evidence of the incident. Saudi Arabia has so far denied a role in Khashoggi's disappearance. President Trump Donald John TrumpAvenatti ‘still considering’ presidential run despite domestic violence arrest Mulvaney positioning himself to be Commerce Secretary: report Kasich: Wouldn’t want presidential run to ‘diminish my voice’ MORE on Monday morning suggested that "rogue killers" could have been behind Khashoggi's disappearance. According to the Times, this language is similar to the narrative Saudi Arabia will soon release. Khashoggi was a Virginia-based contributor to The Washington Post. He often criticized the Saudi government. U.S. intelligence previously indicated Saudi officials were plotting to lure Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia in order to detain him.

– Saudi Arabia is preparing to say that Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi was killed by mistake during an interrogation that went too far, CNN reports. According to two unidentified sources, the Saudis will claim that Khashoggi was interrogated without clearance, and those behind it will be held responsible. But one source says the Saudi report is still in progress and might change. CNN's story adds to an earlier New York Times report that Saudi Arabia plans to blame Khashoggi's death on a "tragically incompetent" intelligence official. That official wasn't identified but is apparently a friend of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. "We are hearing from the sources at this stage that [the operation] was not carried out with the proper clearance," says CNN's Clarissa Ward on the air, per the Hill. "There will be plenty of people who will have difficulty swallowing that narrative, [saying] it's hard to believe anything of this nature, of this sensitivity, could possibly take place without those in power in Saudi Arabia … being privy to it on some level." Trump said earlier Monday that "rogue killers" may have murdered the journalist, whose death was apparently recorded on his Apple watch.

NEW DELHI: Air India has grounded the two pilots involved in a tiff on its Jaipur-Delhi flight on Sunday evening. As reported by TOI, the commander of that flight (AI 611) had complained that the co-pilot had misbehaved and hit him when the aircraft was in Jaipur and being prepared for the flight to Delhi."Both the pilots have been derostered (means taken off flying duty). An inquiry has been ordered into this," AI spokesman G P Rao said, while adding that there was no violence in the cockpit.The captain has reportedly told AI that he would not like to fly with the co-pilot again, who has allegedly misbehaves with some other commander in the past too. The commander of AI 611 has given a detailed note of what happened on the flight to the airline operation and despatch units.The trouble had begun when AI 611 was getting ready to fly for Delhi. The DGCA is also likely to probe this issue."AI and DGCA should examine this latest problem in the cockpit. If the complaints about the said co-pilot's behavior are found true, then in the interest of aviation safety the authorities must act," said a pilot.According to senior AI commanders, the co-pilot in question has reportedly faced similar charges in the past too. "Three years back, he asked the commander of a flight to come out of the cockpit, remove the stars on his shirt collar and then fought with him. A year later, another commander complained about his 'rude and unbecoming' behavior in the cockpit and questioned his state of mind," said a senior commander. ||||| NEW DELHI: Amid rising aviation safety concerns over pilots' mental health , an Air India aircraft's cockpit witnessed some tense scenes between the captain and his deputy at Jaipur on Sunday evening just before the Airbus A-320 was to take off for Delhi. While numerous airline sources said that the co-pilot abused and beat up the commander, an AI spokesman said that "there was an argument between the two and nothing more." The heated scenes were witnessed when AI 611 was getting ready to fly for Delhi. "The commander told his co-pilot to take down critical take off figures for the flight. This involves writing critical facts like number of passengers on board, take off weight and fuel uptake on a small paper card (trim sheet) that is displayed in front of the pilots for the entire duration of the flight. The co-pilot took offence at this and reportedly beat up the captain," said a source."In the larger interest of the airline", the commander decided to go ahead with the flight and flew to Delhi. The normal procedure would have been to report this incident in Jaipur but that would have led to the flight being cancelled and passengers being left stranded. On landing here, the captain is learnt to have made a log entry with AI movement control after which he flew to his home base, Mumbai.The AI spokesman said: "The two had an argument. They have settled the issue."According to senior AI commanders, the co-pilot in question has reportedly faced similar charges in the past too. "Three years back, he asked the commander of a flight to come out of the cockpit, remove the stars on his shirt collar (appulates) and then fought with him. A year later, another commander complained about his 'rude and unbecoming' behavior in the cockpit and questioned his state of mind," said a senior commander."AI and DGCA should examine this latest problem in the cockpit. If the complaints about the said co-pilot's behavior are found true, then in the interest of aviation safety the authorities must act," said a pilotNeither DGCA chief M Sathiyavathy, nor her deputies could be reached for comments. ||||| AI pilots indulge in verbal duel before flight take off Two Air India pilots allegedly indulged in a heated argument on board a Jaipur-Delhi flight just before its departure and have been taken off duty. The incident took place when an Air India flight from Jaipur was readying to take off for Delhi yesterday evening. An Air India spokesperson said both the pilots- commander and co-pilot- have been derostered pending investigation. "There were only heated exchanges between the commander and co-pilot over some issue. We have already derostered the two pilots pending an inquiry," the spokesperson said. Two pilots allegedly indulged in a heated argument on board a Jaipur- flight just before its departure and have been taken off duty. The incident took place when an Air India flight from was readying to take off for Delhi yesterday evening. An Air India spokesperson said both the pilots- commander and co-pilot- have been derostered pending investigation. "There were only heated exchanges between the commander and co-pilot over some issue. We have already derostered the two pilots pending an inquiry," the spokesperson said. ||||| Struggling state-run carrier Air India has grounded two of its pilots after a fight erupted between the pair just before take-off. The co-pilot allegedly assaulted the captain inside the cockpit as they were preparing the passenger plane for takeoff from the Indian tourist city of Jaipur to New Delhi on Sunday night, the Hindustan Times newspaper said on Monday. The co-pilot was irritated by his superior's request to write down critical information for the flight, such as the number of passengers on board, take-off weight and fuel uptake, the Times Of India reported. "The co-pilot took offence at this and reportedly beat up the captain," the newspaper said, quoting unnamed sources. Advertisement "In the larger interest of the airline the commander decided to go ahead with the flight and flew to Delhi," the daily added. The airline denied any violence took place, saying there was only a verbal argument between the pair, according to the Press Trust of India. "There were only heated exchanges between the commander and co-pilot over some issue. We have already derostered the two pilots pending an enquiry," an Air India spokesman told the news agency. The carrier could not be reached for comment. Air India - which has not reported an annual profit since 2007 - has been hit by a string of technical glitches and other embarrassing incidents, including staff turning up late for flights. Many airlines have introduced a rule requiring two crew in the cockpit at all times following the crash of a Germanwings plane last month. It's believed the co-pilot Andreas Lubitz deliberately smashed the plane into the French Alps after locking the captain out of the cockpit, killing all 150 people on board. AFP ||||| Reports: Air India grounds pilots after cockpit fight (Photo: AFP/Getty Images) Air India has grounded two of its pilots after they apparently got into a fight just before takeoff Sunday night on a flight from Jaipur to New Delhi. The extent of the altercation remained unclear Monday morning, but the confrontation was intense enough that the struggling Indian carrier moved to ground both the captain and co-pilot. Citing "numerous" unnamed sources, The Times of India reports "the co-pilot abused and beat up the commander." Air India officials acknowledged the altercation, but denied that it became physical. "There were only heated exchanges between the commander and co-pilot over some issue," an Air India spokesman told the Press Trust of India. "We have already derostered the two pilots pending an enquiry." Physical or not, the confrontation did not stop the pilots from operating the Sunday evening flight on the Airbus A320. The Times of India says the pilots should have reported the incident in Jaipur instead of continuing to New Delhi. One of the newspaper's unnamed sources says the pilots went ahead with the flight "in the larger interest of the airline." The incident, of course, is likely to draw extra scrutiny after crash of Germanwings flight 9525 in the French Alps last month. In that incident, French investigators say they believe the co-pilot of Germanwings Flight 9525 deliberately crashed the plane after locking the captain out of the cockpit. As for Air India, the incident is just the latest in a string of embarrassing incidents for the airline. The carrier has drawn frequent criticism for poor management and meddling by its owner – the Indian government. News agency AFP sums it up by writing: "Air India - which has not reported an annual profit since 2007 - has been hit by a string of technical glitches and other embarrassing incidents, including staff turning up late for flights." TWITTER: You can follow me at twitter.com/TodayInTheSky Read or Share this story: http://usat.ly/1CbhwRA

– With nerves still frayed from last month's Germanwings crash, this latest incident may not expedite a return to calm. Unnamed sources say that the co-pilot of an Air India plane physically abused the pilot after an argument over paperwork last night—and that they then proceeded to take off like nothing had happened, the Times of India reports. Although an airline spokesman tells the Press Trust of India that "there were only heated exchanges between the commander and co-pilot over some issue," both pilots have been grounded as an investigation into the matter is conducted, the Times notes. The scuffle on Flight AI 611, which was getting ready to depart Jaipur for New Delhi, apparently started when the captain asked the co-pilot to jot down some important preflight stats such as the number of passengers and takeoff weight, the Times reports. "The co-pilot took offense at this and reportedly beat up the captain," an unnamed source tells the paper. After the alleged abuse, the pilot decided not to report the incident right away and fly on to Delhi anyway, "in the larger interest of the airline," the source adds. Senior Air India officials tell the Times this co-pilot has been under the microscope before, including for goading another captain into a fight and for previous "rude and unbecoming" actions; the captain of Flight AI 611 reportedly doesn't want to fly next to him again, either. USA Today and AFP note the airline has had its fair share of other troublesome incidents, including shoddy management, "technical glitches," and staff being tardy for work. (A woman's heartwarming letter to the pilots of her flight has gone viral.)

CLOSE IOC members voted unanimously to seek a consensus three-way deal between the two bid cities to host the 2024 and 2028 Olympics. L.A. mayor Eric Garcetti is confident his city will host an Olympics in the near future. USA TODAY Sports Gil Roberts claimed that a banned substance entered his system through “frequently and passionately” kissing his girlfriend. (Photo: Andy Lyons, Getty Images) An arbitrator officially cleared Olympic gold medalist Gil Roberts, conceding that the sprinter ingested a banned substance by means of kissing his girlfriend, according to the public case report. Roberts, who won a gold medal at the Rio Games as a member of the 4x400-meter relay team, had been suspended by the United States Anti-Doping Agency in May after testing positive for probenecid in his system in a March drug test. Roberts claimed that the substance entered his system through “frequently and passionately” kissing his girlfriend -- who was treating a sinus infection with the medication Moxylong -- ahead of the drug test. The independent arbitrator, however, helped clear Roberts through an expedited hearing — allowing him to compete in the USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships and qualify for the world championships in the 400-meter run in London next month. The arbitrator concluded that Roberts “had no idea that kissing his girlfriend could lead to his ingesting a prohibited substance. When he kissed her he did not remember the taste of medicine in her mouth. …Thus for Roberts it must have been like lightning out of a clear blue sky for him to learn by kissing his girlfriend this time that he was exposing himself to a prohibited substance. Roberts has met his burden of proof.” Roberts’ case is similar to that of Shawn Barber, the pole vault world champion who tested positive for cocaine but actually ingested it from a female escort. More: Deaf swimmer shines light on technology that could change future of the sport More: Olympic Channel hits TVs Saturday, will air 1992 Dream Team games in late August ||||| An arbitrator has officially cleared Olympic gold medalist Gil Roberts after he argued that he ingested a banned substance after kissing his girlfriend. Roberts, a 4x400m relay gold medalist at the Rio Olympics, was provisionally suspended by the United States Anti-Doping Agency in May after his A and B samples tested positive after a drug test in March. The positive sample confirmed a masking agent called probenecid was in his system. Last month, an independent arbitrator cleared Roberts of any wrongdoing, which allowed him to compete in the USATF Outdoor Championships. Roberts said that he ingested probenecid through “frequently and passionately” kissing his girlfriend days before his March drug test. Roberts’ girlfriend had received a sinus infection medication labeled Moxylong from a local "chemist" during a trip to India with her family, and was still taking the medicine upon her return to the United States. "He had no idea that kissing his girlfriend could lead to his ingesting a prohibited substance. When he kissed her he did not remember the taste of medicine in her mouth," the arbitrator said. "Thus for Roberts it must have been like lightning out of a clear blue sky for him to learn that by kissing his girlfriend this time that he was exposing himself to a prohibited substance. Roberts has met his burden of proof." Roberts ran in the 400m at the USATF Outdoor Championships and qualified for the world championships in London next month. ||||| Roberts won gold in the 4x400m relay at the Rio Olympic Games Olympic gold medallist Gil Roberts has been cleared of failing a drugs test, after it was found he ingested a banned substance by kissing his girlfriend. The 28-year-old American, who won 4x400m relay gold at Rio 2016, tested positive for probenecid on 24 March. Although Roberts was cleared at an arbitration hearing on 20 June, the details have just been released by the US Anti-Doping Agency (Usada). An arbitrator said the athlete was "without fault". Probenecid is used to treat to high levels of uric acid in the blood, and can be used as a masking agent because it increases the production of urine. After Roberts failed an out-of-competition test, he was provisionally suspended on 5 May. He competed in the 400m at last month's US track and field championships, qualifying for August's World Championships in London by finishing second. A few weeks before his failed test, Roberts' girlfriend Alex Salazar had been taking medication for a sinus infection which contained probenecid. Salazar took the medicine on the day of Roberts' test and the pair kissed shortly after. "Whenever they were together, they kissed frequently and passionately," said the report from the American Arbitration Association. Roberts said he did not know Salazar was taking the medicine and was unaware that kissing could lead to him ingesting any banned substance.

– Gold-medal sprinter Gil Roberts nearly kissed away his career. But an arbitrator cleared the champ of charges he ingested a banned substance, conceding the drug got into his system exactly as Roberts says it did—through smooching with his girlfriend, reports Sports Illustrated. Roberts, 28, who won the 4x400-meter relay with Team USA at the 2016 Rio Games, was suspended in May after testing positive for probenecid. The runner says the drug got into his system through his girlfriend, who was treating a sinus infection and whom he "frequently and passionately" kissed. Roberts' paramour bought the drug during a trip to India and was still taking it when she returned to the US. "He had no idea that kissing his girlfriend could lead to his ingesting a prohibited substance," the independent arbitrator writes in a June 20 report released Friday, per the BBC. "When he kissed her he did not remember the taste of medicine in her mouth," he adds. The decision was expedited so Roberts could compete in the USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships in order to qualify for world championships in London next month. The arbitrator says the failed drug test for Roberts "must have been like lightning out of a clear blue sky for him to learn by kissing his girlfriend this time that he was exposing himself to a prohibited substance," adding that the runner "has met his burden of proof." The case echoes that of pole vault champ Shawn Barber, who tested positive for cocaine after visiting a female escort, USA Today notes. (After a doping finding, an Olympic wrestler turned down a silver medal.)

Italian police are investigating the murder of a popular American expat found strangled to death in her flat near the river Arno. Ashley Ann Olsen, 35, originally of South Haven, Florida, was found naked with bruises and scratches on her neck in her flat Saturday afternoon. The news sent tremors through the tight-knit expat community of foreigners in Florence , as well as the vibrant, artistic Oltrarno neighborhood where she lived, along the left bank of the river that bisects the city. On Sunday, many passerby stopped to leave bouquets of fresh flowers on her doorstep. “La Americana, la Americana,” said regulars at the café and tobacco shop on the corner. “Everybody around here knew who she was . . the blonde American with the little dog,” said one young Italian woman who was walking her two small dogs down Olsen’s street in the Santo Spirito quarter. • Amanda Knox cleared: Who killed Meredith Kercher? Her body was discovered after her boyfriend, an up and coming contemporary Italian painter, said he became alarmed after being unable to reach her for several days. The two had fought, he said, but when she did not pick up his calls he contacted the landlord, who allowed him into Miss Olsen’s locked flat, where he found her and then called police, according to Italian media reports. Police said she had bruises and scratches that suggested she tried to fight off her aggressor, but noted no signs of a forced entry into the small apartment on Via Santa Monaca. Her pet beagle, “Scout,” was found outside. Miss Olsen moved to Florence in 2012 to study art and be near her father, who also lives in Florence, where he teaches art at an American school. Bubbly, popular and wealthy, the American appeared to be living a glamorous, bohemian expat life, which she chronicled regularly on Facebook and Instagram in enthusiastic bursts of short, hashtagged phrases. Photo: Instagram She posted pictures of her favorite haunts – the narrow cobblestone streets around her flat, the nearby square, her boyfriend’s art studio, the chic wine bars where she hung out. She garnered dozens of “likes” for the pretty snaps of her with her beloved beagle or enjoying road trips, from the backstreets of Berlin to balmy Mediterranean isles. Her Instagram motto was “Live free or die.” But it remains a mystery who made that choice for her. Police were questioning a large group of American friends about her last movements as well as her boyfriend, a 45-year-old Italian who had lived for years in California before resettling in Tuscany and building a budding career in contemporary art that led to exhibitions in New York, Berlin, Asia and Europe. She posted many pictures of them as a couple, often partying, and sometimes with affectionate comments like #thisguy is #somethingelse. But one woman, a regular at Miss Olsen’s neighborhood café’ who was in frequent contact with her, told the Telegraph she had recently confided there were problems in the relationship. “I talked to her nearly every day, I felt like a mother figure to her,” said the woman, who asked not to be named. “She had been in a previous marriage that ended badly, and still had her ex-husband’s name tattooed on the inside of her wrist. I encouraged her to get therapy, to not repeat the situation." Photo: Instagram Miss Olsen also hinted that her social media postings had attracted unwanted attention from strangers. Nine weeks ago she shared on Instagram several pictures that she suggested had been taken of her in her neighborhood without her consent. She attached the hashtags #Ihaveastalker, #creeperpic and #stalkeralert. Investigators were studying her computer and phone records as well as CCTV images from the well-trafficked intersection near her flat for clues. “The investigation is active and ongoing, so we are not making any official declarations at this time,” said Florence police spokeswoman Maddalena Carosi, who said no suspects had yet been named. The investigator in charge of the Florence Flying Squad is no stranger to high profile murder cases involving foreigners, having led the investigation into British exchange student Meredith Kercher’s murder in Perugia in 2007. As head of the Perugia Flying Squad at the time, Giacinto Profazio was present at Amanda Knox’s interrogation and had testified that the American from Seattle did cartwheels and the splits in the police station while waiting to be questioned about Miss Kercher's murder. Miss Knox, who Italy’s Supreme Court last year acquitted of murder, maintained she was just doing yoga to relieve stress. Mr. Profazio was later transfered to Rome, then appointed in early 2015 to lead Florence Flying Squad, where he now is among the lead investigators probing Olsen’s murder. • Amanda Knox cleared: Who killed Meredith Kercher? ||||| Body of Ashley Ann Olsen was found in Florence flat with marks on neck, say investigators piecing together her last movements Police in Florence have launched a murder inquiry after an American woman well known in the city’s artistic neighbourhood was found dead in her apartment. Ashley Ann Olsen, 35, was found in her bedroom with marks on her neck that indicated she may have been strangled. Her body was discovered on Saturday after Olsen’s Italian boyfriend asked her landlady to open her apartment because she wasn’t responding to his calls, the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera reported. Both the victim’s boyfriend and friends are said to have spoken to investigators at length. No suspects have yet been named by police and an autopsy is due to be carried out to confirm how Olsen was killed. Her phone and computer have been seized by investigators as they try to piece together her last movements, Italian media said. Olsen used her Instagram account to suggest she was receiving unwanted attention, although from the nature of the posts it wasn’t clear if she was joking about pictures taken by friends. In one photo she wrote “I have a #stalker” with an image of her walking her dog, while another of her shopping in Santo Spirito’s popular market includes the hashtags “#fuckoff #creeper”. Foreign women, particularly blondes, often attract attention from men on the streets of Florence and other Italian cities. A spokesperson for the US embassy in Rome was not immediately available to comment on the investigation. The investigation into Olsen’s death has already raised comparisons with the murder of Meredith Kercher, a British student found dead in her apartment in Perugia in 2007. Originally from Summer Haven, Florida, Olsen moved to Florence in 2012 and was living in the vibrant Santo Spirito neighbourhood when she was killed. The area is well known for its bohemian atmosphere, which attracts a tight-knit community of international artists, as well as its lively bar scene. The murder has sent shockwaves through the neighbourhood. “Of course I remember her. I also remember that she came here with a friend and an English guy, he’s also an artist. She was very nice. I can’t believe that they would have done her harm,” a local bar owner told La Nazione newspaper. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Italian police officers outside the apartment in Florence where Ashley Olsen was found dead. Photograph: Maurizio Degl'Innocenti/AP “The idea that all of this could have happened in our neighbourhood, where we only worry about noise during the night, fills me with horror and bitterness,” said a shop owner on Via Santa Monaca, where Olsen lived. Florence itself is hugely attractive to young Americans, who visit the Renaissance city to take part in university exchange programmes. Olsen’s father works as an art teacher in the city and his daughter moved to Italy to be close to him, Italian news agency Ansa said. Olsen appeared to be living la dolce vita and often posted photographs online of her adventures with her dog, a beagle named Scout. Under the motto “Live free or die”, her Instagram account is filled with pictures of Olsen enjoying the Tuscan countryside, sitting on the steps of Santo Spirito’s main square, with comments on daily life in Florence. Last summer, she flew to her family home in Florida, before returning to Italy and visiting the Tuscan island of Elba with her partner. The couple have also travelled to Berlin together. Friends and other expats expressed hope that the case wouldn’t end up repeating the flawed, flip-flopping investigation into the high-profile murder case of Meredith Kercher. Kercher suffered multiple stab wounds in the attack, just weeks after moving to the hilltop Umbrian city to study. Kercher’s US flatmate, Amanda Knox, was originally convicted of murder along with her Italian boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito. A lengthy legal process saw the duo acquitted and then convicted again, before Italy’s highest court threw out the guilty verdicts in March 2015. The final decision was put down to “stunning flaws” in the investigation that led to Knox’s and Sollecito’s convictions, with judges arguing that there was not enough evidence to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt. A third person, Rudy Guede, is currently serving a 16-year prison sentence over his part in Kercher’s murder, after being convicted on the basis that he had accomplices. “I would hope for [Olsen’s] sake that this investigation is more clear,” Georgette Jupe, who writes the Girl in Florence blog, told the Associated Press. Social media groups for expats in Florence expressed the same sentiment, with several people posting comments about the parallel to the Kercher investigation, which was harshly criticised in both the US and British media. Jupe said Olsen was involved in fashion and had moved a few years ago to Florence. “She always with her dog, always sitting on steps of Santo Spirito with friends,” Jupe said.

– American expat Ashley Ann Olsen, who was found dead Saturday in her apartment in Florence, Italy, left behind an Instagram account that could possibly shed light on how she died. Some two months before she was killed, Olsen, 35, posted photos on Instagram with hashtags, such as #Ihaveastalker, #creeperpic and #stalkeralert, that seem to indicate that she thought she was being stalked, the Telegraph reports. The photos, including an image of her walking her dog and another one of her shopping, appear to have been taken without Olsen's knowledge. However, as the Guardian notes, it is not clear whether she was joking about photos taken by friends or if she was truly concerned. Olsen, originally of Summer Haven, Fla., was found by her boyfriend, an Italian artist. Concerned that she had not been answering his calls, he convinced her landlord to let him enter her locked apartment. After discovering her naked, bruised, and scratched body, he called police, per the Telegraph. One woman who knew Olsen tells the Telegraph that there had been problems in the relationship. “She had been in a previous marriage that ended badly," she says. "I encouraged her to get therapy, to not repeat the situation." Police have questioned Olsen's boyfriend, but no suspect has been named, reports the Guardian, and an autopsy is to be performed. Investigators are examining her computer, phone records, and security camera footage from a busy intersection near her apartment. Interestingly, the Telegraph notes that the lead investigator in the Amanda Knox case is among top officials investigating Olsen's death.

Cocoa police detectives released a surveillance photo of a man they say killed a 65-year-old man in a motel room. The suspect stole the victim’s vehicle and drove away from the Dixie Motel, police said. He may have gone to the Hialeah area in South Florida, officers said. An employee called 911 around 11 a.m. Wednesday after finding a body in room 216, according to police. The victim was later identified as Terry Scott Hilliard, of Ocala. Hilliard arrived at the hotel with the suspect around 5 p.m. Tuesday, police said. The motel is at 301 Forrest Ave. Anyone with information is asked to call Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477. dharris@orlandosentinel.com, 407-420-5471 or @DavidHarrisOS ||||| A man who'd traveled to Cocoa, Florida, to watch SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket launch was found dead in his hotel room Wednesday, sparking a nationwide hunt for his killer. Interested in SpaceX? Add SpaceX as an interest to stay up to date on the latest SpaceX news, video, and analysis from ABC News. Add Interest Terry Hillard, of Ocala, Florida, was in the area for Monday’s SpaceX launch, Cocoa police said in a statement. He checked into the Dixie Motel late Tuesday night with the suspect. Hillard's body was discovered Wednesday morning. Officials would not comment on the cause of death in the case. Cocoa Beach Police The suspect took Hillard’s black Chevy Cruz and abandoned it in Hialeah, Florida, police said. “We don’t know who [the suspect] is, we don’t think he is local, we think he’s a drifter,” Yvonne Martinez, a public information officer for the Cocoa Police Department, told ABC News. Authorities are not sure how the suspect and the victim knew each other, Martinez said. “The plaza where he ditched the car is near the turnpike. He could have hitchhiked to the other side of Florida, or he could have headed north, he could be anywhere,” Martinez said. Officials have issued statewide and nationwide bulletins to try and locate the suspect. Authorities cautioned the suspect may be armed “due to the nature of the homicide” and should be considered dangerous. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Central Florida Crimeline. Up to a $5,000 reward is being offered. ||||| NBC 6 Reporter Erika Glover explains how police are looking for a man who is believed to be connected to a murder in Cocoa. What to Know Suspected killer is described as a white male, average build with dark hair, 5'7" to 5'10" between 18 and 28 years of age. Victim was found dead Wednesday morning at a motel in Cocoa, which is an hour outside of Orlando. Victim's abandoned vehicle was found in Hialeah Gardens. A suspected killer could be on the run in South Florida and police need your help to find him. “Somebody knows him, somebody has seen him, somebody has gone past him,” said Ron McCarron of Cocoa Police. Investigators believe the man they are searching for is connected to this week’s death of 65-year-old Terry Scott Hillard from Ocala. “It’s a while male, average build, dark hair. Possibly 5’7” to 5’10” between 18 and 28 years of age,” said McCarron. An employee at the Dixie Motel in the city of Cocoa, which is about an hour from Orlando, first alerted police to the homicide on Wednesday morning. Cocoa police said Hillard checked into the Dixie Motel around 5 p.m. Tuesday with the same man that’s now on the run. “We don’t know if it was someone that the victim knew or someone they had just met. Everything is showing us that they were hanging out together at the hotel and during the time just before the hotel,” said McCarron. Detectives tracked down the victim’s abandoned vehicle, which was used as the suspect’s getaway car, at a strip mall in Hialeah Gardens on Northwest 138th Street. He was last seen on security video at a gas station on West Okeechobee Road in Hialeah Gardens at around 4:30 Thursday morning. “He should be considered armed and dangerous,” said McCarron. The victim’s wife said he was in Cocoa Wednesday watching the Falcon Heavy rocket launch. Relatives tell police they have never seen the suspect. “As far as I know, he’s a suspect,” said David Walker, a relative of the victim. “I don’t know what happened. We’re clueless as to what happened, why it happened. That’s basically what my sister is trying to understand.” Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.

– Terry Hillard arrived in Cocoa, Florida, to watch Tuesday's SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launch. A day later he was dead. The Orlando Sentinel reports an employee of the Dixie Motel called 911 on Wednesday morning after finding Hillard's body in his room. The 65-year-old Hillard checked into the motel late Tuesday with the suspect, according to ABC News. It's unclear how Hillard knew the unidentified suspect, who police say may be "a drifter." “We don’t know if it was someone that the victim knew or someone they had just met," Ron McCarron of the Cocoa Police Department tells NBC Miami. "Everything is showing us that they were hanging out together at the hotel and during the time just before the hotel." Relatives of Hillard say they had never seen the suspect before. Police spokesperson Yvonne Martinez says the suspect left the motel in Hillard's car before abandoning it. The suspect was last spotted on a gas station security camera early Thursday morning. Martinez says he "could be anywhere," and a nationwide manhunt is underway. “Somebody knows him, somebody has seen him, somebody has gone past him,” McCarron says. While officials aren't saying how Hillard was killed, they're warning the suspect may be armed "due to the nature of the homicide."