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Showing posts from November, 2018

Blog: Why it's important to think about engineering inspections

... part of many businesses' insurance and risk management programmes. ... can also help to keep the cost of an insurance programme sustainable.

Democrat Colin Allred, who unseated Rep. Pete Sessions, won't say if he'll back Pelosi

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Former NFL player and political novice Colin Allred, who pulled off a major upset by unseating 11-term GOP Rep. Pete Sessions in Dallas County's 32nd Congressional District on Tuesday, pointedly refused to say Wednesday night whether he'll back House Minority Leader's Nancy Pelosi bid to reclaim the speakership. Speaking exclusively to Fox News'  Dana Perino on "The Daily Briefing," Allred, 35, insisted he wants to survey the field before making any commitments. The 78-year-old Pelosi, in a letter to members and members-elect of Congress Wednesday night, formally announced her candidacy to reclaim the speakership. "I really do want to see who's running. I want to talk to them, I want to hear what their ideas are, and I want to get a few commitments as well," Allred said. "Beginning with infrastructure, I think that should be one of the first things on our docket in the House." Allred, a lawyer with a Berkeley Law School degree who

Doug Schoen: Trump shouldn’t have fired Jeff Sessions – here’s why

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Less than 24 hours after polls closed in Tuesday’s midterm elections, when he no longer had to fear short-term political damage, President Trump formally asked for and received Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ resignation. It is abundantly clear that President Trump has had this move on the backburner for several months, and was just waiting to get past the midterms before ousting Sessions as head of the Justice Department. The president has made no secret of his anger at Sessions’ decision to recuse himself from overseeing Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and possible collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign to help Trump become president. In addition to dismissing Sessions, President Trump also swiftly removed Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein from overseeing the Russia investigation and appointed Sessions’ chief of staff, Matthew Whitaker, to serve as acting attorney general and to oversee the M

Trump neuters ObamaCare birth control coverage mandate with limits on plans covering abortion

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In a post-midterms one-two punch to ObamaCare, Trump administration on Wednesday finalized major rule changes aimed at rolling back the Affordable Care Act's contraceptive coverage mandate and tightening restrictions to ensure that taxpayer subsidies aren't used to fund abortions. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that the changes would allow some employers with religious or moral objections to opt out of providing no-cost birth control for female workers. Last year, the White House vowed to provide "full protection” to a wide range of companies and organizations that claim a “religious or moral objection” to providing the coverage. Under former President Barack Obama's health care law, most employers must cover birth control at no charge as a preventive service for women. Accommodating religious objections has been a sticking point with conservatives for years, and was the subject of legal challenges. The new regulations apply mainly

‘Brady Bunch’ cast to take part in TV home’s renovation: report

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Brady Bunch cast: (left to right) Maureen McCormack (Marsha), Christopher Knight (Peter), Susan Olsen (Cindy), Mike Lookinland (Bobby), Eve Plumb (Jan) and Barry Williams (Greg) in front of the original Brady home in Studio City, CA, as seen on A Very Brady Renovation. (HGTV via AP) The six former cast members who portrayed the “The Brady Bunch” kids will reportedly participate in the makeover of the home that was featured in the sitcom’s opening and closing. The cast’s role in the renovation came to light when Maureen McCormick (Marcia), Barry Williams (Greg), Christopher Knight (Peter), Eve Plumb (Jan), Mike Lookinland (Bobby) and Susan Olsen (Cindy) gathered at the home Nov. 1 in honor of “A Very Brady Renovation,” the HGTV show that will showcase the renovation, People reported Thursday. Each former Brady star will reportedly work with HGTV designers to revamp different parts of the residence. ‘BRADY BUNCH’ CAST REUNITES AT ICONIC TV HOME AMID PLANS FOR HOME-RENOVATI

South Carolina voter told to remove 'Trump' shirt in order to vote: report

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A man trying to vote in South Carolina was reportedly told to remove his "Trump" shirt before he could cast a ballot in the midterm election Tuesday. (Todd Price via Storyful) Vote Trump, no service? A man in South Carolina who was donning a T-shirt that showed his support of President Trump was reportedly told to remove the article of clothing if he wanted to vote in Tuesday's midterm election. The unidentified man was trying to vote at a polling location in Murrells Inlet when he was asked to remove his shirt, WPDE-TV  reported. Photos posted online don't clearly show what graphics are on the shirt. Voter Todd Price wrote on Facebook that officials "made this poor guy take off this Trump shirt to vote. I thought it was ok as long as the shirt wasn't for someone on the ballot?" According to Georgetown County's Board of Elections, "campaign materials" are not allowed within 200 feet of a polling precinct or inside of the

US emergency directive after Boeing jet crash in Indonesia

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next FILE - In this Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018, file photo, navy personnel carry the remains of a victim of Lion Air jet that crashed into the sea at the Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta, Indonesia. Boeing Co. says it has issued a safety bulletin that reiterates guidelines on how pilots should respond to erroneous data from an "angle of attack" sensor following last week's crash of a Boeing plane in Indonesia that killed 189 people. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana, File) JAKARTA, Indonesia – The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued an emergency airworthiness directive on how to handle erroneous data from a sensor that investigators believe malfunctioned on a new Boeing jet that plunged into the sea in Indonesia, killing all 189 people on board. The directive gives regulatory weight to Boeing's safety bulletin that it sent to operators of Boeing 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 planes based on findings from the ongoing Indonesian investigation into the Oct. 29 cra

CNN's Jim Acosta has press pass suspended by White House, Sarah Sanders announces

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CNN's Chief White House Correspondent Jim Acosta's press pass to access the White House was suspended "until further notice" Wednesday, hours after he engaged in a contentious back-and-forth with President Trump. "I've just been denied entrance to the WH," Acosta tweeted Wednesday night. "Secret Service just informed me I cannot enter the WH grounds for my 8pm hit." White House press secretary Sarah Sanders confirmed Acosta's tweet in a statement, claiming the suspension of his press credentials stemmed from his "placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern." She called the behavior "absolutely unacceptable." CNN'S JIM ACOSTA STRUGGLES WITH WHITE HOUSE AIDE TO KEEP MICROPHONE DURING TESTY TRUMP EXCHANGE The CNN reporter, during a news conference at the White House earlier Wednesday, got into a heated debate with Trump after he asked the president about the migrant car

11-year-old in North Carolina charged with putting needles in Halloween candy, police say

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Trick-or-treat. These states seem to prefer the treat, consuming the most calories on Halloween (iStock) A North Carolina child is facing felony charges after police say the 11-year-old allegedly put sewing needles in Halloween candy. The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office said that deputies responded to a call on Halloween that a 12-year-old child suffered minor injuries after eating a candy bar with a sewing needle in it, Fox 8 reported . The child had reportedly gone trick-or-treating in the Grace Ridge subdivision. A second candy bar with a sharp object was also found in the victim’s candy stash. Another incident was reported on Thursday – that child’s family had also been trick-or-treating in the same neighborhood, Fox 8 reported. An investigation into the attacks led authorities to an 11-year-old child who was visiting relatives in the Grace Ridge subdivision, T he Salisbury Post reported. They say the child put the needles inside the candy with the intent to cause har

Georgia posts private information of 300,000 absentee voters

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Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp calls himself a "politically incorrect conservative." (AP Photo/John Amis) The office of Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp recently posted a public spreadsheet containing the home addresses and contact information of nearly 300,000 absentee voters, including disabled, elderly and active-duty military personnel. Shortly after releasing the information, he declared victory in his contentious race for governor against Democrat Stacy Abrams. The public disclosure of this private information is standard practice, according to Kemp’s office, but still raises the specter of voter intimidation just as his campaign for governor declares victory over Abrams. Currently, Republican Brad Raffensperger and Democrat John Barrow are in a tight race that's headed to a Dec. 4 runoff election, over the vacated Secretary of State position. In the weeks leading up to the midterm elections, Kemp came under fire for his controversial dual

Correction: Girl Scouts vs Boy Scouts story

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FILE - In this June 18, 2018, file photo, patches cover the back of a Girl Scout's vest at a demonstration of some of their activities in Seattle. The Girl Scouts of the United States of America filed a trademark infringement lawsuit on Monday, Nov. 5, against the Boy Scouts of America for dropping the word "boy" from its flagship program in an effort to attract girls. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File) NEW YORK – In some versions of a story Nov. 6 and 7 about a lawsuit brought by the Girl Scouts of the United States of America against the Boy Scouts of America, The Associated Press erroneously reported the day the complaint was filed. It was filed Tuesday, not Monday. A corrected version of the story is below: Girl Scouts sue Boy Scouts over program's name change The Girl Scouts of the United States of America has filed a lawsuit against the Boy Scouts of America for dropping the word "boy" from its flagship program in an effort to attract girl

Taylor Swift makes last-minute plea to fans on Election Day: 'It’s not enough to just want to vote'

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'Taylor Swift effect' dismissed by Tennessee students Pop star Taylor Swift's last minute endorsement of Democratic Senate Candidate Phil Bredesen in Tennessee has voters wondering if it can pull him over the finish line for a victory. Students in the state don't think so. Taylor Swift isn’t slowing down her political message on Election Day. The pop singer posted several videos her Instagram Story early Tuesday, making a last-minute plea to her fans to get out and vote. “What is today? Tuesday. What was it that everyone is supposed to do today? What was it? Oh yeah, you got to go vote today,” Swift begins in the series of videos. The “Shake It Off” singer said people shouldn’t underestimate young voters. “I’m seeing a lot of underestimation of young voters and this new generation who now have the right to vote just in the last couple of years, but these are people who grew up post 9/11, they grew up with school shooting drills at their schools,” S

Trump to watch midterm election returns with family, friends at White House

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President Trump will watch the midterm election returns with family and friends at the White House Tuesday evening, settling into a brief role as spectator after months of campaigning for Republican congressional and gubernatorial candidates. Trump has crisscrossed the country in the weeks leading up to Election Day, hosting “Make America Great Again” rallies to campaign for Republicans in an effort to maintain the majority of the House and Senate, and pick up or hold some governor’s mansions along the way. He finished with a spree of three rallies on Monday. “After 11 rallies in 8 states and weeks of campaigning for Republican candidates, the President will spend today making phone calls, monitoring Congressional, Senate and Gubernatorial races across the country and meeting with his political team for real-time updates,” White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said. “Later this evening, the President and First Lady have invited family and friends to join them in the residence

Southwest Airlines passenger arrested for 'erratic behavior' had allegedly attacked flight attendant, passenger claims

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The unidentified flyer caused a commotion on Flight 864 from Fort Lauderdale. (iStock) An out-of-control passenger on a Southwest Airlines flight to Newark was arrested Monday evening for displaying “erratic behavior,” the airline said. The unidentified flyer caused a commotion on Flight 864 from Fort Lauderdale — which landed an hour late, at 12:26 a.m. Tuesday. MAN REMOVED FROM FLIGHT OVER SLEEPING PILL: 'IT WAS SO HUMILIATING' It’s unclear exactly what he did, but some passengers tweeted that a man on their flight arriving in Newark tried to exit the aircraft and attacked a stewardess. “My recap home… guy tried departing the plane, guy attacks Stewardess, guy gets zip-tied, swarmed by police and arrested… OH MY PLANE WAS DELAYED,” tweeted @drychickenthigh. The man’s behavior prompted the crew to call local law enforcement, who met the plane and cuffed the unruly passenger. No one was injured, the airline said. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE

AG races could swell army of lawyers suing Trump, as Dems vow to ‘take on’ president

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Florida AG candidate Sean Shaw, left, and Michigan AG candidate Dana Nessel, right, are among the Democratic candidates vying for the chance to engage in legal battle with President Trump.  (AP/Shaw campaign/Nessel campaign) Democrats don’t have to win control of either chamber of Congress to jam the Trump administration’s agenda and flood the zone with investigations. The state attorneys general races provide an opening to grow the ranks of top prosecutors already doing that. Much like GOP attorneys general buffeted the Obama administration with lawsuits challenging an array of regulations, Democratic AGs have made an industry out of taking President Trump to court. And in today's midterms, a number of candidates are campaigning to join that fight, even as these races largely fly under the radar. Take Florida. The state hosts high-profile contests for governor and Senate, but the down-ballot race for AG features Democratic nominee Sean Shaw, a state legislator. He has

NFL players urge Americans to vote during midterm elections: 'Our lives depend on it'

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Several members of the NFL Players’ Coalition -- an activist group within the league motivated by perceived racial injustice -- urged Americans to go to the polls Tuesday to vote in the midterm elections, warning: “Our lives depend on it.” Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Chris Long, Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman, New York Jets offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum and former standout running back Matt Forte all co-signed the letter, which was published Monday via the Players’ Tribune . Unlike the recent remarks made by some prominent NBA figures , the players didn’t endorse any specific candidates in their pitch, however, the group has been critical of President Trump and his administration's policies. AMERICA’S ELECTION HQ MIDTERMS 2018 “Right now, our collective national identity is one of pain and despair, of confusion and anger. We are fractured, we are hurting and too many are finding themselves as mourners. But America’s true identity is one of greatness,” the

Michigan journalist caught saying Republican John James' victory would 'suck': report

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A Michigan newspaper scribe reportedly left a voicemail to Republican Senate hopeful John James' campaign saying that if he defeats the longtime Democratic incumbent, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, it would “suck.” "Man, if he beats her … Jesus! F---ing John James. That would suck! I don’t think it’s going to happen though,” Brenda Battel, a reporter for the Huron Daily Tribune, reportedly said in a voicemail to the James’ campaign. The reporter initially called to organize a post-election interview with the Republican, who’s waging a serious challenge to the Democrat. “I’m looking to set up an appointment with Mr. James for some time on Wednesday for a phone interview regarding the election results,” she is heard saying according to an audio posted by the campaign. After leaving her details, the reporter unsuccessfully tried to hang up the phone. She apparently believed her call was disconnected and went on to decry James’ potential victory. Tori Sachs, James’ campaign manag

Trump to watch midterm election returns with family, friends at White House

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President Trump will watch the midterm election returns with family and friends at the White House Tuesday evening, settling into a brief role as spectator after months of campaigning for Republican congressional and gubernatorial candidates. Trump has crisscrossed the country in the weeks leading up to Election Day, hosting “Make America Great Again” rallies to campaign for Republicans in an effort to maintain the majority of the House and Senate, and pick up or hold some governor’s mansions along the way. He finished with a spree of three rallies on Monday. “After 11 rallies in 8 states and weeks of campaigning for Republican candidates, the President will spend today making phone calls, monitoring Congressional, Senate and Gubernatorial races across the country and meeting with his political team for real-time updates,” White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said. “Later this evening, the President and First Lady have invited family and friends to join them in the residence

Son of former Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer dies unexpectedly

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The eldest son of former Republican Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer unexpectedly died over the weekend, the family announced on Monday. (AP) The eldest son of former Republican Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer unexpectedly died over the weekend, the family announced on Monday. “Heartbreaking news for me,” Brewer wrote on Twitter, announcing the death of Ronald Brewer, 54. “Prayers for me and my family as we grieve are greatly appreciated.” The exact cause of the son’s death wasn’t clear. The obituary shared by Brewer noted that he died in his sleep on Saturday and emphasized his “adventurous spirit and outgoing personality’ and “beaming smile, sense of humor and giggle.” “He attended private high school in Provo, Utah and graduated valedictorian of his class,” the obituary read. “Ron loved his shoes, which would take him to his favorite activities like camping, enjoying nature, picking out flowers and experiencing hiking up the Hole in the Rock to watch the brilliant Phoenix sunsets. He&

Sheriff: 10-year-old says she stomped head of baby in panic

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CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. – A 10-year-old girl charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the death of a 6-month-old baby told investigators that she panicked after dropping the infant, and stomped on the child's head to stop the crying, according to a sheriff in western Wisconsin. Handcuffed and wearing a leather restraint around her waist, the girl sobbed as she appeared in Chippewa County Circuit Court on Monday. A judge set bond at $50,000. State law requires the case, at least initially, to be held in adult court, according to prosecutors. First responders were called Oct. 30 to a licensed home day care in the Town of Tilden near Chippewa Falls. The baby was found to be unresponsive and bleeding from the head, according to officials. The baby was rushed to HSHS St. Joseph's Hospital in Chippewa Falls, then airlifted to Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare hospital in St. Paul where he died Nov. 1. Chippewa County Sheriff James Kowalczyk said a doctor calle

Down to the wire: Why aren't Democrats overwhelming favorites?

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As the media are awash in predictions and prognostications about today's elections, one question I find fascinating is this: Why haven't the Democrats run away with this thing? After all, if Donald Trump is as terrible a president as the press has been proclaiming for nearly two years, the opposition party should be riding a wave of revulsion to victory. The Dems are favored to win the 23 seats needed to win the House, and some pundits are saying they'll take considerably more, but the fact that even the minimum outcome is in doubt shows a far more competitive election than was forecast a month or two ago. So perhaps Trump, and the Republican candidates following his lead, are better at electoral politics than the wise guys thought. And you can't blame it all on "fear-mongering," even though the president has chosen to close on immigration rather than the booming economy. There is no question that these midterms are largely about Trump, and that he ha

US troops seen setting up barbed wire near Mexico border

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"/> U.S. troops, along with Customs and Border Protection officers, were seen laying down barbed-wire fencing near the Texas-Mexico border. (U.S. Air Force) U.S. troops, along with Customs and Border Protection officers, have been working to secure sections of the Texas-Mexico border, in part by laying down barbed-wire fencing, as new photos show. The protection reportedly includes roughly 1,000 feet of fencing along the Rio Grande. The barrier was installed near the Hidalgo Texas Port of Entry, underneath the McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge, which crosses the river from Texas into Mexico. (U.S. Air Force) The barrier was installed near the Hidalgo Texas Port of Entry, underneath the McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge, which crosses the river from Texas into Mexico. A Border Patrol spokesperson said the fencing was being used as part of "necessary preparations" as four caravans, which have grown to include some 12,000 Central American migra

Hunting, fishing rights on the ballot in North Carolina

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There's nothing Brant McMullan likes more than fishing for redfish with his son on his Yellowfin boat, with his Yamaha F300 outboard motors off the coast of North Carolina. "Fishing is a way of life for us," McMullan said, joined out on the water by his son and his father. But today, he fears for fishing's future, particularly for sport-fisherman like himself. McMullan told Fox News he's concerned that over the past few decades, sport-fisherman have been getting squeezed out of the fishing industry, as a result of increasing "regulations and pressure." That's exactly why he's supporting a ballot measure in North Carolina that would enshrine the right to fish and hunt in the state constitution. What McMullan fears most, he said, is a regulatory concept called "catch shares." That's where the government divvies up catch limits for certain species of fish among commercial fishermen. McMullan explained that sport-anglers like h

Wisconsin town mourns 3 Girl Scouts, 1 adult killed in crash

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Sherri Jasper, a Girl Scout board member and counselor at Halmstad Elementary School, leads the program for a candlelight vigil at the school in Chippewa Falls, Wis., Sunday evening, Nov. 4, 2018. The western Wisconsin community on Sunday was grieving the deaths of three Girl Scouts and a parent who were collecting trash Saturday along a rural highway when police say a pickup truck veered off the road and hit them before speeding away. The 21-year-old driver, Colten Treu of Chippewa Falls, sped off but later surrendered. He will be charged with four counts of homicide, Lake Hallie police Sgt. Daniel Sokup said. (Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune via AP) LAKE HALLIE, Wis. – A western Wisconsin community on Sunday was grieving the deaths of three Girl Scouts and a parent who were collecting trash along a rural highway when police say a pickup truck veered off the road and hit them before speeding away. Authorities have not released the names of the girls or the woman who were struck

Trump says Saudi Arabia 'didn't know how to use' US-made bombs in Yemen

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President Trump shaking hands with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House in March. (AP, File) President Trump said in an interview broadcast Sunday that members of the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen's civil war "didn't know how to use" an American-made bomb when they blew up a school bus this past August, killing dozens of children. Trump described the Aug. 9 attack, which killed at least 51 people including 40 children, as "a horror show" in an interview with "Axios on HBO." However, he pointed out that the weapon "wasn't operated by U.S. people." "We don't do that," Trump went on. "Our people are the best operators in the world ... That was basically people that didn't know how to use the weapon, which is horrible." The interview was broadcast four days after the Trump administration demanded a cease-fire and the launch of U.N.-led political talks to end the Yemen

Cuban president meets North Korea's Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang

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FILE - In this Nov. 1, 2018, file photo, Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel arrives at Moscow's Government Vnukovo airport for an official visit to Russia. Diaz-Canel, arrived in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, agreed with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to expand and strengthen their strategic relations. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File) PYONGYANG, North Korea – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel — both hoping to get out from under U.S. economic sanctions — have agreed to expand and strengthen their strategic relations, North Korea's state media reported Monday. Diaz-Canel, who is in Asia on his first international tour since assuming office in April, arrived in Pyongyang with his wife on Sunday. He was met at the airport by Kim, who joined him on the ride into the city past flower-waving and cheering crowds. North Korea's state media reported the two held talks at the Paekhwawon State Guest