J&K to hold special session on GST
To avoid any “erosion” of the State’s autonomy, the J&K government has convened a special Assembly session on Goods and Services Tax (GST) on June 17.State Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu said GST will not apply to J&K under Article 370, which gives the State a special status. “GST was brought in under the 101st amendment Act and it does not apply to J&K. We must use the Assembly for extending the constitutional amendment to the State. The amendment will be applied in a modified form… J&K’s powers to tax will not be compromised in any way,” he said here.The ruling Peoples Democratic Party Minister said the J&K government had prepared a draft bill to be tabled for a discussion, in the wake of Opposition parties like the National Conference expressing apprehensions that the State’s autonomy would be compromised. “If we don’t extend GST, then no business can be done in J&K profitably. All businesses in J&K will then have to pay two taxes and nobody will supply to J&K because he will face two taxes. So J&K will become an isolated economy.” He said the State government will meet the July 1 deadline to roll out the new tax regime.“While all States draw their power from the Constitution of India, we draw our power from Section 5 of the J&K constitution,” he clarified.J&K being a consumer State is set to gain ₹1500 crore in additional tax. “The only issue is that of services, which we are now sharing with the Centre. It is a modified version of VAT,” he said.He claimed that tax exemptions for J&K have been taken care of by the new regimen. “For J&K, and subsequently for the northeastern States, exemptions in the form of reimbursements will continue, which is exactly what used to happen under VAT. So, it will not become an additional burden.”
A genetic investigation into the illegal trade of sailfin dragons has unearthed a surprise: a new species of the rainbow-colored lizards that resemble small dinosaurs. The finding highlights just how little is known about these mysterious and threatened animals.Sailfin lizards (genus Hydrosaurus) look like they were pulled from a child’s coloring book. As the water-loving reptiles mature, their faces, dorsal crests, and saillike tails shift from a drab green and gray to vibrant shades of neon purple, cyan, and harlequin. That’s made them a popular target for an illegal pet trade which—along with destruction of their habitat in the Philippines, eastern Indonesia, and New Guinea—has decimated their numbers. In the wild, only juveniles remain in most populations, says Cameron Siler, the curator of herpetology at the University of Oklahoma, Norman.To learn more about the enigmatic animals, Siler and his colleagues swept the black markets of Manila, a trade hub, collecting DNA samples from the toenails and scales of 20 sailfin dragons between 2011 and 2012. They then compared these specimens to the genetic material of 80 animals whose origins traced across the sailfins’ four major island habitats: the Philippines, Sulawesi, Halmahera, and New Guinea.Sign up for our daily newsletterGet more great content like this delivered right to you!Country *AfghanistanAland IslandsAlbaniaAlgeriaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBolivia, Plurinational State ofBonaire, Sint Eustatius and SabaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBrunei DarussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCape VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaChristmas IslandCocos (Keeling) IslandsColombiaComorosCongoCongo, The Democratic Republic of theCook IslandsCosta RicaCote D’IvoireCroatiaCubaCuraçaoCyprusCzech RepublicDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFalkland Islands (Malvinas)Faroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuatemalaGuernseyGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard Island and Mcdonald IslandsHoly See (Vatican City State)HondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIran, Islamic Republic ofIraqIrelandIsle of ManIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJerseyJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKorea, Democratic People’s Republic ofKorea, Republic ofKuwaitKyrgyzstanLao People’s Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyan Arab JamahiriyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacaoMacedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic ofMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMoldova, Republic ofMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorwayOmanPakistanPalestinianPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairnPolandPortugalQatarReunionRomaniaRussian FederationRWANDASaint Barthélemy Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da CunhaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Martin (French part)Saint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSint Maarten (Dutch part)SlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSvalbard and Jan MayenSwazilandSwedenSwitzerlandSyrian Arab RepublicTaiwanTajikistanTanzania, United Republic ofThailandTimor-LesteTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkeyTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited StatesUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuela, Bolivarian Republic ofVietnamVirgin Islands, BritishWallis and FutunaWestern SaharaYemenZambiaZimbabweI also wish to receive emails from AAAS/Science and Science advertisers, including information on products, services and special offers which may include but are not limited to news, careers information & upcoming events.Required fields are included by an asterisk(*)When the researchers determined the evolutionary ties between the lizards based on their DNA, they discovered that the three accepted Hydrosaurus species are actually four. Sailfin lizards from Sulawesi in Indonesia were originally grouped with the species from New Guinea more than 140 years ago, but the genetic survey suggests that Sulawesi dragons are a separate lineage, the team reports in the January issue of Biological Conservation.The study has solid geographical sampling, and the team’s statistical analysis of two DNA genomes—mitochondrial and nuclear—shows pretty good evidence for the new species, says Bryan Stuart, a curator of herpetology at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh, who was not involved in the work. “We don’t very often see forensic studies like this.” Additional specimens from New Guinea are needed to fully confirm the new species, but the findings are convincing, he says.According to the team’s genetic comparisons, all the smuggled dragons seem to have come from a single location in the Philippines: the Bicol Peninsula on Luzon Island. The area is home to large swaths of sailfin habitat, Siler says, but this could change because very few coastal habitats are protected. Protected regions in the Philippines are mainly concentrated in the mountainous highlands where a high density of primary forest remains, he notes. Although this benefits many species, including several endangered birds, it leaves hydrosaurs and other coastal fauna exposed. Siler and colleagues found that current laws in the Philippines protect less than 10% of existing habitats that are suitable for sailfin dragons. The native Philippine species, Hydrosaurus pustulatus, is listed as a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.The genetic forensics used in the current study could aid conservation efforts for reptiles and amphibians across Southeast Asia, especially turtles, which Stuart says are poached and smuggled from every country in Asia. When large shipments are caught, officials often face the dilemma of what to do with animals confiscated far from their home range. “You don’t want to start mixing genetic lineages in the wild or captivity that might not normally breed with one another,” he says. This study provides a blueprint for responsibly incorporating them into captive breeding programs, he says, or very carefully reintroducing them back to their area of origin.
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are getting plenty of good press today, thanks to this morning’s Nobel Prize announcement, but a new study finds that they may be bad news for insects. Moths, flies, and other insects are drawn much more strongly by the spectrum of light from LEDs than the yellow glare of sodium-vapor bulbs. New research, published in the current issue of Ecological Applications, shows that traps placed near LEDs captured 48% more insects than traps near sodium-vapor lights. In all, the researchers caught and identified more than 20,000 bugs; moths and flies were the most common. The allure can be fatal, throwing off insect navigation and exposing them to predators. The larger ecological effects could include the disruption of food webs. One particular concern: LED lights near ports could attract flying pests that are accidentally transported by ships. An example is the gypsy moth (pictured), an invasive species that has devastated forests. Unfortunately, the tests showed that simply tweaking the spectrum of LEDs did not reduce their attractiveness to insects. It’s possible that certain filters or combinations of red, green, and blue LEDs could lessen the visual appeal, but that might raise the cost and energy consumption.
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1. Volcano BoardingWant to race down the side of an active volcano seated on a bit of board at speeds of up to 80 kmph? Volcano boarding is the sport for you. Said live volcano is in Nicaragua, the 2,380 ft-high Cerro Negro, or black mountain, Central America’s youngest volcano. It’s erupted over 20 times since its birth in 1850, making it rather an active specimen–which only adds to the thrill of the sport. Volcano boarding started in 2005, and to date, more than 10,000 people have had a go at it. It involves a moderately taxing 45-minute climb up the mountain to the start off point, a short training session, and you’re ready to whoosh down the slope. It’s a wicked ride–the side of the mountain is covered in pebbles and dust that fly into your face as you try and stay balanced on the piece of board as it zooms down. Protective jump suits, knee pads and helmets are de rigueur and don’t try and scream when you hit 80, the results aren’t pleasant. If you want to spike up the adrenaline, try the same 1,600-ft descent standing up.For more information check out www.bigfootnicaragua.com; www.tierratour.com or www.vapues.com2. Themed CruisesThere was a time when a cruise was all about the experience of life on the high seas. That’s so vanilla now. The new wave of voyages are all about the theme, and your choices are many. Marina from Oceania Cruises is all about gastronomy, with ten restaurants of which six are gourmet, a culinary studio for lessons and La Reserve for wine tasting. Too restrained for you? Try Carnival Magic from the Carnival Cruise Line whose water slides are as scream-inducing as anything on land and a whole lot of other waterworks that will have you have you soaking up the fun. Disney Dream from the Disney Cruise Line also offers some magical entertainment taking you into the world of Nemo and Pirates of the Caribbean with interactive technology. Too frivolous? Try a Hurtigruten climate voyage in the Arctic circle, including polar bear spotting and lectures. Check out www.oceaniacruises.com; www.carnival.com; www.disneycruise.disney.go.com; www.hurtigruten.co.uk3. Bibliophiles BreaksEver since The Da Vinci Code sent masses of people on conspiracy theory tours of Paris, and Harry Potter showed them magical London, there’s no gainsaying the popularity of holidays for bibliophiles. Literary festivals are the new Woodstock, Hay-on-Wye draws a staggering 80,000 most of whom have camped out in the fields; closer home, Jaipur Literary Festival drew around 35,000 this year. If the festival is too long drawn out for you then there’s The Reading Weekend, which looks to be a new English institution combining the pleasures of a classic countryside retreat with bibliotherapy, bedtime stories and literary suppers. Such is its success that it’s soon going to become The Reading Week and up sticks to the Caribbean. Besides the ubiquitous tours based on books, there’s now also the possibility of live like your favourite author, with literary vacation rentals. Abercrombie & Kent offers East African Hemingway Safari and Jane Eyre & Bronte Country tours; visit www.abercrombiekent.com; and also check www.readingweekend.co.uk; www.novelexplorations.com4. Adults onlyKeep a hold on those X-rated thoughts, the new adult-only holiday aren’t so much orgiastic getaways as childfree zones. If you don’t want the crying and voluble excitement to disturb your vacation, you aren’t alone. There’s a growing number of people who want to leave the kids at home and check into resorts that cater only to grown-ups and some hotels now institute age bars. Some shoot for no-under-10s (Kim’s Beach Hideaway near Sydney, Australia), others raise the bar to no-under-16s (Triple Creek Ranch in Montana, USA). The Sandals chain of hotels in the Caribbean is 18+ as are the Excellence Resorts in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. You know adults-only is catching on when the ultimate child pleaser, Disney, offers Adult Exclusive tours. Then there are some places just all about adult fun, and boy! are they popular: Las Vegas, for example, where children aren’t allowed in the gaming rooms and much of the entertainment is adult oriented.Check out www.sandals.com; www.abd.disney.go; www.excellence-resorts.com; www.triplecreekranch.com; www.kims.com.au5. Geocaching How do you upgrade the treasure hunt to the 21st century? Replace the map with a GPS device or your smartphone (it has the app), the clues with GPS coordinates and the treasure trove with a cache that possibly contains coins and key chains, and you have a game that is currently the obsession of millions across the world. Geocaching was born back in 2000 when greater accuracy on the Global Positioning System was made available to everybody. As people wondered at its uses, computer consultant Dave Ulmer came up with one idea ‘GPS Stash Hunt’, which transformed into the much cooler Geocaching (there’s even a GeoWoodstock, the world’s largest Gocaching event). There are around a million caches hidden all over the world, from the top of Ben Nevis in Scotland, to the streets of New York or a ruin in Paris. They could also be just down the street from you. Look for coordinates on geocaching website and let the hunt begin.Check out www.geocaching.comadvertisementadvertisement6. B&B in DelhiIt’s not a combination that you would ever have expected to see in the same sentence, but Bed & Breakfasts in Delhi are a reality, and likely to trigger off many more in the country. Because who wouldn’t want to stay in properties that provide all the creature comforts of hotels at less than half their prices and give you the opportunity to soak in the local flavour just by interacting with your hosts. Not to mention the added lure of great home-cooked North Indian food. Delhi Tourism has two categories of B&Bs–Gold and Silver–depending on the establishment’s facilities, amenities and size of rooms. Rooms start at Rs. 2,000 and can go up to around Rs. 7,000. The B&Bs are located in locations as diverse as Rajinder Nagar, Civil Lines, Malviya Nagar, Nizamuddin, Maharani Bagh, Friends Colony and Sultanpur. For a full list, search for B&Bs at http://delhitourism.nic.inSome options worth checking out: Sai Villa: www.saivilla.com; Delhi Bed and Breakfast: www.delhibedandbreakfast.com; Eleven: www.elevendelhi.com; The Estate Bed & Breakfast: www.theestatebnb.com7. Culinary vacationsFirst there were the wine tours, then you booked into villas in Italy and Provence and learnt to cook, then the rest of the world got into the game, so you could visit anywhere from the Far East to the Mid-West to add to your kitchen prowess. Now the culinary vacation shows up in a couple of new avatars. Like the outdoor culinary vacation, where you spend your days whitewater rafting or hiking and your evenings cooking wild salmon and Pacific oysters, learning from a gourmet chef and savouring the whole with wine that’s been packed for the trip. Or experience the hyper-genuine. Become a member of Home Food Italy, visit locals at mealtimes, help with the preparation of lunch or dinner, then enjoy the repast with the family. Or connect with the likeminded. There’s a festival for every food fad and type ever invented. Slow Food, Real Food, Real Street Food. Take your pick. Check out Wilderness Gourmet Rogue River rafting, USA: www.oars.com; Culinary Whitewater Series by ROW Adventures, USA: www.rowadventures.com; Home cooking: www.homecooking.it; The Crave Sydney International Food Festival: www.cravesydney.com; Taste of London: www.tastefestivals.com/london; Cheese slow food festival: www.cheese.slowfood.com8. HomeswappingYou’ve watched it in movies, you’ve read about it in books, and now all you need do is list your house online and begin your own homeswap adventure. Admittedly India’s still taking baby steps compared to the world’s giant leaps but it’s a promising beginning for this whole new travel experience. Exchanging homes, cities and, to some extent, lives, homeswaps give you an insight to a city as a resident, not a tourist. They’re also super-economical, a great way to engage with the locals, and make friends with your swapper. While the traditional homeswapping has you making simultaneous exchanges, for anybody with a second home, websites also offer the opportunity to trade at different times. The best homeswapping websites require you to pay a membership fee. Check out www.guardianhomeexchange.co.uk; www.homelink.org; www.homeexchange.com; www.craigslist.org; www.ivhe.com9. Space flightBack in 1991 when Richard Branson registered ‘Virgin Galactic’ a space flight for tourists was met with more sarcasm than thrill. Now, in about two years, the first commercial flight is going to take off with six passengers on board, and yes, it’s going to be from Virgin Galactic. The past two decades have seen space flights change from science-fiction to travel industry. More operators have jumped onboard, such as the US-based company Space Adventures, which plans both low-Earth orbit trips as well as longer ones around the moon. Another US company in the market is XCOR Aerospace; Boeing is developing spacecrafts and spaceports are springing up. Of course, a trip into space, whether suborbital, just far enough to see the curvature of the earth and darkness out there, or a trip to the moon is not an inexpensive venture–seats on Virgin cost US$ 200,000, while a journey to the far side of the moon can cost you US$ 50 million. Despite that there’s a waiting list of people for the trips. Come 2015, when a number of commercial space flights will be ready for lift off, you’ll know whether you should start saving.Check out www.virgingalactic.com; www.xcor.com; www.spaceadventures.com10. HomestaysIf you haven’t done a homestay yet, you haven’t done it all. Over the decade of its existence, homestays have not only become a means to visit areas where quality traditional hostelry is few and far between (Coorg, and the Spiti valley) but also a more nuanced experience of a place. Though much of the concentration of homestays is down South and up north–Kerala, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh–you can now find a homestay in almost every region. And the range in experience goes from the almost posh boutique hotel variety to the very basic village stay in the far reaches of rural India. Check out www.exploreruralindia.org; www.mahindrahomestays.com; www.keralatourism.org; www.himalayan-homestays.com11. Digital detox vacations The question to ask is no longer how connected your destination is, but rather how unplugged it is. At a time when your home, friends and office are just a phone app away, going offline has become the newest adventure. So what do you need to power off from the rest of the world? Will power is a puny force in the face of twitter, facebook and email. That’s why there are hotels like Arawak Beach Inn in Anguilla where your cell phone and laptop are placed under lock and key for the duration of your trip. Many other hotels deliberately have a no-internet policy. Then there are the lucky pockets of dead air, places that have no cell phone reception, such as the Gobi Desert or more easily Mountain Sky Guest Ranch in Montana, USA, where you can experience life before cell phones, going riding, fishing and heading outdoors. A more exotic destination is Mongolia, large parts of which also don’t have cell phone coverage. Stay in nomadic tents at the Three Camel Lodge in the Gurvansaikhan National Park.For more information and some options, check www.threecamellodge.com; www.mtnsky.com; www.arawakbeach.com12. VolunteerismCombining a holiday with a way to give back to communities may not seem like the acme of fun, but more and more people around the world are opting to add a sense of purpose to their time off. This can include anything from working on organic farms to teaching English, building accommodation, documenting wildlife, snorkelling around reefs, saving turtles or helping out in emergencies. It’s a chance to travel to places that may not fall on the tourist map and look at it from an entirely different perspective. The intensity can range from a couple of days of volunteering amidst a welter of travelling and sightseeing to morning to night work on your project. Similarly accommodation can veer from very basic third world country to luxury digs. Meaningful holidays not only give you the opportunity to help but are also a great learning ground; but when volunteering ensure you ask enough questions to find out whether your contribution will actually make a difference (for instance, teaching English for four days doesn’t quite make the cut). Holiday centricwww.workaway.info; www.handsupholidays.com; www.familyadventures.comMedium intensity www.wwoof.org; www.crossculturalsolutions.org; www.elephantnaturepark.org/volunteerHard core www.earthwatch.org; www.unv.org; www.worldvolunteerweb.org13. The journey, the experienceNot everything in the world need be a short (or long-haul) flight away. Travellers yearning for a return to earlier times when the journey was very much part of the holiday are embracing alternative means that include river cruises, horses, trains, even driving. Some places fairly beg for a certain type of transport and that’s what they are getting. So ride through the steppes of Central Asia, saddle up in the Thar or cross streams in the Okavango Delta on your faithful mount. Experience Eastern Europe on the Danube, sailing from Budapest to the Black Sea on luxury riverboats, or down the Amazon. Or travel through the red heart of Australia on The Ghan, a train that’s been around for 80 years; or through the continent’s lush south east on the newly introduced The Southern Spirit. Driving holidays have got their fair share of mileage through the years, but India’s now square on the map with a slew of scenic drives from the traditional Manali to Leh to the roads less taken from Siliguri to Kalimpong or Gajner to Khimsar. Horses: www.wildfrontiers.co.ukRiverboats: www.tauck.com; www.ietravel.comTrain: www.railaustralia.com; www.thesouthernspirit.com.au14. Following the pop-upsAs experiences become readily available to everybody, and exclusive doesn’t stay that way for more than a few days or at most, weeks, how do you tell apart people in the know from everybody else? This decade, you do it by following the pop-ups. These are restaurants, stores, clubs, exhibitions, live acts that, well, pop up, for an extremely short time and. if you didn’t catch them in that window of opportunity, you are unlikely to see them again. Pop-ups can last for anywhere from a few hours to a few months; a few might last for a year, but they’ll only be open one night a week. An example is the The Cube by Electrolux in Brussels, a restaurant that appeared on top of the Parc du Cinquantenaire on April 1 and will stay there for three months before moving on to its next location. Pop-up restaurants are slated to be the big trend this year, so watch out. Check out www.electrolux.be/cube; www.popupculture.co.uk; www.sensoriumdc.com; www.kickstarter.com15. Soul breaksEven as fitness breaks, bootcamps, and weight loss vacations tilt the scales at one end by addressing the body they are being balanced out by holidays that feed the soul. From meditation to holistic holidays, vipassana breaks, even time spent at a convent, spiritual wellbeing is now an integral element in your time off. And the fact that many of these retreats are set in stunning locations only adds to the entire process of rejuvenation. India’s already one-up on the world in this regard with yoga, meditation and vipassana all addressing the same theme. Reiki, t’ai chi and natural therapies such as acupuncture that reach parts of you otherwise ignored are also part of this subsect. But soul breaks aren’t restricted to the mystical sounding bits. Unleashing your creativity, eating organic and vegetarian are just as much a part of this. Stay in a convent or monastery: www.initaly.comSome options for spas and retreats: www.saswara.com; www.shreyasretreat.com; www.shawellnessclinic.com.advertisement
Germany 6 Norway 0: World Cup holders move one step closer to Russia 2018 Harry West 04:36 9/5/17 
Bongarts Germany are on the brink of securing qualification to Russia 2018 after the World Cup holders demolished Norway 6-0 on Monday. Timo Werner scored twice as Germany swept aside Norway 6-0 to move one step closer to qualification for the World Cup finals in Russia next year.The holders would have secured progress had Northern Ireland failed to defeat Czech Republic, but their Group C rivals’ win means the defending champions will advance if they avoid defeat in Belfast next month.Few would back against Joachim Low’s side on this form, after a three-goal blitz in the opening 21 minutes effectively put the game to bed in Stuttgart on Monday. Article continues below Editors’ Picks Brazil, beware! Messi and Argentina out for revenge after Copa controversy Best player in MLS? Zlatan wasn’t even the best player in LA! ‘I’m getting better’ – Can Man Utd flop Fred save his Old Trafford career? Why Barcelona god Messi will never be worshipped in the same way in Argentina Mesut Ozil, perhaps relishing the freedom of a break from the current discontent at Arsenal, gave Germany the lead and Julian Draxler – recalled as one of three changes from Friday’s 2-1 win in Prague – added a second soon afterwards.Werner’s first was a simple tap-in as Norway wilted under the opening barrage, and the RB Leipzig forward doubled his tally with a fine header shortly before the interval.Half-time substitute Leon Goretzka made it five shortly after the resumption and his fellow replacement Mario Gomez added further gloss as Germany maintained their perfect qualifying record this campaign.Current mood #DieMannschaft #GERNOR 5-0 pic.twitter.com/kIxRIrg4rW— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) September 4, 2017Germany had taken only quarter of an hour to make the breakthrough in the reverse fixture exactly a year ago and they were even quicker off the mark this time as Ozil swept home Jonas Hector’s cut-back from the left in the 10th minute.Toni Kroos blazed over when he ought to have doubled the lead a minute later but the hosts did not have to wait long to stretch their advantage as Draxler turned sharply inside the box and placed a calm finish into the bottom-left corner.Norway were in danger of complete capitulation and only had themselves to blame for Germany’s third. Jorgen Skjelvik’s loose pass set the defence on the back foot and Thomas Muller dummied Kroos’ square pass to Werner, who had the simplest of tasks to tap home.The visitors briefly managed to stem the black and white tide, but the respite was only temporary as Werner claimed his second in the 40th minute, arching his back impressively to head in Muller’s excellent right-wing delivery.Özil’s first goal for in over a yearDraxler goal on first start of the seasonWerner now 6 goals in 8 internationalsGermany pic.twitter.com/GCEO53TL9g— European Qualifiers (@EuroQualifiers) September 4, 2017Kroos was brilliantly denied by Norway goalkeeper Rune Jarstein on the stroke of half-time but the pattern continued after the break as Muller’s replacement Goretzka quickly announced himself on proceedings, rising highest to nod home Draxler’s chipped cross.Norway belatedly showed some signs of life as Ole Selnaes fired narrowly off-target and Mats Hummels deflected a low ball just wide but Germany were soon on the front foot again as Gomez’s diving header converted Joshua Kimmich’s cross to complete a thumping victory for the holders, whose form looks ominous for those hoping to relieve them of the trophy in Russia. read more
Thisara Perera 74-ball 140 in vain as New Zealand beat Sri Lanka in 2nd ODI to win seriesNew Zealand vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI, Brief scores: New Zealand 319 for 7 in 50 overs (Taylor 90, Munro 87, Neesham 64, Malinga 2 for 45, Pradeep 1 for 59), Sri Lanka 298 all out in 46.2 overs (Perera 140, Gunathilaka 71, Sodhi 3 for 55, Neesham 2 for 48, Henry 2/52). New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 21 runs. Thisara Perera blasted his maiden ODI century off only 57 balls but New Zealand pulled off a thrilling 21-run victory over Sri Lanka to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.advertisement Associated Press Mount MaunganuiJanuary 5, 2019UPDATED: January 5, 2019 16:24 IST Thisara Perera hit 13 sixes and eight fours in an innings of 140 (Photo tweeted by @OfficialSLC)HIGHLIGHTS2nd ODI brief scores: New Zealand (319/7) beat Sri Lanka (298) by 21 runs. Perera 140, Sodhi 3/55Thisara Perera blasted his maiden ODI century off only 57 ballsNew Zealand have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the ODI seriesNew Zealand vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI Scores(Full scorecard)Brief scores:New Zealand 319 for 7 in 50 overs (Taylor 90, Munro 87, Neesham 64, Malinga 2 for 45, Pradeep 1 for 59)Sri Lanka 298 all out in 46.2 overs (Perera 140, Gunathilaka 71, Sodhi 3 for 55, Neesham 2 for 48, Henry 2/52)New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 21 runsThisara Perera smashed 13 sixes in an astonishing display of power-hitting which took Sri Lanka to the brink of a remarkable win over New Zealand on Saturday in the second one-day international.Perera was the last man out on 140 – with Sri Lanka ending on 298 in 46.2 overs – as a chastened New Zealand held on to win by 21 runs and clinch an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.All-rounder Perera came to the wicket at No. 7 with his team struggling at 121 for 5 after 25 overs in reply to New Zealand’s 319 for 7. Undaunted by a seemingly impossible position, he blasted his way to a century from 57 balls, beating his previous best ODI score of 80.Perera overall hit 110 runs from boundaries – 13 sixes and eight fours in an innings of 140.Thisara Perera brings up his maiden ODI off 57 balls!SL 251/8 (41.4 Ovs) chasing 320. #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/LCmSnEfYIJSri Lanka Cricket (@OfficialSLC) January 5, 2019New Zealand were still coasting to victory with Sri Lanka at 128 for 7 in the 27th over after Sri Lanka lost five wickets for 16 runs through the middle of their innings. But Perera expertly marshalled the Sri Lanka tail, farming the strike to continue an assault that the New Zealand bowlers appeared unable to counter.He put on 75 in an eighth-wicket stand with captain Lasitha Malinga, then added a further 95 for Sri Lanka’s last two wickets with tailenders Lakshan Sandakan and Nuwan Pradeep. Perera simply encouraged those batsmen to block out the bowlers until he could get back on strike and take up the contest again.advertisement”First off I’m really proud of myself because it’s my first century,” Perera said. “For the last eight years I’m batting No. 8 or No. 9 and if I’m batting No. 7 I can get more time at the crease so I thank the coaching staff for trusting me.”VICTORY! But it didn’t come without a few nervous moments! Thisara Perera blasting an amazing 140 off just 74 balls! NZ win by 21 runs and claim the series! #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/IEBNyIPGeeBLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 5, 2019Strong winds at the Bay Oval helped to carry the boundaries when hitting downwind. Perera’s onslaught was also boosted by one of New Zealand’s worst fielding performances in recent years – at least 10 chances went to ground from the usually safe hands of players such as Martin Guptill, Trent Boult, Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls.Perera said he always believed a win was possible.”I told the last few batsmen it’s very hard to hit on this ground because of the wind, so I had to take the responsibility throughout the innings,” he said. “I already spoke to Nuwan and Sandakan and said ‘Please play even six balls per over so I can take the strike from the other end.'”New Zealand’s total fell well short of the 371 for 7 it achieved on the same pitch at Bay Oval in the first ODI two days earlier when it beat Sri Lanka by 45 runs.Guptill, who made 138 in that match, and Williamson, who made 76, were both out cheaply. Colin Munro made 87 and Ross Taylor scored 90.Jimmy Neesham, who hit 47 from 13 balls in the first match, struck 64 off 37 on Saturday. But the New Zealand innings was hit by four run outs which included the wickets of Munro and Taylor.Sri Lanka made a solid start, helped by 71 from Danushka Gunathilaka. But a middle-order collapse left them facing a comprehensive defeat until Perara scared the hosts.”Thisara came out and played out of his skin,” Williamson said. “Suddenly guys are under pressure to execute their skills with the wind factor here as well and a few fumbles.”It was all leaning in one direction for a little while there but it was good the guys could hold their nerve and come away with the win.”Also Watch:For sports news, updates, live scores and cricket fixtures, log on to indiatoday.in/sports. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for Sports news, scores and updates.Get real-time alerts and all the news on your phone with the all-new India Today app. Download from Post your comment Do You Like This Story? Awesome! Now share the story Too bad. Tell us what you didn’t like in the comments Posted byJepher Nickels Tags :Follow Thisara PereraFollow Jimmy NeeshamFollow Colin MunroFollow Ross TaylorFollow Ish Sodhi
Energy markets are changing, not only in Nova Scotia but around the world. Smaller players are entering markets, regional co-operation is growing, efficiency standards are impacting load, and new renewable energy options are changing the environmental landscape of electricity generation. At the same time technologies are impacting how we think, distribute, and use electricity. All of this impacts Nova Scotians. Earlier this month, I launched the first comprehensive review of our electricity system in over a decade. The time is right to do this. We are on the verge of new import and export opportunities, and opportunities for research and economic development associated with the energy market. Nova Scotians are understandably concerned about power rates. So, of course, no discussion about the options available to Nova Scotians would be complete without understanding the rate impacts of various decisions. We also must understand the economic, social, health and environmental impacts. The outcome of the review process will be informed by Nova Scotians and I welcome your ideas, big and small. Whether it’s performance standards, the role of conservation, smart-grid options, possible environmental targets, or the economic opportunities from exporting technology and electricity, everything will be on the table for discussion. The review is governed by the Electricity Reform Act, which was passed Dec. 12. That bill also legislated the framework so renewable energy producers can access the grid and sell to customers. Those opportunities are already taking shape. The legislation requires us to complete the review in a specific timeframe. Nova Scotians want a chance to be heard, listened to, and their ideas properly considered, but I also know Nova Scotians demand that we not spend years discussing the issue. The timeframe of the review seeks to balance those needs. Many of you have already contacted us with ideas and suggestions about our electricity future. We are eager to hear from you. We also welcome your feedback on the scope of the consultations. Nova Scotians should have a range of opportunities and options to contribute to the review, so engagement over the next year will include expert-led forums, online tools, and a range of public engagement tools. This is about Nova Scotians partnering to think about and consider the options for the electricity system. We are committed to working with all Nova Scotians on the future of Nova Scotia’s electricity system. Comments on the scope of work for the review can be submitted until Feb. 7, so please have your say at http://novascotia.ca/electricityfuture/ . -30-
After years of failed attempts to ban shark fin imports, advocates could be celebrating new legislation as early as this week thanks to the Senate.Last year alone, Canada imported more than $3.2 million worth of the controversial product which is tied to brutal harvesting practices, as Port Moody-Coquitlam MP Fin Donnelly explains.“Shark finning is the horrific practice of cutting the fins from living sharks and discarding the remainder of the shark at sea. The sharks then drown, starve to death or are eaten alive by other fish. It is a brutal fishing practice,” he told Parliament.Donnelly has been passionately championing a ban for the last eight years. The most recent bill before the House of Commons, Bill S-238, was introduced by Nova Scotian MP Michael McDonald in 2017.While Bill S-238 included “derivitives” of shark fin, the Senate BIll C-68 removes that term. Derivitives are often used in powdered collagen, make-up and even vaccines. This and other limitations of the bill have some saying it could go further.— Ash Kelly (@AshDKelly) June 5, 2019Five similar attempts have already failed before the house, and with only three weeks before Parliament wraps for the summer, it was beginning to look a lot like S-238 would follow suit.That’s when Senator Peter Harder stepped in to enshrine the intent of the bill in a much larger piece of proposed legislation that could be approved as early as this week.Once passed by the Senate, Bill C-68 will then be go back to the House of Commons, where the additions relating to the shark fin ban would need to be approved.In a committee meeting on May 27th, members discussed the differences between to the two bills and agreed there was very little discrepancy between the government Senate bill and the private members bill before the house committee.But there are still some limits to what is covered under C-68. Only the importing and exporting of fins and parts of fins is banned.Not enough, say someSome activists want to see legislation go further and ban all economic activity related to the trade of shark fins and shark product.Whole sharks and sharks meat could conceivably still pass through our borders and the sale of shark fin products, including shark fin soup, is not covered by the legislation.Bill S238 will not make Canada #Finfree Please sign this petition and help us remove shark fins from our country so that we can do our part to save sharks from extinction. https://t.co/AqWDNHOHbS— PeaceFurPaws (@PeaceFurPaws) May 30, 2019One change to the bill in the Senate is the dropping of the regulation or banning of shark fin “derivatives” used in some powdered collagen, make-up and vaccines.Still, Paul Gillis, director general of strategic policy at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans told the committee the legislation would be among the toughest in the world.“I think that the policy intent of Bill S-238 has been adopted in Bill C-68, and that Canada now has among the best practices when it comes to deterring shark finning,” he said.The intent of the bill is to stop shark fins from entering the country to reduce the impact of “shark finning” so the Canadian Border Service Agency and Environment Canada would enforce the the law at points of entry.Donnelly took the time to thank the many activists, including the late Canadian filmmaker Rob Stewart, who brought awareness to the issue in his hit documentary film, Sharkwater. Steward died in a scuba diving accident while filming the sequel, Sharkwater: Extinction.“There was HSI Canada, Oceana, Rob Stewart, and his parents certainly, just to name a few. As well, many municipalities across the country have also implemented shark-fin bans,” he said.“I think what it comes down to is that we have to hope that Bill C-68 gets out of the Senate and comes back to the lower house and gets royal assent before the House rises next month. That’s where we’re at.”
By Rob SmithAPTN InvestigatesSome people on Haida Gwaii think Earth People’s United (EPU) is a cult.Others disagree.Laura Duthiel said peer pressure and shaming, combined with hallucinogenic drug use, were key components of how leader Erik Gonzales controlled her when she was a member. She ingested drugs that paralyzed her for what she estimates to be eight hours. It was for her a “coma-like state.”For her it had nothing to do with healing.Tom Greene’s concern began at a public meeting in the town of Skidegate when he asked about a youth exchange to Guatemala. He had just recently heard of violence in that country on the news. When he raised the issue he was assured by employees of the Nygstle Society, a cultural healing organization, that the youth were safe.Green claims he was shocked afterward when a man warned him he was taking on the cult.Haida youth have travelled to EPU’s Deer Mountain Center located on 1,700 acres of land northeast of Yreka in Northern California. Youth have also been to EPU’s compound on the shores of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. You can see them on EPU’s self-produced videos on YouTube.Seven years ago Raven Ann Potschka was one of those youth. She confirmed to APTN Investigates the types of drugs used in Gonzales’ ceremonies. These include peyote, ayahuasca, amanita, and psilocybin. Potschka calls them medicine.“We are doing things as a family, a spiritual family we are doing these ceremonies together for support and we are also all learning together for me I benefited greatly,” she added.However Tom Greene told us about a story a young woman told him. She told him that when she was in Guatemala she lost her memory for two or three days. She told Greene she suspects it’s because of the drugs she ingested.When APTN Investigates contacted the woman and repeated the story Greene told us and asked for an interview.“I didn’t want anyone to know about that,” she said and hung up.Potschka says a scenario like that makes her uncomfortable, but she says she has never seen anyone have a negative reaction during the ceremonies.“Whenever we go out of country we have Elders with us. I feel it’s a super safe environment,” said Potschka.Haida leader Guujaaw wouldn’t comment on the youth’s memory loss. The former president of the Haida Nation believes that the drugs are valuable medicine. He admits he does ceremonies but not with Gonzalez. He says that compared to alcohol and cocaine these drugs are relatively “benign.”Dutheil disagrees.She says amanita is poisonous and it took her months to recover after suffering what she terms an overdose.The local RCMP are also concerned. Last fall they took the unusual step of placing a warning in the local newspaper.It read in part: “The Masset RCMP is urging the public to think critically about the use of these so-called ‘healing’ or ‘spiritual’ drugs. Not only are some of these substances illegal in Canada but it has been reported that they can produce negative long-term side effects.”Local doctors were also alarmed by the rise in “spiritual” drug use. Quoted in a CBC report, Dr. Harvey Thommasen said, “people aren’t being told what they are taking.”The doctor was particularly concerned by the use of amanita in ceremonies. It’s a local mushroom he called a deadly poison.Haida Elder Fred Russ says amanita was used by medicine men in the old days, but those healers worked with the substance all their life. They knew how to mix it and only used it one-on-one for specific reasons. Never in large groups.The other group being discussed in Haida Gwaii is Psychology of Vision. Despite its name, the two founders Lency and Chuck Spezzano are not psychologists.In fact, Charles Spezzano was fined in 2004 for acting like a psychologist while not being licensed by the state of Hawaii.Chuck Spezzano told APTN Investigates that because he works internationally he doesn’t need to be licensed. He said he is not a psychologist and calls himself “a coach.”But he says the work he does is indeed psychology.Dutheil says the POV sessions were a horrible experience for her.Potschka agrees. She said what POV offers is “deep group therapy sessions.” And when she attended, the community members were not told what they were getting into.Duthiel says she witnessed people crying and throwing up in the sessions she attended.“Your personal boundaries, they are breaking that down and they are exposing you are pretty much giving yourself over,” she said.But, despite that, she kept on going to the sessions.“Like an addiction, you gotta go. And just never ending you almost got dependent on it. You begin to realize you don’t have any other friends, just the friends that were in that group,” she added. “You leave your family behind to go be with this other family.”But Dutheil says it was never made clear what exactly was done. Explanations were vague.“It never was explained to us what that really means. They want to call it whatever they want to call and make us believe we are advancing is some way. But you’re in a controlled environment and you are being controlled,” she said.APTN Investigates asked Charles Spezzano to explain one of the many type of healing methods POV uses. It’s called an “original mind download.”“It’s a blessing. And if you’ve ever received a blessing where you can feel it, that’s what a download is meant to be,” he replied.How does that help a person looking for healing, we asked.“Basically it provides some wholeness. Where there was a split mind or conflict or something like that, it brings peace,” he said.We asked him how one becomes qualified to do a download.“Well, first of all, you experience it and then you learn how to pass it on,” Spezzano replied.The Spezzano’s are shocked that they are being accused of being a cult and that the work they are doing is dangerous. Chuck Spezzano claims more than 40 years’ experience. Lency Spezzano claims they are a great help to First Nations. She says that wherever POV goes, there is a cultural renaissance in the community.They help people, insists Charles.What they do not do is disempower people in order to take their money, he added.rsmith@aptn.ca
Let us know what you like about Geek by taking our survey. Stay on target I love The Legend of Zelda. Link to the Past and Link Between Worlds are two of my favorite games, and Breath of the Wild was a masterpiece for a launch game. Part of the reason is because Link’s sword is so cool. The Master Sword is one of the long-running elements of the series, and while most games have different Links and Zeldas spanning across different timelines, they almost all have the same Master Sword. It’s the Sword of Evil’s Bane, kept sleeping in the Lost Woods for ages until it’s needed.It’s also a pretty rad letter opener from ThinkGeek. Yes, of course I have a life-size Master Sword because I attend comic book conventions and don’t bat an eye at spending $40 on stupid things, but it’s not really legal to carry around or keep at my desk. And that’s why this $19.99 letter opener is so great.The Legend of Zelda Master Sword Letter Opener is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a metal letter opener shaped like the Master Sword, based on the Twilight Princess design with the royal blue pommel, the dark teal wrap on the grip, the gold accent on the hilt, and the slightly flared section of the blade near the hilt bearing the Triforce logo.Its metal, but not steel or even particularly sharp. It’s a letter opener, and all you need is the very slight blade edge and a good point to cut open envelopes. It feels like a zinc alloy common for metal collectibles this size, but with a nice chrome finish on the blade.The Master Sword needs a place to sleep until it’s needed, and that’s why it comes with a gray resin pedestal with a dark gray Triforce symbol on it. It looks like the pedestal for the Master Sword in Ocarina of Time. It’s simple, but looks good.This is a fun letter opener/desk prop that lets you show off how much you like Zelda, cut open envelopes, and possibly dispel magic barriers. You can order it from ThinkGeek.
Geek Pick: Shure MV88+ Is An Excellent, On the Go Microphone KitGeek Pick: Amazon Smart Plug Puts Alexa in Your Walls 
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WSVN) — Two credit card scammers from Miami were stopped by police in Gainesville.Officers said Yasmany Veloz and Lizuan Miranda were pulled over Tuesday for “following too closely” on Interstate 75.Officials searched their rental car and found a laptop, gas pump skimmer and 91 fake credit cards.Both alleged scammers were booked with various charges including scheming to defraud and obtain property and trafficking in counterfeit credit cards.Copyright 2019 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
In a letter to the council from Yamada: “One of the hiccups we have encountered in this loan process is just how specialized the business of a bowling alley is. Coupled with the fact that we are classified as a startup, and the equipment is specialized.” Facebook0TwitterEmailPrintFriendly分享Charlotte Yamada has been working to reopen the Kenai Bowling Alley since it closed in late 2015. During the session the council unanimously passed a motion authorizing City Manager Paul Ostrander to renegotiate the terms of the bowling alley. The council made no finalized decision, but plans to continue working with Yamada. Yamada updated the Kenai City Council on Wednesday: “It really is looking to be a very good turnout for the community, and a good business to be serving the entire community. It is really just what our community needs.” 
The council held an executive session following their meeting on Wednesday to discuss a request for renegotiation of terms regarding the sale of the bowling alley. Yamada: “It taking a long time to get this process done. It is a very specific business we are trying to get back up and on its feet. That in itself is what we are fighting against.” 
Map of BograA local activist of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was hacked to death by miscreants at Batiabhanga Dakkhinpara village in Gabtali upazila of Bogra on Monday night, reports UNB.The deceased was identified as Tozammel Hossain, 45, son of late Osman Mollah of Durgahata village in the upazila and an activist of local unit of BNP.Locals said some miscreants swooped on Tozammel around 7:30pm and chopped him indiscriminately while he was returning home after attending the marriage ceremony of his cousin at Dakkhinpara, leaving him critically injured.He succumbed to his injuries on the way to Shaheed Ziaur Ramhan Medical College Hospital.Gabtali police station officer-in-charge Khairul Basar said they recovered the body and sent it to the hospital morgue.He also said they were trying to arrest those involved in the killing.
U.S. Senator Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), along with a representative from the Department of Education, will present a check for $300,000 to five Baltimore City School on Jan. 14. The money is from a grant called Project Serv and is designed to help schools recover from traumatic events. Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings, Baltimore City Councilman Nick Mosby, and Dr. Gregory Thornton, CEO, Baltimore City Schools, are scheduled to give remarks.The ceremony will take place at 1:30 p.m. at Matthew A. Henson Elementary School, one of the five recipients. The other four are: Gilmor Elementary, Frederick Douglass High School, William Pinderhughes Elementary/Middle, and Harlem Park Elementary/Middle. Principals from each institution will be on hand.Last June Cardin, along with Councilman Nick Mosby and Marvin “Doc” L. Cheatham Sr., president of the Matthew A. Henson Neighborhood Association, and other participated in a community rountable that was broadcast on C-Span on what to do in the wake of the riots.
The DC Films are and have been wracked with problems. In terms of upcoming projects, few are more worrying than The Flash, which has gone through multiple directors and doesn’t even have a potential release date.Now it’s reported the script is getting a page-one rewrite, meaning that it’s getting almost entirely redone.Joby Harold, whose resume only has a few big-budget credits, including the upcoming Guy Ritchie, flick King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, has been tasked with doing the rewrite.Additionally, the film has already gone through two directors: Seth Grahame-Smith–most known for writing Pride and Prejudice and Zombies–and Rick Famuyiwa, who directed the 2015 indie hit Dope. Famuyiwa left the project in October over creative differences.Both the directors did drafts. Grahame-Smith wrote the original script and was attached to make his directorial debut with The Flash before departing, and Famuyiwa did a rewrite when he was brought on. He said he was excited to work on the project and bring his “voice, humor, and heart” to it. However, it’s been said Warner Bros. didn’t like the script or story, which supposedly had more edge.Warner Bros. executives are working on the new script while Ezra Miller, who’s going to star as Barry Allen, films Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 2. They’re taking their time finding a replacement director.The only thing that has been consistent about The Flash has been the actors. Miller, who made cameos in Suicide Squad and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, is set to star as the scarlet speedster in Justice League. Famuyiwa brought on Kiersey Clemons to play Iris West and Billy Crudup to play Barry’s father, and those two actors are still attached.There was also the rumor Flash was going to be facing off against the Rogues, but with Famuyiwa gone, this’ll probably change.This isn’t the first time Warner Bros. has looked like they don’t know what they’re doing in regards to the DCEU. Both Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad were grim messes with terrible scripts (or at least according to the ones we saw on the screen). The studio is jumping ahead with a ton of new additions to the universe–including Harley Quinn spin-off Gotham City Sirens–before getting a handle on what their franchise will look like. Seeing the studio scramble with The Flash doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence that it’s learned from its mistakes. Stay on target Top Movies and TV Panels to Keep on Your Radar for SDCC 2019’The Flash’ Season 5 Finale Recap: 2 Big Bads and 1 Pre-Crisis 
Growing a business sometimes requires thinking outside the box. Register Now » Free Webinar | Sept. 9: The Entrepreneur’s Playbook for Going Global 1 min read
According to an infographic by Cyber Security Degrees, 62 percent of Americans own at least one smart device. The most common of these is a smart TV, which nearly half of American adults own. These devices, like a smart watch or a connected car, can sync with the internet or your mobile device and make your life easier. However, they also come with plenty of risks. This infographic breaks down some of those dangers, which include: Malicious endpointsThe Mirai botnet attackThe Senrio devil’s ivy attackBy making yourself aware of these pitfalls, you can secure the devices that mean the most to you and make sure that others can’t take advantage. Check out the infographic to learn more about the dangers involved with the internet of things and how you can be safer.Source: CyberSecurityDegrees.com October 28, 2018