‘Those raided have been funding terror’ Hawala trail goes back decades The bank accounts and lockers detected during the probe have been ordered to be frozen.While the NIA team sealed the Qamarwari residence of Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Geelani’s son-in-law Altaf Shah, another Geelani confidante Mehraj Kalwal, district president of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, was questioned. Hurriyat faction chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s spokesman Aftab Ahmad was detained for some time, while the faction’s leader Zafar Akbar Bhat was also quizzed.Residences of three other separatist leaders, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Javaid Gazi Baba and Farooq Ahmad Dar alias Bitta Karate, were also searched on Saturday. Earlier on Saturday, the agency swooped down on the separatists, their associates and some businessmen, suspected to be involved in routing funds, at 26 locations across Kashmir, Haryana and Delhi, after it converted a preliminary enquiry into terror funding as an FIR.“The subject matter of investigation is to probe the entire chain of players behind financing of terrorist activities including pelting of stones on security forces, burning of schools, damaging government establishments and other such activities,” said the NIA.Cash running into a few crores, gold jewellery and coins worth about ₹40 lakh, a large number of property-related papers, letterheads of the banned outfits, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen, several pen-drives, laptops, mobile phones and other incriminating documents, including phone diaries, katchcha receipts and vouchers were seized from financiers, hawala operators and office bearers of separatist groups, said the NIA on Saturday.Also Read The National Investigation Agency continued its searches on the second consecutive day, on Sunday, at five more places belonging to “secessionist and separatist elements”, besides hawala operators, in connection with an alleged case of terror financing by Pakistan-based terror outfits and the separatists in the Valley.“Searches are under way at four places in Kashmir and one place in Jammu. During the course of searches, Pakistani currency (a few thousands) and currencies of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have been found and seized, apart from other incriminating material. The persons concerned are being questioned,” said an NIA statement.Also Read
Trump, Turnbull discuss ways to expand ties with India, Japan
US President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull today reiterated their commitment to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific and affirmed the importance of expanding quadrilateral co-operation with India and Japan.Following their meeting, the White House said Trump and Turnbull “discussed ways to deepen trilateral cooperation with Japan and affirmed the importance of expanding cooperation between Australia, the US, Japan, and India.”Read it at Outlook Related Items
Prior in for Davies in England’s World Cup squad
England selectors opted for Matt Prior as wicketkeeper ahead of Steve Davies in the 15-man squad announced hours before the deadline on Wednesday for the World Cup starting next month in the Indian subcontinent.Matt Prior en route to his maiden Test century during the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. APPrior has been playing domestic cricket in Australia since playing a key role in England’s Ashes Test series victory in Australia, while Davies has been the wicketkeeper for England in their last six limited-overs internationals.The 28-year-old Prior, who hasn’t been part of England’s ODI setup for most of the last year, is now expected to jointhe England squad ahead of the second ODI against Australia in Hobart on Friday.”It was a tough decision,” England coach Andy Flower said. “Steve Davies was picked in our last one-day series, he did okay against Pakistan.”We picked him for this series in Australia because of the conditions out here, but as we get closer to the World Cup we’ve made that adjustment and we want Prior to get a few games under his belt before we get out there.”Prior, who scored a century at a fast run-rate in the last Ashes Test against Australia, is expected to partner skipper Andrew Strauss at the top of the order.”We believe that Matt Prior is best suited to the subcontinent conditions and that’s why we’ve picked him,” Flower said.”The circumstances have changed. Matt Prior did very well out here in the Test matches. He is a combative, aggressive cricketer. He fits our aggressive fielding unit so those are the reasons why he has been picked for the World Cup.”advertisement”Of course he is disappointed.” Flower said. “But those are the harsh realities of playing professional sport. Steve and the others who have been left out will have to accept it.”Chris Tremlett is the only member of the current England ODI squad who missed selection for the World Cup.James Anderson and Stuart Broad, who is recovering from injury, will join the England squad in Australia on Friday to bolster the pace bowling stocks along with Tim Bresnan and Ajmal Shahzad.The squad will contain three specialist spinners, including Graeme Swann, Michael Yardy and James Tredwell.There are some concern over Swann, who will miss the next two weeks due to an injured left knee.Selectors are expecting Paul Collingwood to return to form and have named the Durham veteran in the squad.”Paul Collingwood may not have scored as many runs as he would have liked so far on the tour of Australia but he has been a consistently strong performer for England in limited-overs cricket for a long period of time,” Flower said.”He’ll be looking to make a big impact at another global event.”England open their World Cup Group B campaign against The Netherlands at Nagpur on February 22, then plays India at Kolkata.England squad: Andrew Strauss (Captain), Jimmy Anderson, Ian Bell, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood, Eoin Morgan, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Ajmal Shahzad, Graeme Swann, James Tredwell, Jonathan Trott, Luke Wright, Michael Yardy.
Indian cricket team arrives in Zimbabwe for short series
Harare, Jun 9 (PTI) A 16-member Indian cricket team, led by captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, has arrived here for a short limited-overs series beginning on Saturday. The team arrived here after a long flight after leaving Mumbai on Tuesday. The BCCI tweeted to inform the arrival of the players at the Harare International Airport with pictures of Dhoni and some of his teammates completing the formalities at the airport. The team will be playing three ODIs and as many T20 Internationals against Zimbabwe between June 11 and 22. All the matches are scheduled to be played at the Harare Sports Club here. The ODIs will be played on June 11, 13 and 15 while the T20 Internationals are scheduled for June 18, 20 and 22. The new look Indian team has come here without senior players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Ravichandran Ashwin. PTI PDS PM PM
Barcelona says it will surpass 1 billion euros in revenue
Becoming his own man It says the 1-billion-euro mark will be achieved a year earlier than projected.Barcelona says its profits after taxes will reach 11 million euros ($12.1 million) this season, the ninth consecutive year with a positive result.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGreatest ever?SPORTSBecoming his own manSPORTSFormer PBA import Anthony Grundy passes away at 40The club’s revenues are expected to increase by 6% this season thanks in part to “an unprecedented commercial effort in sponsorship.”It says “forecasts indicate an increase of 9% in income for player transfers and loan, which consolidates this resource as a recurring source of income at both the club and in the football industry itself.” Ethel Booba on SEA Games cauldron: ‘Sulit kung corrupt ang panggatong’ Barcelona team players pose prior to the start of the Champions League Group F soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Barcelona in Dortmund, Germany, Tuesday Sept. 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)BARCELONA, Spain — Barcelona says it will become the first sports team in the world to surpass 1 billion euros ($1.15 billion) in revenue this season.The Spanish club made the announcement on Thursday while presenting revenue of 990 million euros ($1.09 billion) for last season, also a record an 8% increase from the previous year.ADVERTISEMENT Matteo Guidicelli had saved up for Sarah G’s ring since 2014? Duterte calls himself, Go, Cayetano ‘the brightest stars’ in PH politics Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next LATEST STORIES This jewelry designer is also an architect Yankees clinch 1st AL East title since 2012, reach 100 wins DTI creates Marahuyo, a luxe Filipino fashion brand for global buyers View comments MOST READ Makabayan bloc defends protesting workers, tells Año to ‘shut up’ PLAY LIST 02:11Makabayan bloc defends protesting workers, tells Año to ‘shut up’03:07PH billiards team upbeat about gold medal chances in SEA Games01:38‘Bato’ to be ‘most effective’ CHR head? It’s for public to decide – Gascon02:07Aquino to Filipinos: Stand up vs abuses before you suffer De Lima’s ordeal01:28Ex-President Noynoy Aquino admits contracting pneumonia00:45Aquino agrees with Drilon on SEA games ‘kaldero’ spending issue Drilon apologizes to BCDA’s Dizon over false claim on designer of P50-M ‘kaldero’ Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Canadian vaping study details danger from ‘popcorn lung’ chemical
Dope-tainted Subrata Paul gets three weeks to present case
India goalkeeper Subrata Paul has three weeks to present his case before an anti-doping panel after his ‘A’ sample tested positive for a banned substance, the chief of the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) said on Wednesday.The former India captain was tested by the NADA in March and his ‘A’ sample tested positive for Terbutaline, a prohibited substance on the World Anti-Doping Agency list. Paul did not apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption.”The substance does not require immediate suspension and the athlete is free to play till the panel makes a decision,” NADA chief Navin Agarwal told Reuters.Paul did not exercise his right to get his ‘B’ sample tested and is free to play as the substance features in the specified list of banned substances.He blamed a cough syrup for the positive test, according to local media.”As soon as he makes his submission, the panel will set a date for hearing,” Agarwal added.The 30-year-old was India’s number one choice under the bar before slipping down the pecking order, behind Norway-based Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, in recent times.India, who have climbed to 100 in FIFA rankings, play a friendly against Lebanon on June 7 and the 2019 Asian Cup qualifier against Kyrgyzstan on June 13.
DATA MODUL: ultra slim SBCs expand possible applications
Continue Reading Previous Solid Sands: SuperTest helps Peloton enhance ‘big-rig’ safety and fuel efficiencyNext Tackling security vulnerabilities of the industrial IoT DATA MODUL reacts to the constantly increasing demand for faster, more efficient and, at the same time, well-designed boards with their own ultra slim SBC development, the eDM-SBC-iMX6-PPC. In sensitive sectors such as medicine, these SBCs are used particularly frequently, as they are generally more vibration and shock resistant than module-based systems. With the SBC form factor, especially designed for slim PPCs, DATA MODUL is standardizing ARM boards for the first time, as these allow the slim implementation of particularly popular display formats such as 7”, 10.1” 12” and 15.6”. Standard kits, consisting of display, the easyTouch sensor, also developed by DATA MODUL, controller and corresponding cabling, also only require short lead times.DATA MODUL has specialized in mechanical integration and, to achieve an optimum casing construction, design and function aspects with regard to material, dimensions, production possibilities and feasibility must be analyzed. Speakers, cameras, light conductors, semi-transparent surfaces and specific surface roughness of the front frame are challenges when developing a casing concept. The demanding EMC requirements and the heat management systems are taken into account at all times by the DATA MODUL construction department.With its 130 x 80mm dimensions, this format offers 30% more room in width and thus allows more leeway for interfaces than Pico-ITX (100mm). To be able to make use of the maximum installation space behind a 7” LCD, the height was increased to 80 compared to the Pico-ITX of 72 mm. The assembly can reach the extremely low depth of maximum 13 mm by using flat connectors, where the mating connectors are applied at the side. In this way, no installation height is lost through the connection of the interfaces and the network cable bushing (RJ45) remains the highest point of the assembly. To become even flatter, an integrated version was used which finally led to a top level of 8.2 mm from the top edge of the circuit board.Fitted with the NXPi.MX6 ARM Cortex A9 processor family, scalable from 1 to 4 ARM cores, the (long-term) availability of the CPU is guaranteed until 2028. It has a sophisticated high-end 3D-capable HD graphics interface. Single supply DC was implemented as a power supply. A 12VDC +/-5% or a wide range input with 16VDC to 32VDC can be selected via the equipment option. The 2 x 24 Bit LVDS interface allows the connection of LC displays with a resolution of up to 1920×1200 pixels (WUXGA). The backlight supply with PWM dimming is already available.A micro HDMI socket was included as an external graphics interface. The assembly is designed for the extended temperature range and can also be delivered painted if required (conformal coating) to avoid short circuits in humid ambient environments. Up to 2 GB of main memory and up to 64GB of eMMC SDD can be soldered and a WIFI/BT module (M.2 standard) can be optionally fitted. Along with the mPCIE interface for the optional extensions with standard modules, 4 x USB 2.0, 1 x Gigabit ethernet, audio with amplifier, SPI, 2 x CAN /UART and 8 GPIOs have been brought out. The micro SD card socket on the bottom side also enables to expand with cheap mass storage devices for data collection.Share this:TwitterFacebookLinkedInMoreRedditTumblrPinterestWhatsAppSkypePocketTelegram Tags: Boards & Modules 
4-Star Recruit Chris Thompson Jr. Breaks Down 4 Finalists
AUSTIN, TX – SEPTEMBER 10: Running back Fozzy Whittaker #2 and safety Nate Boyer #37 of the Texas Longhorns carry the American flags as the team takes the field before the NCAA football game against the BYU Cougars on September 10, 2011 at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. Texas defeated BYU 17-16. (Photo by Erich Schlegel/Getty Images)Chris Thompson Jr. was with many of his other elite recruits at The Opening Finals this week in Frisco, Texas.It wasn’t a long trip for the Duncanville native. The four-star safety continues to impress throughout his recruitment.Thompson has taken recent official visits to Auburn, Ohio State, Texas, and USC. The four programs make up his list of finalists.Texas SB Nation site Burnt Orange Nation interviewed Chris Thompson Jr. about the Longhorns and his other finalists.He briefly went through what stands out about the three non-Texas programs involved. Thompson said that he “loved” his visit to Auburn, where he got an impression that assistant defensive backs coach Wesley McGriff and head coach Gus Malzahn are genuine people. At USC, the plan that the coaches laid out for Thompson to get to the NFL stood out to him. In Columbus, a talk with co-defensive coordinator/secondary coach Jeff Hafley left Thompson thinking that the former NFL assistant is a “defensive guru,” something he found “pretty attractive.”A number of recruiting analysts think he is ultimately going to be Austin-bound, though. All eight of the crystal ball predictions logged at 247Sports have him ending up with Tom Herman’s program.It is easy to see why, too. Texas is the closest of his four finalists, by far. It was also the first Power Five team to extend him a scholarship offer, three months before the Buckeyes and over a year ahead of the other two in the race.He also has a prominent teammate that is already a member of the Longhorns class, who will be recruiting him from home.Thompson’s teammate at Duncanville, quarterback Ja’Quinden Jackson, pledged to the Longhorns more than a month ago, starting discussion of the Dallas-to-Austin connection that eluded head coach Tom Herman and his staff since arriving on the Forty Acres. Jackson is now a consistent presence in Thompson’s ear recruiting for Texas.“It’s possible,” Thompson said of becoming a part of that pipeline. “I’m pretty open, but I’m just trying to find the school that is the best fit for me.”The Longhorns are also still making him feel like a priority, with Herman and safeties coach Craig Naivar.Plenty can change in recruitments like this, but Texas definitely feels like a team to beat here.[Burnt Orange Nation]
Our favorite, beer-centric accessories for when hops just aren’t enough
Editors’ Recommendations We could spend all day arguing the merits of a great hop strain or the most suitable malt for a dark, farmhouse-style ale. However, beer is nothing short of a lifestyle choice, one that’s even better with the right set of accessories. There’s a melange of beer-centric offerings on the Web — whether talking insulated pint glasses designed to keep your drinks color or enormousness, plywood maps best fit for showcasing your cross-country drinking habits — all of which provide additional convenience and enjoyment when it comes time to crack the bottle of your favorite IPA, pilsner, porter, or pale ale.Related: High on Hops: Guide to growlers | How to make beer (Part I)We doubt any of them will render a can of Budweiser or Miller Lite any better, but to be honest, few things on this planet can. Below are just a few of our current favorites, just in case your affinity for beer stretches beyond drinking and into the realm of devotion.DrinkTanks Juggernaut ($90)Doubled-walled, insulated growlers are not a new thing, but DrinkTanks might be the only company manufacturing a 128-ounce model. Appropriately dubbed the Juggernaut, the vacuum-insulated container ensures your drink will remain cold for up to 24 hours within its 18/8 stainless-steel hub, or hot for more than 12. It’s also BPA-free, leakproof, and comes in one of 11 different finishes.Beer Cap Map ($40+)The Beer Cap Map is more than just a tool for showcasing your absurd drinking habits. Each map, whether it be a country or individual state, features a slew of dedicated slots for housing used bottle tops. The maps consist of ¼-inch veneered plywood and are sealed to resist warping, too, providing your map of the United States, Germany, Canada, or your state with ample durability.Spiegelau IPA glass ($9)Developed in conjunction with with the renowned brewers of Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada, Spiegelau’s IPA glass is the first of its kind. The unique shape of the 19-ounce offering works to promote a full, frothy head, while the wide opening helps highlight the hop-forward aromas associated with the majority of modern India Pale Ales. Plus, it makes for a great conversation starter.PiCO Titanium Bottle Opener ($11)The folks behind the PiCO Bottle Opener know a thing or two about convenience. Their Kickstarter-abetted bottle opener is smaller than quarter, cut from 0.100-inch titanium and adorned with a durable stonewashed finish for added affect. The sturdy split-ring provides just enough leverage to pop off a bottle cap in a single fluid motion, that is, before it discretely disappears on your keychain.Hydro Flask True Pint ($22)In a nutshell, Hydro Flask’s 16-ounce True Pint combines the best of both worlds. Available in an assortment of color options, the basic offering makes use of 18/8 stainless-steel construction and vacuum insulation designed to keep your drinks for up to 24 hours. The lip is also engineered to feel like glass upon your lips, while the angled lip allows for a smoother pour and the release aromas.Puzzle Pax 6-pack Holder ($30)Traditional 6-pack holders aren’t very sustainable no matter how you swing it, however, Puzzle Pax’s wooden carriers are. You can choose from either a stock design or personalize your own with an engraving of your own creation, each of which is built using 5-millimeter plywood sourced from a local supplier outside of Pittsburgh, Pa. You can even dissemble the crates for quick storage.Corkcicle Chillsner ($30)Corkcicle’s Chillsner is part novelty and part genius. It’s essentially a stainless-steel rod infused with thermal coolant, one you can quickly chill in the freezer before dropping into your lukewarm libation. The four flow vents located at the top let you drink your beer as it cools, even with the airtight seal in place. The best part of it all? Properly cleaning the Chillsner is quick and easy.North Drinkware Oregon Pint Glass ($35)North Drinkware’s beautiful handmade glasses seem more like art than mere vessels for drinking. Each 16-ounce container is hand blown in Portland with a custom mold to create a small replica of Oregon’s highest volcanic peak, the iconic Mount Hood. The mere fact the company used U.S.G.S. topographical data to create the stunning 3D model only adds to its realistic allure.[Feature image: Sidarta/Shutterstock] The Most Unique Collaboration Beers in the U.S. 1. DrinkTanks Juggernaut 2. Beer Cap Map 3. Spiegelau IPA Glass 4. PiCO Titanium Bottle Opener 5. Hydro Flask True Pint 6. Puzzle Pax 6-pack Holder 7. Corkcicle Chillsner 8. North Drinkware Oregon Pint Glass Why Fresh Hops Are Essentially the Magic Sauce of Craft Beer 
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Silversea’s Guests Enjoy Unprecedented Luxury as a Result of Project Invictus
(Monaco — April 3, 2019) – The first initiative launched by Silversea Cruises in partnership with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Project Invictus has increased Silversea’s luxury offering to enhance guests’ cruising experiences further still. As part of the largest investment in the company’s history, the cruise line is growing and improving its ultra-luxurious fleet of ships. In addition to Silver Moon and Silver Dawn, which were announced prior to the launch of Project Invictus and are expected to join the fleet in 2020 and 2021, respectively, Silversea has ordered three new ships as part of Project Invictus: Silver Origin, which will be primed for cruising in the Galapagos Islands, and two Evolution-class ships. Extensive refurbishments were also made to Silver Whisper in December 2018, while an augmented refurbishment of Silver Wind – planned for the summer of 2020 – will improve the ship’s cruising versatility, thanks to a strengthened ice-class hull and the addition of Zodiacs. A number of enhancements are being implemented to upgrade the cruise line’s already exceptional culinary offering. In addition to being welcomed by chilled champagne in their suites upon embarkation, guests always have complimentary sustainable Ars Italica caviar at their fingertips 24 hours per day, thanks to an enhanced caviar offering. Available both in-suite and in all restaurants throughout Silversea’s ships, complimentary caviar is offered to guests by the tin and as a garnish for meals, such as tartare and lobster. Preserving a centuries-old tradition, Ars Italica is a leading producer of caviar and uses sustainable techniques to farm the highest-grade product and support the repopulation of sturgeon to northern Italy. Caviar is among the top-grade ingredients that distinguish Silversea’s onboard canapé selection, along with foie gras, truffle, tiger prawns, and macarons. The quality of ingredients is as high as ever, yet guests’ preferences are better anticipated with increased quantities: across Silversea’s fleet, around 180,000 bottles of champagne and 2,400kg of caviar are consumed by guests each year—a 340% increase of the latter. Approximately 66,100kg of lobster is consumed yearly, along with an increased abundance of other seafood delicacies, 66,100kg of tenderloin steak, 33,100kg of striploin steak, and 58,000kg of fresh berries, including strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. Guests are particularly enjoying the remarkable variety of meats on offer, from the ‘Italian Piemontese’ served in the Italian La Terrazza restaurant to the ‘French Limousine’ served in the French La Dame restaurant and the ‘American Angus’ served in Atlantide. Comprising between 50 and 70 labels, the largest complimentary wine list at sea has also been upgraded, as Silversea adds more variety to its industry-leading selection, including more regional options to immerse guests in the culinary culture of sailed regions. On Silversea ships, more than 670,000 bottles of wine are consumed each year, including the most reputable labels from iconic wine producers and lesser-known bottles of extraordinary quality, as selected by Silversea’s expert Wine Ambassador. Every major wine grape is represented, as part of a collection that comprises both ‘old world’ and ‘new world’ wines, from champagne through to dessert wines. Many premium wines are also offered alongside the complimentary list, at unusually competitive prices. Another enhancement made possible by Project Invictus, offered aboard Silversea’s expedition ships only, guests on expedition voyages will receive a complimentary DVD package that will depict the highlights of their voyage. Produced by a professional onboard videographer, the DVDs will showcase the immersive experiences unlocked by the cruise line, capturing unforgettable memories for Silversea’s guests. Moreover, the cruise line’s television programming has been upgraded, meaning its in-suite entertainment is among the best at sea. As part of the enhancement, guests will now be able to watch the most in-demand live football and basketball fixtures, among other significant broadcasts. In addition to approximately 100 blockbuster movies, including roughly 20 new releases each month, 90 hours of tailored destination and documentary content is now enjoyed by guests, plus a further 150 hours of television shows. “I am very pleased to hear such positive feedback on Project Invictus from guests,” says Roberto Martinoli, Silversea’s CEO. “I am receiving emails on a daily basis from guests who appreciate the enhanced offering, as well as the exceptional service for which Silversea is renowned. It is clear that Project Invictus has made a significant impact since its implementation. I take pride in being the CEO of a cruise line that is so committed to the enjoyment of its guests.” About Silversea Silversea Cruises, in which Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio serves as Executive Chairman, is recognized as an innovator in the ultra-luxury cruise line industry, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard its intimate, all-suite vessels: Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper, Silver Spirit and Silver Muse – all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. With the inclusion of the expedition ships Silver Explorer, Silver Galapagos, Silver Discoverer, and with Silver Cloud joining the Expedition fleet, Silversea’s itineraries encompass all seven continents and feature worldwide luxury cruises to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, both Polar Regions and hundreds of fascinating destinations in between. Silversea is also looking forward to the launch of five new ultra-luxury ships. Browse Silversea’s new blog Discover and subscribe to receive the latest content directly into your inbox.
Finnlines Stretches Breeze Fleet
zoom Finnish RoRo and RoPax operator Finnlines will lengthen four of its “Breeze series” ferries, with an option for two additional vessels, in response to increased demand.Finnlines has signed a contract with Remontowa S.A. shipyard in Gdansk, Poland where the actual work will commence in mid September 2017.The yard is committed to perform this work in less than two months for each vessel, Finnlines said.The whole lengthening programme will be completed in May 2018 and is expected to increase vessel capacity by around 1,000 lane metres.The close to 30% capacity increase is expected to reduce the energy consumption per transported unit compared to the original vessel.Remontowa shipyard is currently installing inline hybrid scrubbers and new propeller blades on MS Finneagle. Furthermore, the passenger capacity of the vessel will be increased to 800 by building new passenger areas.The above investments will amount to approximately EUR 70 million (USD 74.7m), Finnlines said.
Police ramp up search for young Newfoundland mother last seen a week
ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – Police and relatives of a missing Newfoundland woman have taken to social media in a desperate bid to find the young mother last seen last Wednesday.The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary reached out on Twitter seeking information about Cortney Lake, a 24-year-old woman from the St. John’s suburb of Mount Pearl, and say her week-old disappearance is suspicious.Police created the hashtag #HelpFindCortney and have distributed images of her at an Esso station in St. John’s, where she made a purchase and then left last Wednesday. The force also tweeted a photo of the young woman that people could use as their profile pictures in order to expand their reach in the search for Lake, who has a six-year-old boy.Const. Geoff Higdon said Wednesday the hashtag has been retweeted hundreds of times.“Twitter’s been on fire with hundreds and hundreds of retweets,” he said in St. John’s. “It’s been used a fair bit. We were trending in Canada yesterday …. It’s all about getting the message out to as many people as possible.”He said the use of social media may also yield information for the investigation as police can track conversations, but he couldn’t say if it had produced anything yet.Many tweets expressed hope that Lake would be found safely, while also urging people to share her image.“Hoping she comes home safe to her little boy!” one woman said on Twitter.Friends had also created a Facebook page about her disappearance that had about 9,000 members, as well as a GoFundMe page to raise money for a reward.Higdon said her disappearance was considered suspicious because there was “a significant deviation from her routine,” and that she hasn’t been using her social media, cellphone or bank account since last week.Police described Lake as being 5’8″, about 120 pounds with light brown hair. She was last seen wearing a grey parka with a pink hood, pink and white plaid shirt and black pants and glasses.Jason Pike, the father of Lake’s son, told VOCM radio he had never been out of contact with her for more than a few days and was trying to shield the little boy from word of her disappearance.Glenda Power, Lake’s aunt and a spokeswoman for the family, said in an email that they were not commenting at this time.
Finding common ground on climate change Even with deniers
Reports on the impact of a rapidly warming globe make some people depressed. They make some people angry. And they make others deny scientific research altogether. They don’t make anybody hopeful…but maybe they should?Today’s discussion with climate scientist Katherine Hayhoe — guest editor of this month’s issue of Chatelaine — is an answer to the despair you might feel when reading the latest news stories. It’s also a lesson in how to talk to your friends and family who either don’t believe in climate change or aren’t willing to take any action because “it’s too small to make a difference.” You don’t have to go vegan, sell your car, or move to the forest to make a difference-even though it might feel you do. There’s a better way.GUEST: Katherine Hayhoe, climate scientist, guest editor of ChatelaineAudio Playerhttp://media.blubrry.com/thebigstory/s/radio.pmd.rogersdigitalmedia.com/podcasts/thebigstory/tbs_04102019.mp300:0000:0000:00Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.You can subscribe to The Big Story podcast on iTunes or Google Play.You can also find it at thebigstorypodcast.ca.
First Nation communities pinning hope on courts to block Site C dam
APTN National NewsTreaty eight First Nations in northeast British Columbia are hoping that the Federal Court of Appeal will soon side with them.They say flooding agricultural lands in a pristine valley along the Peace River to make way for a new dam is a bad decision.APTN’s Tina House has the details.
Quebec finance minister announces personal income tax cuts
QUEBEC – Quebec’s finance minister announced personal income tax cuts and increased funds for health and education on Tuesday and immediately denied the moves had anything to do with next year’s provincial election.“We are announcing today further tax reductions because we started doing that already last year,” said Carlos Leitao. “This year we’re adding another $1 billion. And if we do it now, it’s because we can do it now.”The government says a family of two adults and two children that earns $88,000 a year will see a tax reduction of $1,200, which includes the abolition of a health fee as well as the introduction of money earmarked for school supplies.A single person who earns $44,000 will save an estimated $500.Asked specifically whether the tax cuts will help the Liberals win next October’s election, Leitao replied, “Eleven months in politics is a lifetime. Who knows what’s going to happen in the next 11 months.”“These tax cuts are intended to give the population some breathing space,” he said. “It is something we said we’d do.“Since Quebecers have the highest tax burden in Canada, and we can lighten their burden, then yes, (we’re doing it).”Opinion polls suggest the Liberals are locked in a tight battle with the right-leaning Coalition for Quebec’s Future, with the Parti Quebecois trailing in third place.Leitao has probably not stopped handing out the goodies. He will table the 2018-19 budget next March or April and will no doubt sprinkle a few others to woo voters.The measures announced Tuesday include $100 for families for each child so they can purchase school supplies, although the government will have no direct control over how the money is actually spent.It will be retroactive to this year and parents will receive a first cheque in January.Leitao also said the government will invest an additional $630 million in the health sector over the next six years and $212 million in education over the same period.Another measure will see the province invest $2.6 billion over six years in a bid to lift 100,000 people out of poverty.Details of the ambitious plan are expected to be made public by the end of the year.PQ finance critic Nicolas Marceau reacted to Leitao’s measures by stating that Premier Philippe Couillard “is taking Quebecers for idiots.”“He’s insulting their intelligence,” Marceau said.“Today we’re seeing the beginning of the Liberals’ election campaign — a campaign that is not financed by Liberal party funds but rather by Quebecers’ money. It is being financed by the major cuts we’ve suffered over the last three years.”
Massachusetts Public Schools grant Muslim student a day off on Eid
Fez- On a cold winter day of Cleveland- Ohio, an American friend who happened to be driving me to Westside Market within the city glimpsed a catchy billboard. Since I was not the one behind the steering wheel, I glued sight on the big capital letters forming the statement: AMERICA IS A CHRISTIAN country. I still remember neither concurred with what that board said. My friend is Jew and I am a Muslim. This was few years ago.Today, the Revere public schools in Massachusets approved our (my friend’s and mine) standpoint from the content of that Billboard. The Revere Public schools took a leading initiation to grant the students a Holy day on Eid Al Adha (a Muslim celebrated- day of Sacrifice), which falls this year on the 15th of October. The school board (administrators and school committee) reached a unanimous decision to modify the holy days calendar for this Academic year. Good Friday (April 18th, 2014) will not be the only religious day off for students. The Jewish Rosh Hashanah (September 5th, 6th) and the Muslim Eid Al Adha (one day off) will make the total religious days off grow to four.The Decision was reached based on the conspicuous growing number of the Muslim community in the school district. Last year, a major problem of absenteeism among Muslim students happened on Eid Al Adha when kids preferred to spend the day with their families to celebrate the Holy Day.Last year, it was Cambridge Public Schools and this year it is Revere Public Schools that recognize the religious holidays of the multi-cultural community. The experience is expected to get cloned in many other school districts and with this recognition the Muslim community is amply satisfied.© Morocco World News. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten or redistributed
Nandy assures Sri Lanka continued support of UN
At the meeting, President Sirisena noted key priorities of the Government and reiterated the need to work together in addressing such challenges. (Colombo Gazette) Outgoing UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Sri Lanka Subinay Nandy reaffirmed the commitment of the United Nations to the Government of Sri Lanka in continuing to progressively work together for the benefit of the Sri Lankan people.In February, Nandy, will take up his new post as Head of Asia-Pacific Division of the Department of Political Affairs in UN New York Headquarters. Nandy, concluded his assignment in Sri Lanka after a 4 year and 8 month term and called on President Maithripala Sirisena for an exit meeting, the UN office in Colombo said today.
Annan welcomes DR of Congos decision to disarm militia forcibly
In his 18th report to the Security Council on the peacekeeping UN Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), he also calls for the extension of state authority across the whole country so that the Government can collect the revenues needed to provide services to the Congolese people.”It is most regrettable that the long-awaited declaration by FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda) in Rome on 31 March has not resulted in concrete progress towards disarmament and the repatriation of combatants. I therefore welcome the commitment made on 16 July by the Transitional Government to take forcible action to disarm FDLR,” he says.MONUC had prepared six temporary assembly areas for voluntary FDLR disarmament, but FDLR chief Ignace Murwanashyaka left DRC in mid-May “without issuing orders to the combatants to enter the disarmament, demobilization, repatriation, reintegration and rehabilitation programme,” he says.On the question of public revenues, Mr. Annan says the Transitional Government must address illegal mining in eastern areas of DRC, install security at border crossing-points and re-integrate resource-rich Ituri into the nation.”Without such decisive action, revenues will continue to be misappropriated by illegal actors, undermining the Transitional Government’s credibility and endangering progress toward peace,” he says.Aided by donors, the Government must ensure that the armed forces of the DRC (FARDC) are paid and receive adequate logistical support for security operations, Mr. Annan says.It is difficult to assess whether direct support to the militia groups in Ituri is being provided from neighbouring countries, he says. “Reports indicate, however, that representatives of the groups move freely between the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and Rwanda, including for meetings and to conduct financial transactions.””In a striking development, many representatives of armed groups met openly in Kampala (Uganda) in mid-June to form the Mouvement révolutionnaire congolais, whose aim is to oppose the extension of State authority throughout Ituri. There are unconfirmed reports that militia in Ituri are regularly receiving weapons, including across Lake Albert,” he adds.The international community must exert increased pressure on the neighbouring countries to refrain from supporting militia groups and violating the arms embargo and it must encourage mining and trading companies “to abide by good business practices in politically volatile and sensitive areas,” he says.In addition, the DRC Transitional Government must take decisive action “to ensure the regular payment of civil service salaries, extend the provision of health care and education, improve transport infrastructure and ensure good governance,” Mr. Annan says.
French court orders 188 million euros 21 million for babies switched at
by Nicolas Vaux-Montagny, The Associated Press Posted Feb 10, 2015 4:18 am MDT AddThis Sharing ButtonsShare to TwitterTwitterShare to FacebookFacebookShare to RedditRedditShare to 電子郵件Email French court orders 1.88 million euros ($2.1 million) for babies switched at birth Sophie Serrano, right, poses with her daughter Manon,Tuesday, Feb.10, 2015, in Grasse, southeastern France. A nurse’s assistant had accidentally given baby Manon Serrano, who was in an incubator, to another mother after her birth in July 1994, and given the infant next to her to Sophie Serrano. A court on Tuesday ordered a private clinic in the Riviera city of Cannes to pay out 400,000 euros ($450,000) each to two 20-year-old girls accidentally switched at birth and given to the wrong parents — part of a 1.88-million euro payment to members of the two families. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau) PARIS – A court on Tuesday ordered a private clinic in the Riviera city of Cannes to pay out 400,000 euros ($450,000) each to two 20-year-old girls accidentally switched at birth and given to the wrong parents — part of a 1.88-million euro payment to members of the two families.The clinic’s lawyer, Sophie Chas, said she wasn’t immediately certain whether an appeal would be lodged against Tuesday’s decision by the court in Grasse.Chas said the court ordered payments by the Clinica Jourdan and an insurance company of 300,000 euros for each of three parents involved in the case and 60,000 euros for three brothers and sisters.“I am perfectly satisfied (with the ruling) because responsibility within the medical chain was acknowledged,” the lawyer for the victims, Gilbert Collard, said in a telephone interview. The families had sought a total of 12 million euros, but had little hope of obtaining that amount, he said.A nurse’s assistant had accidentally given baby Manon Serrano, who was in an incubator, to another mother after her birth in July 1994, and given the infant next to her to Sophie Serrano.Three years later, Manon’s hair grew curly and her skin olive-toned — unlike either parent. Her father separated from Sophie Serrano after village rumours spread about the young girl being “the postman’s daughter.” In 2004, DNA tests showed that Manon was the daughter of neither of them. An investigation was launched and their biological child was located — some 30 kilometres (less than 20 miles) away.Sophie Serrano, who raised Manon, expressed relief that the error was at last acknowledged.“It’s a relief. We have waited for this for so long,” she said on iTele TV station.The other family involved in the case has chosen to remain anonymous.The suit brought in 2010 by the two families also targeted two doctors and the nurse’s assistant who made the mistaken switch, but the court did not convict them.
Accountability key to ensuring development progress beyond 2015 – UN officials
“The move to a universal development agenda will require an accountability mechanism that is comprehensive and flexible, yet robust, holding different actors to account according to their differing responsibilities,” General Assembly President John Ashe said at the opening of an interactive dialogue on the issue that he convened.The UN has embarked on a major effort to achieve a new post-2015 development agenda to succeed the landmark Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Those targets, agreed by world leaders at a UN summit in 2000, aim to slash extreme hunger and poverty, cut maternal and infant mortality, combat disease and provide access to universal education and health care, all by the end of 2015.“The time to begin this work is now,” said Mr. Ashe. “We cannot and should not wait until all the global goals and targets are agreed upon; rather, a global monitoring and accountability framework will need to be an integral part of our ongoing discussions on the design of a post-2015 development agenda and its implementation.“The framework we seek must be inclusive, transparent and based on mutual respect; it must promote mutual learning; it will need to contain feedback and/or inputs from the national to the regional and global levels; and it must fully utilize the new potential of data and technology.”The President said that making true progress is always at risk without robust accountability. “Governments everywhere need to be responsive to their Parliaments, their constituencies, their voters, and to their countries’ civil society at large. At the national level, all stakeholders should play a role in ensuring effective oversight for aligning international commitments to national development objectives,” he pointed out, adding that these efforts must be anchored at the global level.“We need to work together to construct a framework that will ultimately have a positive impact on development at the national level. In the end, this is where the results of our ambitions will need to be observed, measured, and evaluated.”Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the gathering that accountability is essential to assess progress and achieve results, and that this should happen at the national, regional and global levels. “All actors, including Governments, the UN system, civil society and the private sector, should be accountable for honouring their commitments. We need an inclusive, robust yet flexible accountability framework.” Also, to succeed, the accountability system must be universal, he noted. “Any framework for accountability must apply to all, taking into account their different capacities and responsibilities. Accountability mechanisms and platforms should be nimble and decentralized.” He added that the UN alone cannot be the sole platform for a system of accountability, and that it must be integrated with regional and national action by governments and their constituencies.