Prime Minister David Cameron has said he could have handled the row
over his financial affairs "better", admitting it had "not been a great
week".
Addressing the Tories' spring forum, he said he was to blame for the
handling of revelations about his holding in his late father's offshore
fund.
Days after questions were first raised, the PM admitted this week he had owned and later sold units in the fund.
Cameron also said he would publish information on his tax return later.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the PM had "misled the public" over
his financial affairs and "lost the trust of the British people". 'LESSONS TO LEARN'
Addressing Conservative Party activists in central London, Cameron
said: "It has not been a great week. I know that I should have handled
this better, I could have handled this better.
"I know there are lessons to learn and I will learn them.
"Don't blame Number 10 Downing Street or nameless advisers, blame
me." Cameron said: "I was obviously very angry about what people were
saying about my dad. I loved my dad, I miss him every day.
"He was a wonderful father and I'm very proud of everything he did.
But I mustn't let that cloud the picture. The facts are these: I bought
shares in a unit trust, shares that are like any other sorts of shares
and I paid taxes on them in exactly the same way.
"I sold those shares. In fact, I sold all the shares that I owned, on becoming prime minister."
Cameron continued: "Later on I will be publishing the information
that goes into my tax return, not just for this year but the years gone
past because I want to be completely open and transparent about these
things.
"I will be the first prime minister, the first leader of a major
political party, to do that and I think it is the right thing to do." PANAMA PAPERS
Revelations about Cameron's financial affairs followed a leak of 11
million documents this month held by Panamanian law firm Mossack
Fonseca.
The documents, known collectively as the Panama Papers, revealed that
Mr Cameron's late father Ian had been a client of Mossack Fonseca when
establishing a fund for investors.
A group of protesters calling on Cameron to "close tax loopholes or
resign" rallied outside Downing Street before moving on to demonstrate
outside the venue where the Conservative forum was held.
A BBC reporter at the scene said they were chanting slogans criticising tax avoidance.
The organiser of the Downing Street protest, journalist Abi
Wilkinson, told BBC Radio 5 live the week's revelations raised questions
about Mr Cameron's commitment to tackling tax avoidance.
"But the thing that really made us think we had to get out and
protest was the news that, in 2013 when the EU were trying to crack down
on offshoring and tax avoidance, he stepped in and actually weakened
what they were trying to do."
Commons leader Chris Grayling, who is on the opposite side to Mr
Cameron in the debate over Britain's EU membership, said those accusing
Cameron of misleading the public were making a "mountain out of a mole
hill". 'DISARRAY'
At the Conservative spring forum, Cameron said local elections in
England and mayoral contests in London, Bristol, Liverpool and Salford
on 5 May gave voters a clear choice between "Tory competence and the
disarray of the rest".
Only Tory councils could be trusted to keep taxes low while "getting things done" and "delivering more for less", he said.
The Conservatives are defending about 880 seats last contested in 2012.
More than 2,700 seats in 124 councils across England are up for grabs
next month in what will be Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's first national
test in England at the ballot box.
Taramoni Das, 108, making bamboo baskets at
Mahishkhocha of Aditmari in Lalmonirhat. She spent most of her life in
extreme poverty. Thanks to a philanthropist in Dhaka, Taramoni has been
living a happy life for about a year now. Photo: Star
S Dilip Roy with Andrew Eagle
To find proof that a human life can turn brighter even after the
first one hundred years, it might do as well to travel to the Teesta
River basin in Lalmonirhat. There, in Mahishkhocha village of Aditmari
upazila, 108-year-old Taramoni Das is counting the last twelve months
among her best.
“These days I enjoy milk, eggs, fish, any kind of nourishing food
regularly,” says a satisfied Das. “For most of my life such types of
food were only a dream.”
The mother of five daughters and one son has spent her life working.
From the age of eight she took up her family's ancestral profession of
making things from bamboo. Since the death of her husband Taraknath Das
19 years ago, bamboo work, which left her a pittance of about 45 taka
per day to cover living costs, was her only income.
“Even just a year ago, I was so frustrated from life's continuous struggle,” says Das.
Then, quite unexpectedly, a favourable breeze of change blew her way.
On 8 April 2015, The Daily Star published an article about the
hardworking centenarian and it so moved a kindly woman in the national
capital that the woman came forward with an offer of support.
“I get Tk 3,000 each month from my donor, the lady in Dhaka,” says
Das. “I spend Tk 2,500 to live and save Tk 500.” The philanthropist from
Dhaka has also helped Das build and furnish a tin-shed room in which to
live. Finally, at age 107, Das found herself quite suddenly in a
position to retire.
Except that she didn't.
She keeps in touch with her patron via mobile phone. Photo: Star
“I don't need to earn money from bamboo work anymore,” Das explains,
“but I still work because it's my habit and I can't forget my ancestral
job. Besides, the energy of work keeps me going and helps my
grandchildren.” Das believes everybody should work in order to keep good
health in mind and body.
“Taramoni Das is very happy lately,” says neighbour Sudhir Chandra
Das, 65. “Her life used to be full of sorrow but now she's always
smiling. The generosity of the woman from Dhaka has made a big
difference.” Attesting to the centenarian's good health, Sudhir believes
the elderly citizen has set an example for all the villagers of how to
reach longevity despite a life of hardship.
Moreover, according to the example set by Das, the first decade
beyond the century is not a time to neglect learning. She's discovered
how to use a mobile phone so that she can chat regularly with her
newfound Dhaka philanthropist friend.
“I only wish to help an elderly widow who has really struggled,” the
anonymous donor told this newspaper by telephone. “I am thankful to The
Daily Star since if it had not covered the story of Taramoni Das I never
would've heard of her, I wouldn't have been able to assist.”
Asked for her advice on how to live a long life, Das returns to the
subject of work. “People should respect their profession and try to work
every day, as they can,” she says. source:thedailystar
A US man aimed high when he decided to propose to his girlfriend -
climbing a steep cliff face to pop the question via a video-app on his
phone.
Only Michael Bank's romantic gesture hit the rocks after he became stuck on his way down and had to be rescued.
The drama unfolded on the 600ft (180m) high Morro Rock off California's Central Coast.
The good news, his girlfriend said yes. The bad news, he now faces a hefty bill for his rescue.
A helicopter had to be called to help bring the 27-year-old back down
to earth. Police said he was later arrested on suspicion of possessing
methamphetamine. Witnesses told reporters he was acting erratically.
"He couldn't go any direction, on a sheer ledge, with his feet
dangling 80ft (25m) off the ground," Morro Bay fire Capt Todd Gailey
said.
Climbing on Morro Rock is officially banned, though some people
ignore the warnings. There have been several fatal falls over the years.
Investigators are poised to make a breakthrough soon in the probe
into the murder of Comilla college student Sohagi Jahan Tonu as they
have got some clues and identified some suspects, says a top CID
official.
They are going to arrest some suspects and interrogate them in
custody to learn what actually happened on the night of March 20 when
Tonu was found dead in Comilla Cantonment area.
"We are now in a position to make some arrests," Masud Karim Khan,
special superintendent of Comilla-Noakhali division of CID, told The
Daily Star yesterday.
"We hope to arrest some suspects within two to four days."
About questioning of people, including family members, Masud Karim
said those were merely “interviews”, and now they would go for
interrogation in custody.
He declined to disclose the names or number of the suspects.
The CID, tasked with probing the murder, yesterday recorded
statements of several persons, including Monirul Islam, chief executive
officer of Comilla Cantonment Board, where Tonu's father Yaar Hossain
works.
Also yesterday, a forensic expert preferring anonymity said even
after a "negative autopsy”, which fails to reveal the cause of death,
investigators can unearth the murder mystery.
In many cases, investigators have arrested the killers even months
after the burial of the murdered persons and even without autopsies, he
told this correspondent.
The first autopsy failed to ascertain the cause of Tonu's death. It
also did not find any sign of rape though police suspected it after she
was found dead.
The body was exhumed following a court order, and a three-member
board conducted the second autopsy on March 30. The report is yet to be
prepared. source:thedailysta
“I want to be a medical doctor working for the disadvantaged like my
dad. I do have to keep bringing everything back to my Dad, my Dad is
everything I want to be,” was how Asahi Hoque, a fourth-year student at
University of Connecticut majoring in Cellular Biology and Human Rights,
responded to a question about what she plans to do after completing her
studies.
Her father, Dr. Ehsan Hoque, is the founder of Distressed Children
and Infants International (DCI), a non-profit organisation which began
in 2003 at Yale University in Connecticut, USA. Although based thousands
of miles away, DCI's heart resides very much in Bangladesh, where
through four programmes -- the Sun Child Sponsorship. Orphan Support,
Healthcare for the Underprivileged and Blindness Prevention -- it has
benefited thousands of children and their families by providing
education opportunities, skills training, preventive healthcare and pre-
and post-natal care for mothers. In Bangladesh, DCI works in Dhaka,
Patuakhali, Nilphamari, Feni and Habiganj. The scope of DCI is wide; it
takes a holistic approach to children's wellbeing. “DCI's main ideology
is that, through education and skill development, children can break the
cycle of poverty and we can also prevent child marriage and child
labour. We don't only focus on education, because if a child and family
are sick, do not have enough money for food it is not possible for them
to get an education. We really aim to provide comprehensive care;
education, health, community development, because poverty and illness
are multi-faceted issues and we have to address all of them to make
progress,” Asahi says.
Multi-faceted is an apt word to use about DCI's approach to solving
the problems of Bangladesh's disadvantaged children. It is an
organisation that runs completely on donor support, a large portion of
whom are located all across USA. “It is spread mostly by word of mouth,
which is really exciting. Every donor has their child or specific area
of interest and they get updates several times a year.
Asahi grew up in the USA and has a life there, but she keeps coming
back to Bangladesh, because through her work with DCI and her father,
she has developed her deep-set love for Bangladesh, “When I am here, I
don't feel like I am visiting, I feel like I came home.” Asahi has been
volunteering in some shape or form for DCI since its inception in 2003
when she was only nine years old, “My dad wanted to instil the
importance of working for others in me and also wanted me to connect to
his roots in Bangladesh. Because of his guidance, I started
volunteering. I did really small things like stamping and folding
papers, etc.
“Then, meeting the kids when I came to work in the field, one of the
things that amazed me was that the children I was working with, despite
the adversity and hardships that they face every moment, were so
positive and resilient. They had the same dreams as I did. When I asked
them what they wanted to be, they wanted to be a pilot or an engineer or
an artist. And the sad fact is that they had the talent and potential
to do all those things, just lacked the opportunity because by fate they
were born into poverty. I understood how privileged I am, and I
understood I have obligation to do something. As I got older I got more
and more involved with DCI activities and now I am the Programme
Coordinator. In this role my job is to match our programme directions
to the needs of those we are working for and the donor needs,” Asahi
said while detailing the genesis of her involvement with her father's
passion project.
It seems that the seeds of her passion were sown by the similarities
she noticed between herself and the beneficiaries of DCI who, though
worlds apart in geographic and economic terms, were the same as her.
Interestingly, it was this same realisation that lit her father Dr.
Hoque's passion to serve the underprivileged. Dr. Hoque suffered from
congenital cataracts, and by the age of five had undergone several
surgeries to restore his eye sight.
“After that, even though he wasn't blind, he was seriously visually
impaired, so his doctors, his teachers and even his parents thought that
he shouldn't go to school. But he really wanted to learn and get an
education. However at school he faced many hardships; his nickname was
'kana' and other children would take away his glasses as a joke,” Asahi
related about her father's challenges. One would have thought that such
childhood traumas would embitter a young person and he would avoid any
subjects that related to his condition, but it was a testament to his
mental strength, and perhaps an indicator of his future philanthropic
efforts, that he went the other way.
“He was very determined; he got his MBBS and finished his PhD. But he
was always, even when he was having such hard times, saying 'I am so
fortunate'. He was fortunate to not be blind, to have been born into a
family that could afford treatment. Throughout his education he was
doing small projects, like giving mothers seeds so they can grow
vegetable garden for source of vitamins, supporting education of
children of his village. And finally, through this life-long dream of
helping the children in his country, he created DCI.”
Small wonder then that Asahi has been inspired by her father, who
even with failing eyesight remains now as passionate about the welfare
of children in Bangladesh as he was when DCI first started 13 years ago.
True to the philosophy that formed the launching pad for the
organisation, one of DCI's main aims is to create a tradition of
philanthropy and global responsibility in future citizens -- the
children of today. According to their website www.distressedchildren.org
-- worth a visit if one is interested in this worthy cause -- “DCI also
seeks to connect American youth to less fortunate children of other
countries, educating them about the challenges facing children
worldwide, developing their intellectual capacity, and inspiring them to
take leadership in humanitarian causes; in this way we hope to nurture
responsible and compassionate world citizens and future leaders.”
The prime example of this is Asahi. “Volunteering has been in an
integral part of my life and has been very empowering. Even when I was
nine, I felt like I was accomplishing something. It opened me up to what
I am capable of as a person, both personally and professionally. I know
that if more people in Bangladesh got involved and more youths/young
adults did volunteer work, took responsibility of the people around
them, together we can make a huge difference. DCI, unlike other
organisations is run on volunteer support. A lot of the work we are
doing and the changes we are making are through kids like me. Children
helping children.”
Asahi comes from a tradition of philanthropy -- her grandfather Dr.
Shamsul Haque founded Rights and Sights, which is a partner organisation
of DCI along with Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (DAB), BRAC, TMSS,
Islamia Eye Hospital, MA Ispahani Institute of Ophthalmology, BIRDEM
and ATN Bangla Television. But she has also bucked a trend because,
contrary to popular perception about expatriate Bangladeshis, she has
not forgotten about her roots and strives, with inspiration and guidance
from her father, to improve the state of her countrymen from a far-away
land. Asahi serves as an example for other Bangladeshis around the
world, an example that those of us at home will do well to follow.source:.thedailysta
WASHINGTON:
"What?? Again???" could well be the reaction in some quarters as US
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter returns to India for his second visit in
eleven months this weekend. Quite understandable, considering there
have been times when eleven years have elapsed before a US defense
secretary and an Indian Raksha Mantri crossed each other's path.
But
in a sign that two countries are bent on seizing the tide in world
affairs, and having overcome the shallows, are embarking on a new
voyage, the scholarly Dr Carter - a double major of physics and history
-- will arrive in Goa on Sunday to meet his Indian counterpart Manohar Parikkar,
a graduate in metallurgical engineering from IIT, Mumbai. Reciprocating
Carter hosting him on nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Eisenhower
during his visit to the US last December, Parrikar will entertain him on
board India's Russian-made aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, and give
him a tour of his native Goa - including a visit to its most famous
temples and churches - before they repair to New Delhi to do formal
business.
They will need plenty of blessings to move things
along. Despite growing military engagement, there are still residual
suspicions and misgivings, particularly in India, about getting into a
strategic clinch with a country that has been less than helpful in
India's efforts to bring Pakistan-sponsored terrorism to heel, and is
seen an unreliable defense partner which bankrolls and gives military
hardware to a toxic neighbor. But in engagements ahead of his visit, Dr
Carter, in more than one way, sought to suggest that Pakistan was a minor distraction, and the real elephant - or dragon - on the world stage is China.
"The
days are gone when we only deal with India as the other side of the
Pakistan coin, or Pakistan as the other side of the India coin. I know
that there are those in India and Pakistan who are still glued to that
way of thinking. But the US put that behind us some time ago," Carter
said on Friday at the Council for Foreign Relations. The US, he added,
has much more to do with India today than with Pakistan; there is
important business with respect to Pakistan, but it has to do largely
with terrorism and regional stability, whereas there is "a whole global
agenda with India, agenda that covers all kinds of issues."
Part of that agenda, in the eyes of strategic community, is drafting India as a US ally in Asia without going through he formality of coaxing it into a treaty that New Delhi's prickly politics
and independent streak does not allow. "What we are looking for is a
closer relationship and a stronger relationship as we can, because it is
geo-politically grounded," Carter said earlier in the week at the
Centre of Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington,
arguing that Washington's Asia pivot segued perfectly with India's "Look
East" policy. But the US was not going to rush things. "They (India)
want to do things their own way...that's fine. So we're not looking for
anything exclusive," he added, even as word trickled out that he was
jettisoning the China leg of his trip amid continuing friction over
Beijing' s militarization of the South China Sea.
Still,
absent a formal defense treaty with India, the two sides are striving
to arrive at a series of "foundational agreements" that would align the
two militaries to enable technology transfer and defense co-production.
US defense and industry teams are already in India, discussing, among
other things, co-production of the Lockheed Martin F-16V and Boeing
F/A-18 fighter jets, even as critics are warning against jettisoning
India's multi-country sourcing and becoming U.S-dependent for its
defense needs. Indian officials have indicated that whether New Delhi
will bite at the offer depends on what kind of assurances India gets,
given the fickle nature of US processes and alliances.
But
Washington will be patient, Carter indicated, allowing New Delhi time
to arrive at its own decisions. "Indians are, like many others, also
proud. So they want to do things independently," he said at the CSIS
event, amid speculation that big announcements are imminent. "While
these negotiations can be difficult and global competition is high, I
have no doubt that in the coming years, the United States and India will
embark on a landmark co-production agreement that will bring our two
countries closer together and make our militaries stronger," he added in
New York.source:today
Shares in OptiBiotix Health(LSE: OPTI)
jumped by more than 5% in early trade this morning after the company
revealed more detail from last year’s positive clinical study for its
cholesterol-reducing capsules.
The study of 50 volunteers was conducted over 12 weeks and showed
that those taking OptiBiotix’s capsules saw a 7.2% reduction in
so-called bad cholesterol, with the female element of the test group
seeing a 12.4% reduction. Among those aged between 50 and 55, there was a
15% reduction in bad cholesterol. Those volunteers with exceptionally
high levels of cholesterol saw their levels reduced by an impressive
36.7%. As previously indicated, no safety, compliance or the tolerance
issues were reported by volunteers.
The positive clinical data for OptiBiotix’s cholesterol-reducing
capsules has been available for some time and as a result, investors
have flocked to its shares over the past year. Shares in the company are
up 150% over the last 12 months.
But over the long-term OptiBiotix’s shares could yield even greater
returns. With an ageing global population and considering the
limitations of existing products such as statins, the commercial
potential for OptiBiotix’s cholesterol-reducing capsules could be huge.
The size of the statins market is expected to reach $12.2 billion by
2018 and even if OptiBiotix can only capture a tiny percentage of this
market the company shares could be worth multiples of the current price.
A leading gold producer
Centamin(LSE: CEY)
is also on the rise this morning after the company announced that gold
production at its flagship Sukari mine in Egypt had increased by 6.5%
during the first quarter to a record 125,268 ounces. This increase means
the company is now well on its way to hitting its targeted production
of 470,000 ounces this year. What’s more, Centamin announced that it has
been implementing improvements at its Sukari mine, which should reduce
per-ounce production costs. Management has previously said that it’s
targeting cash operating costs of $680 per ounce and all-in sustaining
costs of $900 per ounce.
It’s easy to see why Centamin’s shares are heading higher today.
The upbeat production announcement is just the latest in a series of
positive updates from the company, which has consistently under-promised
and over-delivered.
Indeed, even in a harsh operating environment over the past five
years, Centamin has increased gold production and remained profitable
while many of its peers have struggled to keep their heads above water.
Cash costs have been reduced and at the end of 2015 the company remained
debt-free and unhedged with cash, bullion on hand, gold sales
receivable and available-for-sale financial assets of $230.7m, up around
50% year-on-year.
That being said, Centamin’s outlook remains dependent on the gold
price, although the price of gold seems to have stabilised this year.
If you believe the price of gold is set to head higher, Centamin
could be the way to play it. The company’s shares currently trade at a
forward P/E of 15.4 and support a dividend yield of 2.2%.source:today
Arne Mayala may be 85 years old, but he's still got "the moves."
And now — after taking up tap dancing last month — the U.S. Navy veteran's got more moves than ever.
The lifelong fan of song-and-dance films like "Singing in the Rain"
found his way to the dance floor somewhat by accident. After passing by
Dance Tech Studios in Forest Lake, Minnesota, on the way to the
accountant's office, his wife, Carol Mayala, prodded him to sign up for a
class.
"When they first walked in, we thought maybe they were lost," Robin
Lind, the studio's owner, told TODAY. "But when we heard this was on his
bucket list, we said, 'Wonderful! We can make that happen."
Courtesy of Robin Lind
'It’s so inspiring to see joy it brings him,' said Robin Lind, the studio's owner.
Arne Mayala has since made the 40-mile weekly trip to channel his
inner Fred Astaire. Lind, who has been videotaping Mayala's progress
each week, says he is steadily improving — and she's enjoyed their
interactions off the dance floor just as much.
"It's been such a joy getting to know them," said Lind. "Today I found
out how Arne and Carol met … He spotted her across the room at a bar
and asked her to dance. So they actually met dancing. No wonder she was
excited for him to learn!"source:today
During Mayala's lessons, Lind often spends time with his wife, who
expressed concern about being a burden on the studio. But Lind was quick
to reassure her that she feels "blessed" to have them around.
"It's so inspiring to see joy it brings him," said Lind. "And at
Arne's age, it's good for the brain and body to keep moving. We've had
several special needs students in here … there are no limitations."
Courtesy of Robin Lind
'You’re never too old to pursue your dreams,' said Lind, who created a dance program for senior citizens.
After seeing how Mayala's story has resonated, Lind was inspired to
start a dance program at her mother's assisted living center. "They just
want to move," said Lind of the senior citizens in her ballet and tap
classes. "They want to have fun. I was told it was the largest turnout
the center had ever had at an event."
She added, "If just one 85-year-old has this on bucket list, how many
others are out there? I hope more studios will consider these programs.
You're never too old to pursue your dreams."
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106-Year-Old Woman Dances With Joy as She Meets the Obamas
Taya Kyle, widow of "American Sniper" Chris Kyle, is at it again. And
by 'it,' we mean making us all blurry-eyed with a heartfelt Facebook
post, this time to honor her late husband's birthday.
"Today I am remembering birthday parties and the youthful fun you brought to our lives," death
Chris was 38 when he and friend Chad Littlefield, 35, were shot and
killed in 2013 at a Texas shooting range by former Marine Eddie Ray
Routh, who was convicted of murder in
February of 2015 and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Kyle, a
decorated military veteran and a sniper who had more than 160 kills
during four tours in Iraq, was played by Bradley Cooper in the
Oscar-nominated film "American Sniper,'' which was based on Chris'
best-selling autobiography of the same name.
In her post on Chris' birthday, Friday, Taya shared a few anecdotes
from birthdays in the Kyle household: "Whether it was hog-tying a kid —
our own or someone else's — lol, making faces, hitting a kids piñata ...
so hard the pieces of candy tagged the cars thought to be parked safely
out of harm's way… smashing cake in each other's faces and chasing each
other at our kid's birthday party or anyone else's.
These are the ways you brought life to my serious heart."
Taya attached nine photos to the post, giving us a glimpse at the Kyle
family in action — including the aforementioned cake-smashing incident.
She confessed to feeling "more pain than laughter" in the last few
years, and expressed a wish to channel Chris' "zest for embracing the
child within regardless of your age, regardless of your pain" and "to
laugh simply because you are still alive and you can."source:.today
Courtesy of Robin Lind
Courtesy of Robin Lind
