The Supreme Court’s ban on the sale of firecrackers helped Delhi and the NCR breathe better after Deepavali this year. The court’s decision to ban liquor vends within 500 metres of National and State Highways strengthened the government’s decades-long efforts to prevent roads from becoming accident zones. Justice D.Y. Chandrachud cited these instances in open court on Thursday to counter criticism that the court might have gone overboard, reading too much into Article 21 (right to life) of the Constitution and passing orders that were practically unenfor- ceable.The judge, who authored the historic majority judgment which upheld the right to privacy as a part of the fundamental right to life (Article 21), said the court’s orders could indeed be enforced. ‘Positive intervention’He praised the October 9, 2017 judgment of a Bench, led by Justice A.K. Sikri, to suspend the sale of firecrackers till November 1 as an example of the court’s positive intervention to ensure a green environment. Justice Sikri had reasoned in the judgment that the ban was a means to “find out whether there would be a positive effect of this suspension, particularly during the Diwali period.”The judge was addressing Attorney-General K.K. Venugopal, who raised the question of enforceability of the highway liquor ban, at a hearing by a five-judge Constitution Bench on the question of scope of judicial review with respect to reports of Parliamentary Standing Committees.
Alert after 2 sisters die of ‘unknown’ disease
Two minor sisters have died of an undiagnosed disease at a hospital in Jammu & Kashmir’s Reasi district, officials said on Saturday. The news of the deaths put the district administration on alert, prompting the authorities to constitute a special medical team to ascertain the cause. The deceased were identified as Ashruti Devi, 8, and Asho Devi, 5. They passed away on Friday at Reasi District Hospital within two hours of being brought there by their father Prem Chand from far-flung Danour village in Arnas area, officials said. The bodies were handed over to Mr. Chand for last rites after the post-mortem on Saturday.Hospital Superintendent Pritam Singh said it was premature to say anything about the disease. Mr. Chand said the girls fell sick a few days ago and at that time the family believed it was a case of throat infection. Reasi District Development Commissioner Sagar Dattatray Doifode said, “The special medical team visited Danour village on Saturday and conducted an inspection among the people for symptoms of diphtheria, but nothing of the sort was found,” he said.The medical team was carrying out a preventive vaccination drive in the village and adjoining areas.
Prosecution challenges four film stars’ acquittal in blackbuck case
The Rajasthan High Court on Monday issued notices to film stars Saif Ali Khan, Neelam Kothari, Sonali Bendre and Tabbu on an appeal by the State government, challenging their acquittal by a trial court in a case of hunting of two blackbucks in 1998. Justice Manoj Garg issued the notice also to a local resident, Dushyant Singh, acquitted along with the film stars last year. Bollywood actor Salman Khan is the sole accused who was convicted in the case of hunting two black bucks in Kankani village near Jodhpur in October 1998. The trial court had sentenced him to five years in jail on April 5 last year, while acquitting the five other co-accused. Salman is presently out on bail.HC notices The High Court issued notices, condoning the delay by the State government in filing the appeal, said Public Prosecutor Mahipal Bishnoi. The court has asked the five to file their replies to the court within eight weeks. After the five files their replies, the State’s appeal would be sent back to the session court for further hearing as the first appeal to a magisterial court judgement lies in the sessions court, explained Mr. Bishnoi. The State had approached the High Court after the sessions court had taken objections to the late filing of the appeal by the State government, he said. Salman Khan has already challenged his conviction before the sessions court, which is presently hearing the defence arguments in his appeal.
Shikhar Dhawan fully fit and available for selection for West Indies tour
India opener Shikhar Dhawan is back to full fitness and available for selection for the upcoming West Indies tour which starts from August 3. Dhawan had fractures his left thumb during the Cricket World Cup 2019 and has been out of action since June 9.But the left-handed batsman has recuperated completely from the injury and has made himself available for selection in all three formats. The Indian T20I, ODI and Test squads will be announced by the MSK Prasad-led selection panel on Sunday afternoon.Dhawan was looking in good touch during the first two matches of the Cricket World Cup and even scored a match-winning hundred against Australia, the game in which he got hurt on his thumb by a Pat Cummins bouncer.But he braved the pain and continued to bat, going on to score 117 off 109 balls in a match which India won by 36 runs.But after the game he went for scans which confirmed a hairline fracture and Dhawan was ruled out for up to six weeks, missing all of India’s remaining matches as a result.KL Rahul had to replace him in the opener’s slot alongside Rohit Sharma and had a good run with the bat with 361 runs in 9 matches at 45.12 including a hundred and two fifties. But his promotion up the order meant India had to try out the likes of Vijay Shankar and Rishabh Pant at No. 4.But that proved to be India’s Achilles heel after Dhawan’s injury. Shankar failed to fire at No. 4 while Pant did his best in the four games he got to play in, scoring 32, 48, 4 and 32 as India’s campaign came to a disappointing end in the semi-finals where they lost to New Zealand.advertisementJust three days ago on July 18, Dhawan had hit the nets for the first time more than a month since his injury as he posted a video clip on social media wherein he was seen taking a hit at the nets. Interestingly, Dhawan took the Bottle Cap Challenge and aced it with a perfect straight drive.Yuvi Paaji, here is my #BottleCapChallenge! This is the first time I am picking my bat up after my injury..feels good to be back! @YUVSTRONG12 pic.twitter.com/NaFADCbV8KShikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) July 18, 2019″This is the first time I am picking my bat up after my injury..feels good to be back!” Dhawan wrote on Twitter.India will be playing 3 T20Is, as many ODIs and 2 Tests during the tour of West Indies. The T20I series will kick-off in Florida on August 3.Also Read | Shikhar Dhawan picks up bat for the 1st time after finger injury at World CupAlso Read | With MS Dhoni out of focus, Virat Kohli and selectors eye middle-order solutionsAlso Read | Senior Indian cricketer under scanner for flouting ‘family clause’
The Dozen: the best FA Cup fifth round pictures
First Nations can change legislation but not without some help
APTN National NewsCan First Nations kill legislation they say tramples on their rights?Two political scientists say it’s possible.But they need to look to their neighbours for help.APTN National News reporter Tim Fontaine explains.
Indspire Awards handed out in Winnipeg over the weekend
APTN National NewsWinnipeg played host to the 2014 Indspire Awards this past weekend.First Nation, Inuit and Metis high achievers from across the country came to take part.APTN’s Shaneen Robinson was at the ceremony and has this story.
Chinas Xi says world must reject protectionism outright
JOHANNESBURG – Chinese President Xi Jinping urged fellow leaders of the BRICS emerging economies to “reject protectionism outright” on Thursday during their annual summit in which the United States is being criticized for escalating tariffs on foreign goods.Xi along with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brazilian President Michel Temer and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa clasped hands and posed for a group photograph on the second day of their meeting in Johannesburg.The Trump administration’s trade war with China, the world’s second-largest economy, and other major trading partners has given focus to the summit to rally support for what Xi called “common prosperity.”The Chinese leader criticized the “escalation of protectionism and unilateralism” that he said has directly affected the development of emerging markets.“We must unlock enormous potential for economic co-operation,” he said, and fight back against protectionism by working through the United Nations, the Group of 20 nations and elsewhere.The BRICS leaders later signed a declaration in which they agreed to strengthen economic and security co-operation, uphold “multilateralism” and work toward “a fairer international order.”“We call on all WTO members to abide by WTO rules,” they said in a statement, referring to the World Trade Organization.A day earlier at the summit, Xi said the world faces “a choice between co-operation and confrontation” amid the trade dispute with the United States in which he warned there would be no winner. U.S. President Donald Trump, meanwhile, accused China of “vicious” tactics on trade.Putin, for his part, supported the idea of opening regional branches of the New Development Bank for BRICS. “We are negotiating with Brazil on this matter, starting from the fact that after the completion of the issue, the opening of the office in Russia will begin,” he said.___Follow Africa news at https://twitter.com/AP_Africa
Spain Gives Morocco €30 million Grant to Fight Against Illegal Migration
Rabat – The Spanish government approved the €30 million today, July 19. The amount comes in addition to the €140 million promised by the European Union to help Morocco fight against illegal immigration, announced the Spanish government spokesperson Isabel Celaa, at a press conference.The reinforced relations between Morocco and Spain have contributed to a 27% drop this year in irregular migration, according to a statement by the Spanish Ministry of the Interior.Two weeks ago Spain approved a grant of €26 million to buy and deliver to Morocco 750 vehicles, drones, scanners, radars and other technical equipment for strengthening the control of its borders, reported Spanish newspaper El Pais. The grant was the second installment of Spain’s contribution to the €140 million EU fund. In a press release today, the Spanish government made clear that addressing illegal migration and human trafficking is a joint responsibility for “the countries of origin, transit, and destination,” making “cooperation with other countries the essential axis of the Spanish migration policy.”The latest grant is designed to reinforce Morocco’s existing capabilities. Local authorities “are the ones that can develop the most direct actions for the dismantling of criminal organizations dedicated to human trafficking,” reminds the Spanish government.Morocco’s land borders with the Spanish territories of Ceuta and Melilla are points of concern when it comes to illegal immigration.This morning, close to 200 sub-Saharan Africans tried to force through the Melilla border post, climbing the fence between Morocco and Spain.Spanish and Moroccan border forces immediately responded to the incident, including deploying a Guardia Civil helicopter, reported Spanish news source El Espanol. Up to 50 migrants managed to cross over into Spain, and made their way to the temporary migration facility (CETI), from which they cannot be deported.
Free expression under worldwide assault UN human rights expert warns in new
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) pride march. Photo: OHCHR/Joseph Smida “I am especially concerned that many governments assert legitimate grounds for restriction, such as protection of national security or public order or the rights of others, as fig leaves to attack unpopular opinion or criticism of government and government officials,” he stated. “Many times governments provide not even the barest demonstration that such restrictions meet the legal tests of necessity and proportionality.” The Special Rapporteur drew attention to increasing instances where governments assert rationales having no basis in human rights law. “For example, it has become routine for governments to explicitly target political criticism, journalism, and the expression of singled-out groups such as LGBTI communities and artists,” he said. One of the biggest threats to online expression is the use of Internet ‘kill switches.’ More than a dozen network shutdowns have been recorded in the last year. Internet shutdowns are just one form of digital censorship among many adopted by governments today. The report noted areas of positive developments as well. The Special Rapporteur welcomed examples where governments, legislatures, and domestic and international courts have taken strong steps to promote freedom of expression or carefully evaluate restrictions. Special Rapporteurs and independent experts are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a specific human rights theme or a country situation. The positions are honorary and the experts are not UN staff, nor are they paid for their work. “Governments are treating words as weapons, adopting vague laws that give officials massive discretion to undermine speech and opinion,” said the UN Special Rapporteur on the freedom of opinion and expression, David Kaye, in a news release about his report to be presented to the UN General Assembly tomorrow in New York. He said that governments are punishing journalists for their reporting, silencing individuals for posting opinions on social media, shutting down debate and the flow of information on grounds of counter-terrorism, protecting public order, sheltering people from offense. “The approach that many governments adopt towards freedom of expression today is abusive and unsustainable,” Mr. Kaye stressed. “Governments must not only reverse course, but also take the lead in ensuring its protection.” “Censorship in all its forms reflects official fear of ideas and information,” the expert noted. “And it not only harms the speaker or reporter or broadcaster, it undermines everyone’s right to information, to public participation, to open and democratic governance.” The report involved a survey of hundreds of official communications Mr. Kaye has issued to governments, which resulted from allegations of violations of well-established international human rights law received from individuals and non-governmental organizations worldwide. The trend lines are stark, he said.
Michelin adds best practices to mining end user seminar
Michelin Earthmover Tires has added several new components to its mining tire best practices seminar, conducted near the company’s headquarters in Greenville, South Carolina, USA. The course is aimed to equip attendees with a better understanding of how to implement practices to lower operating costs, improve productivity and extend tyre life. “In addition to helping mine operators get the maximum life out of their tyres, we’re helping them become even better business people by sharing practices we have gathered from other mining companies,” said Terry Beach, Director of Earthmover Training. “Our facility visits also give attendees a first-hand look at how our tires are made and how they perform in different situations.”The seminar is taught by instructors from Michelin and Klinge & Co. Along with tyre and rim maintenance best practices, the session includes management topics like market intelligence and supply chain; operational factors such as speed, haul road design, road maintenance and load management; and vehicle issues like strut maintenance, alignment and bed modifications.During the three-day class, attendees will also visit Michelin’s earthmover tire manufacturing facility in Lexington, South Carolina, as well as its tyre testing facility in Laurens, South Carolina. Those interested in attending the seminar should contact their local Michelin mine account manager.
Entrée Resources updated feasibility study for EntréeOyu Tolgoi joint venture property
Entrée Resources Ltd has the results of an updated feasibility study that was completed on its interest in the Entrée/Oyu Tolgoi joint venture property. Entrée has a 20% participating interest in the joint venture with Oyu Tolgoi LLC (OTLLC) holding the remaining 80% interest. The Entrée/Oyu Tolgoi JV Property comprises a significant portion of the long-life, high-grade Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mining project in Mongolia. The updated study only reports on mineral resources and reserves attributable to the Entrée/Oyu Tolgoi JV.Updated Reserve Case NPV(8%) for Hugo North Extension Lift 1 of $111 millionPEA of alternative development scenario for all three joint venture deposits NPV(8%) of $278 millionThe updated Feasibility Study discusses two development scenarios, an updated reserve case (the “2018 Reserve Case”) and a Life-of-Mine (“LOM”) Preliminary Economic Assessment (“2018 PEA”). The 2018 Reserve Case is based only on mineral reserves attributable to the Entrée/Oyu Tolgoi JV from the first lift (“Lift 1”) of the Hugo North Extension underground block cave. Lift 1 of Hugo North (including Hugo North Extension) is currently in development by project operator Rio Tinto, with first development production from Hugo North Extension expected in 2021. When completed, Oyu Tolgoi will become the world’s third largest copper mine.
Kumba Iron Ore seeing the benefits of drone use at Sishen mine
After two years of working through complex legal, governance and logistical challenges to earn an operating licence to fly its own remotely piloted drones, Kumba Iron Ore is making the most of these high-tech machines at its Sishen iron ore mine in South Africa.Bongi Ntsoelengoe, Technology Manager at Kumba Iron Ore (an Anglo American subsidiary), says the drones have optimised surveying processes in terms of time and coverage, including being able to gain access to constricted areas.“Routine tasks historically carried out by surveyors, such as measuring the volume of waste dumps and stockpiles, are now being done by our drones. The drones collect digital imagery that is pieced together to perform volume calculations, giving us reliable data without having put anyone at risk,” he said.The company has recently used the drones to conduct engineering inspections for hard to access equipment, dramatically reducing safety risk. They can also be used to survey accident scenes and areas deemed unsafe for workers to enter.Glen Mc Gavigan, Executive Head of Technical and Projects at Kumba, said the new drones had enabled the company to collect and process much more data than in the past, which was “pushing innovation mine-wide as data management processes are enhanced to ensure that other functional areas also benefit from the technology”.Various subsidiaries of Anglo American have been using drones at their operations since late-2015, but have leased the units and, thus, been reliant on outside service providers. The licence to operate its own drones – with its own pilots and at heights of up to 1,000 feet (305 metres) above ground – is, Kumba says, the result of diligent groundwork and millions of rands worth of investment.Kumba’s majority-owned Sishen iron ore mine, in the Northern Cape province, produced 31.1 million tonnes of high-grade ore last year.So far, five employees have been trained to pilot the drones, all of whom are licensed by the SA Civil Aviation Authority to use the technology.Anglo American has also established new working practices, such as scheduling flights, flight navigation and craft maintenance to make the most of these drones.
Fire threat to Athens subsides
Helped by a lull in winds, firefighters have beat back wildfires that swept through suburbs of the Greek capital Athens and forced thousands of people to flee their homes.The Greek government, however, faced criticism over its handling of the crisis which could hurt its prospects in an expected snap election later this year.A dozen Greek, Italian and French firefighting planes battled flames that destroyed homes and swathes of forest near Athens and weather officials said winds were expected to die down last night.“The picture is better in east Attica, there are no significant active fronts but the risk of flare-ups remains,” fire brigade spokesman Giannis Kapakis said. “The intensity of the fire is weakening and the area under our control is growing,” he said.Authorities said about 150 houses were damaged by the fires, still smouldering in east Attica, where a state of emergency was declared on Saturday.Efforts were now focused on blazes on the island of Evia and near the west Attica town of Porto Germeno.The fires had retreated from Athens suburbs late on Sunday, when authorities used loudspeakers to urge thousands to leave their communities.A children’s hospital, a home for the elderly and a monastery were evacuated.While thousands abandoned what are mainly holiday homes around Athens, many frantically used garden hoses and tree branches to try to stop the flames reaching their properties.The mayors of more than a dozen towns and villages angrily demanded more aerial support, while many residents complained of being left to fight the flames alone.The mayor of the town of Marathon, Spyros Zagaris, said he had “begged” the government to send water-dumping aircraft but to no avail.A dozen nuns were evacuated from a convent near the village of Nea Makri, north of Athens, as flames raced down a mountainside towards the ancient building.“The flames were 30 metres (100 feet) high,” said one of the sisters, wearing a black habit and a surgical mask to ward off the smoke. “Thankfully they came and rescued us.”Near Marathon, one resident talked of how he had tried to battle the fires on his own. When the hill behind Petros Serasini’s home went up in flames, he wasted no time in grabbing an olive branch. To have waited for help from the authorities “would have been hopeless”, he said. “Better that I rushed up that hill and put out the flames myself than expect help, because in this country it never comes.”“When I saw all this today, I just wanted to weep,” said Kostas Kyriatzis, taking in the charred moonscape around Marathon’s lake. “Then I became angry because you know that in a month’s time when the cold descends, people will be out there gathering the wood to sell,” said the 63-year-old. “In the end, in Greece it is only the profiteers, the arsonists and developers, who are rewarded.”Opposition parties have attacked the government’s handling of the fire.The Communist KKE party urged the government to hire more planes and the far-right LAOS said there were delays and lack of coordination.“It seems that no one has learned the lessons from the fires of 2007,” said the populist rightwing leader and head of the LAOS party, Giorgos Karatzaferis. Even the most basic provisions, including tents for those forced to abandon their properties, had failed to materialise, he said. “It is quite unbelievable.”The prefect of Athens, Yiannis Sgouros, spoke of an “ecological disaster.” He went on to say “”The situation is tragic. Fires are out of control on many fronts and Athens, literally, has lost its last lung.The Karamanlis Government has vehemently rejected the criticism piled upon it, speaking instead of the “huge challenges” posed by the difficult weather conditions.A public prosecutor has ordered an inquiry into whether arson started the blaze in an area where fires had in the past been set by greedy developers. Facebook Twitter: @NeosKosmos Instagram
4year ban for wrestler
By Sulayman BahA Gambian-based wrestler is set to stay out of the arena for forty-eight months after being banned by the Gambia Wrestling Association, Foroyaa Sport can report.Mboran of club Fekemachiboleh is found guilty of, in the words of the GWA, ‘unacceptable behaviour’ and ‘deliberately’ abandoning a combat.Mboran had entangled with opponent Leket Bu Barra but chaos began when the arbiter halted the wrestlers two minutes into allocated time after he found out the carpet to which the fight was been staged was not properly covered with sand.At that particular moment, the two were infuriated by the impromptu break by the referee, as Mboran was seen gesticulating disapprovingly and marching out of the ring. He refused to continue the fight. The situation left an impressive spectator turnout umbraged at the combat’s failure to proceed.Leket, who is unbeaten for the past two seasons, was declared the winner on verdict of the referee on account of his adversary’s failure to return to the arena.The Gambia Wrestling Association, wrapping up its investigation after obtaining the testimony of witnesses, decided to ban Mboran for four years from all wrestling activities and entering the arenas.The Matarr Jarju-led leadership backed its decision on chapter seven of article 3.2 of its constitution on abandoning matches.“Only the referee whistle can start, interrupt or stop a combat while chapter 32 article 2 says it is considered as an abandon for stepping deliberately out of the wrestling ring before the end of the fight,” indicated the statement from the wrestling governing institution.Mboran’s ban runs until 16th February 2019ReactionsClub fekemaciboleh or Mboran is yet to make a public reaction to the story but analysts familiar with the sport have described the GWA verdict as too harsh.One commentator speaking to Foroyaa Sport under anonymity condemned Mboran’s behaviour but slams the four-year decision as harsh.]]>
Miami Dolphins tackle Kendrick Norton to be released from hospital
MIAMI (WSVN) – Miami Dolphins tackle Kendrick Norton will be released from the hospital after his left arm had to be amputated following a car crash in West Miami-Dade.Norton was involved in a crash on the Dolphin Expressway near State Road 826 on July 4.The former Miami Hurricane standout went live on Instagram to update his supporters on his recovery at Jackson Memorial Hospital, Wednesday.The NFL is covering all of Norton’s medical expenses, but a GoFundMe campaign has been set up to also help Norton and his family.Norton’s supporters have donated over $22,000. Copyright 2019 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Two Injured In HeadOn Collision On The Sterling Highway
The unidentified Monte Carlo driver was medevac’d via Life Med to an Anchorage hospital. The female passenger of the Monte Carlo, later identified as Megan Middleton, 26, of Soldotna, was transported to a local hospital. Anchor Point Alaska State Troopers responded the collision. According to the online Trooper dispatch, witnesses on scene reported a Monte Carlo departed its lane of traffic into the oncoming lane of traffic and struck a Toyota. The witnesses reported the Toyota had taken evasive action into its own lane’s guardrail. The Sterling Highway was closed from approximately 8pm on Wednesday until 2:30am Thursday for scene investigation. APD assisted with further attempts to identify the Monte Carlo driver. Investigation is ongoing. Facebook0TwitterEmailPrintFriendly分享Two individuals were injured on Wednesday night following a head-on collision at Mile 126 of the Sterling Highway. The unidentified male driver of the Monte Carlo was entrapped and cut free by EMS. Both the driver and passenger of the Monte Carlo were transported from the scene by EMS. The driver of the Toyota was uninjured.
Temporary Water Filtration System Installed At Alatna
A water filtration system has been installed in a tiny interior Alaska village where a fire damaged infrastructure last month.Anchorage television station KTUU reports the temporary water filtration system is making potable water available in Alatna, a community of 27 about 190 miles northwest of Fairbanks.Gov. Bill Walker a week ago declared a disaster in the village, days after a fire destroyed the village water treatment facility, washeteria and clinic.Damage is estimated at $500,000.Residents at first crossed the frozen Koyukuk River to haul water five miles from Allakaket.The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and the Tanana Chiefs Conference worked together to install the temporary treatment system at the Alatna well.
Larry Nassar ExTrainer Charged With Sexual Assault In Karolyi Ranch Investigation
Photo by Rebecca Cook/Reuters/Via PBS NewsHourLarry Nassar, a former team USA Gymnastics doctor who pleaded guilty in November 2017 to sexual assault, listens to victims impact statements during his sentencing in the Eaton County Circuit Court in Charlotte, Michigan.Disgraced ex-sports doctor Larry Nassar and a former trainer were charged with sexual assault on Friday following an investigation involving an elite gymnastics center in Texas.A grand jury indicted Nassar on six counts of second-degree sexual assault of a child, while a former trainer, Debra Van Horn, was indicted on one count, Walker County prosecutor Stephanie Stroud said during a news conference in Huntsville. She said the charges involve six victims.Details of the alleged assaults weren’t immediately released. When asked for specifics about the allegations against Van Horn, Walker County District Attorney David Weeks said only that she was charged as “acting as a party” with Nassar.Nassar is already serving decades in prison for sexual assault and child pornography possession in Michigan, where hundreds of women and girls accused him of sexually abusing them under the guise of medical treatment. They said the abuse stemmed back decades, including while he worked for USA Gymnastics, which is responsible for training Olympic gymnasts, and Michigan State University.The Texas charges stem from an investigation at the famed gymnastics training center just outside Huntsville that was run by Bela and Martha Karolyi, the former national women’s gymnastics team coordinators. Five former gymnasts implored authorities last month to determine whether the Karolyis could have prevented abuse at their facility. Two gymnasts said Nassar abused them there.AP Photo/Gregory BullIn this June 29, 2012, file photo, Bela Karolyi, left, and his wife Martha Karolyi talk on the arena floor before the start of the preliminary round of the women’s Olympic gymnastics trials in San Jose, Calif.Stroud said Friday that no charges were filed against the Karolyis, who have denied knowledge of any mistreatment at their since-closed facility about 70 miles (110 kilometers) north of Houston.“Bela and Marta Karolyi were interviewed at length. The Karolyis were and remain fully cooperative with this investigation,” Stroud said.But, she added: “It’s our belief that there was a total failure by USAG (USA Gymnastics) to protect athletes that were part of their program and to take appropriate action once they were made aware of Dr. Nassar’s actions.”Stroud said investigators tried to determine if anyone at the ranch knew about Nassar’s alleged assaults and didn’t report them. But the two-year statute of limitations had already lapsed on any possible misdemeanor charges of failure to report.“That in no way means there was no wrongdoing at the ranch or within the ranks of USAG,” she said.The Karolyis are suing the U.S. Olympic Committee and with USA Gymnastics, seeking damages for the canceled sale of their training center — a transaction that tanked in the wake of the Nassar sex-abuse cases. They’re seeking more than $1 million in damages.Several former gymnasts have also filed lawsuits. One of them, Sabrina Vega, filed a lawsuit in May alleging USA Gymnastics, the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Karolyis failed to protect her and other athletes.Vega, who was on the team that won a gold medal at the 2011 World Championships, alleges the organizations and the Karolyis ignored signs about Nassar’s behavior or should have known he posed a risk to the gymnasts he treated.Vega alleges that during medical treatments, Nassar molested her hundreds of times from 2008, when she was 12 years old, until 2012. She alleges the abuse occurred during competitions and while she trained at the Karolyi ranch.Texas’ governor ordered an investigation into what he called “gut-wrenching” allegations after the gymnasts came forward in Texas.Weeks, the local district attorney, said Friday he wants to bring Nassar to Texas to face the charges. Nassar is currently housed at a federal prison in Arizona.“There are a number of hoops we have to jump through to get him here,” Weeks said during Friday’s news conference.Congress passed a bill in January that makes members of amateur sports organizations, including those that run Olympic sports, mandatory reporters of sexual abuse. It also requires the organizations to implement standard protections for athletes.Statement from USA Gymnastics on the new Larry Nassar charges:We are sorry that any athlete was harmed during his or her gymnastics career. The best way to honor the incredibly brave women who spoke out about Larry Nassar is to demonstrate every day our commitment to doing everything possible to prevent this from happening again. USA Gymnastics supports and is fully cooperating with the investigations by the Texas Rangers, Congress and others, and we will continue do so. Nassar has been and will remain incarcerated for up to 175 years for the horrific crimes he committed. USA Gymnastics is dedicated to creating a highly empowered culture that encourages and supports our athletes while pursuing their gymnastics dreams in a safe environment. We hope everything we do going forward makes this very clear.Associated Press reporter Ed White contributed to the report from Detroit. Share
The Ultimate Super Smash Bros Character Guide Joker
Joker Steals The Show!Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is huge. Not just in terms of hype and importance and sales potential, but just in terms of sheer stuff. The Nintendo Switch mascot fighter features over a hundred stages, nearly a thousand songs, and too many Pokemon and items and Assist Trophies to think of crammed onto a cartridge you can plan on the go or on a TV. When you have as many big franchises as Nintendo, putting them all in one game will make that game is very big boy indeed.But the biggest, most exciting thing about Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is its mind-blowing, heartwarming roster of playable characters. Fighting games pride themselves not just on the strength of their mechanics but the strength of its fighters, especially in a crossover fighters like this. And Super Smash Bros. Ultimate crushes all rivals by including every single playable character from the across the four previous games in the twenty-year-old series. Include the new combatants and so far we have over 70 fighters to wrap our heads around. We’re excited, but we’re also intimidated. So to get ready for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, every day, character by character, we’re creating the ultimate guide to all of its characters. Today’s fighter: Joker.AdChoices广告 Who Are They?This game now has characters named “Robin” and “Joker” that have nothing to do with Batman. Instead, this Joker is the main character of 2017’s Persona 5, an acclaimed spin-off of the Shin Megami Tensei RPG series that sometimes involves teenagers blowing their brains out to summon spirits aiding them in battle. Joker by day is an unassuming high school student while by night he is the gentlemen vigilante leader of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts, teens who purify souls of evildoers through a separate dimension.Smash HistoryJoker is the first of five new paid DLC characters in the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Fighters Pass. Like Cloud, Joker is particularly interesting as his game had never appeared on a Nintendo system. Final Fantasy VII only just came to Nintendo Switch, and rumors persist of a Persona 5 Switch port as well, but outside of some 3DS spin-offs right now Smash Bros. is the only way for Nintendo fans to enjoy this stylish Atlus franchise.What Looks New in Ultimate?Joker continues the trend of JRPG Smash characters having weird meters to manage that reflect their games’ battle systems. Initially Joker is a speedy and tricky but pretty light and weak character, peppering foes with bullets and spells and grappling hooks and knives. But build up your Persona gauge enough through well-timed counters or by just being behind and you’ll summon Arsene, who greatly enhances your power and mobility. Like a master thief, you have to play the long smart game.Our Hopes?Our biggest hope is that Joker in Smash opens the door for Persona 5 on Switch. But as for the character himself, we hope Joker is good but doesn’t continue Smash 4’s trend of DLC characters on average being way better than the rest of the cast. It feels like a scam as well as a threat to balance. We don’t need another Bayonetta situation.Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is available now. Read our review of this majestic video game pageant. And for more check out cool Switch games to play that aren’t Smash Bros., because those definitely exist.View as: One Page Slides1/761. Read Mario’s Guide2. Read Donkey Kong’s Guide3. Read Link’s Guide4. Read Samus’s Guide5. Read Dark Samus’s Guide6. Read Yoshi’s Guide7. Read Kirby’s Guide8. Read Fox’s Guide9. Read Pikachu’s Guide10. Read Luigi’s Guide11. Read Ness’s Guide12. Read Captain Falcon’s Guide13. Read Jigglypuff’s Guide14. Read Peach’s Guide15. Read Daisy’s Guide16. Read Bowser’s Guide17. Read Ice Climbers’ Guide18. Read Sheik’s Guide19. Read Zelda’s Guide20. Read Dr. Mario’s Guide21. Read Pichu’s Guide22. Read Falco’s Guide23. Read Marth’s Guide24. Read Lucina’s Guide25. Read Young Link’s Guide26. Read Ganondorf’s Guide27. Read Mewtwo’s Guide28. Read Roy’s Guide29. Read Chrom’s Guide30. Read Mr. Game and Watch’s Guide31. Read Meta Knight’s Guide32. Read Pit’s Guide33. Read Dark Pit’s Guide34. Read Zero Suit Samus’s Guide35. Read Wario’s Guide36. Read Snake’s Guide37. Read Ike’s Guide38. Read Pokemon Trainer’s Guide39. Read Diddy Kong’s Guide40. Read Lucas’s Guide41. Read Sonic’s Guide42. Read King Dedede’s Guide43. Read Olimar’s Guide44. Read Lucario’s Guide45. Read R.O.B.’s Guide46. Read Toon Link’s Guide47. Read Wolf’s Guide48. Read Villager’s Guide49. Read Mega Man’s Guide50. Read Wii Fit Trainer’s Guide51. Read Rosalina and Luma’s Guide52. Read Little Mac’s Guide53. Read Greninja’s Guide54. Read Mii Fighters’ Guide55. Read Palutena’s Guide56. Read Pac-Man’s Guide57. Read Robin’s Guide58. Read Shulk’s Guide59. Read Bowser Jr.’s Guide60. Read Duck Hunt’s Guide61. Read Ryu’s Guide62. Read Cloud’s Guide63. Read Corrin’s Guide64. Read Bayonetta’s Guide65. Read Inkling’s Guide66. Read Ridley’s Guide67. Read Simon’s Guide68. Read Richter’s Guide69. Read King K. Rool’s Guide70. Read Isabelle’s Guide71. Read Ken’s Guide72. Read Incineroar’s Guide73. Read Piranha Plant’s Guide74. Read Joker’s Guide75. Read Hero’s Guide76. Stay on target
‘Astral Chain’ and Other Dumb Nintendo SongsThe Ultimate Super Smash Bros. Character Guide: Hero 